Squeeze The Trigger - Alec Empire

Advantages: REALLY NOISY!!!!!, actually, noisier than that.
Disadvantages: Do you like the sound of 1000 dentist's drills?

...Think for a moment, if you will, about Atari Teenage Riot. They’re considered one of the noisiest bands around. Leader Alec Empire’s solo work makes them sound like B*Witched. This is ‘Miss Black America.’ It’s released on Digital Hardcore Limited, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to find it. But would you want to anyway? It’s a blast of extreme noise terror. Frankly, it sounds like someone boring through your skull with a rusty drill bit. It doesn’t last long, if it did, people would probably die from listening to it. I can say nothing more, except, if you like hideous, screaming noise, you’ll love it. I do.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: Personality, Brilliant lyrics, exceedingly catchy songs, unique whilst not being
Disadvantages: A few more tracks wouldn't have hurt, Missed out 'I want you to leave'

...by the man himself, and it's difficult to imagine anyone but him singing them with such a passion. Much of the album's personality comes from the unique combination of Smith's voice, the catchy riffs and hooks and the surprisingly well worked keyboarding. Although it may not be as fashionable as playing guitar, or as cool as strumming bass, keyboard is the album's main reason for feeling so Epic despite being of a rather short length. It may have cost them a few gigs and a few pages in the NME, but the keyboard has definitely paid off. The most difficult part of reviewing 'A certain trigger' is picking out a stand-out track. Every song on the album could be called a classic, none showing any signs of weakness, even against the tests of time. However, the one that is probably most rewarding long term is 'The coast is always changing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A high-standard debut album
Disadvantages: The odd weak track it must be said.

...Well, having done Muse, and the Arctic Monkeys, I thought I better make it three bands that I've reviewed, having seen them at Reading Festival…Maximo Park are the third choice. Headlining the Radio 1/NME Stage on the Sunday, the band were up against Pearl Jam on the main stage, yet drew a mammoth crowd, of which I was jammed right in the middle of. With only one full-length album to date, a headline slot is a set of big shoes to fill, but what a performance. They played a few new tracks from their up-and-coming album, but obviously the majority was made up of this number - A Certain Trigger. They opened their set with the album's opening track; "Signal & Sign" - a quick little number of just over 2 minutes. It's fast tempo and catchy beat are a trademark of the band, and similar to the likes of the Futureheads, or even the Kaiser... Read review

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