Always Around, Never In Fashion

It is perceived that there has been a decline in rock music over the last decade. I however don’t buy into this theory. Yes rock music doesn’t feature in the charts as much as it once did, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. You just have to search for it more than you did before. That’s what this blog is going to focus on.

I’m not going to include the likes of Foo Fighters, Muse, RHCP, Black Keys etc… as they are all high profile bands, and it is more than likely that people have heard of them. Furthermore sub genres, such as Pop Punk, Nu Metal and Emo bands aren’t going to be included either (Linkin’ Park, System of a Down, Green Day, My Chemical Romance etc…). I’m just going to focus more on the ‘classic rock’ sound. So no metal bands are going to be included; the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden or Slipknot for example. Classic Rock heavy hitters Guns ‘n’ Roses, Motley Crue and AC/DC have all released new material since the turn of the millennium, but they’re not on the list. Newer bands such as Alter Bridge, Biffy Clyro and The White Stripes have also enjoyed success, selling out arena across the country, but they too have missed out.. There have also been a number of Supergroups, with the likes of Audioslave, Brides of Destruction and Them Crooked Vultures making an appearance on the rock scene, and they’re just going to be mentioned here.

Basically there are too many to mention them all, so I’ve decided to concentrate on bands that perhaps aren’t high profile, but have released music that shows the spirit of rock and roll is still alive today. This means I’m not going to be mentionioning well known bands, and suggesting songs you may already know. Hopefully below there is some new music for you to explore.

Hope you enjoy J

Airbourne- Blonde, Bad and Beautiful: The heirs to AC/DC, this Australian four piece sure know how to make good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. What you see is what you get, and with Blonde, Bad and Beautiful, you get a song saluting the good times of the rock n roll lifestyle. Uncomplicated and loud, they’re one of the loudest bands I’ve seen live, Airboune are a band that shows that the spirit of rock n roll lives on.

Band of Skulls- I Know What I Am: This bluesy 3 piece band from Southampton have recently released the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut. This song, taken from their debut, shows what The White Stripes might have sounded like if both Jack and Meg were on vocals. A band that sticks to their blues roots, they are already gathering a strong legion of fans. One to keep an eye on as they can only get bigger from here.

Black Country Communion- One Last Soul: The first ‘Supergroup’ on the list, and are perhaps the strongest of recent times. Members include Glenn Hughes, formerly of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, Joe Bonamassa, blues guitarist extraordinaire, Jason Bonham, son of infamous Led Zeppelin drummer John and keyboardist Derek Sherinian. I saw this band live at a festival, not really expecting much and they blew me away. They were fantastic, and one of the best bands I saw over the weekend. This song is my personal favourite from them.

Black Stone Cherry- Please Come In: This hard rock band from Kentucky are one of the best young rock bands to emerge in the last few years. Their explosive self-titled debut made me sit up and notice, while their follow up album, Folklore and Superstition which this song is taken, carried on in much the same vein. This song shows them at their best, with an infectious riff that sticks in your head. They released their third album a couple of years ago and are sure to carry on with their own with their sound from the Deep South.

Big City- Call Paul Stanley: Not a band I know too much about, but I love this song. After being recommended this song in Classic Rock Magazine, I gave it a listen and loved it. As the band are huge Kiss fans, this song is about a young fan who stumbles across Paul Stanley’s phone number and decides to give him a call. A great sing-along song, it’s a real anthem that deserves greater recognition.

Buckcherry- Too Drunk: The band that have been holding the sleaze rock mantle since Guns ‘n’ Roses fell apart, you know exactly what you’re going to get with Buckcherry. A song that manages to incorporate Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll, it is full of pure sleaze. This is what makes it so good. That, and the infectious riff that gets under your skin. This song, and ‘Crazy Bitch’, show that there is still room on the market for songs full of dirty guitar and dirty lyrics.

Chickenfoot- Soap on a Rope: Another Supergroup on the list, and another one with a super strong line-up. With members including ex-Van Halen members Sammy Hagar on vocals and Michael Anthony on bass with RHCP drummer Chad Smith and six-string superstar Joe Satriani on guitar, this band know how to make top quality rock music. This song from their debut album shows their strength and undoubted talent, making hard rock how it should be played.

Diemonds- Highway: Only discovered this band recently but they're one I can't stop listening to. Imagine Joan Jett fronting Guns 'n' Roses and you're just about there. This song actually reminds a lot of GnR. Hard and fast, it is brilliant sleazy rock song. Certainly a band to keep an eye on, as they could be seriously be going places.

Electric Mary- Let Me Out: Hailing from Melbourne, this band shows that, along with Airbourne, the spirit of rock n roll is still alive and kicking down under. This song shows them at their best, a real hard hitting song with a fantastic riff, you can clearly hear their blues influences.

