Utter Baubles - Plastic Jeezus - EP Review

Plastic Jeezus  have delivered an absolute gift of a Christmas EP to finish this terrible year in style . We were fortunate enough to play our last proper gig before lockdown with them at the Bracklesham ukulele weekend on the Isle  of Wight in March .

They are undoubtedly one of the most entertaining bands you will ever see , with absorbing well constructed and humorous songs which kept us laughing long after they had stopped playing. 

Introducing 'Utter Baubles ' : contents - four extremely original festive offerings with a PG (ish)  rating , performed on multiple instruments. *

Opening with 'The Office Christmas Party ' -even if you have never worked in an office, or indeed been to a party , you will be left with no uncertainty about the possible scenarios you could encounter. 

'Finally Feeling Festive' - despite himself Ken finds some reasons to be cheerful about the season. 

'Merry Christmas to my Cat ' - penned by Aaron , painting a picture of the most purrfect Christmas Day ever  ; this Pythonesque  ear worm has not left my head all week. Listen at your peril. 

'The Holby and the IV ' - In true 'Casualty' style the accidents waiting to happen line up before us , and the surreal experience of hospital at Christmas unfolds. 

Utter Baubles  itself is certainly due to be a regular feature of Christmas parties (when we can have them again ) , and perfect for singing along to , because "when you are p....d you can't resist a fun filled festive song " . Utter Baubles ? Utter Genius more like. 

Utter Baubles is available on all major streaming platforms as a four-track E.P. When purchased at the Plastic Jeezus  Bandcamp as a download or a hand made CD , there is the bonus of a special cover version of “Merry Christmas Everyone” (Shakin’ Stevens) featuring some top notch drum programming by Simon, as well as numerous other 'Shakey ' things ( his pun not mine ! ) 

L-R Aaron Roberts, SImon Fernand - Plastic Jeezus

*
Simon Fernand – Vocals, Ukulele, Mandola, Glockenspiel, Percussion
Aaron Roberts – Vocals, Bass Guitar, Synth

Purchase the EP from the Plastic Jeezus Bandcamp site here.

While you are there , have a look at all their other stuff - you won't be disappointed . 

http://www.plasticjeezus.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/PlasticJeezus

Devilin Me - Stephen Brunton - CD review

Stephen Brunton and his crew have delivered a piece of modern folk that deserves to be heard far and wide.
It would be possible to think that given the ingredients for the dish which is 'Devilin me  '- drums , percussion, chains and voice , there would be a danger of it sounding the same throughout. Not in the least.
The vocal style , rhythms and ambience are different on every track , it is poetic and passionate , challenging yet sentimental.
The title track  has the feel of a  chain gang song , the angst of a hard working man who won't be beaten by the grind of daily life - and who has spirit inside to keep him going.
Next , with 'Ain't got time for this ' Stephen rants about the c***s (no, not chaps) who wind him up ; it feels like walking in on a conversation between mates in the pub  . Extraordinarily cathartic and perfect for people having 'one of those days' , if you sang this on the way home from work you would be calm by the time you got there.
'Righteous stick ' appears to be a protest against the hypocrisy of religion, the vocal delivery has more of a heavy metal twist , with some very clever lyrics ,' Barefoot in your handmade shoes ' .
Linns song , featured on the last unplugthewood podcast ( episode 18) . Very admospheric  and animalistic vocals , excellent tribal drumming , headphone listening highly recommended for the full effect.
'I smell me in you ' finishes off the EP with a folky love song, about growing older and still enjoying how it feels to be close to a partner, it  is surprisingly touching.
I have listened to the EP several times , and always forget that no 'musical notes'  have been played , the melody in Stephen's vocal and the variant tones of the drums means nothing is missing.
Who is it for ? Well if you can't stand ' no holds barred'  swearing ,  it's probably best not to listen , but in my view everything is appropriate and necessary. 
The rage against middle age is a universal emotion , these songs are for those of us not prepared to wither away.
It gives us understanding , not just of Stephen , but of everyone. How it feels to grow old, to still have fire , to be angry , tired, and ultimately in love.
It's all here.

Devilin Me is available to purchase from here