POSTS TAGGED : Rock

Live Review: The Charlatans in Dublin (23/11/21)

Personally a big fan of The Charlatans, Us & Us Only still ranks as one of my favourite albums so I was delighted when Alan Brady emailed me though a review of their show in the Olympia. I have seen them live maybe six times over the years and I can’t say I ever felt short changed. Anyway, thanks to Alan for the review and how nice is it to be talking about gigs again. Take it away Alan.

What has been one of the most irritating things about the whole Corona Virus lockdown which has engulfed us in this country for the last two years? Possibly it has to be the lack of a live music gig, and the opportunity to go to a rock concert in a dark, wedged Olympia Theatre. Well the Charlatans ended that drought in superb fashion in late November, with a newly long blonde-haired Tim Burgess and co. thrilling the audience in what is surely the best music venue in Dublin.

The task of providing support for the West Midlands, England act lay at the feet of Aoife Nessa Frances, and the pop and folk Dublin songwriter duly began her set in a relaxed and leisurely manner with ‘Blow Up’ – a tune from her debut album ‘Land Of No Junction’ (2020). Maeve McKenna on the harp supplemented Frances’ singing and guitar playing, although it must be noted that the consequences were varied. The pair performed a lot of songs from Frances’ upcoming new album, which the Sallynoggin-originated singer told us won’t be released for a considerable period of time. The packed audience was enamored by her reverberating singing and guitar strumming, which firmly got the spectators in the humor for the headline act.

Enter the Charlatans – led by the strangely haired Burgess in his eccentric jumper – who were on top form from start to finish of their 23-song set. Proceedings were set in motion with a long intro to ‘Forever’, during which a very enthusiastic looking Burgess danced onstage to rapturous applause. Some of the best performed tunes were ‘Just When You’re Thinking Things Over’, ‘Can’t Get Out of Bed’, and ‘A Needs To Be Told’ – in which the steel guitar was somehow bestowed on keyboards.

Mark Collins was in superb form throughout as his riffs on songs such as ‘One To Another’ and ‘North Country Boy’ – encouraged the crowd to firmly bop – with Burgess duly egging them on to do so. Fans loudly sang along to the latter tune as those in attendance were now seriously in concert mood, and thunderous applause appropriately ensued. ‘How High’ was another ballad to see the voice-level raised around the one-hundred and sixty-six year-old venue.

‘The Blind Stagger’ built up in a slow and leisurely fashion, whilst conversely the audience was treated to an ecstatic rendition of ‘The Only One I Know’; and those present were further treated with a fantastic version of ‘ I Never Want An Easy Life’. The encore possibly encompassed the best-performed songs, as a harmonica-wielding Burgess led the way in an energetic version of ‘Impossible’, before their customary set-closer ‘Sproston Green’ – which again contained Collins displaying various burly guitar riffs – ended proceedings.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and although it’s been a tough two years for us fans of live music in Ireland, it was fantastic to see Burgess, Collins, Martin Blunt and Tony Rogers provide all at the famous Dublin Two venue with their fix of entertainment again.

Alan Brady

English Teacher – ‘A55’

English Teacher Share New Single ‘A55’ and Announce Debut EP ‘Polyawkward.

Trading in meaty and razor-sharp sprawling post-punk alchemy English Teacher introduced their wares with ‘R&B’ and ‘Good Grief’ last year and now, the Leeds outfit are back with new single ‘A55′ and news of a debut EP ‘Polyawkward’.

Centred around the trademark enigmatic wordplay from Lily Fontaine, ‘A55’ is a cathartic exploration of waking up with ‘The Fear’ the morning after the night before. Musically it consumes us as the shifting tension builds and builds, mirroring the introspective and intense lyrics – guitars burn and churn while drums rumble amid the fuzz as momentum grows and grows to explode. It is yet another massive tune from English Teacher; extremely excited to hear the EP when it arrives.

