Lick Online - Demo Reviews

Galore Nation (Lockjaw Records)

Glasgow’s No Kilter stride out with a debut ep ‘Galore Nation’, a disc so much smarter than the average that it’d probably steal you pic-a-nic basket if you’re not paying attention.

Combining catchy punk-riff rhythms with deeply complex geek-rock time signatures and harmonies sounds like a pretty horrific idea, but it comes off pretty damn well here. The enthusiasm brings to mind At the Drive-In and Hundred Reasons, coupled with the mathematical styling of Sikth, Cave In and 311. But don’t get bogged down with comparisons… No Kilter have a signature sound going on that is almost totally unique in today’s NME-a-like musical climate.

‘Congratulations On Your Decision To Become A Criminal’ is an epic opening track with a breakdown section and riff change that is up there with the best. In fact, on first listen, I thought we were into track two! The ep rolls on in a similarly horizon smashing style, with ‘Rec-Error’ bringing to mind aspects of Oceansize (a band I consider genius).

A new band willing to so confidently showcase ideas on this scale deserves respect… not to mention repeat listens.

Tour details to be confirmed.

www.nokilter.tk
www.myspace.com/nokiltermusic

Russell Moore

Lazy Eye

Silversun Pickups is a terrible name for a band. It really is. Just think about it.

Bad.

But let’s not judge the content by the stuff in which it is wrapped – unless it’s Silversun Pickups.

With a polished ‘edgy’ guitar sound and slightly warped vocal treatment, Silversun Pickups’ Lazy Eye is probably the most cynical thing I’ve listened to in quite a while. Fundamentally there is nothing going on in this song – the riff is a plodding bore, the lyrics mean nothing, the quiet/loud dynamic is executed in the most pedestrian way possible and it finishes as if it was embarrassed to be there to begin with.

Quite where this band has come from is a mystery to me. Why they would choose to release music of such crushingly bad quality is a quandary in which to wrap that mystery. And why they would release a ‘Radio Edit’ makes me wonder what horrors await us on the album.

If I never hear this again it will be far, far too soon. Lazy? Aye.

www.silversunpickups.com
www.myspace.com/silversunpickups

Russell Moore

These Are the Facts (Mercury Records)

Sheffield bandits Milburn are the Arctic Monkeys it’s still ok to like. Why is that? Well, it’s because they’ve not sold as many records or gone ‘dark’. It’s that easy Monkeys!

Combining the charm of The Coral with the colloquial shenanigans of those Arctic boys allows Milburn to sound both immediately recognisable yet suitably different enough to warrant your attention. ‘What Will You Do (When the Money Goes)’ is probably the biggest rip off track on the album but it stills has enough going on to keep you listening. ‘Summertime’ is a brilliantly broody, anti-summer irony anthem dressed up in loose guitars with thrumming bass and drums. And any band with the sense of humour required for ‘Cowboys and Indians’ is fine by me.

To be honest, I like Milburn much more than I should. That’s because there’s plenty of invention, a healthy dose of humour, enough experimentation to keep even the Flaming Lips happy and a distinct lack of ego saturating the whole record.

Anyone looking to overcome feelings of 2007’s missing summer should give Milburn a spin. It’ll put a smile on yer face.

www.milburnmusic.com
www.myspace.com/milburnmusic

Russell Moore

Two Left Feet ‘07

This is a remix (and according to the press release a ‘re-working’) of Two Left Feet “for 2007”. Frankly whatever has changed in 2007 to warrant a remix release from The Holloways is beyond me.

Sounding like a mix between Dodgy and The Levellers, but without the discernable ‘talents’ of either of these bands, is about as close as I can get to describing this song. It has a summery feel, albeit several weeks too late, but that’s about it. It leaves you with something of a pop music hangover; you’re not too sure if you had a good time or not but you regret it now anyway. I’d imagine that’s how people feel when they spend money on Spice Girls tickets: you’ll certainly think your having a good time but be damned if you ever wear that tour t-shirt in public afterwards.

So there we have it, The Holloways. A bit like a Spice Girls reunion tour t-shirt. Quids in.

www.the-holloways.com
www.myspace.com/theholloways

Russell Moore

Beyond the Neighbourhood

Disliking Athlete is like punching a kitten in the kidneys. Man, it feels good at the time but you harbour nothing but remorse and guilt for the rest of the day.

