Fenrir- ‘Live Like Royalty’ EP (08/09/2012 –Self Released)

Fenrir, an alternate Rock band from Suffolk, who were formed at the tail end of last year, and have spent the last six months recording ‘Live like Royalty’ at Hidden Track Studios in Folkestone with producer Oliver Craggs, who worked previously with Feed The Rhino. The quintet have been touring constantly under the influence of their various heroes, such as Deaf Havana, Maroon 5, Paramore, Patrick Stump and Foo Fighters.

Artwork

    The EP shoots into action with the punchy and rhythmic ‘Haven’t You Heart It Yet?’, which is made up of strong vocals from frontman Ben Slater and an obvious tight musical connection between the members. In fact, the instrumental, tender breakdown towards the end of the track mirrors the likes of a You Me At Six ballad, which sadly begs the question of how unique Fenrir actually are.   

     ‘It's Not Quite the End of The World (But You Can See It From Here)’; is not only a horrendously long song title, but also the most unapologetic twin of a well-known Lostprophets song. But it is now where near as big as the Welsh Rock heavyweights achieved. Fenrir come across as so caught up in their influences, that they forget to pin-point their own style at all. This track is nothing more than a gang-vocal heavy blend of Foo Fighters’ and Lostprophets’ finest moments.   

     Unfortunately, this trend fails to deteriorate in penultimate track ‘The Puppeteer’, which despite its use of various effective musical elements, such as a wide-range of vocal techniques, assorted melodies and volume changes, is just another replica of some great Paramore and The Blackout tracks. Fenrir clearly know their inspirations by heart, but the lack of personal or honest emotion in their compositions come across stronger than the respectable features nabbed from the brilliance of their muses.

Fenrir's logo

    The fact that final track ‘Click’ follows in the limp footsteps of the other tracks of ‘Live like Royalty’ is no surprise. But what is surprising is the fact that Fenrir clearly have a vast array of musical gifts between them, but banish those talents by failing to be rare in any way.

1/5

Mumford & Sons- Babel(21/10/2012- Island/Glassnote Records)

    Mumford & Sons were formed back in December 2007 and after their first album ‘Sigh No More’ reached number one in the Irish and Australian album charts, and eventually peaked at number two in the UK after selling over five million copies, the band were propelled into the limelight. Having already been awarded the ARIA Music Award for Most Popular International Artist in 2010, the Brit Award in 2011 for Best British Album and a European Border Breakers Award for their international success in 2001, the Indie-Folkers had a great deal riding on their second record.

   Unusually, Markus Dravs produced ‘Babel’, who has worked previously with Coldplay and Arcade Fire, begins with the title track, which is full of the most stunning echoed harmonies and the leading banjo Mumford fans are used to. Marcus Mumford’s voice is full of soul, potency and intensity, but still retains a sentimental and honest element through his nature-associated lyrical choices ‘Winds will howl…slip into the clouds.’

Artwork: 'Babel'

     Although there is a similar structure to each track on the album, each is powerful enough to potentially stand alone as a single, which is something very rarely found in an album. Each song breaks down towards the end, which constantly works extremely well because of Marcus Mumford’s wonderful vocals. And let’s face it; you know you found a good song when you’re disappointed when it ends!

    The relatable lyrics in ‘Whispers in the Dark’ come across as compelling and full of passion because of how fervent the instrumentation is; ‘I’m worried I blew my only chance.’ Despite how potent ‘I Will Wait’ is, it is difficult to decipher it as the album’s single because of how effective the entire album is. However, the track was released on the 7^th of August this year and peaked at number twelve in the UK Singles Chart. The track is as lurid, yet fresh and organic, despite its ‘I Would Do Anything for Love’-esque piano sections. But as listeners have come to expect nothing but perfection from Mumford & Sons, that is what is delivered, with the most descriptive and hard-hitting lyrics, ‘Paint my spirit gold.’

Mumford & Sons

    Through ‘Holland Road’, Mumford & Sons have proven they are capable of something very unusual; they have managed to not only preserve their unique style, but also seem as refreshing as ever. They have more than broken the cliché of how difficult releasing a successful second record can be after an excellent debut.  Additionally, ‘Ghosts That We Know’ begins with an almost acapella style, that is sharp but very gentle through its harmonies, and is driven by the most sensitive and moving lyrics; ‘‘I’ll give you hope all of your life, just promise me we’ll be alight.’

