Parasol - Sleeping

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Call me completely clueless as far as Parasol goes. A completely new name to me but who says he's 'some kid strumming the guitar not really caring if anyone listens or not'. YAh, right, heard that one before. Of course y'all care about whether anyone listens, that's why you are doing it right?? It's a tad more difficult, I find, to get people to listen to your music when you are in the Acoustic Folk genre. Don't know why but the very term brings lots of people out in a red mist. I suspect this is down more to the image the terms conjures up, than anything any of the genre's artists are doing wrong. The one thing the genre CAN be relied upon for is to throw up some good songs. I also told a fib about not knowing anything about Parasol because I just found a review I did just last month on Still A Bit of Everything Here, and pretty much just repeated the opening paragraph of that review.

DOH!! Old timers!!!

Turns out that despite it's musical sparsity, I liked the way Parasol put the song across. We all got to start somewhere, innit? So, given that you already like the genre, nothing will come as a surprise. What might come as a surprise is the 25 seconds or so of dead air before ANYTHING happens, not an auspicious start and one I recommend Parasol deal with immediately. The song itself is fairly wordy, so it comes as a bit of surprise that the lyrics are not posted, that would help too. However, thats just mere dressing because the real problem with this track lies in the songs structure, and it's delivery.

Let me see if I understand this. You have a recording device of some kind, either a straightforward stereo cassette system, or a basic 4 track. Most of your work is done in your bedroom (don't we ALL know that one), and you can't make too much noise otherwise the family will be on the recording too. The problem is that it really effects the way you emote your songs lyrics. I can hear you trying to be quiet, and that ain't good. The guitar also appears to be slightly out of tune and this only serves to make things worse. When the only things on the track are as flawed as this, the only thing to do is to try and capture it again....and again.........and again....

And haven't we all heard that one before too.

Onemob - Rain Lobes (Remix)

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If you clicked on the website link before reading this review, you are probably feeling a bit confused. The link is to the SC page of the concisely named Soupbone For Murder - an artist you may remember from my encounter earlier this month with the Groucho Von Strainer track - a lovely, and very surprisingly acoustic instrumental. So does Soundclick stalwart Onemob have to do with this? Welp, obviously our old friend and master beatsman has done a remix and this is the beast it rode in on. However, hearing a remix is nothing unless you've had a go on the original so let's take that first... If you are on the webpage (god bless tabbed browsers!), it's the next track down from Onemob's remix.

Like Groucho Von Strainer is delightfully acoustic and it automatically gets in my good books because it uses country strings (mandolin, acoustic guitar, banjo). It's also a surprisingly good song with - I presume - vocals from 'The Mac' of Quaco Project. Shame that the lyrics didn't get posted with the track because I sure could have done with them but no doubt there's a reason for this. I did like the original a great deal, I got to admit and would have given it a good rating for being a good song, encased in a solid arrangement. Good vocals too.

Onemob's version approaches from the other direction entirely and kicks your head in from the first beat. So far, so Onemob then eh? Over the years I have known this guy he has thrown some considerable chunks of material at me, most of which I have appreciated, if not actually kept. Those same years have given Onemob a production sound and trickery that really suits the DnB arrangement this remix is set in. There's not a lot left over for frills because what counts here is the intensity of the groove. The original version doesn't really appear until about halfway through the track and then disappears back into the undergrowth quickly enough. As much as the original is still here, the reason I just put Onemob in the title of this review is because the bulk of the track is most definitely his work. More banging for your buck and no mistake, a master of the arts.

Quality hardcore drums and bass. Highly Recommended. (btw, so is the original!)

Timmy Sells His Soul - Good Little Consumer

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Timmy Sells His Soul is the absolutely brilliant bandname for a solo project from one Daniel Euphrat. If that name is familiar that may be because you have encountered him with brother Greg in the band Dross who I have encountered a couple of times in the past. Once in collaboration with arch musical fiend Guanoman with the incredibly lurid title, Gradually Sealing Every Orifice In His Head (December 2004) - to my ears a dense, intense combination but not for those with weak stomachs. Then I came across them in their own right with Naptha Dentifrice (May 2005) where again they can throw up a strong sound, albeit one that nibbles voraciously on your nerve endings. As I say, not for the faint of heart.

