Latest Fuzz
Lana Del Rey – Born to die
I had great expectations of Lana Del Rey’s debut album ‘Born To Die’. Since Video Games and Blue Jeans I’ve been fascinated with her 50s sound, her dark nasal singing voice, her style and looks (obviously). Much like one of her inspirations, Antony from Antony and the Jonhsons (the sadness of Video Games reminds me… [Continue Reading]
Blaudzun in Paradiso: A genius in disguise
Concert review: Blaudzun, Paradiso Amsterdam, January 20th 2012 – There’s a remarkable amount of ‘black-nerdy glasses’ in the upstairs hall of the Paradiso resembling those of the “object of our affection.” Thoughtful, intelligent faces. Dark, ‘slobby’ clothing. There’s not going to be a lot of dancing tonight, that much is clear. We are in a place… [Continue Reading]
Hospital Bombers – At Budokan
Of all the world class albums released by Dutch bands this month, the one that truly surprised me is by a band called Hospital Bombers. The main reason I was surprised is that I had never before heard of this band from Amsterdam, even though they apparently played at SXSW way back in 2008. The… [Continue Reading]
Lisa Hannigan – Passenger
Last year I was a little early with my review of Lisa Hannigans’ new album. It had been released in England but we had to wait for it in the Netherlands…and now it has arrived! Lisa Hannigan initially attracted attention a few years ago as a background vocalist for Damien Rice on his legendary debut album ‘O’. Shortly thereafter she… [Continue Reading]
Bart Constant – Tell Yourself Whatever You Have To
Could the Maya’s have been right? Are major changes coming to the world in 2012? It certainly seems so, what else can explain the fact that the best releases in the first weeks of the new year are not from the US, not from the UK, no not even from Canada (sorry guys) or Belgium, but from… [Continue Reading]
Iceage: Beaten By Honey Kids And A Red Negro
The most hyped act of last week’s edition of Eurosonic must have been the Danish punk-rock quartet of Iceage. Fridaynight, at 1:15, they were the closing act in Groninger rock temple Vera. During their US tour the angry youths build up a reputation as a provoking live act, whose shows regularly end in mayhem. Indiefuzz… [Continue Reading]
Theme Park: Casual Funk Soul Brothers
They look like a much younger Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard; Marcus Haughton, the curly brother, on vocals and keys, and Miles Haughton, the brother without dreadlocks, on lead vocals and guitar. Fortunately, their three mates, Louis Bhose (bass) and Oscar Manthorpe (guitar) and Ben (drums) look like they have met up at Hogwarts and… [Continue Reading]
The Maccabees – Given To The Wild
In 2009 it took me several months to value the Maccabees’ second album. Ultemately, I found Wall of Arms’ catchy mix of Talking Heads, Gang Of Four, The Futureheads, Arcade Fire and The Fall quite irresistible. Sadly, I have to start over all over again, because the band’s third album, Given To The Wild, sounds… [Continue Reading]
Howler – America Give Up
I have to be honest; the first time I listened to Howler, I thought it was some of the ugliest music I had heard in quite while. The grunting voice, the chord limitations, the compelling predictability, they made my taste buds hurt. I realized that to give up at the first rock-challenge would make for… [Continue Reading]
Blaudzun – Heavy Flowers
2012 is only a few days old, but yesterday saw the first major Dutch release of the year. The artist responsible is John Sigmond, better known as Blaudzun. After debuting in 2008 with a fine album full of moody folk songs, Blaudzun exceeded this achievement two years later with a beautiful album called Seadrift Sound… [Continue Reading]