I Kinda Moved Blogs, Sorry About That Guys.

Hey guys, I've made a new blog using Wordpress that I will be updating instead of this one. I did it for numerous reasons, sorry about the confusion. On the new site you'll find all the old reviews + lots more new stuff, plus new features! I just find that Wordpress is a lot more intuitive than Blogger.  


Exciting times ahead and all that. I just find that I can organise everything better over there and the aesthetics are a lot nicer. Plus, in hindsight, naming this site after a not-so-well-known Johnny Foreigner song which was five words long wasn't the wisest decisions ever. Let me know what you think of the new site and follow it to gain regular updates directly! THANKS. Click below to visit the new site, which is http://callumbayliss.wordpress.com/

REVIEW: Bleeding Knees Club - Nothing To Do

Bleeding Knees Club are a rowdy teenage duo from Australia who've gained major hype overseas through a steady string of singles and EPs. With their debut LP, the band have created an album of quick-and-dirty two minute garage punk anthems that fly by as fast and intensely as machine-gun fire.

The inspirations are obvious but varied throughout the album, from the slacker attitude found in bands like Wavves, and the classic guitar work and tempo of 50's rock n' roll.  Things get slightly poignant on 'Beach Slut', with a slow-moving spoken word intro by vocalist/drummer Alex Wall, accompanied by a quiet synth in the background. That lasts all of... 36 seconds, before the band launch into their frenzied, hook-laden normal self again. Hooks are used constantly by the band to engrave each song into your memory, and they'll get stuck there for hours.  

The themes tackled on the record are by no means ground-breaking and the lyrics are devoid of any kind of depth, but there's an endearing teen spirit throughout which makes the whole thing a lot of fun to listen to. They're just straight forward tunes about angst, lust and boredom which anybody who's ever been a teenager can relate to.

Dev Hynes of Lightspeed Champion/Blood Orange fame helped master Nothing To Do, but there's not really any of his trademarks here. The album lacks the familiar bells and whistles of Hynes' work, instead taking advantage of lo-fi production and bare-bones musical dynamics. It has a raw quality that really lets BKC's attitude glimmer.

With Nothing To Do, Bleeding Knees Club did what everyone expected them to do, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's a collection of breezy, addictive skater punk that, while lacking in any longevity, make up for it with a hell of a lot of passion.

7/10

REVIEW: School of Seven Bells - Ghostory

  

When bands lose members, it's inherently a bad thing, but School of Seven Bells (often stylised as SVIIB) have managed to stay on top despite the departure of keyboardist Claudia Deheza. Now onto their third full-length, Ghostory carries the band's familiar brand of ambient female-fronted dream-pop in full force, even without the third member's presence.

Ghostory is a concept album in the loosest of senses. It tells the tale of fictional character Lafaye, who is haunted by ghosts throughout her life, but it doesn't let itself get engulfed by the narrative. The album is built up around complex synth arrangements and dance beats, with vocalist Alejandra Deheza layering poignant, haunting vocals and abstract lyrics that are appropriate given the context of the album. Sure, there may be an abundance of albums like this recently, with efforts from Chairlift, Austra and Memoryhouse churning out similar sounds, but SVIIB just seem to have the edge.

At times up-beat, and at other times shrouded in brooding mystery, Ghostory is as enigmatic as it is enjoyable. It all flows like a ethereal river, with a retro 80's sheen glossing over the whole experience. When the album slows down, it's reminiscent of M83's 2011 LP, 'Hurry Up, We're Dreaming', with which the band share vast similarities with. Electronic drum samples punctuate the most effervescent tracks (such as lead-single 'Lafaye'), while the synths slow down for the drowsier moments of the album.

With Ghostory, SVIIB have managed to shine among a deep sea of 80's shoegaze revivalists. The tracks are more focused and ambitious than ever before, despite missing a key element. The record closes with eight-and-a-half minute epic 'When You Sing', which flies by, much like a dream. Before you know it, you'll be pressing the play button on the first track again.

8/10

REVIEW: Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror

When Sleigh Bells emerged in 2010 with their debut Treats, they were a breakaway success - securing a wide-spread appeal, while making very loud and very unique guitar-pop. The term noise-pop is used quiet flippantly these days, but Sleigh Bells are probably the band that exemplifies the genre truly. Musical duo Alexis Krauss and Derek E Miller couldn't be from more different musical directions. Miller was formerly the guitarist of post-hardcore band Poison the Well, while Krauss was in an all-girl pop group as a teenager. Together, they combined their experience to do something a little... different.   

Taking full advantage of the odd dynamic they have, Sleigh Bells create music that really is like nothing else coming out at the moment. It's filled with riffs that would be well suited in a metal album and blends them effortlessly with pop sensibilities, forming bizarre, noise-filled mayhem. In anyone else's hands it may well have sounded horrendous, but Sleigh Bells manage to take this bizarre concept and make it interesting and addictive.

Originally planned to release on Valentine's Day, Reign of Terror is a surprisingly high-spirited album, given the title. The track titles follow example, with names like 'Road to Hell', 'Demons' and 'Never Say Die'.  It may sound a bit morbid, but they take to it with the attitude of, say, a grindhouse horror movie. It's filled with dark imagery but it's executed with just the right amount of self-awareness needed to not drag it down. The lyrics cover themes of winning, losing, and death in a more personal way than Treats, but they never delve too deeply. With a band like Sleigh Bells, lyrics aren't really a core component to the listening experience but they do the job fine.

The record takes many cues from contemporary pop and R&B while layering them over AC/DC influenced guitar slabs. Miller creates some of the biggest-sounding riffs in alternative music currently. 'Demons' highlights the sheer power of his guitar work, with a riff that would feel at home on a Black Sabbath album, while Krauss shouts "DEMONS, COME ON" excitedly. It shouldn't work, but it does. The tracks come quick and heavy, with Krauss's vocals as fierce as the music itself, at times.

