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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 12, 2020 15:30:02 GMT 1
YUNGBLUD - Weird!
Release Date: December 4, 2020Back in November 2017 when I first discovered this guy I said "Coming from Doncaster, 19 year old YUNGBLUD (Dominic Harrison) sounds like a younger Arctic Monkeys fused with a healthy touch of hip hop/ska. ‘Tin Pan Boy’ is a song that bites back at property developers, ‘King Charles’ is a catcall targeting commercialism and ‘I Love You, Will You Marry Me’ is about growing up in Northern England. He only has 3 songs at the moment but watch this space, the kids got something special." His debut album released a year later failed to chart in the top 100 so I didn't expect two years later that he would have a #1 album! 1. teresa 8.5 2. cotton candy 8 3. strawberry lipstick 9.5 4. mars 7.5 5. superdeadfriends 7.5 6. love song 7 7. god save me, but don't drown me out 8 8. ice cream man 8 9. weird! 8.5 10. charity 8.5 11. acting like that (feat. Machine Gun Kelly) 8 12. it's quiet in beverly hills 7.5 13. the freak show 9SummaryBrilliant eclectic album that spans so many genres so Weird! is an apt title for this album one minute Yungblud is channelling his inner emo, the next he sounds like he’s been mainlining Beastie Boys, there are still rockier moments that have the swagger of Arctic Monkeys or the pop sensibility of the 1975s or the pop punk of Blink 182 on his collaboration with Machine Gun Kelly but for me this is only a positive and just shows his versatility, whilst I enjoyed the singles from his debut album more as a whole album this is brilliant 8.11/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 26, 2020 13:11:37 GMT 1
AWOLNATION - Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders
Release Date: April 24,2020Angel Miners & the Lightning Riders is the fourth studio album by American rock band Awolnation. On November 4, 2019, Awolnation released the first single from the album, "The Best", along with a music video for it. On November 29, they released the second single, called "California Halo Blue", a tribute song to the wildfires in southern California, plus a cover of "Drive", originally by the Cars. On February 4, 2020, the album was officially announced, with a release date of April 24, 2020. The third single "Mayday!!! Fiesta Fever", featuring Alex Ebert of the band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, was released on the same day 1. The Best 9.5 2. Slam (Angel Miners) 7 3. Mayday!!! Fiesta Fever 8.5 4. Lightning Riders 7.5 5. California Halo Blue 7.5 6. Radical 9 7. Battered, Black & Blue (Hole In My Heart) 8 8. Pacific Coast Highway In The Movies (feat. Rivers Cuomo of Weezer) 10 9. Half Italian 6.5 10. I'm A Wreck 7.5
Summaryin terms of instrumentals, AWOLNATION is one of the most unique bands around, they write diverse and catchy tunes, the addition of guitarist Zach Irons from IRONTOM has raised them to another level, the collaboration with Weezer is probably the highlight of the album former but electro synth pop opening track The Best runs it close 8.10/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 26, 2020 21:34:28 GMT 1
ASYLUMS - Genetic Cabaret
Release Date: July 17, 2020Southend, U.K.-based rock group Asylums combine fuzzy rock riffs with pop structures, while pointing a sarcastic finger at social trends. The project began when longtime friends Luke Branch (vocals/guitar) and Jazz Miel (guitar) launched a D.I.Y. label, Cool Thing. They quickly realized that, without a solid reputation or any funding, they would struggle to sign anyone. So they set up their own band, inviting Mike Webster (bass) and Henry Tyler (drums) along for the ride. As a four-piece, Asylums' sound borrowed from the likes of Ash, Weezer, Supergrass, and Pavement. Their D.I.Y. ethos permeated everything they pursued, with all of the members funding their ventures as a band and as a label, holding down eight part-time jobs between them to raise the money. From 2014 to 2016 they released six singles, including their debut, "The Death of Television," their breakout single "Joy in a Small Wage," and "Necessary Appliances," the lead single from their debut album. With every release their popularity grew, securing radio play on BBC Radio 1 and XFM. Amid their busy live schedule, they found time to piece together their debut full-length, Killer Brain Waves. The album maintained a sense of cynicism toward society, but did so with their typical tongue-in-cheek attitude. Killer Brain Waves was self-released in 2016. Although the cynicism remained constant, their sound began to mature by the time they recorded their second record, 2018's Alien Human Emotions, incorporating some slower numbers and leaning into art-rock. This trend continued on their third release, 2020's Genetic Cabaret, which promoted ideas of togetherness and hope alongside social commentary. 