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WHIMSICAL artist reviews ------------------------ EMPORIUM: Bonafidestudio (HALLUCINATIONS) Relaxed vocal, easy listening, this album has so many of the hallmarks of classic pop. Good classic pop from Edinburgh.' Modern Dance (HALLUCINATIONS) 'Emporium have a pretty distinct sound and many of the songs on this collection are very radio friendly. There are the odd phrasings and sounds that bring the Beach Boys and Xtc to mind... Rather pleasant..' The List (HALLUCINATIONS) 'A kind of greatest hits from a band who havn't really had any hits yet. It all sounds quite dreamy and rather nice...melodic beauty...like 80's psychedelic demigods XTC. Which is probably a good thing.' Phase 9 Entertainment. (HALLUCINATIONS) 'Keeping to the tradition of classic Beach Boys / Xtc style harmonies, Emporium have a way of producing instantly recognisable pop tunes with an air of familiarity that makes you sit and listen...With hypnotic harmonies and lush keyboard strings, this is complimented with sing-a-long choruses that get lodged in your head.' Boston's 'Music Business Monthly' (LISA ON THE SCREEN) 'A delightful little pop tune which would have been a nice follow-up to 'Itchycoo Park' if Ian Mclagon(Small Faces) had got ahold of it. If there is a new British invasion Emporium intend to glide their way over.I like it.' Edinburgh Evening News. (EMAIL EDDIE) 'A chirpy tale of boy meets computer. Sounds rather like BA Robertson meeting Belle and Sebastian for a nice wee lemonade.' 'Best for Music' magazine -single of the month. (EMAIL EDDIE) 'A bit Belle and Sebastian here,a bit Rezillos there...working extremely well...unique indeed.' Listen.com. (LYRICAL GIRL) 'Buoyant sunny pop tunes from Scotland. Falsetto vocals wind in and out through mildly jerking dance beats and colorful keyboard accents while lyrics touch on personal themes with wit and irony.' Reelscreen.com. (MOTHER NATURE) 'Scottish mayhem with swirling shapes and chilled beats. Let Emporium take you to their special place!' Beat 106. (ELEVATE) 'It's brilliant,rather beautiful.' BBC radio Scotland. (ZOMBIE) 'With Beach Boys harmonies,cute in its way' -The List.....'A very fine thing indeed.' BBC radio Scotland. (SLEEPING DOGS) 'Extremely smart ,very very good.' 'Guitarist' magazine. (HAPPY HIGH) 'Melodic hooks are very much to the fore. A potential pop smash.' 'Making music' magazine (DREAM DAY) 'An enjoyable distraction...perfect pop.' 'Front' magazine. (A 'B' MOVIE) 'Whimsical pop with an adventurous sound. Promising.' BBC radio Scotland. 'Some really cracking stuff.' California's 'indieshop.org' (HALLUCINATIONS) 'The music is just brimming with greatness!' Roughtrade.com (WASTED) 'The new single from emporium's 'Silver Brainwaves' album is the piano led indie anthem 'Wasted'. With a strong sense of melody and clinical but artistic production the song deserves to be a hit. The double A side is another fine little track named 'Don't be alarmed'. All in all this is a super little single from a band that are going to gain a lot of fans in the coming months.' Daily Record (WASTED/DON'T BE ALARMED) TWO summer-filled songs on lovely red vinyl which just brightens the mood. Like running through fields or sitting watching the water in a loch, this is music of happy abandon. With the same fragile voice and melody structure of the best of Ian Broudie's Lightning Seeds, Emporium don't care if it's raining - every day is summer to them. Sung with a Scottish accent like The Proclaimers, these two songs are the first new material for three years from Emporium. But it's been worth the wait. Wasted is a psychedelic cross between the Small Faces and the Beach Boys with a swaggering rhythm and swirling melody. Second song Don't Be Alarmed is tougher, but singer Ewan McKenzie's high-pitched voice keeps the distinct fragile quality that makes Emporium the natural successors to Teenage Fanclub rather than say Cosmic Rough Riders. And the synth breakout that sounds like a Seventies television theme tune sample lifts an already amazing song into unforgettable territory. Album Silver Brainwaves is due out on October 10 and, on the basis of these two songs, it should be well worth checking out www.emporiumtheband.com The Rocker(WASTED) Swathed in psychedelic stylings and Dave Greenfield type keyboard rumblings, 'Wasted' belies initial misgivings and becomes increasingly addictive. ‘a very relaxing melodic backdrop…… so far removed from modern day music they could be nominated for the Mercury Music Prize.’ - Alternative Links.com (SILVER BRAINWAVES) 'This album is very structured with each song sounding unlike the previous one….Emporium have a decidedly personal style with skilful stirring organ sounds…. constructed around falsetto vocals and harmonies which reflect atmospheres of the Small Faces, Beach Boys, and in more recent times the psychedelic sounds of XTC…… it is pop-rock of excellent making.’’ Munnezza.com (Italy) 4 Stars (SILVER BRAINWAVES) ’Delightful freak pop’ Arch Records (Japan)(SILVER BRAINWAVES) 'Holy cow! All crashing electro drum beats, keyboard synths and poppy arrangements all rolled together with lashings of sixties atmosphere, Brian Wilson-isms and the dancing falsetto vocals. This is so far off my radar I'm not sure I could do it justice in a review trying to describe it. But I think I kind of like it and it feels a bit naughty.' tastyfanzine.org.uk (LISA ON THE SCREEN) 'Nick Drake sprang to mind when listening to Ewan McKenzie’s voice. This certainly adds something special to the mix…..McKenzie’s voice is a definite plus'. Glasswerk.co.uk (SILVER BRAINWAVES) ‘This album has to be the most bizarre collection of pop tunes I’ve ever heard. The songs are well structured, they are exceptionally pleasant to listen to’. Funkymofo.net (SILVER BRAINWAVES) 'This is the fourth album for this Edinburgh 3-piece. Again, they don't disappoint by delivering some seriously cheerful but clever pop. Cannot wait to see them in a London venue'.Bonafidestudio.co.uk (SILVER BRAINWAVES) 'Well it was recorded in Easter Road, so it has to be good. End of review. Oh, alright then. The last time we encountered Emporium we said 'Swathed in psychedelic stylings and Dave Greenfield type keyboard rumblings'. Well the rumblings are still there, but there's an air of eighties synth homo-eroticism on the go. I would tell you it was like Soft Cell getting it on with the Stranglers while Brian Wilson watched from his sandpit but, frankly, who can afford the therapy from that kind of mental image. For your buck you also get "Shine" which is much mellower, more Soft Cell meets the Mamas and the Papas and also "Into The Dark (mellow versio) which is end of the pier whimsical, a tad mad, and the most falsetto-ish of all the falsetto-ish vocals on offer. It's all rather strange and eccentric but that's what people say about me, so I liked it. You won't hear many other tunes like these, so go get some.' Zeigeist / Amazon.co.uk (LISA ON THE SCREEN - 4 stars) I'm not sure of the place this album has in the modern world. After all, the outlet for XTC influenced electro-pastoral pop must be fairly limited. But at least when people point and laugh, you can hold your head up and say you followed your own path. It's pop music from another planet with sixties keyboards, Beach Boys harmonies, ethereal falsetto vocals and slightly twisted melodies which give you the feeling that someone is looking at you through a telescope, unsettling but oddly exciting. At least for a while, until you get the restraining order. It takes some getting used to, but is ultimately worth the effort, as songs like "Wasted" and "Mind Games" seep through your back brain in much the same way as late period Talk Talk did. The latter (my favourite) makes as good use of space and silence as Mark Hollis at his best - a rare compliment. If you like to walk slightly outside the line, then this is for you. Zeigeist / Amazon.co.uk (SILVER BRAINWAVES - 4stars) Formed in January 1998, Emporium are an Edinburgh based band centred around the songwriting hub of Ewan McKenzie. With the release of WASTED from their latest long playing record SILVER BRAINWAVES, McKenzie carries on down the charming lo-fi road, delivering more upbeat melodic pop with its heart in the charity shop but its sights on the charts. In the vein of Baby Bird and the like, WASTED is a shimmering pop tune thats all cheap casio keyboards, programmed drum beats, polite guitar work and whimsical vocals. Not unlike Belle And Sebastian on a much more limited budget, this is charming and sweet stuff, Ewan McKenzie singing in a fey vocal style that suits the musical backdrop perfectly. Backed by the equally charming DON'T BE ALARMED, another sweet pop song that gently caresses the senses, this is the kind of single that quietly creeps up on you and gently makes its presence felt. While WASTED isn't exactly likely to change your life or start a riot, it is a charming slice of charming lo-fi whimsy that at least brightens your day somewhat, and sometimes in life, thats just enough. UKMUSICSEARCH.co.uk (WASTED/DON'T BE ALARMED) ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB - 'The girl with the crooked smile/Bone Idle pop idol'(WHIMSICAL - ICAL1) - Press release: The SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB have emerged from the studio somewhere in deepest, darkest Norfolk with a couple of slices of beautifully layered apple pie pop, resulting in a tight-as-a-gnat's-bell-end debut double A single release. What a dull & cloudy place the world would be without defiant new talent crashing into the music business, thumping their chests in victory. How refreshing to the ears is it when a rough, but oh so ready band claw their way through the soul destroying minefields of the music industry. You will be blessed by ‘The Girl With The Crooked Smile’ - a pleasing classic pop song with a constant ‘feel good’ tempo. This delightful comical brew has to be a back-story retold. Lyrics are humorous and sung in such ‘jolly good’ affection about a girl who’s ever so slightly imperfect in a down to earth way. Opening in flawless and flamboyant ‘know what I’m saying’ style drumming ‘Bone Idol Pop Idol’ has an explosive intro and an appreciative depth welcome to the ear. Neil Fowler, a relative of the Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich ,sings of impossibly annoying Fame Academy types propelled to stardom by TV and commercial audiences. Not many bands other than these Sunshine Types could write a track about pop idol blandness with such musical wit and cheer. Let it be said, that these boys and their irresistible, ardent attraction has whipped up quite a storm in the offices of Whimsical Records. The future’s sure looking bright for the SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB boyz. ------------------------- REVIEWS: 'The Girl With The Crooked Smile sounds little more than a pleasant jangle to begin with, but quickly this hymn to fancying an, ahem, unconventionally-attractive lass turns into a naggingly infectious tune with more colour and bounce than a Sony TV ad'. (Soundsxp) 'Sometimes a crooked smile can be an attractive feature – and judging from the result it’s certainly worth being dedicated a love song. This lovely AA single talks about an unusual kind of girl – her uniqueness responsible for unleashing tingling melodies and endearingly sweet lyrics – and of an all-too-common Will Young type created by a reality TV show. With their fresh approach, Sunshine Variety Club’s sounds are full of different colours and atmospheres, from soaring harmonies to flamboyant indie-pop, reminding a bit of Belle and Sebastian and a bit of The Smiths, but with their own individual touch. Also worth mentioning are the cleverly written lyrics and the wit that could propel this band in the charts without the help of a cheesy TV programme'.