The album opens with the sound of crowds cheering, and a Queen-esque guitar line, before launching into the familiar sound of Sleigh Bells. 'End of the Line' provides a nice contrast to the rest of the album. It's a relatively quieter affair, with Krauss whispering "I wish it didn't have to be this way / but it's the end of the line / so goodbye" in a confessional manner. The change of pace is welcomed, but the next track, 'Leader of the Pack' begins with a gunshot, signifying brilliantly that things are coming back into full-force.

For all the steps forward it takes, I can't help but feel like they haven't done enough to differentiate the album from the debut. It lacks the immediacy and novelty of Treats, and that leads to it having a slightly tired feel to it. It's certainly an interesting album, but it treads territory too similar to the debut.  

It was hard for Sleigh Bells to follow-up their debut in a way that didn't come off as cheap, but they've managed to get past that hurdle in most senses. With Reign of Terror, they've developed their sound and it definitely feels better off for it, but they haven't managed to escape the trappings of their debut entirely. Reign of Terror is an apt title for the album, with it feeling like a constant onslaught on the senses. If this is a pop record, it's one of the heaviest pop records I've ever heard. Turn it up. Loud.

7/10

REVIEW: Tennis - Young and Old

For me, summer is the best time of year; filled with sunny days at the beach, hanging out with close friends. So for a band to be able to evoke the feelings associated with said season even at the coldest times of year is, obviously, a good thing. Husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley formed Tennis after spending a good 8-months sailing around the world. Naturally, they felt the need to express the experience through song, which eventually comprised last year's debut album Cape Dory; a modern day fairy tale in the alt-music world.

Tennis are back with a decidedly less nautical-themed sophomore release, Young and Old. For the follow-up, the production was handled by The Black Keys' Patrick Carney. Much like the recent new Perfume Genius album, they took the opportunity to expand on their sound. As part of the recent 'beach-pop' craze started by acts such as Best Coast and Beach House, Tennis create breezy, up-beat and altogether jolly tunes that will uplift even the most morose of people. The sugar-coated aesthetics drip with charm, but does the album do enough to establish itself among the greats?

Young and Old is definitely a step-up from the debut, with Moore handling vocal responsibilities with a more defined, self-confident tone. Her airy vocals have a very classic style to them, and they suit the music well. The retro style of the album gives it a nostalgic feel that is exactly what you'd expect from a couple such as Tennis. The entire premise of the album is grounded very much in the 60's; it's what the album title 'Young and Old' alludes to.

Lyrically, Moore sings dreamy and whimsical words that predictably deal with themes of love and romance primarily. This time they lack a core concept to focus on (like the seafaring nature of Cape Dory), so the album feels a lot more abstract. This lack of focus makes it all seem a lot less affecting - instead it relies on the charming melodies that pervade every surface of the album to keep your attention.

Tennis have ventured outside of the set-up they had on Cape Dory, implementing percussion on the tracks with more effectiveness than the debut. This isn't to say that they've strayed too far from the foundations they set out in the first place; it still has the fuzzy production values found previously, but they have been fine tuned somewhat to give the record an all-round more pleasing aesthetic. Piano keys are also more widely featured on Young and Old, diversifying the tracks further than the original and giving it a poppier feel.

As indicated by the kind of adjectives used thus far, you can assume that the album is a very happy one; maybe even overly happy. Every track has the same atmosphere to them, it's like the band are incapable of creating anything except sweet, loved-up songs. It's understandable, really, with Tennis being a couple who are so comfortable with one another to create music together. It would just be nice to see the music take a different tone on the album.

Much like a hazy, care-free summer's afternoon, Young and Old is a fleeting and enjoyable affair, but it struggles to truly define itself against all the other records that are in a similar vein to it. And like even the best of summer days, you eventually grow tired of them and long for the winter again. Still, you can always look back on it with fond memories. 

7/10

REVIEW: Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

Second albums are usually anticipated with slight scepticism of whether the artist can truly live up to the expectations put forward by the first record. In the case of Perfume Genius, this has never been more true. 2010's debut, Learning, was a collection of ten highly personal songs which covered very delicate subject matter in a heartbreakingly sincere manner. Perfume Genius, AKA Matt Hadreas, really held nothing back in recording it.

Around two years later, he's ready to give it another go with the second offering, Put Your Back N 2 It. While Learning took advantage of a very minimalist set up, comprised primarily of just a piano and his falsetto voice, accompanied by the occasional synth, the second album treads similar concepts, but expands on them significantly. Like most good follow-ups, this record displays a much wider scope than the debut; everything feels on a grander scale, while retaining the haunting warmth of Learning.

Put Your Back N 2 It sees Hadreas tackling similar themes as the debut, he does so in a different way to Learning. He seems a lot more self-confident on this album, with 'Take Me Home' sounding especially triumphant; it's like he's transitioned into a much more extroverted person, both vocally and lyrically. On 'Hood', he questions how much we truly know about one another, highlighted using the line 'You would never call me baby if you knew me truly' to evoke self-doubt. Hadreas has a quality similar to early Sufjan Stevens in his ability to write songs about such topics so proficiently.

Musically, the album implements a wider range of instruments, be it the low humming guitar that percolates through album opener 'AWOL Marine', the upbeat drumming on 'Hood' or the subtle synths on 'Dirge'. There are a lot of little details on the album that really help flesh out the music and give it an intimate atmosphere. He uses simple piano melodies to illustrate his song-writing prowess, with them permeating every song on the album.

The real feat of Put Your Back N 2 It is the expansive range of emotions that are conflicted on the listener in such small bursts. The majority of songs from the album are miniscule in length compared to other contemporaries, but that's all is needed for the message to get through. Take, for example, lead single 'Hood'. At a mere 1:58 in length, the song leaves the listener craving more long after the song has finished. I guess it's both a blessing and a curse, if the song was longer then it would give the listener what they wanted but the very fact that it was able to have such an effect on the listener in just under two minutes is a testament to Perfume Genius's urm, genius.

Despite the emotionally heavy subject matter of the songs, Hadreas has a knack of giving each track an oddly warm and inviting feeling, whether it be through his enchanting vocals, the looping piano melodies or the triumphant finales found on some songs.  For example, while 'All Waters' is carried along by a brooding, melancholic tone, Hadreas uses his vocals to evoke tenderness which would otherwise not be found.

With Put Your Back N 2 It, Hadreas displays an innate gift for song-writing; he's created a legitimately brilliant follow-up to the original. It's bigger and bolder, but still pertains that same soul that made Learning so memorable - the poignant lyrics and melodies will stay with you long after the album closes.  

9/10

REVIEW: Brand New @ Southampton Guildhall - 10/2/12

It's been a fair while since Brand New last graced our shores, with their last show being a one-off performance at Wembley Arena in 2010. Now back on an eight-date UK tour, the band don't have a new album to support; they're just here for the fans. The Guildhall seemed like the perfect venue for Brand New, it was large enough so that enough fans could enjoy the sold-out show without it feeling overbearing.

The band played a career-spanning set list that took songs from every corner of their discography. Brand New have always enjoyed having an avid fan-base in the UK and it's obvious that tonight that they're totally humbled by that. "You always make us feel so at home over here, England." Frontman Jesse Lacey said to the admiring crowd, "It's quite strange and wonderful". Brand New were in high spirits, and their performance tonight showed it marvellously.

The band didn't play any new material at all, but that didn't matter - everyone knew why they were here tonight and the atmosphere was electric. They played through a robust set, spanning eighteen songs in the ninety minutes they were on stage. The set moved from album to album, playing chunks of each album at a time. Starting with The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, they moved onto Daisy, Déjà Entendu and Your Favourite Weapon respectively, before coming full circle with more tracks from The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me.  

Brand New arrived stealthily on stage and were greeted with rapturous applause. Without saying a word they proceeded with the instrumental 'Welcome To Bangkok'. It set the atmosphere perfectly, with the track building up slowly towards the explosive climax, with a post-rock feel to it. It transitioned swiftly into 'The Archers Bows have Broken', with the upbeat rhythms getting the crowd into a frenzy.

Lacey's voice has an imperfect and raw nature to it, similar to Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum - a hero of his. It really shows the passion being put across by the guy. He also shows a diverse range of vocal styles throughout, from the screeching vocals found in 'Vices', to the softer tones of 'Jesus Christ'. He makes alterations to the flow and melody of some songs, and it makes them feel more personalised to the specific show. It feels like he's so emotionally attached to the songs, few can replicate his intensity on stage.

When they were at their heaviest, you could feel the whole venue shake with ecstatic furore. Two drummers were employed during these moments, and it really emphasised how loud this band could actually be when they wanted to. Brand New are a band that enjoy taking advantage of making songs that can at one moment be quiet and serene, and the next, explode into a torrent of impassioned roaring from Lacey. The best example from the night was on 'You Won't Know'. The build up to the first instance of this happening was incredible - the crowd knew what was going to follow, and the build up was awe-inspiring.

'Soco Amaretto Lime' was the definitive apex of the gig. With Lacey alone on stage donning just an acoustic guitar, it felt very intimate despite the room being filled with just shy of 2,000 fans. Lacey had complete control of the room. He was like a hypnotist, keeping the crowd under his possession at all times. Every word  he sang was echoed in unison by the whole room. By the end the volume of people singing 'You're just jealous 'cause we're young and in love' was quite overwhelming. Jesse ended the song by changing the lyrics to "I'm just jealous 'cause you're young and in love". The sincerity in his voice was touching.

The last three songs in particular were a highlight for me, they were the perfect trio to send off the evening. It mixed in everything that made Brand New great - the tranquillity of 'Jesus Christ', the wholesome ferocity of 'Degausser' and the haunting intensity of 'You Won't Know'. Where 'You Won't Know' usually ends on record with Lacey repeating "You won't know", the crowd refused to stop echoing those three words until the band had disappeared from the stage, as if clinging onto their performance, not wanting it to end.

Whether or not Brand New will ever record a new album remains to be seen, but if they just kept doing what they did tonight from now until forever, I couldn't be any happier. They really do have no equal.

REVIEW: Cloud Nothings - Attack on Memory

Ohio natives Cloud Nothings emerged in 2009 as a means for Dylan Baldi to create breezy, lo-fi garage punk. With their third album in as many years, Attack on Memory seems like the record that it has all been leading up to. Not content with the style before, the band seemed to have moved on and gone in a very different direction. It's helped them find their voice and truly stand out; it feels like a band reborn.


Attack on Memory is the first Cloud Nothings album that was recorded with a fully-formed band behind it, as opposed to Baldi recording in his bedroom on his own. As far as the music goes, this is a massive advantage and it shows on the record. The arrangements are a lot more complex than they have ever been before, and it helps output the ferocity and angst buried within the record.


Baldi's vocals have a very raw nature to them, not dissimilar to that of Kurt Cobain and other grunge vocalists of the 90's, while at other times it shares similarities to Julian Casablancas. The guitar work on the album have very basic textures to them, virtually free from any effects or distortion. This helps keep the music very grounded and works well in unison with Baldi's piercing vocals. The band have enlisted the help of Steve Albini to produce the album this time around. Having previously worked with bands such as The Pixies, Electrelane and Let's Wrestle, the album was put in well-experienced hands. Albini's input on the recording is apparent and he's definitely helped them truly realise their full potential.


Album opener 'No Future/No Past' is certainly an unexpected song to start things off with. It's bleak, droning tones are very much unlike the band's sugar-coated power-pop of yore. The song shows a lot more complexity than their previous work, with a wider range of instrumentation and a slow-burning atmosphere that just builds up and up. The song culminates in Baldi screaming 'no future, no past' over and over. It's a great introduction to the new direction the band has gone in.


