Review added on behalf of Anastasia Aboim

In the early days of Hidden Amongst Us they had cracked the ice when the legendary Mrs Osbourne offered them a slot to support her Prince of Darkness husband on an arena tour but halted their success due to creative differences. Their debut LP, The Machine, is the product of the LA-based band’s reconciliation and quite noticeably their love of Black Sabbath.

While George Orwell’s totalitarian world in 1984 and the dull monotony of modern life are sited as inspiration, which is perfectly introduced by Hemland, which sounds like forty seconds of a soulless army called to march. This is shut down by catchy album track and lead single The Machine, the togetherness of the chorus, “We will overcome”, works well while and at times is empowering, but it is a message that’s been said before.

There are sparks in the otherwise gloomy themes including the Nirvana-esque The Real Me, which, along Brett Pettersson’s breathy vocals, are lusty and quite intriguing. The struggle to break the system is not an unfamiliar topic, but The Machine is atmospheric and entertaining. Though it might not be the best remedy for the so called “January blues” it’s still a worthy listen.

Photos and review by our very own Jake Priddle

The Chase @ Wedgewood Rooms 5^th January 2012

Missing Citizen

Kicking off the evening at Wedgewood-Rooms were the alternative rock foursome from Portsmouth – Missing Citizen. Drummer to the right, guitar and bass taking up the rest of the stage, Daniel Bateman runs onto the stage grabbing a small mega phone after a short introduction straight into their first song.

Each song packed with energetic drumming, deep underlying bass, plenty of mini solos dotted about between melodic guitar work all combined together with soulful/aggressive vocals reminiscent of an Incubus influence. Each song through their set building more and more energy towards the highlight of their performance, a new song unheard by fans – ‘Dead 8′. Starting with a rolling drum beat followed by a few strums from guitar, the new song accelerates straight into full out Missing Citizen style of alternative rock catchyness – not forgetting a whole load of rock poses holding the mic tight with both hands leaning right into the crowd, something unavoidable by a band such as this.

A quick salute to the crowd and a thanks between songs, it was time for their last song. Calls of Chase Chase Chase from the crowd in anticipation of the main act prove everyone’s in the mood and cant wait. The next song starts with a running bass line while Daniel calls for the crowd to clap along. A few drum beats coax everyone to join in and then the best song of their set goes into full swing. Each member gives it their all for the last song including one last visit from the mega phone. A thrash of noise and an attach of strobe lights end their set, the venue was now full and ready for more.

Guilded Child

Next up were Guilded Child, a three piece band made up of two brothers playing bass and lead with a drummer on the side. More colourful and upbeat than the previous band, they started out very promising offering classic sounding guitar pop as an antidote to aggressive alternative rock.

All-though enjoyable, there was an underlying factor stopping the audience and even the band appreciating the music as much as they should have. Either as a mask for nervousness or genuine concern for sound levels, front-man Harry kept asking for the mic and lead guitar to be adjusted which unfortunately seemed to cause a fair share of missed notes and mistakes from bass and lead.

Forgetting any mishaps, this band was a breath of fresh air needed between Missing Citizen and The Chase with fans singing along, dancing about and offering shouts of encouragement. Following suit after Missing Citizen, their seventh song was a new one. So new in fact – they only learnt it that week. Pretty ambitious for a band playing a bit rusty. After an introduction of the band members (Ben on bass, Harry on lead guitar and Dan on drums) ‘Whirlwind’ was pulled off perfectly even including a spotless solo in the middle.

Salvaging their set, the band go straight into their eighth and final song ‘Easy’. Reminding me of a cross between Fratellis and Oasis, I really enjoyed their music and hope this hairy set was a one off and am sure they can pull of a great gig.

The Chase

At last, the crowd is hyped, the lights dim, between a few cheers through the quietly waiting crowd The Chase takes the stage. No introductions needed as the band go straight into their first song. Showing the standard stage placements, drums at the back, guitar and keyboard to the right, bass to the left and front man in the middle, their first song is enough to get the crowd cheering and jumping along.

Playing a mix of originals from their first and new album with the occasional brilliant cover, this band sound fuller, louder and more refined than the first two acts. A couple of years purely covering classic British rock at gigs before their début album ‘Ever, Never or now?’ have obviously rounded and perfected their personal style, and not to mention given them the gift of being able to pull off amazing covers. Since then they’ve been playing at venues from Southampton and Portsmouth all the way up to several London gigs and have just released their new album ‘Slings and Arrows’.

