CASTROVALVA –“Thug Poetry” (CD single, Brew Records)
Seems like it was only 5 minutes ago that Leeds-based bass ‘n’ drums duo Castrovalva released their debut mini-album, but here they are, back with not only a new single, but a new sound! Well, kind of....
View ArticleVARIOUS ARTISTS – Maximum Party, Volume 1 (DVD, Cops & Robbers)
Cops & Robbers have listing the best bands at the best DIY gigs in Leeds, hands down, for a decade now. What do you mean you’ve never heard of them? They’ve even got a half-decent website now!...
View ArticleWoodchucker / Jonatan Nästesjö – Leaves Never Leave (Walk Through Records)
“I wanted this album to be a story about the Swedish woods, seas and summer nights.” I like Sweden, I really do, and so this review is seriously biased. Read at your peril! So: I never, ever read press...
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POLAR BEAR – Peepers (The Leaf Label)
Much of the album is distinctly without the dark artistry found in the British jazz quintet’s previous offerings. ‘Peepers’ find these arctic puppies far more careful in exposing mad technical skillz....
View ArticleFOALS – Spanish Sahara (7″, Warner Music Ltd)
I once saw Foals play live at Latitude Festival and unfortunately it was one of the most feeble sets I have ever witnessed from a band with such clout being pumped into and put behind them. Its not all...
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LEVENSHULME BICYCLE ORCHESTRA –“Nine Doors” (Concrete Moniker, CD/Download)
Levenshulme Bicycle Orchestra. That’s gotta be one of he best band names of all time. Levenshulme Bicycle Orchestra. Levenshulme Bicycle Orchestra. It’s so satisfying to say. It’s almost as satisfying...
View Article2010 catch-up: Personal Highlights
Two of my bands did their final ever shows. Sunnyvale, with diskant’s Mr Simon Minter, reformed for the tenth anniversary of our festival Audioscope, which was a total ball and a delight to play the...
View ArticleGlaswegian Grand Prix
I’m always impressed by Mogwai’s ability to celebrate Glasgow without it degenerating into patriotic flag-waving idiocy. Their video for Mexican Grand Prix is a case in point. I think anyone who’s ever...
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DEERHOOF – Deerhoof vs. Evil (Joyful Noise)
You heard Deerhoof? Yeah they’re really great. Here’s a picture: Really great. You heard new album Evil? San Francisco’s finest are back with buckets of anti-Evil vengeance. With no outside...
View ArticleTemporary Resurrection
Hi! Just thought I’d check in to see what was going on over in diskantland, and since it’s mid-December, and since no-one’s written much for a while, I thought I’d add a quick year-end thingmie in case...
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