Beats & Noisecapes

Originating from Leeds in the UK, Condemned to Hope is Black Moth's second album and what an amazing album it is right from the start to the very end without ever faltering one bit. It's been an incredibly long time since I've heard a rock album as accessible, raw, intense and addictive as this.  Black Moth's music is hard to define. The band successfully mixes sludge metal and doom elements with alternative/indie rock. The bass and drums create a solid base that gives the band depth and intensity. The guitars roar with a straight rock edge and Harriet's vocals tie everything up with a raw and honest voice that instantly hooks you in.  I bumped into this band by accident and now I simply cannot stop listening to this incredible album. Condemned to Hope is an absolute treasure of an album, one that feels raw, honest and above all incredibly inspired.  Highlights: The whole bloody album! Rating: Heavy Rotation

Magnolia is The Pineapple Thief's tenth album and the first one in a long career to move to a more concise straight rock (though still containing progressive elements). The album presents a good mix of moody alternative rock with an occasional metal edge and gentle, soothing melodies that evoke great emotion and beauty. Nevertheless, the album is at its best in the more rock oriented tracks. Overall, this is a bold step away from their more expansive progressive sound and into more straight rock territory. Magnolia is a great rock album with beautiful melodies. Highlights: Simple as That, Alone at Sea, Coming Home, The One You Left to Die, Sense of Fear. Rating: Good Vibrations

As far as I'm concerned Interpol have done it again. This is a very strong album that in some ways feels like a back to basics but still offers multiple layers and depth in the music. This is probably their most focused effort since their debut and album that I think grows more and more with every listen. The band sounds reenergised and delivers a very focused, strong album; a perfect mix of indie rock and post-punk. Highlights: It's very very hard to pick songs as I'd say this is more an album than a collection of songs. It works best as an album. But, at the moment All the Rage Back Home, Everything is Wrong and Ancient Ways come to mind. Rating: Heavy Rotation

The Black Market is an excellent punk-rock, melodic hardcore album that packs a punch but also offers a good amount of hooks and melodies with a more introspective angle than in the past. Overall there's a lot of emphasis on melody. The songs are really catchy without ever falling into disposable pop-punk and the harder, faster side of the band in the past shining through at some points, like The Eco-Terrorist in Me. The Black Market is a really solid album from a well oiled, seasoned band with some stand out songs. Highlights: The Great Die-Off, I Don't Want to Be Here, The Black Market, The Eco-Terrorist in Me and Awake Too Long. Rating: Good Vibrations  

Opeth's Pale Communion is an outstanding album. This is progressive rock of the highest order with a perfect mix of progressive rock, 70s style and a little dose of folk.  The album follows the style of Heritage and Damnation.  It's clear right from the start that Mikael Akerfleldt has placed emphasis on melody and the album is filled with beautiful, poignant and memorable moments.  Highlights: the last two songs of the album, Voice of Treason and Faith in Others. Rating: Heavy Rotation