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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.

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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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Luke Spiller

Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes And Wine

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Luke Spiller – Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes And Wine – Album review

With his band The Struts, Luke Spiller has earned his pedigree as a classic rock ‘n’ roll frontman. Wowing audiences across the world, anybody watching Spiller on stage will note his penchant for showmanship. Spiller has always exuded a passion for the theatrical and grandiose and now as he releases his debut solo album, he is able to explore his love for the flamboyant in more depth.

Yes, the prophetically titled, ‘Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes and Wine’, features ten stunning tracks that gently walk the tightrope between intimate and grand. Whilst the instantly recognisable vocals of Spiller lend a small dose of familiarity for fans of his day job, these songs are correctly presented as something entirely different.

Spiller has always given off the vibes of someone you either love or hate. Any hatred however is usually driven purely by jealousy from those incapable of conjuring performances like his. These songs are shrouded in vulnerability and as Spiller sings the chorus of ‘Don’t Be Afraid To Love Me’, you feel he is almost offering this to those haters as much as he is any love interest.

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Luke Spiller – ‘She’s Just Like California’

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Love is at the core of this collection however and the tracks carry a very personal sense of catharsis throughout. ‘The Ending Is Always The Same’, ‘If This Isn’t Love’ and the title track particularly hit that spot.

There is however an extremely cinematic atmosphere to this collection with the epic album closer ‘Angel Like You’ (which by the way features the last recording Taylor Hawkins made before his death) especially sounding like it was written with a Bond movie in mind.

That is the pure ambition and drive of Spiller on full display though, and this record is made by the freedom that he gains from moving away from The Struts formula.

‘Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes and Wine’ is the sound of an incredibly talented individual striving for greatness and getting pretty close! It provides a very precise listening experience and sets up a whole new platform for Spiller to explore his childhood influences further than ever before.

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HIMALAYAS

HIMALAYAS

BAD STAR

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HIMALAYAS – BAD STAR – ALBUm REVIEW

HIMALAYAS have been making their mark over the course of a decade worth’s of impressive live shows and increasingly intense releases. On their new album, ‘BAD STAR’, they are ready to complete their evolution into one of the must exciting bands on the circuit.

The four-piece have gradually evolved their sound from more indie beginnings into a now all-out thunderous rock bombast. The riffs are heavier, the grooves are cooler, and the overall package is grander. The band have stepped up on this new collection and they’ve done it in style.

Album opener, ‘Beneath The Barrel’, slowly builds over two and a half minutes to an atmospheric crescendo which perfectly captures the aesthetics of the record. There is a precision in the delivery of these modern rock anthems which only serves to elevate the album.

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HIMALAYAS – ‘Afterlife’

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Whilst pre-release singles such as ‘What If…?’, ‘Surrender’, and previous Full Pelt Single of the Week ‘Nothing Higher’, all act as benchmarks for the remaining tracks; this is a record you can break out the clichéd ‘not a bad track on here’ remark.

It’s always refreshing to see a band such as HIMALAYAS demonstrating their growth and long time fans of the band will certainly relish in the grandiose nature of ‘BAD STAR’.

At ten tracks, it also feels important to note that this album doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s here to deliver a knockout blow and that’s exactly what it manages to do. This is a band high on confidence and ready to kick down doors, so brace for impact and immerse yourself in this fantastic record!

Watch Episode 65 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guests HIMALAYAS!

The Full Pelt Music Podcast – Episode 65 – HIMALAYAS

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The Pale White

The Pale White

The Big Sad

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THE PALE WHITE – THE BIG SAD – ALBUM REVIEW

The Pale White are proud to represent the Northeast of England and much like Newcastle United, the trio have had to overcome a lot of turbulence in order to reach for the stars!

Whilst Eddie Howe’s men have finally lifted a major trophy, The Pale White have focused on creating something memorable themselves in the shape of their sophomore album, ‘The Big Sad’.

Frontman Adam Hope of spoken openly of the brave creative strides taken to muster up what can correctly be described as an eclectic record. It would in fact be easier to list the genres not in scope on this collection then try to pigeonhole this set of songs into any singular pre-conceived genre or style.

Hope, alongside drummer brother Jack and bassist Dave Barrow, has built a musical merry-go-round which will command your attention over the course of thirteen tracks and a solid forty-five minutes of sweet sonic madness.

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The Pale White – Lost In The Moment

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To keep the metaphors coming after that sweet reference, you could liken this to a pick ‘n’ mix bag of goodies. That helps to ensure that this is an interesting and engaging listen but perhaps hampers any real continuity across the record.

You can sense the incredible passion poured into the album however and the results are simply astonishing. For a band who had established something of a signature sound, ‘The Big Sad’ sees them almost completely tear up the rule book and throw everything they have to offer onto a new blank page.

There are still some familiar moments but in general fans of the band will need to enter this experience with an open mind. There are lots of ideas spread across these fascinating tracks… some of them work, and naturally others don’t. You have to admire however the guts of the group to do things their way and bravely forge ahead with their renewed vision for the band.

