Kids In Glass Houses- Keeping You on Your Toes

 With noble Pontycymmer beginnings, four albums, and a reinvention and re-reinvention under their belts, Pop Rock quintet Kids In Glass Houses have had more style and sound changes over the years than your average Welsh lads. Since they first stormed onto the music scene back in 2007, the band have been steady as a tightrope walker on the highest wire, with no member changes and a studio album every couple of years.

The Pop-Punkers have released tor dates for this coming March, just to refresh fans' memories that they really put on a killer live show. It's also a chance for the band to gain a little more feedback and reactions from their devotees. Kids in Glass Houses will be playing shows from 15th-30th March 2014 in Cleethorpes, Liverpool and Newcastle- including Takedown Festival alongside the likes of Funeral For A Friend and Canterbury. They'll also be hitting Liverpool later this month. Visit their website to check out more details: http://kidsinglasshouses.com/live/.

It's safe to say the band are keeping details of any new material under wraps and taking it easy in terms of how many gigs they're putting themselves through over the coming months. But fans can be sure that Kids in Glass Houses will be playing shows all over the UK in the Summer. You can still nab their latest album 'Peace' that was released inSeptember,-or there's a deluxe version if that's what you want.. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/peace-deluxe-version/id681193836.
 

 

There's also plenty of new merch from the band to keep you looking fly until the next Kids in Glass Houses concert you attend. From beanies, to varsity jackets, t-shirts, scarves and hoodies- whatever you're after, their store has what you want, http://kigh.bigcartel.com/.

Whether it's listening to their latest work, buying some new Kids in Glass Houses merchandise or going to one of their gigs, the band are sure to keep you on your toes in the coming year.

George Osborne Proposes Minimum Wage Rises

Chancellor George Osborne has stated he wants to see the National minimum wage rise above inflation levels. If approved, the rise, sources say may ease pain for businesses, most likely with more cuts in employers’ National Insurance incomes.

Osborne said, "We have worked hard to get to this point and we can start to enjoy the fruits of all that hard work" and he reported to the BBC that our "economy can now afford" to raise the rate.

 

 

The National minimum wage is currently £6.31 an hour for people over the age of 21, £5.03 for workers aged 18--20 and under 18s rake in just £3.72 per hour.
 

Mr. Osborne told the BBC's Political Editor Nick Robinson that he hopes that wages will increase by £7 per hour by 2015 for its value to return to where it was before the economic downturn struck. The rate is recommended by the Low Pay Commission, which is overseen by Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, Vince Cable. "Because we are fixing the economy; because we are working through our plan; I believe Britain can afford an above-inflation increase in the minimum wage so we restore its real value for people and we make sure we have a recovery for all and that work always pays." said Cable. 

 

Robinson said that this announcement was likely to trigger an argument within the coalition with the Liberal Democrats accusing the Conservatives of taking credit for their policy ideas.Conservative Osborne's proposal comes after Labour claimed that the current economic upturn has not yet been transferred to the public and into transforming general living standards. He also attacked the Labour Party by stating that it was actually Labour's own fault for their negative perception in the Media and from the British public.

  

He said the coalition, since coming to power in 2010, had "rescued the country from the brink of disaster and got us into a position where we can now see the minimum wage going up for people and, more broadly. I want living standards to go up for the whole country as we fix the economy." But Mike Cherry of the Federation of Small Businesses said: ‘This (increase) is going to cause...real problems...it’s going to cost jobs..." And Yet the Conservative Party cannot deny the fact that working people earn on average £1,600 a year worse off since they came to office.
  

 The Conservatives organically opposed the creation of the national minimum wage in 1999, to which Osborne said: "The Conservative Party in the 1990s was on the wrong side of the argument... The...Party has changed. It's (now) a modern...Party in touch with the country." He added that the government was planning another "big increase" in the amount of money people can earn before paying income tax and defended his plans to remove a further £12 billion from the country's welfare budget.

George Osborne is also prepared to offer more tax breaks for businesses to help compensate them for an inflation busting rise in the minimum wage, Government sources say. If the rise is approved by the Independent Low Pay Commission, Government sources say he is likely to ease the pain for businesses, most likely with more cuts in employers’ National Insurance contributions.
 

The Chancellor’s announcement of a possible minimum wage increase delighted most Tory MPs, who believe it will eradicate Labour claims that only the most wealthy British citizens are enjoying the benefits many of the slow and steady economic recovery.
 

Almost two thirds of UK voters think a hung parliament at the next election would be bad for the country , but half believe it will happen anyway. Revealing that Britain is turning against the entire concept of a coalition, a survey found that 60% now say the joining of two parties in power was bad for Britain, which is almost double the figure for those who believe it was positive.
 

