Gina Mortlock
Film taste: Alice In Wonderland, The Labyrinth or nothing at all
Music taste: 40s Jazz, 60s Doo-Wop, Alternative 80, noughties electro slash modern Classical
Hangout: Anyone's sofa that will have me!
Most likes (about London): There is always something going on somewhere
Least likes: Paying 7 pound for a bottle of beer
Me in 10 words: A Squirrel Revolutionary
Reviews
artist Fyfe Dangerfield
Thursday, 07 January
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Fyfe Dangerfield - She Needs Me
Unsigned
Well there is no denying the guy is talented; his wiki-listed musical feats are numerous and the Guillemots are pretty magical. And I suppose there is nothing truly awful that can be said about this seemingly nice young man and his new guillemot-esque epic ballad.
Yet the latest instalment in the Dangerfield saga is about as predictable as the latest Celeb Big Brother. Whilst being vaguely entertaining and not without its fireworks, there is nothing new about it. 3/5
Fyfe Dangerfield - She Needs Me
Unsigned
Well there is no denying the guy is talented; his wiki-listed musical feats are numerous and the Guillemots are pretty magical. And I suppose there is nothing truly awful that can be said about this seemingly nice young man and his new guillemot-esque epic ballad.
Yet the latest instalment in the Dangerfield saga is about as predictable as the latest Celeb Big Brother. Whilst being vaguely entertaining and not without its fireworks, there is nothing new about it. 3/5
artist Sketches
Monday, 07 December
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Sketches – Bleed Victoria
Louder Than Bombs
Now there is nothing wrong with being ambitious. But when you try to combine Temper Trap-style minimalistic electro, the emotional indulgence of the Lostprophets, some X Factor warbling and a Hoxton moustache you are bound to be punching a bit above your weight.
Yet Sketches don't do an altogether bad job of it. While it's not really my cup of tea, I have been assured by indie kids across the web that these fellas really are something special. 3/5
Sketches – Bleed Victoria
Louder Than Bombs
Now there is nothing wrong with being ambitious. But when you try to combine Temper Trap-style minimalistic electro, the emotional indulgence of the Lostprophets, some X Factor warbling and a Hoxton moustache you are bound to be punching a bit above your weight.
Yet Sketches don't do an altogether bad job of it. While it's not really my cup of tea, I have been assured by indie kids across the web that these fellas really are something special. 3/5
artist The Drums
Monday, 07 December
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
The Drums – I Felt Stupid
Moshi Moshi
You know that look your mum used to give you after she found out you had been kissing boys and smoking cigarettes instead of concentrating on your school project? That's the expression that this song induces in me: sheer disappointment.
After my last review of the catchy 'Let's Go Surfing', I thought The Drums were going onto big things. Hopefully this tune is just a personality lacking, whiney blip in their otherwise glittering surf-rock career. 2/5
The Drums – I Felt Stupid
Moshi Moshi
You know that look your mum used to give you after she found out you had been kissing boys and smoking cigarettes instead of concentrating on your school project? That's the expression that this song induces in me: sheer disappointment.
After my last review of the catchy 'Let's Go Surfing', I thought The Drums were going onto big things. Hopefully this tune is just a personality lacking, whiney blip in their otherwise glittering surf-rock career. 2/5
artist Catriona Irving
Wednesday, 18 November
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Catriona Irving – Sitting on the Shelf
Neednowater
I can't quite figure this one out… Is she another Kate Nash "I'm posh but I'm not" character, dropping her ts all over the shop, or is this the real common deal? I'm not one to find bad pronunciation endearing (being amongst those who struggle not to put a 'k' on the end of everyfink), yet I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
I'll let my guard down this once Catriona, but if I catch you hanging out in The Ivy saying "this 1961 Petrus is simply ghastly!" you better watch your back... 3/5
Catriona Irving – Sitting on the Shelf
Neednowater
I can't quite figure this one out… Is she another Kate Nash "I'm posh but I'm not" character, dropping her ts all over the shop, or is this the real common deal? I'm not one to find bad pronunciation endearing (being amongst those who struggle not to put a 'k' on the end of everyfink), yet I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
I'll let my guard down this once Catriona, but if I catch you hanging out in The Ivy saying "this 1961 Petrus is simply ghastly!" you better watch your back... 3/5
artist The Cheek
Thursday, 05 November
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
The Cheek – Hung Up
A&M
This song is about as interesting as a Peaches Geldof interview. Sure it'll get a lot of hype and be oh so right now but when it comes to down to it, the words are as carefully crafted as those in a Katie Price novel. It was an actual conscious effort to make it through this repetitive three minute drawl by the latest indie sell-outs.
Maybe if your voice is monotone and your vocabulary consists only of monosyllabic words the music industry isn't the business for you. 1/5
The Cheek – Hung Up
A&M
This song is about as interesting as a Peaches Geldof interview. Sure it'll get a lot of hype and be oh so right now but when it comes to down to it, the words are as carefully crafted as those in a Katie Price novel. It was an actual conscious effort to make it through this repetitive three minute drawl by the latest indie sell-outs.
