http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk The Online Cultural Smorgasbord Tue, 30 May 2006 13:49:59 +0000 Tim hulio en http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/site_images/logo.gif http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4189&type=Features http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4189&type=Features Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:55:56 +0000 Simon Jay Catling Features http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4189&type=Features Whisper it quietly readers (I'm writing this from a library after all), but this week has been pretty good for singles. That sounds decidedly unexcitable, but didn't you read I'M IN A LIB- oops. Against all odds too! When I tell you that of two ... read more! - Editors, and the other one sounds a bit like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, you might spew out your instant coffee with gusto and call an end to my very existence. But please, whilst you're contemplating that, please do have a look at a couple of existing reviews on the site of things wot are out this week:

Bonobo (feat. Andreya Triana)- Eyes Down (Ninja Tunes)- “'Eyesdown' is seemingly destined to feature in the trailers for wildlife documentaries and silver grey car adverts in the near future.” Read the full review here.

Sound Of Guns- Alcatraz (Distiller) - “Ambition on display that can be both enthralling and empty.” Read the full review here.

Things get better than those offerings though readers; promise. First of all, Alison Goldfrapp returns- the original 80s pop revivalist- and guess what! She's only ruddy reviving the 80s again. ‘Rocket' (Mute) shimmers and sparkles with a pleasing amount of sass; and whilst some of us (me) are going to have to get used to the fact the days of Felt Mountain are probably gone forever, this chirpy ditty will at least have us dancing away our resignation. Keeping things on the pop straight and narrow, those still-young scamps Bombay Bicycle Club are turning many a-head once again, ‘Evening/Morning' (Island) is pretty crisp indie-pop with a nice meaty bass-line; a great song? Nah, any single with a cover featuring someone who looks pretty similar to Herman Munster gets a recommendation in my book, oh yes they do.

Where things get REALLY VERY G- sorry, really very good this week is when Pantha Du Prince decides he wants to spaff almost eight minutes of awkwardly infectious minimal ambient techno all over my face; for help with this rewarding task he's enlisted the help of the ever in-vogue (at least that's how it feels) Animal Collective's Noah Lennox to do a vocal turn, and- as stated before- ‘Stick To My Side' (Rough Trade)is really very good; all brooding and shuddery before settling into a tenor that's not quite moody enough to be dark but far from cheery enough to be considered uplifting, namely because Pantha's beats and bleeps and pulled down whilst Lennox's relentlessly chipper voice is pulling upwards. Juxtaposition- it's wonderful ey.

GROUP THAT'S SUPPORTING EDITORS ALERT (pee off Librarian, it's not like I'm ACTUALLY SHOUTING, it's for effect see?) Anyway, the Editors might've come a-cropper in picking up Strange Death Of Liberal England to support them on their upcoming arena orgy- ‘Flagships' (Republic Of Music) is rather similar to them but better, making more out of structural crescdendos; and synths Editors? Why go for that for a change of direction when you can just throw a hulking load of brass in? You're going to look foolish I'm tellin' thee.

Cymbals Eat Guitars haven't been around too long, but every song they put on makes you feel like you're in a trusted pair of hands. ‘Wind Phoenix' boogie-woogies into view, remembers who its being performed by and thus screeches with a bit of feedback to appease us. It's a wonderfully understated song by CEG's standards though, except for that noisy mid-section, but then that's just euphoric, and Joseph D'Agostino sounds constantly on the verge of exploding but only does once, about three and a half minutes in. It's great, basically. Which brings us finally to the BAND WHO SOUND LIKE BLACK REBEL MOTORYCLE CLUB. Colourmusic, though, possess none of the frowning, taking-ourselves-very-seriously aura of the clan BRMC, and in fact it's only the in ‘Put In A Little Gas' (Memphis) gloriously scuzzy chorus that they approach some of the American's bluesy garage rock hallmarks…oh and in the ear-shattering outro. But between that, they sound nothing like them, true say. And you know what? It's a thoroughly enjoyable- if nothing else- four minutes, which is good enough for me. Until next week singles lovers!
]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4189&type=Features http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4188&type=Demos http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4188&type=Demos Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:43:31 +0000 Owain Paciuszko Demos http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4188&type=Demos Self-professed 'panda punk' from Birmingham four piece The Benwahs opens with the very lively title track, with Suzie's vocals all excitable and barely catching her breath between lyrics. This new iteration of the band was formed by Suzie after the London-based group broke up ... read more! -
In My Head shares tempo with this EP's lead track, and could almost be mistaken for an epilogue to the last song, The choruses of 'In my head, in my - in my head...' are fired out with Jon and Jason providing backing vocals, that work well and bring a bit of distinction to these parts of the song. Fortunately The One has a certain angry pop balladry to its arrangment, with Suzie bemoaning 'I don't want to waste your day.'

Final track Keep Me On has a frenetic, hi-speed apocalyptic cascading cacophony to its joyfully, manic choruses and then a fevered Suzie pleading to her lover which creates an excellent structure to this loose-limbed, danceable chunk of pop-punk fun.