Beyond the Neighbourhood sounds like Athlete’s version of the latter part of Stereophonic’s dismal career – all those terrible songs about being knackered on the road, bored by hotels, exhausted with fame, blah, blah and blah. But what Athlete has done seems to be more interesting and unique.

Taking something of a cue from stalwart minimalist genius Brian Eno’s ‘Music for Airports’, Athlete has concentrated more on the mood and atmosphere of travel than the mundane details of their tour diary (Kelly, take note). The trademark electronic sounds have a slick pop production but remain steeped in a more experimental origin. The song titles lack this subtlety; I mean how much more obvious can ‘In Between 2 States’, ‘Airport Disco’, ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘Flying Over Bus Stops’ be? All this is rescued and forgiven by the lack of pretension in the tunes. Indeed, Airport Disco is a haunting and quite epic sounding track with several, heavily reverberating layers that will transcend the drab surroundings you’ll probably listen to it in. Not only that, on closer inspection the lyrics themselves are more than the sum of their parts – commenting on topics as wide-ranging as 9/11 tragedies and the biting hypocrisy of stereotypical English tourists.

To be honest there is no ‘Wires’ or ‘Half Light’ on this album but there’s sure to be a sleeper in there that will emerge in time. First single ‘Hurricane’ stomps along but I reckon this is a release where the album tracks will be appreciated much more than previous Athlete efforts.

Beyond the Neighbourhood occasionally reminded me of my days travelling by train while listening to Kid A; and what better way to describe an album clearly focused on those fidgety feelings of being in-between the two places you’d rather be? Buy this for someone who has to commute from work when the nights draw in – they’ll appreciate the gesture.

Tour under way.

www.athlete.mu

Russell Moore

Delivery

Hello everyone! I hate the Libertines, Pete Doherty, every band that’s ever been inspired by either of the afore-mentioned and, not forgetting, I hate Babyshambles! Great start; let’s see where it goes…

Well my o’ my! Apparently capable of not popping sacks full of scag directly into his eye sockets for the duration of recording a single, Pete Doherty and his Babyshambles have actually crafted something that can be listened to and (gulp) enjoyed… I’m going to pay for this (not in cash mind you – karma!)

I should take back my comment about the scag too – there’s every chance that Pete did manage his daily dose of the stuff while recording this single and I wouldn’t want to de-mystify the main reason why so many of his fans seem to find him enthralling.

‘Delivery’ has a concise, direct sound that makes for an ideal single. Jangling guitar peaks with a hop-along riff and some clearly audible pop melodies. And to top it off there’s a fairly inventive solo and some bonus melodic guitar to boot. The band as a whole seems to be invigorated by something; a distinct air of showing what it could well be made of.

Who knows, after years of sub-par guff and ripping the piss out of fans who seem to remain more than happy to pay money to see the band, Babyshambles might have pulled up its socks and started to care. I honestly thought I’d never see the day.

This is definitely not going to change my mind about Pete and his merry band of cohorts, but at least it’ll make hating him easier on the old ears.

Babyshambles might appear at Glasgow SECC on 1st December. Supported by The View (Christ…)

www.babyshambles.net
www.myspace.com/babyshamblesofficial

Russell Moore

She Called Up (Parlophone)

As a Fan, it’s a thrill to see Crowded house back together again. And they've brought with them a super comeback album and a world tour that includes a brief stint at Glasgow’s SECC in November . There are many songs on the album which make
it a true gem, but the one that stands out the most is “She Called Up,” a song which amalgamates the incredible genius of Neil Finn’s songwrting with the instantly recognisable guitar sound of the band as a whole. The influence of Paul McCartney creeps in here and there, but "She Called Up" nevertheless remains a quintessential testament to Finn's skill with a hit. It has a discernible likeness to many of the other songs that the band have
produced over the years, and there's definite echo “Something So Strong” in
there. To me it sounds like it was written about the tragic death of the drummer Paul Hester a few years ago. In terms of narrative, the song adopts themes of loss and helplessness, coupled with an almost tangible pain in the vocal. Well worth a listen, and definitely my favourite album of the year.

David Mathers

Crowded house play the SECC on Friday 30th November 2007