Listen to ‘A55’ below:

English Teacher – ‘Good Grief’

English Teacher are a Leeds quartet trading in meaty and razor-sharp sprawling post-punk alchemy who introduced their wares with ‘R&B’ via the ‘Nice Swan Introduces’ series earlier this year.

English Teacher have wasted no time, following up with new single ‘Good Grief’. While its predecessor was a meaty mash of searing riffs, soaring guitars and crunching drums, ‘Good Grief’ moves with a touch more  buoyancy and sprinkled with hooky refrains. It swaggers along with confidence and attitude while basslines rumble and guitars bash and cymbal crash while Lily Fontaine’s deadpan vocal croon has all the bite and rasp required. Another superb tune from the Leeds outfit – very, very promising!

Take a listen below.

SPRINTS – ‘Modern Job’

We’ve been tracking Dublin-based post-punk outfit Sprints for a while now and have impressed no end on each time of asking with their raw, raucous and potent post-punk sound.

Following on from the phenomenal Manifesto EP earlier thai year, Sprints return with news of new EP called A Modern Job, which is due out via Nice Swan Records on March 11 2022. Sprints have already left an indelible mark with releases to date and like their previous work is a fired-up, raucous blast of post-punk. Exploding out of the blocks with ferocious vitality and energy, Karla Chubb’s spoken-sung vocals bite and rise with a focused anger amid the dark, bass-heavy rumblings, sharp guitars and searing noise. Dark, brooding and bone-rattling, potent and poignant;  impressive stuff as usual.

Listen to ‘Modern Job’ below:

Sons Of Zöku – ‘Sacred’

Sons Of Zöku are Adelaide-based psych-rock outfit comprised of Portuguese-born Ricardo Da Silva and Ica Quintela, and Australian-born Jordan Buck, Oscar Ellery, and Eddie Hannemann.

They have been making waves in their native Australia (surely the most reliable source of modern psych) for a while with their free-flowing, energetic and colourful explorations and are now readying the release of their debut album and ahead of which, ‘Sacred’ is the first single lifted from the record.

In keeping with tradition, ‘Sacred’ draws influences from across the globe crafting a hypnotic haze of colourful kaleidoscopic sounds, wholly their own. Propelled by a lush, swirling groove and meandering rhythm it is adorned with languid guitars, sitar flourishes and dreamy, hushed vocals that drift melodically above the warm blanket of dreamy fuzz. Sons Of Zöku have struck gold once again and with a debut album on the horizon, it is a timely reminder of their prowess – hopefully the wait isn’t too long.

Listen to ‘Sacred’ below and get ready to be entranced. 

Cow – ‘Notemakers’

Liverpool-based, Welsh exiles, COW do a fine line in ’90s inspired fuzz-filled alt-rock, and demonstrated with great potency by their cracking new single ‘Notemakers’

Having released their debut EP at the tail end of 2019, more was expected to follow in 2020 but sadly, like a lot more besides, gigging and recording ground to halt. Cow, However continued writing and rehearsing and have another EP in the works – preceded by ‘Notemakers’.

‘Notemakers’ is a potent and fuzzed-up jam with nods to Dinosaur Jr, early Nirvana and Pavement, while Merseyside hero Bill Ryder-Jones’ influence looms large too. It is a slowburing, gripping affair primed with crunchy riffs, buzzing guitar, taut drums and tempered with a perfect blend of angst and vigor. ‘Notemakers’ finds a sweet spot combining melody with crunching, grungy rock while weaving catchy pop hooks into a rock squall. With a mere few listens ‘Notemakers’ finds its way into your psyche and refuse to leave – and that is in no way a bad thing.

Take a listen below. It is a belter. Oh, and there are some live dates below……. remember them??

