Review
Reviews of Liverpool music, restaurants, bars and more
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Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015); Review
Kurt Cobain is a man that refuses to die. Even when all possible back catalogues, journals and interview subjects appear to have been exhausted, another wave in the oceans of culture will land the shriveled corpse of the revered icon back on the beaches of popularity once again. “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” is the latest biopic on the grunge godhead, released within a week of the anniversary of his death. The question on…
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Threshold V: Weekend Review and Bay TV Special Tomorrow Night
It was a festival to remember last weekend as Threshold put on its biggest and most successful event to date at venues all across Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. But don’t just take our word for it…you can catch a special episode of ‘The Guide’ on Bay TV this Thursday night – channel 8 on Freeview and Virgin Media channel 159 – at 8:30pm, which looks at the whole of the weekend’s festivities. Be sure not to…
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Threshold V; Mutant Vinyl Steals The Show At 24 Kitchen Street
Mutant Vinyl produced our favourite performance of Threshold Festival, in his set at 24 Kitchen Street he managed to win over the entire crowd and left everyone wanting more. The saxophone wielding singer mixes jazz with electro sounds. He needs to be seen & heard to be believed and appreciated. He owned the stage with his presence and sense of humour shining through, he’s a natural born performer, captivating and entertaining; he certainly knows how…
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Still Alice; Film Review
Still Alice, featuring an Oscar winning performance by Julianne Moore, tells the story of Alice Howland (Moore) a highly esteemed linguistic professor at Columbia University whose world is rattled when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Still Alice is essentially a fairly good lifetime movie elevated by a truly great performance by Julianne Moore (she deserved her Academy Award – although, I wish it had been won for Maps to the Stars). The direction is…
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Band Feature; Cavalry
Based in Liverpool, the ‘Alt-Folk’ band Cavalry had a whirlwind year in 2014. With support from BBC radio 1’s Huw Stephens who labelled them as ‘a BBC introducing discovery’, plays on BBC radio 1 and BBC radio 6 whilst also acquiring a large fan base with over 900 likes on facebook; it’s slightly puzzling as to why the guys have remained so quiet come 2015. Regularly gigging around Liverpool, the band has played venues such…
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Paul Wilkes 'River Running With Me' EP Review
The new EP by the accomplished singer-songwriter Paul Wilkes features three soft and beautiful tracks, ideal for days when you just want to sit back with some soothing music on. Paul’s voice is clear and soulful, ideal for these fabulously well produced pieces. With suitably subtle yet luminous backing featuring guitar, strings or piano, all the songs work perfectly to showcase the lyrics. The tracks have a personal feel, essential in this type of music,…
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Blossoms at The Kazimier; Review
Seeing that The Kazimier was offering a line-up that featured both The Vryll Society and Blossoms, it was an obvious choice to get to a gig guaranteed to brighten a cold, Winter Sunday night. For once I managed to get to The Kazimier in time to see all of the bands on offer. The first support Hidden Charms were a very pleasant surprise. Melodic 60’s style pop/rock topped by vocals just coarse enough to give…
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Baby Strange And Slaves At The Shipping Forecast; Review
Fessing up at the beginning of this review is going to save a lot of time later and, hopefully, go some way towards placating the Slaves fans out there. I went to the gig to see Baby Strange. They are one of my favourite bands. The bias is all mine, because I know I was in the minority. Having said that, I go to gigs with an open mind and have been won over before,…
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David Gaffney’s Latest Release ‘Pocket-Sized’ Is The Perfect Track To Take You Into Spring
Producing the kind of music you’d hear played in a cafe on a rainy day, David Gaffney’s smooth voice has that quality about it that instantly makes you relax. Having received airplay on Dave Monk’s slot on BBC Merseyside already, fans can begin to get excited for further releases. With the pitter patter of spring showers to come, what better time for him to release his upcoming EP ‘Our Canons Of Green’. First single ‘Pocket-Sized’,…
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Pattersons Bar; Review 'Serving Up Chicken & Tunes'
With Independent’s popping up left, right and centre in Liverpool at the moment, it is no surprise that the variety of places to eat is so broad. Whilst there has never been a shortage of chicken here in Liverpool, something has always been missing – Pattersons. As it remains one the best-hidden gems of the city, it’s time to share the secret. Chicken restaurant by day, bar by night, these chicken experts have revolutionized the…
