Editors – An End Has a Start (Kitchenware Records) June 25th, 2007 3.5/6.0 Amidst the deluge of spiky Gang of Four impersonators, Editors’ 2005 debut album The Back Room, whilst equally enthral to the 80s, managed to stand out by channelling instead the bleak menace of Joy Division with the kind of precision usually only [...]
Album Reviews
Cold War, Warm Heart
Cold War Kids – Robbers and Cowards (V2 Records) February 5th, 2007 (re-release) 4.5/6.0 Since Top of the Pops disappeared, it has become very difficult to tell whether a band has really “made it” or not. However, Cold War Kids recently appeared on Later with Jools Holland, which has got to be some sort of [...]
Music: Reviews
Reverend And The Makers – Heavyweight Champion Of The World
Reverend And The Makers – Heavyweight Champion Of The World (Wall Of Sound) 4.5/6.0 May 28th, 2007 Shift your arse, Turner. There’s a brand new musical sensation to come out of Sheffield and I believe you and Mr Jon McClure have crossed paths before… The long-awaited debut single from Reverend And The Makers, is, to [...]
Live Reviews
Larkin’ About
Sky Larkin The Roadhouse, Manchester Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 It’s always just a touch worrying when you arrive at a venue around 9pm, only to find there’s nobody there. Even the band are noticeable by their absence. It would appear that I’ve done one of my usual tricks: believing that because I think a band [...]
Live Reviews
The Creation
Maps Academy 3, Manchester Thursday, May 24th, 2007 Northampton’s James Chapman and his merry men have been steadily drawing increasing critical attention in the past few months, and, on the basis of tonight’s ethereal, beautiful indie electronica, it’s apparent why. Taking to the stage with a full live band in a tasteful haze of coloured [...]
Live Reviews
Acoustic Anarchy
Club Fandango Acoustic featuring Liam Frost, Eugene McGuinness and Tom Barnes Trof Northern Quarter, Manchester Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 “This is a murder ballad in D,” announces Tom Barnes with just the faintest hint of irony to a packed first floor at Trof NQ, largely seated cross-legged on the wooden floor as if at a [...]
Fugitives (Collective and Site News)
The Fugitive Motel Presents…Thursday June 14th, Star and Garter
Roll up, roll up, for The Fugitive Motel’s second ever showcase of live acts! We are most proud to be presenting the three hottest live bands in Manchester right now: This is how you get there: We would advise that you arrive early to avoid disappointment. Not only is the venue of a limited size, [...]
Music: Reviews
Das Wanderlust – Sunday School
Das Wanderlust – Sunday School (Cool For Cats) 3.4/6.0 May 21st, 2007 Apparent Das Wanderlust are “wrong-pop” and – in a rather intriguing admission for a pair of musicians – dislike recording studios. Alas, their second single, whilst it’s great fun, tries to blend too many genres all at once and the effect is dizzying. [...]
Music: Reviews
Arcade Fire – Intervention
Arcade Fire – Intervention (Rough Trade) 5.8/6.0 May 21st, 2007 It might not be accessible to the mainstream. It may be limited edition. But it sure as hell will move you. This beautiful number rises and falls in all the right places, it’s got one of the organ intros of the year (perhaps the only [...]
I'd Marry That Voice
I’d Marry That Voice: Part 6 – Caleb Followill
Following on from previous IMTV subject Ray Lamontagne, my choice of voice is that of the former beard monster Caleb Followill of Tennessee-based family band Kings of Leon. Like many others, the first I heard of one of the most intriguing voices in modern music was on the band’s now iconic breakthrough single Molly’s Chambers. [...]