Alt-UK

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Archives for June 2006

KoRn – Coming Undone

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Just like when I heard the last single ‘Twisted Transistor,’ I didn’t quite know what to make of this single. I really wasn’t sure whether I liked it or hated it, however once again I have listened to it a number of times and it has really grown on me. I think the fact that this has been the case with these two singles shows that as an album, ‘See You On The Other Side’ is an album which takes time to get into, but once you do – you just cant get enough of it. It has been over six months since the band released the first single, but the wait has been worth it as once again the band has pulled it out of the bag.

The guitar work here is extremely heavy, powering away throughout the duration of the song and I think that this is what I had a problem getting into. It takes a while for the guitar line to truly sink in, but once it does you just can’t get enough of it. ‘Coming Undone’ is one of those tracks that you can put on repeat and never tire of, no matter how many times you crank it out. The disorientating guitars, fine drum beat and superb vocal styling of Jonathan Davis make sure that ‘Coming Undone’ is a KoRn track which is not to be forgotten. It is an extremely convincing slab of contemporary heavy music that will no doubt but a smile on your face with its awesome grittiness and lasting impression.

This single accurately portrays just why this band have managed to shift 25 million albums worldwide to date – they are a band that aren’t afraid to reinvent themselves, and when they do, the result is always positive. When the Nu-Metal scene that KoRn were at the forefront of became stale, the band unlike some of their contemporaries (the ill-fated Limp Bizkit for example) saw it as a chance to move on to pastures new, and really redefine themselves, showing that they are still a band worthy of your attention.

Released: 12th June 2006
Label: Virgin

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The Fallout Trust – When We Are Gone

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I have avoided listening to this band for some time now, always assuming that they would be some kind of bland Indie band that the UK seems to be full of at the moment. In actual fact, this is actually a pretty good single, and is a fine slab of Indie Rock from the East London sextet. The band have toured with the likes of Tom Vek and Clor, and it is clear that the band earnt these support slots rather than being handed them on a plate by their label as they are a decent band and fully deserved these gigs.

When this single first kicks off, you wonder what the band are going to present you with for the rest of the single as it is a disorientating electronic sounding beat which soon kicks into the Indie Rock anthem which is becomes. This is the albums signature track and shows great promise from the band with some fine vocals, and a great backbeat which takes you through the record. This single is a re-release as it was originally released in June 2005, and it is clear as day why they have decided to re-release it a year after its original release – the band are now bigger than they were back then, and this is a single just too good to let it go to waste.

Released: 5th June 2006
Label: At Large Recordings/EMI

Rating:
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Dear Superstar – Confessions Of A Twisted Mind

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I first heard this band just over a year ago when I heard their ‘Submission Of Your Soul’ EP, and was extremely impressed with what the band had to offer. By some stroke of a miracle, the band are still unsigned, and so have self produced and financed this album, once again showing their intense talent and keen ear for a brilliant rock song. These self confessed sleaze rockers have here written an album that has all the intensity of the live setting captured on CD.

There are so many great tracks on display here, right from anthemic opener ‘Sunset Strip Suicide,’ to the colossal closer of ‘Little Devil.’ The band have your full attention from the offset, and as the album progresses seem to gather momentum and really come into their stride. By the time ‘Confessions Of A Twisted Mind’ kicks in, the band are really coming into their own and have carved out a perfect little niche for themselves. The opening riffs to this storming little number are epic and really show Dear Superstar to be an impressive band more than worthy of your time. They crash through this track with great vocal styling and awesome guitar licks that Motley Crue would be proud of.

Just when you think things can’t get any better, the band crack into the awesome duo of songs ‘What You Want’ and ‘Submission.’ Just when things are coming to an end and you’re expecting the album to wind down a bit, the band continues to impress and blast through another impressive pair of tracks. Both of these tracks have a hefty bite and of course the trademark Dear Superstar killer chords. The band just never fails to impress, taking every opportunity possible to blast out another display of ballsy sleaze rock n roll gold. Lyrically and musically, this band really do have something special going on and that is as clear as day.

‘Confessions Of A Twisted Mind’ is a testament to just what you can achieve if you really put your mind to it. Despite being an unsigned band, Dear Superstar have managed to produce and release a brilliant album which will surely be adored by all those that get the opportunity to hear it. I am certain that with such an amazing album behind them, this band can go on to achieve great things in the not too distant future. If they have ambition and drive to match their song writing ability then they will definitely hit the big time by the end of 2006, I know I said this about 2005 but for some strange reason the band have yet to make it massive but surely their talent can not go unnoticed for yet another year.

