My Raining Stars – 89 memories

Former Nothing To Be Done member Thierry Haliniak is back with a new album under the guise of My Raining Stars. It follows the sublime ‘Obvious Reasons’ EP in 2020. Can the longer format meet the same standards?

89 memories is available to buy on Bandcamp.

My Raining Stars have made a name for themselves by reimagining Sarah Records, Creation Records, and the C86 scene for the modern day. On ‘If You’, ‘Too Soon’, and ‘Behind Her Lovely Smile’ they tread similar water. ‘If You’ plunges into the hazy beauty of Chapterhouse via New order’s ‘Ceremony’. ‘Too Soon’ combines the explorative drumming of ‘Vapour Trail’ with the eloquent beauty of the Cocteau Twins on this lo-fi gem. ‘Behind Her Lovely Smile’ however whilst drawing on Ride’s comeback album ‘Weather Diaries’ begins to transgress the past. The guitars are blessed with rock ‘n roll’s desperation to live; a moment Johnny Marr would be proud of! Haliniak’s ability to use his voice as the songs blissful release is utterly mesmerising.

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‘89 Memories’ ultimate strength is its positivity. In a world falling apart at the seams, the ecstasy of ‘The Way Things Turn’ and ‘Of ‘Time’ couldn’t be more vital. The former is a brooding lullaby sent from the angels. The beauty of The Orchids is met with brooding yet angelic Mark Gardener-esque vocal from Haliniak. It has great cinematic quality. The protagonist is thrust into the inciting moment and must seek out the light. Twisting and turning, desperate to fight their way to resolution, this track will not give up! Whereas, ‘Time’ taps into the jangle of The la’s and the power of The Real People to find new avenues of euphoria.

What keeps the album refreshing is Haliniak’s foray into more rock ‘n’ roll guitar playing. His sumptuous Ian Broudie-esque vocals on ‘From the Day She’s Gone’ is met with a direct and anguished urgency. The guitars brood in the verses before bursting into a display of melancholy reaching for escapism worthy of Johnny Marr. Whereas, ‘Sit and Stare’ takes Norman Blake’s melodic rumble to the edge of Weller and Craddock in the 90s.

These more instantaneous moments breathe vitality into Haliniak’s body of work that will surely win the hearts and minds of many new fans sooner rather than later.

My Raining Stars – Mirror

Alaska is perhaps the unlikeliest place for a band indebted to Creation and Sarah’s Records to emerge but, in My Raining Stars, the indie flag is flying high. Their latest single ‘Mirror’ is from their ‘Obvious Reasons’ EP released last November.

Many look those labels for inspiration, few can say they take from the angelic side of Creation and the harder edges of Sarah’s Records. It’s often vice versa and becomes a poor rehash. However, My Raining Stars have successfully revaluated the era to carve out a tiny space of the record shelf for ‘Mirror’.

The cuteness of Ride’s early work and the pop genius of MBV’s ‘Soon’ collide with the spirited noises of Brighter’s ‘Does Love Last Forever?’ and Gentle Despite’s ‘Darkest Blue’. Inevitably, it creates a beautiful sound but crucially, it has momentum and positivity. It goes beyond aching introspection and finds a space for hopeful romance.

Their EP ‘Obvious Reasons’ is free to download on their Bandcamp page and, on this showing, is well worth exploring.

RATS: The Social, London

“When Jake Bugg went to number one it made national news headlines. Why? Because he never went to stage school nor graduated from Brits academy. He didn’t enter Britain’s Got Talent nor summit himself to the humiliations of X-Factor. He made headlines because he is just an ordinary kid from a state school……I can’t believe there aren’t plenty of teenagers out there with an ear for a good tune and a chip on their shoulder who have something to say to us.”

Billy Bragg, The John Peel Lecture, 2015

Introducing to you, Liverpool’s Rats! They headlined Creation23’s night at The Social Tuesday night and displayed said fire and skill.

Their brand of working class indie-punk always gets lost in the mix when the majors and x-factor types dominant the industry. However, with singles like ‘Weekend’ and ‘Figure It Out’ in their arsenal, eventually the keepers of the gate will be forced to open.

The latter, was explosive and right in the slot that will carry them to big venues. Throughout the set, elements of all their songs threatened to reach this level. Despite not being as fully formed; Rats are very much a band in the ascendancy. The wit and angst in their delivery of upcoming single ‘Jack’ and the emotive hooks of ‘Dreams’, it’s easy to imagine them as Liverpool’s answer to The Courteeners.

