Search for refreshing style performed on Thursday, 8th January 2009.
refreshing style
We found the term refreshing style in 49 articles.
Pop Threat: Amarantal Meltdown
Pop Threat's 4-track EP release on Mook Records begins with an eerie twist of distorted, effects driven guitars coupled with vocals by Caroline, creating a total wall of sound, perhaps an up-to-date Sonic Youth with an almost-melody shining through.
'In a Cave' is taken from Tokyo Police Club's debut album 'Elephant Shelf,' and if this track is anything to go by then the current chart-bothering indie giants had better watch out.
The Black Madonnas rock - they're on a Sonic Mook Experiment tour, they're mates with The Beatings, they recorded at Toerag before it was cool and the b-side of the new single is a cover of Gwen Guthrie's "Rent." Title track "Judas", follows a similar style to their last single "White Sands" and sounds like a slightIy chirpy Nick Cave backing a laid back to rawkous sound that by the time the last chorus chant of Judas comes in you can't resist.
Think early New Order or Joy Division, think Arab Strap, remember the Blue Aeroplanes and take a pinch of Echoboy for the backing tracks and you will be somewhere near the mark for describing Cosmonaut.
The Future Of Transporte: Robots Of Power EP
Some all round poor production (that's music and packaging) scores marks against new Leeds outfit The Future Of Transporte.
Interesting ways to sort out your band's musical direction number 341 - take the Kaiser Chiefs' sharp approach to indie-pop, add a dash of razorblade guitar riffs, some Stooges style onstage hyperactivity, stick a rocket up its jacksy and enjoy.
Phoenix Bodies: Raise The Bullshit Flag
Jesus. This is sort-of the hardest review I've ever written. Ok, it could be a case of "if you like Converge and mean it, you'll like Phoenix Bodies".
The Conspirators @ Joseph's Well
The Conspirators are a product of the magic of communication; either by word of mouth or internet, somehow these five people came together - maybe it was fate, maybe it was chance...
Aarkle Hooman: Pink Gorilla EP
The Pink Gorilla EP is the dazzling debut from the bizarrely named Aarkle Hooman. An upbeat electro pop rock duo who were once a full band but then felt that they sounded better as a keyboard/guitar combo.
The Casanovas are an antipodean rock band, which should tell you something. Picture the big riffs (think ZZ Top), swagger vocals (Mick Jagger) and 80's rock drums.
These 4 lads hail from Huddersfield, and are fairly embryonic as they formed in 2006. The time spent since has been put to productive use under the watchful eye of producer Steve Whitfield, resulting in this 3 track offering.
I was really dubious about this album at first, I mean, just how many singing frontman (or woman) bassists do you know?
Mr Shiraz @ Scullys (Heckmondwike)
The Agency Well I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I've seen The Agency. They play a kind of punked up ska, which is a refreshing change from what we hear all to often coming out of America.
You've probably already got records in your collection that sound like this one, the thing is, you probably stole those records from your dad.
I was disturbed when I received this CD through the post. Not by the cover or the content, but by what it said on the label stuck to it.
Considering this Leeds supergroup's weight in their hometown since the release of this debut self-titled release, I almost didn't dare review this in case I didn't like it and they came and decked me.
Public Relations Exercise: Maximiser Coordinator
The three track "Maximiser Coordinator" CD from the Leicester-based five-piece alt / experimental / hardcore outfit Public Relations Exercise is either a poorly timed EP release or a taster from their forthcoming album, "Come you are safe we are from the bombs", released through the indie label Field Records and apparently due late February.
To be honest I've never seen Downfall before, never heard a single note played by this lot before, I've heard good things, don't get me wrong, but I've never been to a gig to see them play, call it laziness I guess...
The Unisex: Pigs In Their Farms
Something's happening in Europe. I guess it was always coming, but after years of exporting nothing but throwaway pop trash, those wacky Europeans are finally delivering something great.
The Pipers: Medicine Cabinet EP
Imagine, if you will, The Spin Doctors meet Pavement with Ray Lamontage as the lead singer. That's what we have here with this fantastic EP from The Pipers.
The Detonators @ Joseph's Well
Despite an interesting stage get up (bandit style scarves over their faces and shirts with military targets on them) the Detonators take their sound and pretty much every move they make straight out of 1979, and with such cutting edge opening lines as 'You middle-class wankers' they obviously mean business.
Nerina Pallot: Learning to Breathe
The third single from Pallot's quietly yet warmly received Fires reiterates the songstress' essential life-affirming message as conveyed through her lyrics of self-doubt and perseverance coupled with the magical musical arrangements.
d-koy have hair that has not been seen since Hundred Reasons first graced the stage all those years ago.
