EP Review : Biffy Clyro : Black Chandelier

The calm before the double album storm has been brewing in a settled sea just off of our fair coast, and it’s debatable if the double edged storm will cause any damage at all. Many will be holding doubt around the release of Biffy Clyro and their now imminent outing with ‘Opposites’ but for now we can sit and watch it brew nicely on the horizon with the EP release of ‘Black Chandelier’.

The rock 3 piece come sailing in gently with EP opener and title track ‘Black Chandelier’, everything we expect from the ever existent badge of approval we continuously hold for our flag baring Scottish counterparts. Spinderley (even if that isn't a word) guitar riffs we expect of Neil are present throughout, the bass build and drum break, the gentle ease and final all round smash...It’s all included within ‘Black Chandelier’, the perfect Biffy Clyro song. Lyrically Simon Neil is still driving us around the houses, plucking verses of confusion then translating them into simplicity. ‘Black Chandelier’ is the perfect medicine to follow their epic previous return of ‘Stingin' Belle’.

Following the opener is ‘The Rain’ a ballad of sorts, the expected bubble wrapped commercial based X factor chart pleaser, the most simple of songs which is a complete disappointment but not what we shouldn't expect of the only out and out rock band in the UK (minus Band Of Skulls and a few others). For if it wasn’t for a certain Matt Cardle and the over filling wallet of Simon Cowell, the ever growing plethora of fans from previous album release ‘Only Revolutions’ would cease to exist and the hardcore would still remain, for what thanks we have.

 The subject of weather continues to dawn on us with ‘Thundermonster’, which wouldn't have been out of place on the ‘Infinity Land’ track-list  A thrashing riff-driven rock track of which we expect from Biffy of the past, something that some still long to return. It’s nothing short or long of acceptance and if this is what is expected in the contents of ‘Opposites’, those fans who have just got a ticket and joined the Biff bandwagon could soon be in for a shell shock. The final track on the EP is a live version of ‘Many Of Horror’, the track plucked from ‘Only Revolutions’ and propelled into the public eye, the EP filler and fan collectible  We all know the real lyrics, sit down Cardle.

In a rocking chair on the front porch of a city somewhere non-existent, we all sit and wait with baited breath, a 90-minute storm named Biffy Clyro is waiting to hit land. We can all batten down the hatches or lovingly embrace, ‘Black Chandelier’ is the tornado taster which causes minimal damage, sit tight as the blackened sky approaches.

EP Review : The Planes - On Demand

How many bands do you know that is ½ formed by twins? Other than The Cribs, possibly not many. Portsmouth born and bred (we are making a habit of this), previous Wedgewood Rooms showcase finalists, previous ClubNME under-cards and all round talented 4 piece The Planes are imminently planning their first audio assault into the music world with debut EP ‘On Demand’.

This 4 track smash starts with the aptly named ‘See You Next Tuesday’ ode to the girl that’s led you on, to the guy that’s across the bar giving it some or the surrounding area, as you please. The Planes have matured since their showcase days, there is a much tighter edge to who they are and what they want you to hear, such is the age they are, we should all stand up straight and listen.

From the onset mid-noughties influences shine through, these youngsters were teething around the sounds of previously mentioned Cribs, The Kooks and The Strokes. The jangly-garage rock ensemble is perfected, vocally on form with not a note out of time. ‘Lose it’ follows with a foot tapping beat, a lyrical commentary from lead singer Mike Smith describes the moments of regret any male or female has felt in sight of the ex, or the girl/boy you lust for on a daily basis. The pent up sexual tension marred with pure emotion shines through the lyrics, these boys are growing up, with every page written (or ripped and thrown) the daily troubles of a teenager in the 21st century is ever present.

Title track ‘On Demand’ is the flagship in the first sail of The Planes maiden voyage, the all cannons blazing balls out indie love-esq song with duel vocals, the common twang and catchy riff partnered with a breakdown to add. The Planes fuse themselves within the local scene so easily, with room to flower in a bed that’s continuing to grow and prosper, age is a huge strength, picking the right opportunities they could well be on to bigger things in the near future.