Foxy Shazam- Count Me In: Could easily be discarded as Queen-wannabies, but if you embrace the style and image, Foxy Shazam are the real deal. A real force to be reckoned with, they are the craziest band I’ve ever seen live. Fantastic guitars, and arguably one of the best singers of recent years, this song will get under your skin and you’ll have it on repeat for a while afterwards. A real feel good song, this is a band that doesn’t take itself too seriously, with the result being they make really fun music.

Halestorm- Love Bites (So Do I): A band with a big future if their first two albums are anything to go by, this hard rock band from Pennsylvania should go really far. Fronted by the gorgeous and talented Lzzy Hale, she provides the searing and varied vocals to accompany the ferocious riff and thumping drums. She really does have an amazing vocal range, and the full range can be heard on this song. But it’s not all about her, the crazy Arejay Hale crashes away on the drums like a madman while Joe Hottinger on guitar and Josh Smith on bass help glue the song together. It’s a real in your face track by a band that deserves more recognition. Certainly remember the name.

Jaded Sun- Breaking Through: Irish band Jaded Sun were highly rated when they released their debut album back in 2008 full of hard hitting blues based rock. Haven’t heard much of them of them recently, but this song is arguably their best. It’s just straight forward bluesy rock.

Lordi- Hard Rock Hallelujah: Coming to prominence in 2007 when they won The Eurovision Song Contest, Lordi are a hard rock band from Finland. Even though it could be easy to write them off as a bit of a gimmick, behind the striking costumes, this is a group of talented musicians who make very good music. This song, one that achieved a then record number of points for a Eurovision winner, wears its heart on its sleeve saluting the genre it is proudly part of.

Orianthi- Shut Up and Kiss Me: Currently lead guitarist for Alice Cooper, Orianthi is a Greek/Australian singer songwriter and guitarist. Having been chosen to be Michael Jackson’s guitarist for his 50 dates at the O2, she has also played with the likes of Steve Vai and Carlos Santana. She has also released a solo album, which also showcase her undoubted talent. This song, perhaps a little Avril Lavigne in sound, shouldn’t distract from the fact that she can seriously play. The album, ‘Believe’, gets heavier as it progresses and is one that I highly recommend.

No Connection- Last Revolution: A song that I doubt you would have heard of if you haven’t played FlatOut2, this is a right gem and one that I suggest you listen to. It’s the hard and fast riff that stands out on this song. Not a band that people have heard of, but a song that you really should hear.

Pearl- Nobody: Being Meat Loaf’s adopted daughter, there was always going to a chance that Pearl Aday was going to follow in the Bat Out Of Hell man’s footsteps. Having spent almost a decade as backing singer to her step-father, she finally released her own solo album ‘Little Immaculate White Fox’ in 2010, with this song being the pick of the bunch. A fusion of hard rock with strong vocals makes this song one you’ll want to listen to on repeat.

Pig Iron- …and the Bodies Fall: Pig Iron are a hard rock band from London, who have released three albums in the last few years. This song is my favourite of theirs and has a brilliant intro. It builds up brilliantly with heavy guitars and crashing drums, layering each part until it explodes with a fantastic riff. Flirting with heavy metal influences, this song is recommended if you are into hard and heavy rock.

Poets and Pornstars- Rock ‘n’ Roll: Around for just the one album, Poets and Pornstars made a brief appearance into the world of rock, but left a lasting impression with this brilliant song. As the title suggests, it’s just rock n roll, what you see is what you get. It also has a wonderfully memorable intro, one of the best from recent times. It’s a real shame that this band broke up, as they know how to create proper old style rock n roll.

Pride Tiger- The Lucky Ones: Another band that only lasted one album, but created one of my favourite songs, Pride Tiger could have been the new Thin Lizzy. Spawned after three members quit heavy metal band 3 Inches of Blood, their sound bared a close resemblance to classic rock outfit Thin Lizzy. However the album never really took off, and the band split. A real feel good song, this is one I highly recommend to any rock fan.

Rev Theory- Hell Yeah: American rock band Rev Theory make the list with their explosive song ‘Hell Yeah’.  This song is the business, a real hard hitting anthem, full of heavy riffs, crunching guitars and soaring sing along vocals, this is a song that you can’t help but turn up loud when it comes on.

Royal Republic- Full Steam Spacemachine: Hailing from Sweden, Royal Republic show that the Scandinavians still know how to make crazy rock music. Infectious is the best way to describe this song, it stuck in my head for ages when I first heard it. They may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re a fun band to listen to, and one whose music will stay on your mind for a while.

Slash feat. Fergie- Beautiful Dangerous: A song that I think shows that Fergie should sing more rock, this is a combination that on paper looks like it might not work, but it really, really does. She has one hell of a voice, one that fits the rock genre perfectly.  Taken from Slash’s first solo album, this is song shows Slash on top form, with typical Slash guitars fused with Fergie’s soaring vocal. I recommend the whole album, but this song is a fantastic taster.

