TPA Live Review: O.R.k / Thumpermonkey / Landskap / The Earls of Mars / KoMaRa - The Underworld, Camden, London, 21st Feb 2016

O.R.k / Thumpermonkey / Landskap / The Earls of Mars / KoMaRa - The Underworld, Camden

You can read the full TPA Review here

KoMaRa...At times I was just lost in the moment, the sounds and pulses, rhythms and stark edges sweeping me away in a hypnotic weave. This is music to be heard in the present, at the point of creation on stage, and KoMaRa delivered beyond all expectations.

The Earls of Mars...the tight musicianship and Harry’s madman persona kept everything ticking over nicely. Six songs, the result a fantastically entertaining set that kept me smiling from start to finish.

Landskap...On a different night I think they would have worked better for me but my mind had already been taken to a very different place and I’m afraid that Landskap didn’t really do it to me. I enjoyed the EP when I went to have a listen after the gig and will certainly visit them again upon the release of their forthcoming next album.

Thumpermonkey...The angular guitar of Michael Woodman and deft keys from Rael Jones probed and questioned while the rhythm from drummer Ben Wren and current Guapo bassist Sam Warren nailed everything down beautifully...It’s very difficult to properly absorb new music like this in a live environment but I can’t wait to hear it in its finished form.

O.R.k...This is a band that tick lots of boxes: the playing is superb, the music edgy and unsettling but also not difficult to appreciate and in Lef they have a fine frontman. I hope they continue to work together, as a unit they are something of a dream team and tonight’s performance was immense.

TPA CD Review: Dreadnaught - Gettin' Tight With Dreadnaught EP

Dreadnaught - Gettin' Tight With Dreadnaught EP

You can read the full TPA Review here

...Twenty years is a long time to plough a furrow as uncompromising as this but Dreadnaught have achieved it by knowing that melody and other identifiable signposts most certainly have their place amongst the madness, a cheeky grin and a wink allowing them to get away with the more demanding stuff. It’s an utterly brilliant combination that in lesser hands would die a miserable death. Messers Lord, Walton and Habib, I salute you.

TPA CD Review: Lazuli - Nos âmes saoules

Lazuli - Nos âmes saoules

You can read the full TPA Review here

...As expected, there is much to enjoy here and Nos âmes saoules is an album that adds much to Lazuli’s catalogue of recorded works. However, it does not tell the whole story and the true majesty of Lazuli’s live performances remains elusive. This is a band that retains a uniqueness, both in their music and visually, and live is where the magic really happens. I cannot rate this band highly enough and despite the songs only telling part of the story they are the foundations and framework upon which the finished building is constructed on stage, patio, conservatory, crazy paving and all. Just go and see them whether you think you might like them or not. Oh, and buy this too, it’s great. Magnifique!