* Rudimental "Home" [Album Review]
* Michael Buble "To be Loved" [Album Review]
* Michael Buble [02 Concert Review]
* Eden [Club Review]
* Giri [Album Review]
* Red Huxley [Song Review]
* Zero Call [Album Review]
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Welcome to Blog!
Renegade Raider Reviews (RRR) offers reviews on music, artists, club nights and music venues, as well as providing updates on some of the hottest upcoming music events in the UK and Europe.
RRR is all about sharing and caring for music- there are no musical genre limits: Jazz, Swing, Pop, Electronic, R'n'B, D'n'B, Garage, Grime, Alternative Rock, Trance, Techno, Dance, House, Bass and many more.
All suggestions and recommendations for music, club nights, events and venues to visit, party and review are welcome. So please email and send in your suggestions - these will be rated and shared on the blog.
Justin Timberlake is finally back, but is it with the big musical bang so many of his fans were hoping for? Sadly for me, it isn’t. J.T always fills me with a feeling of deep nostalgia, and I think back wistfully to the days when the iconic red tea cosy hat of “Like I Love You” was sexy, and when it was cool to attempt the classic “Rock Your Body” beatbox. Yes, we hear the familiar falsetto voice of Timberlake over deep R&B grooves in his come back single “Suit and Tie”, but it is certainly lacking something. Something, aside from the lack of percussive sounds which punctuated his previous albums, which I cannot quite pinpoint, and I am not convinced Jay-Z adds much to the song other than an additional big name. It is good to know Justin Timberlake is making music again, let us just hope that his upcoming album The 20/20 Exprience will pack more punch.
Overall, a relatively pleasant track, but perhaps it will sound better amidst the sultry temperatures of summer.
In the cold and dark winter months, hiding in the solitude and comfort of my room away from work and students, I absolutely fell in love with James Blake’s first single “Retrograde” from his new album “Overgrown”. A timeless song and one I could happily play on loop into the early hours.
Another cracking hit from Rudimental, it seems they can do little wrong. Since the Hackney collective rose to prominence in 2012 when their single “Feel the Love” topped the UK Singles Chart, they are well and truly working their way up the ranks, earning their fans in thousands and conquering the air space! The new Rudimental album “Home” is available to pre-order now on iTunes, and is set for official release April 29th.
The Monks of Mellonwah are a four-piece Alternative Rock band based in Sydney. Strongly influenced by rock artists including but not limited to Led Zeppelin, Muse, Pink Floyd and the Chili Peppers, the Monks? music displays a masterful yet unique blend of intense space, driving riffs and sharp metaphors. Their first EP, Stars Are Out, is a testament to such a unique blend, and has been highly praised since its release in 2010.
“Stars Are Out” found the Monks receiving significant radio play across Australia on community radio. The band released their first music video ‘Swamp Groove’ in April 2011 and enjoyed airplay on ABC’s music program RAGE. Swamp Groove also claimed first prize at a music video night at Harold’s Shorts short film festival, receiving great reviews and the award from legendary music historian and personality Glenn A Baker.
The Monks released their second EP “Neurogenesis” in May, 2012, along with a new video for “Neverending Spirit”, to an overwhelming response. In addition to international and national radio play, College Radio in the US and Canada, “Neurogenesis” received hundreds of reviews and features worldwide, including MTV, Big Takeover Magazine, CMJ, Kings of A&R, Noise 11 and Tonedeaf. The media attention earned them licensing spots through a number of production companies in the US including Discovery networks and Bunim Murray for use in their TV show productions. “Neverending Spirit” has since been synced to MTV show `The Real World St. Thomas Ep.9′ which aired on August 22, 2012. The video to “Neverending Spirit” also received 31 high profile adds in the US including MTV Networks, and the College Music Journal (CMJ) featured the track on their MixTape for May along with a feature of the band in their magazine.
With their debut album in production, the Monks are building their audience by touring domestically in Australia as well as making preparations to tour the USA in November/December 2012 and again in February/March 2013 to support their album release.
