Howe - Bolt From The Blue

I am loving the beautiful weather we have been blessed with here in the UK; ended today perfectly with a  debut EP from upcoming band Howe. It really had a summery, relaxing vibe; the harmonies reminding me of the Beach Boys and the smooth guitar riffs reminding me of Led Zeppelin. I can definitely see this EP keeping smiles on people's faces and ensuring us to stay relaxed. My overall verdict; a great selection of songs released in time for summer, if they have material that has a faster tempo I would love to hear it. Also I hope to see them in a town near me soon

Tuomaslotte rating:  8/10

For fans of:  Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin

Listen to their EP by clicking here

Find Howe on their official website

Rachel Hawker - Don't Wanna Break Your Heart video

Well I handed in my last assignment in today so I am now free to catch up with my blogging and reviewing; this makes me very happy. I am reviewing today a video by upcoming singer/songwriter Rachel Hawker; it has been a while since I had heard from this extremely talented lass from Brighton and I got to watch her brand new video for her song Don't Wanna Break Your Heart. The video I feel has a very simple but effective concept; I love how the drawings are done in stop motion animation and the words and pictures match the song perfectly. The song itself I find very relaxing which is perfect now I've handed in all my uni work and the weather being just perfect today. Great music Rachel; keep it coming and I hope to hear more soon. 

Tuomaslotte rates:  10/10

For fans of KT Tunstall and Alanis Morrissette

Find Rachel Hawker on Facebook, Twitter and her official website

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

Jettblack - Raining Rock single and video

What a fantastic day to kick off my busy day today; four piece hard rock band Jettblack released their brand new single Raining Rock. Giving the fact their debut album Get Your Hands Dirty was very successful and well received I was excited about the new release. The song starts of with the sound of Will Stapleton's distinctive husky vocals that are provided for Jettblack along with a single drum beat and a strumming guitar. You get the vibe of a stadium rock song right there. To be quite honest it did take me a while to get into the song however after hearing the spine chilling chorus and slickest guitar solo the biggest grin had spread across my face. In some parts of the song I am reminded of AC/DC's classic Thunderstruck when you hear the chants RAINING ROCK from the crowd. Overall a fantastic new single to introduce us of what's on Jettblack's upcoming album with the same name. (9.5/10) 

The video for the song has a fantastic concept that most of us can relate to; it follows along the lines of an X Factor type talent show with a twist. It is done in a dictatorship manner where a fictional judge Lord Zoltan rules Britain's airwaves since he assassinated Simon Cowell in the video. Only bands of Lord Zalton's tastes go on through to the next stage of the competition but those who don't get shot by his cronies. Jettblack manage to impress Lord Zalton however one of Lord Zalton's girls accidently sits of Lord Zalton's button to eliminate bands so Jettblack are shot down. Wasn't happy that Jettblack die at the end but I do love how the video has it's own hilarious take on how band's are now accepted into the music industry. (10/10)

Click here to view the video

For fans of AC/DC, Guns 'N Roses and Heaven's Basement

Find Jettblack on Facebook

We Caught The Castle - Time To Grow

Five piece female fronted alternative band We Caught The Castle from Reading have released a debut album called Time To Grow; I had seen them them before locally and have been quite impressed with their performance so to receive a copy of their album was very exciting indeed. Starting with the instrumental Intro that smoothly transformed into the title track Time To Grow was a fantastic way to open up the album. The male screams I did not expect; since I was so used to hearing them perform without scream vocals so when it was the first thing I heard it made me jump slightly. It works well. The album is very well put together, I recognised a few of the songs on the album such as Lips and That Poor Boy from live shows that were good. It started off well but then for my personal taste the songs didn't really show much variety; although it's not the worst album I have heard so overall this album is fairly average.

I am also raising my rating system from now on, so I will be rating out of 10 rather than 5.

Stand out tracks:  That Poor Boy, Time To Grow and Lips
For fans of:  Paramore and We Are In Crowd
Tuomaslotte rating:  7/10

Find We Caught The Castle on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

Twinkle and the Sluts - Sluttier than Thou EP

I was very excited to open an email from an upcoming female fronted punk rock band named Twinkle and The Sluts linking me to some samples of their songs. Hearing the songs from their debut EP Sluttier Than Thou, their edgy strong guitar riffs immediately draws the listener in and lead vocalist Twinkle has a very distinct unique voice that I have not heard in this particular genre of rock before. The music has some elements of older punk rock groups in terms of edgy and plain dirty rock that I definitely think will be very well received by audiences in the UK and worldwide; I think Twinkle and the Sluts will definitely bring classic edgy punk rock back for many future generations. I hope to hear more from them in the future and I hope they visit Southampton sometime.

Tuomaslotte rating:  TTTTT
For fans of Blondie and Juilette and the Licks

Find Twinkle and the Sluts on Facebook and Twitter

Sonata Arctica - I Have A Right single

Finnish metallers Sonata Arctica have released a brand new single; their previous album The Days Of Gray had been on tour for about two years so it was quite refreshing to hear some brand new material. Listening to the song today, for me the song is definitely a grower as after listening to it a few times whilst watching the fantastic music video I definitely now think it is potentially a great song. Although not the best song I have heard from Sonata Arctica yet it is not the worst, which is why it has now left me with curiosity and wondering what their upcoming album Stones Grow In Her Name will consist of. It is due for release on 18th May 2012 and is available to pre-order now.

Tuomaslotte rates it:  TTTT

Find Sonata Arctica on Facebook, Twitter and their official website