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Half Shot

 

Couldn't Back Down

Four piece hard rock band based in Dublin have been on the scene since 2006 rocking out venues all over Ireland, when you look back at the days of good rock 'n' roll bands they all had one thing in common and that was good music, Half Shot I'm sure are no strangers to the greats, their single Couldn't Back Down has all the elements of classic rock, it's got the catchy guitar hook with the blues flavour of a good Rory Gallagher lick and the heavy vocals of Lemmy, although like most good old fashioned rock tunes, it's got balls too.

The B side on the single is a track called "Moonbather" the first thing came to me on hearing this song was punk rock, now not the sleeve eating type but the dirty type like Joy Division, maybe it was the bottom end grinding bass notes that got me going, but the vocals do have a blues rock tone to them, great catchy number and well worth checking out.

Review by T.Halpin

5/6

http://www.halfshot.net

Hayabusa

 

You’ll need something on your feet.

I’m really surprised. First track in and the head is definitely banging out the beat. I guess you can’t judge a band by the name … Hayabusa kind of had me thinking this was going to be another AC/DC style biker band (nothing wrong with that of course).

But, Hayabusa are more than that, much more. The production is lush with heavy guitar, the rhythm section really knows their stuff with some intricate Dream theatre/Rush style timings and there’s some great old school keyboard sounds in the mix.

Vocals start off with some rapping ala Beastie boys, but this singer has a versatility which suggests he could handle anything and the songs showcase this ability with some nice changes in style.

Hayabusa have certainly pulled out all the stops on this mini-album. It’s a testament to where they are now. I’m certainly a new fan and I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground for more from this excellent band.

Review by Tobye Hillier.

4/6

http://www.hayabusaband.com

Huey and the Hobgoblins

 

Mood Elevator
Big show styled bands are a thing of the past and not something that is around much and trying to break into the Irish music industry today, Huey and the Hobgoblins are one of these big bands and come from Drogheda, Louth here in Ireland they have ten members in their band although i only see nine in the picture, Mood Elevator is their new single and contains three songs of a very wide mix of music from Blues and big band jazz to 50's styled barber shop bee bop music, this is all fine and very radio friendly stuff but i like their third track The Beer Garden Song, it's catchy and has a very nice feel to the song, I would like to hear more of this from this band, it's got country folk blues feel to it with very good sing along potential.
Review by T.Halpin
4/6
http://www.myspace.com/hueyandthehobgoblins

Hello Lazarus

 

Ladies Love Liars is the new single by Bristol based band Hello Lazarus released September 16th at a launch party at The Cooler in Bristol. Than band describe themselves as English, alternative rock. I wouldn’t disagree with that as a label, but I have to say you shouldn’t see ‘alternative’ as non commercial. This band are extremely saleable.Three young good looking guys who all sing and produce a huge sound for just a drummer, guitarist and bassist.

They have a funky looking website, they dress like cool, bright young things and they cite a range of very trendy influences on their webpage. These guys have hot written all over them. A bit more hard hitting than your average indie chart effort but I can really see this band being picked up this year, get to a gig quick so you can say you did!

I have to say, I love this track and I cannot wait for the album to be released. It’s catchy, great and has resonating lyrics. Desperate, almost punky singing with nice melodies, and great backing vocals. It is a great single, those forceful, repeated, thrashing notes towards the end of the track overlaid with haunting, echoing vocals ensure you won’t forget you heard Ladies Love Liars.
Review By Becky Beynon-Lewis

5/6
http://www.myspace.com/hellolazarus

Heavens Fall

 

Down Spiral

Four piece metal band really let loose on this EP with harmonising guitar solos and wild power double bass drumming, It's got five tracks of some decent heavy rock music almost metal trying to cross over to the commercial side of this genre, the vocals stand out on each song as you would know this type of music needs a certain type of singer and front-man Stevie Lloyd holds it together really well, like all music dynamics is important and Heavens Fall has crafted this well on Down Spiral, well worth checking out.
Review by T.Halpin
5/6

http://www.myspace.com/heavensfallofficial

Hitman Lord

 

I Drank As I

Prior knowledge of Hitman Lord tells me to expect intelligent pop/rock. 'I Drank As I..', the follow up single to 'Wanna Healing Music' doesn't disappoint.

'I Drank as I..' is an elegant, tasteful, sophisticated mid-tempo track, almost a soundtrack to a dream sequence. It is beautifully, delicately mixed. I defy you not to sway along.

