Saturday, February 23, 2008
Album Review: Antiqcool Review by 17 Seconds
Album Review: Antiqcool -'Songs Of Hope And Despair' (Sicknote Records)
This is Antiqcool's second release, the follow-up to 2007's Digging For Gold. Who Antiqcool are is a mystery, neither the sleeve nor their MySpace suggest as to whether it is a one-man project or a band, the sleeves mention Pete but that is all. It is hard to know where they are based, though I'm guessing the north of England.
And what of the music? The sticker on front of the CD reads 'THe Police arrest Fleetwood Mac defended by Crosby, Stills and Nash in Simon and Garfunkel's Crowded House.' This is quite an accurate description; there are no kriss-krossing guitars here, nor apocalyptic beats or howling demonic exhortions to burn in hell.
Still reading? Good. This thirteen track collection of songs is a gorgeous, initiallly slight but more and more enticing and addictive with each listen. This is truly independent music, not because it has guitars on it, or isn't on a major label, but is genuinely music that exists for its own sake, out of time, and all the better for it. I've played it several times since it arrived in the post several days ago, and not only do I enjoy it more with every listen, but Mrs. 17 Seconds is also enjoying it too.
If there is one thing that detracts from this album for me, it's that while the album is pretty sublime, the record appears to have been produced so carefully that you start to miss the absence of a few rough edges that might actually add even more to this record.
No matter. I've been enjoying listening to this, and I think come the summer it will be on the stereo even more frequently.
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Antiqcool CD Review
http://bristolrock.co.uk/ By Moose
Two full length CD's to review here, 2007's Digging For Gold, and the brand new release Songs Of Hope And Despair.
Last years collection of 14 songs is chock full of simple chilled out grooves, jazzy guitar refrains and multi-tracked vocals - the sort of thing that would be perfect while lazing by a pool with a jug of Pimms just trying to forget about work/debt/war (delete as appropriate…..). There's a distinct 60's feel to the vocals on occasions, reminding me from time to time of early period Pink Floyd, or perhaps very early Genesis - but with the dramatic keyboards and pounding drums removed.
The guitars drift into Dave Gilmore territory on more than one occasion, while there are a couple of tracks on which Andy Summers-esq arpeggio type runs pop out as well - and that's before the Police-like reggae of Getting On Back To You kicks in. The material has a very personal feel, with themes generally having a very uplifting quality to them, if perhaps lacking a little in the "excitement" department.
Songs Of Hope And Despair shifts the focus slightly to the vocals, with a more pronounced harmony to most of the lead parts. There's definitely a Beach Boys influence in there somewhere - especially on Vows Were Made Of Glass, with a couple of the backing vocal arrangements reminding me of Good Vibrations, but again minus the excitement or energy the boys from the West Coast of the USA managed to produce. The Mamas & The Papas increasingly popped into my head too - you know, California Dreaming?? Pearl has a slightly more modern pop feel to it, while I'm Getting Love also departs slightly from the nearly horizontal laid back stuff that makes up the majority of the 13 songs on offer.
At the end of an extended listen I'm left kinda feeling that the main Antiqcool man Pete could do with a couple of not quite like minded muso's to collaborate with - someone that could inject a touch of variation to the material, and perhaps a shift of gear or two now and again. Don't get me wrong, there's some quality writing going on here, and the performance and recording can't be faulted either. It just all feels a bit too self indulgent, which I know probably sounds more of a criticism than I'm really intending.
If songs to chill out to are your bag, check out either of these CD's. If you need your music to get your heart racing, as I generally do, then look elsewhere……..
Moose.
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Saturday, January 26, 2008
Review by Paul from Leeds Music Scene
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61472460
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For any artist/band to produce two full albums in two years, is a credit
to their work ethic, include the quality of each album and you become
aware of the passion and belief of the artists involved.
The band in question is Antiqcool, their first CD "Digging For Gold"
combines smooth and slick guitar-work, with consistent vocals. The
influences of Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills and Nash shine
throughout, while the band still retain an originality within their music.
