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Skunk Anansie

Skunk Anansie

The Painful Truth

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SKUNK ANANSIE – THE PAINFUL TRUTH – ALBUM REVIEW

‘The Painful Truth’ represents the seventh studio album for Skunk Anansie. It is their fourth since reforming in 2009 but is also their first in nine years. It also happens to be their most ambitious and expansive selection yet!

Working with renowned producer David Sitek, the group have taken his advice to simplify their process and in doing so have conjured up an album full of complexities but elevated by the simplistic notion of writing damn good pop songs and adding that Skunk Anansie alt-rock tenacity.

This is demonstrated immediately with the statement lead single and first track ‘An Artist Is An Artist’ with its mad sax solos and extravagant groove. Each track thereafter has its own identity and style as the band showcase the eclectic influences that have made up their signature sound.

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Skunk Anansie – ‘An Artist Is An Artist’

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Whilst each track stands strongly on their own, the album flows incredibly smoothly and just works so well. It always feels clichéd saying a new album is the someones best work, especially when they already carry such a strong back catalogue with them. But this album exudes those words.

This really is a stunning collection with the fierce talents of vocalist Skin naturally echoing throughout. Sometimes a break can help and after a release gap of similar length to their first split, this feels like another big comeback from one of British rock’s original disrupters.

This is a magnificent celebration of Skunk Anansie’s past but more importantly their glorious present!

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The Callous Daoboys

The Callous Daoboys

I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven

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THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS – I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven – Album Review

You can’t really say that The Callous Daoboys have exploded on the scene considering that they’ve been active for pushing a decade, but the group has certainly had an impactful past year.

The band have been building towards their third album, ‘I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven’, and now that record is here in all of it’s madcap glory! An actual genre-defying label applicable collection which truly defies any sense at all yet it is still absolutely fantastic.

Maniacally frantic yet oddly measured, these thirteen songs and interludes take the listener on a chaotic journey through what vocalist Carson Pace describes as his museum of failure. A personal and introspective construct which is also explained away by Pace as a “snapshot of 24-47. A scrapbook of trial and error”.

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The Callous Daoboys – ‘Lemon’

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Given that description you can only help but wonder what these years have witnessed in the life of Pace given song titles such as ‘Two-Headed Trout’, ‘Body Horror for Birds’, ‘The Demon of Unreality Limping Like a Dog’ and ‘Douchebag Safari’!

Sonically the seven-piece have manifested a ferociously brutal bombast of modern nu-metal inspired heaviness. The overriding takeaway feeling being that these songs are going to go hard when played live.

Their own journey may have been slow, but the band feel on the cusp of a bigger breakthrough and if that is the case then this is the album needed to act as a launchpad.

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Sleep Token

Sleep Token

Even In Arcadia

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sleep token – EVEN IN ARCADIA – ALBUM REVIEW

Sleep Token are the poster children for the TikTok generation of heavy music fans. They have amassed a fanbase of fanatical followers in a timeframe not really seen in the modern music industry. Whether you love then or loathe them, you have to respect their success.

There will naturally be jealous naysayers seeking to belittle their ascent and take away from their achievements, but these mysterious masked figures have captured the imaginations of a diverse cross-section of the world.

Time comes now for those followers to worship a new offering – their fourth album, ‘Even In Arcadia’. The album very much treads the path that they’ve already forged on their releases thus far and those fans will enjoy dissecting every lyric and every sound on this record.

LISTEN TO ‘CARAMEL’
Sleep Token – ‘Caramel’

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The entire build towards the album has again sent those dedicated fans down many a merry path as they uncovered details of the record. Any band that can cause such hysteria over the unveiling of a tracklist must know that they are on to a winner.

Their core fanbase will not need to read any reviews of the album. They will be fully absorbing themselves into the ten tracks in the coming days. That again is some commitment with the record pushing an hour in length.

Our review then will just tackle the headlines. There is some small evolution of their signature sound but not enough to make this a truly interesting record. The most interesting facet is the most revealing and personal lyrics yet from the secretive Vessel. Sonically the album could be described as lounge music for metal fans, but that means that you’ll need to be in the right mood for this album.

