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It was a struggle to review the last issue of FRONT to be honest. I actually got it done and posted on the day this current issue was released. I was left very uninspired by issue 180, even though it featured Rebecca Crow and Mel Clarke, two of my favourite FRONT models. This month’s FRONT however is a joy to talk about, with a lively Alt Girl shoot and an eye-opening kill list shoot. Here’s what I thought.

I greeted the cover image of issue 181 with some trepidation. Tasmin adorns the front of the magazine this month, with a secondary cover featuring… A MAN! I believe the first man to appear on the cover of FRONT, and not personally knowing much about Oli Sykes, I think it was very unnecessary. The mag has had other “Big Interviews” before, and with stars a lot bigger than Mr Sykes. Sure he’s got nice tattoos and dreamy eyes, I just wonder if he’s big enough to warrant such acclaim. I’d honestly never herd of him before, and while that says more about me than him, is he a big deal?  

Forgetting about the unfathomable Oli Sykes cover alternative, the fact that newcomer Tasmin got the cover just one issue after making her debut seemed a little strange. I wasn’t wowed by her spread in issue 180 if I’m honest, and I was surprised to see she was elevated to cover status so quickly, especially considering the fact that Seren is also in the shoot with her, but more on that later.

My first port of call in reviewing this issue is page 12 and the “reader’s shit” section. It’s my first port of call for a good reason: I got a picture selected and printed in the mag this month! It’s a doodle I did of the irrepressible Abbie Mac, attached to which was the message “get her back in the mag pronto”. I’m chuffed they liked it enough to print, and it looked good next to the other submissions. Let’s just hope they listen to my plea for an Abbie return.

Page 16 next, and one of the best “kill list” sets ever. I really do like it that much, and hold it in the highest regard amongst the material FRONT has produced. Natalie is a model I was unaware of prior to this issue of FRONT, she’s now a model whose work I’m scouring the internet for. Her first image may be slightly obscured by the page crease, but you still get a sense of a beautiful woman with a unique sense of style. Her blonde dreadlocks grab the attention, and her pert bottom thrust in the air is a close second. I love the purse of her lips in the shot, and her ever so feline eye peering out longingly. A great introduction that had me turning the page furiously to see more.

The quality of Natalie’s work continues throughout her spread, with my two favourite shots coming on page 18. I adore the attitude in her face and body in the pictures, from her funky hair right down to her toes seems to be positively charged with sleek sensual posture. Directly opposite we get a better glimpse at her face, and gorgeous cheek bones and eyes are masterfully enhanced by Becky Rule (hair and makeup). The image on page 19 is absolutely wonderful, with Natalie nonchalantly looking down, while grasping her breasts and tousling her hair. It’s effortless quality that to me shows real nous in front of camera.

We finish up with a side by side double page spread on 20 and 21. Natalie’s feline eyes are again a wonderful feature, as well as her pouty pink lips. A bite of the finger hints at the wildness I’m sure we’ll be treated to in future FRONT shoots, and the clothing selected really champions the work of the entire team on the shoot. I don’t usually talk about the styling and makeup on a FRONT shoot, but sometimes you’re treated to a shoot that just makes you happy, and encourages you to rhapsodise about every element. A terrific introduction to Natalie’s modelling; she’s someone I hope we see back in FRONT soon! A hearty cheer must also go to Chico Willard, the photographer who captured it all.

Other notable issue 181 occurrences prior to the Alt Girl shoot:

1) I never knew Marvel comics had created so many crap super villains. 2) After reading the Oli Sykes interview, I personally concluded that he didn’t need to have his own cover. 3) LOVED the shark juicer and the zombie cookie jar in the “splash your cash” section. 4) Why is Nick Grimshaw in FRONT?

And now on to the Alt Girl shoot. This month Portuguese model Anastacia is the focus of our attention, and what a wonderful choice she is. I actually spoke with Anastacia briefly about appearing on this blog many months ago. Sadly I didn’t get my arse in gear and make that happen, but I will certainly be doubling my efforts. This wonderfully tattooed purple haired petit picture of perfection is a great addition to FRONT’s stable of Alt Girls. The dialogue between Anastacia and photographer Gemma Edwards is clear to see, and the results are fabulous images where a sense of connection is achieved even when the model is not looking into camera. I particularly love the larger of the two images on 59 as it has so much to take in at once. First of all Anastacia’s gorgeous features, from her perfectly accented eyes, to her cute pierced nose (which I fell in love with straight away). Following down from her face we are introduced to a vibrantly colourful tattoo of a Russian doll. The story progresses through the wondrous “s” shape of her body, right past her perky bottom and down to her descending green leggings. The picture just works, and to say it speaks to me would be an understatement. I think we’re looking at a definite inclusion in the 2014 Alt Girl calendar.

Anastacia’s set finishes as strongly as it began, with the striptease culminating at the bottom of page 61. My favourite picture in the sequence is in the top left corner of 61, and sees Anastacia peering over her shoulder as her hair cascades over her face. Now over the shoulder looks are well used in FRONT for a reason, but there’s something even better about this version. Maybe it’s Anastacia’s tousled hair, perhaps the expression on her face, but it all amounts to a very alluring visage, and escalates the tease perfectly.

From the Alt Girl D.I.Y section there were a few lovely submissions. I like to gauge who might make a reappearance in future FRONT issues, and I think I’m doing okay with my predictions thus far. From issue 181 I’m not sure who we’ll see again, but I was impressed by the offerings from Ali, Frankie and K-Jey.

The featured shoot this month sees the return of Seren to FRONT pages. I was very surprised that her involvement wasn’t advertised on the cover of my issue. She appears at the top of the musical alternative cover, but it was a complete surprise to me when I saw her on page 75. Perhaps a missed step from FRONT, who surely should have cashed in on any cache Seren’s name/image may have. As a fan of her work and follower of her career, it’s always a pleasure to see her working with FRONT, the magazine that I first saw her in. However, this shoot, like a few others from FRONT recently, had a feeling of torch passing. Ever since Mel Clarke surrendered the solo cover status to newcomer Keshia, it’s seemed that FRONT are phasing out their well used models. Perhaps because they have better offers from the likes of FHM etc, but I’d like to think it’s a gesture from FRONT to bring on some new talent, and find those next flagship girls.

The initial trepidation when I saw Tasmin was back in FRONT one month after a lacklustre performance was eased slightly by her showing in this issue. I discovered previously unnoticed elements of Tasmin that I was very pleased to behold this time around, like her incredible dimples. She’s much more expressive in this shoot, and the “fuck you” vibe I got from her last effort is replaced by a very pretty smile, accompanied by awesome dimples. Another thing that I noticed for the first time during this shoot was the dandelion clock tattoo on her forearm. I’m not sure that’s what they’re called, but it’s a beautiful piece that I totally missed last month. My favourite shot of Tasmin comes on page 79, where she’s kneeling on a bed grabbing her feet and arching her back. Her hair has fallen over one eye, and her look off camera is very endearing. There’s a vulnerability that I didn’t get from her work in issue 180. It’s a slight shame she’s wearing a particularly baggy t-shirt, but the image still works wonders.

As for Seren, her best image in my opinion comes on the adjacent page 78. She’s tearing a SlipKnot t-shirt asunder, with hair flailing wildly and a lustful eye cast the viewer’s way. There’s a snarl on her lips that’s just amazing, and I think it’s a really powerful picture. With connotations of Clark Kent ripping open his suit, this super model once again shows her qualities, creating an image worthy of hanging on any wall.

