Joe Allan - The City Ate My Brains

Good of the afternoon, bitches. It's been another long while hasn't it? Yes, it has. What can I say? As always I could tell you where I've been and what I've been up to, but it might make you blush. In fact I know it would. You'd never look at a courgette in the same way again.

I'm back on this lovely Sunday afternoon with a follow up blog post that I've been looking forward to doing for some time now. Way back in November last year I featured a wonderful, wonderful musician called Joe Allan - you can read that post and listen to the song I reviewed here. I really recommend you do.

Joe promised he'd be back in touch when his EP was finally ready for release and true to his word, he did. "The City Ate My Brains" is due for release within the next two weeks and oh my absolute gosh, it truly is a masterpiece.

Here are five songs of immense strength, beauty and courage. The title belies just how moving the tracks are. It of course features "September", the track I previewed last year, which is just stunning - I can never forget a song which starts with the line "fuck you, everybody". However, joking aside, from the outset it's clear that Joe is an incredibly skilled songwriter and musician. These are songs with real emotional depth - they are tempered and downbeat, the slightly muted way in which he sings adds real pathos to both the lyrics and the music.

The opening track "The City Ate My Brains" sets the scene for the whole tone of the EP, soft and delicate, repetitive, lulling guitar picks combine with his fantastic vocal style to create a set of tracks which feel like they could become real classics.

On tracks like "Sisters" he uses sampling to really good effect, drawing the listener in from the start and piquing your curiosity with what's to come.

Standout song for me is "Youngster". Purely for the guitar alone, however, it's the most emotional piece on the EP for me. The vocal combines with the guitar in a slightly alt-country way and it really see-saws your feelings.

When the EP is released properly I'll update the page to let you all know, as this is something none of you should miss out on. Joe Allan is definitely one to watch and someone you need to have in your lives...

Alpha Male Tea Party - Droids

Hello. Happy Tuesday. Have you had the sort of day that requires intravenous crisps? I have. I can't even begin to tell you. You just wouldn't believe me. So you know what I need? I need some music that will basically blast everything into oblivion. You know what's coming next?

I've got it for you.

Alpha Male Tea Party. Oh my absolute cocking gosh. Eagle eyed avid readers (and I still know there's at least one of you, and that you still do have your own teeth - and someone else's too, living on Instant Whip is NO JOKE) will know I've featured them before on these hallowed pages - you can click here to read my review of  Real Ale and Model Rail their release from last year.

Happily they haven't left it too long before they came back and yesterday saw the release of "Droids" their latest album. As always with me, the necessaries - hoik your gussets over to the Superstar Destroyer Records bandcamp page to have a listen and buy it:

superstardestroyer.bandcamp.com/album/droids

I just love these guys. I love them. They make everything better. Whatever ails you, you can guarantee they'll blast it out of your head at twelvety bajillion miles an hour. But what's so good about them is that there is actual real musical depth, there is something going on in there - it isn't just thrashing about - it's post progressive maths rock (and you all know how much I bloody love my maths rock) with a real edge to it. I love that they're not afraid to experiment, that amongst the heavy, riff laden repetition, there's a complexity to the sound the defies logic.

They're a band with real humour too. Tracks like "You Eat Houmous Of Course You Listen To Genesis" are a case in point - as is "Your Happiness Is Stored On A Hard Drive And Is Now Corrupt". They're clever. It's clever wordsmithery to go with clever, well thought out music.

But they're not one trick ponies. They know how to temper their tracks - the last two of the album - the also wonderfully named "God Is Love But Satan Does That Thing You Like With His Tongue" and "I Haven't Had A Lunch Break Since Windows Vista Came Out" are both slow burners - starting off as as a little meanders, but turning into a wide, spacey, open ended brilliance that leave you feeling quite elated.

No matter how shite you're feeling, Alpha Male Tea Party will bring you out of it. Get "Droids" into your collection and give these guys your support. Total and utter brilliance.

