The Power of 3: This Week's Reviews

The cliche of waiting ages for a bus and then three turning up at once seems to be a recurring theme within my blogging journey. Just as my legs began twitching with the restless energy of wanting to discover something new and exciting beginning to set in, new experiences and discoveries suddenly happened all at once. Not being able to decide which one to focus on, I have to decided to condense them all down into one blog post.

Katie Coleman at Barfly

As I had only heard and seen her performances via YouTube, I was looking forward to the opportunity to see Katie Coleman perform live at Barfly on the 10th February. Performing to a substantial crowd who were ready to party meant that Katie was hitting her stride with her daring vocals. Opening her set with the powerful, attitude-fuelled 'Hole in My Head' meant that the audience was ignited from the offset. The set continued in this manner but the tone was  mellowed and softened with the touching ballad 'Enough' which kept the room gripped as almost-impossible notes were hit as it was demonstrated just how a talented vocalist she is.With the energy and passion with which Katie Coleman and her live band perform with, I can only imagine that bigger, sold out venues are on the horizon. 

New Video: Sisteray 'She Likes The Drama'

London based Sisteray  treats us to a new Mod anthem in the form of 'She Likes The Drama'. With its hooking guitar riffs and Nial Rowan's mature vocals, the rhythmic, light- hearted jam bodes well for the release of their first EP. The accompanying video, filmed by Albert Jagger, gives us a voyeuristic insight to a performance of the bouncy single with the sepia tone resembling the sleekness that Sisteray exudes.  Their debut EP will be released on the 17th February which you can pre-order here.

The Cornerstones - Stand in Line

With influences taken from Western Country you could be forgiven for being surprised that The Cornerstones are London based.  'Stand in Line' has riches in its vintage-inspired production. The title track has a fun innocence to it, akin to The Kinks' 'Picture Book' and as it builds momentum, it modernizes as it becomes a rocking, inspirational fist pumper. The album contains outstanding melodies and precision within the composition with strong, powerful tracks that would stand well alone, such as Smack Me in The Face.  Listening to the album is the equivalent of taking a trip through time as it combines all the best bits of 60s Mod, 70's power rock and 90s Britpop to create a truly unique piece.  You can purchase 'Stand In Line' by clicking here

Rewind The Film: New Video Released by the Manic Street Preachers

21 years ago the Manic Street Preachers were desperate to escape the lonely isolation of their small Welsh town, Blackwood. They took us far away as they possibly could in order to make a name for themselves, even taking us as far as the bright city lights of Tokyo in 'Motorcycle Emptiness', losing themselves in the crowd.  Now more accepting of their Welsh heritage, The Manics are now looking back with contemplative nostalgia at their small town roots, swapping the bright lights of Tokyo for the dim bulbs of a Bingo hall.

 Richard Hawley lends his vocals to the acoustic track of Rewind The Film  as the video follows the everyday life of a senior citizen in the small Welsh valley. The video features no traces of the famous ego of the Manics but instead artistically portrays the alienation and urban decay of working class life. Wire, Moore and Bradfield demonstrate to us just how far they have matured as a band via the melancholy use of acoustic guitar and the brooding vocals by Hawley. However I am glad to say that Bradfield has not lost any of the  passion in his voice as he joins in the chorus.

Rewind The Film contains all the ingredients that made the Manic Street Preachers stand the test of time as a band; thoughtful, brooding lyrics with political undertones combined with talented guitar work, but yet it ushers us gently into a new era of the Manics which will come with their new album release later on this year.

On a sidenote, I purchased tickets to see the Manic St. Preachers perform their new album at the O2 Shepherds Bush empire in September. Excited is not a big enough word!