EP Review ~ Friar's Lantern ~ The Moments That Define Us: Part 1

Welcome to this weeks EP review, today I have a band who have featured on this blog twice already! They're popular with Love Life, Love Music! They're called Friar's Lantern and they have recently released an EP to follow up from the hype they've received from previous releases. Each release has been reviewed on my blog and a link to those will be at the bottom of this review. 

Friar's Lantern are a electronic ambient duo from Brighton, UK. They have really stepped up their game from their first single release. This EP is one for headphones to really let your ears listen to everything that's going on in the music. The introduction really gives the listener a feel for what is to come. A driving and heavy electronic drum beat accompanied by some quite enthralling bass. 

Friar's Lantern's persona in their music is stamped by the way they use quotes from films as part of the music. A cinematographic outlook on their music is the way to approach this one of a kind style that isn't being done anywhere else. Each quote they use has a very interesting meaning behind it. My favourite quote out of all of them is in the last song "Telos" and the quote is "Music is more than a matter of playing the right notes".   

For the interlude in the EP, they have taken parts from the track before called "Voices". I really like the way they've done this, it takes you back to the track before and makes you remember what was played. They made it sound slightly 'Doctor Who' like within the track that is very atmospheric. 

My personal favourite is the final track on the EP, "Telos". It really displays what Friar's Lantern are capable of and Hayden's guitar skills are demonstrated throughout this song. From simple delicate tones to using pedals to make it sound harsh and brash for what the song needs. Though the song does end quite suddenly, which was a bit of a shock considering it keeps building towards then end, its definitely the stand-out track on the EP. 

I really enjoyed this EP and I'd like you all to go check it out and see what you think of it yourself. Friar's Lantern's music is nothing I've heard out there and certainly has made a long lasting impression on me. I look forward to Part 2 of their EP coming in 2015 and you can be sure there will be a review of it too. 

Thank you very much for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 


Listen to the EP - here


Reviews:

Possessive Voices

Introduction

Links:

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Twitter

Love Life Love Music's Christmas Triple Decker of Reviews

Welcome to this weeks main post which isn't your usual album review, today I have three festive singles reviewed for you that will get you in the Christmas spirit. 

1. The Retrospective Soundtrack Players ~ 'Christmas Day'

The first one comes from The Retrospective Soundtrack Players and they have their very own Christmas single out along with a tour.

Obviously a Christmas song comes with a happy tune and some melodies that are easy to hum along to. Though this song has a little twist, a Retrospective Soundtrack Players twist. Instead of writing lyrics about families and the Christmas spirit, they talk about Christmas eve when you go up to the pub and get hammered and suffering the day after. 

In the second verse the lyrics are "See the drunks crawl home to their beds to lay, they're gonna be hungover on Christmas day". This is a great twist about Christmas because I've never heard a band sing about things that actually happen the night before the big day. 

With their soft guitar tones and simple drum beats, its an easy song to get into and really enjoy. It certainly sounds a lot different to your typical Christmas track with acoustic guitars being the focal point in the track. Guests on the video and  involve Frank Turner, Ben Marwood and Chris T-T.

The band will be playing down at The Brunswick in Brighton tomorrow evening to finish off their festive tour! Go check out this song and the band in Brighton tomorrow!

2. The Courtesans ~ 'The Power of Love'

This Christmas song is a little different from your average happy song. The Courtesans, who I have reviewed on this blog before, have come out all guns blazing with a rather dark Christmas song. People who know who The Courtesans are (or if you read my review), you'll know that this quartet of female singers are in the genre of doom-pop. 

They have taken a meaningful song and put a lot of guitars and heavy drums over the top. It still has the same driving pace, but just feels like its got a lot more to give. It sounds a lot more as if someones crying out for the power of love. It sounds very atmospheric, but heavy at the same time. The vocals are the key point in this track, very graceful, yet dark.

The intro disguises the actual force the song is producing. Its too techno for my liking, but as soon as the vocals kick in, its after this point where it sounds like a really interesting track. I wanted to review this track and share it with you guys because its so different to other Christmas tracks I've heard this year. I hope you guys are into it as much as me, let me know what you think!

