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Flashguns

Having toured extensively over the past three years Flashguns have gained solid recognition as a band of substance and have attracted many dedicated fans along the way. Emerging from London this three piece ensemble incorporates an eclectic mix of rock, blues and grunge into their debut album. With artists such as Kasabian, Foals and Arctic Monkeys on their long list of clientele, producers Luke Smith and Barney Barnicott stamp their mastering expertise upon this collection.

While memorable tracks that evoke a lasting impression are in the minority, the album remains one that oozes energy, passion and a rare sound that craves a type of empathy from the listener. The vocal capabilities of lead singer Sam J is the dominant instrument that triumph's throughout. His grasp on the complex and varied arrangements involved in tracks such as Sounds of the Forest and The Beginning showcase his talent as the driving force behind this collection.

Title track Passions of a Different Kind contains all the ingredients that a memorable title track should contain. Strengthful lyrics and an unforgettable melody are all present with precise vocal harmonies from fellow band members Olly S and Giles R contributing to the overall impact and lasting authority that it has. Climatic guitar infusions echoing influences from the likes of Deftones and Queens of the Stone Age feature throughout the collection and reflect the hard rock roots that Flashguns are steeped in. While more subdued tracks such as Candles Out and Heat and Fire bring a sense of calmness they seem to get lost against the contrasting vitality and energy present in the rest of the album. End track Noah completes the compilation on a satisfactory note. Roaring percussion blended with a chaotic bridge section resemble a typical Greenday masterpiece. In short, the musicianship and cohesion evident here will gracefully bring Flashguns to the brink of mainstream recognition. Songs such as Passions of a Different Kind, Good Breathing and Sounds of the Forest will serve as suitable radio tracks that can potentially secure them regular air play and draw in a broad range of new fans. Passions of a Different Kind is released October 17th on Humming Bird Records.

Review by Mairead Horgan

5/6
www.flashguns.com/

Fletcher / Munson Curve

 

Mr Arlo

Fletcher/Munson Curve is a new breed of very creative people, their new single Mr Arlo is released under Irish indie label Ruby Music. On first initial listen it reminded me of the Saturday Night "I like the way you move" era. It's upbeat and has great hooks with a nice groove to it, this tune will put the fire in your feet to get you up on the dance floor.

The lyrics bring a sense of outer space of madness to the mix. This reviewer just didn't get the mix of them together. The lyrics are a little lost in the music and the listener struggled to hear. However I'm sure it will be hit at most parties.

Review by Jennifer Ormsby

4/6
Fletcher / Munson Curve page

First Place

 

Best Of Me

"Best of Me" is the new single from Bristol RnB group First Place. The band is made up of female vocalist Allegra, rapper Frenzee and lead singer Yomi Davis.

The song makes for extremely easy listening, with lead vocalist Yomi Davis instantly drawing you in with his smooth as silk vocal ability, this accompanied with the African sounding beats makes a great combination and it is almost disappointing when his opening verse ends

Leading in to the second verse rapper Frenzee makes his entrance with a few bars about him making it to the top of his game, loving what he does(rapping) and never giving up, whilst the rap fits in comfortably, unfortunately the lyrics lack any originality or depth.

Singer Allegra contributes well, her vocals are steady and strong, with a verse about wanting to be held, been taking for granted etc, and there is also a distinctly Rihanna sounding OH NA NA near the end of the track.

This song overall is very easy on the ear, and commercially radio friendly, at times it just seems a little bit too busy with the three contributing artists, and might have been better suited to just two.

The one real stand out performance comes from Yomi Davis, and it would not surprise if a successful solo career awaits him.

All in all, "Best Of Me", is middle of the road RnB and First Place resemble a mature version of N-Dubz.

