The Royalty - Lovers

I received an email from a company called Victory Records telling me about one of their best upcoming bands The Royalty; I was sent a copy of their debut album Lovers and was intrigued. I started to listen to album and it was most definitely love at the first hearing; the moment I heard the opening track Bartender I was immediately reminded of Duffy jamming Vampire Weekend. I can almost definitely see why MTV have given them a very positive reputation; you hear the vintage influences very clearly in the songs yet the music is very refreshing, new and unique. Overall, I would describe this debut album as a masterpiece. Cannot wait to hear and see more from them.

Tuomaslotte rating:  10/10
Stand out tracks:  Bartender, Bottle Breaker and Every Little Bit
For fans of:  Duffy and Vampire Weekend

Find The Royalty on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

til Dusk - Cold Lust

Hey guys; today I thought I'd write about about a local act who released their debut album this week. They are Southampton indie rockers til' Dusk with the album Cold Lust; listening to the sound it reminds of The Kooks jamming with The Stranglers. I really liked the sick guitar solo in Take A Shot; definately a hint of The Stranglers there. My personal favourite on the album would definately have to be Honey Just Walk It; the upbeat, feel good vibe that put the biggest grin on my face. I also have to say the title track Cold Lust has an impressive bluesy vibe, like the tune being played on the organ very muchly.

Overall a great debut album; with a fantastic variety of songs and hope to hear/see more from them soon.

Stand Out Tracks:  Honey Just Walk It, Cold Lust and Round and Round

Note:  The song in the video above is actually called Take A Shot not There Goes My

Find 'til Dusk on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, Twitter and their official website

Angry Badger Records is Universally Challenged 20/11/10

I was very much looking forward to this event; my main intention was to see In Darklight, who I had seen before and have become really good friends with. Southampton based Indie Rock record company, Angry Badger Records, has bred some fresh up coming rock bands from the south such as Timshel and Kodiak Jack. This event took place at the student union bar at my university so it was in a familiar envrionment where I didn't feel claustrophobic and a generally intimate, friendly atomosphere made me feel at home.

First up were In Darklight, who never fail to impress me with kick ass riffs and indie boy vocals did me proud once again. Starting the set off with songs I assume may be on the new upcoming EP, I could wrong in that department, one of which I had in my head all week; it reminds me of one my favourite songs by punk rockers Cobra Starship. They also earn Brownie points for performing my personal favourite off their debut album What's Happening? Speaking of personal favourites, I found a new one last night in the form of the song Break. I just love how bouncy the melody is and the lyrics are cleverly written.

http://www.myspace.com/indarklight 

Lost Morals were next to play, I recognised lead vocalist Jono Powell from the New Device gig at The Soul Cellar. I remember it was just him on his own since his band were called in at the last minute but he mangaged to pull it off by himself. Anyways last night it was great seeing him with his band Lost Morals, some of the songs I could have sworn I have heard on the radio before. Songs Get Down and She's A Policeman may have been my favourites, I really loved the poetical metaphor of She's A Policeman; a clever way to write about nosy exes :D In Darklight brothers Ben and Lou Sellers mentioned that they sounded like The Jam and Jono had Paul Wellar look about him; I immediately agreed, I could hear Paul Wellar's voice. I bought their EP afterwards, expect to see a post about it soon.

http://www.myspace.com/lostmoralsmusic 

Pompey rockers Moody Tuesday were the next of Angry Badgers finest to play, they very much reminded me of The Who. One of their opening songs made me think of Pinball Wizard, one of my personal favourite songs ever so I was feeling quite excited. I had recieved invites to see them play in local places, which I may attend after seeing an enjoyable set from them last night. There was also a hint of classic rock and roll with a hint of modern day indie, a bit like The Who mixing with Radiohead. There will be an album release as well which you will see me buy :)

http://www.myspace.com/moodytuesdayhttp://www.myspace.com/moodytuesday

The last to play were The Rising, unfortunately I could only catch one song by this band since I had to catch the last train home so I couldn't stay for the whole set. I saw on their page they have an Oasis like sound and I found that description to be accurate after hearing the song on Cloud Nine, but I'll have a better insight of their music once I hear their EP.

http://www.myspace.com/therisingbanduk

Despite a few techinal problems with the sounds, the bands all played very very well and showed Angry Badger records has great new talent to offer. I must confess I used my own noggin to write this today, without notes. Last night I made the vital mistake a journalist should never make; leaving my Blackberry which I use to take notes about gigs and albums....well it's better then carry a big chunky notebook and it's more convient. Luckily I have quite a good memory :) 

 jhyg

In Darklight - Dying To Confess

Here's another review I wrote on iTunes

The next big thing? 5 stars

I saw these guys support New Device at The Soul Cellar and thought they gave a great performance so I decided to buy their album. It was the perfect thing to listen to on the bus to Southampton one lovely sunny morning and I can personally say it was the highlight of my journey. What's Happening? was a perfect opener for the album and a personal favourite song of mine, I also loved the backing tracks introducing the songs too. In The Red had a big impact on me, bought a tear to my eye in fact....for some reason I could relate to the lyrics. I love the fresh new sound, not like any band I have heard so far.

Stand out tracks:  What's Happening?, In Control (Of Not Being In Control), The Human Race and In The Red

This album is availiable to buy or download now :)

In Darklight @ The Hobbit; Southampton 8/10/10

Yesterday I went to The Hobbit, somewhere I had never been before until yesterday, I can honestly say I loved the warm lively atmosphere of the venue.....I'm a Southampton Solent student so I'm interested in getting to know all the student friendly pubs and music venues in Southampton since I love gigs.

Anyway after a 15 min wait for a drink, the queue at the bar was manic, I headed downstairs to where the band were playing that evening. This was my third time seeing them and I was waiting paitiently as they were doing sound checks before they started.

Once they had done soundcheck In Darklight were well under way beginning with a very studio like performance of In Control (Of Not Being In Control) only a bit louder giving off the fresh indie rock band vibe with indie boy vocals and catchy guitar riffs that you could be humming all day long. Along with ones off their debut album Dying To Confess (which is avaliable to download or buy now) they performed some new ones of their upcoming album, some of which I recognised from previous gigs. Particulalrly one song (I think it was Quickfire) where lead vocalist Ben Sellers got the audience to sing back, which I unfortunately couldn't due to a bad throat. I got particularly excited when they performed my personal favourite What's Happening?, the opening track of the album. 



The guys also signed my album which I was very pleased with and well let's just say it has a special place in my bedroom :D

Overall the guys performed a great show and I'm hoping to see them again soon......maybe at Reading Festival who knows?