Closing track ‘Stay The Weekend’ winds us up and out of this teenage angst ridden ride, another story based on the rumour mill of The Planes social surroundings, from the wrong decisions followed by the Chinese whispers. Like any boy should, it’s shrugged off like it will come out in the wash. They are musically tight and lyrically strong, young and ready to take on the world, well dressed and meaning business and The Planes first outing ’On Demand’ is a jab and roundhouse knock-out.

Reviewed : Mystery Jets - Radlands

Eel Pie Island has never quite been the same since the Mystery Jets upwards thrust into Indie, and they’ve come a long way since the famous island parties also.

Back in 2006 the band released ‘Making Dens’ on the brink of the NME awards tour alongside the established Maximo Park, (winning their first Brit award) Arctic Monkeys and the always audacious We Are Scientists. They hit a modest #32 in the UK album charts but gathered a loyal following from TV exposure as well as the release of ‘The Boy Who Ran Away’ and  re-release of ‘You Can’t Fool Me Dennis’. The band then parted company with Henry Harrison and began to tour the U.S.

They returned with ‘Twenty One’ in 2008, produced by DJ Erol Alkan and featuring Laura Marling on ‘Young Love’ the album had a new romantic 80’s feel and reached #42 in the album charts. Regardless of chart positions the band went on to release ‘Young Love’ and massive indie hit ‘Two Doors Down’ which led to performances at RockNess and the Reading & Leeds festivals that same year.

Suffering from the second album curse the band then parted company with record label 679 and signed with Rough  Trade records to then announce third album ‘Serotonin’, still firmly on a pop vibe ‘Flash A Hungry Smile’ was released as a free download before the releases of  ‘Dreaming Of Another World’ ‘Show Me The Light’ and title track of the album ‘Serotonin’. The album again reached #42 in the UK album charts leading them back into the studio to the now released ‘Radlands’.

The album starts gently sombre, speaking of ‘shit shaped holes in the sky’ Blaine obviously touching the subject of heaven and delving deeper lyrically. Significantly the first track on the album is titled ‘Radlands’ which has a Californian type intonation that influences the whole album. ‘You Had Me At Hello’ is a deep based love song committing to then letting go instantly, something most 18-30 year old are conscious of continuously in life. It feels that in only two tracks the Mystery Jets found their hearts and began to feel the music that they are creating, Blaine and William intense throughout.

‘The Ballad Of Emerson Lonestar’ has a desert feel, telling a story astronomically speaking. Questions of love once again arise slow and steady but left open ended with the lines ‘This time I want to show how it feels/This time love is real’. ‘Greatest Hits’ has a 70s Stealers Wheel sound, telling the same story…Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right ‘Greatest Hits’ is a greatest hit.

I’ve never been to church to praise but I imagine ‘The Hale Bop’ is what it would sound like, choir like vocals backed catchy chorus with Christian rock based guitar brought slamming to the ground by ‘The Nothing’ a track still within the four walls of church. Repent sin and acceptance of everyone around us, the album is said to be influenced by a meeting with a missionary named ‘Sister Everett’ who is mentioned further on through the album in the medium of music.

‘Take Me Where The Roses Grow’ is haunted by a current unknown female vocal, fathomed in lust but composed within each other with both vocals entwining beautifully. As previously mentioned ‘Sister Everett’ is dedicated to a missionary, organ based again accompanied by unknown female vocals. William was said to be on the edge of converting religiously which would answer why so much is asked of her. Towards the end of the track a choir joins leading into ‘Lost In Austin’.

Heaviest of the 11 tracked album ’Lost In Austin’ eases in but promptly bursts into a cataclysm of vocals, drums and a very prominent guitar. It’s what feels like a premature finish, 6 minutes and 20 seconds of build and drop, of guitar solos and screaming vocals which I feel would end ‘Radlands’ superbly alas ‘Luminescence’ follows. To the end again, stripped back to band and guitars leaving me with a glowing feeling inside and ignorant to suggest the earlier finish.

Mystery Jets came through with ‘Radlands’, a different direction hugely influenced by religion and the deep south. An album I feel on the right journey would be the perfect partner. No matter where ‘Radlands’ charts the boys can be happy as I am. A welcome addition to an ever growing collection.