Archive for the Single Review Category

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Ash – Pripyat (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, Single Review with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 21, 2009 by Tickets There


These A – Z singles are becoming very comforting. So far we’ve haven’t had any duds and tracks like Return of White Rabbit and Arcadia have already become firm fan favorites and earned permanent positions on the bands future set-lists. As well as them, we’ve had the excellent Tracers, The Dead Disciples, Joy Kicks Darkness (one of TT’s fav’s) and True Love 1980. All great, catchy, hooky repeat phrase, repeat phrase tracks that stand up well against anything Ash have done before.

Now, we’re moving along nicely into F and a wee track called Pripyat which they’ve released a few days after a big push for their H single, Space Shot so Tickets There is thinking they’re going to start focusing the video’s and marketing for key singles along the way rather than give each one the same attention. In all fairness, Pripat’s a little dull in comparison to Space Shot so Tickets There’s hopes for the next single, G aren’t riding high.

The track has the same grandness that we saw on Joy Kicks Darkens and Tracers but it’s lacking that little push that makes Ash tracks great. There is an overall flow and style used across pretty much every single we’ve heard so far in this series but while the others have all shared common traits, they’ve still managed to maintain a uniqueness that makes them stand out as legitimate singles. Unfortunately for Pripyat, it just seems to go with the motions and settle in the background. If this was a traditional album release, Pripyat would be a B-side at best.

Despite our words, Tickets There has heard Space Shot (as can you at www.ash-official.com) and believe us, there’s more good stuff coming from the lads. Stand by for the review.

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Ash – The Dead Disciples (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, Single Review with tags , , , , , , , on December 7, 2009 by Tickets There

God, I can’t believe how quickly these fortnights are going by. It seems like only yesterday Tracers came out and all of a sudden we’ve got another one! The fifth single of Ash’s A – Z series, The Dead Disciples is now available and it’s definitely worth making the trip to ASH-OFFICIAL.COM to hear it.

Opening with a nice gritty guitar, the song bursts forth with a tight mixture of electro-rock styled guitars grinding out some sweet ‘in your face whiteboy’ riffs. The song is one of those heavier, grunge styled Ash moments. The verse is stripped back with a tasty dirty bass line and some naughty little pulls from the guitar and Tim’s punk rock style vocals. Unfortunately the chorus, while still catchy and belting, is a bit over harmonized for the verse which stops it from competing with past grunge glories like A Life Less Ordinary and Innocent Smile, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the catchiest singles of the series.

Overall all it’s another winner. Tickets There can say happily that we prefer it to Tracers and would currently rank it second overall behind Arcadia. Now, that’s enough from me, go check it out and see what you think. Until next time, (F), have a pleasant two weeks.

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Ash – Tracers (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, Single Review with tags , , , , , , on November 24, 2009 by Tickets There

Fourth in Ash’s A – Z series which they’re currently on tour promoting. The guys are set to release 26 singles over the next year and the first three, Joy Kicks Darkness, Arcadia and True Love 1980 have all been strong additions to the Co. Down boys repertoire and for those impatient people out there, Tracers is just as strong.  

Tim and the lads have a god given knack for writing semi-down toned borderline grunge anthems and combining that sound with the most perfect pop sensibilities known to man and the hard rock guitar ability needs to pull it all off. On Trackers we find the bands shinning talent for catchy song writing as well as their ability to use different styles to deliver their famous ballads.

Unlike Arcadia, the song is a little more relaxed and restrained which adds the difference every band needs in their writing. Muted guitars, regular changes and the lack of a full on guitar driven chorus explosion leave the song one of the best they’ve release so far. It’s heavy though. The whole song bursts with overtones of the eminent peak getting closer and then they cut loose with a galaxy of other instruments to drive the point home rather than relying on age old tactics and formulated standards.

What would we have done differently? We would have started a band and cried because we’re not as good as Ash. Keep up the great works lads.

See you all in a fortnight for E*.

