Seasfire - Heartbeat

In recent weeks, a buzz around Bristol 4-piece Seasfire seems to have slowly built up. Although I'd seen a few assorted Twitter posts about them, I hadn't got around to checking them out because, in my ignorance, I'd assumed that they were some re-releases from a 90s band that I had already dismissed. However, having caught the band in live session on 6music at the weekend, it turns out that I had them mixed up with a completely different band with a similar sounding name, and that Seafire are in fact a completely new band. Mea culpa.

Anyway, now that I've had the chance to listen to the group without any preconceived notions, I've found their music to be rather fantastic. Their latest single, "Heartbeat", is a captivating piece of sparse, emotive electronica, a little bit like Thrice with the guitars in the background rather than at the forefront. 

"Heartbeat" is available to download now. 

Amateur Historians - These Cities Are Stealing My Soul

Short, irreverent indie-pop is the order of the day for Belfast trio Amateur Historians. Formed over the internet, their new single, "These Cities Are Stealing My Soul", is a sub-two minute burst of youthful energy that expresses the desire to escape from the city of your birth. It's off kilter rhythmic chop-and-change approach, as well as its upbeat charm, despite its rather downcast lyrics, calls to mind Vampire Weekend, Los Campesinos and, dare I say it, a little bit of early Ash as well. 

"These Cities Are Stealing My Soul" is taken from Amateur Historians' debut E.P, "New Homes/New Hopes", which will be released on CD/download on August 15th. 

Before Machines - Ornaments

In their few years together, Belfast based 4-piece Before Machines have built up a reputation for engaging live shows, including support slots for Cashier No.9 and Cymbals Eat Guitars, and for their intricate song craft.

Their latest single release, "Ornaments", should help the band to cement their reputation as Belfast's noisy upstarts. Mixed by the wonderful Rocky O'Reilly of Oppenheimer fame, "Ornaments" has the feeling of early Biffy Clyro, with its slightly off-kilter rhythm, infectious guitar line and powerful gang vocals. It's a rather good song, and one which bodes well for their fantastic upcoming album.

"Ornaments" is available as a free download, and is taken from Before Machine's debut album "Tundra", which will be released at the end of the year. 

Gaoler's Daughter - When We Were Young

It's been more than a year since I last paid a visit to London based 4-piece Gaoler's Daughter. Since the release of "St Peter", the band have toured with Graham Coxon and We Are Scientists, as well as recording a live session with Tom Robinson. 

Their newest single is due out at the end of this month. "When We Were Young" (not to be confused with The Killers track with a similar name) continues the band's tradition of releasing darkly tinged, yet infectious tracks with engaging guitar hooks, as singer John Sterry croons about unobtainable childhood dreams. The band have also released a music video to coincide with the release, with its cardboard stop-motion action tying in to the song's themes of kid-like naivety. 

"When We Were Young" will be self-released on August 27th as a limited edition CD. 

Album Review: Reel Big Fish - Candy Coated Fury

 

(Rock Ridge Music)

Like many people of a certain age, I was first introduced to the California ska-punk band Reel Big Fish when two of their songs, "Beer" and a cover of a-ha's "Take On Me", featured in the severely underrated 1998 film BASEketball, starring Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame. "Sell Out" became familiar to me when it featured as the loading music for the Playstation game Fifa 2000, and I've slowly became acquainted with the rest of their back catalogue after picking up their "best of" album, which due to licencing issues contained re-recordings of their most well known songs. After five years, the band have released their 7th studio album, "Candy Coated Fury", which has been described as a "return to the hyperkinetic ska and biting wit of the band’s beloved early albums."

Most of the songs on the album follow a similar musical pattern - sardonic, sly, bordering on negative lyrics which is juxtaposed with bouncy, brass led melodies and a reliable ska-rock rhythm section. This blueprint is used to the greatest effect in songs such as opener "Everybody Else Is an Asshole", "Your Girlfriend Sucks" and "I Love, You Suck". 

Some of the more interesting moments on the album happen when the band move away from this blueprint into less straightforward territory. "I Dare You To Break My Heart" was inspired by the band's attempt to write a song inspired by The Darkness (making Reel Big Fish one of the few bands to be PROUD of being influenced by that group) adds elements of glam-rock and 80s hair metal into the band's ska-punk style, whilst "Hiding In My Headphones", which features guest turns from Coolie Ranx and Sonic Boom Six, adds a reggae hip-hop element to the mix. 

Like the band's other albums, "Candy Coated Fury" features two ska cover versions of 80s hits, "Don't Let Me Down Gently" and " The Promise". These covers might not be as good as the originals by The Wonder Stuff and When In Rome respectively, but they do sound rather good when performed in the band's idiosyncratic style.

After performaning for over twenty years, the chances are that if you have been a fan of Reel Big Fish up to now, then you will probably find much to like in the dependable "Candy Coated Fury". And if not, then you are missing an incredibly fun, upbeat, yet angry album.

Released: 31st July 2012

Highlights: "Everyone Else is An Asshole", "Don't Let Me Down", "I Dare You to Break My Heart".