New Album Alert

Don’t Believe The Hype – L.A. Glam And Glitter Rockers STARCRAWLER Have Their Third Album ‘SHE SAID’ Out

Posted on by JL

New longplayers

19 September 2022

Band: STARCRAWLER
Who: Glam and glitter rockers from Los Angeles,
fronted by the utterly charismatic Aaron Dewilde.
Albums: Starcrawler (2018), Devour You (2019)
and now the new one.

New album: SHE SAID
Released: 16 September 2022 – buy here

Classic Rock Mag: “When you’ve built a reputation around taking it to the limit,
where do you go next? After two albums of high-intensity, febrile punk rock, you get the
feeling that Californian urchins Starcrawler were finding that to be a pressing question. Whirlwind frontwoman Arrow de Wilde has hinted that being stuck in top gear is beginning
to feel limited, while stage stunts such as spitting fake blood over the audience have
begun to “feel like a schtick”. Score: 3/5.

Henri Cash (guitarist): “We wanted to make songs on this record
for everyone. For people that weren’t just into punk rock.”


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – 2018 in Brussels)

TUTV: Starcrawler promised a more varied, sonically, LP than the 2 previous ones.
But the new record is still filled, mostly, with classic retro rock jackhammers, but less punky and fierce than before, with echoes of West-Coast glam legends Mötley Crüe and Quiet Riot (Roadkill / She Said / Stranded / True / Runaway) a couple of dream pop ditties (Broken Angels / Midnight) and a smooth candlelight closer Better Place. Except for a couple tracks, this LP is too mediocre to remember… in a week. Don’t believe the hype.

Singles/clips: Stranded / Roadkill / Broken Angels

– STRANDED –

– RODAKILLER –

– BROKEN ANGELS –

Full album stream on Spotify

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STARCRAWLER: Spotify – Instagram

THE CHATS Say/Scream/Yell Loud And Clear ‘GET FUCKED’ Like It’s 1977 All Over Again

Posted on by JL

21 August 2022

Band: THE CHATS
Who: Three punks from Australia who
turn up the havoc decibels since 2016.

New album: GET FUCKED – 2nd LP

NME: “The group don’t preach their politics; ‘Get Fucked’ is simply a defiant
middle-finger to those in charge, as The Chats strive to offer moments of joy in
a world that seems very much against that mission.” Full review here. Score 4/5.

TUTV: These Australian kick-ass dogs have an unstoppable appetite for adrenalin
injected blitzkrieg slams, as we know, from their 2020 debut LP High Risk Behaviour.
A bulldozer of a record propelled by 70s punk-a-billy bricks. So far so good.

The bad news: with Get Fucked they just made a copy of the first one, but with lesser
top-notch tank tunes on. They keep on going to the same year – 1977 – for inspiration, musically and lyrically, which gets boring in the end, certainly when you sound exactly
like a 1977 band that fuck up their dad’s garage (they all did back then).

I don’t understand the jubilant press this trio’s get. But as long as everybody’s happy, I’m happy too. Although I’m sure that The Chats will stick their middle finger in my eyes and yell get fucked in my ears when they hear about this review.

GET FUCKED


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THE CHATS: Facebook

KASABIAN Is Dead! Long Live KASABIAN! New Album ‘THE ALCHEMIST’S EUPHORIA’ Out Now

Posted on by JL

14 August 2022

Two years ago flamboyant frontman Tom Meighan left KASABIAN following personal problems. The announcement came via this statement from the band: “Tom Meighan is stepping down from Kasabian by mutual consent. Tom has struggled with personal issues that have affected his behavior for quite some time, and now wants to concentrate all his energies on getting his life back on track.”


(Serge Pizzorno – photo by Turn Up The Volume)

The band’s songwriter Serge Pizzorno, who occasionally
sang Kasabian songs in the past, is the new vocalist, on the
new full length, baptized THE ALCHEMIST’S EUPHORIA,
released 2 days ago.

NME says: “The band’s seventh album – and first with Serge Pizzorno on the mic – is a space-inspired recalibration that still boasts old-school anthems aplenty. Kasabian have always been about having a good fucking time, and although this is understandably their most introspective record yet, it does point to euphoria ahead. Back in May, the frontman told NME: “This album was just us saying, ‘Let’s see what we can do – let’s see where we can take this’. On the evidence of this surprising, eclectic and intimate record – which still finds time for the anthems of old – the answer is: as far as they want to”. Score: 4/5.

TUTV: Without rock frontman Tom Meighan I guess the band’s mastermind Serge Pizzorno made/released the synth-pop-symphonic orientated album he already had in his head for a long time, but was afraid to share it under the old Kasabian banner – the rock gang. So here it’s now. And hats off to Pizzorno for doing the bold thing: not looking back at the good old rock days, and instead re-start with a new(er) sound, the one he would have developed some time, anyway. On the other hand, honestly, I liked the first Kasabian version better.

