Post-punk
Aided by the late Ricky Wilson's unusual guitar tunings Rock Lobster set out the B-52's' off the wall manifesto right from the get go
The whole thing sounds like the soundtrack to a groovy ‘60s movie that never was, eastern and psychedelic melodies jostling for space in the reverberating rhythms.
Compass sees the Ummagma duo extending their range across multiple genres and influences to make a record which sounds both otherworldly and yet curiously familiar.
Standout track Psycho Erotic sees the duo at their most wanton, Snaith's bestial guitars like a wolf pawing at the floor, while Bach purrs "He gets me all fired up, and hot and hot!". Blimey, pass the smelling salts!
The vitriol has been dialled back a notch and some of the rougher edges sanded down, in what feels like a band discovering their own sound.
Formed, curiously enough, on the day Mark E Smith left this Earth, Manchester trio Cold Water Swimmers recently celebrated their first birthday. Now the hard-hitting three piece, featuring Chris Bridgett, of Dub Sex on vocals and guitar, with Carrie Lawson (Bass) and Selina Woolnough (Drums) are releasing a new double A-side Summer Breeze/I'll Be Your Witness.