https://www.cluas.com/indie-music RSS feeds for CLUAS Irish Indie Music 60 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/537/Dan-Sartain-Legacy-of-Hospitality#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=537 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=537&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/537/Dan-Sartain-Legacy-of-Hospitality A Review of the album 'Legacy of Hospitality' by Dan Sartain Review Snapshot: The perfect starter kit for Sartain virgins, this long album may be a lot to digest but it is the perfect showcase for the singer/songwriter's diversity. The Cluas Verdict? 7/10 Full Review: Dan Sartain is anAmerican rock singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama and while he has not achieved the heights of fame that he may have been originally been aiming for, he has proven to be a talented and lucky man in the music world. Since 2001 he has released six studio albums, the most recent being Legacy of Hospitality.   The album is being presented by camp Sartain as a companion to previous album Dan Sartain Lives and even something of a document of the musician’s career: it containing tracks that succeed even his early self-produced titles as well as alternative versions of songs from his previous offerings.  On listening to the current LP, it is clear to see that Sartain takes his influences from a variety of genres as it is a plethora of styles and eras mashed into one 21 song album. While at times tedious, overall the album contains many hidden treasures. It is impossible not to compare some of the songs to their sound-a-likes. Atheist Funeral is without doubt one of the strongest songs on the album, and it bares resemblance to Liverpool indie rockers The Coral, right down to the drudging bass-line and the harmonious backing vocals. Another impressive song is the fast-paced Those Thoughts which highlights the singer/songwriter's ability to capture the listener's attention with compelling lyrics and train-like beats. The mood quickly changes from sober adolescence to a bluesy feel that can only be accomplished through life experience with Box Cutter In My Boot, another impressive track.  As can be expected however, there are some weak links in the otherwise delightful album such as the flight of the flinch. To be blunt, it sounds as though it should be on the soundtrack from a recent Nicolas Cage movie, and that is by no means a positive air to exude. Other downfalls include Day-By-Day, a weak effort that apes some of the better songs on the album. Then there is the cheesy Besame Mucho, which is reminiscent of a song you would find some sun burnt Irish man singing in a classless bar in Costa Del Sol.  Overall the album is worth the listen, there are some dreary moments that you will feel inclined to skip over but they can be forgiven as it would be a hard task to produce a faultless 21 track album. If you have not already listened to Dan Sartain's work, this would be a good place to start.   Claire Kane Claire Kane Mon, 23 May 2011 17:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:537 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/238/Maps-Atlases-Perch-Patchwork#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=238 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=238&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/238/Maps-Atlases-Perch-Patchwork A review of the album 'Perch Patchwork' by Maps & Atlases Review Snapshot: New to the indie scene, Chicago band Maps & Atlases mash a folk rock sound with the math rock genre to produce a well-thought out and emotional debut album. A recurring theme of bitterness around break-ups is often disguised by a cheery nature in what could be one of the must-have indie albums.  The Cluas Verdict? 7 out of 10 Full Review: Folk rock has been an increasingly popular genre for the past two years. Whether you consider it from a mainstream point of view (Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling) or if you are more inclined to take an Indie perspective (Frank Turner) it has no doubt been growing in influence. This year sees a new American band combining the ever-growing folk rock style with a less appreciated genre that originated in the 1980s, known as “Math Rock” (others tagged with this genre include Ghosts and Vodka, Dilute). Although Maps & Atlases apply the asymmetric rhythms of the genre, the folk undercurrents of their debut album Perch Patchwork cannot be denied. It is a clever fusion, bound to get them noticed in certain indie circles, if not more widely. In general the album is one with an air of regret, inevitably girl-related regret, as well as a weariness with a somewhat wild and youthful but beyond youth lifestyle. The former however, is dominant throughout, most notably in second track The Charm (“I don’t think there is a sound that I hate more than the sound of your voice.” ) The lyrics speak for themselves; clearly this album has been written off the back of a wearying and heart-breaking relationship. Musically the album is strong; the recurrent lyrical theme played out in different musical guises. Pigeon is a more cheerful sounding lament; however there does seem to be an air of cynicism in it as the singer appears to be bothered by a woman’s unmovable pride. The interchanging sounds from song to song keep the listener intrigued as it becomes apparent that this is not another 4-Chords-suits-all kind of outfit. For example, at the beginning of the album, Will sounds like anything apart from folk music. Void of lyrics, the song still manages to evoke feelings of relaxation and simple joy through pleasant musicianship and meaningless warbling. Another lyric-free track is 'Was', which has a delightful guitar riff but manages to portray the opposite emotions stirred by Will. A poignantly beautiful treat to the ears. That the band can produce two songs with the same wordless methods, yet provoke two opposite emotions, suggests a band of intriguing musical talents. A delight of an album that is a relaxing and intriguing listen, lacking any hideous or off-putting flaws.  