Maybe if your voice is monotone and your vocabulary consists only of monosyllabic words the music industry isn't the business for you. 1/5
artist Wet Dog
Thursday, 05 November
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Wetdog – Lowerleg
Angular
Wetdog combine the sexual finesse of Mary Weiss, the attitude of Ari Up, and the guitar bashing skills of Bernard Sumner to produce this timeless post-punk tune. The spontaneous tempo and faraway audios make for a messy rockabilly tune that will have you pining for a mud-fuelled festival romp and the odd desire to let your hair matt into dreadlocks.
A healthy dose of pop, punk, and indie all crushed down in one manageable 4 minute chunk. 3.5/5
Wetdog – Lowerleg
Angular
Wetdog combine the sexual finesse of Mary Weiss, the attitude of Ari Up, and the guitar bashing skills of Bernard Sumner to produce this timeless post-punk tune. The spontaneous tempo and faraway audios make for a messy rockabilly tune that will have you pining for a mud-fuelled festival romp and the odd desire to let your hair matt into dreadlocks.
A healthy dose of pop, punk, and indie all crushed down in one manageable 4 minute chunk. 3.5/5
artist Cobra Starship
Monday, 19 October
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Cobra Starship – Good Girls Go Bad
Decaydance/ Fueled By Ramen
As much as I hope that this is some ironical statement about the recent flurry of ridiculously arrogant, fashion-inept pop stars, I very much doubt that it is. But surely it must be… who can take a pre-pubescent quiff sporting teenager donning a pair of Kanye's Vienna blind glasses seriously? Especially when he is spouting some tosh about corrupting young girls with his powers of persuasion.
I'm afraid the only thing you’ve persuaded me of, Cobra Starship, is that your poor excuse for an r&b track is undoubtedly wank. 1/5
Cobra Starship – Good Girls Go Bad
Decaydance/ Fueled By Ramen
As much as I hope that this is some ironical statement about the recent flurry of ridiculously arrogant, fashion-inept pop stars, I very much doubt that it is. But surely it must be… who can take a pre-pubescent quiff sporting teenager donning a pair of Kanye's Vienna blind glasses seriously? Especially when he is spouting some tosh about corrupting young girls with his powers of persuasion.
I'm afraid the only thing you’ve persuaded me of, Cobra Starship, is that your poor excuse for an r&b track is undoubtedly wank. 1/5
artist Banjo or Freakout
Monday, 19 October
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Banjo or Freakout – Left It Alone
Unsigned
Alessio Natalizia is undoubtedly a very talented young fellow, and has yet again produced an indulgently ambient track to lose yourself in. His enigmatic lyrics and lethargic shoegaze guitar work together in a perfect lazy haze of nostalgia, and leave you with that Sunday morning comedown without any of the preceding fun.
Whilst this may not sound like a winner, it is a thought-inducing, life-contemplating track that leaves you with one of those bleary-eyed and inexplicable smiles you get whilst severely sleep deprived. 3.5/5
Banjo or Freakout – Left It Alone
Unsigned
Alessio Natalizia is undoubtedly a very talented young fellow, and has yet again produced an indulgently ambient track to lose yourself in. His enigmatic lyrics and lethargic shoegaze guitar work together in a perfect lazy haze of nostalgia, and leave you with that Sunday morning comedown without any of the preceding fun.
Whilst this may not sound like a winner, it is a thought-inducing, life-contemplating track that leaves you with one of those bleary-eyed and inexplicable smiles you get whilst severely sleep deprived. 3.5/5
artist The Lofty Heights
Sunday, 11 October
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Lofty Heights – Eye Contact
Unit Rad
No you haven't just switched on Hallmark to a '70s TV show re-run; 'Eye Contact' is the latest musical effort of Lofty Heights. Pumping out lyrical heartache about the dangers of holding hands, these boys have nailed emotional surf ditties spot on.
Their inoffensive hand clap-fuelled, smile-inducing indie pop leaves you with that feeling you get when you run down a hill as fast as you can: a coalescence of inane happiness and morbid fear that once you come down, you'll be left toothless and alone once more. 4/5
Lofty Heights – Eye Contact
Unit Rad
No you haven't just switched on Hallmark to a '70s TV show re-run; 'Eye Contact' is the latest musical effort of Lofty Heights. Pumping out lyrical heartache about the dangers of holding hands, these boys have nailed emotional surf ditties spot on.
Their inoffensive hand clap-fuelled, smile-inducing indie pop leaves you with that feeling you get when you run down a hill as fast as you can: a coalescence of inane happiness and morbid fear that once you come down, you'll be left toothless and alone once more. 4/5
artist Fever Ray
Sunday, 11 October
SINGLES OF THE WEEK
Fever Ray – When I Grow Up
Rabid Records
As per, Andersson's lyrics are a tangle of naïve wishes and half baked thought trails. It is the kind of beautiful nonsense you were expected to pick apart at school, even though you knew it was more likely to be the result of an opium trip than a moment of spiritual enlightenment.
But as I have neither the time, nor the will to decipher the deep and meaningful, I simply love the track for what it is: a catchy little piece of ear candy. 3.5/5
Fever Ray – When I Grow Up
Rabid Records
As per, Andersson's lyrics are a tangle of naïve wishes and half baked thought trails. It is the kind of beautiful nonsense you were expected to pick apart at school, even though you knew it was more likely to be the result of an opium trip than a moment of spiritual enlightenment.
But as I have neither the time, nor the will to decipher the deep and meaningful, I simply love the track for what it is: a catchy little piece of ear candy. 3.5/5
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