Avenue61 is a leading indie music site that specialises in album and gig reviews, breaking new bands, publicising events, and exclusive interviews with the leading cutting edge acts in the alternative music scene. Avenue61 covers a wide range of artists – some you would have heard of, some you won’t. Artists the site has reviewed recently include the Fleet Foxes, MGMT, Noisettes and Ladyhawke. The site is updated regularly so come back to catch up the latest news and reviews from the bleeding edge of the alternative music scene.

Ok, so first off I must iterate the fact that this particular run down is in no particular order, nor is it a definitive list of the best British record labels of all time (as if such a breakdown could ever be truly quantified). It is simply a list of some personal favourites within the British...MORE>>

I didn’t think first impressions could ever be so wrong. Ever! When the first chords rang out, my mind prepared itself for genius. Then the up tempo rhythm kicked in and everything was set for a brilliant song. Then the vocals (if they can even be called that) interrupted all that and the song couldn’t end too soon.

Ever since the Arctic Monkeys enjoyed incredible success, it seems regional accents are the thing to have in new music. Fair play in Indie music, due to increasing exposure we’re used to it now. But please, keep them out of folk styled songs. Please! Good on Alex Harmon for trying something new, folk with indie vocals, but it doesn’t work, and it never will. As I’ve already claimed, there is nothing wrong with the

musical side to this guy’s work. Actually, it’s brilliant. The guitar is soothing and relaxing, and easy to listen to and enjoy, then the vocals kill it. The “easy to listen to” style becomes an annoying sound, and I even struggled to even bother to care as to what was being sung about. Lines that are clearly noticeable include “I’m sad about most things” and “I miss you baby” and what’s even more disappointing about these things is that when the song began I was expecting a more up-beat approach to it all. Unfortunately not. Finally, “Come On Mela”? The title, what does it mean? Is he singing to a girl called Mela? I’m not entirely sure and this confusion only added to my disappointment with this song.

This song could have been so much more. Alex Harmon could easily create interesting instrumentals. Or he could get in a singer and begin a duet band. There are endless possibilities. However, at this precise moment in time, if this is how he’ll carry on, I can’t see it becoming anything huge or interesting for that matter. This alongside songs titled “Nat’s a C*nt” don’t show anything fantastic in store, but we’ll have to wait and see. Great potential, little hope.