Archive Shorts Part 5
Friday 16th of January 2009
Archive shorts is 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 fifth instalment...
The Following Announcement - In Secret Places LP (2008 - Crash Records)
The Following Announcement have a cool sound and some great tunes, but the vocal isn't quite there. It's not just my opinion either as the voice has been placed a bit too low in the mix, almost like they don't like it either. Every single pop-punk song is good - but the vocal needs to improve.
A Crime Called - Burn LP (2007 - Self-Released)
Despite some of the worst album art ever, A Crime Called have produced an interesting dark rock record. The track listing might look like it has been printed on a 9-pin dot matrix, but the guitars are immense and the unhinged songs are a carefully arranged chaos. It's always just a little to gnarly to make radio, but also sounds almost good enough to do just that. A seriously storming release.
Viva Stereo - Roar Lion Roar LP (2008 - Much Better Records)
'Another Night Out' does nothing to endear this release, sounding like a forgotten b-side remix from the nineties. Sadly the album never really breaks free of this remix feel - every track just sounds like a post britpop track given the DJ treatment. 'Knee High Boots' almost wins me over, but is a lonely track on this record.
The Voice - Not Dead Yet Mini-LP (2006 - Self-Released)
The Voice are a big-riffing monster of a band with seriously ballsy vocals. It's heavy rock, bordering on metal thanks to some blasting interludes and it works well enough. Part Sisters of Mercy, part Metallica - but very well done.
Ann West - Confidante LP (2009 - Charmed Records)
A very, very nasty drum sound almost ruins an otherwise good pop record. In fact, it does ruin it for me. 'Missed It Again' would be an excellent ballad if it wasn't for the lifeless drum tone. It's all quite soft and delicate but it's undoubtedly a nice record.
Nunbient One - Just Another Dark Age Mini-LP (2007 - Burning Shed Records)
If you aren't begging for this band to be getting on with things by the halfway point of first track, 'Curtains Up', you will be by the end of it. This non-event of a song is followed by a song that manages nothing other than be twice as long as its predecessor. We the undersigned want Joff Winks to go back to making decent songs.
Author: Steve
Found in: Record Reviews