Singles/clips: ALYGATYR / SCRIPTVRE / CHEMICALS

– ALYGATYR –

– SCRIPTVRE –

– CHEMICALS –

Stream the full album here…

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KASABIAN: Facebook – Instagram

From Punk To Synth-Pop – PUSSY RIOT Still Rebellious In Views But Not In Sound

Posted on by JL

New longplayers

6 August 2022


(Artwork new album)

Band: PUSSY RIOT
Who: The Russian feminist punk collective, of which members – including the main riot grrl and then 22-year-old Nadezhda Tolokonnikova – were thrown in jail for 2 years in Siberia following a guerrilla gig at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Before they were shut down they sangg their 40-second anti-Putin anthem “Punk Prayer: Mother of God Drive Putin Away”. It all happened 10 years ago. When they were released from prison they left the country and started to make outspoken records and to play remarkable gigs. And still do.

New album (actually a mixtape): MATRIARCHY NOW
Released: 5 August 2022

The Guardian (British newspaper) says: “Ideology grinds against a kitsch, hypersexual aesthetic in the Russian rebels’ bizarre yet sometimes brilliant debut mixtape. Yet Matriarchy Now is rebel music in the context of Pussy Riot’s origins – a deliberate “sellout” of punk purity, and an up yours to conservative Russian society and the patriarchs of the Orthodox church – that shows Tolokonnikova’s artistic ambitions clearly extend beyond her undoubted heroism. After years of being asked about Putin, whatever music she puts out, the confusion, glee and revulsion these seven songs evoke should start a new conversation.” Score: 3/5.

Turn Up The Volume: Although Pussy Riot  still is presented as a group, it’s actually
key member Nadya Tolokonnikova collaborating with R&B/rap/hip-hop artists such as
Big Freedia, Salem Ilese, Kito, Hudson Mohawke, Slayyyter, Phoebe Ryan, and others.

The new look Pussy act still rebels as they used to – with the war in Ukraine and
abortion – as the expected main issues. What’s changed is the sound. No more
punk yelling, no more riotous havoc.

Slowly, with new releases, Nadya Tolokonnikova moved to synth-pop/R&B territory.
It’s clear that she wants to reach a wider public to spread her messages further than
now. Top choice! For my taste, the new sonic direction is too mellow and too sugary.
But I’ll back PR as long as they kick political ass. FUCK PUTIN!

Single: Plastic

Full mixtape via Spotify

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PUSSY RIOT: Facebook – Instagram

Busy Bee TY SEGALL Says HELLO And HI

Posted on by JL

New longplayers

23 July 2022

Artist: TY SEGALL
Musical Californian centipede entered the rock arena in 2004
and fabricated 14 studio albums (including the new one) so far.

New album: HELLO, HI
Released: 22 July 2022 – order info here.
His 14th solo LP

Pitchfork: “The prolific songwriter’s latest is an acoustic detour, a quiet
soundtrack for overcast days… Ty Segall is an expert craftsman. The dead
space and repetition are what give the album its momentum, and the
ambling detours have an idiosyncratic charm that belongs entirely
to Segall.” Score: 7/10.

Turn Up The Volume: After dropping his previous LP Harmonizer last year, without
any warning Segall has already another one out. Now and then noiseniks need a break from turning up the volume and do a sort of acoustic, moody Neil Young thing. That’s what Segall tries here too. Unfortunately, the result is lukewarm. Come back soon Ty and keep on rockin’ in the free world again.

Stream album on Spotify

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TY SEGALL: Facebook Discography

JACK WHITE – His Second LP (Also His Best) Of The Year ‘ENTERING HEAVEN ALIVE’ Out Now

Posted on by JL

Standout longplayers

22 July 2022

Busy bee JACK WHITE has his 2nd LP of 2022 out. Following the fired-up
Fear Of The Dawn last April here’s ENTERING HEAVEN ALIVE.

From the first spin on, this new one struck me as the best of the two. Its mellow, smooth, yet impassioned, and poignant soulfulness touched me directly. Bluesy reveries, bluesy lullabies, and bluesy introspections, and most of all bluesy top tunes. His best solo work ever? Could be. But first, a couple of listens more, to find out.

Rolling Stone says: “Entering Heaven Alive presents him as a flesh-and-blood creature, chewing over his past and future before a full moon transforms him in a different kind of beast.”

Singles/clips: If I Die Tomorrow / Love Is Selfish

– IF I DIE TOMORROW –

– LOVE IS SELFISH –

Stream the full album on Spotify.

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JACK WHITE: Facebook

Their Best Since Their First – New INTERPOL Album ‘THE OTHER SIDE OF MAKE-BELIEVE’ Out Today

Posted on by JL

15 July 2022

Band: INTERPOL
Who: New York’s indie heroes, fronted
by American-British vox Paul Banks
Active: Since 1997 / 7 LPs

New album: THE OTHER SIDE OF MAKE-BELIEVE
Order info: here

Paul Banks: “It definitely feels like us. It’s the heart and soul of our band,
like there’s a DNA to our sound. Another part of me thinks. This might be
super fucking different’.”