Then up pops Daniel in his TSHS guise and he promises us 'strange songs in an essentially 'pop' song structure' Mmmm sounded good to me too, because you can only take so much musical chaos theory innit? Welp, don't approach this track wearing anything that might get - shall I say - soiled. because no matter what Good Little Consumer is, it ain't pop as we know it in this universe. Billed as an 'Other:Alternative' track I can testify that the emphasis should be on the Other bit. Mind you, anyone familair with the Dross personna I was gabbling about a while back will recognise this little musical vixen immediately.

As wild as the Euphrat's musical world happens to be, it is an alternative universe even, the sound and energy pumped into the work in terms of performance and production are very much of this world. You are either going to love this stuff, or you are going to hate it. Whenever I play this is I am battered by God knows how many different genres - mostly guitar-oriented. There's thrash, grunge, industrial - in fact every 'dirty' sound known to man. This is all thrown into a musical blender, shot through space at the speed of light before arriving at your earholes as a buzzy, fuzzy strain-to-hear-it cacophony that - strangely enough - works. Every time I hear anything from this quarter it seems that no matter what kind of sonic mayhem is created, it somehow sounds right, proper.

Recommended Alternative Universe.

Alchemystic - New Horizons

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Considering he was going to give all this music lark a miss a couple of months ago, Alchemystic has been a surprisingly busy boy. It's a fact that keeping up your internet presence is often more of a pain in the ass, and a great many of us get discouraged, some forever. Still, there are even greater numbers of us to which the thought of doing anything different is completely laughable. I freely admit that there is nothing I'd rather be doing than making music and sharing it with my friends and listeners. Even if I had no friends and no listeners I'd STILL be doing this because it is what makes me get up in the morning - the thought that today I may come up with an inspiring track.

The same, I think, is true of Alchemystic, not matter what he says.

I think I must have had a direct download to this track on another site because it doesn't seem to exist on either Soundclick or the artists main site. Quite why that should be so, I can't remember but I'm sure the man will be along presently to enlighten us. New Horizons, as it's title suggests is well in the film soundtrack groove and it's only the steadying presence of Alchemystic's musical nous that's keeping me rooted enough to find out whether it's gonna make me dream or scream.

Because of the compositional nous he displays, and the tremendously tidy job he makes of the production, I can forgive this guy delving into my least favourite genre easily enough. Suffice to say that as much as I enjoyed listening to this track, to my ears it isn't one of Alchemystic's 'keepers'. His many fans will definitely like this lush, epic production and if you have no idea what I've been throwing at your eyeballs for the past three paragraphs, this is a good place to start. So, yeah a bit soundtrack-y but still a good peice of music for all that.

Alchemystic - New Horizons

Hear The Track Here

Considering he was going to give all this music lark a miss a couple of months ago, Alchemystic has been a surprisingly busy boy. It's a fact that keeping up your internet presence is often more of a pain in the ass, and a great many of us get discouraged, some forever. Still, there are even greater numbers of us to which the thought of doing anything different is completely laughable. I freely admit that there is nothing I'd rather be doing than making music and sharing it with my friends and listeners. Even if I had no friends and no listeners I'd STILL be doing this because it is what makes me get up in the morning - the thought that today I may come up with an inspiring track.

The same, I think, is true of Alchemystic, not matter what he says.

I think I must have had a direct download to this track on another site because it doesn't seem to exist on either Soundclick or the artists main site. Quite why that should be so, I can't remember but I'm sure the man will be along presently to enlighten us. New Horizons, as it's title suggests is well in the film soundtrack groove and it's only the steadying presence of Alchemystic's musical nous that's keeping me rooted enough to find out whether it's gonna make me dream or scream.

Because of the compositional nous he displays, and the tremendously tidy job he makes of the production, I can forgive this guy delving into my least favourite genre easily enough. Suffice to say that as much as I enjoyed listening to this track, to my ears it isn't one of Alchemystic's 'keepers'. His many fans will definitely like this lush, epic production and if you have no idea what I've been throwing at your eyeballs for the past three paragraphs, this is a good place to start. So, yeah a bit soundtrack-y but still a good peice of music for all that.

HiEnergy - Fast Forward

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You would think that an outfit by the name of HiEnergy would be all dance moves and sexy mamas wanting to show you their booties. Quite why they would want me to look at their footwear is beyond me, but no doubt the answer will arrive one day. HiEnergy are billed as Electronica though, so I suppose it IS a dance thing. Uh oh, worse. It's my old nemesis Trance. There appears to be nothing on the Soundclick page to tell us anything about this artist, and only one song online so I should probably presume HiEnergy are new to the site - and maybe even new to music making...