'I Drank As I' is an excellent piece of music, proving Hitman Lord is one of the best songwriters around and a leading light for a new decade.

Hit Replay

Review by Nessy

5.75 out of 6

(see I'm being tougher)

http://www.myspace.com/hitmanlord

Heights

 

The Land, The Ocean, The Distance is the debut EP from the five piece hardcore metal band from Welwyn Garden City in the United Kingdom, three tracks of pure ambient hardcore mayhem first up on the cd is "Empires" the good versus the evil in this track, its got a soft feel in the riffs and some overkill hardcore vocals from frontman Thomas Debear, smashing stuff . Track two "Piant The Sky" the rhythm section have got it spot on in this track with thundering double bass pedal work from drummer Tom Hutton, excellent change in the groove almost dramatic in parts. Track three "Worlds Apart" retro hardcore metal with ambient tones thrown in for good measure, super vocals.

Review by T.Halpin

Rank: ***** 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/weareheights

Houka Monks

 

Funked up indie pop duo Houka Monks have created a full image and sound that works together very well, cheeky lyrics and catchy grooves can be heard on this EP with some excellent guitar riffs, so if you like your Stone Roses dipped into a bit of Lenny Kravitz you will love this debut self titled EP by Houka Monks, five tracks of compelling stuff from this UK duo.

Review by T.Halpin

Rank: ***** 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/houkamonks

Heirs to Nothing

When someone you never met before suddenly sends you 10 megabytes of unsolicted music, you tend to think there might be two things going on. These guys are new to the game or desperation.

Heirs to Nothing seem to be a band of contradictions, while their Myspace page says they are from Galway, the email your reviewer received states their hometown is Limerick.

Sucker (Driving Me Away) is their debut single, released in September and was better than I expected. It's a standard AOR track starting with a guitar/vocal and then a drum build up.. I would have liked a bit more Umph when the track really kicks in. Recording and production are both clean, near the end of the track harmonies kick in, more of that earlier would have lifted the track a bit, as would brightening the drum sound.

The other tracks the band included are Lover and Runaway. Lover starts like an 80's throwback reminisent of Visage. About 2 minutes into the track the full pop sound comes to the fore. While Runaway is a definitely a more rock track but I think it needs to be at a faster tempo.

Founded by Martin Bennett, the guys do still have a lot of growing to do and need to find exactly where they fit. I hope they are not releasing their debut too soon.

Review by Nessy
www.myspace.com/heirstonothing

RANK:*** 3 out of 6

Hogan

Hogan is an energetic Irish pop rock outfit led by vocalist Mark Hogan, hence the bands name. Their single “Jealousy” is a very colourful song, its teeny bop type music that we mostly hear from America but has seemed to reach the Irish shores. It is a love song about being over your ex until you see they’re with someone new. The Script has been storming the charts with these types of love songs but Hogan seems to be a lot more edgy and fun! The interlude part of the song with the clapping of the hands and cheering makes the track seem as if they were playing live. The video concept for the song has a comic book theme that takes place in a skate park where the band is performing. The video has various other scenes, like the bowling alley, which shows they have strongly been influenced by American bands in this genre.

They have worked with top producers, some who have produced the likes of Manic Street Preachers and Super Fury Animal. Hogan have performed in venues across country and shared the stage with Ireland’s top bands: The Coronas, Republic of Loose, The Blizzards and the Delorentos. If you are into the skater boy scene than you will most definitely enjoy Hogan.

Review by Laura McGlynn

RANK:***** 5 out 6

http://www.myspace.com/hoganmark

HERM

Herm is the talent inspired by Kevin Connolly, who along with the five piece band The Hermanos have played along with The Revs and Mundy.

The Year of the Horse ~ truly the best ballad I’ve heard in a long time. ‘Brought tears to my eyes as my emotions followed the strings’ instrumental. Good guitar accompaniment and beautiful duets! Move over Glen Hansard and Marketa Iroglova.

Heads ~ simple intro to a decent indie track which would work well on daytime media with the lyrics ‘I’m on the radio hey hey hey’. Although maybe it suggests an air of anti-establishment with ‘heads on a plate’.

Review by Little Bear

Rank: 5 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/hermwork

HITMAN LORD

S.A.R EP review

Debut EP S.A.R has the old school A and B side very pop orientated with some rock flavored tones, the first track S.A.R has a beautiful and colorful vocal melody to it with a savage guitar riff cutting through the rhythm, i like this song and for a debut song it is top class stuff, second song or B side "The Sound of Happening" has more of an indie rock tone with some soul/blues styled vocals, great effects and guitar work and the use of the repeated lyrics reminds me of The Happy Monday and the way they use to overlay and repeat vocals, I give this EP the full thumbs up.

