It's a feature that has been tried and tested by numerous magazines and websites, but is it time that Raucous Reviews had an 'Introducing' page? This would take the form of information about up-and-coming bands, a bit of bio and maybe an interview? I'd love to do it, and if I get enough interest I'll get right on it. If I don't get enough interest, then I won't.
If you are in a band and are interested in featuring on my blog, just for laughs and a bit of small-time publicity, you can contact me on here or through any of my Social Network adresses given on the Links page.
In the meantime:
Monday, 29 August 2011
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Song Of The Week 24/8/11
The Gaslight Anthem- 'The Queen Of Lower Chelsea'
No one paints a picture quite like The Gaslight Anthem. Their music is clean and simple, while their lyrics are rich with memorable characters and a real sense of time and place. Yes, it is a well known fact that the band, particularly front man Brian Fallon, is a big fan of Bruce Springsteen, which shows through in their style. But their is enough endearing personality behind the songs and honest emotion that it's easy to forgive them for wearing their influences on their sleeves. 'The Queen Of Lower Chelsea' from latest album 'American Slang' is typical GA fair in theme, but in construction, with its swelling dynamics and a contradictary minor tone and uplifting feel, is certainly one of the highlights of the album.
No one paints a picture quite like The Gaslight Anthem. Their music is clean and simple, while their lyrics are rich with memorable characters and a real sense of time and place. Yes, it is a well known fact that the band, particularly front man Brian Fallon, is a big fan of Bruce Springsteen, which shows through in their style. But their is enough endearing personality behind the songs and honest emotion that it's easy to forgive them for wearing their influences on their sleeves. 'The Queen Of Lower Chelsea' from latest album 'American Slang' is typical GA fair in theme, but in construction, with its swelling dynamics and a contradictary minor tone and uplifting feel, is certainly one of the highlights of the album.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Song Of The Week 15/8/11
Alexisonfire- 'Counterparts And Number Them'
It's all Frank Carter's fault. He started this whole chain of events. Unsatisfied with the music Gallows were planning for their third album, frontman Frank decided to leave the band and start his Brooklyn side project Pure Love. That's bad enough news for me. I think Gallows are great and that Frank was their USP, their key identifiable figure, their personality. Nevertheless the band started a search for a new frontman, one that could both Fill Frank's shoes and push the band forward in to their new sound.
In the end the band settled on Wade Macneil, Black Lung vocalist and Alexisonfire guitarist. Incorrectly I thought this was great news; that 2 of my favourite bands were, in a way, joining forces, combining elements. Then came the follow-up that, because of Wade's decision to join Gallows and Dallas Green's growing commitments to his solo side project City And Colour, the remaining members of Alexis had decided to call it a day. After 10 years and 4 great post-hardcore albums (plus a split EP with .Moneen. which I think is pretty wonderful) it's a real shame to see them go.
I got in to Alexisonfire just before I went to uni 2 years ago. I started with 'Crisis' and worked my way back through their discography, through the ambient noise and darker tones of 'Watch Out!', to the thrashy scream-heavy anthems of the debut, then back to their latest release 'Old Crows/Young Cardinals', with their core sound changed but still distinctly Alexis. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the decision was for the best. I love C&C and Gallows and I'm certain I will enjoy their music in the future, and I definitely didn't want to see Alexis make a bad album and ruin all their hard work. But it is a shame.
So instead of looking to the future, where all kinds of shit could happen, I prefer to look back at when the band were first starting out, all fresh-faced and such, before the drama of the split. At least they leave some great music in their wake for their fans to remember them by. I am going to miss them though.
It's all Frank Carter's fault. He started this whole chain of events. Unsatisfied with the music Gallows were planning for their third album, frontman Frank decided to leave the band and start his Brooklyn side project Pure Love. That's bad enough news for me. I think Gallows are great and that Frank was their USP, their key identifiable figure, their personality. Nevertheless the band started a search for a new frontman, one that could both Fill Frank's shoes and push the band forward in to their new sound.
In the end the band settled on Wade Macneil, Black Lung vocalist and Alexisonfire guitarist. Incorrectly I thought this was great news; that 2 of my favourite bands were, in a way, joining forces, combining elements. Then came the follow-up that, because of Wade's decision to join Gallows and Dallas Green's growing commitments to his solo side project City And Colour, the remaining members of Alexis had decided to call it a day. After 10 years and 4 great post-hardcore albums (plus a split EP with .Moneen. which I think is pretty wonderful) it's a real shame to see them go.
I got in to Alexisonfire just before I went to uni 2 years ago. I started with 'Crisis' and worked my way back through their discography, through the ambient noise and darker tones of 'Watch Out!', to the thrashy scream-heavy anthems of the debut, then back to their latest release 'Old Crows/Young Cardinals', with their core sound changed but still distinctly Alexis. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the decision was for the best. I love C&C and Gallows and I'm certain I will enjoy their music in the future, and I definitely didn't want to see Alexis make a bad album and ruin all their hard work. But it is a shame.
So instead of looking to the future, where all kinds of shit could happen, I prefer to look back at when the band were first starting out, all fresh-faced and such, before the drama of the split. At least they leave some great music in their wake for their fans to remember them by. I am going to miss them though.
Monday, 8 August 2011
Song Of The Week 8/8/11
The Bronx- 'Heart Attack American'
As of yesterday I have the image of Matt Caughthran's furious, sweating face branded indelibly on my brain, as he lept, mic in hand and eyes wide, in to the crowd at Hevy Fest. The last act that I watched on the final day of the festival, The Bronx's show was a true exercise in pure, scuzzy punk that left my ears ringing and my body bruised. I didn't know any of the words and I definitely don't know how to 2-step, but I still had a fucking great time listening to their music, and I'll definitely be checking out more of their stuff in the future.
As of yesterday I have the image of Matt Caughthran's furious, sweating face branded indelibly on my brain, as he lept, mic in hand and eyes wide, in to the crowd at Hevy Fest. The last act that I watched on the final day of the festival, The Bronx's show was a true exercise in pure, scuzzy punk that left my ears ringing and my body bruised. I didn't know any of the words and I definitely don't know how to 2-step, but I still had a fucking great time listening to their music, and I'll definitely be checking out more of their stuff in the future.
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