Morning Runner - Drawing Shapes (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd

Brace yourselves, one and all, for this band is set to become very, very, very well known indeed as they head out on the road in support of Coldplay. This fantastically exciting release is the band's debut EP and it is to be savoured, kicking off with Work, a song with a dark edge that develops into something of an epic that's propelled by well-structured means. The guitar and piano interplay is sublime, yet the second song of the EP somehow manages to be even more ear-catching and heart-rending in the form of the truly beautiful Hold Your Breath.

Hold Your Breath, should justice prevail, will come to be a classic anthem of our time, and the style and substance therein might tempt some folk to draw comparisons with the tender music of Keane and even The Thrills. High on melody, this song is a masterpiece, before It's Not Like Everyone's My Friend shoulder-barges its way onto the scene with the EP's most outright and boldly rocking riff, that is magnificently complemented by yet another perfectly welcome piano melody. Back in the Summer season of 2004, Morning Runner - a band that came together in and around the Reading area - released a limited edition 7" that boasted their tracks The Great Escape and Oceans. Fast-forward just one year, to Summer 2005, and here we are with a band that is surely to goodness teetering right on the very cusp of nationwide, if not worldwide, fame and fortune. Their music is magnificent, and already they have played their hearts out in support of bands such as Athlete, The Pogues and The Music. So, if you're going to run, make doubly sure that it's in their direction.

Album/CD Reviews - Holly Taymar - EP (Genie Cake Records) By Nick Quantrill
	EP is a limited edition release from York's Holly Taymar. Her critically acclaimed debut album, Less Than Nothing, was very much a jazz influenced record, yet it wasn't without one eye on capturing a wider audience for her music. This follow-up EP retains strong jazz elements but also incorporates a more commercial approach that hints at the direction her forthcoming full-length Read more...

Album Reviews - The Departure - Dirty Words (Parlophone) By Steve Rudd
	Fit to bursting with a few of the coolest tunes of recent years, there are three past single releases from this Northampton-nurtured band gracing this eleven-track album in the form of the uber-catchy All Mapped Out, Be My Enemy and Lump In My Throat. This album has been far too long in coming, but the wait has been more than worth it, as The Departure continue to set the Read more...

Album Reviews - Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - Cold Roses (Lost Highway) By Steve Rudd
	By God, this guy never ever seems to stop working. Despite a rather recent injury to one of his arms after an accident he had while playing a gig, this Country-Rocker is most definitely back on the scene - and not with just a few songs, but with a double-album that heralds a whole 19 brand new tracks. Granted, the total running time of both CDs combined comes to less than eighty minutes Read more...

Music News - Bad Girls Collective By Carolyn
	As the house and dance music scene in England goes from strength to strength the city of Hull is supplying it with new and innovative DJs by the dozen. There are many good DJ's in this area and for its size and limited selling area, Hull is certainly keeping up with the rest of the country in its varied nights across the city and many new genres are being supported. There does seem to be a lack of Read more...

Album Reviews - The Automatic - Recover (B-Unique) By Steve Rudd Release Date: October 24th 2005
	Viciously vibrant, dynamically deadly and extraordinarily exciting are just a few ways of describing this thoroughly refreshing blast of music from the amazingly young band in The Automatic... a quartet of guys who are clearly plussed-up on the type of music that makes the masses tick. Busting out of a small Welsh town, they sound destined to take the world by storm Read more...

CD/Album Reviews - Blind Frog Ernie - Inner Sanctum By Bernie Laverick
	Like skiffle, boogie and ragtime, the concept album seems almost like an ancient relic from a long gone era. But who could forget Rick Wakeman's epic The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table or even, The Six Wives of Henry Vlll? Riveting stuff! Even then, it was seen as self-indulgent pap, and quite Read more...

Single Reviews - Clor -Good Stuff (Regal) by Steve Rudd
	Fans who have been following this hugely exciting and innovative band right from the start might be glad to know that the original release of Good Stuff (when it featured on the band's limited edition Welcome Music Lovers EP) is now something of a much sought-after collector's item, with such a release Read more...