Review by T.Halpin

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

www.myspace.com/hitmanlord

Hip Route

 

Working on Hope

Hip Route’s album ‘Working on Hope’ has the potential to be amazing. The instrument use is unique sounding its hard to make a comparison with other bands. The lead singer Jim Blair’s voice is similar to that of Jack Johnson’s vocals though, which isn’t a bad thing as it suits the music. If I had to put this album into a single genre it would be folk blues. The album is just missing that catchy song that would have you pressing the repeat button. The best track is ‘Dead and Gone’.

Review By Laura McGlynn

RANK:**** 4 out of 6

http://www.myspace.com/hiproute

Hoover & Sledgehammers

Visions from Eceloe mountain EP review

The first thing that I thought when put this EP into my cd player was " are these taking the piss or what?" ok The Doors done what H&S are trying to attempt only they had the backing of a poet and someone that could sing, it seems like one big jam on this EP and thats ok if you have lots of money to throw away on demos and recordings, although some media critics may disagree i feel H&S need to work on vocal and composition in songwriting we can all have a laugh but is this music or comedy? not for me guys sorry.

Review by T.Halpin

RANK: * 1 out of 6
www.myspace.com/viruswithfootwear

HOVERCRAFT PIRATES

 

The Hovercraft Pirates from Ireland, have, in quick time (i.e. since 2007) got their act, sound and apparently, career on the go. having already released an EP and an album under their own steam. They have also appeared on the bill with Turbonegro and (a bizarrely mismatched) Snoop Dogg and will be appearing at all points in Ireland during 2008. They go with, that increasingly rare beast, a three piece band which produce the pleasing qualities of a larger group. From the very accomplished and unrelenting pop/punk vocals of Paul Bluemel to the overdriven power punch of the guitar/bass/drums comb THP produce a modern approach to pop/punk rock. You can definitely lift a variety of musical flavours out of what they do in their tracks from MCR, The Used, Muse ('Rica', 'We're Pirates') to a more commercial Rancid ('Happy Free') or a more masculine Placebo/Panic at the disco ('Prison Break'). But the important thing is that they are far better than just the sum of their influences.
THP have commerciality, punch and likability that can cut across a number of current day genres and they still remain fresh. With the current rate of progress they have the key to greater things.

Review by Drumhead

RANK: ***** 5 out of 6

www.myspace.com/hovercraftpirates

HYBRASIL

(THE MONKEY POLE album review)

This is a five piece band from Wicklow Ireland, The Monkey Pole is a eleven tracks of electronic indie rock melodies and superb vocal abilities, "We got music" has a cool vibe leaks a bit like a happy Mondays tune but with a great rock vocal, this track will get your head moving in all directions. "San fran" great intro with the vocals, the drums holds down a great hypnotic beat, sounds a bit like an early Blur tune but with one step better than them. "Heads up" this tune has more of an 80" feel maybe it’s the strait disco beat on the drums or the progressive synth its unique ill say that. "Getchoo" beat for beat note for note and word for word this tune has it all pure ambient with an indie twist. "A million moments" not one of my favs on the album but great vocals this is more of a suttle tune and laid back, maybe it’s the chill out song. "Love is in you" this is a great concept for a tune with elements of a great rock guitar riff and indie dynamics its nice the way the vocal does a talking walking vibe through out this tune. "Gorillas" if you like Beck you will like this song it has a great 60's peaceful tone and kicks with a electronic grunge tone coming from the guitar, sweet. "God bless the devil" this is Hybrasil wrapped up in one package electronic synth melodies great solid beat and vocals to die for and I love the eastern vibe in the background. "If you feel" the peace revolution is here this has a great indie rock feel with fantastic vocals and backing vocals the harmony guitars work great, this track is were the keys go free and wild, peace. "When I’m yawning" this is where Beck meets Happy Monday’s great vocals and the melody works fantastic with the tune. "Binary love" this song is more of an expression nice and laid back a bit different from Hybrasil has a hint of grunge to the vocals a bit like Nirvana but keeping the trade mark of electronic effects. Overall I found this album both very exciting and very enjoyable to listen to this one goes into the Musicreview cd rack.

Review by T.Halpin

RANK: ****** 6 OUT OF 6

http://www.myspace.com/hybrasil