Engine - Formulate A Plan

Timing is everything in music right? Well, Monday night, Radio X’s shining light John Kennedy played ‘Formulate A Plan’ by Leeds outfit Engine. As the flying ants swarmed and humans melted in the unrelenting heat, this single came floating by like the breeze we’ve all been desperate for.

Weather aside, this is a remarkable feat for a debut single. Some artists take three albums to carve out this sort of identity. Producer Dom Freeman has got the heart of James Yorkston’s ‘Woozy With Cider’ here and thus, allowed the bands scattergun nodes of psyche to really shine throughout.

Vocally, it provides many of the great dialectics alternative music can provide. Singer James Elson sounds a polished performer but, there is still a hint of fragility which makes you wonder, might this sun drenched dream drift away at some point? It’s something that Bobby Gillespie and Martin Courtney (Real Estate) have done better than most in recent times and now Elson can begin to dream of adding himself to that list.

Check out more from the band on their Soundcloud page:

https://soundcloud.com/the-engine-1/formulate-a-plan

The Rifles - Wall Around Your Heart

The song opens in true Rifles fashion with guitars blasting out the traps like a four minute warning to the apocalypse. The pulse of the song is one we have seen time and time again from the Rifles and yet, it remains fresh and enjoyable.

This is, in part due to the guitars, particular the solo having a touch of jingle jangle a la Primal Scream’s debut to them. The Rifles though, do not do tranquil sun drenched songs. They offer an adrenalin fuelled ride to said genre and as a result, their massive following will be incredibly happy once more.

Many are criticised for not changing up their game enough. The Rifles often fall victim to said abuse. However, lifelong admirers will tell you what the subtle differences are, they’ll also tell you to fuck off and quite right. In an a time where bands life spans are one album, The Rifles are returning with their fifth in ten years and all without ever receiving airplay. You may not like them but you should respect them. 

Boxed In - Jist

It feels like a barely a moment has passed since the self-titled debut album was released. Nevertheless, Oli Bayston’s outfit are back, and they have served up a slice of sun-drenched electronica to kick-start the summer.

The former head honcho of Keith has built on Boxed In’s debut with crisp and catchy production that Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’ would have been proud to include.

The melody running through is simple but joyously hypnotic. Picture yourself in sunnier climates than a storm ridden train platform with endless cancellations and this song is the perfect fit.

Bayston maybe in hot demand as a producer these days but, for TT, it’s his own work and that we find so compelling. Combining the opulent production with his grainy vocals is a mix certain to prosper.

Bear's Den - Auld Wives

Timing can be everything in the music biz, catching that mood of the public just right can make your career overnight.

The new Bear’s Den single ‘Auld Wives’ isn’t going to resonate like Pulp’s ‘Common People’ but, the distance sounds, faint beauty and subtle melancholy will certainly catch the mood of 16,141,241 people in the UK today.

Tomorrow there needs to be a call to arms, and a fight back against little Englander’s and inept Tories. Today, let us wallow together in the swirling production of the verses here. As the euphoria slowly gathers momentum in the second half of the song, let us gather our thoughts recognise the good in others once more.

The sweeping vocals combine with synths to provide just enough beauty to keep spirits up. Meanwhile, the sublime bassline rattles through with enough edginess to keep you guessing and ample familiarities to give you hope it will be ok. How apt. 

Stone Roses – Beautiful Thing

After the poor man’s Beady Eye debacle that was ‘All For One’, the Roses have found their form. Ian Brown’s influence reigns supreme as he invokes his ‘Golden Greats’ solo era. The beats and production allow Brown to deliver trip-hop style lyrics to their Mancuninan swagger in the verses and then just beautifully drift away.

All the combinations are working their magic on this record. Brown is the undeniable star of the show which holds back Squire’s guitar wizardry. A good thing, it allows various trippy manifestations to come through in short blasts, which, makes the psyche solo a reward rather than an inevitable outcome.

As ever, Mani and Reni hold everything together with their iconic groove and style. Old or young, their unique class remains. The alternative soundtrack of the summer begins right here.

Blossoms – Getaway

When discussing the new single from Blossoms at TT towers, the following derogatory comment was made:

“It’s a step towards generic chart fodder”

This writer however, feels this is extremely harsh. The musical components maybe more middle of the road than ‘Charlemagne’  and ‘A Hot Kiss’ but there is a bigger picture to consider, the debut album as a body of work.

