TOP 14 ALBUMS OF 2015

STATEMENT ABOUT STU'S REVIEWS

There have been no reviews posted since October 6th, that is due to serious health problems which have left me in constant physical pain and resulting in a fair amount of depression, this is still ongoing.

All review copies sent to me since that date have been deleted and no further promos have been downloaded, this will remain the situation until my health returns, i have already spoken with a numer of record company pr people on this subject.

So until i can sort myself out, there will be no more posts after this one.

TOP 14 ALBUMS OF 2015

So been a good year for music, quite a lot of interesting and original albums being produced, these are my personal choices from what has landed in my inbox or been sent to me.

STU

01.GALLEY BEGGAR - SILENCE & TEARS

02.PYOGENESIS - A CENTURY IN THE CURSE OF TIME

03.WITH THE DEAD - WITH THE DEAD

04.THE DAY OF LOCUSTS - FROM THE GUTTER TO THE GODS

05.THE DEEP - PREMONITION

06.NORSE - PEST

07.LUCIFER - LUCIFER 1

08.VALENTINE WOLFE - THE NIGHTINGALE: A GOTHIC FAIRYTALE

09.SOLDIER - DEFIANT

10,AGUE - POWERED BY EFFLUVIA

11.AL B DAMNED - FOR OLD TIMES STAKE

12.DESERT - NEVER REGRET

13.MEKIGAH - LITLOST

14.ALBATROSS - FEAR FROM THE SKIES

Galley Beggar - Silence & Tears (CD Review)

01.Adam And Eve
02.Pay My Body Home
03.Empty Sky
04.Jack Orion
05.Geordie
06.Silence And Tears
07.Sanctuary Song
08.Deliver Him

Paul Dadswell (Drums/Vocals)
David Ellis (Guitar/Mandolin)
Mat Fowler (Guitar/Mandolin/Vocals)
Bill Lynn (Bass)
Celine Marshall (Violin)
Maria O’Donnell (Vocals)

Hailing from Kent and London, Galley Beggar formed circa 2009 and are a band of six musicians that grew up obsessed with an old sound from Fairport Convention to Led Zeppelin.

The name derives from an old English ghost, often reported in the North of England and mentioned as far back as 1584, in Reginald Scot's The Discovery of Witchcraft. This fearsome ghost is described as being almost without flesh and bearing its head under its arm and emitting a deathly scream. The name is derived from the word 'Gallery', meaning to terrify. This ghost is likely to be encountered on country roads and deserted lanes.

Starting with the soft acoustic 'Adam And Eve' the band quickly nail their influences to the wall for all to see, this is as perfect and authentic psychedelic/acid folk as you will ever be lucky enough to hear, from the stunning vocals to the beautiful mandolin and violin.

Up next is a 9 minute epic called 'Pay My Body Home', again its very laid back with some psychedelic guitar work in the mix, even when the pace picks up and the drums increase to match the solo it somehow remains "chilled" as if on a sunny riverbank drinking ice cold cider whilst watching the river flow by.

Phased acoustic guitar and vocal and 'Empty Sky' has a slightly more modern feel, still follows the same patterns of classic folk but this one is more "All About Eve" than "The Trees".

Highly reminiscent of "Steely Span" comes 'Jack Orion' an upbeat multi vocal song, complete with a catchy violin riff, and you dont get to say that very often.

Now 'Geordie' returns to a slightly darker sound, laid back drum beat drives this along and then comes a short guitar solo that just lifts the piece to a higher level.

The title track 'Silence & Tears' is another great acoustic workout with stunning vocals, this is followed by 'Sanctuary Song' which is more of the same only with harmony backing vocals.

The final track is 'Deliver Him' which is mainly a multi tracked vocal (reminded me a bit of Karen Carpenter) a little violin and what sounds like a bit of synth in the background, towards the end the acoustic guitar picks up the pace and then, all too soon, the album is over.

Rating 10/10
For fans Of: Circulus, The Trees, Pentangle, Led Zeppelin, All About Eve