Australian alternative rock group Monks of Mellonwah have recently travelled to the U.S.A for a 2nd time to perform at the 2012 Los Angeles Music Awards, (where the band received 3 award nominations including ‘Best International Artist’), tour the California and New York regions, including a show at the iconic Whiskey A Go-Go in Los Angeles and the Mercury Lounge in New York City. The Monks will also record some new tracks that will feature in their up and coming debut album.
The Monks have had a whirlwind of a year since their “Best Indie Rock Band” win at the 2012 Artists in Music Awards earlier in 2012 and the Summer release of their new EP “Neurogenesis”, which received very positive reviews. The music video for “Neverending Spirit” landed the
Monks airplay on the MTV network and a heightened popularity worldwide.
The band recently completed an Australian national tour and are excited to be heading to the U.S.A for a more in-depth visit. “We are so pumped to be returning to the US and playing at the LA Music Awards. Being able to tag a tour and some recording on the back of the awards show is just fantastic and a dream come true.” Explains Monks lead guitarist Joe de la Hoyde.
The new full-length album will find them working with famed producer Keith Olsen for 3 tracks, and self-producing the rest. The album is due for release in early 2013. Monks of Mellonwah tour dates are below (dates subject to change.
Nov 25 @ Whiskey a Go Go, Los Angeles, CA
Nov 29 @ Garage Inc, San Bernardino, CA
Nov 30 @ TRIP, Santa Monica, CA
Dec 01 @ Jose’s Underground, Monterey, CA
Dec 02 @ Brick & Mortar, San Francisco, CA
Dec 03 @ Old Ironsides, Sacramento, CA
Dec 06 @ LIT Lounge, New York, NY
Dec 07 @ The Room, Brookfield, CT
Dec 08 @ BSP Lounge, Kingston, NY
Dec 09 @ TBA
Dec 10 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
Dec 11 @ TBA
Multi-talented industrial rock/metal/dubstep crossover masterminds BLACKBURNER are set to release second album PLANET EARTH ATTACK on September 25 via Cleopatra/Hypnotic Records. Featuring guest appearances from legendary Star Trek actor WILLIAM SHATNER and members of the prog rock back YES, PLANET EARTH ATTACK further illustrates the bold creativity Blackburner has become known for. Crossing EDM genres of dupstep, glitch, and house with progressive rock, industrial, and noise, the 17-track collection is a journey from depths to heights and back with beats that physically resonate. On “Apocalypse,” vocalist Jessica Jean adds an ethereal edge to the dystopian anthem, while “In Love With The City” infuses a more progressive house sound highlighted by singer Geri X. The single “50 Grades of Space “ is the definitive example of Blackburner’s ability to aurally transport the body and mind with sonic manipulation of tempo and intensity.
Blackburner is a bold new force in electronic music masterminded by producer/musician Skyla Talon, who first cut his teeth in music with modern metal band Killingbird in 2000, later joining Scum Of The Earth, the side project of ROB ZOMBIE axeman Riggs in 2005. After touring the US with acts such as HATEBREED and TYPE O NEGATIVE, Talon began experimenting with electronic dance music production, inspired by the revolutionary new sounds in Dubstep and Glitch music generated by the likes of fellow metal-head-turned-DJ SKRILLEX. The result was the birth of BLACKBURNER – who released debut album ‘FEEL THE BURN’ earlier this year featuring electronic pioneer Edgar Froese of Tangerine Dream as well as John Wesley of Porcupine Tree.
Influenced by the member’s backgrounds as metal guitarists and vocalists, BLACKBURNER combines the heavily twisted and seriously aggressive bass beats of Dubstep and Glitch with the melodic hooks of Rock, Industrial and Electronica to create a daring yet widely appealing new hybrid sound.
PLANET EARTH ATTACK is released September 25 on Cleopatra/Hypnotic Records.
Once upon a time, on the cusp of joining the misunderstood species; I snuck into the cinema with my equally excitable friends to see a film that changed my dreams and aspirations forever: Kevin and Perry Go Large. No longer did I desire to fly to moon, no more did I wish to follow in Rolf Harris’ veterinarian footsteps…I had been officially musically baptized; baptized into a world where the Thong Song no long made me want to wiggle my toosh; I had well and truly forgotten about Dre; and Craig David was definitely 7 days past its sell by date. I had one goal… I needed trance, I needed techno, I needed to be a superstar DJ, and most importantly I needed Amnesia. Ten extruciately long years of bitterly watching my older siblings jet off to the infamous White Isle, whilst I endured the pitiful under 18 discos and local old man boozers, I was booked, packed and ready to go.
They say all good things come to those who wait, but to my utter dismay the first time I visited Amnesia I was verging on crippled. An Ibiza virgin, it was two days after a mammoth night at the Carl Cox Closing party at Space and I had literally savaged every last muscle in my body. I simply could not appreciate that I was standing in what Amnesia itself calls the ‘best global club’. I could but only sway side to side, with a hunched over back, wincing at every desire to fist my hands in the air when the trance was unleashed. But to say I had a bad time, would be complete a lie – I was in a superclub surrounded by thousands of fellow ravers embracing every tintilating soundwave. The last moment I recall at Amnesia was a magical and emotional clubbing moment, on a platform embracing my friend as ’All I Wanna Do Is Do It’ bellowed out the sound system, and we swapped pointing rave fingers with the hired podium dancers. From there on we were unfortunately done for; the last ounce of energy had diminished and suffering an equally painful dance hangover, my companions and I left before the sun had risen; a rather inappropriate time for any Ibiza clubber; though cabs were plentiful.
My second visit to Amnesia last year was equally painful on the body, but certainly more enjoyable. A trip to Ibiza is a test of endurance, thus spending the hours of 7-midnight at CircoLoco in DC10 before hitting a Cocoon party at Amnesia was bound to be difficult. However, fuelled with pizza and several pints of water we joined the masses and embraced the glorious morning ahead.
Amnesia consists of two large rooms. Renovated and updated in 2008, the Amnesia Terrace is a huge rectangular greenhouse with palm trees, an array of bars and is considered one Ibiza and world clubbing’s most spectacular dance music arenas. The Main Room is the traditional place to rave and the room which is famously showcased in the film Kevin and Perry Go Large. It has a central pit like dance floor, which is overlooked by the VIP areas on the top level, as well as the DJ booth and famous Amnesia dancers.
The most legendary feature at Amnesia are the two massive ‘ice cannons’ that blast cold air and fire off at regular intervals in both rooms, as well as copious amounts of foam at the Espuma parties. The cold blasts are refreshing, but don’t do much to reduce the sweat that inevitably comes hand in hand with any clubbing event on the White Isle.
Amnesia is situated directly opposite Privilege, half way between Ibiza Town and SanAntonio on the main road near the village of San Rafeal. The best ways to reach the club are: by taxi [€10-€15 from San Antonio, Playa D’en Bossa or Ibiza Town]; the disco bus which runs all night; or a special free bus which is provided by the club or promoter. Be warned the bus drivers don’t take kindly to the excitable spirits of Amnesia or Privilege revelers. Our last bus driver that took us to Amnesia stopped in the middle of the motorway, turned off the engine and stepped off the bus to smoke a cigarette; seemingly outraged at the foot stomping and chorus of singing.
You can expect to pay from €40 to €50 for the parties Cream and Cocoon. Entry on other days costs between €25 and €40. Spirit and mixers cost €12-15 or more and a beer €10. Water is incredibly - and almost painful to type- €8. Warning: if you’re thinking of visiting in style in the VIP area, the prices are also VIP i.e. more expensive!
Amnesia is arguably the quintessential Ibiza clubbing experience, and has been voted the Best Global Club at several of the last International Dance Music Awards in Miami. The club plays host to some of the world’s leading DJs and brands, as well as hosting some of the most popular parties including: Cocoon, Cream, Matinée, and Espuma (Foam) Party. It is certainly a sight to behold. The light shows are entrancing, the sound system is almost deafening and the interior design is awe inspiring. Off all the clubs in Ibiza, Space is still by far my favorite, but it definitely wouldn’t be a trip to Ibiza without visiting what many call a clubbing haven. Enjoy! And make sure your well rested.
