This Is Not TV

The final part of the puzzle that is Leeds Reading Festival 2009 has been slotted into place in the shape of BBC’s Introducing Stage line up.

Comprising of a mix of Futuresound finalists, choice cuts from Raw Talent and bands selected by BBC Radio 1, the roster promises to be as varied and surprising as ever. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 37% [?]

The concept album is a much derided medium and for good reason – bombastic epicry on a usually hideously self-indulgent subject; you know, my dad died in the war; my girlfriend left me and i’m skint; the martians are coming and i’ve got a deadline in two hours. Actually, scratch any kind of destructive criticism aimed at that last intimation; it rocks, and we all know it. But concepts of late, though still hideously self indulgent, have been getting a bit grimy, a bit urban. The Streets’ Mike Skinner reclaimed the concept of err, concept for a younger, hipper (etc) generation and opened the flood gates for hoodies in trackies to enjoy the finer points of Yes and Rush. Alright, maybe not. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 10% [?]

I love post-rock names – they sound like one half of a conversation. Some are enigmatic and portentous (Explosions In The Sky), some are kookily affectionate (iLiKETRAiNS), some are unexplainably sad (Her Name Is Calla) and some, well some are optimistically hopeful. Like these guys

A three-piece from Leicester, Maybeshewill have been going for about three years and have been fair busy – this is their second album – and are not purely post-rock. Not at all. No, these guys are blending some tasty PR with some kick-ass riffs and no-nonsense rhythms. I think I’m in love. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 5% [?]