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Crushed By Waves

Crushed By Waves

More To Life

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CRUSHED BY WAVES – MORE TO LIFE – ALBUM REVIEW

Manchester’s Crushed By Waves have been making, well… waves over the past few months with a string of impressive modern rock singles. Now the time has arrived for the group to unleash their debut album and for ‘More To Life’ to be judged! Will the band soar or be crushed (sorry) under the weight of expectation.

Well the first hurdle that the band must overcome is the crowded scene in which they find themselves. Where everybody is trying to stand out, often that means that nobody does. The blame can perhaps be placed at Bring Me The Horizon’s door (or Linkin Park’s if we go further back), as their innovation has inspired no end of copycats.

Whilst it’s almost inevitable that new bands breaking through will get lost in the shuffle these days, you instantly feel that there is enough on ‘More To Life’ to elevate Crushed By Waves above the parapet. Opening duo ‘Nothing Left’ and ‘Dangerous’ set the tone early and act to dispel any worries that this is just another cookie cutter new age rock album.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘NOTHING LEFT’
Crushed By Waves – ‘Nothing Left’

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The band have touched on a feeling of imposter syndrome whilst discussing the album but the fruits of their labours here should give them vindication. They’ve managed to produce a thoroughly enjoyable set of hard hitters that can more than hold their own in the current congested climate.

‘You Know’, ‘Won’t Get Out Alive’ and the title track all highlight that ambitious sound which is the sonic template for rock bands in the 2024. They do so however in an assured manner which belies the relative inexperience of the group.

Indeed for a debut album, Crushed By Waves couldn’t really have wished to have delivered anything more resolute and intriguing. Whether they can cut through the noise or not only time can tell but with ‘More To Life’ the band have managed to deliver a notable opening gambit.

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Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 28

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 28 features our cover stars Feeder as they head back out on the road this month! We also review the latest releases from Kid Kapichi and Greywind!

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Glastonbury Festival, Kendal Calling, Biffy Clyro, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Interpol, NOFX and Samantha Fish!

Plus all the best new releases including The Treatment, The Warning, Soft Play, Scott Stapp, DragonForce, VEXED, Royal Republic, Blue Öyster Cult, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Ashen Reach, The Dandy Warhols, Gun, Sløtface, fakeyourdeath, The Lemon Twigs, Destroy Boys, Dea Matrona, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and BIG SPECIAL!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist including Gold Bloom, Attic Theory and Eville!

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Kid Kapichi

Kid Kapichi

There Goes The Neighbourhood

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KID KAPICHI – THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOURHOOD – ALBUM REVIEW

Kid Kapichi have certainly made an impression in this desolate and austere post-apocalyptic landscape. Whilst they are far from the only band to gain popularity by mixing punk attitude, indie swagger and witty lyricism, they’ve certainly been one of the most prolific.

Prolificacy and quality though don’t always go hand in hand and with some high profile peers fending off some lacklustre reviews recently, it’s an interesting time for Kid Kapichi to be releasing their third studio album.

Let’s face it, there is not absence of source material for musicians looking to call out government incompetence, social injustice or horrifying world affairs, but in an election year at home and abroad there’s also a risk of political statement fatigue from music fans.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘ZOMBIE NATION’
Kid Kapichi – ‘Zombie Nation’

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Well, that’s where Kid Kapichi seem to find their niche… in finding balance between heavy subject matter and playful output. ‘There Goes The Neighbourhood’ unapologetically continues where ‘This Time Next Year’ and ‘Here’s What You Could Have Won’ left off, with a razor sharp tongue and catchy beat.

Any listeners looking for some ambitious sonic exploration on this album will be disappointed, but anybody hoping for more biting, frank and ferocious bangers will get their fill! The ability of the band to create this steady stream of passionate and astute songs is really quite canny, and at times like these their music should be classed as essential listening.

If we were to pick one track here to highlight, we’d be amiss not to guide you towards to fabulous Suggs featuring ‘Zombie Nation’, but this album is one of those ones where we get to say that there really isn’t a bad track.

The gentler ‘Jimi’ is a charming way to close out an album which will be defined by that now well established brashness. All said and done this is just the latest statement from a band marching relentlessly towards revolution.

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Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 27

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 27 features our cover stars 2000trees as unveil their stunning 2024 line-up! We also catch last week’s cover stars Lake Malice live in Norwich and review the new album from Grace Petrie!

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Garbage, The Black Keys, BERRIES, Another Sky, Seasick Steve, Himalayas, Editors, Dream Wife, Oakman, InMe, Indoor Pets, Twin Atlantic, Crushed By Waves, Future Static, Brighten the Corners, Y Not Festival, Make A Scene and RADAR Festival!

Plus all the best new releases including Creeper, Seasick Steve, Delilah Bon, Like Moths To Flames, Pillow Queens, FM, Smash Into Pieces, The Pearl Harts, Twin Atlantic, Saxon, Robert Jon & The Wreck, The Commoners, Jinjer, Hockey Dad, Slash, Marisa and the Moths and Dream Wife!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist including Young Fatigue, QUEEN LAYA and LOVELOST!

