Mmm. Sunday Post.

It's a Sunday, which means I have nothing to do (that's a lie, I do) so I thought I'd pop in and write a new post with more musical suggestions for your ears to appreciate on this Sunday, or whenever you actual read this post. It's not Sunday exclusive like The Sunday Times or something, otherwise I'd be making money. On with today's posting!

Border Crossing:

Who are Border Crossing? Border Crossing are Seorais Graham and Alex Angol who create their music in my favourite city, London. The genre's they play with range from Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop with a dash of Ambient thrown in. The result is everything from easy listening (listen to Internal Affairs) to more political rapping and an in your face attitdue (listen to Militant Style feat. Vicky Virtue). Basically Border Crossing have a great range, something rare among other groups who focus on one genre. They are definitely a one to watch in 2010 and their fanbase can only grow.

Favourite Song: Militant Style feat. Vicky Virtue.

Share:

Share are Andrew Sisk, Kyle Cunjak, Nick Cobham, Zach Atkinson and Dennis Goodwin making some great easy to listen to music. There's no layers to go through here making each song easily approacable and listenable to. Not just listenable but this music is great. There's something different that makes Share stand out from other bands. I can't put my finger on what it is but it's something that makes Share a great group to listen to. Another one to watch in 2010 and beyond.

Favourite Song: Date & Time


That's all for now folks.

Contacting BTB Music:

Twitter

E-mail: brokentoybox@hotmail.com

Or just write in the comments section.

The 1st Official New Music Review of the Decade

So, time and time again I've said I will post more consistently but time and time again I have failed to do so. Fuck that noise. It's a new decade, new beginning and I'll be damned if I fail to really update this place more often. I also have no excuses this time since my uni workload has cut down considerably. So, without further ado, I bring you today's bands.

The Peppermint Androids:

The Peppermint Androids are a two man group from Manchester, England. What's their genre you ask? Well they're a Synthpop group. Now you're wondering, have we time travelled back to the 80's where synthpop and big hair were the rage? No, because that would just be silly. The Peppermint Androids have dragged synthpop out of the 80's and given it a dose of 21st century energy. They're a refreshing sound to hear after so many indie bands hitting the scene over the last decade. If you want to hear music which just lets you get up and dance The Peppermint Androids are for you.

Favourite Tune: Lying Again

Smile At Strangers:

Smile At Strangers is the sound of a gentle voice and an acoustic guitar. A slow, steady pace, the rhythm draws you in and helps you relax after anything. It's not just a gentle voice, but a beautiful voice that really flows and a guitar plaey who really knows what they're doing. I wish I could say more but there is so little information to go on. However I do recommend you listen to Smile At Strangers if ever you want to relax. It's worth it.

Favourite Tune: Don't Let A Second Bleed Into Days.


Contacting BTB:

Due to having made a pact with Satan, you can now follow all of BTB's ramblings at www.twitter.com/brokentoybox

Or send an e-mail to brokentoybox@hotmail.com.

Or simply leave a comment.

The choice is yours.

Potential Favourite Song of 2010! Contender No.1

Okay boys and girls. No review yet but I am now looking out for my potential Favourite Song of 2010. Early, I know, but this competition is open to you, obviously. Think you have a song that can get in my list. Prove it! I'll try and post a review within the next couple of days.

Aran.


P.S

Thanks to Internet Witchcraft you can talk to me live on MSN:

brokentoybox@hotmail.com

Or just send a message to www.myspace.com/brokentoyboxmusic

More music for you lot.. (Live review)

I've been absent a while, blame univeristy life and all its trials and tribulations. However I do have a guy for you lot to listen to and keep an eye out for.

Thabani Nyoni is a guy who embraces the African beat into his music, leaving a memorable impression on all who hear it. I was at a gig of his last night and Thabani and his band were easily the best act of the night, getting everyone to sing along and having a charisma many stage performers could only dream about.

Right from when Thabani and his band took the stage, I knew something different was coming, something I would enjoy. It was a sentiment shared by mates with me. This anticipation to see what was coming stopped me from leaving after the second act and battle through my tiredness. I did not regret staying. Thabani brought the whole place alive with people dancing to the beat.

