Artist: James Owen Fender
Single: The Cloud
Label: Plumpton Presents
Release: October 6th 2010
Reviewed By: Sam Holloway

James Owen Fender hasn’t had the best of luck with his musical career. After a brilliant start, early interest from Steve Lamacq and being picked up by Atlantic Records, he was lined up to record with esteemed producer Jerry Finn. Tragically, Finn died during the project, aged only 39. With further changes at the record company, Fender was left in limbo and out on his own.

Not to be beaten, he returned to his native Leeds and started a club night, ‘Plumpton Presents’, showcasing the best local talent. Those events spawned a record label and now we find Fender back where he started: self-producing and self-releasing his own material.

‘The Cloud’ is the second track to be taken from a limited-run Plumpton EP. Opening with a classic guitar sound that instantly recalls New Order or The Cure, we’re quickly treated to James’ characteristic voice. His native Leeds accent is not lost on record and it makes for a fascinating sound, with clipped vocals, unusual emphasis and rhythm stuttering. To these ears it’s a true indie motif, but it may not be to everyone’s liking (or comprehension!).

Coming in well under three minutes, ‘The Cloud’ is a confident slab of indie pop with a warm, organic sound. James Owen Fender is still languishing some way from the mainstream, but with those unmistakable vocal traits, you’ll know you’ve found him when you hear him.

(7/10)

Here more from James Owen Fender at Myspace

Tweet

< Back to Reviews

Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

GetToTheFront: Firstly how would you introduce and describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know who you are or what you do?

Mishal Moore: I would describe myself as a quirky, passionate and very honest artist. Everything else is just bells and whistles. I like to keep people guessing. Usually when I’m asked “What do you do?” I simply say songwriter. As soon as you say singer, the next question that follows is “Well, can you sing something for me?” Uh, yea, no. Happened once in a Starbucks (I didn’t sing), I kindly gave them my web info and invited them out to a show. People are funny.

GTTF: Your new single ‘It Ain’t Over’ is due out late September, is there a particular reason you’ve chose to release it as a single?

MM: It all happened so fast. I created the original on Garage Band, trying to figure the damn thing out. I had not a clue of what was going to come out of that whole “me trying to make a beat”. As I usually write on guitar or piano. I wasn’t quite sure about it, but played it for Kenny anyway. He literally jumped out his seat and said “You need to send this to me”. Days later he had remixed it. Before I knew it the Wideboys were in on it! lol. It was cool for me, I’ve always said I didn’t want to be boxed in and with remixes I can do that. Give people other versions of something they’d never get on my album. The original will be released, at some point but for now the remixes have a crossover appeal and that’s become the biggest thing in the music world; put out something that everyone can love and know that you, at least, exist and THEN learn more about the artist and THEIR style of music. I think a remix is the best way to do that, it worked with “Oh Lord” and I’m excited to see what happens with “It Ain’t Over”. One leg at a time

GTTF: Your previous single ‘Oh Lord’ was used by Vanity Fair to promote the Oscars in their Hollywood iPhone App; have you got any endorsements lined up for ‘It Ain’t Over’?

MM: As of right now, no, nothing I know about, at least. The Vanity Fair thing came about so fast, we literally found out in the morning and in a matter of hours the deal was sealed. That’s the way this business is, one minute, nothing, the next, I’m swirlin’ around like a tornado.

GTTF: On your Myspace you describe your music as “whatever I want it to sound like” yet your music has seen quite a few remixes, including one by Wideboys. How do you feel about somebody else taking the song you wrote and changing it completely?

MM: I love it! The remixes don’t define what MY original music and style is about. I LOVE when other artists are inspired by my originals that it prompts them to put their own spin on it. Music, art in general, is beautiful and I embrace it wholeheartedly. I write all my songs alone. It’s my life that goes into it. For me the words are the most important part. I believe, regardless of what twisting unique differences a remix adds, the honesty, in the words and where it originally came from will always shine through.

GTTF: It’s clear that you dislike your style of music being labelled by others but if you were forced to describe your work in 5 words, what would you say?

MM: Everything I’ve ever been through.

GTTF: You removed your first two albums from iTunes because you felt they were no longer truly representative of your sound. Are you confident that you will remain proud of your current material?

