Paradoxic are a bunch of enthusiastic young indie bucks from Wolverhampton. Taking on a review, at this early stage is also a bold start, but shows an encouraging confidence. The band give a reasonable account of themselves with tracks like 'Crazy' an uptempo catchy romp and the bouncy and very Arctic Monkeys influenced, 'I can't believe'. At this stage of their young career they've got the band up on wheels as they say, but its their inexperience that is slightly holding them back at the moment. For example while the songs are quite memorable, energetically played and pretty well fronted by a the attention holding vocals of singer Andy (whose sound sits somewhere between Greenday's Billie Joe and and Placebo's Brian Molko). They are slightly hamstrung however, by some simple youthful exuberance. For example, Dan's drumming. A more than competent drummer for sure, but madly overplaying the tracks like a workman building a shed whilst late for an appointment and granted, the guitar hooks do compliment the general urgent inde-ness, but they're supposed to be just a "hook" to the song, not necessarily noodled randomly throughout its entirety, creating a mosquito-like annoyance (especially when also slightly out of tune, spoiling a half decent track like, 'In a nightmare'). But these are just details that come through experience.
But as young bands go, Paradoxic have a good platform and the time to make cool, energetic indie-pop tunes, despite the current tracks getting a wee bit 'samey' after three songs, its a strong enough start. Easing back a bit on the over-enthusiasm and getting those all important gigs in, to find what works and what doesn't will no doubt tighten things up considerably.
Named after a dancehall in their home town of Donegal, Pavesi are a group of old mates who are having a second bloom in a band that were last together when at school (so clearly not callow youth...) but I have a real soft spot for that sort of, following your heart ethic. So, having come over all Seven Samurai, the guys have come up with a demo EP with three tracks. Now if you listen to the tracks blindly, you would might be forgiven for thinking that this was a young band on their first outing, the recordings sounding tentative an a little lacking in confidence and polish. But Pavesi's trump card is the really classy singing of the (superbly named) 'Duck Gallagher' which papers over any misgivings about I may have had about the often rudimentary backing. Making very pleasing-on-the-ear Eagles fronted by David Cassidy noises on 'Staring at the ground' to the more adventurous and almost Snow Patrol like 'Turnaround Year' where 'Duck' opens up a bit and displays some real quality and the chorus's become more anthemic.
If this was a band of young, wet-behind-the-ears teenagers I would be offering polite advice about them having room for improvement, having a good direction but to keep polishing up the playing and other educational stuff like that, but Pavesi aren't, they have got a good little sound going, and all I would say is; go enjoy yourselves gentlemen...
Pamela from Dublin has a folksy/indie cross over style that is particularly 'of the moment' right now. With elements of PJ Harvey or slightly less commercial KT Tunstall (and can I hear a tiny weeny bit of Bjork?) she writes observational and conversational music that has depth and individuality that refuses to allow the listener to even realise that, at most times there is just Pamela and her guitar. Tracks such as 'I like you mean' and 'Frustrations' or unique and individual pieces of her psyche and when backed up by a band on 'All I want' and 'Keeping Secrets' the musical bar is raised to the extent that the songs wouldn't be out of place alongside a Kate Nash or Adele in the charts.
Just recently I saw a duo called Tegan and Sarah who make a similar sound to Pamela and they are currently huge on the indie scene, I reckon Pamela could be too.
Phildel's bio explains that she came from a formerly repressive background and somehow that would fit a resulting rebirth into her music, making her into quite a musical free-spirit.
She expertly plays the piano and sings delicate and whimsical songs (often supported by strings or jazz-brushed drums) in a light, nudging soprano, style very remiscent of Kate Bush in her prime, or a very English Alanis Morisette or Tori Amos. All of which combine to make some very ecclectic but beautifully performed pieces of ethereal, trippy songs like 'Ghost' and 'Old Town'.
There are also songs in a very similar, high quality vein such as 'Dragonfly Keeper' (from the style that brought you the Lloyds/TSB advert song) and 'Piano B' but strangely the latter have the rather invasive inclusion of some dance-like background percussion. One would assume that this extra addition is with one eye on being chart friendly. But for my money, what sounds like someone shaking a box of bric-a-brac randomly in the background, really detracts from the quality of what would otherwise be beautiful songs if left as they were.
Phildel makes classic and unique music, bowing to no genre (and as you know, I do like my individualists) who I would recommend you take a listen to. I hope she continues to have faith in her unique writing and performing style but can resist that flawed urge toward anymore modernising.
Currently singer/songwriters (both with and without bands) are two-a-penny at the moment and all over the album charts like a rash. So currently it would take something a little special o make the listening public cock a quizzical eyebrow to another one.
Paul Andrews from Dublin writes, sings and plays an acoustic guitar but does it in such a way that he draws you in and enchants you. The guitar playing is picked as opposed to strummed, almost in a flamenco style and Paul's soft, almost delicate voice is more than reminiscent of Paul Simon and certainly you can feel traces of 'Graceland' about his writing and a smidge of the "... and Garfunkle" era sound. On Myspace you can find four wonderfully ambient songs 'The Climber', May don't leave me', 'Walk with me' and 'Straight to you'. Each showing a depth of feeling and a deftness of touch. My only slight reservation (and I am really splitting hairs now) is the guitar playing style, while perfectly executed, is very similar on each track, which made me start hoping for a change in style after 3 or 4 songs, let alone a whole album, but I wish Paul every success and look forward to hearing more, marvellous stuff!
