The Killers release trailer for new album Battle Born
The Killers have released a trailer for their eagerly awaited Fourth album Battle Born. It is due out in the Autumn/Fall. Watch the trailer below:
Green Day announce trailer and track-listing for iUno!
This is the trailer for Green Day’s upcoming album iUno!. The album is the first in a planned trilogy which is to be released on 24th September, 13th November, and 15th January for the UK and the following day, for each, for the USA. The confirmed track-listing for iUno! is as follows:
1 Nuclear Family
2 Stay The Night
3 Carpe Diem
4 Let Yourself Go
5 Kill The DJ
6 Fell For You
7 Loss Of Control
8 Troublemaker
9 Angel Blue
10 Sweet 16
11 Rusty James
12 Oh Love
Album Review (The Maccabees – Given To The Wild)
Way back in 2009 The Maccabees released their 2nd album ‘Wall Of Arms’ and it was a marked improvement on their debut but there was always a nagging sense that they were meant for bigger and better things.
Third album ‘Given To The Wild’ starts with an intro that dreamily drifts with synths and swaying guitars, Orlando’s vocals are glossy and shimmering as he croons “Given to the wild”. The tempo then shifts as ‘Child’ begins, jangly guitars, intricate lines and slow drums make this track poignant. Brass sections add an upbeat side to the song. Orlando’s lyrics are understated and beautiful, “Never as a child would you give this time of day you would take it from the shadows and you give it another name”.
Next track and new single is ‘Feel To Follow’ which starts with Orlando’s vocal and Sam’s heavy drums. The track is very calm until 2 minutes in where it explodes into wailing synths and smart guitars. ‘Ayla’ is a very big departure from the usual Maccabees style with pianos and horns. It also showcases some of the best lyrics on the album, “It’s a weight off my mind I could trust you
You could tell me it’s fine”
‘Glimmer’ is not a song that you’d expect to find near the start of an album as it is not an instant pop song. It’s quite dreamy and melodic. Orlando’s lyrics mix nicely with the guitars and soft drums. Backing synths make the track even more atmospheric. Stand-out track ‘Forever I’ve Known’ starts with a bass drum pounding moving to a soaring guitar and low bass combo. The chorus is the most dazzling part of this song which elevates The Maccabees to new beautiful heights.
‘Forever I’ve Known’ blends splendidly into next track ‘Heave’ which is melancholic, sombre and very slow. It marks the midpoint of the album and showcases the weirder side of this album shown in the second half of the album. First single ‘Pelican’ moves quickly and is an instant classic. It’s stabbing guitars and piercing bass line give way to great vocals and superb harmonies. ‘Went Away’ is stranger than the other tracks on the album as it has simple synth lines and pounding drums.
‘Go’ follows in the same vein as ‘Went Away’ but it showcases more drum samples and bigger bass lines. ‘Unknow’ is a big stadium epic that starts with an odd bass line and culminates in big guitars. ‘Slowly One’ is slow and soft and rather beautiful. Final track ‘Grew Up At Midnight’ is soft and beautiful but it gives way to a heavy bass and big guitars with a mass sing along at the end.
‘Given To The Wild’ is everything The Maccabees should be: big, slightly odd in places and utterly beautiful. The Maccabees have become much more than just indie poster boys, they’re the finest band this nation has to offer.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Album review (The Horrors – Skying)
Back in 2009 The Horrors took it upon themselves to release quite possibly the best album of the decade ‘Primary Colours’. Now they’re back with the herculean task of at least matching the quality of the previous album.
First track off ‘Skying’ is ‘Changing The Rain’ which starts with what can only be described as clunks for around 10 seconds but this then bursts into pedalled guitars which sound nothing like guitars. Faris then wails out in his trademark fashion. This track is fairly similar to ‘Primary Colours’. ‘You Said’ is more of a baggy number with synths, loose drums and pulsing bass drones. This marks a step forward in sound and is quite a poppy song. ‘I Can See Through You’ is also a poppy and bass heavy song starting with synth chords before Joshua Hayward’s pedal effects guitar flies in. Faris sings “some people see you, to me you’re just see through, no one remembers your name no one tries”. His lyrics still hitting the mark then. read more
Ones to watch: City Reign
City Reign are a rock group from Manchester in England. They have just released their new single ‘Daybreak’ (video below).
Their single ‘Daybreak’ is a catchy rock number that features thumping drums and intricate guitar riffs. ‘The Line’ runs along the same road as ‘Daybreak’ actually.
Finally ‘Out In The Cold’ is a more grown up affair but still just as catchy as ‘Daybreak’. The future is certainly bright for guitar music with ‘City Reign’ around.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOYF2XxQxA
You can find out more about City Reign via their official website, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.
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