Review by POC (HipHop reviewer)

http://www.firstplacetheband.com

Fighting for Jane

 

 

Dublin band Fighting for Jane have chosen to go through Reverbnation to promote their latest EP. This seems like a pretty cool way of getting your music out there if you ask me.
Gone are the days of spending loads of your hard-earned sheckles trying to get CDs together for people to buy at gigs, for them only to be used as a beer mat at the post-gig session. And Fighting for Jane have definitely used it to their advantage.
There's a lovely sound to Grainne's voice and the band fit each other so well. The recent joining of Drummer Bobby V. of Burnt Custom Drums fame, has added to the band's energy. You can really hear in every verse and chorus that this band means business!
Review by Tobye Hillier

http://www.reverbnation.com/fightingforjane

Fling

 

 

Galway based folk band Fling have been bringing my CD player to life recently with their new single titled simply "Fling" I have got to say that word speaks in volumes about their music. Being a man who is all to familiar with the Galway pub scene I really enjoyed the track "Atlantic Swell" It really is what Galway city is all about, It's lively, fun, energetic and bursting with culture. The bands members know their culture as well as they know their instruments. Through their single they portray the heart and sole of a night in beautiful Galway.
This is a band that are incredible fun to listen on CD, but I feel that to truly appreciate these fantastic musicians you need to see them live! Never before has music of this genre achieved all it can through recordings, it is something you need to experience. This is a group I will make it my business to see, I want to see these musicians bring their instruments to life as my foot taps the pubs wooden floors and a pint gets lighter in my hand with every sup! Their music at times is energetic traditional Irish music, it could be said that there is a seductive Spanish air found woven in the body of the music. Which coincidentally is where many west of Ireland people are distantly descended from, so I guess you could say it's in the blood!

Review by Declan O'Toole
5/6
http://www.myspace.com/flingfolk

Floating Opera

 

Pony up a go-go

First things first, don’t let the band’s name put you non operatic fans off. The music has no elements of opera what so ever, but on the other hand lead singer Genni Bachinski has an angelic tone to her voice.
All the songs on this album remind me of the songs that featured in the series Dawson’s Creek. They are extremely girlie yet different to the normal hip hop, boy band rubbish that we all love to hate or dare I say it love to love.
I do think the music is unique but sometimes I find the singer and music a little high pitched. Some of the intros remind me of the music that would play on a Tom and Gerry cartoon! I would love to hear the songs re-jigged without the cello and violin. The lyrics and singer are brilliant but the music just doesn’t appeal to me.

Review by Sandra Nash
4/6
http://www.floatingopera.com

Frantic Jack

Independence
Unlike many up and coming Irish bands “Frantic Jack” have chosen to veer from the expected melodies and riffs favoured by their counterparts for their album “Independence” and have developed a completely original sound. The strong vocals from Daragh Fitzgerald that originally struck me were almost overshadowed by the excellent bass lines of Pauric Hurst. Somehow “Frantic Jack” have managed to find a bassist who understands less is more. The somewhat mainstream sounds of the first three tracks set the listener up for the astounding fourth track “Fallen Heroes”, what begins as a steady acoustic number turns into a powerful ballad with a breath taking guitar solo from Mark Kelly which is fully complimented by a powerful Mick Holton on drums. James Kearney’s melodic keyboards really shine in the slower tracks of this album. Pauric Hurst again impresses with a fantastic bass line in “Old Coyote” which is more impressive then the energetic guitar solo from Mark Kelly.
One of the few criticisms I have of this album is the track order, although most of the songs sound different, placing track four and five, “Fallen Heroes” and “Rise Above” after each other made the two songs meld into one, which meant having the album take off like a rocket the slow down for these two tracks and the take off at speed again.
Despite the great rock songs, the true gems of this album are the acoustic rock and power ballad songs. Overall I think “Frantic Jack” have set a fairly high standard with “Independence” and I sincerely hope that future work will only get better.
Review by Philip Dalton
5/6
http://www.franticjack.com

Feisty Piranhas

 

Two things you should know before making assumptions about this album: (1)
Feisty Piranhas are a reggae tinged punk band and (2) The album name is Live in
SoCal.

Now Ready. Steady. Assume! You may now be thinking of other artists that come
close to the two key words in those little nuggets of information (namely punk
and California) such as Green Day and Rancid. If so your not far off the mark.

This live album shows the band’s onstage power as well as their familiar but
still idiosyncratic sound.

