Album Review: “Moonshot” – 1201_Alarm. Words – Sammy Stein

120_Alarm comprises Steve Thompson (Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Nigel Kennedy, Robert Smith, Lisa Stansfield) on Electronics, Laser Harp and Keyboard, Tamar Osborn (Akram Khan, Collocutor, Kelis, Van Morrison, Billy Ocean) on saxophone and flute, Emma Bassett (Adele, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tim Minchin) on trombone, Alistair ‘Titch’ Walker (Divine Comedy, Doolally Tap) on trumpet, Ollie Weston (Amy Winehouse, …

Song Review: “Mayday Mayday” – The Clockworks

The Clockworks are back with a heavy hitting alt rock track, my favourite on their new album so far. Big guitars! Big drums! Big vocals! This song is about the world we live in now, I’m assuming that it’s alluding to the cost of living crisis, because there’s references to money, and lack of it …

Blog interview: The Clockworks

Clockworks! How are you doing?  Good thanks, looking forward to the album release. It’s been all guns blazing for a while so looking to get the album out. Congratulations on the release of “Exit Strategy” how does it feel? It’s fulfilling. We worked for a long time on this, and we’ve had to learn a …

Album Review: “Northern Flame” – Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat. Words: Sammy Stein.

Northern Flame by Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat comprises Emma Johnson on tenor saxophone, Fergus Vickers on electric guitar, Richard Jones on piano, Angus Milne on double bass, and Steve Hanley on drums. This collective is fast achieving recognition as one of the most innovative and diverse collectives around. I discovered Johnson …

Single Review: “You Built A Wall” – The Way After

This is the new single from The Way After a band from London/Coventry, and it’s quite a tune! It starts off with a count off on the sticks, which gives way to a very pleasant indie rock number. But what caught my ear is the use of the string quartet on it, really lush strings. …

Single Review: “Brother Chumbo” – Kontiki

Years ago I knew a kid in my neighbourhood called Chumbo. His family were from North Africa. I’m not sure exactly where. He was a bright kid, loved his football, and always had a big smile. When he moved, his friends around him were so sad, I never saw him again, and nothing on the …

Album Review: “Delta Breakdown” The Heavy North.

Grumble grumble… Liverpool…. grumble grumble… Talent from drinking the water of the river mersey. Grumble… Annoyingly good songs.  Grumble.  Oh hey!  So…. My boys from Liverpool The Heavy North dropped their new album. And guess what?  It’s bloody brilliant.  This for me takes over from where their debut album left off, it’s bluesy as hell, …

Single Review: “To The River” – Dorsten

Arizona brother and sister duo Dorsten are back and what a number! This song starts off with footsteps and claps slowly, along with finger picked guitars, then Sophie comes in with her signature powerhouse vocal.  Careful. She will knock you off your seat.  Little blonde girl with the big voice?  Of course she is.  This …