Album Review: Kids in Glass Houses- ‘Peace’ (30/09/2013- Transmission Recordings)

After rolling with Roadrunner Records for their previous three albums, Cardiff based Kids in Glass Houses have opted to make ‘Peace’ fan-funded thanks to PledgeMusic and Transmission Recordings. In March this year, Kids in Glass Houses recorded fourth album ‘Peace’ in Lincoln in just four weeks and released their first single from the record ‘Drive’, on 21 July 2013.

The quintet have not enjoyed the most straightforward career in the Pop Punk world, although their first album ‘Smart Casual’ (2008) brought them to the forefront of the scene with the likes of You Me at Six. Kids in Glass Houses are enjoying a more independent outlook for ‘Peace’, with regards to their general image, sound and style as a band- which is definitely a good thing given the way Roadrunner ‘adapted’ their dress sense after ‘In Gold Blood’ (2011) hit shelves. The band also chose to stream their album to encourage fans they may have lost along the way to give them another shot, and to, of course entice new listeners.

'Peace': The artwork

Some may dismiss Kids in Glass Houses as a soft Rock option, but right from the off, the boys provide a super catchy number made up of all the hand claps, gang vocals and key changes you could ever want. Aled Phillips’ vocals are right on point and full of diversity and soul. ‘Drive’ however, is an odd choice for a single, as it is my no means the best ‘Peace’ has to offer, but is a great Pop song with a hugely hooking guitar-driven melody.

‘Set Me Free’ and ‘V.I.P.’ are melodic, energetic and ever so slightly Rock and Roll- everything the band want to be. The quality of production is fantastic thanks to Producer Dan Weller (Gallows and Young Guns) and each track is fist-pumplingly rhythmic and oozing with optimism and this is definitely Kids in Glass Houses’ most mature album so far.

Easy-on-the-ear and breezy, ‘Novocaine’ is packed full of emotion, and ‘Stormchasers’ is made up of big Pop breakdowns, more vocal expertise and rhythmic change-ups. The trouble is, Kids in Glass Houses do not have the lead of the soft Pop Punk/rhythm-fuelled Rock industry with new bands like The 1975 around. ‘Runaways’ is hardly worth getting excited about, as it fails to explode into action at all and proves that ‘Peace’ fails to break any musical boundaries.

The more downbeat ‘Up All Night’ however, is packed with energy and a great party track, and its electro beats and feel-good style is a sure fire for success. ‘Black Cloud’ is raging with Pop sensibilities and is great in its simplicity- which is a great thing to hear after the over-elaborate sound and look of ‘In Gold Blood. For a closing song, ‘Nightcrawler’ is weak and very lacklustre, but it does bring a concise collection of sugar-sweet songs to an end.

Back to basics: Kids in Glass Houses

‘Peace’ won’t be receiving any awards for album of the year, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Kids in Glass Houses have gone back to basics and returned to their feel-good, straightforward roots. They’re definitely back on course for a bright future.

3.5/5

Listen to ‘Peace’ in full here thanks to RockSound: http://www.rocksound.tv/news/article/kids-in-glass-houses-stream-peace-in-full

DVD Review: This Is 40 (15) - Universal Pictures (24/06/2013)

A sort-of sequel to ‘Knocked Up’ (2007), ‘This is 40’ follows the wonderfully odd and entertaining lives of Debbie (Leslie Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd) as the couple hit their forties in the same week. Along with their two children, the couple struggle to enjoy their middle age, keep the passion in their relationship, control their children and balance their finances. Co-produced, written and directed by Judd Apatow, director of ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ (2008) and ‘The Five Year Engagement’ (2012), ‘This is 40’ is a clean-cut comedy with all the ingredients for potential a laugh-out-loud treat. It also stars the likes of Jason Segal, Megan Foxx and Melissa McCartney in more minor roles.