Listen to the song on Ash-Official by Clicking Here

*Legal Disclaimer: By ‘E’, Tickets There, here forth to be referred to as TT, did not mean to endorse, promote, or encourage the notion that they were referring to the illegal substance, Ecstasy. If you referrer to Appendix Z 1.7 of the Ash: A – Z series article, located Here, TT has outlined details that each single from the A – Z series will have a different letter assigned. These releases and their letters will correspond to the English Alphabet (A, B, C,.. to Z. Please refer to Collins English Dictionary for a more detailed explanation of the Alphabet). By writing ‘E’, TT simply meant the fifth single from this A – Z series, rather than the drug known as Ecstasy. TT does not wish for starved, gawky eyed ravers’ to appear at official Tickets There Headquarters looking for handouts. ‘E’ simply co-exists with the number 5 position in the alphabet.

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Slash – Sahara / Paradise City (Single Review)

Posted in Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , , , on November 11, 2009 by Tickets There

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Tickets There knows full well we should not be reviewing this, so we’ll keep it brief. Let us tell you right now, we hate both of these songs (yes, even Paradise City. It’s not a classic anymore. Instead it’s become…well, let’s save that for a little further down).

Sahara, featuring Koshi Inaba from Japanese hard rock outfit, B’Z (who’ve actually had something like forty odd consecutive number one singles and sold 78 million albums in Japan alone!!) Is one of the worst songs Slash has ever been associated with. We say one of the worst but honestly, we can’t think of anything else as bad, as boring, as shit as this track that Slash has worked on. It’s sooo boring, it doesn’t have any trace of rock n roll about it and the whole thing just reeks of ‘Gimmie Mo Money bitches!!’. With this single, Slash has sold out almost every ounce of credibility the famous living room guitarist had left. There isn’t even that many guitar moments in the bloody song so what’s the fucking point!!

As for the B-Side!. For a man complaining and whining about being asked about Guns N Roses all the time, it’s a wonder he didn’t stop and think that a cover of Guns N Roses classic, Paradise City would stir a few more GNR relaxed questions and conversations into the mix. Then again, let’s be honest. Slash was a great guitar player in Guns N Roses when he had Izzy, Axl and Duff helping out with the song writing, the singing, the composing, the attitude, the balls to pull it off and the chemistry to make it all work. On his own, with this album and it’s 1,000 page list of ‘guest musicians’, he’s just lost the plot.

Actually, I take that back. The plot for this album all along has been ‘Cash In!’ and that’ll probably work. Unfortunately it might just push Slash out of the musical limelight only die-hards and X-Factor viewers hold him I now.

Tickets There says shite but doubtless enough there’ll be some twat complaining about how unique, special, warm hearted, diverse and spiritual these mockeries are. Let me tell you right now, Tickets There doesn’t want to hear it.

Oh and Koshi, Hard Rock singers aren’t meant to sound like a guy who just got kicked in the balls with steel toe boots. They’re meant to sound like the guy that kicked him. Ask Lemmy!

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Ash – Arcadia (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, Single Review with tags , , , , , , , on November 7, 2009 by Tickets There

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On a total Ash buzz today and can’t wait until Monday to review the next single. Song has been heard, words must be written and bitches must get their rock!! The third release from the A – Z Series is titled Arcadia and it’s due out on November 9th. If you’ve been following the band recently, you’ll know all about the 26 singles being released every fortnight for the next year. If you haven’t been following them, you know it now!

So far we’ve seen some disco. Then we got some monster eighties mash up. Then we saw some featherweight rock ballady work. Arcadia notches things up a wee bit in all respects. I haven’t heard the studio recording so this review is just based on a live video on You Tube.

The start is similar in ways to the last single, Joy Kicks Darkness. However everything kicks in a lot faster. The guitars are louder and heavier. The drums are wilder and Tim’s voice is more classic Ash. There’s no quiet moments and the harmonies sound like they’ll be killer on the studio version. Its shit catchy and sung at this speed just increases its catchiness. What can I tell ya, it’s probably my favorite along with Return of White Rabbit.

The only thing missing (and maybe I’m just missing it) is a full on Guitar Solo like they had in Joy Kicks Darkness. Tim is the most unlikely rock guitarist since Rivers Cuomo but when he rocks; he fucking rocks the place (just listen to that riff in Uncle Pat…which I’ve just stuck on because it rocks so fucking much!). Still a pretty sweet track and one Tickets There hopes they include in the set.