(Glasswerk) 'It’s telling that this band are signed to Whimsical Records because music doesn’t get much more playful or capricious than this. It’s jangly, it’s mischievous and so very indie that it would likely bleed corduroy if you cut it. Taking the geek fight to the masses in the vein of Jarvis Cocker, the title track is a shuffling track is a shuffling summery ode in praise of the physically imperfect. While never exactly rocking out, the guitars and drums are insistent enough to keep toes tapping. “Bone Idle Pop Idol” attacks the manufactured plastic pop stars churned out by reality TV tat and it is clear from the musical arrangement behind it that the band owe much to The Smiths - an effective crowd sample echoes the moody Mancunians’ Panic. That said, this is a very impressive debut from the Norfolk quartet which is sure to strike a chord with anyone partial to Belle and Sebastian, I Am Kloot and Ride'. [CB] * * * * (Is this music?) ‘Orange Juice, The Smiths, C86, Jeepster, Labrador records, you know where this is heading right? While some may refer to it as "twee-indie-pish", I simply can’t halt my infatuation with the genre. The latest in the line of these romanticised troupes are Norfolk boys Sunshine Variety club whose debut double A-side was enough to sweep me off my feet with pleasure. Particularly, opener The Girl with the Crooked Smile approaches the rockier, stompier side of the genre (think Belle & Sebastian's Le pastie de la Bourgeoisie) and is destined to become a classic.’(SKINNY magazine) '' Inhabiting the same street in popland as Belle and Sebastian, the Sunshine Variety Club sing here about an un-named girl with a crooked smile, a craggy face and a lazy eye but a lass with such style and dress sense that they cannot help but become infatuated with her. It's a good way to sum up this record really, on one hand the SVC are complete unknowns, yet we don't really care what they look like. This is an A-side that could have been delivered by a group of Quasimodos but we'd still love them since the song is so strong (As it happens the band do not all have hunchbacks - phew!). 'Bone Idle Pop Idol' is delivered with a Roses-era Ian Brown croon lambasting the current trend for producing here today gone today pop stars, all smiling on the front covers of women's magazines, and is three and a half minutes of Crimea-style indie balladry. A very enjoyable record then, certainly raises a smile - no matter how crooked ''. (Culturedeluxe) -------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- ALFIE KINGSTON - 'I will wait'/'Regard me 14 days' -(WHIMSICAL - ICAL2)- Press release: This debut AA single from Bristol born Alfie Kingston leads with the kind of track that sticks in your head after the first play. I will wait is an irresistibly catchy pop song, a tale of optimism in the face of heartache. By contrast …14 days is much more sombre and reflective in tone, but equally compelling. Kingston gives an impassioned vocal performance, while the production of Paul Miro (Candy Flip, Apes, pigs and Spacemen) exudes warmth and throws in some searing Floyd-esq lead guitar, sending shivers down the spine. Both tracks are taken from Alfie’s debut album Creatures and People’s Ways. As a compulsive and talented songwriter, Kingston draws from a range of influences whilst maintaining a distinct individuality that sets him apart from his contemporaries. He has also established a formidable reputation as a *live performer, in recent years becoming an important part of Bristol’s thriving live music scene. The release of this radio friendly single should ensure Alfie Kingston’s continued rise towards national acclaim. (James Buckingham) --------------------- REVIEWS: ‘Blimey, that was a bit good! It's not often that a debut single grabs you by the cojones and commands attention, but this one certainly did. Bristolian Alfie Kingston has come up with a string drenched, hard driving, melodic slice of classic rock, crossed with seventies pop that crosses too many boundaries for its own good, but still manages to command attention. The other track on the double A side, "Regard Me 14 Days", is more introspective and intimate, if a wall of sound production can ever be truly intimate, but props to producer Paul Miro for a bang up job. And as for the spiralling Dave (sorry David) Gilmour like guitar lead, it's heart wrenching. This may make me a big girl for liking it, but I'll take my chances. Well done to Whimsical Records for snaffling this one up.’(Zeitgeist) 'I had to double-take when I first popped this CD in my laptop. Surely that voice belongs to Robbie Williams? But apparently not... the man sounding identical to the ex-Take That member is in fact Bristol's Alfie Kingston. This is his debut release, a double A-side digital download, and once I'd gotten over the vocal resemblance, 'I Will Wait' began to grow on me. It's power pop without a shadow of a doubt, and it is built around a riff that's not dissimilar to the Counting Crows' 'Mr. Jones'. So the voice sounds familiar, the music sounds familiar, but put the two together and you've got something completely fresh...Whimsical Records clearly have a talent on their hands and there are certainly people out there who will be highly impressed by this newcomer'.(Glasswerk) 'EXCELLENT ... timeless U.K. singer songwriter pop for all ages!!! I really pitty a world that is forced to listen to mediocre nothings like James Blunt .. pushed to the top by a marketing media hysteria that could put ANY piece of shit on top of the charts,and I MEANT IT!!. Alfie Kingston is a treasure to be discovered - great songs,melodies the Bee Gees would have been proud of,a production that takes you away,or deep into..or .. can't praise this single enough! Great updated pop that does not lick the boots of update fashion sound'(LORD LITTER DJ -Germany) ‘I will wait is a highly polished melodic pop song with excellent dynamics and more strings and harmonies than you can shake a stick at.Regard me is the flip side of the single and this is my personal favourite of the two, an anthem like track that would make a great movie theme song.’ (Bristol Rocks) ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- BIG LIFE DESIRE - Your love is (WHIMSICAL ICAL3) -Press release: Big Life Desire’s debut single on Whimsical Records is the undefeatable Your love is – a slice of fresh English pop, written and sung by London-based Keith Harbottle. BLD came to life via a development scheme run by ex-Tenpole Tudor member, Richard Coppen, who spotted potential in Keith’s ‘‘middle of the road but weird pop songs’’ . Numerous London gigs followed as well as recording sessions with the Sound Joint production company - 2 resulting tracks reaching the finals of the Uk Songwriting Contest. Plans are now underway to assemble a permanent band for touring, while Keith can also be heard at various venues in the capital as an acoustic solo performer. Described by one reviewer as ‘‘Syd Barrett meets Blur’’ and another as"Ian Dury jamming with Paul McCartney", the music is certainly very English, even though Harbottle’s early childhood was spent in Africa exposed to classical music and the theme music for the BBC World Service news. Pop music was a late but great discovery at the age of 10, which later led to Keith humming his own tunes, learning the bass, the obligatory spell in a cover versions band, then Big Life Desire. In between songwriting, recording and gigging, Keith recently found time to train and run/part walk in the 2006 London Marathon - so the b-side In Pieces seems fitting. ------------------ REVIEWS: 'The latest release from the excellent Whimsical label comes from Keith Harbottle's Big Life Desire and, as the label's name suggests, it's another helping of twee pop - the kind to make fans of Belle and Sebastian and The Wedding Present salivate. 'Your Love Is' and 'She's Got It All' bop along smiling as they go, the former's 'analog keyboard hook' quite rightfully credited on the sleeve, while the surprising funk on 'In Pieces' comes across like an evening with the Blockheads. Certainly one for you to check out'. (CULTURE DELUXE) 'IN PIECES emerges as the standout song on offer, a relaxed funk backdrop drawing comparisons to Ian Dury and Harbottle's vocals sounding at their most enjoyable and naturalistic......The words charming and nice are the first to spring to mind on hearing YOUR LOVE IS....This is skewed English pop music that takes its cues from the lo-fi eccentricity of Baby Bird and White Town, the sideways funk of Ian Dury, not to mention the odd aside to bands as varied as Blur, The Kinks and The Beatles'.(UKMUSICSEARCH) 'We like Whimsical records. They have a postcode only one digit away from mine and have an unquenchable thirst for melody.And so it is with Keith Harbottle who has wisely moved away from his Goon like real name to trade as Big Life Desire, a name setting himself up for a fall. He's also not a very good singer, choosing to enunciate in tune instead, but it just fits with his oddly affecting pop music. There's no normal reason why this should be good - it just is. And that's one of the beauties of music. It's not supposed to make sense.One for the Robert Wyatt / Kevin Coyne fans out there, methinks.'(Zeitgeist) 'Your Love Is, is the debut single (out now on Whimsical) from one man band, Big Life Desire. Keith Harbottle is the musical genius behind the single, spotted by Richard Coppen who saw potential in his “middle of the road but weird pop songs”. Plans are afoot to recruit a permanent band for future releases and tours but in the mean time Harbottle is doing solo acoustic shows in the capital to promote the release. Musically all three tracks on here have strong echoes of early Belle and Sebastian, while Your Love Is the lead track, either of the other two songs She’s Got It All and In Pieces could quite easily have made for a great single. The vocals are delivered with a very English tone and might be too twee for some people, but for me that just adds to it….the same things have been levelled at Damon Albarn and Ray Davies so I doubt that Harbottle will lose too much sleep over that'.