Frank and funny, this film sets off to a sharp start and is another notch on Judd’s comedic belt- which he has pretty much been single-handedly evolving over the past decade. The protagonist couple appear incredibly mis-matched and much of the plot consists of the pair bickering, avoiding honesty and denying that the years are flying by. While Debbie lies about her age, Pete appears to wish he was younger and more successful in his job as a music promoter for a record label. Their marriage is realistically rocky, which, accurate as it may be, becomes incredibly repetitive as the film unfolds. They also keep secrets from one another and both feel they’re stuck with each other because of their technology-obsessed children.

The theatrical poster for 'This is 40'

In terms of storyline, well there isn't one. Aside from their troubled marriage, there are two sticky situations Pete and Debbie find themselves in. Yet aside from those, the storyline is incredibly mediocre. As for individual scenes, some drag on for so long that they fail to be funny, particularly the opening scene  which sees the couple having sex in the shower which develops into an argument because Pete took Viagra before propositioning his wife. Despite that, the majority of characters are well developed, if a little stereotypical (particularly Debbie, who is a list-making, obsessive control-freak) and Judd Apatow’s signature component of embarrassment of characters for comic effect runs throughout the movie.

A family affair: The main cast of the film

Given the state of the world’s economy currently, it’s got to be difficult to watch a perfectly toned, white-teethed, glamorous blonde, wonderfully decorated, large home and cosy LA-influenced lifestyle be the backdrop for a rough-patch in characters’ lives. As well as Leslie Mann being Apatow’s real-life wife, it was doubly-brave of the director to employ their daughters to star in the film as Debbie and Pete’s children. They appear comfortable on screen and have clearly picked up a tip or two from their parents.

Paul Rudd’s performance is on-point and his abilities carry the film. His comedic timing and delivery is instinctive, so it’s no surprise he’s become a signature actor of the comedy flicks. Also, most of the portrayals of pettiness in relationships are acted incredibly accurately and ‘This is 40’ is also unusually padded out for a comedy being almost 2 and a half hours long, especially given its lack of a well-driven plot. Time Out even suggested there be a new 35-rating created for Apatow’s film, as they tend to scare couples who've yet to reach the age of his protagonists!

There’s something very chaotic and current about ‘This is 40’; it’s a decent example of reality cinema given his genuine representation of typical family life. But this is both a blessing and a downfall as many of the petty arguments depicted are somewhat lacklustre for film.  It may be warm and whimsical but it fails to provide the uplift that audiences have come to expect from comedies. The devil is truly in the detail in film and ‘This is 40’ simply doesn't supply enough.

2/5

Watch the official trailer for 'This is 40' here:

Single Review: You Me at Six- ‘Lived a Lie’ (03/09/2013- Virgin Records)

You Me at Six have basked in commercial success over the last few years, thanks to their last three albums, including their most recent record ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ (2011) and left fans hungry after a hefty two year gap in music releases. After holding their final gig off the back of ‘Sinners Never Sleep, ‘Final Night of Sin’ at the world famous Wembley Arena in December last year, the band announced the name of their new album, ‘Cavalier Youth’ and gave fans the first listen of single ‘Lived a Lie’ on BBC Radio 1 with Zane Lowe on 2^nd September. The Aussie DJ also named the track his Hottest Record.

‘Lived a Lie’ is fans' first glimpse at what the boys have been working on in LA over the last few months- and it’s just as gritty, progressive and catchy as ever. However, the music video leads a lot to be desired as its follows the same formula as many of the band’s other videos by embracing far too much performance and not enough storyline. But sixers have proved once again that they’re all about the music and definitely love what they hear, as they’ve already landed ‘Lived a Lie’ the number two spot on the Official ITunes Singles Chart.

'Lived a Lie': Artwork

If that wasn’t good enough, You Me at Six are also set to embark on their first ever US headline tour at the end of the month with support from the likes of Dinosaur Pile Up and Cute is what we Aim For. They’ll also be sharing the stage with 30 Seconds to Mars as part of their European tour in October and November this year in Germany and Spain. So it’s clear the quintet what to return with a colossal bang. Frontman and lead vocalist Josh Franceshi’s credible voice and unique vocals make the track sparkle.

