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Gigs
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2 September
Double A
O2 Academy2 Newcastle
Doors> 6 Entry> £5
This Is Hell
The Crown Middlesborough
Doors> 6 Entry> £6
Paint It Black & Blacklisted
Upstairs @ The Relentless Garage London
Doors> 7 Entry> £10
The Doors Alive
Moho Live Manchester
Doors> 7 Entry> £10
The King Blues
Crypt Hastings
Doors> 7 Entry> £10
Angry Vs The Bear
The Bodega Social Club Nottingham
Doors> 7 Entry> £5
A.r.i.s.e.
Tabernacle London
Doors> 6:30 Entry> £10
3 September
Exsimple Minds
O2 Abc2 Glasgow
Doors> 7 Entry> £12
Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Plug Sheffield
Doors> 7 Entry> £20
Touchstone
Borderline London
Doors> 7 Entry> £8
It Prevails
The Sugarmill - Over 14s Stoke-on-trent
Doors> 7 Entry> £6
Will Knox
Monto Water Rats London
Doors> 7 Entry> £6
Arkangel + Brokenjaws
Rock City Nottingham
Doors> 7 Entry> £8
The Haggis Horns Feat Nia Saw
Jazz Cafe London
Doors> 7 Entry> £10
4 September
Blacklisted
Talking Heads Southampton
Doors> 5 Entry> £9
Proud Mary Album Launch
Brixton Jamm London
Doors> 5 Entry> £10
Blacklisted
Joiners Southampton
Doors> 5 Entry> £9
Double A
O2 Academy3 Birmingham
Doors> 6 Entry> £5
Black Mountain
O2 Academy2 Oxford
Doors> 6:30 Entry> £11
Levellers
Stockwood Discovery Centre Luton
Doors> 6:30 Entry> £20
Exsimple Minds
O2 Academy2 Liverpool
Doors> 7 Entry> £12
UK Guns N' Roses
Concorde 2 Brighton
Doors> 7 Entry> £12.50
5 September
Seasick Steve
Myrtle Park Bingley
Doors> 11:30 Entry> £22
Exsimple Minds
O2 Academy2 Bristol
Doors> 7 Entry> £12
The Toasters
Borderline London
Doors> 7 Entry> £11
The Like
The Bodega Social Club Nottingham
Doors> 7 Entry> £7.50
Heidi Talbot
Thekla Bristol
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £12
Jonsi
O2 Academy Glasgow
Doors> 7 Entry> £18.50
Black Mountain
Hare & Hounds Birmingham
Doors> 7 Entry> £11
Dani Wilde
Boardwalk Sheffield
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £8
6 September
Mallorca Rocks - Closing Party
Mallorca Rocks Hotel Magaluf, Mallorca
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £28.50
Kat Flint + True Bypass
The Slaughtered Lamb London
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £6
Kath Bloom
Kitchen Garden Cafe Birmingham
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £7
Jonsi
Academy Manchester
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £18.50
7 September
The Moody Blues
Brighton Centre Brighton
Doors> 7 Entry> £37.50
Exsimple Minds
O2 Academy Islington London
Doors> 7 Entry> £12
The New Pornographers
Oran Mor Glasgow
Doors> 7 Entry> £12
Cymbals Eat Guitars
Borderline London
Doors> 7 Entry> £8
Monotonix
The City Arts & Music Project The Camp London
Doors> 8:30 Entry> £10
The Like
Club Ifor Bach Cardiff
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £7.50
Cathal Coughlan
Bush Hall London
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £14
Tiber Timbre
Thekla Bristol
Doors> 7:30 Entry> £10
8 September
Exsimple Minds
O2 Academy2 Birmingham
Doors> 7 Entry> £12
Jonsi
O2 Academy Leeds
Doors> 7 Entry> £18.50
Modest Mouse
Troxy London
Doors> 7 Entry> £20
Nemhain
Borderline London
Doors> 7 Entry> £8
Heights
O2 Academy2 Islington London
Doors> 7 Entry> £6
Mountain Man
O2 Academy Leeds
Doors> 7 Entry> £18.50
Chief
Hoxton Square Bar And Kitchen London
Doors> 7 Entry> £8
The Moody Blues
Plymouth Pavilions Plymouth
Doors> 7 Entry> £37.50
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HMV Forum 9-17 Highgate Road London NW5 1JY T 020 7284 1001
 Booka ShadeFri 10 Sept
Get your hands on Booka Shade tickets and see the Get Physical head honchos take to the HMV Forum decks for what promises to be one of the biggest dance music events of the year, as the German duo brings beeps and bleeps aplenty to one of London’s most famous venues…
Doors> 8pm Entry> £19
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Jazz Café 5 Parkway Camden London NW1 7PG T 0207 485 6834
 Raghu DixitWeds 15 Sept
Raghu Dixit has fast become a shining beacon in the burgeoning Indian independent music scene. Last year, Raghu’s debut self-titled album went on to become India’s highest selling non-film music release. Having re-located to the UK for most of this summer, he has quickly won hearts and minds wherever he has played. His debut album will be released in the UK on September 13th by Wrasse Records. Raghu also recently signed a worldwide publishing deal with Sony ATV.