Realistically you’ll again love or loathe this record based off of your pre-conceived perception of the band. It may not be earth-shattering, but it’s another step in the quest for world domination by the band of the moment.

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The Amazons

The Amazons

21st Century Fiction

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THE AMAZONS – 21st CENTURY FICTION – album review

In their relatively short career thus far, The Amazons have already shown that they are happy doing things their own way. A rock band who in a different generation would’ve been huge, have still managed to make a hell of a dent on their own timeline.

Their self-titled album shot them into the picture of an always challenging landscape of young bands trying to make their mark before ‘Future Dust’ served to solidify their presence in the consciousness of the current music scene. Their third album, ‘How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me’ then displayed their ambition and willingness to experiment.

One criticism that you could throw at their last album though was perhaps a lack of truly anthemic standouts. That however is rectified delightfully on their new fourth album, ‘21st Century Fiction’!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘LIVING A LIE’
The Amazons – ‘Living A Lie’

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This new collection is the best of everything The Amazons have shown that they can deliver. Those arena rock anthems are back, but their penchant for the epic and more grandiose also hits it pinnacle.

From the gradual build of the opening number ‘Living A Lie’, all the way through to the big finale of ‘Go All The Way’, this is a highly ambitious piece of artist expression which is more of an experience for listeners than a mere album.

The band have been brave but clever with both their songwriting and their album craft and the results are pretty stunning. It’s always a risk for a band to take something of a punt on themselves, but you can tell that The Amazons have poured their passionate selves into this record and the outcome is their best collection to date!

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The Kooks

The Kooks

Never/Know

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THE KOOKS – NEVER/KNOW – ALBUM REVIEW

The Kooks soon headlining the O2 Arena is a sure-fire sign that the alleged TikTok revival for 2000’s indie bands is real. The Kooks though aren’t one of those bands that disappeared when the going got tough only to re-appear at the whiff of some attention. They’ve been plugging away and experimenting with their sound for the past two decades instead.

Some of the intervening material was instantly forgettable but at least they were trying. They absolutely did also produce some decent new songs during recent years, proof that if you throw enough darts at the board, some will indeed hit the bullseye!

There’s much in their latest, seventh album ‘Never/Know’ that nods towards their journey and the pressures that maintaining relevance and indeed reverence can create. In amongst some telling lyrical moments there is always a sense of returning to a familiar aesthetic on the tracks.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘SUNNY BABY’
The Kooks – ‘Sunny Baby’

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It’s absolutely not a u-turn back to their signature early sound though and their more exuberant side is still living and breathing throughout these tracks. Fans of all eras of the band will find something comfortable on here.

There within though can lie the problem and the elephant in the room. The indie boom of their generation was written off and maligned under the indie-landfill label for all being the same. A band like The Kooks though who are happy to try new things will always end up turning some fans off with different approaches.

It’s a lose-lose for any band of any genre but the likes of The Kooks and their contemporaries can legitimately argue that they’ve suffered heavily. Whilst there is something here for all fans to find something good in, equally there is something for all to find something bad in.

The reality? This is a good album from The Kooks, but that’s just about it. They will have some new material to air in the cavernous O2 Arena, but they shouldn’t be surprised when the crowd spend the night shouting for ‘Naïve’!

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Skinny Lister

Skinny Lister

Songs From The Yonder

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SKINNY LISTER – SONGS FROM THE YONDER – ALBUM REVIEW

Two years ago we said that “‘Shanty Punk’ is the most ‘Skinny Lister’ Skinny Lister album that the band have made”, and that remains true. Following on exactly where ‘Shanty Punk’ left off though is the latest showcase of what makes the band so loveable – ‘Songs From The Yonder’.

Their seventh album is another rousing collection of the truest sounding Skinny Lister songs as the band doubles down on their signature rabble. Songs of drinking and travelling the world dominate the landscape again but with their ability to inspire hope and perseverance shining through.

This is perhaps best demonstrated on their superb single, ‘Plough On’ which encourages us to “…plough on through the fear and now and then the tears…” Given the current world climate and constant shower of brown stuff that we all face, that message is pretty spot on!