The best song of the night that got people singing long after it finished was Fire In The Village. Thabani sang "There's a fire!" We sang back, "Fire In The Village." Actually amazing. I've been to a lot of gigs and I'm going to go to a lot more but Thabani and his band are one of the few who's stage presence I will not forget and who I will look out for in the future. If you're going to Glastonbury 2010, make sure you check these guys out, it'll be worth it.

Also Thabani, if you're wondering who wrote this, I was the guy in the grey t-shirt who asked if you had an album out. If you want to still add me to your e-mail list it's brokentoybox@hotmail.com.

Listen to Thabani now!

Album Review: Revolutions by Agency

Another week, another album review. This weeks album is brought to you by Agency and is titled Revolutions. A lot of you may remember Agency being mentioned way back when this blog was only a few weeks old. Back then, they had quite few good tracks on their MySpace.

Revolutions is what most in the music business dub as the difficult second album. A band has already cemented their sound in their first album and songs so the second album sets out to build on that success. Have Agency built on that success? Let's see.

The album opens with a short untitled intro before directly launching into 'Ours'. This song is a straight up rock song, fast paced and eager to please. Well it should please all rock fans with its great riffs and loud drumming. 'Ours' is short, fast and great.

We then move straight all out rock to a bit of a short ballad entitled One For Us. It's a bit slower and deeper than 'Ours'. It's a good song to hear and if I had to pick the a potential hit for Revolutions, then 'One For Us' would be it.

From here on in the album seems to take a turn for a slower vibe which has it's ups and downs. 'Went Looking' comes directly after One For Us and would be called the long ballad. It does merit a place on the album but in my opinion I think it should have been further down the track listings.

Things speed up again at track 6 called Get Up. This is what I would pick out as the definite hit of Revolutions with everything here blending perfectly to create a incredible rock song. However this seems and track 7 called 'Transient' seem to be the last true independent songs on the album. The 2nd half of Revolutions just seems to blend into one with no tracks really standing out. They are all a good listen but don't make themselves known like the first half of the album.

I'm going to give this album a respectful 7 out of 10. Revolutions is to be recommended to fans of alt. rock music looking for something slightly different.

Favourite Tracks: Ours and Transient.

Album Review: Chasing Rabbits - Tab & Anitek

So to mark my return I'm celebrating the return of a very good musician. Many of you may remember I mentioned Tab way back when he was releasing Poet in The Dark. Poet in The Dark was a mind opener, not just an album but an insightful journey. So what does Chasing Rabbits hold for us? Well I don't think anyone can describe it better than the artist himself:

"This album is for anyone who gave up on a dream to settle for the mediocre... For anyone medicated for asking questions.. Judged for being different.. Hated for being honest.. This is the soundtrack for those stuck on the slow road to nowhere... For BIG dreams in shitty towns.. For anyone chasing something they will never find.."

So the actual album then? What is it? Good? Bad? Okay?

In my opinion it's great follow up to Poet in the Dark. Tab has not lost any of the talent that he first showed and it seems to have improved. His style seems to have matured a bit more and the songs on Chasing Rabbits seem a lot more ordered and grown up than his previous releases.

My favourite songs from the record:

Charades - The opening to this song is amazing, the spanish guitar really makes this song seem to have that more soul. Also there's a bit of a throwback to a song from Poet in The Dark here, my favourite song from that record which was Sun Goes Down. He has taken the formula for that song and made something that is familiar but unique at the same time.

Vitamin Shoppe - Here Tab tackles an issue that isn't really discussed and that is addiction to prescribed medicine. Many produce songs about drug abuse but Tab is one of the few that looks at the issue from another standpoint. This is the track that really hits out a healthcare system that seems to thrive of abuse.

The Ballad of The Man That Never Made It- This tune, I think, will be the definitive song of the whole album. I don't think any other song on the album comes close to the whole message of the album and Tab's message above about all the people who failed to realise their dreams. It's slow and follows Tab's continuous story telling model. If I had to pick a single to promote the album, that would probably be it.

Full Track Listing:

1. Down The Rabbit Hole
2. Scrapbook
3. Vitamin Shoppe
4. House of The Rising Son
5. Cheap Disguise
6. Here Comes The Rain
7. Charades
8. Last Call
9. Manipulated Living
10. Ballad of The Man That Never Made It
11. Elmer Fudd Theory

All in all I give the album a solid 4 out of 5. If you are a hip hop fan or a music fan in general then this album deserves to be in your collection. So what are you waiting for? It's avaliable now to buy.

