Free Download: April’s Ghost – “Carlisle”

When last we spoke of April’s Ghost, the Ronseal-esque described ‘rock band from Norwich’, they were making our stomachs wobble with rawkus, grinding guitar lines on debut single, “Bring You Down”. Now (well a few weeks back really but who’s counting?) they have returned with another slice of straight up indie-rock.

The basic ingredients of “Carlisle” remain the same, growling guitars and pounding drums juxtaposed with softer yet no less attitudinal vocals reciting angst as if t’were poetry. The recipe has been translated from page to oven in an oh-so slightly different but crucial manner. The nuance is one of care and craftsmanship. Gone are the Darkness inspired riffs, and instead we are treated to something more structured and coherent. A solid and enjoyable indie-rock song that follows a path well tread and delivers.

There are some who may choose to complain that it does nothing new or challenging, but who ever said all music had to be different and complex? As many a baker has found to their cost, it is often better to do something simple and do it well rather than over reach and fall flat on your arse. For a young band just starting out, April’s Ghost are exactly where they should be, producing signature dishes of good music that people can enjoy. The showstoppers can come later.

Stalk April’s Ghost
Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp

Read More
Free Download: April’s Ghost – “Bring You Down”

Free Download: Other Factors – “Spaces/Decade”

Bands change their name, it happens all the time, what often doesn’t change is their sound. So it (largely) is with the former Mercies of Washington DC, newly named Other Factors and newly located in Brooklyn, NYC.

If you recall, they were full of raw, gritty rock energy, discordant guitars and thundering drums. Well they’ve polished themselves up a bit following the move and change of identity (to protect the innocent perhaps?) but that wild, sweaty sound still remains, crashing and smashing all that lays before it. Notably, more is made of the choruses and the hooks feel more defined and, well, hook like. You can sense that this is a band growing in maturity and that is learning to harness their undoubted skill and power. Bodes well for the future, although they describe themselves as ‘apocalyptic fun times post-punk’ so perhaps their mission is destroy the world with sound so that they can really get their party on. There are worse ways to go.

Their debut single “Spaces/Decade” (you can hear the “Spaces” element below) is available for free download, or pay what you want as it is also known.

In Review: Marionettes – The Rightness of Blindness EP

Made in Scotland, but not from girders, indie five-piece Marionettes are about to drop their latest EP on the world and you know what? It’s worth catching.

The guys have been around the Scottish scene for a little while now, playing the long game, steadily building a reputation, building a fanbase, gigging and getting their music out there. Now though, the slow and steady approach could be overtaken by something a little more hectic as by rights, this new EP should bring them wider recognition and acclaim. The three tracks of The Rightness of Blindness are hook laden pieces of indie rock drawn from the same well oft visited in the past by the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes and even Shed Seven.

Each of “Horrorscope”, “Dishwipe Fishwife” (great title) and “Panda Bears” (which you can stream bellow) have an inherent sing-a-long-a feeling. The arrangements too are impressive, with blistering indie rock tracks imbued with cracking pop choruses and lovely fuzzy guitar riffs. Marionettes may well be Scotland’s best kept secret. Famous primarily for oil and granite, the city of Aberdeen now has something else to hang its hat onto.

The Rightness Of Blindness is out Monday 9th April on Bedford Records and you can get it digitally here

UK Premiere: Mercies – This Is Not About Control EP

Remember Stout Cortez? We featured his most recent, Illuminator produced, single a couple of weeks ago. Well the man behind the cosmic ‘avant electronic indie pop’ is back, but this time Justin Hunter Scott is rocking out as the bassist for the much more earthbound Mercies and Alphabet Bands is pleased to present the UK premiere of their latest EP, This Is Not About Control.

Accompanied by the guitar sounds and vocals of John Russell and the skin thumping skills of Ezra Finney, this three piece from Washington DC, described themselves to us as being “heavily influenced by post punk”. Makes sense, the indie rock showcased on this, their second EP, is discordant and intimidating in places, harmonious and undeniably infectious in others. Indeed, title track “This Is Not About Control” encapsulates all such qualities has no right to be as catchy as it is.

All three tracks have a raw and gritty energy and you can’t help but see the band rocking the hell out in your mind as you listen. We bet live shows are an absolute blast. If you like your indie rock a little rough and ready, you’ll love this.

If you like This Is Not About Control”, why not pick up their debut EP for the bargain price of just $1?

Introducing: Amberland

Three tracks, one gig.
Yes, it sounds like it should be the name of a notorious new video viraling it up all over the internet but it’s actually the total output (so far) from London’s newest wave-making indie/rock combo, Amberland. So new is this five piece in fact, they’ve barely been taken out of the bubble wrap.

Despite being awash with that new car smell, they have already served notice of their talent and intent by posting three demos to soundcloud. These three tracks, “Teenage Malaise”, “Skin & Bone” and “Difference Makes Us So” (which you can stream below) combine lovely intertwined keyboard and guitar driven melodies with some really rather skillful and elegant songwriting.

Would it be twee of us to say the future is bright, the future is amber(land)?

Yeah, thought so. Let’s pretend it never happened and instead just enjoy the sounds of this ace new band instead.

Stalk Amberland:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud