The Brightest Stars – December 2018 reviews

Reviews by Jason Barnard

Here are the brightest stars as we close 2018…

Paul Roland‘s ‘Grimmer Than Grimm’ breathes new life into his 2011 acoustic album based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. For this new release Mick Crossley deftly adds psych guitar textures Paul thought were missing on the original LP.

Highlights include lead track ‘Nevermore’ (one of Roland’s strongest songs) and the Floydian tones of ‘A Long Time Ago’ and ‘What Will Become Of Me’. Digital, CD and limited LP versions of this fine record are available at Dark Companion Records.

Jacko Hooper‘s third EP ‘Together We’re Lost’ is themed around loneliness and frustration. On this collection of tracks, Jacko’s heartfelt voice and lyrics stirringly connect with the listener. Key songs include the anthemic ‘Trust In Me Always’ and haunting ‘The Long Road’.

The ‘Together We’re Lost’ EP is available on all digital platforms now with limited edition CDRs found through Folklore Sessions.

Every Kid Knows‘ ‘Spinning Jenny’ brings a Super Furry-New Order feel on their debut single from upcoming album ‘Astronauts of the Hydrocosmos’.

With a brilliantly bonkers psychedelic video that mirrors their influences, this a band to watch in 2019: everykidknows.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0R6WvWG0tg

London’s Caspian Lennox‘s debut single ‘The Brightest Star’ brings a melancholic romanticism to a cinematic rock soundscape. With echos of Mike Scott and Mark Knopfler it will be intriguing to hear more from this classically trained artist.

Find out more on Twitter and Instagram.

Cranking the guitars up to 11 in the USA are the The Legal Immigrants whose single ‘Hang on’ instantly has your body shaking.

Fans of garage rock, Creedence, Zep and Greta Van Sleep take note: thelegalimmigrants.com

Brooklyn’s Ryan Gibeau‘s track ‘Flying Away’ reflects his story of lost love.

An exquisitely crafted record with emotive vocals, guitars and strings it is a great primer for new LP ‘Quiet Fall’: www.ryangibeau.com

Chicago based Wes Hollywood brings his Elvis Costello-early Kinks take to Power Pop. Every track on the album ‘Dynamite’ is an incessantly driven lean songwriting demonstration.

With dry observational lyrics woven throughout this LP  you may have discovered your new favourite artist: https://weshollywood.bandcamp.com/