(BEAT SURRENDER) ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- JACK BUTLER - Velvet Prose (WHIMSICAL ICAL4) Press release: Formed in Stirling, Scotland, in August of 2004, four piece Jack Butler introduce the UK to their unique blend of styles with the release of debut single Velvet Prose. Since winning BBC Radio 1's Demo Derby in April, the band have gone from strength to strength, their dedication and work ethic landing them several high profile gigs during summer 2006, including an appearance at Scotland's biggest music festival T in the Park . The title track is a perfect example of the funk-tinged psychedelic groove which should see them fit perfectly into the UK's thriving indie scene, whilst at the same time displaying a refreshing conviction that makes their sound wholly their own. The trend continues on the B-side Candles, where swirling guitar melodies drive a frenzied and ultimately uplifting vocal performance. The quality of these studio efforts, coupled with their growing reputation as live performers put Jack Butler in a position to scale new creative and commercial heights. (JAMES BUCKINGHAM) ------------------- REVIEWS: 'Opening with the air-raid siren of a wailing guitar, this frenetic single from Stirling four-piece Jack Butler (don't be fooled by the name) quickly bursts into twitchy, energetic riffs. Sitting somewhere between the Arctic Monkeys and the Editors, they nonetheless retain a nugget of Dawn Of The Replicants' Scottish quirkiness. You'll be humming the chorus long after the final chords stutter out - all work and no play makes Jack a surefire hit'.(Is this music?) 'The acapella intro of 'Velvet Prose' and immediate ska-like upbeat tempo make you want to keep listening to this song and quite right too because this is very, very good. It reminded me of Editors and Boy Kill Boy and doesn't really sound like either. The song builds and builds and by the time it was halfway through I was utterly hooked. Liam Kelly's vocals are full of emotion and sound like the he is pouring every inch of his energy into them and the result is nearly pained and totally draws you into the song. The song writing is simple and beautiful and if I'm honest I have no idea what they are singing about. I didn't feel the need to dissect them in the search for anything more because I loved it so much I could just take it at face value. This is a fantastic single and it's going on my generic mp3 player, now. The B-side 'Candles' starts with the sound of a match being lit, it's a little cheesy but it works and it ploughs right into the song with guitars so fast I felt a bit queasy, again brilliant but they chilled out just enough to let me get into the song without being distracted. This is another good track, maybe not as stand out as 'Velvet Prose' but still damn good. It clearly has so many influences that I felt dizzy trying to pinpoint them before it launched into something else. There's a 70's punk feel in it, the backing vocals sound a bit 80's rock (a definite positive - not a reference to stadium rock). The guitar based happy tempo and surging riffs are very winning and after two songs I'm starting to wonder if this band have ever written anything that didn't begged to be played at repeat and as loudly as possible. The third and final track 'He's Got No Game' is another good 'un, although it is starting to all sound a bit samey and here lies the only real flaw I can find. There's no real variety to their music although again almost boringly, it's really good. The 'all together now' hollering reminds me of Black Wire but isn't like Black Wire. It's just more good stuff. Unusually I listened to this single once because I loved it so much it just didn't seem necessary to listen to it again (for the purposes of the review, I'll be listening to it constantly from now on). There isn't much to say apart from this band are great, get them in your life. When the hell are they playing in Leeds? I bags the gig review'.(Leeds Music Scene) No, it's not another singer/songwriter - 'Velvet Prose' is the debut single from Stirling-based collective Jack Butler. It's a solid pop song, with art-rock influences mixed with more traditional indie dance rock, sounding in some places like The Smiths, and in others with a touch of Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand pop riffs. 'Velvet Prose' has a refreshing sound. The melody is able to stay in your mind a long while after hearing it, and it's likely to make you want to dance. With 'Velvet Prose', Jack Butler, complete with strange name for a band, have proved themselves ones to watch out for in the future.(Thisisfakediy) 'Despite having accents that can sometimes be heard almost attacking the drums and guitars, Jack Butler are on to a good thing with their upbeat sound that seems to be almost as danceable as it is listenable. New single 'Velvet Prose' has been getting great support in their native Scotland, and it's not hard to work out why. 'Velvet Prose' is a track that along with its obvious indie roots, is veering towards the 'pop' route - a fan of Oasis or The Zutons could quite easily get in to this. Jack Butler are a great up and coming act, who should not in any way be overlooked. With 'Velvet Prose', these boys are on track to stardom'(Clickmusic) 'Scottish four piece Jack Butler have created a simple yet complex and hugely effective blend of indie pop through their latest release Velvet Prose. Confident, defiant, unflinching, direct and most importantly catchy as hell, Velvet Prose is a funky guitar ridden cracker of a song that exudes nothing but raw talent, self-belief and a passion to rival even the most established of bands. Every note, riff and hook, compliments the other with a focused perfection that just cant be taught. Add a set of powerful and all consuming vocals into the mix and its all there and ready to go. England beware, Jack Butler are heading to a venue near you'. (Whisperinandhollerin) 'Proving that Scotland is still a hotbed of vital new music, Jack Butler are a four piece from that particular part of the world making exciting new indie rock sounds for your delectation. With new single VELVET PROSE they deftly go about combining all the best bits of Franz Ferdinand, At The Drive-In and the Arctic Monkeys in one delicious three minute pop tune. With guitars making jagged little incisions, drums picking out complex patterns and frontman Liam Kelly spitting out one of the catchiest melodies since the Arctic Monkeys burst onto the scene earlier this year, VELVET PROSE is very special indeed; an inspired jazz/indie/emo/pop hybrid that practically grabs you by the ears and plants a massive kiss right on your lips. Elsewhere, Jack Butler repeat the same tricks with the perky pop of CANDLES before delivering some Afro beat guitar meets The Smiths meets emo tinged rock on the superb HE GOT NO GAME!; brilliant stuff all round. Another of those bands that almost invite the words 'ones to watch' and 'hotly tipped', Jack Butler are all those things and more'.(UK Music search) 'Having already appeared at this years T In The Park festival, Scottish foursome Jack Butler release their debut single, the Arctic Monkeys-esque 'Velvet Prose'. Recapturing the indie vibe of Bloc Party, Boy Kill Boy et al, the band's breezy first offering is one that's sure to have your everyday Zutons fan foaming at the mouth. With it's quirky up-tempo backing playing second fiddle to Liam Kelly's distinctly unique vocals, 'Velvet Prose' is the kind of song that's bound to gain Radio 1 airplay sooner rather than later. The excellent 'Candles' acts as B-side; and with the more than listenable 'He Got No Game' acting as a third slice of this much welcomed introduction, Jack Butler may well be the next entrant to the indie fad of now'.(Rockmidgets) 'This Stirling four-piece are ploughing a path somewhere between Arctic Monkeys, The Specials and The Skids. And that's fabulous speeding soul-tinged rock'.(Daily Record) 'With a name that conjures up images of a crime fiction (rather than Christian-orientated Pullitzer Prize nominee) writer sat by his typewriter, glass of port in one hand and half-chewed cigarillo in the other, this Jack Butler couldn't be further from the logical stereotype. Or should that be these Jack Butlers, as they are actually a four piece band hailing from the musical dormitory that is Stirling. But enough with the introductions - let's get straight down to business, as that is exactly what 'Velvet Prose' does. "She sold her soul... to the martyrs," bellows frontman Liam Kelly over an intricate guitar riff that echoes both the Postcard sound of the first wave of post-punk and the more recent work of Bloc Party, without aping either. Add a slice of funk-induced beats and you've got a serious contender for The Sunshine Underground's title as new rock/dance crossover kings. Elsewhere, b-sides 'Candles' and 'He Got No Game!' follow a similar path, the former initially sounding like a natural follow-up to Boy Kill Boy's 'Suzie' before Kelly's voice lifts it out of the seen-with-the-scenesters ordinariness; the latter, meanwhile, is the kind of sprightly pop the likes of The Cure and The Associates churned out for fun two decades ago. All in all, any one of these three songs could have been a single in its own right. For a debut release, it doesn't get much better than that'.(Drownedinsound) 'So, here I am beside the seaside, beside the sea, looking for something uplifting to aid my constitution. and along comes Jack Butler, in finest 'which one's Pink' fashion. Normally, the only uplifting thing to come from Stirling is the train back to Edinburgh but, lo and behold, this is rather delightful, despite the out and out lies of the press bumph which promised me 'funk-tinged psychedelic grooves'. I actually approve of pr lies, but I've seen George Clinton live and can tell the difference between angular, skinny white boys dancing badly and the funk. Which is to take nothing away from the intensely melodic lead track or the Talking Heads with talent vibe of "He Got No Game!" These are good things and deserve encouragement'.(Zeitgeist) --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ADAM TEDDER - It'll be soon/Eastern Girls (Whimsical ICAL5) Press release: London based singer / songwriter Adam Tedder is releasing his debut, download only AA single It’ll Be Soon / Eastern Girls . A prolific writer with a schizophrenic style, his inspired live performances have been compared to that of a grandiose Jeff Buckley! Adam, however, has a unique talent that combines soul searching lyrics and exquisite melodies that enter your heart, leaving you a better person. Adam describes ‘Eastern Girls’ as “bravely, brutally but not bitterly moving on” and lead track ‘It’ll Be Soon’ as “dealing with living only in the hope of a foretold future”. Singing songs of sadness, this is music that wrings you dry. Intimate songs that sound big (the tracks were mastered at Abbey Road Studios), Adam always leaves you with a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. Oh, and if the name seems familiar, then you’ve spent too much time glued to the television, as Adam also works as an actor. Most recently he played the psycho Serbian war criminal goalkeeper Lazlo Vig on the ITV1 series, Mike Bassett Manager. A role far removed from his uplifting songs. __STUART HAMILTON__ REVIEWS: London based singer/songwriter Adam Tedder is going down the currently popular download road with 'It'll Be Soon / Eastern Girls'. Should do well, methinks! Certainly, 'It'll Be Soon' is an uplifting sounding works that's cries quality and Tedder's performance is melodic precision personified; it's awesome production allows the listener to get to grips with the man's lyrics even allowing for the 'big' orchestral arrangement over slightly fuzzy guitar that gives this work a massive presence. 