This issue of FRONT has had a few highs that have really made me smile. Anastacia’s Alt Girl shoots was wonderful, and I’ll always remember issue 181 as my first introduction to Natalie’s work. The main feature again failed to live up to the other photo sets included in this month’s FRONT. I’m awaiting a featured model’s set that blows me away and stands out above everything else in the magazine. I’m hoping we haven’t got to wait until Alysha Nett’s next appearance to achieve that. A much improved issue from last month, providing reasons to be happy and enthusiastic. The one thing I will ask though is if anyone has more information about Natalie’s work, it would be very much appreciated. A second name to aid a Google search would be a start. Thanks in advance.

In recent times (the last two issues) I’ve been very critical of FRONT magazine and it’s content. It’s something I don’t enjoy when I’m reviewing a magazine I buy religiously, but I feel it necessary to pull them up when I think output is shoddy. Equally, I feel it’s very important to sing the magazine’s praises when they do something awesome. Issue 176 is that something awesome, and goes some way to restoring my faith in the publication.

There’s a lot to cheer about in this Christmas issue, so I’m gonna jump straight in. First of all the cover, featuring Nicole Neal. I love, love, love the pristine white background and masthead chosen for this particular issue, echoed in Nicole’s white shoes, socks and hat. It’s Christmassy, it evokes thoughts of a white Christmas, and it works! The gold highlights play on the Christmas theme as well, and the whole cover bludgeons you with festive cheer. Nicole’s positional choice is inspired also. It’s never advisable to turn your back on the audience in a cover shot, but this half turn and peer over the shoulder works great. Curled in a ball with her knees under the chin suggests someone sheltering from the winter cold (and with not much clothing on, someone poorly attired for the season). There isn’t a flattering way of typing this, but it’s meant with positivity… The splay of her buttocks against the hard surface she’s sitting on is wonderful. Nicole is such a breath of fresh air with this breezy colour scheme and underlying Christmasness, I don’t even mind the ma-hoosive hat she’s got on (usually a pet peeve of mine with FRONT features). I wasn’t that aware of Nicole’s work prior to this issue, but there’s something about her cover shot that excited me, and drew me in. Which hasn’t been the case in many recent FRONT first pages.

Moving inside, and I have to mention the limited edition Alt Girl cover that FRONT are selling in their shop. It’s advertised on the welcome page, and looks immense! Featuring all the ladies from the Alt Girl party special (which I’ll spend the majority of this review drooling over later) wearing not a stitch. They say there’s only 200 available, which I would assume means they’re all gone by now. I hope FRONT gets some more done though, I don’t see why they wouldn’t, I’ll definitely be getting one when I get my arse in gear. It’s the perfect gift for Christmas and there’s going to be a clamour for them… why limit the extra revenue stream to just 200? They’ve probably already thought about this, but get that image on a poster and they’d fly off the virtual shelves. Sort it out FRONT bean counters (by that I mean money men, to avoid filthy confusion).

This month’s Full Frontal has been used to flog a new Suicide Girls book. I’m usually all over FRONT when they use one of the three shoots to sell something, but I can forgive them for this, seeing as the Suicide Girls are fantastic. To advertise the book they’ve chosen well, picking the very elegant Leon Suicide. Her image on page 16 is my absolute favourite. Leon is ravishing in heels and knee high socks, clasping her hands in an innocent praying position, next to an angelic face. We get a glimpse of the artwork on the back of her thigh, and the whole image is serenely sensual. On that same page there’s a tiny interview with Missy, the Suicide Girls co-founder. I’ve been trying to get this lady on my blog for ever, and from the minute interview FRONT managed, it seems tough to get this busy bee involved with anything non-SG. On SG and FRONT though, I think a union between the two is long overdue. Many FRONT models are already Suicide Girls, or that route is a natural progression from FRONT. Surely a relationship between the two houses of hornyness could be created, to share models and mayhem between two companies bound by Alt appreciation. But that’s another conversation for another time…

Forgive my rush to get to the Alt Girl party feature, but surely you can’t blame me if you’ve seen it. Things of note along the way though are: 1) The Todd McFarlane comic feature 2) The Harry Potter boxset bit. Not for the Potterness, but purely because I love the look of the case it comes in. I want that for my pens and envelopes etc 3) Olly Moss’ silhouette art book looks fun 4) Zach Shuta’s artist profile 5) I also like the ZombiU “she’s got a body to die for” double ad.

Page 54 = the Alt Girl party special feature! Double the length and five times the awesomeness of a regular Alt Girl shoot. My head didn’t actually explode when I came across this, but it was bloody close. Starring: Rebecca, Bella, Abbie Mac, Chelsea and Keshia, this is inspired work form the decision makers at FRONT, and an awesome Christmas gift for loyal readers. It’s hard to know where to start when talking about this shoot, but I’m gonna dive right in. First of all, special mention as always to photographer Gemma Edwards. I always praise this ladies work, and with good reason. FRONT seems to be settled with Gemma as the Alt Girl photog now, and that’s a terrific decision. She captures the girls wonderfully well, with a tone and spirit that is quintessentially FRONT. That’s what you get when you hire a FRONT fan to work on FRONT magazine. Hint, hint FRONT HR department, come get me in 2013…

We begin the set with Chelsea, one of my personal highlights from the Alt Girl section this year. I had the pleasure of interviewing her for this blog a few months ago, and she’s such a cool lady. Her picture is a fantastic way to kick off this feature, after her beautiful eyes my attention was drawn to her perfect bottom, and just above that her splendidly curved lower back. There are some great choices in this shot; the look over the shoulder, the thumb pulling down her undies to reveal a perfect posterior. Epic!

Page 55 sees Rebecca and Keshia playing a bit of hide and seek under the bed, and beginning their respective stripteases. It’s wonderful to see Keshia back in the mag; I remember her feature with Mel Clarke a few issues back, where I commented on what seemed like a passing of the torch between the two models. If this feature is a glimpse into the kind of girls that will lead FRONT forward, then I’m excited about the future. I hope the insanely positive reaction to this Alt Girl special will finally give FRONT the courage to put more faith in their Alt Girls as featured models.

Page 57 sees Abbie Mac’s introduction to the piece. I’m a massive Abbie fan; she’s made some incredible choices in her modelling life, and has produced some awesome shots along the way. I rhapsodise about every FRONT appearance she makes, and it’s always yet another example of her versatility as a model. Pairing her with Chelsea on this page was another master stroke. The two play off one another very well, and the final image of 57 is immense, with the two mirroring each another in both pose and gaze. Sublime symmetry, and a shot I’d hang on my wall any day of the week.

On 58 Bella gets to show off. As with most ensemble shoots, there are some models that might not get as much coverage. Bella seemed to be in that position slightly, with the shots she’s in not always showing her face. However, in the shots where she is the focus, she rocks it. I like the picture with Keshia on 58 where Bella gets a heart drawn on her bottom. It those kind of pictures that highlight the fun that must have been had on set. Another example of on set camaraderie is visible on 59, with the gang together on the sofa chatting, while Keshia sneaks a peek over her shoulder to camera. I love the voyeuristic feel to this shot, like we’re privy to the most awesome secret society meeting ever!

On 60 and 61 the set comes to a close with a line up of buttocks. The girls stand side by side, revealing their bums in unison. I would have liked them all to be looking over their shoulders to camera, just a final show of unity from what was a stellar set. But it’s still a great picture; with Abbie’s sultry stare, Rebecca’s nonchalant bottle of booze, and Keshia seemingly checking out Abbie’s arse, all quaint and positive notes on which to leave the party.

It’s very hard for the DIY section to follow such an epic Alt Girl feature, but it starts very well with Zoe Sutherland getting top billing in the section. I mentioned that I was a little embarrassed for FRONT last month, as having Zoe only in the DIY section represented a massive oversight on their part. She should be featuring regularly in the mag as an Alt Girl or in the Full Frontal section. But it seems others had a similar reaction, and “back by popular demand” is a good thing to read. I really hope I get to see her working with FRONT in a more official capacity in 2013.

Other ladies of note form the DIY section include; the magnificent Bon Bon on page 63, she looks so effortlessly cool, and I’d love to see what she might do given a proper shoot. I’d also love to know more about this lady, and will endeavour to do so. If anyone reading this can help, then I implore you to do so. Georgia Elizabeth and Izzy McKenzie definitely fit the FRONT bill, petit and very pretty. I’d also like to have seen bigger shots of Manuela, another very interesting looking contributor.

As mentioned, this month’s featured shoot with Nicole Neal is the first main shoot I’ve been interested in for a few issues. If the Alt Girl feature hadn’t been so incredible, it may have had a chance at overshadowing that most divine of sections. Still, Nicole really impressed in her solo feature debut. Her first shot on 83 is wonderful for many reasons. I love that she’s on tippy-toes, I love the skirty/tutu-ish thing she’s wearing, and I love the outline of her breast against the light through the door. But I particularly love the look she’s giving to camera over her shoulder. A crooked smile that seems to say “you’re going to enjoy what’s coming. “ And she’s right about that.

Pages 84 and 85 bring an array of wonderful pictures that range from the sheer beauty on 84, to the sublime artistry on 85. I’m not sure who the photographer is on this set, but she or he has worked wonders on 85. Nothing overtly sexual, the abstract nature of the images just sings, and the light and angles are perfection.

On 86 we get a glimpse of the ballet and dance background that the piece keeps harking back to. A stretch in front of the mirror is utilised very well to showcase Nicole’s elegant figure, as well as the poise her dancing has given her. On 87 a light emblazoned Nicole reclines against the wall, her perfect bottom and breasts a feature, but not detracting from a very well thought through expression and look to camera. A double page spread on 88 ad 89 hints again at an arty penchant from the photographer. One breast depicted in dappled lace is a unique image, and one that is a welcome change from FRONT’s propensity for a gratuitous and anonymous boob shot.

The great shots continue, as do the demonstrations of Nicole’s flexibility. On 90 we see a quite unfathomable pose being adopted, with Nicole extending her legs vertically and balancing on one spot. The wide grin on her face does let slip the effort it must have taken to adopt the pose, but it’s impressive none the less. 91 sees a very different Nicole, with her hair pulled back against white light from behind, her pouty lips and slender neck are highlighted. It’s a very soft and beauteous picture.

The double page spread on 92 and 93 heralds the customary FRONT “model on the floor” shot. Again Nicole’s luscious lips are a focus as the sun casts shadows about them; it’s a stock FRONT style picture I must admit. The final two images also embody the FRONT style, but in a much more pleasant way. Nicole on the counter with cereal is the very epitome of FRONT petit cuteness. One eye covered with her hair, legs together, with one coyly raised to cover her v-jayjay. I really like the placement of the hand on the counter here, it’s a solid picture. Lastly, page 95 gives us Nicole’s best impression of Cameron Diaz. Just my opinion, but I thought there was a striking resemblance. Either way, you can’t beat an over the shoulder look to camera coupled with a double handed self-arse-grab.

This review is a bit of an essay I must admit, but with good reason. Thankfully I haven’t been complaining about FRONT’s decisions this month, instead I’ve been extolling the virtues of an issue I thoroughly enjoyed. Hopefully for anyone that thinks I’m just down on FRONT, this review will demonstrate how much I long for the magazine to be awesome again. When they do it right, I’m gonna praise them to the hilt, so that they may learn what I and many other readers love about the publication. It’s been one of the best issues in a while in my opinion, and as always, these are just my views. It’s marvellous to leave 2012 with a bang in terms of FRONT output. It’s been a rocky twelve months, but I hope my reviews have been entertaining to readers, but also helpful to similarly frustrated voiceless FRONT readers. As well as giving anyone that reads my blog over at FRONT towers, a constructive view of what their customers are looking for/wanting. Essay over. 

It’s FRONT review time on the Alt Girl botherer blog, and it seems like an age since I’ve done one. This month sees a Halloween special featuring Danielle on a hypnotic green cover. Here goes…

At first glance, I thought Seren was back for a second cover in a row when I saw this month’s FRONT out of the corner of my eye. As soon as I properly looked, I could see it wasn’t, but for a second there… Anyway, I was intrigued by Danielle’s appearance on this month’s issue, but not excited if I’m honest. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve really liked Danielle’s work with the magazine in the past, but there was no “wow” or “I’ve gotta check out this shoot” at first. A playful pose fills the cover, Danielle coyly playing with her hair and wearing Beetlejiuce inspired leggings (the merest hint of a lower-lip bite). It’s a cute image, but that’s about it. I’m pleased there was no model interaction with illustrations this month (a pet peeve of mine), and the colour scheme was different, but I still reserve judgement as to if its good different or bad different. I moved inside with hope rather than expectation I must admit.

As I delved beneath the surface of this month’s FRONT, my hopefulness turned to joy and bafflement. The joy came with the realisation that Alysha Nett was featuring in this month’s issue, the bafflement was with the fact that there was no mention of it on the cover (or online in the lead up to the mag’s release). I’m not sure if FRONT wants it’s “Full Frontal” feature to be a surprise for readers or what, but I can’t help but think sales figures would have been given a boost if they plugged the hell out of Alysha’s involvement. But on to her shoot, which starts on 16 with a double page spread featuring four Alyshas in a row! This procession of Netts is incredible. In this shoot the distractions are kept to a minimum and I love it. Alysha is shot against a bland backdrop, bathed in light with her body art really popping in contrast to her pale complexion. These first four images of this amazing model are a nice introduction to a great set, her work in each of the four pictures is subtly different, but fit wonderfully as a collective.

The first on the far left of page 16 feigns shyness; covering her mouth and breasts, seemingly shocked at being snapped. I love the turned inward feet, which only adds to the innocence Alysha is going for here. It’s a subtle aspect of body position, but very necessary for a great shot. The next image along in the line-up of Alyshas is one of my favourites. A casual hand on the hip is perfect, and the playful pinkie in the mouth weakens my knees. We move then to a sot of Alysha slipping down her undies, eyes fixed on the camera and on us as an audience. Alysha always uses her eyes superbly when modelling, she brings viewers in and gets them involved with the shoot. I love the little dimple in her right hip, caused by the way she’s twisting. Lastly, and hands on the head shot, elongating the body, and leaving Alysha’s gorgeous physique and ink to be fully appreciated. I have to say, that it’s so funny that her Marylin Monroe foot tattoo is so visible, because there’s a real Marylin-ness to Alysha’s styling/colouring in the shots. It’s a nice juxtaposition to dwell on.

