holliy has written the following articles:
An overriding rhythm section and general sense of over-simplicity mean this single doesn't have the captivating qualities one might have expected from Mr Patrick Wolf. Good siren noises, though...»
Indie: it's a rather predictable genre. Our reviewer isn't a massive fun of the over-expectable jangly guitars thing, but nonetheless has to give Strange Idols credit for doing it so well...»
A subtle, soundscaped album, With initially registers as 'ambient', low-impact noise. However, repeated listens reveal something more below the surface...»
In which it becomes quite clear that our correspondent will not stop punning unless forcibly removed from her computer, and that shiny electro-pop songs about the chocolate/boyfriend compatibility dilemma are a very good thing...»
Electro-pop duo Product.01 mix sexy beats with a flair for cool invention to make an album which doesn't do anything overly new... but which goes about it in such a fun way that the result is thoroughly winning anyway...»
Dawn of the Replicants' mixture of sneering venom, dirty adrenaline, shitkicking rawness and odd moments of beauty gets, as you would expect, a resounding "Yes, please!" from our reviewer...»
"We like the fact that it’s a really long, awkward name..."
The Victorian English Gentlemen's Club talk about awkwardness, control freakery, darkness, individuality and Impossible Sightings Over Shelton. And, like, their absolutely brilliant debut album...
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Warped song structure, manic techno beats and a general air of certifiable electro-mayhem, all packed into 110 seconds of mislaid Arctic waterfowl-based noise. Cracking...»
Yelling, thrashing, screaming, flailing and a general sense of riot somehow fail to give this single much in the way of lasting impact. Kinda surprising, really...»
Cue references to Björk and Bush (that's Kate, not Dubya) - but Bat For Lashes songstress Natash Khan has a powerful and entrancing sound that's very much her own...»
A surprisingly English pop framework is boosted out of predictability by a vaudeville chipperness. Sadly, the result just pisses our reviewer off...»
The Violets' first single with new bass player Crystal shows an increased style and freedom, as the guitar takes advantage of the new rhythmic certainty and indulges in layers of almost psychedelic atmospherics...»
A gleeful, Technicolour zombie stomp through the dark, B-movie underbelly of music. And if you don't like the sound of that, well, you're clearly too alive...»
A delicate, emotional sound with plenty going on and a lot of variety... but without much to hold the attention or incite enthusiasm...»
Surreal, angular, emotionally twisted attack-rock with whoops, hollering, hatred and handclaps. And, on top of all that, panache. We like this. We like it a lot...»
The Affair's mixture of girl-pop sweetness and a ricketty punk aesthetic has the makings of a very pleasing sound - but it doesn't quite gel...»
Long, drawn-out chords and an embarrassingly earnest vocal make listening to this drudgingly Worthy single an endurance-testing experience...»
This first birthday compilation from Tough Love Records features explosive rock choruses, surreal poems about cars, shouting, handclaps and an absolute plethora of indie tunes...»
To help combat global warming and watch some rock and roll both at once, all you have to do is attend this gig! You don't even need to clone yourself...»
Two bands display some charm and energy, but somehow lack the urgency necessary to make this split single do more than just exist...»
The Yell's debut single combines black magic, time travel and high-voltage low-fidelity energy. Which is always good fun - and when, as on B-Side Pyramids, it's combined with idiosyncracy and surrealism, it's even better.»
Ranging from obtuse and surreal soundscapes through cheesy synth pop to sexy electro-rock leers, Thee Sheffield Radiophonic Workshop provides something for anyone with an interest in “the passage of electrons through printed circuit and silicon chip”...»
Boasting swirling fairground organ, military drums, soaring emotional vulnerability and "a Greek chorus of dead dogs", 'The Dog's Home' is a strikingly original which holds the listener utterly rapt from beginning to end...»
Monkey Swallows the Universe's second single on Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation shows the same mixture of simple, dreamy simplicity and wry, warped humour which made their other folk/pop/indie offerings so tantalising...»
The Mardy Bums' lovingly mocking approach to the Celebratary English Pop genre provides a redeeming quality which, though not convincing our reviewer of the merits of the genre, does mean she can listen to them without sinking into black despair. A rather impressive feat, that...»
With an insolent style which belies their sharp, harsh sound, with this single Korova have created something angry, aching, intelligent and with a whirlwind energy which sounds better and better with every play...»
A wise-eyed look at adult relationships goes beyond the usual simplicity of pop lyrics, and does so to the backing of a minimal, dance-floor friendly slice of icy pop tuneage. Good work...»
A tendency towards fantasy and strangeness mixed with a sense of the fun in experimentation makes for an admirable, danceable and occasionally disconcerting debut EP...»
Rock'n'roll ripped apart, stripped down and rebuilt electronically in a manner which captures sparingly and exactly what makes rock'n'roll so exciting - and showcases some damn fine tunes while doing so.»
Fringe? Surely that's a haircut? Cambridge Fringe Festival to feature more entertainment than you could shake a stick at, and to be a worthy platform for new and obscure acts too...»