Blair Dunlop - House Of Jacks

It's the end of the Bank Holiday, sob sob sob! Three days of gloating that we didn't have to go to work for three days is over with. Naturally, we're probably all a bit fed up and in need of some musical sustenance to keep us going through the next working week.

Would it surprise you to learn that I have it for you? Of course not. My readership of literally one person knows me by now and realises this.

I'm really massively pleased to be writing about "House of Jacks" which is the second album by Blair Dunlop. First things first, here's the link, so you can go and buy it:

blairdunlop.com/album/house-of-jacks/

thegeneral is a massive folk music fan. I was weaned on 60s and 70s bands like Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention. My childhood was spent listening to and learning to sing along with many of the albums that came out around that time, and two parents who were total spod-boxes for anything that had the electric folk sound. One of the stalwarts of the era was Ashley Hutchings, who not only played in Steeleye and Fairport but also was part of The Albion Band and the often forgotten Morris On...albums (these are a total joy).

OK, the reason I'm telling you this is because Blair Dunlop is the son of Ashley and so I guess it was only natural that he too, might find himself on the musical primrose path.

I first heard Blair way back in 2009, singing a cover of "Canadee-I-O" and I was really blown away by his raw talent and energy. His first album proper, "Blight and Blossom" came out in 2012 and really showcased his brilliant musicianship further ("Secret Theatre" is probably one of the best songs of the last couple of years). But today sees the release of "House of Jacks" and it's very very worth a listen, even if you're not strictly speaking a folk fan in the same way that thegeneral is.

It could really have been all too easy for Blair to simply start making "painting by numbers" folk music, there genuinely wouldn't have been anything wrong with that, he'd still be carrying on the great tradition of his father and the people he worked with - but this is a wonderful collection of songs that aren't afraid to experiment slightly and step out of the neat folk bracket - sometimes into more alt-country territory too. Opening track "Somethings Gonna Give Way" is an absolute masterpiece - it totally kicks arse, it sort of sets the precedent for the rest of the album.

There's a great mixture of tracks on here and they rattle along beautifully, the pace slows with "Chain By Design" which is a slow heartbreaker of a number, soulfully sung and wistful in memory - and all of them, apart from the final song are penned by Blair himself (the last track "Song of Two Bridges" - again, another slow heart-breaker was written by Ashley Hutchings and Ken Nicol - another former Steeleye member).

There's a real feeling of fusing the old and new throughout the album, but also a sense that folk has a way forward with Blair's music. Self respecting electric folk fans should love it, newcomers to the genre will relish the opportunity to lower themselves into a beautifully constructed set of songs. If you're as passionate about this sort of music as I am, please give it a go and give Blair your support.

The Repeat Offenders - Lose Control

Good Tuesday evening to you. Almost at the mid point of the week and not killed anyone yet, so all in all I'd say that's pretty good going (there's time yet, so don't piss me off, or if you do piss me off you can placate me with tea and send an androgynous house boy round to serve it ).

So, what, dear readers can I offer you?

Something really special. But then don't I always? I'm so good to you - you really don't deserve me.

The Repeat Offenders are a band that have been on my radar for some time now and they're a band of real merit, therefore I'm massively pleased to be able to review their new single, which they were kind enough to send to me today.

Have a look at the band's website, where you'll find a link to the video for the song - called "Lose Control" and also details of where you can download/buy a CD copy from:

therepeatoffenders.co.uk/

I have to say, I'm massively baffled as to why these guys are not much bigger than they are - they've got a really solid, edgy sound and a fantastic look and this new single is a prime example of all of these things coming together beautifully. They're a great mixture of cool mod sixties vibes laced with late 80s Madchester bands like The Stone Roses - but yet they still retain plenty originality to set them apart from everyone else.

"Lose Control" is an epic song from start to finish, it's a rollercoaster of rock, with a brilliantly catchy hook, a vocal which is alive with power and filthily delightful guitars. One of those songs that I instantly felt I'd be able to sing along with  after one listen - and after two it was jammed in my head, in the nicest possible way. In fact I've actually been singing it all afternoon. So if you're one of my neighbours and you're reading this, I'm sorry (I'm not sorry).