Pages 18 and 19 continue the glorious Nett-fest. Again the background is not intrusive, so we’re focussed on Alysha’s stunning work. On 18 we have a full page shot, with Alysha licking her shoulder. The position of her body is such that her tattoos are pronounced, and turned to camera, some obscured, but all displayed wonderfully. The lick of the shoulder is an interesting touch, a spur of the moment idea perhaps, but a really quirky and different shot that is great to see. The use of so much light is a master stroke, Alysha’s fantastic features are highlighted, and even with her impressive ink being shown off, her beauty is by far the star of the show!

On 19 we have a triumvirate of Alyshas, from top to bottom. At the top of 19 Alysha’s wonderful back piece is in the spotlight. When I interviewed Alysha at the start of this blog adventure, she mentioned an intention to fill her frame tattoo eventually. I’m sure she’ll choose an incredible design when she settles on one, but for now I really love the empty frame. It’s so unique! Of course, her perfect bottom is also in the shot, and shame on me for not mentioning it sooner. Seriously though, the look over the shoulder is ace, and the images that follow on 19 are sculptural wonders. I love how dextrous Alysha’s body can be, there’s a beautiful contortion to the middle image on 19 and the bottom picture is classic Alysha. By that I don’t mean she does this particular pose all the time, but she does have a knack of showing off the amazing “S” shapes she can make with her unbelievable body. Check out the arch of her back at the bottom of 19, perfection, I could shelter from the rain under there or crying out loud!

We end Alysha’s shoot with two more great pictures. On 20 there’s a really intimate moment captured, with Alysha pressed up against a mirror. I’m a big fan of new ideas in shoots, and while I’m sure this shot isn’t reinventing the wheel, I think it was a great idea to include it. We don’t see Alysha’s eyes at all here, but the purse of her mouth and the hand to hand positioning at the mirror is just lovely. The last image on 21 is something Alysha always seems to master. By that I mean in every Alysha Nett shoot there’s at least one image that would make an excellent poster, calendar page, print etc… Again the sleekness of Alysha’s body is a wonderful feature, and her ink is a voyage of discovery as you look around the image. But that pert bottom… that’s a great way to leave a set.

I’ve probably talked about Alysha’s set more than I will the main feature here, but I couldn’t help it. Photographer Christian Saint is a real favourite of mine, and in the past I’ve enjoyed his use of metallic or grey backgrounds to make a model pop. Here model and photographer were in perfect sync, and while I’m not privy to what went on on-set, I’m sure it was a lot of fun and quite experimental.

In other news from the mag (between the shoots): Good tidings are sung out in a short article heralding the return of “The Walking Dead” to our screens. I seriously love this show, and while I’ll miss episode one of season three showing on the 19^th, I’ll be series linking that bad boy and watching the whole lot in one gore-filled go. A really good interview with Tim Burton was a surprise. Not that it was good, but that FRONT got Burton involved. He’s plugging his own Halloween film, but having the interview as part of FRONT’s seasonal special is a nice touch. The Crap Jokes “Tested” portion doesn’t do much for me I must say. I was really interested by Hattie Stewarts’s piece though, something I’d like to see expanded upon… Who knows, maybe on this blog someday?

Back to the shoots, and it’s Alt Girl time! I’m really pleased that Gemma Edwards seems to be getting the job as Alt Girl photographer more often these days. She does great work within the section, and it’s good that FRONT are making efforts to regularly include a real rising star in the game. This issue sees “Emma” step into the Alt Girl frame. I really liked the energy and personality Emma brought to her FRONT debut. Her raven hair and pale skin is a combination that has worked well many times in FRONT previously, and you can’t beat long socks in an Alt Girl shoot right? Pages 56 and 57 begin the customary Alt Girl strip-down, and two shots in particular grabbed my attention. Both on page 57, the first one being in the top right corner, Emma removes her undies with a real flourish. Now I know this might not be rocket science, but all the important factors are there. An arched back, turn to camera, lovely bum and smile. I like the splayed fingers also. The second shot on 57 that caught my eye is at the bottom. Again showcasing a fantastically pert bottom, the twist to Emma’s body is great, and there’s an ease to her expression that maybe hints that it’s not too much of an effort to assume the position?

That’s the one thing I’d tweak about the shoot if I’m honest. I think Emma stayed a little within herself while working with Gemma. She shows a similar smile in a few shots that could be misconstrued as complacency. Also, as I’ve mentioned, I think she could have gone for some more diverse poses. She shows on 57 that she has the dexterity, but instead she seemed to stay in the comfort zone. If she returns to the magazine, or gets more exposure on the FRONT site, I just hope she goes for it a little bit more.

Emma’s Alt Girl set finishes strong though, she’s decided to not go completely topless and I don’t think that’s an issue at all. It’s good that FRONT doesn’t insist on fully topless shoots, I like the implied stuff just as much (even more sometimes). I also believe that implied work really gives an amateur model more longevity, as well as a chance to return and maybe show a little more, or come up with different ways of working implied. My favourite shot is at the bottom of page 58, Emma kicking her feet up and arching her back wonderfully. I like the playful expression and the gaze to camera. All in all a solid debut for Emma, if a little restrained. I’d love to see what else this lady has to offer in the magazine, or on the website.

The Alt Girl DIY section is an improvement in my opinion this month. Lately it’s seemed to be very hit and miss, with no real thought to audience (or the FRONT ethos) when choosing content. This month there are some interesting participants though. Lilly-Kate sent in some great shots, and her mini interview hinted at what could be an interesting Alt Girl piece proper. She might have an issue with the fact that FRONT has used a lot of her images; from what I’ve noticed, that usually means they want to squeeze every drop out of someone without having to give them a full feature. But I hope that’s just me being suspicious, I’d like to see what she could do with a full shoot. Issy is another DIY entrant that I think has a great chance of being chosen for a return, or at least an online profile. A very vibrant set that focuses on her face and the props she’s using (gum, laces, lollipop) something not often done in the DIY section.

On to the main feature finally, which begins on page 82. I have a little problem with FRONT when they do this. Advertise Danielle on the cover, but then actually showcase three models in the main feature. There’s nothing wrong with multiple model features in FRONT, but I’d like it if they acknowledged the others taking part with at least a mention on the cover… but I digress. The three models that make up the feature are Danielle, Gabriella and Bryony. The group shot that introduces the feature is like a topless episode of “Charmed.” The three girls bathed in light from behind, Bryony and Danielle looking to camera, Gabriella (the rebel) looking away. It’s a great start, and introduces the participants very well.

The first picture that grabbed my attention was of Gabriella n page 85. She’s a stunning woman of course, and the continuation of the lighting technique from the introductory page works wonders here. Turning her sun coloured top see-through, coupled with her sexy half smile is great, and an inventive way of showing her figure off. On page 86 is one of my favourite shots of Danielle. Just wearing jogging bottoms and tousling her hair, it’s a very real image, and extremely sexy. 86 and 87 are a good juxtaposition actually. On 87 the three girls are n bed together naked, yet I find Danielle’s jogging bottom’s shot supremely sexier.

Racing ahead to 92 and 93, where two of my favourite images can be seen. First on 92, Gabriella shows off her flexibility, with a pose that accentuates the angles of her marvellous physique, with her angelic face sporting a sultry gaze to camera. On the opposite page, Danielle is snapped through the legs of Bryony. It’s a joyous image, the expression on her face is priceless, there’s innocence and an inevitability to what would happen in the scene after the shot is taken. Great work from Danielle and photographer Jay Mawson.

