Kate Isabel
Stranger (Single)
LMC Records


When my friend from the next village across asked me to take a look at her new single, I couldn't refuse. Kate Isabel performs her song, Stranger, in a plush and excellently manufactured music video. I was instantly reassured that this artist was in good hands.


As for the music, the opening few seconds don't give the game away, they trickle with suggestive beats and, if you're watching too, images of the mood to come. Once Kate begins to sing we're met with a first verse of gutsy depth, one which shows us the glimpses of fragility underneath a hard earned front of attitude. A piano gives the song a haunting prettiness which although soothing, is also rather evocative.


A chorus greets us with open arms and the band which accompany the voice suddenly spring into action. It's rock, the guitars mash into the rhythms perfectly and we're given lines asking for recognition, "Do you recognise the stranger in me?". To be interpreted how you wish, but for me I like to feel this means that rather than assuming a general identity to people, it's more respectful to appreciate their uniqueness.


I really get this song, and I think it is a work of art. Something we could easily hear on the radio at any time of day, and also something a little bit different from the regular sounds, this progressive and emotive piece of music deserves to do really well.


Rowan Blair Colver

Watch the video on Youtube and don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more up and coming music. 

Firegarden
Choose Your Own Adventure


Album Review
by Rowan Blair Colver


Sheffield based funky prog rockers Firegarden explode onto the scene with their new album, Choose Your Own Adventure. A long serving group in the Steel City, with scores of shows under their belt, the new work of art culminates this experience, progression, the trials and tests of these last ten or so years. The much awaited release of this record has been preceded by a massive run up of live dates, promotions and ever growing numbers of fans. These guys work for it and it shows, it's a spectacle for the ears.


Track by track, this album runs excellently. Like a crafted sculpture, the silence is chipped at, fathomed and brought into discord as musicians of what I would call virtuoso calibur fuse their motives and intents to produce awesome sounds and grooves. L.A. Is an opener that snaps us into gear, forming a passion for the power of go, we are sat up and instructed to listen. Title track Choose Your Own Adventure has an opening peel that reminds me of The Angel and the Gambler by Iron Maiden, albeit for a bar or two. The irony is, if this is a gamble, then the odds are great. Nothing to lose and everything to gain, these guys are having a great time and this energy seeps from the notes.


Splendid riffs and solos create that magic of heavy metal that cannot be found anywhere else yet beneath the macho and the double timings lays something rather special. There's more going on than testosterone and haircuts. With a deep edge that almost feels like mysticism, keyboard melodies that play with all we understand about rock n roll, a vocalist that actually feels the words, we result in this marvellous fusion. Hey Sexy sums it all up really well. This is track phwour.


Never takes us right into that motorway feel, the music builds and sweeps with its deceptive pretty melodies and tinkling on the heart strings, its not long before the open road lures us in and with epic skills on the guitar and drum combination, the music changes gear and accelerates in sensation. Grabbing hold of us like a naughty school child caught looking out the window, we're given some pencils and told to drum on the table.


Four blokes from the North of England with a passion for making people feel great, getting your foot tapping and generally having a good time; Jake Mann, Ashley Tuck, Andy Gotteri and Chris Heald make Firegarden and it's lit up like a bonfire. Great album!


You can find Choose Your Own Adventure on bandcamp, follow Firegarden on Facebook and also visit Firegarden online. ​