With ‘Brother’s Blood’, Kevin Devine has produced his most consistent album to date. The acoustic style that he is famed for is still there but this time there is a greater emphasis on full band tracks, with long time collaborators The Goddamn Band. The result is a great mix of soft acoustic styles and big sounding epics. The one thing that hold everything on this album together, though, is the song writing and, in particular, the fantastic lyrics. Mr Devine certainly has a way with words.

The album kicks off with the slow building ‘All of everything, Erased’ which features trademark haunting, hushed vocals together with poetic lyrics. ‘Carnival’ follows and is another great song. The title track proves to be a seven minute epic which encapsulates all that this album is trying to be and is a definite highlight. There is much here to enjoy but special mention should go to ‘I could be with anyone’ a superb pop song with a great use of electronic beats, and ‘Tomorrow’s just too late’, another stripped down number, that features Jesse Lacey, and proves to be a perfect end to the album.

‘Brother’s Blood’ is a little gem of an album. Fans will be delighted with Kevin Devine‘s latest effort and everyone else should make sure they give it a listen – you might just find your new favourite artist here.

Mark

Whilst the two bands here are very different backgrounds they do share a lot of common musical ground. Rough melodic punk rock is the order of the day here. First up are The Orphan Choir and the impress from the start with the gruff sounding ‘Groundbreaking Ceremony‘ A strong acoustic version of ‘Cross Your Fingers’ wraps up their successful half of the record. The Amistad don’t have quite the impact on their two tracks but still produce two entertaining songs, with ‘The Only Living Boy in Banner Cross’, in particular, leaving a lasting impression.

With two good bands coming up with four very strong tracks this split is a definite success. Both bands deserve more investigation individually and this 7” deserves to be purchased.

So, plus points for the method of release then – but all that counts for nought if the music doesn’t match the delivery. I’m pleased to say that it does. Imadethismistake is the moniker for singer/songwriter Kylewilliam Campol, being joined on this recording by a full band for the first time. Sound wise the band veer from pop punk to folk with vocals that range from powerful to hushed, almost spoken word.

The album kicks off with ‘I swear’, one of a number of instrumental tracks. Whilst decent, these music only tracks feel a bit like filler in comparison to the rest of the album. It is when the band it is full swing and boasting some honest, slightly depressing, yet occasionally hopeful lyrics that imadethismistake really shine. You only have to listen to the likes of ‘There are clear skies beyond Tallahassee’ and ‘My Sins’ to appreciate the heights this album can hit at times.

‘It’s Okay’ turns out to be a solid, and sometimes fantastic album from a record label that still knows the meaning of DIY. I strongly urge you to check imadethismistake out as you might just discover a band you will want to hold on to.

Both For Old Times Sake and Beasts get two songs each to display their talents, all of which hover around the melodic hardcore genre. For Old Times Sake are very rough and ready, featuring some distinctive gruff vocals and an ear for a great chorus – particularly on ‘Palatine’. Beasts have a slightly more polished sound and their two tracks here are full of energy and quality.

This split is a very strong debut release from Records or it didn’t happen. Two good bands and four enjoyable songs make this well worth checking out.

Unfortunately the second side of the record proves to be a little disappointing. There is a lot of good in what aflighttoremember does. The two songs here are both structured well and musically very accomplished. However, I personally can not get past the vocals. They are not terrible by any means but the nasal, mumbling style tends to detract from the music.

Ultimately this split 7 inch proves to be a mixed effort. The first side is highly recommended but the second will only be appreciated if you can get past the vocals.

‘Damn Fool Music’ then, is the second full-length from the Zatopeks. It pretty much picks up where the first album left off; refining what was already a very accomplished sound. Zatopeks, as is by now common knowledge, mix their pop punk stylings with a whole host of other influences, from 50’s pop bands to The Ramones. This is an album that is literally stuffed full of great songs.

‘Radio Marja’ kicks off the record in fine style. With great hooks, a killer chorus and well implemented gang vocals, this is a song that ticks all the right boxes. There are also instances here where the band appear to grow outside their already established song writing style. Tracks like ‘Courtyard Blue’ and ‘Song for Nina Simone’ showcase a more mature and subtle side to the band. That’s not to say the band have forgotten how to rock though. ‘Drive By Love’ and ‘Jumble sale’ are amongst the very best these guys have written.

With ‘Damn Fool Music’ the Zatopeks have crafted their best and most balanced piece of work to date. It manages to be passionate, uplifting, inspiring and a hundred other things all at the same time. It will make you smile, dance and generally jump around like a crazy person. This is without doubt one of the best releases by a UK band this year. Buy this and help make the Zatopeks as successful as they deserve to be.

If anything ‘New Maps of Hell’ is even darker than what came before. Here the usual defiant questioning is mixed with a sense of lost idealism from the band. There are some very dark songs on this record, communicated through Graffin’s familiar intelligent lyrics. Nothing sums this aspect of the album up more than ‘New Dark Ages’ and the line “the world might end tonight”. The likes of ‘Germs of Perfection’ and ‘Submission Complete’ add further weight to the argument that this is a band seeing a very bleak world around them. In amongst the pessimism though, these aging social commentators still find a glimmer of optimism. “Raise the rebel from its grave” they implore on ‘Requiem for Dissent’. Bad Religion still have hope.

Musically ‘New Maps of Hell’ pretty much sticks with the band’s trademark sound. Explosive guitar riffs mix with charging drumbeats and those oh so familiar vocal harmonies. There is very much a ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ ethos at work here. Having said that though the band do experiment with some lo-fi production in places, notably on ’52 Seconds’ and ‘Heroes & Martyrs’. It takes a couple of listens to get used to, but it’s something that works for the band.

‘New Maps of Hell’ is another impressive release from a band that haven’t put a foot wrong since the turn of the century. This is an album that is dark and depressing in places, but it is relevant and intelligently done. There aren’t many punk bands around these days that can make you question the world around you and wrap that up in memorable songs. Thank god we still have Bad Religion.