The chunky guitar riff at the beginning of ‘Lived a Lie’ proves that the boys have grasped the tricky balance between evolving musically and giving fans what they’re after. The chorus is emotionally epic and gives the listener an immediate taste of what they can expect from future live shows. Melodically, it’s not only punchy, but also proves that You Me at Six have reverted back to their original ‘Take off Your Colours’ roots a tad. The gang vocal style section is also perfect for gigs.

The Weybridge boys just seem to keep getting better and better. They make use of classic Pop Rock riffs, their signature cyclic rhythms and Franceshi’s grainy vocals and genuine lyrics.

4/5

Is It Employers’ Duty to Employ Primarily British Workers to Combat Unemployment?

One million young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are currently unemployed or not in full-time education or training. It’s also been claimed by many, that British workers fail to work as hard as immigrants. So given Shadow Immigration Ministers Chris Bryant’s recently retracted keynote speech accusing both Tesco and Next of opting to not take on British people as employees, are British people opting to depend on benefits rather than take on low-paid jobs.

Shadow Immigration Minister Chris Bryant

Bryant’s Retraction

When he delivered the speech on 12^th August, Bryant’s comments were milder than expected. “Even good British companies are affected by the impact of low-skilled migrant workers.” he said. He went on to compliment Tesco on their training schemes and employment of young people and disabled people. Rather than appearing to attack immigrants and those who chiefly employ them, Bryant focused on “unscrupulous” employers who provide low wages, use agencies that don’t actively attempt to recruit in the UK. He also stated that many employers take on foreign workers for short periods of time and housing them in sub-standard accommodation.

Originally, Chris Bryant was expected to bluntly claim that Tesco undercut wages of British employees by recruiting from Eastern Europe, which the store denied. He also accused Next of primarily taking on Eastern European employees, particularly for their temporary summer positions. Next claimed this was because there is simply a lack of British people applying for their jobs, so foreign agency workers tend to be favoured. This is despite the fact that one in six children in the UK currently lives in poverty and in 2011-12, 2.3 million UK children (17%) lived in homes with substantially lower than average income. So what’s preventing people from applying for low-paid jobs?

The spirit of negotiation and collaboration is essential to a forward-moving society and exclusivity doesn’t foster a decent labour system. Yet given that the unemployment rate for 16-24 year olds has risen so sharply since 2008 when the recession began, according to the Poverty Site. They also stated that the unemployment rate for young people in 2010 was actually higher than its previous peak in 1993.

Benefits for the Basics

Morally, it’s vital to work rather than live on benefits as a good example to your children, young family members and others in society. However for some, benefits are simply the most economical option to sustain them and their family so logically, if someone can earn more through benefits than working, it’s likely they’ll take the straightforward option of getting the income they need without working. There are thousands of families in this country today who cannot afford to eat because disproportionate British wages fail to correspond to our rate of inflation and 22% of young Londoners are consequentially unemployed.

Current circumstances have gotten so severe that since 2010, food banks and soup kitchens have been introduced alongside local and nationwide charities, to help tackle poverty in Britain due to the recession and wage and benefit cuts.  In fact, a recent controversial scheme set up in Stoke-On-Trent has sparked debate, as it allowed Police to provide shoplifters with food vouchers for their local food bank. It was axed after Staffordshire Police confirmed seven vouchers had recently been given to “hard-pressed” thieves- those who couldn’t afford to eat. The force said that out of 5,833 dealt with since the scheme began in March, just seven received between one and seven vouchers.  

Fighting to Stay Alive

It’s safe to say if you steal a television, laptop or car, you are most likely aiming to flog it down the market. But if you’re stealing food, it may be the only way to feed yourself and/or your family. Yet it was argued by some that the scheme rewarded criminals for their unlawful actions. Councillor Janine Bridges said, “If somebody has committed a serious offence then I am absolutely in favour of proper punishment to fit the crime. But you have got to allow professionals to make these decisions and be empowered because they are the ones at the frontline dealing with the issues on a daily basis.” The scheme utilises sophisticated thinking and presents a fight against the harsh consequences of the recession.