The album varies in style throughout, but they all carry that same raw passion. The radio-friendly 'Stay Useless' has a Strokes-like aesthetic to it, while 'Separation' is a 3-minute instrumental track that lets the band unleash all their energy onto record. 'No Sentiment' is a track which is set at full-throttle, in which Baldi laments 'We started a war / attack on memory / no easy way out / forget everything' with a whispering quality that contrasts with his otherwise abrupt vocals nicely.


Very much against the prior nature of Cloud Nothings is the sprawling 'Wasted Days'. At 9-minutes in length, it is very unexpected from a band who would previously rarely reached the 4-minute mark in a song. The song is fierce and exhilarating, with Baldi shouting 'I thought I would be more than this' before breaking down into a harmony of heavy drumming and guitars that just keep building on one another. The track ends with the return of Baldi's familiar chant to see it off. 


It might take some time for loyal listeners to adjust to the newfound direction, but Attack on Memory is without a doubt the best record Cloud Nothings have produced to date and shows a definitive evolution of the band. It's an album that grows and grows on you until it's right under your skin. It's astonishing to think that this is the same band who recorded the eponymous Cloud Nothings just one year ago. Attack on Memory has cemented the band as kind of a big deal, and if this is a sign of things to come, exciting times are ahead. 

9/10

REVIEW: Porcelain Raft - Strange Weekend

Porcelain Raft is the chosen moniker for Mauro Remiddi to record solo material under. He has released a string of EPs throughout the past few years, and has now arrived at a pivotal point in his journey, with the release of debut LP, Strange Weekend. Previously in the band Sunny Day Sets Fire, the musician has a lot of experience both as a frontman and a composer. The album coincides with his recent support slot for M83's UK tour, and the comparisons between the two acts are apparent throughout.

Dream pop is a genre that I've covered extensively on this blog, and as far as dream pop goes, Strange Weekend is a pretty great dream pop album. Remiddi doesn't mess with the staple criteria of the genre too dramatically, instead he mixes wistful guitars, synths, strings and electronic drum samples to form an enjoyable, enigmatic record.

Remiddi draws inspirations from a vast selection of musicians and eras. The electronic beats and drum samples are similar to the aforementioned M83, as well as some of the vocal work. The hazy, laid-back production style is akin to that of Atlas Sound, while some tracks hark back to music of the 80's and 90's. The thing that sets Strange Weekend apart is primarily Remiddi's vocal work on the album. He uses his voice dynamically, both as a way of conveying messages, and also as an instrument in its own right. The way it transforms itself throughout the album is rather unique. His androgynous tones can change dramatically from track-to-track. At times he is reminiscent of Bradford Cox, and the next he has a voice shrouded in mystery and longing.

Considering the petite length of the album, the amount of different ideas on display in Strange Weekend is quite surprising. Much like the vocals, the vibe of the tracks vary wildly throughout the ten-track LP. Remiddi makes his influences clear throughout the album; the most obvious is that of Atlas Sound. The hazy, nonchalant production shares uncanny similarities with the prolific musician. There's hints of MIA's 'Paper Planes' on 'Unless You Speak From Your Heart', while The Cure's influence is apparent on album opener 'Drifting In and Out'. The vastly different styles on the album make it a pleasantly unpredictable record and prevent it from getting stale.

Remiddi chooses to record his music in a basement in New York rather than the more traditional way, in a recording studio. Assumptions would be made that the production quality would be affected detrimentally, but home production seems like it suits Porcelain Raft's lo-fi styling well. Although it wasn't professionally recorded, it still maintains a feeling of professionalism. He obviously worked tirelessly to make the album sound as good as it could, with the layers of music mixed together meticulously so that no beat or string seems to fall out of place.

Although Strange Weekend is certainly an ambitious debut, not all of the tracks seem like they fit in as well as others. There are a few  songs that feel like they were added to bump up the play-time, such as album closer, the slow-burning 'The Way In'. The slow, distortion filled tones of 'The End of Silence' don't really add much to the overall flow of the album either.

With Strange Weekend, Remiddi displays great potential both as a musician and producer. The debut shows great craftsmanship, production values and dynamics. It's an album that doesn't rely on hooks to keep the listener's attention; instead it uses a plethora of intriguing ideas, captivating vocals and hazy, whimsical pop to demand attention. Even if not everything on the LP is executed to great effect, there's still a lot on the album worth checking out.

8/10

REVIEW: Pulled Apart By Horses - Tough Love

Pulled Apart By Horses are a peculiar band. The Leeds quartet have managed to make savage, guitar-filled music with searing vocals and heavy riffs while somehow maintaining a somewhat mainstream appeal, with constant backing from the BBC and plays on daytime radio aplenty. Maybe that's due to them making music that might seem heavy and overwhelming at first glance, but is also riddled with underlying hooks and melodies that make it all feel oddly inviting.

Their 2010 eponymous debut was welcomed by critics with open arms, hailed as a fun, bombastic album that exploded the band into the public's consciousness, and they quickly became known as one of the most energetic and engaging live bands currently touring. With this reputation in tow, they're back with their second album, Tough Love.

Tough Love is an unrelenting, adrenaline filled record that takes everything they've learned over the years, both through recording and constantly being on the road, and makes it louder, tighter and altogether more well conceived. Where their debut album showed valiantly what Pulled Apart By Horses were all about, their second effort feels like a wholly more well-realised album.

Frontman Tom Hudson sure has a set of lungs on him. His roaring vocals assault your ears and give Pulled Apart By Horses their signature sound. They might not suit everyone's tastes, but they fit the atmosphere of the music perfectly. Hudson's vocals are accompanied by some of the most intricate compositions of music in modern rock. The riffs come fast and heavy, with impeccable drumming giving the music a great rhythm and pace. Considering the type of music they play, it's surprising how easily some of the songs can slip into your subconscious, thanks to the hooks displayed throughout.

