Castle Face US Vinyl & CDs

Review: It may only be January, but we already have a firm contender for time warp classic of 2017 here - this self-titled debut from Once & Future Band, somewhat contrary to their very name, is a veritable smorgasbord of sugary '70s prog-pop, indeed the kind of thing that Jeff Lynne continues to have fever dreams about to this very day. The harmonies here may bring to mind The Beach Boys, yet this meticulously constructed yet never precious album triumphs through its ability to conjure up an expansive and wonder-filled era of sonic grandstanding without ever sounding like tired retro pastiche. It's almost enough to have one wondering how that Jimmy Carter presidency will work out.

Review: This album was a self-imposed ambitious project, conceived to spark creativity amid challenging times. Pivoting from our previous guitar and keyboard-centric albums, we embraced a new approach. I demoed everything on a cassette 4-track using drum loops, aiming for a return to simpler times. Tom and I selected synth sounds, creating samples across three octaves, loaded into Roland SPD-SX samplers, and learned the songs with drumsticks, transforming our writing process. Recording felt reminiscent of brass, so we added a saxophone horn section, thanks to Cansfis Foote and Brad Caulkins, enhancing the reedy bell tones. The result is a blend of Dexy's Midnight Runners, Von LMO, The Flesh Eaters, and The Screamers- a punk junk fusion that's poppy, hooky, heavy, and occasionally sci-fi. With boneheaded riffs and heady lyrics, it's a unique soundscape. Recorded at Stu-Stu-Studio on eight-track 1/4" tape, this album is a fresh, innovative pivot.

Review: Osees, led by the visionary John Dwyer, embark on a bold sonic departure with their upcoming album, Sorcs 80. Shedding their guitars and keyboards in favor of synths and drum loops, the band crafts a space rock odyssey that's both infectious and deeply atmospheric. Dwyer's penchant for experimentation shines through as the album brims with a wall of percussion and haunting saxophone melodies courtesy of Cansfis Foote & Brad Caulkins. Recorded on vintage eight-track tape, the album captures a raw intensity rarely seen in modern productions. Tracks like 'Cassius, Brutus & Judas' exemplify Osees' signature punk ethos, blending poppy hooks with heady lyrics that delve into themes of betrayal and human frailty. The result is a mesmerising blend of punk urgency and sci-fi intrigue with an avant-garde punk.