First Review  From: Me  Song: Wreckin' Bar  Artist: The Vaccines

This song is what new music should be like, it has a strong beat and a beat you can't help but nod along to. From the first drum beat you can feel this song is something special, the charge up, to me, is the start of a night out, everything coming together, people meeting and setting off into the night! For a short song it packs a lot in, strong bass line, fantastic singing and a mini guitar solo. I've had the pleasure of seeing this band live and the song is even better when you are stood in front of them, dancing like an idiot. I would say, check out the band and album and tell me what you think. Since this is my first review it's very basic, as time goes on i will improve and get more in depth, until the get the requests in! 

I give this song 4 out of 5!

Check it out at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGf-N8ANUro

Song- Human Piles  Artist- Kap Bambino  From- David Milburn

This track is from a band i personally love so sorry if it is slightly biased, but after a listen to this song, i'm sure you'll see why i love them so much. The track begins off as it means to go on, in a fuzzy, distorted and slightly scary way (which is why we love it). The distortion is practically present through most of the song, varying in pitch but always there, surrounding the distortion is a hard hitting drum beat, which at some parts really ramps up the bpm's! The music is altogether a large electric orgasm aimed at the cock/ clit and spreads through your body resulting in the need to dance like a lunatic! Over all of the music is the war cry like voice of Caroline Martial, screaming about a pile on, on a sofa that almost kills you, not exactly soul affirming stuff, but Kap Bambino don't need that when they have the ability to make you dance like a lunatic! Overall a very strong track, not my personal favourite but a winner anyway! 

I give this song 4.5 out of 5!

Check it our at-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zaz1f7d4CvY

Album- November  Artist- The Endgame (Available now)

This debut album from Durham based band The Endgame is one of those albums that comes along every now and then that everyone should hear. It's got it all, fantastic songs, fantastic playing and lyrics that you will remember. Trying to put this band in a genre is hard work as they are funky, rocking and indie all at the same time, and it works really well. I highly urge everyone to see this band live to truly understand the depth and skill of this 4 piece, i will post gig dates in the blog. As with most great abum's this one opens with a track that grabs you by the ears and promises to take you on a smooth and fun ride, 'Torn' is the first track, think of a bit of Santana with a great english band's skill and precision. At 2:30 into the song there is a break down that is just fantastic, i don't think it could be any better and it makes the track complete. As with the rest of this album The Endgame hit the mark every time, not one song are you looking at the time left to play or wishing for the next track, the two standout tracks for me are 'Torn' with it's funk and amazing break down and 'Marketplace' it's a perfect summer song with sing along lyrics and an ability to conjure memories of summers past. All in all this is a perfect debut for a band of highly skilled musicians (and thoroughly nice people may i add!)  pick up a copy either at the music pod, check the blog for address and contact details, or you can download it from iTunes. If you do anything today, purchase this album!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaX7kKiNSlc  check out this version of 'Torn' 


http://www.facebook.com/theendgamemusic  and the endgame on Facebook

Album- Back In The Day  Artist- Token (Available Now)

In their own words Token are a 'Four piece crazy assed band ready to rock the North East' and if this album is anything to go by then they will be rocking not just the North East but the entire UK. There is already a buzz surrounding this band and it in every way it is completely justified, if you see the band live you can feel the electricity and buzz in the room, so keep your eyes on this band, you could be at the start of something special. You can hear the bands love of grunge come through in the songs, think Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and a whole host of other grunge behemoths, and Token will be spoke alongside these bands in the not so distant future.
The opening track on this EP is the title track 'Back In The Day' i found myself walking round singing 'I'm going back in the dayyy' and i know i'll be doing it for a long time, a sure sign of a song that gets in your head and you love it! The whole EP has taken bits pieces from some fantastic bands, improved upon it and added Tokens talent and made it something original. Throughout this album the duel vocals of Jimi Trimmer and Craig Hardy give a deep depth to each track and you can't help but join in, there is something in the vocals that draw you in and make you want to sing out loud. The track 'Layer Cake' has a every band member on top form from flying guitars, soaring bass lines and hard drum beats, and of course the vocals shearing the track with the grunge sound of Token. The last track 'Harmonix' is the perfect closing track, a more laid back and i feel retrospective track, it made me re-live gigs past and times in my life were music was the main part (eg gigs, parties, rehearsals....) my words in this review can't do justice to this band, go pick up an EP (check out the music pod, or the bands facebook page, links will be added to the end of the review) and try your hardest to see the band live! Long live the revival! 
http://www.facebook.com/tokenband  add on facebook 
http://www.youtube.com/user/tokenband1  the band on youtube

Artist- Harlot  Track- Empty Words  From- Ambicon Records

Starting with a single guitar and drum crashes this song draws you in and then a soaring guitar comes in and you're hooked, leading you into a melodic metal riff that instantly has your head moving and feet tapping. The lead singers voice comes in and you know you're dealing with a serious talent, the instrumentation perfectly forming around the lead vocal. The band have listed in there influences 'Bullet For My Valentine' and in my opinion this band are 100% better, if that's wrong of me to say i do not know but i feel it's true. I have not yet seen Harlot live but i will be keeping my eyes open for a gig and do what i can to get there, i'll write up a review for that if i can. I will be keeping my eye on the progress of this band and i urge you to do the same!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harlot/193845790651254 the bands facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ambicon-Records/202322173140469  Ambicon Records

