Union J – Carry You
Union J the latest boy band to emerge from X Factor fame. Debut, ‘Carry You’ is a summer smash. The hook is amazingly catchy giving you an instant feel good mood with a smile across your face. The lyrics are sensationally catchy and will be embedded into your head by the end of the song. It’s great to see that the boys can showcase their individual vocal talents as well as how good they work as a vocal harmony group. Be sure to download it as its going be a hit this summer.
Union J the latest boy band to emerge from X Factor fame. Debut, ‘Carry You’ is a summer smash. The hook is amazingly catchy giving you an instant feel good mood with a smile across your face. The lyrics are sensationally catchy and will be embedded into your head by the end of the song. It’s great to see that the boys can showcase their individual vocal talents as well as how good they work as a vocal harmony group. Be sure to download it as its going be a hit this summer.
Ronan back on Fire
The self-titled father of pop Ronan Keating is back with his first studio album in five years in which pardon the pun Keating’s life has been somewhat of a roller coaster. Dealing with Boyzone reforming, losing his ‘’brother’’ and band mate Stephen in 2009 and the collapse of his marriage in 2011 it seemed that original material had took a back seat for Ronan.
You would be mistaken if you think Fires is the comeback album with songs about his turbulent years since his last release. Instead he has laid all his demons to bed and produced an album filled with his critique of 90’s pop music that he does oh so well. Ronan described the album as a return to ‘proper pop’.
Lyrically appealing ‘’I’ve Got You’’ adapts into an almost U2 classic pop rock song. It sees Keating stretching and reaching the kind of captivating vocal performance that so many can only dream off.
Lyrics of ‘Wasted Light’ make us realise why Ronan has had such a lengthy career in an industry that can spit you out as quick as it takes you in. ‘Wasted Light’’ speaks of a man reminiscing about love that you find on your travels or maybe a disguise of the love he lost after his marriage breakdown. The lyrics show somebody pinning for the return of the loved one, ‘’and though the sunshine's on even after you're gone I feel sorry for the wasted light I'm still praying you come home one night’’ A great mid tempo song that shows that Ronan is going back to his roots reminiscing of the sound of his debut ‘’When you say nothing at all’’.
The hidden gem on this album has to be ‘’ Nineteen Again’’. It is a classic up tempo love song bringing back the roots of ‘’Lovin’ Each Day’’. A song full of catchy lyrics with an outstanding vocal performance from Keating weighs up to be a number one smash.
‘’Fires’’ sees Ronan return to his roots of pop music that he does so effortlessly. Serious acclaim for his lyrical ability and vocal performance that produces a stunning album once again.
You would be mistaken if you think Fires is the comeback album with songs about his turbulent years since his last release. Instead he has laid all his demons to bed and produced an album filled with his critique of 90’s pop music that he does oh so well. Ronan described the album as a return to ‘proper pop’.
Lyrically appealing ‘’I’ve Got You’’ adapts into an almost U2 classic pop rock song. It sees Keating stretching and reaching the kind of captivating vocal performance that so many can only dream off.
Lyrics of ‘Wasted Light’ make us realise why Ronan has had such a lengthy career in an industry that can spit you out as quick as it takes you in. ‘Wasted Light’’ speaks of a man reminiscing about love that you find on your travels or maybe a disguise of the love he lost after his marriage breakdown. The lyrics show somebody pinning for the return of the loved one, ‘’and though the sunshine's on even after you're gone I feel sorry for the wasted light I'm still praying you come home one night’’ A great mid tempo song that shows that Ronan is going back to his roots reminiscing of the sound of his debut ‘’When you say nothing at all’’.
The hidden gem on this album has to be ‘’ Nineteen Again’’. It is a classic up tempo love song bringing back the roots of ‘’Lovin’ Each Day’’. A song full of catchy lyrics with an outstanding vocal performance from Keating weighs up to be a number one smash.
‘’Fires’’ sees Ronan return to his roots of pop music that he does so effortlessly. Serious acclaim for his lyrical ability and vocal performance that produces a stunning album once again.
