Eminem - We Made You
We waited years for THIS? Does Eminem assert his position as the rapper
by whom all others should be measured? Does he attack the pretenders to
his throne who've come up while he's been away? No, he makes a song
with a stupid pop chorus and attacks such targets as Jessica Simpson
and Jennifer Aniston. Not only is this not slightly daring, it's out-of-
date - how long is it since anyone, even the tabloids, cared remotely
about Jessica Simpson? This is not just a lame retread of the other
The King Blues - I Got Love
Currently all over Kerrang and NME, being presented as if they're the
only band who've ever made any sort of political statement, it's hard
to begrudge the KIng Blues their success, considering how long they've
slogged in the punk underground. This acoustic-lead song is bright and
jolly and a great summery pop song. The extent of the politics is the
line "we are all one people/that means we're all equal" - hmm, deep -
but hey, it's summer, let's just dance.
7/10
Ed Chapman
Marmadude Duke - Rubber Lover
Short and sweet, and beautifully upbeat (I made a rhyme), Rubber Lover is a summer sound from an unlikely source. Marmaduke is the ambitious multi-album concept side project of Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil and JP Reid of Sucioperro, but do not let that lead you to believe the music is inaccessible. This is a great pop track from a great rock duo, with Neil's vocals familiar and soft, Scottish accent caressing your eardrums for a smile inducing track that is two seconds shy of two minutes. Pick up the download now.
8/10
Jeremy Buck
Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - The Century of Self
"The Century of Self" is the Austin, TX band ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead's latest effort. Not being terribly familiar with their prior work, under the impression that they might have been part of the Vans Warped Tour (the largest punk rock tour in my native United States), and highly skeptical of their pretentiously long band name, I was expecting dissonant screaming about fighting the power accompanied by unoriginal guitar work. However, I was pleasantly surprised and underestimated the maturity of this band.
Architects - Academy 3 - 17th January
First band of the evening are Vancouver’s A Textbook Tragedy, who unfortunately do not inspire much confidence with their generic brand of American metalcore. This isn’t to say that there was anything wrong with their set, Chris Bahris’ vocals could not be faulted and the kids certainly reacted to the beatdown-laden set with some energetic pit action, but I could not stop myself wishing I was watching Misery Signals instead.
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S. Thompson
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S. Thompson
Rating: 8/10