'It'll Be Soon' has the feel of a 'modern classic' about it. It's almost anthemic structure pulls the listener gently in without the use of undue force. It's a cleverly worked track to sit and enjoy. 'Eastern Girls' is almost totally juxtaposed to the first track. Much more raunchy but equally addictive it's a bit of a musical rollercoaster ride that creeps up on you without you realising it - a worker! As a songwriter, Adam Tedder seems to have it down to a fine art. Vocally there's something very appealing in the man's voice and if the credits are anything to go by he can certainly play (piano, guitars, bass and keyboards!). A very talented all-rounder by the look of it! It'll be interesting to see just how this pans out as a download release; it does seem that right now it's almost easier to gain recognition via the internet than it is through the 'old school' method which includes the tedium and pitfalls of promotion and almost uncontrollable rigours of hard, cash sales from retailers. Artistically, Tedder has everything nicely in place - now it's down to networking to see how it develops. Good luck is what I say! (www.toxicpete.co.uk) One of those ethereal, barely in existence, download only single, thingys that occupy bytes rather than space, this is one I would make an exception for. If I didn't rather smugly have a promo CD. When I first heard these songs a couple of months back I was rather smitten. And the intervening weeks has only raised them in my estimation. Prepare yourself to fill up as the heartrenching melody of "It'll Be Soon" kicks in. And just when you're gulping for air, the strings kick in. Git. "Eastern Girls" takes a different approach as the schizophrenia arrives. One part Polyphonic Spree to one part indie rock, you won't know whether you're coming or going. (Zeitgeist) ''Gorgeous balladry, equally tender and almost cosmic sounding - for fans of Keane'' (Subba-Cultcha) Adam Tedder is a London based singer/songwriter who also works as an actor. He also designed the front sleeve artwork for this debut single. These tracks were mastered in no less than Abbey Road Studios, the mecca of the music world: impressive for a debut, download only double-A single. Is he a jack of all trades and a master of none though? 'It'll be soon' will not grab the listener's attention immediately. After a few listens though you might just be rewarded with a beautifully composed song. It's got a subtle and yet effective piano tinkling in the background throughout it accompanied by some beautiful string arrangements. The lyrics, which are obviously based on thoughts about religion/the afterlife, leave you feeling quite sad but in a kind of good way. Adam's vocals are really soothing and this is a 'lie down on your bed and listen' track. You can't stay in a contemplative mood for too long however as 'Eastern girls', the other song on this release, has a totally different vibe and subject matter. It starts out sounding slightly like 'Wuthering Heights' but soon gathers pace and turns into an indie rock track. And where the vocals were gentle in 'It'll be soon', Adam's voice in this song has more attitude, for want of a better word. His vocal performance is varied throughout this track. Mr Tedder states that 'Eastern Girls' is about 'bravely, brutally but not bitterly moving on.' The two singles make for quite an interesting contrast and after several listens to this debut release I think it will be hard for anybody to define his music, based solely on this offering. If Tedder keeps producing this kind of work he may become a master of at least one trade for a selected audience. With downloads being lovingly accepted into the arms of the music charts, he may just find recognition will come soon. (www.soundsxp.com) London based singer/songwriter Adam Tedder is someone who certainly knows how to bang out an upbeat pop tune or two, one of those melodic types who's been raised on a diet of The Beatles and The Beach Boys by the sounds of things here. Latest single IT'LL BE SOON finds the tuneful Londoner cranking out some bouncy piano chords, coming up with a sound somewhere between the Beatles and a happier version of Coldplay. Full of upbeat charm, IT'LL BE SOON is a song wallowing in the simple pleasures; a big chorus and plenty of sing along moments the order of the day here. Flipside EASTERN GIRLS finds Tedder attempting to meld Elton John, Rufus Wainwright and Blur; operatic vocals, melodramatic piano work and punky choruses..........'' Adam Tedder is a solid singer/songwriter turning out songs full of catchy choruses and upbeat sentiment. IT'LL BE SOON / EASTERN GIRLS is a decent enough single and a fine pop song......'' (Ukmusicsearch.co.uk) Bit part actor Adam Tedder (he once played a psycho, Serbian war criminal, goalkeeper on ITV's Mike Bassett Manager - you couldn't make this sh*t up) has decided to channel his energy into a new format: Namely his debut, downloadable only, AA single 'It'll Be Soon' and 'Eastern Girls'. 'It'll Be Soon' takes its simple lyrics and jazzes them up, with the help of a cello and piano accompaniment, which act as the perfect complement to Tedder's dulcet vocals. Reminiscent of early 90's pop act Lighthouse Family, both tracks emit a breezy atmosphere, and herald in the New Year with aplomb. Despite this, Tedder occasionally sounds like he is holding back, something which, should he dissuade, will only serve to make his next musical outing stronger. (Rating: 4/5 by Zaineb Al Hassani www.rockmidgets.co.uk) ---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- VARIOUS - Elevate - 21 pop and indie gems from the underground (Whimsical ICALCD1) Press release: Edinburgh based label Whimsical Records is proud to announce the release of Elevate – 21 pop and indie gems from the underground, a collection of the best music you’ve never heard. A mixture of classics from days gone by and classics from days to come, you can reach into this collection and pull out a song that will live with you for the rest of your days. Whether it’s the Steve Lamacq championed Sunshine Variety Club, the strange psychedelic folk of Guy and Vivienne or the haunting tales of Balloon Man, there is something here that will touch you in places not talked about in polite society. Looking for Beach Boys harmonies and touches of Middle Eastern folk? Then you’ll be wanting to sample the respective wonders of Lemanis and Karle Odegaard. Perhaps it’s the rather seedy tales of Joe Viglione or the tribute to Trumpton from Emporium that tickles your fancy? Maybe you just want simple songs well sung? Then Alfie Kingston and Subconscious will be your new best friends. Take the time to explore the unexplored back roads and byways of the underground, pause to breathe in the magic you’d forgotten existed in music, and allow your soul to Elevate. (STUART HAMILTON) REVIEWS: ------- 'Elevate' is a twenty-one track sampler from Whimsical Records featuring a fine collection of pop and indie gems - something for everyone then eh!. Well, actually yes! This beautifully put together album is modern pop personified. Featuring tracks from The Idea, Sunshine Variety Club, Day 44, Jack Butler, Guy And Vivienne, Row Z, Lemanis, The Harmonic Storm, Emporium, Adam Tedder, Karle Odegaard, The Westport Sunrise Sessions, Big Life Desire, Joe Viglione, Subconscious, Alan Burge, Alfie Kingston, Balloon Man and The Mandrakes, this really is packed with variety, innovation and surprise. From subtle acoustic to stonkin' indie to rockin' pop stopping at all points between, 'Elevate' showcases many of Whimsical's roster and sets the taste buds alight as it unfolds. Like all good samplers, 'Elevate' tries to get a message across, helps to make introductions to artists you probably won't have heard of or come across before. So, it's a sales tool then! Well obviously, but the principal here is not all one sided; if Whimsical Records get a few new sales through this then so do the artists. But, more to the point, this is a publicity tool for the artists - and a pretty good one too. You'll be surprised how good these artists are and you'll be left wondering why you've not come across them before. Since the late 60's I've always looked hard at sampler albums - they enlightened me then and they still do now. So, go on, have a look at 'Elevate', see if there's anything here you've missed out on - find something that appeals then go and seek out more of the same. Nice one Whimsical Records!'' Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk) (Rhythm & Booze rating 9) Delightfully countering the adage that it’s grim up north, Edinburgh based Whimsical Records trawl the length and breadth of the country to bring you 21 sparkling indie gems. Elevate 21 is a wilfully obscure collection of indie pop gems. It proudly announces itself as a collection of the best music you’ve never heard…and they’d have been right too as long as you never heard Steve Lamacq espousing the virtues of Sunshine Variety Club when he crowned them single of the week. The good news is that, unlike most compilations of this ilk there really isn’t any good reason why you haven’t heard these records. There are several stand out gems, with walking basslines, jangling guitars, the odd moment of folk and roots music offered up and also harmonies, yes harmonies that would make even Brian Wilson Blush. Of the 21 songs on display here Day 44’s ‘Harold’s Bad Trip’ and Swedish troubadour Karle Odegaard’s ‘The Sad Thing Is It Is Not Sad At All’, offer up true moments of undiscovered bliss, the latter imparticular using Beach Boys harmonies to heart crushing effect. The only draw back to such a compilation is the utter volume of new music to absorb and discover. However, it’s a genuine pleasure to note after repeated listening, there is not a track on Elevate that let’s down Whimsical’s desire to simply promote good songs''. By Jonathan Sebire ( http://www.subba-cultcha.com/article.php?id=4550) ''Bringing together the best and the brightest of Edinburgh label Whimsical's eclectic roster, ELEVATE - 21 POP AND INDIE GEMS FROM THE UNDERGROUND is a compilation than highlights that labels particular brand of the charming and endearing. Early highlights include the jagged pop thrills of Jack Butler, a Scottish