Foals - This Orient

There had been much speculation and talk about Foals second album, after a huge critically acclaimed first album that catapulted them from the unknown, would this be the difficult second album?  Debut song ‘Spanish Sahara’ demonstrates the softer side to foals catalogue with ambient melodies throughout.  Second single ‘This Orient’ displays a sharper, more professional sound, whilst the drums echo that of new age Bloc Party.  

The feeling that Foals have not just created a great record here, but have stamped their own style and individuality onto it is more then refreshing. However, the main aspect that really stands out on this record is the fact that it is no longer ‘in your face’ and Foals have taken time to explore themselves and maybe how far they have matured a as a band, this evident in the lyrics ‘now look back see how far you've come will you unravel in the sun, come undone find yr place.’  The shift to a lower gear, and singing rather then shouting on this record, has shown that Foals are versatile whilst still keeping the creativity and enthusiasm we have come to know and love.

The Rumble Strips - Welcome To The Walk Alone

Devon is famous for a lot of things; Cream Teas, long sandy beaches and small quaint villages.  However despite all of this there is one band who have firmly placed Devon on the map, The Rumble Strips.

The band have been around for a good while now, four years to be precise and in those four years have achieved mainstream recognition.  Their debut album was praised to the high heavens by NME and if you didn’t hear that, you must recognise the song ‘Girls and Boys In Love’ featured in the hit film Run Fat boy Run.

You may be wondering what that unusual name The Rumble Strips means?  The explanation is; continuous bumps along a road. Ironically the band, haven’t experienced any bumps in their road to success.  Songs from the previous album with their fresh and punchy rhythms have continued and make a bold statement in their current album.

The album titled Welcome To The Walk Alone (available for purchase on July 13th 2009) contains current single 'Not The Only Person' with uplifting and animated choruses and vocals sounding not to dissimilar to Harry McVeigh of White Lies.  I could see this album being a hot buy for the summer months, with flamboyant and personal favourites 'London'and 'Not The Only Person'.  These songs are sure to have you smiling whilst walking down sun kissed streets, although with the nature of British summers you never know.

Other songs including 'Sweet Heart Hooligan' and 'Back Bone' slow the pace after an energetic start to the album, it is a pleasant contrast from the quicker numbers and gives the album good variety. It is an imaginative album and very different to most other mainstream contenders out there.  So in conclusion, if it’s your type of thing to be ahead of the crowd, get into this band, before the crowd follows.        

Sound Of Guns - Architects

Sound Of Guns.  If you want hard, powerful, and energetic rock music this is your band.  Single ‘Architects’ to be released June 8^th, kicks in with fast paced guitar strumming and vocals sounding like a more powerful version of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys).  I’m 50 seconds into listening to this song and already a very strong and powerful voice belts out the anthemic chorus of "We Are The Architects".  Dominant drumbeats carry the pace and strength of the song along with simple repetitions of violently strummed guitar chords.  This is big stage stuff.  Give it the lights, smoke, floodlit crowd and flashing projection images and this one is there with the big boys. 

'Magnesium', the second song on Sound Of Guns EP, drops a level from the simplistic and somewhat predictable ‘Architects'.  Intelligently written and most certainly exposing striking influences to their forthcoming tour hosts.

Although this may not be as raucous, in your face, and as rock n roll as ‘Architects’, you are still able to hear and feel the rawness of the lead vocalists voice.  I feel this song is more accessible to todays mainstream market, weather this is an intentional move or not I do not know.  'Magnesium' is say more, Nine Black Alps then Airborne.

Having played Radio 1’s Big Weekend and a sold out gig supporting The Zutons in their home town of Liverpool to come, Sound Of Guns are looking extremely promising.  Keep your eyes peeled, if they keep producing infectious music like this, who knows where they’ll end up? Break open your sisters’ piggy bank and if nothing else, go and buy this record.