Review – Burial “Rival Dealer”

Secretive producer Burial has released his first EP in nearly a year, and the results are typically intriguing. With a signature sound that gave birth to the phrase “sounds a bit like Burial”, Bevan’s latest offering “Rival Dealer” marks yet more experimentation with his style. Since his second album, “untrue” in 2008, Bevan has released longer and more experimental music, and Rival Dealer is no exception.

Burial

The enigmatic Burial, AKA William Bevan

The title track is his most up-tempo track to date, with a frantic drum beat that manages to sound both crisp and hissy at the same time. The second track “Hiders” harks back to oldschool Burial, with an 80’s twist.The final song “Come down to us” runs over thirteen minutes long, largely due to it’s crawling beat, and is punctuated with haunting vocal samples to create a very trippy atmosphere.

The secretive producer recently revealed in a text message, sent to Radio 1’s Mary Anne Hobbes.

“I put my heart into the new EP, I hope someone likes it. I wanted the tunes to be anti-bullying tunes that could maybe help someone to believe in themselves, to not be afraid, and to not give up, and to know that someone out there cares and is looking out for them. So it’s like an angel’s spell to protect them against the unkind people, the dark times, and the self-doubts“.

Of course no-one could make music as emotive as this without it being extremely personal, and as so little is known about Bevan’s personal life, this perspective certainly gives his music context.

Another excellent release from Burial, and arguably his best work, earning a solid 9/10 from me. Be sure to listen to it in here.

Live Review : The Skints @ The Platform

It’s difficult to put a finger on what kind of music The Skints make, as it seems to combine rap, ska, punk rock and blues into something that can’t quite be called any of these. This doesn’t bother the audience however, with a pleasing mix of young and middle aged stoners swaying in the 300-capacity room above Lincoln’s Engine Shed.

As guitarist Josh Rudge takes the helm , lead singer Marcia Richards coyly avoids the spotlight. Bassist Jonathon Doyle (Captain Haddock for this evening) produces some smooth grooves, as they dive into “Rise Up”. He’s soon accompanied by drummer Jamie Kyriakides, who for a monkey has a downright angelic vocal presence. One of the standout tracks from their LP “Part & Parcel”, it sets the tone perfectly, and provides an ideal tempo for all of us.

The Skints before going on stage.

The band didn’t neglect Halloween.

I first saw The Skints at a show in the south-east nearly three years ago, and it’s great to see them having come this far. They’ve stepped up a level musically, and they’re certainly getting peoples’ attention, after supporting the likes of The King Blues and You Me At Six . My heart has belonged to Marcia since I was 16, and I see no sign of that changing.

For more information on the band, including a full list of their releases, smash this link .

http://www.theskints.co.uk/

Live Review: Palma Violets @ The Engine Shed

Swaggering on stage to the blaring sounds of ‘Invasion of the tribbles’ by that old punk rock rabble Hot Nasties, Palma Violets are met by a crowd enthused with the energy of some sort of coke driven euphoria. And following the warm up heckles of merch guy, crowd worker and all round nutter – Harry Violent, the band blast right into a brilliant set of gritty, dirty, old school punk rock.

Guitars explode, drums rattle and the crowd loses it (including myself and my posse). It’s unusual to see a mosh pit at an indie band, but when it happens it’s a beautiful thing.

Palma Violets were so mental on stage we couldn't get a good shot!

Palma Violets were so mental on stage we couldn’t get a good shot!

Front man Chilli staggers around the stage like a man possessed, accompanied by lead guitarist and fellow vocalist, Sam Fryer who stands with shades donned, cool and comprised, breaking calm now and then to go crazy with Chilli for a bit before he has to return to the mic. Theres a great synergy between the two lads on stage and the crowd seemed to really go for it.

In fact, the band was so mobile it was virtually impossible for us to get a good picture of them doing their thing.

Chilli and Harry Violent hug after the encore, how sweet.

Chilli and Harry Violent hug after the encore, how sweet.

‘Best of Friends’ was the best song of the night by far. Explosive energy, bellowing vocals and all round low-fi grit left me feeling like I was in some dirty, back alley punk club in the late 70’s (In a really good way of course). A personal highlight for me would have to be screaming the chorus for the song along with Harry Violent in the midst of the mosh pit, skinny-jeaned teens flailing all around us like a Topman-tornado.

 

 

 

Review – Bonobo “Late Night Tales”

Brighton based musician and Producer Simon “Bonobo” Green released his Late Night Tales compilation this week, and the results are superb.

Bonobo live on stage

Bonobo on stage in Phildelphia.

‘Late Night Tales’ is more or less exactly what the name says. Artists are invited to produce a compilation of songs best suited for the end of the evening, and the results are mixed and released, with an added spoken word story on the end. The series boasts an impressive collection, with other compilations produced by the likes of Metronomy, MGMT, Fatboy Slim, Four Tet and Jamiroquai.

In this case, Bonobo’s multi-genre down tempo offering certainly ticks all these boxes. An eclectic mix of relaxing songs from recent times to over 30 years ago, the album flows perfectly, and is the ideal way to wind a night down. Featuring tracks from Nina Simone, Shlomo, Lapalux and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, it gives insight into Bonobo’s own influences, giving context to the jazzy presence on all of his releases.

The compilation ends with Benedict Cumberbatch reading the third part of the “Flat of Angles”, a bleak but beautifully written love story by Simon Cleary. It’s difficult to explain, but this series is truly something unique as far as my experience goes, and ending with spoken word from talent such as Cumberbatch, Brian Blessed and Sir Patrick Moore truly sets it apart.

All in all, this compilation is one of the best releases I’ve heard in the last six months, and has put me onto a series I’m sure to follow closely. It definitely deserves a listen (check it out in our spotify tab), earning a 9/10 from me.

Live Review : Skrillex @ Building Six

Skrillex on Stage

He still maintains a fantastic energy throughout his set, but even with an interesting choice of songs (Sabotage by Beastie Boys anyone?) Skrillex disappointed me.

Skrillex on Stage

Skrillex full of energy on stage.

The usual pill-infused Electronic Dance Music fans came a-flocking with ridiculously over the top security checks imposed by the venue failing completely (it took us 40 minutes to get in including showing ID and tickets, and getting vigorously patted down by a security guard with the face of a bloodhound).

I was excited for the support acts, with the familiar faces of 12th Planet, Jack Beats and Koan Sound. But while Skrillex and Koan Sound entertained me, Jack Beats produced one of the most boring hour and a half sets I’ve ever heard. It was just a droning wave of generic-house, inspiring the entire audience to mob the bar.

One of the oldest faces in the dubstep scene from Los Angeles, 12th Planet delivered a fairly entertaining set, with just enough effort to make the crowd believe he was trying. But it was Bristol lads Koan Sound closing the evening that made me glad I came out, with a glitch-hop-meets-orchestral set packed full of energy. I’ve seen Skrillex before, but never managed to them live.

Verdict

While I had fun, this was far from the best time I’ve seen Skrillex. Whether it’s my own music tastes shifting, or him on a downward slope, I can’t honestly tell you, but something about the night felt off. The eyes of weekend ravers shone a little less bright in the hazy gloom, the strobe lights a little less epileptic.

Koan Sound were the resounding highlight of the evening for me, but I was surprised by how average the other acts were. Don’t get me wrong, it had its highlights (there was a hotdog stand in the smoking area) but I fear the EDM tidal wave has reached is peak, and is now on a comedown (like most of the audience a few hours later).

Be sure to check out Koan Sound’s “Sanctuary” EP.