I’ve bumbled through this feature quickly for a few reasons. Mainly due to the fact that I lingered on Alysha Nett’s section at the beginning of this review, but also because I wasn’t pulled in to this feature at all. The ladies involved are gorgeous don’t get me wrong, but I have issues with the piece as a whole. As is inevitable with threesome shoots, one model get’s overlooked. This time it’s Bryony, who barely appears on her own, is out of focus in one group shot, and never really imposes herself on the shoot in my opinion. There also needs to be more to a shoot than attractive women… That may seem like a stupid thing to say when reviewing a “lads mag” but it’s true. Hopefully in these reviews it’s clear that I applaud technique and intrigue from a model and a shoot. While after seeing this feature I am interested in seeing more from Bryony and Gabriella next time, next time shouldn’t even be a factor. It’s all about the here and now for these big shoots, and when they don’t work, there can’t be a reliance on “next time.” Because there may not be one.

All in all though, this month’s FRONT was a nice issue. The major highlight was Alysha Nett’s appearance for sure! It was a nice surprise to find out she was featuring, but I think FRONT should have shouted that from the rooftops a little more. I didn’t have the personal interest in the main feature that I did with Seren’s shoot last month, which didn’t give me much reason to extenuate the positives (as you could probably tell). But what did everyone else think???

As always, thanks for reading if you did.

This month’s issue of FRONT was somewhat of a guilty pleasure for me personally. I say guilty because being a blog that celebrates all things alternative, there wasn’t much “alternative” about the current offering. Yes there is a wonderfully shot set featuring a tattooed Rebecca Crow, but other sets from Courtnie and Seren marked a step towards more traditional “lad mags” for FRONT. Having said that I really did enjoy the content, but the “Alt-less” nature of two out of three modelling sets has to be acknowledged. Now I know people will say FRONT has been going down this road for ages, but I would argue that they have tried previously to inject an alternative style into shoots with wardrobe etc. But this month there’s more a sense of the glamour style we see in Loaded, Nuts and Zoo. That’s not necessarily a bad thing to some…

Let’s get into it, beginning with a cover that features Seren Gibson. I’m a sucker for this North Walian knockout, and seeing her back in FRONT was a real treat. She’s been away on her studies and travels, but had returned to modelling action in FHM and other publications months before this return to FRONT. I was a little surprised more was not made of her re-emergence, but seeing her back was enough to get me excited. The cover image itself is bright and a lot of fun. Seren sits atop an illustration of a burger (again I’m not sold on the device of intermingling models and illustrations), the surrounding text and colour scheme mirror a ketchup and mustard motif. For an issue towards the end of summer, I think it works well. Seren sits totally naked (apart from a pair of knee-high socks) in a shot that is quintessential glamour, hinting perhaps at the tone set throughout this issue. I have to say the cover worked on me totally. Maybe it was my penchant for Seren, or her gorgeous figure and glistening skin. Maybe it was the uncluttered, fun, bright colour scheme that accompanied the shot… Whatever it was, every time I glanced over at it through the week, I picked up the issue and flicked through. The definition of a successful cover in my opinion.

Now on to the inside and Courtnie’s “Full Frontal” feature on page 16. I was again excited when I saw Courtnie staring out at me with her beautiful brown eyes. She was the stand out model of a trio that included Sabine in issue 167. Back then I thought Courtnie was by far the most interesting participant in a shoot that her pictures dominated (surprisingly seeing as Sabine was the model chosen for that particular cover). I wanted to see what Courtnie could do solo, and I got that opportunity this month. Her six page set is very good indeed, if a little all over the place. Taken as individual shots, they highlight the model’s fabulous skin, and ability to use the curve of her body wonderfully. However, as a set they’re a little random, with some nude shots and some that bring in wardrobe. There isn’t any real sense of progression for the audience I didn’t think, just a selection of images from what must have been a vast number taken. The images chosen are very good ones though don’t get me wrong. I particularly enjoy the shot on page 19 where a totally naked Courtnie bends her body into a very seductive S shape, gazing above and elongating a beautiful body. The last shot is spread over pages 20 and 21 is also a favourite. I like the use of reflection here, and Courtnie’s incredible bottom is of worthy focus. With the foreground image somewhat interrupted by the page crease, we get a full body reflection from a mirror in the background. It’s an interesting image and intelligently implemented. All in all I’m pleased Courtnie got this opportunity, however I would have liked to see more cohesion in the set as a whole. Undoubtedly a gorgeous model though, and a lady I’ll be keeping an eye out for.

Alt Girl o’clock, and this month we see Gemma Edward’s take the photographer duties again, to the delight of this FRONT reader. I’m still determined to get Gemma on this blog at some point, but for now I’ll have to settle for giving my thoughts on her work. In issue 173 Rebecca Crow is flying the “Alt” flag with her FRONT appearance. Copiously tattooed and rocking some FRONT-esque wardrobe, Rebecca puts in a great showing here. It’s the classic Alt Girl strip down format, featuring someone with a great figure and a surprise around every corner with her tattoos. I like how the set starts off, the lower of two images on page 58 is a little gem. First of all I love her positioning, back arched and feet drawn up into a familiar pose. However, Rebecca’s choice of bra for the set, and the way she’s pulled down her tank top innovatively introduces her marvellous bosom early in the piece. I’m a fan of the leggings she’s wearing for the shoot too, Rebecca works them well in the images seen at the bottom of 59. The trio of shots on that page are a good example of how interesting the photos are, there’s so much to take in, from Rebecca’s gorgeous eyes, to her lip piercings and tattoos, and of course those afore mentioned breasts (which continue to be revealed and, somewhat, concealed).

The final two pages complete the strip down, page 60 sees the surprise I was talking about, as Rebecca removes each item of clothing we are introduced to another design on her body. I particularly like the pin up girl on her right calf, and seeing her other pieces in more detail and from different angles. The tattoo reveal hand in hand with the revealing of Rebecca’s amazing body, was a nice touch to the piece; it added an extra element to an already pleasurable experience. The best picture is saved till last in my opinion, as we see Rebecca kneeling on the floor sitting back on her heels. I’ve recently been enjoying a similar pose from Alysha Nett’s appearance in issue 164, and it’s a particular favourite of mine. Rebecca performs it well, her pert breasts are again a wonderful focus, but I also love her expression, the slight coyness about her shoulders, and her use of hand and arm placement. It’s a great image captured well, and rounds off the feature perfectly. An excellent first showing from Rebecca, and I can see future successes for her in the form of repeat galleries on FRONT’s website, and maybe even a magazine return.

My last port of call for this review is the main feature shoot with the lovely Seren. I’ve already said that I’m a Seren fan, and throughout her association with FRONT she’s produced some stellar shoots and moments of bliss for readers. Her work with the magazine prior to her hiatus will live long in my personal memory, including a breakout 2009 and a wonderful party themed set at the start of 2010 (which also featured Jessica Weekley and a cameo from Leasha Jacques). In this return however I couldn’t shake the feeling that Seren was no longer a FRONT model. Some may argue she never was, but for me there’s a gloss and distance to these pictures that perhaps hints at a model that has had her head turned by appearances in FHM. I keep saying “don’t get me wrong” in this review, but I want to stress that I’m not having a go. After all, I am a confessed Seren supporter, and I have bought those FHM issues in which she appears. However, I don’t think models can approach assignments for FRONT and FHM in the same way, and perhaps that’s what has happened here.

