LA LUZ S/T Hardly Art/Sub Pop [Release date 22.10.21]

La Luz are, according to their bio, a “surf-rock / psych / 60’s pop trio”, fronted by guitarist and songwriter Shana Cleveland, who is joined by bassist Lena Simon, and keyboardist Alice Sandahl.

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of good music being created and released, in addition to discovering older albums you’ve never heard before. La Luz are another new name to me, yet they are now on their third album. The trio produce blissfully, dreamy pop steeped in a 70s sound, with plenty of added sound effects.

Songs like ‘The Pines’ and ‘Lazy Eyes And Dune’ are wonderfully trippy, harmony filled treats. At the other end of the scale ‘Metal Man’ sounds like an unreleased 60’s gem from say Jefferson Airplane. Another song on here that utilises all sorts of sounds and sonic effects.

Highly enjoyable on the ears and La Luz are out on tour in the US this year and due in Europe next year. Worth seeing them live if you can and until then enjoy this little bit of melodic bliss. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

SAM CARTER Home Waters Bandcamp

Midlands-born guitarist and songwriter Sam Carter is a highly-regarded instrumentalist, renowned by many as ‘the finest English-style fingerpicking guitarist of his generation’ (Jon Boden). Over the past fifteen years, Sam has toured the world, won a BBC Folk Award and supported the likes of Richard Thompson, Eliza Carthy and Martin Simpson.

The album was recorded pre-pandemic by producer and multi-instrumentalist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing, Andy May Trio).

‘The Forge’ and ‘Fly The Flag’ are the sort of songs you can imagine being covered by others. The latter’s sound is swelled by the added strings arrangement. The mesmerising ‘Slow Waves’ is a perfect tune to lose yourself in and relax.

Sam Carter possesses a strong voice and his guitar playing is something else. Very delicate, melodic and really draws the listener in. Seek this one out and you won’t be disappointed. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

MASS Terminal: Complete Works (2CD) Audio Platter/Plastic Head

Four piece Mass were an alternative / indie metal band around at the start of the 90s, and although busy and productive, were all too short lived. Everything they (officially) recorded and a live show to boot, now reissued in one place and well deserved it is too.

Disc one opens with their 1990 single Pulling / Thinking, which opens with an uptempo energy akin to cross over, quite noisy, but the alternative jangle is there aplenty.

Then there is the 12 track album Rushing Flood Perfume which keeps the sound going , and although there are some good tunes, they probably confused the public by being too jangly to be metal, but too metal or hardcore for the usual indie or alternative scene. And thought the mastering is good, the original production does give that ‘Garage’ effect to the rock’n’roll. There is a more gentle song, the acoustic Medusa which was also released as a single. Disc one ends with the Godsend EP (a punk tinge to the music here), and a storming cover of The Clash’s London Calling. Well, if The Clash were on speed, detuned a guitar and replaced the drums with a dustbin…. But a very decent affair and more punk than the original.

Disc two kicks off with a 4 track Peel Session (Nice to hear John Peel’s voice again), high octane and a bit of polish in there too. A two track demo which is only really of interest to fans, and then there’s a live set recorded in Germany 1992. A little rough’n’ready, there’s as much a nod to punk as there is indie and alternative metal.

This music is good within it’s genre but a bit too jangly for my ears. A decent collection that completes a catalogue, well worth it if you’re a fan. ***1/2

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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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)