Tracklist:

  1. Sunset Strip Suicide
  2. Freedom
  3. And We Live
  4. Days Of Yesterday
  5. Confessions Of A Twisted Mind
  6. Falling Apart
  7. Break Up
  8. What You Want
  9. Submission
  10. Little Devil

Babar Luck – Care In The Community

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Former King Prawn bassist, turned solo artist Babar Luck has always been socially and politically aware, and shows this in abundance on his debut solo album ‘Care IN The Community.’ Blending a variety of styles, Luck manages to produce an extremely intricate album here which is both engaging and intelligent, with a real message behind it meaning that this album is not just all style and no substance. This album has real worth and will get you thinking without being overly preachy on the topics which it covers.

There’s not a single bad track on this album, every one with its own individual merits which make this album something extremely special. It has been a long time since I’ve heard an album of this sort of quality and although it’s unlikely to become my favourite album of all time, as far as albums of 2006 are concerned; it is certainly up there with the best. This album has had a lasting impression on me, and will surely be taking pride of place in my collection for the foreseeable future. There are some incredible songs on here such as the amazing opener ‘1 Luv,’ or the infectious ‘101 Spiritual.’ With so many great tracks on display it is hard to pick out a favourite really as each and every one of the twelve tracks on display here is a politically edged piece of socially aware mastery.

This is a great album from Babar Luck and is sure to be remembered as one of the best underground successes of the year. King Prawn ended their career with an album which was probably their worst lyrically, and with songs like ‘Smoke Some Shit’ promoting cannabis use, it was far from their political stylings of old, however with this solo album – Luck shows that he is still capable of writing tracks with political messages which provoke a cerebral response. Babar Luck is a strong solo artist and I expect that their will be plenty more to come from this man. Keep an eager eye out for him in the future as I’m sure that he’ll be popping up at a venue near you in the not too distant future.

Released: 15th March 2006
Label: Rebel Music Records

Rating:
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The Automatic – Monster

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This is the latest single from the Cambridge four piece that is The Automatic, and sees the band release another amazing single. Following on from the success of ‘Raoul,’ this is bound to do well and should find itself up near the top of the charts come Sunday. I think that this is the best single that the band have released thus far, and their album which is due out on the 12th is sure to be full of great tracks – I cant wait to hear it.

‘Monster’ is near on 4 minutes of pure disco-punk gold, as the band blast through another ballsy track that is sure to put a smile on your face. If you were a fan of ‘Raoul’ then you’re bound to love ‘Monster’ – it’s an absolutely amazing track, probably one of the best I have heard all year in fact. The lead vocals work perfectly with the shouted backing vocals and make way for a brilliant track of impeccable musicianship. I genuinely cant even begin to grasp the concept of anyone actually not enjoying this song as it is absolutely amazing, proving that the UK still has bands that can rock, and do it in style.

You’re unlikely to come across a more exciting UK band than The Automatic this year – this band are most certainly going places. Sure, ‘Not Accepted Anywhere’ might be the only album the band ever release, or the only album anyone’s ever going to be interested in, but as it stands The Automatic are quite rightly taking their place as one of the leading UK bands of the moment. Make sure you go out and by this single and make sure The Automatic get the Number 1 under their belts that they so deserve.

Released: 5th June 2006
Label: B-Unique

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The Like – What I Say And What I Mean

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When looking at this band, my first thoughts were – sure they’ve got the look, and have a few positive reviews behind them, including one from the NME – but can they actually rock. My first thoughts when playing this single were no. Upon repeated listens to this single my opinion is yet to change, with what we have here seeming to be a girl band with plenty of potential, it’s just not being used.

There is all the promise of a decent Rock track here, the single just seems to be watered down and lacking in bite. The guitars lack aggression, the vocals far too friendly sounding even when shouted, and it all just seems far too sickly sweet. If The Spice Girls had instruments, then they probably would have sounded something like this, take that how you will.

Released: 15th May 2006
Label: Geffen

Rating:
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Graham Coxon – You & I

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‘You & I’ was the second single lifted from the album ‘Love travels at Illegal Speeds’ and could easily have been the feel good hit of the summer had it been released a couple of months later. This single seems to be a nostalgic look back at his Blur days on Coxon’s behalf as this single has an extremely Blur-esque sound to it, and could easily have been one of their early singles. This tune is definitely a dancefloor filler, and you can just picture it being dropped at rock nights the UK over with flailing bodies all around.

Since becoming a solo artist, Coxon has more than proven his musical credential and shown that despite the rather large ego of Damon Albarn, Coxon could have more than adequately taken his place as front man in the band. Sure, Graham Coxon hasn’t got the best voice ever and the lyrics are a tad cringeworthy, but his voice is nonetheless charming and evocative. This is a great single from the man and as I said earlier on – it could easily have been the feel good hit of the summer had it been released later, and could still become so if it is used tactfully on any sort of media promotion.

Released: 8th May 2006
Label: Parlophone

Rating:
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