Album Review: 'Dead & Born & Grown'

Album Review

'Dead & Born & Grown' - The Staves

Harmonious beauty. 

The three Staveley-Taylor sisters, with three amazing voices,combine to create spine-tingling, delicate folk melodies. Often on this record, the sisters sing just pure A Capella, or with a sole acoustic guitar to produce completely alluring sound. Th entire album, start to finish, embodies bliss. The album, released in November 2012, is the debut album for this very promising folk trio. If this album does, somehow, fail to break The Staves into the mainstream, then a sophomore record could definitely see these sisters follow in the footsteps of Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling and Ben Howard, who are all now regarded as household names on the folk music scene.

The Staveley-Taylor's hail from Watford, and have been tipped as 'ones to watch' for the near future of English music. The English folk scene, truly revived in the 1990's and 00's, is in full swing and is captivating the interest of the mainstream market. 'Dead & Born & Grown' is an record worthy of significant recognition, a truly superb full album in my personal opinion. All too often, an album can fall into a lull in the middle tracks, but that does not apply here. The Staves have not opted for the recently-formed stereotype that is the modern folk artist; tweed waistcoats and a compulsory banjo. When the tracks do instrumentally 'kick-in', the folk-rock vibe is flowing as drums are beat and cymbals crash.

The opening track, 'Wisely & Slow', is beautifully harmonised, and is purely a Capella for the majority of the track. I find this track to evoke references to the Sirens' song, 'Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby', in the soundtrack to 'Oh' Brother Where Art Thou', performed by Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Emmylou Harris. This opening track, the angelic voices and crashing cymbals, is one of brilliance and a perfect beginning to a truly excellent record. 

The Staves do appear to be offering a different folk sound than what is currently established int today's musical climate. Although, one still must draw from their influences, and it appears that the  sisters have set a benchmark against the brilliance of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young as an idyllic vocal performance. Track four, 'Pay Us No Mind', and Track eleven 'Snow' are reminiscent are Laura Marling's earlier work, which is no comparison to be undervalued. 

The stand-out song, personally, is Track Nine 'Tongue Behind My Teeth'. One of the more upbeat tracks on this record, but just as beautiful. Perfect harmonies, acoustic guitars and a varied pace have all created a truly superb track, which was released as a single in September 2012. This is The Staves at the the pinnacle their brilliance, a perfect example of just how good their are. 

Album Rating: 9/10

Top 10 Alternative Love Songs

In an attempt to stay clear of the cliché mixtape of classic love ballads that will undeniable soundtrack Valentine's Day celebrations this again year, this playlist has been created to offer an alternate sound to the traditional Bublé and Celine Dion.

Track 10. The Wombats - 'Little Miss Pipedream'

Track 9. Seasick Steve - 'Walking Man'

Track 8. The Maccabees - 'First Love'

Track 7. Foo Fighters - 'Everlong'

Track 6.  The Cure - 'Lovesong'

Track 5. Joy Division - 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'

Track 4. The Darkness - 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love'

Track 3. Beach Boys - 'God Only Knows'

Track 2. Kiss - 'I Was Made For Loving You'

Track 1. The Smiths - 'There is a Light That Never Goes Out' 

Album Review: 'Lonerism'

Album Review


'Lonerism' - Tame Impala





File this album somewhere between the Beatles and Pink Floyd.

The vagueness of that statement should not be misconceived. The vibe that can be felt throughout the entirety of this album can be drawn on previous iconic sounds such as that of the Beatles or Pink Floyd and Genesis. A mixed sound of prog-rock and hypnotic ambience creates a truly superb record, start to finish. 'Lonerism' is a follow-up album to 'Innerspeaker', released in 2010 and similarly won the J Award for Australian Album of the Year. 

The band claim that Todd Rundgren's album 'A Wizard, A True Star' released in 1973 acted as a major influence over the production of this album. The character of this album appears to be quite a step-away from the previous album 'Innerspeaker', with more prog-pop feel mixed with the band experimenting with synth and samples, as seen in the opening track 'Be Above It'.

The Beatles-come-Pink Floyd influences truly emanate in Track 4 entitled 'Mind Mischief', an amalgamation of hypnotic vocals, entrancing riffs and soft percussion. On the other hand, Track 5 entitled 'Music To Walk Home By', appears to step back in time towards Tame Impala's past music, with a sound reminiscent of the popular single 'Solitude is Bliss'. A personal stand-out track would have to be Track 9, 'Elephant'. Whilst the rest of the album gives out a hypnotic-dream pop vibe, 'Elephant' appears to occupy a similar airspace to the likes of the Black Keys. Heavy riffs and crashing cymbals combine to create a truly brilliant rock 'n' roll anthem. 