MM: I’m always proud of my work, but I move on from it to tackle the next. I plan on putting those albums back up at some point, for those who are interested in my musical growth. But yes, I remain proud.

GTTF: I think it’s fair to say your discovery was down to Youtube, do you have any tips for who you think the next internet singing sensation will be?

MM: I was not “discovered”. I was in the music business years before Youtube was even a website. I’ve worked and struggled very hard to get where I am today. Youtube was/is a tool I use to connect with people and share my work with the world. If you want it to last, you must put in the old fashioned get-your-hands-dirty work. True success DOES NOT come easy and I feel for the future generation(s) who see auditioning for a talent show, reality show, spamming producers with their music and videos, “the way”. The internet can not give you what life does, experience; I’d say to that “internet singing sensation”, go out and get some. If they are still standing after falling over and over again, they can thank Youtube for helping to open some doors but know that it was their undying ‘bleeding-hands’ drive that was/is TRULY responsible for their success.

GTTF: You post various quotes via your Facebook and Twitter, what’s the one which holds the most meaning to you?

MM: Create the world you want to live in.

GTTF: Finally, your gig calendar is currently looking quite bare with no upcoming concerts past August, do you have any further plans for touring?

MM: I see you’ve been looking at my Myspace. That’s only on the count that me, myself and I, man ALL my web pages. As my career schedule has become more consistent, it’s harder to stay on top of things, besides, does anyone actually go to Myspace anymore? lol. I do have dates in Sep. and other shows and tour(s) that I will reveal…when it’s time to reveal. I will at some point, have to hand down those bits and “website-ends” to someone I can pay. As for right now and for the past 8 years, I do the best I can, with what I have.

Listen to more fom Mishal Moore at Myspace

Artist: Just Surrender
Album: Phoenix
Label: Lab Records
Release: 2nd August 2010
Reviewed By: Amy McLellan

Pop-punkers Just Surrender release their new album,‘Phoenix’just before heading out on a UK tour supporting Framing Hanley. Whether they will be winning these crowds over is questionable as this latest release sadly fails to solidify a consistent sound.

Whilst they are some great tracks like ‘Burning Up’ which proves that some of the songs on ‘Phoenix’ can rise from the ashes, there are others like the cheesy ‘Crazy’ which blends squeaky vocals with super-fast jumps into power-choruses with an end result of sounding like any other pop-punk band. That said, it’s still catchy pop-rock and doesn’t claim to be anything else but it’s just nothing new.

Showing promise however is the track ‘Stronger Now’ which has a heavier sound and more hardcore roots. Throat vocals can also be heard in the distance and although harder rock is not always better for a lot of band’s sounds, it appears that for Just Surrender it most likely is. The 3:53 mosh-approved rock-out could not be more different to the album’s sickly sweet sway-a-long acoustic number, ‘Carried Away’.

If each song was taken away from the album and listened to separately this write-up would probably be more forgiving but sadly the album as a whole just doesn’t gel as well as it should. For every killer chord or catchy hook, there’s something letting it down. It’s definitely not time for Just Surrender to do what their name says just yet, and there’s no denying that for a debut album this release would be very promising but for a third outing it’s all a little disappointing.

(6/10)

Here more from Just Surrender at Myspace

Tweet

< Back to Reviews

Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Artist: Monsters In The Attic
EP: Tales Of The Worm
Label: Onslaught Music
Release: September 13th 2010
Reviewed By: Amy McLellan

Taking a break from their normal heavy rock material, Monsters In The Attic release an acoustic EP compiled of 3 reworked favourites and one brand new track.

The EP opens up with ‘Church Sundae’ which shows the bands ability to blend the raw live sound with polished production. The song maintains the contagious melody of the original ‘I’ll Be Damned’ (which the song is an alteration of) yet removes any traces of rock. The other ‘old’ tracks which have been given the acoustic treatment are ‘Zombie Girl’ and ‘Jules’. Despite the bizarre lyrics of the former track, the cool and calm acoustic-harmonica combination causes you to sing along almost unaware of the humorous content. Possibly the most altered song is ‘Jules’; once a loud and aggressive shout-along, now a quiet tune with vulnerable vocals.

