Record reviews 2012

This page is part of the music section.

Also see: New tracks released in 2012

30th April

Little Night Terrors release

New single Pocket Rocket (where the light is)

Out now on iTunes

31st March

One Cure for Man - Alone in Berlin

artwork from the record one cure for man

The four indie rock anthems on the latest EP from Leicester band One Cure for Man are delightful and I highly recommend to all lovers of fine music. The band formed in 2009 from the embers of Subjects of the City. They took their inspiration from the great alternative bands that really meant something - Led Zeppelin through to The Smiths and The Manics.

The first song Alone in Berlin brings out the clear vocals of Jeremy Tennant - crystal clear singing, you can hear every word of the lyrics. In the background there is the well balanced orchestration of James Parkinson on guitars, keyboards and percussion, James Brookes Buckley on drums and percussion and Greg Masora on bass. A very listenable track with some appealing melodies. I just loved this one and have listened to it several times.

But Without Light comes in next with some colourful guitar lines; lot's of dramatic colours here. The lead vocals are superb, Jeremy's being strong and clear and backed with some arabesque guitar flourishes - wonderful - an almost spanish feel to the strings.

Revolution Sing, again I loved the catchy guitar flourishes, lots of delightful hooks behind the vocals. Twiddly bits on the guitar - captivating. An upbeat track with considerable vibrancy and resonance.

Like The Sea, atmospheric and uplifting, attractive vocal phrases and an ear-lickingly good assemblage of melody and orchestration, with some soaring passages on the electric guitar. At just over 3 minutes it was over all to quickly.

A captivating and engaging CD from a set of masterful musicians, recorded and engineered at the celebrated Deadline Studios. A must for discerning fans of fine music.

The nearest music in my personal experience is the EP by Peterborough's Mesh29, a band that played live in Leicester a few times and which are well represented in my collection of CDs. Sadly they have split up now but I am happy for One Cure for Man to take their place in my personal collection.

One Cure for Man on Facebook | and on Bandcamp

14th February

Free Control E.P.

Free Control photo © Plumb Images

Free Control is a good band. No. Cancel that. There are many, many good bands. Free Control is an excellent band. Listening to their tracks (as part of my working day) makes me glad I do the job I do. Here is a collection of creative and beautifully produced songs backed by luscious orchestration. Atmospheric and evocative, these songs are particularly listenable. The band says on its FB page ' Free Control combines explosive sounds, fluid melodies and an intricate style. A unique and powerful sound.' I can wholeheartedly endorse that.

Leicester-based band, Free Control, officially launched their latest EP, Extended Play, on 30th January 2012. Free Control, have been together since 2008, and comprise of bass guitarist Oliver Bloor, drummer Paul Cole, guitarist and vocalist Greg Shute, flutist and vocalist Sally Hossack and Mike Sole on keyboards.

In 2009, the band appeared at the Summer Sundae Festival, adorning the main stage at De Montfort Hall and making an instant connection with the crowd. Regular gigs in Leicester and London followed and now, after a year dedicated to writing, recording and refining existing songs, as well as crafting new ones, the band are set to return with a bang.

Guitarist, Greg Shute, provided an insight into what can be expected from Extended Play. "We wanted to try and get a good mix of songs. Two tracks have been recorded in demo form before but we wanted to record them properly as our sound has developed. The other tracks are regulars in our live set and have been honed. The newest track, Strawman reflects the direction we are going in, but I wouldn't say it's a new sound, just an evolved one."

Lead-singer, Sally Hossack, is also proud of what the band have produced. "It's the best I have ever heard these songs sound, they are truly crafted." Extended Play is available to download and can be purchased from iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and other online retailers.

Listen to tracks from Extended Play on the Free Control website | or on Spotify

Follow Free Control on Facebook

Free Control are appearing at The Donkey in Welford Road on Friday 17th February

30th January

In Your Apple Tree - Natalie Squance

There are ten songs on Natalie Squance's new album. I listened to all of them at least three times. Ten beautiful songs, some including a nursery rhyme theme, with a twist. I have to say that I really enjoyed this delightful set of songs. Natalie has a very listenable voice and her guitar work is exquisite.

The tunes are easy to listen to. As popular music goes, this is a lovely and engaging set. The lyrics come across with Natalie's wonderfully clear articulation.

Some of the songs feature the brilliant playing of violinist Aneta Ricarova, adding considerably to the musical arrangement in those songs in which she plays. The song-writing is captivating.

In Your Apple Tree is a fine collection of delightful songs. The recordings are high quality and the arrangements bring the songs to life. An impressive contribution to Leicester's acoustic repertoire.

The album is available from Bandcamp

Show me the World - Chris Ostler

Ask me who are the leading male vocalists in Leicester/shire and I can real off a list of names. They will all be singer/songwriters and Chris Ostler's name will invariably be amongst them.

Having seen Chris singing live many times, I was curious to hear what his first recorded album would be like. It is not always the case that live singers or also fine recording artists (or vice versa) but in this case I was pleasantly surprised to find that he is as listenable on record as he is on the stage.