While most albums allow the listener a degree of downtime throughout the proceedings, Tough Love pulls no punches. From start-to-finish, the album never slows down or gives up in its half-hour runtime. It is a constant assault on the ears and will get anyone feeling energised. The majority of tracks fall underneath a three-minute play time, and so nothing ever outstays its welcome.

Opening track and lead single 'V.E.N.O.M.' does a stellar job of giving a clear indication of what listeners are getting themselves into when giving this album a spin. Pounding rhythms, semi-incomprehensible lyrics and intricate guitar work are all present; all the while being turned up to eleven. 'Epic Myth' shows some evolution in Hudson's vocals, with a cleaner, more melodious sound. 'Bromance Ain't Dead' showcases their devil may care attitude to a tee,  while 'Everything Dipped in Gold' sends the record off in style.

Lyrically, there is not much remarkable about the album. The band seem to have moved on from their trend of overly long, kooky titles such as 'I've Got a Guest List To Rory O'Hara's Suicide', but they maintain the same approach to lyrics as a whole, with lines such as 'When I was a kid I was a dick / But nothing changes' (from 'Wolf Hand'). Sure, it's not exactly high prose but it still rings true and sure feels good to shout at the top of your lungs.

Tough Love is a fleeting, testosterone fuelled tornado of an album, leaving destruction among all those who hear it. Pulled Apart By Horses seem to be the newfound pros of what they do; creating brutal riffs and very heavy melodies but somehow making them endlessly listenable and FUN, and this album exemplifies that brilliantly.

8/10 

REVIEW: Tribes - Baby

It's been a slow start to 2012, with notable releases few and far between so far. Camden natives Tribes are here to kick-start the year with their own brand of good old-fashioned rock n roll. They've been gathering steam over the past twelve months or so, with stand out single We Were Children getting played on the likes of NME radio and Radio 1. Baby, their debut effort has been on the radar of many for quite some time.

Tribes are a band that aren't trying to reinvent the wheel; instead they settle for simply making impeccably refined music that's filled to the brim with infectious hooks, intricate melodies and whimsical lyrics.

The album takes cues from many, many different bands and eras of music, but the easiest way to describe it is like a cross between Pixies (the chord progression of 'We Were Children''s and 'Where is My Mind?' is uncanny),  and the very best Brit-pop of the 90's, with an added kick of attitude.

'We Were Children' is undoubtedly the highlight of the album, and they were wise to release it as a lead single. It acts as a love-letter to the 90's, with nostalgic instrumentation and the lyrics "these things happen, we were children in the mid-nineties". The song just has an invigorating atmosphere and will creep its way into your head unsuspectingly and leave you humming it for days to come.

'Walking in the Street' is another high-point of the album, with a riff and bass-line reminiscent of The Cure, but frontman Johnny Lloyd's vocals give it its own personality. Similar to 'We Were Children', the hooks and melodies are the things that really carry the song a long and help it stand out on the album.

The album travels at a brisk angst-filled pace but it takes a breather occasionally to let Lloyd show himself at his most emotive and reflective. Songs such as 'Halfway Home' paint a sombre picture which builds up to a triumphant finish. That, accompanied by tracks such as 'Alone Or With Friends' which has an Oasis-esque vibe act as welcome interludes to the pace of the rest of the album and help show some much-needed diversity.

The main problem with the album is that it all treads very familiar ground. Tribes aren't doing anything to push the boundaries of what we come to expect of modern music. Although it is all technically well made, I can't help but feel like the album is a bit behind the times. If it had been recorded and released in a time earlier than 2012 it would make a bigger impression, but right now the album can't escape a feeling of déjà vu that pervades the majority of tracks.

If guitar music is dying, as so many bands have suggested over the past year or so, then Tribes are one of the glimmers of hope for the genre. Although Baby isn't necessarily bad in any meaning of the word, it doesn't push the envelope enough for Tribes to remain relevant in 2012. Saying that, the album has enough charm and appeal  that will resonate with a lot of people, and will gain them a large following. I have a feeling that 2012 has big things in store for Tribes. And if anyone's going to 'save' guitar music, better these guys than The Enemy, eh?

 6/10

YEAR IN REVIEW: Top 100 tracks of 2011

I decided to compile a list of the best one-hundred songs of the past year that music had to offer, and put them in order too. Thought long and hard about the order, and it took a very long time. I even compiled them into a Spotify playlist that you can listen to here. 2011 was a really great year for diverse and innovative music, and it showed a lot of potential for new bands and musicians as well. Some of the albums that are in the top fifty, although brilliant, stand out as a whole, whereas other weaker albums still had really strong tracks on them, so there's a lot of variation on the list. Here is the list in full, in order:

1. SBTRKT - Trials of the Past (featuring Sampha)
2. Bon Iver - Calgary
3. The Antlers - Putting the Dog to Sleep
4. Jamie xx - Far Nearer
5. M83 - Midnight City
6. tUnE-yArDs - Gangsta
7. Los Campesinos - By Your Hand
8. Gang Gang Dance - Adult Goth
9. Real Estate - Green Aisles
10. CITIZENS! - True Romance
11. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Belong
12. Youth Lagoon - 17
13. St Vincent - Cruel
14. Drake - Marvins Room
15. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream
16. Girls - Magic
17. Cass Mccombs - County Line
18. Yuck - Get Away
19. Washed Out - Amor Fati
20. Bon Iver & James Blake - Fall Creek Boys Choir
21. Atlas Sound - Mona Lisa
22. Future of the Left - Polymers are Forever
23. Civilian - Wye Oak
24. Wise Blood - Nosferatu
25. Times New Vikings - Fuck Her Tears
26. EMA - The Grey Ship
27. The Black Keys - Sister*
28. TV on the Radio - Will Do
29. Tyler, the Creator - Yonkers
30. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Forever 28
31. Patrick Wolf - Bermondsey Street
32. John Maus - Hey Moon
33. Fucked Up - Ship of Fools
34. Deleted Scenes - Bedbedbedbedbed
35. The Weeknd - House of Balloons*
36. Destroyer - Chinatown
37. Panda Bear - Slow Motion
38. Childish Gambino - Freaks and Geeks*
39. Gil Scott Heron & Jamie xx - I'll Take Care of U
40. Frank Ocean - Novacane
41. Toro y Moi - Freaking Out
42. Das Racist - Girl
43. Hey Sholay - Wishbone
44. Death Cab For Cutie - St. Peter's Cathedral
45. Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz
46. Kanye West & Jay-z - No Church in the Wild (Featuring Frank Ocean)
47. Cults - Abducted
48. Bright Eyes - Triple Spiral
49. Theme Park - A Mountain We Love
50. Dananananaykroyd - Think & Feel
51. Active Child - Playing House (Featuring How to Dress Well)
52. Lana Del Rey - Video Games
53. Okkervil River - Lay of the Last Survivor
54. Pulled Apart By Horses - V.E.N.O.M.
55. Radiohead - Lotus Flower (SBTRKT RMX)
56. Beirut - Vagabond
57. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Jello and Juggernauts
58. Blood Orange - Forget It
59. Cut Copy - Take Me Over
60. BRAIDS - Lemonade
61. Kurt Vile - Jesus Fever
62. Big Troubles - Misery
63. The War on Drugs - Baby Missiles
64. New Look - Relax Your Mind
65. Veronica Falls - Wedding Day
66. Austra - Beat and the Pulse
67. WU LYF - Summas Bliss
68. The Horrors - Still Life
69. Laura Marling - My Friends
70. Johnny Foreigner - (Don't) Show Us Your Fangs
71. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
72. My Morning Jacket - You Wanna Freak Out
73. The Wild Boys - Walking Two by Two
74. Thurston Moore - Illuminine
75. Wild Flag - Something Came over Me
76. Bjork - Crystalline
77. Cave Singers - Haller Lake
78. Chad Valley - Now That I'm Real (How Does It Feel?)
79. Manchester Orchestra - Virgin
80. Neon Indian - Polish Girl
81. Iron & Wine - Me and Lazarus
82. Bird of Youth - When My Wings Hit the Shed
83. Beach Fossils - Out in the Way (featuring Wild Nothing)
84. Cat's Eyes - The Best Person I Know
85. Battles - My Machines (featuring Gary Numan)
86. Rustie - All Nite
87. Total Slacker - Magical Date Night
88. Tom Vek - Aroused
89. Craft Spells - Party Talk
90. Bear Driver - Never Never
91. Jonathan Keevil - Blind, Deaf Too
92. Wild Beasts - Loop the Loop
93. Cymbals - Totally Over
94. Metronomy - The Look
95. Wilco - Sunloathe
96. Oneohtrix Point Never - Nassau
97. Emmy the Great - A Woman, A Woman, A Century of Sleep
98. Gross Magic - Sweetest Touch
99. Memory Tapes - Sun Hits
100. Surfer Blood - Miranda

Agree with the list? Disagree? Let me know what you think, and tell me what your personal favourite songs of the year are. 

*not available on Spotify.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 10-1

	10. SBTRKT - SBTRKT The talented London producer's debut record is a soulful, varied and fun record that evokes many different feelings throughout. This makes it perfect for every occasion, be it relaxing at home or partying it up. 2011 has been a year saturated in amazing electronic music, but SBTRKT stands heads and shoulders above the rest in my mind, as the most well-crafted collection of songs. Sampha provides much of the vocal work throughout, but the many collaborations help elevate this album towards greatness. Each song has a distinct feel and it never gets repetitive. SBTRKT's debut album is one of the most promising debuts of the year.  DOWNLOAD: Trials of the Past
	9. Bon Iver - Bon Iver Gone are the days of recording albums in secluded cabins for Bon Iver. With his second album, Justin Vernon upped his game in a major way. The album is treated to arrangements of full orchestras while still maintaining that heart-wrenching soul that For Emma, Forever Ago showed so brilliantly. Beautiful harmonies permeate every corner of the album and every element feels like it was thoroughly thought-out and planned so precisely. It's a rather unforgettably beautiful album. DOWNLOAD: Towers
	8. Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost With Father, Son, Holy Ghost, Girls created one of the most diverse and creative albums in the diminishing world of quality guitar rock. It draws influences from a vast pool of artists, and fuses them together to make on of the most solid rock albums in a fair while. Frontman Christopher Owens' vocals display an impressive range of emotions throughout the album, from the loved-up pop of Magic to the frantic rock opera of Die. The second album is usually a difficult thing to accomplish for bands, but Girls show that they have everything figured out terrifically. DOWNLOAD: Magic
	7. tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L The way in which tUnE-yArDs style their name might look peculiar to the casual onlooker, but once you come to terms with Merrill Garbus's second album, you'll see that the name is one of the least strange things about it. W H O K I L L diverse, fun and just altogether different experience. She uses her voice as much as an instrument in its own right as a forms of communicating. The vocal ranges on display here are phenomenal, and the almost tribal beat of the album is really something you need to here. She has many different bases covered throughout the album, from the up-beat, bombastic stylings of Gangsta, to the eerie, haunting Wooly Wolly Gong. W H O K I L L is one of the most innovative, ingenious albums of the year. No one else makes music like this. DOWNLOAD: Gangsta
	6. Destroyer - Kaputt Destroyer, AKA Dan Bejar, have had a long history of creating music, with Kaputt being the ninth studio album under the moniker. I was blissfully unaware of the musician's existence until this offering, I had been missing out on a treasure trove of music. Kaputt was one of the most relaxing, intriguing records of the year, and the instrumentals on display were beautiful. Bejar employed so many different instruments for so many perfect occasions and combined it with his soothing vocals and honest lyricism. This album is absolutely essential listening for 2011. DOWNLOAD: Savage Night at the Opera
	5. Los Campesinos! - Hello Sadness Los Campesinos! aren't as young as they were back when recording 30 second songs filled with frantic drumming and yelping. Hello Sadness showed a distinct evolution to the band, and a distinct feeling of sorrow, but countered with an underlying feeling of confidence. Los Campesinos! are a band that just get stronger and stronger, and Hello Sadness is the most concise, powerful and brilliant collection of songs they have produced to date. DOWNLOAD: Baby, I Got the Death Rattle
	4. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Mirror Traffic With Mirror Traffic, Malkmus's fourth solo album since Pavement's end, he compiled the most rhythmic, accessible solo material to date, with hooks everywhere, this was the true return to form we'd always been waiting for from the godfather of indie music. His trademark wordplay and vocals came together, along with intricate guitar playing, to create an album that encapsulates everything that makes Malkmus such an influential figure. Tigers, the lead single displays the infectious hooks that Pavement were known for, while Senator has that signature tongue-in-cheek attitude. Mirror Traffic just has track after track of good old fashioned indie rock, with excellent production by Beck himself. DOWNLOAD: Stick Figures in Love
	3. Youth Lagoon - The Year of Hibernation Combining minimalist instrumentation, hypnotic rhythm and soothing synth beats, Trevor Powers' honest, heartfelt lyrics help propel this debut forward. The songs start off simple, and build up and up into more complex structures, forming some of the most mesmerizing sounds put onto record this year. For someone of 22 years old to have created a collection of songs with the power, precision and passion on display in his debut is staggering, especially bearing in mind it was self-produced in his bedroom. The future for Youth Lagoon is almost blinding. DOWNLOAD: July
	2. St Vincent - Strange Mercy Annie Clark's third solo album was never going to disappoint. The musicians brand of off-beat fuzz-filled pop is always unpredictable in nature, and Strange Mercy displayed the diversity that we have come to expect from St Vincent. Her soft spoken vocals harmonise with the music perfectly, while the intelligent, witty lyrics slide by seamlessly. Strange Mercy sure feels like musical bliss. DOWNLOAD: Cheerleader
	1. The Antlers - Burst Apart Following up from 2009's Hospice was always going to be a difficult task, but the resulting album feels like it was conceived by a completely revitalised band. Burst Apart feels like the perfect middle-ground between the desolate misery of Hospice and happy-go-lucky pop. The songs flow together so well, and Silberman's haunting falsetto voice falls so delicately upon the music, it just all feels so right. The lyrics shine as much as the music itself; Silberman has taken his experience making hospice and refined his skill to create songs that can be at times brutally honest and the next moment upbeat and insightful. The emotion conveyed in Silberman's voice is second-to-none. Burst Apart is a record that is so well conceived and has enough variation to keep it exciting. It packs in just the right elements of raw emotion on display in Hospice, to create what is, to my mind, the best album that 2011 has to offer.  DOWNLOAD: Putting the Dog to Sleep

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 20-11

	20. Atlas Sound - Parallax After listening to Parallax, I think I've decided that Bradford Cox is one of those musicians I can always rely on, year in, year out, to deliver amazing musical experiences; be it while playing in Deerhunter or during his solo affairs as Atlas Sound. Parallax is a hazy, familiar affair that doesn't necessarily evolve the Atlas Sound formula, but when the foundations are set down so well, why change them? The record is another massive achievement from a musician who just seems to ooze song-writing ability. DOWNLOAD: Mona Lisa
	19. Deleted Scenes - Young People's Church of the Air I feel like I don't need to put a lot here, seeing as I only did a review recently, which you can read here. Young People's Church of the Air is a wonderful collection of songs with infectious melodies and pleasant vocals akin to The Shins. If you don't have a melody contained on this album running constantly through your head after listening, there might be something wrong. DOWNLOAD: Baltika 9
	18. TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light The follow-up to 2008's Dear Science was a massive release for me, and it delivered on all fronts. TV on the Radio are a band that sound on top of their game with this record. 40 seconds into the album, the beat kicks in and you remember what you'd been missing for three years. No one does it quite like TV on the Radio, and their brand of soulful, trumpet-filled, frantic rock music is always welcome. Nine Types of Light is the epitome of what the band are all about. DOWNLOAD: Caffeinated Consciousness
	17. Drake - Take Care Drake's brand of smooth RnB mixed with some of the best-produced hip hop made Take Care an album that needs to be heard. Collaborations from Jamie xx, The Weeknd and Frank Ocean, to name a few, Take Care takes everything that was great about Drake's debut and adds more variety and polish to create a record that's a joy to listen to from start to finish. DOWNLOAD: Marvin's Room
	16. Active Child - You Are All I See Active Child's 2010 EP Curtis Lane showed a lot of promise, so I was anticipating his debut LP very highly. Heavenly harp notes join with synthesisers and thumping drum beats to create a unique sound punctuated by Pat Grossi's unique falsetto tones, the album leaves you feeling a strange sense of enlightenment. DOWNLOAD: Hanging On
	15. Beirut - The Rip Tide Zach Condon & Co's new album shows the most refined, complete collection of songs the band have put out to date. With delicate melodies spread across a modest 10-track, this album proves to be the easiest entry point for newcomers to Beirut's work, with all shades of their unique style on show for all to see.  DOWNLOAD: Vagabond
	14. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming When I try to think of any double albums that I listen to regularly or even at all, my mind comes to a blank. With Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, M83 were taking a big risk that ultimately paid off in dividends. This album provided a fascinating look at the world of M83 through an epic 22-track.  Gonzales is well experienced in his art, and this year's offering from him feels like the most complete, visualised and compelling work yet. Plus... Saxophones. DOWNLOAD: Midnight City
	13. Bright Eyes - The People's Key Personally, this was my most highly-anticipated album of the year, and it did not disappoint. After 2007's slightly underwhelming Cassadaga, The People's Key was Oberst's chance to prove that he still had what it takes to compete with other bands these days, and it proved it superbly. nonsensical ramblings from a priest introduce the album with a familiarly long winded spoken intro, and he closes it as well. Oberst is at the top of his game with this album, it really has all the key ingredients; whimsical lyrics that are perfectly constructed, a decidedly more upbeat instrumentation and hook after hook. One For You, One For Me is a testament to how bands should close out albums for future reference. It might just be Oberst's most well-realised, polished and complete collections of songs to date. DOWNLOAD: Triple Spiral
	12. Frank Ocean - Nostalgia, Ultra Frank Ocean is undoubtedly the best thing to come out of Odd Future, in my eyes. Nostalgia, ultra is a mixtape that showcases the limitless talent that Ocean possesses. The smooth pop-tinged R'n'B is so heart-felt and different to what the rest of the Odd Future crew are doing. Audio snippets from Kubrick's last film Eyes Wide Shut permeate throughout the record in an unsettling fashion, along with other little blemishes that give the album a distinguished feel. Ocean uses samples of the likes of Coldplay and MGMT but makes them his own with his imminently listening vocals. The fact that the album is free from the constraints of a label and was released DIY-style on the internet is an added bonus to this already brilliant debut. DOWNLOAD: Novacane
	11. Connan Mockasin - Forever Dolphin Love This re-issue of Connan Mockasin's delightfully weird 2010 debut is one of the most unusual records I've had the pleasure of listening to this year. His sound is definitely unique, showing hints of The Beatles at their most hallucinatory. Mockasin uses surreal lyricism and a psychedelic sound to build a collection of songs which have such an endearing atmosphere. The album has a decidedly laid-back pace which just lets you sit back in wonderment at the strangeness of the world Connan Mockasin has created. DOWNLOAD: It's Choade My Dear