four piece making exciting new indie rock sounds for your delectation; with W.FIRE they deftly go about combining all the best bits of Franz Ferdinand, At The Drive-In and the Arctic Monkeys in one delicious three minute pop tune. Row Z deliver one of the most twee pop tunes since Belle And Sebastian last entered a recording studio in CHLOE whilst the equally C86 sounding Lemanis deal in the same sonic territory of jangly guitars and hushed vocal melodies with the sweet LAUGHING, SMILING, JOKING. DADDY'S LITTLE PRINCESS from The Harmonic Storm is a nifty slice of neo-psychedelic garage rock while Edinburgh's Emporium give us DICE MAN and ELEVATE, songs carrying on down the charming lo-fi road, upbeat melodic pop with its heart in the charity shop but its sights on the charts. Not unlike Belle And Sebastian on a much more limited budget, this is charming and sweet stuff, Ewan McKenzie singing in a fey vocal style that suits the musical backdrop perfectly. London based singer/songwriter Adam Tedder is someone who certainly knows how to bang out an upbeat pop tune or two, one of those melodic types who's been raised on a diet of The Beatles and The Beach Boys by the sounds of things here. EASTERN GIRLS finds him attempting to meld Elton John, Rufus Wainwright and Blur; operatic vocals, melodramatic piano work and punky choruses. The words charming and nice are the first to spring to mind on hearing IN PIECES from Big Life Desire, skewed English pop music that takes its cues from the lo-fi eccentricity of Baby Bird and White Town, the sideways funk of Ian Dury, not to mention the odd aside to bands as varied as Blur, The Kinks and The Beatles. Dealing in the same kind of slickly crafted acoustic tinged pop thats made stars of artists like David Grey, Alfie Kingston is the latest singer/songwriter to emerge on the scene. With I WILL WAIT, Kingston delivers a mildly diverting slice of mid tempo folk pop - nothing to get that excited about, nothing to get that offended by; middle of the road stuff. 21 slices of charming lo-fi whimsy, ELEVATE - 21 POP AND INDIE GEMS FROM THE UNDERGROUND will perhaps not change your life, but is a record that at the very least will brighten your day somewhat, and sometimes in life, that's more than enough''. FURTHER LISTENING Belle And Sebastian The Fire Engines The Vaselines Review date: February 2007 (http://www.ukmusicsearch.co.uk/reviews/various-elevate.html) Helping keep independent music alive are Edinburgh's Whimiscal Records and 'Elevate' is a fitting document of their output since forming to release an Emporium record in 1999, taking their name from one journalist's description of the band. Or indeed, every journalist's description of every band on the label. They're whimsical, that's what they do, and some are more whimsical than others. After The Idea's short introductory 'Hello' is a curiosity based around a Giorgio Moroder 'double speed' bassline with various 'hello' samples. The shame is it's such a short greeting with no chance to meet Mitch Salisbury again later in the compilation. But no matter, immediately following is Sunshine Variety Club's 'The Girl With the Crooked smile'. This former Culturedeluxe number one needs no introduction and still sounds as fresh (while still dothing its cap to myriad influences) as it did when it charmed us all last year. There are varying degrees of polish on display here though - Guy and Vivienne sound like they've recorded parts of 'After the Rain' on a cassette player in the bathroom and quite probably did. Row Z's 'Chloe' with its glorious power pop intro is only slightly let down by the fact it sounds like the theme tune to 'Revenge of the Nerds' after a fashion and Lemanis' 'Lauging, Smiling, Joking' finds Plymouth's finest sounding like The Beach Boys playing with Sonic Youth. It's an interesting combination in waltz time which nearly works. Subconcious, meanwhile, on the swirling organ pop of 'On The Streets' are essentially the Jesus & Mary Chain sounding happy in a parallel dimension. However, special mention must go to, firstly, Day 44 with 'Harold's Bad Trip'. Based on true experiences from 1971, and sounding like it was recorded way before even then, this is exceptional psychedelic rock, produced in a fashion that they just don't do any more. The obligatory headfuck finishes things off nicely. Secondly, label founders Emporium boast beautiful harmonies, swirling soundscapes and the strongest Scottish accents since two bespectacled twins entered a Leith recording studio. The Scottish Super Furry Animals anyone? Label compilations really are to be cherished when the label is small enough to have a certain 'sound' and this is no exception. If, like many, you find yourself lamenting the lack of twee indie pop above the surface then scuba down to the land of Whimsical where every day is jangle-day''. www.culturedeluxe.com (7 out of 10) Whimsical Records have been steadily releasing stuff over the last year or two that you would probably class as melodic, if a little off centre, they remind me in a lot of ways of Sarah Records who were around in the late 90’s and early 90’s, yes some of the songs may seem a little bit twee but they all have a real charm to them. Elevate is a compilation of 21 tracks released on the label, you get absolute gems from Big Life Desire, Sunshine Variety Club, Adam Tedder and Emporium, which sit alongside less impressive outings from acts such as Row-Z and Balloon Man. Either way it’s still a nice introduction to a good little label who seem to be quietly going about their business in a pretty impressive way.The album is out now''. http://www.thebeatsurrender.co.uk/daily/recordbox/elevate-21-pop-and-indie-gems-from-the-underground/ JERSEY BEAT http://www.jerseybeat.com/quietcorner.html "Elevate: 21 pop and indie gems from the underground" (whimsicalrecords.com) is a comp of VARIOUS artists, mostly from across UK, though there are the occasional others from the U.S. Whimsical states that this is "a collection of the best music you've never heard." Well, it certainly is diverse, but it seems most are either powerpop, psychedelic, or folk. The quality runs from full productions to demos, but it still manages to remains consistent. There are 21 cuts over 79 minutes, so I'll pick and chose a few, as I'm wont to do. The Sunshine Variety Club's "The Girl With the Crooked Smile" is a cult fave, and it's really good but not the best thing here. Guy and Vivienne's "After the rain" is a very soft spoken psych folk number reminiscent of "Some Velvet Morning" in feel. Row Z's "Chloe" is fine powerpop with a "Telstar"-ish opening. In folk rock mode is Karle Odegaard's cleverly titled "The Sad Thing is it is Not Sad At All". Sandwiched between 2 mediocre songs is Boston-based Joe Viglione's hook-laden psalm to the music chart gods (or possibly drug, as he's worked as with some many who imbibed), "There's Nothing Like a Hit," a strong pop rock tune. Mandrake's space rock "We Will Fall" are bolstered by some nice soaring harmonies. This is a hit and miss affair, but those that are standouts are worth seeking out. (Robert Barry Francos) ''The CD is fantastic - the band Subconscious have an airy track called "On The Streets", Alfie Kingston's driving "I Will Wait" collides into a lovely "Unlucky Ones" from Balloon Man. This is a TERRIFIC compilation that Ewan at Whimsical Records has put together.'' Intuition Element ''choc full of quality tunage'' Finlay Mackenzie - Musical Pharmacy - Isles FM ''a really interesting album....a really lovely mix of stuff.....one of my favourites is 'a tribute to Trumpton' from a band called Emporium'' (Janice Forsyth, BBC Radio Scotland 7/4/07) '' ok ive listened to the album a few times now and every song is pretty good in its own way. Heres a list of the ones that i like best: in no order - girl with the crooked smile, after the rain, the prize, nothing like a hit. after the rain is probably my favourite, but as i say they are all good! '' Kenny Bell - The Harmonic Storm ''The record has some great songs on it. Most from UK bands, but some from yankee wankers like us and beyond. Good stuff and well worth the pence. Much thanks to Ewan for his support of independent music. '' Jason Broome WSS ''Chloe by Row Z is the best tune I've heard for a long time. Is it available on Itunes? Where can I get the single from please? Also, do you have any info on the artist/band? Is it a band or a solo artist? Can I get more of their stuff? Thanks, Lucy.'' (email enquiry 20/3/07) ''My favourites so far are DAY 44 - that's well good! Also Joe Viglione. Balloon Man - that's good too. Also Mandrakes - like that. Emporium are a fucking weird band. I never know what to make of them which is good I suppose. Very hard to catagorise! '' - Gordon Burns (Subconscious) '' Ewan, My top five 'Elevate' tracks; 1. elevate- Emporium 2. w.fire- Jack Butler 3. After the rain- Guy and Vivienne 4.Hello- The idea 5. Dice man- Emporium Like that S.V.C. track also! Cheers, Rob'' (Sunshine Variety Club) --------------------------------------------------------- Well there's really little point in me adding anything as the title just about sums it up perfectly. But you'll probably get humpty if I don't say something, so here goes. Edinburgh based Whimsical Records have been slowly maing a name for themselves via a series of utterly splendid singles and EPs. Now, they've taken the next step and released a collection of some of the best music you've never heard. If you have any tast you'll already have experienced the understated pop of Sunshine Variety Club, Jack Butler, Emporium, Adam Tedder and Alfie Kingston, so take a wee sidespin onto the freakbeat of Day 44, the psychedelic lull of Guy & Vivienne or the sublime harmonies of Lemanis. With nary a bum note afoot, spring some cash and open up a new world of mucial possibilities. ZEITGEIST SCOTLAND ----------------------------------------------------------- The booklet to this CD has brief notes about all of the tracks on this various-artists compilation, and it can be deduced that most though not all of these bands are British. But it's not really clear when these cuts were recorded, or, in most cases, where they might have been originally issued. It's likely from the sound of things, though, that most and perhaps all of the cuts were done not long before this 2007 release. As with any various-artists anthology of "pop and indie" rock, it's hard to generalize about its styles, but generally, it will appeal primarily to the fan of retro psych and pop-rock forms, principally from the 1960s and 1970s. And, as with any such record, what songs you like are going to depend very much on your individual tastes, and it's unlikely anyone's tastes are going to be so broad as to like everything here. It's inevitably an erratic disc, but as such compilations go, it's okay, with most of the artists managing good-hearted music with pleasant melodies and nicely nuanced production, if nothing earthshaking. You'll hear vocal harmonies that echo the Beach Boys and the