Steel Panther...

Ok so this was my latest review assignment from Rocklouder.co.uk. Bit of an odd one this, "Sexy Santa" by Steel Panther. At first I thought it was utter rubbish, but after a bit of reading up about the band, I came around to thinking it was quite funny! So here's the review I wrote, hopefully it'll get published soon. Will post a link if it does...

It’s important to do your research before listening to Steel Panther, so you are aware of just how tongue-in-cheek they intend to be…


The metal parody rockers are bursting back with this Christmas offering, wonderfully full of all the entertainment and amusement we would expect from them by now. After a festive beginning, thanks to the guitar skills of Satchel, lead vocalist Michael Starr [otherwise known as Ralph Saenz] describes how this specific Santa Claus has “lost some weight” via a “low carb diet,” delivered over a repetitive yet addictive riff. Stix Zadinia’s drumming talents are also introduced here, providing the beat to the melody that is guaranteed to become your Christmas anthem.


Full to the brim of sexual innuendos, such as “if you’ve got a stocking to stuff,” this looks like an infantile approach to humour written down. However, it’s comical musical gold when it’s performed. On a more musical note [no pun intended], Satchel’s guitar solo blows you away, showing that there is more to Steel Panther than just a bag full of humour. No other band could pull off a chorus where the main hook is “sexy sexy santa,” and that’s why we can’t get enough of them.


4.5/5

What's that coming over the hill...

This is my review of The Automatic at TWells Forum, for my school magazine. It starts with "four nights later," as it's going to be put just after the review I wrote for The Holloways at the same place. Short and sweet this one....

Four nights later, and this reviewer is right back in the middle of the action. This time? The Automatic. With the departure of Him Who Yelped A lot, it was always going to interesting to see where they would musically venture next.
Tonight, it’s disappointing to see a less responsive crowd ready to find out. However, The Automatic are clearly still up-for-it, playing a fast-paced show to keep fans on their toes. Starting with a track off ‘Not Accepted Anywhere,’ Paul is keen to show fans why he has replaced the yelping. As they move onto more recent single Steve McQueen, the crowd begin to wake up. Packed with infectious drumbeats and lyrics made to inspire, something tells this review that this is the direction they’ve always wanted to go in.
Throughout the evening, their banter with the crowd keeps us entertained as they are happy to mock themselves. Their confidence is loud, proud and quite honestly, well deserved. New songs such as Interstate and Parasol boast an air of triumph, as they fight back against the record label that dropped them. As the night draws to a close, Monster is the obvious crowd pleaser, with a bumped up guitar heavy section to replace the yelping it started with. Dropping the encore in order to keep the crowd hyped up, they end with Recover, perhaps a track that inspired that ended up encouraging themselves to carry on.
After all the drama, The Automatic have come back fighting. Watch this space…

FALL OUT BOY PUBLISHEEDDDDDD

Just got VERY excited to see my Fall Out Boy review go up on rocklouder's website :D Unfortunately, I screamed, causing some embarassment. It's worth it though. Here's the review....


After selling over seven million albums worldwide, it’s only fitting that Fall Out Boy release a Greatest Hits album, complete with a DVD. Not content with just this, they’ve only gone an written a brand new single to add that little bit more - and damn good it is, too. ‘Alpha Dog’ is the single that wants to teach the world exactly why they've sold all those albums, as its catchy chorus and "oh-oh-oh" refrain will resoundly refuse to leave your head until next week. Sorry.‘Alpha Dog’ gives Fall Out Boy the chance to prove to 'haterz' why they deserve to be here. Chucking in lyrics like "I’m a star" and "standing ovations or boos", it’s clear that they truly don't care what anyone thinks anymore. This single's bound to fill many a concert venue and get young hearts racing, as the thumping beats and inspiring lyrics connect with an audience of plenty. The only disappointing part of this track is Patrick Stump’s voice, which is occasionally overshadowed by echoes and studio effects. However, if the rumours are true and this is the last time we'll hear from FOB, it's great to see them go out with a bang.


