Those Damn Crows - Point of no return

"Point of no return" is the second album by Welsh five piece Those Damn Crows.  I only came across this band this year (2020) and was suitably impressed enough to go see them at the Cathouse in Glasgow last month.  The following Friday after seeing them, this album came out and reached number 16 in the overall UK charts. Impressive considering this is an up and coming rock band, competing with loads of bands in a genre which doesnt get that much exposure on mainstream radio.  But these, like them all, are trying to break that mould. And really this has been the most successful breakthrough by an up and coming rock act in quite some time.

So, what makes this album stand out?  Well for a start there is a high level of quality delivered across all 13 songs.  Yes, I have favourites which I will go into.  But across the board there is not one track on this I would skip.   Is it better than their previous album?  To be honest I don't think it's that much better.  Their first album "Murder and the motive" was a great album but I think at that point they were at the early stages of trying to get noticed and maybe the right people or the influencers hadn't heard them yet in order for the snowball effect to occur and for them to get bigger.  But this is certainly happening now. 

The music is classic rock and roll.  Straight up and to the point.  The vocals are clear and well delivered. If there are guitar solos, they are short and generally the focus is on riffs.  There are songs which are heavier than others. For example, my favourite "Send the reaper" which is probably the heaviest on the album.  But even when I say heavy - it is not metal in any shape of form.  Before that you get the piano ballad "Never win" which is a real contrast to the rest of the album. And mixes things up for them.  But the thing is there is only one song on the album like that and for me it makes me think if it really belongs on the album. Or if they should have had more tracks like that to make it a more well-balanced album.  It's an argument I really don't have the answer to.  As it is a great track so needs to be heard somewhere along the line. 

Overall, I could go through each track on the album and say positives about all of them.  This is a very good album and unless there are a lot more great albums come out this year I would be very surprised if this wasn't in my top 10 albums of 2020.   But it is the best I have heard so far this year.

12/02/2020 - Explosions in the Sky @ Royal concert hall, Glasgow

Every year for our birthday, my brother and I choose a gig to go to together.  The past few years we have seen acts such as Death Cab for Cutie, The GRIT Orchestra and Twin Atlantic.  We have always had a fair degree of crossover in our musical tastes so picking a gig that suits both of us is never really a problem.  This year we chose Explosions in the Sky.  The last time we saw them was November 2005 at the ABC 2 so nearly 15 years ago. They were supporting an act called Four tet who were much different to them.  

I was a bit surprised when they annonced that they were playing the Royal Concert Hall. The first reason being I didnt think they were that big and the second reason being I don't really see them as a band you sit down to.  I think I was partly right with my first point.  The main seating area in the middle was pretty much sold out. But round the sides and in the top section there were plenty of seats. But I did think there was enough people there to warrent playing there.  Also it was quite nice to get a seat for a change so not really complaining on either account!

The support tonight was by A.A Williams.  A singer songwriter from London.  It was just her and her piano and she also had a bassist with her.  She had a half an hour set which was quite slow, dreamy, relaxing sort of music.   To be honest, although I found it quite relaxing listening to it. It wasn't really my sort of thing and I won't be following up on this one.

Then it was time for Explosions in the Sky.  They came on and one of the guitarists gave a breif introduction about the bands history with giging in Glasgow and thanking the fans for coming out to see them all these years. And that this was their 20th year as a band and this anniversary tour was to celebrate that.  This was actually to be the last time the microphones were used by the band apart from to say thank you at the end.  

This is because Explosions in the Sky are a Post rock band which basically means rock music without singing.  It took me a few songs to get into it as I have not listened to their music in years.  But once I got into this I was captivated.  They are such a tight band and you can tell they have been playing with each other for years.  

One thing you do at gigs is you often focus on the lead singer. He is the one who really connects with the crowd.  Sometimes during this gig you didnt know where to look. But they did this swaying action while playing their guitars so at least they weren't static.  All in all they played 11 tracks which were spread pretty much equally over 5 albums.  What I loved about this the most is when they reached points when playing where it just felt like a wall of noise.  As I say completley captivating stuff.

9/2/2020 - Starset @ The Garage, Glasgow

I was meant to go to this gig with Campbell but unforetunately Storm Ciara wrecked havoc and they trains were screwed and there was no gurantee even if he got there he would get home ok. Luckily I had enough time to source a replacment gig buddy for the evening and my Dad stepped up to the mark.  Something about gigs I just dont see it as an activity you do yourself, even though most of the evening is spent appreciating the music.  I still prefer talking to someone during the in between bits.