Double uh oh there then...

Ever since I did a stint on a heavily electronic (trance/techno) scene, I have had a down on the kind of music pumped out from this quarter. Not all of it mind, just the slavish kind. I like artists - of whatever genre - to think a little outside the box, not stick to the tried and trusted - ESPECIALLY when it comes to this particular musical style. For my money, this type of track was done best in the late 1990's, and I haven't heard much that I liked outside of that time frame. See, back then this was new, fresh, exciting. Now it's so overdone, it's very time signature is tedious.

Although Fast Forward has great momentum, and some decent intervals, it's reliance on the 4 to the floor beat, and the endless repetition just didn't do it for me. From this track, I would assume that HiEnergy are new to this stuff, simply because this track only works on one level but hey, we all have to start somewhere. If you like techno and particularly the European kind (this artist is German) the I have no doubt you may find something to like here. However, if you don't like the whole metronomic thing, you will probably run a mile for this. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a bad track, just plain and unexciting.

Basic Trance workout

Gare - If Not For You

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Gary Teed (AKA Gare) wrote this track for his wife of 18 years, and as a 20 year veteran of the institution, I understand exactly why he felt moved to do this. They may talk your ears off at every opportunity, find millions of unpleasant and time consuming tasks for you to undertake, and berate you to do better at work, but what would we do without them? Of course, for the rest of us, such a frank admission of love could have us either reaching for the sickbag or running in the opposite direction without so much as listening to a note of music.

Damn those philistines!

I could have sworn I have reviewed this guy more than once, but apparently not. I reviewed Back Home (February 2006) and considering it was folk and one of the man's stated influence is John Denver, it wasn't that bad an experience. Matter of fact, it was a fine song, simply sung and there is nowt wrong with that. Since then, he has been experimenting with various types and music making, and I think he had a bit of a catharsis because he felt a bit lost. Welp, Gary me old mate, I now know exactly what you should be doing - churning out what you do best. As much as I don't like the genre, and some of the awesome mushiness of a lot of the lyrics, I can appreciate a decent peice of music and If Not For You is that.

It is very true that you would probably need to be pretty open-minded to listen to something that is folk in every way or - like me - know the genre more than intimately. I think that's the main reason why I like Gare being a guitarist/singer, and maybe why you will like him too. I'll also make no great shakes about the song either, which is very conventional and exactly what you would expect from the genre. However, it's the clarity of the arrangement and production and the tone and timbre of the man's vocals that finally do it for me. Not as deep as Johnny Cash, not as whiny as Dylan but somewhere right in between. Obviously this track isn't going to be for everybody, but I don't think that'll matter to Gare overmuch.

Very presentable folk rock.

Amorphix - A Gnostic Hymn

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When I first came across this Soundclick artist a couple of months ago, things didn't look at all promising. Persephone (The Rites of Spring)(July 2006) was billed as Electronica: Ambient and if you take the title and genre classification into account, it was enough to make lightheaded as I started to review it. After all, ambient to me usually means something that only Eno would sick up. Sure, I HAVE heard plenty of decent ambient tracks, and even praised a few, but generally this whole area gives me a bad case of the Hershey squirts. Amorphix, blissfully unaware of the miasma he was about to encounter, couldn't know that I would be absolutely blissed out by the track, giving it a Must Have in the process. Kinda says something about his overall compositional skills I'd say.

A Gnostic Hymn (liber xv) shows exactly why that first track made such a great impression on me. Like Persephone, it's a track from Beyond The Veil Of Light album, and judging by these intense musical peices that is one album worth getting. As you would imagine from the title A Gnostic Hymn is 'an attempt to set the first two texts of the Collects from the Crowleyan Gnostic Mass into a hymnal form'. Alllllrighty then, that's a lot clearer. No, not really so I went a-looking and came up with this should you wish to know more about the subject. Now let's all bow to the great god Google and get back to business.

And what a business it is too.

