Everything Burns - Home

What happened to all those metalcore, emocore, hardcore, or whatever plus the word core bands that I listened to when I was seventeen (let's not go into how long ago that actually was please)? Generally, they disappeared, because let me level with you here....they just weren't very good. Obviously the good ones are still around with Glassjaw, Norma Jean and on the lighter side Finch, still recording and touring but there is still room for another band to muscle in on the act, could that band be Cornish based Everything Burns?

Debut album 'Home', released on the ever growing UK metal label Rising Records ticks many of the boxes that a metal band should, highly technical and driven guitar play underpinned by frantic but at the same time intelligent drumming and also, the dreaded screaming that became somewhat cliché and over-used for my liking in the genre. What Everything Burns have that many don't, is a knack for melodies, with every song anthemic in its own right, opener 'Scars', alongside fan favourite 'Me Vs You' showcase this and the band perfectly, with the emphasis on emotive lyrics alongside passionate singing (not to mention, they ignore the tired scream verse sing chorus formula).

Until today, I would have happily said that emotional metal is dead, but I'm glad to say that Everything Burns are definitely here to prove me wrong. This release obviously isn't going to win everyone over, but with a ever growing touring schedule and this album behind them, they are hot on the heels of the genre's heavyweights.

3.5 / 5

Everything Burns Myspace

Allie Moss - Late Bloomer

Television has a strange way of turning us onto certain music, whether it is a well placed song in the softest romantic part of our favourite American drama, or a musical accompaniment to an advert, we are often subliminally force fed music we perhaps wouldn't have heard from otherwise, and such is the case with me and Allie Moss.

'Corner', the fantastic piece of music featured in the latest BT infinity advert is only one tenth of the songs contained on Moss' debut album 'Late Bloomer', so what can we actually expect from this album, is it acoustic singer song-writer genius, or merely just one small flash in the pan?

'Late Bloomer' firmly has its feet in the acoustic pop middle of the road music section, it isn't different enough lyrically to be with the likes of Laura Marling but it does spark of Katie Melua, just with more maturity and less depression. It's radio friendly and soft on your ears, your mum will probably like it, but while this is something that I would normally fight against, with 'Late Bloomer' I just can't and while the winter is heavily upon us, I am desperately needing something full of beautiful melodies to remind me of the summer, and for me, this album is it.

Expect big things from Allie Moss if this album is anything to go by, a fantastic talent.

4 / 5

Allie Moss Myspace

Allie Moss - Late Bloomer

Television has a strange way of turning us onto certain music, whether it is a well placed song in the softest romantic part of our favourite American drama, or a musical accompianment to an advert, we are often subliminally force fed music we perhaps wouldn't have heard from otherwise, and such is the case with me and Allie Moss.

'Corner', the fantastic piece of music featured in the latest BT infinity advert is only one tenth of the songs contained on Moss' debut album 'Late Bloomer', so what can we actually expect from this album, is it acoustic singer song-writer genius, or merely just one small flash in the pan?

'Late Bloomer' firmly has its feet in the acoustic pop middle of the road music section, it isn't different enough lyrically to be with the likes of Laura Marling but it does spark of Katie Melua, just with more maturity and less depression. It's radio friendly and soft on your ears, your mum will probably like it, but while this is something that I would normally fight against, with 'Late Bloomer' I just can't and while the winter is heavily upon us, I am desperately needing something full of beautiful melodies to remind me of the summer, and for me, this album is it.

Expect big things from Allie Moss if this album is anything to go by, a fantastic talent.

4 / 5

Allie Moss Myspace

Johnny Flynn - The Water

Many of my friends have for the better part of two years, been trying to convince me of the genius that is Johnny Flynn and I have always dismissed it, claiming his music to be uninspired, dull, everything that leaves a bad taste in your mouth when people mention the word folk.

'The Water' despite featuring the brilliant Laura Marling (because lets be honest, who isn't a massive fan of her?!), still does nothing to change my opinion. If this track is anything, it is a stone, cold and emotionless, this doesn't stir me into feeling anything and it certainly doesn't make me want to buy Flynns latest album.

Avoid.

1 / 5

Johnny Flynn Myspace Page

The Xcerts - Young (Belane)

I am a massive fan of The Xcerts, and have been since reviewing their debut album a couple of years back. On hearing 'Scatterbrain', their latest album, I instantly heralded it as one of the best albums of the year, not only that, but one of the most important also, and the more time goes on, the more my feelings grow towards this album.

'Young (Belane)' isn't perhaps one of the best songs on the album, it doesn't show the experimentation that The Xcerts have undergone to gain my high affections, but it does give a new listener an exact copy of what The Xcerts are about. It's noisy but it has the pop sensabilities that have made the likes of Biffy Clyro so important to indie-rock music in the mainstream charts and even as I type this, I can imagine hundreds of fans chanting along to the chorus.

Expect massive things for The Xcerts.

3.5 / 5

The Xcerts Myspace Page

The Last Republic - Parade

There was once a time when a glowing endorsement from Radio One, or sold-out gigs, or the likes of Foo Fighters' Chris Sheldon producing your album would have been enough for me to be interested in a band, but not anymore, no, this seems to be a ten-a-penny reference that many bands seem to try to push to sell their record. What I want to know is, do The Last Republic actually have songs to back up this referencing, or are they destined to be yet another almost band, acclaimed by many in the know but bought by bugger all in the market?

Let me start off by saying The Last Republic have something, I'm not sure what it is, but they have it and they showcase it in 'Parade' by the bucket load. Imagine if Muse got out of their own ass for a second and realised what made them popular in the first place and mix this with perhaps the vocals of Lostprophets and you will probably be in the mindset that The Last Republic must have been in when they created this record, these aren't songs, they are grandiose pieces of art, every song is easily a single which is rare for a debut album these days.

I wonder if the Muse tag has been thrown about enough for The Last Republic, it could potentially be their downfall but lets take nothing away from this band, 'Parade' is a great record, and should see the band reaching the heights of better things. A band to watch out for.

4 / 5

The Last Republic Myspace Page