Lick Online - Demo Reviews

>> The Littlest Orgasm
>> Electric Honey

This is a sneaky one. Just when I thought I’d found a safe distance from which to ponder vocalist Ink Wilson’s idiosyncratic style (most often likened to Tom Waits) on opening track “A Little Orgasm of Disappointment”, up crept several of the remaining ten band members to take me hostage with their rousing collision of sound (featured on this mini album are trumpets, trombones, flute, cellos, glockenspiel and other instruments including, umm, ironing board).

From then on the pace rarely lets up; the sound is unhinged and multi-legged and I can only imagine how much fun the live shows must be. It’s no surprise that How to Swim have played alongside off-kilter kindred spirits Dawn of the Replicants. Final track “Cherry Moon” arrives to show us that How to Swim have a gentler, more plaintive side as well. Genuinely off-its-head and relentlessly entertaining.

>> Lorraine Douglas

www.howtoswim.net
www.myspace.com/howtoswim

>> Your Favourite Planet
>> Beatroot Records

Previously known as Fred before wisely deciding to slip into something a little more evocative, Lucerna have been tipped as potential stadium-fillers and it’s not difficult to see why. This band has a big, anthemic sound, coupled with an emotional intelligence that uses finesse, rather than bluster, to drive its points home.

Opening song “Far From Home” reminded me immediately of the Icicle Works’ combination of big heartfelt choruses, soaring vocals and delicate songwriting. Lucerna’s sound may well be epic, but not at the expense of texture; there’s enough light and shade here to keep things engaging. Final song “I Am” is something of a departure in sound, with sampled spoken-word verses and a looser feel than the other tracks here, suggesting that Lucerna have more than one kind of album in them.

>> Lorraine Douglas

www.lucernatheband.co.uk
www.myspace.com/lucernatheband

>> Ampersand

Where Ampersand fail to broaden your musical boundries they more than make up for in proving that Scotland can produce captavating rock bands.

With the music on offer here which is both soulful and anthemic throughout, you get the feeling that Ampersand are a band who are comfortable with themselves musically, giving no false airs just well crafted songs. And tracks such as Believe and the fantastic Dam Time show you that guitar solos can actually be taken seriously and are not some just some sort of pastice for mr Justion Hawkins.

If you havnt seen them live already then do so quickly and start believing!

>> Andrew Mitchell