Sick Puppies- Riptide: Taken from the album ‘Tri-Polar’, Riptide is a fantastic song by Australian three piece Sick Puppies. Don’t let the name put you off, they are a fantastic band, with ‘Tri-Polar’ being one of my favourite albums, and not just because I have a soft spot for bassist Emma Anzai. Their music is very accessible and radio friendly, but don’t think that means they can’t play. Riptide, a song about being happy with who you are and not caring what other people think, their songs have a habit of carrying an underlying message. Give this a listen, and there’s a strong chance you’ll become a fan too.

Sixx A.M.- Life Is Beautiful: The side project of Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx, he teamed up with guitarist DJ Ashba and singer James Michael to create the soundtrack to his autobiography ‘The Heroin Diaries’. Those of you who aren’t familiar with Sixx’s exploits, I suggest you get his book, it’s a fantastic read. This song is about realising the worth of life and that it shouldn’t be wasted (Sixx was actually technically dead back in 1987 at the height of his addiction). Not only does this song have a strong meaning, as does the whole album, but musically it is brilliant. Sixx provides his usual heavy bass line, while Ashba provides excellent guitar work. James Michaels on vocals is a very underrated singer, and after listening to this you’ll see why. Work is currently in progress to make the Heroin Diaries into a musical, which might be worth going to.

Skillet- Monster: Not a name that is all too familiar over here, but on the other side of the pond, Skillet have a big following. This is arguably one of their better known songs, a very radio friendly sing-along type song. With loud guitars and a big chorus this is a song that is well worth listening to.

Steel Panther- Just Like Tiger Woods: Basically 1980s Sunset Strip throwbacks, Steel Panther are a band that pay homage to the likes of Motley Crue, Poison and Def Leppard, but can actually play. Very tongue in cheek, this is a band not to be taken seriously and ‘Just like Tiger Woods’ is the perfect example of this. After the revelations of his private life, I think you get the idea about what the song is about. Full of innuendo and double entendre, this song is actually pretty funny. Away from the tongue in cheek lyrics, the members are all talented musicians, which help with the OTT 80s image. Very much a welcome throwback to the days of old.

Stereoside- On Our Way: This may sound like a bold statement, but this is one of the best songs of the last 10 years or so, and I bet you have never heard of it. Well I suggest you give it a listen. It is lyrically superb. It may just be paying homage to the rock greats that influenced them, but the lyrics are fabulous. It starts slowly before exploding into life halfway through. A truly brilliant song, it is one of my all-time favourites. You have to give it a listen.

The Answer- On and On: We’ve had the heirs to AC/DC, and with The Answer we have the heirs to Led Zeppelin. Very much in the blues style of Led Zep, this four piece from Belfast are holding the beacon for blues based rock high at the moment. They play good old fashioned rock, and are a band that deserves to make it big. In frontman Cormac Neeson they may have someone who is very similar to Robert Plant, but there is no doubt that he is a very talented singer. Furthermore, in guitarist Paul Mahon, they have a vastly underrated axe man, something you really notice when you see this band live. The song ‘On and On’ is taken from their second album ‘Demon Eyes’.

The Donna’s- Who Invited You: You don’t see too many too many all-girl rock groups, but The Donna’s are just that, and they can rock just as hard as any of their male counterparts. There is nothing cheesy or gimmicky about them either. They aren’t a novelty act. You just have to listen to opening few bars of the song to realise they mean business. ‘Who Invited You’ is just one of a number songs that I could have chosen for this list. It’s a song that any rock fan will love.

The Pretty Reckless- Make Me Wanna Die: Taylor Momsen may divide opinion, but there is no denying that she is fantastic front women for The Pretty Reckless. I can see why people have their doubts. For me she doesn’t need to take her clothes off in the videos, the music is good enough for there to be no need for her to do that. Back to the song, and it has a proper dirty riff that I love. That and the bass are the things that will hook you in, and then Momen’s vocals will keep you there. The Pretty Reckless I think are going to be a big band.

So there you have it, 30 bands that show that rock is very much still alive, even if it isn’t in the charts. There are a lot of other bands that I haven’t mentioned. For example the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, The Darkness and Kid Rock just to name a few. However there are also a lot of bands that are worth keeping an eye out for in the future:

·  Black Spiders

·  Furyon

·  Heaven’s Basement

·  Pure Love

·  Rival Sons

·  Saint Jude

·  The Virginmary’s

These are all young bands that are up and coming and are keeping the rock and roll machine going. Always around, never in fashion, it is the one music genre that will never go away.

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. My blog next week is going to be the first of two blogs looking at my favourite albums including Amy MacDonald, Feeder, The Killers, The Dandy Warhols and Stone Gods

Modern Classics

Some songs are classics. 'Imagine' by John Lennon, 'Blowin' In The Wind' by Bob Dylan and 'Go Your Own Way' by Fleetwood Mac are just three such examples. Well the 21st Century has had some fantastic songs that I feel could be future classics. You may not be familiar with all of the songs , but some songs are just too good not to be shared. Again its just my opinion, but if you make these songs into a playlist, it will be one you listen to on repeat for a while.  