The welfare state is a colossal and necessary part of modern British family life, with 20.3 million families receiving some kind of benefit (64% of families). For 9.6 million families, benefits make up more than half of their income, yet due to welfare cut backs the number of families receiving benefits will be between 1 and 2 million fewer in the next tax year because of changes to child tax credits, so some working families who previously got a small amount now receive nothing.

It’s no secret that the British economy is struggling, but surely keeping its citizens fed, watered and well…alive, should take precedence over, for instance David Cameron’s £77 million investment into promoting cycling in the UK and making it safer and more convenient. However innovative this may be, the overall welfare of Britons should be the primary agenda for our government as opposed to excess schemes such as this, no matter how much they endorse a healthy and active lifestyle.

Excessive: Cameron's new cycling scheme

Unemployment Breakdown

Some Britons are of the opinion that low wage jobs such as cleaning and customer service are unsuitable for them, which is astonishing given that the number of people out of work fell by 57,000 to 2.51 million in the three months to May according to the Office for National Statistics. The number of people in work is 29.71 million but it can be argued that if someone’s worked themselves into debt to gain a solid degree, qualification or training and is unable to get a job that utilises it, it may be difficult for them to accept low paid positions or menial labour. But surely if you have bills to pay and working is your only method of income, doing a job that you may consider academically ‘below’ you may be the best and only option.

To fight unemployment, the government has cut benefits which has backfired on many Britons, yet there are still countless companies who tend to favour immigrants for various reasons. But with unemployment figures rising continually and benefits increasingly being cut, it seems more economically sensible for British people to get their feet on the employment ladder rather than rely on the instability of the state.

Can More Be Done to Protect the Public from Aggressive Animals?

Last week the human and animal and human worlds stood still in unison as two young boys were killed by a 100-pound python as they slept above exotic pet shop. A funeral was held on 9 June for the Canadian youngsters, Connor and his brother Noah Barthe (6 and 4 years old), after the 4.3 metre long snake escaped its glass enclosure, slithered into the ventilation system and caused the pair to die of asphyxiation.

Canadian Prime Minister Harper called the incident a “strange and terrible event” saying that he feels “very deeply” for the boys' family. The snake has now been killed by a vetenerian.

Reactions and Regulation

Spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources, Steven Benteau told CBC News that African rock pythons are not permitted under the province's Exotic Wildlife Regulation. It’s also unearthed that the store where the devastating incident occurred, Reptile Ocean played host to 27 other illegal animals. Despite this, the pet-store owner Jean-Claude Savoie, told a television station that he didn't hear a sound and discovered the “horrific scene” when he went into his living room on Monday morning. The occurrence is being treated as a criminal investigation.

The Barthe brothers

Anne Bull, a spokeswoman for the New Brunswick's Natural Resources department said her department had no knowledge of the existence of the snake prior to this week's tragedy despite the fact that snake python has been illegal in the province since 2009. Surely the untimely death of two young boys should warrant a stronger law on the owners of dangerous and illegal pets as well as more protection for the public against such animals?

Dangerous Dogs

Here in the UK, legal powers for the Police to tackle dangerous animals and their owners to improve the safety and protection of the public were published in April this year. Irresponsible owners of domestic dogs now face the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill which makes it an offence to be in possession of an animal that’s hazardously out of control in any place including private property. By implementing the private property clause into the Bill, the authorities now have the power to guard the public from unsafe animals whatever their location at the point of attack or dangerous behaviour.

But what happens if hazardous behaviour is out of character for a pet and the first time they become out of control, someone gets injured? In the recent case in Canada, there is no question that pet store owner Jean-Claude Savoie was at fault for illegally inhabiting a python and therefore indirectly caused the deaths of the Barthe boys. Should the same law be enforced on pets who unexpectedly strike once as for pet owners who have reoffended with regards to how they treat their animal(s) and their animal’s attitude?