I’ll add the video when they release the official one. Until next Time, Happy Halloweennnnnn…..belated 😉

UPDATED – 09/11/2009: Just heard the studio recording of this track and it’s savage. Go and check it out by Clicking Here.

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Ash – Joy Kicks Darkness (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, Single Review with tags , , , on November 7, 2009 by Tickets There

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Third single this year from Tickets There’s choice for Irelands leading alternative rock group, Ash and the third style we’ve seen from them. From the hard fueled disco styling’s of Return of White Rabbit the Co. Down boys moved onto some classic eighties era synths and pop with True Love 1980. The second single of their A-Z Series. Joy Kicks Darkness is more along the lines of restrained loud rock! And TT likes this.

Beginning with a slow, muted guitar intro and some light military style drumming on the snare, Joy Kicks Darkness is one of those builders Tickets There likes to discuss so much. It explodes in traditional Ash patented excessive, cathy pop style. The verse is a little slow at first but it grows on you once you hear the grandness of the chorus, not to mention the monster guitar solo’s and leads towards the end.

After a few listens it seems the for the second (third really) time in a row, Ash have pulled it off. Joy Kicks Darkness isn’t their best work but it’s pretty damn good and if we had a few more like it in the charts, the music world would be a lot more fun.

 

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Ash – True Love 1980 (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, Single Review with tags , , , , , , on November 7, 2009 by Tickets There

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Single number one of the A-Z Series of singles Ash will be releasing fortnightly for the…well, the next 52 weeks. True Love 1980 is a totally different vibe from the disco styling’s of Return of White Rabbit. It’s more along the lines of New Order but a little more upbeat. They’ve still managed to keep that traditional Ash poppy feel and only added some classic eighties era drums, keyboards and even the vocals in places. Despite the hark back to the retro style, the band pull it off quite well. It’s no Angle Interceptor but then again, it’s not meant to be.

On First listen Tickets There wasn’t overly impressed but after a few goes it really starts to sink in. Similar to Walking Barefoot or Candy, this is just a nice song. Take it for what it is.

…and yes this review is short. Only so much you can say about a band when you know you have another 26 more things to write about them over the next year (26th is the gig review ;))

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ASH: A – Z Series (Singles Reviews)

Posted in Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 7, 2009 by Tickets There

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Tickets There is on a major ASH buzz of a late. We’re resisting the extreme temptation of making them our favorite Irish act because we feel the position should go to one of the lesser known bands we love. In reality, ASH are our favorite Irish act currently on the go and their ability to write some of the catchiest and most perfect pop rock / alt-rock / grungy tracks in the history of the country never seems to diminish with the years.

Last year the band announced they would no longer use the traditional album format to release music and instead, were only going to release singles. Now they’re living up to their promise and have just released the second single from their A – Z Series of singles. Every fortnight for roughly the next year, a new single will be released on limited 7” and for download.

Tickets There has decided to turn our attentions to this so we’ll be updating this post every two weeks when a new single is released. Please click on the song names below to read each review.

ʁ: Return of White Rabbit

A: True Love 1980

B: Joy Kicks Darkness

C: Arcadia

D: Tracers

E: The Dead Disciples

F: Pripyat

G: Ichiban

H: Spaceshot

I: NEON

J: Command

K: Song Of Your Desire

L: Dionysian Urge

M: War With Me

N: Dare To Dream

O: Mind Control

P: Insects

Q: Binary

R: Physical World

S: Spheres

T: Instinct

U: Summer Snow

V: Carnal Love

W: Embers

X: Change Your Name (Coming August 30, 2010)

Y: Sky Burial (Coming September 13, 2010)

Z: There Is Hope Again (Coming September 27, 2010)

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Weezer – (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To (Single review)

Posted in Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , , , on November 5, 2009 by Tickets There

Weezer-Lyrics-If-Youre-Wondering-If-I-Want-You-To

Love this song. Weezer returns with their second album in two years. I never managed to pick up 2008’s Weezer (Red Album) but I loved that song Pork and Beans. Now they’re back with Raditude and judging by the albums flagship single, it’s gonna be a great mix of Weezer’s melodic pop rock with their usual mix of love ballads and metal references.

