NTTR - No Time to Review

A solid instrumental post-rock album with some good atmospheric moments and powerful guitar arrangements, but one that follows the genre's familiar formulas a little too closely. Siete sees Toundra returning with a slightly renewed sound, introducing more synthesizers alongside their usual combination of heavy guitars, melodic passages and progressive instrumental structures. The production is clear and powerful, and the electronic textures add some depth without changing the band's identity. “30960” is my favourite track. I particularly enjoy its more direct and compact approach, with a driving rhythm and a heavier, more immediate energy. It doesn't rely as much on the usual slow build-ups, which makes it stand out from the rest of the album. The riffs are effective, and the relatively concise structure works well. “Costa Roja” is another good track, particularly because of its atmospheric sections and stronger dynamic contrasts. “Rapier” has some enjoyable guitar melodi...

A very personal and occasionally touching soul album, with some elegant arrangements, but one that I find rather uneven and often too theatrical for my taste. LOVE sees Dexys Midnight Runners returning to their original name, with Kevin Rowland reflecting on his life, relationships and family. Produced by David Holmes, the album combines Northern soul, disco, orchestral pop and intimate piano ballads. The production is warm and sophisticated, although I sometimes feel that the arrangements are more interesting than the songs themselves. “It's Over Now” is my favourite track. I enjoy its lively Northern soul rhythm, the catchy chorus and the contrast between the melancholic lyrics and the energy of the music. It's one of the few songs where everything comes together naturally without feeling overly dramatic. “You've Got The Love” has an enjoyable disco groove, while “My Life In England Pt. 1” offers some interesting arrangements and autobiographical storytelling. “Once A M...

A warm and beautifully performed folk album that brings together several American musical traditions, but one where I find the performances more memorable than the songs themselves. Hope Is the Thing with Feathers takes Rhiannon Giddens back to her musical roots, combining traditional folk, old-time, blues and gospel with some more contemporary arrangements. Recorded largely live in the studio, the album has a very natural sound, with banjo, fiddle, guitars and accordion giving plenty of space to the voices and the interaction between musicians. “Carolina Rain” is my favourite track. I particularly enjoy its more developed arrangement, the warm melody and the way the different instruments work together. The addition of drums, bass and slide guitar gives it a stronger sense of movement, making it one of the most immediately enjoyable songs on the album. The title track is another good moment, with a simple melody and an intimate interpretation of Emily Dickinson's words. “Wish in ...

A solid alternative rock album with some good melodies and emotional songwriting, but a little too conventional and repetitive to really stand out. Violins continues Blondshell's exploration of nineties-inspired indie rock, with atmospheric guitars, heavier distorted sections and Sabrina Teitelbaum's distinctive vocals. The production is well balanced, and the arrangements give the songs enough space without losing their energy. “Sea Legs” is my favourite track. I particularly enjoy its melancholic atmosphere and the way the guitars gradually add depth to the song. The melody works well, and the arrangement feels more developed than on some of the other tracks. “Violins” is another good song, with an effective contrast between quiet passages and heavier guitars, while “Heart Has To Work So Hard” has a catchy chorus and a more direct energy. “Lucky” brings some welcome lightness, and “New Age Trojan Horse” stands out for its more abrasive sound. I like Teitelbaum's vocal d...

An energetic mix of dance-punk, acid house and indie rock, with some enjoyable grooves and a good sense of humour, but not enough personality or memorable songs to really stand out. Adult DVD's debut combines British post-punk with the rhythms and synthesizers of nineties rave music. The result sits somewhere between LCD Soundsystem, Soulwax, Happy Mondays and Primal Scream, with a deliberately messy and irreverent approach that works better on some tracks than others. “Rolling Face” is my favourite track. I particularly enjoy its more hypnotic atmosphere and the way the electronic arrangements have room to develop. It's one of the few moments where the band moves beyond its usual energetic formula and creates something a little more interesting. “Do As I Please” is an effective opener, with a good transition from indie-rock rhythms to electronic textures. “Coffin Dodger” has an enjoyable groove, while “Real Tree Lee” brings a darker atmosphere and a strong bassline. “Cowboy O...

An interesting mix of indie rock, alt-country and noisy experimentation, with plenty of personality and some good ideas, but an album that feels a little too long and unfocused. All Set The Bone takes Greg Freeman's sound in a more adventurous direction, with heavier guitars, unpredictable arrangements and songs that move between intimate folk-rock passages and noisy, almost chaotic sections. John Congleton's production gives the album a rough and sometimes abrasive character that generally works well. “Marooned” is my favourite track. I particularly enjoy the way it develops from a relatively simple folk-rock arrangement into something much more intense, with violins, distorted guitars and some interesting changes in atmosphere. It's one of the moments where the experimental approach genuinely improves the song. “Totaled” is another good track, with energetic guitars and shifting rhythms, while “Hail Mary” works well because of the contrast between its quiet introduction...

A lively and enjoyable mix of traditional Irish folk and punk energy, with plenty of personality, humour and some genuinely good songs. Paddywhackery combines traditional Irish instruments with a more direct rock sound, keeping the political anger and rebellious attitude that define The Mary Wallopers. The accordion, banjo, pipes and guitars work particularly well together, giving the album a very organic and energetic character. “The Juice” is my favourite track. It has one of the strongest melodies on the album, and I particularly enjoy the way the arrangement develops into a lively instrumental section. It captures the band's ability to make traditional Irish music feel immediate and exciting without losing its roots. “Crowns of England” is another strong track, with a catchy melody and a sharp political message, while “The Big Mixer” has a great collective energy and an effective chorus. “Landlord's Demise” works well with its more stripped-down arrangement, and “The Mick...