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
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Monday, 30 November 2009
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…
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…
Thursday, 26 November 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
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
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
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