This change in the law will give protection to the healthcare, postal and utility professionals who visit private properties for work. If convicted, pet owners could face an unlimited fine and/or up to two years in jail. However there will be no protection for trespassers such as burglars who are attacked by a householder’s dog as they have already committed an offence prior to being attacked.

Protecting the Public…Even in Private

Animal Welfare Minister Lord de Mauley said “Out of control dogs are just as much a threat on private property as in public place…extending the law so…owners who allow their dogs to be dangerously out of control anywhere can be brought to justice.”

The Government is bringing in compulsory micro-chipping for all dogs from 6 April 2016 to help reunite owners with lost or stolen pets, relieve the burden on animal charities and promote responsible dog ownership. But why are the government waiting nearly 3 years to bring their plan to action? It’s no secret that government funding is lacking currently, yet surely the protection of the public and prevention of animal attacks should be a priority?

 Since August last year, owners of dangerous dogs that attack people in public will face stiffer penalties, including up to 18 months in prison but as is with many British laws, the harshest penalty is rarely utilised and some owners remain irresponsible. Those who use their pet in as a weapon will be sentenced for assault, more dangerous dogs will be put down and largest compensation for victims needs to be put into practise.

Despite how many pet rehabilitation programmes and charities exist to protect both pets and people, the latest laws need to be truly enforced in Britain and hopefully influence the regulations of other countries. It’s utterly unacceptable that a pet store owner managed to keep nearly 30 illegal animals for almost 4 years with no input from authorities. The deaths of the Barthe brothers could easily have been prevented and surely, the safety of people as well as their pets should be paramount to governments, both in Britain and oversees. 

The War on Drugs: Why Governments are Failing to Maintain Drug Legislation

Two British women were arrested in Peru over accusations of drug smuggling last week. Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid have spent just over 2 weeks in Police custody after they were caught at an airport in Peru’s capital Lima trying to traffic 11g of cocaine with a street value of just over £1.5million to the UK. The 20-year-old pair could face up to 3 years in prison as they wait trial and have been refused bail due to an overflow of evidence against them.

Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid

Some people are of the opinion that Reid and McCollum should not be tried under Peruvian law because they are British, but the fact is that Britain, along with countless other nations, is struggling to keep track of the variations of drugs available to the public. In this country, the government simply can’t keep up with new drugs being brought to our shores, so they are labelled as legal highs until they can be tested and characterised officially.

However, fewer people are using heroin and cocaine in the West according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says. The bad news is that they’re sourcing all sorts of new, legal substances because governments are failing to ban them fast enough. In July this year, UNDOC noted 234 new substances, outnumbering the variations of illegal drugs thought to be in circulation. But the fact that they are new does not mean they’ve recently been discovered, but that people have only recently starting using them for recreational, mind-altering or hallucinogenic purposes.

“This is an alarming drug problem- but the drugs are legal,” said The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNDOC). Yet beyond public health and safety, the fact that legislation (both national and international) can’t keep pace with the development chemistry and the rapidity of the drug industry must be recognised and governments must act accordingly.

James Capra, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Chief of Operations told ABC that governments are faced with the fact that “As soon as we make these things illegal, criminal organisations will go back and change one molecule…and it changes the entire drug.” This then makes the drug legal once more and the law developments are back at square one.

With regards to Reid and McCollum, they could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted. They were photographed on 20^th August in handcuffs being escorted by officers from the National Police anti-drug headquarters for medical examinations. The Independent reported that the women weren’t provided with food or blankets and their lawyer Pete Madden stated that this was “unacceptable”. He also added “The conditions inside the holding cells are pretty grim. They are expected to lie almost on the floor. There is a sort of sponge bed... it is not clean.” Both women are thought to be pleading not guilty.

Pete Madden

The general conditions of the Peruvian jail raise the question of whether Britons should be subject to international legal standards, or if British Police should be called upon when its citizens are involved. The women have claimed they were held at gunpoint by a gang and forced into transferring the drugs to the UK and when questioned by Judge Dilo Huaman, he asked why they “...did not inform an authority” about the drugs despite being aware they were carrying them in food packages in their luggage.