It's interesting to note that this swoop is predicted to come into practice just 7 months before the next general election and it has arrived on the eve of a heavily anticipated major speech by Ed Miliband about the economy in which he is to call for limits on the size of high street banks.
 

Political voters must always retain how competitive Political parties are against one another, and proposal often take a vast amount of time to be approved, put into practice and eventually have an effect on Britons and our finances.

Single Review: Oli Spleen- Brother Let Me Live

As frontman of Pink Narcissus and previously The Flesh Happening and Machine, Brighton boy Oli Spleen likes to keep himselft busy. He's also a solo artist in his own right and will release his debut record 'Fag Machine' this coming Autumn. Previously branded as 'queer electro pop' and personally labelling his music as Faggoth / Pink Rock / Eclectro / Post Spunk, Oli is very quirky with his sense of style, sexualised persona and general sound as an artist. He makes no apologies for expressing himself or indirectly offending anyone.

His latest single 'Brother Let Me Live' was released on 5th January 2014 and it's certainly safe to say, Oli has started the New Year with a bang! Taking and blending influences from the music of the 1970’s and 80’s (from glam to punk, goth, electro, pop and disco) Spleen combined his influences to create a new sound that complimentes his ideas. He mainly aims to explore issues and themes he has abandoned in the past with Pink Narcissus, such as his sexuality and a sense of alienation.

With his bleak, monotone vocals, Spleen expresses his awkward emotions throughout 'Brother Let Me Live' by being seemingly emotionless on the outside. Even the music video for this track takes on a no-frills idea. Filmed at this year's Gay Pride (most likely in Brighton), Oli stands in front of the roaring, raging crowds, suggesting that he feels he even fails to merge with the gay scene at times.
The angsty, grunge melody is just subtle enough to allow Oli's vocals to come across as hazy and montonous yet mesmerising- almost as if he's aiming to tap into his listeners minds and emotions.

The concept and perspective of the song is dark yet expresses Spleen’s overriding urge to be uncompromisingly himself. His style is unapologetically British in the sense that is subtly expresses is negative sense of self-worth but encourages listeners to 'free their tortured soul...".

'Brother Let Me Live', with its musicality as repetive as Oli Spleen's overall message and concepts, is also underwhelming is the best sense- with an added bite. Its subtly is really what makes it and carries the message strongly.

3/5

Album Review: Frankie Harper- 'The Butterfly Effect' (13/01/2014- Self-Released)

This 5 track album is based on the idea that 'They say a single flutter of the wings of a butterfly can cause a typhoon half way across the world...' and each track entails the theme in a Blues/Folk genre. Brighton based Frankie Harper prides himself on the honesty of his lyrics and how well they encompass his life experiences and emotions. In his own words, 'The Butterfly Effect' is "...my own representation of balls of energy and inspiration that hit me in the face every so often."

The irony of first track 'The Sea' is how energetic yet gentle and comforting the melody is, making it clear just how hard Frankie has worked on production and overall presentation. But before the first quarter of the track is over, his vocals kick in and let the melody down. Despite how heartfelt they may be, his vocal ability and style just don't match up to his songwriting skill in this track, although the Blues style merges impeccability with the personal woes Frankie shares. The track also allows you to recognise the beauty of nature as well as the build up of a song into something spectacular with additional instruments and vocal lines. 

Frantic, feisty and fiery, 'Exit Wounds' which features wonderful guest vocals from Caitlin Stubbs proves that good things come to those who wait, because Harper's vocals improve immensely and vary into more of a Country approach. The variations of dynamics are very subito and classically Country. They also portray Frankie's diverse vocal abilities and awareness of what's currently popular considering how similar its in style to Ed Sheeran's work. As the song concludes it jumps a decade or three with thumping R&B-esque beats, somewhat spoken vocals and overall Urban, angsty flair. 

 

 

Frankie seems to have kept true to his instincts and himself which shines through in 'Take Flight'. His looped, drifting vocals showcase the variety of his influences and when interspersed with running theme of butterflies 'You'll spread your wings butterfly and take flight before we get too old' prove how well established he already seems in terms of knowing who he is as an artist. 

One of Harper's own influences, Syred features on 'Wings' and really adds to its authentic quality. Syred's rapped section also displays the obvious difference between the two vocalist's styles. With its chipper beat and staccato guitar riff, the song brings a naturalistic element to the record and leads perfectly into 'Eye Spy' featuring Aime Harper (who also happens to be Frankie's sister) and Syred. This groovy, upswinging end to 'The Butterfly Effect' is the perfect way to round off the record. The sibling duo are very much in sync with each other, along with Syred, and the track exhibits Frankie Harper smashing conformity and emotionless music. 