A Gnostic Hymn - whatever it's real purpose - in this particular case means great music, performed and produced to a very high standard indeed. Sure you would need to be into long, involved musical peices, and you would also have an inclination/fascination with the darker side, this is a intensely sombre peice of music. It's also a work of delicacy and musical tact, each part neatly dovetailing into each other seamlessly, giving the listener the spiritual sense the music requires. There is no doubt in my mind that Amorphix is a frighteningly intelligent musician who SHOULD scare me (and you too) but when the music is this fine, I'll pretty much forgive anything. While less immediate - if such a thing can be applied to this artist - than Persephone, time will show that this is just as classy, detailed, emotive and just plain gorgeous. Two Must Have's in a row. That's certainly a milestone for me and this often irritating genre, Amporphix I salute you, this stuff is just wonderful.

MUST HAVE

Ditheramb - Fell Apart

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Since I came across this Australian band when I reviewed In My Shadow (October 2005), they have seldom been off my radar. Part of that allure has to be down to my own liking for the band's rock credentials and their particular slant on what the term 'metal' should mean. Part of that is down to a personal friendship with Steve Kinghorn (the most visible member of the band). The other members, Steve's brother Scott, Jack Greenhill and Glenn Townsend, probably have a life and get out more which Steve - and this Steve - can only dream about. A right couple of saddo's. No wonder we are mates...

Actually, probably not now eh?

The difference between Ditheramb and most bands that the bulk of humanity regard as metal is style. A three chord bash, a castrato on vocals, and a drumkit the size of Mars generally is the impression most people gather, before running away screaming. For my money, Ditheramb's influence comes from something much bigger than metal, and certainly something with a lot more intelligence - both lyrically and musically. Out of the five or six tracks I have reviewed from this band, I have never known them to shirk the more difficult arrangements/lyrical content and carry it off in their own inimitable style.

On a more personal level, I feel like I am going back into the band's recent history, and question if we are to hear anything new from the band soon (hint, hint). Yep, never satisfied me... If you are already a Ditheramb fan, you will know this track, and if you are not, this may not be the track to start with. 3 Away, Darkest Hour and the classic Euphoria would be the better bet. Not because this isn't a good Ditheramb track, it is. However, I thought it may be a bit too dense for yer average casual listener. Only my opinion of course but after living with this track for a while, it doesn't strike me with anything like the impact of the tracks I've mentioned above. Still, when put against yer average metal, this would bounce them out of the ballpark every time; musical ideas applied with considerable intelligence. Now that's not something you usually associate with metal is it?

Recommended Classic rock (regardless of what others say...)

Mark Holley - Harbour The Pain

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Reviewing Mark Holley these days is pretty much reviewing the other Mark too - Mark Alexander to be precise - because he has ALL the vocal duties on this track. Both Mark's are, of course, MP3 Unsigned artists who have had a good many reviews from me, the bulk of them being relatively favourable. Considering my usual crabbiness towards singer/songwriters (as they both are) that's not bad going at all. However, I noticed when I was downloading the track that Mark H commented that this was a classically based peice so all that may change right now... :D

Not sure who the mysterious lyricist is that Mark H is referring to in the song comments but whoever it is knows how to craft a word or two. Essentially a tale of a woman undergoing an illness that robs her of her hearing, which means she would never be able to hear the song that had been written for her. Yeah, nice, pleasant up-beat style, exactly what we need now that winter looms on the horizon. I have to admit that I don't do classical/ballad very gracefully, as many of you already know, and Harbour The Pain is a bit of both - not a good start. However, both Mark's undoubtedly work well together and this collaboration has raised Mark Alexander's game tremendously.

I blush to say this but when I was a young sprog I was heavily into an unknown Canadian band called Klaatu an embyronic pomp rock band, and Harbour The Pain definitely has a Klaatu quality about it. Again, Mark Alexander rules the roost here with a terrific vocal on an obviously demanding lyrical structure. Also to be noted are his own vocal embellishments, all round great work. It has to be said that Harbour The Pain will be a difficult listen, because of the lyrical context, flow and the musical structure, all not designed for a quick drive-by listen. It's a track that demands the listeners attention or tells them to sod off, and that is how I think it should be. Both Mark's (and their unknown lyricist) should only feel the greatest satisfaction that they took a very complicated peice and made it work beautifully. Even to the point of winning over an old curmudgeon like this reviewer.

Class track that will take some time to sink in. Recommended.

