Nichola Eastwood | MTTM - More Than The Music

Jan 16, 2012

Foxes! – Foxes!

Today sees the release of Brighton based four piece Foxes! self titled debut album. Husband and wife duo, Adam and Kayla Bell, team up with Alan Grice (bass and keyboard) and Matt Twaites (guitar and Keyboard) to produce a sound more sugary than a sweet shop. It’s an album of infantile whimsy, charming but an acquired taste. Aisle No. 3 is as soft and cuddly as a teddy...

Dec 29, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Alphabet Backwards – British Explorer EP

British Explorer is the three track EP from Oxford hailing five piece Alphabet Backwards. There’s been no small amount of attention relished on this group, with the likes of Cerys Matthews and Steve Lamacq lending their support to the bands brand of sunshine infused pop. British Explorer should serve as a tantalising sample of the sugary delights this quintet can produce. ...

Nov 26, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Unsigned Bands: Birdeatsbaby

Birdeatsbaby will surprise you. Their sound is far from what you might expect, given their gruesome choice of name; you could be forgiven for assuming this is some brand of screaming, thrashing, hardcore metal. Nothing however could be further from reality. Instead, Birdeatsbaby are dark, gothic cabaret, full of ethereal vocals, brooding piano and violin. This is still not music...

Oct 28, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Sonic Youth – Hits Are For Squares

This Halloween sees the re release of Sonic Youth’s ‘Hits Are For Squares’. Originally unleashed in 1998, this sixteen song catalogue of the band’s best work is handpicked by celebrity fans, including Radiohead, Beck and Diablo Cody. If, like myself, your encounter with the punk legends has been brief and somewhat limited this collection serves as a thorough...

Oct 22, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Introducing Frontiers

Nottingham quartet Frontiers have been causing something of a stir lately, and with the sound that Jacob Austin, Jonnie Barnett, Charlie Burley and Alex Noble create, it is easy to see why. These four brandish tunes reminiscent of Joy Division and Interpol’s best bits – rock but with a twist. Tracks like Alibi and Sound Of Confusion will leave you agreeing with voices of praise...

Oct 20, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

18/10/2011 | The Joy Formidable – The Limeli...

I have a shameful confession to make, The Joy Formidable are the first female fronted band I’ve seen and this performance is more than enough to make me regret my lapse. If, like my accompanying friends, you’ve yet to acquaint yourself with this Welsh trio’s musical wares I strongly recommend you do so, immediately. Creatures Of Love warm up the stage with their Gothic...

Oct 14, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Jordan Reyne – Children of a Factory Nation

Be warned! Children of a Factory Nation is not a cheerful album. The latest offering from Jordan Reyne follows the story of a family living in the 1800s, an era in which her music firmly steeps its roots. This is a collection of dark, celtic folk and definitely an acquired taste. Johnny and the Sea sets the scene for the rest of the album, a suitably ominous and gloomy...

Oct 3, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

The Foxes – Last Of Many

Last Of Many is the debut album from London based foursome The Foxes. This first time effort sees the Londoners working alongside John Cornfield, whose previous work includes the likes of Muse, Oasis and Razorlight. The result is a fourteen track marathon of mild mannered, radio friendly rock/pop, think The Stereophonics meets The Magic Numbers. Last Of Many isn’t a bad...

Sep 30, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Introducing Model Society

Model Society are a London four piece whose sound will leave you reeling with memories and nostalgia. Their vocals are reminiscent of The Jam and The Stone Roses, with an attitude not a million miles away from the likes of The Smiths, distilled with the seriousness of Joy Division. A quick listen to their debut single Systematic will give you a small flavour of what is surely to...

Sep 29, 2011

Posted by Nichola Eastwood | 0 comments

Introducing Wild Combination

Essex trio Wild Combination have already received impressive praise from the likes of Q Magazine and Radio One’s Huw Stephens, and a quick listen to their debut single We are the Creatures is enough to prove the attention is not unfounded. In a world of sleekly produced conveyor belt music, Wild Combination have a refreshingly DIY approach to their sound. The Essex boys,...