Band Profile: The Cradles

Walking into the world of music blogging after the firm establishment of Twitter, I wonder how music fans coped before the advent of the site. How else would I have discovered so many unique rock and Indie bands up and down the country? It would most probably take a whole lot more leg work! One such band that Twitter has recently brought to my attention is Cardiff based band The Cradles. 

The Cradles grants us the vibes of the '60s with a sound that takes us unapologetically to the blueprints of British rock.  Vibrant guitar riffs and lyrics of modern life provides the main framework for the Welsh rock group. They provide the soundtrack to the 'common condition' of the need to break free from the drudgery of everyday routine. This concept is the basis of the guitar heavy track 'Do You Wonder Why?'. With it's echoing, moody riffs combined with Joe Norman's low key vocals, 'Do You Wonder Why?' is a stand out track in the band's catalouge.  

If McCartney's 'Just Another Day' and 'Eleanor Rigby' decided to have a lovechild, it would most probably sound a lot like 'Stamp Man'. Kieran O' Brien' and Toby Andrews pays much attention to the melodies on their guitar work, which alongside the soft and subtle backing vocals, creates a traditional sound. Those who are usually drawn to more upbeat tracks should give 'You Won't Find Anything Else' and the demo of 'Locking My Door' a listen. 

It's always a shame when I discover a band that's based halfway up the country as it means that it's unlikely I'll be able to catch a live performance. This is the same case for The Cradles as if they sound that great coming out of my laptop speakers than they are definitely going on my list that's titled 'Bands That I want to see live but they are actually quite far away'. However if you live a lot closer to Cardiff than I do, make sure you catch them tonight at The Factory or tomorrow night  at The Moon Club. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCradles?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCradles

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/the-cradles/sets/the-cradles

People Power: The 1p Album Club

The beauty of music is that it is a phenomenon which is accessible to all, to rich or poor, Scottish or Chinese, human or goldfish. This is due to the fact that the idea of music is on such a wide scale as it can be found from the Wembley Arena to homemade didgeridoos in the Australian Outbreak. This is why I was so interested when I found out about the 1p Album Club as it gives ordinary, everyday music fans a voice. In fact the 1p Album Club has even gained support from the likes of Bernard Butler.

The 1p Album Club's origins is a group of friends who realized that music is currently being undersold. By downloading an album for 1p from Amazon and reviewing it, readers are able to see the true value of music across the board. Although many may argue that they are practically stealing albums by purchasing them for 1p, I disagree. The reviews are aimed at not just music fans, but those who care about music. Therefore by giving the albums publicity and an honest opinion, people are more likely to purchase the album at an honest price. The 1p Album Club is open to all, and as they claim on their website, there's no clubhouse, membership fees, handshakes or uniquely striped tie. 

If you are interested in the 1p Album Club or would like to get involved then click here for info or even follow them on Twitter