Album Review: Pure Love- Anthems

I wasn’t a fan of Frank Carter’s previous band, Gallows. Their music just didn’t appeal to me; I don’t really go for that vocal style. This however is more up my street, my sort of sound, and with it, Carter shows what a good voice he has.

Comparisons have been made to the likes of the Manic Street Preachers, The Gaslight Anthem and The Darkness, but personally I think they’re most similar to Stone Gods (the band formed from the ashes of The Darkness). Comparisons to The Gaslight Anthem are also accurate, as fans of the New Jersey band will be able to identify. To be honest though, the album title gives you some idea of what to expect, and it doesn’t disappoint.

What this album offers then is a selection of well delivered, guitar led songs with Carter’s strong vocals laid on top. It’s a different direction totally to Gallows, and he and guitarist Jim Carroll have pulled off a strong and solid debut album. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it makes no excuses for what it is. From start to finish it’s just pure rock. Stadium style rock that’s meant to be played with the volume turned up to 11.

 The album kicks off with the Oasis-esque ‘She (Makes the Devil Run Through Me)’ and it gives a good indication of what’s to come.  A solid riff and guitar solo show that the rest of the album means business; something that is confirmed within seconds of the next song, ‘Bury My Bones’, starting. Thumping drums and a crunching riff lead into the opening line “I’m so sick of singing about hate/It’s never gonna make a change”.  If proof were needed that there’s been a change of musical direction, then this is definitely it. It’s one of the best songs on the album. The guitars are huge and Carter’s vocals are particularly impressive. It has a punchy aggression, but at the same time has a very accessible sound.

 

 

Other standout songs on the album include the brilliant pop/rock track ‘Beach of Diamonds’. If you’re a fan of Noel Gallagher’s solo stuff then you’ll like it. The upbeat and catchy ‘Handsome Devil’s Club’ is another highlight with a big sing along chorus reeling you in. ‘Riot Song’ is another top quality song, again with strong chorus. These are my personal favourites off the album. They’re also the ones I was most familiar with before, as they were released on EPs last year. The rest of the album though is just as strong, with consistent guitar heavy anthems.

 

To conclude then, this an album full of pure rock songs. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s not trying to be anything else. Once you understand that, you can enjoy it for what it is. With so many various sub genres within rock, it’s nice to have a band that plays straight forward rock music. It was a brave decision to venture to a different style, and one that might not be popular with the legion of fans that like Carter’s previous work. But that also works the other way round. With a radio friendly and accessible sound, Pure Love’s fan base can only grow. An album I definitely recommend.

8/10

 

 

Gig Review: Sonic Boom Six @ Audio, Brighton

This was my first gig of the year and I couldn’t have wished for a better night. It was a small venue with a great atmosphere and great music. All the right ingredients for a fantastic night.

First two bands on were Collisions and Under the Influence. They got the night off to a good start, both with decent sets. I had never heard of either of them before, but they both did a good job of getting the crowd in the right mood for what was to come.

The third band on were Scottish outfit The LaFontaines, and they really lit the place the place up. They came onstage to a humorous speech by Peter Dickson (voice over guy on X-Factor), which was original and helped warm the crowd to them. It certainly made me smile, so even before they had played a song they had already made an impression. Once they got going, their fusion of Hip Hop, Pop and Rock impressed even further.

 The mixture of rap, strong guitar and big sing along choruses really got the crowd going. Interaction with the crowd helped keep the tempo up.  Even though they were a support act, their set was very strong, and as a live act they were brilliant. The strong Scottish accent helped, really helped make their sound stand out. Certainly one of the best support acts I’ve seen in a long time. The stand out track for me was ‘Superstar’, mainly because it was the only one I could remember the title of, but also because it was my favourite of their set. You'll want to check out their song 'Shark in the Water' below, as they’re a name to remember.

