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

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

As we reach the end more across the seas adventures come in the way of Amber Pacific (more Blink 182 style fun), 10 Years (Nice name, following Nickleback & Creed), and Juanes (a catchy Latino hit that's been compared to Macarena but its Rodriguez style guitar rescues it from this). Final mentions have to go The Rumble Strips, another up and coming band, The Rankin Family, and Kevin Doyle AKA Elvis. The first have took the blessed path of indie and a bit of ska/reggae giving us some beautiful demos that will hopefully be heard by a wider audience, check out No Soul.

It is not just the close-to-canny name of Johnny Tulloch that has got me river dancing in the streets, but also the crazy Irish-American Gaelic melodies and madness that fill this tracks energy. Kevin Doyle features on an album called Even Better Then The Real Thing (thanks once again Sav) that gets country artists to cover modern pop songs to great effect, and AKA Elvis' version of Enrique Iglesias' Escape is classic, with great trumpet cameos. Oh and a bit of comedy from Bill Bailey never goes a miss (check out Unisex Chip Shop)

Album Reviews - Paparazzi Whore - I'd Rather Be Infamous Than Famous (DV8 Productions) Reviewed By Steve Rudd
	There aren't many bands around that allow their sound to be dominated by a bass-driven whirlwind of noise. Paparazzi Whore are something of a unique band, in that there is no lead guitar melody in the mix, but just bass guitar and rhythm guitar... both played by Chris Oaten, who is one of the four talented band members. Fronted by the feisty Micci Oaten (who also plays Read more...

Album Reviews - Four Square - Industry At Home (Bad Taste) By Steve Rudd
	A truly magnificent album from start to finish, first impressions don't last as the beautifully chilled-out 'Intro' (that combines piano, vocals and a lilting string arrangement to subtly rousing effect) couldn't be any more different from the brand of rock that swiftly follows with a bang. Ah yes. Please Don't Go immediately hears the band Read more...

Single Reviews - The Waking Eyes - Watch Your Money (Coalition) Reviewed by Steve Rudd
	Wise words indeed from this thrilling Canadian band; a band that has bust out of Winnipeg with one hell of a mission - and that mission is to rock hard! And loud!! A ball-breaking rock 'n' roll riff dominates this smile-inducing anthem, as this quartet indulges in a similar upbeat exuberance to bands like The Black Velvets and Jet, lightly stained by the wicked fun of The Hives. Watch Your Money might Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - March - Turn (Fortunate Son Records) Reviewed By Nick Quantrill
	Out of print until now, this low-profile side project from Jeff Caudill and Michael Baines was originally released in 1995. Conceived as a temporary respite for Caudill from the pop-punk of his band Gameface, this record allowed him to create a roots record that signposted the way forward for his future endeavours. Following the eventual demise of Gameface in 2003 Read more...

Album Reviews - Torso Horse - The Creation Part 1 (DVD) By Steve Rudd
	With four classic Goth-Metal music videos at this DVD release's core, The Creation features the full-blooded intensity of the Torso Horse swan-songs in In Your Head, Dragging Me Down, The Angel You'll Never Be and Let It Out - the latter video having been shot in an exhilarating live setting, showing off the extent to which 'Horse fans get riled up at their hot Read more...

Music, Band Biog - Introducing The Straightmen
	The Straightmen are a gathering of four good musicians who make a very nice sound and everyone seems to enjoy their music. The band consists of Nick on guitar and vocals, Raz on bass, Vinnie on keyboard and Mark on drums. All have been on the scene for a while, but know that what they have now is different and exciting. The Straightmen have been described as many Read more...

Music, Band News - Unless; The Story So Far By Michelle Dee
	If you have been listening to some of the John Peel tribute programming you may have heard this band from Grimsby being played a number of times. He was quietly making positive noises about them before he sadly passed away. They are a punk-rock four piece that have been together for a number of years and are in the process of recording their third Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - Little Brother - The Minstrel Show By www.emcee-battle.com
	Every so often, an album comes along that makes you step back and take a deep breath ... that makes you marvel at just how amazing the piece of work is. This is one of them! The Minstrel Show combines everything you can possibly look for in an album and then sprinkles it all with an extra little bit of ill. They put it best themselves, with the 100% true bar Read more...

Single Reviews - Stephen Fretwell - New York (Fiction) by Steve Rudd
	Fresh from sets at a multitude of summer festivals including Glastonbury and V2005, Stephen Fretwell is all set to hit the charts again with his stunning latest single, New York. Fans of previous releases such as Emily won't be disappointed, as the short-but-sweet excellence of New York immediately entrances the innocent listener, being as it is Read more...

Music News - Opportunity For The Best Hull Bands
	Influential Recordings will be releasing a 12 track album featuring Hull's best bands. The CD will be distributed nationally and will have national press reviews - The Guardian, NME, The Times etc. If your band is interested in having one of your songs on the CD please make sure that: 1. The track is recorded to professional level. 2. The Song must have not been released on any Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - One Be Lo - s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m. By www.emcee-battle.com
	I don't know why its taken me so long to review this album, because it's the kind that deserves the attention of everybody. Being his first solo-effort, I didn't know what to expect. When a lot of kats break away from their group to do a solo effort, it's normally a shaky attempt at making themselves be known as the illest. And in a lot of cases, it shines through that they're Read more...

Single Reviews - The Kaiser Chiefs - Modern Way (B-Unique) by Steve Rudd
	The rise and rise and rise of the Kaiser Chiefs has enraptured the music industry at large during 2005. Only a year ago they were slogging their guts out around many of the country's toilet-venues, but even then you could tell that they were teetering on the verge of success. As soon as I Predict A Riot stormed the charts - and set excited tongues wagging Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - The Hussys - Tiger EP (Fat Cheerleader Records) Reviewed By Nick Quantrill
	Formed less than a year ago, The Hussys is the new project from ex-Supernaturals front man James McColl. Too quirky to become fixtures in the charts but never quite credible enough to be taken seriously by the music press, The Supernaturals are best remembered for the ubiquitous Smile. McColl's pedigree sets a high standard for his new band but they appear Read more...

Music News - The Lazyswede Strikes Again!
	Glenn Williams (aka Lazyswede) recently sent a pre-recorded music show to WDYN, a radio station in New York. They liked the show so much that they have asked him to do more for them. WDYN is broadcast all over the USA via FM radio but is also listened to in 55 countries via the internet. Glenn talked to the boss of the station who told him that people had asked for the show to be Read more...

Album Reviews - Bruise - B (Pop La Disque) By Steve Rudd
	When pure pop meets anthemic rock, I can't help but smile. Bruise are a delectable duo that produces such a form of music with graceful panache, sounding somewhat like a more sublime Roxette. Both the vocal performances and the music are to die for, with the beautiful Isobel Morris writing all the song lyrics and singing them in style. She really does Read more...

Album/CD Reviews - The Prellies - Afternoon Tea With The Prellies Reviewed By Nick Quantrill
	As a general rule, tribute acts are a waste of time and should be left for the less discerning music fan. The Prellies are the exception to this rule. The Beatles' musical cannon has been pored over and analysed to the point that there is little left to say. However, that would be wrong as The Prellies explore a hidden corner of The Beatles' musical legacy. The Beatles, along with many others, fused Read more...

Album Reviews - 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 Read more...

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...