Top New Releases - 7th January 2013

And so the journey begins with week 1 of 2013 and to be honest I wasn't exactly spoilt for choice but I've made my selection so here goes...

1. Gallops - Yours Sincerely, Dr. Hardcore

My first top new release of 2013 is the debut album from Welsh post-rock band Gallops. An experimental four-piece rock band hailing from Wrexham in Wales, Gallops have been on the radar for a while with BBC Introducing picking up on them in 2009, leading to them headlining the BBC Introducing stage at Reading/Leeds in 2010. Having self-released an EP in 2010 and a double A-side single in 2011 they are now signed to the independent London based Blood and Biscuit records.

Yours Sincerely, Dr. Hardcore is Gallops first full length studio album and was produced by Matt Calvert from label mates Three Trapped Tigers. An entirely instrumental album, the ten tracks make up a vast soundscape and show off a great range of dynamics and instrumentation. It has a real feel of a group of (very talented) friends having a jam session with just a bit of showing off. I mean this in the best possible way as well. Instrumental albums can suffer from trying too hard or becoming pretentious but Gallops have managed to avoid that. There is a relaxed and very natural feel to the flow of the album and it does flow well. I find instrumental albums can drag on a bit or get boring after a few tracks but it felt like there was a natural progression from track to track which kept me interested and wanting to listen on.
For me, this style of music is never going to be my favourite album of all time. I like lyrics and vocals too much! I do however really enjoy listening to talented musicians enjoying their instruments and this really does come across on Yours Sincerely... It definitely evokes emotion and would not be out of place as a film score or soundtrack of some kind. I would probably listen to it as background music more than anything else but I'll definitely be keeping track of this band in the future to see where they go next.
Favourite Track - Lasers

2. Black Veil Brides - Wretched and Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones

Probably most accurately described as glam metal, Black Veil Brides are a Hollywood based five-piece band currently signed to Lava Records, a subsidary of Universal. In terms of their on stage appearance they are clearly influenced by Kiss with their extensive use of black makeup and body paint but musically I would place them more alongside the likes of Avenged Sevenfold or Bullet For My Valentine.
Wretched and Divine is their third studio album and has been described as a rock opera concept album. It was produced by John Feldmann (lead singer/guitarist of punk band Goldfinger) and released by Lava Records.
To be honest I don't think this album is likely to win over many new fans for Black Veil Brides and if you haven't heard of them or have and aren't really a fan I don't think there's too much point you checking this album out. There's nothing really original here and when you look past their manufactured image and just take the music for what it is, it's not particularly original or revolutionary. If you are a fan of radio-friendly glam metal then have a listen, otherwise move on!
Favourite Track - In The End

3. Chris Tomlin - Burning Lights

In America, Chris Tomlin is kind of a big deal with five Grammy award nominations to his name including one win in 2012 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. He also has three albums certified Gold and his 2004 album 'Arriving' is certified Platinum.
A Christian worship leader originally from Texas and now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Tomlin is signed to sixstepsrecords, a subsidary of EMI.
Burning Lights is Chris Tomlin's seventh studio album (I think!) although he has been involved in a number of other album releases as part of Soul Survivor, Passion and CompassionArt. In the US it became only the fourth contemporary Christian music album ever to go straight in at number 1 in the Billboard 200.
Over the past decade there has been very little change/experimentation in Chris Tomlin's sound and this album is no exception with more of the same. Certainly if you own and like his previous albums you are unlikely to be disappointed by Burning Lights. There are some small signs of experimentation such as the inclusion of some spoken word courtesy of Lecrae on "Awake My Soul" which works well. The attempt to draw on dance music influences on "God's Great Dance Floor" however doesn't work so well for me not suiting Chris Tomlin's strengths and sounding far too polished and over produced.
In general I think Tomlin rights some great songs but, as is often the case with American worship music, always seems to take the production a bit too far making it sound over polished and lacking edge.
Favourite Track - Awake My Soul

Other Notable Releases

Broadcast - Berberian Sound Studio OST

Soundtrack to the psychological thriller from British director Peter Strickland. Broadcast are an experimental electronic indie band hailing from Birmingham and signed to Warp records.

Dropkick Murphys - Signed And Sealed In Blood

Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys return with their eighth studio album released on Born & Bred records and produced by LA based British producer Ted Hutt (Flogging Molly, Bouncing Souls, The Gaslight Anthem).

Hollywood Undead - Notes From The Underground

A rap rock band from LA, Hollywood Undead release their third studio album on Polydor.

Merz - No Compass Will Find Home

Merz is the stage name for Dorset born Conrad Ewart Lambert. His musical style is probably best described as electro-folk and this week see the release of his fourth studio album.