Get ready, because the Maccabees are back! The five-piece from South London ended 2007 on a high after receiving huge praise for their debut album “Colour It In”, which NME hailed as “the best alt. pop record of 2007. No contest.”

A new album will be released in early May, but before that, as a taster, a new track hot from the studio has been released. “No Kind Words” is available to download now, and it seems that the band have had a change in direction.

“Colour It In” was filled with a breezy depiction of times as a child, including playing lego, going to swimming pools on Saturday mornings and teenage crushes. But if this new single is anything to go by, the new album will be much darker. Read more

Audience of One is the latest single to be released from Rise Against’s fifth studio album, Appeal to Reason. The Chicago rockers have already received rave reviews for their new album, which opened at number 3 on the American Billboard 200, making it their highest charting album so far.

If this single is anything to go by, I can see why. Straight away the powerful melody got my attention; it’s the perfect opening to a punk-rock song. Often I need a few listens to decide if I like a song or not, but we’re only 20 seconds or so into this track and it’s definitely a keeper.

Lead singer Tim Mcllrath’s strong vocals then join the party, and already this track has an anthem feel to it. The chorus picks up the pace with simple but effective guitar work and is complimented by Mcllrath’s powerful voice. It’s strong and dominating, and sounds best with the volume on full blast. Read more

After more than a three year wait which has felt like a decade, the All-American Rejects are finally ready to release a new album. Their 2005 record, Move Along really put the boys on the map, especially due to the success of songs like It ends tonight, Dirty Little Secret and Move Along.

The new album, When The World Comes Down is to be released later this month, and the first single is Gives You Hell, a track which has already done well in America.

As a Rejects fan, I’ve been waiting to hear there new material for a while, but the opening of the new song comes as a bit of a surprise to me. It’s a slow, drum-lacking beginning, not something that has come to be expected from the American rockers. Read more

I’ve heard a lot about People in Planes without hearing any of their music, so I was glad when this CD came through my letterbox to review. The Boys from Cardiff are fresh from supporting The Stereophonics in America and Biffy Clyro in the UK, even if they have escaped my radar so far.

Last Man Standing is their new EP, which is being released in advance of their second album Beyond the Horizon. It’s a short, three track look into their talents, which I’m sure will leave you wanting more.

The EP titled Last Man Standing is the first track, and the beginning of the song certainly got my attention. Gareth Jones vocals are a bit different and stand out, and the dark, deep background music makes you picture it’s being made from some sort of dodgy alleyway. The song really bursts into life as it progresses, with the busty chorus fuelled nicely with a busy rhythm. Read more