KIWI JR. – Football Money Persona Non Grata [Release date 17.01.20]
Kiwi Jr. hail from Canada and feature Alvvays’ guitarist Brian Murphy amongst their ranks, with the group’s main songwriter being Jeremy Gaudet.
They pack it in with ten songs clocking in at under thirty minutes. Lyrically they take a light hearted approach be it on ‘Salary Man’ or the pop-tastic ‘Wicked Witches’ (shades of Fountains Of Wayne here). Maybe not so tasteful to use Brian Jones in the chorus of ‘Swimming Pool’…
One band they really remind me of are They Might Be Giants and in ‘Leslie’ they may well have their ‘Birdhouse In Your Soul’ crossover hit.
Quirky indie pop done well and a decent way to while away thirty minutes of your listening pleasure. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
OF MONTREAL – UR FUN Popvinyl Records [Release date 17.01.20]
Of Montreal are the musical muse of Kevin Barnes, who certainly likes his 80s synths and drum machines. Not that surprising as he says this album is inspired by 80s albums from Cyndi Lauper and Janet Jackson, plus he wanted every song to be a potential single. That is certainly job done on here, as each song has a catchy chorus and blissful if you enjoy synth pop (the synths and programmed drumbeats you do need to love as otherwise the album could become annoying!).
You’ve got to love a song as bouncy as ‘Get God’s Attention By Being An Atheist’ – Sparks would love that song title I am sure – whilst ‘20th Century Schizofriendic Reven’ mixes 80s New wave with a little punk guitar punch.
Of Montreal is a fun piece of synth pop and one to blast away the winter blues. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
HEAVY PETTIN’ 4 Play
Back in the 1980’s Heavy Pettin were one of the hottest bands around, brilliant songs and arena support tours regularly under their belt. Recently reformed, they still have the spirit and the chops to take on the world and this four track EP ably demonstrates why they were so feted thirty years ago. With founding members, vocalist Stephen ‘Hamie’ Hayman and guitarist Gordon Bonnar at the helm, the band are as tight, melodic and gritty as ever, each song the perfect mix of music and shine. ‘Get Back to You’ instantly reminds you just why you loved them in the first place, a hook filled delight graced by Hamie’s distinctive vocals and along with ‘Tell Me Why’ you can’t help but marvel at their uncanny knack of writing great commercial AOR that rocks hard. ‘Who We Are’ is insistent, unstoppable and full of diamond cutting guitarwork, crushing drums, throbbing bass and utterly committed vocals, a declaration of intent. The EP closes with the lighter waving power ballad ‘Hand to Hold’ and it ticks all the boxes you could hope for, with a particularly fine solo from Bonnar adding the cherry on the cake. A much anticipated and welcome return for the Scottish giant killers. ***1/2
Review by Paul Monkhouse
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
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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)
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