Category Archives: Music

Me And Deboe, E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is something tantalising about the way a musical duo can be in so in tune with each other, that when it’s done well it’s as close to perfection as you can expect it to be. American Folk act Simon and Garfunkel showed this from the very beginning of their career, Alison Moyet and Vince Clarke of Yazoo perfected in the 80s Electronic era as did the Eurythmics and the sensational Everything But The Girl. Even when the music is not coming from a natural duo such as Liverpool’s Ian McNabb and Ian Prowse or Mersey Wylie and Dave O’Grady, the music they generate, the feeling they inspire is nothing short of impressive.

Me And Deboe, E.P. Review. full post

(402 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Fallen Streams, Lookin’ Up. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

From the depths of the passing of Liverpool’s Sheerwater, Fallen Streams resurfaces. The band, which contains Mark Dawson on vocals and guitars and the superb Jack Beacall on keyboards have taken off where the previous named incarnation left off and whilst for less discerning types they may struggle with the difference and ask what does it matter what they are called, the difference is they have become even better, an improvement if that was ever possible and the name change? Well that only matters in the overall scheme of things, otherwise they still have the same fantastic attitude that first got them that all important attention in 2011.

Fallen Streams, Lookin’ Up. Album Review. full post

(402 words, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Marillion, Script For A Jester’s Tear. 30th Anniversary Retrospective.

If anyone thought that Progressive Rock was dead in the water as the 1980s began, then certainly the cowbell that had once proudly rang out was joining the fat lady in beginning to sound decidedly croaky and worn out.

By early 1983 Genesis had moved so far from the Progressive line that they were considered cool in circles they couldn’t have envisioned 10 years earlier when they bought out the pastoral sound of Selling England By the Pound. Yes were going mainstream, Supertramp were going their separate ways, Queen had long since abandoned the genre, Pink Floyd, the standard bearers of the music from 1973 onwards were about to self-destruct with what seemed one final hurrah in the opinion dividing The Final Cut and countless others such as Caravan and Camel were running out of steam.

Marillion, Script For A Jester’s Tear. 30th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(1750 words, estimated 7:00 mins reading time)

Anna Corcoran, Anything Better. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is a moment, a second of time about a minute into the first track of Anna Corcoran’s E.P., Anything Better, where you realise you are not just listening to a woman so adept at her piano but that she also writes incredibly evocative lyrics. She sings them with such a big smile upon her face that she is instantly transformed from another talented woman from Merseyside to somebody who is musically attainable but also unbelievably excellent at providing a narrative that crushes any resistance you might be able to put in her way.

Anna Corcoran, Anything Better. E.P. Review. full post

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

Jeff Healey: As the Years Go By, Live in Germany 1989-1995-2000. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

When Canadian musician Jeff Healey passed on, the world of blues/rock seemed to take a turn towards the bleak and dull. There was something about the man and his music that could make anyone smile and relish the notes that he played on his guitar, not only was an inspiration to many, overcoming his disability in such a way that was both admirable and succinctly praise worthy but also in the way that he carried himself in front of those that came to watch him perform.

Jeff Healey: As the Years Go By, Live in Germany 1989-1995-2000. Album Review. full post

(453 words, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

Stereophonics, Graffiti On the Train. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Where Keep Calm and Carry On was blistering and full of oomph, the Stereophonics latest release, Graffiti On the Train is much more measured, more thoughtful and overall more in keeping with the band’s social commentary style. Both albums have worked well, both styles that the band are capable of give off positivity but it is this measured style that is more approachable in the end and the group are much better for it.

Stereophonics, Graffiti On the Train. Album Review. full post

(356 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)

Dido, Girl Who Got Away. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * *

After a gap of nearly five years, Dido, the young Londoner who inspired American Rap artist Eminem enough to sample the track Thank You for his international smash-hit Stan, has returned with her brand new album Girl Who Got Away.

The casual nature of the album is on the whole a let-down for somebody who prides themselves on what they make and whilst there may be a couple of decent enough tracks on the album, it is disappointing and not up to the standard of the first two albums she recorded.

Dido, Girl Who Got Away. Album Review. full post

(388 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Evanescence, Fallen. 10th Anniversary Retrospective.

For Evanescence it was perhaps the biggest moment in their recording career so far and ten years on from the debut release of the incredible album Fallen, it remains a defining piece of music that doesn’t let go of the listener’s emotions and sensibilities untill long after the music has faded into the cold light of morning.

Evanescence, Fallen. 10th Anniversary Retrospective. full post

(904 words, estimated 3:37 mins reading time)

The Axis of Perdition, Urfe. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Back in 2009, The Axis of Perdition, arguably one of the very few Black Metal acts to call the North East of England their home created what is still an astounding piece of work that has the ability to scare, deter and sound absolutely great all at the same time.

Urfe tells the tale of a man who journeys through a city that has become desolate and dangerous.  The rank stench of a humanity that become distorted and dank purveys throughout the album and its imagery that actor Leslie Simpson describes in a glorious like monologue is more akin to the final fall of man, something black metal excels in, and the desperation and bleak atmospheric and pungent despair.

The Axis of Perdition, Urfe. Album Review. full post

(334 words, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

Onward Chariots, This is My Confession. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

The sound of classic harmonies are filtered alongside moments of great bass guitar, the incredible pockets of a violin, mandolin, oboe, trumpet and clarinet playing and above all the music experience of witnessing an unexpectedly formidable and enjoyable play in little known venue in a part of town that you wouldn’t normally go to. This is the world of the great New York band Onward Chariots and their stunning debut album This is My Confession.

Onward Chariots, This is My Confession. Album Review. full post

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