With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

‘The Other Side’ – Ionne August 18, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 8:42 pm
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Ionne is a new and refreshing talent in the world of electronica. ‘The Other Side’ starts with a Tangerine Dream style opening which moves into a soundscape. This artist has a beautiful voice and this is real singing with a wonderful falsetto set over a fabulous dance track which features some excellent melodic touches. Track 2 is a remix of “The Other Side” which points up the exquisite idiosyncratic vocals and melancholic lyrics. “Distance” is a mesmerising synth instrumental . This is good thinking music, melodically uncomplicated but deeply interesting. The remix of “Distance” features soulful vocal harmonies and is a completely different take on the track.

Something More Than Love” features a very strong melody. This is a thoughtful song and for me the strongest song on the recording. There is a hint of Erasure here which makes it even more interesting . This track has huge commercial appeal. The remix of this track has a more Depeche Mode feel. There is a more experimental touch and the mix really plays with the track to great effect. This is a very strong collection of well developed and constructed tracks from Ionne and I have no doubt that we will hear a great deal more from this undoubtedly talented and skilful artist.

Written by Paul Bamlett.

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‘Baikal’ – Asian Death Crustacean July 30, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:34 pm
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The opening to this  fascinating album is very interesting. Ringing guitars and straightforward rhythms. The music is heavy but very melodic and well developed. The synth sounds have an ambient feel with hints of melody. There is a more riffy feel places. Doomy guitars are plentiful but beautifully crafted melodic passages are never far away whether suggested or overt. The album is a clever mix of differing though not conflicting ideas. There is intensely heavy riffing of a Sabbath , Metallica style. In places there are reminders of ‘In Absentia’ era Porcupine Tree. The album concludes with ambient drone and bassy thrum. I really enjoyed listening to this but have one suggestion for this clearly talented group of musicians, change the name? I know people will say what’s in a name (look at the Beatles!) But I think it could help. Whatever , I hope to hear more from this band, whatever they are called. 

Written by Paul Bamlett. 

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‘Sudden Fictions’ – Bo Ningen

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:13 pm
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Bo Ningen means Stick Man in Japanese and this band are a Japanese alt rock band (never really know what alt rock means). The album is produced by Drew Brown who has done desk duty for Beck and Atoms for Peace so the pedigree is good here. Any album that begins with a track called “You Make A Mark Like A Calf Branding” will be at the very least interesting. This track features a minimalist feel with spoken word and a simple rhythm. “AKA-Fuller” has a brilliant bass sound and a full on rhythm with intriguing vocals and lyrical ideas. “Silenced” has a simple rhythm with ringing instrumental ideas and a great poly rhythmic backing. “Zankoku” is all sonic experimentation , a little reminiscent of Hawkwind or Primal Scream at their experimental best.

“Minimal” has a more commercial feel and features Bobby Gillespie from the aforementioned Primals on spoken word and some vocals. This is the standout track of the album. “Kyukai” takes us back to the more experimental feel with whining guitars over a loping beat . Great insistent guitar interplay. “Kuzurenai” has a keyboard opening which draws you in . With a shifting beat and phased vocals this has slight feel of Yellow Magic Orchestra. “BC” has an interesting opening which makes you want to delve further . The songs main rhythm kicks in late. The final track “Riff” has an insistent rhythm and a multiplicity of guitars leading to a more basic rhythm. This band remind me in places of Can for some reason. A questing , fascinating group of musicians aiming to find new sounds and approaches while injecting everything they do with exciting rhythm and melodic finesse.

Written by Paul Bamlett. 

