Music Review S

Alterative Rock band Sixteen Layers have just returned from a successful trip to Canada, where they partook in the popular Indie Week festival.

It’s not surprising to hear they received rave reviews and encores for their performances at venues such as ‘The Hideout’ and ‘The Bovine Sex Club’ in Toronto.

This well blended group of musicians fronted by the excellent rock voice of Niall Donnelly, seem to be taking the world by storm and have secured a distribution with Sunrise Records in Toronto, proving they not only enjoyed their trip but didn’t come back empty handed. Can it get any better than this?

I have only listened to this album a couple of times, but already I’ve picked out my favourite numbers, which wasn’t easy since each track involves memorable guitars, sweet vocals and an appealing melody line.

Sixteen Layer’s influences include the best of the best rock bands such as <i>Soundgarden, Queens of The Stoneage, Pearl Jam, The Beatles, Nine Inch Nails, Interpol, Thin Lizzy and AC/DC, to name but a few.

Band members are Niall Donnelly vox/Guitar, Dom Muldoon <i>Lead Guitar, John Colbert Bass/ Vox/ Keys and Tim McGrath Drums/Percussion.

Two of the eleven tracks have already been released as a double A sided single; <b>Exile/Into the Sun.

Trickling guitar notes, followed by a sliding twin riff involving one guitar playing harmony, take you into this lovely number that is the opening track.

The chorus is particularly memorable, where vocals are done by Donnelly and Colbert, one in a higher octave and the other in a lower. I love this as it emphasises the emotion.

Powerful drums, bass and guitars plus that hauntingly beautiful opening riff complete this awe inspiring song.

The title track is an effective combination of percussion and fast moving rhythm, distortion packed guitars, a superb baseline and a totally delicious chorus!

A well placed keychange lifts this whole number and seems to give it more impact on the listener and in the chorus the refrain of I am no one is sung behind the lead voice as he sings Say your name and stake your claim. Things will never be the same.

The Lizzyesque style twin guitar break is a delight, where the pace alters and then returns to the original beat for the last chorus, which leads to an explosive screaming finale.

There’s a sustained guitar note at the outset of this track followed by a bass intro, which in turn is followed by a sensational in sync riff that is so catchy, it makes it by far my favourite piece on the album.

There’s a U2 quality to this song with memorable hooks throughout, close harmony to die for and a melody line which for me has the makings of a true classic!

This exciting and fast moving number has just about every thing a rock song should, with Niall and John going into falsetto in the chorus for the oohs. A short but fab lead break captures your attention!

Middle eight is sung and alters to a choppier pace for Niall’s powerful delivery of the line; Catch yourself again. I hope you didn’t find yourself alone.

The singability of the chorus in Don’t let it die appeals to me. Busy bass throughout this explosive number is outstanding, plus yet another blast of in sync guitars. This number would be leaning towards heavier rock bands such as AC/DC or Nine Inch Nails.

I get the impression by how alive and well blended the guys are here, that this is one of their own favourites. It’s definitely my second favourite song.

A slower song, but a great showcase for all instruments and Niall’s adaptable vocals is track five; Exile.

A plucked acoustic intro and a beat take you into the verse which is softly sung, piano accompaniment adding to the easy mood. Harmony comes in at just the right spot.

The sentiment in the lyrics is philosophical and very poignant; I don’t need oxygen to breathe. I have everything that I need. Thanks but no thanks I will swim in my own stream.

This is a dramatic composition made for performing to a big crowd at an open air concert. Chord combinations, melody line and harmonies are really catchy.

As this album progresses the songs get richer and each track is like a new experience after the last. This particular song is guaranteed to get the thumbs up from anyone who hears it.

Trickling guitars begin this sad love song, with two voices harmonizing. It builds up and becomes quite dynamic for the last chorus, which is performed with passion.

Torch, Trouble Spot, Former You and Sit a while are the remaining tracks. All have excellent melodies, delicious lyrics and exhilarating lead bits. I love the craziness of Trouble Spot, which is in a three four tempo and involves flanger in the lead solo. Superbly performed, this has plenty of thundering drum rolls to add to the atmosphere.

Former You has some intricate guitar and a beautiful melody. It’s yet another song that haunts you and you find yourself singing the chorus. Lyrics tell of how changed a person can become and are sorrowful; Struck by how you sound tonight, like somebody else somebody new. I think that I prefer the former you.

This last wonderful track on this CD takes off and suddenly a full orchestra joins in for the chorus, while the simple trickling acoustic guitar continues. It’s like a winding down after the faster stuff earlier and brings everything to a soft, sleepy close!

