Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea are a four-piece group from Brighton who have been busy recently, with this being their second EP since forming in spring 2009. It’s the Falling That Counts, Not the Landing is a good all round record with a balance of slow and high tempo tracks.

The first track ‘Any Port In a Storm‘ is a solid opener giving you an insight onto what the rest of the record will consist of; with a simple guitar riff a catchy chorus and, what seems to sets this group apart from the others, some great shouty vocals which manages to keep its originality. ’Eyes Turned Inwards‘ is one of the slower tracks with the dark, sinister track name reflecting on the song with its dark atmosphere. Starting off slowly and speeding up, changing tempo numerous times throughout – like any good rock band should in my opinion.

In ‘One Hundred Yards into the Desert’ you can definitely hear influences of the likes of Biffy Clyro showing through, with snappy riffs and chaotic drums. At 2:11 long its a short but powerful track. ‘You’ll Get Used Too Me‘ has to be the most impressive track for me: its the slowest song on the EP but is also the catalyst. With some very impressive lyrics and vocals, it definitely shows these boys have some talent.

‘Johnny Forger‘ is the final track and rounds off the record well but sounds much the same as the other heavier tracks on the record with heavy drums and some clean guitar riffs to break it up. It is also a very short song which is for me one of the few negative points for this EP: that most of the tracks are on the short side.

This is an impressive rock EP from the group, but they lack some originality. Yes its good rock music but its nothing that’s really going to make you take a step back. In saying that the shining light of CM,CS has to be the vocalist with his captivating shouty voice that seems to lift every track. Despite the negatives I think this group has a strong future if they manage to free themselves from sounding like all the other simple riff, post-rock bands kicking about, and try to find their own individual sound.

Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea are currently on a tour of England, check out their Myspace for details     http://www.myspace.com/crookedmountaincrookedsea

It has been announced that The Maccabees will be reissuing their latest album, ‘Wall of Arms’, including the Roots Manuva collaboration.

‘Wall of Arms’ is already a great record so adding to it is just a bonus really. I really like the more edgy, dark atmosphere to it compared to their previous material. ‘No Kind Words’  was one of my singles of 2009, and Roots’ re-working called ‘Empty Vessels’ is just as good. He made a number of simple changes to it: keeping the original chorus, adding two versus of rap; but the result is a fucking great tune.

The reissue will also include three B-sides: ‘Hearts the Strangle’, ‘Accordion Song’ and ‘Sleep Tonight’ – oh, and the band’s cover of Roy Orbison’s ‘I Drove All Night’. It will be in shops on February 1st.

The Maccabees are set to headline the NME Awards Tour in early 2010.

Newcastle O2 Academy (February 4)
Glasgow Barrowland (5)
Manchester Academy (6)
Leeds O2 Academy (7)
Nottingham Rock City (9)
Norwich UEA (10)
Birmingham O2 Academy (11)
Cardiff University (13)
Bristol O2 Academy (14)
Brighton Dome (15)
Bournemouth O2 Academy (16)
Portsmouth Pyramids Centre (18)
Cambridge Corn Exchange (19)
London Brixton O2 Academy (20)

You can download ‘Empty Vessels’ from iTunes here. Or check out the single Here.

I love artists who have the balls to change their style, Plan B has certainly done that with his most recent single Stay Too Long. Now Plan B (Ben Drew) has always sung in his songs, but boosted by his recent collaboration with Chase and Status, he has really pushed the boat out with this track. I suppose it’s pop – never thought I’d say that about him – but really brilliant edgy pop with a good guitar riff. When I first gave it a listen to I was amazed, I was sure it wasn’t Plan B, hopefully that gives you a perspective of how left field this is compared to his other material.

But, once again I love artists who change styles and slightly tweak their sound and slightly trade fans, not just sitting in their comfort zone. Don’t worry though he has already assured his fans that he is not ditching rap or hip hop. Big sigh of relief. He is always going to be based in that genre and plans to stay there.

This guy is really talented and it shows with this single. I am excited to see what he comes up with next.