    Piano-led ‘Lover of The Light’ is something quite unusual for the band. Yet it is still has a flamboyant, gorgeous rhythmic melody that evolves into involving more instruments and a dramatic finish. The start-stop motion of ‘Lover’s Eyes’ is so captivating, and when intertwined with various rhythms and melodies onto of one another, you can’t help but keep listening. Mumford & Sons have composed something as classic and reliable as a Bible to a Christian. Speaking of which, the number of sweeping Biblical references in ‘Babel’ is astounding, but what is even more astounding is the fact that they fail to isolate the listener if they aren't that way inclined.

    Rustic and Indie, ‘Reminder’ and ‘Hopeless Wanderer’ are worlds apart of the bulk of popular, auto-tuned, white-wash music. The tracks are full of melodramatic build-ups, various breakdowns and constant shifts from eerily calm to downright erratically loud at times. The anger of ‘Broken Crown’ (so anger fuelled it uses a certain F-word!), but still manages to merge perfectly with the tender notions of ‘Below My Feet.’ In fact, it is so mellow yet intoxicating; it’s almost hymn-like.

    The multi-instrumental quartet bring ‘Babel’ home with ‘Not With Haste’, which certainly does what it says on the tin! But is is still as provoking and undeniably full of heart. Like the rest of the album, even when emotional, it is toe-tappingly warm and comforting somehow. ‘Babel’ is a modern Folk classic, and so much more than a hoe-down soundtrack.

5/5

Blaqk Audio- ‘Black Bright Heaven’ (24/09/2012- Superball Music/Big Death)

     Ever wondered what the Pet Shop Boys and Patrick Wolf would sound like together? Well Blaqk Audio are the answer. The band’s origins lie primarily in electronic dance music, inspired by the likes of Depeche Mode. Blaqk Audio’s line up consists of Davey Havok and Jade Puget (current members of AFI),who never considered the band as a side project, and pride themselves on the music they having been creating since last September.

    ‘Black Bright Heaven’ is perceived by the band as an expansion of their debut ‘Cex Cells’. But fundamentally, the album is repetitive and a little limp considering if is dance music. There seems to be very little emotion or sentiment thrown into the interesting mixes in ‘Cold War’ or ‘Fade to White’. However, the use of vocals in ‘Faith Healer’ really steps up and is more captivating, along with a simpler song structure.

Artwork

    Blaqk Audio make use of their inspriations throughout their work, and the pop and electronic blends fit together well in tracks like ‘Deconstructing God’. Although the vocal tones are quite Rock-based, the Dance style elements are similar to some of Radiohead’s work. However, ‘Everybody’s Friends’ is almost identical to the beats found in the biggest clubbing songs around.

   At times it seems a shame Blaqk Audio want to tamper with decent vocals by adding cyclic components and excessive editing techniques. Lyrically, the album lacks any kind of strong theme or storyline, aside from sex and relationships in general, which makes it difficult to engage with. The song structures of some tracks are also hard to follow. Blaqk Audio need to pinpoint what type of electronic dance band they are aiming to be, as some of the Dance style sounds are quite strong and swift, whereas some are unhurried.

   The synthesised parts of ‘Bliss’ and ‘Bon Voyeurs’ pick up the pace somewhat, but it is clear that this Electronic-Rock album was not written to specifically appeal to fans of AFI. ‘Say Red’ is so hasty that it reflects the idea that Puget and Havok are getting their love for electronic music of their chests without actually creating anything spectacular. However, the harmonies and dance elements work very well together and bonus track ‘Lit Ships’ provides a beautiful piano led finish.

Blaqk Audio

    Blaqk Audio is essentially a secondary project for two members of a successful Rock band, and appears to be unpolished, under-produced and lacking in emotion severely. The best song the album has to offer is the bonus track which is made up of piano, vocals and gentle backbeats.

1/5

The Vaccines- Come of Age (03/09/2012- Sony/Columbia Records)

     English Indie band The Vaccines, were formed in 2010 in West London and released their debut record ‘What Did You Expect from the Vaccines’ just last March. It peaked at number 4 in the UK Album Chart and spawned seven of the eleven track album as singles, including ‘Nørgaard’, ‘If You Wanna’, ‘Wetsuit’ and ‘Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’. The band have been compared to the likes of The Ramones and The Strokes, despite their fist-pumping Indie-Pop style.

    Having already peaked at number 1 in the UK Album Chart, has already awarded The Vaccines with fantastic commercial success. ‘No Hope’ is as festival-perfect as ‘Nørgaard’,and as Indie as ever, if a little dreary and half-hearted. Justin Young’s vocals also come across as drab and lazy, and ‘I Always Knew’ shows very little progression over the last year, and the band’s unfortunate complacence. They appear to have done the bare minimum with regards to varying their flair and the tracks are repetitive, but as catchy as eczema.