Lead singer Peter has a distinctive voice, due at least partially to him having
a quite severe hearing impairment. But truth be told it works for him as it
sets him apart from the nasally vocals of the Piranhas punks peers.

The music goes from the fist in the air, mosh-able songs like opener Living
Blind and What Ever Happened to the touching Where is the World. The band take
an emotional turn mid set when they play tribute to their deceased friend on
Memory of David a moment which I’m sure would have been even more touching live
on the night.

The problem with punk though, I have always maintained, is that it is a genre
of
music that needs to be experienced live. And so a live album is the obvious
choice right? Unfortunately even that doesn’t do it justice.

From this collection of songs I can hear a band who are very tight live and who
can really get a crowd going. The over-familiarity of the music (you will at
least once think “I think I’ve heard that riff on an Offspring song”) does numb
the effect somewhat but for someone uninitiated into the world of punk Live in
SoCal. is a good starting point.

Review by Kevin McCabe
4/6
http://www.thefeistypiranhas.com

Firebug

 

Fronted by flame-haired, intense vocalist Juliette Tworsey, Firebug are an American 4-piece with a sound you need to hear. They started off in Chicago before making their way to LA, where they are popular essentials to the club scene. They play a heady mix of indie, psychedelic rock which manages to have quite a 70s sound yet seems utterly current.
The band’s MySpace page lists their influences as including Led Zeppelin, Portishead and The Doors. It has to be said you can clearly hear evidence of this in their sound. The first thing that struck me was how like Zeppelin’s Kashmir the tracks Just Because and Paradise are. That urgent, building guitar and echoing, trippy vocals. I think Tworsey’s quirky look and strong vocals are what give the band their edge and will ultimately draw people to them. But their musical worth is in no doubt and will keep you returning to the play button.
My only criticism of the band would be that the album ‘Season for Change’ is great as a whole but maybe a bit samey after a few listens. It gives me great hope that this is a really good band in the making and I look forward to their next album.
Dreaming of America has quite a big stadium rock feel to it, it’s easy to imagine them playing to a huge crowd. Firebug play at Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth this year. If you are there I highly suggest checking them out.
Review by Becky Beynon-Lewis
5/6
http://www.myspace.com/firebug

Flinders

See Saw Still EP
Hailing from Galway this lad is putting Irish music back on the map for all the right reasons. Flinders music is amazing and breathes a fresh new era. Flinders is introducing looped vocals with hammering bass lines and amazingly in sync guitar riffs. Flinders has a distinctive voice and a quite relaxing tone to his and voice and this reviewer could easily chill out to his voice alone as could all you lot. I really like how Flinders experiments with loop vocals and looping some of the music effects and this reviewer loves the distorting of music he puts on tracks. His lyrics are really well wrote and appeal to everybody with ‘’the writings not on the wall’’. Overall Flinders hits all the right notes and has put Irish music back on the map for all the right reasons.
Reviewed By: Jennifer Ormsby
4.5/6
http://www.myspace.com/flindersmusic

Froud

 

"Open up your mind"

Open Up Your Mind is Froud's latest single release to date, the song has a deeper darker side to it, with some soft metal guitar cords picking away, top end lyrics can be heard and being expressed with passion from their frontman, pulsating bass grooves and the drummer slamming on the ride cymbal bell adds to the catchy chorus that Froud have crafted on this single, Excellent song!. The bonus tracks added on the single is the power rock song "Nostalgia" and a acoustic version of the lighter swaying love song "Over Again" this is a super single and Froud should stand up and take a bow for this.

Review by T.Halpin

6/6

http://www.myspace.com/froudmusic

Fred and Bob

 

On A Good Day

Four piece Dublin band Fred and Bob have an alternative rock sound coated with punked up pop vocals by Emma Greenhalgh, "Gluey Fingers" is the first track and it's got very mashed up guitars and drums but cleverly gelled together with the voice of Greenhalgh. "Taken" is the second song installment with a punk styled beat kicking the tune with nice guitar melodies controlling the song. Track three "Blue" has nice flowing rhythm to it, with dynamics bringing the song up and down to it's peak. Final song on the E.P is called "Are You?" this would not be the strongest of the four songs it has some grooves to move on but lacks the stamina of the previous tracks.

