Hammock:

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammock_(band)

When i first heard Hammock ,what instantly came to mind was reminiscent musical overtones of my favourite bands & artists...If  like always these days i had to put them into a pidgeon-hole genre then it would be "instrumental atmospheric ambient post-rock" which sound a little vague, but with the heavily delayed flanged echo guitars form a soothing hypnotic soundscapes,with a low-key and bass accompaniment,occasionally female vocal mixes & cello adds colour to the overall swoony music..they bring to mind a cross musical reference of  Cocteau Twins..meets The Verve "A Storm in Heaven".in all Hammock are  brilliant musicians  and make blissful music. Enjoy:) 

Engineers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineers_(band)

http://soundcloud.com/engineers-1-1/home-live-at-union-chapel

When i first heard Engineers, i found it hard to categorize what i liked about them, what instantly came to my attention was the overtones & influences of some of my favourite bands & artists... Cocteau twins,Eno, spiritualized,pink floyd, Porcupine tree,The Verve and various other shoegazing,Ambient electronica, floaty, prog-rock influenced faves. After further musical investigations on them i aquired more material which has became a favourite of mine amongst my very diverse musical collection, even though i must say i don't over play them, but when i want something to lose my thoughts for a while, i load up the engineers and peacefully drift away.Enjoy:)

Nouvelle Vague

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouvelle_Vague_(band)

I was introduced to nouvelle Vague by a good friend of mine, a few years back now..and i must be honest with my first thoughts of classic punk & indie songs been covered in a jazzy bossa nova style..so with tentative feelings about it i bit the bullet & ventured into the musical world of Nouvelle Vague, i had however in my musical collection most of the original artists this band has covered..i can say been a middle age music fan the 1977-1985 were among my favourite for pop/rock .Remakes/tributes are in my opinion a very mixed bag.many are done by less talented groups to try and make a fast couple of quid, and to make their hipness, which ends up on a cringy induced tribute cover collection albums..those done by the better bands often fail to capture the spirit of the original artists..Nouvelle Vague, let me say have created a totally unique collection of no gimmicks,brilliantly done covers in its own unique style.

If you haven't already heard this band, then give them a try & also compare the tracks they cover with the originals..it's not cheesy at all, it's really good.Enjoy:)

A place to Bury Strangers:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Place_to_Bury_Strangers

It's only this year while listening to a Andrew weatherall XOYO radio broadcast that i first heard this delightful band..A Place to Bury Strangers are a New York based three-piece who with their 2007 debut to the music scene..apparently named the city's loudest band..let me say i instantly heard some of my all-time favourites such as..Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Sisters of Mercy..i must point out it's not all dry ice, doom & gloom..i may have said before it's hard not to be influenced by bands, and sounding like the first time masters..i've always had a soft spot for Three-piece, once they get off the ground..they make a very good impresssion. A Place to Bury Strangers have done that for me..give them a try..you'll be impressed. Enjoy:)

Screen Vinyl Image:

http://screenvinylimage.com/

It's been quite a while since i last contributed to my musical diverse taste's, so while my failing memory has remembered to add my first review of the year, i shall start with this amazing band.
Screen Vinyl image combines electronica and psychedelia creating a wonderful intense sound awash with heavy samples era synths, echoing vocal & guitar music that will constantly grow on you after a few listens..if i have to pidgeon hole them into a mode,"The Jesus and Mary Chain ", "Suicide" comes to mind, not meaning that they copy to recreate a musical era, this band have a great musical ability of putting there music across to the music listener, as i've said in my previous reviews, it's best to have a open mind where music is concerned, it's the music that counts at the end of the day, not the image..even though the fat cats of the music industry will say that doesn't sell..well good music remains..Screen vinyl Image i assume will prove this. Enjoy.:)

Mazzy Star: Common burn/Lay myself down.EP

http://prettymuchamazing.com/music/stream/mazzy-star-common-burn-lay-myself-down/2

