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Good Charlotte – The River

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‘The River’ is arguably the best track that Good Charlotte have ever written. The band have here replaced their Pop Punk nonchalance with straight up rock music and have definitely come up trumps as a result. The rock credentials of this track are definitely helped along by the presence of Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows and Synyster Gates; their influence can definitely be heard here and M Shadows vocals contributions work extremely well alongside Joel Madden’s. There should be enough Good Charlotte here to please fans of the band, however it is also likely to bring the band a whole new listenership given that this single is so different from anything the band have ever released before, and as I have already stated – the band most definitely benefit from it. This is not Good Charlotte as we know it, however is one of the catchiest singles you are likely to hear this year. The track just seems to work – all the pieces fit together perfectly here from the powerful dual vocals of Joel Madden and M.Shadows, right down to the booming back beat of the drums. The guitars are extremely strong here and the bass lines come through sublimely to round off an altogether perfect representation of what commercial rock music should sound like.

Label: Columbia
Release Date: 21st May 2007

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Zico Chain – Where Would You Rather Be?

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Zico Chain are a UK guitar driven rock band with a powerful sound and a talent for penning a fine rock track. As such, they have managed to tour the UK in support of the likes of Alkaline Trio, Thursday, Wolfmother, and Fall of Troy. ‘Where Would You Rather Be’ is an extremely strong single, and although both vocally and musically this track at times sounds very much like Marilyn Manson’s ‘The Beautiful People’ – their sound is generally very much their own. This track works extremely well with strong guitars coming through, some fine vocal work, and quality drum beats. Right from the offset you know that this is going to be a single to remember with it’s powerful opening, and it manages to keep this great momentum throughout – a feat that many band fail to pull off. It is clear that the band have spent much time perfecting this track and in doing so have managed to release one hell of a fine single. Currently writing and recording an album to be released toward the end of 2007 – Zico Chain are a British band to watch out for.

Label: Hassle Records
Release Date: 7th May 2007

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Silicon Vultures – S/T EP

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Having formed in 2006, the band played a handful of shows and then were signed up by the Captains of Industry label. In January the band released the download only single ‘Sour Tits’ and are now back with a 7” EP, strictly limited to 1000 copies (500 pink, 500 black). The Silicon Vultures EP is an interesting 5 track of synth-punk, an enjoyable blast of fast and fun music. Although the lead track here is apparently ‘Howling Stallion Teenfeast’, in truth the EP could have been lead by any of the first 4 tracks on display here.

When I first put this CD in, what came out was a bit of a shock to the system and it took me a while to adjust to the music the band were playing – it was far from what I expected, but believe me this is no bad thing. Silicon Vultures are fresh and exciting, launching through the 5 tracks here with great enthusiasm and diligence. As I have already stated – any of the first 4 tracks here could lead this EP and the only reason the fifth couldn’t really is due to it’s short length and quietness of recording, however for me it is ‘Heaven For The Vampire Set’ that really stood out here. Driven by an exciting drum machine back beat and eerie synth sound, the vocals leap through on this one once kicking in one minute into the track, really making this one stand out. You know that something is about to explode for the first minute of the track, however are never quite sure when exactly it’s going to happen – but when it comes the vocals bite through brilliantly and make this one to remember.

Silicon Vultures are most definitely a band to look out for on the live circuit, they have a strong sound and there is definitely something appealing about them. Although not going to be to everyone’s taste, the band are doing something a bit different to the norm here and personally I love what they have done with this EP. It is clear that the band are proud of what they are doing, and are making music because they truly believe in what they are playing and genuinely enjoy it.

Label: Captains Of Industry
Release Date: 30th April 2007

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The Maccabees – Precious Time

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Brighton based The Maccabees are one of the many current Indie bands making a name for themselves in the UK scene, gigging aplenty and just generally spreading the word about their upbeat and enthusiastic band everywhere that they go. It’s hard to pin down the sound of this band by making comparisons and allusions to other bands, however what I will say about The Maccabees is that they are an excitable Indie band with a clear accent in their vocals. ‘Precious Time’ is a strong single which is infectiously catchy and bound to get stuck in the head of many. Whatever your feelings about the UK Indie scene and the vast number of bands that have arisen out of it over the last few years; there is no denying that The Maccabees are one of the catchiest bands to emerge, and ‘Precious Time’ is destined to be played repeatedly at Indie clubs across the country throughout the coming months. ‘Precious Time’ is an Indie Summer anthem with a feel good factor about it that will go down a treat with fans of the scene.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: 30th April 2007

