The Dykeenies – Waiting for Go

Out now on Lavolta Records

Despite a name influenced by wondrous family fantasy romp, ‘Willow’, the band are yet another overproduced slab of boring American influenced trite. I barely noticed the tracks change from one to the other, I was just glad when it was all over.

www.thedykeenies.com

Mira Calix – Eyes Set Against The Sky

Out 15^th Jan on Warp

Mira Calix makes no excuse at this being an Art Installation of sorts, an experiment in musical boundaries rather than song writing. Whilst it’s all very interesting, I hate to sound narrow minded but I’m old fashion, I like songs, verses, choruses and bits that you want to whistle, an hour of noise is not my idea of fun. There is the occasional beautiful moment, but there’s too much fiddling around, too much indulgence and lack of structure for my tastes.

www.miracalix.com

Ellis Island Sound – The Good Seed

Out 12^th Feb on Peacefrog

I seem to have been sent an abundance of random noise albums recently, I don’t quite understand the point of recording an album of meandering melodies that don’t realy go anywhere. All very nice and pleasant, and a smattering of pretty melodies, but all to no avail.

www.ellisislandsound.free.fr

Duke Garwood – Emerald Palace

Out 5th March on Butterfly Recordings

With a name like Duke Garwood I was hoping for some low down dirty blood, guts and spit blues, which this release is to a certain extent, but with an off-kilter, lo-fi edge. However too many times on the album you’re left wanting tunes with direction and more of Duke’s soulful, gritty voice and less meandering music that sounds mostly improvised, it all starts to drag after a few tracks

www.dukegarwood.co.uk

Dartz! – Once, Twice Again

Out 22^nd January on Xtra Mile Recordings

When I first listened to this CD I wanted to slate it completely, sounding like a horrendous hash of all my least favourite current musical genres, including Emo, disco-beat shit, Jingle-Jangle Indie Fop and obligatory Northern accents (not that there’s anything wrong with that, it just seems that the Industry is almost looking for them…). Whilst there is a little too much of all of the aforementioned genres in Dartz!’s sound I’m glad I gave it a second listen as beneath all the spine chilling scene chasing are some good melodies, lyrics and musicmanship, boys, get original, you can do it!