The Blue Van - Revelation of Love (TVT) By Steve Rudd

It isn't every day that a quality rock band sails across the North Sea with such bold and ambitious intentions as Denmark outfit The Blue Van. This is their debut single which is taken from their Art Of Rolling album, with this tune being unflinchingly propelled by a rock hard angular guitar riff that attacks the senses like a sledgehammer to the groin. A pulsating bass-line reverberates beneath front man Steffan's irresistibly hypnotic I'm falling back to you chant that seems to dominate the song's lyrical worth. At less than three minutes long, their Revelation of Love might be short, but it sure is wickedly sharp.

Armed with a Classic Rock rawness from decades gone by, a cracking performance that these four guys made at the Roskilde festival a few years ago led to this here deal that the band has with TVT Records. Just recently they've hit the road with Hot Hot Heat, along with the stage at Hyde Park's Wireless festival. Indeed, they've already played shows around much of Europe and America, so it seems it won't be long before The Blue Van - as a band - will be a household name. 7/10

Album Reviews - Ipanema - Me Me Me (Boss Tuneage Records) By Nick Quantrill
	Me Me Me is the debut mini-album from Hampshire based punk-rockers, Ipanema. Without falling wholly into the punk or rock camp, Ipanema are hammering out guitar heavy tunes that rock with the best of them, whilst still retaining an infectiously fresh melodic approach. The welding together of big guitar riffs with harmonies and up-lifting choruses maybe isn't that surprising Read more...

Single Reviews - Idlewild - El Capitan (EMI) By Steve Rudd
	Idlewild have been strutting their rock wares now for the best part of ten years, and yet their music is still constantly surprising and genuinely thrilling. This single release comes from the quintet's latest, and arguably greatest, album in Warnings/ Promises, and is even more of a sad, sad song than their Love Steals us From Loneliness anthem that has Read more...

Music, Bands - Tidy Mind Band Biog
	Tidy Mind are ... James Atkinson - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar. Lyle Jarvis - Lead Guitar. Rich titch Lovelock - Drums. little Mikey Goulding - Bass Guitar. Tidy Mind is a Psychedelic Blues-Rock band. The band came together when Lyle and James became friends a few years ago and started jamming occasionally, hoping that one day Read more...

Album Reviews - Screaming Tarts Compilation Album By Steve Rudd
	A genuinely thrilling compilation album can often be impossible to find, so this refreshing blast of largely Glam-garnished rock 'n' roll action is welcome relief indeed. Especially in this day and age when so many people still think that the pop-pouting Now releases are the ultimate be-all and end-all of compilation albums. This 17-track wonder, Read more...

Album Reviews - Jeff Caudill - Here's What You Should Do (Fortunate Son Records) By Nick Quantrill
	If evidence was ever needed that old punks don't die, they transform into singer-songwriters with an itch to scratch, Jeff Caudill personifies this. Cutting his teeth fronting acclaimed US pop-punkers Gameface, his solo career sees him ease his foot off the pedal and kick-back without losing any impact or bite. Caudill's trump-card is his ability to craft instantly memorable songs that swing with Read more...

Album Reviews - The Vultures - Rebel Yelp By Caroline Murphy Photos - 23rd April 05 at The Adelphi By Michelle Dee
	Listening to this 6+ track EP conjured up images of black drain pipes and pudding basin haircuts, the retro 60's feel seeped from every groove. The distinctive guitar riffs and rhythm in most of the tracks could have come straight from the dark and smoky atmosphere of The Cavern, and I'm sure The Vultures dream that their success will equal that of the most famous band to come Read more...

Single Reviews - Be There (Freezer Recordings) By Steve Rudd
	This single is heart-warming indie-pop music of the highest order, from a fresh quartet that is fronted by the naturally talented singer and guitarist Leon Black. The band's chirpy Be There anthem is a perfect summer-suited tune for the masses to smile along to, being an electro-edged gem - and hugely commercial to boot. B-side Prozac Generation is just as poppy, while the Dirty Blue Gene Read more...

Single Reviews - Tsar - Band-Girls-Money (TVT) By Steve Rudd
	This cracking single is taken from the band's latest album, the follow-up to their debut LP that came out some five years ago, back in the year 2000. Tsar hail from LA where they have a strong following, but more and more people over here in the UK are fast -tracking their passions in favour of Tsar and their quest for worldwide domination. Read more...

Single Reviews - The Jim Muir Slideshow - Tomorrow's World, Today (Bowmans Capsule Records) By Nick Quantrill
	Tomorrow's Word, Today is the final part of a trilogy of releases from The Jim Muir Slideshow. Conceived as a refuge from the stresses of working in the medical profession, the trilogy started with the initial aim of ensuring the sanity of its participants. A single of the week award from The Guardian Read more...

Singles Reviews - Chart Review 13th June 2005 with DJ Chris Plant
	I had an unfortunate experience on Sunday evening. A long car journey meant that just for a change I was in a position to listen to the chart show on a certain national radio station. You'll know the one I mean, the one that used to have a host that actually cared about what he was playing and what it meant for each artist to have each chart position. Read more...

Music News - White Rose Movement - Supporting The Infidels at Silhouette Saturday 18th June 05.
	If you have already heard Love Is A Number, the debut single from London's White Rose Movement, then this introduction is unnecessary. The attitude, the groove, the hooks, and the spiky pop sensibility, speak louder than any press release. But if you're looking to fill the next 30 seconds while you cue up the record, Read more...

Single Reviews - Kate Aumonier - Much Like Yesterday (Sanctuary) By Steve Rudd
	Things are looking bright for this pretty young thing, and surely to goodness this fresh-faced singer-songwriter will wind up remembering this year fondly, given the potential fame and fortune that could very well edge her way on the back of this superb release. Much Like Yesterday (which, interestingly, was co-composed by Jez Ashurst - the cheeky front man of pop-rockers Farrah) Read more...

Single Reviews - Hey Negrita - Devil In My Shoes (Fat Fox) By Steve Rudd
	Truly a mighty tune to help you breathe more easily, the anthemic vibes therein are born out of a monstrously angular guitar riff being creatively pinned up against a wicked dance beat. The resulting high octane energy levels more than mean business, and there isn't one dull second of Read more...

Single Reviews - Beach - Burning Up (Sliding Vinyl) By Steve Rudd
	Truly a mighty tune to help you breathe more easily, the anthemic vibes therein are born out of a monstrously angular guitar riff being creatively pinned up against a wicked dance beat. The resulting high octane energy levels more than mean business, and there isn't one dull second of Read more...

Album Reviews - Back To Base featuring Benjamin Zephaniah - Heading For The Door By Suzanne Hicks
	A fabulous blend of chilled, haunting guitars, gentle hip-hop and reggae drum beats with Benjamin Zephaniahs' soothing voice reciting his poetry. This album has something for every mood. Mostly relaxing with some fantastic funky house beats as well as African tribal rhythms and eastern influences Read more...