The first eight songs were pretty much what you’d expect – a few older songs and a few newer ones that everyone who’s heard them knows already. After their eighth song they really came into their own racking out some genuinely brilliant tunes. Then they started on the odd cover song ranging from a surprising Goldfrapp cover to a Small Faces song reassuring fans of their influence of classic Brit-Rock.

Then they even pulled out a Saxophone to accompany some great original songs and singles bringing everyone to a massive musical high. After their sixteenth song, The Chase leave the stage to cries of encore from pretty much everyone in the hot, sweaty, beer smelling room. Surprise, surprise. They’re back…. only to cover ‘A town called malice’! Everyone goes mad dancing and singing along with an amazing atmosphere. Their last song of the night brought the mood even higher for fans as they played their newest single ‘You’. They ask their fans to give themselves a round of applause for coming and enjoying themselves, and then The Chase leave the stage for the last time.

This is who creates REDEYE:

Vocals –     David Smith
Guitars –    Jim Wharf
Guitars –    Neil Webb
Bass –         Iain Marchant
Drums –     Dave ‘Basha’ Sheldon

Now we’re past politeness, I’d like to tell you a bit about their self-titled debut album. Released on Mangy Dog Records, its ten tracks are plain and simple 80′s-rock-cum-70′s-classic. With an intro lasting just over two minutes, you’ll start to feel like you should be in the middle of a showdown. Later followed up with a quick-fingered ‘Nailed’ I’m feeling a hint of a Guns N Roses aroma.

Having been warmed up previously with the likes of ‘Stand‘ (a tempo building rock roller coaster with similarities to KISS) and ‘Mangy Dog’ (that has definite sing-along potential) I’m met with a pool of old-school-meet-nu-school-rock.

If I’m completely honest, REDEYE reminds me quite simply of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, with that slightly jazzy guitar and Axl-like vocals, they’d fit perfectly on the radio whilst you’re making your getaway in someone else’s car.

Spend a few quid and buy their debut album on iTunes. You know you’re intrigued.

¿Which Side Are You On? is Ani DiFranco’s first album in three years, following on from her last successful 2008 album Red Letter Year. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has gone from strength to strength releasing more than 20 albums and gaining notoriety as a poet and feminist icon.

Her newest album, eagerly awaited by patient fans, will be released on her own Righteous Babe Records on January 17^th 2012. New Reviews got an exclusive listen in to the 12 song collection backed by a diverse line-up of musicians, with members of her own band as well as guest players like Ivan and Cyril Neville (of The Neville Brothers), avant-saxophonist Skerik, acclaimed singer/songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and guitarist Adam Levy.

The album opens with ‘Life Boat’, showing edgy guitars and her crystal clear voice singing sexily about less than sexy situations. Clean and hard-hitting ‘Life Boat’ tells a story and gives a snapshot of society and people. DiFranco’s own recommendation about “Life Boat” can be said to apply to ¿Which Side Are You On? as a whole: “Just listen, drop your idea of who is singing and what you already know they’re saying, and go somewhere else, open yourself up to a new story.”

DiFranco is renowned for using music as a political statement, a tool for tackling some of the many crises that she sees as confronting the world: spanning environmental disaster, government inaction, and capitalist culture. She discusses everything from civil rights for women, abortions, sex education, the divides between rich and poor, homelessness and life happiness.

‘Promiscuity’ is slightly more upbeat; arguing that honesty is the highest aim in relationships and that promiscuity is suitable life research. Honest and fun, ‘Promiscuity’ along with ‘Mariarchi’ give a light-hearted break from her some of the harder-hitting songs such as ‘If Yr Not’ and ‘Amendment’.

Her album includes a reworked version of the classic ¿Which Side Are You On?,originally by the famous Pete Seeger whom DiFranco praises as “my elder, my forefather in folk music and political song.” The newly recorded version of “¿Which Side Are You On?” is a funk-fueled epic, incorporating not just Ani’s band, but Seeger himself on banjo and vocals alongside The Rivertown Kids, a Hudson Valley-based children’s chorus, and The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders, a brass band consisting of students from The Roots of Music, a music education program for at-risk middle-school students in New Orleans.

