RGG August 2016 - p.13
Verdict:
Midlands artist Mat Partridge also
known as the vocalist of popular Dudley rock
band Soley Mourning releases 'Parts Per Million'
his debut solo album. In doing so he has
confidently proved that he is one of the regions’
best. This is a true, hard working, professional
singer and tunes like opener 'Kick The Brakes
Off' make little in hiding that fact. It's an easy
listening, smooth radio, soul-post-pop friendly
album and done in such a stylish way that it's
difficult to throw criticism. I don't get inspired
easily by singers thanks to the modern day
reality TV culture which has made singing
become a game show rather than viewed as a
profession, but Mat Partridge is performing the
way industry giants such as Steve Winwood did
when at their best. I'd even say that Mat
Partridge is the singer that George Michael
could have been. Highlights include
'Psychology Song' with the epic chorus “Open
up your curtains” which I assume is either about
the subject of loneliness or curtains of the beef
variety, the stunning 'The Sugarblues' with it's
honest lyrics such as “forgot my momma's
birthday, I knew it was in June but forgot it was
the 12th” are more than welcome in today's
sugar coated music world. You get a full band;
great original music and it's fat sounding
production. Album of the month hands down.
MAT PARTRIDGE
Album:
Parts PerMillion
www
facebook com/matpartridgeofficial
Verdict:
Musician Robbie Sparks, known for
his work in punk rock band Rebel City Radio,
has released 'Skip Rope Rhymes' the incredible
debut album from new project Spaztic Robot. In
his own words “Spaztic Robot is a mongrel. It's
a mixed breed. It's the bastard son of a thousand
albums, hundreds of novels and the little devil
that hides within the darkest crevice of one's
mind”. Whilst some songs, based on their sheer
energy, such as 'Walk The Long Way Home'
sound like Underworld's 'Born Slippy' if Rob
Zombie and Trent Reznor had together remixed
it during a crazy Valium-induced weekend whilst
tap dancing on the coffin of Robert Smith from
The Cure; others like 'The Ants' show a deeper
emotionally resonating film score-like attitude
with its balance of haunting whirlwind melodic
ghost-like vocals and classical guitar playing.
Despite the wall of dark wave, industrial and
post-techno on the album merged with a clever
mix of thought provoking samples and
avante-garde noises which make the THX intro
used in cinemas appear like a little boy trapped
down a well; this album boasts a commercial
feel to it because underneath all the exotic layers
there are great works of song musicianship.
Hard to pigeon hole and that's exactly the
reason why you need to have this record in your
collection. Highlight 'This Is God'; truly
remarkable work.
SPAZTIC ROBOT
Album:
Skip Rope Rhymes
www
facebook com/SpazticRobot
album
month
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NICK
J
TOWNSEND