NME writes: “On ‘The Other Side Of Make Believe’, they’re still very much in a mid-career
purple patch. You won’t find any indie radio bangers like ‘Slow Hands’ or ‘All The Rage Back Home’, but instead a consistent and engaging tapestry of moods and textures… Far from a
total reinvention, but all adds up to a confident, rewarding and subtly adventurous new chapter for Interpol – or, as Banks sings himself on the aforementioned peak of ‘Toni’, “Still in shape, my methods refined”. Score: 4/5.

TUTV: It’s simple. Their 7th is their best since their 1st (Turn On The Bright Lights – 2002, turning 20 next month). In between, it felt like Interpol was searching for a new sonic identity. A trial and error journey with half great//half lukewarm longplayers.

But here their characteristic gloominess touches moony hearts again (definitely mine)
with their distressed musings in sound and content. No charged corkers this time, only sensitive and soulful melodies with moody shades for candlelight evenings.

Welcome back to twilight land.

Singles/clips: Gran Hotel / Something Changed / Toni

– GRAN HOTEL –

– SOMETHING CHANGED –

– TONI –

Stream album below…

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INTERPOL: All Albums – Instagram

Symphonic Pop Opera – REGINA SPEKTOR Enthralls With New Album ‘HOME, BEFORE AND AFTER’

Posted on by JL

24 June 2022

Artist: REGINA SPEKTOR
Born Regina Iljinitsjna Spektor (Регина Ильинична Спектор)
Who: Russian-American singer-songwriter, and pianist
Active: Since 1997 / 7 LPs (new one incl.)

New album: HOME, BEFORE AND AFTER – her 1st in 6 years
Out: 24 June 2022 – order info here

Spektor on her FB page: “What a crazy world it has been. And still is.
I’m just so glad it IS… cause knowing us humans, that’s not always a given.
I’m full of extra gratitude and love for the world these days. Just glad to
be here.”

NME says: “As emotional as ‘Home, before and after’ is, there’s a playful, punk attitude to every experimental flourish. This is a colourful, energised collection of work from an artist who could comfortably stay in her own lane, but chooses not to. With twee, indie sleaze and ‘00s alt-rock all finding new footholds in 2022, Spektor finds joy in creating a world all of her own.”
 Score: 4/5.

Turn Up The Volume: Topnotch record. A pop opera backed by a symphonic orchestra. Every song enthralls. Every song is a Spektor fantasy about love, pain, about her heart and soul. She’s back in supreme style. Welcome.

Singles/clips: Up The Mountain / Coming All Alone / Loveology

– UP THE MOUNTAIN –
(Sublime pop earworm)

– BECOMING ALL ALONE –
(Symphonic mid-tempo lullaby)

– LOVEOLOGY –
(Piano colored grandeur)

Stream full album on Spotidy

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REGINA SPEKTOR: Spotify – Instagram

NENEH CHERRY Invited (Female) Friends For New Album Of Old Songs

Posted on by JL

New longplayers

11 June 2022

Artist: NENEH CHERRY
Born ago 58 years ago in Stockholm, Sweden
Active: Since 1980 / 6 studio albums

New album: THE VERSIONS

Neneh Cherry has teamed up with some of today’s most exciting female artists for this allbum The Versions. The collaborative LP features covers from her expansive catalogue by an all-female line-up of musicians, including Sia, Robyn, Anohni, Greentea Peng, Kelsey Lu, Sudan Archives, Tyson and others.

Stream the versions here…

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NENEH CHERRY: Facebook – Instagram

Our Kid LIAM GALLAGHER Still Is A Rock And Roll Star – New Album ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’ Out Now

Posted on by JL

New longplayers

27 May 2022

Artist: LIAM GALLAGHER
Solo LPs: As You Were (2017) and Why Me? Why Not.

New album: C’MON YOU KNOW
Release: 27 May 2022 – order info here

Liam about the album: “I’m quite happy with the formula. All these people that go out
and do something different – good for them and all that, but if I like something, I just stick
with it.”

NME says: “At once experimental and familiar enough to keep his stunning second act on course, ‘C’mon You Know’ finds Liam Gallagher having his cake and eating it – and there’s plenty to go round at this party. If he doesn’t overthink it, why should you? Turn off your mind, relax and bring the cans.” Full review here. Score: 4/5.

Turn Up The Volume: Liam says that he is happy with his rock formula. So nothing new? No, just a bunch of new songs from good to very good. As much as I love our kid I enjoy him the most when he’s a rock ‘n’ roll star on stage. That’s his habitat. That’s what he does best. Entertaining a crowd/choir of 50.000 in a green field. See you in Belgium in August, Liam, on a green field of course.

Singles/clips: Everything’s Electric / Better Days / C’Mon On You Know

– EVERYTHING’S ELECTRIC –

– BETTER DAYS –

– C’MON YOU KNOW –

Stream the album on Spotify…

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LIAM GALLAGHER: Facebook