The Clause - Shut Me Out (Single Review)

The Clause are a four-piece alternative indie-rock band from Birmingham, UK. The band consists of; lead vocalist - Pearce McMenamin, Liam Deakin on lead guitar, Jonny Fyfee on bass and Niall Fennell on the drums. The Clause released their first single on the 28th of January 2016 and the Brummy boys have already received over 1000 listens on Soundcloud for their new track.

The introduction is thirty-six seconds of quick guitar riffs and rhythmic symbol hitting; soon accompanied by McMenamin's vocals. As I mentioned in my previous review of the DMA's, it is so refreshing to hear an alternative indie-rock band that does not sound like a rip-off Oasis or Arctic Monkeys. However throughout the track I did notice influences of The Strokes and Catfish & the Bottlemen; but The Clause have created their own unique sound and haven't just followed what the rest of the other new start-up indie bands sound like - that's what I like My favourite line off the track has to be;

"And it's a feeling I don't get no more, and I just can't explain why."

Not only is this line catchy, but it is also relateable. It is probably one of the most relatable set of lyrics that I have heard in a while; as when somebody fucks you over so hard you tend to go through a careless phase where you just don't catch feelings for anybody else nor show sympathy. I also like the indignation in McMenamin's voice when he sings this line as it projects his frustration. Deakin on lead guitar and Fyfee on bass throw in some Catfish and The Bottlemen inspired riffs meanwhile Fennell on the drums goes along with the flow of the song set by the guitars but he mellows out the power of the guitarists against each-other as he doesn't tend to over-power the guitars at any point within the song.

All four artists work perfectly together and have created a desired unique sound that not many new alternative/indie bands have managed to captivate. These Brummy boys have got a bright future ahead of them and you need to keep an eye on them in the near-by future. Good luck on all of your future endeavors lads, and I wish you all the best! The link to their track on soundcloud is below.

https://soundcloud.com/user-62699736/shut-me-out-the-clause

DMA's - DMA's (EP Review)

First of all I would like to apologise for the missing review last Sunday. A lot of stress is getting on top of me with revision and constant essays being given to me! Moving forward, I will be publishing two reviews this week to make up for it ! This review was a suggested review so do not ever hesitate or feel afraid to request a single / EP/ or album for me to review as I will be more than happy to! 

The DMA's are an Australian trio that formed in 2013. I have reviewed their first self-titled EP below; which was released on the 28th of March 2014. However, they are releasing a full album very soon! So if you like what you hear when I link you at the bottom of the review, look out for it! Their new album is to be released on the 26th of February 2016. This alternative Aussie rock trio sound influenced by many UK alternative/indie-rock bands and solo artists from the 90's-00's!

The opening track of their self-titled EP is called 'Laced'. The intro is jam-packed full of catchy guitar riffs and chord structures, accompanied by a 90's-influenced voice, but the lead singer is no Liam Gallagher - more of a concoction of; Damon Albarn (Blur), Ian Brown (Stone Roses), Tom Clarke (The Enemy) and Jamie T! What a cocktail of great influences to sound like! The guitars are very fast and upbeat when the chorus hits, however they slow down on this line to emphasise the passion that they are trying to portray;

"It's in my heart, it's in my head for you."

Their second track, 'Your Low' sounds somewhat influenced by the US band The Strokes. This song reminds me of the perfect kind of song to be playing in your car with the sun-roof open, on the way down to the beach - cool and chilled. Furthermore the message that I received from this song is much darker. I feel as though that they have crossed paths with somebody who has hit the ultimate rock-bottom and they mock and look down on them, however the tables soon turn and the verse switches to first person.

"What I need I don't know, I'm a million miles from your low."

'Delete' is the next track off the EP and it introduces itself with some slow rhythmic strumming on the guitar, followed by the comforting nostalgic lyrics of;

"Don't forget about the stars, the sky, lucid as the air that blows and the light that shines"

The slow rhythm is mainly constant throughout, however it alters slightly on the chorus of;

"Don't delete my baby, don't defeat her now."

This song reminds me of Jamie T's 'Emily's Heart' and that is one of my all time favourite tracks, resulting in this being my favourite track off the EP so far. The next track 'Feels Like 37' is more upbeat compared to the previous track 'Delete' as it is full of clashing guitars and progression. The next track is called 'The Plan' and it opens with a groovy indie beat with a hint of psychedelia alongside the guitars. This track makes me want to compare them to 'Circa Waves' due to the beat, the rhythm, the vocals and the song as a whole... The final track to cease off the EP is called 'So We Know' and this is a calm and simple acoustic song to close off the EP. Even though I have labelled it as 'simple' it is very effective, resulting in it being the perfect song to finish with.

