And what a splendid patisserie it is this week. We bought two éclairs, profiteroles and several slices of the finest new rock tuneage. If you imagine hard enough, you might taste chocolatey pastry as you listen. ‘Choux’ good to be true?? You decide…
Rival Sons – Hollow Bones Pt. 1
Long Beach’s finest are back, with the first proper taste of their upcoming new album. The core elements we’ve come to know them for are there – only now they’re in sharpened high-definition. Jay Buchanan’s compelling soul man cry (with emphasis on the soul here), that somehow sounds raw and smooth at the same time. Generous lashings of dirty, groovy Scott Holiday guitar. Deft yet propulsive rhythm from Dave Beste and Mike Miley… Roll on Pt. 2.
Cheap Trick – When I Wake Up Tomorrow
How lovely; the newbie from the pop rock legends is a cast-iron winner. It’s vintage Cheap Trick, essentially, with a cool Bowie-esque edge to compliment their inimitable way with melodies. Yes it’s over 40 years since their inception, but Nielsen, Zander and co are ageing very stylishly. Can’t wait for the full album, Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello (out in a couple of weeks).
Foy Vance – Noam Chomsky Is A Soft Revolution
You wouldn’t think a tribute to the quietly-spoken philosopher and political activist could rock, but in the hands of this Northern Irish rock’n’blues troubadour it does. A neat doff of Vance’s flat cap and a good excuse to investigate both gents if you’re unfamiliar.
Vangoffey – Sucker
Ex-Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey steps up to the mike (wearing a very nice hat) for this springy, 60s-infused slice of pop rock. Pulling together members of Pulp and Babyshambles, among others, it blends the panache of his old band with new lyrical wit and a sunny finish. Nice.
The People The Poet – Club 27
If you’ve made it past the age of one score and seven, you’re doing well. Many of our musical heroes didn’t fare so well - Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain, Morrison, Jones… the list is long and well documented. South Wales’ The People The Poet considers this unfortunate ‘club’ without a hit of mawkishness on this strangely triumphant anthem. Big, epic, heartfelt stuff. And it’s really quite brilliant.
Bright Curse – The Shore
Remember French band Soul Manifest? Us neither, but never mind, here are some of the crew reshaped into London-based trio Bright Curse. They’ve got a heap of that early-70s heavy blues groove going on, following heroes Sabbath, Floyd and Purple (fringe-sleeved garments an’ all), but cut-through with their own post-millennial personality.
Radio Exile – Soulfire
Between them, the members of Radio Exile have worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Billy Idol, members of Pink Floyd, Van Halen, the Rolling Stones, and Black Sabbath. This impressive CV is reflected in this punchy, groovy slice of straight-up rock – propelled by soulful, Myles Kennedy-nodding vocals from Chandler Mogel. With vaudeville dancing ladies. And some puppets.
Se Delan – Going Home
Comprising Crippled Black Phoenix man Justin Greaves and Swedish songstress Belinda Kordic, alt rock duo Se Delan return with new-wavey second album, Drifter, in April (following 2014’s debut The Fall). Based on this cool, stylish cut, we’d say their inspiration remains as cinematic and atmospheric as ever.
