While I find Leona Lewis whiny, JLS utter pants and Alexandra Burke a product of her own surname I concede that for the most part they can at least sing... a bit. Jedward however can not. Yet they decide to 'sing' "All the Small Things", "Teenage Kicks" and "You've Got To Fight For Your Right To Party" on their new album! That's right, the two annoying lads (who are admittedly doing masterfully with their 15 minutes of fame) have covered the Undertones and the BEASTIE BOYS(!!) on their debut album. I also have a sad feeling it will do very well for itself too.
Now the album charts for the most part I have faith in. Amy Macdonald's albums do much better than her singles do (a review of her iTunes Festival gig is coming soon) while AC/DC are guaranteed a number 1 album simply by putting their name on something. The singles charts are another matter. The age of the download means we don't have the bus journey to town to realise our idea to buy the new Professor Green single is simply asinine. It just takes one click on iTunes and that annoying little wigger works his way up the charts. (No. 5 people!!!) With that in mind I don't listen to the charts like I used to as a kid. Not being restricted to listen to what you've forced Scott Mills to play is quite a cathartic feeling. With that in mind here are five artists that at least for now the charts won't tell you about. Usually I'd post a video of each band but I'm going to let you seek these guys out for yourself. Hopefully you'll thank me.
Now in no particular order...
Black Stone Cherry
Genre: (According to Wikipedia) Southern rock, hard rock, heavy metal
Albums: 2- Black Stone Cherry (2006) Folklore and Superstition (2008)
I caught these guys supporting Def Leppard and Whitesnake on tour back in 2008. They could be the most hard working band in rock today. They seem to be constantly touring and since that first time I have seen them a further two times. A lot of hard rock bands today either have the talent but not the hooks to lure you in or can write a catchy song but can't match it with any substance. Black Stone Cherry "rock tasty abs washer board style!" (Copyright Jack Black) and are going to be massive. This is fact. Their drummer John Fred Young could be the best drummer since Dave Grohl while singer Chris Robertson actually sings with passion and feeling. Catch them when they inevitably tour next year after their third album drops.
Recommended tracks: Blind Man, Maybe Someday, Soul Creek
2. Kate Voegele
Genre: Pop, rock, folk-pop
Albums: 2- Don't Look Away (2007), A Fine Mess (2009)
Many teenage girls- or 24 year old men who'll refuse to admit it- may recognise this lovely lady as Mia Catalano from ultra addictive cheese fest 'One Tree Hill'. Well guess what? All the songs Mia/Kate sings on the show are hers; and by hers I mean actually written and recorded by her. Over in America, 'One Tree Hill' has helped Kate shift a decent number of albums and at least gain her some notoriety. If you haven't seen her on the show (and why aren't you watching?!?) Kate sits comfortably between the likes of Sheryl Crow and Vanessa Carlton in your CD collection. Her music is easy to relate to and won't have your mum/significant other/dog screaming "Turn that racket down!!" Catch Kate on the new series of 'One Tree Hill' when it starts in America in September or catch the current one on E4. I'm sure she's working on an album as we speak.
Recommended: Kindly Unspoken, Manhattan From The Sky, Chicago
3. Steel Panther
Genres: Glam metal, Hard rock, Heavy metal
Albums: 1- Feel The Steel (2009)
Spinal Tap on the Sunset Strip. Do you miss the days of Motley Crue, Poison and Skid Row? Yeah I do too. Well Steel Panther bring back glam rock and metal in the most outrageous possible way. This isn't just some nostalgia act. Steel Panther take the art of parody to new heights but crucially love what they're mocking and are a ridiculously talented group. Names of songs include; 'Fat Girl (Thar She Blows) and 'Party All Day (Fuck All Night)' which gives you an idea of what you're letting yourself in for. Download their cover of 'I Want It That Way' (yes by the Backstreet Boys) off iTunes now and prepare to feel the steel!
Recommended: Death To All But Metal, Community Property, Fat Girl (Thar She Blows)
4. Marion Raven
Genres: Rock, Pop-Rock, Alternative, Post Grunge
Albums: 2- Here I Am (2005), Set Me Free (2007)
Marion's probably best known for collaborating with the legend that is Meat Loaf on 'Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose'. Their version of 'It's All Coming Back To Me' reached Number 6 on the UK singles charts but Marion's solo stuff hasn't really made an impact over here. A couple of friends of mine said they thought she sounded like Avril Lavigne which I'm still not sure was a compliment. Her material obviously isn't as grandiose as Mr. Loaf but is catchy and shows promise. Look out for her new album 'Nevermore' due out at some point this year.
Recommended: Heads Will Roll, Set Me Free, Here I Am
5. Rock Sugar
Genres: Hair metal/Pop music mashup (really!)
Albums: 1- Reimaginator (2010)
Take a metal song like 'Enter Sandman' and sing the lyrics of 'Don't Stop Believin' and you have Rock Sugar. The songs they meld together are often inspired. The band's backstory explains that the band were stranded on a desert island in 1989 with a CD player, plenty of batteries and the CD collection of a 13 year old girl. While some of the 80s songs they cover weren't huge hits over here they're done with such conviction that it still works. Once you hear this album you'll never hear half the songs in the same way ever again! Plus the lead singer used to voice Wakko from Animaniacs!!
Recommended: Don't Stop the Sandman, Shook Me Like A Prayer, I Love Sugar On Me
Well writing this has calmed me down somewhat. Amy Macdonald gig review coming soon... promise!
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