De Staat – Machinery

Although it boasts a tripped-out swagger to match Stone Temple Pilots, De Staat’s pitchblack epic ‘Machinery’ offers smart social commentary propelled by searing, venomously psychopathic rock experimentation, bringing in funk, metal, industrial, and the sleazy horrors of modern life … Read More

Kurt Elling – The Gate

Smooth to the point of soporiphic, Kurt Elling’s latest release ‘The Gate’ is a distilled essence of “jazz vocal album”, from start to finish a light, melodic caress of emotion and soothing relaxation.

Opener ‘Matte Kudasai’ is a slow, … Read More

Amede Ardoin – The Father Of Cajun and Zydeco

Amede Ardoin, born in 1898 in Louisiana was considered one of the forerunners in Cajun music in the 20th century and was notable for his high singing voice. He later died in 1941 but now Tompkins Square releases his … Read More

Goodluck Jonathan – This Is Our Way Out EP 3

‘This Is Our Way Out EP 3’ is the final instalment to the Goodluck Jonathan trilogy and shows that the band has real potential along with having matured since their earlier EPs.  Opener ‘Mad Lick’ starts the EP and … Read More

Xavier Quijas Yxayotl – Mayan Ancestral Music: Healing Music for Mother Earth

The latest in what Xavier Quijas Yxayotl has to offer the world, ‘Mayan Ancestral Music: Healing Music for Mother Earth’ is like taking a journey back to an ancient world long since forgotten by time. The album features the … Read More

Sam Kills Two – Pretty Ugly

A glass of red wine and a shimmer of a tear threads a melancholic homeward bound theme through these thirteen tracks of clouds Stills and Nash.  The album as a whole is in reality a careful canoodling and hushed … Read More

Andy Whittle – Reflections of an Illusion

Dispelling the relentlessly upbeat folksiness country musicians sometimes seem prone to, Reflections of an Illusion actually falls much closer to the folk end of the spectrum. I’m probably biased but this was definitely the right move to make – … Read More

Sandra Piller – Days Like These

Covering familiar ground – the space between country and folk – Days Like This is pretty standard stuff. A blend of melancholy love ballads, relentlessly upbeat, folksy meditations and fast-paced rock n roll dance tracks, this record does it … Read More

The Get Up Kids – There Are Rules

When The Get Up Kids announced their reunion in 2009 – after splitting in 2005 – no one took that much notice.  And, despite its new and relatively progressive direction, their new album ‘There Are Rules’ isn’t going to … Read More

Papercuts – Fading Parade

‘Fading Parade’ is the new album from American Indie Pop band ‘Papercuts’.

This ten track album opens with ‘Do You Really Wanna Know?’ a lovely little dream state pop track which awakens you into ‘Papercuts’. Following with ‘Do What … Read More