                           

Headline act Sonic Boom Six were on next, and they immediately burst into ‘Kids of the Multiculture’.  If you don’t know Sonic Boom Six, they are a real mixture of genres and sounds. Now I must confess I am only really familiar with their more recent stuff. This benefited me as they played quite a bit off their latest album. New single ‘Keep on Believing’ and the fantastic ‘Virus’ were two of my personal favourites of the night.  They did mix it up though with older crowd pleasers such as ‘Piggy in the Middle’ really getting the crowd going.  It was evident that the band were enjoying themselves. They even managed to fit a touch of reggae and showed their versatility with the noticeably gentler ‘Gary Got a Gun’.  Apart from that, I have never seen a band play with so much energy. They played at full pace the whole time.  Vocalists Laila Khan and Barny Boom certainly knew how to work the crowd with plenty of interaction. They even managed to fit in a melodica solo. Add to that the sizeable mosh pit and it was clear that the crowd were having a good time too.

 

They are described by Kerrang as "taking ska, pop, grime, dubstep, punk and metal apart, then rebuilding them as a hyperactive hybrid" is just about spot on. Behind the good time sound though, their lyrics have heavy punk influences, and are delivered with such meaning that you can’t help but get drawn in. If you’re reading this thinking “how can that possibly work?” give them a listen and you’ll soon find out. Certainly one of the most entertaining and best value for money bands I have seen. It was a great way to start off my list of gigs this year. Definitely a band that I recommend you see live.

Check out the singles 'Virus' and 'Keep On Believing' below:

 

 

Gems of the 1990s

The 90s really is an underrated decade for music. As the decade that gave us Brit Pop, Grunge and Girl Power, it is usually the big hitters of those genres are the ones that are best remembered. However there is much more to the 90s than that. I may have been too young to appreciate it at the time, but there were some real gems, far too many for them all to be included here.

For a start some big bands from the 80s all had huge albums in the early 90s. Guns ‘n’ Roses had ‘Use Your Illusion I and II’, Metallica had ‘Metallica’, aka ‘The Black Album’ and U2 had ‘Achtung Baby.’ Of course there was also Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ arguably the biggest grunge album of the time. There were another couple of big albums from lesser known artists, with Extreme releasing ‘Pornograffi’ and Ugly Kid Joe releasing ‘America’s Least Wanted’, both fantastic albums.

I haven’t included the big hitters of the Brit Pop scene either; so no Oasis, Blur or Pulp. There’s also no Radiohead, Ocean Colour Scene or Manic Street Preachers. Furthermore the likes of The Lightning Seeds, Texas, Dodgy, Stereophonics, The Cure, Republica, The Boo Radleys, Toploader, Travis, The Beautiful South and Primal Scream are on the list of British bands that haven’t been included, even though they all had big hits throughout the decade. Another band that I unfortunately had no room was The Beloved. Their song 'Sweet Harmony' is great, I love it, but I decided to stay strict to the 30 song limit, so it has to remain here.

From America, artists such as Weezer, Green Day, Blink 182, The Offspring, The Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Aerosmith, Deep Blue Something, Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow all had big hits, but aren’t included. By this list alone, I think you can appreciate the quality of music that there was.

I’ve also steered away from boybands, girl groups, dance and euro pop as it’s not really music that I’m entirely into, although my first album was S Club 7 (I’m allowed, I was 8). As you'll see, my musical taste has changed somewhat since.

I have picked 30 songs that I think are real gems of the decade, some that are less well known than others but they all, in my opinion, some of the best songs of the 90s.

Enjoy :)

Andreas Johnson- Glorious: Released in 1999 by Swede Andreas Johnson, ‘Glorious’ peaked at number 4 in the UK charts. With its distinctive chorus and catchy hook, people may recognise it as has been used in numerous TV adverts. A real underrated anthem, this song is a gem that people may not realise they know.

 


 

Blind Melon- No Rain: Blind Melon enjoyed reasonable success in the early 90s, thanks largely to the popularity of this, their breakthrough single, taken from their multi-platinum debut album.  A popular video with heavy MTV airplay also helped. Although an alternative rock band by trade, this has a softer acoustic sound. Unfortunately the band’s progress was cut short in 1995 due to the death of lead singer Shannon Hoon. They have since reformed, although there are no plans for new material.

