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Album Reviews

The Datsuns

Eye to Eye

The Datsuns Album Cover Eye To Eye
The Datsuns – ‘Eye to Eye’

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THE DATSUNS – EYE TO EYE – ALBUM REVIEW

The massive mainstream success of Nu-Metal in the late nineties and early 2000’s over shone a generation of great bands. Whilst these bands still achieved some success, in the long run the oversaturation of nu-metal on the rock and metal scene led to the stifling of the long term success of many great bands. Most of these bands have long disappeared but one still plugging away is The Datsuns.

The New Zealand natives enjoyed moderate success with the release of their self-titled debut in 2002. Since then they have continued to release consistently good music, without the same acclaim. Some say that rock died years ago, but in reality the mainstream simply moved on. There are still many great bands doing their thing, some new and some, in the case of The Datsuns, slightly older!

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‘Eye to Eye’ is the latest album from the band and is another solid addition to their back catalogue. Had the band emerged in the last year or two, they’d likely be clumped in with the so called New Wave of Classic Rock. Hitting the waves when they did they inevitably were designated to the garage rock revival that coincided with the end of nu-metal. Call them what you want, but really The Datsuns are just a great rock ‘n’ roll band.

From opening track ‘Dehumanise’ through the likes of ‘White Noise Machine’ and ‘Sweet Talk’ the band showcase their credentials and establish ‘Eye To Eye’ as another victory for a band who refuse to die. These songs are perfect for the live setting, a sweaty, dirty little club to be precise.

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The Datsuns – ‘Brain to Brain’

Hopefully when the world opens up again, The Datsuns can head back to the UK and showcase their talents again. The band deserve far more recognition than they receive, as do a whole generation of great rock bands. The Datsuns continue to wave that flag and the likes of ‘Brain to Brain’ and ‘Moongazer’ justify their tenacity!  

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Read our review of ‘Let The Bad Times Roll’ from The Offspring

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Album Reviews

Roddy Woomble

Lo! Soul

Roddy Woomble Lo! Soul Album Review
Roddy Woomble – ‘Lo! Soul’

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RODDY WOOMBLE – LO! SOUL – ALBUM REVIEW

Roddy Woomble has maintained a steady solo career for fifteen years now, whilst not busy with Idlewild. The pause produced by the pandemic and the subsequent postponement of his touring commitments with Idlewild, allowed Woomble some unexpected time to create. The outcome of this time and creativity is his latest solo album, ‘Lo! Soul’.

The genre-bending record sees Woomble exploring his more electronic and soulful output. The results are a beautiful collection of songs that perpetuate the treasured lyricism of Woomble.

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Roddy Woomble – ‘Architecture in LA’

Woomble is uniquely talented and ‘Lo! Soul’ is full of the quirk that has always made Woomble and his catalogue so special. There are stunning moments spread throughout the album, with ‘Architecture in LA’, ‘Take It To The Street’ and ‘People Move Out’ all helping to accentuate the artistic aptitude captured.

There is plenty to dissect for fans both new and old to the works of Roddy Woomble. On ‘Atlantic Photography’, Woomble opines “…best of both worlds perhaps…”, and ‘Lo! Soul’ feels like that. You get both the experimentation and the tradition of Woomble and his previous works.

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Make yourself a drink, take a comfortable seat, relax and lose yourself in ‘Lo! Soul’ – you won’t regret it!

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Read our review of ‘Intruder’ from Gary Numan

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Album Reviews

Twenty One Pilots

Scaled And Icy

Twenty One Pilots Scaled And Icy Album Cover
Twenty One Pilots – ‘Scaled And Icy’

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TWENTY ONE PILOTS – SCALED AND ICY – ALBUM REVIEW

Twenty One Pilots became a global phenomenon with the release of ‘Blurryface’ in 2015. Having previously released three albums, their success wasn’t overnight, that is until it was! Their follow up ‘Trench’ in 2018 solidified the bands position and showed they were no flash in the pan.

