Bath-based all-brothers bandThe Family Rain are bubbling under right now, with a breakthrough on the cards for 2014.
The trio’s mix of alt-rock and blues is collected in a long-play form for the first time on the band’s forthcoming debut album, out in February 2014 on Virgin/EMI.
Comprising Tim, William and Ollie, The Family Rain – their surname is actually Walter – has shared stages with the likes of The Rolling Stones and Biffy Clyro. Not bad, lads. Not bad. Expect a continuation of this upward trajectory in the coming months.
It’s Tim guest-reviewing the singles for Clash this week – in our final singles round-up column of 2013. Check out The Family Rain’s latest video, ‘Feel Better (Frank)’, below, ahead of Tim’s words on the likes of James Arthur and Drake…
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James Arthur – ‘Recovery’
Another belter courtesy of The X Factor. What would we do without this constant injection of bland, soulless pop? Someone has found the cathedral reverb setting to make this track sound extra class. I liked the bit at 4:05, when it stopped.
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Drake – ‘Too Much’
This is pretty good. I checked out the guy who features on it, Sampha. It reminds me of Feist. I like the artwork on this record it looks like it was painted in the ‘80s. I also think it’s very noble that he named himself after Sir Francis Drake… I wonder if he is a keen bowls player as well.
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Christina Aguilera – ‘We Remain’
“Burn me with fire, drown me with rain…” Well, if you insist! The drumbeat for this is pretty nice but. other than that, it’s pretty bland. I preferred the ‘Dirrty’ phase of her career collaborations, with the likes of Redman. This song is a cucumber sandwich.
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Chase & Status feat. Jacob Banks – ‘Alive’
The video for this is pretty good and extremely well shot. But is this not the same song they release time after time with different lyrics? It seems all you have to do is sing over some minor chords on a piano and at some point put the ‘atypical’ scoping breakbeat in and you’ve got yourself a hit.
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John Newman – ‘Losing Sleep’
Shit sandwich, without the bread.
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Say Lou Lou – ‘Beloved’
Twin sisters from Australia and Sweden… it had my approval even before I heard the music. Sonically it is as good as it looks, but the tune and chorus lines are slightly forgettable, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it kicked off for them.
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Find The Family Rain online, if you like.
As for more like ^ the above ^, Clash’s archived, guest-penned singles columns are yours to read here.
And if ink’s your thing, go and have a nose at Clash magazine, thanks.