David Orrick - Viral Storm

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Fancying myself as a bit of a wordsmith, I am not likely to ignore someone who manages to wangle the word 'malarky' into a sentence. David Orrick managed this feat thusly 'being a newcomer to this Soundclick malarky' he chirped, 'I'd be interested in what your thoughts are on a three peice suite'. It took me some minutes I can tell you before I realised he didn't want to talk about living room furniture, but my lightning brain functions finally sputtered into life and made the correct translation. David explains further 'as I write in the filmscore/soundtrack/game-music areas and this selection is from a 70 minute album'

STOP RIGHT THERE!!! WADEaminiit!!!

Three part peice?? 70 minute album??? Or, most frightening of them all 'filmscore/movie soundtrack' Quick Nurse, the screens!! I fondly imagine that even the lowliest Mongolian Yak herder would know of my intense dislike of the whole movie soundtrack thing by now, but let me just say it one more time: music belongs in FILMS. OK, I feel so much better now. My fears were somewhat assuaged when I noticed that Viral storm was only 9 minutes or so.. There are days I whishked I shoulda stood in bed (Ed: is this an example of the brain in action then?)

Viral Storm starts as if it were going to become a Pink Floyd spectacular, which is no bad thing in my books. It's sense of something looming in the background is really keen, causing me to glance fretfully over my shoulder. This tension is screwed to within an inch of its life until you feel you can't encompass any more but yet it still keeps coming until - around 2:17 - it starts raining. Certainly extremely evocative so far, and I guess that is the aim of music like this and the next section (a kinda Tubular Bells feel) is to create music pictures and that it does superbly. Then, just before four minutes, the REAL tune kicks in and knocks you on your ass. A pulsing, squirming, guitar driven almost rock tune that pleases these ears immensely. The sounds, and the depth of attention and detail in both the arrangement and production spell out q-u-a-l-i-t-y of a high order. If I were you I would completely ignore the genre classification and grab this track simply because it's a terrific peice of music that'll have you guessing every step of the way. Some serious shit, as those rascally old hippies would have it.

Most Highly Recommended (and I never get to say that about film soundtracks).

JC's Revenge - This Year

Hear The Track Here

JC's Revenge are a band from Cheltenham in the UK who I have been aware of for around a year. When I reviewed Another Way (August 2005) I liked their brand of guitar based soft rock (to be utterly correct Alternative General according to Soundclick) and although the track had some problems, I said this would be a band to keep an eye on. I really liked 7/11 (October 2005) with it's breezy guitar/vocal combinations which helped to solidify the band in my eyes. However, as was obvious when I reviewed Action (August 2006) that something was not right in the production department. This Year only confirms that

There are probably a good many of you shaking their heads right now and hoping that I am not going to off on one. What does it matter, you sigh wearily, haven't you heard good production only REALLY applies to commercial music? Sorry to burst your bubble there fellah, but no, it applies just as much online, if not more. See, we all think that if we give our music away people will love it and clutch it to their breast. Well as a fairly dedicated onlline music listener I have only squirreled away some 80+ tracks this year to go into my keeper-for-ever files. So that should go some way to showing just how difficult it is.

The competition, my friends, is slick, hungry ready to rumble.

So as good as some of JC's Revenge material has been in terms of songwriting and performance, it always falls down in the delivery. Most of the material has a 4/8 track feel about it and I personally feel it doesn't do the band any favours. Surprisingly enough, there ARE goals to aim for in Internet life and the main one is obviously gaining a sizeable audience. While it's true that people will like what this band does (and in their material and performance they get me too) they won't be able to take a larger step forward until they solve this basic problem. As a final word, like all of their tracks, I finally ended up liking This Year and that has been the same with everything I have from them. I LIKE what they do, but now maybe is the time to take it up a notch.

Pleasant alternative rock, despite its rough appearance.

Smalllife - Keep On

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Coming from the background that I do, I always get a great deal of pleasure when I come across a good rock band. That is what I thought I had with Smalllife until I reviewed Need To Buy A Woman (August 2006), and then things became MUCH clearer. Judging by performance, passion and live sound, Smallife has all the makings of becoming a great rock band. If you think that I am indulging in my usual mountains of hyperbole, I suggest you have a listen to this wonderful track which - to my ears anyway - has one of the best vocal performances anywhere in rock - on or off the net.

So it was with a fairly keen sense of pleasure that I watched this climbing this months review list, despite being told by Jaymz Lee Shaw, the aforementioned vocalist, that this was the lesser of all the tracks I had heard so far. Listen for a man as starved of good rock as me, any port in a storm, know what I mean? I think I'd tend to agree with Jaymz too that this is more indie than rock, but to me - after a good few plays under my belt, there is still that heart of iron that seems to be the hallmark of this band's output and style. It's certainly crunchy enough to satisfy my bass bins and again shows that Smalllife should be some killer live band.

