JAPANESE VOYEURS CD GIVEAWAY (AND SOME OTHER STUFF TOO)

I've begun the long and drawn-out process of tidying my room so I can start packing, as I move out of my Norwich house in a week. Which makes me sad.


While digging through my stuff, I came across a few CDs that I'd been given to review, and I thought to myself; I'd already intended to do a giveaway, so why not add these into the bargain? So it is now, in effect, a Japanese Voyeurs Giveaway Now With Other CDs That Aren't Japanese Voyeurs But Are Still Good.


My question to you is the devilish: What is the name of Japanese Voyeurs' first and only album?


The prize is:

• Japanese Voyeurs 'B-Sides & Rarities' 40/250 - a 10 track album, one of only 250 ever made, containing bonus unreleased songs by the band, celebrating their too-brief existence after their split in March.
• Japanese Voyeurs 'Slimeball Comics' Volume Four
• Japanese Voyeurs 'Yolk Tour' Winter 2011 Tour Poster - again, part of a limited run of hand-drawn posters for their tour last October/November. It's a B&W photocopy that the band sent out to fans with the view that fans could colour them in as desired, but as they sent 2 I have a spare.
• The Horrible Crowes 'Elsie' - debut album by the side-project of The Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon and his guitar tech Ian Perkins. My favourite album of last year, read the 5* review I wrote for SoundNorfolk for it here.
• Deaf Havana 'Fools & Worthless Liars' album sampler - 5 tracks from their excellent album, read my review here.
• Four Year Strong 'Stuck In The Middle' single - read my review here.

Ok, I think that's everything. I might add things to it if/as I find them, but please share this around to anyone who would appreciate it, I want this to work! I will love you for sharing it. Send your answers with your name to tomcastle12@googlemail.com (don't spam me) and I will pick a winner in 3 weeks' time, on Sunday 15th July. x

ALBUM REVIEW; THE HORRIBLE CROWES, 'ELSIE'

*****

The Horrible Crowes are the brainchild of two men - The Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon and guitar technician Ian Perkins - and “Elsie” is the first record to be released by the duo. Blending together elements of folk, rock 'n' roll, blues and even soul, “Elsie” is a dark, evocative, expressive and quite simply brilliant album.

With a few small exceptions, Fallon and Perkins handle all the instrumental duties, marrying together guitars and bass, strings, piano and even an electric organ to create this bluesy, soulful yet rocky collection of tracks. The album progresses through this range of styles, from mellow opening tracks “Last Rites” and “Sugar” to the very rock-influenced songs like “Go Tell Everybody” and “Mary Ann” right through to the sombre and beautiful (and album highlight) “I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together”. Fallon has a distinctive vocal style that additionally lends itself to the variety of sounds created within “Elsie”, with a more gravelly voice for the rock-tinged edges contrasted by altogether more dulcet tones on the quieter side of the record.

Altogether, “Elsie” is a beautiful album and a superb debut. Lyrically and musically excellent, every song in the 45 minutes of music is in itself uniquely styled, and is simply one of this year's best albums.

COPYRIGHT Thomas Castle, November 2011