The Local Strangers - The Local Strangers EP
The Local Strangers is a Seattle acoustic duo featuring Midwestern transplants Aubrey Zoli and Matt Hart. With soulful vocals and intricate harmonies, their poignant, honest, and relatable songwriting has distinguished them in the Americana/alt-country scene. They thrive on stage in an energetic display of passion for their music and create an unmistakable connection with every audience.
For a duo that’s only been together for little over 8 months its astounding when you hear the sound that is created. Bringing Aubrey’s fantastically emotive voice and Matt’s great ear for musical accompaniment together amalgamated into what can only be described as a beautiful marriage of both lyrics and song.
The first track “Hunted by Ghosts” is an introduction into the alto tones of Aubrey with Matt providing accompaniment and his own sultry vocals, “For Fear of Losing” showcases Matt’s voice, “All Along” provides more of Aubrey’s incredible voice.
However “Partner in Crime” has to be the shining star in this fantastic first outing, both voices in play again, Its almost as if they’ve both met their own partner in crime with this coupling that seems to be perfect, there is nothing of fault in this EP, including the whistling solo in “Partner in Crime”
The Local Strangers self titled EP can be downloaded for free here
Review: Frank Turner - England Keep My Bones
Frank’s 3rd album Poetry Of The Deed was not perfect. It was too long and a little too samey (rock song, rock song, acoustic song, acoustic rock song, repeat). Nevertheless, it had some brilliant moments proving the ex-Million Dead frontman (and mention of his old band will be returning later in this review) certainly hadn’t lost it, merely just got distracted along the route.
Flogging Molly Stream New Album
Rolling Stone have an exclusive stream of the new album, Speed Of Darkness from Celtic-punks Flogging Molly.
Speed of Darkness is due out tomorrow (May 30th)
Review: And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs
Tearing back into prominence with their second full-length, And So I Watch You From Afar have gifted the contemporary instrumental music scene with a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Twin Atlantic play Manchester’s Academy 3. May 5th 2011
Stream: Maybeshewill - I Was Here For A Moment, Then I Was Gone
Check out the new, rather brilliant, album from Maybeshewill.
Maybeshewill - I Was Here For a Moment Then I Was Gone by I LIKE PRESS
Listen to this: Tall Ships - Hit The Floor
Stop everything you are doing and listen to this. Battles meets early-Foals forms possibly the best single of the year so far in the form of the new single from Tall Ships. It’s a perfect follow up to last years There Is Nothing But Chemistry Here EP, retaining the loopy guitars but it’s considerably more catchy and upbeat than anything they’ve done before.
Review: The Lonely Island - Turtleneck & Chain
All bets are off, the best album of the year is here
Video: Tellison - Say Silence (Heaven & Earth)
Say Silence is the first single to be released from the second album by Tellison, ‘The Wages Of Fear, out June13th.
For pre-order details and upcoming tour dates see the bands website.
Reading And Leeds Lock Up Line Up and Analysis
Last week the line up for the Reading and Leeds lock up tent was revealed. The lock up tent acts as a bastion of punk rock at the festival (which is headlined by My Chemical Romance, The Strokes/Pulp and Muse this year) and this years line up does not disappoint.
Reading Saturday/Leeds Sunday
- Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The King Blues, The Bronx, Capdown, Leftover Crack, Comeback Kid, Boysetsfire, Street Dogs, Teenage Bottlerocket, Title Fight, Sharks
Reading Sunday/Leeds Friday
- Descendents, Flogging Molly, Face to Face, Hot Water Music, Bedouin Soundclash, Off, The Black Pacific, The Menzingers, Your Demise, Spycatcher, Mouthwash
I’m looking forward to the festival a hell of a lot more now with this announcement, especially The Mighty Mighty Bosstones The Bronx, Teenage Bottlerocket, Flogging Molly and Hot Water Music. I also intend to catch Title Fight, Capdown, Comeback kid, Menzingers and possibly a few of the others bar clashes on the other stages. For many the Lock Up announcement has renewed their faith in the festival, despite missing bands that were thought to be certain (Dropkick Murphys and Bouncing Souls anyone?) The Descendents are a huge pull due to their lack of touring recently and a good number of excellent punk and ska bands. Apologies for the late upload, have been swamped with work this week. Andrew
Review: Tyler, the Creator - Goblin
Much like the foul-mouthed tirade against uncooperative music blogs that opened his first album Bastard, Odd Future leader Tyler’s follow-up Goblin features several caveats, including: “Hey, don’t do anything I say in this song, okay? It’s fucking fiction”
Stream Manchester Orchestra’s “Simple Math”
Manchester Orchestra’s new album “Simple Math” is due out this month and the band have followed in the footsteps of many bands these days and released a stream of the new album online. However this, unlike the others, is only able to be accessed after the completion of a puzzle (drag any of the ten shapes to the correct spot on the row of squares, get 5 in their right position and the stream unlocks and plays)
On first listen it’s excellent and this writer can’t wait to get his physical copy.
Listen to this: Frank Turner - Peggy Sang The Blues
The first official single from Frank’s upcoming 4th album England Keep My Bones.
Have a listen, I think it’s wonderful.
Frank Turner - Peggy Sang The Blues by Epitaph Records
Also, here’s the “leaked” track I Am Disappeared, just for good measure.
Frank Turner - I Am Disappeared by Epitaph Records
England Keep My Bones is out June 6th Xtra-Mile Records.
Review: Brontide - Sans Souci
I fear that modern post-rock is in danger of doing what “indie” music did in 2007 and become very stagnant very quickly. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of great bands and exciting music about, there just seems to be a little lack of innovation.
