Mark Harkin stumbles across Sam Semple, supporting the Webb Sisters, and becomes intrigued by Semple’s soulful and heartfelt songs. A Clearing in the Woods: Sam Semple’s ‘Mystery Songs’ (Proper Records, 2014) The Gig Rueful, self-mocking and bearing up manfully to the unbearable lightness of being: that’s Sam Semple. Whelan’s of Wexford Street, Dublin 2, famed […]
Against Me’s Transgender Dysphoria Blues is a bold (and brave) artistic statement, and from the infectious opening drum shuffle and guitars of the title track it’s quickly clear that it has the musical muscle to back up the gender politics. It’s quite extraordinary, combining what has become a jaded musical genre (US punk-pop) with a […]
On Pale Green Ghosts John Grant now knows exactly what that voice is and how to use it. Grant doesn’t have to decide between smooth (albeit sinister) folk and dystopian synth. He can damn well use both and has.
Take doses of Jerry Lee Lewis, AC/DC, Lynnrd Skynnrd – add a couple of gramms of Paul Westberg’s crisp ear for a tune, and mix with a dancing dervish and you’ll come close to getting the good-time boogie and blues of J. Roddy Walston and the Business – officially this Monkey’s favourite new band. The […]
Counting Crows follow up on 2008’s Saturday Nights Sunday Mornings with an album of cover versions Underwater Sunshine (or what we did on our summer vacation) from the likes of Big Star, Gram Parsons, Teenage Fanclub and Fairport Convention. The road to hell is paved with good intentions and poorly conceived covers albums (hello Sinead […]
There’s a quote, from an article that Germaine Greer wrote back in the 70s,which springs back in to my mind continuously when listening to certain albums: “When Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho the walls came tumbling down. That’s revelation. The holy Ghost talking. So it can be done. The way to crack a mirror or shiver […]
Louisville Kentucky band Anton Mink combine simple elements to come up with something innovative and catchy to boot
Bloc Party’s second album, veering close to being a concept album, but in this case, that’s not such a bad thing.
Brilliant, demented, and dirty – but what would you expect from a trio of spanish session musicians after dark
Toronto band, From Other Planes, make Phil Murphy listen twice with Halls of Love