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Grace Petrie

Grace Petrie

Build Something Better

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GRACE PETRIE – BUILD SOMETHING BETTER – ALBUM REVIEW

Grace Petrie has long established herself as one of the country’s finest folk troubadours and now after a much heralded sojourn touring her comedy show, ‘Butch Ado About Nothing’, Petrie returns with new album, ‘Build Something Better’.

Petrie is now approaching two decades behind the microphone and has an increasingly impressive assortment of releases in her back catalogue. Each album seems to demonstrate artistic growth and particularly this album feels like Petrie’s song craft has reached new levels of brilliance.

Yes, this is a confident and assured collection of reflective and honest folk tales from an artist at their very best. Each track paints an all too familiar and desperate picture of living life in modern Britain; told as only Petrie can with her lived experience and ability to verbalise the untold.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘The HOUSE ALWAYS WINS’
Grace Petrie – ‘The House Always Wins’

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Touring buddy Frank Turner continues to cut his producing teeth and on this record he manages to capture the frank (pun only slighted intended!) passion of Petrie perfectly. The clever lyricism and pure vocal delivery of Petrie though is the big takeaway from the eleven songs.

‘The House Always Wins’ is an early standout and the likes of ‘Meanwhile In Texas’, ‘Start Again’ and ‘Fixer Upper’ are worth a note, but the reality is that the old cliché that there isn’t a bad song on the album is indeed very fitting here.

‘Build Something Better’ is the latest statement of an artist of unparalleled natural talent. There are many artists and groups making sincere and striking music, many of which form the wider scene that Grace Petrie calls home. But it’s hard to argue on the evidence of this record that Petrie isn’t amongst the very best.

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Full Pelt Magazine

Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 26

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The latest issue of the Full Pelt Magazine is here, and you can download your copy for free below!

Volume 26 features our cover stars Lake Malice as they prepare for their debut headline tour! We also review new albums from Yard Act, Bruce Dickinson, Kaiser Chiefs, Noah and the Loners and Liam Gallagher & John Squire!

Our News Report has all the latest music news including live announcements from Paul Weller, Electric Six, Blood Red Shoes, Black Water County, SOiL, Journey, Blackout Problems, Gen and the Degenerates, Latitude Festival, British Summer Time, Bearded Theory, Tramlines, Cro Cro Land and Attitude Festival!

Plus all the best new releases including Bob Vylan, Twenty One Pilots, Hell Is For Heroes, Oakman, Another Sky, Kid Kapichi, Unpeople, LostAlone, VENUES, One Step Closer, Accept, Chris Shiflett, Kelly Jones, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Black Country Communion, halflives, The Zutons, Troy Redfern, Fangclub, James, The K’s, Ho99o9, PJ Harvey and CLT DRP!

Finally, we round up the latest additions to our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist including Hunter Oliveri, ANIIMALIA and Gamblers!

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Liam Gallagher & John Squire

Liam Gallagher & John Squire

Liam Gallagher John Squire

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LIAM GALLAGHER & JOHN SQUIRE – ALBUM REVIEW

The news that legendary Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and iconic guitarist John Squire of The Stone Roses would be teaming up was met with glee from their fans. The team-up was greeted with similar anticipation that Marvel fans give superhero crossovers in the MCU.

Recent lacklustre blockbusters however have coined the term superhero-fatigue and music fans have also become hesitant to overhype so-called supergroups after more than a few duds! So whilst the diehards still pop for a Guardians of the Galaxy cameo in a Thor movie, two celebrated musicians joining forces fails to overexcite casual music fans.

As with a finished movie however, the proof is always in the pudding and the Gallagher/Squire pairing have now served up their eponymous debut album. The collection consists of ten songs spread over forty minutes, which is instantly allays fears of an over-bloated anthology.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘JUST ANOTHER RAINBOW’
Liam Gallagher & John Squire – ‘Just Another Rainbow’

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The teaser trailers of ‘Mars To Liverpool’ and ‘Just Another Rainbow’ gave a good indication of what to expect with the finished record, and there’ll be little to surprise you over the course of the whole piece.

Fans of both men and their careers will find comfort and joy in this album with the sound being pretty much what you’d expect if you combined their previous bands. This isn’t a bad thing at all, because much like Marvel the duo know their core audience.

There is plenty of lip service here with tracks and moments akin to standard superhero tropes with ‘One Day At A Time’ akin to a heroic vow and ‘Love You Forever’ like a secret identity. What is perhaps missing though is that punch the air moment like Captain America lifting Mjollnir.

Ultimately though there is more than enough here for this adventure to be deemed a success. Don’t pull on Dr. Strange’s cape and don’t question the ability of Gallagher and Squire to deliver a fan pleasing pile of indie rock.

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Bruce Dickinson

Bruce Dickinson

The Mandrake Project

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BRUCE DICKINSON – THE MANDRAKE PROJECT – ALBUM REVIEW

Nearly two decades have passed since iconic Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson dipped his toes in the waters of his solo career. The Iron Maiden machine keeps turning but following outside adventures from bandmates Steve Harris and Adrian Smith, Dickinson is once again ready to dive into the deep end with new opus ‘The Mandrake Project’!

