Archive Shorts Part 1
Wednesday 16th of July 2008
Archive shorts isn't about some track-wear from the seventies! It's our attempt to wade into the CD backlog and clear out some of the older records.
Since January 2008, we've done our best to review all demos that meet our submission guidelines in less than two months, and we've done rather well.
In order to achieve that though, we had to draw a line under all the old stuff. However, worry not as we'll be clearing out as many of the oldies and any new stuff that doesn't meet the guidelines as we can using our brand new Archive Shorts section. Here's the first bunch...
Immune - 1/F LP (2006 - Gizeh Records)
Fifteen thousand pounds, ten-thousand mailing list subscribers in three months and an epic/technical rock record that gets very, very good (if a bit over-complicated and jarring) after an eerie post-rock intro. 7/10.
Accidents Never Happen - Oslo Beat LP (2006 - Sheep Rec)
Norwegian explosive-pop band that sound like The Cure crossed with The Editors and Bloc Party. Really impressive energy, sound and style on this excellent album. 8/10.
Sancho - Mystery Year LP (2007 - Seed Records)
Fringe instrumental creation that sounds more like art than music until the odd recognisable song or two, which sound like Mansun merged with Tori Amos and Enya. A bit too jittery, ragged and at times like a skipping CD, but neatly constructed songs that are kept sensibly short. 4/10.
History Of Guns - Acedia LP (2008 - Line Out Records)
Some very scary artwork accompanies this very scary electro-gruff-rock (with hints of metal) album that harks at an eighties industrial influence. At its best when the beats and guitars drive it along and at its worst when the beat goes missing - often demonstrates both within the same song. Don't read the lyrics if you have a heart condition. 6/10.
King Lizard - Late With Dynamite EP (2006 - Self-Released)
Classic storming rock riffery akin to Guns and Roses with solid beats, solos that smoke and vocals that bleed. It was done a long time ago and it's been done a great deal since, but not often as well as this. 7/10.
Author: Steve
Found in: Record Reviews