Single Reviews - Morning Runner - Be All You Want Me To Be (Parlophone) by Steve Rudd
	It's so far been a long and hard wait for Morning Runner's debut album, and still there is no sign. That's due in the new year, but in the meantime - and to follow up the success of the band's amazing Gone Up In Flames single - Be All You Want Me To Be demands attention like an angel of mercy stalking the underworld. Quite simply, this is yet another beautiful Read more...

Album Reviews - Stoner - Life And Times (EP/Rhythmbank) By Steve Rudd
	Superficially judging by the cover photo of this stunning three-track EP release, one might blindly assume because this trio is comprised of three stylish young lads that the music will be of the all-out rock variety. They sure look ready to rock, and in spurts they do rock, but for the most part the music of Stoner is a refreshing diversion for rock fans in that there are strong elements of Soul Read more...

Single Reviews - Hey Negrita - Old Britannia by Steve Rudd
	Following-up their marvellous Devil In My Shoes single in captivating style, this is the second single from Hey Negrita, a London quartet that deserves to be huge. Pushing an intriguing style of music, elements of new-wave 'Country' and 'Pop' music dominate the lush and simply lovely sound. Old Britannia Read more...

Music News - Press Release - Introducing Paparazzi Whore
	Bass driven glam punk with attitude is how people are describing Paparazzi Whore. DJ Steve Lamacq is currently playing the first track I Don't Think So from their debut album I'd Rather be Infamous Than Famous. Also, Claire Sturgess from XFM has made them Unsigned Band of the Week. Pulse Rated Hot Trax are now playing the second track Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - Ricky - High Speed Silence (Beat Crazy Records) By Nick Quantrill
	Ricky were undoubtedly one of the music industry's success stories of 2004. Sheer determination, effort and no little talent saw the band's self-released single hit the national charts and the accompanying debut album receive a four-star review in 'Q' magazine. Now signed to Beat Crazy Records, their debut release for the label, Stop Knocking The Read more...

Music News - Ricky visit Hull Schools - 20th September 2005
	Jim Lines and Gary Rex of Portsmouth based band Ricky visited Hull as part of the relentless process of recording local school children performing a football chant. This is for their forthcoming single, a football inspired indie-anthem for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The premise is simple; wouldn't it be great to have the sound of a massive crowd at the beginning of the song to really add some Read more...

Music News - PRESS RELEASE - Bob Sinclair 'In The House' 3XCD Compilation (Defected Records) Release Date: 5th September 05
	Ladies and gentlemen, Bob Sinclar is In The House 20 years of frisky Parisian eclecticism shapes the first ever mix CD - plus a full-length, lounge-tinged Latin bonus disc - from music's premier playboy superstar. 'French music was always horrible,' says DJ and producer Christophe Le Friant, aka Bob Sinclar. 'I was ashamed once to have French tracks in my record case. Read more...

Album Reviews - The Answer - Keep Believin' (EP Release/ALBERT) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	When a band like The Darkness requests that your band open for them at the Brixton Academy, then you surely know that you are onto a very good thing indeed. This is what happened to this truly awesome band in The Answer, who are busting out of Downpatrick in Ireland with a metaphorical fistful of dynamite and an aching ambition Read more...

Album Reviews - Fuji Heavy - Demo By Steve Rudd
	One of the most magnificently original and shamelessly eccentric demos that I've heard in absolutely ages, these three tracks from this refreshing Brighton band might just blow you away for good. The type of music herein is almost impossible to categorise, as the delightfully contemporary Prog-Rock Sunburn hurls itself at you in a most explosively Read more...

Album Reviews - The Apostacy - Demo By Steve Rudd
	What to expect from a band that opens up a demo with a song entitled Asparagus? Well, this slick rock-loving trio are no way as boring as asparagus, with such a tune in fact having roots in blazing Funk-Metal folds, as front man Shaun Garner sings and plays guitar as though System Of A Down are his favourite God-damned rock band since time began. Read more...

Album Reviews - Edwina Hayes - Out On My Own (Radar) By Steve Rudd
	I came to know and love the music of Edwina Hayes, who was born in Dublin, via something of a simple twist of fate. I was reading my local paper - The Driffield Times - and there was an article in there mentioning Edwina's music. Strange, I thought - I've heard of Edwina and have previously read good things about her and her music, but why Read more...

Music News - Mr Beasley - Radio 1 Tip Hull Band's Debut Single! By Matt Hill
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