Tame Impala - 'Elephant'

E.P Launch: The Lay-Lows

The Lay-Lows: 'Happy Family'.


Track 1: 'Chino Amigo'
Track 2: 'Ride'
Track 3: 'Curse'
Track 4: 'Keeper'

The new E.P from the Cardiff-based rock/indie/alternative band, released on the 2nd January 2013, is further cementing their status as one of the hottest new acts to be emerging from the vibrant music scene of South Wales. Inspired by the likes of Kings of Leon and Thin Lizzy, of whom can be heard within these tracks, the Lay-Lows have returned again to produce another E.P of the highest quality.

A personal highlight from within this E.P is the track 'Keeper'. The influence of Kings of Leon can be found fruitful throughout this tune, coupled with the brilliance of the band's own songwriting abilities, creates a track of distinction. 

On the back of recent shows outside of their hometown of Cardiff, notably at the historic Water Rats in London in December, the Lay-Lows continue to grow as a band and expand their strong support base. Already listed as one of the brightest emerging talents within South Wales, and tipped to enter the spotlight in 2013, the near future appears to be glistening.

Emerging Artist: Lewis Watson

Lewis Watson

To make a judgement regarding Lewis Watson, purely on his youthful appearance and messy 
'boy-band' hair, would be one of great naivety.

Armed with just an acoustic guitar, Watson defies the stereotyped youthful exuberance and creates music of love and passion through his melancholic tunes. On a career seemingly based on his already-achieved internet success, this young artist appears to have a golden future ahead of him. Comparisons can be drawn with the likes of Ed Sheeran and Benjamin Francis Leftwich due to their mutual soft voices and simple acoustic tracks. Watson has also been known to share the stage with other singer-songwriters all hailing from Oxfordshire, England. Watson recently headlined a BBC Introducing Oxford show for the first time, having previously performed further down the pecking order. Furthermore, Watson's popularity and already-impressive fanbase is set to grow yet again, as he is scheduled to support Birdy on her tour of Australia in April 2013. 

A personal favourite track to be released by Lewis Watson is titled 'Sink or Swim'. His strong voice, acoustic guitar and melodic backing vocals all combine to create a truly beautiful and charming song. Watson's early tracks provide strong evidence of the talent that lays within, and of the bright spotlight that might just be around the corner. 

Top 15 Albums of 2012

Of the albums that I have bought and listened to this year, this is my selected Top 15:

1. The Milk - 'Tales From The Thames Delta' Top Track - 'Broke Up the Family'
2. Two Door Cinema Club - 'Beacon' Top Track - 'Settle'
3. Bruce Springsteen - 'Wrecking Ball' Top Track - 'Wrecking Ball'
4. Jake Bugg - 'Jake Bugg' Top Track - 'Simple as This'
5. Alt-J - 'An Awesome Wave' Top Track - 'Fitzpleasure'
6. The Futureheads - 'Rant' Top Track - 'Beeswing'
7. Muse - 'The 2nd Law' Top Track - 'Panic Disco'
8. Mumford & Sons - 'Babel' Top Track  - 'I Will Wait'
9. Bruno Mars - 'Unorthodox Jukebox' Top Track - 'Lock Out Of Heaven'
10. Kassidy - 'One Man Army' Top Track - 'One Man Army'
11. The Hives - 'Lex Hives' Top Track - 'Wait A Minute'
12. The Lumineers - 'The Lumineers' Top Track - 'Hey Oh'
13. The Cast of Cheers - 'Family' Top Track - 'Family'
14. Mystery Jets - 'Radlands' Top Track - 'Sister Everett'
15. Here We Go Magic - 'A Different Ship' Top Track - 'How Do I Know'

Emerging Artist: Swiss Lips

Swiss Lips

"The band that might just save pop music."

Swiss Lips hail from a city rich in British music history, Manchester. From the likes of New Order and The Smiths, Swiss Lips look to take influence from their fellow Mancunian idols and come to light in today's pop scene.

Such is their infectious rhythms, 'Danz' perfectly titles the dance-pop genre that these Notherners are creating. The track 'Danz' will be the first single Swiss Lips release, scheduled for the end of January 2013. I can't see this track doing anything other than launching the Manchester boys onto the popular music scene, causing quite a stir.



This band might just create a buzz in the early months of 2013, emerging as a band that will no longer need to support the likes of Blur and Bastille, as done throughout 2012, to get their music heard.

The band also recently released another track destined for popularity far beyond the city lights of Manchester. 'Carolyn' is terribly infectious and perfectly fits the bill for the dance-pop label that will shine a bright light over this rising, happening band.