The band produced and mixed most of these songs at their own studio in James’ St. Dublin, but also had a little help from Andy Colbert at Grouse Lodge Studios.

I enjoy the way Sixteen Layers can take no nonsense heavy rock and put such sweet melodies with it.

The album art is a fingerprint and the words Sixteen Layers in Bold white letters on a black background. This to me is a message that they have their very own unique and original style, which only holds traces of their influences. They certainly leave no holds barred when it comes to musical arrangements, plus well written songs which give each band member a chance to shine. Hearing this CD has given me a taste to go and see Sixteen Layers perform live and it will take pride of place in my collection.

Self Titled Album
Sean Dempsey is a Maynooth based 17 year old Hiphop/Rnb/pop artist.
His album opens with 'I Love My Music', the production and arrangement isn't bad but Sean falls into the old self producing problem with the vocal arrangement. 'Hooked on You' seems very Tinchy Stryder influenced while Will I Am's influence can be heard on 'Let it go'. A little bit of vocal reworking on 'Red Alert' could turn it into a huge hit.
The overall on the beat making/production of the album isn't at all bad, especially when you consider Sean is only 17.
It might be an idea for Sean to try getting other backing vocalists to work with compliment his own vocals on his tracks and try mixing them slightly differently.
The next while will be interesting as Sean develops his style and blends his influences more to get his own sound but this is a good start for Sean to show his strengths and where a little bit of work is needed. I'd be thrilled if I could've done this at 17.
Review by Nessy

Rank:*** 3 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/seandempseyofficial

Sarah Louise

SarahLouise

Young Dublin singer songwriter Sarah Louise now living in London/UK has written and produced some very interesting songs to date and I am sure we will be hearing a lot more from this talented artist, Sarah seems to like experimenting with sound and there is nothing wrong with that.... when you get results like her song "Lust is underestimated" almost fusing rock into a laid back RnB beats, Sarah sings over the song with a radio effect on her vocals and adds a very sexy image to the track, hence the title. "It Ain't ok" pop driven by some raw 80's keyboard sound but Sarah's voice works really well and with the right producer this could be a great little number.
"Katie Don't be Hasty" here is a nice catchy number, its got flair and lots of potential, the retro pop feel from the keyboard sounds really good creating some catchy melodies, The cheeky styled vocals from Sarah adds to the character of this song along with the lyrics, I could see this one on radio playlists.
Review by T.Halpin

Rank:***** 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/sarahloumusic

Opening with an eerie, jewellery box xylophone loop, "The Turn" by Stace Gill is a tale of uncertain love richly layered with orchestral strings, subdued electro beats and multiple loops of Gill’s own voice. The mix of electro and acoustic sound strikes a clever balance to set the tone of uneasiness in a song concerned with regretful love. Lines such as "I called your name/ I’m afraid I was wrong" complement the music to create an absorbing sense of melancholy that is reminiscent of both Damien rice in his more towering orchestral incarnations and a slightly less melodramatic Bat For Lashes. This coupled with Gill’s clean, siren-like voice and married to dreamy production suggests that with material like this, we can expect good, possibly great things to come from Stace Gill.

Four piece band from Cork Silo have injected pure rock adrenalin into this EP, Silo are playing on both rock and metal borders while keeping the commercial intent to this EP they have shown the ability to trash out some heavy tones, the big question will Ireland take this group in open arms? i don't think so unless you got a ringtone in there. USA thats were the market is for this style of music and I'm sure we will be hearing lots more from Silo,excellent EP.

Cork/Ireland has brought us some different styles of music in the past but Stephen O'Brien has a pure punk heart with grunge hands to create this 12 track album, maybe he might be asking to much in todays music scene with bands creating images and trends to capture the fans, but Stephen has evolved a style of his own like punk bands did in the 80's trashing out lyrics and loud guitar chords, you can hear some Irish traditional roots coming from Stephen's music only slightly as he drowns it out with punk styled drums and guitars banging out in the background on this album, For once we might have another loose raw styled musician to emerge next to The Pouges and The Sultans of Ping, I think Stephen fits right next to these bands with his album Baby steps for an Assassin.

