Articles
julian has written the following articles:
Tom McRae - All Maps Welcome
There are certain things you can take for granted from Tom McRae – high fibre songwriting and a bit of quiet soul searching delivered in his slow-blinking, sleepy croak. Don’t worry McRae fans, that’s all there still on All Maps Welcome. But there has been a subtle revolution too.»
Do Me Bad Things - Yes!
So, is this the funnest, campest, most schizoid-rock'n'b, anthem-ridden album of the year? Is it like The Darkness doing cock-rocky horror in the yankie deep south back in the summer of '53? C'mon! Quit the questioning! There's an eccentric british party going down over here and this is what us brits do best, so getcha union jack hot pants on and screeeeeam: WHAT'S HIDEOUS?»
Kubb at London Camden Barfly, Mon 11 Apr
Oh the sweetness of forbidden fruit - the ambrosial delight of the things we shouldn't enjoy. And so it is with the tight treacle textures of Kubb. They charm the taste buds, but we know they could spell ruin for our credibility waistlines.»
Vatican DC - 4 Track EP
One two three four – dum che dum che dum che dum de che. Vatican DC’s 4 Track EP is a great big sweaty man’s fist full of late 70s punk.»
Cherryfalls - Winter/Winter
I’ve been slapped round the face by a great big, wet pop fish. Allow me to mop myself down and tell you about it.»
Ambulance Ltd - LP
Could somebody please go up to Ambulance Ltd and tell them, "It's OK. It's alright to be a pop band. No one will mind. They won't get at you. We'd all just like to see you a bit more, y'know... comfortable with yourselves..."?»
Basement Jaxx - Oh My Gosh
Well it’s business as usual for Basement Jaxx. Driving, farty bass loop, clunky drum machine and a chorus that nags at you like a blister from a new pair of shoes.»
The Mountaineers at London The Kilburn, Tue 09 Mar
When bands are good at being in the studio they are often distinctly average at being on stage. What was layered, polished and generally fussed over on record can implode and unravel into some sort of contrived and inert heap, ending up with all the raw excitement of reading someone else’s shopping list. Happily this does not apply to The Mountaineers.»
The Research at London Spitz, Thu 17 Feb
'While they teeter just inches away from a complete and unedifying shambles most of the time, they are capable of some dazzling song craft. In fact it just seems effortless...'»
Termites at London The Kilburn, Tue 15 Feb
In other words they play short smart songs with energy and some humour. In fact they take more musical risks than that would imply and they're also fabulously loud. When that’s all done properly, it’s hard not to be charmed.»
Apartment at London Camden Dublin Castle, Tue 08 Feb
Apartment have died and gone to indie heaven. A single on Fierce Panda which is currently scampering off the shelves faster than the speed of hype and a rammed Tuesday night Dublin Castle crowd waiting for the chance to lap up their every move. Almost unbelievably they do not disappoint.»
Action Plan at London The Kilburn, Thu 03 Feb
Intelligently noisy and fuzzily spiky, Action Plan are earnest English alt-rock the way your Mum used to make it.»