The broad appeal of ‘Getaway’ should be viewed as a positive. For when the album comes out, it will provide a depth and difference to the album. Also, is it not the job of a single to be radio friendly and entice listeners in to the album?

The NME recently asked Richard Ashcroft whether the success of ‘Urban Hymns’ and Oasis drove the alternative into the mainstream. His response was:

“But we do it better. You can get as many songwriters in a room as you want for your new talent show contest winner, it’s never gonna sound like a great Noel Gallagher song sung by Liam, it’s never gonna reach ‘Live Forever’, it’s never gonna be [Verve song] ‘Lucky Man’. We know that.”

(full article can be read here: http://www.nme.com/features/richard-ashcroft-a-legend-returns-the-full-nme-cover-interview)

He’s correct. The collective ‘we’ here is music lovers. In a band or a fan, we have a bullshit detector and Blossoms do not fall foul of it. They should be backed up by the alternative world for being brave enough to write something commercially viable with substance. This kind of symbolism matters.

The synths used on ‘Getaway’ have enough risk in them to aid the ridiculously catchy melody. This juxtaposition is lacking in far too many bands today.

Obviously, there are acts out there like The Fall who continually produce great music without straying towards the mainstream areas of the industry. However, can a change in attitudes be made on the outskirts? Possibly, but, it can’t help to kick against the pricks once in a while. 

Liines - Blackout

Just as Savages cement themselves as the best female-fronted band around, Manchester three-piece Liines come surging along to threaten their reign.

'Blackout' opens with an assault of drums and a great guitar hook reminiscent of their aforementioned peers. The difference between the two comes with the directness of the track. Whereas Savages might look for alternative routes to the conclusion, Blackout seems hell-bent on getting there as quickly as possible.

The riff is like an aggressive post-punk version of the many catchy pop hooks of Franz Ferdinand. Couple this with Zoe McVeigh's violent and destructive vocals and alternative DJs have a go-to record to liven up indie crowds on Friday nights.

Trampolene – Tom Hardy

Trampolene's head honcho, Jack Jones, wrote this track about his mate from school and his outlandish boasts. We all had that Jay from the Inbetweeners mate right?

Such common reference points will have seasoned songwriters screaming 'why didn't I think of that'. This is a great piece of punk rock which, with lines like 'he's mum is a fit belly dancer', is destined to be bellowed on indie dancefloors in 2016.

The riffs are dirty and ooze a level of aloofness and coolness many aspire to but few achieve. The real star of the show are the raucous drums. They drive the track from start to finish with a relentless tempo that live audiences are going to lap up.

Woodpigeon – Whole Body Shakes

The new single from Canada's Woodpigeon is a precursor to the highly anticipated 6th album 'Trouble', due for release on April Fools day.

The intro is as good as they come. The eerie atmospheric sound will have Grizzly Bear listening on in awe. The simplicity of the acoustic guitars, the moody piano, and the harrowing bird-like noises make it so special.

Band leader Mark Hamilton's vocals offset the sonic dejection with their lightness but lyrically, the shade remains a permanent shade of bleak.

The protagonist immediately creates a sense of being crushed by the pressures of a relationship as Hamilton sings 'I'll always be true and blind / To your call'. Dig a little deeper and the water becomes far murkier. The immature and boorish claim 'I don' take kindly to being caged' will initially make your eyes roll. However, as Hamilton sings the title of the song repeatedly an abusive and controlling undercurrent emerges from our protagonist.

This is a fantastic return from one of Canada's most overlooked bands. This is intelligent songwriting but not just for the sake of it. It has heart and guts which all can relate to. Furthermore, it’s something the independent music community can be proud of pledging allegiance to.  

Lusts – Illuminations

Lusts are a two piece from Leicester made up of brothers Andy and James Stone. They released their debut ‘Illuminations’ in October of last year and with new single ‘Sometimes’ due for release, TT felt it right to revisit the album.

At the heart of ‘Illuminations’ is a carefree spirit searching for a release. The aforementioned single ‘Sometimes’ opens the album. Not for the last time here, a strong Echo and The Bunnymen influence looms but with a hazier touch. The chorus scratches around the edges of Stone Roses levels of euphoria, not bad for a first effort.