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Brand New – Jesus

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Unlike some, I am not of the belief that Jesse Lacey is one of the greatest lyricists of our time. A competent lyricist he may be, but definitely not a great. When he wrote the lyrics for ‘The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me’ it is clear that he was going through a tough time in himself, a time of personal transition and great questioning and this really comes through in single ‘Jesus’. As you can probably guess from the title of the track; ‘Jesus’ is deeply rooted in religion and is full of religious metaphors throughout. It is key to listen to this track with an open mind, take in what Jesse Lacey says and try not to dissect it too much based on personal religious beliefs and perceptions. For what it is – ‘Jesus’ is a competent offering, a mid-paced rock track with Jesse Lacey’s vocals at the forefront and a pacing back beat of guitar riff and drum beat taking us through the track. In all truth, the more I’ve listened to this track over the months – the more the musical back beat grates on me, however there is no denying that the lyrics are well written here and this is a well chosen single I feel as it presents to the listener a heartfelt offering where it’s clear that Lacey has put his all in.

Label: Interscope
Release Date: 30th April 2007

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Bowling For Soup – London Bridge

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I have always been a great admirer of Bowling For Soup as they never take themselves too seriously and in my opinion have always written terrificly fun Pop Punk anthems. This track however is a bit different as it is a cover of Fergie’s 2006 hit single ‘London Bridge’, and sadly lacks their usual flare. Given that this is a cover, there is no trace of the usual infectious chorus that the band have to offer and the track is altogether just a general mess. It’s a cross of Hip Hop and Rock and for me it just doesn’t work on any level. Obviously intended as a novelty single and released as a download only single, the problem with this cover is that if it was meant to be funny then it’s not, and if it was meant to be enjoyable on any level then once again it is not. Apparently having originally been recorded for Yahoo Music, this track was so popular with fans of the band that they decided to release this as an exclusive iTunes single. All I can say of the matter here is; the track is far from popular with me and if I never hear it again it’ll be too soon.

Label: A&G Records
Release Date: 30th April 2007

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Pull Tiger Tail – Let’s Lightning

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‘Let’s Lightning’ is the new single from latest B-Unique buzz band Pull Tiger Tail which although not a bad track seems to suggest that all the hype the band have been getting has been fairly unjustified. The track is quite interesting and has a good tune to it, however you can’t help but think that this is probably the best track the band can come up with and really is nothing that special. Although a fairly pleasing listen whilst playing, once the track is over there is nothing particularly memorable that sticks in the memory and the track is quickly forgotten. Maybe when they release an album they’ll prove me wrong but I somehow can’t see this band enjoying the success of label mates Kaiser Chiefs or Boy Kill Boy – in fact as far as I can tell they’ll be lucky if they haven’t already been dropped 6 months down the line. By all means go out and buy this single – it’s a decent offering, I just can’t see this band becoming as big as some sectors of the music press are making out.

Label: B-unique
Release date: 26th March 2007

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The Horrors – Gloves

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I’ve never quite understood the appeal of this band; however they seem to have built up quite a following over the past year or so since the release of ‘Sheena is a Parasite’ with its banned video directed by Chris Cunningham. It was this video that gained them notoriety and began their ascent to popularity.

The Horrors music is a bit different from the norm, making them stand out with some uniquely eerie guitars and organ driving through their tracks. ‘Gloves’ is a disjointed, organ heavy mess that quite frankly offends my ears. There is far too much going on at the same time in this track, with nothing seeming to fit together at all and therefore not making for a pleasurable listening experience in the slightest. I’m all for bands trying to do something a little different as long as it sounds good, however The Horrors music sounds far from good as far as I’m concerned meaning ‘Gloves’ is one of the most shockingly bad tracks I have heard in a long while. I shan’t be listening to this one again if I can help it.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: 26th February 2007

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Skatch – Enjoy

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Skatch are a five piece from Birmingham, a trombone driven Pop Punk band playing exciting music that is great to sing along to. There is an amazing enthusiasm in this band and the emphasis here seems to be on the fun that the band are having in playing the music that they are. For fans of Ska and Pop Punk alike, Skatch are a band that are not to be missed as this EP really is quite special, especially when you take into account the fact that the band have done all this off their own back in funding and promoting this release.