The B Side, available if you buy the CD single is an acoustic number called "In My Way". Acoustic to some might mean a delicate little wisp of a track that is instantly forgettable - not with The Repeat Offenders, this is just as powerful as "Lose Control" and every bit as stirring and beautiful to listen to. It's got a raw emotional power to it.

These guys have got proper attitude, they've got an acute sense of style and a sound that really should be filling stadiums. Make their new single one of your early Summer musical must haves - and that's an order from me.

Cross Wires - Assembly

Happy Saturday to you all. Have you been out enjoying the glorious sunshine, or have you been stuck indoors, rocking silently back and forth and weeping softly? I haven't been doing the latter. Well, I haven't been doing the latter since lunchtime anyway. But enough of my strange proclivities - I could write a book and still have enough left over to paper a tart's boudoir. What can I offer you in terms of great music today?

Please be upstanding for Cross Wires, please to be.

I do love it when bands e-mail me with their music (and if you're reading this and you're in a band and you'd like a feature, then that is an invitation - thegeneralmusicblog@googlemail.com). This week was no exception and Cross Wires really kindly sent me their new EP "Assembly"

So, first things first - get thyself to a nunnery (or bandcamp) and avail yourself of the free download of said EP:

crosswires.bandcamp.com/

I felt it was a really good kick in the trouser creases this record. I loved it from start to finish and wanted to  feature it straight away. This is proof that punk is still alive and kicking. It's four tracks of energised, sparky brilliance. It actually isn't that often you come across a genuinely brilliant modern punk band (and I know I sound like Nanna - I was only just born when punk was grabbing it's ventolin inhaler and breathing it's last). But this is genuinely brilliant - it's got a fantastic exuberance about it and each track seems to offer something different.

The stand out song for me, is track number two "Acid Bath". It's got a real Gang of Four feel to it - the opening, slightly reminiscent of "At Home He's A Tourist". It opens into a rolling, revving highly charged run of a number - it's driven and it speeds along so nicely, ending with a brilliant repetition, which hammers home the urgency of the song. It's followed by the equally brilliant "I Want To Be Your Man (Again)", which has a fab popping, grinding bass line to it and a great, part shouty, part discordant vocal which makes the song seem so much more plaintive in a way.

In truth, though I've singled out those two numbers, each track is fantastic - it's an EP which  doesn't rest on it's laurels, nor does it run out of steam - as sometimes anything punky can do, it can sometimes feel a bit exhausting. This doesn't, this keeps your interest and keeps your focus. It feels fresh, it feels inventive and it was just what I needed to revive my very jaded, tired out soul this week.

Give it a download and give their other releases a test run too. Cross Wires are a genuine gem of a band and a must listen.

Menswe@r - Crash

I haven't been this excited since they bumped my pocket money up to £3.50 in 1994. (£4 if I did the pots on Tuesday nights). Happy Saturday, by the way, and welcome to a new blog...a blog which in all honesty is going to be filled with much squeeing and giggles of helpless delight. "Why?" I hear about one and a half of you cry. Well, I'll tell thee...

Menswe@r are back. YES, you read it right. Menswe@r - and this pleases me greatly. 

It's actually just nearly floored me to find out that it's almost 20 years since "Daydreamer" came out - probably the song that everyone associates them with. I vividly remember hearing it all the time on the radio and singing it at school (for I was in the middle of my GCSEs when it came out) at the back of my Economics class (I was more interested in Johnny Dean than Supply and Demand of GDP or whatever it was we were doing or something or nothing). 

But times change, and although the band split and moved in different directions - Johnny's been very honest and forthright about his experiences during that time - that song always did stay with me - as did their album "Nuisance" which I still think is a bit of an under-rated Britpop classic - and if you don't agree, tough, it's my blog so shut up and go away. 

