Cougar Microbes

Long time Cougar favourite Kick Up The Fire delivered on their early promise by bringing out their bombastic Self Titled mini-album. Back in October I remarked that the band sounded ‘like Franz Ferdinand after a large hit of  performance enhancing drugs…..offering more hooks than a regional angling club’.

It is indicative that a few months on I can still spin all the tracks on repeat without ever losing interest or finding the process repetitive. their angular approach to guitar lead post-rock  demands to be blared from huge speakers and I have gone out of my way to do just that.

Here’s to 2011 bringing them more success

TRACKS:

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I’ve been following Kick Up The Fire ever since I heard the South London outfits early demos (and subsequently photographed them on a few occasions) so it was with some pride that I unwrapped the bands self titled mini album.

The boys have been perfecting these songs on the live stage for the past year and these songs showcase a band firing on all cylinders. This is an accurate snapshot of where the 4-piece stand today and special credit should go to Got Mics for the first class production.

Album opener ‘These Canvas Shoes‘ is an immediate burst of energy boasting soaring choruses and deceivingly straightforward verses built on an almighty guitar riff. Vocalists Kenny and Thom volley vocals assaults at each other over drummer Andrew‘s relentless attack. The whole track comes perilously close to collapsing under its own awesomeness… it doesn’t and instead races past the finishing line in Usain Bolt style.

Tracks ‘No Fun In London‘ and ‘Cocktails And Gold‘ are kindred spirits sounding like Franz Ferdinand after a large hit of  performance enhancing drugs. Both offer more hooks than a regional angling club. The former is an observation of the capital’s darker side yet ultimately comes through as surprisingly upbeat whilst Cocktails is it’s angrier and judgmental older brother; catchy and danceable but packing one hell of a punch.

‘No Hotel Room‘ is the bands deceptive (anti) pop song and a change of pace and mood. A tale of a media hounded politician; the main line “he’s having bad sex, you like to talk about it, you’re having no sex maybe, you should go get your fix” is a stab at celebrity and tabloid culture.

‘The Never-Ever Ending Story‘ is a bass lead scorcher that returns to the high tempo previously set and owes a slight debt to Thursday with its guitar intricacies. Like the rest of the album it is packed with melodies, question/answer singing and a penchant for a gang vocal to beef up certain key messages. Still, if you scratch under the surface you’ll discover lyrics that are observationally astute and witty.

Nowhere is this more evident than on closer ‘Because Of You‘, the bands proverbial “slow one”. This is a tale of an apparent bitter breakup told over  a stunning and captivating crescendo that never subsides. The lyric “go runaway, go join a bank, gonna count my debts while I get drunk” is so sharp it should come with a warning.

Kick Up The Fire‘s self-titled mini album is out in November on You And Whose Army? Records. The band are having an album launch party on the 18th of November. Show your support!

The mini album is catchy and full of potential and it would be a travesty if this band are still unsigned this time next year.

TRACKS:

Kick Up The Fire – Cocktails and Gold

Spanish five-some We Are Standard, are adding some anthemic head -wobbling indie pop to their second and self titled album this year. The nine track LP is crammed with post- punk nuggets such as ‘Don’t Give Up’, ‘The First Girl Who Got a Kiss’ and ‘Other Lips’.

Their trademark sound displays startling similarities to the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads, Young Knives and, with the production help of Andy Gill, obviously Gang of Four. In an attempt not to be labelled a one trick pony they’ve added an electro- dance pop feel to many of the tracks too.

If you’re looking for rebellious guitar solos, a cutting falsetto vocal, and a whole lot of snare drum, then this album will have you working yourself up into a delightful sweat.

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Post by the rule breaking Ruby
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TRACKS

We Are Standard – Don’t Give Up

Up until a week ago my house was free from wailing spirits. Not so any more.

The Banshee‘s 80’s Britpop undertones are reminiscent of The Killers and Franz Ferdinand as well as the inevitable Joy Divison reference, their new single ‘Colder‘ is guaranteed to warm you up quickly. Matter of fact, the whole album will. The choruses lift and the verses, well… they keep lifting. These guys differentiate themselves with keyboard textures and effects augmented by soaring riffs and multiple layers of angular sound. They clearly like their 16-beats with a disco hi-hat, and the tracks – although carefully produced – retain a rawness that conveys the band’s energy.

But it’s for better or for worse,that the album never lets up. It feels like a rollercoaster ride without the uphill parts – it’s fast and furious all the way through. By keeping energy levels up and a constant sharpness throughout, there’s not much time to breathe and savour the anticipation of the next rush.

Don’t get me wrong, the good songs are very good indeed. Tremendous choruses, such as the skilled build-up in ‘Kicks Up‘, and ‘People Around’, with it’s deliciously soothing verses that burst into a chant. ‘Cut Me Clear’with it’s guitar riff and disco-beat on the verses, is another one I liked,  and the aforementioned ’Colder‘ is simply a cracker.

These are clever tunes, and The Banshee certainly has potential for the Indie charts, and despite sounding more British than a bacon sarnie for breakfast, the quartet – believe it or not – are Italian. Their début album ‘Your Nice Habits‘ should be out anytime now, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

TRACKS:

The Banshee – Your Nice Habits

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Guest post by the mystical Dorian H.

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