Doors> 7pm
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 FlamingoMercury
The solo album of The Killers' frontman, Flamingo is bound to appeal to fans of The Killers, featuring a good mixture of upbeat tracks alongside the more laid-back. The first single release from the album, Crossfire, was a pretty safe choice. More mellow than the more famous Killers' anthems such as Mr Brightside it is still essentially what might be expected from the Killers as a band. The fact that actress Charlize Theron features in the video does, I suppose, add a degree of glamour to the debut single, but it's not the best track. The opener, Welcome to Glamorous Las Vegas, is a flashy tune which starts the album on a good note, but some of the later tracks get a bit lost and merge together. But with a voice as distinctive as Flowers', maybe this was always destined to sound just like another Killers album. SP
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Mark Ronson & The Business Intl ****
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 Record CollectionColumbia
The new album from the guy who seems to know everyone on the music scene is a real change from Ronson's last album by including no covers or brass, but only original tracks sung by such names as Duran Duran's Simon le Bon, Spank Rock and even Ronson himself. The first single from the album, Bang Bang Bang, was number one on the NME's top ten list for five weeks and it’s no surprise given the catchy lyrics and danceable beat. The album is full of well-synthed and scratched tracks with memorable hooks and the retro feel of 80s synth pop. SP
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 Hands All OverPolydor
Vocalist Adam Levine has said of this album that he feels the band are reaching their peak and if their first single Misery is anything to go by, it seems he's telling the truth. A continuation in the band's style of mixing pop, soul and rock, the band have lived up to their famous This Love and She Will Be Loved. Misery is an upbeat tune, despite the fact that it’s on M5's usual theme of heartbreak, with a chorus that'll stick in your head for hours. The album contains a mixture of styles, including the bluesy I Can't Lie and Out of Goodbyes, which features country music band Lady Antebellum.
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 Serotonin
Rough Trade
Returning with their third album, this London based indie band have embraced psychedelica, layering the album with strings and a summery feel. ‘Dreaming of Another World’ especially conjures up images of a tranquil island somewhere in the sun. The album is named after a bodily chemical released to induce feelings of wellbeing, and the songs work in a similar way. They’re feel good pop songs, although a few tracks feel like filler, such as the lacklusture ‘ The Girl Is Gone’. Overall, a great summer album filled with excellent pop songs. It’s reminiscent in parts of the Kinks, in other of MGMT but still manages to be unique and exciting, DL
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 Flaws
Mmm….Records
Call me a philistine, but I don’t understand the hype this band have been getting for their second album. Sure, the acoustic noodling is pleasant enough, but there isn’t much of substance behind the songs. It’s a quiet, reflective album perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon, but that’s as far as it goes. Some pleasant humming fills the final track ‘Swansea’, and ‘My God’ is a notable highlight. There are individual tracks that are quite nice, but mostly they run together into one indistinguishable ballad. As a mood piece, it’s perfectly average, but there is nothing beyond that. It’s not disappointing, and is perfectly functional, but not great either. DL
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 Passion, Pain and Loyalty
Concrete recordings
Initially, this album seems similar to a number of other bands around at the moment. It has the progressive wall of sound thing going, like Glasvegas, and a similar lad rock style of singing to Kasabian. However, these initial comparisons do the album a disservice, as it blooms into something more unique towards the latter half. The triple whammy of ‘1989’, ‘Anderson Shelter Blues’ and ‘The Promise’ is exciting and different, with pounding drums and apocalyptic panic in the second song. Further listens reveal intricate lyrics and subtle background voices in the production making the album vibrant and exciting. A lot of the tracks simply aren’t original or interesting enough, but a few tracks really hit their stride. DL
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 Gatecrasher AnthemsVandit Records
Back in 1998 Paul Van Dyk became Gatecrasher's top resident DJ and had a legendary 6-hour set he played regularly. Since then he has become a legendary DJ worldwide taking his trance set to all top events around the globe and continues his Gatecrasher residency Internationally. This CD is a reflection of this inspiring and unique relationship. The album consists of classic trance anthems from back in the day like Moby, Underworld, Planet Perfecto and Robert Miles and some much newer tracks from PVD, John O'Callaghan, Motorcycle and Matt Darey. Set over 3 CDs, Gatecrasher Anthems creates a hypnotic and exuberating journey from trance classics, to current dancefloor legends like Deadmau5 and future bangers from Filo and Perri. An essential purchase this summer.
