As December Falls – Capture [Single Review]

The UK pop-punk scene pales in comparison to our friends overseas, but thankfully Nottingham based four-piece As December Falls are a welcome blush on the ill cheek of Britannia. Their newest track Capture has already made its debut on BBC Introducing’s ‘The Beat’ two weeks before its official release, and it comes as no surprise that this song has the potential to be the radio’s darling – sweet vocals, catchy guitar riffs and lyrics of a troubled relationship are a perfect recipe for mainstream attention.

That’s not to infer that Capture is without its rugged elements. Lukas James’ drums are certainly aggressive, and perfectly illustrate the frustration that tints this seemingly upbeat track of a relationship that’s spiralling out of control. Perhaps the light-hearted quality conveyed in the fluttering guitars and vocalist Bethany Curtis’ deceptively sugary tones that contrast with the fierce drums is exemplary of the illusory front of a crumbling inner self. From this, it’s fair to say that As December Falls are definitely on their way to writing a ground-breaking debut album.

A highlight of the track is the discourse between Curtis and guitarist Ande Hunter, who claims a vocal role in Capture and adds a layer of complexity to an already intricate song. This especially cements the track as reminiscent of early We Are The In Crowd. The only thing that is uncomparable between the two bands here is Curtis’ lack of vocal tension. Her vocals are very clean-cut, which isn’t necessarily problematic in the verses, but her lack of vigour in the chorus still leaves a lot to the imagination.

However, this is only a minor scratch on the band’s solid endeavour and the track as a whole is expertly mixed. As December Falls possess refreshing maturity for a band that are still very much in their infancy. Not only are they the best band to come out of Nottingham in recent years, they’re looking hot candidates to explode onto the UK music scene – one can easily imagine them entertaining audiences at Slam Dunk Festival, Hit The Deck and maybe even a small slot at Reading and Leeds. Watch this space.

The Ratells – ‘Behind The Fire’ Single Review

The Ratells – ‘Behind The Fire’ Single Review

          They’ve played a sell-out headline UK tour, supported the likes of Kaiser Chiefs and won ‘The Best Unsigned Band’ Exposed Award in the space of a year. This is, of course, Sheffield’s own four-piece indie-rock band, The Ratells.
          Combining soft, chilled out riffs with a punchy drum beat, ‘Behind The Fire’ starts by demonstrating The Ratells’ gentle quality alongside Ashley Holland’s smooth yet powerful voice. This track showcases Holland’s vocal range and the band’s unique flair for music as ‘Behind The Fire’ drifts effortlessly from quiet, subtle tones to explosive belters of choruses with silky and playful bass riffs throughout that contribute to the track’s overall fluidity. An instrumental solo ensues, complete with upbeat and fast-paced drum patterns and catchy guitar cadences.
          With one listen, it’s easy to forget that The Ratells are an unsigned gem that have yet to record an album. ‘Behind The Fire’ is brilliant in that it makes for easy listening whilst still retaining the seemingly effortless fiery finale that wouldn’t be out of place in arenas. With a feel as timeless as The Ratells’ leather-jacket-and-cigarette image, it’s evident that the boys already know how to write killer tunes and have attracted the likes of Ross Orton, the genius behind Arctic Monkeys’ ‘AM’ and producer of ‘Behind The Fire.’
          Hailing as one of Britain’s most hard-working bands with a strong and dedicated fan base, it’s likely that The Ratells will storm the UK this year with a hefty headline tour in June and a string of singles and EP’s set for release. If they’re anything as good as ‘Behind The Fire,’ you’ll be hearing a lot more people describing them as the best band to emerge from Sheffield since Arctic Monkeys.

We Are The In Crowd – ‘The Best Thing’ Single Review

We Are The In Crowd – ‘The Best Thing’ Single Review

                After months spent slaving in the studio, We Are The In Crowd have finally given us a release date for their second album – 18^th February 2014 – and a teaser of what to expect with their second single from ‘Weird Kids.’

                Following on from ‘Attention,’ which they performed at Reading and Leeds Festival this year, ‘The Best Thing’ shows a grittier side of vocalist Tay Jardine as she sings of heartbreak (by All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, I wonder?) and vents her anger with feisty lyrics such as ‘you ain’t nothing but a prick’ and ‘you’ll crack just like the rest when I break your fucking jaw.’

However, as bitter as this song may sound, it’s surprisingly one of the most uplifting and energetic songs in their discography, declaring ‘you’re never gonna hold me down’. Jaunty drum rhythms, peppy guitar riffs and an extensive use of synthesisers ensure that WATIC don’t lose themselves in angst and maintain the feel-good vibes that make them sensational live performers.

 ‘The Best Thing’ really is one of the best things to come from the Poughkeepsie five-piece. In fact, it’s so good that you won’t even notice the absence of Jordan Eckes’ usual vocals, demonstrating just how far We Are The In Crowd have progressed in the short time they’ve been around. It’s catchy, it’s bouncy, it’s aggressive and it’s bound to be phenomenal when they let it loose for the first time on their UK tour next year. 

Blitz Kids – ‘Run For Cover’ Single Review

Blitz Kids – ‘Run For Cover’ Single Review

‘Run For Cover’ is the second single that the Cheshire-born rascals have released under new record label Red Bull Records. Following from ‘On My Own’ which was released in April, this new single carries a more vengeful and bitter undertone as singer Joe James vents his anger with infectious chants and belting choruses that tell the tale of ‘getting blagged by your missus when you're out on tour with the lads, and the challenges that come with being in a relationship when you're constantly on the road’ as guitarist Jono Yates so elegantly puts it.

