rescuing musical virtue in distress.
All this time the powers-that-be have told us that, when it came to rock music, you could either be in the classic camp or the alternative camp, the two were separate entities and never the twain shall meet, and all that. Well, Chainflower obviously never got that memo. How do I know? I just listened... Continue Reading →
When the Zombies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Rod Argent, Hugh Grundy and Colin Blunstone, stood Chris White, and rightly so. As co-producer and co-writer of Odyssey and Oracle his place in the annals of music history are of course assured, further work with Argent and his songwriting finding... Continue Reading →
It’s very easy to get this type of music wrong. This blend of classic rock drive and synth wave futurism, historical narratives and gothic drama has been done often but rarely well. For every 69 Eyes or Sabaton there are a dozen bands whose inspiration comes from Buffy The Vampire Slayer rather than Polidori’s Vampyre,... Continue Reading →
Whenever I see the term “classic rock” alarm bells ring inside of me and the reviewing pen gets all jittery. Of course some great music was made under that moniker, they wouldn’t call it classic otherwise would they? But a lot of what gets labelled such in the modern age is quite derivative, happy to... Continue Reading →
The classic rock sound and the gothic world have always made for comfortable bed fellows. Denizens of the former scene have more than a passing interest in the shadowed themes and dark romances that form the latter's hallowed ground. When you look back at the history of the gothic musical thread you find that most... Continue Reading →
Rock music might have made its name through being raw, unkempt, full of swagger and aggression but it can also be slick, built on eloquent musical lines and delivered with the sort of smooth, effortless cool that some bands could only dream of emulating. And this is the musical line that Hannan walk, a balancing... Continue Reading →
Rock music has always been a place where sub-genres have counted for a lot, in fact, far too much. More than any other area of music this fascination with labels and pigeon-holes has been an integral part of the landscape. It is the reason that such tribalism still survives, in such quarters, why classic rockers... Continue Reading →
If their new album Slammed promises “an eclectic bonanza of acoustic rock, blues, hard rock and metal tracks” then Misty Mound certainly lies towards the latter genres on that list. Well, definitely more hard rock than heavy metal and revealing in a classic sound, that perfect mix of rock and groove, funky beats and raw... Continue Reading →
Making music is often a case of taking the references and influences from the past and moulding them into a new music sonic experience for a whole new generation. The comfortable sound of what has gone before and the newness of the present blended together to head towards a new and exciting future. And that... Continue Reading →
Okay, I’m confused! So it’s an out and out classic rock sound but the subject and video sit at the extreme opposite end of the spectrum. Hang on, better read the brief properly. Right, it all makes sense now. The Jolly Pops are a band who specialise in children entertainment and I Want A Puppy... Continue Reading →
Glossing over the fact that the cover art that accompanied the single is of a man in his underwear with the word Wood emblazoned next to him at crotch level…perhaps I’m reading something a bit too childish into all of this…Shelter is a wonderfully dynamic slice of rock. A slow burning and moody piece that... Continue Reading →
As much as it is good to talk about how music moves on, evolves, finds new pastures to wander, there are times when you just want something familiar. After all, exploring exciting new fusion cuisine can be a lot of fun but sometimes you just can’t beat mom’s pot roast with all the trimmings. Honest,... Continue Reading →
Making music is often a case of taking the references and influences from the past and moulding them into a new music sonic experience for a whole new generation. The familiarity of the old and the freshness of the present blended together to head towards a new and exciting future. And that is exactly what... Continue Reading →
Previous Song of Love music I have written about has, and the band admit this to be the case, suffered from poor production to the point that whilst you could see what they were trying to do, it was difficult to really appreciate the music fully. Well, what a difference a month or so makes... Continue Reading →
Having teased us with a couple of releases from this ep, Ravenscroft now unleash the full package, and as expected it just bristles with their trademark classic rock infused sound. Over six songs it is the perfect mission statement for a band that knows its place in music history, know where they are coming from... Continue Reading →