Aran.

So I had a bit of a relapse...

Okay so I didn't post this weekend. Life has a funny thing of throwing unexpected events at you. That's all I have to say about that. Remember I've already cleared myself for not posting the weekend coming because I have quite a lot of things going on and I will barely be on the computer. Also today, I did voice training and after listening back to some old recordings I'm glad I did. I was all monotonous and boring. Bad times. Well when I have the podcast up that will change. Speaking of the podcast, if you want to have one of your songs featured on it contact me at brokentoybox@hotmail.com. Right onto the bands.

The first band we have are from Enfield, North London and go by the name of Retro Crooks. These guys are an alternative band with a great sound going between slow beats to fast rhythms. This mix works so well with how this band play and instantly draws you into them. Their songs about guys, girls, relationships and all the bits in between. Of course that subject has been done over and over (see the history of all music) but Retro Crooks seem to bring a new life to it and its hard to get bored of a subject that seems to have been taken away and polished to reveal something new underneath all that old stuff. The same could be said about Retro Crooks. They are by no means the first band to do what they do but they are a refreshing one.

The second band we listen to is called Draw Me Stories, from Cardiff, Wales. These guys describe themselves as an alternative folk rock band and its not hard to see why. You have the folk rhythms backing up with some very interesting lyrics. Draw Me Stories seem to be quite downbeat but they pull it off in such a way that you enjoy yourself and your nodding along to their music, well thats what I was doing... Anyway I'm really liking these guys and they do have a debut EP avaliable which I think would be a wise buy and could be one of the best records of the year.

I tell you what is a shame. Both these bands are unsigned and yet producing great music. They may not hit it big this year, a shame for the mainstream, but they have what it takes to knock down all barriers and by the beginning of 2010 start to invade. That's why both bands are BTB Rising Stars of 09.

Remember if you want to contact me send me an email at brokentoybox@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/brokentoyboxmusic.

I'm still going!

Yes! I haven't stopped posting in a row yet. I knew writing this in the morning would have a better rate of success than when I used to do it mid afternoon when I hit the lazy stage. Also thanks to the bands who are sending MP3's for the podcast. If things go well then it will be up be the end of next week. However if some unexpected stuff happens then it will be pushed back depending on what actually happens. I do know that next weekend (Friday 6th to Sunday 8th) I will not be updating this site due to a family occassion. Other than that nothing major should get in the way. Let us begin.

The first band of today goes by the name of Controller, who are from the UK ( I could say Kent due to the interview with BBC Kent but I don't want to be wrong. Though if you are from Kent, Controller, you are doing us proud!). This pack of 4 is led by Jenna Donnelly who has a fantastic voice which really brings the music to life. of course it is helped by the musicians, Louis Newell on guitar, Paul Townsend on drums and Ethan Maltby on Bass, who bring amazing rhythm and tone that blend incredibly well with Jenna's voice. The music covers mainly relationships, well that's what I get from it, though I suppose you could take away your own meaning. I can see Controller going far and so also nominate them as a BTB Sound of 09 act.

Favourite Song: Something to Walk Out On.

The next act I have is Tab, more than just a rapper/singer but a lyrical genius. Tab hails from New Jersey and has been involved in music for the majority of his life. He has picked up a lotover the years and listening to his songs you can tell that he is a quality act. In a tip when R&B, Hip Hop and Rap has been invaded by those who go on about how great they are and how much money they have, it's refreshing to have an artist of the genre who goes back to what hip hop was and was meant to be, mainly sending a message of the wrongs of the world, sending messages to the people. I know a lot of my readers don't like rap or hip hop but give Tab a listen and tell me he isn't good. Tab, if you're reading this, consider me one of your newest fans and someone who will be spreading the word.

Favourite Song: There's too many to choose from.

Anyway that's today's post done. If you want to contact me:

www.myspace.com/brokentoyboxmusic
brokentoybox@hotmail.com

We continue!

What?! I'm actually doing a second post in a row like I promised?! I fear we've slipped into some kind of alternate universe during the night or things are on the up. You decide on which answer you prefer or come up with your own. You have the choice after all. Right any updates I need to be telling you about?...Nope. I'll put updates up here for your bands if you ask me too though! Anyway let's crack on.