Beck- Lost Cause: From an album written after the breakup from a long term relationship, song written with raw emotion. An acoustic song that is brilliantly laid back. From the album ‘Sea Change’.

Biffy Clyro- Many of Horror: Hijacked by X-Factor to get number 1,this song shows Biffy Clyro’s softer side. A fantastic ballad, you can clearly hear the emotion in the vocals. Shows their talent as one of the best bands around at the moment. From the album ‘Only Revolutions’.

Black Stone Cherry- Things My Father Said: Written as a tribute to his father who passed away, this is a beautiful song that everyone should listen to. Just beats ‘Peace Is Free’ to a place on this list, another song I recommend you give a listen. From the album ‘Folklore and Superstition’.

Blink 182- Miss You: For all their ‘immaturity’ as it were, this song shows that Blink can be grown up. A brilliant song that shows another side to the decadent pop-punk rockers. From the album ‘Blink 182’.

Coldplay- Fix You: Im exactly a big Coldplay fan, they annoy me quite a bit, but you can’t deny the brilliance of this song. For all the negativity aimed at Coldplay, it can be trumped with this. Chris Martin says it’s the best song he’s written, and I’m not about to disagree with him. From the album ‘X and Y’.

Daniel Powter- Bad Day: Whatever happened to Daniel Powter?? A one hit wonder, but what a hit. Back in 2005 you couldn’t get away from this song but enough time has since passed for you to be able to listen to this song and enjoy it again. From the album ‘Daniel Powter’.

Eels- Mr E’s Beautiful Blues: An under rated band with one of the best songs of the last ten years or so. A real feel good song, its one I never tire of hearing.  It’s one of those songs that just brightens your mood. From the album ‘Daisies of the Galaxy’.

Feeder- Feeling A Moment: A classic indie anthem showcasing Feeder’s talent, this is one of their best songs. I’ve had the privilege of seeing them perform this song live, and it sent shivers down my spine. From the album ‘Pushing the Senses’

Five for Fighting- Superman (It’s not easy): This is just one of those songs that oozes class, and kind of impossible not to like. Perhaps an under rated song, but one that everybody should know about)from the album ‘America Town’.

Glasvegas- Daddy’s Gone: A wonderfully heartfelt song, full of raw emotion. The best song off their debut album. From the album ‘Glasvegas’.

Hoobastank- The Reason: Not really sure what to say about this song, apart from if you know this song, I think you’ll understand why it’s on this list. From the album ‘The Reason’.

Jason Mraz- I’m Yours: Sometimes simplicity is all you need, and this song proves it. A brilliant, catchy song that sticks in your head From the album ‘We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things’.

Jose Gonzalez- Heartbeats:A wonderful song that is actually a cover One of my favourite songs, it has to be turned up to be fully appreciated. From the album ‘Veneer’

Keane- Somewhere Only We Know: First song off their first album, their best song. A proper singalong indie anthem. From the album ‘Hopes and Fears’.

Newton Falkner- Dream Catch Me: Perhaps the most popular ginger haired guitar playing, singer/songwriter before Ed Sheeran came along, Newton Falkner is a fantastically talented musician. This is my personal favourite of his, and is perfect to sit back and chill out to. From the album ‘Hand Built By Robots’.

Oasis- Stop Crying Your Heart Out: For all their arrogance, it can’t be denied that Oasis are one hell of a band, and in Noel Gallagher have one of the best and most consistent songwriters around. This song is brilliantly simple and is by far and away one of their best songs. From the album ‘Heathen Chemistry’.

Snow Patrol- Chasing Cars: Voted Best Song of the Decade, and personally I have to agree. A fantastic song that just beats ‘Run’ to being their best song. From the album ‘Open Your Eyes’

Stereophonics- Handbags and Gladrags: A song covered by many artists, but perhaps most notably by Stereophonics. They are one of those bands who have quietly acquired a very strong back catalogue, with this being one of their best. From the album ‘Just Enough Education To Perform’

The Airborne Toxic Event- Sometime around Midnight: Awesome song that narrates the story of a guy who realises he is still in love with his ex. A song that has no chorus, but there really is no need for one, it builds up beautifully. From the violin in the intro, the song keeps gradually building before reaching a brilliant climax. I seriously recommend this song, the lyrics are fantastic and you can really feel the emotion throughout. From the album ‘The Airborne Toxic Event’.

The Gaslight Anthem- Here’s Looking At You, Kid: The Gaslight Anthem are one of the most under rated bands around at the moment, and with songs like this, people are really missing out.  A love song looking back at all the girls who have turned him down, this song is beautifully put together and lyrically brilliant. From the album ‘The ’59 Sound’.