So colour me fucked when I found out a new single was in the pipeline - and I've been lucky enough receive it to review for you all. Yes. 

"Crash" is, all being well, released on June 2nd and my GOD it's a corker. You can pre-order it from Post Pop Records here:

postpoprecords.bandcamp.com/album/crash

And, if you're a self respecting Menswe@r fan, I suggest you do. The line up may be different, but the sound is still just stunning and Johnny - well, be still my beating heart, you've still got it...

It's sparky, it's full of energy, it's punky and it feels exciting. It feels actually like being a teenager again - it literally did fill me with delight hearing it for the first time. Of course, everyone's older now - we all are, but there is something so enticing about hearing a song like this you can't help but want to shake your hips and sing along. This is indie pop as it should be. The guitars and vocals work well together and seem to "sing" with each other in a lovely way, it's almost like a question and answer between the two. Johnny, for me, did always have one of the more distinctive voices of the 1990s and yeah, it's so great to hear him again and know he's at his best. It's a, pardon the pun, very driven record - it feels alive, alert and I can only hope there's a lot more to come...

"Crash" is getting some good airplay at the moment and justifiably so - thegeneral has added it to her list of songs that are going to be with her throughout the Summer. If you've got any sense, you will too. 

Mutes - M.P.D.G

It's been a while dear readers, hasn't it? I know, and I am eternally sorry. Thank you for all the e-mails and letters that didn't flood in, demanding to know where I'd disappeared to. It's nice to feel loved and wanted. By no-one. I could tell you what I've been up to, but I'd have to kill you - and that wouldn't be nice, would it? It might sting a bit.

Anyway, yes, I am back, after another short break and I'm ending my radio silence with an EP that I had sent to me just last week by Mutes. I was mightily impressed with it and wanted to feature them as soon as I could.

So, as I always start these posts - here are the necessaries, hoik your lapels off to the bandcamp page to have a listen to the sneaky pre-release preview track:

mutesuk.bandcamp.com/

Now, I've been lucky enough to have the entire EP to play, not just this track - however, being as that's the song you've all just listened to, I'll start there. Hands up if you were a shoegazer in the 1990s? This should, in the nicest possible way, take you back there. M.P.D.G has such a nice feel to it, spacy, distant, aloof, ever so slightly trippy and muted. It rattles along at a really nice pace, the guitars on it are elemental and rhythmic, and sort of blend in with the slightly hard to discern androgynously ambiguous vocal.

The rest of the tracks mark a slight departure, but are equally as beguiling. "Hope" - the opener, is a paean, a delicate chant, that paves the way into "M.P.D.G". It's ever so slightly haunting in it's simplicity. Then we move into slightly more trippy, ambient territory with "Port Sunlight" and "Phonophobia", again, both haunting tracks that feel as though they could seep into your brain and disturb your sleep. They're sepia toned, blurred at the edges and although they're slightly experimental in nature, they work as a nice contrast between the opening two tracks and the final song of the collection "Smother" which has a nice hook, a wispy vocal and moves back towards shoegazing again.

The tracks all have an ache to them. I know that probably sounds like rather a strange comment to make, but there's a feeling of isolation in them, a sense of everything being slightly off kilter. It's hard to explain until you've played them through a few times and come to understand how they're layered and put together, but that's how it feels. It's the sort of music you'd probably want to listen to if you were needing a bit of head-space and some time alone, to just sit in stillness.

The EP itself is coming out in full on 22nd April, via onenoteforever records - they also look after the mighty Toliesel - who I featured not that long ago on these very pages. I'd highly recommend you take some time out of your day and give Mutes a go. If it's something a little out of the ordinary you want - this new EP should be your go to.

7th May Update - Mutes have officially released M.P.D.G today, so please go to mutesuk.bandcamp.com/ or store.onenoteforever.com/album/mutes to download, like, right now and stuff.

You might also want to check out this performance of "Smother" from the EP, which is beautiful and highly recommended by me.

Mutes - Smother (LIVE)