The highlight of the EP is most likely the new track, ‘Get To The Border’ which incorporates a cello to aid a haunting atmosphere with chilling lyrics to accompany. This song benefits from the way it was written to be played acoustically whereas the others have been forced into the new sound. Overall the EP is a well-rounded listen with a wide appeal; even though some of their hard rock-loving fans may turn up their noses, this record should win fans not lose them.

(8/10)

Here more from Monsters In The Attic at Myspace

Tweet

< Back to Reviews

Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

What: Faces Reunion Gig
Where: O2 Bubble @ The British Music Experience
When: 11th August
Reviewed by: Roger Goodgroves

It’s been over 35 years since the last original Faces record and as reunions go it’s been long overdue. When the faces came together in their second incarnation they were a bit of a super-group with members Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood being drawn from Jeff Beck’s band. Tonight at the very intimate O2 Bubble was an equally momentous super-group formation with Rod’s vocals being taken over by Mick Hucknall of Simply Red and the bass plucking being from The Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock. The newbies joined original Faces members Ian McLagen on keys and Kenney Jones on Drums with the final addition being Ronnie wood’s Son Jesse on guitar.

The O2 Bubble is nestled inside the British Music Experience which is our very own interactive pop and Rock museum itself nestled inside the huge O2 Arena @ Greenwich. This is an amazingly intimate venue for such a line up and reunion. Only 400 people could fit and the anticipation leading up to the start was palpable.

Many cite their music as being influential and it was perhaps no wonder that members of the band went on to play in The Rolling Stones and The Who and Rod went on to solo super stardom.

If your thoughts of Mick Hucknall stem from the sometimes sickly vocals in Simply Red and you can’t imagine him rocking it out with members of The Stones, The Who and The Pistols then you’d have been in for a big surprise. Mick’s vocals really came through tonight and suited the songs without resorting to trying to be Rod Stewart. The Faces music was always feel good rock and roll played by a bunch of guys really enjoying what they do and tonight lived up to their origins. Ronnie Wood’s Craggie features have always showed how he’s lived the Rock n Roll lifestyle and tonight was no exception. With his holed Coldplay T-shirt he hit the groove on guitar and kept the songs driving forward and showed that old men lose neither their ability to play nor their energy. Mick Hucknall dressed down for the occasion too with designer holes of his own in his jeans.

I was slightly too young to have been into The Faces when growing up but tracks such as “Stay with Me”, “Oh La La” and “You can make me dance, sing, do anything” permeate and place The Faces in the Pop/rock pantheon.

However tonight wasn’t just about Faces songs, their were covers of Etta James’ “I would rather go blind” and the highlight for me was their cover of the Temptations “I wish it would rain”. The soul song was given a rock edge and was a brave but great choice of a song that suited the group very well. Tonight’s gig was only an hour long and with a short encore it left all the fans wanting more.

The Faces play a number of festival dates and rumours are that a tour will follow in 2011. If you enjoy your Rock n Roll don’t miss this reunion or you’ll be kicking yourself.

Listen to more from Faces at Myspace

Tweet

< Back to Reviews

Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Artist: Weezer
Single: Memories
Label: Epitaph Records
Release: September 13th 2010
Reviewed By: Nicole Tiernan

Multi-platinum winning band Weezer have been pretty closed mouth since their last record ‘Raditude’ in 2008 however the band hailing for Los Angeles in the US are soon to be realising their long awaited follow up to the 2008 album. The track ‘Memories’ will be the first track on this album as well as their new single which is available now.

Upon first listen to the track it has quiet low key intro which slightly mimics an orchestra warming up their instruments, something you would normally hear at the beginning of an opera. However moments later this is silenced by the sound of guitars and banging drums; something you would be more expecting of a Weezer track, this is shortly followed by Rivers Cuomo‘s laidback vocals.

As a whole ‘Memories’ is a feel good, upbeat track, with its high energy making this track far from a disappointment from what fans may be expecting of a Weezer song. With the chorus ‘memories make me want to go back there’ being quite relevant to the present day as summer is coming to an end which makes a lot of listeners maybe reminisce of the past.

Weezer; who have recently signed with independent label Epitaph for the new album ‘Hurley’ which is out in stores on 13th September will be doing a quick festival run at the infamous Reading & Leeds festivals at the end of the month before it’s release.

(9/10)

Here more from Weezer at Myspace

Tweet

< Back to Reviews

Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com