To mark the launch of charitable organisation, The Factory Foundation Recordings, dedicated to the late, great Tony Wilson, the label releases two EPs simultaneously. With no human blood available, in otherwise classic Factory style, the bands are free to fuck off whenever they want i.e. they are only contracted release to release with the label. 50% of the proceeds go to funding the youf, finding them training and work in the creative industries, and the other 50% goes straight to the bands. Sounds good does it not?
Silverclub – All in All
All in All marks the move for Duncan Edward Jones from techno DJ heavyweight to live act front man, and it is a strong, compelling statement of intent. With the Kraftwerk/Human League processed beats of opener ‘All in All’, to the serene, summery acoustic strummery of closer Accoustic skit, this EP acknowledges both where Jones has been, and where he’s heading. On a wider level, it is easy to see why FFR chose Silverclub as a launch act, as it celebrates Factory’s prestigious work with New Order, but marks a refusal by the label to let its past dictate its future. No pigeons or holes will be found here.
While this EP is not particularly groundbreaking, there is still a lot to like here. Silverclub’s greatest strength is the act’s versatility. Each track is in itself an interesting exploration of different styles, varying immensely from its brothers and sisters. And while these songs are somewhat derivative, they are so in the best way, rejoicing in some of the best moments of that particularly genre’s history. This is an exciting start for both FFR and Silverclub.
Suzuki Method – Suzuki Method
I wish I could say the same for Suzuki Method. Combining Kasabian’s swagger and the floor sweepings of the current 80s revivalist scene, opener ‘Purple Aki’ is a horrible start. It is the scowling sound of everything the Manchester music scene should be trying to turn its back on…
Happily it gets better, each track improving on the last. ‘Anytime You Want’ is a more carefully crafted take on the schm-eighties, featuring subtle instrumentation and an emphatic build up, and ‘Balthamos’, though featuring a nice beat that sounds like someone popping their mouth incredibly quickly, just sounds like a shit version of ‘Blue Monday’. There are other bands doing this sort of music a lot better (Passion Pit, The Naked and Famous, Delphic), so why listen to this?
Both EPs are released on 8th November 2010, and they are playing the Ruby Lounge on 29th October.
I started out writing for the Manchester Evening News as a freelance journalist back in 2008. The idea that I would be given free access to music and gigs seemed somehow miraculous to me, and I proceeded to take full advantage of the situation. When the M.E.N. decided to constrict its coverage to only the very biggest bands, Simon Poole approached me with a plan to make sure that all the very talented musicians of this world that pass through and/or live in Manchester would not go unnoticed. As the New Releases editor here at Silent Radio Towers, it remains my proud duty to cast a critical eye over the music and reviews that come my way in a manner that is both supportive and fair. Above all, I strive to write as entertainingly possible. Favourite musicians include the Pixies, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Mercury Rev, Os Mutantes, The Knife, Beach House etc etc. I'm a firm believer that all genres (except nu-metal) contain music of great quality...