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‘F.L.Y.’ EP – Manelik July 25, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:49 am
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Manelik is an alt.rock artist influenced by Imagine Dragons and Coldplay. This captivating EP opens on the title track which features an intriguing introduction and an epic anthemic sound. With its excellent vocal harmonies and pulsating synth backing there is more than a touch.
“Be As You Are” has a more funky dance feel with supremely good backing vocals. There is also the added bonus of a well balanced mixture of spoken word and singing. “Stars” has an interesting bass line with a great melody and penetrating vocals . This song also features one of the many great hooks which abound on this recording.
“Twisted Life” is more of a ballad with an introspective feel . Interesting lines and thought provoking lyrics. “Insomnia” is once again very dance orientated and funky with a catchy melody . The track bounces along on a great hooky bass line and strong drums. This track also features a fabulous central funk breakdown. This a very impressive EP which hopefully acts as a curtain raiser for more great music.

Written by Paul Bamlett.

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‘Toronto’ EP – Jamws

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:49 am
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This EP opens with “See The World”. A synth opening leads into ethereal vocals backed up with interesting rhythms. “Playing For Keeps” features a slower eighties type of groove coupled with a big drum sound and a smooth feel plus a cool guitar riff. Next up is “I’ll Be Fine” which takes us back to the synth sounds and has some excellent falsetto vocals . Once again interesting rhythms are used.
Title track “Toronto” is a bitter sweet love song with a slower more contemporary feel with intriguing guitar work. This intriguing EP comes to a close with “Catalina”, which features a fabulous keyboard intro and has a lovely light pop feel to it. This EP gives a very clear and strong impression of the artist and also tells us that we will be hearing more from this very talented musician.

Written by Paul Bamlett.

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‘This Land Is Your Landfill’ – The Homeless Gospel Choir July 2, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 10:36 pm
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Homeless Gospel Choir provide big bold anthemic guitars and vocals alternating with an alt country feel on some tracks. The Homeless Gospel Choir is in fact Derek Zanetti from Pennsylvania. His guitar and voice combine to make a pop punk sound. He has an individual vocal style and his lyrics are political in nature. Those lyrics are sometimes pretty cynical and are communicated with some pretty harmonies. This is especially true on the track “You Never Know”.

“Global Warming” opens the album with a flourish. There is a hint and even a mention of Green Day. “Don’t Compare” features some nice Guitar lines. “Social Real Estate” is rowdy and “in yer face” with a liberal sprinkling of knowing references to religion coupled with some great warped melodies. Album closer “Punk As Fuck” does exactly what it says on the tin. A much heavier feel than other tracks, while “Art Punk” uses a children’s chorus approach with an anthemic feel. Much of the music here has a flavour of early REM and the combination of laid back off kilter country alongside the big shouty punk style works really well. It would be great to hear from this artist in the near future.

Written by Paul Bamlett.

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‘Propoganda’ – Aārp June 18, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:12 pm
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Aārp is a classically trained experimentalist with a penchant for politically orientated song titles. Opening track “CA Fuit De Pentant” is an intriguing synth led track which is experimental rhythmically as well as tonally. “Condamnez Vous Les Violences” features scattered rhythms over a descending jazz style sequence. “Axis Of Evil” has a filmic feel with organ leading into a dance like feel with frequent changes of rhythm pattern. “Less Than 1% Of Patients Leave Addicted” has a sadder, less frenetic feel “There Is No Alternative” builds into a dance orientated track with a more laid back feel.

Some tracks such as “Nada Es Gatos Esta Vida” and “The Herbicide That Gets To The Root Of The Problem” feature a more experimental feel . The rhythms are more disorientating and therefore require closer listening. “I Prefer A Literal Dictator” has a sinister feel with orchestral interludes. Final track “Les Malheureux” opens with bassy synth sounds leading into an interesting mix of rhythms interspersed with symphonic interludes and alien dance rhythms. This album reminds somewhat of the work of Ryuichi Sakamoto and the Yellow Magic Orchestra and that is no bad thing. I look forward to hearing further musical exploration from Aārp and his politician quoting song titles.


Written by Paul Bamlett.

Click here to listen to the album on Spotify.