British Invasion, guitars that both ring and chord with power pop bite, a bit of surf music, quirky yet pop-friendly singer-songwriting indicating that a few of these artists might be big Pete Townshend or Elvis Costello fans, and neo-psychedelic pop that's, in keeping with the name of the label that issued the CD, whimsical. There are odd tracks here and there that stand out as worthier than most of their surroundings, like Guy and Vivienne's "After the Rain" (with its wistfully spooky male-female folk-rock harmonies) or Balloon Man's "Unlucky Ones" (with a vocal highly reminiscent of vintage Grace Slick). But like many such samplers, it's best sampled via individual cuts on radio programs than by wading through the whole uneven mass at once. (7 out of 10) http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:dcfuxqlrldke ----------------------------------------------------------- This is a fascinating compilation of innovative tunes from the Whimsical catalogue ranging from cheery pop, mad electronica, sixties garage style dittes and bizarre, fucked up one minute long compositions such as the album's opener, "Hello" by The Idea. And ideas aplenty leap out at you from this assortment, bringing to mind at any given time the likes of David Byrne, John Cale, Van Morrison, Squeeze and British Sea Power. All classic songwriters, you may notice, and it's great to know there are still folk out there who will lovingly craft compilations such as these. They are the true heroes of the music business and we should champion them as much as we can. N: Independent labels can be a melting pot of young burgeoning talent, what with their variety of influences bursting from the grooves (or digital bits, firing from its slippery silver surface) making a very entertaining half time, and here is no different. Whimsical Records (love the name) have accumulated 21 artists who, from the starting blocks, fire the riff recognisable from Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" in the shape of The Idea's opening gambit. Day 44 can be found slipping on Steed's cane and bowler hat on "Harold's Bad Trip", Mrs. Peel hot on his heels. Guy and Vivienne present a somewhat kitsch duet, "After The Rain", influences follow in the shape of The Shadows clashing with Glen Tillbrook with a stylophonesque break. But all this statically charged emotion is brought back to earth as brushed drums meet The Harmonic Storm's "'Daddy's little princess'". T: I think you get the picture anyway; this is a damn fine album, and Ewan McKenzie, the man behind this collection, should be carried on the shoulders of crowds throughout the city and cheered by the masses in unison. (9/10) http://www.atomicduster.com/spotlight/38a/index.phpwhimsical --------------------------------------------------------- The beauty about underground albums like 'Elevate' is that they can really surprise you. There are no preconceptions about the artists. There is no anticipation or dread. You're not bored of hearing about the artists because they fill the front pages of the tabloids or have an over-played tedious back catalogue. Their attitude and music is fresh. So, is this album full of gems like the title suggests? The answer is simply yes. There is so much variety on the album where pop and indie meet folk, jazz, rock and psychedelic. The two tracks that open and close the album are a lot of fun because of their samples. 'Hello' by The Idea is full of different greetings and 'Elevate' by Emporium is based around the old children's TV theme 'Camberwick Green'. In between is a fantastic collection from the archives of Whimsical Records. 'The Girl With The Crooked Smile' by Sunshine Variety Club is a typical indie song that's very catchy with a great melody. The great pop tracks on the album are 'In Pieces' and 'She's Got It All'. Day 44 have a catchy old-school psychedelic track in 'Harold's Bad Trip'. 'Daddy's Little Princess' continues the 60's themed tunes, but the best is 'Dice Man' by Emporium that has a dreamy Brian Wilson feel to it. The surprises and variety continue on the album with New York based band The Westport Sunrise Sessions and their song 'The Prize'. Heavily influenced by Frank Zappa the song is full of different sounds and rhythms that make you pay attention. 'After The Rain' takes a couple of listens for one to really appreciate because of its bizarre folk feel. The recording sounds low budget but it adds to the mood. It's a song that would have been lost on a slick digital production, great stuff. What also adds to the quality of this collection is the change of moods. Joe Viglione's 80's track 'There's Nothing Like A Hit' is really dark. It's a tragic tale of his buddy and heroin addict Jimmy Miller searching the streets for a hit. While 'Laughing, Smiling, Joking' is a very peculiar song and at the other end of the spectrum. The first thing that sprung to mind was "what the f..k!" But it is good fun and fits into this collection very nicely. The track list shows that there has been some thought put into it and all the tracks complement each other so well. So the best thing to do is invest in a copy of 'Elevate' and enjoy. http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/9683/ By Chris Audsley (9 out of 10) --------------------------------------------------------- There are at least two reasons why this compilation should be a good listen. One: I like label compilations for some geeky reason that I haven’t fathomed yet. Two: Whimsical is an indie label from Edinburgh and Scotland have got an impressive track record with this kind of stuff over the past ten, twenty years. It’s by no means a flawless collection, it would be hard for most labels to put together 21 songs and for the listener to like all of them, but label founder Ewan McKenzie has an exciting roster here of indie and folk from all over the country (And NYC), largely influenced by classic rock and pop. Whimsical’s first ever signing The Harmonic Storm, for example, are what happens when you copy early Beatles and early Dylan at the same time. Or Lemanis, whose drifting ‘Laughing, Smiling, Joking’ is what grunge would have sounded like had it been invented by Brian Wilson and not grimy men in plaid. Joe Viglione’s jerky NYC no wave falls in between the Ramones and Sonic Youth, while Subconscious and Emporium (Two ex-Subconscious members) are Edinburgh’s answer to the Super Furry Animals but applying their own voice to playful, trippy, magpie pop. There are some genuine originals here too, such as The Idea’s daft psychedelic journeys with Casio keyboards and the angsty folk of Karle Odegaard. ‘The Sad Thing Is It Is Sad At All’ collides two very different worlds to dazzling effect, the gritty Wild West and the exotica of the Middle East. The undeniable stars, however, are New York’s fun(ky) experimentalists the Westport Sunrise Sessions, with their weird clanging beats, falsetto harmonies and old school MCing. It’s TV On The Radio with no David Sitek production and no money. Most likely for success though are gloomy, Editor’s style post-punks Jack Butler and Alfie Kingston’s piano driven soft rock in the mould of The Fray. They might not be the two most original artists on ‘Elevate…’, but any success for Whimsical would be well deserved. (by Stephen Eddie - Dieshellsuit.com). --------------------------------------------------------- Ok, so the acts aren't all Scots or even new and one is based on the theme tune to Camberwick Green, but the compilation is released on an Edinburgh indie label. There are 21 songs on the cd from the Capital's Whimsical Records, which at their heart mine the 60's psychedelic pop. Opening tune is Oxford Band The Idea's 'Hello' and includes a Bo'Selecta sample. Sunshine Variety Club's 'The girl with the crooked smile' is Belle and Sebastian without the limp wrists, while Scotland shows what it's made of with Jack Butler's arch art rock 'W.Fire'. The first of Edinburgh band Emporium's two tracks 'Dice Man' is Sixties pop and they close the album with 'Elevate', a song based on the theme to kids classic 'Camberwick Green'. 'The sad thing is it is not sad at all' is from Edinburgh based Karle Odegaard and the driving beats of Glasgow band The Mandrakes 'We will fall' tops it all off. (Rick Fulton - The Daily Record - June 27th 2008) ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- JACK BUTLER - Boy vs. Beast/Surgery 1984 (WHIMSICAL ICAL6) Press release: When Jack Butler released their debut single Velvet Prose last September, it won great acclaim from press and radio, reaching the Official UK Independent chart top 30. Their catchy, quirky guitar based pop opening people’s eyes and ears to a wealth of talent and fresh sounds. With their second offering, Boy Vs Beast, they have upped the ante. The formula for a conventional pop song is re-written before your ears. With a unique bass and drum pattern, clever production, trademark quirky guitar riffs, and anthem-like backing vocals it simply has all the right ingredients. Scottish music is going through a resurgence at present, and Jack Butler have to be considered as front runners for the best indie single of the year so far. Comparisons to Minus The Bear, Arctic Monkeys, Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand (among others) only justify the high standard being produced here. The accompanying AA track, Surgery 1984 provides the perfect flip-side to the single. From the heart monitor intro into a passionate vocal performance with powerful driving guitars, Jack Butler have persevered to produce their most accomplished track to date, featuring contrasting structural parts and a clever craftsmanship to their songwriting. Evidently, there has been a significant progression since the band’s first single. They exude conviction, dynamism and a refreshing quality that has been lost among the plethora of new music. This summer, the potential of Jack Butler is waiting to be released… -MIKE MULGREW- REVIEWS: ------- Jack Butler are another of the great new bands hailing from Scotland and 'Boy vs Beast' is their latest, massively impressive, single release on digital download and limited edition disc. 'Boy vs Beast' is a bit of an attention grabber; it's a bright and vibrant piece that features Jack Butler's energetic but very controlled indie rock style. Utilising their trademark guitar riffs over punctuative bass and drums, Jack Butler contrive to drill home their persuasive, melodic music with infectious relish and syncopated unity. Vocally these guys also get it just right and put in some great work both in terms of lead vox and backing/harmony vox. All-in-all, Jack Butler get it just about spot on! Theirs is indeed a commercially sound and focussed indie way. 