Here are a few dates for 2015 to get the chance to see The Courtesans live:

February 14th - The Macbeth, London

February 27th - The Box, Crewe

February 29th - The Railway, Bolton

3. Train ~ Shake Up Christmas

The final Christmas review I have for you come from the band 'Train' and their 2010 single 'Shake Up Christmas'. This song has been on my mind for a good few days now and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I like a good Christmas song that's catchy, has some cheesy lyrics and also gets everyone singing along. 

Give it 5 or so listens and you'll think this song should be the new Christmas number one! Keeping the structures simple, its just what these kind of songs need.  The video to the song has all the elements with snow, tinsel, lights and Santa hats. It makes you get into the spirit 

Train have done a great job for creating a new Christmas song that sounds festive, has a catchy riff and will get a slot in anyone's Christmas playlist! I wanted to let everyone open up their Christmas playlists to a little bit more choice and I hope this has expanded your playlists for the big day! From abstract to the most festive songs possible, its always a great time for music like this and I really hope you enjoy these three. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lewis 

Top 5 Albums Of 2014 *50th Review Special*

Hello and welcome to a very special review for Love Life, Love Music. I will be looking back at the top 5 albums of 2014 that I have reviewed on this blog. They don't have to have been released in 2014, they are albums that I have reviewed this year on my blog. At the end of the Top 5 you can find links to all the artists reviews on my blog. So sit back and guess which albums have made it onto the top 5 list! Lets go!

5. Honeyblood - Self Titled

When I first heard this album a few months back I was blown away with their unique and very 90's alternative rock/punk sound. With the Scottish female duo storming the playlists of Radio 1 and Radio 6 Music its no wonder they're becoming one of the hottest acts this year. Along with being part of the NME newcomer tour this year too they are ones to watch in 2015.

Songs such as "Fall Forever", "Killer Bangs" and "Choker" make this band very distinctive and don't sound like anything else out there. This album is a unique experience and one that I think everyone should give a listen to if you enjoy alternative rock.

4. Royal Blood - Self Titled

This is another duo that have excelled in the industry this year. These guys took the summer by storm and shot straight to number one in the UK top 40 album charts.  It was a special occasion because these guys are all about powerful rock. Its been ages since an album that's complete rock from top to bottom beat everything out the way to push straight to number one. This album was named 'The Re-Birth Of Rock' and I would agree. With the clever pedals and other technology, the bass is made to sound like a guitar and everyone was amazed on how this was done. 

Simple beats, but hard hitting fulfill this album and even though the record is just under 35 minutes long, its worth every minute. I was very impressed with each song and how different they sound from each other considering this is only a duo producing this music all in the same genre. Songs like "Figure It Out", "Little Monster" and "Come On Over" are real rock out songs, I have blasted this out in my car without a care in the world. I just hope other rock bands will follow suit. 

3. Gregory Porter - Liquid Spirit

It comes to no surprise to me when this was one of the first albums I wanted in my top 5. Gregory Porter's album Liquid Spirit introduced me to one of the best male vocals in jazz at the current time. Very slick, smooth and just makes it look so easy to sing these incredible notes and any vocalist will know its very difficult to sing jazz in the first place. 

Watching a preview video for the album it showed how much Gregory puts into the album and shows how much talent this guy has. He writes all the music and composes each part, writes the lyrics and produces the music along with a producer to make sure it sounds to his desires. For someone to do that is extremely special and not many people do all of these things when recording an album. Each song is special and has a real identity and spirit to it which is rare to find in albums. Songs like "Liquid Spirit", "Hey Laura" and "Water Under Bridges" are personal songs to me and if you give the album a listen, you'll have your own personal songs from this album. 

2. The Cape Race - Home,Truths

This album was a close first because of the amount that I've been listening to these boys. The Cape Race are a rock band from Manchester and they know how to produce a quality rock album. A top quality rock album. Each song has a punchy, powerful and catchy at the same time. The vocals for this album are what make this band so unique, powerful raspy voice echoes throughout the whole record. 

