Reviews

Music Reviews February 2015

Our rundown of some local recent releases.

 

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These and the Other Guy

These and the Other Guy

LP

A bumper lot of fourteen sultry, jazzy tracks from this local 5-piece. Fronted by the raunchy voice of Alex Botham, These and the Other Guy journey through a range of genres from jazz to swing to rock and roll to reggae with emotive songs full of anger in Don’t Reckon You Do, jealousy in When You Watch Those Girls, mellow joy inChocolate and profound sadness in Where Did My Children Go, the  latter recorded in aid of charity War Child. With so much energy coming through on the recording, it’s like enjoying a live set in your living room.

By Graeme Smith

 

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The Birdman Rallies

Real River

LP

Electronic pop band, The Birdman Rallies, release their 4th full album on the 9 February. The album, featuring songs Dissolve Into Black, Vampire and Kitty In Detroit, consists of intricate guitar riffs that rise and fall in perfect balance. With a mixture of synthesizers, an 80’s feel drum beat, and a rhythmic, textured approach to song writing, the band work together to create dreamy and enticing songs that will keep your ears entertained for hours.

By Daisy Woolett

 

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Fat Spatula

Fat Spatula

EP

 

By releasing their EP on a cassette tape, Fat Spatula are trying to do something different in the modern era. Whilst the music they make may sound akin to alternative rock from the 1990s (think Weezer, Pavement), they add a contemporary punk twist to it. The band display a varied mix of sounds within their EP: from the frenetic energy of Just You to slower paced songs like Mr Snitch. The only drawback of the EP is short runtime (each of the four songs is around the two minute mark), however this just leaves you wanting more.

By Jane Howkins

 

+48 Records

24

LP

 

The hotly anticipated product of Plus 48 Records’ world-beating attempt to turn out an album is less than 24 hours, this record does not disappoint. A veritable showcase of York’s finest and upcoming talent from the fantastically precocious wisdom and beauty of Laura Kindelan’s Sunshine Kid to the infectious flow of Gobbledigook’s Dusk delivered in a broad Yorkshire accent. The collaborative effort that has gone in to creating a record of this quality such a short space of time is admirable. This is a beacon of where York should be going to but its national profile. Kudos to all.

By Graeme Smith

 

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Ferris Wheel

La Petite Mort

Single

Visuals by Andrew Howarth

Opinions are split on the 90s revival but La Petite Mort definitely fall on the right side. Ferris Wheel is a perfect example of the psychedelic free love spirit, both aurally and visually. Formed in 2010, it’s safe to say they were doing it before it was cool as well.

By Graeme Smith