The Killers- A Dustland Fairytale: Song written by Flowers about his Mum and Dad after learning that his Mum had terminal cancer, this is one of their best ever songs. I said in my previous blog that Brandon Flowers’ lyrics are almost poetic, well this is a perfect example of that: Now Cinderella don't you go to sleep/ It’s such a bitter form of refuge/ Don't you know the kingdoms under siege/ And everybody needs you. Another song written and sung with the heart, this song performed live is just magical. One of their lesser known songs, it deserves to a bigger song than it is. From the album ‘Day and Age’

The Script- The Man Who Can’t Be Moved: A song about a guy who is just looking for a girl he has fallen in love with, The Script haven’t topped this song from their first album. With a brilliant narrative this is a song that is deservedly up there as one of the best from the last decade. From the album ‘The Script’.

Train- Drops of Jupiter: You may be familiar with train for ‘Drive By’, or before that ‘Hey, Soul Sister’, but this song from ten years ago is Train’s best song by a country mile. It’s a fantastic song from start to finish. Also manages to include “deep-fried chicken” in the lyrics without it sounding weird. From the album ‘Drops of Jupiter’.

U2- Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own: The band everyone loves to hate, but they are one of my favourite bands, and they sure know how to write amazing songs. Written by Bono in memory of his father, this is a song written and sung from the heart. It is full of emotion and is certainly up there with U2’s best work. From the album ‘How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb’.

Uncle Kracker- Follow Me: A wonderfully chilled and laid back song, it has darker undertones. Although rather ambiguous, the song could be talking heroin addiction or cheating on a partner. However it’s interpreted though, it’s still a fantastic song. From the album from the album ‘Double Wide’.

So this list didn't end up going on forever, I decided to leave some songs out, so here are some honouralbe mentions:

Franz Ferdinand- Take Me Out
Razorlight-America
Snow Patrol- Run
The Calling- Wherever You Will Go
The Fray- How To Save A Life
The Killers- Mr Brightside (Their most well known song, but not their best)

Hope you enjoyed it, and I'll be posting another blog soon.


Happy New Year :)

Music of 2012

So here it is, my first blog. I read plenty of other blogs, but was never that interested in writing my own. But then my folks at home started suggesting I should, mainly so they didn’t have to listen to my opinions when listening to the radio or the music channels. I do tend to have a lot of opinions about music, it’s something I follow, and invest quite a bit of time in.

As 2012 is drawing to a close I thought it would be a good idea to have a look back the music of the last twelve months. To narrow it down, I’ve kept it to stuff I’ve bought or downloaded. As it turns out, I’ve bought quite a lot, so there’s no shortage of songs and albums to talk about. I don’t really follow the charts, but I like to think I’ve got an ear for good music so don’t be surprised if there are bands and artists you haven’t heard of. These are all just my opinions, but all the things below come highly recommended, and will be a worthy acquisition to any music collection. You might want to have YouTube or Spotify open just in case :p  

Hope you enjoy :)

Adele- Skyfall:  As the theme song to arguably the biggest film of the year, this song had to be spot on. Well it definitely achieved that, a fantastic song that can sit proudly alongside previous Bond theme classics.

Alabama Shakes- Hold On: We keep being told that guitar music is on the decline and that there are no good guitar bands anymore. Well the Alabama Shakes disprove this theory with the lead single off their debut album.

Alicia Keys- Girl on Fire: I have to confess, I am not an Alicia Keys fan, but this song is brilliant. Melodic and catchy this song is one that I’m happy to admit being pleasantly surprised by.

Amy MacDonald- Pride: Amy MacDonald is one of the most underrated and talented singer/songwriters around at the moment. This year saw her release her third album, and for the third time in a row, she has made another fantastic album. This song is perhaps my favourite. It’s a toss-up between this and ‘Slow It Down’. Those who are aware of her music, will know what to expect, and it is much of the same on this new album. She manages to write songs without sounding stale, and I for one am a massive fan. Fans of KT Tunstall will definitely like this. She deserves much more recognition in this country than she currently gets.

Biffy Clyro- Black Chandelier: The second single lifted from their forthcoming album, this is typical Biffy with their distinctive sound. Very much a band that will be headlining stadiums in the future.

Blur- Under The Westway: As a passive fan, rather than a diehard fan of Blur, I was pleasantly surprised by this new material. It’s a slow burner, but keeps you engaged throughout, in a similar way to Coffee and TV.

Cherri Bomb- Let It Go:  There are a fair few rock chicks around at the moment, but the age that these girls are make this band a very rare thing indeed. With the oldest member 18 and the youngest just 15, the Runaways of the 21^st Century play Foo Fighters style rock incredibly well (their cover of ‘The Pretender’ is well worth checking out). Very well polished for such a young band, if allowed to grow and managed well, this band will hopefully make it big in years to come. A talented band for one so young.

Emeli Sande- Next to Me: 2012 has been a highly successful year for Scottish singer/songwriter Emeli Sande. Having played in the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, she has certainly been a star of this year. Her debut album ‘Our Version of Events’ is a fantastic album, but it was the first single Next to Me that stands out the most. 

