...the opening track, 'Never Know Why', is simultaneously mellow and serious, the second, 'Target Down', bouncier and more alive and the third, 'Summer Madness', more dreamy. They're never convincingly summery, though, therefore very like the summer of '98. I like the hint of strings and acoustic delicacy. The third track is my personal preference and I'd go as far as to say it's going down the road towards exquisite, but with some way still to go.
...consist of THIRTEEN people, and there's pictures of them all to prove it, and they are supported by the National Lottery. Their sound is jazz meets rock'n'roll and moves onto soul from opener 'Shake' through 'Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart' and 'Son Of A Preacher Man' to 'Mustang Sally'. All covers I believe. Very brassy and obviously skilfully done, but I can't help feeling there must be a point here somewhere that I'm missing...
...here are depths and strings - from just a three-piece. I like it. There are many layers with sensuous female vocals on top. It reminds me of Kristin Hersh in a dark soft mood crossed with Norwich band Steerpike, whom no one will have heard of and I'm not even sure they still exist so I don't know why I'm even trying to use them as a cultural reference point, except that they were the band that immediately sprang to mind when I listened to this band. The last track 'Brighton Rocks' is louder and more substantial, but that doesn't necessarily denote any change in quality. I want to listen to it again immediately but force myself to move onto...
...this is a split CD on Brummie record label Delta Loop Recordings by two Birmingham bands. General Kingpin claim to be rock'n'roll. According to the press release their music intends “to be a very deliberate, restrained mix of decades of the best guitar music...” Erm... I think I can hear some Status Quo in here. They've got energy and probably a small hardcore of dedicated fans. Their songs are solid, quick-paced and, I imagine, good for jumping up and down to at gigs, but they lack much innovation and edge. Pigfish are punk. They are also energetic and enthusiastic and probably reasonable live, but not very much more exciting, though. However, their press release is different in that the majority of it seems to be a angst-ridden rant against guitar solos. So there you go.