And to see it actually ON the website, follow this link...
http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/singles/article/fall-out-boy-alpha-dog


Enjoy!

Rise and Fall Review :)

Just got an email back from the Editor of rocklouder.co.uk, saying that my Rise and Fall review will be published sometime this week... vvvvverrrrry happy :) So now that it's got the all clear, here's it is...

Formed from the simultaneous break-ups of “The Deal” and “Kingpin,” Rise and Fall have long established themselves as the most successful hardcore band to make it out of Belgium. Since the original release of their debut album ‘Hellmouth’, they have stopped at nothing to make sure they provided fans with the goods they wanted. They’ve had the usual band ups-and-downs, with band members coming and going as they please, but now all members are full-time, it seems Rise and Fall can truly concentrate on the job in hand.


And so we are presented with their newest offering, ‘Our Circle is Vicious.’ From the very beginning, it’s clear that they’re not messing around. We’re instantly drawn in by opener ‘Soul Slayer,’ with Bjorn Dossche’s electrifying vocals and Wim’s pulse-racing drumming. This is true proof that going through many-a-drummer has been worth it. Merging effortlessly into ‘Built on Graves,’ listeners are kept on their toes as they’re put through pace changes and the masterful guitar skills of Cedric Goetgebuer. Moving through the album, we are eased into ‘To the Bottom,’ as the crossover of guitar and drum skills moves into one of the most mesmerising tracks on the album, be it due to the surprisingly attractive slow pace or the pure talent on show.


As we continue the journey through, ‘In Circles,’ provides a chance to see a different side to Goetgebuer’s guitar skills, and a more controlled vocal from Dossche. This may be a standout track from the album in the way it’s crafted, but it’s a welcome one, making itself known in all the right ways. The eeriness of ‘Stillborn’ will have listeners hooked on every note, as vocals take a back seat and we can enjoy the entrancing effect of the pure music. This is a quick pause in the album, before we are thrown headfirst into closer ‘Knowing.’ This is really where the magic begins, as the lyrics connect to every one of us, and we can truly see how Rise and Fall have grown. The changing line-ups have now come together to create the album’s highlight, which seeks out to showcase what each member brings to this band. The creative juices have surely been flowing freely for the making of this album, one which will keep the ever-growing audiences bouncing along to every note.


Turn it up loud, put it on repeat, and enjoy the artform which is ‘Our Circle is Vicious.’


4/5

Generate the music that makes you feel better...

Back to writing for the school magazine again this week. This time, I'm writing a review of two events at Tunbridge Wells Forum- The Holloways [6.11.09] and The Automatic [10.11.09]. I started with The Holloways...

As you walk through the doors of the Forum tonight, you are immediately greeted by a buzz of excitement as fans young and old gear up for an energetic night. The faint smell of alcohol follows you round like a bad smell, which in some cases it is. Packed venue? Check. Background music pumping? Check. Dancing fans? Check. Must be time for The Holloways.
From the opening note, fans know they are in for one hell of a good time. Opening with ‘F*** Ups,’ the crowd are already bouncing around like they have ants in their pants- which they hopefully don’t. It’s clear to see that The Holloways know how to get a crowd start, as they mix old classics such as Two Left Feet with new songs from their forthcoming album. Personally, WOK! think the new songs are sounding as good, if not better than the old ones, and the crowd seem to agree. Other album tracks – Dancefloor in particular- create mass frenzy as a giant moshpit circles around the floor.
The night ends with dance-along favourite Generator, the truly show-stealing song. As you long around, every person in the audience is still moving around with the energy of five-year-old. As fans file out in drips and drabs, the smiles on their faces immediately indicates that this has been a worthwhile night out.

ROCKLOUDERRRRR

Haven't written on here for a while....

Since I last wrote, I've been given the opportunity to write for an online music website called http://www.rocklouder.co.uk/
So far, I've written two reviews- one single and one album. Just waiting to hear back from the editor and hopefully they'll get published :)

I really hope this is going to give me the chance to write more features, rather than just reviews, because that seems to be all I've done so far. I have done an interview with Peter Tatchell for my school magazine, but as this was a joint effort with someone else, it's not really fair to publish it as my work...But I'm not complaining either way!

I'll put the two reviews for rocklouder up once they've all been cleared...

Branded - Russell Brand Article

This is an article I wrote for my English Language A-Level Coursework. The aim was to reverse the usual stereotype given to Russell Brand, so I focused on his achievements rather than what he's actually known for [drinking, drugs..that kinda thing]. Obviously this is not in the layout I put it in for the article, but all the writing is there. This was another great chance to practise my writing skills for the future.
4 Comedy Awards. 1 Biography of the Year. 4 Bestselling films- so far at least. Winner of the Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2006. So why has he been branded?
When the words “Russell Brand” are spoken, what image comes into your head? A drug addict? A drunk? That crazy-haired-wild-man-comedian? I see you’ve read the papers then.
Born an only child in Essex, Brand had a somewhat troubled childhood- one that the media seem to have ignored. Brought up by his mother alone, Brand suffered from bulimia and self-harm. He was also terribly molested by his neighbour, an event which would mentally scar anyone. All this has been bravely revealed in his bestselling autobiography “My Booky Wook.”
‘ Brand proved critics wrong, handling “everything sublimely” and being “funny to boot” ‘Despite all of this, Brand’s confidence has failed to be shattered. His career started in theatre, landing a role as “Fat Sam” in his school’s production of “Bugsy Malone.” After being expelled from the Drama Centre London, having stabbed himself in the chest and arms after a bad reaction to his performance, he turned his hand to comedy. Now aged 33, this career change has proved to be his best move, having won numerous comedy awards. These include “Best Newcomer” at the 2006 British Comedy Awards, and “Best Live Stand-Up” at the 2008 British Comedy Awards.
This could be due to Brand’s ability to mock himself for the purpose of comedy. As an example, his first tour ‘Shame,’ used embarrassing incidents in his life as his main material. The Daily Mail may label him “tacky,” “sleazy, sad and self-obsessed,” but his sold-out 2009 tour seems to suggest otherwise. It seems punters enjoy Brand’s unique use of self-confidence and wit in his work. Both his 2006 and 2007 tours have since been released on DVD, indicating that his newest tour will follow suit.
Meeting fans at the ‘Bedtime Stories’ premiereHowever, this is not where Brand’s talents end. He has presented countless TV shows, including his own show “Russell Brand’s Ponderland,” and the hugely popular “Big Brother’s Big Mouth.” He’s also presented a number of award ceremonies and live events, such as the 2006 NME Awards, and the Brits live in 2007. This was especially exciting, since it was the first time the Brits were broadcast live since 1989. Many critics doubted Brand’s ability to self-censor himself during the ceremony, but he proved them wrong, handling “everything sublimely,” and being “funny to boot,” according to Pop Buzz UK. Leading on from this, he has landed roles in many widely successful films, such as “St. Trinians,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and the new film “Bedtime Stories.” All these roles have shown his adaptability to characters, and have given him a chance to show-off his range of talents. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” even gave Brand the opportunity to showcase his singing talents. He received impressive reviews, having radiated “star quality and ace comic timing,” according to Rolling Stone.
Aside from this, he’s also filled our screens with humour during the festive season, winning the Big Fat Quiz of the Year in 2006 with a little help from fellow comedian Noel Fielding. He may have failed to maintain the victory the following year, but the most important thing is the entertainment he provided to keep audience spirits, and the show’s ratings, high.
With roles already set-up for the near future, Brand looks set to stay around for a long time. With huge success already surrounding ‘My Booky Wook,’ there could perhaps be a new book brewing, an idea which may even impress the Daily Mail for once.
Given the amount of triumphs in Brand’s life, isn’t it about time we cut him some slack? Sure, he’s had his fill of drugs, and is partial to a bit of drink, but he has produced some of the best comedy of the past few years. I for one support Brand’s talents and it’s about time the media joined in.
Rachel Pilcher
Russell Brand is touring the UK from 30th January- 14th February. Most dates are sold out; check ticket websites for details