Album Review-

Feeder- Generation Freakshow: Being as Feeder are one of my favourite bands, I looked forward to their new album with much anticipation. I wasn’t disappointed. This is the most accessible Feeder album since their ‘Singles’ album released in 2006. It starts off strongly with ‘Oh My’, ‘Borders’ and ‘Idaho’. This draws you in and keeps you there.  The next track, ‘Hey Johnny’, is a brilliant tribute to ex-drummer Jon Lee, who committed suicide in 2002 while the title track is a commentary of modern life in Britain today. ‘In All Honesty’ is a catchy song that offers a strong sing along chorus. The final song ‘Children of the Sun’ is a slower song but rounds the album off brilliantly. Overall this album is typical Feeder, but at the same time it is Feeder at their very best. They are, in my opinion, one of the most underrated bands around, with Grant Nicholas being one of the most consistent songwriters around today. Having seen them perform this album live, the songs on this album are up there with any of their best work.

Essential: Borders, Idaho, In All Honesty

Fun.- We Are Young: Arguably one of the biggest singles of the year, this song has been a personal favourite this year, one I haven’t got tired of listening to. Not much more to say, as you can’t have gone through 2012 without hearing it.

Good Old War- Calling Me Names: I got this song as a free download this year, and it turned out to be a right gem. A brilliant little acoustic song, with a self-explanatory title, that is really easy to listen to. Definitely one to check out.

Gotye- Somebody We Used To Know: If ‘Fun-We Are Young’ isn’t the biggest single of the year, then surely this has to be. You must have lived in a cave this year, not have heard this. Although not reinventing the wheel, this song was a refreshing change. A fantastic song, if a little overplayed.

Green Day- Kill the DJ: So Green Day returned this year, with an album in three parts. This song is perhaps the pick of the singles released so far in my opinion. A song that sticks in your head, with a little bit of aggression, something that Green Day do really well. Not vintage material, but a good song nonetheless.

Album Review-

Halestorm- The Strange Case of…: I think this could well be my favourite album of the year. I first became aware of Halestorm after they covered ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga and I fell in love with Lzzy Hale’s voice. She has a fantastically strong and versatile voice, and this is shown throughout this album. It starts off with four hard, fast and aggressive songs. ‘Love Bites’ has a brilliant riff, and is loud and in your face. ‘Mz Hyde’, with one of the best intros you’ll hear, is a song that I have not got tired of hearing. There is then a break in the loudness, as the band and Lzzy show their versatility with three gentler songs, which includes ‘Break In’ with Lzzy being accompanied by just a piano. The album then picks up again with ‘Rock Show’ and ‘Daughters of Darkness’ in particular offering crunching guitars and sing along choruses. Even though it is heavy rock, it is not heavy metal, and Lzzy Hale’s vocals make it much more accessible to a broader audience. This includes the final song of the album, ‘Here With Us’, being used on Glee, although it was neutered somewhat to make it suitable for family viewing. It finishes the album off brilliantly, and is my favourite song off the album. All in all this is a fantastic album which I cannot recommend enough. Lzzy Hale has a fantastic voice that is one of the strongest around today. The drummer, Arejay Hale, is very talented and provides a very strong backbone to the album. If you are a fan of rock music, you have to listen to this album.

Essential: Love Bites (So Do I), Mz Hyde, In Your Room, Here’s To Us.

Haim- Don’t Save Me: This band first came to my attention via an advert of YouTube, and then again when they were on the long list for the BBC Sound of 2013. This song is very easy to listen to, and well worth checking out. Having opened for the likes of Mumford and Sons and Florence and the Machines, this band is going to be one to watch in 2013 for sure.

Jake Bugg- Two Fingers: Jake Bugg may not be a household name, but this teenager from Leicester can already boast a number one album and sold out UK tour. He responded to getting number one by saying “I’m keeping that X-Factor shit off the top spot”, something that made me a bigger fan.  Influenced by Bob Dylan amongst others, ‘Two Fingers’ is my personal favourite song off his self-titled debut album. A great song, which even my Mum likes now she’s heard a million times, Jake Bugg certainly has a big future ahead of him.

Keane- Sovereign Light Café: The best song off their new album sees Keane return back to their best. I wasn’t that impressed with Keane’s last album, or the EP they released, but this new album sees them return to the sound reminiscent of their first two albums and they are all the better for it. More piano based rather than keyboard, Keane have produced an album that is as good as ‘Hopes and Fears’. This song is my personal favourite. It’s just a brilliant song, with Keane doing what they do best. A classy song by a band that have returned to top form.

King Charles feat. Mumford and Sons- The Brightest Light: Have to confess, I am a bit of sucker for a folk music and I loved this song the first time I heard it. Had never heard of King Charles before, but turns out he’s been around for a while, so never too late to become a fan.  A very catchy song,  one you can’t listen to and not jig your foot along with. Fans of Mumford and Sons will like this.

Kodaline- All I Want: This song grabbed my attention, after I saw it on the music channels with an incredible video. Similar in ways to Coldplay, this song builds nicely before exploding into life halfway through. Another band on the BBC Sound of 2013 long list, this band will be releasing their debut album next year.