The first two tracks here are something of a damp squib for the potentially, and purposefully, explosive and reactive nature of The Benwahs, their sound is a bit too samey (to one another and to other pop-punk acts), but beyond that this group have some great ideas and a good sense for good time music. It's still early days for this second attempt under The Benwahs banner, and this EP is weighted evenly on either side, so time will tell... ]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4188&type=Demos http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4187&type=Demos http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4187&type=Demos Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:18:11 +0000 Owain Paciuszko Demos http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4187&type=Demos With the opening of The Boy and the Tearaway you almost expect them to burst into a cover version of Coldplay's Yellow, except it keeps going off down a different track after half a familiar riff, and then lead singer Pete Dand's appealingly dry, Barnsley ... read more! - The Boy and the Tearaway you almost expect them to burst into a cover version of Coldplay's Yellow, except it keeps going off down a different track after half a familiar riff, and then lead singer Pete Dand's appealingly dry, Barnsley accented vocals pipe up. But it's hard to shake those occasional doppelganger tendencies towards Chris Martin et al, and then the track's closing moments bring to mind an epic Elbow finale.

Bright New Worlds jaunty pace and mopey lyrics coalesce well, bringing to mind The Jam taking a wry trip to an indie-disco. With its squelchy bass line, splashy drums and catchy guitar line the band continue to move away from their earlier 'stadium filling' vibe and keep both feet entrenched in music that matches its integrity with a fun, danceable feeling. 'Everything you lived for passed away,' sighes Dand, and you can imagine a full dancefloor or mosh pit revelling in these melancholic asides.

That's the biggest advantage that The Exhibition have in their current arsenal, a sense of entertainment and a knack for being able to marry the up and down beat. 'These are notions I struggled all my life with,' Dand ponders midway through closing track Reaction, which is a slightly less successful example of what I was just talking about, but nevertheless a decent finale to an EP that rescued itself quite admirably after a soggy start. If they can keep this up then the future will look bright for this Northern quartet. ]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4187&type=Demos http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4186&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4186&type=Singles Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:28:21 +0000 Richard Wink Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4186&type=Singles Settling down to a downtempo groove, 'Eyesdown' is sleep inducing, or should I say relaxing? See, it puzzles me this borderline ambient stuff. Is it music that is meant to soundtrack an hour long soapy soak in the bath, or background music for when you ... read more! -
The beats are intricate, woven in a variety of layers, yet tentative. They don't provoke any response or movement. The four mixes of 'Eyesdown' that feature on this single are unable to wake any sleeping giant that may be slumped under this duvet of melancholia; frustratingly the mixes also cannot embellish the vocal contribution that comes from Andreya Trianan, she sounds a little like Roisin Murphy after three bottles of Night Nurse.

Layers, they don't mean much if the track is so laid back it flops sideways. 'Eyesdown' is seemingly destined to feature in the trailers for wildlife documentaries and silver grey car adverts in the near future.
]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4186&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4185&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4185&type=Singles Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:24:55 +0000 Chris Tapley Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4185&type=Singles It's an increasingly difficult task distinguish between admiration of Zooey Deschanel's lovely face or any genuine talent which she possesses. 'In The Sun' is the first single to be taken from Volume 2, her second album with M Ward and it presents a similar problem. On ... read more! - Zooey Deschanel's lovely face or any genuine talent which she possesses. 'In The Sun' is the first single to be taken from Volume 2, her second album with M Ward and it presents a similar problem.

On the surface 'In The Sun' is something of a revelation, all chiming piano, shadowy guitar solos and chanted group backing vocals (courtesy of Tilly and the Wall). It sounds like a classic pop song, though after a few more listens its lack of emotional substance becomes palpably clear. The fact that this isn't immediately obvious though is a reflection of Ward's excellent production job.

Initially a dizzying sugar rush, the more you listen to this track the more it seems as though you're staring in to the dead listless eyes of every failed actor turned singer who've made an ill advised stab at country music. So you know, enjoy it, but just don't spend too much with it or you'll ruin it for yourself. Undoubtedly a decent track but hopefully there will be much more on offer from Volume 2.
]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4185&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4184&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4184&type=Singles Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:58:45 +0000 Rhian Daly Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4184&type=Singles If you're after lethargic indiediscopop then hold your horses and stop right where you are, youngster. Introducing Othello Woolf, off-kilter London pop genius and all-round star in the making. On debut single Stand we find him doing his best David Byrne impression and urging all ... read more! -
Introducing Othello Woolf, off-kilter London pop genius and all-round star in the making. On debut single Stand we find him doing his best David Byrne impression and urging all us womenfolk to “stand up for your man” with the sort of chilled out urgency (the best kind of paradox) that makes you really, really want to and if, like me, you ain't got no man, go out and blimmin' well get one just so you can do as dear Othello says. He does sound a bit like he'll be awfully upset if you don't, you see. And we really couldn't have that.

