The Gold Needles “Pearls”
The Gold Needles are a Hull UK band made up of Simon Dowson (vocals and guitar), Dave Burbage (lead guitar), Mark English (keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals), Carl Slaughter (bass and backing vocals) and Justin Davidson (drums). The chugging rhythm and mellow vocals of the title track showcase the band’s eclectic approach.
The jangling melody of “Not Tonight Josephine” lend comparisons with The Church and the psyche-pop singalong “Daydreamer’s Song” is like a lost Moody Blues tune. The band doesn’t stick to a particular style for long, as it drifts from atmospheric folk (“Dreamscape Time,”) to rock (“Story of My Life”) and bouncy pop (“Too Much Time”) easily. With a bounty of 18 tracks, it’s easy to find several songs that will linger on your playlist. Check it out.
Brad Peterson “The Ellipsis Album”
Chicago native Brad Peterson’s has shared the stage with Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, but stopped making music after a spinal injury left him partially paralyzed and unable to record or perform for several years. But he has returned after a long and painful rehabilitation to release this new LP. Brad has produced this entirely by himself from the songwriting and playing to the engineering and mastering.
The sophisticated opener “What The Open Heart Allows” is a soulful gem, with banjo lead. The percussive effects and tribal rhythms through the album give it a special resonance, and this works best on the album’s central theme “Unbroken.” It’s not all heavy either, as the catchy “Clap Your Hands” is purely celebratory. Peterson’s vocal is strong on “Far Off Places” with double-tracked harmonies making it another excellent single. The album gets more experimental after this, but it stays creative and the music remains compelling. Check out “All Roads Lead To Home,” “Underwear” and “Keep Calm (The Lion Sleeps Tonight).” Highly Recommended.
