Category Archives: Music

Tiki Black, Out Of The Black. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

It may not happen often, but sometimes you come across an album that once you have heard it you realise what an honour, a rare privilege, it was to have taken the C.D. out of the plastic cage and set it free to sing and flourish.

Out of the Black by the sensational Tiki Black may have been released in 2013 but when you find an album of such pure quality which contains a voice which seems to get more beautiful the more you let the C.D. play along its merry way and the haunting performance of the collection of musicians that contribute to such a stirring debut.

Tiki Black, Out Of The Black. Album Review. full post

(437 words, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

David Serby & The Latest Scam. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Not only does David Serby have an affinity, a sort of undisputed empathy with the emotions of humanity; the desire to get deep down and dirty in the psychology of what drives us all, but his way of getting that affinity across is almost pure and full. He has that great skill of being able to hear without speaking, for listening with full attention and giving a song of great humour and emotion in return in the album David Serby & The Great Scam.

David Serby & The Latest Scam. Album Review. full post

(460 words, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

Legions Of The Damned, Ravenous Plague. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Humanity has always liked to believe it is the top dog when it comes to life on Earth, but when it all boils down to it, away from the great art, the spoken word and the ability to make the most beautiful and electrifying music, in the end we are food for either worms or bacteria. It may not be a pleasant thought but one to consider when listening to the unrelenting sound of the Netherlands Legion of the Damned and their brand new album Ravenous Plague.

Legions Of The Damned, Ravenous Plague. Album Review. full post

(406 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Iced Earth, Plagues Of Babylon. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It is way too early into the start of a New Year to even suggest that whilst 2013, with a couple of notable exceptions, was a pretty poor affair for any band on either side of the Atlantic Ocean that finds itself placed into the all-encompassing Metal genre, 2014 already has the feeling of being a million times better. The notable success stories came from the lands of Scandinavia and mainland Europe, these bands took on the old guard and walloped them to all corners of the stage as easily as a one-armed Australian batsman taking apart a 100 English bowlers. Now perhaps the time has come for the retaliation and in that colossus of Iced Earth and their new album Plagues of Babylon, Metal lovers can once more see the real face of American Metal.

Iced Earth, Plagues Of Babylon. Album Review. full post

(380 words, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

Tamara Laurel, Lightning. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

From picking up a guitar for the first time at the start of one year to releasing an E.P. full of songs that have the strength of character to suggest that the path sometimes least expected is the right one, American folk singer Tamara Laurel strikes all the right notes in what is sure to be an acclaimed release – Lightning.

Tamara Laurel, Lightning. E.P. Review. full post

(350 words, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)

The Best Of British Blues, Krossborder Kompilation Volume One. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Compilation albums can fall into two categories. There are those that are compiled with the thought of adding almost nothing to the popular consensus of music appreciation, usually bought by a member of the family with almost no interest in which music the person they have bought it for actually listens to but it has saved them a bundle of money by buying just one album. Then there are those that are released which the keen listener knows have been put together with an almost semblance of love attached to them. The belief that comes flowing out of every track is more like an introduction at a party to the host and finding that they have heard of you and want to spend an enormous amount of their time with you.

The Best Of British Blues, Krossborder Kompilation Volume One. Album Review. full post

(375 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Billy Liar, All I’ve Got. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

The end of the year is always a time to look backwards, albeit briefly, and to start making those resolutions that you will carry forward into the following year. To bring new habits into your life, to get rid of old temptations and to find new and better ways to in which to use your time…one excellent way it seems would be to purchase an E.P. by Billy Liar and revel in the sheer majesty afforded to just one man. You couldn’t get 2014 off to a better start that immersing yourself for a little while in the music that kicks the old year where it hurts, the marvellous All I’ve Got.

Billy Liar, All I’ve Got. E.P. Review. full post

(347 words, estimated 1:23 mins reading time)

Forthaven, Histrionic. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Some things are just worth waiting for, even if it takes four years in which to create it for all to hear. Such is the pleasure of listening to Forthaven’s Histrionic, the indomitable Jay Roberts and a host of contributing artists that four years seems not to matter at all. Never mind the time, what matters is the end result and from start to finish this collection of songs is something to be proud of.

Forthaven, Histrionic. Album Review. full post

(360 words, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Silent Sleep, Walk Me To The Sea. Album Review,

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There are times when you don’t need to shout too hard about what you have found, the object, the piece of music or hitherto unseen action will always find a way to make itself known and inspire those who take the time to get to understand it and sit in quiet contemplation as each word, each syllable and note floats over them and through them.  Like the sea making its presence known through each grain of sand, the infiltration is slow, meticulous and all powerful.

Silent Sleep, Walk Me To The Sea. Album Review, full post

(376 words, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)