SINGLES BAR

A round-up of EPs and singles that came our way

SINGLES BAR 21 Sep 2015HEATH COMMON’s new EP, Beatsbox, is released to tie in with Still Howling, a performance and symposium centred on Allen Ginsberg’s infamous poem. Common turns his very individual attention to stories of Jack Kerouac, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ginsberg and his own beginnings as a wannabe Beat. ‘Still Howling’ is a somewhat jaundiced look at the International Poetry Olympics of 1985. Common has a full band, The Lincoln 72s, with him plus special guests on ‘Basquiat And Warhol’ and the nostalgic ‘The Busking Bodhisattva’.
http://www.heathcommon.com/

SINGLES BAR 21 Sep 2015JACK TEMPCHIN used to write hits for The Eagles and the title track of his EP, Room To Run might lead you to think that not a lot has changed since then. ‘Jesus And Mohammed’, however, suggests deeper thinking – it’s not a totally new idea but the thought of the Christ and the Prophet wondering what more they can do certainly is. ‘The High Cost Of Hate (Let’s Make Some Lawyers Rich)’ is a brilliant country parody: “I’m a cheatin’ bastard and you’re a selfish bitch” and ‘Summertime Bum’ provides a laid-back conclusion.
www.jacktempchin.com

SINGLES BAR 21 Sep 2015ANTUN OPIC is a German/Croatian multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter with a voice that dips into Tom Waits/Beefheart territory. Shovel My Coal is an EP with a big band that’s heavy on brass and snarling guitar and bass from Tobias Kavelar. The four tracks pack in so many ideas that it’s hard to tell where he’s coming from or where he’s going sometimes. ‘The Journalist’ is heavy in a conventional western way while ‘Hide & Seek’ is much more Eastern European and not a little creepy, a mood that carries over into ‘Come With Me’.
http://www.antunopic.com/

SINGLES BAR 21 Sep 2015RAINBREAKERS are a blues/rock quartet based in Shrewsbury and their home turf appears to be most of the northwest and west of England. Blood Not Brass would seem to be their first EP and embodies a classic, almost 60s sound with modern flourishes. Think of Blodwyn Pig meeting The Black Keys and you’re about there. Not Folking’s usual territory, we grant you, but they are a band worth listening to.
http://www.therainbreakers.com/

SINGLES BAR 21 Sep 2015NINEBARROW are a young duo of whom great things are being expected. Their single which combines an original song, ‘The Pinner’, with the traditional ‘Dark Eyed Sailor’ is a taster for their second album, Releasing The Leaves, due for release next spring.

Their chosen instruments are harmonium and mandola with the addition of cello on the first track. Their harmonies are effortless and there is a naturalism about their style that makes ‘Dark Eyed Sailor’ sound both old and contemporary at one at the same time. Their treatment of the song sounds simple but the little changes of pace and emphasis they bring to it really grab the attention.
http://www.ninebarrow.co.uk/

SINGLES BAR 21 Sep 2015TOD HUGHES PROJECT from Calgary make their debut with an EP, Changing Gears. It’s country-rock in the classic style, that is, the line-up includes Hammond, piano and clavinet alongside guitar, bass and drums – know what I mean? ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Follow Your Heart’ roll along nicely but I was hoping for something deeper from ‘Brad’s Song’ – there is a story behind the story and we’re only getting hints of it. ‘Just Sing’ is a nice philosophy although not a great song but Tod redeems himself with ‘The Quiet’ which plays out with some lovely keyboards and ‘The Only Person Who Won’t Drink With Me Is You’ is an out-and-out boogie to round off the set.