There's a distinctive wall of guitars that particularly hooks me to this band, and that is much in evidence here. As up to date and modern indie as it sounds, to me it also smacks of some of the Rolling Stones finer ballbreakers, particularly in the vocal department with Jaymz showing a distinct vocal sneer. After four tracks now, there is no doubt in my mind that - should they get out gigging anytime soon - Smalllife are destined for bigger things. It's that live show that will do it for them, but judging from what I have heard so far, they are doing surprisingly well at capturing it for the many earholes out here in netland. For which we all be exceeedingly grateful, because I know I am. So, one of Smalllife's 'lesser' tracks (NOT) which would crap from a great height on other bands of this ilk. I suspect that Smalllife are going to feature quite heavily this year in MP3 Unsigned's 2006 Awards, and don't be surprised if the same thing happens with my own puny year end offering. As mancini so elegantly puts it 'quality, fooookin' quality' Couldn't agree more.

High class rock and Highly Recommended.

OnOffOn - Bridge To Presage CD

Hear The Track Here

Here's a familiar refrain, and one I'm sure you are heartily sick of. 'Come on', someone says in a heated online debate, 'TRUE stars can't come from the internet you guys are just jerking with yourself'. Welp, despite the joys, and hairy palms that onanism gives you, I dispute this statement adamantly. See, this is a VERY large scene and lots of areas stray into the very real world of music, musicians and it's attendant business sharks. To my mind, one of the undoubted stars of this new age, happens to be also one of the most talented, individualistic and thrilling groups on the internet: OnOffOn

As a recognised reviewer, I get lots of CDs, but I review very, very few and even less do I actually ASK an artist for a CD. Not to review mind, but because I truly meant every word I have just written above, and I WANTED the damn thing. I bumped into Von Babasin a while ago on Mike-K's Saturday Night Rocks on Songplanet and twisted his arm to send me a copy of their new 'Bridge To Presage' work. Honest, I never intended to review this, but after spending almost a week living with the work of art that is so lovingly captured in it's 9 jazzily sublime tracks. Now normally this is where I would break down and do a track by track mini review but funnily enough, there is NO way I could commit that kind of sacrilege. Bridge To Presage is of a peice, one peice that encompasses the excellent standard of work I have to expect from these most accomplished musicians.

Dave Goode, Von Babasin and Don Lake are OnOffOn and are joined on this CD by Marcus Duke (piano), the sublimely fluid Glen Garrett (saxes/flute), Ron King(trumpet/flugelhorn) and Bob Chesney (trombone) and if this isn't - in every way - THE most commercial jazz grouping I've heard in a long time, then I don't know what I am talking about. Long time readers will already be aware of my liking for OnOffOn's music, The Gift Must Always Move lives permanently on my playlist and shows no sign whatsoever of departing anytime soon. Truthfully, I am BLOWN AWAY by the sheer style, verve, musical dexterity and innovation shown on this remarkable CD, and I am certain even non jazz fans will find much to love about it. Oh, and stars? God knows how many recognised awards these guys have scooped up so far (do a search onthe bandname, you'll see what I mean) not to mention this very CD being chosen as Jazz Album of the Year from International Online Music Awards (IOMA) which will go nicely with their Artist Of The Year award in 2005. Personally, I really run out of superlatives for this work, and ask you to go have a listen and buy, buy, buy... MY Jazz Album of the Decade even :D

Awesome, breathtaking musical vision.

Silvertrain - The End

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Even though John Silvertrain has become a one man song factory since their debut CD The One To Blame, the band Silvertrain hasn't been anything like as active. Last month, in fact, was the first time I had heard Ritchie Silvertrain in many a long day. Don't get me wrong, I think John Brandon is becoming an excellent songwriter and no slouch in the production department either BEEERRRTTTT it ain't Silvertrain is it? Moreover, the last we heard of Ritchie was on Turn Away (June 2006) which was still an unfinished and still rough at the edges track. And then they went into the studio....