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Skinny Lister – ‘Plough On’

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The band have always had an enate ability to stir something inside you and that is just reason why the band have garnered themselves such a strong following. Another reason of course are their rowdy live shows and you just know that these songs will sound great live.

There are more tender moments on the album too, such as the delicate ‘Everything’ and the emotion stirring ‘Glass To Our Days’. The songwriting skills of the group continue to herald rewards which will be well received by that dedicated fanbase.

All in all though this is another set of songs to drink along, sing along and dance along to. This is classic Skinny Lister and nobody would want anything else from these underground heroes. So just turn it up and enjoy!

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Puddle of Mudd

Puddle of Mudd

Kiss The Machine

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PUDDLE OF MUDD – KISS THE MACHINE – ALBUM REVIEW

As far as easy targets go in the rock and metal world, Puddle of Mudd, through their own self-annihilation, have to be a contender for the easiest. Disastrous business moves, an ever-changing line-up, cringeworthy covers, lacklustre releases, disgraceful live shows, a lengthy list of controversies and legal issues… did we miss anything?

Here’s the thing, it wasn’t always that way! Their debut album, ‘Come Clean’, is still a great record and it produced some of the biggest hits of an era dominated by heavy music. The follow up, ‘Life On Display’ also had some real quality moments and even their third album, ‘Famous’ wasn’t devoid of credible hits.

From there on in though it’s just been a constant downhill slide that has shown no signs of stopping. We weren’t even aware that the band released an album (albeit of previously unreleased takes) in 2023 but apparently they did!

That surprise followed our discovery that they have a new album out now! Yes, ‘Kiss The Machine’ represents the bands seventh album and arrives at another turning point for the band. We say band, but the undoubtedly talented but unreliable singer Wes Scantlin is the only remaining notable member (as he has been for a good while now).

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Even since that alleged 2023 release however, Scantlin is the only the member still around. He is joined by three new musicians who with any luck might re-focus his creativeness and bring about a change in fortune.

Sadly, ‘Kiss The Machine’ isn’t going to change any opinions or heal any reputations as it’s just not it. Despite only being nine tracks and thirty minutes, it’s a slog to get through this record. The tracks sound like poor imitations of Puddle of Mudd, with a rough production and misguided attempts to freshen the sound – the dance vibe at the conclusion of ‘Back Against The Wall’ just feels like uncool dad against the dancefloor he’s overseeing at his kids party.

Lyrically the album is jam packed with clichés and tired rock n roll tropes which again scream mid-life crisis. It’s really sad to see an individual with such talent, clinging on to something that just needs to be left to rest now. Any positive legacy for Puddle of Mudd has been almost entirely erased at this point, and as someone who still loves their early work – that’s just sad.

If Scantlin can ever recover his soul and his creativity then we are ready, willing and able to not take those easy shots and spread joy at his return. But this album most definitely isn’t that moment in time.

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Slung

Slung

In Ways

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SLUNG – In Ways – Album review

Brighton’s Slung have a unique origin story, but as they unleash their stunning debut collection, we are sure glad that the quartet have found each other. The steady stream of singles which had seeped their way into our various playlists gave a tantalising glimpse of this record, but the album really does now need your undivided attention!

Slung, as the project eventually become, started as the passion of bassist Vlad Matveikov following dissolution of his previous musical outlet. Well-connected in the Brighton scene as runner of the Small Pond indie label, Vlad reached out to friends from across the musical spectrum to lend him a little of their time and creativity.

Talented musicians representing the likes of El Moono, Projector, CLT DRP, Sick Joy, Delta Sleep, Vower and The Physics House Band answered that call and assisted Matveikov in sowing the seeds for what would become Slung.

Matveikov then set about finding his co-conspirators for the journey that follows, and the group are now completed by guitarist Ali Johnson, drummer Ravi Martin and the vocal majesty of Katie Oldham.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘CLASS A CHERRY’
Slung – ‘Class A Cherry’

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Plenty of the original creative elements remain from those first sessions, but the newly formed group worked together to make something truly special and unique to them. The results as we’ve already proclaimed are indeed stunning!

The band show methodical intent across the diverse collection of songs on ‘In Ways’. Far reaching influences blend into a sludgy and intense sonic attack which is both captivating and liberating. Musically, this album is thoroughly engaging and lyrically the album is truly fascinating.

