Loading
Releases
Tully
EP:The Age Of Sail
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.alantullymusic.com
Singer/songwriter Alan Tully, best known by just his surname, has been making a name for himself on the Dublin scene for a while now, I remember catching him a year or two back on one of my rare visits to the city. "The Age Of Sail", his debut EP, is an attempt to reach a broader listenership and if it was just down to the songwriting, he would do well, but he lets himself down with the performance. His crime is that it's not distinct enough, there's not really a Tully style, more a good guitarist who also sings, he needs to find a differentiator.
EP:The Age Of Sail
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.alantullymusic.com
Singer/songwriter Alan Tully, best known by just his surname, has been making a name for himself on the Dublin scene for a while now, I remember catching him a year or two back on one of my rare visits to the city. "The Age Of Sail", his debut EP, is an attempt to reach a broader listenership and if it was just down to the songwriting, he would do well, but he lets himself down with the performance. His crime is that it's not distinct enough, there's not really a Tully style, more a good guitarist who also sings, he needs to find a differentiator.
Holika
EP:Demonstrations
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.holika.org
Midlands based trio, Holika, announce their arrival on the scene with a self produced three tracker, "Demonstrations". The key test of any single/ep is for it to leave you wanting more, this certainly does that. Light, almost airy, vocals float above interplaying guitars for a sound that sometimes takes onboard a jazz swing mood, whilst remaining true to the contemporary end of the folk movement. This is music to open a bottle of red wine for, kick off the shoes and simply to indulge yourself in. Three songs barely get you through the first glass, drink responsibly out there.
EP:Demonstrations
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.holika.org
Midlands based trio, Holika, announce their arrival on the scene with a self produced three tracker, "Demonstrations". The key test of any single/ep is for it to leave you wanting more, this certainly does that. Light, almost airy, vocals float above interplaying guitars for a sound that sometimes takes onboard a jazz swing mood, whilst remaining true to the contemporary end of the folk movement. This is music to open a bottle of red wine for, kick off the shoes and simply to indulge yourself in. Three songs barely get you through the first glass, drink responsibly out there.
John Meed
Album:Pavillion Parade
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.johnmeed.net
"Na Zdorovye" preceeds it's parent album, "Pavillion Parade" as a download single, with the album quick on it's heels. This is John Meed's fourth album and one that builds well on his strengths, particularly his amazing guitar skills and ability to include a fair dose of political and social commenary into his songs. Whilst he hasn't got the best vocal you're going to hear, it does suit the nature of the music very well, songs as the voice of the people. The spirit of folk music is alive, well and delightfully accompanied, long may it continue.
Album:Pavillion Parade
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.johnmeed.net
"Na Zdorovye" preceeds it's parent album, "Pavillion Parade" as a download single, with the album quick on it's heels. This is John Meed's fourth album and one that builds well on his strengths, particularly his amazing guitar skills and ability to include a fair dose of political and social commenary into his songs. Whilst he hasn't got the best vocal you're going to hear, it does suit the nature of the music very well, songs as the voice of the people. The spirit of folk music is alive, well and delightfully accompanied, long may it continue.
Craig & Willoughby
Single:Freeway To Her Dreams
Label:Infinisong
Website:http://www.craigandwilloughby.com
"Freeway To Her Dreams" is not only a marker that this duo of Cathryn Craig and former Strawb Brian Willoughby are not only still around they are very much going from strength to strength. This Gordon Haskell penned track, is the first to be taken from the forthcoming album "Brit Americana", due for release in early 2012. The song is a beautiful reflection of a mother's love going with her daughter as she leaves home to carve out her own path. Strong songs have long been this duos trademark. It's a real appetizer and it's months until the main course.
Single:Freeway To Her Dreams
Label:Infinisong
Website:http://www.craigandwilloughby.com
"Freeway To Her Dreams" is not only a marker that this duo of Cathryn Craig and former Strawb Brian Willoughby are not only still around they are very much going from strength to strength. This Gordon Haskell penned track, is the first to be taken from the forthcoming album "Brit Americana", due for release in early 2012. The song is a beautiful reflection of a mother's love going with her daughter as she leaves home to carve out her own path. Strong songs have long been this duos trademark. It's a real appetizer and it's months until the main course.
The Great Divide
Album:Terra Firma
Label:Zube
Website:http://www.thegreatdivide.co.uk
The Great Divide is a collective built around singer-songwriter Gerald Clark, featuring some fifteen musicians over the eight tracks that comprise "Terra Firma". The problem is the album can't seem to resolve if it's a band project or a showcase for the songwriter. At times is feels like an audition for an off Broadway musical, rather than an album. Not that that is to disparge the songs, each one is almost flawless, well arranged and superbly performed, the string and piano on this album a real inspiration. Clark is going to have to decide where his future lies, writer or performer.