Artwork: 'Come of Age'

    ‘Teenage Icon’ is more produced than other tracks however, proving that The Vaccines care more for success through singles than the album itself, or the music they actually create. ‘All in Vein’ conveys a hint of Surf Rock, but tedious and underdeveloped lyrics; ‘You can’t hold a gun to my head/ ‘cause baby I would just refuse.’ (Surely that goes without saying in a relationship?) ‘Ghost Town’, certainly does what it says on the tin to begin with, with a gloomy intro and lifeless melody, and when played live, it’s about as energetic as road kill. The best thing about it is that it’s barely two tedious minutes long!

   Yet another lacklustre track, ‘Aftershave Ocean’ is begging for a response as to why the band refused to take more time to develop musically, and as people between albums. ‘Weirdo’ is very monotonous and Justin Young’s vocals are simply not strong enough to carry such a simply produced song. Out of the darkness of a dry, lifeless heap of tracks come ‘Bad Mood’, ‘Change of Heart Pt. 2’ and ‘I Wish I was a Girl,’ which still make use of classic Indie influences like the rest of the tracks, but less in the style of The Strokes and more of a Foo Fighters flair. It still lacks charm lyrically, but the instrumentation is, particularly the guitaring.

The Vaccines

    The track design of ‘Come of Age’ is appalling; soaring from some great Indie-pop singles, to mind-numbing compositions, and right back to bright and bubbly songs towards the end. Very little production-effort has been put into the five tracks that make up the middle of the album, which really lets it down. Along with weak vocals, mostly drab melodies and just one emotion-based track ‘Lonely World’,(which, in itself is excessively instrumental) ‘Come of Age’ is definitely nothing to write home about!

2/5

Two Door Cinema Club- Beacon (31/08/2012- Kitsuné)

     Formed just five years ago, Northern Irish trio Two Door Cinema Club have enjoyed vast success over the last few years with their debut album ‘Tourist History’, which was released in 2010. Singles from the upbeat Indie band’s debut did incredibly well, and the single from ‘Beacon’ ‘Sleep Alone’ has already peaked at 64 in UK charts.  

   With their less pop based, more chirpy, dance-worthy Indie tracks ‘Beacon’ reflects a new found confidence from the band with their own style. They know how commercially successful their last record was, and want to give their fans something new. ‘Next Year’ is a spectacular opener to another great album, telling a story of the hardship of loneliness when on tour. The experimental cocktail of electronic sounds in ‘Handshake’ is bursting with energy and instrumentals, and as radio and advert or jingle friendly as their previous work. It is fundamentally a harsh love letter, which shows a jump from ‘Tourist History’s’ classroom-whisper based lyrics.  

'Beacon's' Artwork

   Two Door Cinema Club have managed to pin-point the exact balance between being commercial, faithful to fans and unique, and ‘Wake Up’ is no different. It is as catchy as anything you’d expect from the trio and illustrates the fantastic work of Irish producer Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee, who has previously worked with U2, R.E.M., Snow Patrol and Editors. ‘Sun’ makes use of some brass; clearly an influence from a great producer and mixer.

    The rhythmic, polished and gig-perfect ‘Someday’ is quirky and explosive, but lacks emotion lyrically. ‘Sleep Alone’ perfectly overlaps different tempos and rhythms and is a textbook Indie single in the best way possible. With its seamless and epic backbeats and acapella sections, Two Door Cinema Club’s progression is unavoidable. ‘The World is Watching’ utilises old-school style harmonies used by the likes of The Beach Boys, all wrapped together with the input of unspoiled female vocals from Valentina. String-based segments add a new dynamic twist into the mix, especially when conjoined to high pitched electronic sounds.

Two Door Cinema Club at NME magazine this month.

     The constant mood and rhythm change in ‘Settle’ and ‘Spring’ both portray a more sophisticated and mature style, and ‘Pyramid’ is driven by the most beautiful, dancey back beat. Title track ‘Beacon’ begins with thumping bass, not dissimilar from The Vaccines’ ‘A Lack of Understanding’, but it quickly evolves into a gentle, echoing Indie song with adaptable and emotional lyrics; ‘Standing right in front of you is where I need to be’.

    Although it can be a little repetitive at times, ‘Beacon’ smashes the stereotype of second albums being difficult to compose due to an overload of pressure from fans. But Two Door Cinema Club have retained their ridiculously catchy beats, great electronic riffs and crisp, well produced tracks.

4/5

Maroon 5- Overexposed (26/06/2012 A&M/Octone Records)

     Overexposed is the fourth studio album of Los Angeles based Funk Rock band Maroon 5. After the phenomenal commercial success of single ‘Moves like Jagger’, which peaked at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and number 1 in the US, expectations are high for the success to transfer to Overexposed.