The Toon Army didn’t win their first cup final of this new era, but the experience pushed them on to become the behemoth that they are now. ‘The Big Sad’ may not be their magnum opus, but it will surely be a key lesson on their way to future successes!

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OK Go

OK Go

And The Adjacent Possible

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OK GO – AND THE ADJACENT POSSIBLE – ALBUM REVIEW

OK Go are something of an anomaly in the music world, in that they are probably more famous for their videos than for their music. In a world that’s now consumed by TikTok and shortform videos, maybe that wouldn’t be such an oddity these days, but OK Go did it twenty years ago!

Yes, the original viral sensations are back with what is only their fifth studio album. This represents pretty lean offerings in what has been a 25+ year career, but for the first time in eleven years we have a new album, ‘And the Adjacent Possible’.

You could say that OK Go are very much a quality over quantity type act and this latest album again follows that mantra. Twelve tracks spread over forty-five sumptuous minutes; this is a record that will resonate well with their fanbase.

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OK Go – ‘Love’

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Easy to digest, these songs pull from across the unique OK Go soundscape and represent therefore a fantastic snapshot into their special musical mix. Alt indie rock with overriding pop pizazz, each track feels like it has its own identify and that only adds to the value of the overall record.

Ben Harper, Shalah Fearing, BEGINNERS featuring pre-release single, ‘A Good, Good Day at Last’ is sublime and fellow focus tracks ‘A Stone Only Rolls Downhill’ and ‘Take Me with You’ also standout. There isn’t a bad track in sight though, on what is a convincing return from the band.

With more fun videos in tow along with this record, the band will again have eyes on them, but again the music will likely to a backseat to the overall package. That’s a shame as the group have proven they have a real knack for this whole music lark!

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Air Drawn Dagger

Air Drawn Dagger

A Guide for Apparitions

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AIR DRAWN DAGGER – A GUIDE FOR APPARITIONS – ALBUM REVIEW

At a time when it can be really difficult to be heard, Sheffield’s Air Drawn Dagger have cut through the noise and garnered much early affection. Now they are ready to take fans on a journey in every sense of the word as they release their debut album, ‘A Guide for Apparitions’.

The album is a passage of the mystic, the macabre and the spiritual which will unwittingly cast a spell on you with its chaotic charm and its atmospheric assault on the sonic senses!

This lyrical book of fables and defiant hymns is soundtracked by a genre-busting noise that embraces a range of musical influences which are all conjured up in an electro-rock cauldron.

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Air Drawn Dagger – ‘Apparitions’ feat. Tobi Duncan

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Legend has it that vocalist Maisie Manterfield and guitarist Lewis Budden began writing songs in the back of a cake shop… well with drummer Ross Dore completing the trio, they’ve certainly found a delicious recipe for their debut album!

There isn’t a bad track on the collection which starts out strong with recent single ‘Sanctifound’ and weaves it way around the senses until the emphatic Toni Duncan featuring ‘Apparitions’ and ‘Bellyaches’ serve as a memorable conclusion.

A stunning modern rock record served with generous slice of pop punk goodness; this debut album is an enormous opening statement from a band with potential of equal magnitude. Expect this to be just the beginning of what promises to be an epic journey for Air Drawn Dagger!

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The Darkness

The Darkness

Dreams On Toast

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THE DARKNESS – DREAMS ON TOAST – ALBUM REVIEW

“…We haven’t stopped making hit albums, it’s just that nobody buys them anymore…” says a line in the insanely catchy ‘Walking Through Fire’, the ninth track on the latest album from The Darkness.

Yes, the band who shot to stardom before exploding like a SpaceX rocket continue their second leash of life with their eighth studio record – ‘Dreams on Toast’!

Whilst many still remember then for their outlandishly memorable debut album, the fact is that the band have been consistently releasing great new albums for the past decade or so.

“…I can’t help falling in love with Rock n Roll…’ proclaims the same song and that feels like a statement fitting of this album. Often painted as caricatures, the talent of the band is often passed over due to their unashamed exuberance.

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The Darkness – ‘Walking Through Fire’

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Well, as the squealing ‘Rock and Roll Party Cowboy’ bursts out of the traps, this instantly feels like an album on which the band are embracing that absurdity and turning the thermostat up to full. This does indeed feel like the band falling in love with themselves and embracing what makes them such a thrilling act.

The results are frankly stunning as the quartet produce what is perhaps their best album yet! Whilst nostalgia will always place ‘Permission to Land’ on top of any list ranking their works, the reality is this is a band now who have learnt more than their fair share of lessons and are firing on all cylinders.

Through a range of styles and influences, The Darkness showcase their unique talents through ten superbly crafted tracks that all carry the essence of what makes this band so special. Fans will surely love the Hawkins wit and self-aware humour that adds its charm to this fantastic release.

There is no doubt about it, even after all of this time, The Darkness are indeed still making hit albums!

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