Andy Tullock's Music Column February to March 06 (4/7)

(1/7), (2/7), (3/7), (4/7), (5/7), (6/7), (7/7).

As predictable as this may be, we can't really look further then Gnarls Barkley can we? Though both the aforementioned C. Bailey Rae and Orson were in the running, we kinda have to mark the achievement of the team of Danger Mouse & Cee-Lo, who now predict chart domination. Another, rather more long-shot, bet was George Michael. Just for being able to constantly top his previous achievement, though they have slightly less to do with the singles list and more the one labeled Most Wanted Single of the Month:

I think, as we have awarded the above award to the above winner in the above category then the above winner should not then be eligible for the above awards below follower. And so therefore, rather more straight forwardly I think that it has to go another new band, for the second month running, and they there be The Holloways, who I think have been included in my iPod Playlist so will let that do the talking of their brilliant debut single Happiness & Penniless. Pure Indie Pop.

Album of the Month:

This has to be the award most happy to be awarded this month as we all hail the return of the mighty Zutons Tired of Hanging Around. A band that hang on the edge of the cliched, finger-nailing main stream whilst still strayingh down the forbidden path of originality. And, furthermore, for their maturity to fully blown rock stars, as their breezy pop sound has been developed into the second stage of a World Domination experiment.

This has been given more fuel with the comparisons of Keane's new record to U2, well my friends if those guitar-less wonders have the fast track, then the Zutons have just jumped into a Ferrari Enzo, driven by a certain ex-Wham lead singer, and zoomed past with V signs that somehow work as acceptable. And of all the reviews I have read of this album (yes I do venture outside my perfectly punctuated world....even if just to view the competition) everyone has referenced a different song as the albums best track. Incidentally, mine are probably Valerie and You've Got A Friend My iPod Playlist of the Month: Occasionally, we all found ourselves rediscovering albums from years gone by.

Since what can only be described as a music Revolution of the last few years I seemed to be not having to go so far back to do this, okay so last month BritPop found its way into my stereo but these last 8 weeks or so have seen the originators of last years excitement showing just what that hype was about, as I have dug out my Razorlight and Snow Patrol albums and have realized that most of the songs that I overplayed about 18 months or so ago have had the same treatment by radios & music channels since, and have therefore stumbled on the all together fuller album tracks, and there can't be two better then Vice or How to be Dead, which also lets us forget the new single from the latter which I still mistake for Del Amitri.

Alongside this rediscovery we must mention the brilliant Ramones equally impressive The KKK Took My Baby Away.

Continued..... Next Page (5/7).

Album Reviews - Rising Sun - Dirty Daisy EP Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	An indie-gilded rock 'n' roll quartet with a difference, Rising Sun here present eight extraordinary tracks that prove to be sound testament to the band members' collective talents. The title track in Dirty Daisy is up first and is bolstered by guitarist Dan's heavyweight and swaggering riff. Nathan's raw, soul-inflamed vocals work a treat, while the music is both Read more...

Album Reviews - The Soledad Brothers - The Hardest Walk (Polydor) Release Date: March 6th 2006. Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	Potentially the perfect support band for any future Rolling Stones tour, these three lads that make up The Soledad Brothers are such a talented trio that they seem to be leaving most Blues-based rock 'n' roll bands in their wake right now, especially on the back of this astonishing twelve-track album that runs for almost an hour. Opening cut Truth Or Consequences is a riff-raring Read more...

Single Reviews - Yellowcard - Lights and Sounds (Parlophone) Release date: March 6th 2006. Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	They're back! And they're sounding better than ever! These punk-loving Emo-rockers return with a new single and a new album (both entitled Lights And Sounds), ready and willing to follow-up the astounding success that was the band's globally popular Ocean Avenue album that has sold well in excess of two million copies worldwide. The lads have been Read more...

Single Reviews - The Marshals - Make Her Cry (Vertigo) Release date: March 6th 2006. Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	What's in the stars is never meant to be, so croons Marshals band-leader Michael John. That might be the case, just like this song might literally Make Her Cry - whoever she might be, for this is an extraordinarily moving tune that is proving to be a wise choice for the band's debut single release, given the widespread acclaim that it's receiving. The Marshals is an Irish trio, Read more...