Oldham has brought a inimitable mix of personal, societal and more thought-provoking lyrical themes into that unique creative process and they are absolutely absorbing. Each listen (and you’ll have this record on repeat) brings out new observations, new connections and new experiences.

Yes, what started as an experiment of sorts has turned into a real monster and on the evidence of this superb debut, Slung are going to be a force to be reckoned with!

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‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 77 – Slung

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Stereophonics

Stereophonics

Make ’Em Laugh, Make ’Em Cry, Make ’Em Wait

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STEREOPHONICS – Make ’Em Laugh, Make ’Em Cry, Make ’Em Wait – album review

To achieve the longevity and prolificacy that Stereophonics have achieved, you have to be extremely talented. There should be no surprises therefore that their thirteenth studio album is another set of stellar indie rock anthems.

Indeed, ‘Make ’Em Laugh, Make ’Em Cry, Make ’Em Wait’ is probably exactly what you’d expect it to be. That in itself is likely the only real negative of sorts, but in reality at this point nobody is wanting the band to reinvent the wheel – they just want more sing-a-long, foot-tappers and that’s what we’ve got.

The album is only eight tracks and at just shy of thirty minutes if flashes past in a breeze, which is usually a good thing. Fans will feel very much at home with these songs and will have no qualms letting the album play through time and again.

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Stereophonics – ‘Make It On Your Own’

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Stereophonics are an institution in British music and they know how to grab audiences and listeners and hold their attention. The album title, ‘Make ’Em Laugh, Make ’Em Cry, Make ’Em Wait’, is a nod to the traditions of the band and over the course of these eight songs you’ll certainly feel a range of emotions.

The overarching one though is fondness. This is an album that’ll refresh your love of the band and remind you to enjoy the good times. These songs feel designed to serenade our summer. So, it’s probably a good thing the band already have a stadium tour lined up!

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Ghost

Ghost

Skeletá

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GHOST – Skeletá- ALBUM REVIEW

The build towards a new Ghost album is unlike anything else, particularly since their explosion in popularity. Enormous intrigue shrouds every little move that the band makes and they are sonically, stylistically and aesthetically analysed beyond comprehension at times.

What does ultimately make a great Ghost album? Well, this may oversimplify it but great songs. They may make an impression with their theatrics and look, but there is a substance to their music that allows them that platform to expand their imagery.

Their last record, ‘Impera’, was an 80’s inspired romp which took home our Album of the Year Award that year. Their sixth album, ‘Skeletá’, arrives now and instantly opens up in a similar vein. The viral success that the band has enjoyed in recent years has been fuelled by the poppier side of their sound and to that extent ‘Skeletá’ does sound like a natural continuation of ‘Impera’.

The issue that arises as the record progresses however is that it doesn’t quite capture the same magic that we spoke of when reviewing ‘Impera’. The album starts off hot with the three pre-release singles ‘Peacefield’, ‘Lachryma’ and ‘Satanized’. Each track is superb dose of arena pop rock which fits in well with their recent outputs.

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Ghost – ‘Satanized’

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Thereafter the record lulls itself in a disappointing complacency that comparatively will result in most tracks being somewhat forgettable. That however feels more of a testament to the strength of their recent work. These are good Ghost songs, they just aren’t the great songs that we hoped for and the pre-release singles teased.

The likes of ‘Marks Of The Evil One’ and ‘Umbra’ do provide some more memorable moments, and you can’t really pinpoint a bad track. A better song order would probably help expel the feeling of Ghost by numbers that seeps into the middle of the album; but it’s all too easy to criticise. This is actually a decent album, you just enter into it wanting another masterpiece.

We’ve seen the momentum of other next big thing type bands killed by bad albums, but this is absolutely not one of those. The quality of the three singles alone ensures that this won’t stifle their seemingly unstoppable momentum.

Perhaps what this album does more than anything is confirm Ghost in the upper echelons of their world. With that they naturally lose the new toy shine and some of their once captivating buzz. Thankfully for them they can still fallback on a base of substance to ensure they remain liable to worship!

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