1. Catalogue Kids 9.52. Platitudes 9.53. A Perfect Life In A Perfect World 94. A Town Full Of Boarded Up Windows 7.55. Clean Money 76. Who Writes Tomorrows Headlines? 7.57. The Distance Between Left And Right 78. The Miracle Age 6.59. Adrenaline Culture 810. Yuppie Germs 6.511. Genetic Cabaret 7.512. Dull Days 7SummaryLike their previous albums Genetic Cabaret was released on the band’s own independent label, Cool Thing Records and it starts off with 3 brilliant singles that the rest of the album can't match, there is a deep message hear though and a political throughout the album and I'm liking Adrenaline Culture, a solid third album but you cant beat the first 3 tracks where they capture the adrenaline-fuelled sound of their debut Killer Brain Waves 7.70/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 29, 2020 14:08:29 GMT 1
DECLAN MCKENNA – Zeros
Release Date: September 4, 2020The 22 year old British singer, songwriter released his debut studio album, What Do You Think About the Car? in July 2017. The album peaked at number eleven on the UK Albums Chart and included the singles "Brazil", "Paracetamol", "Bethlehem", "Isombard", "The Kids Don't Wanna Come Home" and "Humongous". Which brings us to his second studio album, Zeros, the album was released to commercial success and universal acclaim from critics, who praised its songwriting, production, and contemporary take on the rock music style of the 1960s and 1970s peaking at #2 in the UK chart. I have charted all 4 singles from Zero and really enjoyed The Key to Life on Earth and Be an Astronaut without ever delving too deep into his back catalogue so this one should be a good 1. You Better Believe!!! 8.5 2. Be an Astronaut 9 3. The Key to Life on Earth 9 4. Beautiful Faces 7.5 5. Daniel, You're Still a Child 7.5 6. Emily 7 7. Twice Your Size 8.5 8. Rapture 8 9. Sagittarius A* 7.5 10. Eventually, Darling 9SummaryZero is both retro and futuristic, an ambitious attempt at a sprawling concept album, undeniably more mature than his debut album. The album kicks off with some hard hitting songs full of energy, but of a plateau in the middle but the last few tracks are brilliant especially Eventually, Darling and Twice Your Size. Amazing that this guy is only 22, great album, looking forward to hearing more from him 8.15/10
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Post by S1m on Dec 29, 2020 18:27:07 GMT 1
Great review Daz. I saw him by accident years ago supporting Lisbon of all people, in Hull! Was a real buzz about him and he hasn't disappointed since.
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Dec 30, 2020 14:26:31 GMT 1
Cheers Sim, I'm enjoying giving full albums a listen that I might not ordinarily get around too, im always open to suggestions that I might like but missed
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 14, 2021 14:24:27 GMT 1
LESS THAN JAKE – Silver Linings
Release Date: December 11, 2020Less Than Jake are an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida, formed in 1992, they were pretty big in the late 90's/early 00's with some minor hits "History of a Boring Town", "All My Best Friends are Metalheads" and "The Science of Selling Yourself Short", they haven't released much since he mid 00's but 2020 saw them come back with their first album for 7 years 1. The High Cost of Low Living 8.5 2. Lie to Me 9.5 3. Keep on Chasing 7.5 4. Anytime and Anywhere 9 5. The Test 7.5 6. Dear Me 7 7. Monkey Wrench Myself 7.5 8. King of the Downside 7 9. Lost at Home 7.5 10. Move 7.5 11. Bill 8 12. So Much Less 8
SummaryThe main thing I have noticed is the new record is that it benefits from some great production, their older albums all sounded a bit DIY, I don't think they intended them to be low-fi, there is so much to their sound with their brass section it couldn't be a deliberate aesthetic choice, here all the songs are slick and polished, everything shines, a perfect example of this is single Lie to Me, which is almost perfection, this is yet another thoroughly enjoyable LTJ album, there is just something joyful about ska punk 7.87/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 15, 2021 17:08:14 GMT 1
REWS - Warriors