Album:Terra Firma
Label:Zube
Website:http://www.thegreatdivide.co.uk
The Great Divide is a collective built around singer-songwriter Gerald Clark, featuring some fifteen musicians over the eight tracks that comprise "Terra Firma". The problem is the album can't seem to resolve if it's a band project or a showcase for the songwriter. At times is feels like an audition for an off Broadway musical, rather than an album. Not that that is to disparge the songs, each one is almost flawless, well arranged and superbly performed, the string and piano on this album a real inspiration. Clark is going to have to decide where his future lies, writer or performer.
Daniel Pearson
Album:Satellites
Label:Saint In The City
Website:http://www.danielpearson.net/
"Satelittes" is the debut release from Leeds based singer/songwriter Daniel Pearson and one which shows an artist with plenty of promise. Whilst you can hear the influence of American alternative rock in the sound, Pearson, has given it more of an Anglicised acoustic feel. Part of that comes through in the lyrics, which reflect the trials and tribulations of a yound man starting to make his way in the world, with a real potential for this to become a bedsit land hit, providing he can get it to that audience. A punk attitude in an acoustic rock album, fine by me.
Album:Satellites
Label:Saint In The City
Website:http://www.danielpearson.net/
"Satelittes" is the debut release from Leeds based singer/songwriter Daniel Pearson and one which shows an artist with plenty of promise. Whilst you can hear the influence of American alternative rock in the sound, Pearson, has given it more of an Anglicised acoustic feel. Part of that comes through in the lyrics, which reflect the trials and tribulations of a yound man starting to make his way in the world, with a real potential for this to become a bedsit land hit, providing he can get it to that audience. A punk attitude in an acoustic rock album, fine by me.
Greg Holden
Album:I Don't Believe You
Label:My World
Website:http://www.gregholdenonline.com
Aberdeen born New York based, via Lancashire, Brighton and London, singer/songwriter Greg Holden, is an artist very much in troubadour tradition, allowing the music to dictate his journeys and his journeys towrite is songs. "I Don't Believe You" is a sharp and cutting album that seems capable of shattering as many dreams as it inspires. It's a very honest album, one that has brooding anger and self loathing, but also one that has a real sense of freedom that can also see the good in people, places and ideas. This is an album that turns life into songs which can be harsh.
Album:I Don't Believe You
Label:My World
Website:http://www.gregholdenonline.com
Aberdeen born New York based, via Lancashire, Brighton and London, singer/songwriter Greg Holden, is an artist very much in troubadour tradition, allowing the music to dictate his journeys and his journeys towrite is songs. "I Don't Believe You" is a sharp and cutting album that seems capable of shattering as many dreams as it inspires. It's a very honest album, one that has brooding anger and self loathing, but also one that has a real sense of freedom that can also see the good in people, places and ideas. This is an album that turns life into songs which can be harsh.
Katie Costello
Album:Lamplight
Label:My World
Website:http://www.katiecostellomusic.com
Unusually for an American artist, well these days at least, Katie Costello, has an English feel to her sound. "Lamplight" sounds as if it draws part of it's inspiration from the Brit Beat Invasion and then been updated by the current London folk scene. It's a beautiful album, with soft focus backing supporting poetry set to music, to give an end sound that is at the thinking end of acoustic pop. Costello has a way with words that allow her to inject a lot of double meanings into some of her songs and to change perspectives. Good song writing deserves to be executed like this.
Album:Lamplight
Label:My World
Website:http://www.katiecostellomusic.com
Unusually for an American artist, well these days at least, Katie Costello, has an English feel to her sound. "Lamplight" sounds as if it draws part of it's inspiration from the Brit Beat Invasion and then been updated by the current London folk scene. It's a beautiful album, with soft focus backing supporting poetry set to music, to give an end sound that is at the thinking end of acoustic pop. Costello has a way with words that allow her to inject a lot of double meanings into some of her songs and to change perspectives. Good song writing deserves to be executed like this.
Catherine A.D.
Mini Album:Keep It Together
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.catherinead.com
Communion is both sharing ideas and ideals between a group of people and the taking in of the body and the blood in a spiritual way. "Communion" underpins those spiritual shape and whilst not completely dark it is a mysterious album and followers of Catherine AD wouldn't have it any other way. With piano and strings the album and Catherine's smokey vocals this is an album that gives gothic magnificence a new twist. The album describes it's listing as an order of service and I think it probably is. If your quick enough to the website you may still get the special limited edition.
Mini Album:Keep It Together
Label:Self Released
Website:http://www.catherinead.com
Communion is both sharing ideas and ideals between a group of people and the taking in of the body and the blood in a spiritual way. "Communion" underpins those spiritual shape and whilst not completely dark it is a mysterious album and followers of Catherine AD wouldn't have it any other way. With piano and strings the album and Catherine's smokey vocals this is an album that gives gothic magnificence a new twist. The album describes it's listing as an order of service and I think it probably is. If your quick enough to the website you may still get the special limited edition.
Northern Lights
Album:Dubh Agus Gael - Darkness And Light Loric Colloquies
Label:Foras Na Gaeilge
Website:http//www.lorcanmacmathuna.com/northernlights
"Dubh Gael - Darkness And Light loric Colloquies" is an album that celebrates the similarities between Celtic and Norse music streams, though unlike the other albums that I've heard exploring that area this year, this one is rooted in Ireland. That makes a lot of sense as Dublin was a major trading city during the dark ages bringing the two cultures together. Northern Lights are a trio of traditional musicians drawn from other bands and projects who have got together under the stewardship of Lorcan Mac Mathuna to deliveran exciting and interesting album.
Album:Dubh Agus Gael - Darkness And Light Loric Colloquies
Label:Foras Na Gaeilge
Website:http//www.lorcanmacmathuna.com/northernlights
"Dubh Gael - Darkness And Light loric Colloquies" is an album that celebrates the similarities between Celtic and Norse music streams, though unlike the other albums that I've heard exploring that area this year, this one is rooted in Ireland. That makes a lot of sense as Dublin was a major trading city during the dark ages bringing the two cultures together. Northern Lights are a trio of traditional musicians drawn from other bands and projects who have got together under the stewardship of Lorcan Mac Mathuna to deliveran exciting and interesting album.
Andy Burrows
Single:If I Had A Heart
Label:Distiller Single Club
Website:http://www.facebook.com/andywburrows
"If I had A Heart" sees drummer Andy Burrows step out from behind the kit and into the metaphorical limelight. Having drummed for both Razorlight and We Are Scientists, this single release shows that he is far more than a stickman destined to be separated from his audience. The single is a little on the poppy side for my taste, but it's difficult to fault the composition. It's got a radio friendly feel to it, but I don't think there's been a compromise to get the sound. Unfortunately I don't think it has enough to set it apart from similar recordings on bigger labels and it'll struggle for that.
Single:If I Had A Heart
Label:Distiller Single Club
Website:http://www.facebook.com/andywburrows
"If I had A Heart" sees drummer Andy Burrows step out from behind the kit and into the metaphorical limelight. Having drummed for both Razorlight and We Are Scientists, this single release shows that he is far more than a stickman destined to be separated from his audience. The single is a little on the poppy side for my taste, but it's difficult to fault the composition. It's got a radio friendly feel to it, but I don't think there's been a compromise to get the sound. Unfortunately I don't think it has enough to set it apart from similar recordings on bigger labels and it'll struggle for that.
Fiona Cuthill & Stevie Lawrence
Album:A Cruel Kindness
Label:Fellside
Website:http://www.facebook.com/fionacuthillandstevielawrence
If they remake Trumpton in Scotland, I do hope that Fiona Cuthill & Stevie Lawrence get to do the music. There is a whimsy in their music that would fit right in. "A Cruel Kindness" is an album of contemporary tunes and an occasional song from a traditional root. If having two musicians of the quality of fiddle Cuthill and multi-instrumentalist Lawrence on this album isn't enough to sell this to you outright, Rachel Hair and Brendan McCreanor can be counted amongst the guests. This is a lively album full of time and key changes, sharp and sassy and damned fine entertainment.
Album:A Cruel Kindness
Label:Fellside
Website:http://www.facebook.com/fionacuthillandstevielawrence
If they remake Trumpton in Scotland, I do hope that Fiona Cuthill & Stevie Lawrence get to do the music. There is a whimsy in their music that would fit right in. "A Cruel Kindness" is an album of contemporary tunes and an occasional song from a traditional root. If having two musicians of the quality of fiddle Cuthill and multi-instrumentalist Lawrence on this album isn't enough to sell this to you outright, Rachel Hair and Brendan McCreanor can be counted amongst the guests. This is a lively album full of time and key changes, sharp and sassy and damned fine entertainment.
The Score
You've just completed your latest masterpiece and need to get the news out to a waiting world. Here's your opportunity. Click Here to mail us the details and a pack shot.
You get up to a hundred words to let everyone know what you and your release is about.
We also use Releases to provide sketch reviews and tell the waiting world that you've got something new out.
Releases is about as democratic as it gets. A cd comes into the office and goes to the bottom of the pile and works its way to the top. We'll do our best to have the details up as quickly as possible
Coming Soon
Mark Wynn
Green Diesel
The Waterboys
Jordan Reyne
Little Feat
Marvin B. Naylor
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Click Here to get the latest session