Show me the World has a set of engaging and listenable songs on it. The five songs are well constructed, nicely recorded and feature the finely articulated vocals of Ostler and his distinctive voice. Now, musical aficionados with greater knowledge than I will immediately say 'Oh, he sounds like .....'. I am not particularly bothered who an artists sounds like. I would not like what I am listening to more or less simply because of who the singer sound like.

To me Chris Ostler sounds like Chris Ostler. I would immediately recognise that voice anywhere. The songs on this album are vibrant and enjoyable. More importantly you don't need printed lyrics to hear what it is he is singing about. Every word is crystal clear.

It is arguable that what makes Chris stand out is his song writing skills. I have to say that Teenage Love Song (Lemon Squeezy) is my personal favourite. I have heard him singing this song live many times and I always enjoy hearing it. For me, this is the Ostler signature tune.

One thing I did notice about about his vocals, is that Chris's voice has a bit of a mid-atlantic twang. I asked about this. Although he was born in Devon (in 1990), he learned to sing in Canada. I say I didn't need the printed Lyrics, but they were there in the record sleeve anyway.

One other thing stands out about this set of songs: they sound like he is singing with a full band. The backline is fully orchestrated but not recorded from real instruments. Bear in mind Chris also has a band: Sideline. The songs are fulsome pieces of music, the melodies are engaging and the vocals are crystal clear.

A very enjoyable musical experience.

Read more about Chris Ostler: at The Shed (Oct 2011), at Glastonbudget Festival 2011, at obsUnplugged 2011

17 Summers - Ferris

As soon as the first track started, I heard something I liked. The intro to the first song - She blows me away - was ear-grabbing. The song continues with a bouncy tune and strong vocals from Scott Grocock. Ok, the lyrics were not astounding but as a band track this really worked. Yes, you could actually hear the lyrics.

Acoustic guitar riffs introduced Children of Promise. There was something about this song, the way it was constructed, that touched long forgotten memories in the back of my mind. Not surprising, given the great length of time over which I have been listening to music.

I rate Ferris as a professional band. Sadly, not everyone does. They work hard both in the studio and on stage. This album is a credit to their experience and dedication as musicians. Six enjoyable tracks, providing a finely delivered songs.

Blind has punch, delivering some big classic rock sounds. Pumping guitar lines and big riffs, set against a throbbing rhythmic background. It's a well mastered set of tracks. There is real dynamism in this song.

The name of the next track - 18 year old jeans - positions the music of Ferris. It's not contemporary indie; their roots run deep in the canon of rock. It's no bad thing that a modern band can celebrate traditional idioms of rock - if they do this really well. Ferris do that.

Hold on to what you've got, says it all. Ferris have got their fingers firmly on the strings of an established musical idiom. The songs sounded more americana than Brit rock, to me, but the guitar flourishes were engaging. Vegas suggests that. What makes the work of Ferris appealing is it's honesty and simplicity. They are doing what moves them, as all musicians should. They haven't set out to be something they are not.

An enjoyable listen; a band that deserves more recognition than it seems to get on the Leicester scene. 17 Summers is a ballad in which the band demonstrates their ability to write and play an agreeably subtle song.

Enjoyable music; well played and finely recorded.

Scott Grocock (Lead Vocals and guitar), Rob Bourgault (Guitars and Vocals), Cameron Favell (Bass Guitar and Vocals.)

Ferris on Facebook | Ferris web site

Of Clay and Smokeless Fire - Edict of Bedlam

I get to hear an incredibly wide range of music from the musicians of Leicester. When Edict of Bedlam sent me their four tracks, I played them straight away. They made an immediate impression on me. This is a hardcore metal band but the opening bars of If Walls Could Talk immediately grabbed my attention. The string work from the lead guitar, in this track, is exquisite. The vocals are sepulchral: deep-throated roaring, growling and screaming sounds that only experienced metallers can do.

Lilies in a Box explodes into your ears with its opening electrifying chord. You are then driven into a dark realm of pulsating riffs and primeval beats, distorted guitar and bass riffs and behind all that the drummer is pounding out huge rhythms. The song then drops into a soft, emotional passage to catch the flow of the lyrics. It's wailing, screaming, cathartic passages were stunning.

Big distorted bass riffs introduce Stigmata. All these songs have considerable levels of energy and passion, colour and mood and through them Edict demonstrate their complete command of this musical style. What I liked the most was the way they could weave intricate tapestries of guitar work and vocal threads through the dynamics of their songs. It's not just about creating spine-chilling and ear-bleeding storms of sound; it about unwinding a story and this they do surpassingly well.

It's a set of fierce hardcore songs, capped by Throne of the Exile. Hair-raising, adrenaline-dripping metal that scores on most points: dynamics, inventiveness and creativity. Monstrously big and gigantically good stuff.

Paul Coltman (vocals), Alan Blondeau (guitar), Matt Burden (guitar), Aaron Harbour (bass guitar) and Richard Lane (drums).

Edict of Bedlam on Facebook

Other pages you might like:

Record reviews 2011

Record reviews 2010

Our listing of the singers of Leicester/shire

Our listing of all bands in Leicester/shire

Reviews of tracks by Leicester artists and bands in 2011

Reviews of songs, EPs and albums by Leicester bands and artists, 2010