The Music Note

In terms of venues, I have been spoilt by my last two live music events, both of which have taken place in intimate settings with strong acoustics, adding to my overall enjoyment of the gig-going experience. Although Brixton Academy boasts an impressive interior and thriving atmosphere, it is, at times, notable for its muddy sound, an attribute that was present, but didn't detract from the dynamic horns of Brandon Flowers' set opener, 'Dreams Come True' - the first track from latest release, The Desired Effect . Within moments however, any less than clear acoustics seemed to either subside or go unnoticed, as lead single 'Can't Deny My Love' gained full crowd investment and set the standard for a gig that fully embraced Flowers' solo work, while also touching upon a few Killers classics. The release of The Desired Effect makes for a refreshing addition to Flowers' repertoire, and the eclectic feel of the 80's inspired songs were further e...

As part of his most recent UK tour, Josh Rouse came to London's Kings Place last month for a performance in support of latest album, The Embers of Time . This release comes two years after The Happiness Waltz , a record in which themes of growing older and family life, are effectively depicted through Rouse's atmospheric lyrics. The Embers of Time follows in a similar vein with songs like 'JR Worried Blues' ("I've got a stack of bills this high / I've got worries, worries on my mind") and 'Time' ("Early forties, how ya' doing / What's the deal / How am I supposed to look, how am I supposed to feel") touching upon these previously addressed themes. Rouse's music has mellowed considerably since the darker, moodier sound of 1998 debut Dressed Up Like Nebraska , though it is 2005's Nashville that is often regarded as his best work to date. While the soft, folk/pop of The Embers of Time will come as no real surprise to f...

Following the release of latest album Evermotion , Guster returned to London earlier this month for a one-off, intimate gig at Bush Hall. Although the album arrived in the UK only a few days prior to the gig, initial online previews had already indicated a strong transition from 2010's Easy Wonderful , with this latest effort driven towards a more spacious and atmospheric sound - a clear departure from its predecessor. This long-awaited performance marked the band's first London show in nearly a decade, a fact that was no doubt reflected by the anticipation of the thriving crowd, in both the lead-up and all throughout the 90-minute set. The band opened the show with a haunting rendition of 'Ruby Falls', in which the heightened dynamics of the extended outro was enough to rival the studio version that appears on 2006's Ganging Up On The Sun . Acoustic fan favourite 'Do You Love Me' followed, though it was the defining synths and powerful vocals of 'E...

Bus Stop were a North Carolina-based, pop/rock band, formed in 1990 by vocalist Evan Olson and lead guitarist Britt "Snuzz" Uzzell. Completing the line-up were bassist Chuck Folds and drummer Eddie Walker, though the band is also notable for the involvement of Chuck's brother Ben, who contributed piano to a number of tracks over the course of their four LPs. I first came across Bus Stop after hearing a brief snippet of their music on a TV show. The clip was literally a ten-second instrumental intro section, but it was punchy and energetic, and I was immediately hooked. The track in question - 'What You Do' - and the album from which it appears - 2000's Japanese compilation release, Ball & Chain - offered me a solid introduction to the band's music. The most endearing aspect of Ball & Chain , is how stylistically diverse it is. There is no one sound that dominates, with a tracklist spontaneously spanning multiple genres throughout its 23 songs. ...

Last week, Bryan Ferry appeared on Later... with Jools Holland to perform 'Loop De Li', the first track to be lifted from upcoming album Avonmore . Though it lacks the immediate impact of previous lead single 'You Can Dance' (from 2010's Olympia ), 'Loop De Li' embodies the classic sound that is reminiscent of Ferry's 1994 album, Mamouna . Subtle beats, smooth sax and timeless vocals culminate to a track that shines further with each listen.    

Red Sails' penchant for infectious grooves and tight harmonies are perfectly captured in these acoustic sessions, recorded earlier in the year. A re-working of 'She Had It All' demonstrates the band's strong musicianship for effortless hooks and slick instrumentation, while new song 'Warzones' sets an atmospheric tone that is enhanced by spacious keys and haunting vocal harmonies. Both videos have been beautifully shot, though the fine acoustic surroundings of Liverpool's Nordic Church lends a further warmth to the latter track.

Eight months after his last UK tour, John Mayer returned to London a few weeks ago, for a one-off date at the O2 Arena. Much like last year's October shows, this gig once again centred around Mayer's 2012  Born And Raised  album, along with current release, Paradise Valley . Upon entering the O2, I was curious as to how this gig would compare to the previous year's strong, but not overly spontaneous set - especially when considering the relatively short space of time that has passed since those last UK shows. Mayer opened the set with 'Queen Of California', followed by the instantly recognisable grooves of 'I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)' - a welcome nod to the Continuum album, refreshingly early on in the performance. These initial songs noticeably got the crowd invested in the music, all the while setting the pace for a gig that touched upon the majority of Mayer's back catalogue, including some much-yearned for early material ...