And for someone who’s been through a considerable amount of “stuff” his life Sam Genders’ LP is a remarkably accessible one.
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The Men – Open Your Heart
It’s goofy stuff, unassuming but never looking to play at being the gobby hick. Very enjoyable indeed.
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John Jacob Niles – The Boone-Tolliver Recordings
…it’s an interpretive and intensely personal approach and you never feel as if anything has been surrendered to “authenticity” or convention. Frankly, at times this record sounds bananas. But always brilliant, and especially listening now in our regulated times.
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Letter from Rome
Decent homegrown bands are in short supply in Rome. Perhaps i Cani are the most likely to please non-Italian ears. Even if you can’t understand their satirical lyrics, mocking Italian hipsters and the drug-dealing antics of the young and the spoilt of Rome, anyone can appreciate their ear-grabbing electro-pop.
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Renée -Extending Playground
Maybe it’s a bit safe, possibly even plain – but it’s nice, you know? It’s comforting. Who doesn’t like a bit of ordinary soft scoop, every now and again?
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Flats – Better Living
In fact, on reflection, it’s a hell of a record. Give it some time & you’ll realise it’s pretty special.
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La Sera – Sees the Light
The trick is evidently not to overegg the pudding or be too clever, “strength in simplicity”, that sort of thing.
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Elfin Saddle – Devastates
It’s intense, and this feel carries on throughout with tracks like Kiboho Chaos Hand (arguably the best track on here), which could be fairly described as a High Goth folk march; very much in the manner of side two of Yeti, an amalgam of clashes, squeals, drones, bangs and chants.
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Royal Baths – Better Luck Next Life
“Are you tired like me? Are you bored to death?”, drawls the singer on Be Afraid of Me. Well, no, cock, frankly I’m not.
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Father Sculptor – Blue / Ember
It’s sparky, cheeky and confident and possessing a talent that catches the listener.
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