Category Archives: Music

The Mono L.P.’s Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool.

Ste Reid at the o2 Academy, Liverpool. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

As The Mono L.P.’s took to the stage at the o2 Academy, Liverpool, it was almost possible to see in the eyes of the five musicians, Luciano Verghini, Chris Barlow, Dan Beech, Ste Reid and Vicky Mutch, just how far they have come in the hearts and minds of Liverpool audiences in such a short space of time. Nothing is beyond them collectively or individually it seems, nothing much fazes them when they stand on stage together and it is great credit to the ability and tenacity of the group that they have become so well admired during that time.

The Mono L.P.’s Gig Review. O2 Academy, Liverpool. full post

(422 words, 1 image, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

Maini Sorri, Someday: Volume Two. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Maini Sorri has to be Sweden’s best kept secret as far as British audiences are concerned. The woman from Uppsala’s profile is really only known to the minority dedicated lovers of Scandinavian music in the U.K. and that is a shame as her album Someday: Volume Two is a sweet, intelligent and enjoyable piece of work.

Maini Sorri, Someday: Volume Two. Album Review. full post

(317 words, 1 image, estimated 1:16 mins reading time)

Stealing Sheep, Into The Diamond Sun. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. August 2012.

Anybody that has managed to catch the incredible Stealing Sheep in the last couple of years, be it supporting Emmy the Great on tour or even their own shows will already know how dreamlike and sensational they are.

For others who have yet to experience the tremendous vocal arrangement, backed up by some of the most unusual but spine tingling music conceived since the early days of Pink Floyd, then Into the Diamond Sun by the three women who make up Stealing Sheep is not just essential listening, it’s an album of ethereal beauty, a glimpse of what is achievable outside the safety bubble of corporation pop and mass produced noise.

Stealing Sheep, Into The Diamond Sun. Album Review. full post

(403 words, 1 image, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Humbucker, R.O.C.K.S. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Coming across a set of music that seems to have been sorrowfully neglected by the British public at large is sometimes a rare and agreeable hour of indulgence, the pleasure grows as it takes root and before you know it, the music is as infectious and you begin to feel bad that you never have had the chance to enjoy it before. Such is overall feeling of satisfaction that the listener can lose themselves in on R.O.C.K.S. – Humbucker’s 2011 album.

Humbucker, R.O.C.K.S. Album Review. full post

(391 words, 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Shadow Of The Sun, Monument. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Born out of fire and created with a South Welsh attitude, the latest band to come from that thriving musical part of the U.K., the superb sounding Shadow of the Sun have finally released their debut album, Monument, and it is a colossus.

The energy that comes through every pore, every fibre that the group possesses is drenched in the sweat and power of this recording. Loud, extremely loud and pulsating with class, Monument is an album that typifies the raw power that is available at the hands of musicians who strive to show that good music doesn’t slot into just one typical genre, it can be instinctive as it wants to be or as those creating it want it to be.

Shadow Of The Sun, Monument. Album Review. full post

(373 words, 1 image, estimated 1:30 mins reading time)

Ian Skelly, Cut From A Star. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Ian Skelly may have already tasted and enjoyed incredible success with The Coral but that doesn’t mean that the man ever sits on his extensive laurels and waits for the new long-awaited album by the band to take shape. If anything he has been kept busy by the release of his own album, Cut From A Star, and whilst fans of The Coral wait patiently for a new studio album, the anticipation will be made all the more worthwhile by listening to this excellent recording.

Ian Skelly, Cut From A Star. Album Review. full post

(332 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

Green Day, Tre! Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating *

The trilogy is complete, Green Day have finally released the third and final album and all in all, it was two albums too many, roughly 25 songs that could have quite happily been written, composed and destroyed by any another band with half the talent that these three men have normally in abundance.

Tre! follows an unfortunate pattern that has arisen by the American band since they decided to publish three consecutive albums within a short space of time. It has also the inappropriate feel of a group deciding to go all out and make as much out of publicity and hype in a short space of time, by doing that, the quality they attained after a great career has now been dissipated and spoiled.

Green Day, Tre! Album Review. full post

(398 words, 1 image, estimated 1:36 mins reading time)

Galloway, Culbert and Doyle. E.P. Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

For lovers of traditional English folk music, there is a new name to get to grips with that has emerged from the halls of the University of Liverpool. The University may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of this genre of music, more known for almost every facet of composition available, traditional folk barely gets a mention. However in Galloway, Culbert and Doyle the scene has a new champion and their self-titled E.P. is an expression of all that is good in the youthful playfulness they exude.

Galloway, Culbert and Doyle. E.P. Review. full post

(370 words, 1 image, estimated 1:29 mins reading time)

Orange Room, Always Get My Way. Single Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Following in a long line of great musicians and bands to come out of Australia comes Orange Room and their fantastic debut single Always Get My Way. The four young men may have swapped the climate and leisure life of a country renowned for its great guitar riffs and unceasing brilliant rock for the cold dreary shores of Britain but by making this choice they have done themselves a huge favour and also the rock/indie fans of the U.K.

Orange Room, Always Get My Way. Single Review. full post

(252 words, 1 image, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

Norman Kelsey, On The Rebound. Album Review.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

He is called the Clark Kent of Soul, however for those in the U.K. that haven’t had the pleasure of this young man’s work yet, it is perhaps easier to say he is perhaps the most exciting American Soul singer/musician since the days of the irreplaceable Marvin Gaye. Not so much a superhero but a wonderful talent that justifies being included alongside in the pantheon of Soul greats and his latest album the sensational On The Rebound keeps that label intact.

Norman Kelsey, On The Rebound. Album Review. full post

(341 words, 1 image, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)