Now in 2021 they return with ‘Scaled And Icy’ at a time when the world is starting to emerge from the hibernation of lockdown. When people will be hopeful but wary, the album feels like it has come along at the ideal time.

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Twenty One Pilots – ‘Good Day’

The album itself sees Twenty One Pilots in similar mood as they sound hopeful for the future but also a little wary. The sound that the duo has perfected feels pitched at just the right level of upbeatness for the world right now.

The unique sound that shot the band to fame, has been imitated by many since, but on ‘Scaled And Icy’, Twenty One Pilots show why they are the original and best. The likes of ‘Shy Away’ are up there with the best music the band has produced.

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Fans will love this album and the duo has now proven beyond doubt the level at which they sit.

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Read our review of ‘Van Weezer’ from Weezer

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Album Reviews

Gary Numan

Intruder

Gary Numan Intruder Album Cover
Gary Numan – ‘Intruder’

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GARY NUMAN – INTRUDER – ALBUM REVIEW

‘Intruder’ has been teased since mid-2019, with Gary Numan debuting the title track on his ‘(R)evolution 40th Anniversary’ tour. The wait is now finally over and has most definitely been worth it!

Numan has been undergoing something of a renaissance for a good few years now and everything about ‘Intruder’ just goes to punctuate that. This is very much Numan at the top of his game.

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From album openers ‘Betrayed’ and ‘The Gift’ to the finale of ‘When You Fall’, there is quality in abundance. This is a record that sucks you into it and holds your attention through its ambient peaks and troughs.

‘Intruder’ is typically lyrically and thematically dark as typified by the title track. Numan delivers a philosophical assessment of a possible future apocalypse which feels all too relevant these days.

Whilst other artists at this stage of their career are happy to rest on their laurels, Numan still has his creative juices flowing. He clearly isn’t ready to join the nostalgia circuit and his efforts are being rewarded.

It’s no coincide that he is enjoying his best chart positions in years and is about to embark on his biggest tour in just as long. Numan will be headlining Wembley Arena for the first time since 1981. That is over 40 years ago.

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Gary Numan – ‘Saints And Liars’

With ‘Intruder’, Gary Numan is once again showing his ambition both artistically and vocationally. The likes of ‘Is This World Not Enough’ and ‘Saints And Liars’ will sound atmospheric at Wembley. There is a reason that Numan is enjoying the success he is. After all, to use an old football analogy – form is temporary but class is permanent!

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Read our review of ‘The Ides of March’ from Myles Kennedy

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Album Reviews

Myles Kennedy

The Ides of March

Myles Kennedy Album Cover The Ides of March
Myles Kennedy – ‘The Ides of March’

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MYLES KENNEDY – THE IDES OF MARCH – ALBUM REVIEW

Nobody should be shocked anymore at the quality of output from Myles Kennedy. He has set a high benchmark with his work with both Alter Bridge and Slash. He then produced a stunning piece of art with his debut solo album, ‘Year of the Tiger’. Therefore it shouldn’t be a surprise where this review is heading!

The disbelief perhaps comes with that Kennedy has once again managed to capture magic. With his output stretched between various projects, you could actually forgive him for the odd misstep and maybe that time will come. But ‘The Ides of March’ certainly isn’t that time.

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Myles Kennedy – ‘The Ides Of March’

Despite featuring a more expansive and traditional to Kennedy sound, the record still manages to showcase Kennedy in a different way to his well known day jobs. What sets Kennedy apart is how he has now solidified a third project at a high standard. His role with Slash now far outstrips the use of the phrase side-project. Now his solo work has also reached the echelons of a main project.

It will be interesting to see how Kennedy splits himself into three going forward, but clearly his solo work now will be seen in an equally accomplished light. The likes of the titular ‘The Ides of March’ are magnificent and elevate this album to magnum opus proportions.

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There is a real good mix of sounds on this album which together encompass Kennedy’s various alter egos.  You could say that ‘The Ides of March’ acts like a greatest hits record, just without any of his established hits. What is meant by that is that this album would be the perfect introduction to Kennedy and the work that his astonishing voice has soundtracked.

