Recently I’ve been craving to expand my horizons a bit, and The Comet is Coming quickly became one of the bands I wanted to see. I picked up their debut album, 2016’s Channel the Spirits, and enjoyed it, noting with…
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Author: Jez Rowden (RIP)
A founding member of TPA (set up in 2013), Jez was the editor of TPA's Review sections. Jez passed away suddenly in March 2024. He had been writing reviews since 2006, initially for DPRP, and continued to wax lyrical (ish) about albums and concerts here at TPA. He is sadly missed by all...
Sterbus – Solar Barbecue
Cardiacs, eh? Some of you out there must like them – hands up! One, two… three. A few more at the back. That’s good, but those who do like the band know wholeheartedly that you can’t just ‘like’ Cardiacs; once…
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Mogwai / Brainiac
The Great Hall, Cardiff University Thursday, 16th February 2023 Over the last few years I’ve gone deeper down the road directed as ‘post-rock’, and even though Mogwai apparently don’t care for the term, the trails invariably lead to them. And…
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Poly-Math / Chiyoda Ku / Barrwg
The Moon, Cardiff Saturday, 4th February 2023 The opening day of the Six Nations is always special, heavy with anticipation and expectation, and Cardiff is swamped with rugby fans, the throng enjoying beer and atmosphere – despite the result –…
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Ensemble Gamut! – RE
There is nothing purer than the voice of Aino Peltomaa over a pipe drone. It’s as traditional and heartfelt as you can get and drills down into the intense humanity of these largely ancient works, as reinterpreted by the members…
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Magnum / Vega / Theia
The Tramshed, Cardiff Wednesday, 7th December 2022 I love The Tramshed. Not only is it a very nice space, the staff are the best I’ve ever experienced. It’s a pleasure to roll up to the door and be cheerily greeted…
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Mediæval Bæbes – MydWynter
When you think of Christmas albums, it can all get a bit cloying. As a long-term veteran of the Retail Wars, having to hear Christmas music on constant rotation for three months of the year was enough to put you…
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Nordic Giants / Alex Hedley
Sin City, Swansea Wednesday, 30th November 2022 Gigs like this seldom happen in Swansea – and I nearly missed it as I only found out about it the night before! Thanking my lucky stars, I headed down there… Upon arrival,…
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Ozric Tentacles / Gong
Trinity Centre, Bristol Sunday, 20th November 2022 After seeing Gong turn the Good Ship Thekla into a space vessel back in March, loosing its moorings to take us grinningly happy throng to the stars, the thought of a double-header with…
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The Universe by Ear – III
From the satisfying metallic clang of opener Sail Around the Sun, this third release from Swiss sound explorers The Universe By Ear ticks many boxes. The harmony vocals work very nicely and the trio of Beni Bürgin (drums), Pascal Grünenfelder…
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