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SoundsXP Presents

Pictures from some recent gigs we've hosted:

29 March 2013 - Brixton, London

Viv Albertine, VuVuVultures, Left Leg, Mickey Gloss, Big Wave, No Cars, Arthur Gunn, Simon Love (Pictures)

8 March 2013 - Lexington, London

R.Ring, Golden Grrrls, Slushy Guts and Equinox (Pictures)

On Our iPod

Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold (album)

Hard Skin - Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear (album)

Black Angels - Indigo Meadow (album)

Thee Oh Sees - Floating Coffin (album)

R Ring - Fallout and Fire 7”

Royal Headache - self-titled (album)

The Mariner’s Children - Sycamore EP

Can’s Ege Bamyasi played by Stephen Malkmus and Friends(album)

The Fall - Sir William Wray 7"

Lord Huron - Lonesome Dreams (album)

Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds - Conjure Man 7”

Lightning Bolt - Oblivion Hunter

Robyn Hitchcock - There Goes The Ice (2x 12")

Latest Forum Posts

Demo Review

The Black Tulips
Just Keep Coming

Article written by Matt P - Jul 31, 2005

A growing trend with recent bands appears to be the use of eccentric vocalists. (Sorry, did I say eccentric? Obviously I meant �unique.�) Pleasant examples include the angry Scotch miss and dandy highwayman effects of Adele and Scott from Sons and Daughters. A less pleasant example is that guy from Art Brut; winner of the London village gravel gargling competition.

New pretenders the Black Tulips boast the lyrical talents of singer/songwriter Alexandra, who contorts her vocal chords to produce a plethora of sounds: one moment soaring, the next growling. Indeed, on �I Don�t Want You� she produces a rather unexpected howl that has my cat suddenly interested in the music.

The vocals are where any comparisons with current bands begin to run out, though. The Tulips� sound is raw, primal and uncompromising. The flatulent bass line of �Just Keep Coming�, joined at the chorus by poison-laden guitars, sounds like something more likely to be heard in the ninth circle of hell. In �I Don�t Want You� the guitars are delightfully sharp, accompanying some colourful lyrical imagery: it sounds like Franz Ferdinand murdered, re-animated and instructed to �rock� like they never did in their former incarnation. �Sad Sally� is slightly more conventional, but is lifted by the crashing cymbals and vocal gymnastics.

The Tulips� crashing wall of sound may serve to put many off, but it is worth sticking with, as the result is truly innovative. And if it�s good enough for my cat to take interest in, it should be for you too!

Links:
http://www.theblacktulips.com