Release Date: August 7, 2020REWS is the fierce, high energy, alternative pop / rock band lead by Northern Irish songwriter Shauna Tohill. Following the release of 4 hot singles including 'Birdsong', 'Monsters', 'Heart Is On Fire' & 'Today We're Warriors', REWS have released highly anticipated sophomore album 'Warriors'. They first came to my attention when "Rip Up My Heart" from their debut album peaked at #11 in my chart 1. Birdsong 8.5 2. Razorblade 8.5 3. Heart Is On Fire 9.5 4. Monsters 8 5. Today We're Warriors 7.5 6. Move On 8 7. Play Dead 7 8. Love Hate Song 7.5 9. Bad Girl 7.5 10. Itch 6.5 11. Bad Habits 8
SummaryThe departure of drummer/vocalist Collette Williams made this pop-rock duo into more of a solo project for Shauna Tohill but if anything REWS have gone to another level, most of their songs are built around massive hooks and catchy choruses, surprisingly heavy in places, like on Razorblade we have a stomping beat that chugs along alongside some nice guitar work, heavy but melodic, that could probably sum REWS up quite nicely. “Heart is on fire” is a prime example of what my new album’s message is about… empowerment, overcoming life’s battles and being true to yourself 7.86/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 20, 2021 14:06:29 GMT 1
BAD NERVES - Bad Nerves
Release Date: November 20, 2020Bad Nerves released self-titled debut album in November last year, via Killing Moon Records. These guys from Essex are a 5 piece garage rock band and are an irresistible (molotov) cocktail of The Ramones, The Clash, Libertines and The Strokes played at 78 rpm 1. Can't Be Mine 8.5 2. Mad Mind 6.5 3. Baby Drummer 8.5 4. Palace 9 5. Radio Punk 8 6. Bored of Babies 7 7. Electric 88 9 8. Wasted Days 7.5 9. New Shapes 8.5 10. Last Beat 7 11. Terminal Boy 8.5 12. Dreaming 7SummaryWhat we have here with Bad Nerves debut album are a dozen gloriously messy punk rock songs, nothing too flashy, they aren't re-inventing the wheel, its a tried and trusted formula, an album full of energetic earworms, if you haven't heard these guys yet and they sound like something you might like then check out "Can't Be Mine", "Baby Drummer, "Palace" and "Electric 88" 7.91/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 20, 2021 14:31:21 GMT 1
HAPPY. - Imposter Syndrome
Release Date: October 30, 2020Emo pop-rock band, Happy. have recently put out their second album, Impostor Syndrome under Rude Records. Produced by Marc McClusky (Weezer, Motion City Soundtrack), the album is a narrative on the band’s personal experience with the effects of Imposter Syndrome. They explain, “From the lows of depression, anxiety, and addiction, to the highs of traveling, making friends and living the dream, this record is our everlasting chase for ‘success.” 1. Sick is the New Sane 9 2. A Cure for Wellness 8 3. Hooky 7 4. Liarliar 9 5. Dull Boy 7 6. Background Noise 8 7. After School Special 7.5 8. April is for Fools 7.5 9. June Gloom 7 10. Black Picket Fence 7.5
SummaryHappy. do fast-paced and melodic emo pop similar to mid 00's bands like Something Corporate, the similarities are there especially vocally, in contrast to their summery upbeat melodies they do have slightly darker lyrical content which makes for a nice contrast, singles "Sick is the New Sane" and "Liarliar " made my top 400 songs of 2020 so if you like emo pop punk check them out 7.75/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 20, 2021 14:34:27 GMT 1
phew, finally down to my final 5 albums to do, the finish line is in sight, then I can start my 2021 albums but thus far there is only 1 been released so plenty of time to get these last 5 done first
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Jan 30, 2021 14:45:38 GMT 1
THE HUNNA - I'd Rather Die Than Let You InRelease Date: October 2, 2020The Hunna are an English rock band from Hertfordshire, they have released 2 brilliant indie pop albums "100" in 2016 and "Dare" in 2018, they are fast becoming one of my favourite bands, 2020 saw the release of their third album "I'd Rather Die Than Let You In" 1. One Hell Of A Gory Story... 6.5 2. I Wanna Know 8 3. Young & Faded 7.5 4. Dark Times 7.5 5. One Second Left 6.5 6. Lost 5.5 7. One Day You'll Thank Me 7 8. If This Is Love 69. Anything Is Better Than Nothing 610. Cover You 811. Horror 712. I'd Rather Die Than Let You In 8SummaryOn "I'd Rather Die Than Let You In" The Hunna transition from and Indie Pop band to over produced plastic rock wannabees, pretty much everything that made the band interesting has gone, its all a little unimaginative and feels dated, there are some good songs here "I Wanna Know", "Cover You" featuring Travis Baker and "I'd Rather Die Than Let You In" are all decent songs but you just feel they could've been a whole lot better. The sickly autotune doesn’t help, despite a few notable exceptions for the most part this is just bland and flavourless gruel 6.95/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 5, 2021 14:21:43 GMT 1
NINJA SEX PARTY - The Prophecy
