Culch.ie’s Albums Of 2011

Face facts, folks. You’re probably going to end up with a lot of vouchers for Christmas this year, because modern technology means your friends are all too busy playing Minecraft to put any effort into something as occasionally outdoorsy as present shopping. But not to worry. Culch.ie’s here to tell you exactly what to exchange your damp and dogeared vouchers for. Here follows our albums of 2011, all of which we’re pleased to bet our bunions you’ll love. Of course we are! Who wants bunions?! Foster The People - Torches ”You’ve got to hear this one” said my mate Noel. I hadn’t a clue who they were but vaguely seemed to recognise ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ from the radio. In the intervening months, Foster the People have gone big. Their performance at Electric Picnic was jammed and their proposed gig in The Academy was upgraded to the Olympia after selling out … There’s more

Music Review: Bombay Bicycle Club - A Different Kind of Fix

A Different Kind Of Fix, to anyone who caught the first two albums by Bombay Bicycle Club, is a well-produced marriage of all the best elements of their previous output. The point is clearly illustrated by the opening track (incidentally it features as a bonus track on the latest Twilight soundtrack) How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep; which is a blend of acoustic folk guitars backed up by those of the electric kind. The current single, Lights Out, is simply apt, delightful and pleasant - light harmonies and a looped plinking guitar with a bit of subtle maraca in there too for good measure. Meanwhile, Shuffle expresses itself with a lively and cheerful piano which is at odds with the following track Still in which Jack Steadman’s vocals are not too far off being outstanding. The cherry on the cake out of the 12 tracks is Your Eyes, which reaches a crescendo … There’s more