BRIT Awards 2013 – Will Rock Come Out On Top?

In a special edition of Unsung Rock, Dan Jenko casts an eye over the rock acts who have received nominations for this year’s BRIT awards – as well as checking out great new tracks from Biffy Clyro and more in the ‘Picks of the Week’. I usually find comfort in spewing out sarcastic comments when nominations for the the pop-dominated BRIT Awards are announced. But this year’s list actually has me somewhat impressed.... Read More

Unsung Rock: Top Ten Tracks Of 2012 (Part One)

Unsung Rock returns with an end of year special in which Dan Jenko counts down his favourite singles of 2012. For the first part, here are numbers 10 to 6… #10) The Rolling Stones – Doom And Gloom This year marked the fiftieth anniversary of beloved rock royalty The Rolling Stones, and – almost unbelievably – they managed to conjure up a truly great lead single for their latest career-spanning Greatest Hits collection. It was... Read More

Unsung Rock: Imagine Dragons Interview

With a hugely successful album under their belts, two songs currently in the UK Top 40 and their brand new EP ‘Continued Silence’ selling like hotcakes, Dan Jenko gets a glimpse into the wild world of fast-rising Vegas band Imagine Dragons. If you’ve ever read an edition of this column, you’re probably well aware of my frustration that rock ‘n’ roll has become a rarity in the charts. The indie-rock boom that began with The Strokes... Read More

Opinion: Top Five Albums Of 2012

From dazzling debuts to critically-acclaimed comebacks, this year has seen the release of some truly terrific music. With an eventful 12 months nearing their end and the New Year now in sight, Mark Butler picks out the Top Five albums of 2012.     Band Of Horses – Mirage Rock Having ghosted into the big-time with 2010′s internationally-successful Infinite Arms, it’s pleasing to see Band Of Horses follow-up that acclaimed... Read More

Music News: Alt-J Win The 2012 Mercury Prize

Cambridge-based quartet Alt-J were the bookies’ favourites to take this year’s Mercury Prize – and they did indeed scoop the award at the Roundhouse tonight, despite tough competition from the likes of Plan B and The Maccabees. ‘An Awesome Wave’ received a 5-star review from us when it was released back in May, with our editor describing it as “strikingly original”. The art-rockers, who have been... Read More

Music News: Mercury Prize Nominees Revealed

Favourites: Art-rockers Alt-J The nominated acts for 2012′s Mercury Prize have now been unveiled, with the usual mix of expected heavyweights and leftfield surprises among the shortlist. Last month we brought you the news that Alt-J were this year’s nailed-on frontrunners, so it’s no real surprise to see the Cambridgeshire-quartet nominated. Django Django and The Maccabees also feature, but there are notable snubs for Florence... Read More

Leeds Festival 2012 Review

Mark Butler reports on the highs and lows of this year’s Leeds Festival, including sets by Foo Fighters, Kasabian and The Cure. With guitar music supposedly out of fashion these days, there’s been a great deal of skepticism aimed towards events such as Leeds Festival – which have typically relied upon contemporary favourites drawn from the heavier aspects of rock. The problem, so the argument goes, is that the popular heyday of... Read More

Music News: Bookies Tip Alt-J’s ‘An Awesome Wave’ To Win This Year’s Mercury Prize

It may be a month until the nominees for the Mercury Prize are released, but Paddy Power have already opened betting on what will be named the ‘Album of the Year’ this time around  – and it’s Alt-J who look the favourites.  ‘An Awesome Wave’ currently has odds of 6/4, making it the resounding front-runner, with closest competitors Richard Hawley, Sweet Billy, Django Django and Florence & The Machine... Read More

Unsung Rock: Summer Soundtrack

After checking out a selection of hot cuts from bands both young and old, Dan Jenko presents this Unsung Rock summer special: listing the best new tracks and finest festival classics to form the ultimate soundtrack to your summer. The sun may have disappeared again recently, but I’m in a surprisingly summery mood. So what better way to return to Unsung Rock (I know it’s been a month, I’m sorry) than with a list of tracks to help persuade you... Read More

Album Review: Alt-J – An Awesome Wave

Could Alt-J be the most unlikely breakthrough act of 2012? Mark Butler delivers his verdict on the art-rockers’ extraordinary debut, out May 28th.  They’ve been hailed in some quarters as the heirs to Radiohead, and although the comparison is only sporadically accurate it’s easy to understand why. Alt-J are about as far away from your typical rock band as it’s possible to get. The unconventional quartet are named after the Mac keyboard... Read More