A well recorded and produced album that has had me put this on repeat since its release. This was easily my summer album and chill out to and headbang away in the car, bus, train, anywhere! Its not a heavy rock album for the most part so it appeals to a large audience, though at times it gets heavy and good heavy too! The band know how to rock out in style and do it in the best way possible. I highly recommend this album to anyone who remotely is into rock because you won't turn back!

Drum roll for number 1....



1. Paolo Nutini - Caustic Love

Back in April 2014, one of the best albums of the year was released. When I first heard it from top to bottom, I instantly said "this could be my album of the year already". Come the end of the year and it still is...by a clear mile. This album came out of nowhere for me, it was an amazing surprise. I hadn't listened to Paolo Nutini a great deal before then with his previous album so I wasn't excited for this album or knew when it was coming out. 

I was extremely surprised with the pure quality that this album offers. From the songwriting to session musicians, I can't fault it. I always try find one thing that is wrong or could've been changed with an album, but this is just too good. Listening to the record from top to bottom is an experience, each song having its own unique identity. Paolo's voice has matured from the 5 year gap between his old album. Emotional, pure and faultless from his vocals which just blew me away from the first track. 

I really enjoyed the interludes in the album, not many people can pull them off but the obscurity of them is genius. Each song makes me think "how does one person come up with this song, how did he get to where this song is". Its nothing like I've heard this year and I encourage you all to buy this album on any platform. I have bought it on vinyl and as a digital download and the artwork in the vinyl sleeves are so pretty and worth the money without even listening to the album itself. 

So...there we have it, my top 5 albums of the year. Did you guess which one was going to be number one? This year has been crazy for my blog, I started it in March this year and have never looked back or regretted it. 

I wanted to thank all of you who have read my blog so far (and thanks to those in the future too). Thank you to every company or individual who has emailed me with new music, news, tours and even Christmas cards! Its been a rollercoaster and next year will be even better. This is also my 50th post as well and thinking that I've reviewed 50 artists on my blog is outstanding. Keep listening to amazing music and support live music too!

Thank you very much for reading and have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Lewis 


5. Honeyblood Review

4. Royal Blood Review

3. Gregory Porter Review

2. The Cape Race Review

1. Paolo Nutini Review

Single Of The Week ~ Joe Bonamassa & Beth Hart ~ Miss Lady

Hello and welcome to this weeks single of the week! This week I have been really getting back into an artist called Beth Hart recently and in particular one of the songs she performed with Joe Bonamassa on a duet album they made called "Miss Lady". This album came out last year and if you love soul, blues and funk then this is an album for you. 

'Miss Lady' from the first note gives you everything its got and still delivers throughout the song. They have really given this song a lot of thought with all of the breaks in it. Each individual instrument is heard clearly on this song from horns, organ, guitar, bass and of course Beth's vocals. 

The horns are a fantastic edition to the song, it really gives the song a completely new dimension. Using them for the introduction, you know that there's something special on offer. If you really focus on listening to them they're giving the song a lot of diversity and driving the song forward. They can sometimes be overshadowed by Joe's guitar playing, especially in the solo, but keeping song grooving is what it needs. 

One of the highlights of this song is Beth's incredibly soulful voice. With that rasp in her voice, it gives her vocals that edge that is so distinctive. Especially in the break down which sounds like the song is ending already, she really gives it everything she's got. It sounds like she is shouting because of that rasp in her voice, but its pure notations from her and sounds breathtaking!

I would recommend any album by her if you enjoy this song. Even on some of the more mellow songs, her voice continues to impress me. I look forward to a new album from her very soon as its been a long time coming! Even if its another collaboration album with Joe Bonamassa, it would still be an excellent piece of music on display. 

Photo Credit: Christie Goodwin

If you think from this track she is good live, I can wholeheartedly tell you she is incredible live and she's coming back to the UK for a tour next Spring! Here are the dates:

Bristol Colston Hall                         Friday May 1

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall       Sunday May 3

Glasgow O2 ABC                              Wednesday May 6

London Barbican                              Friday May 8

Leeds Academy                                Saturday May 9

Cambridge Corn Exchange           Monday May 11

Nottingham Rock City                    Wednesday May 13

You can expect to find me at the UK date for sure, I've seen her twice already too! Thank you very much for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 

Beth Hart Website

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Single Review ~ New Hands ~ Strange Attractor

This weeks single review will be looking at a five piece band called New Hands. Coming from a Canadian/Leeds background, the group have a lot of influences for its style and the way the music is produced from artists such as Caribou. You can check out the song at the bottom of this review.

