I love the term "Alternative rock" because a) it must be the largest catchment of bands there is, and b) it has to be satisfying as songwriters, not to popped into a convenient industry genre.
Alternative or alt.rock is a badge worn with honour by Ladydoll, as they forge their own path of guitar driven, catchy, indie rock songs. The thing that makes me grin into my cappuccino is that even I am struggling to find bands to use as comparisons to illustrate their style - so for a cynical and addled reviewer like me, thats pretty cool, and a good indicator of innovative song writing. So, what you have is some cleverly thought out and colourful sounding guitars that drive all the songs along, which combine great sing-a-long pop song sensibility and credible indie act in equal measure. The guitars are definitely key, and are either quirky staccato riffs or driving Foo Fighter chord play that lead the songs from the front, but they also have the added bonus of some clever use of word-play, vocals and bang on backing vocals to make a well rounded package. The whole band are tight and even when the riffs go a little 'off-piste' from the more grand pop hooks they operate as a unit and sound like a proper "band" playing for the songs, from the head nodding and Feeder-like 'You know best' to the quirky Strokes-like goodness of 'Charm Alarm'.
One anomaly on the whole deal is Fin Sedas's vocals, which, don't get me wrong, are well sung but are delivered in an unapologetically, West Coast American accent, despite hailing from Cork, but it doesn't seem to detract in any way from the songs to me, in fact it gives them a very Wheatus or Fountains of Wayne feel. Personally - that could have been a bit of a gamble, but I like it and it sits well in the context of the songs although he can explain himself to his Mum...
I see that Ladydoll are in the finals of the National Student Music Awards in April ('08) and good luck to them. Any band that can make fantastically catchy and well executed songs that instantly live in the memory, and yet remain refreshingly original would get my vote. Don't believe me? Kudos just has to go out to anyone who can make the line "This upright posture's damaging me" into an anthem.
'Ludwig' O'Niell is a solo singer/songwriter from Belfast. Christened Davy O'Niell, he was nicknamed Ludwig as a youngster and it seems to have stuck. He has a new EP out called 'Let Go' out and a shopping list of live dates (only in Ireland at the moment though) and the impressive CV of a seasoned performer. How do I know so much? Well take a look at the beautifully written but probably one the of the longest bio's & gig lists about a solo artist I've ever seen (no really, its like a highbrow novel!). One things for certain, Davy is definitely an open book and thats part of the charm and charisma of the guy which filters through to his music. And what of the music? Well you have Celtic tinged, folk based guitar ballardry, topped with Davy's warm, dark brown vocals, no doubt hewn out of a long time crooning in (formerly) smokey bars. If you'd like a thoughtful Van Morrison or a chilled-out Joe Cocker, you'd be hard pushed to get better than Ludwig. The EP (which can be bought online) is very very good. Moving pictures painted with guitar and fiddle but keeping well on the right-side Celtic diddly-dee clichés. The moody and heartfelt lilt of the title track 'Let Go' is worth getting on its own but "How do you feel" is brings us much closer to a Celtic Oasis, circa, 'Wonderwall'.
Davy 'Ludwig' O'Niell is one of those artists who are just plain good. They're not trying to be 'scene' or elbow their way to the front of the Pop Idol queue. And its a sad indictment on the powers to be that record label A&R guys won't be beating a path to his door for exactly those reasons. But what you do have is a song-writing quality, depth and heartfelt warmth in abundance which, for my money, is worth a million of Simon Cowell's opinions.
This collection from Little Nightmare brings some polished metal sounds together with well-worked vocals. On one hand, the recording of a solid collection of songs while, on the other hand, the tracks hold the directed diversity of a mature sound. The versatility and dynamics of the vocals is mainly what keeps these songs fluid and interesting.
Both of these songs are of a catchy pop/rock nature. ‘Hold on’ has all the appeal of a nineties anthem with a well-suited vocal style, while ‘Find a Way’ is more upbeat and with more changes in tempo. Both songs have some good dynamic qualities and Lila’s sound becomes more attractive with each play. The songs are easy-listening, radio friendly and highly stylized tracks.
A unique style of singing full of original flavor Liam Cottrell can change the mood from light to dark.
WASTE IT ALL - There is a real good feel coming from the rhythm gutair in this song, vocal sounds great especially in the chorus very energetic and driving, a nice build up in the vocal sounds excellent.
LONDON TOWM- Here is a great catchy tune, lyrics are very well written and placed in this song, its got a good rhythm gutair with a good moving groove in it.
WHEN SHE SMILES - This song has cool intro on the gutair gives off a folk feel until it kicks into the chorus a really rocks out, vocals are excellent on this track.
Lorraine is a singer songwriter from the United Kingdom with some Irish roots that reflect trough out this album very mystical with a Celtic flow catching the melodies with some cool blues jazzy tones. "No resistance" vocals sound superb in this track keeping the melody in a nice drifting manner, a real easy listening tune with the elements of Joni Mitchell. "From the heart" at first I thought this was a BB.King number has the flow of a blues great but Lorraine's vocals shift it to a different feel with a folk gospel twist nice. "Your love"fantastic folk feel from the vocals with some real solemn music backing up the tune dynamics are perfect in the voice Lorraine works her vocal like an instrument of a angel. "Danni" there is a bit of Paul Simon feel from the melody like new world music with the vocals grasping the tune to a different level bringing in a subtle folk tone over this song. "A light over there" were have you hear these lyrics before? excellent the way Lorraine composes and structures the lyrics is fantastic it’s catchy and a real mellow with a jazzy folk feel to the melody. "If you want me to" this is a very deep and moving song with strong Celtic folk roots vocals are very well constructed and the dynamics are sweet in Lorraine's voice a real Sunday morning song after a heartbreaking weekend. "Dreamers" the rhythm coming from this tune has all the elements of a trad folk mixed with Irish feel, vocals and the wording of the lyrics are perfect for a nice jig in the sun on a rainy day. "Your majesty" this tune is very mystical like a song from a fairytale story with folk guitar playing and beautiful melodies in the background very sad feeling tune fantastic lyrics. "Nothing has been said" very laid back acoustic folk tune with creative lyrics very soothing to the ears, uplifting vocals dynamics are great. "Sweet mystery" there is a cool country blues feel from this tune the vocals a very bright on top of the beat all of the time upbeat with a nice jazzy tone. "Dum di diddle" very melodic both vocal and music flowing rhythm with a great title to catch the ear.