It's been 15 years since the outstanding musicianship of Hope Sandoval & Dave Roback have done anything together..this wonderful ep was released in October 2011..but like always it's take's me a while before i remember to give you my humble opinion on it...i shall start by saying that for me , entering the cd into my machine pressing play..i was instantly swooned by the folky warm glowing feeling that mazzy star always put across and deliver to the listener..listening to this brought me to my attention on how much i have missed this amazing duo, adding to that a album is due to follow this brilliant ep...welcome back Mazzy Star. Enjoy:)

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The Dolly Rocker Movement:

http://www.myspace.com/thedollyrockermovement

Here's a band which ive only recently been introduced to by a friend with outstanding musical taste on Last.fm..right let's get straight into The Dolly Rocker Movement...i've always had a great passion for 60's psychedelic garage bands...this band are obviously very influenced by some of my favourite bands and artists from the 60's 70's..i could hear The right honourable "Syd Barrett" coming through on my first listen, who i admire so much,The Byrds, The Beatles, The stones, The Doors, Bowie. T-Rex, ..i think you get the picture folks:)..they capture that movement so well with the amazing musicianship from this unit..I consider this band will have a massive underground loyal fan following, simply because they produce good honest brilliantly sounding Neo-psychedelic folk rock music..give them a try,they are not just a flash in the pan band..hopefully this band will be around for a while. Enjoy:)

The Jesus and Mary Chain:The sound of speed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Speed

Well, where do i start,at the beginning which is where this compilation album kicks into it's own.the Reid brothers have a gift of extracting a catchy song from a drum machine, powerful distorted guitars and some jumbled together lyrics.the Strenght of this cracking album in my opinion is you don't know when the next gem of a track will appear, but don't be fooled by thinking it's just a put together gimic release to make a few quid, not at all! there are certainly 10 out of the 20 tracks on offer here, and guitarman is the standout track for me..for a moment i almost thought Nick Cave was guest artist on the track, but was mistaken, because it's hard to copy the JAMC thats what makes them so unique.This album shows when it comes to making Rock'n Roll/pop music then the Reid brothers are up there with the best..this really is a excellent album. Enjoy:)

Patti Smith: Easter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_(Patti_Smith_Group_album)

After mentioning this amazing artist in my previous posting, it jogged my failing memory into thinking i had to add this, what i consider a classic, in the origin's of where my love of Patti first began...This album for myself took a while before i could see in my musical mind's eye how much i loved it!...i Put it on, and went straight to "Because the Night" which is one of my all time faves, but i missed out through pure ignorance how much the rest of this album had to offer.in all this queen godmother of punk/rock poet -singerwriters was and still is the best around..a biased opinion you may say..but from it's 70's release this album has stood the test of time , where alot of new acts from over the years have attempted to copy, making only childish sugar coated, toned down versions of Patti smith awesome musical ability..overall this is a great starting point for anyone to be introduced to the wonderful powerful, beautiful punk poetess. Enjoy:)

PJ Harvey: Stories from the City,Stories from The Sea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stories_from_the_City,_Stories_from_the_Sea

I'm not trying to promote PJ Harvey's music as such,..but this release is another amazing album by her..i can't believe it's over 11 years since the release in my opinion a masterpiece...my first thoughts when hearing it was Patti Smith influenced, which isn't bad considering any rocky edged female vocalist will always be put up against one of the godmother's of folk,rock punk post-punk of all-time...I find the full album solid from start to finish..i can hear overtones of Led Zeppelin, Hendrix and many other classic artists from the 60's and the 70's which must have had a great influence on herself and band members..the track "this mess we're in" a duet with Thom yorke is brilliant, as is "We Float"..i could go through every track on the album and give it a high opinion view..but i'll leave it to the musical masses to make it's own decision on this excellent album. Enjoy:)