"Neon lights in my eyes, I'm chasing liberties 'cause there's none in my life."

In conclusion, it was incredibly refreshing to finally be able to review a band where the lead singer does not sound like a rip-off Liam Gallagher or Alex Turner. To be fair it was a very good EP; however I do not particularly think much of 'Feels Like 37' or 'The Plan' but the other tracks were pretty much spot on! I particularly favoured towards 'Delete' as it is just such a well thought-out song, so no wonder it is one of their most popular tracks! I would definitely recommend that you listen to the Aussie trio if you like your alternative/indie-rock bands! Here is the link to their EP below, it is also available to download on iTunes!

http://www.stereogum.com/1800660/stream-dmas-dmas-ep/mp3s/

8/10

David Bowie - Black Star (Album Review)

David Bowie is a glam rock solo artist from London, and as you may have heard; the artistic icon unfortuneatly recently passed away on the 10th of January 2016 due to cancer. His new album which was released on his 69th birthday, just two days before his death; has been known to pull on everybody's heart strings on a global scale, due to the album basically telling his fans that he is dying. Bowie was an inspirational icon for many reasons, but more so for the fact that he influenced so many young fans to be who they are and not care what other people think; Bowie was unique and different and it worked in his favour. In his solo singing career of 49 years he had written 26 albums, 120 singles and 6 EP's during his lifetime... And that isn't even counting the songs or albums that he may have featured on! Anyhow, I am reviewing his last ever album called 'Blackstar' and with just seven tracks, I am hoping for something spectacular!

 The title track 'Black Star' opens up the album with an instrumental on the piano, followed by an unusual introduction. The 9 minutes and 58 seconds-long track has an awful lot of intense depth and meaning to it; but the real eye opener line for me was -

"Something happened on the day he died, spirit rose a metre and stepped aside. Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried."

This tells me that even if somebody else gained the notoriority and idolism that Bowie has portrayed throughout his lifetime; that they wouldn't feel ok with taking the starlight away from Bowie, and he knows this as it explains significantly within his lyrics. The song title is dark within itself; stars are bright and full of light which signify a heaven, however a black star is dark and evil so perhaps Bowie is trying to tell people that he has sinned and he is going to hell? As far as we are concerned we will never know, and it will play on our minds for the rest of our lives... Moving forward, the next track is called 'Tis A Pity She Was A Whore'. I think that the whore that he is perhaps referring to is cancer.

"Black struck the kiss"

A black kiss is often otherwise referred to as 'the kiss of death', therefore he knew that death was inevitable within his circumstances, and it is a horrible thought knowing that you are going to die; but Bowie wants people to appreciate their life as it can be taken away from you within a glimpse of a kiss. The third track is called 'Lazarus' and this is the single that he released before the album; and once he passed away millions of people around the world felt repulsed with themselves for not realising that the music video was a sincere goodbye to his fans; and not just a goodbye from music, but a goodbye from life. To be fair; the opening line says it all. The slow pace of the song instantly creates a melancholic atmosphere and immediately you know that this song isn't necessarily going to be the most cheerful of songs.

"Look up here, I’m in heaven - I’ve got scars that can’t be seen."

As everybody knows; cancer doesn't always show on the outside, it kills you from the inside. That is why Bowie has scars that can't be seen due to the emotional damage and physical damage that the cancer is doing to him. The next track 'Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)' is a lot more upbeat compared to the previous tracks that this album has displayed. However this track is a shorter re-release from Bowies 2014 compilation album; 'Nothing Has Changed'. Furthermore, the next song is called 'Girl Loves Me' and unfortunately I don't like this track as the way he sings some of the vocals hurts my ears as he yodels his voice on some of his words for emphasis.

The second to last track on the album is called 'Dollar Days' and he's basically telling you that he doesn't care anymore and he doesn't care if he never sees the earth again, and this links to his alter-ego of Ziggy Stardust as he doesn't belong on earth, he belongs somewhere better, somewhere unknown... Somewhere extraterrestrial... Space! As the album comes to an end, the final track called 'I Can't Give Everything Away' ceases the album with a very emotional ending. This song contrasts with the previous track is he goes on to say that he is not ready to leave yet;

"I can't give everything away"