'The Butterfly Effect' is bursting with hastened guitaring, an array of influences both genre and personal experience wise and undoubtable musical skill. The most significant negative thing to consider about Frankie Harper is how underrated and unknown he is considering how individual, advanced and eclectically original he is. 

5/5 

What's the Lowdown with All Time Low?

Formed just over a decade ago in suburbian Baltimore, All Time Low started life as the perfect little Pop-Punkers. The four boys grewqup together, went to High School together and even decided on their band name using lyrics from another Pop Punk band's song, namely New Found Glory's track 'Head on Collision'. All Time Low's fifth studio album 'Don't Panic' was released in September 2012 and followed the same Pop-fuelled formula as 'Dirty Work' (2011) before it. So what're the foursome planning to get up to this year?

 

It's already been rumoured that All Time Low are set to release another album as soon as possible. They're reportedly currently recording with Mike Green who produced their last two albums and has worked with the likes of Forever the Sickest Kids, Cassadee Pope and Every Avenue. So they're in safe hands if they want their new album to sound similar to their most recent work.

 

Frontman, lead singer and guitarist Alex Gaskarth has always stood by his mantra of only writing or recording new material when the timing feels right, so that time must've arrived. In fact, their new stuff has been rumoured to hit shelves this Summer. It's also rumoured that All Time Low will be touring the US this Spring with Man Overboard.

 

All Time Low's latest album 'Don't Panic' was even re-released as a special edition record and re-titled 'Don't Panic: It's Longer Now'. It was even madeover with four brand new tracks making it clear that All Time Low are desperate now to lose their fans' interest in a hurry.

 

The boys are definitely keeping themselves busy to say the least and taking no time out from their hectic working sheduales to take a break. For their European fans, the band not only supported Green Day through the continent from May to August last Summer, but are also set to hit the road with Tonight Alive in the UK in March.

 

 

It's clear All Time Low are doing everything they can to stay on top of their game following their more mainstream success over the past couple of years.

Film Review: Frozen (U)- Disney (06/12/2013)

A rip-roaring ice-infested fairytale based on Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Snow Queen', 'Frozen' isDisney's latest addition to their family-friendly films.

Set amidst the beautiful backdrop of a super-summery kingdom and following the adventures of two sisters- one feisty annd fearless called Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and the other possessing powers to produce ice and snow at will, Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel). On the day of Elsa's coronation, after her sister angers her, Elsa's powers are discovered by her, making the vaguely Nordic kingdom eternally wintery. Elsa is forced to flee and Anna sets off to retrieve her and meets a young, rugged ice salesman called Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), his loyal pet reindeer and a comical, inquisitive snowman.

The flick premiered on 19 November 2013 at the El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood and was officially
released on 27 November. It earned over $515 million in worldwide box office revenue, $271 million  of which has been earned in the United States and Canada. And so far, it has been met with universal critical acclaim, with several film critics considering it to be the best Disney animated musical since the studio's renaissance era between 1989 and 1999.

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, 'Frozen' is full of wonderful songs, characters with real personalities, snappy jokes and Disney's traditional happy ending with a few stumbles along the way. The 102 minute film also boasts Christophe Beck's talents of composition. Having previously worked on a huge range of films, from 'Burlesque' (2010), to 'Bring It On' (2013) and the up-and-coming 'Muppets Most Wanted' (2014), Beck had certainly composed some belters in the past and has done nothing less for 'Frozen'. The tracks are emotional, charming and full of Disney magic, particularly the film's single 'Let It Go'.

It's a wide-eyed Christmas treat with all the trimmings, but this is no same-old Disney princess movie. The character personas and dynamics are much more detailed than you'd expect from what is fundamentally a kids' film, for instance, Elsa is misunderstood by pretty much everyone but Anna, yet Anna is a convincing enough 'good' character that the audience trusts her opinion. It's also priceless to watch a feisty female on screen that's not a tomboy! 

With a dark, heavyweight back story brought to a more optimistic light with cheery characters and songs, 'Frozen' is a spunky sisterly conflict story with sparkle. It's also not utterly focused on finding a man, although romance does still play a significant part and creates struggles for several characters. The animation is also pretty astounding, particularly in scenes containing Elsa's ice palace which, although delightfully fantastical is also realistic looking. 

The goofy, hilarious sidekick comes in the form of Olaf, who is voiced bye 'The Book of Mormon's' Josh Gad. Not only does he add a lighthearted air to the film and keep kids interested in the storyline, but creates some fantastic physical comedy and great one-liners. He also sings a beautiful track called 'In Summer', which is about all the adventures snowmen could have in warmer weather as Anna and Kristoff don't have the heart to tell him the truth.

With almost every wonderfully-crafted frame crammed with emotion, wit and morality, with two unmistakably fearless heroines and a ravishing musical score, Disney are back to doing what they do best. 

4/5