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
White Roses, My God is a rarity in that it is an essential album, not necessarily for the music, more for the fact that it has to exist, to keep Alan Sparhawk continuing to create his wonderful art.
A Distant, Violent Shudder is a solid post-metal album and a mighty fine listen.
Born Horses is an elegant and magical album that only Mercury Rev could have made.
A Swarm of the Sun have created a stunning album of mesmerising music with a deft hand for creating emotive cinematic post-metal that should appeal to anyone who hears it.
This is another magical album from an artist who completely understands the power of minimalism.
It shimmers, it shines, it will destroy your ears and undoubtedly blow your mind.
Megafauna is a rebirth of sorts for And So I Watch You From Afar pulling together all the best bits from their previous work to stunning effect.
Rob Marshall’s prowess as a songwriter, and creator of great music, continues to rise.
There are some obvious reference points in terms of influence, yet it feels like Lord Buffalo have their own unique sound. Highly recommended.
Overall, Les Chants de l’Aurore finds Alcest still masters of creating highly melodic metal and is a worthy addition to their impressive back catalogue.
In a world of horror, The Decemberists have created a wonderful other worldly collection of enthralling and melodious songs.
Oath is Mono doing what they do, at their very best, and is a wonderful eulogy to one of music’s unassuming legends.
With Palm Reader this Texas band have set themselves up nicely for an intriguing future.
Umbilical is one of the most brutal and heaviest records I have ever heard, but I highly recommend it.
If you yearn for blissed out sounds, psychedelic guitar tones and trippy head music, then this is the album for you.
Les Savy Fav have created an astonishingly colourful album that blasts deep into the quarry on ideas mountain.
Whilst clearly being influenced by older music, sleepmakeswaves have created a fresh and vibrant sounding album.
It’s big, it’s dumb, it’s fucking rifftastic, job done!
I hope we hear more from Scarred Lip as this set of songs sets a high standard of songwriting. Highly recommended.
With the punk genre having greater mainstream exposure with bands like IDLES, Pissed Jeans may well find themselves the recipient of some extra attention.