The first band we encounter today are, Draft Animals, who are from Port Orchard, Washington in the USA. They are an indie band though not the generic indie band everyone claims to be, because you know recently a lot of indie bands have started to suck. Draft Animals have, however, reinstated my belief that there are good hard working bands out there. Draft Animals even chuck in a bit of reggae with their song Western Jamaica which is something I wasn't expecting when I first hit their MySpace page. All in all a band that, should they continue to spring some surprises like that, will be stampeding through the music world and into the ears of many listeners.

The next act I have for you is a solo artist from Tasmania, Australia who goes by the name of Samuel Page. All I have to say is amazing. I have the belief that Samuel Page can do for Australia what Ladyhawke did for New Zealand and reaffirm its status in the modern music world. With Samuel Page you take what you will from his lyrics but it's almost guaranteed that you will connect with his songs in some way. I know I did and I was not expecting that. One of the BTB Sounds of 09? Yes, yes he is provided enough of you lot start supporting him and help in spreading the word of Samuel Page, listening to him, going to gigs if you are near his area or if he comes to you. Sam, keep it up and realise you have made many new fans today.

That's that for today then. Remember the following ways are how you can contact me:

www.myspace.com/brokentoyboxmusic

brokentoybox@hotmail.com

Fuck this shit!

Do you know what I did today? I realised how lazy I have become. I scorned myself and told myself off for being so damn lazy. So now, unlike those empty promises I have fed you before, I mean it this time. BTB is not going to die because of my "I can't be bothered" attitude. I started this because I wanted to find new music and share it with others. This is the glorious return of the daily update. Not the weekly update or the monthly update. The weekly update. Now that I'm fired up again, lets do this!

The band I have found to kick start this reboot is called Pretend Girlfriend who are from Burnley. Pretend Girlfriend are a post punk/rock/pop mash up of sound and are catchy enough to be singing along and cool enough for you to proudly proclaim to be one of their fans. These 4 guys have a great chemistry between them with every member of the band playing an intricate part in carving out pure music awesomeness. They've recently recorded new material and are playing shows in Burnley. So if you're a Burnleyite (or is it Burnleyian?) go take a look because if Pretend Girlfriend's songs are anything to go by, they'll put on one hell of a show. They say it is during times like these when the economy has gone to shit and the public is apathetic to the world that the real music comes out to shine among the crap. Pretend Girlfriend are one of those shining lights guiding us through the shitstorm we're encountering.

Favourite Song: Shopping For Free

Now to slow things down slightly with a band called Just To Annoy Ray, who are from Cirencester. This bunch of girl and guys class themselves as Acoustic Folk Rock but you need to throw a bit of funk and the fact that JTAR have a certain ambience surrounding them. I will be the first to admit that similar bands to JTAR kind of threw me off liking this take on a genre but JTAR have reeled me back in with their hooks. The lead singer, Sian Chandler, has a hauntingly beautiful voice that you cannot get sick of hearing. Throw in the support from her co band members, Ray Hughes, Trevor Short, Sam Gerard and Nigel Gardner and you have one of the best recipes of a band yet.

Favourite Song: Loaded Gun

Both bands are currently unsigned so if you work for a record label , snap up these treasures.


Well that's it for today. I need breakfast. To contact me:

www.myspace.com/brokentoyboxmusic

E mail: brokentoybox@hotmail.com

Changes!

So some important changes have occurred, most notably the USA has a new President. Other important changes concern this here blog. Over the next couple of weeks you will see a string of changes, the layout of the site could change quite dramatically though I haven't decided how, a new podcast should be up soon enough and now with a webcam at hand, some video blogs could be made. Hooray for progress I say.

Right first band is 3BobNation who hail from Gravesend, England. So who or what are they? Well 3BobNation are an Indie, Punky, Poppy threesome who bring out some smooth listening songs, combined with commentary of everyday life and every song they have made have catchy lyrics, catchy tunes and are generally all around catchy. The amount of times I used catchy in that last sentence should give you a sense on what you're missing out on by not listening to them. I've seen them live a few times and they know how to get a crowd on their side by putting on a great show for all who have attended one of their many gigs.

