Song reviews


  Tiny Islands by Tangerine


Tiny Islands cover art


Twee heaven

Just when you think that you will sink in a sea of cynicism, along comes a rescue boat powered by the kind of catchy indie pop with sugary sweet female vocals that always chases the sharks away. The name on the lifebelt is “Tiny Islands” and the band is called Tangerine. We are saved!


Review date:  June 28 2015
  tangerineband.com

  The City is a Stream by Leah Senior


The City is a Stream cover art


Australian folk

Winsome in her approach, Australian Leah Senior never takes her song “The City Is A Stream” far from the traditional but, that said, her voice makes more sense of the poetry of her words than most could. If I were a betting man then I would put a few dollars down on her chances.


  Caveman by Milo McMahon


Caveman cover art


Fey folk

This is as about as lightweight as you will hear this summer with Milo McMahon taking his song “Caveman” for a stroll down the neo-folk yellow brick road. Whilst the intention, in production terms at least, was no doubt quirkiness, the result sounds somewhat incomplete.


Review date:  June 28 2015
  www.milomcmahon.com

  Flying Cyclist by Professor Skank meets George Avramidis


Flying Cyclist cover art


Greek dubbing

Music is indeed a global thing as Professor Skank proves with his remix escapade “Flying Cyclist”. Professor Skank is actually from Greece and I certainly did not expect a seven minute dub groove from that part of the world but here it is. The appropriated trumpet of George Avramidis adds a bit of sophistication to the song’s dancefloor appeal.


Review date:  June 28 2015
  on.fb.me/1LP9SD2

  Plankton by Reverieme


Plankton cover art


Deeper thoughts

Whilst decidedly lightweight in its presentation, “Plankton” is definitely a serious song and, with Louise Connell using wistful repetition to lead her words down the path to enlightenment, metaphorical melancholy has rarely been more appealing.


Review date:  June 26 2015
  www.facebook.com/Reverieme

  What Am I Doing Here by Sons of Rico


What Am I Doing Here cover art


Australian indie

Australian indie popsters Sons of Rico strike out for success with “What Am I Doing Here?” It’s an energetic song that exudes hope and yet still finds room for the singalong chorus that is the secret of mass appeal.


Review date:  June 26 2015
  www.facebook.com/sonsofrico

  A Million Men 2 Many by Amin El and Michael O’Neill


A Million Men 2 Many cover art


Truth lives

A blues song with both purpose and soul, “A Million Men 2 Many” reeks of honesty with Amin El and Michael O’Neill showing that a social conscience can still co-exist with twelve bars. The overtly political lyrics are to be commended and are more than enough to make you wonder why, and how, hip-hop replaced the blues as the language of the streets.


  Adrenaline by Fred Abbott


Adrenaline cover art


Spirited

Fred Abbott, formerly of Noah and The Whale, shows his true spirit and accordingly romps through his song “Adrenaline” like a man high on the glory days of American rock music. The guitars aren’t big enough for the job but our Mr. Abbott nonetheless throws his hat into the ring with this one.


Review date:  June 24 2015
  www.fredabbott.com

  Sister by TeenCanteen


Sister cover art


Indie girls

A sweet slice from the Scottish indie pop cake, “Sister” shows that TeenCanteen can sugar coat even a message of solidarity and that’s a sure way to capture both ears and heart in little more than three minutes. A job well done, as they say.


Review date:  June 22 2015
  www.teencanteen.co.uk

  Little Emily by Rebel and the Hearts


Little Emily cover art


Best folk forward

Despite the reggae rhythms, Rebel and The Hearts actually hail from the Isle of Wight and their song “Little Emily” chugs incessantly forward powered by just an acoustic guitar and a bit of percussion. In days gone by this song would have been considered a demo but, in these plastic enhanced days, the minimalism is refreshing.


  My Only Vice by Ms. Henrik


My Only Vice cover art


Shadow dance

“My Only Vice” is another example of an androgynous electro pop song of the kind designed with the dance floor in mind that regularly escapes the boundaries of Sweden. Ms. Henrik, as always, throws his heart into the strobe lit words.


Review date:  June 21 2015
  www.mshenrik.com

  Counterfeit by Jenn Bostic


Counterfeit cover art


Radio princess

“Counterfeit” may well be a mainstream song about the overlapping reality and illusion of a man but Jenn Bostic has the voice to make such routine things radio friendly and easy on the ear. The same old story perhaps but well told.


Review date:  June 20 2015
  jennbostic .com


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