The Verdict

Ten track album plus two bonus tracks (Alternative versions of opening track “When I Look Into Your Eyes” and “The Captain’s Dead”). Highlights include “Doorway”, the hope filled and inspiring “Dance” (one of my favourites), the wonderfully thoughtful and beautifully executed homelessness awareness song “Nothing Was Said” and the beforehand mentioned “The Captain’s Dead” which is a somewhat creepy yet spiritual compelling masterpiece of storytelling and both versions on here are definitely worth your time; it’s all down to personal taste; each set a different tone. I didn’t like the front cover design at all as it’s way too generic; could have done with a good photo of John with his guitar I reckon and I think the broken Jewel case it was boxed in is so 1999 but this is a superb album and I was quite impressed.

There’s a huge level of song writing ability and there’s some darn good tunes on here. My only gripe musically was ‘Como-Estas’ which is a quaint Spanish Mexican mash up that to me really felt more like a poor mans version of the opening and closing theme music for the TV series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Let me just add that I detested that show during my youth which may explain my odd reaction to this one John Langford song. My apologies. I’d call the overall style of this Black Country singer songwriter acoustic blues but he may have a far superior way of describing his music. Top work and definitely album of the month. I was very impressed with the top levels of professionalism here. Brilliant work. John has many more entertaining releases which can all be discovered by going to his main site.

www.johnlangfordmusic.com

Staffordshire / West Midlands based four piece Alt-Rock band Learn To Lie release their single ‘Feel’. Solid track overall, maybe for a single it could have been a minute shorter? Balances chart pop and rock like a see saw. It grabs your attention immediately by coming in with catchy mainstream indie guitar and vocals but then for the chorus arrives, like an oil tanker, the not so obvious metal riff which really turns up the heat. Rather enjoyed this; it’s got elements of prog for all you musician boffins out there but the main thing is it’s a good song so it’s single of the month.

www.facebook.com/LearnToLie

By far the best tunes yet from Dudley rockers Buzzard. This four track release although smaller than their previous two main offerings is a gigantic leap forward; it’s coated in high production values and, most of all, the songs are way more focused ensuring that this is not only an enjoyable ride but the most professional Buzzard record to date. Highlights are title track ‘Feed Me To The Wolves’ and ‘Shine For You’. If you love gritty but fun well written hard rock then this band is for you. Highly recommended for fans of Motörhead and Foo Fighters.

www.buzzarduk.com

Ar day like it at first. (Black Country speak). Either complete unrealised genius or slightly cack-handed. I honestly thought this was satire and that Tom had walked around the Black Country with a red, white and black note pad, wrote down every street name or landmark he saw, sung it all in a regional accent and then recorded it; that was my first impression! There’s epic opener ‘Black Country Blokes’ leading into ‘Black country Roads’ riffing like a John Denver ‘Take Me Home’ parody in places followed by ‘I aye Brummie I’m Black Country’ which I assume gets said a lot. Twelve mainly acoustic tracks of enthusiastic poetic Black Country propaganda aimed at anyone wearing a Black Country flag who’ll arguably find this release either pleasantly patriotic and charming or a bit cheesy. The first three song titles all contain the words Black Country. Imagine The Edge from U2 telling Bono “No, you wanna call these singles ‘Ireland Bloody Ireland’, ‘With Or Without Ireland’ and ‘Where The Streets Have No Ireland’. Opener was intriguing and genuinely thrilling but after more tunes it felt like a prostituted Dudley Metropolitan encyclopaedia. However, ‘Debbie’ and ‘Kebab And Cuddle’ saved it for me, I went through ‘Tek Me Um’ several times; my opinion improved. Singing in a Black Country accent is refreshing but lyrics trapped in a Black Country bubble feel claustrophobic. Harping on about the Black Country will likely mean success; ensure song placement on a Peaky Blinders soundtrack perhaps or guarantee headlining Black Country Day for eternity? So please promise you’ll do more; I just didn’t have a bostin time. Tom this wasn’t for me and love the Black Country.

www.facebook.com/tomfromwestbrom

Black Country solo artist Mat Partridge delivers a passionate performance in his latest music video ‘Copies’ which clearly confirms that he is still one of the finest and inspiring male singers and lyricists in the Midlands music scene. Available to watch now on YouTube and taken from his upcoming second album. The video is packed with excellent visuals that suit the subject matter; watch and learn. Mat has the unparalleled natural ability to entertain with ease and this demonstrates it very well so I’m making this music video of the month. Everybody got that? Much darker than his previous work too.

www.matpartridge.bigcartel.com