As for the war on drugs, The Guardian has concluded that “...it (the war) has not been lost, it has been made obsolete.” Over the years, there have been masses of attempts at creating designer drugs, one notorious example being Barry Kidston, a chemistry student who in 1976 created a synthetic heroin-like high MPTP. The drug gave Kidston Parkinson’s Disease days after he first injected it and is currently used in lab experiments attempting to comprehend its inner workings. According to the Daily Mail, there could be up to 200 illegal highs circulating the streets all over Britain.

Maryon Stewart, whose daughter Hester died after taking GBL, said ministers were failing to educate children and young people enough about the dangers of legal highs. Her Angelus Foundation found two thirds of 14-18 year-olds think legal highs are safe and fun despite a string of deaths and growing evidence of health dangers. In response, Stewart said “Ministers need to take urgent action and heed this warning. I cannot understand why they can leave kids so vulnerable and not raise awareness of the dangers of these substances.” “They will have blood on their hands if they don’t take any action.” she added.

Hester Stewart

Despite government warnings, both British and foreign, more people are taking recreational drugs than ever before and designer drugs are rapidly worming their way into the industry quicker than the law can legislate them. Yet with the global economy on a relentless downward spiral, some people are going to desperate lengths to pay off debts, which has been speculated as the reason Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid became drug mules. Most counties are struggling to fund their legal system even without taking on international trials and convictions and as for the war on drugs, governments cannot keep up with legislating synthetic substances and legal highs being sold on our streets.

EP Review: Blind Mentality- ‘Bane of Humanity’ EP- (01/06/2013 – Self Released)

Hailing from Southampton and Portsmouth, Blind Mentality are a five piece Death Metal/Hard-core band who released their latest EP, six-track ‘Bane of Humanity’ last month. Recorded at Studio 6, Swindon, where the likes of Bring Me the Horizon, the quintet’s latest EP ‘Bane of Humanity’ is available to download for free from their Facebook or Bandcamp pages.

The introductory track of ‘Bane of Humanity’, ‘Moral’ (Intro) has a heavy, progressive sound that presents what the band’s style is all about to the listener. ‘Serpent’ begins with blended screams and Metal guitaring that illustrates the dark vibe of the EP. The repetitive melody and vocals within the track do become a little drab as it continues but, the selection of sounds and sound effects attempt to keep it interesting and unique. In terms of production, ‘Bane of Humanity’ appears far too musically mature, and striking for a band with just over 200 likes on Facebook. It’s a track that wouldn’t be out of place on the average Metal radio station.

Melody-wise, although too cyclic at points, Blind Mentality have pin-pointed a key feature of Metal with their balance between strong, angst-fuelled lyrics and hard-hitting instrumental melodies. ‘Escape’ offers the listener more magical melodical moments, especially the strong, brisk back-beat courtesy of the drums. It’s a component that’s essential to get the crowd going in a live setting and clearly, this is something the band have considered when composing.

It’s interesting to note how concise the band have opted to make each track, most likely to let the listener experience as much of their music as possible on such a short recording. The special effects used in ‘No Way Out’ reflect that Blind Mentality aren’t afraid to be experimental with their sound and are still finding their feet in terms of exactly how they want to come across as musicians. But the dense bass drumming is really striking and demands the listener’s attention.

Brimming with hatred and angst, ‘Frontline’ is makes use of the concept of war to portray a fight against what you dislike in the world. The drumming is ear-pounding and melody so fast paced it’s like listening to a classic Metal song. The amplified distortion of the instruments, especially the guitar work in ‘Outlived’ makes it clear that the band really know their stuff when it comes to what Metal music fans want, but are also willing to play around with their tastes and inspirations. Right until the final chord, the EP’s production is impeccably organised, particularly with the interplay between the instruments and vocals.

‘Bane of Humanity’ is an impressive combination of traditional Metal and Hard-core music style with fresh, heavy charm. The riffs are brash and thunderous as they could possibly be and really shows how much possibility the Metal industry still has in terms of new fusions and sub-genres.

3/5