And whilst all of this urging and man-standing-up-for has been going on, you might have noticed you've started lazily shuffling around the room in a fashion that some people might call dancing. That'll be the power of the almost ridiculously 80s sporadic keyboard stabs and the irresistible bassline that makes Othello the complete package. ]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4184&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4183&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4183&type=Singles Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:43:50 +0000 Rhian Daly Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4183&type=Singles Oh my word, it's the nineties again AND I LOVE IT. Starting off like some sweet indiepop lullaby, half-French, half-English Mono Taxi's How You Gonna Feel About This? suddenly takes an unexpected diversion with stomping guitars and Garbage-esque “yeah, yeah”s. So, it's not wholly original, ... read more! - Mono Taxi's How You Gonna Feel About This? suddenly takes an unexpected diversion with stomping guitars and Garbage-esque “yeah, yeah”s. So, it's not wholly original, following a fairly standard quiet verse-loud chorus structure but when you've got a song as feel-good and fun as this, does it matter?

Retro (can we call the nineties retro yet or is that a bit premature?) in all the right ways, How You Gonna Feel About This? looks best filed alongside Shirley Manson's gang, Elastica and Powder. Summery, powerful, feminine-fronted indie at it's best. ]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4183&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4182&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4182&type=Singles Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:07:46 +0000 Rhian Daly Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4182&type=Singles Where Two Door Cinema Club have paved the way, fellow Belfastians Not Squares shall follow. Don't be fooled into thinking they're as accessible and poptastic as their younger counterparts, mind - one listen to second single Asylum will tell you otherwise. Not Squares couldn't be ... read more! - Two Door Cinema Club have paved the way, fellow Belfastians Not Squares shall follow. Don't be fooled into thinking they're as accessible and poptastic as their younger counterparts, mind - one listen to second single Asylum will tell you otherwise.

Not Squares couldn't be further removed from the aforementioned Two Door boys, unless they were making some kind of gangsta rap-doomcore hyprid. Asylum and it's b-side Bi Kan Na are slices of mind-warping electro, mixed with shouty math-rock vocals. If the late, great Mae Shi had focused more on their electronic side rather than the punk vocals, it's easy to imagine they would've sounded a lot like this.

After playing various BBC Introducing affiliated events, including a slot at Reading and Leeds festivals last summer, and on the basis of this example of their beautiful, noisy genius, things are looking good for Northern Ireland's most labyrinthine electro wizards. ]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4182&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4181&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4181&type=Singles Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:05:40 +0000 Rhian Daly Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4181&type=Singles Anything with the words “featuring Bryan Ferry” on is going to have me interested. That's just a fact of life, like summer follows spring and no matter what measures you take your hair will always be some kind of gravity defying mess when you wake ... read more! - Bryan Ferry” on is going to have me interested. That's just a fact of life, like summer follows spring and no matter what measures you take your hair will always be some kind of gravity defying mess when you wake up. So when this here promo CD fell out of the envelope of goodies sent over to me from GIITTV towers, you can imagine the pleasant surprise I had.

You see, Bryan Ferry is something of a hero. From Roxy Music to the solo warbling, I can find merit in all of it. And I'm not going to lie, when U Can Dance reaches 0:19 and that familiar silky voice sings “It was the mambo talking” with the same quiver that characterises classics like Virginia Plain, a massive chill went right up my spine. In some contexts, it is slightly disturbing that anyone should get so excited hearing Monsieur Ferry dropping pick up lines in the form of song ( par exampler “Do you come hear often?/Do you wanna play?”), but then just before this he says he's been “raving through the night/looking for some company”. If the image of Bryan forlornly having it large in some club filled with people half his age doesn't make you feel a little bit like you want to give him a cuddle, you are dead inside.

All this aside though, what would this be without that glam-pop pioneer? An average dance track that might get you going when you've had a few but otherwise has no longevity or real interesting points. Not even a remix by the wonderful Simian Mobile Disco could transform it into anything anyone would get especially excited about. Just as well DJ Hell's got Bryan's number then, really. ]]> http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4181&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4180&type=Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4180&type=Singles Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:06:52 +0000 TC Singles http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/content/content_detail.php?id=4180&type=Singles Back in their Irish homeland, Delorentos are hailed as a band of some substance. Their 2007 debut album In Love With Detail met with significant critical acclaim, resulting in various award nominations. The follow up, You Can Make Sound, was released in Ireland towards the ... read more! - Delorentos are hailed as a band of some substance. Their 2007 debut album In Love With Detail met with significant critical acclaim, resulting in various award nominations. The follow up, You Can Make Sound, was released in Ireland towards the end of last year and, whilst it didn't have a similar whirlwind effect, it showed a greater degree of maturity from the band. Their ambitions lie further afield now though, as it gets released this side of the Sea on 15th March.

The lead single is 'S.E.C.R.E.T.', which gets my back up straight away! Songs that rely on spelled-out words to pan are both annoying and lazy in my book ('D.I.V.O.R.C.E.' anybody?) but let's see past that eh? It kicks off with an admirable energy surge and, whilst it is a blatant pop song, it's well put together, even if a little lame lyrically. I question if this was the best vehicle to introduce the band in the UK though, as the album contains more classy moments. It may be something of a cynical release however, as it should guarantee a degree of airplay to raise some awareness for their other material, which is no bad thing. Taken in isolation, D.U.L.L.!
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