Vol. 73
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Full Pelt Magazine
Tag: Music
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Manic Street Preachers
Critical Thinking
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MANIC STREET PREACHERS – CRITICAL THINKING – ALBUM REVIEW
‘Critical Thinking’ is the fifteenth album from Welsh icons Manic Street Preachers. A run that started back in 1992 with ‘Generation Terrorists’ has seen the band releasing a new album a least every four years, and whilst there may be peaks and troughs, somehow the band has never released a dreadful record!
That is some achievement and – spoiler alert – ‘Critical Thinking’ is certainly not going to buck that trend. Keeping things interesting when this prolific as a recording group must be the most difficult aspect of maintaining course. Both for themselves as creators and their fanbase as consumers.
This album takes an interesting pathway from the very beginning as Nicky Wire takes on lead vocals for the albums title-track. His direct lyrics have renewed vigour and the track sounds like New Order writing a Pink Floyd song!
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Pre-release singles ‘Decline & Fall’ and ‘Brushstrokes of Reunion’ are more recognisable as modern-day Manic Street Preachers offerings and together are a hell of a start for this collection.
This album actually features three tracks with lead vocals provided by the mercurial Wire and both ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ and album closer ‘OneManMilitia’ standout on what eventually does blend somewhat as another solid but standard Manics release.
That though is a backwards complement, because the reason that each of their albums starts the feel eerily similar is because they are all so well written and enacted. Whilst the ferocity and urgency of some of their earlier work may not bite the same way, this is a naturally mature and more methodical group who are still able to drive a point home.
‘Critical Thinking’ therefore has the undertones of classic Manics, the shine of their more glamorous work and an overarching beauty which always seems to befall one of the greatest bands of their generation.
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Winona Fighter
My Apologies to the Chef
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WINONA FIGHTER – MY APOLOGIES TO THE CHEF – ALBUM REVIEW
Nashville may be better known for other musical genres, but that hasn’t stopped Winona Fighter from making a ruckus with their sharp punk bangers. Indeed, a stream of standout singles has built a reputation that their debut album, ‘My Apologies to the Chef’ is only going to accentuate.
Call it pop punk if you want but don’t pigeonhole a band that is showcasing a developing sound capable of taking over the world. These songs are absolutely gigantic and are sure to leave an indelible mark on a revitalised music scene.
Smart lyrics with biting delivery are married with rowdy guitars and sky high melodies as the trio perfectly blend those genres of pop and punk with incredible ease.
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None of the fourteen tracks that make-up this outstanding record breach the three minute mark, Winona Fighter precisely know what they are doing, and you can expect this record to deliver exactly what it needs to do.
Whilst you can pinpoint the likes of ‘Subaru’, ‘HAMMS IN A GLASS’, ‘R U FAMOUS’ and others as so-called highlights, the reality is this album simply flies by without a bad song in sight. As far as opening salvo’s go – this one is just what it should be – a warp speed sonic onslaught of pop punk goodness!
If you are not already aware of Winona Fighter, you soon will be. They make their UK live debut at Slam Dunk and on this evidence they will be the ones to watch come May.
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Lacuna Coil
Sleepless Empire
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LACUNA COIL – SLEEPLESS EMPIRE – ALBUM REVIEW
Somehow Lacuna Coil formed over three decades ago! During this time they’ve released nine studio albums with some routine, that is until now. ‘Sleepless Empire’, their tenth effort is their first new album in nearly six years – the longest gap between releases in their career.
Well – the good news is if they are slowing down in terms of releases, they sure as hell aren’t in terms of sonic velocity! ‘The Siege’ and ‘Oxygen’ ensure that this milestone release bursts out of the traps and leaves you in no doubt that Lacuna Coil still very much mean business!
Their distinctive gothic-tinged brand of heavy metal is again proudly front and centre and refocused following their work recording a remake of their classic album, ‘Comalies’. It shouldn’t perhaps be a surprise then this truly feels like classic Lacuna Coil.
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The sound of the album however still carries a modern freshness that helps to elevate these songs to new heights. Indeed, this is a record which will appeal to all fans whether they have jumped onboard in the early days or in recent years.
Thematically the album is a concept of sorts with an overarching rebellious sentimental seeping out of the eleven tracks. The band have looked at a world living through digital means and questioning the meaning of it all!
There are guest appearances from Randy Blythe (Lamb of God) on ‘Hosting the Shadow’ and Ash Costello (New Year’s Day) on ‘In The Mean Time’, before the big finale of ‘Never Dawn’ brings the record to a thumping close. When all is said and done, nobody can argue that this isn’t Lacuna Coil doing their thing as only they can.
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The Velveteers
A Million Knives
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THE VELVETEERS – A MILLION KNIVES – ALBUM REVIEW
‘All These Little Things’ introduces us to the second album from Denver trio The Velveteers and sets a garage rock tone early on which is fitting given the record has been produced of a certain Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.
This fuzzy rock and roll blast continues through ‘Suck The Cherry’ and the intense romp of ‘See Your Face’ – “…when I see your face, I want to disappear…”. Fast guitar work, a unique double drum thump and rousing vocals all mix together with blunt lyrics to create a whirlwind of a sound on this groovy collection.
