Torso Horse - The Invisible Event (eight-track album/ Native) By Steve Rudd Release Date: November 1st 2004.

Over the past four years, Bridlington band Torso Horse has truly - and deservedly - dominated the Goth-Metal scene in East Yorkshire in style. This uncompromising eight-track release is their second album, and the eagerly anticipated follow-up to their rapturously received debut album, The Freak Show. Hardcore fans of the Horse will be already more than familiar with four of the songs (which are the first two and the final two on the album) in Dragging Me Down, Angel You'll Never Be, Labels and old live favourite This Is War.

The remaining four tunes are newer numbers, with I'm Everywhere and Reflections in particular hearing the lead guitar, the earth-quaking bass-lines, dramatic drum-beats and Adam Towse's thrilling vocals clashing perfectly to create a truly exhilarating sound. This Is War hears Adam indulge in a rap-styled vocal performance, with the menace of Cradle Of Filth's music never been too far away. All their songs are anthemic in their own rights, but still it's opening tune Dragging Me Down that is the standout track .. so much so that the band has made a bloody spectacular promo video to accompany the beautiful beast. Just like this is the trio's second album, Dragging Me.. is also the second promo video they've made, after the visually stunning video to Every Dog Has Its Day dutifully stunned viewers of MTV2 and Scuzz no end. This album might be much shorter than their debut album, but the quality is certainly on an equal par, with this release set to be stocked in major music retailers (such as HMV, MVC and Music Zone) the length and breadth of the country. So, far from the TH machine being an invisible enemy of any sort, the Torso Horse outfit is - in fact - an irresistible ally in the fight for fantastic rock music packed with bold Goth-Metal leanings. 5/5 www.torsohorse.com

Single Reviews - Ox - Blood (mini-album/ Co-Pop) By Steve Rudd Release Date: November 1st 2004.
	Oh I do like to be beside the seaside when super-talented acoustic-based duos in the shape of Ox materialise from towns such as Brighton, as Ox band members in multi-instrumentalists Jim Oxborrow and John Etkin-Bell have. Jim sings, with his sensitive voice being Read more...

Single Reviews - Hoobastank - The Reason (Mercury) By Steve Rudd
	It's been almost impossible to avoid this radio-friendly tune over the past few weeks, as it has literally taken the world by storm. Over in the US it was the Number One airplay record for five weeks, before basking in the glory of being the Number Three most played track in Read more...

Album Reviews - Joesolo - An Exile In Suburbia By Nick Quantrill
	History lesson - Lithium Joe were much more than graffiti on the Hull train station wall. Whilst the majority of Hull bands are happy to settle for receiving meaningless platitudes from their mates and being great in the local clubs, Lithium Joe was different. Read more...

CD Reviews - Khi (6-track Demo) By Steve Rudd
	This quartet's high-octane How Would I Know anthem might thematically speak of all the time that people tend to waste in life, during non-productive days that serve nobody and nothing. To the contrary, this hugely exciting Hull band (that has been on the go for some years now) most Read more...

Single Reviews - Mansun - Slipping Away (EMI) By Steve Rudd
	Brace yourselves, for this is the last-ever single release from those loveable Chester-based boys. Sadly, they decided to call it a day whilst recording their fourth, as-yet-unreleased album. On the upside though, and to help die-hard fans get over the initial loss, Mansun are Read more...

Album Reviews - The Composers - Evacuate London (8-track demo) By Steve Rudd
	Compose yourself, for the music on offer here from this East London-rooted band is most excellent. Opening track Evacuate London is a jingle-jangling shot of down-to-earth, lovelorn pop music of the highest caliber, with Dan Edelstyn leading the quintet Read more...

Album Reviews - Ron Sexsmith - Retriever (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd
	Ever since the early 90's, and the 1991 release of Grand Opera Lane, Ron has been making sublime music - and has even had some of his songs covered by the superstar likes of Rod Stewart and Elton John. This 12-track album is a beautifully conceived affair, and a mixture of upbeat Read more...

Single Reviews - The Departure - Be My Enemy (EMI) By Steve Rudd
	Northampton dudes The Departure are dutifully setting the rock 'n' roll-loving nation alight with their upbeat and hugely melodic brand of excellence. Would you be my enemy? It's easier that way!, sings versatile vocalist David Jones, as the band behind him Read more...

Album Reviews - Silence Kit - Pieonear By Michelle Dee
	Imagine my surprise when I received a disc from Moscow to review. It was attractively packaged with what I think may be a crude representation of a pangolin; possibly a polar bear but I favour the pangolin idea, constructed from snow and ice. The cover folds out to reveal Read more...

Single Reviews - Sum 41 - We're All To Blame (Mercury) By Steve Rudd
	After almost a year of keeping well away from the spotlight, these four Canadian boys are back - and with a truly almighty bang. Just because there hasn't been any Sum 41 releases for a while, though, doesn't mean they've been living the easy life. In fact, Read more...

Single Reviews - The Landaus - What Ya Cryin' For (3-tracks / Dagalost) By Steve Rudd
	The Landaus, over the past year, have come to be rightfully regarded as one of the best rock 'n' roll bands in the Hull area. This three-track single is arguably their most accomplished and impressive release so far, fronted by the title track in What Ya Cryin For: a supremely Read more...

Single Reviews - Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot (B-Unique) By Steve Rudd
	There's no sense in beating around any bush: this Leeds five-piece is one white-hot rock outfit - and it seems certain that these Yorkshire boys are going to more than ingratiate themselves and their incredibly catchy music to the masses in the coming few months. The telltale Read more...

Single Reviews - The Others - Stan Bowles (Poptones) By Steve Rudd
	These guys have reveled in one hell of a year, going to inspirational extremes in the art of self-publicity for their Alternative poppy and punky rock 'n' roll band. The likes of Embrace and The Libertines have long been applauded by fans for staging secret gigs in Read more...

Single Reviews - Daniel Rachel - Dear Friend (Dust Records) By Steve Rudd Release Date: September 27th 2004.
	Daniel Rachel, as a style-conscious solo singer-songwriter, is truly to be treasured. I couldn't recommend his work more, so seek it here, seek it there. Then slip it on, stand back.. and listen. No, I mean really listen. Dear Friend is an astonishing song, crisp with twin acoustic guitar-based purity that Read more...