Band number 2 are called, Base Battalion, from London, England. Who or what are they? I'm going out on a limb by first guessing they are human, if they aren't then this is both interesting and worrisome. Base Battalion are an experimental rock band who use the art of sound distortion like experts. The vocals of Swan compliments the sound the band produce who also consists of fEET, fLash and L.Pops ( I am not making these names up, I swear). A sound hot pick for 2009? You better believe it!

Well those are the two bands I bring you today. It's only 2 today because well I am working on quite a lot of things so time is naturally being a bitch. Listen and love!



Got a suggestion? Want your band to be heard on the BTB podcast? Then contact me:

brokentoybox@hotmail.com
www.myspace.com/brokentoyboxmusic

Just checking in...

I know. I know. I haven't posted in over a month. I've been busy/ ill. However some developments. The new podcast is being worked on and should be up in the next week or so. Also I have a new laptop which has a built in webcam so maybe some video blogs will be done.

Watch this space!

Finally! (Part 2)

After much haggling over the phone and the cost of a small fortune, I finally have the internet up and running in my flat so now I can type this from the comfort of my living room instead of the crowded computer suite on campus. Oh happy days indeed! Now that we're all expecting regular updates of this here blog, I am restarting production on the BTB Podcast which means I need your music to showcase! Let's restart this journey and get it going properly.

The first act are called Dandelion Wine from New York City. This trio don't just make music for music's sake but also to convey messages of the world we all live in and by bringing these messages out, they try to make the world a better place to live in. The actual music they play is a relaxed, mellow sound and though there are some similarities to other indie bands, there is also enough of a difference to put Dandelion Wine in their own little niche. Dandelion Wine, with their sound, make you think maybe life isn't so bad. Give them a listen and let the sound wash over you.

Favourite Song: Drunk Driving


The second band today is called The Boundary who are from Almada, Portugal. These guys are the more typical indie band which we here on the radio quite a lot. However this does not take away the fact that The Boundary are an entertaining band. Their songs have kind of any early Libertines vibe about them which gives them a good staying power. I say give them a listen and discover another good indie band.

Favourite SongL Overrated.

Sunday Post

Yes I am doing the rare thing of posting on Sunday. I usually don't do this as I am more often than not hungover. I was expecting to be hungover today but what do you know, I'm not. So I thought I'd do something worthwhile, no not my Journalism essay, but write about our favourite subject, music. I feel on Sunday is the best day to listen to music because for me that's when the world stops being hectic.

Now, British Rap/Grime has only a few truly recognised icons in the mainstream music light such as Dizzee Rascal and Lethal Bizzle. However I think I've found one of the most exciting and probably one of the most important rap group that has ever existed. These guys rap to you about the real issues in the world in a brutally honest way and then leave you to deal with the questions raised. I give to you Scribe Tribe. I could write a lot of things about this lot but the true justice and appreciation for them is by listening to their words. If you truly appreciate music in all its forms then sing these guys praises, vote for them at:

www.totallyunsigned.co.uk/members/467/

Support them in any and all ways possible. Scribe Tribe, I salute you.

I, also for the first time, don't have a second band to mention. It's a first I know. I think I need to get my head together before I find some more talent. Until then...

At last new headphones!

So why have I taken ages to actually write anything? Is it because I'm lazy? Maybe. Is it because I have had a ton of uni work to do? Possibly. Is it because my access to the Internet has been sporadic? Almost certainly. However the biggest reason is that I haven't had a pair of headphones to listen to music. Why is this important you ask? Well, when I listen to the bands I review I like to be surrounded by their sound so I can get a real feel for their music. That's a feeling you can't get out of speakers when other people are walking about and talking. Headphones help me block out the outside world and focus completlly onthe band at hand. I will say that posting for the next week shall be sporadic but from December 2nd I shall finally have the internet in my flat so I have no excuses. Onto the first band!

This first band are called Lite Brite. No! The glowing guys such as this one,

have not come together to creat a band, though that would be pretty cool. Lite Brite are a band from Sacramento, California and a great band at that. Take some influences from classic indie rock, mix them together with some contemporary sounds and you have what could be one of the most exciting sounds around today. These guys have a sound that could take you from sitting around listening to their music, to hearing it in an indie club somewhere and having you up on your feet. I have one thing to say to this band. Shine on Lite Brite, Shine On.