Album Reviews - B-Movie - The Platinum Collection (Warner) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	Cast your hazy minds back to the glory days of the Eighties, and the Synth-Pop Brit bands that were scaling the charts, and does the band name B-Movie ring any bells? It might do for a few people, but this band isn't as much of a household name as it deserves to be, given the quality of the music. This 15-track retrospective is comprised of ten of the band's best tunes Read more...

Album Reviews - Dialog - Feel EP (Deuce Management) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	This band is interesting from the off, with all four of its members hailing from a different European country. Frontman Plamen is from Spain, and is clearly a terrifically talented singer, while lead guitarist Adam Petty is English through and through. Dialog ply a rare brand of rock music. The strong and catchy riffs do hark back to that Classic Rock era of the Read more...

Album Reviews - Teddy Geiger Stepladder EP By Jimmy Reed
	Teddy Geiger has a voice, a look and a song writing style which will appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners; which is always a good start. A very simple formula employed on 6 track EP Step Ladder - the production is very understated, which is good to hear, and Teddy combines the elements of dusty vocal, acoustic guitar and at times, strings and a Read more...

Music, Columns - Andy Tullock's Music Column January 2006
	Hey, hey! Welcome to the first of my monthly columns, running you through the crazy, crazy world that is the modern music scene. Every month I will be going over the previous month's key events, as I see them (i.e. my get-out clause in case I forget some painstakingly obvious stuff, which, in time, will become painstakingly obvious that I do). Alright, so first Read more...

Single Reviews - Your Vegas - Flybuzz By David Thurlby
	Now don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing decadent Leeds based quintet Your Vegas of having ideas above their station, but Flybuzz has the air of a song which was composed, arranged and recorded purely for the Rock Stadium. From the opening tinkles of the piano, which would be used to portray glacial rain in a music class devoted to sound association Read more...

Album Reviews - Vib Gyor Five track EP By Michelle Dee
	The chiming keyboards and guitars opens Fallen followed by a soft breathy vocal then, as the song continues it takes on a definite Bono sound. As the guitar quickens, you find yourself exploring a fresh wind swept arena. Quiet, quick passionate wavy lines of guitar underpinned with urgent drumbeats, floating falling into deep wells of white noise. Plaintive pianos will oft be Read more...

Album Reviews - The LVRs - Death Has Become Her (Undergroove) Release date: March 13th 2006 Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	This dazzling spoken-word album is a side project for two of the members of LA rockers My Ruin, with the singer in Tairrie B doing the talking and musician Mick Murphy providing the background noise, mainly in the form of atmospheric soundscapes that are genuinely dark and deadly. Listeners of a nervous disposition might want to give this a miss, especially should you Read more...

Single Reviews - The Somatics - Elemental (Engine Room) Release date: 27th February 2006. Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	After the sad demise of cult heroes Ultrasound, ace guitarist Richard Green wasted no time in forming the Leeds-based trio The Somatics. Thus, we have Richard on lead vocals and guitar, backed up by bassist Stephanie and drummer Bruce. This single was also recorded and produced by Richard, to further prove just how talented he is both in front of and Read more...

Album Reviews - Yeah, It's Supposed To Sound Like That Vol 2 (17 Track Compilation Album - Colchester Recordings) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	The second compilation release on the label that's run by the singing and songwriting force behind the ace band The Party, James Sherry has once again collated seventeen hugely exciting and varied tracks from some of the best underground and unsigned bands/ artists not only from around the UK, but from around the world. Having said that, most of the tracks Read more...

Music News - Zhain on Tour in USA By Rocky
	Three guys from Hull prove U.K. bands can still successfully play the U.S! We prove not only older people can still rock 'n' roll but that U.K. bands can still successfully play in the U.S. contrary to articles in The Times etc. We left for Los Angeles for our first shows in 27 years with, due to circumstances beyond our control, Anners daughter being born Read more...

Music News - Barmby Bash Could Kickstart DJ's Career
	Hull DJ Chris Plant has warmed up for a transatlantic trip by taking to the decks at a party held by Hull City star Nick Barmby. Chris is heading to America to meet with radio station bosses and representatives of broadcast giant CBS, hoping to hit the big time. But, just days before the trip, the star in the making agreed to play at Barmby's birthday party.Chris said: "Nick told me Read more...