London Commands You- ‘Truth’ (19/11/2012 – End of the Trial Records)

          Promising ‘music with a message’, London Commands You are a new era protest-driven band inspired by the likes of Editors The Killers and Joy Division with a strong, wonderfully Indie sound. Founded just ten months ago, the Brighton-born quintet debuted their very first single ‘On Her Own Again’ in July and just yesterday, ‘Truth’ made it into Amazon’s Top 100 Indie chart and Rock chart, two places above The Rolling Stones. London Commands You plan to be back on the road in January and release their next single, ‘Blue Star’ over the Christmas period.

    The protest fuelled music video for ‘Truth’, with intense red lighting and selection of epic political commentary and public fighting imagery has generated well over 1,000 views and is beautifully precise with regards to editing in line with the melody of the track. ‘Truth’ is composed of rhymes that fit together as simply as those found in a children’s’ nursery rhyme; “The children play, in the sun, sun, sun, in the games we play, see the children talk, as they slip away, but you want to know truth?”, which is an odd concept given the nature of the song’s message.

 London Commands You have clearly worked hard to create something that reaches out to listeners interested in Politics and the overall state of the world today, but they do not make it clear what their specific message is from their music video. In fact, they appear to have negative opinions towards those involved in Politics, large corporations and the military as a whole “Everyday, he loves to hate, and lives a lie…”.  It is also clear that the music video has been cheaply shot which takes away from how well-produced the track is.

     

      ‘Truth’ itself is remarkably upbeat for a song depicting a world crying out for democratic revolution and is made up of all the elements that make an Indie track great. The guitar-driven melody wouldn’t go a miss in a Vaccines song and the repetitive melody and plodding drums seem to be pounding the lyrics into listeners.

    Despite how cyclic the track is and how D.I.Y. the music video appears, London Commands You do have potential to expand their fanbase by making their overall message clear and proving their live show worth to as many people as possible, because their sound is rare, commercial and ironically upbeat.

2/5

You can listen to and watch the music video for London Commands You’s latest single ‘Truth’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ebuLYkoukYc

Melissa and More- ‘Anything’- Single (Self Released)

      ‘Anything’ is the title track from Melissa and More’s EP which also appears on their CD ‘Baby’. Originally from Southampton, the act’s singer/songwriter, Melissa Sullivan’s music covers a huge variety of genres including Rock, Folk, Pop, Jazz and Country. Melissa plays the piano and has been playing the flute for seven years and reached Grade 8 standard with distinction when she was just 14-years-old. After fronting and writing for a number of bands, in 2004 Melissa started performing alongside Dave Wilkes, with her performing vocals, flute and keyboards and Dave taking on both electric and acoustic guitars. In 2011 the band matured into a five-piece act and currently have three self-released EPs along with a live recorded album, and a new album on its way in the next few months!

 

The track certainly lives up to the repertoire Melissa and More seem to have formed for themselves; making use of every genre they know. Although this makes them rather unique, it also makes them hard to place or imagine a firm fanbase for. The rapid tempo and bright vocals are colourful but a little emotionally-lacking. It almost appears as if the band aspires to come across as alternative, which they carry out very well, but have pushed composing poignant or passionate music to one side.                                                                                                  

However, ‘Anything’ is very well produced and really highlights Melissa Sullivan’s great vocal range and individual style, which actually conceals the instrumentation to come across as simply background noise and a swift enough tempo to keep up with her rapid vocals. But it is obvious that there is a lot of thought behind how the vocals come across. The track is very flamboyant and expressive but is certainly not something a listener can really relate to on a personal level.

    With a truly distinctive vocal performance that drowns out the other instruments somewhat, ‘Anything’ is a great example of how intriguing unusual vocal styles can be but also how much they can hinder the other elements of a track. Although Melissa and More claim to blend just about very genre under the sun, in actual fact the track is difficult to place in any style.