COW live dates:

Saturday, August 21 – Gullivers Manchester – Mai 68 Records Showcase
Saturday, September 4 – Arts Club Liverpool – w/ By The Sea
Saturday, September 11 – Live Rooms Chester – w/ By The Sea
Friday, September 24 – Smithdown Road Festival Liverpool
Saturday, September 25 – Northwich – Salty Dog
Friday, October 1 – Newport – Le Pub – w/Campfire Social
Thursday, October 21 – Late Lounge Rhyl – w/ Maines
Saturday, October 30 – The Castle Manchester – w/ Groan Room and Lossline

Total Rubbish – ‘Someone Else’s Dream’

Philadelphia trio, Total Rubbish, have garnered a serious rep for solid psychedelic garage rock gold throughout 2020 and culminating in debut EP, Triple Negative – a tour de force of psych-rock.

The trio are back with another single called ‘Someone Else’s Dream’. Lifted from the EP and much like the previous singles – ‘Honey Ryder’ & ‘What’s Your Damage?’ – it ekes out a sweet spot between forcefulness and ear for melody, coexisting in a sea of dense atmospheric tones and swirling riffs. ‘Someone Else’s Dream’ sees dreamy vocals float breezily above the buzzing riff, crunchy guitar, slo-mo swagger and rich melodic allure – and all bathed it a thick layer of fuzz and distortion. Yet again, the inappropriately named Total Rubbish have served up an irresistible slice of dreamy yet swaggering psych-infused rock.

Tune in to ‘Someone Else’s Dream’ below now:


Vanessa Anne Redd – ‘Dark Minds’

London-based British/German artist Vanessa Anne Redd is preparing to release her third album, Sweet Way Around, in the new year., and ahead of which, Redd has shared lead single ‘Dark Minds’.

As far as intros go, ‘Dark Minds’ is as fine as you could ask for. It sweeps into view with hazy, smokey vocals centre stage as it drifts and meanders along a languid and syrupy groove, aided and abetted by undulating bubbly bass and snare combo before shifting through the gears. The seductive grooves are complimented (rather than overwhelmed) by a surging swell of fuzzed-up riffs and crunchy guitars, with Redds powerful vocals matching the rising tide step for step. It is dreamy, seductive and languid yet ultimately rousing and anthemic by the close – an utterly stunning song.

Tune in to ‘Dark Minds’ below and keep the eyes and ears open for the new record come the new year:

Sprints – ‘Manifesto’

Sprints are Dublin-based post-punk foursome – of Karla Chubb (vocals/guitar), Colm O’Reilly (guitar), Sam McCann (bass) and Jack Callan (drums) – who together, create a raw, raucous and potent post-punk sound – one bursting with a ferocious blend snarling vocals, driving rhythms, meaty riffs, swagger and noise.

These aforementioned attributes are offered in spades on their aptly titled latest single ‘Manifesto’, a tenacious statement of intent. An early taste of their forthcoming debut EP of the same name, due in the new year, it comes exploding out of the blocks. A powerful stomping beat underpinning an assertive and meaty bassline rumble as raspy, fierce and fiery vocals come to the for before soaring high above the explosion of buzzing guitar, scintillating riffs and crashing drums. It is a huge, explosive and supremely confident anthem. Previous single ‘The Cheek’ was great but ‘Manifesto’ sees them kick it up to another level entirely – a simply stunning tune.

Don’t just take my word for it, listen to ‘Manifesto’ below:

Jacqueline Tucci – ‘Home’

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Jacqueline Tucci is a Toronto-based musician with a penchant for 90s indebted alt-rock as evidenced by 2020 singles ‘Fear’ & ‘Sweeter Things’.

Further strengthening this rep, Tucci has released a powerful and potent new single, ‘Home’. It is a powerful and potent alt-rock anthem that is bristling with raw biting emotion and intensity as guitars burn and wind through mild fuzz and feedback with a bouncy bass bass riff for company, with Tucci’s powerful vocals soaring above. It is a huge tune that while meaty, raw and powerful, there is deftness to it too. It once again demonstrates Tucci’s brilliant ear for melody, a catchy chorus and lyricism, wonderfully switching as it does, from softer, more melancholic verses to euphoric, uplifting and anthemic choruses with seamless ease. 

Check out ‘Home’ below – it will not disappoint.