There are five strong tracks here, however it is opener ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’, ‘Party My House?’, and closing track ‘Time Destroys All Things’ that really stand out for me. I think ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ is one that sticks in the memory for me as even though it is cold and grey outside – this track has filled me with summertime joy and thoughts of sunnier climes. Packed with some great verses and even better choruses, ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ will no doubt do the same for you as it did for me. I think the reason ‘Party, My House?’ stands out for me is due to the great use of the trombone here as I feel it really makes the track. Aside from the trombone this is as ever a great track from the band with strong vocals, and some great guitar work. Skatch certainly have a keen eye for penning a catchy track, showing this on five separate occasions here, and lets face it – five out of five isn’t bad at all.

Closing the EP with ‘Time Destroys All Things’ was a wise decision I feel as this ends the CD on a high – an exciting track complete with ‘woah-oh-oh’ sing-along vocals and once again that fine instrumental trombone work. This really is one of the bands finest moments and does leave you upset that the CD has come to an end after a mere five tracks. The band here prove their song writing skills to be of a strong standard and show great ability in a closing track which I will not be soon forgetting.

As this is just an EP, there are only five tracks here; however I would love to hear more from this band and would look forward to an album release from them in the not too distant future. Skatch are currently unsigned, however producing music as upbeat and exciting as this you would have thought that it is only a matter of time before they are snapped up by a label of some sort. Had this EP been recorded five years ago then there is no question as to whether or not they would have been signed by now as at the time the UK Ska Punk scene was thriving and would have loved for an EP of this sort, however while there is less of a demand for this sort of music now – the sad story is that Skatch are a band that remain unsigned even though this should not be so. While on this issue – if you happen to be from a record label/radio station, or you are a promoter then definitely make sure you check this band out as they are looking for people to help them put this EP out there to the masses and any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Haddonfield – Bar Brawls & Downfalls

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If you are familiar with the popular 70s horror film ‘Halloween’ then you will recognise the name of this band as the home town of serial killer Michael Myers. With a shared love of horror films as a band, the links to the horror genre do not stop here as the band also have a track on this CD entitled ‘Romero’ lovingly dedicated to the great man George A. Romero who brought us the classic ‘Night Of The Living Dead’. Getting onto the music itself, Haddonfield play energetic fast and fun punk rock music and are very British in their sound which is always nice to find.

‘Bar Brawls & Downfalls’ kicks off well with the energetic ‘Panic’ which gives us a great introduction to the bands sound, leaving us wanting to hear more and interested to see what this young band can come up with. A problem with this opener however is that the recording quality here is not of the best standard with the levels sounding off at times and does leave you hoping that this will improve, which thankfully it does – however this one could do with being rerecorded really as I do feel that this does deteriorate from the quality of the track a bit. It is next track ‘Romero’ that impresses me the most here on this EP as not only does it have a fascinating subject matter, but it is also a great track which in my opinion portrays the band in their best light on this CD. Their passion for the horror genre really comes across here and this combined with the tracks fine lyrics and excellent chorus make for a very well rounded and complete sounding track. ‘Romero’ I feel could easily be released as a single and given the right backing would become a success.

Although ‘Romero’ is a clear favourite of mine on this EP, another track which impressed me here was closing track ‘Broke’ where the band show great skill in the tracks opening, moving on to finish the EP in style leaving me with a smile on my face as I listen. The band sound strong here and show that they are a force to be reckoned with. My only qualm with this one would be that it seems to finish the EP all too abruptly, however this also has its positive points as in the bands doing this we are left wanting for more and hungry to hear the bands next release which can never be a bad thing. What we have here are five fairly strong tracks showing some great ability from the band, proving

Haddonfield to be a powerful four piece with some crushing guitar riffs, strong drum beats, and superb choruses. They are clearly a band that keep their choruses in mind as throughout the EP they are always strong here, showing themselves to be extremely catchy and always leaving a lasting impression. Although not the best CD you are likely to hear this year, ‘Bar Brawls & Downfalls’ is an interesting release from a band that clearly have plenty of ideas and are very fresh sounding and extremely enthusiastic. With nearly 22 000 plays on their Myspace account, it is obvious to see that Haddonfield are a band who have built up quite a following and are provoking a strong interest with the music that they are putting out there. Standing tall at five tracks strong, this EP is likely to gain them plenty more gigs and fans over the coming months. Expect to see Haddonfield coming to a town near you in the not too distant future.

Label: Thousand Yard Stereo
Release Date: 19th March 2007

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