Yep, they finally did. Hoo-fekkin-ray already :D

The End is one of the centrepeice tracks of the up and coming NEW cd (wonders will never cease, will they?) Nine Lives. Considering the near two year gap between these two releases, I'd say that Silvertrain were a bit slow. Not their fault though because, as we all know, the path of true internet music rarely runs smoothly. Encountering and overcoming all kinds of obstacles is the true sign of committment and I for one dedicated Silvertrain fan am all the happier for it. Even more so once I 'empty my mind and let it go' and drown in the splendours of The End - which is odd, because it's really the beginning, if you know what I mean.

No? Funny, neither do I now....

Ever the masters of the short, sharp thrill, The End is almost a two minute wonder, weighing in at a 0 size model time of 1:57. I am under the impression that what I have is a fairly rough mix version, and that there is more to be done to the track yet. So if I mention the voice being a bit dry, and some other small niggles you'll get the picture. While you are fixing up those things guys, maybe you should think about putting an extension in there too of - say - about seven minutes.... Come on, you owe us that much after all this time (Ed: falls off his chair laughing). Seriously, and all jokes aside, this is a very, very welcome sight and one I have waited extremely patiently for. So has it lived up to the hype? You betcha, although it needs some more work in arrangement, production and final gloss, the root is the song is most definitely the Silvertrain we know and love. A work in progress but still eminently listenable for old fans and new listeners alike, you won't find much on Soundclick better than Silvertrain when they are cooking...

Highly Recommended, can't wait for the album version...

One Kids Lunch - Things To Do

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Yet again our 'goofy Christian rock' mates launch another instruction manual at the world; Things To Do. One of the best things to do - this year anyway - is to listen to what these guys have to say. In the space of three tracks OKL have endeared themselves to me forever. Why? Because they are silly, that's why. Not like stupid silly (falls ass over tit down a manhole) just plain silly silly. Not that there is anything whatsoever silly about their music - which is pretty much cream of the crop as a listen to any one of their tracks will show you.

Christians haven't normally been known to behave in this fashion...

Dustin and Dave are OKL and are extremely gifted musicians and songwriters and you would be hard pressed to find anything on Soundclick that was both exhuberant AND irreverent at the same time. As wacky as their tracks have been - and they have been - they still have a solid music backing, and so does Things To Do, and that is the extent of the difference. Where the other tracks I have heard sheltered a very lively pop sensibility (as in Beatles Pop) but Things To do has more in common with music from Zappa, the Residents, Devo and their ilk.

This is just plain weird. Good weird, but still weird.

It took me a while to get the band's slant this time, and I think that was because Things To Do is immediately accessible, completely off the wall and quite possibly the best thing I have heard this year - and certainly the funniest. It takes a fine artist indeed to make this reviewer soil his boxers but these guys seem to do it effortlessly - every time! The first time I heard it, I couldn't concentrate on what was going on I was laughing so much but after a while this track WILL work its magic on you. Definitely the feel-good track of the year.

(another) MUST HAVE

dcallen - Once Upon Another Time

Hear The Track Here

David C. Allen, to give him the fully monty, knows a trick or two. dcallen's long involvement with Soundclick is evident by the amount of review references he throws up if I do a search on him. Although he's certainly been LESS active on Soundclick, he has been around elsewhere, and has even delivered a couple of musical suprises along the way. Although I've always liked his solo style from the very first track, the tracks that stand out for me just lately have both been collaborations. So it is kinda nice to get to hear some newer stuff from the man himself.

Posted just at the end of August, this is still smoking it's so new. I'm not such a big fan of his more mellow work but I do find this guys ideas interesting and his sound and production knowledge keeps up its end too. Kinda weird then that Once Upon a Time has that 'showroom demo' feel about it that many keyboard manufacturers use to demonstrate their wares. Of course, in the hands of an old master like dcallen, the usual cheesiness is squeezed out by his ability to string a decent track together.

It has to be said though - for this reviewer - I thought the sounds used were well on the cheey side, and now Dave is going to tell me he made every sound himself. Sorry, mate, but it doesn't sound like that. Nonetheless it will please his SC fans no end to hear something new even if its decidedly retro in feel. Even so, if you live with it a while, you might find it grows somewhat on you, it certainly did with me. Whether I'll get to keep it is dependent on whether I can eradicate the memories of its inherent cheesiness.