In conclusion, ‘The Ides of March’ is Myles Kennedy at his very best, which as we know is very good indeed. The biggest challenge for Kennedy going forward will be to keep up his track record for quality.

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Read our review of ‘The Battle at Garden’s Gate’ from Greta Van Fleet

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EP Reviews

Salem

Salem II

Salem Salem II Album EP Cover
Salem – ‘Salem II’

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SALEM – SALEM II – ALBUM REVIEW

Last Autumn saw Creeper singer Will Gould debut Salem, his new project with Matt Reynolds. After much acclaim the band return with their latest EP, ‘Salem II’.

The EP is a short but sweet punk rock bop, which has all the vibes of the early Creeper EP’s. It captures Gould at his very best and grows the seeds sown by Salem’s debut EP. With this EP, they become something bigger than a side-project. They feel now like an entity that will continue growing and provide another creative outlet to those involved.

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Salem – ‘Keep The Thorns’

This is good news, as the band now has a lengthy UK tour planned. The songs on this EP sound as though they will become much bigger in the live setting. ‘Keep The Thorns’ and ‘Sweet Tooth’ particularly whet the appetite for those shows.

Each song on the EP is strong and as the record finishes on ‘Heaven Help Me’ you are left craving more. Purpose served then for ‘Salem II’ as Salem continue to genesis.

Listen to ‘DRACULADS’ on our Spotify Hot List!

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Read our review of ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ from Holding Absence

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Album Reviews

Weezer

Van Weezer

Weezer Van Weezer Album Cover
Weezer – ‘Van Weezer’

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WEEZER – VAN WEEZER – ALBUM REVIEW

Whilst the wait for ‘Van Weezer’ hasn’t reached ‘Chinese Democracy’ levels, the album felt almost mythical until now. The record was first announced by Weezer in September 2019! Since then the album has seen delays enforced by the pandemic. Along with a release schedule to coincide with the bands participation in the Hella Mega Tour.

With those shows now postponed until 2022 we should be glad that the band has followed through with the album’s release now. After all the band has already released one new album since ‘Van Weezer’ was announced! The surprise release of ‘OK Human’ in January saw the band in chilled mood.

Read our review of ‘OK Human’ from Weezer

‘Van Weezer’ is almost the polar opposite of ‘OK Human’ as the group channel their inner hard rockers. With a sound taking influences from many of heavy musics forefathers, Weezer evidence their dexterity with an uplifting homage to their heroes.

We called ‘OK Human’ an album to chill out to on a Sunday afternoon, but ‘Van Weezer’ is a party album through and through. The riffs and solos that comprise this album will have you bouncing around your living room with an air guitar in hand.

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Weezer – ‘All the Good Ones’

This feels like a love letter to the bands influences, so much so that the likes of ‘I Need Some of That’, ‘Beginning of the End’ and ‘Blue Dream’ feature samples and interpolations of famous tracks from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Blue Oyster Cult.

From the first mutterings of ‘Van Weezer’ back in 2019, you suspected it would be an interesting album. Over the top, outlandish, brash and most of all fun, the album not only lives up to but surpasses all expectations.

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Album Reviews

The Coral

Coral Island

The Coral Coral Island Album Cover
The Coral – ‘Coral Island’

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THE CORAL – CORAL ISLAND – ALBUM REVIEW

‘Coral Island’ is the tenth studio album from The Coral. Over the course of their near three decades as a group the band have consistently produced top quality music. Music that almost defies genre as the band embrace a plethora of influences to create what is undoubtedly The Coral.

Expectations for their tenth album therefore may have been mute. Realistically fans know from their track record that the album will be good, meaning that anticipation isn’t based in suspense. Well, that is until you know that for their tenth album the band has set out to create their masterpiece.

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The Coral – ‘Faceless Angel’

‘Coral Island’ is not just another album from the band. Spread over two disks, this concept album stretches just shy of an hour. Twenty-four tracks including spoken word intervals, ‘Coral Island’ tells the story of a fictional town by the coast.

