Monday, 29 November 2010
Saturday, 20 November 2010
Thursday, 11 November 2010
H. Hawkline - A Cup of Salt (Album Review for The MMP)
Words originally for The Miniature Music Press, and can be found in December's edition of the magazine.
In his many years, Cardiff-based musician Huw Evans (H. Hawkline) has played with the likes of Richard James, Sweet Baboo, and Cate Le Bon. Largely unnoticed by the masses, this looks likely to change soon; touring with Gruff Rhys, support slots for label (Shape Records) mate’s Islet, and the release of this, his wonderful debut album. Huw has numerous sides; demonstrated both during his live performances and here – songs ranging throughout krautrock-influenced and psychy pop/rock to weird and spooky instrumental folk. For instance, opener An Old Lady Sings/Pentecostal is (after one-minute of old lady singing introdudction) three minutes of looping noise, walking bass-line, fuzzed guitar, and driving motorik drum beat; and From Her Eyes goes from menacing piano keys to Eastern/gypsy-sounding guitar and banjo work to unusually chanted vocals. Incredibly well layered and well crafted is each song on show. If A Cup of Salt doesn’t bring him widespread adoration then the masses are rubbish.
4.3/5
In his many years, Cardiff-based musician Huw Evans (H. Hawkline) has played with the likes of Richard James, Sweet Baboo, and Cate Le Bon. Largely unnoticed by the masses, this looks likely to change soon; touring with Gruff Rhys, support slots for label (Shape Records) mate’s Islet, and the release of this, his wonderful debut album. Huw has numerous sides; demonstrated both during his live performances and here – songs ranging throughout krautrock-influenced and psychy pop/rock to weird and spooky instrumental folk. For instance, opener An Old Lady Sings/Pentecostal is (after one-minute of old lady singing introdudction) three minutes of looping noise, walking bass-line, fuzzed guitar, and driving motorik drum beat; and From Her Eyes goes from menacing piano keys to Eastern/gypsy-sounding guitar and banjo work to unusually chanted vocals. Incredibly well layered and well crafted is each song on show. If A Cup of Salt doesn’t bring him widespread adoration then the masses are rubbish.
4.3/5
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Islet - Wimmy (Album Review for The Miniature Music Press)
Words originally for The Miniature Music Press and can be found in the December edition of the magazine.
Listening to Islet can be like a cow eating grass. Only after the difficult-to-digest cellulose has been broken down by the first few parts of the stomach can the cow reap benefits – and it may take a few listens before Wimmy, the Cardiff band’s second mini-album, reveals itself for the real treat that it is. Take Ringerz. Layered with distortion, synth-y effects and unusual drum rhythms, what lies beneath is a true pop masterpiece with a nod to Animal Collective, and Horses And Dogs which has enough ideas to fill out an entire album. Dub-inspired bass lines, casually spoken-word vocals, a prog-like guitar solo mid-song, and the most random yet utterly brilliant r’n’b vocal breakdown; yet to say the song ‘works’ would be an understatement. Songs that may seemingly start as incoherent and disorientating racket will, given time, mould into a fantastic hypnotising and clattering collection of smashed-together ideas. Wonderful.
4.4/5
Listening to Islet can be like a cow eating grass. Only after the difficult-to-digest cellulose has been broken down by the first few parts of the stomach can the cow reap benefits – and it may take a few listens before Wimmy, the Cardiff band’s second mini-album, reveals itself for the real treat that it is. Take Ringerz. Layered with distortion, synth-y effects and unusual drum rhythms, what lies beneath is a true pop masterpiece with a nod to Animal Collective, and Horses And Dogs which has enough ideas to fill out an entire album. Dub-inspired bass lines, casually spoken-word vocals, a prog-like guitar solo mid-song, and the most random yet utterly brilliant r’n’b vocal breakdown; yet to say the song ‘works’ would be an understatement. Songs that may seemingly start as incoherent and disorientating racket will, given time, mould into a fantastic hypnotising and clattering collection of smashed-together ideas. Wonderful.
4.4/5
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Above: Jake attempts to consume a vegetarian-style hot dog at Latitude music festival, 2010.