In conclusion this album has definitely met its expectations with the odd exception of 'Girl Loves Me' as my ears just could not take the odd yodelling sound that Bowie was doing with his voice. My favourite tracks off the album are most definitely 'Lazarus' and 'Black Star' as to me; they were the most deep and meaningful tracks off the album. I give out my sincere thoughts to those die-hard Bowie fans as he was an influential idol to many across the world. This album has been a huge eye opener for me, and I'm sure that it has for everybody else that has given it a listen. The man who fell to earth has now returned to the stars, Rest In Peace. X

9/10

Casual Agenda - The One (Single Review)

Casual Agenda are a trio indie rock band from the Brownhills, West Midlands. The trio consists of; lead vocalist and guitarist - Peter Roper (Pedro), Joe Service on bass and Dan Bott on the drums. The band have recently released a new single on the 20th of November 2015 called 'The One' - the single is available on Spotify, YouTube, iTunes and Amazon and if you would like to give this song a listen, then the links will be posted at the end of my review.

The track opens with a punchy introduction and speeds up as soon as the drums intervene, shortly accompanied by the vocals. Immediately they create the contagious chorus line of;

"Is this the one?"

This line is repeated throughout the track which makes the song catchy almost instantly. The bassist; Joe Service also does the backing vocals for the band, and that increases the tension of the song; as towards the end, all of the instruments mellow down which creates an eery atmosphere and you hear Service quietly sing the chorus line with very quiet instruments accompanying his voice. Therefore this proves to be very effective within the song as it creates a build-up of tension which I think a lot of indie rock songs need.

In conclusion, I like this track due to the contagiousness of the lyrics and the beat, however I do think that it lacks creativity. On the other hand I am yet to listen to any of their previous work, as this may be a contrast song when compared to their other tracks. All three of the musicians are extremely talented and when put together, they do collaborate really well with eachother. The drums stood out for me the most within this song as they seemed to lead the track.. Moving forward, it is difficult to create a catchy song with a lot of meaning to it and if Casual Agenda have captured that in their previous work then to that they shall owe their success. I would recommend giving them a listen as I think that they do have a lot of potential, and have the chance to make it big! All the best for your future endeavours lads, keep up the good work! Onwards and upwards!

Youtube : http://youtu.be/jYCSMpo3rQA

Birdy - Keeping Your Head Up (Single Review)

Jasmine Lucilla Elizabeth Jennifer Van Den Bogaerde or 'Birdy' is people often refer to her as, has released a new single on the 1st of January 2016 called 'Keeping Your Head Up'. Birdy is an indie folk solo artist from Hampshire, England and she is commonly renowned for her cover of Bon Ivers song 'Skinny Love' which when released in 2011, her cover sold 259,000 copies in the UK alone - consequently becoming the third biggest selling rock single of 2011. At only 19, Birdy has already been performing for 8 years and with that she has been rewarded with great amounts of success as she released her first debut album at only 15 years of age and it became a global phenomenon.

A sturdy rhythm on the piano is constantly repeated in a fast pace in order to introduce the track and it continued to accompany the vocals until the first verse finished, and then the rhythm changed. The powerful opening line catches your attention immediately.

"Times that I've seen you lose your way, you're not in control and you won't be told."

Obviously the person she has written about has anger problems which could stem from mental health issues which relates to the title of the song 'Keeping Your Head Up' as she just wants them to calm down and keep their dignity and not let whatever demons they are battling - beat them. The chorus and second verse also backs up my theory as the chorus says;

"Hold tight, you're slowly coming back to life. I'll be keeping your head up, I'll be keeping your head up darling."

Then the second verse states;

"Everyone keeps a darker place to lose control, you're not alone."

These lines support my theory of what the song is about as they are leaving the old person they used to be behind, along with the mental illness that they may have and are 'coming back to life'. Then the second verse is saying how everybody has a darker side to them, and has times where they lose control and therefore they comfort them by sayimg 'you're not alone'. I also noticed how when the track progresses a deep beat is added to make the song sound more pop than indie folk and I don't like it because I think that Birdy has got a good niche and she doesn't need to be competing with global superstars in the house and pop genre. She is quite an introverted character as it is, and her voice is to gentle and precious to be ruined by heavy auto tune and a bouncing beat covering her beautiful and distinctive voice.

In conclusion, I expected more from Birdy as I am a big fan of her previous work. There's a lot of thought gone into the lyrics, however for a bit of a remix you'd expect it to be catchy... But it isn't... This song is average and I hope that this isn't going to be the most renowned track off her new album when she releases it. I am rather disappointed in all honesty, but the track does have a good meaning to it which is presented clearly throughout - I just wish that she would just simply stick to her beautiful echoey voice and the piano - that is the way that I prefer her.

7/10