Coldplay, Jay-Z, Girls Aloud and White Lies. Wembley Stadium, September 2009

This is a review for Coldplay which I wrote my school's magazine. It was a page long, although it looks longer in this format. It was tricky fitting all the good bits in but making it concise, but it was fun to write. 
The rain is pouring, the beer is flowing and the songs are loud, just the way they should be.
Rewind four hours, and you find yourself at the forefront of one of the most assorted line-ups to have graced Wembley Stadium. We’re kicking off with White Lies, a three-piece from West London. Having only released their debut album in January of this year- already a huge achievement as the first British act in 2009 to get a number one album- they’re already playing with the big guns. Yes, the stadium is half full, but that’s no disadvantage to them. Kicking off with ‘Fairwell to the Fairground,’ a well-known hit with the audience, new fans are gained in minutes. Their set is tight, running through the hits along with the lesser known album tracks, adding in some playful banter for good luck. They end with ‘Death,’ the hit that never was, and the track which confirms why they’re ready to be here.
Next up, Girls Aloud. It’s fair to say that this reviewer is not the biggest fan of their work, but it was also clear that they were not ready for this. The vocals were lost, the dancers were in…interesting clothing and Sarah Harding was ridiculous. The in-between song banter? Hardly worth bothering. In all fairness, people were dancing and having a good time, some of the dancing more entertaining to watch than the band itself. In any case, the sooner they were over, the better.
The real surprise came in the form of Jay-Z. Born in New York, he has released 11 studio albums since 1996, all reaching number one in the US R&B chart. It’s not hard to see he is completely capable of playing venues of this size and caliber. The energy he created was electric- unexpected for many spectators. The crowd was bouncing and, *ahem*, attempting to rap along, although it’s quite a feat if you can manage it word-for-word. Everyone was happy to join in with “Jigga what, Jigga who,” along with throwing their ‘Diamonds in the air’ and making rather unusual symbols at various intervals. No-one could fault his ability to connect with the crowd, pointing out those people he was particularly interested in- namely one spectator he named “MC Hammer” after spotting their inflatable hammer. You can see why the Americans love him, and soon the English will too.
Then the rain came, turning up just as Coldplay entered the stage. Rain is fun to dance to for a while, but as it gets heavier, the novelty dies. Beginning with a hit off thenew album- ‘Life in Technicolor-.’ the crowd predictably went wild, staying this way for the full two hours. They ran through the crowd pleasers, evoking mass singalongs during favourites ‘In My Place’ and ‘Clocks.’ Perhaps the most entertaining song to watch was ‘Yellow,’ as giant yellow balls bounced around the stadium, full of confetti. Some spectators tried to ruin the aesthetics by bursting these, but fortunately the rest of us were too busy enjoying the music to care. Extra entertainment was added as the end of the song was turned into a fake X-Factor audition. Simon Cowell’s face being projected on a screen was not the most enjoyable sight, but it was great to see Coldplay having some fun with the crowd.
Aesthetics were also provided with the introduction of two other stages. The “B” stage, a walkway from the main stage, played host to more crowd favourites, ‘God Put a Smile On Your Face’ being the best responded to. By this time, you’d be a fool to still be contemplating how they sold out this stadium. After being joined by Jay-Z on the main stage for a special rendition of ‘Lost,’ they proceeded to move onto the “C” stage near the back of the stadium. More unusual songs- ‘The Rhyming Song’ and a special cover version of ‘Billie Jean,’ played whilst the spectators took part in the ‘mobile Mexican wave’ [I’ll let you guess what that involves.] Back to the main stage for the encore, involving an especially tugging-on-the-heart-strings version of ‘Lovers in Japan,’ complete with multi-coloured confetti butterflies. Another aesthetic spectacular, proving they are here for the fans as much as we are here for them. One final bow and a final encore that sees ‘The Scientist’ make an appearance, and the show is over.


This was the day that rock, pop and rap joined forces to make the most colourful show Wembley has even seen. Let’s hope this is the start of how we mean to go on. RP