Aug 8, 2011 | Reviews, Umpire Reviews
Excerpt: “… Although Now We’re Active is the band’s debut album, the general brain usage and song writing behind the project initially began in 2006. Umpire’s album has essentially been five years in the making, with a taster given via the 2009 released...
Aug 8, 2011 | Reviews, Umpire Reviews
Excerpt: “The guys of Umpire are obviously working with a motif: the lyrics, musicality, even the album cover — featuring a wide blue sky and open field — of Now We’re Active all are driven by a sense of expansiveness. The group uses echoistic qualities, minimal...
Aug 8, 2011 | Reviews, Slow Dancing Society Reviews
Ecerpt: “After being introduced to Jumpel and his brilliant album ‘Europa‘ my invasion of the Hidden Shoal back catalogue has stepped up a gear. Turns out Hidden Shoal are one of those record labels that has the ability to fill an entire weekend with blissful...
Aug 8, 2011 | Jumpel Reviews, Reviews
Excerpt: “… Jo Dürbeck aka Jumpel, found inspiration from time travelling around Europe which has materialised into a very special album, where each track represents a different city, feeling and stage of the journey. “Like many journeys, Europa begins...
Jul 11, 2011 | Reviews, Umpire Reviews
“Umpire are an indie-rock band out of Perth that neatly balance their anthemic qualities with a bit of artistic depth. Their vocalist who I think is Simon Struthers recalls The Shins’ James Mercer with his clear and ringing high notes while the seamless...
Jul 11, 2011 | Reviews, Umpire Reviews
Excerpt: “These songs are both cerebral and sentimental, swerving through tricky structures and wordplay even as singer-guitarist Geoff Symons waxes romantic… Like Transatlanticism-era Death Cab for Cutie, Umpire uses the dramatic tides and crashes of...
