LickSpittle – Steve McQueen

Deep basses and smooth beats, LickSpittle is trying desperately to hold on to the 90s grunge and indie pop scene – and it works. Instead of trying to jump on board an already overbooked boat, LickSpittle is setting sail themselves with a refreshing take on modern electric pop.

With exciting guitar riffs and syncopated rhythms, Steve McQueen is a debut single Lickspittle can be proud of.

The use of subtle dynamics and catchy hooks creates a song that repeats in your head even after you’ve finished listening to it.

Steve McQueen is a fresh track from a fresh band but after whetting our appetite, all eyes are focused to see what Kid Kudos and Jimmy Suds can do next.

(Preview of Steve McQueen)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Release Date: 28th February 2011
Label: Mostar Records

The Riot Tapes - Photograph

Straight out of Dublin, The Riot Tapes began their quest for success after Chris O’brien and Elaine Doyle joined forces in 2009. Fast forward two years and debut single Photograph is out and getting recognition from multiple radio stations across Ireland.

The track feels like it should be accompanied by a cheesy American teenage movie, where a girl and guy has just figured out they love each other. But don’t let that put you off, the strangulated guitars and great vocals quickly catch on and you inevitably find yourself bobbing along.

The intelligent use of breaks adds a rippling dimension as the music builds and falls before the finale, the kiss.

It says a lot about a song when it can be played back-to-back five times and still not get boring. Photograph has that quality. The more it’s played the more is released and the easier it is to see why this band are spreading across Ireland like wildfire.

Photograph is the culmination of two years hard work rolled into 3 minutes and 48 seconds and it shouldn’t be long before the wildfire spreads and they captivate a wider audience.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Release Date: 23rd March 2011
Label: Mostar Records