Highest scoring week for a while now. Metric just outside the all time top 20. Good effort...
Andy
Katy J Pearson - Her voice veers between sounding like Stevie Nicks (which is good) and sounding a bit babyish (not so good) some pleasant tunes abound though
Mogwai - As has been mentioned last summer's introduction to Mogwai was one of the great successes of our little endeavour. However listening to a tv soundtrack doesn't really make for a good album listening experience, even though the tunes are generally OK, I'm sure it will all work brilliantly when watching the show mind you 6
Viagra Boys - A bit less shouty punk than last year's debut, they're a bit more Cake-like art punk now. Some decent stuff 6.5
Metric - It's something of a flex to open your album with a ten minuter but when it's a banger like Doomscroller you can get away with it. It continues in the same vein with a corking mix of guitars, electronica and lots of lovely strings 7.5
Track of the Week - Ain't No Thief - Viagra Boys
30 Something - An all timer, how can you fail to be moved by Prince in a Pauper's Grave and Falling on A Bruise 10
Sam
Katy J Pearson: not my cup of tea , fairly annoying : 4
Mogwai ; my apologies I heard the first track on 6music and didn’t fully realise what the whole album was . It’s ok but it’s definitely a tv score . 5.5
Viagra Boys : more patchy than last year. 6
Metric : I love Metric , her voice is enchanting. Doomscroller is like a mini rock opera it’s magnificent. 8
30 Something : whip smart lyrics, so many massive tunes . It’s very close to perfection 9.5
Tune of the week : Doomscroller by Metric
Guy
Katy J Pearson: Some good pop tunes here but she sadly has a voice like Joe Pasquale: 6.5
Mogwai; This was a trial to get through. The music was OK but it went on and on and on and in the end sounded like on very long song with little difference between any of the tracks. Never again... 5
Viagra Boys: another decent offering from the swedes. Fluctuated a bit track to track. Punk Rock Loser is a toooon though. 7
Metric: Quite enjoyed this. It had touches of Morcheeba, Chvrches and Siouxsie and the Banshees at times. 7.3
30 Something: good album but I don't see it in quite the same way as some of you. It wouldn't make my top 50 albums of all time probably. That said I enjoyed it. 8.3
TOTW : What Feels Like Eternity by Metric
Erol
Katy J Pearson - this wasn’t too bad at all. A nice rich sound. At times her voice reminds me of Stevie Nicks (which is a good thing) but, I agree, she has a tendency to squeak on the higher notes. 6.5
Mogwai - all very atmospheric but this doesn’t work as a standalone album. Also, it’s way too long. I lost the will to live towards the end. 4
Viagra boys - mad as a box of frogs, but really quite fun. 7
Metric - wow, this was great. An eclectic mix of synth and guitars with some really cool vocals. It often hovers between indie-rock, pop and all-out dance anthem. I’ll definitely be exploring some of their earlier work. A cracking album. 8.3
TOTW - there are a few I could choose from Metric but it has to be Doomscroller for the mental rave part in the middle.
Simon
Katy J Pearson: few misgivings about her voice, but she makes up for it with the quality of the songs, at least four of which are absolutely cracking. 7.8
Mogwai: quite partial to a decent soundtrack album and I really enjoyed this one - opening track in particular is excellent. 7.2
Viagra Boys: intriguing record - has moments of genius but equally a bit patchy in places. Creepy Crawlers reminded me of Suicide. 7.3
Metric: new band on me and impressed, the opener is epic and there's some a few other bangers in the mix as well. 7.5
Carter USM: Never bothered with Carter back in the day as I always found them a bit irritating. Can't say this does much for me. 6
TotW: a few contenders this week, will go for What Feels Like Eternity by Metric
Mark
Katie J Pearson - she's on Heavenly records which figures, nice singer/songwriter stuff, but the vocal is a bit twee - 6.5
Mogwai - more moody atmospheric film noir sounds, and lots of them. In small doses it's superb, but drags over such a long album and without the film scenes to accompany it - 6
Viagra Boys - Total insania, I love this band and similar stuff like Warmduscher / Fat While Family, definitely got the spirit of Iggy Pop running through it, rough and groovy - 7.5
Metric - honestly don't think I've played an album of their before, but this was a great listen, and what an opener Doomscroller is, almost an album in itself with Arcade Fire levels of ingenuity and ambition. Also loved We Will Never Settle, was like a more poppy 80s War On Drugs, all glossy synths and chiming guitars - 8
TOTW - Feel bad not giving it to Metric's rave/stadium indie rock operetta Doomscroller, but have settled on Punk Rock Loser by Viagra Boys.
Justin
Katy J Pearson liked the Fleetwood mac/country twinge to this album 6.9
Mogwai - love a great sound track / incidental music album some great tracks on this like What if. 7.5
Viagra Boys good rock sound and some interesting tracks like punk rock loser 7
Metric - no recollection of hearing of them before but liked the dark guitar/synth sound 6.8
Carter USM Always sounded a bit like musical theatre to me 6.5
Totw what if Mogwai
Jim
Katy Pearson 7
As Simon says, a handful of quality numbers. A slightly poppier Liz Lawrence. Confession is a banger.
Mogwai 6
Yes it's too long, but there were some lovely numbers in there, the more chilled ones reminded me of the classic Jose Padilla Cafe Del Mar series.
Viagra boys 7
The most bat-shit band of our adventure? Could be. When the hit the mark, it's very high. Troglodyte is equally hilarious and brilliant. Got to find them at a fest soon.
Metric 8.5
Excellent stuff. I fell into this lot 5 or 6 years ago and went through back catagolgue in the couple of years before lockdown, for a while listening to them more than anyone else. This is packed full of subtle, melodic, synth rock bangers, 0 filler . The epic opener just edged by What Feels Like Eternity for my tune of the week. Glad they've flicked a few of your switches. If you want to dip futher, I'd recommed their even better debut "Old World Underground …’ and see where it takes you.
Carter 8
Wasn't into them as much as Wonder Stuff or PWEI, but this is a top offering and nice reminder of that era . Aged a tad.
Matt
Katy Pearson 7.5
Mogwai (oh why?) 5
Viagra Boys 6.5
Metric 6.5
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