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You are sucked into this world as the band manage to demonstrate their dexterity whilst showcasing their careers evolution track by track. ‘Coral Island’ is a piece of art, and deserves to be heard as such, so it isn’t worth pinpointing particular songs. This album demands your attention and for a band now so far into their career this is some achievement.

Yes, the group have managed to create something very special indeed. Despite a career built on quality, it turns out that they can still up their game yet higher. It does feel fitting for The Coral that the bands tenth album may just be their best yet.

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Read our review of ‘Sweep It Into Space’ from Dinosaur Jr.

Check out The Full Pelt Music Podcast with Frank Turner

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Album Reviews

Royal Blood

Typhoons

Royal Blood Typhoons Album Cover
Royal Blood – ‘Typhoons’

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ROYAL BLOOD – TYPHOONS – ALBUM REVIEW

Royal Blood shot to the number one spot with their self-titled debut album in 2014. They then repeated that achievement with their follow up, ‘How Did We Get So Dark?’ in 2017. Now in 2021, they return with their third studio album – ‘Typhoons’.

The question is can they once again hit the number one spot? In order to do so ‘Typhoons’ will need to match the quality of its predecessors. So, the real question becomes does this album live up to the high standards that the duo have set so far?

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Royal Blood – ‘Trouble’s Coming’

Thankfully for both Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher the answer to that question is evident immediately as ‘Trouble’s Coming’ instantly gets your head banging and your foot tapping. The thunderous drums and ripping riffs that shot the band to fame are still here. In fact, it’s also evident early that whilst this is still very much Royal Blood there is clear evolution.

That’s not to say that they have changed direction, but certain elements of the bands sound are definitely amplified on ‘Typhoons’. The duo however manage to amplify these electronic elements without losing their rock attitude and resonance. Whilst the likes of ‘Limbo’ may feel out of place on their debut album, it doesn’t feel out of place in the bands catalogue. This is a testament to the duo’s ability to craft catchy hard hitting music.

Listen to ‘Limbo’ on our Spotify Hot List!

‘Typhoons’, ‘Boilermaker’ and ‘Oblivion’ are amongst the best that the band has produced thus far. On this album they have shown that they are no one trick pony and that their future remains very bright indeed. The band are already arena fillers and with this album they have continued a trajectory to be one of the biggest bands in the world.

Finally, let’s answer that question. Don’t be surprised when this album hits number one. It has the quality of its predecessors in abundance, whilst showing clear progression. It is most definitely a hit!

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Check out Episode 1 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with Frank Turner

Read our review of ‘The Greatest Mistake of My Life’ from Holding Absence

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Album Reviews

Dinosaur Jr.

Sweep It Into Space

Dinosaur Jr. Sweep It Into Space Album Cover
Dinosaur Jr. – ‘Sweep It Into Space’

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DINOSAUR JR. – SWEEP IT INTO SPACE – ALBUM REVIEW

‘Sweep It Into Space’ is the fifth new studio album from Dinosaur Jr. since their 2005 reformation, and they continue to justify their return. Recorded back in 2019 and delayed by the pandemic, ‘Sweep It Into Space’ is worth the wait for fans.

J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph have shown once again their knack for producing easy listening yet rough and ready rock music. With a little help this time from Kurt Vile, Dinosaur Jr. once again manage to capture the essence of the alt rock genre.

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There are luscious solos, beefy riffs and catchy vocals all stirred in with the punchy rhythm section. Listening to this album is evidence again of the influence that the band has had on American rock music. You can pick out many aspects that are core Dinosaur Jr. traits that are now standard fare for other such artists.

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Dinosaur Jr. – ‘I Ran Away’

It’s difficult to pick out particular songs as highlights here as the whole album flows perfectly from beginning to end. The likes of ‘I Ran Away’ and ‘Garden’ do however provide a good flavour of what to expect.

With the band still able to produce records of this quality, it must be hoped that the second coming of this iconic band has no end.

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Read our review of ‘The Battle at Garden’s Gate’ from Greta Van Fleet