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“Rapprocher” – Class Actress
Class Actress, aka Brooklyn based singer Elizabeth Harper and producer Mark Richardson's, debut album could have been released at any time during the peak of the brief, but surprisingly influential, Electroclash movement of 2001-2003. It's self-conscious, ironic and armed with relentless synths and arch female vocals but unlike the majority of the music released during this period it doesn't reference cocaine, sunglasses or Frank Sinatra. Elizabeth Harper is in her own film noir; she's been to the club, she's left the bar with The Man and he won’t be there in the morning and this album tries to provide a smudgy, ...
Music Riot Secret Santa
Why not let MusicRiot sort out your last-minute Christmas presents for the musichead in your life? We asked some of our contributors to recommend a few stocking fillers from the world of music for you. Our only conditions were that it was music-related and reasonably affordable. Here’s what they came up with (in no particular order apart from the old cantankerous curmudgeon who always insists on having the last word). If you've got any better ideas then let us know; there's still plenty of time. Lou Anderson Queen: 2011 was Queen's 40th anniversary and they did not let it go unnoticed! With remastered versions ...
Isitjustme…
What is it about X Factor that makes millions of people watch it on a Saturday night when they could be out actually having a life instead? I mean you could even go out and watch proper musicians who write their own songs and can play them live without the help of dozens of session hacks. Within a 5 mile radius of the X Factor studios in Wembley there are dozens of venues where great bands are playing to tiny audiences while a bunch of minimal-talent C-list wannabes are performing to a live audience of hundreds and a TV audience ...
The Opiates – “Hollywood Under the Knife”
The past 18 months have been busy ones for Billie Ray Martin. She has released records under her own name as well as with Hard Ton, The Crackdown and now, along with Robert Solheim, as The Opiates. Over 3 years in the making, 'Hollywood Under The Knife' sees BRM reunited with the cool, spacious electronic sound of her first and most successful late eighties band; Electribe 101. Martin possesses the kind of voice that makes an impression; a soulful and haunting wail of a thing, perfect for the glamorous and tragic figures she sings about here. She channels Warhol transexual Candy Darling ...
Billy Walton Band Live
It’s a foggy night in London town (Whetstone actually) and I’m sitting backstage at the All Saints Arts Centre, which is a rebranded church hall where The Who (in their High Numbers era) played in 1964. I’m chatting to the ever-approachable Billy Walton under the eagle eye of Plus One, who’s trying to make sure that I don’t morph into Lynn Barber mid-interview; as if. This is roughly how the conversation went. [caption id="attachment_970" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Billy Walton & Richie Taz (Photo by Allan McKay)"][/caption]AM I’ve been following the tour on Facebook this time and it seems like it’s been a ...
More Featured Posts
“Crank It Up” – Billy Walton Band
If you’re a regular visitor to MusicRiot, you may have noticed that we’re keeping a close eye on the Billy Walton Band here at Riot Towers. There’s a simple reason for that; they’re very good. “Crank It Up!” is the fourth album from the Billy Walton Band, following 2 studio albums and a live set recorded at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Billy Walton and bass player William... [Read more]
“Rapprocher” – Class Actress
Class Actress, aka Brooklyn based singer Elizabeth Harper and producer Mark Richardson’s, debut album could have been released at any time during the peak of the brief, but surprisingly influential, Electroclash movement of 2001-2003. It’s self-conscious, ironic and armed with relentless synths and arch female vocals but unlike the majority of the music released during this period it doesn’t... [Read more]
“The Stone Electric”
OK; I’ll admit it, I’m a bit slow out of the blocks with this one even by my standards. This album was released in 2009, but I happened to see the band a few weeks ago at a London gig and a copy was stuck into my grubby mitt so here we go. The Stone Electric are Noni Crow and Austyn Crow (covering all the guitars and vocals between them) and drummer Rich Matlock. It’s easy to pick out the... [Read more]
The Opiates – “Hollywood Under the Knife”
The past 18 months have been busy ones for Billie Ray Martin. She has released records under her own name as well as with Hard Ton, The Crackdown and now, along with Robert Solheim, as The Opiates. Over 3 years in the making, ‘Hollywood Under The Knife’ sees BRM reunited with the cool, spacious electronic sound of her first and most successful late eighties band; Electribe 101. Martin possesses... [Read more]
Billy Walton Band Live
It’s a foggy night in London town (Whetstone actually) and I’m sitting backstage at the All Saints Arts Centre, which is a rebranded church hall where The Who (in their High Numbers era) played in 1964. I’m chatting to the ever-approachable Billy Walton under the eagle eye of Plus One, who’s trying to make sure that I don’t morph into Lynn Barber mid-interview; as if. This is roughly... [Read more]
