Fresh Cuts Rob-Tony-Jonny choice of recent grooves Some top notch tunes have found their way onto the Sohostrut stereo recently.
Kingsskin – Humpin Mojo 5 Track EP (Zebra Records)
5 track EP from Kingskin is a hard rocking affair, taking their chops from Led Zep and Nirvana. ‘In The Way' kicks off with a driving funky bass, the choppy crunchy guitars makes for accomplished rock. The whiskey soaked vocals are excellent. Sleazy riffing and razored vocals gives 'Bottom Dollar' a sharp edge. The choppy blues rhythmical rocker 'humpin mojo' is the highlight of the ep, with singalong chorus and chunky riffing, and a big vocal. 'Petes Porno' has a Red Hot Chilli Peppers style funk soul rock feel, but the ace vocals come on strong once again. Final tune 'Fat Mamma Got Soul' finishes off the Ep in funk rock style. I prefer Kingskin's bluesy hard rocking vibes to their funk rock tunes, but Kingskin are a talented new rock band with a superb singer. Jonny Magus
Mesh 29 – Over The Barricade CD Single (Media Addiction Records)
Over The Barricade CD single features 3 piano led ballads from Mesh 29 with a strong melodic touch. ‘Over the Barricades' is in the vein of the torch song bands like Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol, so if you like your pop tunes in the heartfelt melodic style, check out Mesh 29.'Questions' and ‘Cigarette' continue in the melodic mid paced rock style and showcase Mesh 29's melodic abilities, strong vocals and accomplished musicianship. JonnyMagus
Swound! Disco Siberia promo CD Single (Stressed Records)
Excitingly daft tune from this bunch of noisy pop kids Swounds! ‘Disco Siberia' has a big chanting vocals, trashy guitars as these lads let rip on upbeat punky pop ruckus, bring it on lads, let's hear more. JonnyMagus
Madding Crowd ‘Modern Man' CD Single (Self Release)
Two blokes in the 20s and two other blokes in their 40s make up Madding Crowd and they play fine powered up pop tunes. ‘Modern Man' is full of catchy hooks and choppy guitars and is a fine example of Madding Crowd's sound, as they come across like a mix of The Buzzcocks, Roxy Music and Brill Building style pop melodies. The laid back ‘Up For Air' is a chilled out pop affair with easy going sax and a mellow melody. ‘Finding The I' is another slice of pop pie with that strange mix of New Wave, Roxy Music, and classicist pop song writing, great fun. Jonny Magus
Device – Essex County Line CD Single(Vashon Ferry )
‘Essex County Line' features three songs of guitar pop mixing up chiming guitars, easy going melodies and close harmonies. ‘Essex County Line' ‘Sirens' and ‘Angel Of the South' feature classicist song writing with strong choruses, smooth production and fine musicianship. You can hear echoes of Doves, Pulp and Snow Patrol through Device's songs, so if you like those kinds of sounds, check out Device. Jonny Magus
The Brent Flood – Autumn EP 2007
The Brent Flood are a young band from South London with Irish origins and they play 5 songs of heartfelt indie rock on this their autumn EP from 2007. ‘Paint Our Faces Red' is commercial sounding indie rock tune with accomplished musicianship, slick production and a big chorus, not really my cup of tea, whereas Skinny Machines is a superb tune, a good slice of upbeat indie pop. There's plenty of inventive guitar riffs weaving in and around the tune and the rebellious undercurrent shows an edgier side The Brent Floods sound.
The indie pop continues on Super Happy with nice melodic flourishes, that blends ELO style harmonies with The Killers style epic sound. 'Heavy Petting' goes for a rockier sound, a solid chunk of indie rock. Final track 'Whatever Gets Me Warm' is a rootsy acoustic number with soul filed vocals and some sweet close harmonies. The Brent Flood have gone for a full on commercial contemporary sound. I prefer their edger pop of Skinny Machines to the more commercial rock pop of Paint Our Faces, but given a chance, The Brent Flood could become a successful mainstream indie rock band.