Manchester Αρχεία - Myth Of Rock

INCA BABIES – “CANDY MOUNTAIN” (2025, SINGLE, BLACK LAGOON)

MythofRock — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 09:21:19 +0000

With “Candy Mountain”, Manchester’s Inca Babies breathe fresh life into a song first heard on their 1986 record “This Train”. Back then, it was a raw, hypnotic live piece built on a relentless bassline. Now, nearly four decades later, the band reimagines it for 2025 with a slicker, more atmospheric approach, without losing the grit that made them such a cult post-punk force. The new version opens the upcoming album “Reincarnation”, a collection where old tracks are re-recorded and re-shaped for the present day. On “Candy Mountain”, that means pulsing electronic sequencing, sharp studio layering and a groove that feels both retro and modern. Harry Stafford’s vocals cut through with the same cool detachment he carried back in the ‘80s, while the band — Jim Adama (guitar), Dave Carmichael (bass) and Rob Haynes (drums) — give the track a heavier backbone, mixing death-rock swagger with a touch of industrial polish. The accompanying video, directed by Stafford, captures this blend of escape and unease, swapping city streets for wide open landscapes. It reflects the music’s mood perfectly — restless, searching, always pushing forward. What’s striking is how relevant Inca Babies still sound. Instead of simply repeating the past, they’ve reshaped “Candy Mountain” into something alive, urgent, and stylishly sinister. It’s dark, but with a pulse that keeps it from feeling stuck in nostalgia. As the opening statement of “Reincarnation”, “Candy Mountain” shows why Inca Babies deserve their cult status. It’s proof that post-punk’s edge doesn’t dull with time — if anything, in the right hands, it cuts even deeper.

♦ 8/10

Dimitris Zacharopoulos

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RICHARD EVANS – “BORN PERFECT” (2025, SINGLE, COLD STAR MEDIA)

MythofRock — Wed, 07 May 2025 12:26:26 +0000

Richard Evans, the electro-pop artist from Manchester, is back with “Born Perfect”, a new single from his latest album,“Quantum”. With this track, Evans taps into the moodier, late-night side of electronic music, building a smooth and dreamy sound that mixes retro synth vibes with a modern pop edge. The song is built around a deep, steady bassline — warm and rich, coming from a Moog synth — that gives the track its strong groove. Instead of layering on lots of sounds or complex beats, Evans keeps things simple and clean, letting each part stand out. The stop-and-start feel of the song isn’t just for effect — it adds tension and keeps the listener hooked, making the flow feel more natural and alive. His vocals are calm and gentle, floating just above the music with a quiet confidence. The overall sound is relaxed and atmospheric, like a late-night drive through a glowing city. Lyrically, the song is inspired by LaMDA, Google’s AI that believed it had become self-aware — an unusual but fascinating theme that adds depth. “Born Perfect” is a cool, understated piece of electro-pop. It doesn’t shout to get your attention — it draws you in slowly with style and feeling. Evans is clearly focused on making electronic music that’s not just catchy, but thoughtful too. I am sure the whole “Quantum” album will be exciting just like this song – electro-pop at its best! Give it a try even if you aren’t a die-hard fan of this specific genre!

♦ 8/10

Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Το άρθρο RICHARD EVANS – “BORN PERFECT” (2025, SINGLE, COLD STAR MEDIA) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

THE SPEED OF SOUND – “ARTIFICIAL PARADISE” (2024, SINGLE, BIG STIR)

MythofRock — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:58:25 +0000

From their inception in 1989, Manchester’s The Speed Of Sound have the reputation of an unconventional. Their single, “Artificial Paradise”, taken from the third disc (“Bounty”) of their expansive “A Cornucopia” mega-album, is no exception. This track not only serves as a bold sonic statement, but also delivers a critique of artificial intelligence’s intrusion on the fields of creative arts. “Artificial Paradise” hits the ground running with an infectious rhythm, its upbeat, danceable tempo in stark contrast to its subject matter. Ann-Marie Crowley’s soaring vocals take center stage, balancing between a playful melodic delivery and moments of raw, emotional punch. John Armstrong’s guitar riffs weave seamlessly with Henry Armstrong’s keyboard textures, creating an eclectic soundscape that nods to the band’s punk and 1960s influences while sounding refreshingly modern. The rhythm section, led by Kevin Roache’s grooving basslines and John Broadhurst’s tight drumming, anchors the track, driving it forward with energy. The result is a sound feels alive, dynamic and unrelenting in its mission to capture the listener’s attention. “Artificial Paradise” is not a joyful song, it is a rebellious music manifesto. Through its catchy hooks, rich textures and unapologetic lyrics, The Speed Of Sound delivers a track that is as fun to dance to as it is intellectually stimulating. It’s a reminder that art, at its core, is inherently human. Fans of music with substance and soul should check this song, this album, this band. Because The Speed Of Sound aren’t afraid to speak their mind and break new ground, even in a world dominated by the artificial.

♦ 8/10

Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Το άρθρο THE SPEED OF SOUND – “ARTIFICIAL PARADISE” (2024, SINGLE, BIG STIR) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

THE SPEED OF SOUND – “THE GREAT ACCELERATION” (2024, SINGLE, BIG STIR)

MythofRock — Fri, 17 May 2024 07:14:15 +0000

Manchester’s The Speed of Sound isn’t a newcomer band. They have a career of 35 years, being indie-rock frontrunners, encompassing in their music body many different elements from 60s pop and psychedelic rock to post-punk, new wave and alternative rock. And now they release the album “A Cornucopia: Minerva”, which is the first record of a three-disc set! From this new album we may enjoy the single “The Great Acceleration”, which is an otherwordly, romantic and nostalgic, state-of-the-art indie-rock song, ideal for music lovers, who don’t understand of norms and genres. From the onset, we can hear the catchy refrain of the song, then comes the first verse and the song expands with its bridge and the refrain. “The Great Acceleration” has a strange warmth, a beautiful melancholy, a rare grace, which conquer the listener’s psyche. From the moment you will understand the nice melodies of the song, you will fall in love with it. The female singer, Ann-Marie Crowley, sings with elegance and gusto, the guitars are gentle, the drums tough and the keyboards add a depth. The simple, but clever arrangements and the whole production give a lot to the superb outcome! It is a killer song, no doubt about it! If the albums sounds like this one, we will deal with a stunning work! I am sure that this single is just a fine pre-taste of what beautiful will follow! Trust now The Speed of Sound and you won’t ever regret it! Time to accelerate!

♦ 8/10

Dimitris Zacharopoulos

https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-cornucopia-minerva

Το άρθρο THE SPEED OF SOUND – “THE GREAT ACCELERATION” (2024, SINGLE, BIG STIR) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.