matt has written the following articles:
Politics. In some form or other, it's something that burns inside many of those who claim a genuinely alternative mindset. But it's also something that's crushed easily by sheer weight of cynicism - frustration at the arcane complexities, flawed ideologies, endless arguments and lack of real progress that ar»
Politics. In some form or other, it's something that burns inside many of those who claim a genuinely alternative mindset. But it's also something that's crushed easily by sheer weight of cynicism - frustration at the arcane complexities, flawed ideologies, endless arguments and lack of real progress tha»
Violet Indiana's Choke EP is the latest project of ex-Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie, a collaboration with vocalist Siobhan De Mare which is released at the end of November on the Bella Union label Robin helped found. Fans of his former achievements won't be disappointed with the dreamy soundscapes on offer on this new EP »
"Quirky" is the word that came to mind on first hearing this album - right from the first song, "Horse pill vector", odd song titles and unexpected guitar patterns build into an invigorating original sound. Fiver are the latest signing to Fierce Panda records and their dizzy combination of dreamy lo-fi, art-rock quirks»
This compilation's subtitle, "A suicidal pop collection" raises a few questions. Suicide and the icons of pop music have always had an edgy relationship, but that music so unashamedly dark in sound and subject matter could acheive the life-affirming spirit usually required of the pop genre seems surprising. Wil»
It was billed as a "fanzine friendly" night and the lineup didn't disappoint. The Wave room (tonight at least consisting of Hamish Mackintosh, main man at the Czars' Bella Union label, an acoustic guitar and a CD player) kicked the evening off with a brief warm-up set. Some dreamy acoustic and ever-so-slightly slushy s»
A sad story greets the listener to this brilliant debut mini-album from Cambridge band Gwei-lo - their first is also their last recording. A decision was made to release the album bearing testament to the musical skills of guitarist Al Brooker, who collapsed and died on stage earlier this year. As such the albu»
A small crowd packs into the relaxed and intimate venue above the garage to watch Billy Mahonie prove the sheer idiocy of their ex label bosses in dumping them earilier this year. Support came in the form of elementary 3-piece post-rock noise, with melancholy vocals to match. The inexplicably-named Supercoolwat»
The simple beauty of "Before... but longer" becomes apparent right from the first track, swelling from a simple atmospheric guitar backing with calming intense and melancholic vocal harmonies. This second album from the Denver 5-piece encompasses many influences, all held together by the pure-sounding voice of »
It seems the small venue couldn't meet the huge demand for tickets to Coldplay's album launch instore at the Oxford Circus HMV. The band and staff seemed genuinely surprised at the massive turnout, as fans were being turned away at the doors. Perhaps this shows how quickly Coldplay have risen from being just an»
A large turnout and high expectations were all in order for Sonic Youth's first uk appearance this year since their controversial set at all tommorow's parties. Before they began their set however, our attention was drawn to the unusal stage set-up - glasses, bowls, tins, sprawling wires... what turned out to be ins»