Review by T.Halpin

4/6

http://www.myspace.com/fredandbobmusic

Fran Greene

 

Trapped Soul

Singer songwriter Fran Greene has composed 21 tracks on Trapped Soul, folk/blues would be the mainstream vibe coming from the album with some sweet instrumentals both on guitar and banjo, I feel this album is something Fran had to get off his chest, it is very laid back and chilled like track seven "Blossoms on the sand" easy and soft melodies comes from this song with the minimal voice from Fran, there is a few tracks I would have left out of the album but it has some potential.

Review by T.Halpin

4/6

http://www.myspace.com/frangreene1

Fiach

 

Every Single Day

Dublin Singer/songwriter Fiach has been working his way up the ladder for the past couple of years. 'Every Single Day' is his current single taken from his new album 'So I'.

'Every Single Day' is a driving pop/folk/rock track, not quite what I was expecting to be honest. It's all good! The drums and bass keep the pace up and there's a clever little guitar hook going on. Fiach's vocals are effortless.

This is Fiach's second single, the follow up to You Dear and if the rest of the album is anything like this, its bound to be a gem. The pace never slows and Fiach gives us three minutes of pure magic, This is the best Irish single of this genre I have heard in years.

Review by Nessy

6/ 6

www.Fiach.net

Fade Street Bums

 

If you got an itching for some 70's blues rock well here is a sweet blues rocking band with songs like "Aint no stranger" full of heavy blues tone bass strumming and stoner type gutair solos, they have dusted up an era of music that has long left us, I like the track "Movin' Along" this has some Rory Gallagher style to it's flavour this would be the second band ive heard in Ireland to be knocking out this style of sounds looks like The Deans have some competition.

Review by T.Halpin

Rank 4/6

http://www.myspace.com/fadestreetbums

Frantic Jack

 

Free

Just as they are announced as MusicReviewUnsigned artist of the month for December 09, Frantic Jack release their second single Free. Free follows a month after their debut single 'Firefly' entered the charts at number 23.

Free is an uptempo track with a nice lead in. The chorus might be a little short but the hook is memorable and leaves lots of room for live singalongs. Its a good track with a driving rhythm section. Lead singer Daragh seems to be growing in confidence and gives a great vocal performance.

The second track on the CD release is called Fallen Heroes. It's a heartfelt song not dissimilar to Daughtry's style. Good lyrics, good vocals nice guitar licks not bad for a 'B' side.

2010 should be a great year for Frantic Jack as they took the end of 2009 by the scruff of the neck. Kudos to them for following up their debut 'Firefly' so quickly. As long as they can keep a good momentum going 2010 is theirs for the taking.

Review by Nessy

5 out of 6

www.myspace.com/franticjack

Fiach

 

"You Dear"

You Dear is the debut single from Fiach's debut album "So I" due for release in February 2010 kicking in the tune with violins and love driven lyrics Fiach sings each vocal note straight from the heart, upbeat with a folk rock theme and some philharmonic styled grooves to lift the chorus, this makes You Dear a superb taste of what's to come from this Dublin singer songwriter's new album in 2010.

Review by T.Halpin

Rank: ****** 6 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/fiachmusic

Frantic Jack

 

"Firefly review"

Firefly is the debut single from Edenderry/Dundalk based band Frantic Jack.

The band seem to wear their influences of their sleeves as shimmers of Counting Crows (vocally) and old school Green Day (guitar) raise their heads.

Firefly is a melodic track with a standard verse chorus middle 8 chorus format.

Its a decent track and if they were signed it would get a hell of a lot of airplay in the AOR charts. I'd love to see Frantic Jack push the limits a little as this is an amazingly tough genre to be in and it needs a little magic to break through.

Track two on the single is Hang from the Gates. This track in its own right could easily be a single. It starts off electric guitar and vocals and builds up to a nice crescendo. Grey's Anatomy hello?

This is a good solid debut from Frantic Jack.