The first band were STONEFISH who I'd never seen before. The things that struck me were the singer's amazing natural voice and the guitarist's energy.
Good Shoes: Think Before You Speak
I was slightly sceptical about how I would find South London quartet Good Shoes' début album, 'Think before you speak'.
Pretty Girls Make Graves @ Joseph's Well
First up at The Well tonight were local sleaze punk rockers Buzzkill. A favourite in the local scene, Buzzkill have developed a popular status and rightly so.
Having become rather disconsolate by seeing many unsigned bands who simply mimic their heroes, often succeeding in recreating the look rather than the sound of say the Libertines, Oasis and the Strokes, it was refreshing to see two bands for whom the music definitely came first at the Bassment.
Sound Asleep @ Woodkirk Valley Country Club
CUTOUT HERO This three-piece were the first band of the day that I saw as I was late. Playing a mellow sort of rock/punk with even a little bit of ska thrown in every now and then, they sounded pretty good for their age, and were reasonably well rehearsed.
It was with a sense of trepidation that frontman Will South seemed to step out from the backstage with.
Tonight's showcase at Josephs Well was in aid of Link Community Development to raise money for the Leeds University Hitch hike to Morocco.
Punk glam rockers Phluid's debut LP 'Cynical Smile' does exactly what you want it to - plays loud, fast and with it's cross dressing, black-eyed, drug pumped heart on it's sleeve.
Spear of Destiny @ Joseph's Well
About 10 minutes before Catylyst were due on stage, I was asked by a certain gentleman if I'd review tonight's proceedings.
Putting Air Traffic as the second band on the line-up is extremely misleading. The implication given to the unsuspecting audience is that their performance will be equal to that of a slapdash support slot; anyone expecting this kind of set is about to be proved wrong in the most spectacular fashion.
After already being one up on the fact I had seen these girls perform all these tracks live, whilst supporting The Almighty in Sheffield, I was interested to see how well it sounded on more produced level because their set was pretty bloody good.
Now here's something you don't get very often - a band who like indie music but don't sound like The Stone Roses or Oasis.
The Cockpit is the place of dreams. Yeh, maybe a bit hyperbolic, but somehow smothered in truth. The venue, which is a stone's throw from the train station, is the hub of uncategorisable style dripping with the Northern nonchalant indie darlings clad in their sprayed on jeans.
Not many people are here to watch Buzzkill; a real shame, as they give it their all. Unfortunately there is a problem with the saxophone, meaning we don't get to see Matt Perrot strut his stuff, and this leaves half a brass section by the name of Ben Whittington, who's trumpet can barely be heard except during his fiddly solos.
Well to say it's my first gig of the year, it's a packed Mixing Tin, and how impressed was I this evening - VERY!
Entering the Leeds Irish Centre for the first time (after finding it with surprising ease) it was refreshing to find a large audience already gathered and paying attention to the support bands.
I must admit, sitting in 'The Angel', (good cheap drinks here ladies and gentlemen), en route to 'The Roscoe' I was lost in the conversation from the other table - let's not go there but...
Various Artists: Leeds Urban Fusion 2003
According to the liner notes here in the CD wallet of Leeds City Council's 'Urban Fusion 2003' album it says, rather cringingly, that this is a CD "born from hip hop, r&b and urban flavaz" although what 'urban flavaz' is meant to mean I have no idea.
After an unfortunate false start, Blindeye showcase a set of fairly run-of-the-mill grunge-style rock songs, including a couple of vaguely interesting dabbles with effects pedals and not much else.
There's a new club open in town. It's pretty exclusive and the house band is Leeds' Yellow Stripe Nine. Conveniently, Club DeccaDance's owner is the band's lead singer. In fact, it's his creation.
'A trip through London, Paris and the Nag's Head' is what I was promised when I first looked at the promotional blurb on the front of the CD.
First up, playing to a half empty square, are The Motorettes. These Geordie guys aren't half bad really, even though they fit the mould of typical indie rockers.
The annual Bright Young Things showcase has been very much like a 'Kinder Surprise' over the last few years - yes you may look back fondly enough, but you'd rather have a 'Fizzy Cola Bottle' (Futuresound competition) or even a 'Flying Saucer' (local band nite at Joseph's Well) because, at the end of the day, while the 'Kinder Egg' promises much, open it up and a crappy toy that you play with for five minutes and then lose down the back of the sofa is all that confronts you.
Enthusiasts of tonight's bands nervously surround me, uniting in small rival groups, all with a clear objective at hand, to support and more importantly, cast a vote for the devoted band of which they are acquainted to.
Youthmovie Soundtrack Strategies @ The Vine
Whiskas - Transmission promoter and tonight's doorman - is stressed. The doors are open, thirty punters are milling around already and The Black Helicopters are still sound checking.