Anthrax - 'Anthems' Album Review

Type – Album Review
Artist – Anthrax
Title – Anthems

Anthrax has always been much more hit than miss when it comes to covering other artists’ songs. Quite often, the NYC thrash icons think way outside the box and they aren’t afraid to cover songs by acts as disparate as Public Enemy, the Smiths and the Police. Early in their career, however, they were far less adventurous, choosing instead to lazily record near note-for-note renditions of popular metal or punk tracks, from Alice Cooper’s “Eighteen” to Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” to the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen.” And once every thirty years or so, they simply struck out.

'Anthems,' the band’s brand new EP, unfortunately adds several tracks to the negative side of this equation. Instead of covering songs by lesser-known bands (Trust, Celtic Frost, Discharge) or by non-metal acts (Joe Jackson, the Chantays, Beastie Boys), the six cuts here are all classic rock gems originally recorded in the 1970s by some of the biggest bands at the time. Half of the selections are still FM radio staples which 95% of Anthrax’s fanbase has undoubtedly herded nauseam. Even worse, these new versions sound almost exactly like the originals. Instead of making these songs their own, Anthrax is content to just plug in and grind them out, almost as if they were merely warming up.

It is obvious that the band was looking to have some fun with this collection of covers that ranges from the expected (given Scott Ian’s affinity for AC/DC, “T.N.T.” feels like its almost overdue) to the unexpected (the Hammond B3 organ-laced Boston cover “Smokin”). The sense of fun definitely carries over into the listening experience. As was the cast for the band’s last “serious” album, “Worship Music,” the MVP is definitely Joey Belladonna, with a vocal performance the widely exceeds expectations. Sure, he’s always had the Steve Perry thing going, which makes the Journey cover “Keep On Runnin’” feel natural. Less expected is the way he hits the helium heights of Geddy Lee’s vocal part in the Rush cover “Anthem,” or the way he channels Bon Scott on “T.N.T.” his swag on “Jailbreak” is pure Phile Lynott.

Some of this EP is predictable and the rest is somewhat unpredictable which all in all creates a great EP. Make sure to check out the album on iTunes and check out Anthrax if you haven’t listened to them before, much love.

@GillianLIMTV

Josh Kumra - 'Good This Come To Those Who Don’t Wait' Album Review

Type – Album Review
Artist – Josh Kumra
Title – Good This Come To Those Who Don’t Wait

Josh Kumra has already had a chart-topping success when he featured on Wretch 32’s number one single "Don’t Go", but now Josh Kumra is hitting back with his debut album.  After being catapulted into the spotlight in 2011, Josh Kumra has been touring with artists such as Labrinth, Gabrielle Aplin and One Republic. But most importantly he’s been working on his debut album ‘Good Things Come To Those Who Don’t Wait’. Inspired by the likes of Tracy Chapman, Jeff Buckley, Bob Marley and Ray Lamontagne, the album has elements of blues, folk, pop, acoustic roots and soul while at the same time still sounding very modern.

Kumra’s album begins with his single, “The Answer”, which is smooth and very well produced. The ballad is light and touching with that comes a catchy chorus. While “Reckless Love” is a little heavier than the opening track, we love the combination of Kumra’s soft vocals and the edginess to the chorus. -“Keep On Walking” is a beautiful ballad and is one of those tracks that you better have a box of tissues at the ready for listening to it. The track is perfect if you are nursing a broken heart with its big chorus and a positive message, to keep on walking to get out of it.

“Don’t Go” is Josh’s collaboration with Wretch 32, the collaboration topped the charts and catapulted Kumra into the limelight. The album version doesn’t feature Wretch 32 but although different it is still great. The track is one of the strongest on the album. “Find My Way Home” is another one with its raw, southern American sound it hits all the right notes to create a beautiful sound. “Brave Face” shows how extremely versatile Josh Kumra is and gives the album a slight religious element. “Waiting For You” also has a strong choir at its core but this is completely different. The track instantly catches your attention with its fresh and familiar sound. We love the way that the track unfolds and gains more and more power until it reaches its climax.

“Be My Light” is another track that catches our attention, with its catchy melody, it is a brilliant pop song with its big chorus. It instantly stands out on the album. “I’m Not The One” is really good fun with its blues influences and the tongue and cheek lyrics really are the icing on the cake. The album ends with White and Black, another tongue and cheek track with a great melody at its core. Maiday joins Kumra on this beautiful track the combination of both female and male vocals add a new layer to Josh Kumra’s music.

Good Things Come To Those Who Don’t Wait is a fantastic album, which very well crafted and produced with lyrics that are easily relatable. Some of the music is a little generic but it appeals to fans of the genre. Make sure you get a copy of Kumra’s album on iTunes and make sure to check out Josh Kumra if you haven’t heard his music before, much love.