Rank:***** 5 out of 6

www.franticjack.com

Froud

 

"Over Again Single Review"

After the release of their Debut single Nostalgia Froud have been getting some interest from the US and this would not surprise me as their new Single Over Again has a pure vintage slow rock theme to its melody with soft acoustic guitar and cracking lyrics you will have to get the lighters waving in the air for this track, excellent stuff.

Review by T.Halpin

6/6

http://www.myspace.com/froudmusic

Fox Avenue

 

Four for Four EP

A copy of Fox Avenue's Four for Four EP, just happened to drop into this reviewers lap, honestly just fell. Not sure if this is getting a full release or a media only or fan only release but here goes. :)
Fox Avenue have been together since September 2008 and already have played support to Elliot Minor and Metro Station. This is a solid debut produced by Niall Breslin. The band features Sean Maxx on drums and Patrick Rhatigan on vocals and piano and Spin 1038's night time jock, Dara Quilty on vocals and guitar (which will do them no harm at all).
'Four for Four' starts off with 'Chasing My Tail' an uptempo pop/punk track with a catchy hook and at 2 minutes 25 seconds is a radio programmers dream!
'Save your Dreaming' seems a more mature track with well thought out structure. Although Fox Avenue may find themselves in the teen pop punk market their songs could sit happy in other genres with songs like 'Tonight'.
This reviewers favourite has to be the last track 'Tell me', nice drums and nice guitar lines, nice breakdowns.
The guys have a great internet presence too and frequently do a YouTube video blog update for all their fans! Clever! If these guys play their cards right they could actually be huge.

Review by Nessy

RANK:***** 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/foxavenue

Fredrick and The Golden Dawn

When writing music reviews the writer is always under the assumption that the reader requires genre reference points so as to decide whether the record falls into their preference categories. Also, there generally seems to be a need to provide a list of similar artists, again so the reader can determine if this the record suits their previous tastes. Is this true or merely an assumption? Do music fans need to be reminded of past glories before they notch up another victory? Is there a closed mindedness that has enveloped what is cool into being based purely on what was cool?
With Fredrick and the Golden Dawn’s ‘Here’s a Piece of Ivan’s Head’ such pigeonholing is almost unachievable. The Dublin four piece offer a refreshing diversity throughout the three tracks of their sophomore EP that leaves this writer happy to use to the excuse of the previous paragraph. As you enter their eerie world, moods of paranoia and fear are coupled with a sense of mischief and wonder. The stories of love and death unfold over backdrops of solitary ukuleles, cutting synths, pounding snares and tinkling pianos. The raconteur is Kevin Nolan and he uses every part of his vocal capacity to bring you the many characters involved in this showpiece.
The opening guitar stabs of Splinter conjures cinematic images of eighties cop shows but that stops abruptly when Nolan tells us of his trip to a river ‘in another part of town.’ From then on the album remains in another part of town or perhaps leaves town and refuses to comeback. Splinter could, at a stretch, be called the EP’s light moment.
But don’t be fooled Fredrick and the Golden Dawn’s second EP attacks as much as it soothes. At times it lulls you into a false sense of security with fairytale melodies and vocal harmonies but as you drop your guard, Nolan pounces. The Guess is a prime example of this strategy. Over an enchanting piano intro our narrator urges us to ‘find a way’ through the forest. However the innocent woodland jaunt takes a frightful turn as you encounter the man sitting on the suitcase. When he weeps and beats his chest you better hope your trail of bread crumbs hasn’t been eaten.
Blood Wedding provides no such disillusionment; you enter at your own peril. The Ukulele plucks and the regrets of a disgruntle lover come howling until they are eventually condensed into a haunting blues ensemble. You cannot help but picture a hunchbacked cretin, creeping through the underbelly of the night, who seems to find redemption as he screams the tracks title.
This brings me to the core of Fredrick and the Golden Dawns appeal. Each song plays like a three and half minute movie, complete with characters, plot, script and of course soundtrack. The EP does not stand as trilogy but rather three separate films with the same director. So get your popcorn, your oversized drink of coke, add some bourbon for added effect and enjoy the film.
Review by Philip Ryan

RANK:***** 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/fre drickandthegoldendawn

FROUD

 

