Emma Rugg - Oceans / Depart EP By Steve Rudd

Since Hull singer-songwriter Emma released her fabulous debut album Isolated Impression, her song writing style has changed somewhat, with this five-track EP being the perfect showcase for two brand new songs (in Oceans and Depart), along with appearances from her older tunes When I Looked At You and Prelude To The End, plus an alternative version of Oceans. Oceans itself is an upbeat and acoustic-based pop gem that might remind of Suzanne Vega's hugely engaging storytelling in Tom's Diner, with crisp guitar chords ringing against Emma's extraordinarily emotion-soaked voice.

She's wondering if a phone line can portray emotion from the cables that run underground across the ocean, muses Emma, as fascinating chord changes battle for prominence over her simply stunning and genuinely angelic voice. Depart' meanwhile, is an even more awe-inspiring and breathtaking cut above that thematically harks back to the time she spent over in Michigan when American singer-songwriter Henry Doss invited her over there to record some songs with him after he heard her on BBC Radio Humberside's Raw Talent show.

Depart is immediately bewitching, and proceeds to become a somewhat sad yet thoroughly captivating affair of the heart, as her heart sounds to be torn between her hometown of Hull and Michigan's snowy Traverse City. Emma captures the life-enhancing power of the art of travel with childlike wonder, with the vibes of this tune being pure and innocence. You've got to get back to know where you've been, Emma swoons, before the song passionately leads to a euphoric climax that's underpinned by subtle Country influences.

When I Looked At You might have acoustic guitar roots, but a far rockier approach is on the agenda, especially once the strong electric guitar riff takes hold. Prelude To The End, however, is far removed from When I Looked At You, this tune being one of the highlights from Emma's critically acclaimed debut album. She displays her prowess on the guitar as a finger-picked tune underpins the complex structure of the song, and an engaging bridge seems to magically lead on into another bridge - and then another. Her song writing is a true art, and surprises are far reaching.

Emma is the new face of acoustic-Pop music. Her songs manage to be sensationally melodic, emotionally mature and technically sophisticated. And, one day soon, she deserves to follow in the footsteps of fellow Hull-residing stars The Paddingtons by crashing into the charts with a bang. Ah yes. www.emmarugg.com www.indreamsrecords.com

Singles Reviews - Chart Review 18th July 2005 with DJ Chris Plant
	Sorry I haven't done any chart reviews in a while. I've been busy with my American girlfriend. Well, we have a new Number One single this week. Just for a change it isn't a new release that has been hyped to the hills or a record bought in bulk by a small hardcore of fans that will struggle to appeal to a wider Read more...

Single Reviews - Morning Runner - Gone Up In Flames (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd
	Morning Runner are fast-becoming one of the nation's most exciting rock bands, and here they follow-up their fabulous Drawing Shapes EP with yet another masterpiece of a tune that is in truth an epic anthem. Their second single Gone Up In Flames is an upbeat and fast-paced pop-rock cut of staggering and mesmerising proportions, and their sublime and emotion-toiling sound might remind some folk of Terris. Read more...

Single Reviews - 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. Read more...

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...

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...