THEA GILMORE – Start As We Mean To Go On

Start As We Mean To Go is the second single to be lifted from Thea Gilmore’s excellent new album Regardless.

With the impetus from the first single Love Came Looking For Me still smouldering and with a number of June dates lined up, Start As We Mean To Go On wouldn’t have been my choice of follow up, but such is the strength of on Regardless that it’s almost guaranteed to garner more airplay and plaudits.

Her 14th album in as many years, Regardless is Gilmore’s most mature and complete long player since Avalanche (2003). Bigger and glossier, razor sharp lyrics and dark humour intact, it’s one of the best female singer songwriter albums you’ll hear in 2013. ****

Review by Pete Whalley

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT – Sweet Access Right (SPV)

A new band and signing for SPV, the fresh faced Rebellious Spirit look just out of their teens and play music that was all the rage in the min-late 80′s. Yes it’s another modern hair metal band hoping for the success bands like H.E.A.T. and Reckless Love have had to date. This single is lifted off their upcoming debut album ‘Gamble Shot’, which is released on 24th June.

Both songs on here -the b-side being ‘Lights Out’ (not a UFO cover!) – are instant hits on the ears. Like Poison in their prime or White Lion, no nonsense, feel good songs. Certainly one to watch over the coming months as they have arrived just as this sort of music is peaking in its revival. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

TARJA – Victim Of Ritual (earMUSIC/Edel) [CDS single, release date 12.07.13]
www.tarja-coloursinthedark.com

I admit I am no big fan of Tarja’s previous band Nightwish, however her solo material has been very enjoyable. Now we have a new studio album ‘Colours In The Dark’ due in August and before that we get this single.

‘Victim Of Ritual’ is based on Maurice Ravel’s ‘Bolero’ and quite simply is stunning. From the orchestral intro which borrows heavily from ‘Bolero’ through to Tarja’s soaring vocals and the guitar crunch on the chorus this is epic stuff.

There is a demo version of the song on this four song CD single, with the demo having less orchestration on it although it still sounds immense!

The other two songs on here are live versions of ‘I Walk Alone’ and ‘Underneath’, both from a live album due later in the year. Again both are powerful songs although I still prefer Jorn’s take on ‘I Walk Alone’, sorry Tarja.

A perfect song to whet the appetite of fans ahead of the new album. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

RUBYLUX – The World Goes Quiet

Although self- released on a small scale, the debut album by Brighton based Rubylux (Rob Irving – vocals/guitar, bassist Clark Coslett-Hughes, Adam Harris – keyboard and drummer Mike Hall) still managed to attract some mainstream attention.

Together for 5 years, their follow up The World Goes Quiet will get a major label push from Universal and their anthemic mix of rock and pop looks likely to shake the tree as they take the album to festival stages this summer.

The lead single from the album of the same name sees the indie rock of a few summers ago growing into something more mature. Gone is the frenetic energy and big sing-along choruses to be replaced with something altogether more considered, but equally catchy.

With the looks, the tunes, and endorsement by the likes of Roger Daltrey and Jimmy Page, Rubylux look set to be one of the new leaders of the pop rock pack with the ability to appeal to a broad audience. ****

Review by Pete Whalley

ONEGIRLONEBOY – Wasted

As it says on the tin, OneGirlOne Boy are OneGirl on vocals and OneBoy on guitars. And on this taster from their eponymous EP release they’re supported by Dan Rolfe on drums and produced by Gavin Monahan (Editors, Spiritualised).

With themes of jealousy, suspicion and seduction, dark pulsing guitar grooves and some marvellous vocal work, the result lies somewhere between Goldfrap, Garbage and Florence And the Machine.

For a debut, it’s pretty damn impressive – one to watch. ****

Review by Pete Whalley

VALENTIINE – Chucky

I’m not convinced there’s much mileage in a graphic song about throwing up on the bathroom floor. Yes, we’ve all been there, but it’s not a memory we generally care to be reminded of.

Taken from their eponymous debut album, the Melbourne three piece girl band do however deliver it with the attitude and style that Pink had before she became a major label puppet.

Attitude and a curled lip – it’s got a great vibe, but the lyrical content is going to restrict its appeal to the adolescent teen market. Pity really, as Valentine do have a certain raw flair that’s all too often wallpapered over. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

MATINEE – White Lies

Already an established act in homeland Italy, indie rock four-piece Matinée come to London with their recent single ‘White Lies’, a jumpy track with a lot of potential.

Starting very atmospheric, the song slowly builds up to the catchy, melodic chorus – an exciting hook I’d imagine would be great fun to jump around to at a live gig or even secretly alone in your kitchen!

The vocals aren’t pretty, but they suit the tone of the song; very indie and probably of an acquired taste, good stuff for those of us who don’t mind a bit of The Killers now and then.

Their new album is due for release this autumn, and if this track is anything to go by, I’m sure it will be a burst of delirious pop rock madness! ***

Samaa Husain

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

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 3 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)