Nostalgia EP review

Froud are a four piece band hailing out of Monaghan /Ireland with their debut EP Nostalgia, the EP consists of three tracks "Nostalgia" full bodied rock sound crusted with pop styled lyrics, Nostalgia holds a very tasty melody and a catchy chorus like a breath of fresh air. "Open Eyes" punk beats fuse a very rock/pop sound very American teenage band sound, this could be one for the skaters! The final track on the EP is "Liar" lead singer Martin O'Neill should be very proud of himself on this track his vocals are superb and the dynamics in his voice are crafted to perfection, the song gives off a cool post modern rock anthem feel excellent stuff. This is one act to watch and listen out for.
Review by T.Halpin

RANK:***** 5 out 6

www.froudmusic.com

Freight Train Deluxe

 

"Women Music and trucks" Album review

Nashville,Tennessee,United States has giving birth to a fine blues musician Chris Floyd, from an early age he must have been spoonfed blues as the ten tracks he's put together on this album signifies everything about the blues, Chris plays some great harmonica through out the album if your an Alman Bro's fan you will love Freight Train Deluxe only instead of the guitar taking the show the harmonica does on this album and its top class playing too, track three "Pretty Women" has some powerful playing on it with a real southern blues feel the guitars are lazy and sit back with the beat and the vocals have that gospel charisma about them, Chris does some lovely harmonica solo work on here too. Track four "Fools Argument" this has got some pure country blues feel with solid bluegrass roots coming from Tony Wray on Banjo and Wayne Benson on Mandolin, excellent tune.Track six "I know you rider" is you typical twelve bar blues with a twist, the charm of a funky bass line and a sexy guitar riff does it for me excellent stuff! you can hear some Chicago Blues creeping into the mix but the Harmonica keeps the southern feel to the song. Overall Freight Train Deluxe have got a fine album here and a must to have in your blues collection!
Review by T.Halpin

RANK:***** 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/chrisfreakinfloyd

FINLAY MORTON

BACK TO BASICS

Review

Finlay brings us some blues from the UK or is this a clear message that blues still lives in British music it’s not all plastic punk and popped up ponses, this is were real music is at it's best and its pure its real and its got some blues feel to it. Finlay has infused some country folk and soulful blues to come up with this 10 track stunner… favorite tracks hmmm. Track 2 The Devil (ain’t getting my soul) very sleek has the Latin blues feel and very sexy guitar licks. Track 7 My Friend, it’s got a real southern blues feel and some country licks, full of commercial quality. Track 10 Back to the start; it’s your classic slow country song with some great musical talent onboard.

Review by T.Halpin

RANK: ****** 6 out of 6

www.myspace.com/finlaymorton

Fusion Family

 

Fusion Family have provided me with an actual video of their single, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26VdND6ZKe0 'Smokers & Jokers' which, in itself makes for an excellent diversion for me, and any other interested parties as you can get a much better feel for a band in a video format. I would advise all upcoming bands to have a stab at it, even if it is just a 'Handycam', basic PC editing software and some of your mates in messing about in a local village hall, as seems to be the case in this video. Even basics such as these can raise your profile well above a basic demo (trust me I have personally witnessed literally hundreds of unlistened to CD's being tipped in a record company bin).
So, to the single 'Smokers & Jokers. A slightly stoned Arctic Monkeys meet The Ordinary Boys for a very non threatening, light and laddish, likeable cod-ska romp, extolling the virtues of, and supporting the legalisation of Cannabis. Now, I'm not here to theorise or point my moral compass at anyone, so I shall sit firmly on the fence on the subject matter! However what I *am* here to do is give my honest view on a bands product and prospects. I happen to know that Fusion Family are pretty decent guys and they have made a good tune, what is apparent however, is that they seem to have a little obsession going with their pet subject ('Smokers & Jokers' not being their only Ganja friendly homage). If your band are drawn together by a mutual interest, thats cool but unfortunately their tastes are not only liable to have their stated desire for record company interest as likely as interest in Jo Brand at a pole dancing audition, but it rather clearly makes their playing sound slightly 'baked' as well. Obviously, committed stoners will love the message but you have to remember, (and I have to point out) that if you want to get signed, as the band say they do, getting on your soapbox on a subject such as sponsoring grass, you will, whether you agree or not, be giving yourself an additional fence to negotiate in the great 'unsigned' steeplechase.
If and when the smoke clears a bit, a little more energy and sharpness would drive this band a lot further forward.

