Singles + EPs

Single Review Shorts: 6-13 October

[Artist: Stephen Dale Petit]
[Single: A Better Answer]
[Label: 333 Records]

Alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness; Stephen Dale Petit has been through the mill. Busking on the London Underground and a sprinkling of media attention has enabled him to self-finance an album which has spawned this single. It’s a classic take on the blues chords, replete with harmonica, carousing rock lead and disaffected, bummed-out vocal. This is not going to blow you off your feet but it might just grip you in a fevered state of nostalgia.

For Fans Of: Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Wilson Pickett
Release Date: 13 October
Reviewer: John Skibeat

Band Link: Stephen Dale Petit

[Artist: Disturbed]
[Single: Indestructible]
[Label: Reprise Records]

Helicopters sweep over a volley of machine-gunfire to the sound of a backing siren. Yes, Disturbed are in the war zone and what follows is a bruising slab of rock with vocalist David Draiman spewing out a steady flurry of lyrics. Disturbed pour energy in and out pops a track. A well-worn formula but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is the motto here.

For Fans Of: Papa Roach, Drowning Pool, Stone Sour
Release Date: 6 October
Reviewer: John Skibeat

Band Link: Disturbed

[Artist: Language]
[Single: Macadamia]
[Label: Little Power Records]

With a musical background of penning “songs to fuck to” Language give us a somewhat less grotesque but just as spangly pop snippet. Overloaded bass drives the beats and the slightly mechanistic vocal add up to a track that busts bones, bruises skin and triggers twitches. Approach with caution. It won’t be to everyone’s tastes.

For Fans Of: Talking Heads, Smashing Pumpkins, Black Affair
Release Date: 6 October
Reviewer: John Skibeat

Band Link: Language

[Artist: I Concur]
[Single: Oblige]
[Label: Brew Records]

Leeds-based I Concur claim to be a collaboration of alternative, shoegaze and Americana. What the heck does that sound like? Well, here, it’s a steady groundswell of sparkling guitars, which wander from left to right, and a soft-edged double-vocal which perfectly sets up an Explosions In The Sky post-rock euphoria which soars up and up. The B-side ‘Captors’ actually pulls out a Morrissey-inflected vocal and sits inside a cataclysm of marauding strings. Pretty impressive stuff this but ultimately its rather too wayward, lacking a real focus or hook.

For Fans Of: Explosions In The Sky, Mogwai, Arcade Fire
Release Date: 6 October
Reviewer: John Skibeat

Band Link: I Concur

[Artist: Powell Morgan And Sixty5 Roses]
[Single: Drama King / Time]
[Label: Unsigned]

Unsigned they may be but Powell Morgan And Sixty5 Roses do carry some impressively major media approvals around in their portfolio. They thread progressive layers into rich patterns, slowly building upon the last to deliver vast echoing expanses of space into which they sprinkle steady morsels of lyrics. Complex in the extreme it may take a few maddening listens to grasp hold of their ideas and be able to dissect them properly but the reward awaits those who persevere. ‘Time’, in particular, brandishes some great swathes of post-rock meandering. It’s like listening to a psychedelic amalgamation of Jellyfish and Porcupine Tree. Weird, huh?

For Fans Of: Jellyfish, Brian Wilson, Porcupine Tree
Release Date: 6 October
Reviewer: John Skibeat

Band Link: Powell Morgan And Sixty5 Roses

[Artist: Ann Scott]
[Single: Imelda]
[Label: Raghouse Records]

Irish singer-songwriter Ann Scott’s new single ‘Imelda’ is a strong melodic and slightly experimental acoustic track, combining electro percussive samples with a huge uplifting chorus. Scott sounds a confident singer, and having been nominated for Irish Meteor Awards in the past, she has also developed a reputation as a confident performer.

For Fans Of: K T Tunstall, Nina Hynes
Release Date: 6 October
Reviewer: Rich E

Band Link: Ann Scott

[Artist: Nephu Huzzband]
[Single: Should Have Used An Abacus]
[Label: Deep Recording Co.]

Nephu Huzzband’s third single ‘Should Have Used An Abacus’ is a somewhat disappointing release compared to their previous single ‘Nurse! Nurse!’. The first track of upbeat indie-rock sounds unfortunately and ironically lethargic whilst the B-side ‘Clockwork’, is much more of a crowd pleaser with its participant enticing chorus.

For Fans Of: Ungdomskulen, And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead, Tubelord
Release Date: 6 October
Reviewer: Rich E

Band Link: Nephu Huzzband

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