Labrinth (feat. Emeli Sande)- Underneath Your Beautiful: Far from a fan of Labrinth’s music, this song was a nice surprise when I heard it on the radio.

Album Review-

Lana Del Rey- Born To Die: I was really impressed with Lana Del Rey’s debut album. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I ended up loving it. I decided to take the plunge and purchase it on the back of hearing ‘Video Games’, and luckily the rest of the album is just as good. ‘Born to Die’ is a really good way to start off the album, and it continues in much the same vein. ‘Video Games’ is a beautiful song. It is wonderfully melodic and laid back. Other standout tracks include ‘National Anthem’ and ‘Radio’, songs which really made me sit up and go “This is a really good album.” Whatever criticism she has had for either the way she looks, or live performances, you can’t deny that this is one of the best albums of the year.

Essential Tracks- Born to Die, Video Games, National Anthem, Radio

Linkin Park- Burn It Down: A song that grew on me massively the more I listened to it. I wasn’t too fussed when I first heard it, but it has turned into a song that I really like. Not what I would call a song with a the usual Linkin Park sound, this experimental new sound certainly works very well on this song.

Lissie- Go Your Own Way: As a cover of one of the best songs from one of the world's most legendary bands, this was could have gone either way. As it turned out, this stripped down, slower version is fantastic. As a fan a Lissie, I may be a little biased, but it helps when comparisons with Stevie Nicks are unerringly accurate.

Marina and the Diamonds- Homewrecker: Marina and the Diamonds returned this year with her follow up album, with this song my personal favourite. There is something about her voice that sets her apart from other pop artists in the charts at the moment. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about her voice that just clicks. This song is pure catchy pop, not something I usually go for, but can’t deny that I really like this song.

Mumford and Sons- I Will Wait: After the huge success of their first album, the pressure was on Mumford and Sons with their second album. With this first single, they seemed to have continued where they left off. That distinctive sound and a sing along chorus. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Muse- Madness: Another song that I wasn’t keen on when I first heard it, this has grown on me every time I have heard it. Personally I am not too sure about the direction that Muse have taken with their new sound, I much prefer their ‘rock’ rather than ‘electronic’ sound, but this song has something about it that clicks, the sign of a great band at work.

My Darkest Days- Casual Sex: A brash, sleazy rock song, with a title that is pretty self-explanatory. As a fan of a bit of sleazy rock, this song is a bit of a guilty pleasure. Far from the greatest song ever written, this song will entertain fans of bands such as Buckcherry, Motley Crue etc…                       

Of Monsters and Men- Little Talks: Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men have been one of the surprise packages of 2012. ‘Little Talks’ is my favourite song off their debut album ‘My Head is an Animal’. It’s a very catchy song with a very distinctive and Scandinavian sound. A sold out UK tour in 2013 lies in wait for a band that will no doubt continue to grow.

Pure Love- Handsome Devil’s Club: Fronted by the ex-Gallows vocalist, Frank Carter’s new project has a very different and much more accessible sound to his previous band. Comparisons with the Gaslight Anthem are accurate, with this song perhaps the strongest off their material released on two EPs thus far. With their debut album due for release early in 2013, Pure Love are a band that may not achieve immediate mainstream success, but are a band to watch out for nonetheless.

Reverend and the Makers- Shine the Light: A song that I heard on the soundtrack on FIFA 13, Reverend and the Makers return with a fantastic song, that is equally as good as any of their other top songs. EA always chooses top quality songs for their games, and with its catchy chorus this song is certain favourite off the new game.

Robbie Williams- Candy: The song that brought Robbie his first number one for good while, and what an annoyingly catchy song it is. I say annoying because it isn’t a song that I am particularly fond of, but you can’t deny it is Robbie doing what he does best. It sticks in your head and shows he can still pull of a number one single.

Rumer- P.F. Sloan: Even though she achieved success with her debut album, I never really got into Rumer’s music, and I suppose I’m still not really a massive fan. However, after hearing her perform on TV, I instantly loved this song. It’s fantastically laid back and is a perfect song to relax and chill out to.  Certainly made me take notice enough to check out other songs of hers. This song is still my favourite though.

Simple Plan (Feat. Sean Paul) Paradise Summer: A brilliantly catchy song, perfect for the summer. Jack Johnson eat your heart out.

Slash- You’re A Lie: Not going to lie, I am a big Slash fan, be it as part of GnR, Velvet Revolver or Snake Pit. His first solo effort in 2010, with collaborations from people ranging from Lemmy and Ozzy Osbourne to Adam Levigne and Fergie is one of my favourite albums; it’s just fantastic from start to finish. His new album has just the one singer, Alter Bridge’s Miles Kennedy, who featured twice on the last effort. This song is my personal favourite and is classic Slash. Crunching riffs and excellent vocals come together to create a brilliant song, even if the album is perhaps not as strong as the last one.  Still, beats Axl Rose’s last record.

