Words: John Newspeaker for Noise Addiction

An indie band in the true sense of the word, Wideboy Generation have self released three, heavily viewed, made for YouTube videos since the turn of the year, which serve as a cool little side dish before the main event. (Well, roman orgy, if the last two videos are anything to go by) bubbling under, their stock is on the rise. As I think how most bands would prefer their review, now is the time to cut the crap: No Time To Be Shy is a ten track tour de force, produced by living legend John Cornfield, (Oasis/Muse/Supergrass) it has the feel of a career changing effort from this band. Lack of funding aside I would suggest that there is little more than a hint of irony in putting the aptly titled DIY at track 1 with its magnetic opening guitar riff pulling you right into the song and subsequently into the whole album.

So now the door is open it would be rude not to step inside, and once in, the 2 minute 41 seconds of carnal knowledge that is Sylvia is waiting for you legs akimbo half way up the stairs. While some would blush, our three (minute/legged) heroes crack on, and this, the album’s title track shows a maturity way beyond their years with some serious kick arse musicianship. Next up is the poppy I Couldn’t Talk which is basically ‘the’ money spinner if they ever do ‘that’ American tour and only Wideboy know the story of who exactly they are singing about but along with Typical Blonde it ties in nicely and joins up the pieces. The dynamite stand out track Get Up, Get Out blows out the back doors dragging everyone with it, touching on all the bands influences, this epic is by far the darkest and most serious track of the 10, sounding almost like Audioslave in guitar terms but definitely Wideboy in vocal delivery. Now back on the street we get Looters!, a 2 and a half minute North London riot scene that will have you chanting ‘la la looters’ whether you want to or not.

A change in tempo and scenery with People Rollin’ sees WBG start to gather their street smart troops and lets us all cool down from a sprint to a march. This track is more funk than punk, and while very ska like in beat, is a straight up pop song. Throughout this album drummer Jamie has switches from double metal bass pedal to skate-punk ska and back again keeping Aiden the busy bass player tight as a nuns chuff in a mens prison. In to Forevermore is another epic sounding track not quite as fast as previous songs and feels like it’s been pulled from a musical rather than an album. And there standing at the back, Miss Pronounced rounds it all off nicely, and although the production is top drawer throughout most of this album this one track could sound slightly rushed; but by this journeys end it was hard to dampen my spirits.

So that was my audio trip with Wideboy Generation, why not jump on their magic bus and hitch a ride to the rock ‘n ‘roll party because there’s no time like the present and definitely No Time To Be Shy! Go buy your ticket at www.wideboygeneration.com

Words: Gaz Martinez

I can’t tell which is more eerie, the band name itself, or the artwork for their latest album The Shallows, while the artwork strikes me as something you’d find off a Franz Ferdinand cover, minus all the orange of course.

We are treated to ten tracks (9 original, 1 radio edit) of music that doesn’t have any intention to really take you anywhere. It isn’t meant to be the kind of energetic music that gets hearts pounding and fists pumping, it should offer us more in the way of a gentle ambience, or a more creative take on the gothic style The Shallows seems to be aiming for, but we are offered little in the way of an alternative unfortunately, and the music just doesn’t sound enticing enough for me.

It is very reminiscent of Thom Yorke’s side project away from Radiohead spliced with a little bit of Marmaduke Duke, but doesn’t have much in the way of either’s electronic elements, favouring a full flavour of guitars, drums and a few simple effects, which gives The Shallows an old school 80’s Gothic vibe, given a modern twist of course. The low end sounds nice and crisp and the drums do not overpower in the mix, albeit the vocals sound slightly underpowered, not exactly down to style, because you can tell the lead singer can bellow if he wants, but his soft and serene approach tends to get lost in the music, ever so slightly. I find it difficult to pick out a favourite or a highlight on The Shallows as many of the tracks sound as if they could easily pass themselves off as another. That said Reykjavik pops out more than the others, mainly due to a small but effective guitar solo, it doesn’t take much, but it works. We Used to Talk gives us a glimpse of what I Like Trains can do as well. It has the atmosphere and the ambience that the most of the songs feel to be lacking, by eight tracks in however, one does feel the grating of all the previous .

If there is such a place as The Shallows, then I Like Trains have definitely succeeded in taking you there, but it feels as if they have failed to get you back out of there again.