Release Date: October 16, 2020The Prophecy is the bands 8th release which includes 3 cover albums and 5 originals, the growth from the fist few albums is amazing, when they started out keyboard player Bryan Wecht was a theoretical physicist at Oxford University and Dan was in America studying storytelling and improv and they just used to work on material whenever Brian was back in America. It was just them two making YouTube videos but since then they have had 5 #1 albums in the comedy chart, teamed up with Canadian band TWRP to be their backing band and went on a world tour which me and Hupin went to see live a few month before lockdown and they were so much fun, very engaging 1. Intro (The) N/A 2. The Mystic Crystal 9.5 3. It's Bedtime 8 4. The Wishing Bear N/A 5. I Don't Know What We're Talking About (And I Haven't for a While) 10 6. Welcome to My Parents' House 8 7. Wondering Tonight 7.5 8. Ninja Brian's Kids' Album N/A 9. The Decision Part 2: Ten Years Later 7.5 10. Do Math with U 7 11. Thunder & Lightning 8.5 12. Outro (Prophecy) N/A
SummaryThis is the 5th album released by Ninja Sex Party and is a nice departure from their comedy rock, opening track "The Mystic Crystal" is a 12 minute Rush inspired epic prog rock song about an epic fantasy adventure where the band travel through 26 different dimensions to vanquish the necromancer and save the princess. Next up is a song in the shape of a bedtime story that is enough to give anyone nightmares with face melting guitar solos but the highlight has to be piano ballad I Don't Know What We're Talking About losing track of a conversation on a first date and drifting off into a daydream about a pterodactyl named Lamar, it also has a not so subtle nod to Queen in the bridge, frontman Dan Avidan also has a gaming youtube channel called Game Grumps which is well worth checking out too, on Welcome to My Parents' House they break out the funk and Wondering Tonight is a parody of the ever-enduring break-up catharsis ballad, they cover so many genres here 8.25/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 5, 2021 16:33:12 GMT 1
TWRP - Over The Top
Release Date: September 25, 2020TWRP (formerly an acronym for Tupper Ware Remix Party) is an intergalactic synth pop electro-funk band from Toronto, Canada. Each member was hand selected by Doctor Sung from the far reaches of the multiverse. They crash landed on earth in 2007, ruining their ship’s hyper dive and effectively stranding themselves in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Created by frontman, vocalist, and keytar wielder Doctor Sung, who was born around the time of the Big Bang. The 69th-degree black belt recruited the group's second member, robot drummer Havve Hogan, sometime during the Mesozoic Era. The pair would not fully flesh out the band until much later, when the lion-headed, intergalactic, funk-smuggling humanoid Commander Meouch joined as TWRP's bassist and the fourth and final member, rocketeering Lord Phobos, filled the guitarist slot. Together, the four spandex-clad time-and-space travelers made their debut in 2011 with the "Lazerhorse" single, a combination of melodic chiptune and '80s hair metal. The following year, TWRP unveiled their first funky EP, The Device, which saw the quartet develop their sound in the direction of a Discovery-era Daft Punk 1. Comin' Atcha 8 2. Roll With It 8 3. Somewhere Out There 7.5 4. Need Each Other 8 5. On This Rock 7 6. Black Swan 9.5 7. Only The Best 8.5 8. Top Secret 8 9. Destination 9 10. Grand Prix 8
SummaryOne thing you always get with a TWRP album is fun and a positive message, with "Only The Best" having a very specific message in mind, love and respect your mothers, a few other songs focus on how we're all adjusting to the new state of the world that we find ourselves in, but there's always a positive message here. My two favourite tracks on the album are 'Black Swan' about a former bounty hunter who's glory days are long behind him, coming up against an 'assassin on the run', their collaborations with Dan Avidan always stand out because TWRP don't really have a front man, they have some instrumentals too with "Top Secret" and closing track "Grand Prix", another guarantee for a TWRP album is they will turn the funk upto 11! my other highlight here is Destination, another collaboration, this time with The Gambler who I'm not familiar with, overall a great fun, funky record, maybe a bit niche but musically this is great 8.15/10
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 5, 2021 16:45:42 GMT 1
and that's me done and dusted for 2020, thanks to everyone who liked, read or commented on these over the year
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