BTB Favourite Song: Shine On

The second band is from Oslo, Norway and go by the name of While You Slept. Now I have a love/hate relationship with music from the Scandinavian region. I'll tell you why, the biggest band from Scandinavia in the world was and still is ABBA. How can this still be the case when we have bands like While You Slept on the circuit?! It makes no sense! While You Slept combine the voices of Jakob Jones and Benedikte Wallace to create a vocal sound that cuts right down to the core of you. Combine that voice with some of the best muscians, Nikolai Grasaasen, Torgeir Beyer and Øystein M. Johansen and you get a sound that is really powerful, and full of talent. I'm now going to go start a campaign to get music management companies to have more scouts in the Scandinavian countries. If While You Slept are anything to go by, then it is pretty much an untouched treasure chest.

Favourite Song: Moments Gone

Thus ends another day of finding new music while bringing you guys some listening pleasure. To the two bands who I mentioned today, please keep making music as it is simply brilliant.

Aran

The Welcoming Return of BTB! *insert maniacal laughter here*

That's right everybody! I'm finally back to doing what I do best and that's finding the music that you want to hear. It's been ages since I wrote anything worthwhile here and recommended new bands for your listening pleasure and for that I apologise. However though the blog is making its welcome return, the podcast will still be on the sidelines until all things with that are sorted and I build up a back catalogue of tracks from bands. Enough of this faffing around! Let us begin the journey once more!



First we're hitting Portland, Maine, USA to find a band named The Murder Weapon. Formed in 2004, these guys have come a long way and are making tracks that sound professional but retain their charm and character. I can honestly say they sound like all the best bits of all your favourite big time rock bands, thrown into a bowl and mixed together then unleashed on a tour of quality. The voice and guitar playing of Jon Nothing, bass playing D Murder and the drumming of Cory Marz brought together creates one of the most exciting underground bands of our time. Let yourself become a victim of The Murder Weapon now.



Favourite Track: He's Gone



The next band to feature on this return post come from my favourite city in the world, London! Recommended to me by a friend, Jack Gant, this band are The Tenets. These guys take the classic ideals of punk rock and bring those ideals into the modern era. This four piece have more influences than any other band I've reviewed to date, everything from other bands and musicians, to authors, to films. With so many influences I'm certain that The Tenets will be making music for a long time and that can only be a good thing.



Favourite Track: Bridges and Balconies.



Well due to time constraints that's all I can bring you today. I'm going to make this a regular thing once more so I should be posting again tomorrow. Hooray for that! Remember I want you to recommend bands to me and support BTB. Do it. You'll love it.

Aran

Technical difficulties!

So I haven't added any new music or podcast or updated this. This is because I lack internet in my new home still and the computer lab computers have no speakers. Annoying I know. Once BT stop being silly we'll get some music going again!

It's been missions!

Yeah so apologies for being away for so long. I've been busy getting a lot of stuff sorted at work and for my upcoming move (only 12 days away!) so I haven't been able to find much new music. Instead today I will come up with a Top Ten of bands who I have reviewed/seen live for today. I need something to get me motivated so without further ado it's The BTB Top 10 so far!

10: boxViolet - boxViolet are one of my favourite bands because they are genuinely different. Their sound hails back to a bygone era when rhythm effects and sound effects were the key to making music that would top the charts. boxViolet are bringing that back and what a welcome return it is!

Favourite Song: It's still 'Sad Sad Girl'

9: Frenchie - This guy is Pop at its Poppiest and to say anything else is a lie. Frenchie doesn't try to disguise his pop sound, like so many artists do, but embraces it and that is the mark of a true musician. This a pop act Mika should be looking up to and saying I want to be like him because you know, Mika isn't great. Frenchie is.

Favourite Song: Oh What A Feeling.

8: Fire In The Hole - This is a rock band with a twist. You may think their sound is similar to others and then they bring in the funk. If the Red Hot Chili Peppers had kids with Michael Jackson then I'm sure Fire In The Hole would be their offspring. These guys were born to make music and make it they shall!

Favourite Song: The Human Race Erased

7: Sound The Attack - This group epitomises heavy rock and they do it well. It's all you can do to stop yourself becoming emersed in their sound and jumping and singing with them. So my advice. Don't stop yourself. Let Sound The Attack attack your senses with full force and you'll be all the better for it. Rock has found one of its new saviours.

