# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Jamie Rowland - Reviews


Of Arrowe Hill


1914
Promising start to a new project from of Arrowe Hill, who to mark the centenary of the First World War will be releasing one track a year between 1914 and 1918


Of Arrowe Hill


Around the Corner
Deceptively upbeat but lyrically dark download only single from of Arrowe Hill, the band of London-based singer-songwriter Adam Easterbrook


Sharon Van Etten


Are We There
Uncompromising but compelling fourth album from New York-based singer-songwriter, Sharon Van Etten


Wooden Wand


Farmer's Corner
Dreamy mix of folk, blues and stripped-back psychedelia on latest album from Wooden Wand, the moniker for American musician James Jackson Toth


Boris


Noise
Impressive rock album from always unpredictable Japanese experimentalists, Boris


Dan Haywood


Dapple
Minimal but confident traditional folk on debut album from Lancashire-based singer-songwriter and guitarist, Dan Haywood


Paper Tiger


Laptop Suntan
Versatile combination of instrumental tracks and rap numbers on debut album from Leeds-based hip-hop outfit, Paper Tiger


Council Tax Band


Three Songs
Deliciously grungy and foul-mouthed debut EP from Bedford-based group the Council Tax Band, which was formed out of the ashes of Dad Wanderlust


Arrows of Love


The Knife
Abrasive and confrontational vinyl-only third single from London-based grunge act, the Arrows of Love


Story Books


Too Much a Hunter
Accomplished debut EP from acclaimed Kent-based indie guitar outfit, Story Books


Lupen Crook


British Folk Tales
Engaging, but deliberately uncomfortable fifth album from Chatham-based singer-songwriter, Lupen Crook


Of Arrowe Hill


The Stars Are Against Us
Emotionally intense but thoroughly moving and epic-sounding download only single from of Arrowe Hill, the project of London-based singer-songwriter Adam Easterbrook


Arrows of Love


Honey
Stunning name-your-price download and cassette only single from discordant London-based outfit, the Arrows of Love


Peasant


Bound for Glory
Fantastic third album from Peasant, the project of versatile experimental American singer-songwriter and producer Damien DeRose


Loudon Wainwright


Older Than My Old Man Now
Poignantly moving and also hilariously funny latest album from Loudon Wainwright III, which as well as of all his five children also includes a guest appearance from Dame Edna Everage


School of Seven Bells


Ghostory
Inconsistent, but sometimes sublime dream pop on third album from New York-based pop act, School of Seven Bells


Bad Weather California


Sunkissed
Sunny-sounding and summery debut album from West Coast act, Bad Weather California


Soko


I Thought I Was An Alien
Despondent and melancholic, but totally affecting debut album from French singer-songwriter and actress, Soko


Great Lake Swimmers


New Wild Everywhere
Atmospheric and cinematic country-infused Americana on second album from Canadian band, Great Lake Swimmers


Busdriver


Beaus $ Eros
Intriguing combination of rap, electro and experimentalism on latest album from hip-hop artist, Busdriver


Sharon Van Etten


Tramp
Ambitious and enthralling third album from New York-based singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten, which includes guest appearances from Zach Condon of Beirut, Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner, the National’s Aaron Dessner and the Walkmen's Matt Barrick


Nada Surf


The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy
Engaging and typically seemingly effortless combination of sing-a-long pop accessibility and quality foot-stomping rock on seventh album from New York-based alternative rockers, Nada Surf


I'm Being Good


Mountain Language
Formulaic first album in six years of over-discordant Sonic Youth-influenced from Brighton-based trio, I'm Being Good


Merrell Fankhauser


Tiki Lounge Vol 1
Oddball budget-directed and appallingly-made compilation of 1950's and 1960's surf guitarist Merrell Fankhauser's American cable TV music show


Elysian Fields


Last Night on Earth
Compelling seventh album of dreamy noir rock from New York art rock duo, Elysian Fields


Of Arrowe Hill


Suddenly, At Home and Other Rumours of Misadventure
Intimate, but brilliant acoustic fifth album from London-based psych-blues outfit of Arrowe Hill, which is essentially a solo record for front man, Adam Easterbrook


Sarabeth Tucek


Get Well Soon
Frequently enthralling second album from folk-influenced American singer-songwriter, Sarabeth Tucek


Akron/Family


S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT
Superb sample and loop-influenced fifth album from New York-based psychedelic folk act, Akron/Family


Das Wanderlust


Bones, Hooves and Horns
Ambitious second and allegedly final album from experimentalist group, Das Wanderlust


Dirtbombs


Party Store
Fabulous covers album from acclaimed Detroit garage rockers, the Dirtbombs, who have taken 80's and 90's techno classics from their home city and reinjected them with a new lease of life


Bardo Pond


Bardo Pond
Psychedelically intense and lengthy stoner rock on self-titled eighth album from American act, Bardo Pond


