Lick Online - Demo Reviews

>> That First Time

This is like some freaky déjà vu situation; I have unwittingly seen this band live! In fact, back in March I described Eoghan Colgan as the Robbie Williams of the pipe-smoke folk circuit – and lo! here be the man’s ep lolling from my speakers. So, do first impressions really last; or can I bring myself to change my stubborn mind?

Well it’s a bit of both to be honest. The man still sounds like Mr Williams’ slightly less convincing little brother, but in terms of neatly crafted songs he’s made a bit of headway. This was never going to be my favourite cd, but, in an oddly charming David Gray kinda way EC has done alright. ‘All I Need’ is quite good and ‘Sunny Days’ has a nice nursery rhyme tint to it but in general the songs just lack the edge that could propel them into my memory: with the exception of the truly terrible ‘Planetary Woman’ that is. The thick layer of cheese that coats this song will probably stick in my mind for years to come. And the chorus is just aching to get its arse kicked.

‘I can’t do this anymore’ is just ‘Knocking On Heaven’s Door’ with Eoghan shouting over the top. Not fun. But when it comes down to it there should be more to song writing than the craft – and shouting doesn’t make up for passion. If you’re looking for a dinner party comedown album then this will probably do the job; if you’re looking for something that is in any way interesting or challenging then I’d give it a miss.

>> Russell Moore

>> Demo

Sixx are one-louder than name-o-likes 5ive, but yet there are only 3 of them. Confused? Well don’t be.

Sixx’s opening 4-track demo sits in that 'middle-of-the-road rock' category, with un-inventive guitar riffs and instantly forgettable songs with lyrics that you’ve heard from a million and one other bands. The lyrics at some points even make for uncomfortable listening, especially on track 3; Sexloft - ‘Oh my baby will you look at my gun, just pull my trigger and I’ll have my fun’ is just one example.

However, the production is smart and the playing is tight. Guitar player Jim Cleneghan is obviously a very strong technical player in particular, but there’s no real end product from the songs that’s likely to catch the imagination.

Still Under The Weather seems to the best of the bunch, and maybe a sign that the songs may improve with time. But for now it seems these guys should forget the fancy CD artwork, take a foot down from the monitor and concentrate on the songwriting.

>> Joe Sach

www.sixxmusic.com

>> Scattered Recordings

Once again thinking back to that night in March I am pleased to report that ‘Strike the Colours’ (Jo Mango’s second support act) are, simply put, magic! As I said before, these are heartfelt songs delivered with modesty and skill.

The extra dimension of being backed with a band heightens the majesty of the songs and StC have managed the rare trick of sounding EXACTLY like Scotland. Only ‘Sons and Daughters’ and ‘Emer’ can also claim this. The Proclaimers too, but that goes without saying!

‘Bare Legs in a Storm’ is a haunting tune, it sounds like an elderly ghost visiting a child in a fairytale. ‘Strangernight’ is a slightly more straightforward affair but it makes full use of Jenny Reeve’s powerful vocals and the floating production helps it transcend other bands’ recordings. Standout track is ‘Safety in Numbers’, ironically the only song recorded without the band. The chorus melody is just beautiful: it pulls forward, raises the song to a new height and let’s you look back on the countryside – the Stealth Bomber of song writing!

>> Russell Moore

www.strikethecolours.com
www.myspace.com/strikethecolours

>> Join the Programme E.P

This 5-track EP starts with the delightfully named “Chuff”, in which jangling, softly sung verses are interspersed with shouted chorus of “chuff, chuff”. Mixing indie sounds with comedy, FOP remind me of the Stretchheads or Sultans of Ping F.C., not so much in sound but for sheer “How are we meant to react to this?” factor.

Thankfully, their own website refers to comedy as well as to music, and has a healthy dose of self-deprecation too. They do have some decent indie tunes, as evidenced on “Disappointed”, one of two relatively straightforward songs on here, which the band themselves refer to as “girly”. The reflective mood doesn’t last long, though, and we hurtle into the metal insanity of “Domination”. FOP’s appeal is, I suspect, largely going to be confined to student unions in which the alcohol flows freely but let’s face it, there are plenty of those.

>> Lorraine Douglas

www.friendsoutreachprogramme.org

>> Oikofugic
>> Wickerman Records

The Science seem to have had a somewhat on/off history as a band, currently on hiatus pursuing no fewer than five different side projects. On this, their debut E.P, The Science play rock of the dark, brooding, atmospheric variety with hints that they could expand into more experimental areas.

The opening two songs, “Breezeblock Nightmare” and “Falling Asleep at the Wheel” have a melodic post-punk sound, with understated vocals sung in Scottish accents. Third song “Fading Out/Fading In” is the longest track here and the loosest in structure, suggesting that The Science could move into hypnotic, instrumental territory if they wanted. Oikofugic apparently means “excessive wandering”; hopefully this will refer to the band pushing back the boundaries and continuing to develop their sound, rather than wandering off never to return!

>> Lorraine Douglas

www.myspace.com/thesciencerock
www.thescience.co.uk

>> Expectations

The grassroots scene in Glasgow is blossoming at the moment. It seems that anywhere you turn there’s an earnest singer/songwriter letting you know the ins and outs of human relationships, trying their hardest not the let the heart on their sleeve break due to the weight of emotion they experience every day.

The songs on ‘Expectations’ ring with these similar themes; being on the right/wrong side of the tracks, singing out for love, did I miss my chance, etc. etc. Considering that the ultimate love song (God Only Knows, of course) was recorded forty years ago these are things we’ve heard since, time and again.

