Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk Pennyblackmusic online magazine: new album and single reviews en-us Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8297 Magnificent and atmospheric album from French band, Dale Cooper and the Dictaphones, which takes equal inspiration from both 1950's jazz and the soundtracks of David Lynch films Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8284 Ambitious and enthralling third album from New York-based singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten, which includes guest appearances from Zach Condon of Beirut, Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner, the National’s Aaron Dessner and the Walkmen's Matt Barrick Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8295 Remarkably creative and consistent double album of songs from Darren Hayman, who set himself the challenge of writing and recording a new song every day over the month of January last year Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8283 Exccellent first solo album in five years from Vermont-based folk artist and singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell, who combines simple, but strong narratives with powerful imagery Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8278 Infectious lo-fi mini-album from Birmingham, Alabama-based singer-songwriter Dan Sartain, which merges late 50's rock 'n' roll with a punk edge Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8304 Glorious debut album, sung in both French and English, from Bordeaux-based based band Francois and The Atlas Mountains Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8285 Engaging and typically seemingly effortless combination of sing-a-long pop accessibility and quality foot-stomping rock on seventh album from New York-based alternative rockers, Nada Surf Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8286 Acoustic and lo-fi album of hotel room recordings of largely previously released material from the Lemonheads, which provides a stop-gap in the now seven years absence of new material from them Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8287 Charming, if unoriginal 60's soundtrack-influenced pop sung in Spanish from Argentinian six piece, which grows with each listening Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8277 Excellent double CD retrospective from Cardiff-based singer-songwriter and biographer Anthony Reynolds, which covers all aspects of his career from its start as front man with Jack to his current releases under his own name Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8260 Melodic and intelligent post-hardcore from influential but horribly-named late 80's and early 90's Ohio-formed band Bitch Magnet, whose three albums have been released colelctively in one beautifully packaged set Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8280 Warped funk and glam rock on debut album from Black Bananas, the latest moniker for Royal Trux's Jennifer Herrema Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8296 Intensely personal, but ultimately triumphant ninth solo album from Nashville-based Grammy nominee, Gretchen Peters Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8268 Fine latest album from the much acclaimed Tindersticks, which proves to be slight departure from their usual sound Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8281 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8271 Fantastic debut solo album from Ruth Moody, one of the singers in upon much acclaimed Canadian bluegrass act the Wailin' Jennys, in which she opens up and reveals many more musical sides than she has done before Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8264 Unconventional and inventive combination of jazz, vintage funk and timeless balladry on new album from fDeluxe, who under their former name of The Family recorded an album with Prince in the 1980s Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8291 Infectious guitar-led rock on brilliant debut album from Nottingham-based post punk group, Alberteen Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8273 Outstanding blend of country, folk and pop on latest album from harmonic Canadian duo, Madison Violet Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8294 Optimistic and upbeat second album from Butcher the Bar, the moniker for inventive Manchester-based singer-songwriter Joel Nicholson. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8279 Atmospheric, but enigmatic sixth album from Owen, the project of Chicago-based musician and guitarist Mike Kinsella, which while answering one question poses several more Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8292 Fragile and chilling second album from Birds of Passage, the project of musician Alica Merz, which captures the desolation of winter Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8270 Imaginative dbeut abum from British duo the Woodbine & Ivy Band, which takes ten folk songs and both injects them with new arrangements, and also uses a different singer on each song Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8303 Innovative second album from Hamburg-based act Me and Cassity, the project of one-man band Dirk Darmstaedter, which combines together rock'n roll, pop music and Americana Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8265 Mellow second album of superb experimental rock from Gilbert, the project of London-based musician and Engineers drummer, Matthew Gilbert Linley Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8263 Instantly catchy second single from ska-influenced Manchester group Janice Graham Band, who, while drawing comparisons with the Arctic Monkeys and the Specials, have a distinctive sound of their own Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8274 Compelling new double A-sided single from unique-voiced London-based outfit the Doomed Bird of Providence, which looks at the gruesome fates that fell upon two different sets of early Australian explorers Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8276 Wonderfully downbeat latest single from durable, but overlooked Bristol-based indie pop group the Experimental Pop Band Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8301 Fine six song EP from Bristol-based band the Kick Inside which, while lacking the same energy of their live performances, puts life back into the indie pop genre Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8282 Uplifting indie pop on debut EP from Mouse Deer, the project of Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist Holly McIntosh Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8261 Delicate, but honest-sounding debut single from North East England-based sibling four-piece, the Cornshed Sisters Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:14:43 GMT http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review.aspx?id=8298 Excellent vinyl only debut four song EP from Byrds- influenced Leicester-based band, the Silver Factory