1/5

The UK’s Best Christmas Markets

    

     The Christmas period is all about gathering together with your family and friends, eating far too much together and exchanging presents. But how do you go about buying your loved ones presents? Do you feel the need to save all your money for them? Well think again!

     Christmas markets can be found in almost every town and city during the party season, including Bournemouth, York and Edinburgh. The markets spring up all over the UK around November, and there’s nothing better to lift your spirits as the days get shorter and the nights get colder.

    If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, why not try out a new setting and see what a new city has to offer. If not, there’s sure to be many a unique gift to be found at your local market. From trinkets, to household ornaments, to Christmas decorations, toys and jewellery, you can find the perfect and affordable present for any loved one.

  

Edinburgh:

     This historical Scottish gem celebrates Christmas like nowhere else! Edinburgh is well known for getting into the Christmas mood as soon as summer disappears! It hosts the Great Scottish Santa Run, an annual Giant Snow Globe and carousels galore, as well as three Christmas markets in and around the city centre. There is a German-style street market on the Mound Precinct, where many of those selling products travel from Frankfurt, so everything’s authentically German. Stallholders sell everything from food products, to toys, jewellery and wonderful handmade gifts.

     The Traditional Highland Village Market is close to the Edinburgh Wheel and an ice-rink in East Princes Street Gardens, and showcases the very best that Scotland has to offer. Shoppers can expect great quality food and drink such as cheese, whisky and confectionary, and for a fair-trade and charitable season, the Ethical Christmas Fair is a must go! It is held on Castle and Princes Street in mid-December and plays host to original gifts that your family and friends are sure to love.

York:

     York town centre is home to various market stalls during the winter season, offering a variety of gifts for loved ones and a little something to treat yourself to. If you’re a little bit short for money at the moment, there are also a lot of free samples to be found, so there’s no excuse to get your teeth into the food and drink available. Stalls include accessories, including winter essentials such as scarves and hats, authentic fudge with every flavour under the sun as well as tonnes of other sweet treats, unique clothing items and wonderful Christmas decorations and ornaments.

     On the 29^th of November until the 2^nd of December, York really comes to life with the St. Nicholas Christmas Fayre. Traders dressed in Victorian costume, carol singers and every edible product you can think of that’s perfect for Christmas time. Think roasted chestnuts, Christmas pudding, mulled wine, mince pies and hot drinks with a little alcoholic kick, along with market favourites like crafts, beautiful gifts and top quality local farm produce.

Bournemouth:

       The annual Bournemouth Christmas Festival takes its inspiration from German markets known as Weihnachtsmarkt, but it’s a perfect blend of old-fashioned German and more contemporary English products. It has been running for six years and takes places for 40 days each year. The festival offers great quality gifts, confectionary and a jolly environment that comes to life with custom-built chalets for exhibitors decorated with every kind of Christmas decoration you can think of. As the nights get darker, the Christmas lights scattered around the town create a delightful yule-perfect ambiance. Each trader has been specially selected for their authentic produce, not just from England and Germany, but a number of other European countries as well. From food to toys to gifts, there’s something for every age group, whatever you’re looking for.

     For an added Victorian quality, a carousel is also available in the square, as well as carol singing, karaoke and even a mobile stage offering top-notch entertainment from volunteers in and around the local community. Home FM, Bournemouth’s Christian Radio will also open the stage to local school choirs, musicals and church bands. Whether you’re Christian yourself or not, the Christmas season is rooted in these religious beliefs, so it is something captivating and charming to experience. The market and festival take place from the 15^th of November until the 24^th of December and will run for a further 7 days from the 7^th of January. Bournemouth really has it all wrapped up!

             Many of the markets have continental influences, as well as more local produce and a truly traditional vibe, so there’s no excuse to be a scrooge this year! Even if you don’t need to buy anything, the cheerful atmosphere and amazing entertainment at each market is sure to make a fantastic day out.