Catch in The Rye

The Rifles return with their fourth studio album None the Wiser. None The Wiser finds the four-piece on fine form, and marks another raising of the bar. Their trademark Mod and indie pop sound are present and correct, but the band have broadened their musical palette, drawing influence from, Bob Dylan, Talking Heads, some Clash and as always - the Beatles. Minute Mile builds to a crescendo of raucous guitars and percussion, that leads into the super-charged rock n roll of Heebie Geebies. Go Lucky nods towards The Jam, whilst You Win Some is an uplifting British take on West Coast folk rock.

Once upon a time, Hoagy had it all: a hugely successful debut novel, a gorgeous celebrity wife, the glamorous world of New York City at his feet. These days, he scrapes by as a celebrity ghostwriter. A celebrity ghostwriter who finds himself investigating murders more often than he’d like. And once upon a time, Richard Aintree was the most famous writer in America — high school students across the country read his one and only novel, a modern classic on par with The Catcher in the Rye. But after his wife’s death, Richard went into mourning… and then into hiding. No one has heard from him in twenty years…

Don Birnam, long-time alcoholic, has been "on the wagon" for ten days and seems to be over the worst; but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother Wick and girlfriend Helen, he begins a four-day bender. In flashbacks we see past events, all gone wrong because of the bottle. But this bout looks like being his last…one way or the other.

"Darren Eedens and the Slim Pickin's from Cardiff, Wales revive the late 80's, early 90's alt-country or cow-punk genre before the more all-including term Americana was created. Deeply rooted in traditional country and mountain music but presented with an edgier punk-energy, switching from guitar to banjo, "Rye Whisky" was a standout from their soon to be released self-titled debut on April, 12.