@GillianLIMTV

The Summer Set 'Legendary' Album Review

Type – Album Review
Artist – The Summer Set
Title – Legendary

The Summer Set recently released their third full-length album ‘Legendary’ which is their first release through Fearless Records. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based band has been making quite a name for their selves since 2009 with their fantastic melodies and upbeat pop-rock style. With Legendary being a mid-April release the album is a perfect predecessor to summer with their carefree and upbeat melodies that are made perfectly for sunshine and car rides with the windows rolled down. The album embodies love, youth, living life in the moment and also as the album suggests growing up and wanting to become better.

The twelve tracks on Legendary are not only catchy pop-rock songs that are lyrically thoughtful enough for fans to connect with. “Maybe Tonight” opens the album with a steady beat and an infectious chorus with synths and group vocals. “Jukebox (life goes on)” keeps with the carefree attitude of this album with some soft keyboard melodies in the background to accompany the vocals and beautiful harmonies. “Heart On The Floor”, “The Way We Were” and “7 Days” are beautifully written songs with catchy melodies and fantastic melodies. “Someday” is a heart wrenching song that discusses chasing dreams and finding yourself.  “Legendary” is the final song on the album. The honest internal thought expressed in the lyrics make this song the most relateable song as it deals with feelings of insignificance.

‘Legendary’ is a beautifully written album with lyrics that are easily relateable as everyone goes through the motions of feeling insignificant and not knowing who they are meant to be. Whether you have been through this or are going through it every one knows exactly what The Summer Set were feeling when they wrote these songs.

Make sure to buy Legendary on iTunes and check out The Summer Set if you haven’t heard of them before. Much love, Life is Music TV.

@GillianLIMTV

@The_Summer_Set 

Peace

Peace Live Review

The Arches, Glasgow

16/04/2013

Peace are the latest four-piece indie love band to grace the music scene. The band have constantly been building their fan base and unknowingly creating hype since the release of their EP 'Delicious' in September 2012. Attracting people of all ages and walks of life, these guys definitely have a hugely loyal fanbase. This was obvious tonight as they headlined a sold out show at 'The Arches' in Glasgow.

Opening with 'Delicious' got the crowds attention and quickly sent them into a trance of swaying before the bobbing around began as the song progressed. Peace then went on to perform 'Follow Baby', 'Lovesick', 'Waste of Paint' and 'Float Forever' before performing 'Higher Than The Sun' which seemed to unexpectedly be a crowd favourite. Everyone around me was going nuts for this song. It was the most dancing I'd seen all night and it created such a great atmosphere. It really didn't feel like it was 2013 in The Arches tonight! After performing a few more songs from their debut studio album 'In Love', Peace then left the stage, leaving the crowd chanting. I mean, we're in Glasgow, so you can guess what everyone was screaming.. 

After a couple minutes the band came back out on stage and performed 'California Daze' and 'Bloodshake'. Having had a chat with the guys prior to the show, they had told us that they've only just changed the encore, due to the previous songs not creating as much of a buzz with the fans. It was definitely a good change up, the crowd were jumping around and bobbing their heads. Watching Peace on stage, it was clear that they were a band who loved to perfom. They were feeding off of the crowd and it was great to see everyone just enjoying themselves.

Although there wasn't much crowd involvement at the gig, if I'm honest, it wasn't needed. They performed the songs the fans wanted to hear and everyone was on a high. It truly was a great event to be part of.

If you haven't heard of 'Peace' before, check them out:

www.facebook.com/peaceforeverever

www.twitter.com/peace4everever

I recommend not judging these guys on their recorded music, Peace are a band you need to see live!

Here's what some fans said following the gig:

Gary Cassidy ‏@consciousgary16 Apr

Also Peace were great live!

John McLeod Brown ‏@johnmcleodbrown16 Apr

@PEACE4EVEREVER WERE UNREAL, WELL DONE

Laura Martin ‏@lauzmartin17 Apr

@PEACE4EVEREVER were amazing tonight! Come back to glasgow soon!

Much Love, Life is Music Tv.

-newcitylauren

The Band Perry - Pioneer

Type – Album Review

Artist – The Band Perry

Title – Pioneer (Deluxe)

The Band Perry’s debut album hit shelves in 2010 from which the hits ‘If I Die Young’ and ‘All Your Life’ were released, since then the country sibling trio have been travelling around the world. After waiting just over two years their much anticipated second album was released earlier this week.

The lead single from this album ‘Better Dig Two’ was released way back in October last year with the band debuting the song at the CMA awards. The song gave some indication of where the Perry’s were going with their new album but no one could have predicted just how fantastic the whole album would turn out.