'A' side 'Boy vs Beast' sets things up beautifully before the 'AA' side 'Surgery 1984' strengthens their case and confirms the initial thoughts that this band know how to pen great pop songs and perform them with well honed professionalism. Jack Butler have a knack of sounding friendly and familiar; a bit like when you first heard Franz Ferdinand or Kaiser Chiefs and instantly knew you'd just heard something kinda special - well, Jack Butler have that same feel about them. Maybe, just maybe Jack Butler will 'break' with their instantly likeable and recognisable sound. I'm sure that 'Boy vs Beast' will get most of the attention but 'Surgery 1984', for me, is the most exciting piece of the two; the latter just pushes things that little bit further in terms of being 'different'. As a double 'A' side, 'Boy vs Beast' / 'Surgery 1984' is a well impressive release; Jack Butler sound as though they're ready to take on the 'leaders' with their solidly constructed songs and passionate playing. Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk) (Rhythm & Booze rating 9) ----------------------------------------------------------- ''With the spiralling guitars of the Razorlight, and the manic vocals of !!!, Jack Butler's onto something here…'' (www.subba-cultcha.com) ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack Butler - Boy vs. Beast/Surgery 1984 (Whimsical Records) The next in a long line of indie thrashers from Scotland, Jack Butler are a foursome who have enjoyed airplay from their native country's best new music station Xfm. And no wonder why. This double A-side release which will be available via download or a limited CD release shows sign of great promise. First track Boy vs. Beast opens with a Razorlight-esque 'In The Morning' feel to it and progresses into a Franz Ferdinand covered pop song that swoops and swerves from high to low dynamically. Second track Surgery 1984, is a more musically challenging track and throws in bits of Editors shrilled heavily reverbed guitars and Interpol-ish thick vocals. This song is pretty much a hybrid of the two bands BUT, Jack Butler take that hybrid, add a sprinkling of themselves and all of a sudden the song sounds quite unique. The double release is available from August 13 and I highly suggest that they are included in any 'top ten bands to myspace' lists in the upcoming weeks, they may just wriggle through to accomplish more mainstream radioplay in the future. (4 stars) www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk ----------------------------------------------------------- 13 August 2007 / Whimsical / 2 Trk CD By Parker Knoll Jack Butler reminds me somewhat of Haircut 100 and early Wham! with those choppy guitars and a poppy vocal line. It's impressive and the guitar work is definitely the selling point, but yet again like many other bands out there this jolly jaunt doesn't have a totally convincing chorus. But it's refreshing to note that the other AA Side, "Surgery 1984" points to a consistent level of quality control , again rooted to those fantastic 80's jangles. Butler and co have a lot more to come and a long way to go, but this is a damn fine start. (3.5 OUT OF 5) (http://www.music-dash.co.uk/releases/release.asp?item=4577) ----------------------------------------------------------- The release of Jack Butler's Velvet Prose late last year caused ripples of excitement in the Scottish music press. Smart, sharp and undeniably funky, it earned them well deserved comparisons with indie-funk gurus Franz Ferdinand. And while this double-A side was always going to be something of a disappointment in comparison, it does show the Butlers pushing their sound forward at light speed, promising bigger and better things for the future. Plus, the last two minutes of Boy vs Beast sounds uncannily like the Arctic Monkeys crossed with The Horrors; and there's not much you can say about that, is there? (Dan Coxon - The Skinny - 3 stars) ----------------------------------------------------------- Jack Butler - 'Boy vs Beast' As confusingly monikered as ever, Jack Butler(they're a band not a chap)'s second single builds on the promise shown by last year's 'Velvet Prose' and owes as much to the trademark baggy fretwork as the jangle we've come to expect from our friends at Whimsical Records. Employing a rhythm section that almost sounds like a compressed house record is another nifty stroke that gives this record an unexpected dance sensibility. (Culture Deluxe) ----------------------------------------------------------- Unleash the beast. Once upon a time, Jack Butler lived in a small town in Scotland. Home for many bands, Jack one day thought he would try his luck at forming one fit to rank alongside past greats that have gone down in Scottish music folklore. Well then, Jack got together with some friends and made things possible with their first single. Called 'Velvet Prose' it was a belter. Fresh from the critical acclaim and knowing they were onto a winning commercial sound, they began work on their second single and follow-up, 'Boy Vs Beast'. Yes, the double a-side 'Boy Vs Beast' was another classic piece of Scottish Indie rock, distinctly impressive, exciting and with a slight Bloc Party vibe to it. The reverberating jangling guitars and emphatic production gave the track a funky bonhomie stomp packed with a punch that went down well in a live setting. "Take 'em down" with their action-packed tunes, Jack Butler most certainly did. Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack escapes the beast. 'Surgery 1984' the second a-side of the single gave an insight as to what Jack Butler did next, being an atmospheric and soaring twilight filled track, full of sweeping magic beguiling the listener. Yes, Jack Butler also sang in their own indelible accents which brought a powerful backing to the quality craftsmanship and elegant instrumentation on both these songs. Legend has it that Jack Butler still roams the streets of Scotland marauding their way into the top gig venues playing sold-out shows everywhere to their partisan fan-base. The decision to purchase was elementary. And so to bed. Goodnight. Hail Mary full of grace, boy versus beast, Jack Butler wins. (www.cdtimes.co.uk) ----------------------------------------------------------- Indie-pop, indie-rock ? The creative sounds of the early 80s Scottish post-punk contingent are certainly played upon in the modern day with Jack Butler's impressive second single release Boy vs. Beast. Emerging with a sound prominent in jangly, stop-start synthesised guitar noise, tracks sit on the indie-pop/ indie-rock fence, interchanging genres at the flick of a switch. Like the by product of a marriage between 80s electro chart toppers Soft Cell and cult rockers The Smiths sounds blend to create a beautifully harmonious riot where gritty vocals, tinged with Celtic charm at times, unite with intricately worked electrical instrumentation to give an amorphous quality of sound and feeling. It's inspirational sounds are ground breaking in nature feeling almost experimental in form and ticking all the boxes with everything from synthesised siren quality rhythm guitars to charged Human League like vocals making them the break through act this year for sure. (5 stars) http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/review/2574/Jack_Butler_Boy_Vs_Beast_Single_Re ----------------------------------------------------------- There seems to be something of a renaissance going on north of the border at the moment as far as astoundingly good new music is concerned. Not content with giving us the varying delights of Danananaykroyd, The Low Miffs and The Twilight Sad in recent months, Stirling four-piece Jack Butler can now be added to the list of likely contenders come 2008. Both of the tracks on this single show two completely different sides to a band who have been loosely compared to Franz Ferdinand (unsurprisingly justified) and the Arctic Monkeys (perhaps slightly more baffling). 'Boy vs. Beast', with its shimmying guitar sound and partially spoken word vocal, starts off like one of the Postcard set from the early 1980s, before erupting in a tumultuous climax that is equal parts Devo, Orange Juice and (I kid you not) Spandau Ballet. Flipside 'Surgery 1984' meanwhile is a more downbeat affair that could be classed as Jack Butler's first diversion into ballad territory, but don't let that put you off. What stand out particularly are the chiming guitars and incisive, almost militaristic drumbeats that give a sombre, funereal edge to what could actually turn out to be the band's most celebrated three-and-a-half minutes to date. All in all, a total contrast to their last single 'Velvet Prose', and although not quite as immediately radio-friendly, the avenues for further possibilities are never-ending, and I for one await their appearance at next month's Connect Festival with eager anticipation. (7 out of 10) DOM GOURLAY www.drownedinsound.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Following on from a barrage of Scottish indie guitar thrashers, Jack Butler are a pleasant breathe of fresh air. True, they still thrash the life out of their guitars, lacing cracking riffs with an unapologetic pop hook that unashamedly has you tapping fingers and feet along uncontrollably in minutes but there's also a charm and darkness that instantly grabs you by the scruff of the neck as you wake up to the Scottish quartet's charm. Making its entrance with a wash of jangling guitars and a wave of infectious drum beats, 'Boy Vs Beast' opens similar to Razorlight's 'In The Morning' before Jack Butler lets go of the reins and allows the track to sweep in and have you dancing idiotically in minutes. Throw in some chanting choruses and a bass that thumps along brilliantly and the Scottish lads immediately have an irresistibly infectious song that even Gordon Brown would find hard not to dance along to. B side, 'Surgery 1984' may initially slow things down before melting into an Editors like slice of introspective beauty. Appealing contagious, Jack Butler tick all the right boxes and are a band you should be getting excited about. (11 out of 13) http://www.roomthirteen.com/cgi-bin/cd_view.cgi?CDID=6445 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALFIE KINGSTON - 'Creatures and people's ways' - Digital download album and promo cd. (WHIMSICAL ICALDDLP2) REVIEWS ------- Before I start this I have to admit that it took me quite a while to really appreciate what Alfie Kingston was all about. Now, after hearing this excellent album, 'Creature & People's Way's', I'm a believer, I'm truly converted! Alfie Kingston shows great depth of songwriting, superbly rounded vocal qualities, fine attention to detail, musical craftsmanship of the highest order and near-tangible commitment to his cause. As a debut album I have to say that 'Creatures & People's Ways' isn't just tasty, it's awesome. It's superbly put together, totally polished and massively unputdownable! To me, Kingston's music is an expansive form of mature 'pop' that just hints at nu-country but errs strongly on the commercial side of the genre. The use of big arrangements and the fact that there's plenty of light and shade enables Kingston to keep his songs alive and kickin' throughout this impressive album. Although three tracks ('She's Scary', 'It's Easy' and 'The Distance') have been lifted from this album to be used on a four track single release, I actually think it's extremely difficult to pick out any individual tracks for extra mention - there just aint a bad track here - they're all shit hot!! And, given good exposure I could see Alfie Kingston cruisin' his way into the album charts with this work - it won't happen on its own though, it's gonna need some hefty promotion and loads of radio plays to get the hungry hoards to latch on to the works of Alfie Kingston. He has everything he needs to start climbing that big ladder and 'Creatures & People's Ways' could just prove to be the spring-board required to get things really started. 