Another thing that jarred with me was the theme of the shoot. I like the play on the seven deadly sins with Seren’s name, but that’s all I liked about the idea. Sloth, gluttony, lust etc has been done to death in similar photo shoots. The minute I saw “deadly sins” I groaned a little. We all know what’s coming when you give that as an introduction to a feature. Sloth = the model lying down, Lust = seductive/sexy shots, Gluttony = food related shenanigans, etc etc etc… Unless you’ve got a Machiavellian photographer with new ways of sowing such ideas, there’s nothing much that can be done differently.

My favourite shot from the feature comes pretty early on, three pages in on 87 we see Seren holding a doughnut and sucking her fingers clean. Her wide eyes immediately grab your attention, there’s no gratuity to the image, with a hint of a nipple and starry leggings. It’s a very cool picture though, very at ease and unassuming, I like it a lot. Throughout the rest of the piece, we are treated to some sumptuous shots of Seren in all her glory. On 88 we see her perfect posterior, which has shone in so many previous FRONT shoots. On 89 I love the braces covering her nipples, and the gape of her mouth is just awesome (not too sure about the glasses though). I wasn’t blown away by the double pager on 90 and 91, the depiction of “lust” is Seren applying pink lipstick while lying next to an issue of Playboy. I’ve got to believe something better could have been thought up to depict that particular sin.

A trio of Seren’s on pages 92 and 93 is rather random, the first being a shot of Seren mid-head twirl by the looks. The other two are great, Seren is a beautiful lady, but I just couldn’t connect the images to anything. On page 94 she’s in a stars and stripes swimming costume, pulling it aside to reveal her breast. It’s a picture of a perfect boob, but not much else. I think the attraction of a Seren picture is partly in her face and features, so not having that leaves the picture lacking. On 95 there’s another solid picture, but again with some dubious eyewear. We see Seren’s figure in its full glory, with the tiniest of underpants. I have no idea what the glasses are about (maybe they relate to 60s fashion mentioned in text on the page) but the image is an attractive one. 96 and 97 ends the feature with a double page shot of Seren’s boobs, a slice of pizza and a beer. Again, without her face in shot, and with the centre crease obscuring the image somewhat, something is lacking here.

I wanted to draw attention to the small amount of text that accompanies the pictures also. Though predictably there isn’t much, what is there is entertaining. The tiny paragraphs are very in keeping with the deadly sins theme, and while they’re not exactly an autobiography, you get a sense of Seren’s quirky humour.

On the surface this review might give the impression that I hated issue 173, but I really didn’t. I loved seeing Seren back, and will always encourage her presence in future issues. However, after chatting to fellow FRONT readers, I had to look at the issue from a collective standpoint. If you’re not a staunched Seren fan, and just think she’s a pretty lady but nothing special, then you’re going to think this issue is nothing special. As the figurehead of the issue Seren’s shoot has to be stand out, or at least something new in order to appeal to the indifferent. Rebecca Crow’s Alt Girl appearance is another in a long line of Alt Girl features that somewhat outshines the main model’s set. With the deadly sins theme both model and photographer had an uphill struggle, and I did feel using it was a little lazy on FRONT’s part. When you’ve made a big noise about a model (as FRONT has in the past with Seren and others) you have to push that talent in every new shoot. It’s no good just wheeling out the fan favourites every now and then, they have to bring something different to sway the unconvinced and secure new readers. I enjoyed the set very much, because I’m biased when it comes to Seren. But other’s who feel no real affinity to her will just see a model doing a shoot, and a shoot they can see anywhere else.

As always though, these are just my opinions, some people will rave about this issue and some will slaughter it. But as long as it’s constructive I think all comment is welcome. So if you have comments don’t be shy.

Pictures used to illustrate this piece came from tumblr. Thanks tumblr.

It was only last month that I mentioned it was about time FRONT “discovered” a new model they could elevate to main feature status and have a bit of a monopoly on before the likes of FHM plunder them. Little did I know that FRONT was planning such a move with the lovely Keshia. Previously starring as an Alt Girl and in the “Full Frontal” feature in last month’s issue, Keshia has worked her way up through the magazine to main feature status in the current edition. Very reminiscent of how Jessica Weekley moved through the various sections in FRONT, Keshia has achieved great success in a very short space of time.

Add to this the fact that in issue 172 of FRONT, Keshia is sharing the stage and page with a returning Mel Clarke, a FRONT favourite who has been away for a while working with FHM and on other projects. It shows the faith the magazine has in Keshia that they would allow her to share the limelight with Mel, someone I thought they might feature solo as she’d been away for a good few months. I’m hoping it’s the start of yet another spurt of FRONT original finds, and there’s a golden age to rival the period in which Jess Weekley, Rosie Jones and Mel herself broke through.

On to the cover, and a slightly contentious start I have to say. Mel adorns the front of FRONT this month, a fact that was very welcome when I first saw it. A Mel return was overdue, and I figured she’d be doing what she does best in the 14 pages that comprise the main feature. The fact that Keshia plays such a vital part in the main feature made Mel’s solo appearance on the cover somewhat misleading. I later found out after discussions with Keshia that she was indeed scheduled to appear on the cover, and that in the image seen featuring a solo Mel, she was seated directly behind her and had been removed. A little disappointing for Keshia I’m sure, and it may have made the experience of her first feature bitter sweet. Upon hearing this I was surprised and curious why Keshia was removed. Perhaps her status as a non-agency model meant she wasn’t as pushed or fought for in the decision making process? I can only speculate (by the way, if she’s still unrepresented as a model what are you agency types doing??? Sign her up!)

The cover image itself, featuring Mel astride an illustrated skateboard is of course wonderful. It’s always nice to see Mel on a FRONT cover. She’s done some fantastic work with FHM and other publications, but there’s something about seeing her on a FRONT cover that just works. She’s a vision in a pink bikini, her raven hair looking as awesome as ever. I’ve never really been a fan of the illustration/photography interplay on the cover of FRONT. It hasn’t worked so many times in the past. However, Mel’s hand placement on the board and her body positioning works very well. We get a glimpse of her familiar hip tat, and when that happens it’s always a good thing. It was nice to see her back.

Moving straight to the Jay Mawson shot “Full Frontal” feature and the lovely Beth. Now while this was again a terrific showcase of Jay’s talents as a photographer, I also viewed it as an exercise in trying to obscure Beth’s face for some reason. The first shot over pages 16 and 17 is wonderful, I love the body positioning, the lighting, the cigarette… everything! However, in every shot of the six page feature, Beth’s face is hidden by something. Be it smoke on page 17, the crease of the spin on pages 18 and 19, or her hair in the final shot on 20. I would have loved to have seen Beth’s face without any impairment just once. She did some terrific work with her body during the shoot, I love the first shot as previously stated, and her bottom in the air shot to end the feature is classic. But I didn’t feel like I connected with the shoot to be honest. There was something held back or hidden away, and that something was her facial features. It felt like a missed opportunity, or a shoot not fully taken advantage of in my opinion.

