reviews: dead western, holy state, my luminaries

Dead Western - Suckle At the Supple Teats of Time (***)

If I had a name as manly and cool as Troy Mighty, I wouldn’t bother adopting a stage name. But then again, if I had a singing voice as mysterious and ghostly as Troy Mighty’s, I’d have to concede that Dead Western is the most appropriate moniker imaginable. Particularly since Suckle at the Supple Teats of Time proffers lingering, alt-folk coma-ballads not unlike what dead country stars might write after decades haunting ghost town residences.

The music would be broadly accessible were it not for Mighty’s tones, his otherworldly timbre is like a bollard block to a casual listener. He has the androgynous lilt of Anthony Hegarty but dropped several octaves, transformed into a rumbling and ghoulish bassoon that exudes sadness and sinister surrender. Yet it's also the chief point of interest: as his crypt whispers interact with violin and, most unsettlingly, musical saw, the blend is remarkable - if not always entirely pleasant.

Out Now


Holy State - Holy State EP (****)

From the throaty vocals to the stripped rock bite, it’s tempting to suggest the specific Holy State these lads from Leeds are striving towards is Nirvana. Cobain/Hindu philosophy puns aside, it’s a pleasure to hear a Fugazi influence holding sway, with Holy State unafraid to weld grooves to riffs.

From Brain Cave’s Jesus Lizard worship to the gnarled garage punk of Palms, what their latest EP lacks in variety it makes up for by being consistently invigorating. The comparatively clean Skull on Skull lightens the load a tad, but the overall impression is of a band that takes the business of making a racket very seriously indeed. It’s not enough to scar or bruise, but the impression left is indelible.

Out 12th July


My Luminaries - Order From the Chaos (***)

My Luminaries’ debut has been a long time coming. Together since 2004 - and with major label interest piqued from the get-go - the six-year build-up has contained frustrations (their press release hints at dodgy manager misfortunes) and triumphs (festivals and a strong local following).

They deserve credit for persevering, and further kudos for Welcome to the Family’s punchy chorus and lead single Parasol’s catchy calling card. But - and it pains to say this - they might have benefited from heeding the advice purportedly proffered during their hapless major label arrangement.

The tension between paymasters demanding “copycat indie hits” while the band stuck to their guns might have been resolved with more satisfying results if Order From the Chaos contained a few more accessible hooks and a few less po-faced harmonies. Compromise clearly isn’t in My Luminaries’ game-plan - it’s just a shame the passionately protected results don’t carry more kick.

Out Now