    The band describes the album as their poppiest record to date since their debut a decade ago with ‘Harder to Breathe’. Adam Levine’s distinct vocals burst into play on ‘One More Night’ that propels the pop basis of the record into action. With strong  Reggae Pop influences and Adam Levine’s taste of solo limelight as a judge on NBC’s ‘The Voice’ has sparked many a rumour of the band splitting, and this album may be a taster of what we can expect in the future.

Artwork

    Released on the 17^th of April, as the lead single from Overexposed, ‘Payphone’, featuring rapper Wiz Khalifa peaked at number 1 in the UK charts and is an upbeat track of relationship loss. It also brings Maroon 5’s Rock roots back into play. Its lyrics of pain and regret; ‘If happy ever after did exist, I wish to be holding you like this…’ are relatable yet commercial, and has been labelled the new ‘She Will Be Loved’. I don’t know about that, but it is certainly emotion fuelled.

     Ever wondered what a sentimental Black Eyed Peas song sounds like? ‘Daylight’ is the answer! It retains the personal lyrics that band Rock fans adore as well as the trendy back beats of great Pop songs. The bittersweet track was co-produced by Levine himself and depicts influences from the likes of Coldplay’s frontman and lead vocalist Chris Martin. ‘Lucky Strike’ reverts back to Maroon 5’s collective origins but also illustrates the inputs of Pop producers Max Martin and Benny Blanco with its upbeat, if a little fragmented and repetitive.

    The Man Who Never Lied is so rapid it comes across as rushed and overly compressed, and Love Somebody is somewhat overproduced which takes away from Adam Levine’s striking vocals. In tracks like this, it’s difficult to tell if the rest of the band is involved at all, and what has been formed is hardly spectacular. It is as if Maroon 5 enjoyed the commercial success of ‘Moves like Jagger’ so much that they’re doing anything they can to recapture it throughout Overexposed.

Maroon 5

    With its Michael Jackson style, ‘Ladykiller’ also boasts a guitar solo of sort. But there is nothing organic about this track in the slightest. And ‘Fortune Teller’ is no better as it harnesses Maroon 5’s flair with the likes of Britney Spears of Rihanna, which, unsurprinsgly, doesn’t merge well. Although ‘Sad’ brings Maroon 5 fans the lyrical talent they expect from the band, it still comes across as a solo track, despite its sense of passion. Many Maroon 5 fans also adore the blend of Pop, Rock and Funk, as well as sexual frustration, difficult relationships and break-ups that the band do so well, which comes alive in ‘Tickets’ and somewhat in ‘Doin’ Dirt’.

     The feeling and sensitivity injected into ‘Beautiful Goodbye’ brings a sense of relief to the Pop rollercoaster that most of Overexposed is made up of, that is, before ‘Moves Like Jagger ’ featuring Christina Aguilera appears as the final track on the record. However, it is full of Funk and vigour, and ridiculously joyful.

   Overall, the album is hit-seeking but doesn’t quite nail the criteria of successful Pop music, or the Rock/Funk field Maroon 5 are famous for.

3/5

Ducking Punches - I am Arturo Bandini? (EP)

    A self-proclaimed hard-working band, Ducking Punches are currently on a European tour, which includes the 2000 Trees Festival.
 
    The Punk / Folk group gently entice the listener to appreciate the subtle folk sounds they utilise. The input of female vocals, especially in Burnt Matches comes across as so angelic that the track could be comfortably played in a church. Athough the vocals are great, the instrumentation is really atmospheric and easily captures the emotion of the listener. The band'sMumford and Sons vibe is very current, giving them great potential for future sucess.
  
     The simplistic melody Ducking Punches give them a very natural and approachable quality, especially with anger and irony based lyrics, such as "You're the worm in the apple". Being fundamentally Indie, Ducking Puncheshave a great commercial appeal to a wide audience and the input of gang vocals reflects how hard the band have worked on the production of this EP, as well as how relaxed they are musically. It is as if the flair comes naturally to them.
  
    Through the astonishing sucess of the likes of Frank Turner over recent years, there is a fantastic available market for Indie and Folk lovers to fall in love with this band. Chirpy lyrics and wonderfully rythmic melodies build up to melodramatic riffs blended with the effortless vocals, made authentic by a Peterborough accent. 
  
    I Am Artuto Bandini? has been availiable since the 6th of July this year and Marching Among Giants reflects how hard Ducking Punches have worked on this EP, as well as the fact that the lead vocalist often gigs on his own as a solo artist, relfected in his strength throughout the record.
   
     With their angry and emotionally driven style, the group have composed the tracks through their simple love of the Indie and Punk styles of music, moulded by their rich talents and hard work together.