(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To has an exhaustingly long name but the track itself is a paced up little slice of perfection. The chorus is savage. The verse’s and bridges are perfect. One of those ones you couldn’t be bothered writing about because it’s just a great song. It’s no Blue Album (Weezer, 1994)or Pinkerton but it’s pretty damn sweet.

Have a listen for yourself and see what you think.

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Ham Sandwich – Out of the Darkness (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , on November 4, 2009 by Tickets There

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Tickets There doesn’t do many of these but we’d like start more of them. To kick things off, we’re taking a look at Ham Sandwich’s brand new single Out of the Darkness, which is officially released on November 6th. Unfortunately I can’t find an image of the single cover yet (but it’s there on their MySpace in tiny format) so I’ll add this when one pops up.

Out of the Darkness is the first single from the bands highly anticipated second album and ya know what, it’s not too bad. Tickets There has always liked Ham Sandwich’s harmonies and there’s plenty of them on this number. The style isn’t as unique as their first album but it’s still got that Ham Sandwich loudness pasted all over it. Niamh’s voice sounds great but Podge’s has been pushed to the back alot more than on their previous material. Musically it keeps that building feeling from start to finish with several deliveries. The chorus is sweet. It’s simple but nice.

Weird to write about one song so we’ll wrap up this short n sweet wee tweet by saying, Tickets There likes it. The albums due out in Spring 2010 so we’ll be bring you more as we hear it.

Click Here to visit the bands MySpace and hear it for yourself!

Oh, and Niamh…smile more, it suits you.

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Oliver Cole – What Will You Do? (Single Review)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, News, Single Review with tags , , , , , on October 2, 2009 by Tickets There

Ollie

In Tickets There’s opinion, Oliver Cole is one of Ireland’s finest songwriters. After three incredible albums with his former band Turn, he’s now taking the first steps to launch his debut solo record. Since Turn disbanded three years ago, Ollie has spent most of the time writing, recording and playing sporadic solo shows around the country. Now, with a fresh record deal with EMI in place, he’s ready to show his eager fan base what he’s been up to.

For fans of Ollie’s solo material, What Will You Do? might seem like a strange choice for the album’s first single. It’s an ‘out of the ordinary’ little number that sounds like….well, it sounds like Ollie. It’s off beat piano, thumping drums and the start-stop feel of the choppy chorus and bridges. All this considered, it works quite well. There’s a lot of repetition in the lyrics  but each verse, chorus and break see’s something new being added and at a short three minutes in length, it never manages to go stale. It’s quirky enough to keep any first time listener interested and strong enough to make the single appealing to anyone wishing to spend €5 on a sure thing.

Second track, Holding Your Heart is a much more straight forward number. It starts off nice and quietly before the band come bursting in with a loud sound that still manages to stay slightly contained. This keeps a constant feeling of building throughout the whole song that does (you’ll be happy to know) get released at the end.

Sweet & Soft is the final song on the single and it’s a lot softer than the previous numbers. Its style is also quite different ,which is a big characteristic of Ollie’s solo material. Off course some traits can never be forgotten (and shouldn’t be anyways) and Ollie’s love for harmonies and melody shine through on this number. It’s got a nice, sweet, well rounded kind of feel and adds a lovely closing feeling to the single.

Now that the first single is out, fans can expect the album to follow early next year, Keep checking Tickets There for more information about future release and a review of last night’s launch show will be posted later today.

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MYSPACE REVIEW – ASH (RETURN OF WHITE RABBIT)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, MySpace Review, Single Review with tags , , , , , on June 3, 2009 by Tickets There

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Not a real MySpace Review but instead a look at Ash’s new single. Have some of their albums but have never had the pleasure of seeing them live.

Well, for anyone thinking the loss of Charlotte Hatherley would hurt Ash you’re about to get a serious wake up call. Return of White Rabbit is basically the promotional single for their novel A-Z Single series which will see the band release 26 singles every two weeks starting this September. The song sees the band return to their perfect pop foundations as they mix unbelievably crunchy bass riffs and samples with one hell of a catchy chorus. If this isn’t a dance floor favourite in the next week then there’s something seriously wrong with people.

I think I may be too hungry to describe this song properly so I’m just going to say this, download it! Download it now and be happy on this sunny Saturday.

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