Claire Kane Maps & Atlases - Living Decorations by FatCat Records More ... Claire Kane Tue, 26 Oct 2010 02:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:238 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/248/Teron-Beal-Liquor-Store#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=248 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=248&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/248/Teron-Beal-Liquor-Store A review of the album Liquor Store by Teron Beal. Review Snapshot:  Songwriter to the stars certainly doesn’t keep the best for himself as Teron Beal releases his debut solo effort. The Cluas Verdict? 2 out of 10 Full Review: Teron Beal is a little celebrated American singer-songwriter who has spent the last 20 years in the shadows writing songs for the likes of Pink and impressively, Michael Jackson. Quite an achievement for someone who was born when the king of pop still had an afro. Not many people have achieved such things in such a young life, however he has still gone relatively unnoticed by the wider public, and the question is; will his debut album, “Liquor Store”, change this? The album is heavily influenced by Prince, with many of the tracks featuring a similar vocal style to the tiny purple one, as well as comparable rhythmic structure. The most obvious song to compare to Prince is debut single, “New Girl.” The melody is very 1986 and the Prince inspiration goes right down to a high-octave wail towards the end of the song. Unfortunately Beal’s song writing track record, which is indeed remarkable, is not reflected in the quality of his first solo outing. Even the Prince-like “New Girl” fails to strike the listener (a 35 year old man singing about the new hot student at his high school?Perhaps it is a Beiber reject?) Another song that could be pulled in to question is the more modern sounding “Gone Now”. If the song is meant to be somewhat of a parody, it is quite likeable. However if the song (which basically depicts a cheating man who is unable to understand why his girlfriend left him for sleeping with another woman, mainly because he gives her money and never tries to hit her) is intended as a serious one would doubt Beal’s emotional intelligence, in addition to his songwriting abilities. Commentary on this album cannot go without mention of the Stone Roses cover that somehow found its way on to the track list. It is just about bearable, perhaps because Beal didn’t differentiate from the original too drastically. One song that isn’t completely disconcerting, although it does not save the album, is “Break my Fall”,  the only truly listenable track on the album. It is The Script meets Ne-Yo and its mid-chart worthiness cannot be denied. If released as a single it is likely to make a minor stir in the pop world. Overall the album is poor, lacking any pizzazz or striking lyricism and will no doubt, in time, find its way to the bargain bin at Tesco. Claire Kane Teron Beal - New Girl by Playground Music More ... Claire Kane Fri, 06 Aug 2010 02:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:248 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/250/The-Crayonettes-Playing-out-Songs-for-children-and-robots#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=250 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=250&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/250/The-Crayonettes-Playing-out-Songs-for-children-and-robots A review of the album 'Playing out: Songs for children and robots' by The Crayonettes. Review snapshot: Former punk queen Anna Spencer and folk singer Kathryn Williams combine their hatred towards CDs for children to make an interesting first adult-friendly and intelligent album aimed at kids. Cluas Verdict?: 7 out of 10. Full Review: The Crayonettes is the union of popular folk songstress Kathryn Williams and lead singer of Newcastle Punk band, “Delicate Vomit”, Anna Spencer. The concept of the album is just as endearing as the actual songs. The two music veterans have relatively recently become mothers and discovered a mutual disdain for the common and fervent Children’s CDs. They wanted to produce an adult friendly children’s album to create a blissful haven for the tortured ears of mothers and fathers. Each track on the album is aimed at children while maintaining a bearable tune, covering the usual topics, questions about animals, opposites, and hopscotch.  What is most charming about the quaint album is the fact that each song was played to the artists’ sons for their approval, so each and every track comes with the recommendation of a 3 and 4 year old. The most pleasurable is “Disco Teeth”, a song the pair describe as “The Small Faces brushing their teeth”; it’s an alternative version of the much revisited “brushing your teeth is great” mantra that so many children’s CDs churn out. This time however the message is accompanied by soft folksy vocals, a catchy tune and adult guitars. One of the most fun tracks on the album is the Bowie-esque “let’s dance on the moon.” It is very electronic inspired, perfect for mothers’ ears, raised in the 80s and the lyrics are amusing for the children and, admittedly, the adults as well. The cute robot noises will also have the youngsters enraptured, and particularly winning is the penultimate line of the song, “one step for kids, one giant step for kid-kind.” Released on the 6th of September 2010, the delightful album is well worth the purchase particularly if you a music-snob-come-parent who has been driven to distraction by the incessantly cheerful children’s CDs your kids to which your kids have taken a liking. On the other hand, kids or no kids, this album is an enchanting listen. Claire Kane The Crayonettes - Playing Out, Songs for Children and Robots by One Little Indian Records More ... Claire Kane Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:250 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/104/Cluster-live-In-Dublin#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=104 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=104&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/104/Cluster-live-In-Dublin Cluster (live in The Village, Dublin) Review Snapshot: So-called “pioneers of ambient music” fail to light fires at Dublin venue, The Village, but perform a convincing showcase for the latest “relaxing bathing tunes” CD collection. The Cluas Verdict? 