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:

Facebook

Twitter

EP Review ~ Scribble Victory ~ Confidence

Hello!

Welcome to blog post 35 and happy 1st October too! Today I have a two piece from Derby called Scribble Victory. These guys have been going through the ranks of the business with numerous tours with some big artists and with the EP coming out next Friday, I'm expecting these boys to go to great heights. 

Recently the business has been overtaken with two piece bands such as Royal Blood and Honeyblood taking over BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music. It still baffles me how such an incredible sound can come from a duo and its the same with this band. 

Scribble Victory are:

Jamie Thompson - Vocals, Guitar
Tomas Ward - Vocals, Drums

Scribble Victory are an acoustic folk-rock duo that blend their harmonies with melodic rhythms and meandering guitar licks. For two people to create such an authentic sound is very impressive. In some stages of the EP it sounds quite minimalistic, but still keeps that aura about the band that they give throughout the EP. 

One of the stand out tracks to me is "Stalemate", its just such a catchy tune from just a few instruments. The acoustic guitar brings a lot to the table with the rhythm that you could hum along to easily. This track is a great example of the harmonising between Jamie and Tomas. Both blend together to make a really nice tone. 

The song writing for each song has been well thought out. I give credit to both members of the band for creating rhythms and tones that keep each song flowing. Give this EP a few listens and you'll start to really listen to the acoustic guitar especially. I think after about 4 runs through the EP I really got to know the songs so I could appreciate and take in the great guitar skills. 

Scribble Victory have been touring with a lot of names to shout about such as Johnny Foreigner, Tall Ships and Laura Stevenson. If they are securing fantastic opportunities such as this before this EP has been released then I am looking forward to following the band in their new adventures. 

The songs I would recommend to you if you haven't got time to listen to all 6 tracks are "You Wouldn't Change A Thing" and "Stalemate". The others are just as good, but these are the clear stand out tracks on this EP. 

In conclusion I really like this EP, I haven't heard a duo sound quite like this before. Its something I can't quite explain apart from saying the acoustic tones and strong drums keep the energy throughout with the distinctive vocals keeping the drive. I hope you all take the time to listen to the EP when it comes out on October 10th because these guys deserve a lot of support!

To get a flavour of the band, I'll leave the bandcamp link which has their last self-titled EP on there. This too is a fantastic edition to their overall music collection. Also a quick special thanks to Angela from Muddy Paw PR who introduced me to the band and asked me to review them. 

Thank you for reading and until next time.

Lewis

This is a song from their last self-titled EP called "Baby Steps"

Website -  www.scribblevictory.com

Bandcamp - http://scribblevictory.bandcamp.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ScribbleVictory

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scribblevictory (Warning! Profile picture may contain Chuckle Brothers)

Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/scribblevictory

EP Review - 'Never Have Enough', Carnival Youth

Hello! 

Welcome to blog post 20! 20!? How time flies! Today I have a special treat for you in the name of a young Latvian band called 'Carnival Youth'. These guys contacted me and asked if I would review their EP for them. I was privileged when I heard the sound these teens were creating. This EP is out July 21st and I cannot wait to buy it, here's why...

The band 'Carnival Youth' formed only 2 years ago and have a very Bombay Bicycle feel to them with some indie pop and folk thrown into the mix (sounds tasty right!?). Its a nice mix to say the least and one that is refreshing to my ears. The band have managed to create music which is extremely clever for teenagers to produce and create.

The EP sounds like the band have been together for 10 years and this is their 4th studio album, but instead this is their first EP!? Its got a really good vibe to the whole sound of the EP that can crank up at an instant by bringing the whole band in, to then being very atmospheric. The song "Seasons" does this very well, its one of the more louder songs and really fits nicely in the EP coming 3rd out of 5 songs. You know it's got that energy and aura about because it when you turn it off for 5 minutes and turn it back on there is a distinct feel of excitement and that 'wall of sound'.

Once the EP starts playing I can't help but nod my head to the beat of the music. They have made some great melodies throughout the EP. The vocals aren't too strenuous to listen to either, its easy going and I like that monotone voice for the band. It suits the vibe well, if he decided to try stretch his voice throughout the songs, it wouldn't work. 

The strongest song on the EP is the last song called "Never Have Enough" and also the title of the EP. The song starts off with just tambourine and guitar to then introduce the piano with the main melody. This clever little tune has a great change for the chorus which lifts the whole vibe of the song to change to a shuffle and a key change, it definitely needed it to keep the song growing strong. By the third listen I was already humming along to the whole song.

