Tribes // The Roundhouse, London - Review

Originally posted on Little Indie Blogs, but due to technical issues, reposted here with the full article.

If any album needed selling this year, it would be Tribes' sophomore album, "Wish To Scream." After releasing the album to much anticipation from fans, having previously been promised by Johnny as far back as Reading and Leeds last year to come out in January, the album - it's fair to say - has not met critics' expectations. That is not to say the first one had any: the press expected a rocky sound with attitude to match, and after rumours of their guitarist Dan dating Scarlett Johansson, it appears they had got it.

But, then they release this slower, gentler paced album, filled to the brim with idiomatic lyrics: "keep it together, and use this time", "I don't care for dancing, but thanks for asking". Then something magical happened for me. The album clicked: if my elbow was dislocated from the shock of the album release, it was certainly back in place after this triumphant night.

sUPERfOOd

Superfood and Wolf Alice provided the rather wonderful support, and support they did give in the form of musical blessings. Superfood are a band that everyone has heard about it seems, coming out of nowhere to fill our lives with indie music that we are in dire need of, obviously. Their lyrics are verging on 'anthem'-like, but their guitar is as quirky and sharp as your diamond cutter. Their ingenuisly inspired song titled "Superfood" was no doubt a highlight of their set, but they did not have a weak song in their 25 minute performance - these are most definitely a band to look out for, with their debut EP out in September.

Wolf Alice in action

Ellie Rowsell may have been heckled to be "Tinker Bell" throughout the night, but her and Wolf Alice's sound were far from it. Personally, I had heard more of Superfood than them - and that is saying something considering they have just two songs out. Wolf Alice have an intricate guitar soundscape, backed by their incredible drummer. He is definitely one of the most impressive drummers I have seen recently; his ability to keep a beat was playing secondary to his shotgun approach to every part of his drumming. The difference between the quality in Superfood and Wolf Alice was certainly marked by the drummer.

Then it was on to the main attraction, Tribes. They grabbed me at the first hurdle, with "When My Day Comes" kicking off proceedings, followed shortly by the now 'old' fan favourite "Girlfriend." Their consistency with always adding in this and "Not So Pretty" to their homecoming gigs is high, and with a quick check, neither have been on the other setlists. A deserved bonus for the crowd.

Johnny boy

It is undeniable that with the new album, there has been some fairly harsh criticism, of which I myself am guilty of. Johnny took a moment to address this, with a brief mention of this to the endearing crowd. After chanting from the crowd of "who the fuck are NME", he paused before the traditional encore number "Coming of Age" to say: "We know some of you have been here from the start and we thank you for that, and want to let you know this: through the good times and the bad, Tribes will still be here, we'll get through." He clearly knows the reception to the album has been, from some, mediocre, and is looking to squash any fan fears. Very moving tribute to that.

You can tell it is old material coming when he picks up his electric!

As cliché as it is to write, as the final notes reverberated off the Roundhouse, the crowd left happier when they arrived. That is not to say Tribes fans are depressed, but you go to a gig to enjoy yourself - and the crowd certainly did. Crowdsurfing on the very first song was a highlight, and the continued pressure to get closer to the band reveals just how much they are loved. Along with their now much better stage prowess, Tribes have come far and should be going further in the future.

H x

Lois & The Love // War - Single

"War", the new single from Lois & The Love, is as close to a rollercoaster ride, without getting on one, that you'll possibly get this month - or even year. The psychedelic-clad sounds drench the soundwaves of the song, with clear influences from that past, following a recent trend. "War" has catchy guitar and a great rhythm to it, providing a solid foundation for the rockette that is Lois. The love most certainly is there, and they should be a huge hit at festivals this Summer!

Released on the 17th of May, this is now available from Camouflage Recordings on iTunes - you've got to watch the video below:

Tribes // Wish To Scream - Review

Just 16 months ago Tribes exploded further onto the music scene with their pounding debut album, 'Baby'. The cheeky, cliched title let on to what was to follow - rock songs, British rock songs. Personally, it soundtracked most of 2012 - it made a real connection with me. They delivered live, and I was massively looking forward to their teased 'quick' second album that they wanted to release in January of this year, just one year on. After the record label refused, and testing their often poorly received new material on the road aside from 'Dancehall', they now release "Wish To Scream".

To read the rest of the article and find out the rather brutal score, read on here: http://littleindieblogs.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/album-review-tribes-wish-to-scream.html

Daft Punk // Random Access Memories - Review

This isn't really music, but musac. I can't claim to have any previous material on my computer, or have listened to more than three of their past songs - but I now have their latest album in my library.

Now, I'm going to keep the review short, the complete opposite of the huge hype surrounding this behemoth. The variety on the album is non-existent, maybe between songs, but the songs themselves are very repetitive. This is coming from my more guitar based background, of which I really like - but I do like Daft Punk.

I was very intrigued to hear that Touch, in interviews leading up to the album, had something like 350 layers. Most of these must be submarine recordings they found, and weird synthy/piano/weird/weird sounds. So cool though.

As music, I would not sit down and listen to it, on it's own merit. I like to sit down, and enjoy music, but I wouldn't necessarily do it with this. Touch, Within and Lose Yourself to Dance are my highlights, but you could very happily state the whole album as one.

RAM is very much essential to my life - this album however, is not. But, it is essential to the genre; these robots play proper, proper music. Which I always appreciate. So, to the end of the strangest review ever, I'm going to say I probably won't listen to it again, but like it a lot.

7/10

Chapel Club // Good Together - Review

Two warning signs for this album. Firstly, this is astonishingly good music in my opinion; so don't read this or listen to Good Together if you don't like good music. Secondly, it isn't a continuation of sound: it isn't a second Palace. Not like when bands say "oh yeah, our next album is really different" and then it sounds a replica of the first LP freshly pressed of their fancy new 3D printer. Chapel Club should get one of them, and insert their creativity, love and passion for this album into it and hope it can be repeated.

A full 24 hours have passed and not one track has reached 1,000 listens yet, which is tragic - and "Just Kids" has the lowest at 400 - but this really does deserve listening to. Since their first album, they have hinted and gone in a different direction. Take the "Wintering" EP they added on to the deluxe edition of "Palace", their first LP. Soaring, high pitched vocals take the forefront, with a more soothing slow pace too. That is evident on here.

The record starts of with their mission statement: what people may call "pop songs", done good, with added emotion and meaning. "Sleep Alone" is a dancey future anthem with an insanely tight rhythm and really does show off the band. You can tell they have improved collectively, and the whole album shows this. Different band members take to the forefront, whether it be the whole band on "Good Together", the title track, or "Wordy" with it's bass driven melody. Guitar definitely is not present, or at least on the SoundCloud version of the LP, on most of the tracks. Don't shy away from that (see what I did there?). If you do, you're missing some of the best music I have heard without guitar.

My one criticism after going into their very much warning-labelled EP sample with open ears and heart, was the lyrics. I loved their first album for them: they connected in a way that was unexpected from the perhaps generic indie rock. But, the full album does not continue the trend of repetition that is seen on "Jenny Baby", perhaps the weakest of the album (if I was tied to a chainsaw and asked to pick one). "Wordy", appropriately titled, for the repetition of "wordy" throughout, but also for it's wealth of lyrics: "he sang the whole damn song, in the whole damn key". Echoes back to a conversation I had with Lewis in April. I'd like to think this was written about that very conversation, and after him already confirming way back in September last year that the album has been finished for a long time, I still would like to think that. Very much so.

"Perhaps my favourite of the album..." is the sentence I have not been looking forward to writing. I like it all; there is a lot of variety to this style of adventure. "Force you" is particularly lovely, but for completely different reasons to "Shy" or "Fruit Machine". I'd suggest you make up your own mind - unless you're a punk-enthusiast that is sitting their with a face like a deflating basketball. You should probably see a doctor about that too, although I won't force you (and again? No...?).

(Update: Scared is my favourite. Bowie-esque, and most like their old stuff. Excellent. This will probably change, I'm very indecisive.)

An odd ending to an "odd album". Lewis' words, not mine!

You can pre-order the album from iTunes, or from their shop - bonus tracks too:

9/10