Opener ‘Expectations’ is firmly bracketed by the output of the Finn brothers. Rousing pre-chorus melodies countered by a minor fall before the verse kicks in again. It is in no way unsuccessful but even a cursory glance at a Crowded House single will overshadow it. ‘The Difference’ is more interesting proposition. With a skipping guitar line and a gentle honky piano sound the song soon reveals a very rewarding chorus with some magic harmonies. In terms of expectations (arf!) this song was a pleasant surprise. ‘Pleasing You’ shows the roots music this album is grounded in and is perhaps the most convincing song here. Subtle and understated with some cello-esque guitar work (or is it harmonium?) and a touch of banjo – it stands out by sitting back. The best track on the album is ‘Fall from Grace’. It’s a well-rounded and fully accomplished tune and it could be single material. Harking to late-period REM it has an epic feel but with close-to-home lyrics.

With a big gig at the ABC2 on the horizon and with having enjoyed some high-ranking support slots already, things could well be looking up for Kieran Docherty.

Kieran Docherty plays ABC2 on June 17th.

>> Russell Moore

www.kierandocherty.com
www.myspace.com/kierandocherty

>> Summer '05 Ep

This is an interesting move. Allergo have included a lyric sheet with their ep… surely this means they have something to say and they’re making damn sure everyone knows what it is! Turns out, the reason is because they play extremely (EXTREMELY) heavy metal and the vocals are used as a weapon of mass destruction rather than for harmonic beauty. But to give it its due, this rocks like a boulder in a quarry.

Drawing on bands like Sikth, Send More Paramedics and Poison the Well they have ensured that all but the heaviest of hardcore rock fans is gonna understand anything about this music. And as I’m sure you’re aware – this makes it excellent! The lyric sheet is the greatest thing written since Moses’ nagging tablets and (given that the music was apparently recorded in someone’s living room) the tunes are solid.

It would take a braver man than I to venture out to watch this bunch live but I am convinced it would be a night to remember – the tinnitus becoming a gift that keeps on giving!

>> Russell Moore

www.allergonoise.co.uk

>> Demo

Think:Fire have been through more band members and band names than I've had hot dinners, with lead singer Bruce McKenzie and drummer Lewis Black the longest lasting members. They serve up a smart and well recorded 3 track demo which I would put in the ‘intelligent emo’ bracket.

In a rock/indie scene that seems to be clinging to bands that have a strong local accent in the vocals, Think:Fire stick to what they believe in and allow the strong influences from across the pond in the US to flow through both the vocals and the songwriting. Singer Bruce gives it his all in all three tracks, almost to a point where you can't make out a word he's saying, but with emo bands like Panic! At The Disco and Fall Out Boy doing rather well for themselves, things may just start happening and Think:Fire’s future looks bright.

The twin guitar work is very strong, clever and full of atmospheric effects – shades of Incubus’ guitarist Mike Einziger, and Lewis on the skins is tight as a nun’s &%^*.

If this type of music is your bag, then you’ll love this band and be appreciative of the originality in the songs. However, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/thinkfire

>> Demo

Oooft! Put this in yer Cd player and smoke it.

This three track ‘Demo’ puts all other ‘demos’ to shame as all three tracks could be singles in their own right. The Glasgow 3-piece play hard, fast and melodic rock with a We Are Scientists feel about them. Great pop melodies and smashing lyrics that also has that Scottish-ness about them that seems to be so popular at the moment.

The band have recently been down in Manchester supporting the Rakes and winning an XFM unsigned competition and are starting to put themselves on the map, and with these three songs it’s not hard to see why.

Easy Money – a jagged guitar riffed explosion about local promoters would be my pick of the bunch, and along with Lost In the Mess and Slow Motion it makes this one of the best debut releases I’ve heard this year.

They are the new thing that everybody’s talking about.

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/wearefuturo

>> Demo

Inverness hard rawkers Stolen Order claim to ‘bring back rock n roll to you all’ with this three-track demo. Mmm. I’m not sure of the official meaning of the term but if it means using every cliché in the rock and/or roll book then I think they’ve just about nailed it.

One 2-minute Bon Jovi-esq ballad, and two other tracks that seem like excuses to hit their instruments as hard and as fast as possible without any real thought for the songwriting make for an ear-drum threatening first release. Cheesy lyrics, out-of-time drumming and poorly written songs all contribute to this poor show of a Cd.

However, credit where credit is due. I always respect bands who stick to what the believe in and are true to themselves and like those small band of Japanese soldiers found in the Philippines 60 years after the war was over – Stolen Order will battle on. Plus their bass player is called Minge – brilliant!

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/stolenorderband

>> Hold On
>> Say Dirty Recordings

Local 4-piece Endor serve up a lovely wee slice of Scottish pop/rock with their debut single Hold On.

Singing in your local accent has worked wonders for bands like the Arctic Monkeys, Oasis and Bloc Party - but for Scottish folk to try it, an image of ginger-haired twins in glasses usually appears in the mind of the listener. But Endor have managed to pull it off. Elements of relaxed Idlewild shine through, and the hand-claps throughout and clever, though provoking lyrics may even force this lot onto Saturday morning TV one day.

B-side Better/Smarter is another tight, toe-tapping cracker. Go buy it on Cd or limited 7 inch single.

>> Joe Sach

www.myspace.com/endor
www.saydirtyrecords.co.uk