Album
Artist Delphic
Title Acolyte
Label Chimeric / Universal
On Release January 9th 2010
****/5

Hailing from Manchester, Delphic appear to be carrying the heavy weight of the city’s musical history on their backs (they are already being hailed as the next New Order). The album opens with “Clarion Call”, throwing up explosive synths and a frantic rhythm. The pace (and overall consistency of that pace) of this record is exhilarating, there is no such thing as a “slow song” on show. And coupled with effective looping vocals- this is a pretty good illustration of a 4 piece band going out there to make quality dance music.

Their sound conjures up flashbacks of the glory days of Underworld, Orbital and the likes. “This Momentary” fuses Underworld’s interface of prog rock and driving beats with Orbital’s euphoria inducing electronica.

The title track “Acolyte” sounds like Sasha back in the days when he was pushing the progressive trance brigade with the likes of the “Xpander EP”. Yet while there are pretty blatant nods to yesteryears dance luminaries, Delphic still sound like they are a traditional four piece band as “Halcyon” (ironically the title of an Orbital classic) demonstrates.

Delphic are picking up the indie-rave baton and carrying it on with a newfound energy and credibility.

E.P
Artist David Hope
Title    Daybreak Someplace
Rating ***.5/5
www.myspace.com/davidhope

Hailing from the not-so-far-away Shannon Co. Clare, David Hope delivers a seven track E.P of heartfelt folk tunes guided by Hopes moving vocal dexterity.

“See the Ghost” and “The Cuckoos Return” ebb and flow with endearing warmth that’s quite rare nowadays. In “Our War” Hope projects Nick Cave-like punching vocals and lyrical depth with lines like “I am blood, I am bloodshed, I am blood”

Hopes’ music would flow aptly with a film soundtrack which depicts some sort of driving/journey scene across an expansive panoramic landscape. There is a lot of soul put into this record, and that soul can be heard with every note.

Artist Protobaby
Title Freedom
Rating  3/5

Freedom is available to download now on iTunes or downloadmusic.ie
Limerick’s own four-piece Protobaby release their first EP after forming just over a year ago. They pride themselves on having a unique sound separate from their influences (Interpol, Muse etc.) yet their influences styles are all on show here, which isn’t an entirely bad thing. There is a lot of potential here, if they let those feisty riffs lead their sound.

“Think its Time” is one of those rather gripping bi-polar songs as it has a steady flow like The National but intermittently has raucous guitar work that highlights where this bands true potential lies.

The downtempo interludes they have in their songs are slightly tame and unimaginative, yet when they kick it into 5th gear they instantly captivate.

David Morrissey

Single
John, Shelly & The Creatures
Long May You Reign
Featured on the Forthcoming Album Dinosaur
Single on release now, Album Coming in March

John Shelly and The Creatures hail from Belfast and their single Long May You Reign features on the Discover Northern Ireland advert promoting their native city which means you probably know them even if you don’t know that you do. You’ll be hearing plenty more from this foursome as their beautifully composed and tightly delivered music is guaranteed to see their profile rise higher and higher in 2010. Drawing inspiration from many genres, John Shelly & The Creatures have a knack for blending rock, folk, country and blues to create a sound that is easy listening but never flat, infectious without becoming obnoxious, sweet but not saccharine. Just plain lovely really. None of the band members are called John or Shelly, with Kev Carlisle on drums and percussion, Philip Watts d’Alton on guitar, keys and mandolin, Ger Gormley on bass, guitar and another mandolin and Walter rounding out the sound on guitar, keys, programming and drums, all members contrbute vocals creating a full sound that is still light and airy.

Tasty [legal] downloads

C!ties E.P: If you haven’t got this already then hop to it. Released last year and available if you follow the handy link from the boys myspace
[ www.myspace.com/citiesmusic ] which is a tidier link to print than the actual download link. Instrumental electronic, post rock, prog mental fusionism from the Ennis three piece who have been together for a very short time and managed to record an E.P that most bands wouldn’t manage to create after decades. Awesome.

Podcast: Wandering Feet from the Red Bull Music Academy. This isn’t new but I’m liking catching up with  this monthly podcast a lot at the moment. Hosted by music journalist and Academy insider Emma Warren who gathers producers and artists from across the musical spectrum Wandering Feet celebrates new music, old school knowledge and shares insiders news.