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New Music; Gold Jacks – 'One Kinda Woman'
The new release from the Gold Jacks is good, paired down rock. The repetitive riff which forms the backbone of the track is catchy enough to prevent it from becoming annoying, instead providing a perfect foil for the lyrics. There are few embellishments, the track relying on insistent rhythm, crystal clear vocals and minimal, but rather fine guitar licks. Vocally, the track put me in mind of some of the finer bluesy type rock tracks…
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Inherent Vice; Film Review
Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s novel of the same name hits cinemas this week and it has caused quite the stir. The Guardian has reported mass walk outs with audiences accusing the film of “being boring and not making any sense”. However, the film has found its defenders with some US critics hailing it as a postmodern masterpiece. I would argue that both and neither camps are correct. The plot, as much as…
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Band Feature; Veyu
Signed to Baltic Records and with a self-titled EP already under their belt, VEYU are surely set for a momentous year. The Wirral quintet are already distinguished on the Liverpool indie circuit having featured as The Guardian’s band of the week last year and Peter Guy’s buzz band of the week just last month. With a self-described aesthetic of “cavernous, turbulent post rock music”, VEYU’s EP, headed up by track ‘Running’ certainly evokes ambience and…
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Springbok/Falls At Maguires Pizza Bar; Review
Although there were four bands on at Maguires, an illness earlier in the week, which had left me weak as a kitten, meant it was unlikely I was going to see the night out. If the bands I did get to see were anything to go by, the loss was mine, because the first two acts were pretty damn fine. Starting with a set by Springbok, the audience were treated to some weighty sounds by…
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Female Folk/Pop Trio The Hazel Empire Impress With Colours & Clouds
The Hazel Empire haven’t been together long and they’re already impressing crowds and the press. As just one of five other bands shortlisted nationwide in the Independent’s recent band competition, the trio were chosen to represent Liverpool in the final stage. The all female band, comprising of Jo, Grace and Nadia, have really created a unique branch of folk/pop, so it’s no wonder they’re opening ears to their music. Their latest releases, double single ‘Colours & Clouds’ are as mystical…
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Whiplash; Film Review
The question shared by all – “how much can I enjoy a film about drumming, when I don’t know the first thing about it?” Whether you like music or not, Damien Chazelle’s Oscar nominated WHIPLASH is electrifying, gripping, and shocking in so many ways. It is story of the relationship between 19-year-old Andrew Niemann (Miles Teller), a male protagonist that astounds the audience with his devotion, and his complete dedication to drumming, and his unpredictable…
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'Last Line Out' Debut EP Review
Having seen and enjoyed Last Line Out’s live output earlier in the year I already knew they produced a quality sound. Could they reproduce it in the recording studio, though? Always a tricky one. One thing you need to know before we begin, this band can really play. I never had any doubts on that score, but I wondered if they could transfer their live excellence onto disc. I put away my doubts and slid…
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Scarlet’s Pop-Infused Indie Adds A Punch of Attitude To Dreamy Songs
Five-piece, Scarlet, have that rare quality of a band that successfully blends both male and female vocalists. When you first look at the band they may be easy to dismiss due to the failures of other similar bands but both vocalists work together to combine all of the punchiness of pop with the dreamy quality of indie music. The video for single ‘Harder To Be’ shows off the band’s energy and youth. Perfectly proving how…
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Musician Feature; Edwin Pope’s Alter Ego 'Mutant Vinyl' Combines A Number of Musical Aspects
With a successful list of musical names associated with him, the young musician shows off a truly varying musical persona. Having supported for the likes of Rudimental, Rita Ora, Kids In Glass Houses and many other high profile musical acts in just the past two years, Mutant Vinyl is proof that doing things a little bit differently can really get you noticed in the music world. Receiving heavy airplay on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, as well…
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'Barley & Beans' Cafe & Bar; Review
Barley & Beans is a relaxed and informal place in a quieter area of town. A stone’s throw from Moorfields and the Ship & Mitre (a mighty fine real ale pub), the menu boasts one of the most authoritative breakfast/brunch selections in the city. As the proprietor states, breakfast should not be wasted, confined to the am. Afternoon breakfast should not be the sole domain of the bleary-eyed, hungover student. If you want Eggs Benedict…