This sibling trio have stayed true to their country routes that made us fall in love with them to start with. However with having such a successful first album called for the Perry’s to come up with something that they hadn’t done before, and that is exactly what they have done. They took their beautiful country songs and rocked them up a little. Which is influenced by their upbringing with The Band Perry saying, and I quote “daddy rocked us to sleep with Rolling Stones; Mama woke us with Loretta Lynn” and this combination of country and rock really shows through in this album especially in their songs ‘Forever Mine Nevermind’, ‘Chainsaw’, ‘I’m a Keeper’, ‘Luck Ones’ and ‘Gonna Be Ok’.

As well as these rock infused songs we have some good old, beautifully written, heart wrenching songs that we are used to The Band Perry bringing us which include – ‘Don’t Let Me Be Lonely’, ‘I Saw A Light’, ‘Mother Like Mine’, ‘Back To Me Without You’, ‘End Of Time’ and title track ‘Pioneer’. A couple of songs that have been stuck in my head since I started listening to the album include ‘DONE.’ and ‘Peaches and Caroline’.

Pioneer is a beautifully written and produced, it showcases the amazing talent that The Band Perry have as musicians, singers and songwriter. Each song is powerful with fantastic lyrics and addictive melodies; they also show the amazing depth and range of Kimberly’s vocal abilities.

Make sure to purchase a copy of The Band Perry’s ‘Pioneer’ on iTunes now, and if you haven’t already make sure you check out our interview with The Band Perry’s in Glasgow by clicking here.

@thebandperry

@gillianlimtv

Hudson Taylor

Type – Live Review
Artist – Hudson Taylor 
Location – O2 Academy (Jake Bugg)
Date – 08/02/2013

By the time I arrived at the venue, which was a mere 15 minutes before Hudson Taylor stepped onto the stage, the venue was already packed and that is what I call a sign of what was sure to be a fantastic night ahead.

Hudson Taylor is a little Irish band with fantastic spirit and a huge stage presence. Playing through popular songs from both Battles EP and Cinematic Lifestyle EP such as ‘Drop in the Ocean’, ‘Chasing Rubies’, ‘Cinematic Lifestyle’ and ‘Drop of Smoke’ among others. From the get go the boys had the entire captivated in their performance from their brilliant musicianship to their absolutely outstanding vocal abilities.

Band such as Hudson Taylor that are as original as these guys are hard to come by these day with everyone wanting to be in a band. However Hudson Taylor have taken everything that inspires them and created something completely different and unique that sets them apart from others in the industry.

With the internet being what it is today Hudson Taylor have been doing things right by gaining a strong online following using various platforms to promote their music. I don’t mean to sound really cliché but it’s safe to say for these guys the only way is up and I predict a long and amazing musical career ahead of them.

If you have not heard Hudson Taylor before I strongly recommend you check them out, they’re on just about all socail media platforms and you can get both of their EP’s on iTunes. Also be sure to go see them next time they are playing in a town near you. Much love, Life is Music TV.

-       @GillianLIMTV

Gin Wigmore

Type – Live Review
Artist – Gin Wigmore
Location – O2 Academy (supporting Train)
Date – 15/02/2013

  

From the minute we arrived at the venue our night was off to an interesting start. We were taken into the venue by Gin’s manager, which is normal for us, however we were taken straight to the security at the pit and after a kind word from the manager the security guards granted us pit access for Gin’s set without a photo pass and this made for the beginning of a very exciting night.

We weren't in the venue for too long before Gin made her way on to the stage and she kicked off the night with her song the upbeat song ‘Black Sheep’ from her new album ‘Gravel & Wine’. The rest of her set was full of energy and upbeat and exciting melodies and Gin played through songs from her new album that included ‘Dirty Love’, ‘Kill Of  The Night’, ‘Man Like That’ and ‘Sweet Hell’ the set also included ‘One Last Look’ and ‘Oh My’ from her debut album ‘Holy Smoke’. From the start to the end of her set Gin was full of energy and she did not stop dancing the entire time she was on stage. Gin put the entire crowd in a fantastic mood and her stage presence and energy got everyone in the room pumped in preparation for Train to make their way to the stage.

Later on in the night Gin returned to the stage to perform ‘Bruises’ with Train, she took over the vocals in the song which were originally performed by country singer Ashley Monroe. The duet between Train’s leading man Pat Monahan and Gin Wigmore was performed beautifully and yes, there was more dancing from Gin during this song. Gin spent so much of the night dancing that it prompted Pat to make the comment “I don’t think she’s stopped dancing since she was like seven or something” as Gin made her way off the stage after the duet.

Gin Wigmore is a very talented musician and song writer with amazing vocal abilities, sounding a bit like Duffy but a whole lot better. This was the first time we have seen Gin performing live and we loved her stage presence and how much energy she had throughout the whole night. If you haven’t seen Gin live before we would like to say - Get a ticket to the next show she is playing near you it’s a night you wont forget.

Twitter – @Gin_Wigmore

Facebook – www.facebook.com/ginwigmore

Review by - @GillianLIMTV