The City Apples
Four Dublin lads with a heart full of music sending little pleasures to my ears, bringing this reviewer back to the famous brit pop days. Sounds like the early days of Blur and Oasis with some The Doors thrown in for good measure which is never a bad thing. Opening the EP of to a blinder is ‘Inside Job’. A track done to sheer perfection with the combination of sultry vocals slick beats with the perfect strumming of guitars. The best track on the EP is ‘Pictures’ a song that has the power to make you sit up and listen to these musical geniuses in the making. Across the EP it is evident that James, Gerard, Sam and Neil have something special. Don’t be surprised when these lads hit the big time they are definitely one to watch in 2013.
6/6
6/6
Those Makeshift Hero’s - To Capture The King
When opening an EP with a track called ‘Give Me The World’ well let’s just say I was expecting a lot. The EP is slow to start off with and quite boring. However half way through track one and the pace was picked up and rolled into a classic rock song. Across the EP the mix of lyrics and beats send an epic pleasure to my ear. Lyrically these guys have the ability to tell the listener a story instead of just saying a few words. The best song on the EP has to be ‘Enough is Enough’. A perfect track to sum up what this band is about. Perfect drum beats accompanied by sensational lyrics and guitar riffs that will make you want to pick one up yourself. Don’t be surprised if these guys are selling out stadiums in the future. A classic rock album with an uplifting vibe certainly put this reviewer in a good mood.
3/5
3/5
Aces High - EP
Aces High hailing from Canterbury, are Neil Young, Rob Goldsmith, Steve Moore and Neil Price. Across there three track EP it is evident that these guys have a mature sound. Young 'takes on the vocals of each track with quite a moody approach to all songs. Young’s voice doesn’t sound out of place as the drum beats and guitar riffs are to perfection in order to portray that moody feeling they are promoting. The best song on the EP is ‘Better Paces’. This track shows the lyrical ability of this band. Even with its moody feel, the drum beats by Price give the song a sense of life and with Moore and Goldsmith adding the riffs to give the downbeat lyrics an uplifting feel to them it’s a recipe for a winner Overall a good solid foundation for their first EP that will appeal to the old rock fans.
3/5
3/5
Class Az - 2013
Class Az comprise of some of Ireland’s best kept treasures who have teamed up with Funzo on new release 2013. After many releases from these guys this reviewer was afraid that they could not live up to previous hype. 2013 sets new boundaries for the group that I never thought could be done.
EP opener Take Forever sets the whole EP for what’s to come. Slick beats with perfect raps add to the perfection of the track. What these guys do is take real life issues and turn them into lyrics that you can’t help but rap along to.
The stand out track for me has to be ‘’If Loving You is Wrong’’. It has all the ingredients to be a super smash for the lads. Perfect beats with lyrics that complement the boy’s vocals effortlessly. A song about loving someone and everything that happens in a relationship that relate to anybody and everybody. A song for the romance that lives within us all.
Other notable tracks on the album are ‘’Here I Am’’ and ‘’Better than This’’. These two tracks show Class Az at their best showing the critics what they are capable off. The whole EP cannot be faulted as each and every track tells a story of real life through slick beats amazing hooks and perfect rap.
Class Az bring edge, street life and credibility to each track across the EP that keeps them classes above the wannabes. Once again Class Az show they are the real deal. Another catchy EP from the lads it’s just a pity that mainstream radio won’t play it. Class Az are Irish Rap at its best.
5/5
EP opener Take Forever sets the whole EP for what’s to come. Slick beats with perfect raps add to the perfection of the track. What these guys do is take real life issues and turn them into lyrics that you can’t help but rap along to.
The stand out track for me has to be ‘’If Loving You is Wrong’’. It has all the ingredients to be a super smash for the lads. Perfect beats with lyrics that complement the boy’s vocals effortlessly. A song about loving someone and everything that happens in a relationship that relate to anybody and everybody. A song for the romance that lives within us all.
Other notable tracks on the album are ‘’Here I Am’’ and ‘’Better than This’’. These two tracks show Class Az at their best showing the critics what they are capable off. The whole EP cannot be faulted as each and every track tells a story of real life through slick beats amazing hooks and perfect rap.
Class Az bring edge, street life and credibility to each track across the EP that keeps them classes above the wannabes. Once again Class Az show they are the real deal. Another catchy EP from the lads it’s just a pity that mainstream radio won’t play it. Class Az are Irish Rap at its best.