 

Bran Van 3000- Drinking In LA: A personal favourite of mine, this song is the first single released by Canadians Bran Van 3000. A mixture of electronica and hip-hop, this is a great chill out song. It achieved mixed chart success, peaking at number 3 in the UK charts. It was also covered by UK indie band The Twang, and surprisingly does the song justice.

 

Cake- The Distance: Ok I’ll admit it, if it wasn’t for SongPop on Facebook I wouldn’t have known what this song is called. It has always been one of those you ‘recognise it when you hear it’ songs. Once you hear it though it’ll stick in your head with a catchy bass line, riff and trumpet solo. The hip hop style vocals also make it particularly catchy.  It’s one of those songs that when you hear it, you have to turn the volume up.

 

Cardigans- Erase/Rewind: Best known for their song ‘Favourite Game’, Swedish pop rock band The Cardigans have a strong catalogue of music.  Among them is this, taken from their 1998 album Gran Turismo. Singer Nina Pesson’s vocals offset the catchy guitar riff and beat perfectly. Her voice also suits the slower tempo compared to other songs of theirs, making it a relaxing song to listen to. Certainly an underrated song from an underrated band.

Cast- Finetime: The perfect example of a forgotten Brit Pop classic. Everyone remembers Oasis, Blur and Pulp, but there were plenty of other bands forging their own way. This included Cast, with this, their debut single.  It is perfect 90s Brit Pop with a brilliant riff and catchy chorus. Noel Gallagher once described watching Cast live as being like a “religious experience”, which shows just how highly regarded the band are.

 

Catatonia- Road Rage: Another band synonymous with the 90s, Catatonia enjoyed success with the multi-platinum selling ‘International Velvet’ and platinum selling ‘Equally Cursed and Blessed’, with this single taken from the former. ‘Mulder and Scully’ is arguably the better known track, but this song is just as good, if not better. It’s a perfect example of Cerys Matthew’s distinctive vocals, with the slight Welsh twang, that helped make the band so popular.

 

Counting Crows- Mr Jones: A real 90s classic this and the song that launched Counting Crows into stardom. After heavy radio and MTV airplay their debut album ‘August and Everything After’, with this as the lead single, became the fastest selling album since Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ two years previously.  The song just oozes quality, and is no doubt one of the best songs of the 90s.

 

Del Amitri- Nothing Ever Happens: What’s brilliant about this song is that it’s so simple, yet puts across a strong message, a message that’s still applicable today. The song may be over 20yrs old, but it pinpoints the misplaced values in modern society and how apathetic people have become towards them. It also reflects on the dullness of everyday life and how oblivious people are to the world around them. It’s beautifully simple and enables the lyrics to reel you in and hold you there. It really is a song you can put on repeat and not get bored of.

 

Eagle Eye Cherry- Save Tonight: This is one of my all-time favourite songs. Again the lead single off a debut album, it has become Eagle Eye Cherry’s signature tune. It is just pure class. It’s wonderfully upbeat and catchy and has a brilliant intro that really catches your attention. The lyrics also provide a brilliant narrative. The subtle changes in intonation also help to give the song that extra bit of depth. A true classic that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so.

 

Eve 6- Inside Out: Guess what… yet another lead single off a debut album. This song really shows 90s alt rock at its best.  You could arguably describe it as Brit Pop in style, although it has more of ‘rock’ sound. It has a catchy hook and with a real sing along chorus, it’s a song that really does stick in your head. Again it’s another personal favourite of mine, but once you’ve given it a listen there’s a good chance it will be yours too.

 

Feeder- Yesterday Went Too Soon: This song is another timeless indie anthem from Feeder, this time from their second album. It just goes to prove what a criminally underrated band Feeder are. As good as songs like ‘Buck Rogers’ and ‘Just a Day’ are, Feeder show a slightly different side here with this radio friendly ballad. Even though it was the band’s first top Top 20 single in the UK, and is a favourite amongst die-hard fans, it doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves. It shows if nothing else, what a talented songwriter Grant Nicholas is. It is a beautiful song. I have said before that Feeder are one of the best British bands of the last 20 years, and this song shows what a strong back catalogue the band has.