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Single Reviews
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 Putumayo World Music – South Africa****
Putumayo World Music
After England’s recent debacle in South Africa, football fans are somewhat disillusioned with the England team’s playing style. We may not have won the World Cup but if there were anything of glory to be brought back from the Motherland it would be this CD. ‘Putumayo’ is a non-proft organisation that helps grass roots musicians in developing countries get their music heard all over the globe and all the money made is donated to worthwhile causes. The music is consistently refreshing and there are so many compilations to choose from that you will never get bored. From Brazil to the Caribbean you are sure to find something you like. I’ve never been disappointed with a Putumayo purchase so what are you waiting for?! DMC
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| Laura Marling |
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 I Speak Because I Can *****
EMI
With the success of her debut ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’, Ms Marling returns with a more refined sound. We all have high hopes for Laura and she delivers in style. The music has a bit more depth than the previous album- but that’s expected from a second album. It’s always great to see an artist blossoming into greatness and no doubt she will strike a chord in the hearts of many people with this one. She was first spotted in a cameo appearance on the Mystery Jets single ‘Young Love’ and soon people started talking. Citing Ryan Adams, Bonnie Prince Billy and Jeffrey Lewis as her current influences you can see why she is drawing so much attention. She grew up listening to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell in her hometown of Reading and this definitely shines through. If you’re feeling in the folk mood then this is the CD for you. DMC
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| Eminem |
 Recovery ***
Polydor Records and Interscope Records
Eminem gets a little more introverted with this record and all the better for it. There’s less focus on the cartoon skit-style that we’re used to and more on the quality of the music. Most of his fans were disappointed with his last two albums ‘Relapse’ and ‘Encore’ and he makes a point of apologising to them on this record. Considered by some as a misogynistic homophobe, and a lyrical genius by others he’s like marmite, you either love him or hate him. This album takes no prisoners in its brutal approach with contributions from Rihanna and Pink that work extremely well. Fans will be pleasantly surprised and people that hate him will probably hate him even more. If you want to taste Eminem in his prime then this is a must buy…you wont be disappointed. DMC
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 Ever So Shy
Infectious
This slice of indie rock is nothing new, but does an adequate job. It builds well in the manner of Idlewild or Snow Patrol, with a decent chorus that fits well. As well as this, the singer has an decent voice, singing in a irish lilt that is pleasingly different. However, the sound is fairly generic indie, utilising only three chords with a dull guitar solo. The most memorable lyric is also one of the blandest; 'Let's get wasted, it's all we ever do'. An uninspiring song that cannot quite break out of its own genre constraints.
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Young Knives ***
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 Dyed in the Wool
Universal
All hand-claps and harmonies, this is misfits indie rock. The band play with energy that really pays off in the later half of the song. Built on a fairly uninspiring riff, it nevertheless makes an interesting song. Lead singer Henry Darntell's vocals are all squeaks and shouts, at times sounding a bit like Robert Smith from the Cure. It's not a brilliant song, and I couldn't honestly tell you what the main chorus means, but it is a decent stab at jerky indie, from a band who are trying something a little bit different.
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David Lewis
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