Anyway we got to the venue about 7.15 as doors opened at 7pm.  There was actually quite a big queue but we got in, in plenty of time.  One thing I was a bit surprised about was that there was no support.  But the tickets were fairly cheap at £18 and they have been around a while now so can play longer than bands in their infancy. 

They came on about 8pm and burst into "Manifest" off their third and current album "Divisions". In fact nearly half the set tonight was focused on that album. Showing a band that have faith in their new material.  Personally I think its a great album and stands shoulder to shoulder with the other 2 albums. 

In terms of live performance Starset really are a great band to watch.  With Singer, gutarist, bassist, drummer and then violinist and cellist.  They are such a dynamic rock band who have carved their own unique blend of cinematic rock.  On the screen you have video accompinants to the songs. Some songs its just film of them playing currently but others are intreging videos.  None more so than half way through the set where they left the stage for a time and played a sciency video which I'm sure some people in the audience understood but it did seem quite complicated.  When they came back out they were all changed in terms of outfits -  the gutarist and bassist donned spacesuits while the women changed into dresses. 

I still remember when I first saw Starset a couple of years ago supporting Shinedown and was blown away.  This was slightly different as I knew what to expect.  The surprise element of last time wasnt there. But I tell you what was there. The full Starset experience.  This is a band that put on a show and go to lengths to make it feel like you are experiencing something that is not like any other band you will go and see.  And for that I really appreciate the effort they put in and for coming over from America to our shores.  And "My Demon" probably is still their best song - the crowd did know most of the songs tonight but they really went for it with "My demon". It was tremendous.

05/02/2020 - Those Damn Crows @ Cathouse, Glasgow

For the last few years I haven't been to any, what you would consider, small gigs.  It's either been the Hydro, Academy, Braehead arena or the trip down south to the Etihad stadium.  Campbell only introdcued me to Those Damn Crows a month ago after he told me they were playing Glasgow. I took one listen and was eager to get along and see these guys.  And we were lucky to get tickets too. Originally the Crows were meant to play the Attic bar in the Garage but due to demand got upgraded to the Cathouse.  Campbell thankfully managed to snap up the tickets before they were sold out.

There were two supports tonight. First up was Tribeless from South Wales who consisted of a female singer, a guitarist and a drummer who fused together to produce some good rocking tunes.  The singer, Lydia McDonald gracefully moved about the stage connecting with the crowd.  I think they said this was actually their first tour and it wouldnt have surprised me as they seemed very young. I say very young but thats probably 18-20 sort of age - I m just getting old!  But for a band that sort of age does seem like they are still at the beginning of their journey. 

Next up was Florence Black - another band from Wales and in fact all 3 bands were from the same area and knew each other prior to going on tour together.  This was another 3 piece with the difference being the singer also played guitar and there was a bassist as well as a drummer.  It felt like Florence Black were a bit further down the road in terms of progression in their music than Tribeless, hence the higher billing.  These guys are actually headlining a few of the smaller festivals in the UK.  And from their set tonight you can see why. They are a passionate rock band who really gave it their all.  But I would say that about all 3 bands tonight.  One thing I was thinking during this set is just so hard to breakthrough in the rock genre these days as they market is so flooded with rock bands.  You really need something to stand out.  The fact Tribeless has a female singer who can sing does put them at an advantage.  Florence Black seem to be creating a path for themselves but I wonder how they are going to get to the next level now.

Then on come Those Damn Crows. By the time they came on the place was packed and the crowd was absolutley buzzing for them.  They played a mixture from their first album and at that point the soon to be released "Point of no return" album.  Like the other 2 bands tonight they went all out. But there is something different about this band.  The songs they have just feel like they are at that next level.  They seem to be making a breakthrough with this new album which I think is half down to being with a bigger record label. The reason I say this is that the quality of output from the 2 albums I couldn't tell between them.  They had an absolute blast and it seemed like the crowd already knew most of the songs which added to the atmosphere.  I was wondering if they were going to play "Never win" off the new album as it is a piano led track. And not only did they do it but they also did a special piano edition of another classic track "Blink of an eye" which is off the first album.

I think if one thing that is clear from tonight it is that Rock and roll ain't dead.  But it may be a saturated market.  Those Damn crows have got themselves a fan.  Next time I see them though I dont think the ticket will cost £12!

18/01/2020 - Slipknot @ SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Slipknot have been a band that I have always been facinated with.  Right since their self titled debut album came out in 1999. 21 years later and I'm finally seeing them for the first time.  I wouldn't say I am a massive fan but I am a fan.  By that I mean that I have only gone in-depth with a few of their albums. I am familar with a lot of their singles so I thought I would know enough of their music now to warrent going to their gig. On top of that their most recent album "We are not your kind" is superb and in terms of a complete album, I think its the best they have done.

Most of the time when I tell people who I'm going to see the answer is "Who?".  While saying your going to Slipknot does still bring this response sometimes. Most people do recognise the name and their response is often screwing up their face with "Why!?".  "   Some bands I do get this. Sometimes you do get metal bands that its hard to distingish the songs between each other as it feels like just a noise and the singer is just growling.....................A bit like the support band which was Behemoth.  They had a pretty impressive stage set with flames and nice light show. But the actual music was pretty hard to listen to.  I couldn't make out any words and it did feel like it was just growling.  There were some nice guitar bits but I'm clutching at straws to say enjoyed it at all.  But I understand that going to a Slipknot show that Slipknot verge on this type of music so I can imagine there would be a fair amount of the crowd that would enjoy it.  Just not me.

When Slipknot came on their stage set up was not surprisingly even more impressive than Behemoth.  Its like it had 2 levels with travelators and stairs.  The band came onto AC/DCs "For those about to rock" before bursting into a top hit from their latest album "Unsainted".  They played a mixture of songs from across their albums. Not focusing on one album too much. In fact their debut album is the one they focussed on most with 5 songs, with We are not your kind with 4.  I would say I recognised about three quarters of the songs. But as I was discussing with Campbell who I went with afterwards. He reckons they played quite a few songs which were more deep cuts to please the older more hardcore fans.  But the songs I did recognise I was delighted to hear the likes of "Wait and Bleed", "Duality" and "Before I forget" just to name a few.

Back to my point earlier about the reaction of people when I tell them I'm going to see Slipknot.  Personally I would understand that reaction if it was for Behemoth but I dont quite get it with Slipknot. Because for me there as well as that growling energy, there is singable choruses. And the singing is pretty dam good!  The growling feels like anger release and when I listen to it its like a release you would get if you were just to shout out at the top of your lungs.  But I think there needs to be that balance between the singing and growling to make it any good and I think thats where Behemoth fell down.

Slipknot were amazing live and I'm so glad I got the chance to see them.  Whether they will be able to top We are not your kind remains to be seen but im intrigued to see if they do.

Alter Bridge, Shinedown and The Raven age @ SSE Hydro, Glasgow

When the announcement first came out for this gig saying that Alter Bridge, Shinedown and Sevendust were all going to be playing under the same roof, on the same night in Glasgow; To say I was excited would be an understatement.  I messaged my gig buddies, who are hardcore Alter Bridge fans and who I went to see Shinedown with last year to see if they were up for it. And it turned out Craig wanted to go with his mum to celebrate his mums 60th and Campbell wanted to go with his wife Mico who needed accessibility tickets. But Brian stepped up to the plate and said he would join me so I was relived and excited!

We all assembled before the gig at Clydebuilt just before the gig, having banter and food before going our seperate ways as we made our way over to the Hydro to catch of the first support acts.  This was meant to be Sevendust, but unforetunatley due to illness, they had to cancel, so The Raven age who had just done the European part of this tour were kept on for the UK leg too.  Myself and Campbell had seen The Raven age last year suppporting Tremonti and enjoyed their set.  This time round they were playing to a much bigger audience.  They are a classic hard rock band and you really feel like they give it there absolute best when they play.  They have good songs, a lot of energy and a singer who tries to connect with the audience.   Hopefully they will move on to bigger and better things but one thing I have observed recently as there are a lot of good rock bands about and it must be hard to break through.