 

Fun Lovin’ Criminals- Scooby Snacks: I love this song, it’s just full of attitude. From the bass line in the intro, to the famous Honey Bunny quote from Pulp Fiction leading into the main guitar riff this song is just brilliant. The song is mostly rapped, apart from the chorus, which helps make it a real sing along anthem. This is proven by the video below, with the song being performed at Glastonbury in 1999. Even though it’s got the big chorus and dirty guitar, what really makes the song is the explicit excerpts from both Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. The song just doesn’t sound the same without “Any of you fucking pricks move, and I'll execute every motherfucking last one of you! “, being shouted out in the intro. It really does add substance and momentum to the song. Watch the video, and you'll agree. (*I really wish I was in that crowd)

 

James- Destiny Calling: One of the most underrated bands this country has produced. This song shows that there is much more to James’ repertoire than ‘Sit Down.’  It’s another example of a song with a deeper meaning than at face value that can still be applied today.  It’s essentially an almost satirical look at the music industry and how manufactured artists are used to make money.  With lines like “Clone us in a test tube/Sell us to the multitude/guess that’s the price of fame” and “Fat cats playing roulette with lives/This games fixed, it’s all a lie” it is still perfectly accurate 15 years on. It is a fantastically written song, and one that deserved to be a much bigger success.

 

No Doubt- Just A Girl:  I love this song. Not only does it have one of the best riffs you’ll hear, but put together with Gwen Stefani’s unique and distinctive vocals it really makes the song stand out. ‘Don’t Speak’ may be better known, but I think this trumps it. The guitar in particular is seriously catchy and will have you hooked. If anything, this song sounds even better live.

 

OMC- How Bizarre: This is a song that everyone knows, you just might not realise it. It’s a fantastic upbeat catchy pop/rock song. It’s got a great hook and a chorus that will inevitably stick in your head. It’s what I would call a perfect summer song, one that lifts your mood when you hear it.

 

Semisonic- Closing Time: Another big 90s alt rock song, it was actually nominated for best rock song at the 1999 Grammy Awards. The song starts off quite slowly but explodes into life with a real sing along chorus. From there the song keeps its momentum going with both piano and guitar solos. ‘Closing Time’ has been used extensively in film and TV, such ‘Due Date’ and ‘The Simpsons.’

 

Soul Asylum-Runaway Train: The song that propelled Soul Asylum to international status. The track also won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1994, as well as helping the album which it is taken gain multi-platinum status. The video also received heavy airplay on both MTV and VH1, gaining popularity due to it raising awareness of missing young people. It’s a fantastically gentle song, with a chorus that weaves its way under your skin. A true 90s classic that stands the test of time.  

 

Skunk Anasie- Hedonism: Taken from the album ‘Stoosh’ by British rock band Skunk Anasie, ‘Hedonism’ is a much softer song than other tracks on the album. Their music has been described as “an amalgam of heavy metal and black feminist rage”, and while there is evidence of that on other tracks on ‘Stoosh’, ‘Hedonism’ is the complete opposite. The song has a fantastic riff, while singer Skin’s vocals are gentle yet powerful.  Another song that is great to chill out to.

 

Sublime- Santiera: What I really like about this song is the reggae/ska/rock crossover. It manages to incorporate a fantastic reggae beat with soft rock. Along with great lyrics, the song gets under your skin and you’ll be singing along to it in no time. Even though the context of the song is about revenge, it is delivered in such a way that it doesn’t convey the anger you’d expect.

 

Suede- Beautiful Ones: This is another example of great 90s Brit Pop. While other contemporary bands are still well remembered, others such as Suede, have to work that bit harder to remain on the public consciousness. That’s not a bad thing though considering the strength of songs in their armoury. The song really epitomises the sound of that era, with a brilliant guitar riff and Brett Anderson’s distinctive vocals creating one of the best and underrated songs of the 90s.

The Bluetones- Slight Return: The biggest hit for another 90s Brit Pop band, their debut platinum album, which this is taken, knocked Oasis’ ‘What’s the Story…’ off the Number One spot in the UK charts. This is another example of underrated British band, proven when singer Mark Morriss appeared at a local music festival and didn’t generate the same amount of interest as his contemporaries may have.