Ravenscroft continue with their mission to keep rock music, especially that infused by its classic halcyon past, relevant to modern audiences. Not always an easy thing to do with the fickle finger of fashion constantly causing scenes to evolve and move on at an alarming rate, when the short attention span of the modern age... Continue Reading →
Trying to be cutting edge musically is a fine thing to aim for but neither is there anything wrong with sticking to comfort zones, both are necessary elements to the music scene as a whole. The reality though is that whilst the former are off conducting brave genre splicing experiments to varying degrees of success,... Continue Reading →
Whilst the opening spoken word introduction which leads us into Scandic Tribe’s debut album keeps you guessing where this is all leading, it is a question which is quickly resolved as Dusty Sunrise kicks in with its classic rock hallmarks. But if you think that it is a genre which has had its day, Light... Continue Reading →
Rock music has a tough time in the modern age. Gone are the days when it was enough to kick out a heavy blues, three chord jam, the modern audience wants more musical bang for its buck. So whilst some bands head off in search of new alt-rock horizons and others lighten the load and... Continue Reading →
I guess it is only fair that after a couple of reviews of songs and videos who have been, let’s say, less than supportive of the controversial US Commander-in-Chief, I should include one from an artist who is totally in his corner. And why not, this is a music review site, all political conclusions, debates... Continue Reading →
As opening salvo Satisfy starts chugging from the speakers, a vocal onslaught leaves you in no doubt as to exactly what Buried in Smoke’s mission is, they pretty much lay it out before you even place one foot in their musical world. The removal of what they see as inferior music from the airwaves and media... Continue Reading →
If the band, album name and artwork seem to suggest something aimed at the black clad, wannabe pagans who still have visions of relocating to Sunnydale and hanging around with Buffy and the gang, I am most happy to report that Occultation rises far above such first impressions. Give the music a spin and you... Continue Reading →
Making music is often a case of taking the references and influences from the past and moulding them into a new music sonic experience for a whole new generation. The familiarity of the old and the freshness of the present blended together to head towards a new and exciting future. And that certainly sums up... Continue Reading →
Fennr Lane has always been about getting the point musically speaking, simple classic rock lines built around a slow and relentless drive rather than any quick pay off or gimmickry. Here they distil that rock and roll essence down ever further but balance it with a deeper push into the dramatic Wagnerian territory that comes... Continue Reading →
When the What’s Her Name? single landed before my reviewing pen a few months ago it seemed to have arrived at the perfect time. It gave me the perfect opportunity to rally against the conformity and unadventurous nature of the rock scene at the moment and hold up Smoking Martha as being exactly what was... Continue Reading →
Illacrimo are the perfect band for the post-genre world, wandering effortlessly as they do between musical styles. Whilst they have one foot firmly planted in a slick alternative rock vibe it is what they gather around that which sets them apart from their peers. Pop awareness, classical deftness, and electronic exploration all make this a... Continue Reading →
Good music paints pictures with sound. Great music conjures scenes from imaginary stories. Then there is music such as is found in this collection of songs that seems to spring to life like a soundtrack to a movie yet to be made. For although the songs themselves may not have been necessarily written to sit... Continue Reading →
Classic rock, hard rock, rock…call it what you will but we can all agree that we are in familiar territory here. Not that it is a problem, not everything is about kicking down the barriers and exploring new pastures, some of it is about diving for pearls in familiar waters. And that is just what Anonymous... Continue Reading →
In some ways Fennr Lane has restored my faith in rock music. Having been bombarded with metal so extreme that it sounds like the sounds like the heavy industry sector of the seventh circle of hell and would-be rock more concerned with having the right skinny jeans and complicated hair, I guess I was ripe... Continue Reading →
THE SOURCE is an exciting new chapter in the Ayreon saga, with contributions from renowned vocalists like James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Simone Simons (Epica), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian), Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), and Russell Allen (Symphony X). The Source will be released on April 28 through Ayreon’s new label Mascot Label Group/Music... Continue Reading →