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‘It’s Raining On The Wrong Side Of The Window’ EP – Glass Peaks

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:11 pm
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Glass Peaks debut EP opens with a soundscape of ambient noise and bleeps. This leads us into “Sao Paulo” ,a great synth based song and a good opener.
An Interlude of ambient guitar takes us into “London Is Concrete” which has a gentle pop feel and an interesting vocal. “Never Really Left” has more upbeat feel and an anthemic Tears For Fears flavour with strong vocals. The next “Interlude” with more ambient sounds coupled with whispering voices leads into the final track the sublime title track, “It’s Raining On The Wrong Side Of The Window”. With beautifully balanced vocals this is the strongest track here and brings this multi faceted release to a close.

Very strong songwriting and excellent production add extra class to this superb EP. Featuring an eclectic and well chosen mix of genres on this evidence Glass Peaks can expect to achieve commercial success in the very near future.

Click here to listen to the EP on Spotify.

Written by Paul Bamlett

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‘Second Movement’ EP – Chelsea Pribble

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:11 pm
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In the first instance I heard the single from this EP which is “Under the Covers”. To say that I was blown away by its quality and originality would be to give those descriptors a bad name. The release from which “Under The Covers” is taken is far and away the most stunning collection it has been my pleasure to review this far. Beginning with “White Lies” the fragile but effective vocals coupled with delicate complimentary string arrangements are a great opening moment. The tonality here is unique. “Bed Of Stone” with its piano intro has a depth of feeling that is tangible and some truly exceptional classically orientated tonal shifts. A Satie-esque piano figure introduces the aforementioned “Under The Covers”. The arrival of drums is unexpected but pleasant and the track is for me amongst the finest in a superb collection.

What makes this such a great release is that no two tracks are the same but the feel of the release is so unified. “Overgrown” features strings which accent and compliment the timbre of the vocals. The lyrics demonstrate a depth of feeling which lends the song an additional layer. The sound is supremely well blended. “Reprise” has a sadder feel to it but the string arrangement is once again what makes this music work so well. “Prelude” is an instrumental piece which fits supremely well into the exquisite soundscape of the record.

Chelsea Pribble has a classical ballet background and nowhere is that more apparent than on “Pas De Deux”. The vocal here has some of the feel of Anthony Hegarty but this is a voice all its own. This song vies for top billing with “Under the Covers”. Original, beautiful and profoundly emotionally affecting ,the classical dance influence is writ large here and the lyrics are strong. This is a superlative collection of songs and an absolutely resounding 10 out of 10. I will await further music from this great emerging singer with great anticipation.

Click here to check out ‘Second Movement’ on Spotify.

Written by Paul Bamlett

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‘Amputate Corporate Art’ – The K June 10, 2020

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:32 am
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The K are from Belgium and they are a really noisy bunch of guys. If you like your music loud and anchored on big grinding riffs then The K are the band for you. This album sets out its stall in no uncertain manner. Opener “Future Is Bright” is equipped with a great big riff and is quickly followed by “Shit Day” which has a riff like a lumbering monster and big shouty vocals. “Dominant Tracks” has a tub-thumping intro and a Stooges style riff. “Everything Hurts” slows things down a little but then we get “Petty Profit” which comes on like a head-on collision between Nevermind and Black Sabbath. No bad thing!


Not many tracks make me want to get up and pogo like a maniac these days but next track “The Rougher Aspects Of Love” could do the trick. With its frantic punkoid riff and screaming vocal, it’s a great slab of feral rock. Next track “Keep My Nightmares Cold” is the strongest track on the record and shows the melodic skills of this band. “Swim it Better” has a frantic opening which builds into a killer heavyweight riff. The album closes with “(Un)Fortunate Youth” which features a great thrashing riff of doom soaked guitars. If you like Nirvana, Sonic Youth and the fabulous Pixies then get a load of The K. Tell you what, on the evidence of this album, live this band will absolutely take the roof off and I want to be there when it happens.

Written by Paul Bamlett

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