Mark Rowland - Reviews
Erlend Apneseth Trio with Maja S.K. Ratkje
Experimental and adventurous sonic jazz and folk from Norwegian act Erlend Apneseth Trio who have worked on this album with improvising vocalist Maja Ratkje.
Hamish Hawk
Diverse but confident new album from rising Scottish singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk who seems destined for major success
Malojian
Superb 60's-influenced pop on fourth album from Malojian, the project of Northern Irish songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Scullion
Wave Pictures
Upbeat second album this year from acclaimed Lonodon-based indie pop outfit the Wave Pictures
Albert Hammond Jr
Enjoyable if slight slice of glossy power pop on third album from Strokes guitarist, Albert Hammond Jr
Death
Rediscovered proto-punk band Death release their first album of new material in nearly forty years
Grey Hairs
Impressive early Grunge-influenced debut album from Nottingham-based band, Grey Hairs
Michael Feuerstack
Slow-paced but atmospheric third album under his own name from Canadian singer-songwriter, Michael Feuerstack
Golden Dogs
Energetic but unfocused fourth album from Toronto-based power pop band the Golden Dogs, who have been affected by major line-up changes
Danny Schmidt
Evocative but flawed seventh album from Texan-based singer-songwriter, Danny Schmidt
Wild Billy Childish and CTMF
Fabulous garage rock/punk the second with his current band CTMF, from Medway-based cult artist Billy Childish
Gromble
Catchy Pavement-inspired pop on debut EP from California-based band, the Gromble
Chills
Excellent retrospective from underrated New Zealand–based indie pop band the Chills, which compiles together three BBC sessions which they recorded for John Peel between 1985 and 1988
Maston
Impressive second album, compiled largely from his previous recordings, from psychedelic-influenced Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, Frank Maston
Jim Keaveny
Laidback Dylan-influenced fifth album from Texas-based nsinger-songwriter, Jim Keaveny
Various
Engaging soundtrack to Belle and Sebastian singer Stuart Murdoch’s forthcoming cinema film, which features new versions of songs from his 2009 project of the same name
Sole and DJ Pain 1
Old school and political rap with modern beats on enjoyable album from American rap artist Sole and successful producer DJ Pain 1
Emma Ruth Rundle
Atmospheric and dark 90’s-influenced album from Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and Red Sparowes guitarist, Emma Ruth Rundle
Secret Cities
Eclectic but intelligent latest album from epic-sounding American outfit, Secret Cities
Mega Emotion
Engaging mix of synth-pop and indie rock on tape only debut EP from Bearsuit offshoot, Mega Emotion