5/5
Frantic Jack - Living Proof
Ireland's best unsigned act since well forever are back with a brand new single. Living Proof is the second release from sophomore album Last One to Leave. The song kicks off with some perfectly strummed guitars to a lead in of drum beat which mix together so effortlessly. As the lyrics kick in Daragh’s subtle and husky vocals add gravity to the track. The lyrics are really catchy and once again Frantic Jack takes a story and transforms it into a smash hit track. Their sound is unique separating them apart from anybody else in their genre. Living Proof is another smash hit from the lads that will have you singing along and bopping you head.
www.franticjack.com
5/5
www.franticjack.com
5/5
Westlife kings of my heart
Forget Take That, Justin Bieber, One Direction and the rest because Westlife are my heroes. I was just 10 when Westlife mania began. Back then they were Westside supporting the big boy band at the time Boyzone. It was in the Point Depot Dublin and I instantly fell in love soon trading my Ronan Keating posters for Nicky and the lads. Little did I know how big the love affair with these boys would go?
Westlife have been the soundtrack to my life and I am proud to say that this 23 year old was one, of the 83,000 adoring fans that was there for the boys final goodbye in Croke Park. I’m not ashamed to say that I have attended every tour, plastered my walls with them and cried when they got married.
Westlife got me through them though times as a teenager when you realised that boy you fancied liked your friend and when I wasn’t allowed out to play as I was grounded. It was tracks like Swear It Again, Flying without Wings, and Queen of my Heart that echoed my room as I cried into my pillow.
I still to this day remember the first time I saw them up close and personal. Even the dodgy dancing and stools wasn’t enough to break my love for those five floppy haired boys from Ireland who were causing a pop sensation across the world. The day that Brian McFadden left the band is a day I recall very clearly. Sitting in the corner of the classroom in school sobbing with my friends as the news came in and let’s just say we received funny looks from the members of the teaching staff. As the boys vowed to carry it gave me a sense of relief and helped ease the pain.
As a Westlife fan I will admit that the Allow us to be Frank and The Love Album’s were greeted with luke warm reviews but as Take That made their comeback Westlife upped their game even more and along came hit hits once more as tracks like What About Now and Safe placed back on the top where they belonged. Their annual tours have become part of my yearly routine and it breaks my heart to know that I will never attend another Westlife tour. I must admit Christmas and birthday’s are going to be harder for family and friends as there will be no tickets, albums, books or cd’s that has become ritual for them over the last 14 years.
Call me mad or say im in a World of my Own, but over the past 14 years it has been Westlife and Us Against The World. So a big thank you to Nicky Shane Kian and Mark for the memories that are Unbreakable. Just one more thing lads how am i supposed to leave you when you’re looking like that.
Westlife have been the soundtrack to my life and I am proud to say that this 23 year old was one, of the 83,000 adoring fans that was there for the boys final goodbye in Croke Park. I’m not ashamed to say that I have attended every tour, plastered my walls with them and cried when they got married.
Westlife got me through them though times as a teenager when you realised that boy you fancied liked your friend and when I wasn’t allowed out to play as I was grounded. It was tracks like Swear It Again, Flying without Wings, and Queen of my Heart that echoed my room as I cried into my pillow.
I still to this day remember the first time I saw them up close and personal. Even the dodgy dancing and stools wasn’t enough to break my love for those five floppy haired boys from Ireland who were causing a pop sensation across the world. The day that Brian McFadden left the band is a day I recall very clearly. Sitting in the corner of the classroom in school sobbing with my friends as the news came in and let’s just say we received funny looks from the members of the teaching staff. As the boys vowed to carry it gave me a sense of relief and helped ease the pain.
As a Westlife fan I will admit that the Allow us to be Frank and The Love Album’s were greeted with luke warm reviews but as Take That made their comeback Westlife upped their game even more and along came hit hits once more as tracks like What About Now and Safe placed back on the top where they belonged. Their annual tours have become part of my yearly routine and it breaks my heart to know that I will never attend another Westlife tour. I must admit Christmas and birthday’s are going to be harder for family and friends as there will be no tickets, albums, books or cd’s that has become ritual for them over the last 14 years.
Call me mad or say im in a World of my Own, but over the past 14 years it has been Westlife and Us Against The World. So a big thank you to Nicky Shane Kian and Mark for the memories that are Unbreakable. Just one more thing lads how am i supposed to leave you when you’re looking like that.