Previous solo outings have seen Dickinson broadening his horizons away from the Maiden mould and genuine excitement seems to have broken out for this release. The pre-release singles, ‘Afterglow of Ragnarok’ and ‘Rain on the Graves’, certainly managed to further whet appetites and as the record finally arrives fans appear ravenous.

So, has this album got enough to feed the fans and meet the lofty expectations? Spoiler alert – you’re damn sure it has! Dickinson has always demanded ambition from all of his musical projects and ‘The Mandrake Project’ may be his most ambitious yet.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘AFTERGLOW OF RAGNAROK’
Bruce Dickinson – ‘Afterglow of Ragnarok’

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Partner in crime Roy Z helps to provide an expansive metal powered soundtrack allowing for Dickinson’s dexterous vocals to soar. The duo have had success together in the past, but with both older and wiser this project feels perplexingly both refined and extravagant in equal measure.

The ten tracks sprawl over nearly a full hour but the album never lags, with each track adding something meaningful to the overarching masterpiece. Going back to that earlier question, there is certainly plenty for fans to sink their teeth into. Each listen will highlight new textures and moments of majesty.

Ten minute opera ‘Sonata (Immortal Beloved)’ brings the record to a powerful conclusion and acts as the final course of a mighty feast cooked up by Dickinson and co. The long wait for a solo expedition has been proven worthwhile and Dickinson proves that even at this late stage of his career he can still astonish!

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Yard Act

Yard Act

Where’s My Utopia?

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YARD ACT – WHERE’S MY UTOPIA?

The post-punk revival of the past half decade helped to thrust Yard Act into the mainstream, seeing them score a number two charting debut album and getting to play bigger and bigger shows. Now the band are ready to unleash their sophomore record as they ask the pertinent question… ‘Where’s My Utopia?’.

The shackles of labels are thrown off this time around as the band produce a genre-less collection of danceable self-aware bops. Whilst the aura of their debut album remains, the swagger is ramped up and the aspiration of sonic brilliance is grasped as tightly as a dropped winning lottery ticket in the wind.

The bands experience of becoming successful runs throughout the threads of the record and ensures that the lyrical themes are not simply a continuation of their political observations on ‘The Overload’.

WATCH The video for ‘We make hits’
Yard Act – ‘We Make Hits’

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What also becomes apparent as the album progresses is the quality of the songs themselves which somewhat ironically are more accessible then their previous work. The likes of ‘Petroleum’, ‘Dream Job’ and the paradoxically titled ‘We Make Hits’ are highly infectious, and throughout the album, the song craft is superb.

The preposterously excellent ‘Blackpool Illuminations’ helps to conclude the record in typically poetic fashion and really showcases just what makes Yard Act a special creative force. Each track feels like it adds something and ‘A Vineyard for the North’ is a fantastic finale to what is an outlandishly good collection.

Yard Act continue to mesmerise and ‘Where’s My Utopia?’ is a truly stunning way to follow up on their initial success. You just can’t help but wonder just what this band is capable of in the future!

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Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chief’s Easy Eighth Album

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KAISER CHIEFS – KAISER CHIEF’S EASY EIGHTH ALBUM – ALBUM REVIEW

As Kaiser Chiefs push into their second decade as a chart-topping entity they find themselves in a holding pattern of sorts. They’ve got a strong back catalogue and can fill decent venues, but they’ve not released anything earth-shattering in over a decade and aren’t likely to reach any higher levels of stardom.

The harsh reality of the music industry is 99.9% of other acts would kill to be in their position, whilst Kaiser Chiefs will likely feel some degree of frustration at their own stagnation. On their new eighth album, cringingly called ‘Kaiser Chief’s Easy Eighth Album’, you feel that the band are trying hard to deliver something fresh.

Unfortunately it really just sounds like they are trying too hard. Heavily influenced by the disco funk of Nile Rodgers who works with the band on opener ‘Feeling Alright’, you have to give the band credit for being willing to try and deliver a new sound. But, and it’s a big but, what they achieve sounds just like you’d expect Kaiser Chiefs playing Nile Rodgers to sound.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘FEELING ALRIGHT’
Kaiser Chiefs – ‘Feeling Alright’

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The songs are all very safe, middle of the road indie funk standard stock. It’s frustrating because Kaiser Chiefs come from the harshly titled landfill indie boom. It’s harsh on the band because they always stood out from the pack with their inimitable sound. Alas this record simply lacks that unique charm. It all feels very by the numbers, when the band made their career on being special.

At just shy of half an hour the album thankfully doesn’t take up much time and these songs shouldn’t eat up much space on their setlists on tour. There just isn’t anything here that stands out, nothing that makes you stick your head up and take note, but the band already have plenty of songs that do that for them.

All in all the Kaiser Chief’s easy eighth album is easily forgettable and will probably be an easy target for reviewers. In its defence, it is far from the worst album ever released, it’s just probably the worst album that Kaiser Chiefs have ever released which is a testament to the previous seven albums!

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