Favourite Song: Bully Empire

6. Private Dancers - I love Brazil for many things and Private Dancers are one of them. This lot know how to make music that people will still be humming long after the songs have finished. If CSS were the first true big band out of Brazil then Private Dancers will be the second. I know it because I say it. To disagree that Private Dancers are an amazing band should be punishable in some way. I don't how but it would be painful.

Favourite Song: The Form

5. Carmen - Carmen are brilliant. They have such a great sound about them that I bought their album to hear the gems they hadn't put up on their MySpace. It's a brilliant debut album and I one I would recommend to anyone who is serious about their music. Their rock pierced with melodies makes for listening you won't forget.

Favourite Song: Be My Forever

4. Plug In - These French rockers are brilliant and were the joint pick of the bunch when I asked listeners for their band of the podcast when these were featured. Surely to be as big, if not bigger than their french contemporaries The Teenagers. We're reaching an age where, I hate to say it, guitar bands are becoming one and the same. Plug In have something about them that sets them apart and I can't wait for their EP.

Favourite Song: Misters

3. Crossed Keys - My favourite band from the USA. They won the Californian Battle of The Bands and for good reason. They're brilliant. They sent me their CD and I'm not bored with it at all. I really can't wait until Crossed Keys come to the UK. I'll be right at the front of the crowd singing along to all their songs. They had a big impact on me from the first listen and that impact gets better with each listen.

Favourite Song: Sin In a Bottle

2. PARK - Nothing can describe how mega their sound is. I can try but I wouldn't do them justice. This band need to be big. They just have too! Their songs, especially Not For Me and Nameless Faces, are so damn epic that they need to be played on the Main Stage at Reading and Leeds. Just listen to them and I know you'll agree. There's a reason I haven't stopped listening to them!

1. Letters From London - Okay so I never reviewed these guys on here but I've seen them live enough times to justify why they are number 1. I've followed these guys for the last 3 years and seen them grow bigger and better. They even have a Japanese street team! How many bands can claim that? They're live shows are always fantastic and if they can they will let you invade the stage on their last song. John Sterry creates lyrics as well as Pete Doherty if not better, Billy Smith plays Bass like a demon who's escaped from hell, Danny Smith plays the guitar like a mainiac because well he is one and Christian Parker bangs his drums like a madman with talent.


My Top 10 and I'm sure you'd agree. BTB is back! Woop!

Still alive!

Alright no music in this post. It's just a confirmation that this place isn't dead. Hopefully I'll get things moving again within the next couple of days.

Damn Work!

Yes I have been working pretty much non stop so I haven't had the time to review any bands however this working condition should subside by Monday. Until then expect this to be the update to tide you over this weekend. Of course to do that I have to tantalize and tease you so that is what I will do.

The first band only have an EP teaser on their MySpace but this one teaser gives insight to more talent than most bands manage through a whole set list of songs. They go by the name of Kids Uncanny and they are from London. You can tell from this teaser they do all kind of styles and mixes and because of them I'm now going to have to end my money saving habit and buy their EP when it comes out. If this means I don't have heat for month then so be it because the talent this band shows is worth it.

Favourite Song: If only there was more than the teaser. I already need their songs!


The second band I have for you are called British Standard and after only hearing one song on their MySpace I think they are brilliant! These Essex lads don't play about and are right in your face from the opening of 'Scoundrel' and will stay there until you give into them. Another plus is that you can download Scoundrel for free off of their MySpace. Do it, you won't be disappointed. I can see British Standard becoming memorable and bigger as the years go on.

Favourite Song; Well it has to be Scoundrel....it is the only one I've heard.

And the thrid band I have for you is called Helium from Huddersfield who mix rock, blues and calming rhythms to produce some excellent music. These guys are jumpers, in the sense that no two songs sound the same which is what I like about Helium. They have songs that appeal to everyone. One second they've got a song that will calm your nerves and they jump to a funk induced frenzy. Helium will keep on rising and rising with their music. They are also giving their songs away. Huzzah!

Favourite Song: Some Things

Well I'll update this blog again on Monday, unless something comes up which I'm hoping won't.

Contact:
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