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Russell Ferguson - Reviews


Holy Coves


The Droner EP
Fiery and unique-sounding debut EP from Wlesh group, Hly Coves


Dinosaur Pile-Up


My Rock 'n' Roll
Energetic, heavily Nirvana-influenced reissue of single from last year for up-and-coming Leeds-based band, Dinosaur Pile-Up


Fucked Up


Couple Tracks: Singles 2002-2009
First rate career-spanning compilation from challenging, but forceful Toronto-based hardcore band, Fucked Up


Ivy Walls


The Elegant Universe
Routine 80's influenced indie rock from Los Angeles-based band the Ivy Walls, who can't make up their mind if they want to be commercially or critically accepted


Collapse under the Empire


Find a Place to Be Safe
Appealing instrumental album from German-based post rockers Collapse under the Emppire which surprisingly looks to George Orwell for inspiration


Rhombus


Open the Sky
Excellent old school goth rock on delayed second album from Rhombus, which proves worth the long wait


Gliss


Beauty
Laid back, gloriously understated latest single from Los Angeles-based indie group, Gliss


Tubelord


Our First American Friends
Uncomfortable and unnatural-sounding prog rock on first album from Kingston-upon-Thames-based group, Tubelord


RazorBladeKisses


Ballerina
Pretentious and irritating latest single from Southampton-based Gothic rockers, RazorBladeKisses


Jay Reatard


Watch Me Fall
Limited-in-vision old-style punk on latest album from Memphis-based singer and musician, Jay Reatard


Jon Byrne


It's Boring Being in Control
Passionately performed debut album from Barrow-on-Furness based acoustic singer-songwriter Jon Byrne, who was discovered in London busking on the Portobello Road by Mick Jones of the Clash


Dead Letter Office


Chairkickers
Bland indie rock from British-based leftfield group Dead Letter Office, who have toured with Howling Bells and the Young Gods


Hundred Reasons


Quick the Word, Sharp the Action
Unfortunate re-release of emo-metal band Hundred Reasons little heard, but instangly forgettable fourth album, 'Quick the Word, Sharp the Action'


King Of Conspiracy


Youth Against the Empire
Decent debut single from Parisian trio King of Conspiracy, whose punk/alt.rock sound makes them sound like an indie version of Motorhead


Lunik


Lonely Letters
Overtly safe and comfortable pop rock on bland sixth album from Swistzerland-based group, Lunik


Firm


Dismal Results
Fantastic debut single from heavily 80's-influenced London-based band, the Firm


People in Planes


Last Man Standing
Excellent new single from Cardiff-based five-piece People in Planes, which combines its blues-rock sound with a more modern and commercial style


Guns on the Roof


New Frustration
Well-performed, but limited second album from Clash-influenced Leeds punks, Guns on the Roof


Plastic Heroes


Escape the Lower End
Potentially promising, but ultimately heavily flawed debut album from 60's-influenced London-based alternative rockers, Plastic Heroes


Scratch


Critical Mass
Dull and distinctly average punk from London-based five piece, the Scratch


Oppenheimer


Look Up
Adventurous vinyl only single from experimental Belfast synthesiser duo, who sound like an electronic Weezer


Ejectorseat


Not My Girl
Decent, if somewhat unremarkable indie guitar rock from new band, Ejector Seat


Story of the Year


Wake Up
Enjoyable, but insubstantial and formulaic first single from hardcore rockers Story of the Year's much hyped third album, 'The Black Swan'


Beat Six


When Chemicals Ignite (With Fuel)
Contradictory, but compelling debut single from West London-based group Beat Six who seem destined for chart success


Virgin Passages


Distance
Monotonous latest album from drone rockers Virgin Passages which is unfortunately rambling, uncordinated and directionless


Unkle


Restless
Curiously impressive crossover of genres on latest single from Unkle, the moniker of James Lavelle, which sounds like a combination of Franz Ferdinand and Depeche Mode


Levellers


A Life Less Ordinary
Excellent return to form after a succession of poor records by the Levellers who are back with a new double A sided single


Korn


Hold On
Formulaic and instantly forgettable latest single from Nu-metal stadium act, Korn


Land of Talk


Speak to Me Bones
Perplexing, but impressive second single from Montreal band Land of Talk's debut album, 'Applause Cheer Boo Hiss'


John Parkes


Illegal Songs
Thoughtful and challenging folk rock on second solo album from Leeds-based singer-songwriter, John Parkes who sings about love, longing, lust, religion, politics, self examination and other general angst while throwing in several touches of black humour


Lorraine


Saved
Slick, but throwaway electro pop on latest single from Norwegian trio, Lorraine


Madding Crowd


Modern Man
Solid debut single from London act Madding Crowd, which despite poor vocals, brings back good memories of Dr Feelgood


Frightened Rabbit


Sings the Greys
Flawed, but promising debut album from Glaswegian trio Frightened Rabbit, who merge country and western and folk with an indie sound


Asobi Seksu


Strawberries
Catchy and hypnotic, if monotone new single from Japanese-American New York-based shoegazing band, Asobi Seksua


Undercut


Hot in That
Punchy-sounding guitar rock on vinyl only single from North London group Undercut


Pyramids


Hunch Your Body Love Somebody
Tuneless debut single from the Pyramids, the side project of vocalist/guitarist S. Windett and drummer Arp from the Archie Bronson Outfit


Terra Diablo


Deluge Songs
Superior nu-metal on second album from up-and-coming Scottish group Terra Diablo


Sea


Love, Love, Love
Fiery debut single from exciting new group the Sea


Butcher Boy


The Eighteenth Emergency
Understated new EP from Glasgow-based indie group, the Butcher Boy


Various


Hallam Foe : The Original Soundtrack
Dull soundtrack album to new Jamie Bell film 'Hallam Foe', which features acts such as Orange Juice, Blueboy, Sons and Daighters, Woodbine and the Bill Wells Trio


Eisley


Combinations
Amazingly powerful alternative folk on second album from Texan combination group and extended family Eisley


Eugene McGuinness


The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness
Worthy, if somewhat dull attempt to do something different on debut album from Eugene McGuinness







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