Author: UberAdmin

The Speedways – ‘Radio Sounds’ (Snap!/Hurrah Musica)

The Speedways – ‘Radio Sounds’ (Snap!/Hurrah Musica)

Posted by | Jun 19, 2020 | ,

It’s not hard to categorise London’s The Speedways – they’re power pop: pure, simple and proud of it. And why not? ‘Radio Sounds’ is the band’s second album, following up the acclaimed debut ‘Just Another Regular Summer’. But whereas that album was largely a one-man effort from vocalist and songwriter Matt Julian, this one sees the involvement of the whole live band to take things up a notch. The Speedways are actually one of a handful of bands Jim R did manage to catch live this year, when they supported the mighty Giuda, and very impressive they were too. So is the album going to impress our man as much as their live act did?

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Cro-Mags – ‘In The Beginning’ (Arising Empire/Mission Two Entertainment)

Cro-Mags – ‘In The Beginning’ (Arising Empire/Mission Two Entertainment)

Posted by | Jun 18, 2020 | ,

With the first full-length release from Cro-Mags in nearly 20 years Harley Flanagan is focussed on nothing but a new start. An acrimonious court battle against his ex-drummer and vocalist over the rights to the band name ended in his favour in 2019. As a result there were temporarily two Cro-Mags leading to confusion for fans. Yet, since the legal acquisition of the name took force, Flanagan’s band, featuring musicians who have all previously been in Cro-Mags, have wasted no time, releasing an EP (‘Don’t Give In’) and single (‘From The Grave’) in 2019, the latter their final Victory Records release. The line-up includes drummer Garry Sullivan as well as guitarists Gabby Abularach (Voodoocult), who has contributed to Korn and Santana releases, and Rocky George (ex-Suicidal Tendencies). With a handful of songs written and experience of working together they simply entered the studio and thrashed out the details.

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The Homeless Gospel Choir – ‘This Land is Your Landfill’ (Hassle Records)

The Homeless Gospel Choir – ‘This Land is Your Landfill’ (Hassle Records)

Posted by | Jun 18, 2020 | ,

Before this release, The Homeless Gospel Choir was an act that fittingly rubbed shoulders with the likes of Frank Turner and Beans on Toast; similarly engaging in a cocktail of self-searching and socio-political lyricism atop a bedrock of folk-punk.  ‘This Land is Your Landfill’ is a rather different beast than expected.  Once the predominantly acoustic led solo project of Derek Zanetti, album number four adds muscle to the bones of The Homeless Gospel Choir by employing a full band lineup.  This punk collective serves Zanetti well for the most part, resulting in a sound that’s much more Weezer than Dylan.

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Dätcha Mandala – ‘Hara’ (MRS Red Sound)

Dätcha Mandala – ‘Hara’ (MRS Red Sound)

Posted by | Jun 17, 2020 | ,

Bordeaux-based heavy blues power trio Dätcha Mandala certainly believe in putting the graft into their craft. It may have taken them eight years to get around to release their debut album, but that had been preceded with the three guys pounding every pavement in their native France, and beyond. And, that is a formula they have repeated in the three years between that first release and this, its follow-up, which once again sees them teaming up with both acclaimed producer Clive Martin (known for his work with the likes of Queen, Thom Yorke and Skunk Anansie) and the bespoke, artist-centric MRS label.

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