Strong, layered instrumental but merely an interlude for this artist.

melv - Song 9

Hear The Track Here

Neil Melvin (aka melv) has long been a favourite artist in my house. His brand of big hair rock histronics has given me more than a few keeper tracks over the year or so I have known him. This is despite an often flawed recording and sound that doesn't do very much for the songs content or the music that carries it. Still, like all of us, melv has to work with what he's got and if that's the way it is, I'll settle for that. After all, it is about the music and melv is a songwriter of classic proportions as he has proved time and again. Sooo, before you ask because I see that gleam in your eye, I have NO idea why this song is called Song 9, ask melv...

In fact, it's probably best if we don't even begin to discuss what the track about because - having read the lyrics - I'm none the wiser. In a few ways it's a bit of a departure for melv because it has a strong electronica base - and a sense of eccentricity in the arrangement and performance. Of course, the usual brickwall of a mix is present giving the track an almost live feel - and if it were live it would probably work. Sadly, however, it isn't live.

I think my real problem with this track is that I'm not convinced. Make no mistake, the usual melv slam and bash is present, and there are some lovely almost out-of-kilter moments, but you gotta get over a very hard sounding mix to really get it. There's a decided rock leaning in the tracks delivery and feel and it does work surprisingly well. It isn't - to my mind - up there with some of melv's best tracks but it does show off his skill in making four and a half minutes go like that (snap). Ultimately though I think that's probably because I am a fan that Song 9 sounds - like its title - a bit unfinished, and the first place to start would be the mix.

There's no escape ;)

Carol Sue Kirkpatrick & AndyF - I'll Always Be With You

Hear The Track Here

Yet another MP3 Unsigned collaboration - they are at it like rabbits over there I tell ya! This time with Carol Sue Kirkpatrick and my old mate AndyF, who I have known for many years. I met Carol Sue just recently and if you are reading this on Soundclick then you will already know she's set up camp there too. You didn't know??! Well her page is here so why don't you go over and give her a shout and make her feel welcome. I've reviewed a couple of her tracks so far and although there hasn't been anything that'll make me bounce off the ceiling, what she does is very listenable, and she does a good chooon. Faint praise I know but both these artists work in genres I never really feel comfortable in.

Andy's favourite frolicking ground is kinda new age-y verging on the classical which - for this reviewer anyway - sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. It worked, for example, on his treatment of Ditheramb's Darkest Hour, but not on others I could name. I should stress here though that this is really a matter of personal taste because Andy has been around long enough to know what is required. His scoring for I'll Always Be With You is a fine example of what he does best, it's very understatement working perfectly with the vocal delivery.

This is obviously a very personal song for Carol, about her Mother making a will and all that entails, so be prepared both for angelic choirs and strings and lots of heart. Now normally I would run away screaming from something like this but again it's Carol's vocal that keeps the 'aaarrrggghhh factor' down to a minimum. Hearing such a personal song also makes demands on the listener too, and it's only total conviction of the lyricist and vocalist to make it work properly. Besides having a lovely, honeyed voice, Carol Sue has the emotional maturity to pull it off successfully. Not an easy trick.

I warn you though, it IS really gooey... Recommended (if you like gooey ballads)

Big Wheel - Lost

Hear The Track Here

It's not bad enough having the damn thing on the telly every five minutes, Big Wheel now gets to tell us to get Lost too. Come on, I mean wtf is it with that program?? I loved Twin Peaks and thought that was pretty confusing but I's lost in Lost. I'm not lost with Big Wheel though, I know exactly what I am getting into now; electronica and lots of it. You know this is an area I graze in often but don't generally stay in but with two tracks, Big Wheel has said 'yeah but I'm different'.

And he is...

There's electronica (boink, boink, whirr whirr) and there's electronica (oooh how do they do that?) and Lost is in the second category. With a splendid bass and drum track, this track insinuates itself into your mind a damn sight better than the TV series ever will, and it makes a lot more sense too. One of the features that struck me about BW's stuff from the getgo was his production values and Lost shows off this skill to a T. It even has a hint of the 'I am a TV soundtrack' about it too, it's languid building style a sure fire addition to any self respecting Sound Library.

I've made mention before of Big Wheels tendency towards the 1980's electropop sound but that is not a charge that could levelled here. Lost is very much of the now, a broody, moody peice of work that doesn't seem anything like it's four and a half minute length. That should also tell you that Big Wheel's work is fairly dense (ie theres lots of interesting details) but is nonethless clear as a bell. I'm not sure whether Lost will join the other track I kept of his, but right now I am liking this track very much; for it's style, it's subtlety and terrific production.

Class electronica, Highly Recommended.