Liam O'Kane - Voice Of The Equal

This is an EP I have been looking forward to getting hold of as Liam O’Kane’s debut album ‘Happy Days Sad Songs’ was one of my favorite records of last year. This EP is the first release on Off Cut Records which is a label founded by Liam earlier this year.

After the forst listen of the EP the first thing I noticed was this EP was a progression on from the first record which although fantastic crept closer to a full band sound this EP is unmistakably a solo recording. The sound Liam has is original and refreshing the acoustic ska/ reggae he plays takes influence from artists such as Babar Luck, Vic Ruggiero and Chris Murray in small parts.

Lyrically the record tackles life, love and politics in a mature clever fashion, with every word being backed up by Liam’s incredible vocal style and unquestionable passion. The powerful vocals add real emphasis to title track ‘Voice Of The Equal’ with a more tender side exposed on ‘In Music Lost’, which tells the stories of musical inspiration throughout Liam’s life.

The mature sound present in both the music and vocals creates an EP that flows nicely between tracks and my only complaint is that it’s only 5 tracks long. If the development continues between this recording and the next at the same level it has previously the next recording from Liam O’Kane will be phenomenal as I would place this EP and the debut album on a must have list.

Over all this record is a mature piece of work from a young artist who deserves to be successful from his solo work as he is one of the most exciting acts around. This EP is perfect for summer and will bring a hint of sunshine even to a rainy day, more importantly you should support the DIY scene in this country and in particular independent record labels such as Off Cut Records.

Vic Ruggiero Bootlegs

Just a quick note to point you in the direction of Vic's website, his blogs are a good read and the discograpghy is huge and full of suprises. You should check out the bootlegs section which includes free downloads of live performances the 2 currently up (Dead in Brooklyn and Volume One Live Europe) are really good.

Check out the bootlegs here

Top 20 records of 2008

Blog number 2 for the day I'm an eager beaver!

I’ve been meaning to get this underway for a while as you might guess. I know it’s a bit late for this but after reading Big Cheese for research I noticed how far downhill it has gone since I last read it. The last time I bought a copy Capdown were on the cover and there was a free Household Name Records sampler, the current issue features Slipknot, HIM, Bring Me The Horizon, Mindless Self Indulgence and less depressingly The Gaslight Anthem.

Here are my top 20 Records of 2008

20
Albert Hammond Jr. > Commo Te Llama
The second album from the surprising Strokes guitarist, takes the Velvet Underground style of the Strokes but mixes in some Ska and Reggae to give it a unique sound.

19
Los Copesinos > Hold On Now Youngster
The first of the albums they released this year, full of happiness and a truly independent spirit.

18
Hot Chip > Made In The Dark
Follows up the warning perfectly with slightly higher levels of production, it’s almost impossible to listen to this without dancing on the inside at least.

17
MGMT > Oracular Spectacular
The best pop album you will hear this year, like rainbows from your speakers.

16
TV On The Radio > Dear Science
A deep and soulful record with electronic beats, funky guitars and dub undertones mixed together perfectly.

15
Hot Club De Paris > Live At Dead Lake
This Album is as good an indie record as you will hear all year with the addition of a free acoustic CD which is so good I wish they had recorded the whole album rather than just 4 tracks. HCDP mix pop punk effortlessly with clever lyrics, musically it is hard not be happy with each 3 minute slice of happiness. The acoustic CD includes a cover of Straight To Hell by the Clash which is the Best cover I have heard all year

14
Mad Caddies > Keep It Going
The move away from Ska Punk and Skacore towards a more UB40 Reggae angle has benefited Mad Caddies with this release. The slower sound has more depth but still holds onto the incredible brass sound that you would expect.

13
Bloc Party > Intimacy
When they hinted at a more dance angle for this album in interview I was a little worried but the electronic sound has benefited the developing style of Bloc Party well. This is no Silent Alarm but would you really want to hear the same style over and over.

12 & 11
Enemy Alliance/ Indecision Alarm > The New Wind and The Second Wave
A split so good each part deserves a place in the list, both bands include parts of the Satanic Surfers and continue the style of melodic hardcore played by them for so long. Each band has different twists on the genre with EA providing a faster approach with more melodic vocals and IA with raw vocals and a slightly slower back ground. I can’t wait for full lengths from both.

10
Zatopeks > Damn Fool Music
The Zatopeks have a similar style to TGA but play faster and loader, like a vintage inspired Captain Everything. The album also includes a couple of great slower songs and a great song about the Daily Mail.

9
Gashlight Anthem > The 59 Sound
This album deserves the critical acclaim it has achieved this year, catchy punk with a vintage style. This album has rarely left my Ipod or stereo since I bought it, I hope they can follow it up with an equally good next album.

8
Howards Alias > [EPI.PHAN.IC]
This is an album that has no peer in music, I have never heard a ska band play music fuelled by so much emotion. This album is sadly the last from Howards Alias and in my opinion the best they ever made I am still gutted I didn’t get to see this record played live.


7
Alkaline Trio > Agony & Irony
Another top draw album from Alk3 dark pop punk at it’s very best, I didn’t they could surpass Crimson but they proved me wrong. It’s my favourite Alk3 album and shows maturity and Matt Skiba’s continuing obsession with all things dark and gloomy but he somehow still writes music you can relate to.

6
Vic Ruggiero > Something In My Blindspot
The head of Ska institution The Slackers released an album that radiates cool and beauty in equal measures. Lyrically the mix of emotion and sarcasm is perfectly balanced; musically it has everything you would expect from a solo record with regular exchange’s between Vic’s deep raw voice and regular contributor Lisa’s prettier tones balance perfectly.

5
Milloy > Creating Problems While Practicing Solutions
This album balances raw vocals fast guitars and clever lyrics into in my opinion the best rock album of the year. Once this arrived on pre order it didn’t leave my side for at least 2 months.

4
Frank Turner > Lover Ire & Song
The Second of four solo records within the top 10 showing how good a year it was for solo albums. Frank mixes humour, passion, politics and heart felt emotion together in his own unique style. His voice is both soulful and honest as are his lyrics, he deserves a mention for his tear jerking single ‘The Queen Is Dead’ which he released and gave all the proceeds to charity.

3
Lightspeed Champion > Falling Off The Lavender Bridge
Dev Hayes went from fronting inspirational art punk three piece Test Icicles to writing one of the tenderest heartfelt records of the year. Musically it is as far away from the snarling fast sound delivered by Test Icicles as possible with Violins and acoustic guitar creating a fantastic sound. Lyrically the album is honest and genuine with hints of humour. 2009 will see a second album which I’m sure I will be writing about as highly.

2
Ben Folds > Way Too Normal
An album that was well worth the wait, a return to the sound explored with Ben Folds Five this record delivered everything I have come to expect. Politics, Sarcasm, Emotion and great piano this album sounds better with every listen.

1
Dan le Sac vs. Scrobbius Pip > Angles
This is UK hip hop at it’s finest an album that could quite easily be a quality dance record and a book of poetry or short stories. Where else would you find hip hop that covers issues such as self harm and revenge killing. Words cannot do this record justice I can’t see another hip hop act coming out with a better record in the genre ever.