Various


Kris Needs Presents...Dirty Water: The Birth of Punk Attitude
In-depth and informative two-disc compilation from journalist and DJ Kris Needs, exploring the influences of punk and extending from the 1950s to the mid 1970s


Shipping News


One Less Heartless to Fear
Stripped down and raw angry noise rock on forceful fifth album from Chicago-based post-rock group Shipping News


Mice Parade


What It means to Be Left-Handed
Astounding ninth album from Mice Parade, the moniker of New York percussionist Adam Pierce, which mixes influences as diverse as flamenco, indie rock, post rock and jazz


Clinic


Bubblegum
Epic and memorable psychedelic pop on sixth album from Liverpool-based group, Clinic


Lupen Crook


The Pros and Cons of Eating Out
Bewildering, but effortlessly brilliant combination of folk, punk, pop and new wave on third album from original-minded Medway-based singer-songwriter, Lupen Crook, and his band the Murderbirds


Yann Tiersen


Dust Lane
Absorbing and atmospheric sixth album from French composer and musician Yann Tiersen, influenced by the death of his mother and also one of his close friends


Piney Gir Country Roadshow


Jesus Wept
Funny, but also memorable and often touching country and western on third album from Kanasa-born, but now London-based singer-songwriter, Piney Gir


Bearsuit


Please Don't Take Him Back
Exciting techno and keyboard-based latest single from Bearsuit, their first in a rejigged line-up


Sharon Van Etten


Epic
Haunting and compelling second album from Brooklyn-based folk musician and singer-songwriter, Sharon Van Etten


Wooden Wand


Death Seat
Sweet-sounding and compelling gothic/country blues on latest album from American avant-garde project Wooden Wand.


Uffie


Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans
Brilliant debut album from Miami-born, but Paris-based electronic/hip-hop artist Uffie, which proves worth its long gestation period of nearly five years


James Blackshaw


All Is Falling
Breathtakingly orchestral ninth album from guitarist/pianist James Blackshaw, which finds him playing with a twelve-string electric guitar rather than its usual acoustic counterpart


She and Him


Volume Two
Splendid second album of summery 60's-influenced pop from She and Him, the group of Hollywood actress Zooey Deschanel and indie musician M Ward


Pocket Gods


Plan Nub Behind the Fridge
Rough-edged, but charming indie pop on third album from sci-fi obsessed Peel-endorsed band, the Pocket Gods


Bundles


Bundles
Familiar-sounding, but enjoyable good-time debut album from the Bundles, the long-term side project of Jeffrey Lewis and the Moldy Peaches' Kimya Dawson


Kah


More Than Dawn
Intimate and subtle bedroom electronica on debut album from promising Chatham-based musician and singer-songwriter Kah


Ralfe Band


Bunny and the Bull
Emotive and heavily European-influenced soundtrack from the Oxford-based Ralfe Band to new indie film


Efterklang


Magic Chairs
Beautifully crafted and compelling third album from Danish indie pop rock outfit, Efterklang


Xiu Xiu


Dear God I Hate Myself
Challenging and eccentric, but ultimately fulfilling latest album from Californian experimentalists and avanat-garde pioneers, Xiu Xiu


Of Arrowe Hill


A Few Minutes in the Absolute Elsewhere
Dark, but rewarding download and vinyl only fourth album from English folk rockers, of Arrowe Hill


Das Wanderlust


Someone to Pull Crackers With
Refreshing download only single from Dad Wanderlust, which embraces Christmas without falling into either irony or sentimentality


Nick Cave And Warren Ellis


White Lunar
Fantastic double CD compilation of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' film soundtracks of the last four years


Simian Mobile Disco


Temporary is Pleasure
Brilliant second album of dance anthems from London electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco which features an array of guest artists inlcuding Gruff Rhys, Chris Keating of Yeasayer, Beth Ditto, Jamie Lidell, Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip and New York avant-garde duo Telepathe


Poison Arrows


First Class and Forever
Strong, but somewhat repetitive debut album from angry Chicago-based noise rock outfit, the Poison Arrows


Mew


No More Stories
Stunning and ultimately uplifting fifth album from experimental Danish indie rock band, Mew


I Am Your Autopilot


Robots in the Orchestra
Frustratingly limp debut album from Manchester electronic three-piece, I am Your Autopilot


Lupen Crook and the Murderbirds


The Lost Belongings EP
Fabulous latest EP from Chatham-based songwriter Lupen Crook which finds him merging gothic-folk feeling of his early recordings with an increased pop sensibility


Of Arrowe Hill


The Bones Saying No to the Needle
Riotous new vinyl only single, the first from their forthcoming fourth album, for London-based psychedelic rock act, Of Arrowe Hill


Camera Obscura


French Navy
Excellent 60's soul-influenced indiepop on latest single from Glaswegian group, Camera Obscura







Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors