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I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life

I am Metal Editor at Pure Metal

You will also find reviews at Blogcritics

TD Lind vs. Slayer

TD LIND - La La Love



I was a latecomer to the wonderful world of TD Lind, but now that I've been converted, I just won't shut up.

This single was culled from his superb "Call Me Siner" album, and should be required listening for anyone who likes bluesy, rootsy rock'n'roll, played the way it should be. With added "ooh-oohs".

B-side 'Cold Heart' is a downbeat duet with Lily-May Young, and is so good that it's been getting airplay over on my Rockin' The Blues radio show. Praise indeed, if I say so myself. Nigh on essential.

Download @ Amazon

http://www.tdlind.com


SLAYER - Hate Worldwide



Far be it from me to suggest that Slayer are getting on a bit. But what with their UK tour being postponed due to Tom Arayas bad back, Kerry Kings beard dye, and the realisation that it's nearly a quarter of a century since I first heard Slayer, the clock is certainly ticking.

Of course, you'd never know it, when the latest invective filled anthem from the pen of Mr King comes blasting out the speakers. Here's how it goes. Fast bit, slower bit with words, insanely fast guitar solo, fast bit with words, another insanely fast guitar solo. And that's just the first 90 seconds.

There will never be another band quite like the monstrous thrash metal titan that is Slayer. They rule the world of thrash, and we are genuinely not worthy. Now go buy the "World Painted Blood" album, or buy 10,000 copies of this, just say that have to play it on the singles chart. That would be genuinely entertaining.

Buy CD From Amazon

Officer Kicks vs. Bubbel

OFFICER KICKS - The Kraken



Hello there! Popping their heads out of the dire indie mire, here come Officer Kicks, with a rather splendidly bouncy piece of rock.

We'll forgive them for going on tour with The Script, and concentrate instead on the rifftastic lead track that burns up a storm in under three minutes. Like all good singles should. B-side 'Mona Lisa' is downbeat and moody, but they pull it off well.

If you liked Kasabian, before they got a bit mince, then this is for you.

http://www.officerkicks.com


BUBBEL G - Get Ready



You couldn't get further away from the slightly earnest Officer Kicks than Girls Aloud rip-offs, Bubbel G. And no, I don't know why they spell it that way. Insert words like kooky and zany here.

They've gone for a 2006 Girls Aloud sound, back when they were still poppy and fun. A couple of the girls look like strippers, there's the boyish one for the gay fans, the kittenish one, and the hot one. So, pretty much all the bases are covered.

The song is good enough, all perky and bouncy, and comes with a harder dance mix for the under 14 disco near you. I don't care, I liked it.

Buy CD From Amazon

MOTORHEAD / THE DAMNED / GIRLSCHOOL
Glasgow Academy
19 November 2009



Well, it's finally here. Motorheads 30th anniversary. No, not the anniversary of them starting; that was 4 years back. This was the big one. The 30th anniversary of me seeing them live for the first time, something that's way more important.

Naturally, it was the worst night of the year, as the heavens opened, and the gales blew, but we still got there in time for Girlschool, who were even better than when I saw them supporting Motorhead a couple of years back. Sure, no-one was too bothered about the new songs, but as they banged out stone cold gems like 'Demolition', 'Screaming Blue Murder', 'C'mon Let's Go' and 'Demolition', they had the crowd eating out their hands, aided by what was, surprisingly, the best sound of the night.

The Damned have three good songs. Which take up about 9 minutes. Which left 36 minutes of psychedelic goth faffing, with Dave Vanian so low in the mix as to be indistinguishable and the most annoying keyboard of all time, just begging for a good slapping. It's at times like this I wish I wasn't a raging alcoholic in remission.

There was more faffing about by the road crew before Motorhead hit the stage, but there they were, blasting into 'Iron Fist'. Sad to say, and it may be heresy, but Lemmys live powers have been noticeably on the wane over the last three tours. Age must, finally, be catching up with the 64 year old. The band weren't helped by a poor sound, but only drummer Mickey Dee came out of the show with head held high. Lemmy must have been using Dave Vanians microphone, because he was only rarely heard at full power. This meant that 'Stay Clean' and an awesome 'Over The Top' were the highlights of their set.

Not a great night, but one that saw Girlschool, to my surprise, coming out on top. And if Kim McCauliffe [deleted].

SOUL DOCTOR
Way Back To The Bone
Metal Heaven 2009



Hey everybody! It's Tommy Heart. You know. The singer out of Zeno and Fair Warning. Well, now he's back with album number 5 (already?) from Soul Doctor. And it's really good.

Original drummer Zacky is back for the ride, and this is an excellent mix of their earlier rawk material, and their later, more melodic work. Naturally, it's the former that gets me all hot and bothered, and tunes like 'Lightning And Thunder', 'Love Crashed Down (Boom Down)' and 'Welcome To The Party' are already firmly lodged in my cerebral cortex.

The big, killer, ballad is 'Times Of Yesterday', a guaranteed number one in 1987, but wherever you look, this album is an absolute rock belter.

Buy CD From Amazon

STEVE SWINDELLS
Messages
Esoteric



A member of The Hawklords and Pilot, I enjoyed Steve Swindell’s 1980 album ‘Fresh Blood’ (released on Atomhenge) but ‘Messages’, recorded for RCA in 1974, surpasses it. Fully orchestrated throughout by Martyn Ford and John Bell and featuring guest musicians of the calibre of Mike Giles and Danny Thompson, ‘Messages’ is a revelation!

Although the candid liner notes in the 16 page booklet tell a tragic story there is nothing tragic about the music which is positively exuberant in places. With a staple rhythm section of John Gustafson and Barry De Souza, guitarist Caleb Quaye, saxophonist Chris Mercer and backing singers like Doris Troy, Rosetta Highwater and Barry St,John on ‘Shake Up Your Soul’ and ‘Surrender’ this album has a real stamp of quality about it. Man of many sessions Morris Pert even pops up to add some percussion to the mix!

The crowning glory is the 11 minute ‘Messages from Heaven’, described by Steve himself as a ‘total dream come true done totally live with a full orchestra and Mike Giles on drums in George Martin’s Air studio high above London’ Oxford Circus.’ This piece in places has the ambition of ELP and a nifty ARP solo shows Steve’s keyboard playing ability. At the opposite ‘unplugged’ end of the spectrum perhaps the most touching song is ‘I Can’t See Where The Light Switch Is’, just Steve and Danny Thompson on upright bass.

There is a bonus CD and it’s a pity that RCA saw fit not to release it at the time (in 1975) as ‘Swindell’s Swallow’ will now become established as a forgotten gem of the era, even if the inclusion of songs like the disco beat of ‘Doodiboogie’ were not in keeping with what Steve, as a serious musician and writer, was all about. No orchestra this time but no limit once again to Steve’s ambition on songs like the 9 minute ‘When The Clapperboard Has Clapped’. It’s a pity that the information on this album is a bit sparse in the liner notes and I assume it is Steve himself who contributes the great vibes playing.

In commercial terms songs like ‘Easy on the Night’ were the equal of anything around at the time, Finally, does anyone else think that Steve sounds like Ian Anderson on ‘The Last One To Know’, the excellent ballad that concludes the album?

1975’s loss is 2009’s gain and the inclusion of ‘Swallow’ in addition to the formidable ‘Messages’ is just the icing on the cake.

(reviewed by Phil Jackson)

Buy at Amazon

The Roseville Band vs. Juliet The Sun

THE ROSEVILLE BAND - Boxer EP



According to the eNMEe, The Roseville Band are "the Welsh Kings Of Leon", something that can be taken two ways, depending on where you stand on the Kings Of Leon are unmitigated shite argument.

Luckily, I don't get the comparison, because once I got my head around the vocals, which sound as though he's having a stroke, and the lead trombone, I actually found myself thoroughly enjoying this.

The band themselves point a finger at the Flaming Lips, something that makes an awful lot more sense. Best of the bunch is the shambling boogie of 'Bullet Eyes'. Definitely ones to watch out for.

http://www.therosevilleband.co.uk


JULIET THE SUN - Time For Heroes



"The England cricket team's winning Ashes anthem". Not only does this stretch the meaning of the word "heroes" way beyond breaking point, as no-one who plays a sport for money can be classified as a hero, but bearing in mind the number of England cricketers who would fail their BNP entrance exam, it turns out that the singer with Juliet The Sun is actually Australian.

An Aussie who plays cricket for Northants who has a penchant for Snow Patrol tunes. As if anyone needs another song that sounds like bloody Snow Patrol. I do like the mental as anything breakdown about two and a half minutes in. But seeing as how it's a three minute song, I'll give it a bye.

http://www.julietthesun.com

STRAY DOG
Stray Dog/ While You’re Down There
Manticore 2009



I must admit that Stray Dog were one of those band’s who slipped through the net both at the time and subsequently. The only reference I can find to them is in Vernon Joynson’s all encompassing book ‘The Tapestry of Delights’ in which he says: “Formed in early 1973 as a trio, Snuffy Walden and Al Roberts had earlier been in the Texas band Aphrodite. On a two month trip to the UK they met Emerson, Lake and Palmer. After returning to the States it was Snuffy’s friendship with Greg Lake which led later to them signing to ELP’s own Manticore label.” And here they are again being given the Cherry Red treatment as the first two releases of a Manticore catalogue which I believe may include just about everything except ELP themselves- should be interesting! Of course, the essays by Malcolm Dome provide me with a rich source of that elusive information about the band I was referring to earlier.

I cannot really repeat Vernon’s verdict on the band as I do not entirely agree with it. True the first album is rough, a heavy Hendrix blues inspired rock lacking somewhat in originality with attempts at ballads (as on ‘A Letter’) that aren’t quite at the races. Not that it’s a bad album for those besotted with the genre. By the time Stray Dog gets to ‘While You’re Down There’ released in 1974 it’s a different story though. They’ve recruited a keyboard player and another guitarist/ singer and there’s a much wider musical palette on offer even becoming progressive on the interesting 7 minute plus closer ‘Worldwinds’ on which Louis Cabaze gets out his synth. (Think of Camel perhaps). There’s more than a hint of ‘Hey Joe’ about parts of opening song ‘Calamity Jane’ but, stylistically there is much more variety than on their debut with songs like ‘I Would’ containing some nice slide guitar and piano. They seem more comfortable with the slower numbers like ‘Words to Say Goodbye’ than they were on their debut, the vocals are much better and the guitar playing much more subtle- there’s a nice little solo on this one. The difficulty in the vocal department is particularly revealed on the 4 bonus tracks ‘live at Reading Rehearsals, London, 1973 on the debut LP, although some of the instrumental work is certainly worth a listen. (There are also two bonus tracks recorded live in Italy, 1973 which will be of interest to Stray Dog fans and collectors).

Side two of ‘While You’re Down There’ starts with a possible single though as far as I know never released as such. It certainly sounds as the band was tapping into The Faces/ Elton John kind of market. ‘Very Well’, the track that follows it sounds as if the band has been listening to Steely Dan. ‘Dreams and Junk’ features an impassioned vocal performance (Is that flute sounds I hear?)

There are no less than seven bonus tracks including a cover of ‘Drive My Car’ on this one so it’s certainly a comprehensive trawl through the back catalogue of Stray Dog. ‘While You’re Down There’ is recommended if you’re into the kind of music described while ‘Stray Dog’ is of historical interest only.

Buy Stray Dog at Amazon Buy While You’re Down There at Amazon

(Reviewed by Phil Jackson)

DEEP PURPLE
Introducing Deep Purple
ear



You would hope that when a band signs up with a new record label that you'd see the end to a long running series of half assed compilations rehashing the same old material over and over and over again. After all, it's a fresh start, there's new albums to record, and surely they can't be that desperate for money. Well, you'd be wrong on all counts.

Because in the fine tradition of ropy Deep Purple collections, this one takes some well known Deep Purple songs like 'Wring That Neck' and 'Smoke On The Water', but instead of the seventies versions, sneaks out the nineties live versions we've grown to know and hate. In fact, the latter is the 'Live At The Albert Hall' version with Ronnie James Dio. Which explains the inclusion of 'Love Is All' from the same show.

So it looks like ear will be continuing the relentless, budget market exploitation of the Deep Purple catalogue instigated by Eagle Records. This comes out under the banner "Earmusic Legends", which has already seen the same cheap as chips, generic digipack, no liner notes approach to Yes. However, if you're one of the half a dozen Purple fans left in the world who don't have at least three live versions of 'Pictures Of Home', 'Ted The Mechanic, 'Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming', 'Watching The Sky' and 'Via Miami' on existing compilations, then you may feel a five pound flutter on this is worth it.

It isn't. Give your money to charity instead.

Buy at Amazon

SGT WOLFBANGER
Think Inside The Box



For a band who once shared a stage with McFly, and who have such a rawk name, Sgt Wolfbanger are surprisingly dull. Because no matter how hard I try, they really, really remind me of recently reformed US megastadiumrockers Creed. And, surely, one of them was enough.

However, their epic choruses, rich vocals, sweeping riffs and melodies do guarantee one thing. Enormodoming mega success. But only if they dump the scratchy Brit-guitars that sneak in now and then. Nothing a good producer won't sort out.

Because when they get the stadium rock fired up on songs like 'When I Break A Promise It Shatters' and 'Lonely Knight', cash tills all across America start ringing in anticipation. The new Foo Fighters? Probably. Worth the fiver they're charging? Definitely. If I was on 10% I'd be very happy around about now.

http://www.myspace.com/sgtwolfbanger

THE BANSHEE
Your Nice Habits
Fading Ways



Really, it's like taking candy from a baby sometimes. Calling your band The Banshee. I mean, it's an open invitation to InsultFest '09.

Fortunately, I'm a bigger man than that (literally). I'll just confine myself to pointing out their musical inadequacies, while shaking my head slowly, and sighing. After all, it was bad enough when Franz Ferdinand tried to make the world think that Wire were in any way good. Now we have Wire impersonations, once removed.

However, if you are one of those misguided fools who think you can actually, really, genuinely, dance to Talking Heads, then tunes like 'Kicks Up!' will get your pecker perky, as you shuffle gamely but spastically, around the dance floor. The rest of us will pretend that nothing is happening, look away, and walk on by.

Buy @ Amazon

JEFF MERCHANT
City Makes No Sound
Tropical Mall



I really enjoyed Jeff Merchants debut album, "Window Rolled Down", so was pleased to see that he's found time in his busy schedule to put another one out.

A lot of the songs are of the lush, orchestrated variety, the kind of thing that people rarely go to the bother of making anymore. But where are the Electric Light Orchestra and Jellyfish fans supposed to go for their jollies? I mean, there aren't that many violas in popular music anymore.

It's proper, grown-up pop music that never falls into the tepid, faux-rock trap that so many musicians fall into once they reach a certain level of maturity. Which is why followers of the Finn Brothers may find some solace in songs like 'A Friend Of Mine'. Beach Boys fans should head for 'Love Yourself' and lovers of dark, gothic pop should be making an urgent dash for 'Crazy Ship'.

http://jeffmerchantmusic.com/

COWBOY PROSTITUTES
Let Me Have Your Heart
Sunny Bastards 2009



Sometimes, life is just good. Not very often, mind. I didn't get to be this bitter and twisted on a diet of fairy dust and buttercups. But when a record this ludicrous (in a good way) is blasting in my head, then the world can just go play with itself, because I'm alright.

Now this record isn't for the faint of heart. You won't be surprised to learn that they suffer from the odd bout of pottymouth. But then they are Cowboy Prostitutes, so you really have to blame their upbringing. The opening track, 'Outrageous', certainly makes sure that you know they can curse with the worst of them. Naturally, this Swedish mob claim that they belong to no genre other than their own, but, really, they're Hanoi Rocks mixed with The Damned.

Which apart from being a frighteningly ugly mental picture, guarantees you hard hitting yet melodic, sleaze rock with some punky riffage. And oh, it's good. Nearly as good as Belgian truffles. The Asda ones. They're rubbish at ballads, mind, but so were Motley Crue, and look at them.

Stick to songs like 'Outrageous', 'Not That Pretty' and the ludicrously rifftastic 'Girls Like You', and you're guaranteed a time so good, you'll trash your own front room just for the hell of it. Me like.

Buy @ Amazon

Castrovalva vs. I Like Trains

CASTROVALVA - Thug Poetry



Now, really! There's no need for that sort of thing. I opened the sleeve on this single only to be accosted with some potty mouthed graffitti exhorting me to have carnal relations with the police. Just what I should have expected from people who use two of my least favourite words - 'thug' and 'poetry'. I've never been so happy to see the word 'ERR' appear on the CD player.

It gets worse once I actually manage to play it. For "experimental rock", read horrendous mess. The sound of a safe falling down the stairs with Alvin the Chipmunk trapped inside, screaming. I'm sure things were better when we used to lock these sort of people up. Avoid.

http://www.myspace.com/castrovalvamusic


I LIKE TRAINS - Sea Of Regrets



I also like trains, but prefer to keep my bleak, despondent ruminations on the futility of life to myself. Unlike I Like Trains who seem to think that writing depressing songs about how we're all going to die is, in some way, a fruitful use of their limited time on this planet.

Now I happen to be partial to a bit of doom and gloom, but would rather they concentrated on the cello infested Tindersticks element to their music, as opposed to the dramatic here it comes, here it comes, no, really, now, nearly, ah here it is - swellllll. That bit's so Snow Patrol, it actually caused me to pass a stone.

However, with beards in tow, and some practice at being the Glitter Band, they could be good.

http://www.iliketrains.co.uk

NERINA PALLOT
The Graduate
Echo



Hey everybody! It's Nerina Pallot. You must remember her. You know. The kooky singer / songwriter with the video. You know, the one that was a bit Tori Amos, but without the suffocating worthiness. Yes, you're right. That doesn't really narrow it down much.

Anyway, she's back, and has discovered the power of a good tune and a fancy dress shop. Two things you really can't go wrong with. Apparently, she was far too chirpy to write songs after her last album, so her record company packed her off to write with hacks for hire, Linda Perry, Rob Davis and Rick Knowles, squillion selling songwriters to a man (and woman). If you want to know how that went, none of the songs appear here, and she's put the album out herself.

But stranger than all that put together is the fact that this album is absolutely fantastic. I can only think of one thing that would have improved this record, but the lack of an oompah band on 'Real Late Starter' isn't that much of a passion killer. There are a couple of tracks I'm happy to skip over (hello, 'Human'), but as long as there is a perky, poptastic tune like 'I Don't Want To Go Out' round the corner, then I'm as happy as a pig in poo.

In a fair and just world, 'When Did I Become Such A Bitch' would be number one for a couple of months minimum, but no, you're all busy buying that bloody awful Black Eyed Peas record. The one where the transvestite hoor and her three pimps gatecrash their grandkids party. Well, stop. Buy this instead.

Buy @ Amazon

ALAN DAVEY
Eclectic Devils
Earthquake



Alan Davey was the on/off bass player with the Mighty Hawkwind for several hundred years before finally falling foul of Baron Brock. He really, really wanted to be Lemmy, going so far as gigging with his own Motorhead tribute band (who were rather good when I saw them in a Lanarkshire country park). But now that he's all on his lonesome (again), it seems that he really, really wants to be back in Hawkwind. But in 1976.

Which is marvellous news for me as the fantastic riff to 'Angel Down' kicks in, joined thereafter by the swirling violin of Hawkwind fiddler Simon House. He never was much of a singer, was Mr Davey, and it remains a weak point on what is, generally, an excellent spacerock album.

However, he is helped out vocally on a couple of tracks by Isobel Morris and there's a sprinkling of instrumentals, where you can just sit back and enjoy the ride for long periods of time. There are enough bleeps and swooshes on display to keep this old Hawkwinder very happy, and with the Mothership seemingly caught up in endless reissues, it's nice to hear some new music in the HW tradition.

It's not all good, but as long as there are tracks as good as 'Angel Down', 'Encounter' and 'Ya Know Ya Should', then I'll be back for more.

http://www.alandaveymusic.co.uk