UV PØP – No Songs Tomorrow

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Release Date : 02/04/2012 (Sacred Bones Records)
Permalink : http://mostlyferocious.com/2012/04/10/uv-pop-no-songs-tomorrow

UV PØP - No Songs TomorrowSacred Bones Records (home of ‘The Men’) have reissued early eighties punk/electro curiosity UV PØP’s ‘No Songs Tomorrow’. UV PØP (UV standing for ‘Ultra Violent’) hail from South Yorkshire at a time when Thatcher ruled, coal mines were closing, unemployment was at record levels, and there was very little to be cheery about. This record is as much a testament to the social climate of the time, as it is to the huge number of musical directions happening during that era. Punk and No Wave was dying away to more electro-led movements and there were a number of bands caught in the crossfire. On its initial release, ‘No Songs Tomorrow’ was pressed in very small numbers and after developing a word-of-mouth cult following, became a much sought after rarity. Over the years, the groundswell of bands citing this record as influential has led to its reissue, and, hearing it almost 30 years later, you can really see why.

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Amy Firth – Live

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Monto Water Rats, Kings Cross (13/03/2012)
Permalink : http://mostlyferocious.com/2012/04/03/amy-firth-live

Amy FirthIn the back room of a pub in King’s Cross I was lucky enough to stumble upon what could be the next big singer/songwriter in Sydney-born Amy Firth. Despite her unassuming stage presence, this is a one-woman show with a lot going on

Opener ‘Come Running’ is a shock to the system in terms of the power of Amy’s voice and the huge technical ability she has with her guitar. From the start, Amy is effortless in her execution. ‘Aeroplane’ follows suit with a breezy tale of moving away and dreaming of far off lands. It’s clear that there is an autobiographical flavour to most of Amy’s writing and each song gives a certain snapshot of her life so far. In between songs, Amy chats with the audience, and it’s clear that a lot of her work exposes some very personal themes.

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The Men – Open Your Heart

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Release Date : 12/03/2012 (Sacred Bones Records)
Permalink : http://mostlyferocious.com/2012/04/03/the-men-open-your-heart

The Men Open Your HeartThe Men, now on their fourth album, are probably one of the most exciting guitar bands around today. Following on from last year’s ‘Leave Home’, ‘Open Your Heart’ shows them genre shifting and demonstrates their boundless invention for crafting amazingly chaotic, beautiful music. Their DIY aesthetic is still very much intact but they are certainly moving on as a band.

The Men have always had their roots in punk and opener ‘Turn It Around’ demonstrates this to perfection. Bashed out in just under four minutes, guitars are ablaze from the start and vocals are throwaway beneath the mayhem. It’s effortlessly done. With drumming bridge on exit, ‘Animal’ follows a similar vein, and is reminiscent of mid-seventies Iggy and The Stooges.

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The Shins – Port of Morrow

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Release Date : 20/03/2012 (Columbia Records)
Permalink : http://mostlyferocious.com/2012/04/03/the-shins-port-of-morrow

 

The Shins Port Of Morrow‘Port of Morrow’ is the fourth album from The Shins and it’s been quite a wait since their last outing ‘Wincing The Night Away’ in 2007. Since that time, James Mercer has worked on side-project ‘Broken Bells’ with Danger Mouse, and The Shins have had a fairly substantial change in personnel. It’s safe to say this is not the first time The Shins have changed their line-up – but, to be clear, James Mercer is The Shins. Richard Swift joins on keyboard duties, ex-Modest Mouse Joe Plummer on drums and lesser-known Sub Pop singer/songwriter Jessica Dobson takes lead guitar.

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Albums of the Year 2011

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Permalink : http://mostlyferocious.com/2011/03/28/albums-of-the-year-2011

1. Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know (Virgin) 09/09/2011

Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't KnowLaura Marling’s third album, ‘A Creature I Don’t Know’ shows her as an already accomplished  artist developing within her trademark folk roots, whilst bringing tinges of jazz to her sound. Marling is clearly in control throughout, and never more so on than first track, ‘The Muse’, where she ponders wanting a man, confused at what he might do for her. The vocal is ironic and the story is told as a series of questions and quips. Marling’s more folks roots are ever present in seminal ‘Salinas’ and ‘All My Rage’. Guitar is immaculate as you would expect from her first two outings, and the accompaniment is as rich or as minimal as the track allows. Continue reading →

Secret Cities – Strange Hearts

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Release Date : 28/03/2011 (Western Vinyl)
Permalink : http://mostlyferocious.com/2011/03/28/secret-cities-strange-hearts

Secret Cities -Strange HeartsNorth Dakota three piece Secret Cities offer a follow-up to their début, ‘Pink Graffiti’, in the guise of ‘Strange Hearts’ released this month on Western Vinyl. The mood of the record is similar, and as much of a joy as you would expect. Newcomers to Secret Cities will immediately take note of their amazing vocal abilities. The vocal arrangements on their own can be complex and spellbinding, and musicianship is similarly top notch.

Opener ‘Always Friends’ starts with a sunny summer feel, yet is deliciously dirty sounding and lo-fi. The melody and vocals are instantly striking. Musically, throughout the album, there is a lot going on, even if it is sometimes muffled under the [intentional] lack of production. ‘Ice Cream Scene’ starts as a lovely choral piece and builds to something resembling Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest. It’s difficult to know what they’re singing about, but as with all good tunes, who cares?

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