Geoff Topley
Before I begin, can I just say I’m utterly hopeless at writing biographies, in all my years of knocking out CD-Rs under my many artistic guises I’ve never cobbled together a decent press release. Whether it be through shy modesty or plain embarrassment at blowing my own trumpet, I struggled when it came to self promotion. Just as well then that I’m not trying to inflict anything apon you here.
As you may have gathered, I’m a musician of sorts from Portadown. I’ve been floating in and around the Northern Irish music scene for over 20 years. (If you really want to know more about this aspect of my life, google me) In fact, it was through sending Dan my music that I came to know about Echoes and Dust.
I listen to a wide range of musical styles but my main interest is in instrumental rock/metal, dreampop/drone and I do have a leaning towards electronic music. My ears are very much tuned into melody, whatever the genre. Though I have a penchant for the extremities of Noise Rock/Hardcore when the mood takes me.
It’s been a lifelong ambition to write music reviews and I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Articles by Geoff Topley
Dublin’s Bitch Falcon may have created their own exciting genre here with ‘dream grunge’ and Staring At Clocks is a stunning debut album.
Child Soldier: Creator of God is ambitious, weighty, noisy, complex, infuriating and brilliant all at the same time.
Crippled Black Phoenix have made a record for these times, it is bleak, but it is also beautiful.
This album is vibrant, joyful and utterly brilliant, it truly makes me feel alive, alive, alive, alive, alive!
With Ohms, Deftones have yet again created another excellent album of great songs that will fit in perfectly to an already immaculate repertoire.
Public Enemy return to Def Jam but this album fails to come close to the albums they released first time round.
Peninsula is a quality collection of smart, well written songs crossing multiple genres, imbued with fine melodies from start to finish. One to watch!
I can unequivocally say that American Head is the finest album The Flaming Lips have recorded and is completely and utterly vital to get you through this shit show called life.
If you like Torche, then Watertank will float your boat as they have a tremendous way with melody and big chunky riffs.
Oslo band Caves Of Steel have delivered a fine collection of melodic post rock/metal.
Boaby Coull is a remarkable album considering that A Sea of Dead Trees is mostly the work of one man and his looper pedal.
Stephin Merritt remains an exquisite song writer, inventive artist, creative genius, frustrating fucker and wonderful, beautiful soul.
I don’t know what it will take for The Dears to get what they deserve but if you know their music, you’ll be all the richer for it.
One of the UK’s finest rock bands return with an album bursting with killer tunes and superb invention.
Warnings should be on your list of albums to listen to, in these times of trouble, let a little light in.
There’s no arguing with good tunes and big fucking riffs, Abrams have them both in abundance.
Edinburgh’s Pilotcan return with another quality collection of indie-folk gems.
Pure Reason Revolution haven’t lost their touch for great melodies, good to have them back.
To celebrate 30 years of releasing short sharp shocks, Therapy? lovingly recreate 12 of their greatest hits in the famous Abbey Road Studios.
Love Above All is a beauty of a record, Arvo Party has come a long way in a short period of time and here’s hoping there’s a long way to go.
Random Desire is another fine set from a soul man who really doesn’t do bad records and still retains his own unique sound.