The recently released second album "Songs Of Hope And Despair"
gives a feeling for this reviewer of the late sixties and summer of love
harmonies. With the emphasis taken away from the guitar, and handed
more to the vocals, this brings a "feel" of a Simon and Garfunkel /
The Beach Boys experience, which can never be a bad thing.
The strength of their lyrics is shown throughout the CD, especially
on the track "I Can See Where You're Coming From" which would
be relevant in any decade.
Both albums are an ideal antidote to the stressful world we try to
survive in, let the harmonious tracks drift you to a better and more
welcoming oasis.
In a take, take world, it makes a refreshing change to see an up and
coming band not losing site of reality, with 100% of artist profits,
generated by the sale of "Digging For Gold" and "Songs of Hope and Despair"
to be donated to the
Great Ormonds Street Childrens Hospital Charity.
Their CDs are inspired by the people and places of the north east, the
north east should be proud of this band and their music.
Antiqcool
Album:Songs Of Hope And Despair
Label:Sicknote
Website: http://www.antiqcool.co.uk
The profits from both this album and the band's previous release are going to Great Ormond
Street Hospital Children's Charity, but don't let that be the only reason you go for
"Songs Of Hope And Despair".
You might also want to consider the 60s west coast folk
sensibilities, the almost Simon
and Garfunklesque vocals. This is the second album
from Antiqcool in as many years, some 27 songs in total and
not a duffer in hearing distance.
Modern Americana with a California flavour.
It's a bit of summer sun to blow away the chills
of winter. Forty years out of time and as fresh as yesterday.
Review by Neil at Fatea Records
http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/
Featured Artist 2/2008
ANTIQCOOL
For this month, we're taking it down a notch and enjoying some
sweet, smooth sounds courtesy of ANTIQCOOL. Kiddies, I can pretty much
guarantee your parents will not only like you listening to this
music, but they will try to swipe your albums. It's something to
bond over, and no one will scream at you to turn it down; in
fact, listening to them on my computer generally gets me
requests to turn it up! This group hails from the
United Kingdom, and whoever it was that told them to write
about what they know did a great thing. All of their songs are
meaningful and intelligent, and they all come straight from
the heart.
Also a credit to the group is the fact that they have released
two albums in two years: the first being Digging for Gold; the
second being their brand-spanking-new, just-released
Songs of Hope and Despair. It is a credit to both their aesthetic
and their work ethic that they have done this with absolutely no
sacrifice to quality and meaning in their music. If I was a mother
to any single one of them, I would be exceptionally proud. The
music realm is a very cutthroat business, and you have to admire
those in it who not only make it, but make it on merit and hard
work like ANTIQCOOL has!
As for their sound, it is very reminiscent of the Beatles and Beach
Boys, with a slight jazz and reggae along with the classic rock. This
group is an aural holiday to the realm of vintage. Just like their
name, they are the best of the antique and modern, beautifully
blended with a twist and cool! Retro is in, and this group is
definitely partaking in full-on musical retro-joy with charmingly
(and deceptively) simple melodies that sooth the savage beast
and calm the soul. If you're having a lousy day, if you feel a
little blue, if you're running ragged... take a minute and listen
to ANTIQCOOL! Your nerves will soothe, your heart will stop
racing, and pretty soon you'll find a smile on your face and
peace in your mind. This is a great band to listen to to prevent
road rage, and a wonderful group to meditate to.
Your humble web-mistress' faves? "The Storm" with it's deep
baseline, rock-n-roll top riffs, and Fleetwood Mac sound is at
the top of my list! Following close behind that are
"Brothers Are Made This Way", "Beautiful Mind", and
"Oh Mary" from Digging for Gold, and "My Avatar" and
"Englishman Out in the Midday Sun" from their new
release Songs of Hope and Despair. While we've yet to
see if ANTIQCOOL will be the next British Invasion, they
are well on their way to a shining star of a career!
Review by Mousie
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/mousie/spooky/deathsong.html
Links for ANTIQCOOL:
Digging For Gold on CDBaby.com
Songs of Hope and Despair on CDBaby.com
ANTIQCOOL on GarageBand.com
ANTIQCOOL on Podshow.com
ANTIQCOOL's MySpace Blog
ANTIQCOOL on MySpace
Don't forget to look for their CD Digging for Gold on iTunes!
