Twitter Tuesday - A Plastic Rose

Belfast based band A Plastic Rose recently uploaded their video for the single Kids Dont Behave Like This. The video was shot last Thursday and Friday and was documented on Twitter with updates and a request for a lend of a loud 'Boombox' or portable amp.

http://twitter.com/aplasticrose

A Plastic Rose was one of our 'Sound of 2010' list last month and from this evidence I think we made a great choice. I can't wait for their debut!

Here's the video:

The Glor Sessions - Feb 8th 2010

Last night in The International Bar was such a great night. The Glor Sessions is fast becomming my guilty pleasure. It's like those old folk clubs from the 60's and 70's. The atmosphere is always special and the talent is amazing. Even had a chance to catch up with Dayo who's debut album is finished and ready for mixing!

Here's the wonderful Wayne Brennan:




Wayne was followed by Anto and Andy:





Watch Stephen James Smith dancing in a black dress!






Every non bank holiday Monday The Glor Sessions in the basement of The International Bar!

http://www.stephenjamessmith.com/Glor.html

Keith Mullins Video & Tour

Here's the video to Keith's second single 'Across The Ocean' from his excellent debut 'The Great Atlantic'.

Cover Me Monday - Dublin Gospel Choir

What's the craic with George Lee TD?

*** shakes me head ***

Is he still looking for something? Was he looking for change? Did he expect something different from politics? Is he just an attention seeker but couldn't get any from Enda and his merry men? Is he just a quitter who couldn't handle the pressure? Is there a finer mess these politicians could get our country into?

From last year's Inspirations gig here's a great cover of a U2 classic:

The Dublin Gospel Choir - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

http://www.dublingospelchoir.com/

James Guilmartin - Intro Into Exile [Album Review]

James Guilmartin released his debut album 'Intro Into Exile' at the end of January with a launch upstairs in Whelans. James has spent many years writing songs, regularly gigging and being part of 'The Happy Gang' around '05/'06 with the likes of blog favourites Jenny Lindfors, Robotnik and Alyanya. James pretty much played every instrument on the album and has created an album full of big sounds.



I really like the indie pop sound on the song 'All The Dogs Are Howling Their Own Tune' where it reminds me of Badly Drawn Boy on the 'About a Boy' soundtrack. The huge sound of 'Wise Up' works well mid album and showcases James' powerful voice. The sample mp3 'Untimely Tails' is a grunge inspired song which is the highlight of the album.


Untimely Tails



'Intro Into Exile' is an album which gets better after a few listens. I wasn't too impressed on the first listen because I had very high expectations from the album. It's almost too big on ambition. There are many attempts at creating an atmospheric aura to the album which doesn't work. It flirts with far too many genres. The 'Muse' sounding 'Breadcrumb Trail' is at the opposite scale to the country folk of 'Gypsy Love Song'. I'm not too sure why production levels on the song 'Spirit of Haum' were stripped down.



'Intro Into Exile' is not a bad album. It has many good songs and does end on a high with an excellent repetitive lullaby in 'Nightly Blossom'. It's good enough to be the end song of any mixtape! I'd be very interested in hearing this album sung live by James either in a solo gig or with a full band in the future.

James Guilmartin - Intro Into Exile [8 out of 12]

http://www.myspace.com/jamesguilmartin

Medium Rare Sunday - Fionn Regan

There's a great buzz around the blogsphere about two Irish acts who are in the process of releasing albums. Two Door Cinema Club are being written about by many a blog worldwide in anticipation of their debut album released on March 1st. Expect a review of that album on the blog soon.




Fionn Regan has just released his second album 'The Shadow of an Empire' and is receiving a consistent 4*s out of 5 in all the main Irish Media outlets. I'm hoping to win a signed copy of the album from Ronan's blog: http://swearimnotpaul.blogspot.com/2010/02/competition-fionn-regan-shadow-of.html


If you look at Fionn's career to date since his debut single in 2002 I really feel that he has crafted the perfect career. He began with the single "Little Miss Drunk" followed by two excellent EPs and a tour EP before releasing the acclaimed debut in 2006. Fionn has a solid growing fanbase which enables him to progress musically with an uplifting sound for the new album. 'After the Fall' is in my mind Fionn's best song and can be found on the Reserviour EP.


After The Fall


http://www.myspace.com/fionnregan

See Fionn live:


14 Feb 2010 20:00 York Fibbers York
16 Feb 2010 20:00 Leeds Brudenell Social Club Leeds
17 Feb 2010 20:00 Manchester Academy 3 Manchester
18 Feb 2010 20:00 Bristol Thekla Bristol
19 Feb 2010 20:00 Exeter Cavern Exeter
20 Feb 2010 20:00 Bath Moles Bath
22 Feb 2010 20:00 Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms Portsmouth
23 Feb 2010 20:00 Brighton Komedia Brighton
24 Feb 2010 20:00 ULU London
25 Feb 2010 20:00 Norwich Arts Centre Norwich
26 Feb 2010 20:00 Oxford Jericho Tavern SOLD OUT Oxford
28 Feb 2010 20:00 Canterbury The Farmhouse canterbury
1 Mar 2010 20:00 Nottingham Bodega Nottingham
2 Mar 2010 20:00 Birmingham The Rainbow Birmingham
5 Mar 2010 20:00 Electric Avenue Waterford
6 Mar 2010 20:00 Dolans Limerick
7 Mar 2010 20:00 School of Music Cork
10 Mar 2010 20:00 Nerve Centre Derry
11 Mar 2010 20:00 The Empire Belfast
12 Mar 2010 20:00 Roisin Dubh Galway
13 Mar 2010 20:00 Vicar Street Dublin
14 Mar 2010 20:00 Riverbank Theatre Newbridge

Talulah Does The Hula -

TDTH are made up of ex-members of The Chalets and Neosupervital and are tipped to have a really good year.

Friday's Forgotton Favourites - Virgin Prunes

Ok I'm a day late but hey I've been busy ..... kinda! Anyway here's a half arsed attempt at a quick post. I found some amazing clips of Irish 80s Goth band The Virgin Prunes and OMG what was going on here?




Mad days they were!




They even made it onto Irelands Late Late Show! It's the equivalent of Adebisi Shank being asked to play the Late Late now!