Review by Drumhead
RANK: ***** 5 OUT OF 6
You can check out Paul at
www.myspace.com/paulandrewssongs
PAISLEY RIOT
UK based four piece band Paisley Riot have got a hard edge of emotional punk tunes with a hint of rock n roll to die for, with songs like “Wasted with you” upbeat good catchy number with a distinct punk influence and old fashioned rock n roll guitar riffs in the mix, Paisley riot have a unique sound to their music yet you can hear the commercial potential in their track “Books that you once read” with its moving and rich rocking roll sound, this is one band to keep you ear to the ground for.
Pleasurably reminiscent of 80’s Irish folk roots Paul Handyside’s collection Futures Dream is both mature and refined. His melodious piano is gentle, bringing a deliberate kind of bleakness to the atmosphere of his songs, while the control of the instruments used blends delicately with the vocals. On the album as a whole: there is certain flatness to the mixture of tracks, and the softer country ballads are left without many lifts or shifts in tempo.
The music on this album works as a broad, relaxing backdrop for his momentary piano displays and delicate vocals.
DUBLIN BASED ROCK BAND WITH SOME ELECTRIC ENERGY AND A OLD ROCK SCHOOL FEEL
YELL LOVE- Exciting rhythm guitar and bouncing drums kicks this tune in, vocals echo's over the music like a lava flow!! good intro, chorus blends nice with the rest of the tune.
CACTUS HUG- A good solid rock beat pushes through the intro the vocals are excellent and are placed very well over the melody a good groovin tune.
TEXAS USA, This band has a blend of counting crows and neil young and blends it together with their own original flavour!
SOMETIME SOON- A real anthem tune, vocals a very well laid down on this track, guitar solo and drums drive the melody very well.
MR SMITH- Great intro with the harmonica its nice to hear this in rock tune it gives it more feel, the vocals slide strait over the melody, nice laid back tune good sing a long.
LITTLE MISTRESS- The intro in this tune has harmonica again thats what gives this band a edge over the rest, its style and vocals are very well composed.
This is a band from Norway with a style from the The Beach boys with the some very well produced tracks on this ep. "Barefoot" the vocals play a very important part in this song and why I said that is because there is fantastic harmonies are perfect and this is not easy to do if you listen to this track you will hear the element of the beach boys with the rhythm and blues music to back it up. "There's no living here without you" vision yourself on a beach with a surf board yep 60"s style the concept for this tune is excellent vocals are superb with a swinging rhythm coming from the the band. "If you want to leave me for somebody new" shake your head like Ringo star deep rhythm and blues with a happy tone like a flashback to the 60's the vocals are very relaxed and composed with the swinging culture. "Biff, bang, pow" no not batman but more of The Who style coming from the rhythm with an upbeat drum line and rocking vocals.
Excellent vocals with poetic lyrics Pete Courtney is one of the best Irish songwriters to come yet.
FINGERS AND FACES- This is a very colourfull song with a lively melody and great vocals streaming out, the chorus has good catchy lyrics and the backing vocals sounds great, very well composed.
PLEASE SOMEBODY- A cool groove kicks this tune in with a real samba feel to the rythm, vocals sound great with real poetic lyrics make you want to put a flower in your hair.
KISSING STARS - Very relaxed tune even the vocal has a beautiful harmonic feel giving the song it real laid back mood very well written excellent stuff.
Primrose are a four piece band from Denmark with an Irish born singer songwriter," What you want to believe" is a ten track album with some real moving and passionate tunes, "Stranger come around" has a great feel coming from the rhythm with some nice chords and strings really opening the song giving it a fresh rock/pop tone vocals have a real laid back approach kind of indie feel but works perfect in this tune. "So alive" this is more of an indie rock tune with some great solo work on the guitar, lyrics are nice and catchy and they do relate to the feel in this tune great to see a band that capture the story around the music. "The best in you"came across with a laid back folk indie rock feel with a hint of country, vocals are very relaxed as the tune has its dynamics and peaks but very strong, early Counting crows with some cool melodies. "Pretty girl" this song has a real singer songwriter style, creative acoustic guitar sweet piano dipping in and out and the strings in the background add a great dynamic boost to the song with the vocals backing the tune up very well. "Insane" very deep with plenty of emotion in the vocals great concept for a song with a real deep folk rock feel almost a mystical Celtic feel with some abstract melodies but sounds great. "Ambitious girl" the groove in this tune has a great soul feel with a cool disco beat to lift the chorus vocals have a real Jagger feel laid back with plenty of passion this has to be one there best for me it has all of the characteristics of a great song. "Rude" the intro in this tune reminds me of a bond movie, very smooth and uplifting Duran Duran style with some catchy melodies. "Take on me" this is cool flowing tune rhythm dips and dives like a real traditional folk tune with the elements of Jeff Buckley, lyrics are fantastic and great vocal abilities. "Sad song" semi synthetic with some jazzy folk tones coming from the melody sweet piano work and vocals have superb dynamics very uplifting and dramatic. "Say's enough" the piano and vocal work on this track are fantastic they give off a Queen feel very moving and passionate one for the slow set.
