Detroit Social Club @ The Flower Pot
(London) Wednesday 9th December 2009

The band start with a hypnotic drum based “Kiss the Sun” buildings up in to a chant of we kiss the sun, fantastic start. This then drifts into the feedback driven “Prophecy” the backing vocals our beautifully placed. Very catchy… We then move on to the really large sounding “Northern Man” David Burn’s vocals really come into there own here… Once the album comes out I’m sure you will be hearing this all over the radio. “Rivers & Rainbows, this is the first song that got me on board. It’s got that Primal Scream /Kasabian vibe to it… Again it’s got such a hypnotic feel to it … you can’t but get dragged along. “Sliver” just makes me want to get my Happy Mondays flares out of the cupboard…

That Congo dance beat will get you moving. “Thousand kings” shows off just how great this band are, you’ve got different sounds coming from all over the stage… Every single one of them deserves to be up on the big stages which I’m sure will not be long. Burn’s vocal is probably  the best vocals I’ve heard since a young Liam started in 95. I’m not saying) he sounds like him but has the same impact when you hear a great rock singer.  “Black & White” such a brilliant sixties riff. “Forever w onderland” goes all down n dirty blues… Very Dr John sounding…

DSC end the night with the excellent “Sunshine People”. If these lads don’t ake it big in 2010 there is no justice in the  world… VOTE DSC, VOTE DSC.

http://www.myspace.com/detroitsocialclub

Paul Weller  Cambridge Corn Exchange / Twisted Wheel. Saturday 12th December 2009

What a fantastic end to the year for me! Twisted Wheel was the first and only support act.
Luckily for me I had seen them before during the summer so I knew what to expect of them.

The lads pulled off fantastic set singing songs that really got the crowd going. The band are the type that appeal to most people because they seem so down to earth, this shows in their music and in the bands personality so it seems- I spotted lead singer Jonny Brown in the bar afterwards. For me the band produced a good full sound for a three piece and was a perfect choice of support for Weller. When Weller and company graced the stage the whole room came alive; The Twisted Wheel boys had done a good job but this was the real highlight of the evening. Paul played many old favourites including “Wild Wood”, “Sea Spray” and “One Bright Star”. The performance of all songs were perfect as I had anticipated and Paul Weller and band managed to do a 3-song encore. What I always find funny about Paul Weller gigs is that the crowd knows it’s coming. He misses out crowd favourites so that everybody knows to stay the ones that don’t quite grasp that miss out big time! One of the things that disappointed me was the fact that he missed out so many good Jam songs such as “The Eton Rifles” and “Going Underground”. I put this down to the fact that his former band mates were playing on the same stage the following night. The only other complaint I have to make was the fact that “Brand New Start” wasn’t played! It’s a personal favourite of mine, and many others I’m sure, so I was gutted to not hear it in his set at all. The performance went down well with the audience, many of his songs could be heard playing out through car windows in the car park after the gig. (Hearing about 50 people singing along to “Wild Wood” in a huge traffic jam is rather entertaining!) So overall I would say that it was a brilliant gig despite the fact that he missed out a few legendary numbers!

The Grants: Unsigned

If you like the feel of The La’s jingle jangle sound I’m sure this will be your cup of tea. They’ve been touted around as the best-unsigned band in the UK. I’m not sure that’s true, they’ve definitely got a vibe about them but it’s a bit lightweight for me. Great songs, Good melodies but no get up and go. “I Am the One” is a really good tune. But I’ve heard better bands coming out of Liverpool.

See the website:www.myspace.com/thegrantsrock.

Broken Bells: The High

Road – Free download

First offering from the new group (well sort of) one half Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) one-half The Shins (James Mercer) so maybe we could say a super group. This is a taster of the album that will be but in March 2010. This being the first single will no doubt be played all over the radio… It’s a great start for the new band, quiet Beck sounding in places. Very psychedelic, very sixties, everything you expect from these guys… I’m sure we’re not hearing the best track here. But I’m still very happy with what I’ve heard so far.

Passion Pit: Little Secrets

For me this is the stand out track on the album. The only down side of this is that it didn’t get released in the summer because its got that feel to it but I suppose the kids choir helps it feel festive. This single really sums up where music has been this year.  Really 80’s electronic feeling sounds. I’m looking forward to the new album. Let’s hope it’s not too long.

Ray Davies and the Crouch End Festival Chorus: The Kinks Choral Collection

I think this has been re-released for Christmas? I must admit it sounds very Christmassy but I think that may be the choir.  I must admit when I got a copy of this I really didn’t know what to expect but from the very first song I was blown away. Ray Davies’ voice is still really strong and with the choir harmonizing over the top it really is beautiful. “Waterloo Sunset” really is spine tingling. It really has got a winter feel to it, which is perfect. Even “You Really Got Me” sounds moving at the start that is. My stand out tracks here are “Village Green Preservation Society”, “Days”, “Waterloo Sunset”, “All Day and all of the Night”. Take a bow Mr. Davies. Brilliant CD!

Nouvelle Vague: Nouvelle Vague

This is a re-release so thought it would be a good idea to review it. Just in case you missed it the first time. Basically on this album the group have covered songs from groups like The Clash, XTC, Joy Divison, The Undertones and The Specials to name but a few and turned them into Jazz/Lounge music. They have really made every single one their own. This is why the CD works so well.  The laid back sound of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is just so chilled with the silky smooth voice draped all over it.  “Guns of Brixton” sounds like an old French war song. PIL’S “(This Is Not) A Love Song” just sounds brilliant. XTC’S “Making Plans for Nigel” just sounds so sad.  When I remember it being so happy.  I really think you should buy this album just for “Teenage kicks” and “Friday Night, Saturday Morning” alone. This really is worth a listen.

Regards: After Many A Summer

A great debut single from this Stafford band. From the building guitar to the uplifting chorus you really are hooked. Really cool strokes rift sits nicely over the track. It’s also got that new wave feel to it, which is not a bad thing. I’m sure in the coming year we will hear more from these lads.

www.myspace.com/regards

A Christmas gift for you from Phil Spector: Step back zone

This album has now been reviewed two years running, this is why. There really is only one Christmas CD and this is it. I would even go as far as to say this is a masterpiece. Christmas is not Christmas without it. This has got every great Christmas song you can think of but done in Spector’s trademark wall of sound with soul. “White Christmas”, “Frosty The Snowman”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to name a few, sang by the likes off The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans. This really should be handed down like a family heirloom. GO AND BUY IT NOW!