The song immediately seizes the attention of the audience with dulled instrumentals and tense vocals that secrete expectation with an infectious mantra of ‘lover lover, run run for cover’ before exploding into fiery guitar riffs and hammering drums and progressing into a passionate chorus that will undoubtedly warrant a roaring reaction from a live audience, with the vocals already being echoed by a crowd on the track itself.

As the song steadily reaches its culmination, the band coalesce the slick and sleazy melody of the leading guitar with the throbbing cadence of the rhythm guitar, impressively creating a solo worthy of The Killers in their ‘Hot Fuss’ era.

Overall, this track is a definite crowd pleaser and will tickle the fancy of most rock fans out there, so Blitz Kids can sit back, have a drink and bask in the pride they’ve earned with ‘Run For Cover’. 

Fort Hope - 'Control' Single Review

Fort Hope – ‘Control’ Single Review

Constituted of four extremely talented members - Jon Gaskin, Andé D’Mello, Simon Rowlands and Jamie Nicholls - Fort Hope are well on their way to becoming a big name in the music industry. Having recently supported the likes of Never Shout Never, We Are The In Crowd and Jimmy Eat World, things are happening at break-neck speed for the melodic-rock band formed in January 2013.

                The boys released their debut single ‘Control’ on 24^th June and it can only be described as the phoenix that arose from the ashes of My Passion. Opening with Gaskin’s melodic and dulcet vocals accompanied by ominous and brooding riffs, the tone is set for the rest of the song – deep, full of anticipation and ultimately explosive. The chorus is a thunderous outburst of instrumentals and the entire song is irresistibly thick with heat and fiery passion; it’s undeniable that this song was born to illicit a roaring response from a live crowd. This debut track is saturated with undeniable talent and ability yet is also disappointingly predictable. Other than Gaskin’s well-defined accent, there is little to distinguish this band from so many others such as We Are The Ocean and Mallory Knox.

It’s clear that the guys have emerged from My Passion improved, matured and enhanced in their musical talents and this track leaves a taste in the mouth that is pleasant yet unsatisfying – there is a lot more to come of Fort Hope, and it’s going to be mind-blowing when it does.

Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know?' Single Review

Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know?'

      Just when you thought they’d fallen off the face of the earth, Steel City’s finest returns uninvited into the heart of Britain’s music scene with the spine-chillingly electric second single from their fifth upcoming studio album, ‘Do I Wanna Know?’

       Drummer Matt Helders immediately feeds a thread of strong and steady beats, enabling O’Malley’s bass and Turner’s ominous guitar riffs to speak volumes with their brooding and surly tone that ooze sex appeal and are sure to entice the hearts of thousands in a live audience. At once, it is clear that this is a song crafted with the intention of following a heavier and darker route for a more mature and experienced band that has surfaced from the depths of light-hearted songs such as ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor’ and ‘My Propeller.’ This is shown perfectly when the song climaxes into a chorus of ‘crawling back to you…’ complete with falsetto call-and-response from Helders and infectious twangs of Alex Turner’s guitar that hang heavy with subtle angst, artfully mirroring the tenor of ‘R U Mine?’, the debut single from their forthcoming album ‘AM.’

     Still, Alex Turner sticks to his Yorkshire roots with sullen colloquialisms such as, ‘do you ever get the feel that you can't shift the tide that sticks around like summat in your teeth,' - a reminder that yes, this is still the humble band from Sheffield that had a fast track to fame in 2005. 

     Consequently, this is a promising taste of the long-awaited album set for release on 9^th September. It is saturated in depth and torment yet is still easy on the ears with its infectious rhythm that will surely imprint itself upon the minds of many. This is a mellow and easy-going tune which may not tickle the fancies of everyone, least of all those who are still yearning for ‘the old Arctic Monkeys,’ but it is undeniable that Arctic Monkeys have more than proved themselves over the years and this end result is remarkable for the little band from Sheffield that have definitely earned their stripes. 

To The Bones – 'Emperor’s Ride' Single Review

To The Bones – Emperor’s Ride Single 

Tracklisting

1. Emperor’s Ride
2. Magazine

Being said to ‘rock like an absolute motherfucker’ by Rocksound Magazine and obtaining good reviews from various other sources, I had exceptionally high hopes for To The Bones’ new single ‘Emperor’s Ride’.  The track gets off to a good start with catchy bass rhythms that forebode a good, energetic tune worthy of Queens Of The Stone Age… but then, as they say, some things are too good to be true. Just when it sounded as if I was about to be blown away by brilliant vocals and fist-pounding choruses, vocalist Rhys G. Bradley squeals down the microphone and crushes any hopes that ‘Emperor’s Ride’ would be a good song. The drumming is brilliant and the guitars are perfectly competent but both are heavily overshadowed by the wailing and yowling that has the potential to summon neighbouring dogs and shatter a few windows in the process.

The second track from the single, ‘Magazine’, is only a minimal improvement from the headline track and is, once again, completely ravaged by the shrieks and bawls of the vocalist in an otherwise extremely talented band. Although howling and screeching may appeal to some of their Facebook fans, how these vocals managed to impress the likes of Kerrang! and Rocksound is a complete mystery.