Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws

About a year has passed since I Had The Blue But I Shook Them Loose launched relatively unknowns Bombay Bicycle Club right into the limelight. The young London band have returned with their second album Flaws and it's something which many will be surprised by.

Flaws is a completely acoustic album, What does that mean for the future of the band? Flaws certainly isn't a concept album so it begs the question of which direction they're going to take in future.

The album was released and the band are currently touring the country in some less than traditional venues you'd expect a rock band to play. The Sage in Gateshead or St Pauls Church in Birmingham for example. Whichever direction they're taking they're really getting behind this current project, temporary or permanent.

Enough small talk. There are some really beautiful songs on this album. Title track Flaws is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard this year, it's so minimalistic in it's set up (as is the whole album) One acoustic guitar and two vocals. The song is played softly but delivered powerfully from Jack and Lucy Rose, the two compliment each other superbly.

Listeners will recognise Dust On The Ground from their previous release as well as Ivy & Gold which was released by the band in may. Some other numbers my sound familiar too. Fairytale Lullaby is a cover of John Martyn whilst Swansea is a stunning cover of Joanna Newsom.

Now you start to see why the band have released a completely stripped down bare album. It doesn't stop there either, The way jack plays My God sounds chillingly like Dylans Moonshine Blues. If these are the artists Jack is listening to and the genre the band are interested in, it seems to make perfect sense that the follow up is Acoustic and not electric.

After this release I am eagerly waiting the band to follow up, what will be next? Nu-Metal or Country!? Joking aside of course, this album if nothing else celebrates the diversity of the band. whilst they're still growing and still learning, they're showing they are more than a one trick pony. The Futures bright even if this album will split fans.

7/10

Stand out tracks:

Rinse Me Down
Dust On The Ground
Fairytale Lullaby
My God
Flaws
Swansea

Northern Soul

listening to:

Bombay Bicycle Club - Flaws - Flaws

Lissie - Catching A Tiger

Coming to the airwaves near you.

Lissie is exciting and Catching A Tiger is a strong debut album; one you'd be hard pushed to want more from. Her vocals seem effortless and certainly, watching the duet she did with Ellie Goulding you can witness just how strong she is

Catching A Tiger promises some mid-western bluesy, country tones and it doesn't fail to deliver. Her talent is evident merely seconds into Record Collector fitting nicely alongside pots and pans clatter. Her effortless, laid back vocal strikes clear through the mêlée despite the rough and ready undertones ending in with a feeling of emotional exhaustion. She's good, real good.

Oh Mississippi, written together with Ed Harcourt is simply haunting, capturing that "out west" feel that is promised by her appearance - it's not hard to imagine floating down the Mississippi towards that dusty sunset.
Everywhere I Go could be criticised as being bland were it not for her soaring voice. The understated melody paves the way for a vocal that pulls the goosebumps up on your arms - for those who argue the song doesn't go anywhere, you're wrong her voice is right on the money.

Catching A Tiger will no doubt be a massive debut for this Illinois girl and one can only hope she doesn't fall into the pit of blandness. It seems others have seen the capacity for her to be the next Sheryl Crowe and that just won't do.

She's an antidote to Gaga and a welcome one.

~SouthernHeart

Listening to: Lissie - Little Lovin'

Feeder - Renegades

Grant Nicholas and Taka Hirose have had quite a hectic year for so many different reasons.

Drummer Mark Richardson left to reunite with his former band Skunk Anansie, Feeder used their alter ego Renegades to promote new tracks and now the band have now released their 7th album!

Called.... yep, Renegades.

Grant made no secret during The Renegades tours that the side project was to be an intimate afair with diehard fans. No Hits were played at these shows, Instead the band sampled new music which was more raw, more electric and, some would say more of what the band are about.

The same mindset has been followed up with the new album. Gone are the acoustics, gone are the ballards. If you're looking for Feeling A Moment or Just The Way I'm Feeling - you won't find them here.

To get a feel of the album I believe you're going to have to go back to early Feeder, perhaps as far back to Yesterday Went Too Soon. Renegades starts out as raw and electic as they come, White Lines, Call Out, Renegades and Sentimental push firmly what this album is about, the same energy is present throughout.

I don't usually single out songs I dislike but I couldn't let this album review go without a little note about This Town. The album on a whole has grown on me the more i've played it but This Town has probably had the opposite affect! Something about Nicholas barking lyrics, It just doesn't work for me. It's probably the only genuine poor song on the album.

However it's more of an annoyance than a concern as the rest of the album plays out nicely. City In A Rut is a paricularly good song and maybe my favourite of the album.

Does it measure up to 2008's Sileny Cry? No but Renegades is still a good album. Fans of Feeder/Renegades will recognise a lot of the material on the album. 5 of the tracks are from the two EP's which the band brought out exclusive to those fans who attended Renegades gigs. if you liked what you heard there then that alone would suggest you will like this album.

7/10

Stand out tracks:
White Lines
Call Out
Renegades
Sentimental
City In A Rut


Northern Soul

Listening to:
Feeder - Yesterday Went Too Soon - Radioman

We Are Scientists - Barbara

California's own We Are Scientists return with their forth album Barbara, This is the first album to be released without drummer Michael Tapper. Former Razorlight member Andy Burrows takes over drumming responsibilities.

On listening to the album you wouldn't sense that there had been a change in the line up, Burrows is certainly a very talented drummer and musician. This latest venture for him is certainly a step down in terms of mainstream success. Whilst I'm not a fan of Razorlight, it would be pretty naive to suggest that WAS were a bigger or more successful band than Burrows former.

However he fits in perfectly with Keith Murray and Chris Cain, the three work well together and have produced a decent record with some nice and catchy songs. Nice Guys in particular is as good as any of their previous work from With Love and Squalor, Brain Thrust Mastery or the compilation Crap Attack.

The band were clever with their release. Before the album was available to fans, they released two tracks which would ensure fans would come back for more, Rules Don't Stop and Nice Guys.

Rules don't stop is a typical We Are Scientists song, nice and playful, fun lyrics and a nice rocky back beat, this leads perfectly into I Don't Bite which in particular features Chris' strong bass lines. Follow this on with Nice Guys and you think you're onto a winner of an album.

The album starts to fade a little after these tracks however and there is quite a lot of filler. I wouldn't go as far as to say the songs are poor, but they are not what the band will ever be remembered for.

It's not all bad news there are a couple of other songs worthy of a mention, Ambition has a nice catchy guitar riff. You Should Learn is a very lively song which will have you dancing around and singing along just as you'd expect from a We Are Scientists song.

All in all, this album is a decent follow up to their previous attempt. The band have stuck to what they know best; producing music which will appeal to their cult following. It's not an album filled with hits nor is it their best material but Barbara is an album their fans will enjoy. For those who enjoy them in doses (like me), it's nothing to get too excited over. Nor will this album gain any new fanbase.

6/10

Stand out tracks:
Rules Don't Stop
I Don't Bite
Nice Guys
Ambition
You Should Learn

Northern Soul

Listening to:

Mystery Jets - Serotonin - Alice Springs