The electronic blends of guitars and synths bind together to create a pulsing beat to drive the music forward. Using layers of music within each section of the song keeps the listener wanting more... and they get more.The vocals seem to really become a major part of the song when everything is kicked up a gear mid-way through song like some sort of chorus, but doesn't have the major distinct features of a chorus. From simple beat textures added to the baritone vocals, this song has got it all. 

Produced by 'Holy F***s' Graham Walsh, it is clear that the electronic textures used are spaced evenly with a great sound. This track is recommended for headphone users to really get an essence of each layer and texture added to the track. From synthetic melodies to tambourine, its clear that the producer has thought about how to make this song sound big and it has paid off. 

The vocals on the record give the track another dimension, the range makes the whole track seem rather disco-punk, but with the flamboyancy of electronic stages pushing and driving the song forward.

If you enjoy the track, be sure to keep an eye out for the bands debut album release that's due in 2015. With thanks too to Partisan PR for introducing me to the band, I'm looking forward to seeing what is in store for the band in 2015.



Thanks for reading and until next time

Lewis

Soundcloud Link - Strange Attractor

Single Of The Week ~ Skinny Lister ~ Trouble On Oxford Street

This weeks 'Single Of The Week' comes from the band called Skinny Lister. These guys are an English folk infused punk/rock 6 piece band from London that are all about making a scene. They play wherever their hearts desire and they perform it in emphatic fashion. With the likes of double bass and accordion added into the mix of their sound, you're bound to love these guys. 

Having newly signed to Xtra Mile Recordings, (home to the likes of Frank Turner, To Kill A King and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) their new single 'Trouble On Oxford Street' is a very bubbly, happy and good ol' fashioned all round dance folk record. With the vocalists unique blend of English come Londoner accent, it makes for a really interesting track. The song gets right into it from the off with the whole band singing part of the chorus. The verses are telling the tale of a guy who's been in a fight on Oxford Street where he's 'lost a little blood and a couple of teeth'. 

The words to the song could be quite dark, but because of the melody and energy of the track, it makes the whole thing seem like a lot of fun. A little bit like if you went out with your mates one night, things got a little bit out of hand and then the next day you all found it funny. 

The video (which I will leave a the bottom of this review) is again, lots of energy, fun-filled and involves London as a whole. The band play on the streets of what I presume is Oxford Street, playing their song on a bus and at a live venue. With double bass twirling, accordion throwing and lots of dancing between the six of them, its no wonder these guys are making a name for themselves. 

Skinny Lister have announced a massive Spring tour too which starts at the end of April and carries on into May. If their live shows are anything like the video, then you're all in for a treat and I may have to go buy myself a ticket too! 

Here's the tour dates:

22/04 Birmingham   The Rainbow 
23/04 Glasgow       Nice N Sleazy
24/04 Edinburgh     Voodoo Rooms
25/04 Newcastle     Cluny 2
28/04 Manchester   The Deaf Institute 
29/04 Leeds           Brudenell Social Club
30/04 Sheffield       The Leadmill
01/05 Nottingham   Bodega
02/05 Cambridge    J2 @ Cambridge Junction 
05/05 Bristol          The Exchange
06/05 Cardiff          Clwb Ifor Bach
07/05 London         O2 Islington Academy
08/05 Norwich        Waterfront Studio
09/05 Leicester       O2 Academy 2


So head on down to one of these dates next year for what is guaranteed a great night. Their new album lands next April 20th 2015 called 'Down On Deptford Broadway' which I personally cannot wait for! So go on... check out this very energetic and thrilling folk/punk band and have a good ol' dance in your house (or work if you're brave enough).

With thanks also to Partisan PR for introducing me to the band. Thanks for reading and until next time. 

Lewis 

'Trouble On Oxford Street'

Website: http://skinnylister.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/skinnylister

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skinnylister

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/skinnylister