I have to hurry over to page 58 now, and the wonderful Alt Girl feature of issue 172. I feel like I’ve talked about this set many times already, as I’ve mentioned it loads ever since I first saw it. I’ve also interviewed the model in question on this very blog in the recent past. Chelsea is a talent that I have spoken highly of previously. Seeing her get an Alt Girl feature so soon after her debut in the Alt Girl DIY section, tells me lots of people out there agree with my admiration of her work. The shoot, brought to us via the camera of Tom Joy is, pardon the pun, a joy to behold. Colour follows Chelsea on every shoot, and not only due to her style and hairdo. The set is very fresh indeed and so apt for someone that is the epitome of a fresh modelling talent in my eyes.

There’s so much to look at in the series of photographs on pages 58 and 59. You could focus on Chelsea’s exquisite features and porcelain skin, or her glorious figure and sublime body placement choices. The shots work and display the model is a very positive light. My favourite photo from the first four is at the bottom of page 59. Chelsea is elegantly spread on a bed with so many awesome elements on display. We see the knee high socks, the ink on her leg, her pierced nipple, gorgeous face and of course her extremely cool hair. It’s a very enjoyable shot to take in, and one that would grace any wall or calendar.

On to page 60 Chelsea’s set continues. There’s a somewhat wasted shot in my opinion in the top right corner. Slightly gratuitous as a butt shot, we do see Chelsea’s stunning lighthouse tattoo, but nothing else is really focussed on. All the other shots are masterful, particularly at the bottom of page 60. Another depiction of Chelsea sprawled on a bed, but the play of light on her face is almost angelic. The story her body tells as you glance down is just great, and it’s something that benefits from numerous viewings. The final shot on 61 sums up the section and the model nicely. There’s almost an air of meditation to the picture, but with Chelsea’s cheeky smile adding personality as well as allure. Yet another shot we could see in the Alt Girl calendars of the future. All in all it’s a fantastic first Alt Girl feature, and one that I think is only the beginning for a promising lady.

The Alt Girl DIY section this month is a mixed bag or self shot loveliness. Aemelia begins the section with a main picture that is reminiscent of El Wood, she’s a gorgeous lady, and the smaller of her submissions are my favourites (particularly the bottom one of the two). Other highlights from the section include Alexandra Whitaker, who I would say would be a shoe-in for an Alt Girl proper shoot if she didn’t live in San Diego. A lot of personality in her pictures and of course she’s stunning. On page 65 Hope Brookes, Viki D and Carol Colesell made excellent submissions. I’d say keep an eye out for Jess Howard though. There was something about her pictures that I really loved, and even though they were only small and in the margin, I think she’s got a lot to offer.

On to the main feature now, and even though I’ve whizzed through the magazine, please don’t take that as an indication of lack of quality elsewhere. FRONT has pulled off some great pieces in this issue, and I had a lot of fun reading every word that was printed. But you know I’m itching to review the Mel and Keshia shoot, so it’s off to pages 88 and 89. The first shot of the pair together is on 88, where we get a glimpse of Mel’s awesome posterior and the tiny Keshia next to her. I’ve seen the ski lodge looking room their in before, I don’t know where, but it brought back a good feeling as I flicked through. The first solo shot from the set is of Keshia, again a statement of intent from FRONT. She’s sitting on a tiny skateboard, resplendent in pink and fabulous socks. It’s a very cute picture indeed, and her dishevelled hair and the glimpse of tattoos hint at the fun that’s in store. Mel pops up on the adjacent page in a steamy shower picture. Showing a breast and gazing out at us through half closed eyes, it’s a sultry shot to say the least. The curve of her body plays well against the droplets of water running down the glass, and its raw sex appeal. Even with the chequered jacket.

92 and 93 brings Mel’s expected solo double page spread. It’s a glorious shot and a credit to model and photographer. The use of light, the water in the background, Mel’s stare, her arched back and raised feet. It has so much going for it, and is a shot that (like many in this shoot) would make a lot of money if sold as a poster. This picture reminds anyone who may have forgotten or didn’t know, why Mel works so well in FRONT, it’s the perfect marriage of model and publication. Page 94 has more than a touch of the catalogue about it. It seems the stuff Mel and Keshia are wearing is the focus, and while the girls do their best its clear FRONT had an agenda here, and tried to placate certain companies.

98 and 99 showcases three more bawdy shots from the set and at the risk of sounding like an old man, the girls get very frisky indeed. There’s a humour and interplay within the pictures that really works though. I’m not blind enough to try and pass the images off as anything other than sexy as hell, but the execution is also great. On 98 we see Keshia having supposedly left a lipstick kiss on Mel’s butt cheek, and looking to camera mischievously. Moving on to 99 and Mel pull at Keshia’s pants with her teeth. The two are left arm in arm at the bottom of 99. It’s the kind of interplay that Jessica Weekley and Hannah Martin had in so many of their shots. There is a risk of viewing the images as purely sexual, but you have to pay attention to the ingenuity in what you see. I thought the lipstick kiss shot was particularly creative, and a nice new idea from a FRONT feature.

Another image that should be sold as a poster comes in the form of a double page shot of Keshia and Mel on 100 and 101. I love the contrast of the colourful ladies against the black and white floor. Mel looking into camera with wet hair, Keshia looking away with dry locks, it’s a nice juxtaposition and a picture that makes you investigate with your eyes. The hand holding is something FRONT has used before, but here it’s particularly perfect. Stick it in the store FRONT and I’ll be sticking it on my wall! What a way to end a sensational shoot.

It’s nice to get to the end of a FRONT review without anything to gripe about. Issue 172 has been the best issue in months, and it was awesome to see Mel back again. In Keshia I think FRONT have discovered a model they can look to for the future, someone in the mould of a Jessica Weekley who I hope they utilise more. Although a very different model to Jessica, Keshia has come up through the FRONT ranks and can be claimed as a FRONT original (much like Mel whom she shared a shoot with this month). I think that’s the future for FRONT in my opinion, and like I said above, I hope it’s a sign of another golden age of FRONT finds. I thoroughly enjoyable edition, and there’s not long to wait for the next one. Fingers crossed for a continuation of this quality.

The images used here were taken from the internet. Thanks internet.

I’m not sure why it’s taken so long for me to write this review of FRONT issue 171. I was excited to get my issues this month because I’d heard there were two covers, but I had no idea who would be featuring. As well as the novelty of two covers, I was also eager to see Edie D featuring as this month’s Alt Girl. I’ve recently seen a lot of Edie, what with featuring her on my blog and working with her on an interview for Snakebite magazine’s website (more on that to follow). She’s an in-demand lady right now and I wanted to see what she came up with in FRONT. It’s not the first time I’ve been more excited by the Alt Girl than by the featured models in recent issues of FRONT. It’s becoming clear to me that the Alt Girl and “Full Frontal” sections are the only thing keeping FRONT relevant at the moment, in terms of fresh talent. The Main shoots are featuring top talent, but the dynamism seems to be seen more in the shorter model sections.

On to this month’s offering from FRONT and the double cover special featuring Lucy V and India Reynolds. The covers themselves I was gripped by, two delightful images greeted me from the shelf at Tesco. However, I feel superheroes as a theme has been overdone this summer, magazines (and everything else) have been trying to capitalise on the release of Batman and Spiderman in the last few months. It seems to me as though FRONT are the last on the bandwagon, and that’s never a good look. Upon closer inspection, and after being reminded by Bow (http://natashabobasha.tumblr.com), I have to draw attention to this month’s similarities to a cover and shoot released by Nuts on the 23^rd-29^th of March. After it was pointed out to me I immediately looked back at the Nuts issue, and I was dismayed at how badly FRONT were beaten to the punch. India had even featured in Nuts’ issue back in March, as well as Rosie Jones. I see this as a sign that FRONT need to find the next crop of talent fast, and stop recycling models in similar shoots.