The musical grouping of “¿Which Side Are You On?” is fantastic, folky and uplifting, and DiFranco’s vocals riding over this coordinated musical melee are more than strong and passionate enough to fulfil the demands of this anthem’s political protest lyrics.

A whole different type of listening experience, Ani DiFranco’s ¿Which Side Are You On? is honest and purposeful, and the kind of album everyone should listen to as an experience in what music could be if the focus shifted from catchy beats to lyric-writing.

 Check out DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records’ website for more information.

Song List

1. Life Boat
2 Unworry
3 ¿Which Side Are You On?
4 Splinter
5 Promiscuity
6 Albacore
7 J
8 If Yr Not
9 Hearse
10 Mariachi
11 Amendment
12 Zoo

Single Release Review -  Woodenhouse Records

With ten years in the making, the release of duo Roger Wells and Jason Applin’s first single has been long-awaited. The duo joined forces with drummer Patch Hannah, formerly of The Sundays, and producer Nick Hannan to give birth to Union Starr in the polished form we now see before us.

Their single ‘I Know About Art’ is to be released on the 16th January, and New Reviews were given the opportunity to have a little listen first to see what all the fuss is about.

And, as the saying goes, where there is smoke there is fire, and it this case it is evident that the gossip around Union Starr started because there is something really good here.

‘I Know About Art’ is a smooth, harmony-laden song promoting the sensibilities of the bohemian, carefree, art world. Earthy and rich, the single has that peaceful, walking through long-grass barefoot, summer feel to it, that will instantly put you at ease. Twinkling and crisp, Wells guitar is perfectly keyed into Applin’s melodies, and the years of preparation and friendship is clear here.

Their other single, which will be released later and found on their upcoming album, aptly named ‘Falling Apart Together’, is just as sublime. ‘Real Fool’ still showcases Applin’s vocal range and harmonious melodies, but is infused with a more advanced emotive feeling, felt in the slightly breathless styled vocals. While ‘I Know About Art’ is likely to be the more popular and catchy of the two songs, ‘Real Fool’ is the kind of song that feels as though it is channeling your own feelings. One to close your eyes and listen to without disruption.

The group is already hard at work on a second album where we’re told we’ll see the same rich harmonies and choruses, but with a more experimental edge.

For more information on Union Starr, check out Woodenhouse Record’s website and keep your eyes peeled for the single release next week!

Being thrown in at the deep end can often be a good thing. In this case, as a listener you’ll be introduced to just what Cowboy Junkies are all about from the kick go with ‘Continental Drift‘.

As part of ‘The Nomad Series‘ we are met with ‘Sing In The Meadow‘ – An eight track sensation. With a very Pretty Reckless style, vocals from Margo Timmins are gruff yet sexy. Her voice will mellow your mood yet pump your heart. The seductive feel of Cowboy Junkies will have you reaching for the volume before you know it. Just close your eyes and relax because you’re about to be sucked into their folk, roots-rock.

‘It’s Heavy Down Here‘ has a slow, enticing tempo where Margo adopts a slight Gaga tint… Even at this point you can see their genre mix shining through. They are hard to pin down, as each eery beats tells a different story as they so casually flow through music like time itself.

‘Sing In My Meadow‘ is an extraordinary track in this musical diamond, as the guitar will tickle your fancy as the bass fills your veins with a trickle of folk. As a band they work so perfectly and produce music so unique that we lose track of time.

If I were you, I’d get this album on your iPod because they are going to break the mould, and probably your speakers if you like your music as loud as me…

Find these wonders on Facebook and listen to them right here.

‘What The Angel Said’

Taken from their debut album Coloured Clutter, The Savage Nomads are not to be messed with. Just seconds in and your feet will be tapping away, your ears hungry for more. Much like a vivid imagination, their experimental professionalism pours through, and we welcome it with open arms.
Their explosive nature will keep your attention from start to finish and you’ll be left an eager beaver. You needn’t look any further, just click here for the whole album.

It’s always great to see a band or artist succeed. There’s nothing we love more than a fantastic performance, be it at a secluded intimate venue or on Jools Holland. Oh wait…

My parents recently asked me “Have you heard The Vaccines? They were brilliant on Jools Holland!” – To which I replied “Of course I have” a slight smug smile on my face… “We’ve reviewed them live twice!”

Brilliant job guys.