‘Careless’ and ‘Mouthwash’ also maintain sense of intemperance. The former takes the dreamy landscapes of Tame Impala and injects them the urgency of pop music. ‘Mouthwash’ on the other hand, is more direct with a New Order soul which is hard to dislike.

When your influences are the illuminati of the indie world, it’s tough to punch your way into their realm. Lusts, for the most part have walked that fine line just right. ‘Temptation’ aptly has Bernard Sumner vocal in tandem with looping Psychedelic Furs guitars.

Title track ‘Illuminations’ may sit in the shadows of the Bunnymen’s ‘Lips Like Sugar and ‘Bring On The Dancing Horses’ but its not to be ignored. The only thing preventing it standing alongside the scousers is the absence of Ian McCulloch’s great vocals.

Sadly the album does offer up some filler in ‘Waves’, ‘Bad Weekend’ and ‘Fountain of Love’ which, lend the album an unwanted perception of repetitiveness.

That said, the pro’s far outweighthe cons and if they drop these tracks for more experimental bugged out numbers like ‘Attraction’ then their next offing will see them striding towards the big time.

Oscar - Sometimes

Oscar’s distinctive DIY style has been putting him on the map in the past 12 months but his new single ‘Sometimes’, is taking him towards pop music royalty.

'Sometimes' is a great pop song. It has a classic structure but is delivered with lo-fi production values and brilliant deadpan vocals. Think Blur's 'Coffee and TV' meets Man Like Me and you're almost there. 

This track has brought back a much-needed quirkiness and wit to alternative pop music. Oscar's ignorance about who to support when the TV channel is turned on to a football match is priceless. 

The closing moments of 'Sometimes' will be some of the most joyous heard in 2016. The dual vocals slowly build toward a euphoric climax. We dare you to not like this song.

The Crookes - The Lucky Ones

Sheffield's The Crookes feel like a brand new band every time they resurface with new material for several reasons. Firstly, THEY NEVER AGE!!!! Secondly, and more importantly, they continue to add layers to their 50's rock n roll via The Smiths sound.

The previous album 'Soapbox' had their hardest guitar sound to date and was without a doubt, the most free-spirited they have ever sounded. New single 'Lucky Ones' continues down this path but the levels of experimentation have been upped with the inclusion of synths and fuzzy basslines.

As ever though, it’s the carefree attitude of The Crookes which makes them so appealing. As the chorus breaks joy, love, and hope are brought back to life in the alternative pop world.

When frontman Wait sings 'Oh come on / Don't you wanna be the lucky one / It goes on and on / Like staring at the sun / Do you wanna be the lucky one' the feeling that lovers are on a journey or best friends are making plans no-one else will understand looms large. Their ambition, quality, and infectiousness cannot be ignored for another album, can it?

The dream of being a great poet and a life-affirming band doesn't appeal quite so much now big record deals are off the table. The Crookes though, buck this trend, and this new single are demonstrating just how much can still be achieved.

The Last Shadow Puppets – Bad Habits

Miles Kane and Alex Turner returned this week with the first single of their forthcoming album ‘Sophomore’.

The bombastic nature plays to the strengths of Kane. It allows him to exude his aggression naturally and channel Richard Ashcroft on ‘Come On’ which live, he does better than anyone today but not always on record.

Turner meanwhile, has developed his most interest sound since ‘The Age Of The Understatement’. The twisted and hostile sound generated on the guitar has is as though Pixies or Nirvana have been re-recorded by a 60s British psyche artist.  

A big part of ‘The Age Of Understatement’ were the grandiose string arrangements. The strings here are courtesy of Owen Pallet but grandiose they are not. They too, echo a more deranged sound which is conjuring excitement at TT towers for the album. 

The Coral – Chasing The Tail Of A Dream

The Coral's release 'The Curse Of Love' seems to have reawakened the band's darker side and this continues with their latest single 'Chasing The Tail Of A Dream'.

The wonderful guitar solo will evoke the melodic genius of the 'Butterfly House' album, but the tinge of Edwyn Collins' 'Understated' and the apocalyptic drums give this song the edge they so richly needed.

Their new album 'Distance Inbetween' is released March 4th with UK and European tours in March and April and on this showing, the album and tour are not to be missed.