Awash with tales of sex, drugs and violence, Rats, like Jake Bugg in 2015, shouldn’t be considered an anomaly. On this showing, it won’t be long before they are lauded in the same light as Bugg. Woe betide anyone who stands in their way.

Friday 2nd August marks our 8th birthday. Come down to the New Cross Inn for a night of great live music. Tickets available here:

Ride – Future Love

Ride are back and once more teaming up with Erol Alkan on their new single ‘Future Love’.

There were some genuine moments of quality on ‘Weather Diaries’ (‘Lannoy Point’, ‘All I Want’, ‘Lateral Alice’) but, a lack of clarity at times (‘Charm Assault’, ‘Weather Diaries) meant the disappointment of ‘Tarantula’ had not been fully laid to rest.

However, it was clear from the ‘Nowhere’ tour in 2015 and the supporting tours of ‘Weather Diaries’ and EP ‘Tomorrow’s Shore’, the band were in sync again.

This is self-evident on the happiness permeating ‘Future Love’. Iconic singer/guitarist Andy Bell told Pitchfork it is “about the beginning of a relationship, when everything feels possible.” The romanticism of this notion is everywhere. Lyrically, it’s as sweet a pop single you’ll hear all year.

Ride diehards though, may make a different leap. One which imagines the lyrics being about Ride members being in love with the band again. It has the pop ecstasy of ‘Twisterella’ and the escapist warmth of ‘In A Different Place’. They may have been back for five years, but now they are home.

Friday 2nd August marks our 8th birthday. Come down to the New Cross Inn for a night of great live music. Tickets available here:

Jasmine Minks: 100 Club, London

Former Creation Records pioneers Jasmine Minks returned to the 100 Club this past Saturday to support Kent brothers in arms The Claim.

They came out of the traps firing with the punk funk masterclass of ‘Think!’, the righteous ‘Work For Nothing’ and ‘Where The Traffic Goes’. The latter showcasing just how great Tom Reid is on the drums.

They’re back promoting a new double a-side ‘Step by Step’ and ‘Gravity’. ‘Step By Step’ (Reid on vox) walked right back into 1988’s classic ‘Another Age’ sound.  The “take life by the horns” attitude brings the London crowd both physically and mentally out their shell. The positive spirit in the room is almost tangible. ‘Gravity’, with Jim Shepherd back on vocals, is equally as uplifting but, takes a more measured approach.

As if with so many from the early Creation Records days, jingle jangle guitars underpinning 60s art pop was crucial to the records. The performances of ‘Time For You’ and ‘Poppy White’ demonstrate that the Minks were among the best exponents.  On ‘Cut Me Deep’, it’s easy to see where fellow Scottish bands The Orchids and Teenage Fanclub took their inspiration from.

There is so much to admire about this set from their catalogue both old and new. Former Television Personalities keyboardist Dave Musker further enriches the evening with a touching tribute to the unwell Dan Treacy. However, in ‘Cold Heart’, they have a stone cold classic. Smiles beam from ear to ear as this sun kissed anthem gently meanders its way to the hearts of the London crowd.

Be sure to catch them at The Islington on 20th April!

*Images courtesy of the band

The Love-Birds – In the Lovers Corner

No sooner you post your top 20 albums of the year, a tip comes your way and your left screaming “The Love-Birds” like Dr Johnson screams “sausage” in Blackadder the Third.

The four piece from San Francisco released their debut album 'In The Lovers Corner' via Trouble In My Mind records last May. As us Brits brace for winter, The Love-Birds recipe of 60s California and the 90s US underground circuit will warm both hearts and minds.

Embracing their love of Teenage Fanclub, they hired Norman Blake to master the album and, on ‘Weak Riff’ and Gerrit’, duly pay homage. ‘Weak Riff’ has the hallmarks of a Creation Records single with its hazy take on pop music. Meanwhile, ‘Gerrit’ harnesses the Fanclub’s fuzzy-grunge take of The Byrds and big emotive guitar breaks to conjure, perhaps the albums true moment of stardust.

Jangle pop reigns supreme throughout, in fact, it’s hard not to imagine the album sound tracking Friday Night Lights Matt Saracen throwing a winning pass to Tim Riggins. There are fleeting moments where they splice in other influences. ‘Hit My Head’ has a touch of Grandaddy’s eccentric production, ‘Failure and Disgrace’ is a lost Decemberists classic and on ‘Clean The Air’, singer Thomas Rubenstein manages to blend Gene Clark and Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst.

The Love-Birds have delivered a superb introduction to themselves on this influenced led debut. Now it’s time for them to flee the nest and test themselves. Can they sail unchartered waters and find a new route?

*Image courtesy of Ava Rose and Trouble In Mind Records