SATELLITE STATE

satellites

EP
Review
Guildford, London has a five piece band on the verge of something big, This four track EP has all the elements of commercial rock and each track finding its way to an anthem feel from them, maybe its the keyboard uplifting sound or the way each song is created but I feel this band could do well across the Atlantic, maybe the USA would like to hear what this London band has to offer? although they are one band that have great potential and with the likes of "Lights out" and "Sometimes/always" these are cracking songs to build on... they both have a great neat indie/pop feel from them, Satellite State are well worth checking out.
Review by T.Halpin

RANK:***** 5 out of 6

www.myspace.com/satellitestatemusic

Dublin has giving birth to another high class entertaining band and this four piece who call themselves Saccade have every little piece of hard working musicianship in their blood, when you listen to these guys you will here some aromatic anthem melodies along with some deep intelligent lyrics, Steve Walker is the front man in the group bagging some real hot vocals and adding some real top class talent to this band along with some pre 90’s grunge riffs and heart warming lyrics grinding with some stand up old school indie. Saccade have what it takes.

This is an album of emotional rebirth of electro rock, there are many styles of music mixed through out the album… progressive pop/rock would sum this album up, maybe this band would suit horror movie/ game show themes rather than the charts although there is a few cool guitar driven songs with some fantastic vocals onboard them. The soundtrack songs mixed into the album don’t do it for me I would recommend to keep the those tunes away as it makes the sound of the overall album out to be depressive sway into the dark end of the music scale and more of an art statement, I think without the theme tunes this group of musical enthusiasts are on to something big.

All the way from Sweden this band has released this 2 track single of flavored pop with swirls of vocal folk themes, the first track “Way better now” has a real raw pop mood to its feel, the electro piano changes the whole feel setting this song up to be a real foot tapper for festival dance fields. “The new idea” This is the B side as I would like to call it, very mellow with hints of folk but the chorus has a very sweet melodic swinging pop feel, this song has a very commercial quality about it and this might be a winner for the band.

Supporting The Dolldrums on the night Saramai took too the stage with a very classy look about her, very charming and Broadway style music, as soon as she took to the microphone you could hear this girls voice has high potential of singing many styles of music, very melodramatic voice and charming lyrics with some minimal piano work the voice took the show for me, excellent stuff.

The atmosphere on the night was electric when Suddyn hit the stage they hit it with pure explosive passion. The flow of rhythm coming from the piano was played with some classical feel and blending tones. The front man Alan sure was worthy of the grasping presence you could hear from his vocals, his voice was very expressive with a lot of passion in them. Jarrett the guitar player showed off some great moves and played some cracking riffs with a very melodic approach to the songs, I really like his originality very bluesy style but keeping it commercial, The bass player Colly has a real upbeat punk style and can hold the backbone melodies that you can feel from Suddyn. As for Bren on drums he pulled of a stormer of a solo on the night you could here the styles of John Bonham mixed in with Art Blakey super stuff, this is one band on the scene you have to see live, hats of to Suddyn great show.

My roots are from a classic rock background, so Wexfords' Soma State are up my particular alley. They play some particularly pleasing (on the neck muscles) kick ass rock choons that find themselves somewhere around the Audioslave, Pearl Jam or a non rapping RATM vibe. What I like particulalry is the willingness to mix up some new metal and classic rock ideas and influences rather than resort to cliche or aping those that have gone before, making their own stamp. The latest track, 'Lies', is tight and muscular and riffs along with a carefully balanced mix of power and aggression. Other tracks (available on their Myspace) are more upbeat and looser, such as 'Mistake' and 'Lose Myself' which bang along with some considerable authority and energy, headed up by the belting, if rather buried vocals of Mark O'Connor who carries himself with the quality of a more seasoned rock frontman - a fine set of pipes fella!

On a technical point, the tracks on offer are all top drawer but pretty well dominated by the volume of the bass guitar which (especially in 'Lies') as highly competent a bassist that Conor is, its too much. Its almost overshadowing the excellent work going on around it. When the bass is louder than a great singer like Mark - its time to pull that slider down on the desk a bit! Its just a mix thing.

In the world of "guitar rock", the term 'heavy metal' has been hijacked by the Kerrang & Metal Hammer crowd for their own purposes or there's those nice young emo boys... therefore leaving a huge void amongst those of us who don't actually want to wear eyeliner or have machine-gun bass drums banging off your skull. Soma State have retaken that middle ground with some aplomb and have injected some freshness and new ideas to make heavy rock original and viable again. More please

STORY OF HAIR
storyofhair

THE HO! HO! HO! STAMP
EP REVIEW
This is one entertaining EP from a four piece band from Ireland experimenting on sound in each track with thumping drum sounds and electric guitar moments, this band have started a cult of there own with the release of The Ho! Ho! Ho! Stamp, you will not find a dull moment in any track each song has a different style with tricky melodies and weird chord changes the elements of punk and popped up grunge are to be heard with exciting tones to make your hair stand on end.

Review by T.Halpin

RATE: ***** 5 out of 6

SENECA

‘Smile’ EP review