Category Archives: Music

Under A Banner, Close To The Clouds. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The rumblings of disaffection, of disillusion at the deluded so called Democratic process that runs deeper and with more insidious bite to it than any time in modern history may not come to bite a particular class of the so called ruling elite in time to save the rest of us from allowed tyranny but at least it is being heard outside of the Westminster Empire, even if those inside are seemingly immune to the rising tide anger that is crawling up the Thames in what can only be considered as the next big stink.

Under A Banner, Close To The Clouds. Album Review. full post

(471 words, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

John Jenkins And That Sure Thing, Intruder. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There are moments, polished, sincere but approachable and with the sly upturned grin of an aged valet who anticipates your every whim and desire; that you have to wonder whether fate, destiny or kismet knows exactly what you need at the exact right time. When listening to John Jenkins and That Sure Thing’s album, Intruders, it could be tempting to take a sneak peak out of the window and check to see if providence is keeping a wary eye on you.

John Jenkins And That Sure Thing, Intruder. Album Review. full post

(444 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

Taylor Swift, 1989. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Every decade, as every year, is important, but some stand out in history more than others purely because of the times and memories associated to them. For 1989, not only was it the beginning of the end in terms of the cold war but it was the end of a decade in which could have seen the world truly destroyed by political stupidity, arrogance and fear. The decade saw strife world-wide, anger, decimation, terror, political brutality…but also the emergence of hope in the unlikeliest of places and driven forward by the most unlikely of men or women.

Taylor Swift, 1989. Album Review. full post

(643 words, estimated 2:34 mins reading time)

Yusuf, Tell ‘Em I’m Gone. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

For many different reasons the man behind the superb new album, Tell ‘Em I’m Gone seems to have had two very different careers. Two distinct arenas in which he has performed in and separated only by Time. Even the one in which he carved his name out initially under the name of Cat Stevens and latterly Yusuf, the bohemian minstrel with a voice and lyrical ability unlike anything else around at the time, a man whose lyrics could cause tears to well up at a moment’s notice, is disconnected but so entrenched in each part that to enjoy one area of work is to simply be gratified and comfortable in the other.

Yusuf, Tell ‘Em I’m Gone. Album Review. full post

(394 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Chasing Infinity, Dance With The One That Brought You. Single Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7.5/10

In what seems the dim and distant past, another world existed within the musical spectrum. It was a world in which musicians and bands were given the freedom to grow at their own pace artistically, to be nurtured and perhaps allowed the room to breathe. Not every label was so forward thinking back then and perhaps even less now, everybody wants their piece of the action and worse perhaps the unholy chasing of the Pound/Dollar or Euro that goes with it.

Chasing Infinity, Dance With The One That Brought You. Single Review. full post

(384 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

The Southbound Attic Band, Our Day In The Sun. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are those that seemingly take great pleasure in deriding the power of Folk music. They are willing to sneer and complain that the story, often or not a tale of great morality with twists that raise a smile, is irreverent to the way of the world now. It is not a complaint that passes the lips of those that have Celtic blood raging through their hearts or those with an understanding that Folk, whether Celtic, European or English, touches upon the very nature of communication, simple, effective and memorable.

The Southbound Attic Band, Our Day In The Sun. Album Review. full post

(382 words, estimated 1:32 mins reading time)

Jimmy Barnes, Hindsight. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision * * * * *

The moment you receive your first electric shock, the stimulating feel of the mixed emotions of pain, the thrill that tingles down your arm and onwards to the riveted digits at the end and bouncing back up through the nervous system to the brain is on a par from the opening note and beating heart of Jimmy Barnes latest studio album Hindsight.

Jimmy Barnes, Hindsight. Album Review. full post

(522 words, 1 image, estimated 2:05 mins reading time)

Manfred Mann, Lone Arranger. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

To appreciate a craftsman can be seen as dying art. In the age of reckless disposability, of the ease of abandonment if something doesn’t work, seems scratched, useless or somehow out of flavour and fashion, people only see the final results and not the process.

Manfred Mann, Lone Arranger. Album Review. full post

(496 words, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)

Slipknot, 5: The Gray Chapter. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8/10

Regret is such a hard emotion to deal with, especially when passions run deep at the loss of a friend or valued colleague. Things unsaid, half remembered conversations which were taken the wrong way can come back to haunt you and the only way at times to deal with the unhinged sentiment is write about it, no matter how long it takes, Time, in the end, has all the time it needs and for Metal sensations Slipkot, Time perhaps is on their side in their new release .5: The Gray Chapter.

Slipknot, 5: The Gray Chapter. Album Review. full post

(509 words, estimated 2:02 mins reading time)

Half Man Half Biscuit. Urge For Offal. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * *

The rage of satire, the cleverness of using the English language to its fullest, most surreal and outspoken is something that should be encouraged daily. Not to be cruel, nor to be vile, disgusting and downright nasty, but to hold a beacon up against those that have those merciless qualities stoked within their hearts and to provide a radiating smile against the darkness that sometimes threatens those with joy in their souls.

Half Man Half Biscuit. Urge For Offal. Album Review. full post

(396 words, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)