Gary Wollen - Reviews
Cranebuilders
Spectacular second EP from Liverpool five piece Cranebuilders, whose music straddles " the gap between the murky, unlit joy of bohemia and pure uplifting pop in very much the way that the Velvets or Smog do"
Allen Clapp
"Fine" indiepop solo EP from the excellent Orange Peels' frontman, Allen Clapp
Hellfire Sermons
Musical anthology of long lost and defunct Liverpool indiepop band, Hellfire Sermons, which charts their musical progress from 1988 to 1991
John Moremen
Well performed, if slightly over constrained EP from Californian singer/songwriter, inspired by 80's British indiepop
Homescience
Debut release on Track and Field label by Homescience, the project of Edinburgh's Andrew Ward, which, while inspired by the Beach Boys, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, hass uniquey individuality as well
Pipas
"Primitive", but rampantly imaginative "quaint pop", and "triumph of will against what sounds like very limited resources", on debut album by London-based duo, Pipas
Green Pajamas
Stylish and eclectic Americana tinged psychedelia from the Seattle-based Green Pajamas
Electro Group
Strikingly "surreal and ethereal" dream pop, strongly reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine, from new Californian group
Insta
Deceptive summer pop from Chicago-based duo,which grows with each new listening
Loves
"Audacious coalition of anything cool, sixties and underground" from former Inspiral Carpets' frontman Tom Hingley's new band, the Loves
Dressy Bessy
"Timeless", but "infectious" second dose of summer pop from Cleveland quartet, Dressy Bessy
Bearsuit
"Compulsive energetic pop " on third single from Bearsuit
June Star
"Beautiful " third offering from June Star, which, despite a country tagging, proves too to be far more than this, but also music with a genuine sense of soul
Ectogram
"Innovative, original release", which despite garish cover, proves to be one of the best leftfield British releases in years
Would Be Goods
"Well written" and "simply recorded" three track EP from the highly regarded Would Be Goods
Bearsuit
"Astounding' guitar feedback laden second single from the unpredictable and always thrilling Bearsuit
Dressy Bessy / Saloon
"Compelling and inspired coupling" from two of the bands on the Track and Field label.
Splitsville
Enjoyable homage to the sixties that, as well as an obvious Beach Boys influence, also takes inspiration from the Beach Boys and Big Star
Saloon
Beautiful, sparse and evocative debut album from English group from Reading with Galaxie 500 and Velvets American underground type sound, but whose influences also remain very much British and European
Dressy Bessy
Breathtakingly "perfect" collection of " glistening pop gems " from Denver bubblegum quartet Dressy Bessy.