This is a collection of unsigned talent that I got requests to review – so if you wanna be daring give these a try…
The Blind Sides “Circles” EP
Toronto musician Aron Harris really impressed me with this gem of an EP. The title track is similar to the piano pop of Ben Folds or The Hillary Step, it just leaps out of the speaker and grabs you. And the following tracks are pretty good, with a DIY power pop effort in “When I Look Back Now” and the alt. country of ” I Don’t Want To Let Love Get In The Way.” Lead singer Stephen Scarrow has a real gift for songwriting and composition and he knows how to really croon on “Waiting For Tomorrrow.” I can’t wait for a full release from this new talent.
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Toxic Melons “Melon Jam” EP
A very DIY effort by Paul Fairbairn of Newcastle UK, Melon Jam takes it’s cue from Jellyfish, The Move and Stackridge. “The Dole” is an ambitious opener, with a Jellyfish styled chorus and harmonies. The song “You’ve Changed” is slow pop waltz full of neo-psychedelics that creates a Zappaesque atmosphere. The ender “Tomorrow” is another standout, but unfortunately the low budget production starts to show on the other tracks. Fairbairn has tons of potential here and I would love to hear more… can someone sign this man to a proper label please?
The Sharks “Stockwell Love” EP
Lead by Paul Harvey this London band as a number of free EPs and singles available on Bandcamp. If you are more into the loud side of pop, similar to Paul Collins. Harvey has very distinct vocal that warbles like Roy Orbison a bit, but with a nasal sound that takes a little getting used to. The songwriting here is very good, and the guitar work on several singles is very impressive. “Jimmy” has tons of power and “Stories” has a great hook. Truth be told this is a great FREE collection, and you should give these guys a listen.
That Toxic Melons thing could quite possibly be the worst things I’ve heard this year. Does anyone keep a list for that? Other two are ok, not great, not bad.
Well in defense of the Melons, it’s a pure bedroom DIY play without any real production involved, and I’ve heard MUCH worse from demos sent to me. On the other hand, Paul Steel did absolute magic in his DIY debut, so that’s why guys like him get signed by a label immediately.
I’d love to see that list, please compile it. It would be an honour to beat Rebecca Black at something.
I must say that it wasn’t purely a Bedroom job. A professional studio was used and hundreds of hours of mixing went into the album and although we all have degrees in production, it was the first big project that we have worked on and my producer was not used to working with up to 70 tracks per song. This is certainly a studio album and not demos as I do have bedroom demos for these songs which were guides for the album.
Can’t please everyone right? Let me hear your album sometime 🙂
x