SIA - 'This Is Acting' review

SIA - 'This Is Acting' review

SIA is awesome. Like I said when I reviewed her last album '1000 Forms of Fear', she's one of the few writers / artists whose stuff appears in charts that I will actually listen to albums of. If you can get past the acrobatic-ness of her voice and the RIHANNA-esque vocal stylings (she writes for her and pretty much created that style for her), then you'll find her stuff has leanings to ROBYN, THE KNIFE and TEGAN AND SARA, which ain't a bad thing at all in my ears. Amongst these twelve tracks, we have the piano-driven ballads like 'One Million Bullets'; full on dance tunes like 'Sweet Design' and the awesome, addictively genius 'Move Your Body; purely perfect pop songs rendered in her unique style like 'House on Fire' and the awesome power number 'Unstoppable'; and of course the huge belter, in this album's case 'Alive', which features one of the biggest and most euphoric choruses I've ever heard (at least equalling that of 'Chandelier') and of which her vocal take during the musically minimal bridge is just astounding. SIA's songs have an awesome, unique sense of melody and thought-provoking lyrics that will lift, crush, comfort, puzzle, encourage, and blow you away, all in the space of a few tracks, and this album is a perfect example of that. Check out the unbelievable 'Alive' (goosebumps at the ready), the irresistible 'Move Your Body', and I especially love the haunting and beautiful 'Broken Glass', which features not only one, but two upward key changes in the final chorus (now she's just showing off). Consistently brilliant throughout, consider this if you like pop with depth. Awesome.

https://www.facebook.com/SiaMusic/

xox

MILLENCOLIN - 'True Brew' review

MILLENCOLIN - 'True Brew' review

So yeah, MILLENCOLIN are another of my fave 'growing-up' bands that have come back with another album recently, and those that, like myself, have missed the sound of their stellar, earlier, faster efforts, will be pleased to know that this is great stuff, and a welcome return to form. There's a perpetual urgency and energy throughout 'True Brew's 13 songs (that come in at just under 35 mins) of melodic punk / skate-punk that's been largely missing since the masterpiece that was 'Pennybridge Pioneers', and it consequently sounds surprisingly fresh, as though they've dug up a fresh dose of passion: something that is always impressive for a band on their eighth full length (ninth including 'The Melancholy Collection'), having been going for 24 years now with the same lineup. It's another lyrically interesting one too, touching on racism, relationship dynamics, and discovering what's important in life, and is vocally brilliant in both tone and melody, with some of the best verses and choruses that I've heard from Nikola for a while. I think most impressive for me on here is the consistency; albums like 'Machine 15' and 'Kingwood' had their moments, but were a little hit or miss, whereas this is fantastic from start to finish, from the super-catchy 'Chameleon' and 'Bring Me Home', through angrier tunes like 'Sense and Sensibility', and to vulnerable and emotion-driven songs like 'Wall of Doubt' and the brilliant 'Something I Would Die For'. Super pleased with these guys for this release that bears the maturity of later albums and injects the fun, energy, and passion of 'Life on a Plate', 'For Monkeys' and 'Pennybridge...'; and for those that that means nothing to, get this if you're into FACE TO FACE, NO FUN AT ALL, SATANIC SURFERS, or THE OFFSPRING.

https://www.facebook.com/Millencolin/

xox

FACE TO FACE - 'Protection' review

FACE TO FACE - 'Protection' review

When I got into melodic punk-rock as a teen, FACE TO FACE were one of the first bands that I properly got into, and, despite not loving stuff since the album 'How to Ruin Everything', they've remained one of my favourites. Subsequent to that album, they've released one that I didn't like at all, one that was a little better, and have arrived at this, which, thankfully, is probably the best thing they've done in about ten / fifteen years. For those that aren't familiar with FACE TO FACE, they play melodic punk rock that sits well alongside bands like BAD RELIGION, DESCENDENTS, and THE OFFSPRING's faster stuff, but still has it's own sound, especially in Trever's distinct vocal delivery and arrangements. If ever there was an album to show how crucial Scott is to this band too, then this is it; his basslines on here are absolutely sublime (and are given a lot of moments to shine in the more guitar-bare sections), and Danny's drumming is on point too, especially when they play at speed (they have this particular, awesome speed that they only use once or twice per album, and on here it's on 'I Won't Say I'm Sorry'). As usual, lyrically this is more personal than political, and there are some pretty memorable choruses on here. Even if this isn't quite what they used to be capable of, there are some good songs on here, stylistically falling somewhere between the classics of their self-titled album and 'Reactionary', and their album prior to this, 'Three Chords and a Half Truth', and it's definitely worth checking out if you like that 90s melodic punk sound. A decent effort; I'd recommend the songs 'Double Crossed', 'Say What You Want', and 'Fourteen Fifty-Nine' for something a bit different, but I'd also like to stress how great their previous albums 'Don't Turn Away', their self-titled one, 'Ignorance is Bliss' and 'Reactionary' are, so they're worth checking out too.

https://www.facebook.com/facetoface/

xox

CATHERINE ELMS - 'So Far From Whole' CD review

CATHERINE ELMS - 'So Far From Whole' CD review

You may know Catherine from one of a number of places; for her involvement in zines (and her blog SPILL THE ZINES), her work for the Swansea Feminist Network, or even for this, her solo musical project. I know, busy lady, right? Anyway, this four track EP is her latest (and I believe third?) release, and is a bit of a cracker. There'll be obvious comparisons to make to TORI AMOS, KATE BUSH and PJ HARVEY, but Catherine, who contributes piano / keyboards, bass, and vocals to her tracks, with guitars and drums coming from a selection of family and friends, brings a fantastic rock / grunge vibe to the table, making for a really full, powerful, and dark yet emotional listening experience, with a strong feminist backbone, including lyrics about a woman's right to be on stage instead of in the crowd. Personally my two faves on here are the last two; 'Not Enough' for that brilliant, chant-like chorus, and the closing title track for the wonderful piano melody, but a great EP all round.

https://www.facebook.com/catherineelmsmusic/

http://catherineelms.co.uk/

xox