Album Review: Live for the Moment // The Sherlocks

Originally published on The Indiependent.

I must admit I did not go into Sheffield band, The Sherlocks, debut album Live For The Moment, with a particularly open-mind. Throughout their relative rise in popularity over the last two years I have happened across their singles in sponsored Facebook posts that appear to have been met with hype and derision in equal measure. It is certainly true that the young band have managed to build quite an impressive indie following through social media campaigns, no doubt inspired by the grassroots, youthful energy of fellow Sheffield band, Arctic Monkeys. That band has probably inspired most guitar rock bands over the last decade in some way but their legacy here mostly spans from their early albums. Another band that The Sherlocks can all too easily be compared to are Manchester’s Courteeners. Indeed, my initial stance on the band was essentially; they’re not going to make my ears bleed but they sound exactly like any number of other bands that I could listen to instead.

Album Review: The Making Of // The Bohicas

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

The Bohicas of Essex have released what seems like the extent of their simple, sharp and on the whole satisfying indie rock and roll in debut album The Making Of. They have made their presence known on the indie scene for the past year with singles like ‘Swarm’ and ‘Where You At’ and appear to be on a similar path to British rock bands of recent years such as Catfish and the Bottlemen and Circa Waves. On the surface The Bohicas’ music has a similar swagger and home grown confidence to even the likes of Arctic Monkeys or Kasabian and the band has the style to match, but dig deeper and it unfortunately lacks the lyrical quality or character

Album Review: Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit // Courtney Barnett

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

Courtney Barnett’s debut full length album combines the slacker pop-rock and conversational lyrics which have gained her international acclaim, into a diverse and colourful album. The singer/songwriter, from Melbourne, offers an Australian twang and deadpan wit to her songs that adds to the catchy radio friendly indie rock that features on the album. As well as this, throughout there are a number which are thoughtful and poignant, with deeper meanings apparently close to Barnett’s heart. These often slower and moodier tracks, like ‘Depreston’ and ‘Small Poppies’, offer a change of pace which may be unwelcome particularly if you were enjoying

Album Review: Undertow // Drenge

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

Drenge’s self-titled first album granted the Derbyshire two piece success at the head of a wave of similar blues inspired rock bands in the past few years. This has since been surpassed by the almost stratospheric rise of the equally loud Royal Blood, but their growing popularity has left them with the option to evolve their sound into an even stronger follow up record after a year on tour. Drenge, whilst introducing the Loveless brothers’ sound and song writing capabilities, was perhaps confined to a roster of angst driven, grungy garage tracks. Undertow has gone far and beyond this with a more expansive, ordered and flowing record.

Album Review: The Mindsweep // Enter Shikari

Originally posted on The Indiependent.

The Mindsweep is the genre defying Enter Shikari’s 4^th album and definitely their most expansive and accomplished. The St Albans quartet here showcase an eclectic mix of more intimate and stirring pieces, which surfaced on their previous album, and the rage and pounding beats and riffs that are characteristic of their music. Here they take this mix one step further and whilst this is largely an achievement in many places it can also be the albums main drawback. Equally characteristic of the band are the themes present in frontman Rou’s lyrics, for this is no less an album with a clear focus on political and social struggle and change.