Words: John Newspeaker for Noise Addiction

Limozine – What a cool name? Even the spelling hints at dirty Rock’n’Roll. Think Black Keys meets the Cramps, via the Subways, Stooges, MC5, and Primal Scream. This their 3RD and latest album Full Service serves us up, eleven gritty guitar garage tracks that simply reek of the excesses in maximum R’n’R. Limozine squeeze in sleazy chords and nasty Cramp style twangs into every one of their fuel driven tracks… (Woah there, easy on the motor references!) The whole album evokes Sex, Drugs, Beer and Girls, as well as Surfin’ in the dark! And the wonderful Jennifer X… YES, they are everything your ma and pa sure wouldn’t like.

So just for balance, I have a small problem with British frontmen singing in an American drawl and that could well be only a problem for me, as I have the same trouble with a certain Mr B.Gillespie and he seems to have done pretty well for himself, but I would suggest that Limozine don’t really give a shit, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Stand out tracks are the twangingingly brilliant Jennifer X, and the catchy as crabs Deep Fried Love, but my favourite today (although that may change tomorrow) is Sniffin’ Glue, with the genius chorus of “I’ve been sniffin’ glue with your girlfriend… Ha Ha”

Go buy it, buy the band a beer, ignore the American grammar, love them for what they are, get in the Limo and ride like a screaming quiffed banshee into hell.

Words: Gaz Martinez

Rewind back to 2006, and Tenacious D have dropped their sophomore effort The Pick of Destiny to coincide with the release of their film of the same name. Unfortunately, the film bombed because it’s primary target audience was sat at home, doing a lot of drugs, so the D went into hibernation for six years. Now the icy reception of their motion picture has thawed and the D are back, flying on the wings of a phallic fenix. God knows I’ve been waiting for this.

This is the first time the D has released original material completely independent of any projects the duo is involved in. Their debut was made up of songs and skits from their HBO show, their second title was an accompanying soundtrack, so the pressure’s on for the D to stand out as a ‘credible’ musical force, with only their wits and guitars about them. JB is on top form vocally and lyrically, while KG’s fingers of silver combine to create some of the best music Tenacious D has ever produced. Even from the first track, Rize of the Fenix, which flexes tempos and progressions like a great musical bicep, through to the radio friendly unit shifter, They Fucked Our Asses, JB/KG demonstrate time and time again that they are musicians and comedians in equal measure. And most music that Dave Grohl lays down drums to tend to be amazing anyway.

They even have enough time to throw in a few skits here and there, Classical Teacher and Flutes and Trombones break the album up nicely and frankly, they are hilarious. That said the songs themselves are crammed with plenty of comedic value, Senorita for example. Throughout all these, the title track and The Ballad of Hollywood Jack and Rage Kage are great highlights, not only are they great songs unto themselves, but they are both tongue in cheek chronicles of what the two have been through, the latter is a softer, ballady take on things, and I’m a sucker for flute tracks.

The future used to look clouded and uncertain for Tenacious D but I think everybody knew in their hearts that a new album would happen at some point or another. I don’t think anybody would anticipate just how great it would be. Rize of the Fenix is by far their most accomplished work. The penultimate song To Be The Best states that they’ve got to be the best…correction, they already are.

Words: Charlie Wallis

Whether it’s live or recorded, Guildford locals Polar always bring an element of intensity to anything they touch. Their first album “This Polar Noise” was extremely well received both by fans and the UK hardcore scene. From promising beginnings “Iron Lungs” is a huge step forward and provides the listener with an album that manages to be both visceral but also accessible.

The introduction is like a sledgehammer to the ear and from the get go sets the tone for this relentless assault of a record. “Sick Old Buzzard” smacks of old hardcore aggression with a dirty riffy guitar sound that wouldn’t look out of place on the records of much bigger bands, musically “Every Time I Die” spring to mind. Moving further down the track list first single “H.E.L.L” is an extremely strong track showing off Polar’s ability to write a track that’s uncompromising in it’s aggression but gives their audience the anthemic shout along choruses that they crave.

What’s really impressive about this record is that it really shows off the bands musicianship in a much larger way than their earlier offering. Title track “Iron Lungs” with its moody overtones couldn’t be further from their regular sound whilst still retaining that Polar feel showing that even without shouting at the top of their lungs this band still has so much to offer.

Polar are going to be the big stars of the UK hardcore scene before long and based on the strength of this latest offering, things are going to get very exciting, very quickly for these lads.