'Creatures & People's Ways' by Alfie Kingston is an excellent album and a remarkable debut work. Alfie Kingston shows here that he's got what it takes to become a household name - I really hope he gets there - on the strength of this album, he thoroughly deserves big success. Great stuff this!! Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk) (Rhythm & Booze rating 10) ----------------------------------------------------------- Alfie Kingston's debut sits on the boundary between pop and rock, folk and blues but never once sounds like it's unclear of its roots. This is clear, confident, smart music from a man (and his band) who looks set to make quite a name for himself. Opening with the eastern tinged Speak A While, two things become clear straight away. Firstly, the production on the album is as clean and unobtrusive as possible, allowing the band to take centre stage and at the same time ensuring that they sound as good as they possibly can. Secondly, there's energy to the track, Kingston's impassioned, expressive voice driving the song along with a controlled urgency that never sounds like he's trying too hard. So Don't Disappear takes a slightly more laid back approach, replacing the rock of the first track with something a little calmer. It's Easy continues this trend, opening with just Kingston's acoustic guitar and voice and opening out into a bleak, subdued song with strong orchestral overtones. Sometimes raises the tempo a little and to my mind, is one of the strongest tracks on the album. Revolving around a piano, Kingston's guitar, and lyrics which wryly observe how our priorities change dependant on what's going at the time, it's a humorous but affecting track reminiscent of the best Barenaked Ladies' material. Miracle Man slows things down again, whilst She's Scary sees a total departure in style. With its bouncy, echoing acoustics, and lyrics about the dangers of dealing with a particularly clingy partner, it's one of the most unusual, and best tracks on the album. I Will Wait takes the album back to the acoustic side of things, with Kingston's voice and guitar very much to the fore. The style, including a string section and the impassioned lyrics are reminiscent of Big Country at their best and this is again, one of the strongest tracks on the album. Regard Me 14 Days is another low-key track, almost melancholic in style, and this trend continues with The Distance and the final track This I'll Shame. All three see Kingston's guitar and soulful voice coming to the fore, combining lyrical intelligence and musical confidence with an old fashioned approach that works extremely well. This isn't entirely new ground, with both Big Country and Sting producing similar material, but it's done with absolute confidence and a dedication that marks this out as something genuinely impressive. Creatures & People's Ways is an immensely impressive debut, showing a versatility of approach and an intelligence that only promises more in the future. Kingston and his band are dedicated, talented and clearly have a passion for what they do. Fans of rock, pop or folk deserve to hear this. www.soundchecks.co.uk review by Alasdair Stuart. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Whilst Led Zep are a long way through their career, Alfie Kingston is very much at the beginning of his. He comes into it with a key lesson already learn't. When push comes to shove the beating heart of rock is the songs. "Creatures & People's Ways" is an album of ten decent songs penned by afore mentioned Mr Kingston. He appears to be a man that likes to think about his words, the feel of the song. The lyric, the poetry are as important as the guitar phrasing and the licks and there's some pretty good licks to draw you into the words. Without wanting to sound patronising, this is thinking man's rock. If you just want power and screams you really should think about looking elsewhere. Alfie, finds more than capable support in producer and fellow musician on the album, Paul Miro, who also did a tour of duty as part of Apes Pigs and Spacemen. He gives the album a mature sound, one that speaks to you rather than wrapping it's self in posturing. The song is the skeleton upon which the sound is built. Alfie Kingston is a bit of a conumderum. He's obviously a talented singer/songwriter. He perfectly pitches his blend of songwriting into the rock vein, like neat bourbon. His music has an edge, at times country tinged, but always with passion. "Creatures & People's Ways" is an album that makes the mark, except, and this is the dilema, it's not a solo album. Whilst singer/songwriter is a solo name thing rock is not. He can write, sing and play, but I think that even as the Alfie Kingston Band he would find it easier to reach that wider audience. "Creatures & People's Ways" has a lot going for it and will hopefully provide Alfie with a platform to launch himself into the wider world. * * * http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/fatearocks.html ----------------------------------------------------------- I seem to recall saying very nice things about the Alfie Kingston single 'She's Scary', so am I delighted to report that a full albums worth of Alfie is just as delightful. He veers between more introspective singery / songwritery material and big, wide open spaced classic rock, but no matter whether he's begging or blustering, he always hangs everything on to a good song and a memorable melody. A rare trick and one we should be thankful for in a world where hippity hoppers get £100k for dropping "uh-huh, uh-huhs" onto every half baked song that comes there way. Rant over, back to Alfie, this is an album dripping with class, substance and style. My personal tastes take me more towards the darker tinged songs like 'Speak A While' and 'The Distance', which merge anger, longing and pain into three minute mini operas. Wonderful. Over in the poppier world, single 'She's Scary' remains a treat and 'So Don't Disappear' is a lightweight but worthy pop tune. Singer / songwriter fans will take to 'I Will Wait' and those of us on medication will nod mournfully to 'Regard Me 14 Days' It's actually an album of two halves (Brian) with the weightier, darker material loaded towards the end, a place I find myself returning to more than the first, but wherever you drop the needle (laser), you're sure to find something of value. Go explore. (http://www.zeitgeist-scot.co.uk/) ----------------------------------------------------------- Alfie Kingston - 'She's Scary' - (Featured track from 'Creatures.....') REVIEWS ------- An astounding delve into the mind and music of Alfie Kingston. The lead track here is very well represented with that subject of "Scary" rehearsed well in the song's musical arrangement. The second A-side, 'A Little Nonsense' is represented well in the style lending itself toward that of a musical REM, the former I felt had more in common with the band Jazz Butcher. Certainly an artist to watch out for. T: To me, "She's Scary" put me in mind of Crowded House on a particularly wobbly ferry, due to its slightly twisted, seasick feel, but this only adds to the fun. Track two is less emphatic but it's definitely well worth a listen and my colleague couldn't have put it better. I look forward to hearing more in the near future. 7/10 www.atomicduster.com A Gem hidden in a pot of gold! 'She's Scary' Alfie is kin superb. This track has a hook so sharp that it could penetrate a CHAV's forehead. If you can get this track played on national radio, you will have a hit on your hands. www.bristolrock.co.uk Somewhat spooky sounding singer songwriter, the melodies melt into a haunting production that excites me as much as it chills me… creepily wonderful stuff! www.subba-cultcha.com Alfie Kingston is also a singer-songwriter, and single She's Scary is an interesting tune that really grabs the attention, with some great spooky keyboards and stand-up bass. www.repeatfanzine.co.uk Hallo, it's Alfie. We liked his last record ' I Will Wait' saying Alfie "has come up with a string drenched, hard driving, melodic slice of classic rock, crossed with seventies pop that crosses too many boundaries for its own good, but still manages to command attention." In fact we were so right they use one of my lines on the press release. Of course, if this had been rubbish I'd have been left looking like a proper fool (again) but it's a clip-cloppingly splendid pop tune which bears no resemblance to Guns n' Roses (you had to be there). It's quite dark as befits its title but still melodic. Even better, AA side ' A Little Nonsense' goes all Barenaked Ladies on your ass and is infuriatingly addictive. Good work, fella. www.zeitgeist.co.uk Bristol lad Alfie Kingston's latest double header single, 'She's Scary' / 'A Little Nonsense' is a superbly put together piece of British-ness - mature modern 'pop' with an acoustic leaning, featuring big arrangements, being beautifully proportioned and finally, stunningly executed. The former track having been lifted from Kingston's excellent new album, 'Creatures & People's Ways' and both tracks hinting at being low key country whilst retaining all that's great about home grown British music - well, it would be as Paul Miro (Apes Pigs And Spacemen) is heavily involved! Miro apart, Kingston has an individual style that's bright, light and pretty damn commercial. And, although very 'now' in his writing, Kingston has a slightly retro-ness in his delivery - slight hints of 60's jaunty and 70's harmonies, but never overdone. Apart from the two main tracks Kingston has added two crackin' extras in 'It's Easy' and 'The Distance', both are taken from the 'Creatures & People's Ways' album. Good thinking Alfie - what the extra tracks bring is a better understanding of the Kingston craft. Kingston is a man who can be be dark and deep or vibrant and humorous - a man for all seasons with something for everyone. Kingston is very much his own man with his own sound, treading his own path, not following, just forging ahead - relentlessly. 'She's Scary' / 'A Little Nonsense' may not go flying up the charts but it should do very well - it's very radio friendly, instantly likeable and pleasantly different. Surely, Alfie Kingston is a bright new star of the future. Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk) ----------------------------------------------------------