Single: Classic Yellow - Mondays Don't Mean Anything / Paper Diamond

Photo: Yasmin Sodeau

Info: By far one of my favourite Irish bands of 2018, Dublin's Classic Yellow are expert at making classic (yes) 60's and 70's bop-rock sound like it should in the 21st century. Previous EP Ophelia and double A-Side 'His Master's Voice' / 'Cheese From Wisconsin' are both delicious and should be checked out if you haven't heard em yet.

New double A-side 'Mondays Don't Mean Anything' / 'Paper Diamond' is a simply delightful addition to their thus far small discography. Interestingly the vocal has a very Britpop hue, a little bit Jarvis Cocker, a little bit Damon Albarn early-Blur phase. However, musically, it's old school credentials are on both sleeves. Par example, the guitar riff at 2:02 on 'Mondays Don't Mean Anything' has a solid psych-rock character, as does the mini whammy that follows it, Electric Prunes and Strawberry Alarm Clock spring to mind, but emphasis is on the contemporary veneer the band have placed on their sound. 

'Paper Diamond' is slick AF, a dirty, caustic and delightfully sleazy chunk of garage-tinged blues-rock, the bass here is fucking amazing, and the guitar solo between 1:30 and 1:37 has Funkadelic's Maggot Brain written all over it, in particular track 'Super Stupid' from the 1971 LP. Classic Yellow then pop out the kaleidoscope and takes us through a whirl of prog-sounding escapism, and once again, the lead guitar provides such a pleasurable blues-rock jam. I think that despite my inherent bias towards their sound(s) which come from the same place as my bread and butter favourite musical era, that Classic Yellow are beyond an 'homage' band to old world sounds and could justifiably swallow up a large number of new fans should they get the publicity they deserve. 

Like / Listen & Follow:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/classicyellowband/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4VnF6b0grdHxi7HJ03yGMk?si=yBs3JMXWTaqxgOszou1LlQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClassicYellow_

Premiere: FIELDS - 'Get Worse' - Live in Hellfire Studio

Info: REMY is really delighted to share an exclusive first look at the live video from Dublin-based alternative rock quartet FIELDS performing their latest single 'Get Worse' during a time-out from recording at Hellfire Studio. It's a beautiful rendition of the single, serving up that solemn beauty we mentioned in a review of the track back in September upon its release. As an aside, a very poignant moment occurs towards the end around the 5:03 mark, with all four band members fully connected in harmonies, something wonderful to have captured on video, a snapshot of FIELDS totally immersed in their music and evidence of a strong bond as a group with musical fire in their collective bellies. 

You can catch FIELDS this coming Friday, 16th of November, on the main stage at Whelan's with support from Ivan Nicolas and Nimbu$, event info here - https://www.facebook.com/events/928974343963837/

Single: Durty Mick - Beige Slave

Durty Mick - 'Beige Slave'

Info: Kildare DIY act Durty Mick (Owen Murphy) has shared a new track, 'Beige Slave', from the four walls of his bedroom, armed with an acoustic guitar, microphone and laptop. I'm quite impressed with how well-produced the track is under such confines, the right amount of home brewed sound without sounding too rough around the edges. The little hiss, reverb and slight mono sound to the keys are all essential ingredients to make the track stand out for me personally. There's a lot of from the ground up creativity going on too, and the chilled out rhythm and flow are pleasing. The biggest boon however is Murphy's tired and despondent vocal tone accompanied by really lovely lyrics, everyday observations delivered in the best kind of story-telling manner. There's a new album on the way soon and it will be interesting to hear how a full collection of songs coming from the same place as 'Beige Slave' come across as a whole. Thumbs up.

Also check out the excellent 'The Degenerate Manifesto' by Durty Mick

https://durtymick.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/durtymick/