Lancaster University Student Rag wrote:The Corinthians (sic) were worse, however, constantly mentioning that they had come all the way from down south to play for us, and as I listened to their brief set I couldn’t help but wish that they hadn’t bothered. Broken strings, the drummer losing his stick, and an improvised jam session were the only memorable highlights of this shriekingly incoherently band.

If Charlene's album review were in the front page of a newspaper the headline would read "Great Songs Hampered By Drum Programming!". Yes, this Boston band's full-length debut has gorgeous sweeping Brit-pop and shoegazer tunes with memorable melodies, wonderfully shimmering guitars, and a singer that favorably recalls Mercury Rev's Jonathan Donahue, but they all get done a great disservice by the use of clunky programmed drums that limit the flexibility and dynamic interplay of the instruments. I'm not one of those people that looks down on a band for not using live drums, but the sparse and repetitive programming Charene does on songs like "Still" is undeniably stiff and ultimately ends up hurting the songs rather than helping. The only time that the drums are up to par with the rest of the song is on the opening track "Rip-off", which channels (aka rips off...thus "Rip Off"...get it?) 1980's giants The Cure, New Order, and The Jesus And Mary Chain. Once you look past the drum programming, there are some great songs here for fans of atmospheric rock to pick at.

2 out of 10
This may well prove to be the last review I write for Die Shellsuit, Die!

Many people may well see this as a good thing but I’m faced with the dilemma of how to sign off. Should I go out in a blaze of glory and put together one of the greatest reviews of all time, full of wit, insight and relevance or should I stay true to form and write a load of old drivel until I’ve filled my word quota?

I’m torn, I really am, but the second option sounds easier so let’s get it over with.

The Purple Cow Story are lightweight pop/punk-lite. The singer has one of those nasal voices which will never be able to satisfyingly carry any kind of tune and the band seem to put more thought and effort into their feeble little feedback drenched endings than to actually putting together good tunes. I keep thinking of Sebadoh but TPCS will never have that kind of musical clout. Instead they seem to have grasped the very basics of their instruments capabilities and stuck to that. There is nothing memorable or catchy or unique going on and if you had just paid a couple of quid to see these guys down the local boozer you would most definitely leave after just a couple of songs. It’s just not worth the effort.

To say that it is releases like this continuously falling on my doorstep that have made me want to leave the reviewing game is pretty damning evidence. Yes, this really is that dire. I can’t take it any more. I hope whoever has to do these CDs from now on likes wispy, shitty, discordant, repetitive toss or he may not last any longer than me.

DSD Reviews, c/o James Davison, 25 Staplehurst Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 9AR

USS Horsewhip Wants You Dead • self titled • New Regard Media • Now this band has an interesting name, but that's about it. Horsewhip churns out rehashed punk/metal. Lead vocalist James Burn seems to believe that if he screams loud and long enough that some kind of point will be made. The only point he's making is that he screams really loud. Punk/metal can contain melody, but this band seems determined to center itself on a slash and burn sound over any sense of melodic content. (DE)

cjh wrote:Dude, don't sweat it. Look at some of the marks out of ten (always, always a sign of a third-rate individual) on the reviews page. It looks like a ghastly little grief hole. Pointing out 'Shellsuits'? this is very fashionable....ten years ago.

Incidentally..

DSD Reviews, c/o James Davison, 25 Staplehurst Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 9AR

This is about 5 minutes up the road from me - I know a good hitman if you need one?!