Next up was Shinedown. As I said, we saw them headline the O2 Academy last year and it was sold out.  This really was a huge support act for Alter Bridge to have and even on the ticket it says "Alter Bridge + Shinedown" rather than having one underneath each other.  To be honest I thought they would get 30-40 minute set and that would be that.  So when Brent Smith (the lead singer) started talking in between songs (as he does).  I did turn round to Brian at one point and said just play the songs!  I like his interaction and general positivety but I thought it was going to be a short set so wanted maximum music.  Turns out I was wrong. They were on for a full hour!  And each song they played I knew and they were all absolute belters! I enjoyed it so much!  "Cut the Cord", "Devil" and set closer "Sound of Madness", all in there.  Brent really is a showmen and the place was packed out for this.  Something I noticed during Alter Bridge was that being up the back it was actually quieter around us that it was for Alter Bridge. Meaning I think some people were there just to see Shinedown.  And I do genuinely feel they are big enough here now to headline a show at the Hydro - thats how big and good that they are getting.

Now onto the headliners for the evening, Alter Bridge.  The difference between them and Shinedown was there for all to see as Alter Bridge generally give you the music with little chat in between where as with Shinedown there is a lot of chat and movement round the stage.  This is nothing against Alter Bridge as they are both good in their own way and boy was Alter Bridge good.  The songs from the new album like "Wouldn't you rather" and "Dying light" stood up well against the giant songs they have made in previous albums. I was so pleased they played "Water Rising".  It was just the one song Mark Tremonti got main vocals on tonight but it really is such a good song.  "Cry of Achillies", "Rise Today", "Metalingus" and "Ghost from days gone by " were other highlights. But to be honest I recognised all the songs in the set bar one.

There was one track though which stood above the rest and to me is their all time best song ever. That song is "Blackbird". It is their epic. Great vocals by Myles and the guitar solo, first by Myles and then by Mark was just next level. I rank this song in my top 5 songs of all time now and I feel so lucky to have seen it live.

It was one of those gigs that really wont go out of my memory for a long time. It was simply amazing.

Alter Bridge - Walk the Sky

"Walk the Sky" is the sixth album by American rockers Alter Bridge.  It could quite easily be argued that members of Alter Bridge are some of the hardest working muscians in rock music today. If they are not working on Alter Bridge's next album, you've got a various array of successful side projects along with constantly touring.  I haven't been into Alter Bridge that long, mainly because somehow I hadn't discovered them until a few years ago. And even then they took a while to grow on me.  But they did and this was a highly anticipated release. Not just by me, but the whole rock community as a whole.

When the singles started to drop in the run up to the release, it felt there was a slightly mixed reaction, but overall it felt very positive.  "Wouldn't you rather" was first and for me was an instant hit, straight off the bat.  Then "Pay no mind", "Take the crown" and "In the deep" followed. This made me even more excited about the album as the quality of these tracks were sky high.  Then the final track they dropped was "Dying Light" which is the album closer.  I wasn't really into this track for starter but once I listened to it in the context of the album, it fits perfectly. And I am not really sure how it took me so long to realise there was an amazing guitar solo in it! It's as if my brain switched off on the initial listens half way through the song. Well that doesnt happen now!

It took me a while to get into the album as I found it quite full on and by this I mean it felt a lot to take in.  After the first track "One life" which is a bit reminisent of "Slip to the void" intro, with its magical slow build up.  It's really non-stop, full on rock till the album closer "Dying light". But bit, by bit, listen by listen, tracks seem to make more sense and become more managable to listen to. 

I think I could talk about every track on this, as its that kind of album. Although it's all go, each track brings it's own thing to the party.  3 tracks which are my favourites right now are "The bitter end", "Forever falling" and "Clear Horizon".  I think the fact I have named 3 tracks which were not released before the album comes out emphasises the strength of this album.  "The bitter end" on paper makes you think it may be a bit of a negative song. But it is the complete opposite.  This is so full of life and the lyrics are so positive.  "But the joy I found, in the sweet here and now, it keeps me alive".  Basically living in the now is what its all about.  "Forever falling" is the track a lot of people were hoping would be on the album since Mark Tremonti is on vocals.  Myles's voice is excelllent but Mark has a great voice too. And because Mark doesnt appear on main vocal duty that much on Alter Bridge albums. When he does it makes it all the more special. Then there is "Clear Horizon" which is just a wonderful song.

Overall this really is a great album and is one of my albums of the year so far, if not the best album that has come out so far. The quality of the tracks throughout the whole album is sky high and I can't wait to see them in concert later on this year.