Universal Thee - All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace
Universal Thee – All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace
‘All Watched Over by Machine of Loving Grace’ is the second album from indie-rock band Universal Thee. The five piece band is made up of vocalists James and Lisa Russell, guitarist Robin Spivey, bass player Andrew Perrie and Matt Grieve is on the drums. The band members are all from Edinburgh, which shines through in the distinct Scottish accent which can be detected in some of the vocals. The…
Power-pop five piece Universal Thee return with their sophomore album, All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace, the follow up to the critically lauded debut Back To Earth. The album is due for release on 19th February via Eventual Heirs Records. Harnessing the influences of bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Pixies and current favourites Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, the band have…
IndianRedLopez brings out Commit, an earnest collection of sophisticated electronic pop. Opener ‘Any Given City’ has synths that chime like a carousel and the vocals are charmingly shared by a male and female duet. ‘No Longer Dying’ has an urgent ticking percussion line behind its arpeggio keyboard sounds and ballad-tempo vocals. The difference between the expansive vocal line and the jumpy rhythm creates an interesting and affecting tension in the song. ‘Core’ shimmers with its electric piano base being surrounded by a variety of synthesized samples to give it an other worldly twist. Its heavy-hit snares surprise and hint at a pop influence. The title track closes the album with its vacillating synths and metallic guitar twangs, which build gradually to expand into a dance-infused pop anthem. Commit will appeal to lovers of indie electronica because of its thoughtful delivery and pop palette.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR-NiYIDYNg
Universal Thee releases Back To Earth, a melee of easy going guitars that recall the DIY sound of 90s college rock. Opener ‘Bone Collector’ slowly unfurls its slacker sound through building layers of guitar with simple drum fills and a youthful vocal. ‘Feeling Fragile’ has a tender vocal harmony with reserved guitars and a splash of tambourine. ‘Eric’ is barely over a minute of chanting “Eric was a lonely guy” over some breezy chords. ‘Aranis Natas’ has some fuzzy guitar sounds and threatening tom toms underpinning a vocal spitted out with bile. Back To Earth combines the appealing guitar jams that you’d expect from fans of Pavement with some naïve lyrics that hint at the youthful verve of Weezer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m1A3LCSgKs
Hans Chew gives us Life and Love, a traditional tranche of rock influenced by folk and a hint of country. ‘Chango’ is a gentle slow-burner, its intricate picked electric guitar sets up a surprising elongated vocal outburst, which is joined by bar room piano and crisp percussion to transform the song into a folky rock ballad. ‘Love’ begins with piano trills, and military snares are added to create a waltz time number with a hint of bite, “I don’t think I was made much for romance”. ‘Goodnight’ ambles along pleasantly on the acoustic guitar with a narrative of “just roaming the streets in this old town”. ‘Junker’s Blues’ has a dramatic flourish of piano opening it with a showtune flavour before it turns boogie woogie when the rest of the band comes in. Life and Love is mainstream rock n roll with theatrical jazzy and folk edges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR9RUQB2cbc
Hurray For The Riff Raff is back with Small Town Heroes, another pot pourri of folky Americana. Opening number ‘Blue Ridge Mountain’ has jaunty fiddles and banjo propelling it along. ‘End of the Line’ has some bluesy harmonica playing and some fine brushed percussion giving it an easy edge. Again, the fiddle brings in the emotional push of the song. ‘The Body Electric’ is a subtle song, with the arrangement stripped back to acoustic strings and smokey vocals. This change of approach is like a breath of fresh air, creating an intimate and affecting performance. ‘I Know It's Wrong (But That's Alright)’ is a loose swing of a song, a little jazzy with its brushed drums, a little country with its steel guitar twang. It has plenty of heart in its singalong centre. ‘Forever Is Just A Day’ begins with an acapella vocal, creating a startling effect. Gradually bowed strings provide the sole accompaniment, with a pretty, harmonious middle eight. The subtle close to the album is almost hymnal, with Hurray For The Riff Raff beautifully exploring the folk roots of the Americana sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShmjnIWj_Fs
Jamaica’s new release is Ventura, a poppy rock album full of lively tunes based around electric guitars. Opener ‘Two on Two’ begins things with sprightly staccato guitars and snappy percussion. ‘Houdini’ adds a bit of acoustic action into the rock landscape, with a smooth pop vocal. ‘Golden Times’ is strum along rock with a hint of castanets and some tight plectrum flicks. ‘Ricky’ hints at Abba with its insistent piano hammering away whilst guitar twangs interject a bit of 70s glam. ‘Turbo’ is fuzzier and darker: three minutes of riffing and jamming on the strings create a slightly proggy feel. ‘Goodbye Friday’ concludes the album with some fuzzy riffing which then disappears into lighter strums to match the pop vocal. Ventura is a marshmallow rock album: sweet, light and easy on the palate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baiTh1Gv5ho
Messenger unleashes Illusory Blues, a gentle collection of soothing sounds that draws on folk, psych and a hint of prog. ‘The Return’ kicks things off with delicate minor key acoustic strings before soft voices blend in subdued harmony. ‘Piscean Tide’ adds glassy electric piano and woozy bowed strings to the mix, creating a melancholic and wistful feel. The nine minutes of ‘Midnight’ see the track switching from a gentle amble to an intense psych jam, complete with busy violin strings. ‘Somniloquist’ blends piano, jazzy drums and guitars in a lighter manner to create an engaging lead single from the album. Illusory Blues is a richly textured collection from a group who take their music very seriously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwIW5uv_RQE
And that’s it for this week. I’ll be back next time with more new releases. Until then, enjoy the sunshine.