System 7: Point 3 Water Album

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_3

This album was released in 1994, which has stood the test of time, and still sounds fresh today..I consider it to be the best release from system 7..ok it is my personal favourite of the second mix of Point 3 fire, which was good but i much prefer the smoothness, tranquil sounds that the Water albums delivers...I've had the pleasure of seeing them doing the full album live..which was amazing. ..if you haven't yet heard this brilliant unit, give your ears a musical treat and check this album out..it'll leave a impression of greatness upon you with it's ambient jazzy, tranquility...Enjoy:)

Mirror System:

Mirror System are a sideline project from Steve Hillage & Miquette Giraudy, who are also System 7. This unit make and produce some of the best chilled/ambient music that ive had the pleasure of listening to. This is a wonderful arrangement of mastered guitar samples, ambient keyboard samples, pulsating beats, mixed together by Hillage and his good lady Giraudy to create a wonderful ambience. Enjoy:)

The ORB: Metallic Spheres[Featuring David Gilmour]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallic_Spheres

Right from the beginning in the 90's i was a admirer of The Orb.and when this release came along i was instantly curious to how it would sound, so i went to my nearest music outlet and aquired it, my first thoughts before i put the cd in to my player was.are they just using "David gilmour" as a front to make a few quid for themselves..anyway my first listen it didn't really do much it wasn't until i averted myself from thinking it was a Gilmour project that it hit me what a great album this is. On a closer inspection i can hear overtones of Pink Floyd coming through done in a unique style of The Orb team, the production which was mostly done by Martin Glover aka "Youth" which made this release so memorable for me..ok you can hear Jarre, Foxx, Oldfield and a few other in it, but overall it's great effort from the Orb...if modern trance/ambient music is your thing then this is a album i recommend. Enjoy:)

Black Swan Lane : A Long Way From home

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Swan_Lane

Black Swan Lane are a wonderful project formed by Jack Sorbel of The Messengers who played some gigs in the southeast part of the US. with Mark Burgess from The Chameleons and together they collaborated with a top self assortment of wonderful musician friends that contributed in making this excellent release..It has everything which i love in a band, great lyrical content, brilliant guitar work , excellent percussion, good production with no gimmicks to make it sell to the listener..it's just good honest, doing their upmost best to please the listener..what more can i say apart from if you like the post-punk sound..then you should certainly give this band a try... enjoy:)

Cheval sombre

I was introduced to this wonderful underated band a while back now and have been a great listener of this outstanding release. The Band name means "Dark horse" in french and that's exactly the way i would pidgeon-hole this neo-psychedelic unit.. inquiring further into Cheval Sombre i've discovered the album was produced and directed by Sonic boom...Spacemen3 fave, which i've always been a great admirer of that spacey psychedelic sound...the full album i find just floats along beautifully with it's delicate druggy slowcore folky hazey, hypnotic sounds enticing you into the psychedelic experience...They do a brilliant cover of The Doors "Hyacinth house" from the L.A. woman album, which reminds me Jim morrison and his crew should be mentioned more often when it comes to wonderful psychedelic sounds..If you have a open mind with your musical tastes, then i highly recommend this "Dark Horse" of a band. ..

Here's a little taster from the album. http://www.deanandbritta.com/downloads/02_LittleBitOfHeaven.mp3

Enjoy:)

Pink Floyd:The Darkside of The moon [ 2011 Remastered 2 CDs edition]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Side_of_the_Moon

Before i decided to get this great album, i ask myself, like most people i suppose yet another Remastered version of Darkside of the Moon ?...the actual sound quality on disc 1 sound's no different to the 1994 remaster which i bought and thought, the music industry fat cats are making killing here!..how ever i'm glad i bit the dangling carrot and went for it..disc 2 was worth it purely for the Wembley 1974 live preformance of the entire album...if your a darkside of the moon listener, then check this edition out..it's well worth it just for the live cd.

here's the link to the greatest gig in the sky Wembley 1974 official remastered with visuals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6tr0Uz2uZU&noredirect=1

enjoy the cosmic experience. :)

