J.J. Burnel in Glasgow 2012. Picture by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 4th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Nobody should ever believe that The Stranglers ever give two performances that are the same. The set list may undergo little tweaks and the odd track be removed in favour of a song that the dedicated fans at that night’s venue would appreciate more but that aside, the only things that remain constant are the intensity of the music and the passion of the crowd.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 4th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
The new Stranglers offering, Giants, opens up with a guitar riff that stands somewhere between John Lee Hooker and Metallica’s Enter Sandman. That normally would send people scurrying off to find a reason for the change in style, the departure from the Stranglers’ norm. However it really is the start of an album that stands as one of the finest that the band have ever delivered.
Barry Briercliffe at Studio 2. Picture by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 5th 2012.
In the area where some of the great albums of the last decade or so have been recorded, argued over, intense discussions over what musical note goes where, it’s always a relative oasis of calm when a night of music goes on, surrounded by the wooden panelling, pictures and awards and the sense of history.
Barry Briercliffe and Studio 2 sounds like a marriage made in heaven, add in the likes of the excellent Jo Bywater, Jessicas Ghost, Rae Clarke and Eddie Cooney, and that marriage is as close to a night of acoustic musical heaven as is near possible to experience.
The Stranglers in concert at the 02 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 6th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating *****
The Stranglers took a well-deserved day off from their latest tour, the adrenalin no doubt still flowing strongly through their veins from a Glasgow gig that would take some beating for all who were fortunate to witness the gig.
The band arrived in the city the night before the o2 Academy, Liverpool gig to catch up with friends and partake in deep conversation. By the end of the gig, talk may have been on other things, events that rarely happen at concerts any more.
Orginally published by L.S. Media. March 7th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
The Wrecking Ball is Bruce Springsteen’s 17th studio album and it has to be understood to be enjoyed. It has the appearance of being an angry introspection and commentary of the 21ST Century America that Bruce Springsteen finds himself living under. It is a world away from the days where flags were raised in standard to his work. This is Springsteen where Springsteen should have been. The golden working class idol, possibly one of the truest America has produced, returns to his roots and gives America and the world a damn good telling off.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 7th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
Unless you go looking specifically for The Popes, it would be understandable to many that they really haven’t heard anything by them. It is a huge shame, understandable, but a huge and utter disgrace none the less.
The band’s newest album New Church is nothing short of astonishing. It is a complete revelation and one that is worth exploring in depth and with an open and honest heart.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 7th 2012. (under the name of Laura Dentt-Steven)
L.S. Media Rating ****
There is no doubting the talent that lies at the heart of Katie Melua. A voice that makes champagne taste so much sweeter and puts to shame a lot of women that feel the need to just flaunt what little talent they have into taking part in the con of stardom that pervades yet another generation of women who think that the way to happiness is by taking part in reality programmes and snaring the latest celebrity footballer.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 12th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
Heavy Metal might not get the press coverage in Liverpool that is reserved for the excellent talent that gets covered and lauded over throughout the city but if any band that ventures west of Manchester gets as well received as Rise to Remain at the o2 Academy then not only will they have done well, they could consider themselves to have a future in the business.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 12th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
Lionel Richie is one of the very best at what he does, if you want a ballad that moves people to tears then Lionel is your man, if you need a track that will get people up and out of their chairs and dancing, again Lionel is the artist you turn to. Even when he brings out, what is to all reasonable effects a greatest hits package with a twist, he still makes you feel a though as you have put on a warm, comfortable cardigan, the fire in your front room is enticing and homely and the news, for once is nothing but good.
Photograph by Ian D. Hall
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 16th 2012.
A great and astounding gig can sometimes be defined by what happens at its end rather than during the whole. If an audience as passionate as the people of Liverpool can be with some of their own home grown talent, can sing with great heart and outdo a Birmingham crowd, normally more adept at taking on the task given to them by one of the heavyweights of 21st Century Metal, then you know that Black Stone Cherry truly and utterly demolished any preconceptions that Liverpool doesn’t do the genre.