I always enjoy a whole album to keep on a constant rollercoaster. This band do this throughout, where your ears don't know what is coming next during the tracks. 

Is it going to breakdown? Is it going to start building up? Just when your mind starts to think these through, they're throwing you off to something completely different. 

The one thing that intrigued me the most when I stumbled across a live video of them playing was the fact the drummer was also the lead singer!? I was astonished because being a drummer, I know how difficult it is to sing and play at the same time. Especially the level he is playing at for a teenager too, incredible talent! 

My personal favourite is 'Brown Eyes', its got a nice guitar melody to it to then come in with a well written drum part. The chorus is very punchy, more hard hitting than the verse which keep my head bopping (you'll have to see for yourself)!

This band are doing very well with getting the attention of the business as they have done festivals such as The Great Escape in Brighton.  They are also already booked to perform at some of Eastern Europe's biggest music festivals this summer including Sziget, and Positivus; Carnival Youth perform the following UK dates:

July 20 - Guilfest Festival
21 Lock Tavern, London (EP launch)
22 Purple Turtle, Reading
23 The Garage, London (w/ The Escapists + The Half Earth)


Look out for this bands name in the next few years as I feel they are going to blow up quickly and I have been privileged to review this EP of theirs. I look forward to going to one of their gigs very soon and don't forget to check out their EP which comes out on the 21st July 2014!

Thank you very much for reading and until next time

Lewis

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarnivalYouth

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/carnivalyouth

Z-Star 16 Tons EP + Live Review

Hello!

Today I will be talking about a fantastic band I discovered at the Brighton Fringe festival on Saturday. The name, Z-Star, the game, to create some powerful blues/rock music.

Before I get into the review I'd like to say that female blues singers are really shining through at the moment. I have discovered more female singers that have really impressed me than male of late. The people I'm talking about are Beth Hart (she'll be coming to this blog soon), Colleen Rennison (from the band No Sinner, check out the review) and then we have Zee Gachette, the singer for Z-Star for whom is one to watch out for!

On with the review!

EP Review:

So, Z-Star are definitely a band that are making music that sounds very exciting. Zee's singing is incredible in these songs, its nice to hear a singer really push their voices to the limit. On the record it sounds like she is performing in the EP instead of just singing for the record, so confident and always pushing the boundaries. 


The song '16 Tons of Love' is definitely the strongest song on the album, driving bass and drums accompanied by the guitar for the riff.  The structure to the song keeps you motivated till the end. The drums do a great job of splitting the verses and chorus' apart with the use of toms for the verse. It also accompanies the low bass line to make the verse a very solid introduction to the song and throughout. 

'The Good Woman' tones it down from the hard driving lines in 16 Tons, but has very clever sections to this song. From the word go it sounds like a very heavy song, but tones down to a funk/blues song with Zee's vocals really shining through on this song. Even with a section that is completely different to the song can assure you that this band mean business! 

All of the structures in the songs are really well laid out and studied to keep the listener entertained throughout. Although from time to time I come across a new band and their songs have hope, but its very 'samey'. This band are different which is half the reason why I am making this blog. 
Now let me move onto their live performance where I saw the band for the first time. 


Live Review:

I was volunteering for The Great Escape festival and I was given a few hours just to have a look around at some of the acts and as I was walking along New Road in Brighton, I could hear someone cranking a guitar up and it sounded exciting so I couldn't resist. I was given a flyer and one review said "one blues/rock band to watch out for", being a blues lover anyway, I was pretty sold to watching these guys. 

From the first 2 songs, I knew this band were fantastic. So much energy to provide and give to the audience. Zee's performance skills are through the roof, she was a born entertainer. The confidence that comes from everyone in that band makes them hard to not look away from. Everyone is moving about, communicating, interacting with the audience and just having a damn good time which is what everyone wants to see. 

If you think Zee's singing only sounds good on the record, you are wrong. If anything it sounds better live, pushing more limits and boundaries and setting the bar for this band very high. 

I'm not sure if the guitarist is different from the EP to the performance because he seemed to be a lot more confident live with his solo's. In some ways he was giving it more than 100% on the performance because I noticed after the first song his whole palm of his hand was bleeding!? Rock and roll man! 

Z-Star at The Brighton Fringe

If you ever get the chance to see this band live, then go check them out as this is definitely a band I would love to see again. They were only on for 45 minutes, but their performance has still stuck with me. 

Thank you for taking your time once again to read my blogs, it is always greatly appreciated.

Until next time!

Lewis :)

Website: http://www.zstarmusic.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZSTARMUSIC