Music Writings by CL

Full Interview Here. ’s easy to forget that during the early '90s,  Ned’s Atomic Dustbin  were HUGE. They continuously sold out tours, had singles crashing into the charts (when the charts meant something) on a frequent basis, and played on live TV with one very drunk  Oliver Reed . The band split in 1996 but this year they reformed for a handful of Xmas gigs, with the London gigs selling-out in record time. I caught up with singer  Jonn Penney  to throw him some quick questions. Why now to re-stage the Ned’s Christmas gigs? Why not? We want all our shows to be an event and of all the past Ned’s events the Xmas shows at the Civic were right up there amongst our favourites. It’s soon to be 10 years since the original Ned’s line-up split and ironically it seems that now is the time when we are getting name-dropped by a host of big names ( Blink 182  for one!) – all of a sudden it’s ok to admit you like Ned’s Atomic Dustbin! Did you expect the ...

Ned's Atomic Dustbin - 10 Questions, Interview 2004. Full Interview, Click Here ...or here (Drowned In Sound Version)

Soulwax - Birmingham Academy 2, 2004. Full Review, Click Here. ....or here (Drowned In Sound Version)

Therapy? - Never Apologize, Never Explain Album Review, 2004. Full Review, Click Here. It’s been nine years since  Therapy?** last released an album as a three-piece. The four albums they released during those years produced some great tracks, but generally lacked the energy of earlier Therapy? releases. When first listening to  'Never Apologise, Never Explain' , I got one hell of a shock. The energy that overflowed on early Therapy? records is back, and not only is it back, but it’s really fucking LOUD. Though the band have always had the ability to knock out some classic tracks, this is their best album yet, revitalised and full of energy, right at a time when they need to be. The album visits the same territory as  'Pleasure Death'  and mixes it with the more melodic moments of  'Troublegum'  without looking too far back into the past. The result is 40 minutes of loud, raw guitar action, and the introduction of at least three new Therapy...

Modey Lemon - Birmingham Bar Academy, 2004. Full Review, Click Here.

Panic DHH - Panic DHH Album Review, 2004. Full Review, Click Here. Do you have home contents insurance where you live? If you haven't, you really should consider it before putting  'Panic Drives Human Herds'_ into your CD player, as it's guaranteed to completely fuck your stereo up good and proper. You remember the  Pixies / Nirvana's  classic Quiet Loud Quiet Loud formula? Well that's nothing compared to  Panic DHH's  Quiet/Quiet/Quiet FUCKING HELL level of loudness. The 10 tracks that make up this startling debut album all twist and turn at unexpected points, before usually evolving into a maelstrom of pure, unadulurated head-fucking violence. 'Panic Drives Human Herds'  is the first release on  Digital Hardcore Recordings  for some time, and whilst the album retains the same level of experimentalism that has kept label vital, it also marks a major departure of the "classic" DHR sound. Out go the breakbeats, and on  ...

The Faint - Sheffield Octagon, 2004. Full Review, Click Here The Faint Sheffield octagon. Everywhere you look, goths.  This isn't your typical Faint audience, for tonight, the faint are supporting Placebo, (who I would also review, if it weren't for the fact they were unquestionably dull). People were there to jump up and down, how should they react when confronted with keyboards, drum machines, and a mass of solid energy? Well, after the initial confusion passed, the audience really started getting into The Faint.  It's hard not to get into a band that plays with such a huge amount of intensity. It felt as if the band had stolen Leftfield's sound-system, the bass shook you right in the throat with alarming intensity, an intensity that was shared by  vocalist Todd Baechele as he leapt from keyboard to mic and across the stage in a way that made MC Hammer look like he was suffering with arthyritis. Or maybe it was the intensity of the son...

Panic DHH - Islington Electrowerkz, 2004. Full Review, Click Here