05 June 2011 - 0 Comments

KITTY DAISY AND LEWIS – SMOKING IN HEAVEN – CD 

In the wake of their eponymous debut album, Kentish town siblings Kitty Daisy and Lewis have rightfully earned themselves a reputation for being a group of highly talented and original masters of transcendent rock n’ roll. They have cast their distinct musical spell over listeners and critics alike with a sound that whilst deeply rooted in the past hurtles towards an interminable and effervescent future, affirming them as one of 2011’s sovereign bands.

Kitty, Daisy and Lewis are excited to announce that they are back with thirteen self-penned gems on new album, titled 'Smoking in Heaven'. The tracks, each one unique, are united upon this album by a strong sense of playfulness, deep rhythmic quality and an unfailing dedication to authenticity.

'Smoking in Heaven,' represents the band’s evolution from talented young enthusiasts to bona fide purveyors of a groundbreaking contemporary sound.

For Fans of: Wanda Jackson, C.W Stoneking, Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reid

WE ARE THE OCEAN – GO NOW AND LIVE – CD 

English Post Hardcore band We Are The Ocean return with their Second album ‘Go Now and Live’.

‘Go Now And Live’ comes in thick, fast and as a complete sonic surprise. Where 1^st album ‘Cutting Our Teeth’ did exactly as it described, ‘Go Now And Live’ displays a level of progression since then that many bands would take the best part of a decade to achieve.

Pete Miles (The King Blues, Canterbury) has worked wonders at honing these songs to sound as big and as powerful as they can and it’s a record that truly flows, despite its variation. The pace fluctuates from the epic and spacious (‘What It Feels Like’), to the raucous and laddish (‘Godspeed’) but at no time does ‘Go Now And Live’ feel disjointed.

It’s a consistently satisfying rock experience.

For Fans of: Rise Against, The Blackout, Akaline Trio 

THOUSANDS – THE SOUND OF EVERYTHING – CD

Thousands were recommended to label Bella Union courtesy of mates Fleet Foxes who thought the two piece outfit from Seattle had a lot of potential.

After deciding a regular studio was constraining the twosome took to recording the album in takes across the pacific north west of America. This is an album that showcases a band in the very early stages of development and that really adds to the charm. You can hear people like Simon and Garfunkel, Grizzly Bear coming through but don’t be fooled by that, this really is the Thousands own show. 

For Fans of: Fleet Foxes, Treefight For Sunlight, Elliot Smith

TEN AFTER TWO – TRUTH IS… – CD

Within two years Post Hardcore band Ten After Two have released an acclaimed EP, signed to Rise Records and now release their debut album, Truth Is…

In a genre crowded by new bands it’s not easy to stand out from the crowd. Ten After Two do stand out, they manage to put some serious melodies down and experiment with sounds few other bands have done so far. This album won’t redefine the Post Hardcore genre, but for a debut album they’ve put down a marker of quality that should make people take notice. The future is bright for Ten After Two.

For Fans of: Of Mice & Men, The Color Morale, Woe, Is Me

SHARKS – THE JOY OF LIVING 2008 - 2010 – CD

It helps when Kerrang Magazine pick you as one of the 4 bands to watch in 2011 and your touring with The Gaslight Anthem, and they’ve drawn comparisons to artists like The Clash and The Gaslight Anthem. The music featured on this compilation is previously released EP’s and 2 new songs, really opening them up to a wider audience now they’ve signed with Rise.

A collection of almost anthemic rockier numbers sit beside quite outstanding Americana to piece together a formidable compilation. A slightly different side to Rise Records with this release but that shouldn’t put you off, these guys have a bright future ahead of them. 

For Fans of: The Gaslight Anthem, The Clash

OCOTE SOUL SOUNDS – TAURUS – CD 

After winning a Grammy Award in 2011 and backing the Tony Award winning broadway show Fela! with their respective bands Grupo Fantasma and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna return to their sun-soaked Latin-psychedelia project Ocote Soul Sounds with their fourth studio album, Taurus.

Like its bullish namesake, their latest album smashes through sonic barriers with a heavy and dynamic mix of pan-Latin flavour, conscious political attitude, afrobeat and hip-hop rhythms.

Taurus was produced by Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation at the Washington DC based ESL Music Studios and features vocal collaborations with fellow ESL Music regulars Natalia Clavier, Sitali, Verny Varela and Chico Mann. With soaring vocal anthems like Primavera, bass-bin rattling groovers like En El Temblor, red-hot Latin jams like Contigo Jamas, and even pensive Italian folk excursions like Nessuno, Taurus is Ocote Soul Sounds' most expansive and complete album to date!

For Fans of: Thievery Corporation, Fela Kuti

Thanks to www.border.co.nz for this story.

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