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Monday, February 25, 2008
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Review by Demo's Reviewed
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=177407807&blogID=361230828
With the fantastic album 'Songs of Hope and Despair' this jazzy rock band could
be on to something here, and manage to produce an album that not
only has a high level of quality throughout, but puts across several different
sounds, styles and songs.
'Englishman Out In The Midday Sun' sits comfortably in the Beatles
deep groove of easy going, feel good music, whereas
'Vows Were Made Of Glass' comes across in a slightly catchier vein, with
a clever opening and an enjoyable feel.
With 'Just Another Groove On A Forty Five', however, the album has
its first stand-out track. This is majestic, and the quality of the track
cannot be ignored.
There are some rockier tracks to compliment the more opo inspired
gems elsewhere here, with 'Pearl' and 'Got To Make That Call' showing
promise, and with 'I'm Getting Love' they possess a funky, stylish number.
Their repertoire is quite vast.
However, all previous tracks are trumped by the album's end track.
'My Avatar' is fantastic, boasting hypnotic drumming and a simply
fantastic vibe. It's a great way to end the album.
Their MySpace page features tracks that underline their talent, so
it's well worth checking out for yourself. If you can get your hands
on this album, go for it.
Antiqcool - Drifting Through My Mind
Review by ONE LONELY HORN
http://onelonelyhorn.blogspot.com/
Placing a prominent sticker on the front of your new
release that lists the bands that have influenced the
recording does you no favours at all. It practically invites
the listener to spend their time spotting the references
rather than actually listening to the music. A particular
shame in the case of Antiqcool for Songs Of Hope And
Despair is anything but a lazy re-tread of already familiar
sounds.
The driving force behind Antiqcool is singer, song writer and
guitarist Pete Smith - further details are hard to come by -
but, as the album is inspired by the people and places of the
North East it seems entirely possible that he hails from that
particular neck of the woods.
The opening track - 'Englishman Out In The Midday Sun' sets the tone with
ethereal vocals layered upon lyrical guitar lines that put me in mind of the Isley's
Summer Breeze, and this relaxed, chilled out feel is maintained throughout.
Herein lies one of potential problems that Antiqcool face in their quest to be
noticed. Their airy, breathily light music just sort of drifts through your
consciousness on a first listen and, in the frantic, instant world in which we live,
runs the real risk of being ignored.
It is only on second, third and subsequent listenings that the strength of Pete
Smith's writing becomes evident. There is a lyrical strength here that is worth
exploring. And, if sometimes the imagery is a little naïve ('I was a pearl in the
middle of an empty shell, found me a home in the bosom of a girl who casts a
spell'), this is more than balanced by a fair share of honesty and tenderness
('Going home, now I'm feeling alone, Got Some pictures in my head to call my
own'). Add to this a strong melodic talent and the vision to experiment with
chord structure and texture and you have much to admire and like.
Songs Of Hope And Despair is not yet the finished article. The production
does not always hang together as well as it could - and neither, more
worryingly do some the songs. This is best illustrated by 'Just Another Groove
On A Forty Five' - perhaps my favourite song and yet the most frustrating. It
has an inviting guitar intro, a strong opening verse, a powerfully understated
hook and a pleasantly melodic guitar outro, but too frequently meanders away
from the road it set out upon and, at over 6 minutes is too long.
The more I have played this album, the more delights I have found on it and the
more I have enjoyed it. If Antiqcool could find a sympathetic hand to lend a
little more focus to their ideas then the future could look very bright indeed.
Message to Publishers
Publishers wishing to contact me regarding exploitation of ANTIQCOOL songs
please leave a message and I will get back to you .
Email :
Web : www.antiqcool.co.uk
Follow the links to hear ANTIQCOOL tracks
http://cdbaby.com/cd/antiqcool2
http://cdbaby.com/cd/antiqcool
Need music for your podcast or radio show? Many Antiqcool tracks are free to
download from the Podsafe Music Network PMN
http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/searchResults.php?SearchString=ANTIQCOOL
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