José González:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Our_Nature
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veneer_(album)

Like Many, i first became aware of Jose gonzalez through one of his songs, "Heartbeats" being used to advertise a new electronic product on TV. Jose Gonzalez is a class act.One of his greatest talents is his gift in combining a beautiful, tranquil voice with stimulating capturing instrumentation of his music, in both "Veneer" and "In our Nature" he reflects this perfect combination track after track,and bringing the acoustic genre to a new dimention...the other intresting thing in my opinion about him is, although i've always loved acoustic guitar, i would never have thought that two entire albums of basically just guitar & voice and friend musicians could keep me listening..the only other artist that has ever done that for me is the faultless Nick Drake..overall my opinion of Jose Gonzalez is a rare talent, a humble performer and a artist within a few year will become a musician's musician..if you don't already know this artist, then get to know him folks. Enjoy:)

PJ Harvey: Let England Shake 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_England_Shake

I feel guilty with myself, due to not adding any of my favourites since november 2010!...shame on me folks...i have a memory like a goldfish most of the time...i shall start with my first musical review of the year...to be honest when i first heard PJ was bringing out a new release it left a sour taste in my mouth, due to been totally dissapointed with her previous release White Chalk, which i found very hit & miss with no passion in it at all...but with Let England shake!..i take all my doubt pessimism, grumpyness back on the chin with a vengence!..It took 5-6 listens before this album hit me, but i knew in my mind after the first listen this was a masterpiece from this remarkable woman, but didn't realise why until later listens.if you like PJ, or just a few of her songs then check this album out folks it's in my opinion real modern folk, profound lyric writing all put together to produce one of the best albums that i've heard for a long time..Hats off to PJ Harvey for such a wonderful musical release...let see if she can Equal this next time...i imagine she will. Enjoy:)

Grinderman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinderman_2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinderman_(album)

Grinderman:

..Nick Cave has the "Midas Touch" with anything he turns his hands to, a very unique person who also inspires to bring the best out of his loyal accomplished musician friends, he never fails to please the listener in what he does and that's write and produce some of the best music around in my own opinion.Grinderman2.his lyrics are very john lennon-esk in places, If you like Nick Cave and the Bad seeds then you will be drawn to grinderman instantly...some of the best lyrics his done for years, which you don't get at first..they are like a magic eye picture..you don't see it at first..and then it hits you like a piledriver...go and give them a try.it'll be well worth the effort.

Enjoy.:)

Beautiful People.

http://www.discogs.com/Beautiful-People-If-60s-Were-90s/release/725803

Beautiful people-If 60's were 90's

Back in the late 90's some friends of mine dragged me along to see Hawkwind when i lived in London, and what a night it was to remember..the first backing band was called "Beautiful people", like most backing bands it's normally just a time filler to get the crowd in the mood for the main act, but what i witnessed, on that night was one of the best gigs i've ever been to..the lights went down and flashing lights & lazers burn't our eye balls out to a frazzle..then appeared a back drop with Jimi Hendrix on it,.followed by his voice & this amazing hendrix sounding guitar sound..i was totally blown away with this band..i thought to myself..they are sampling Hendrix guitar solo's but i was wrong it was this unknown little band who had a passion for Jimi Hendrix...i was that impressed by them, that i bought the album at the concert, after the gig..Hawkwind where excellent, but Beautiful People..stole the night for me..outstanding gig.

Tracklisting:

1.Comin' to get you.

2.Get your mind together.

3.If 60's were 90's.

4.Stone crazy.

5.Rilly groovy.

6.Happiness on the wind.

7.Sock it to me.

8.Feel the heat.

9.The sea...eventually.

this really is a excellent album, the band got permission from the Hendrix family to use the samples of his voice before recording the album...a hidden gem from the 90's which didn't get the credit it so rightly deserved.

enjoy.:)