Miracle Glass Company Mary Mary Single Review

Miracle Glass Company’s new single Mary Mary is another smash hit from the Rockin’ Edinburgh three piece. It’s insanely catchy, in fact so catchy it wouldn’t be out of place in a 70s episode of Top of the Pops. With their tasty classic harmonies, crunchy yet so smooth guitar, pumping bass, and driving thunderous drums, they have created timeless music. If this single, is a taster of Miracle Glass Company’s upcoming second album? Just how good overall will the record be?

Stuart Ritchie

Dee Snider For the Love of Metal Review

Dee Snider has created with the help of modern metals finest, has made one of the best metal records I’ve heard in a long time. For the Love of Metal is a statement, age doesn’t matter talent does. From the opening track “Lies Are a Business” is relentless, heavy, fast paced and powerful. Songs like “Tomorrows No Concern” fit Dee’s voice like a glove, Nicky Bellmore and company brought their A game for this record and nothing less. “I am the Hurricane” is epic and cements the album as a solid metal record; the songs structure is perfectly spaced for Dee’s vocals to roar within a balance of heaviness and grandeur. “I’m ready” features a great middle guitar solos from Joey Concepcion and Nicky Bellmore; so tasty. “Become the Storm” the single of the record, was a great taster for the album. “The Hardest Way” is a great meeting of the old and new guard of metal. “Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy)” is an acoustic departure from the heaviness, excellent vocals courtesy of Alissa White Gluz from Arch Enemy. Alissa and Dee’s vocals mix well together. “For the Love of Metal” is easily one of the best metal records I have heard in years. It single handily rekindled my love of metal that had been jaded for so many years. A big thank you to Dee and crew for creating the best metal record of the decade.

Black Cat Bone Get Your Kicks Sessions Review

I was walking along Princess Street huddling into a doorway to avoid the consuming undead when I heard a guitarist playing in the street; he could really play. I noticed he had some CD’s for sale I then thought; why not? I discovered it was a CD of a band Black Cat Bone; a smoky pulsing blues rock act. The Get Your Kicks Sessions is a heavy organic EP. “Morning Light” is when Howlin’ Wolf meets Danzig, its hypnotic pounding driving beat sounds like it was recorded in the early hours of the morning after a few beers to get the feel just right. “Get Your Kicks” has a smoked dusk feel, building to an internal gutsy explosion, the soundtrack to a rusted sun rise. “Bullet” is blues-rock riffage that continues into “Love My Baby” homage to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble; head cutting blues guitar all round. “Hip Shake” A very catchy song, that is somewhat shamanic, the music puts you into a primal trance. Black Cat Bone makes music for the nighthawks of society.

Stuart Ritchie

Of One Blood Eyes of the Betrayer Review

Of One Blood’s new single Eyes of the Betrayer is curb stomping metal with a shade of early Killswitch Engage in its DNA. Betrayer conjures up the chaos of the mosh pit; the last time I was there a juggernaut slammed me six foot and they were various females biting people. Judging by the aggression of the song, the pit is like now the equivalent of Mad Max. This music is most suited to these increasingly volatile angry times and various other increasing modern problems. At least Of One Blood channel the anger into the music and not stuff that hurts people. Eyes of the Betrayer is a pounding and relentless track. A good start, crack up the intensity.

Stuart Ritchie

Amy Lou Star Wars Tattoo and Other Stories EP Review

Amy Lou is one of the most interesting songwriters I have heard. While everyone is playing follow leader, she proudly marches to the beat of her own drum. Her EP Star Wars Tattoo and Other Stories is condensed goodness. An offbeat hybrid of country and folk music, Amy Lou paints a colourful but real picture of what it’s like to be an outsider in a changing world. Star Wars Tattoo is a strong opener with a short but sweet guitar solo. She Wants to Be a Marine Biologist is just Amy Lou and an acoustic guitar proving without other instruments her songs can stand up on their own. The tracks Chania Twayne, The Girl from Dundee and Drunk Snog have a honesty and purity about them that is missing altogether from modern music. Keep writing more Amy Lou.

Guy Davis and Brook Williams Tolbooth Gig Review November 18th 2016

Guy Davis and Brook Williams is a tasty slice of Americana, tingling with the earthy electricity of delta blues. Guy Davis has a good repartee with the audience; joking his harmonica holder was made from his sister’s retainer, causing her to have buckteeth. 

Standout tracks from Guy’s set were ‘Taking Just a Little Bit of Time’ a casual leisurely-paced acoustic song. ‘My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble’ is a good cover of a classic Muddy Waters song. While ‘Sugar-Belly’ is an original song that Guy hasn’t yet recorded; about a poor girl who, due to circumstances beyond her control, is forced into prostitution and is subsequently murdered by a jealous lover. ‘I Wish I Hadn’t Stayed Away So Long’, written about his mother’s death while he was on tour, is by far the saddest song to be played, this evening. The chorus has a great lyric, ‘Bell rang on the midnight train, carrying the hobos home, I Wish I Hadn’t Stayed Away So Long’. 

Guy’s set finished with ‘Did You See My Baby’, a song featuring him on harmonica; which he dedicated to the late, great blues-man, Sonny Terry – my first experience of genuine virtuoso harmonica playing.   

Brook Williams’ set was excellent; he is a great slide guitar player. His cover of ‘Georgia on My Mind’ was truly moving. Brook was playing a cigar box shaped guitar, which sounded like angry bees. At the close of his set, Brooks finished with Guy joining him on stage, to play a few songs together; displaying an electric chemistry. I would easily recommend seeing both performers; Guy is a wonderful storyteller and Delta blues player. Brooks is a fantastic slide guitarist. Both of them delivered the purest of blues – unaccompanied, unashamed, and without a safety net.

Stuart Ritchie