Album Review : Pixie Carnation - The New World Record

First there were Iceland’s Of Monsters And Men, then came Sweden’s MO and following just behind are Pixie Carnation, there is just something about northern European pop, electro, rock or folk that really gets me.

On the cusp of releasing their debut album 5 piece Pixie Carnation are to play London’s XOYO, hailing from Malmo (that’s in Sweden) they play the middle ground between ‘Because Of The Times’ Kings Of Leon and ‘Sigh No More’ Mumford & Sons, a great combination, faultless even. The last 3 years has been a culmination of hard graft, touring, band members coming and going and a re-recording of soon to be released album ‘The New World Record’.

For anybody that has ever seen The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’ you won’t forgive me in saying the opening seconds to ‘The New World Record’ is Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band just before the Meanies decide to mute, a wonderful matrimony of sounds flows into opener ‘When Did The Lights Go Out’ which gently pushes you into the journey beyond, the indie/rock influences begin to bubble on the surface. A southern American guitar twang chimes ‘We Can Lie’ into the mix, the vocals of Ola (Lead Singer, Guitar) pierce the versatile composed musical ensemble that contrasts to early Mumford crossed with Band Of Skulls, A slow building indie/rock hit.

Three tracks in and the strong Kings Of Leon/Mumford similarities begin to inch its way into the Pixie Carnation sound, ‘Speed Up Your Heart’ is ‘On Call’ meets ‘Winter Winds’ though the burden of the sound surrounds the band, the influence of either bands could well be vacant and be a complete act of innocent genius. ‘Keep It Coming’ takes Arcade Fire to the next level, a journey within a 5 and a half minute track, a weaving ride through long country roads on a mid-Sunday afternoon.

The ebbing flow from track to track in a prominent feature within ‘The New World Record’ as well as the never ending ability to pin down the exact sound of the band, from one track to another different sounds and influences arise but not one exact pigeon hole is available. ‘From The View Of A Gun’ puts us in the middle of the album, looking backwards at a now darker light and forwards to the next single ‘Young And Free’ the definitive Pixie Carnation sound at its strongest, the track to make you stamp your feet and sing at the top of your voice, a sure fire crowd pleaser a la ‘Little Lion Man’.

A celebration of life and everything it includes ‘Dreaming Still’ flows from ‘Young And Free’ with a positive resonance, Pixie Carnation take the traditional ensemble of musical creation, every track included within ‘The New World Record’ begs no less a duration of 4 minutes, inviting you in to feel every lyric and chord, something of which some artists and bands lack, throwing tracks out thick and fast than throwing their arms around them to create the spectacular music that can be appreciated.

Into the last quarter of the album ‘Little Sister’ throws a much later radio friendly type spanner into the works, the long dulcet tones of Ola collaborates pleasantly beside the bass of Lars and drums of Kristoffer, the collective as a 5 piece come together throughout to create brilliance. ‘Smile’ is the penultimate build-up to the drop and all out ballad that closes ‘The New World Record’ that is ‘Easy Love’.

There is a musical niche that surrounds Pixie Carnation, lots of ‘not quite...’ but ‘really likes...’ if you are a fan of certain bands and a certain genre then this is the band for you, there is also a certain success that will surround the sound that they own and will see them through to chart around the world.

‘The New World Record’ slips itself into one of the best albums I have heard in 2013, alongside Justin Timberlake’s ‘20/20 experience’ Biffy Clyro with 'Opposites’ and Bastille ‘Bad Blood’. A possible outside runner for Novembers Mercury Music Prize, young and free Pixie Carnation keep it coming.

Pixie Carnation play London's XOYO on April 22nd, Tickets are still available. Single 'Young And Free' is set for release on May 6th with the album 'The New World Record' being released on the same date.

ClubNME Portsmouth with The Sheepdogs & Kassassin Street

I started Saturday 12th May on a train from London Waterloo to Portsmouth, I’d just played Propaganda London with Russ from Bloc Party and DJ Dan. It was a spectacular night.

On my journey south I was blissfully made aware that an impromptu guerrilla gig was to take place in local Southsea shop Dresscode, where ClubNME headliners The Sheepdogs and locals Huw Olesker & The Barebackers were to play.

Fair to say anything impromptu takes a bit of work and effort, pulling numerous strings and a hell of a lot of patience the ClubNME Portsmouth team brought it together and packed out the tiny shop, all of whom attended then taking to social networks to praise and urge all to The Wedgewood Rooms for The Sheepdogs performance that very evening.

Previous ClubNME Portsmouth shows have seen Australian beach pop Bleeding Knees Club, NME lauded Cerebral Ballzy, album chart topping King Charles and indie upstarts TOWNS take to The Wedgewood rooms stage alongside a multitude of local talent to boot which has included Melodramas, Clayton Strange, The Planes and Curxes. With DJ’s poised, doors opened and we began to fill.

First act on the nights bill are indie-electro outfit Kassassin Street, with a recent EP release in motion they plough into their set headfirst. EP opener ‘Finger On The Pulse’ is a build hit, vocal harmonies ensue around a smattering of electronic vibes and some of the best guitar work I’ve seen locally for a long while. Kassassin Street bring 90’s indie to the modern day with their own edge, a set which is both pleasing to the eye and ear.

The nights headlines were Saskatoon, Saskachewans (That’s in Canada) The Sheepdogs. A band heavily praised by Kings Of Leon front man Caleb Followill, A band who are in history the only unsigned band to grace the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine and a band who in the previous few days had played at a venue called Sticky Mikes, which in fact lived up to it’s name.

Draped in late 60s vintage attire, beards a plenty and a handlebar moustache The Sheepdogs eased us all into their set. Closing you’re eyes for a second would instantly transport you from the moody red light of the stage, back into what you could mistake The Wedgewood Rooms to feel like in the 60s.

With a vocal that is clearly from the soul, front man Ewan Currie holds a guitar like a plastic toy (I’m unsure if he is a distant relative to WWF wrestler Big John Studd). Alongside Leot Hanson on guitar, Ryan Gullen on bass and Sam Corbett on drums they play The Beatles meets The Doors in the deep south with influences of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Creedance Clearwater Revival and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Throughout the whole set The Sheepdogs entice their audience deeper, while at intervals exchanging banter and anecdotes of back home. Tracks ‘Please Don’t Lead Me On’ and ‘Learn & Burn’ go down well though the odd shout for Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Free Bird’ could be heard on occasions.
Ending their set wasn’t enough for the ClubNME audience though who chanted for more, The Sheepdogs then returned to play well known hit ‘I Don’t Know’ ending with monstrous applause.

It’s clear to see that the sounds that The Sheepdogs are making are seeping into the current musical climate, with bands like Alabama Shakes, Howler and Jack White taking it to the psychedelic euphoric vibe.
For those who attended The Sheepdogs at ClubNME Portsmouth will be well aware they have seen something special and it’s only a matter of time before we see them playing bigger shows and festivals in the United Kingdom.

ClubNME : The Sheepdogs preview

You could probably count on you’re hands the amount of bands who have played The Wedgewood Rooms AND graced the front cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, Now we can add The Sheepdogs to the list.

The Canadian 4-piece headline the ClubNME stage Saturday (12th May) sounding of what can only be  likened Psychedelic-Boogie-Rock. Described by Kings Of Leon front man Caleb Followill as ‘timeless from song to song’  alongside being mentored by every bodies favourite rocker Kid Rock, an endless line of plaudits transpires on.

It’s not always been plain sailing for The Sheepdogs, 6 long tough years has nurtured a flawless sound which has now paid off and led to tours with Kings Of Leon, appearances at numerous festivals (Coachella, The Great Escape, Bonnaroo) and gain television exposure across the America and worldwide.

Album ‘Learn and Burn’ has won Juno awards for ‘Single Of The Year’ ‘Best Rock Album Of The Year’ and ‘Best New Artist’ and have also just toured Australia.

If you are looking to be able to say ‘I saw them before…’ then this is certainly that band.



Support comes from local Portsmouth rockers Kassassin Street, a 5 piece band formed in 2010 who have supported the like of 2.54, Art Brut and The Big Pink. Exposure comes nationally from BBC Introducing and Amazing radio and they are currently recording a new EP ‘In a barn in the middle of nowhere’.

ClubNME DJ’s play between and after bands, tickets are available from The Wedgewood Rooms box office(Or click to website) at the bargain price of £4 and doors are at 10pm.