Singles and EP reviews: THE YOUNG FOLK, AMY SIMPSON, UNISONIC

May 12th, 2014 by jason

THE YOUNG FOLK – Way Home

Pixie Pace Records [Released 26.05.14] www.theyoungfolk.com

Dublin based alt-folk band The Young Folk release their debut UK single and feature Anthony Furey (son of George from the legendary the Fureys & Davy Arthur). This song is a jaunty little number, it did remind me a little of Mumford & Sons on the chorus if being truthful. That said, The Young Folk have a kanck for penning ‘crossover’ folk that will appeal to the masses and their debut album, ‘The Little Battle’, due in August will be certainly worth investigating based on this song. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

AMY SIMPSON – Fairy Tales, Stories & Myths

Highly Recommended Records [Released 19.05.14] www.amysimpsonmusic.com

Debut EP from Amy Simpson who is only seventeen! Listening to this five song EP and her voice you’d think she was much older. That’s not meant as a slight, more that her voice has a worldy wise feel to it. Two real corkers on here, the first is the blissful summery pop of ‘All I Wanna Do’, a sure fire hit if played on the airwaves. Then the ELO strings on ‘Glow’ are simply stupendous! Real good ‘pick me up’ song and again has a wide appeal.

I am not that well versed on modern pop singers but I’d hazard a guess that fans of Taylor Swift will enjoy this EP. The slower songs, ‘Only You’ and ‘Everything’ I am sure are set to be the soundtrack to many a teen romance (and quite possibly older folk too!). Both are more in the traditional singer/songwriter mould and each again the vocals carry the songs along.

Tuneful, talented and sure to prove a hit I am sure, Amy Simpson is definitely a singing talent to keep an eye on. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

UNISONIC – For The Kingdom (EP)

earMusic [Released 23.05.14]

Unisonic are the supergroup featuring former Helloween members Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) and Michael Kiske, along with Pink Cream 69’s Dennis Ward, current Krokus and former Asia guitarist Mandy Meyer and drummer Kosta Zaifiriou. This EP is a taster ahead of their second full length album ‘For The Kingdom’ which is released in July.

The new album’s title track opens this six song EP and it bodes well for the upcoming album, with a big chorus, pounding drums and those distinctive vocals of Michael Kiske. Next up is ‘You Come Undone’ a song exclusive to the EP and this does sound like Gamma Ray a lot, albeit with Kiske on vocals! The rest of the EP is made up of four live songs recorded back in 2012 at the Masters Of Rock festival in the Czech Republic. Good to hear these songs played live and ‘Never Too Late’ is a belter played live. Funnily enough despite having two prominent ex-members of Helloween in the band they don’t really sound like that band, bar the vocals which you can’t really get away from. If anything Unisonic plough a more melodic metal furrow and are very good at what they do.

Nice little EP to tide the fans over until the new album arrives in July and fans will want this for the live songs. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)