Artist- Mike Gatto  Track- Too Old To Club  From- Ambicon Records

I officially love this song, the guitar hook is amazing i want to keep it to myself! Mike Gatto are already a pretty well established band and with good reason, polished and perfectly formed indie rock that has the potential to go global. As i have stated before i'm very new to reviewing so i apologise if i don't sound as professional as others but i'll do what i can to convey how i feel about this. When i hear this i imagine me and my friends at a party and this song comes on and the place erupts, dancing on tables, arms in the air and a general euphoric feeling everywhere. Invest some time into checking out this band and you won't de disappointed, i'll post links after the review. So all in all a very, very good track, it has everything and at my next party this song will be top of the playlist as i'm sure it will take the roof off.
http://www.facebook.com/mikegattomusic  the bands facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ambicon-Records/202322173140469  Ambicon Records

Artist- Ed Sheeran  Track- The A-Team  From- Pixie

This song is one of the most beautiful i have heard in a long time, i urge you to hear it. I came across this song through a friend and i owe her a drink for this one, it's a gem. It tells a very sad story, yet beauty shines through the sadness and makes it so much more enjoyable. I know some sad songs just make you depressed but this one manages to miss that, and from the reception i've seen on Youtube the song is doing extremely well. The story is about a drug addicted prostitute, now i know people will think 'Well Pete, where is the beauty in that?' there is no beauty in the situation but the way Ed Sheeran presents it in his song, he brings something to it that makes you think and reflect. At the core this is an acoustic soul inspired ballad, and i'm not keen on the word ballad as it may draw the wrong ideas in your mind, so instead just listen to it. A beauty of a song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAWcs5H-qgQ  Check it out here

Artist- Down The Machine  Track- Slipping Away  Reviewed By- Laura Heels 

This review has been done by a great friend of mine and soon to be second in command of the site, Laura Heels. Laura is 20 and studying Information Systems with Management at Newcastle Uni and living in Newcastle but from Durham. A big music lover and goes to as many gigs as she can afford and she's off to ATP this year, so keep your eyes open for a review of that!
Steve Wilson, Danny Millikin, Matt Collinge and Neil Short are from Leeds and together the form Down The Machine. The band are currently on tour with their most recent EP(released in December) which includes their track Slipping Away. Slipping Away is a dark track with a catchy repetitive bass(Neil Short), which you will get hooked on.  The intro however is overshadowed by the addictive chorus which I think sounds like the vocal (Steve Wilson) stylings of one Chris Cornell with a north eastern twang (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxAm8Y1w6BI). Not to forget the superb drumming and guitar workings of Matt Collinge and Danny Millikin which are the glue which holds the song together. This song is a perfect song if you are doing any of the following: driving (responsibly I hope ;) ),chilling out or working out.Overall a great song, give it a listen if you like bands such as: Pearl Jam, Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden. So prepare to have a new favourite band and a new favourite song which will get stuck in your head and keep on repeat for a long time!I rate this song 4/5.-          Laura  x

Artist- Young Hegelians  Album- Three Songs  From- The Music Pod

Young Hegelians mini offering here is an off beat, talking head's esque ode to the working classes struggle. Throughout this album there are moments of punk a bit of indie and a blues jazz undertone, things that may not mix with some bands, but Young Hegelians aren't just some band. Carl Jackson (Vocal, guitar) Tom Sands (Bass) and Ian Hird (Drums) are bringing a new and original sound but also doff their caps to XTC and Talking Heads. The first track 'German Autumn' starts as a slow indie almost poetic song and warps into a seething punk track. The album has mixes of this all the way through, the seething punk, the melodic indie and the jazz freedom. Check out these guys to get a real taste as reviewing this band has been the hardest review i've done so far. http://www.facebook.com/younghegelians  the facebook page

Artist- Danny Defect  Various Songs  From- The Music Pod

Paul Booth AKA Danny Defect is a singer/songwriter from Durham, often compared to David Gray and Jack Savoretti. Listening to his tracks i hear a bit of Paul Weller's small town lyricism and tunes that wouldn't be out of place on an Elliot Smith album. Throughout all of the tracks i've heard is a melancholy that takes you on a journey into the mind of Paul and gives you better insight into the meaning of what you hear, something many artists take years to get. If you like your chilled out acoustic sound, the Danny Defect will be a fantastic artist to check out, he has a great voice and a real skill on the guitar, i'll link to his website at the end of the review. All in all Danny Defect is a great local artist which i believe will go on to bigger things over the next few months. I've had the pleasure of meeting Paul (Danny) and he is a really genuine and down to earth guy, so go along to see him play live and say hi, and maybe i'll see you there!


http://www.reverbnation.com/DannyDefect  check it out

Artist- Sleepy Valley  Album- Self Titled  From- The Music Pod

If you like Lo FI electronic sounds then Sleepy Valley is for you, imagine The Knife and Caribou and you are half way to understanding how good this is. Gary Dempsey is the conductor behind this symphonica, weaving lo fi tunes that take you on a hazy journey to places you can only imagine. Each track is solid, interesting blips and scuzzy fuzzy bass lines that builds tracks worthy of the electronic elite. From the first track 'Control' you are taken through a fantastic album, each track hitting you in the chest and giving you that fuzzy feeling that only electronic music can, from indie, rock, pop and electro fans there is something to take away. I have yet to see Sleepy Valley live but i really will be making an effort as this is a type of music i love to see live as the way it is played is so different to a rock or indie act, its conducted more than played. A strong album and i suggest everyone one to go to the facebook page i will link 'like' it and listen to some tracks!


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sleepy-Valley/194687650556269  facebook page