Sonic Boom Six- Virus: Manchester five piece Sonic Boom Six offer a mix of ska, punk, pop, dubstep, grime and metal all mixed together. They are very much a punk band, commentating on modern life as they see it. Their latest single, Virus, does just that, with the lyrics concentrating on the financial crisis and the banks and governments responsibility. The mixture of rap, heavy guitar and auto tuned chorus does work really well and creates a brilliant song with a strong message.

Spector- Chevy Thunder/Never Fade Away: Spector were a band that I had heard of but knew nothing about. However at the back end of this year, I heard ‘Never Fade Away’ for the first time on TV, and I was instantly hooked. It’s just a hands down brilliant song, a song that is very hard to dislike. It starts off slowly but continues to build up until it peaks. It’s simple but immensely effective. ‘Chevy Thunder’ is another song of theirs that I really took notice of. A real festival anthem, there are similarities between them and The Vaccines in sound on this song, but that should not detract from the fact that this a real shout out, sing along anthem, meant to be played with the volume turned right up.

The Gaslight Anthem- Handwritten: The Gaslight Anthem returned this year with their fourth album, with this song my personal favourite. Comparisons with Bruce Springsteen have been made in the past, and there are definite influences to be heard. However this is very much a Gaslight Anthem song.  Brian Fallon just carries on writing brilliant songs. An underrated band that deserves bigger success and recognition.

Album Review-

The Killers- Battleborn:

 2012 saw the return The Killers after four years away, and as they are my favourite band, I couldn’t wait for this new album. However it wasn’t quite what I expected. This doesn’t mean though that it is a bad album, far from it. There are a lot of strong songs throughout. What it lacks is a standout song, a ‘Mr Brightside’, or ‘When You Were Young’ or ‘Human’. The closest it gets is ‘Runaways’ which just falls short I feel. However, after listening to the album a few times, I haven’t at any point, not enjoyed listening to it. Brandon Flowers is a fantastic song writer, almost poetic at times, and this is evident throughout the album, with only ‘Deadlines and Commitments’ being below par. There is a real eighties influence, with a little bit of a country sound thrown in as well on ‘From Here On Out’. ‘Runaways’ was a good choice for first single, and will be the song people would be most familiar with. ‘Miss Atomic Bomb’ is also a strong song, with its story links to ‘Mr Brightside’. The title track ‘Battle Born’ gives the album a strong finale, with the song even chosen to close their live set. Given a chance, this album is brilliant. The Killers music has a habit of growing on you, and this continues in much the same way.

Essential Tracks- Runaways, Miss Atomic Bomb, From Here On Out, Battle Born.

The Lumineers- Ho Hey: This is a song that has grown on me the more I’ve heard it, helped by the fact it is now also used on a TV advert. Have only heard good things about this band, and this song is well worth a download.

The Rolling Stones- Doom and Gloom: You can’t beat a bit of good old Rock ‘N’ Roll, and the Stones proved with this song that they still have it. A cracking song with a great riff and strong vocals, it proves that even though they are veterans of the game, they can still show the young ones a thing or two.

The Vaccines- Teenage Icon/I Always Knew: The two singles from The Vaccines follow up album and they are both very impressive. It offers a much more mature sound than their debut, although the album title ‘The Vaccines Come of Age’ does give an indication. They are both very much Vaccines songs, they just sound more grown up. Teenage Icon is a brilliant song, with a sing along chorus, very much in the mould of their last album. I Always Knew is more mature, but one that shows there is more to The Vaccines than songs that last two minutes.

Train- Drive By: A song that I instantly liked after hearing it for the first time, this is classic Train. Although not on the same level as Drops of Jupiter (their best song), it is as good as Hey, Soul Sister. It’s just been spoiled by being played to death on the radio a bit.

Tribes- We Are Children/Sappho: The debut album from Tribes was a pleasant surprise, I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was. This was view was further strengthened after seeing them on the NME tour. The two stand out tracks are without doubt We Are Children and Sappho. We Are Children is a sing along anthem that needs to be turned up loud, while Sappho offers a strange family dynamic, but is my favourite song on the album. This is a band that is going to go far. 

We Are Augustines- Augustine: After releasing their self-titled debut album this year, I became aware of them after they were highly recommended in Classic Rock Magazine. I took a chance and got their album, and was really impressed with what I heard, with this song being one in particular that caught my eye. Comparisons will inevitably be made with the Gaslight Anthem, but they aren’t just a band mimicking sound. The lyrical content of their songs is based on tragedies in their past, and is wrapped up in a sound that is easy to listen to. A band that is very much worth checking out. 

Youngblood Hawke- We Come Running: Another song off the FIFA 13 soundtrack, and is included here as I feel it deserves recognition. It is a proper sing along Indie anthem, and has all the hallmarks for being a festival favourite. I downloaded their EP and they are a band to watch in the future, so it might be worth remembering the name.

So there you go, sorry its a tad long, but didn't want to cut any songs out. Hopefully there will be songs in there that you like. Afterall, theres just some music that people need to be told about. Hope you had a good christmas and have a great new year. Till next time...





Alex