4/10 Full Review: Cluster are a German electronic/experimental group which are often referred to as the “pioneers of ambient music”. When preparing to see them perform live, this tag is likely to raise your expectations. Which will be significantly lowered once the duo (Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius) begin playing their less than exhilarating set list. It would be unfair to strip the group of their “pioneer” status, as they have clearly influenced bands that have helped to shape music in the last 15+ years such as Air and Röyksopp. However their live performance left a lot to be desired when they played Dublin's The Village on Saturday, 6th of February. Cluster played a mix of what some might call “classic” songs, from their older albums such as “Für Luise” and some tracks off their most recent works. In a live performance the music was unmoving, but it was clear that in other situations, it would have its benefits. “Bath Music” one reveller called it in a mumbled conversation by the bar. The room remained virtually still under the command of the duo's almost intimidating soft and arty music, as was it clearly divided into those who had an interest in German ambient music, and those who came for the experience. Those with a vested interest nodded approvingly at Cluster’s performance, those who were unused to this kind of gig experience stared, bemused at the ageing pioneers, or made confused faces to their companions. Unfortunately, there is little to say on the group's performance, as is generally expected from an electronic group, there was little or no interaction with the crowd and interaction with each other was also at a bare minimum. It was far from a thrilling experience for any gig-goers, no emotion, no hairs standing on end, and no stories to tell afterwards. All the essential elements of a worthwhile gig. From song to song the music was good, if a little samey, although in a reasonably filled room, it did not make much of live performance. Instead of feeling like you were at a gig in one of Dublin's more prestigious venues, it felt as though you were sitting in a shamelessly trendy nightclub with a shamelessly repetitive soundtrack playing in the background. Perhaps it would have been a better idea to spend the €20 on a Cluster album, and have a relaxing night in a bubble bath instead. Claire Kane More ... Claire Kane Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:104 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/278/Various-Artists-Dublins-Unsigned-the-Best-Of#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=278 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=278&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/278/Various-Artists-Dublins-Unsigned-the-Best-Of A review of the compilation album 'Dublin's unsigned: the best of' Review Snapshot: "Dublin's unsigned: Best of" showcases the raw talent of Dublin music's underbelly with a selection of hard working bands. Shining a light on parts of the Irish music scene that are too often overlooked. A good reminder, for those that need one, that there is more to Irish music than U2, and soppy boybands. The Cluas Verdict? 7 out of 10 Full Review: For many outside of Ireland Dublin remains associated with one band, U2, despite having spawned other great bands like Thin Lizzy and er… The Boomtown Rats. What many don't realise is that there are many fabulous bands lurking in the shadows, working away, all baying for even a fraction of U2's success. To showcase some of these bands' talents, Fatfux records, with the support of the Arnotts project, Phantom FM and IMRO, have put together a compilation of Dublin's best unsigned acts.  With 14 tracks, the album is a fair representation, despite a few notable absentees, of unsigned acts in Dublin (there is always volume two for those who didn't make the cut). The second track is undoubtedly one of the strongest on the entire album: The Spikes' "Painted on Gold". A catchy number, it lifts the tone of the compilation after opening track "Coin Box" by Killer Chloe, which is a good song, but falls more under the bracket of "average". There are very few weak songs on the album, and a handful which are set apart from the rest, they having a more individual sound. More Tiny Giants are one of these unique bands. With their song "Hocus Pocus" they sound like the love child of The Coral and The White Stripes. The most outstanding band on the album is Noise Control, an intriguing electro outfit emerging from  the woodwork. They secured a supporting role for The Prodigy when they played in Dublin during December, and when you listen to the track featured on this album, you will see why the pioneers of hardcore rave gave them the chance. "Steel" is already a popular song, by underground status, and is often played at Dublin's favourite indie night "No Disco" in the Academy 2.   Many of the bands that have come to the foreground in Ireland in the last few years seem to be clones of one another, Delorentos and Director spring to mind, so it is satisfying to learn from "Dublin's unsigned" that there are different breeds lurking in the underground.  