 

The Connells- 74/75: Another gentle acoustic guitar track from across the pond, but another one that is just class. This song was popular in Europe upon its release, hitting number one in Scandinavia, but only reaching number 14 in the UK charts. The chart position doesn’t do the song justice however, as it’s a brilliant laid back and chilled out song.

The Cranberries- Ode to My Family: This is one of many songs that could have been included by 90s legends The Cranberries. Most people are familiar with ‘Dreams’ and the number one hit ‘Zombie’, but there are plenty of other gems such as this ballad. The song is about singer Doleres O’Riordan’s yearning for her simple life as a child, having achieved success. It’s a beautifully written song and the slow tempo coupled with the soothing tones of O’Riordan’s vocals really draws you in. She has a fantastic and distinctive voice, and this track demonstrates just how good her it is.

 

The Mock Turtles- Can You Dig It?: This is another song that people may well be familiar with, you just might not realise it. It was used recently in a TV advert for Gala Bingo, and before that Vodafone also used it. Born out of the Madchester scene of the late 80s/early 90s The Mock Turtles are one hit wonders, but it’s a great song that left.  The intro is perfect, it builds up layering each section until it explodes into life with the main guitar. The then continues to build through the verse until it reaches the big sing along chorus. It might just slightly outdate Brit Pop, but it certainly goes down as a 90s classic.

The Soup Dragons- I’m Free: This song by Scottish alternative rock/dance band The Soup Dragons is actually a cover of a Rolling Stones song. With a sound similar to that of contemporaries Primal Scream, it is more upbeat than the original and includes an overdub by reggae star Junior Reid. It’s a great example of early 90s funk rock, with a mixture of gospel sounding chorus and smattering of reggae. It was the band’s biggest hit, making it to number 5 in the UK chart. One hit wonders they may be, but it’s another great 90s song.

 

The Verve- The Drugs Don’t Work: This is one of the best songs, off one the best albums of the 90s. The second single from the album ‘Urban Hymns’, it became the band’s only number one. It’s one of those rare songs that is timeless. It’s a beautiful song, written about the father of singer Richard Ashcroft, who died of cancer. You can really hear the emotion in Ashcroft’s voice. Not only are the lyrics brilliant, but the acoustic guitar accompanying sets the tone and temp perfectly. A wonderful song, by one of the best bands to come out of the 90s.

 

The Wildhearts- I Wanna Go Where the People Go: The Wildhearts are a criminally underrated rock band, who although achieved a number of top 20 singles, have never really achieved the commercial success they deserved. Although a number of factors have played a part in that, what cannot be denied is talent which the band, and in particular songwriter and vocalist, Ginger Wildheart has. This song is a perfect example of that with a great riff, multiple hooks and a big sing along chorus. It’s a fantastic rock anthem that does not get the recognition it deserves.

 

Third Eye Blind- Semi Charmed Life: Another debut song that was a hit in both the UK and America. Considering the song is about Crystal Meth and oral sex, the meaning of the song is wrapped up underneath an upbeat melody and catchy hook to such an extent that, to the casual listener, the darker meaning of the song isn’t immediately obvious. That would seem to be case as it’s featured in many movie soundtracks. It seems far too happy to be talking about a dark subject like drug use. It’s a fantastic pop/rock song though and one of my personal favourites from the 90s.

 

Thunder- Dirty Love: If there was a title for most underrated British band, then Thunder would definitely be in the running. Having announced themselves with a massive performance at the 1990 Monsters of Rock festival, they never really followed it with major commercial success. However they continue to have a strong fan base, and with songs like this it’s not hard to see why.  The riff is fantastic and the enthusiasm of singer Danny Bowles really adds something extra. I have been lucky enough to see the band live myself, and they are one of the best I have seen. This song in particular you cannot keep still to. I have never been so physically tired after seeing a band live. Grunge may have been the rock genre of choice during the early 90s, but this song shows that the Brits still knew how to make a proper rock song. If you’re into rock music, you will love this song.

 

 So there you have, 30 of the best songs from the 1990s. Hope you enjoyed it.

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Until next time

Thanks for reading J