‘Bound In Leather’ has an effortlessly cool swagger as vocal enchantress Demi Demitro muses “…I’m an open book, but I’m bound in leather…’ in an introspective standout track.
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The album continues at pace but does begin to twist and turn the further it progresses including ‘Go Fly Away’, which is the first song produced by The Black Keys together for another artist. The track has the feel of a funky Kate Bush experiment and helps to break-up the record and prevent too much predictability.
That said, the album does overwhelmingly have that Auerbach aura sprinkled throughout and therefore feels perhaps like the full quirkiness of the band isn’t quite unleashed.
The slower ending of ‘Up Here’, ‘Heaven’ and ‘Fix Me’ though soar with what feels like more freedom and help to ensure that your attention will be retained throughout what at times does feel like a lengthy listen.
What is undoubted is the talent manifested by this trio and the enormous potential that they clearly possess. This may ultimately prove to be a perfectly positioned album that boosts the trajectory that they find themselves on.
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The Nightmares
Fire In Heaven
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THE NIGHTMARES – FIRE IN HEAVEN – ALBUM REVIEW
It’s cold and miserable outside at the moment as the lingering British winter continues to literally cast a dark cloud over life. There is perhaps no better time then for Welsh soft rock quartet The Nightmares to drop their melancholic sophomore album, ‘Fire In Heaven’.
This is a moody, wistful collection of songs probably best listened to alone in your bedroom whilst staring longingly into the miserable darkness outside. That is said though in the best possible way!
With a continuing tide of new music that tries desperately to recreate that popular modern rock sound, it’s refreshing to be able to write about something unique and truly different. Undoubtedly, we can say that ‘Fire In Heaven’ is sure to be one of the most ethereal and layered records of the year.
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Kicking off with ‘Siren Song’ the album shows an expanded guitar sound from the group before the delicious ‘Something In The Dark’ is driven forward by a gloomy bass riff and synth-laden whistle.
‘Hell Is Gonna Happen’ is a pop-tinged bop, ‘Run Away’ is a delightful standout track and the further you progress through the collection the bigger Cure vibes you get. Mixing rock and dream pop with a gothic aesthetic, The Nightmares truly feel like they are patenting their signature sound on this magnificent second album.
So, if you are looking for a release from the modern world and a record that you can get lost in whilst finding that solace then look no further than, ‘Fire In Heaven’.
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Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 72
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Call Me Amour
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Emily Barker
Portland Arms, Cambridge
Tuesday 4th February 2024
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EMILY BARKER – CAMBRIDGE – LIVE REVIEW
Emily Barker has been nothing short of a prolific songwriter since first making her name here in the UK. But as the Australian native shares so fondly this evening, it was here in Cambridge where her journey began. Her show at the fantastic Portland Arms could therefore be regarded as something of a homecoming show – just 9,000 miles from home!
The venue is packed and rightfully so as fans gather to hear tracks from her phenomenal 2024 album, ‘Fragile as Humans’, brought to life on stage. Before then however, we have another UK thriving Aussie songwriter as Liz Stringer serenades the audience with songs and stories from her life.
Each song is superbly crafted to deliver the powerful lyrics in which Stringer explores her life, and the wisdom gained whilst overcoming the challenges that life presents. Stringers’ personable and down to earth demeanour endear her to the crowd instantly and her time on stage feels all too short.
That is naturally a good sign and thankfully as she closes her performance with a great rendition of ‘Anyone’, that isn’t the last the crowd gets to see of her this evening!
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Soon enough, it’s time for Emily Barker and her band to make their way through the crowd and on to the intimate stage. As with Stringer before, Barker has an enate ability to engage with the audience and make it feel like you are stood watching her whilst sat in your living room.
There is a respect from the audience and even during her most delicate songs you could hear a pin drop in the crowd. Barker has built her reputation over two decades of creative ingenuity, and that prolificacy shows no signs of dissipating.
Her latest effort ‘Fragile as Humans’ is proof in itself and its these songs that take centre stage this evening. These delicately constructed songs are amongst the best that Barker has produced in her career and that frankly is saying something!
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘THE QUIET WAYS’ FROM EMILY BARKER
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From sensational opener ‘With Small We Start’, through the sublime ‘The Quiet Ways’, to the title track itself, each song from the album excels in the live setting. Other favourites and deep cuts including ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘Ghost Narrative’ help to fill out what is a mesmerising ninety minutes.
Stringer returns to the stage to accompany Barker on select songs including main set closer ‘Machine’, which accentuates the special feeling of the evening. An encore of new track ‘Bight Idea’ (or Brightest Day as one audience member calls out) and ‘Dear River’ is a wonderful way to close out a beautiful evening.
Barker is an enthralling songwriter and mesmeric live performer. Her songs are packed with meaning and performed with grace. So, do the right thing and seize any opportunity you get to witness this magic for yourself!
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Watch Episode 61 of The Full Pelt Music Podcast with guest Emily Barker!
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Dead Air
Elements
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Watch Episode 75 of our ‘Discover’ New Music Podcast with guests Dead Air!