Review by Drumhead

RANK: *** 3 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/fusionfamily

4FLAVA

 

Destiny's Child or Sugarbabes but with one more, obviously) Chantelle aka Karamel, Dee-Nice aka Cinnamon, Karis aka Coco, Simone aka Honey....simpers their Myspace site. That will explain it all I think - I'm not sure that I get what all the "aka's" are all about, you'll have to ask them.

Four nice looking and sweet sounding girls from London make a 'nice' and sweet sounding urban R&B style. The uber lightweight production and frothy, vanilla songs lighten the sound to the point of making Beyonce and co. sound like U2. There are spaces in their songs - like 'Cocky' - that fatter production really would help, but 4Flava just about maintains its soul roots and will definitely appeal to the 'hairbrush diva' fans (honestly, we're not talking deep and meaningful here). Four very decent singers, very deliberately packaged into a high (lip)gloss, urban-soul, club sound team. They seem to have achieved a lot of notice already and no doubt will continue to do so in their field, its sweet but very lite.

Review by Drumhead

RANK:**** 4 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/4flava

Freddie White

 

Aras Chronain Friday Feb 8th

Playing to a dedicated audience last Friday, Freddie White performed
some
memorable tracks for his followers.
His singer/songwriter techniques were solid, confident and
entertaining. For
a nice touch, his chorus was lifted gently at times by his listeners'
harmonies.
Despite the hold he has over his audience, Freddie White seemed to play
quite a begrudged performance, with many cover tracks.
Nevertheless he played many encores before sending his happy crowd
home.

Review by Claire Rushe

RANK: **** 4 out of 6

www.freddiewhite.com
FOX JAW BOUNTY HUNTERS

 

This grunge rock sound has some interesting, catchy and lively moments.
However, some of these tracks come through after confusing and slighly
unfinished intros, casting a kind of displaced introduction to the
sounds.
Having a very energetic feel to the recordings, the music points toward
a
more promising live performance sounds.

Review by Claire Rushe

RANK:*** 3 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/foxjawbountyhunters
FLINDERS

 

THE GROUND FLOOR EP.

Philip Flynn has put together this awesome ep with some fantastic vocals and constructed melodies the first track on the ep is (BOXES BURNING) this is cool the way Philip lays down the vocals overlapping them as you would with a instrument well a vocal is a instrument and it used to its peak here the only thing on this song was when the heavy guitar kicks in maybe a softer guitar with a clean sound but this is a good track. (RUNNING START) here Philip uses the same concept as the first track only with a more blues feel in his vocal with a cool grooving bassline in the background. (KICKING AN OPEN DOOR) this tune has nice soft approach with some nice melodies on the guitar, the vocals hangs nice in this song with a real ambient feel to them. (MEAN MAN "Three words" ) this tune kind of sounds like an Robert Plant in his Zepplin acoustic vibe but in a good way with some nice frasing on the guitar and vocals sounding superb this is very well mixed tune excellent stuff.

review by T.Halpin

EP RATE: ****** 6 out of 6

www.myspace.com/flindersmusic

FIGHT LIKE APES

Here is a good band on the scene in Dublin with some catchy tunes and in your face attitude, futuristic melodic punk is a few words to describe what your in for, excellent stuff.
LEND ME YOUR FACE - A good catchy number with a great upbeat melody with a weird 80's synth melody flowing over the song, vocals have all the elements of a true punk voice crusted with a grunge in your face feel to them, this song makes you feel you want to hit something.... great tune.

BATTLESTATIONS - A cool melodic song with a dark side to it, some great work on the synth, vocals could not shout any louder!!!! but that's ok cause it really suits this song very well.

review by T.Halpin

Star Rank: **** 4 out of 6

www.myspace.com/fightlikeapesmusic