YEAR IN REVIEW: Albums of 2011: 30-21

	30. Toro Y Moi - Underneath the Pine The king of "chillwave" returned early this year with Underneath the Pine. It displays his skill at creating instantly danceable beats, with defined melodies, but also shines in other areas, such as the decidedly more downbeat Before I'm Done. Underneath the Pine has the atmosphere of the best synth albums of yore, while somehow maintaining the ability to feel current. Dance away. DOWNLOAD: Divina
	29. Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia Patrick Wolf has long since been my favourite musician, since I first heard Wind in the Wires. With Lupercalia, Wolf showed a side of his music that we'd only seen glimpses of previously. Whereas most of his other records are shrouded in apathy and gloom, it's clear on Lupercalia that Patrick Wolf is at a very happy time in his life right now. The City officially made the saxaphone cool again, with the help of M83 and the album is just full of consistently great hooks and lyricism.  DOWNLOAD: Bermondsey Street
	28. Cass McCombs - WIT'S END Cass McCombs' first album of the year was a perfect showcase of the skills in song crafting that he possesses. The album opens with serene ballad County Line, which is one of the most smooth pieces of music to be released this year. What follows is a dark, twisted journey finished up with 9-minute Knock Upon Upon the Door, which has an almost medieval vibe to it. McCombs' unique brand of folk music is really at its pinnacle here. It's a shame that his second album, Humor Risk, couldn't follow suit and appear even higher up this list. DOWNLOAD: County Line
	27. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra Unknown Mortal Orchestra were a complete surprise to me. I had no knowledge of the band prior to the release, but straight away the funk vibes, distinctive vocals and hazy summertime feeling caught my attention instantly, and kept me listening regularly to this day. DOWNLOAD: Jello and Juggernauts
	26. Cut Copy - Zonoscope Cut Copy seem to have a perfect balance between dance and alternative music, and Zonoscope is a shining example of what they do so well. The album is laden in hooks and pulsing beats; it has one of the biggest feel-good atmospheres of any we've seen this year. Frontman Dan Whitford has the attitude of so many great frontmen of indie music gone by, and the synths and electronic drums give the music a unique, captivating twist. Zonoscope closes in a deservingly grandiose fashion, with the sprawling 15-minute Sun God, which really sends the whole album off in style. DOWNLOAD: Take Me Over
	25. Panda Bear - Tomboy Before Tomboy was released, the hyperbole surrounding it was overwhelming. The singles leading up to it promised that it was going to be something special and it certainly is. Noah Lennox displays his expertise in creating rhythmically complex and deeply compelling music with a mix of sampled drum beats and synths. Even though it's been two years since Animal Collective's last full-length, Panda Bear more than makes up for this fact. DOWNLOAD: Slow Motion
	24. John Maus - We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves Maus's Ariel Pink-like nu wave sensibilities are in full flow on his offering this year. It's quite a surreal experience, with many of the tracks being synth heavy, while Maus's low vocals meander throughout in a dream-like fashion. Big bass lines emphasise the 80's feel of the music, and the constant change in tempos give the album a great sense of pace.  DOWNLOAD: Hey Moon
	23. The Black Keys - El Camino This album was the latest new entry on to the list for me. The Black Keys can always be relied upon to bring around records that are consistently great and El Camino might just be their best one to date. They show their blues roots underneath roaring riffs reminiscent of The White Stripes and keep the hooks coming, song in, song out.  DOWNLOAD: Sister
	22. Fucked Up - David Comes to Life Some people will look at the run-time of this record and be instantly put off. Sprawling over 72 minutes, David Comes to Life is an epic concept album that combines sound instrumentation and Damian Abraham's distinct roaring tones to create example after example of how hardcore music should be sounding. If the rumours of Fucked Up ending their career (at least the way we know them as at the moment) they'll have this a a stellar testament to what a great band they are. DOWNLOAD: The Other Shoe
	21. Dananananaykroyd - There Is a Way When I heard the news that Dananananaykroyd were splitting up, my heart sunk. It's such a shame that so shortly after releasing the brilliant There Is a Way, they had to part ways. There Is a Way takes Hey Everyone! and shows how much the band has evolved musically, and translates the frantic live show experience perfectly onto record. DOWNLOAD: Think and Feel