Month: May 2016

ALBUM REVIEW: RILEY GODLESKI – TUMBLE CHILD

Riley-Godleski---Tumble-Child-Right-Inside-Panel

Background
 Riley Godleski is a multi-style drummer, singer and songwriter from Northampton, MA. He has played with various groups in-studio and on stage including Kudzu, Woodford Way, Colorway, Mikey Sweet, Shokazoba, The Original Cowards, Amy Fairchild, Cowmuddy (Michael McShane), Ross Bellenoit, Jaron Olevsky, Miro Sprague, Susan Angeletti, Frank Manzi and Temporary Friends.  He has experience playing in pits for classical, choral and theatrical performances. 

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PoP ROCKS! AN INTRODUCTION

VU

Once upon a time, pop and rock came together and made a baby, and its name was Pop-Rock. Very strictly speaking, Pop-Rock is a fusion genre that mixes a catchy pop style and light lyrics in its (typically) guitar-based rock songs. Other genres that bear similar traits would be Powerpop, Melodic Rock, Soft Rock, Jangle Pop, Glam Rock, New Wave, Indie Pop and of course, Rock ’n’ Roll.

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LIVE REVIEW: SINGTEL AND SAMSUNG PRESENTS UP CLOSE WITH JESSIE J

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As much as we would confess to an aversion to what passes for pop music in 2016, the UK singer-songwriter Jessie J has always intrigued with her songwriting and unconventional style. There is a genuine earthy quality about Jessie J amidst the obligatory glitz and glamour of modern pop that endears, somewhat.

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LIVE NEWS: PANDAROCKETSHIP X THE MUSIC PARLOUR #2

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More Singapore indie pop & rock to discover this weekend.

EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, May 28th
The Music Parlour, #04-20 Peninsula Shopping Centre
Doors Open: 645pm
Tickets: $10 (at the door)

Tickets will start selling at the door at 6.30pm.

See you there!

LIVE NEWS: SWERVEDRIVER – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

Swervedriver SG

Back in 2015, we reviewed the Swervedriver comeback album, I Wasn’t Born To Lose You.

“Yet another welcome 90s rock reunion. Though frontman Adam Franklin has been delivering competent 90s-channeling modern rock for some time now, it’s a pleasure to have the shoegaze pioneers back together and doing what they do best. Essential for all post-punk revivalist hipsters.”

After the appearances of British dream-pop rockers Slowdive and Ride to enthusiastic audiences, it makes sense for the reformed Swervedriver to come our way as well. Especially when today’s youngsters revere the modern-day post-punk revival bands you’d find at Laneway or Neon Lights.

Date: 15th June
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Hood Bar & Cafe

Our very own Cosmic Child provides the support.

Tickets available from http://peatix.com/event/169651

GEEK OUT! X-MEN: APOCALPYSE

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Background
 Whilst ostensibly, X-Men: Apocalypse deals with the emergence of the world’s first mutant, Apocalypse in the 80s, and the X-Men’s attempts to defeat his extinction level plan, it is actually the conclusion of the time-hopping trilogy that began with the Matthew Vaughn-helmed X-Men: First Class. With the re-introduction of beloved X-Men characters like Scott Summers/Cyclops (Tye Sheriden), Phoenix/Jean Grey (Sophie Turner), Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Storm/Ororo Munroe (Alexandra Shipp), the movie sets the stage for the X-Men’s new adventures.

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ALBUM REVIEW: MUDCRUTCH – 2

mudcrutch

Background
 Tom Petty’s previous band (with guitarist Tom Leadon & drummer Randall Marsh) before forming Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. With Heartbreakers Mike Campbell (lead guitar) and Benmont Tench (keyboards) on board, the reformed Mudcrutch released an eponymous debut album in 2008. Thought to be a one-off, the band is back with a second album, appropriately entitled 2.

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LIVE NEWS: RACHAEL YAMAGATA – LIVE IN SINGAPORE

Photo: Laura Costa

Photo: Laura Costa

Another year, another Rachael Yamagata gig in Singapore. It’s an annual event where Yamagata’s diehard fans gather to celebrate her music (she was last here at November’s Neon Lights Festival).

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GEEK OUT: STAR TREK BEYOND TRAILER #2

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Well obviously we held certain reservations when it was announced that Justin Lin (Fast & Furious) would be directing the new Star Trek movie. And whilst the first trailer did not allay those fears, this second trailer has gone a long way towards repairing awful first impressions.

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PoPTV – THE NEW ROCK ’N’ ROLL

The New Rock N Roll

Rock ‘n’ roll might not have the same commercial or cultural impact it used to have but we promise to keep the flag flying.

Here are videos of new music you should be listening to that expresses the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. Enjoy!

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LIVE NEWS: FRANK Presents: Bandwagon Riverboat II

Bandwagon Riverboat 2016

We loved Bandwagon Riverboat last time out! Great music in a unique setting. What’s more, the the boat rockin’ and rollin’ made it easy to groove naturally! Kudos!!

No surprise perhaps that the kind folks at Bandwagon have decided to expand the event to TWO days, with a cracking lineup to match!

So what are you waiting for? Book them tickets now before they are sold out!

http://riverboat2.peatix.com

See you there!!

ALBUM REVIEW: TRASHCAN SINATRAS – WILD PENDULUM

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Background
 Veteran Scottish pop-rockers return with its sixth studio album since formation in the late 1980s.

Strengths
 Very compelling, highly listenable traditional pop-rock. Lushly arranged with layered harmonies and orchestrated instrumentation on certain tracks. Memorable melodies will keep you humming along.

Highlights
 “Let Me Inside (Or Let Me Out)”, “Best Days on Earth”, “Ain’t That Something”.

Sounds Like
 Aztec Camera, The Go-Betweens, Lloyd Cole.

Bottom Line
 Always refreshing to find pop music with unabashed leanings towards sophisticated textures and well crafted tunes. A thoroughly enjoyable album from start to finish.

Information
 Official Website: http://trashcansinatras.com/

Buy now!

ALBUM REVIEW: FRUIT BATS – ABSOLUTE LOSER

fruitbats

Background
 Fruit Bats is an American rock band formed in 1997 in Chicago, Illinois. Noted as an early entrant into the folk-rock boom of the early 2000s, the group has had many personnel changes but revolves around singer/songwriter Eric D. Johnson. Two years after announcing the demise of Fruit Bats, Johnson is back with a new Fruit Bats album.

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ALBUM REVIEW: ROONEY – WASHED AWAY

rooney

Background
 L.A.-based rock band, Rooney, is a bit of an anachronism – a power pop outfit that was signed to a major label (Geffen) like Fastball, Semisonic, Phantom Planet all did, once upon a time. Those days are long gone now but Rooney are back with a new album, via the Beechwood Park Music label.

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