Overall the compilation is somewhat of an eye opener. Anyone involved or interested in Dublin music will know that it is grossly overlooked. Maybe this album can lay down a marker for an overdue surge of wider interest in Dublin's healthy music scene. Claire Kane More ... Claire Kane Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:278 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/57/Frank-Turner-Voice-of-the-every-man#Comments 0 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=36&ModuleID=728&ArticleID=57 https://www.cluas.com:443/indie-music/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=57&PortalID=0&TabID=36 https://www.cluas.com/indie-music/Home/ID/57/Frank-Turner-Voice-of-the-every-man Interview with Frank Turner, formerly of Million Dead Although Frank Turner is a well known singer/song writer in certain circles of music fans, he has in no way been affected by his fame. Leading the way up to his dressing room in The Academy, Dublin City, he made small talk and confessed that he is "a fan of peace and quiet."  Turner kicked off his U.K and Ireland tour in Dublin on October 13th, a tour which consisted of 16 dates. He's has just finished touring with The Offspring in the U.S. promoting his current album Poetry of the Deed and he has a reputation of being dedicated to being on the road. The singer spoke overtly about his gigging, saying he believes it is his duty to perform to the best of his abilities for his loyal fans: "I see myself as being an entertainer, above and beyond anything else, and my job is to get up on stage and make the people, who pay to come to the show, have a really good time." He likes to think of himself as somewhat of an anti-rock star, in that, although he has just released his third album to critical acclaim, he doesn't feel that he has a license to become a typical chauvinist rock star who has become consumed by the stereotypical music luminary: "If I'm not doing that…and I'm just sitting around my home and being an artiste," he says with ironic humour, "and being fed grapes by women in togas, then I'm not being what I want to be, or who I want to be."  It appears to be Turner's musical background that has created this philosophy. He was a member of post-hardcore band Million Dead, which enjoyed reasonable success between 2001 and 2005.  Speaking honestly about the experience, he feels that although the time spend with Million Dead was valuable, it was also unpleasant: "Million Dead was a very intense experience, we didn't have very much fun! We were hyper-self critical. It's not really surprising that we sort of hated each other after four years of that." When comparing his solo experience with his time with the band, he remarks upon the different temperaments he has come across with underlying jesting: " If somebody screws up now… we'll just have a laugh, while if somebody screwed up then there would be death stares for the entire gig, and then we'd go back to the dressing room and someone would be hit."  Now many music aficionados adore him as the voice of the every-man. He has accumulated a large amount of loyal fans, but Frank himself is very humble with regard to his cult status: "sometimes I feel like if I sit down and analyse why the people who like me, like me, it will just crumble." Rubbing his face in apparent nervousness he seems to recoil at the term "hero", showing his modest character in it's most genuine form. He laughs as he tries to scrutinise the notion, finally deciding that it's simply "better than being a cult failure." The musician agrees that the down-to-earth sentiments within his songs may lend to the offbeat heroism with which he has been affiliated. However he also declares that he writes the lyrics to suit his own ability to bear the song: "If I write a song that's going to be in my set, I'm going to play it an awful lot, so it has to be something that I can be bothered about for more than five minutes." Unfortunately however Turner's undeniable talent for lyricism is not the reason his name has been mentioned on certain websites and in certain publications. In August, Frank updated his blog, commenting on how file-sharing effects people in his position and he is now being somewhat involuntarily involved in the tired subject of file-sharing which is headed by the likes of Lily Allen and Tom Smith of The Editors. At the moment Frank is trying to digress from the situation, but cannot help but be a little peeved by the notion that some individuals feel they have some kind of right to free music: "People are talking about stuff that they don't understand." he points out gravely, "I don't go into to hospitals and tell them how to run things, because I don't know how that works. I do know how being a musician works... and you get kids who live with their parents telling me how I should run my business and it's kind of like; 'how about you go f**k yourself?' " Not only did he receive death threats for his comments, but he also worries that his future successes may be determined by the management of illegal file-sharing.  Aside from his worries with regard to file-sharing, Frank Turner seems to be excited by the prospects that lie ahead of him. Unsurprisingly there are yet more tour-dates to come for Frank Turner in the US and Australia. Although the touring is somewhat a given for the hardworking musician, he divulges his unexpected plans for his next recording venture, a compilation of traditional English folk songs: "I really want to do a record of English folk music. I'm English and I grew up not knowing anything about English folk music. I knew none of the words, or the melodies. There all about f***ing and death at the end of the day so it should be good fun." He seems amused by his reasons for planning this stop-gap album and undoubtedly his fans will be just as entertained by the concept.  Frank Turner is just an ordinary man, who happened to find fame through hard work. He advises anyone who is aiming to break out of their local scene to do the same: "This is hard graft, it's very unlikely that you're going to get rich, but what you might do is have the incredible privilege of doing something that you love doing for a living. It's a rarity in life and it's something that I'm lucky to be able to do. The thing is to just love what you do and work really hard." Claire Kane More ... Claire Kane Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:57