Two things FRONT’s version of the shoot has on Nuts’ are Jay Mawson and Emily. Jay does some fantastic work with FRONT, and Emily shows within the shoot that she should have been bumped to cover instead of India. I know India might be the bigger name, but Emily exudes what FRONT has been about for years, and seeing her on the cover may have broken the connection between this issue of FRONT and March’s issue of Nuts. But the covers on their own work wonderfully; I like the touch of a small black and white line drawing in the bottom corner of both (a nice comic book-esque touch).

Moving to the inside now straight to page 16 and Keshia’s “Full Frontal” shoot. I was so pleased to see Keshia get another outing here, I loved her debut in issue 168 and it was a nice surprise to see her pop up again so soon. Her last shoot was full of colour, but on pages 16 and 17 we began with a much more vampish vibe. The black underwear and hold-ups are a dream, still with a hint of colour though in the form of red spreaders. Page 18 brought my favourite shot of the shoot, Keshia smiling on a wooden kiddie’s tiger bike. I love everything about the image, Keshia’s smile is genuine, the high-waisted golden trousers looked awesome, and of course there’s the foot tattoo (I LOVE feet tattoos). It’s just a lovely picture featuring a lovely model.

Page 19 has another wonderful vision of Keshia. I love the stance, back to camera playfully looking over her shoulder. The massive bow in her hair plays very well indeed; a flick of the right foot into shot is the essence of cute. On 20 and 21 it’s leopard and cheetah print overload. I thought the prints were a little distracting as they are on the rug Keshia is lying on as well as her leggings. The final image on page 21 brings the focus back to Keshia, and her extremely beautiful and interesting face. It’s a topless image of course, but the main feature for me are her glorious brown eyes. With Keshia you always get a hint of tattoo as well, which adds to her intrigue I think. It’s yet another successful shoot for an up and coming model and artist in her own right.

Moving on to some impressive interviews in this month’s FRONT. Firstly starting on page 36 there’s an interview with Seth Macfarlane and Mark Wahlberg promoting their new movie Ted. It’s a film I’m itching to see, and the fact that it’s such an in-depth piece really speaks to the hard work from FRONT to get it done. Then on to page 46 this month’s 20 questions with Edgar Wright, a filmmaker whose work I always enjoy, and there are some funny insights and behind the scene’s stories from an interesting quick fire piece.

Just a quick mention for page 48 and the “gadgets” section; there’s a pizza t-shirt in the bottom right hand corner that I want desperately. It’s looks pretty delicious and would be a cool buy.

Page 56 and Alt Girl time now. It’s my favourite section of the magazine every month, and this issue brings us the wonderful Edie D. As mentioned above, I’ve had quite a bit of interaction with Edie recently, firstly featuring her on this very blog following her Alt Girl DIY debut in FRONT. Now I’m here reviewing her showing as an Alt Girl proper, and last week we completed yet another interview for the exciting new magazine called Snakebite (www.snakebitemagazine.com). She’s a model that has something special about her work, with a light and personality that brightens a page. Let’s go through her showing in this month’s FRONT (I will of course be promo-ing her Snakebite performance as well in the future).

The first thing I have to mention about this shoot is the awesome Gemma Edwards being behind the camera again. She’s a photographer that I will work with one of these days, we’ve tried to set up an interview a few times now, she’s such a talent and it’s fantastic to see her work in FRONT again.

Edie’s first photos on 56 are a beautiful introduction, she mentions towards the end of the piece that she can put on a good striptease, and this shoot is the proof. The strip down starts with Edie revealing her underwear; I love the back to camera, looking over the shoulder shot and Edie and Gemma pull it off fantastically on 56. Page 57 begins with a wonderful image at the very top of the page. Edie in mid strip arches her back expertly in a shot on a bed. Her eyes closed and mouth open is sublime, an incredible expression when used well and it certainly is here. At the bottom of 57 the striptease continues and I love the touch of leaving the socks on. It made me smile and adds an innocence to the images. The final picture features a gloriously arched back again, and Edie’s winning smile. Also featured is Edie’s nose ring, something I always love to see shown off.

Page 58 continues the tease with Edie ending topless at the bottom of a trio of pictures. It’s a lesson in coyness as the photos progress, each one ratcheting up the anticipation. It’s excellent to see Edie using expression and her body to tell a story, those are the shoots that work the best for me. The final image at the bottom of 58 is great, Edie looking right into camera with a sultry gaze that is just incredible. The final full page shot on 59 is straight out of a calendar. A topless Edie stands showing off her incredible body, perfect skin and knowledge of how to work a shot. It’s my favourite shot and ends the shoot on a highlight. The set as a whole works very well indeed, credit to model and photographer for their work. I love that we get a glimpse of Edie’s personality with the posters and art behind her. I’m not sure if it’s her bedroom that’s being used, but I know the images glimpsed in the background are examples of some of the things Edie enjoys. I’ve learnt this through working with her in the past. In those conversations I discovered that Edie wasn’t 100% happy with the final interview that was produced. I think it’s worth mentioning that, as there were questions raised over how accurately Edie was portrayed through the accompanying text.

The DIY section this month was as interesting as ever. I loved how the section begins with Seany. She’s a wonderfully tattooed lady, but the images weren’t awesome. However, the first picture seen on the left at the top of a stack of three is genius. Lovely eyes, a very interesting woman. On to page 61 at the top there is a girl who I think could be a shoe in for a return to FRONT as an Alt Girl proper. Astoria Snow is a lady from Cardiff whose pictures are delightful. She’s got a solid look that I think FRONT will appreciate, and a gorgeous figure. The only thing that may count against her coming back is the fact that there is a topless shot in the mix. I only say this because I’m of the opinion that DIY shots have to leave the audience wanting more. However during the editing of this review I see Astoria has a gallery up on the FRONT website, so good luck to her and hope she makes it to the mag again. On page 63 there are two girls that I think could also be in with a shot of a call back from FRONT for an Alt Girl shoot. I liked what Charlotte and Cara sent in, the shots weren’t too in-depth but it made me want to see more from them.

Finally we get the main feature shoot. I’ve said before that I wasn’t blown away by this concept from the cover as it’s been done already this year. But I’m always interested in a Jay Mawson shoot, and the ladies featuring are stunning models. The first picture on page 87 is one of the best. It’s a nice idea seeing the three participants lined up in the light of a factory window, India is first of course, but Emily stands out a mile with her tats and those socks; it was nice to see she was involved. The set up of the shoot is each girl plays a different superhero. India is up first on pages 88 and 89 with her rendition of Superman; all the superheroes depicted in this shoot are done so subtly. There are no emblems or insignias on display; it’s all played out through colours and actions. Here we have India ripping asunder her white shirt to reveal a red bikini, a la Clark Kent from Superman. It’s a pretty cool image, and India handles it well as always.

On 90 Lucy gets involved with her version of the Incredible Hulk tearing her top to shreds. I like the hint of the green from her shorts, but most of all I love Lucy’s expression at the start of the picture series. A gritting of teeth before she starts ripping is wonderful. On 91 we see Emily on her own for the first time in this issue. She’s in the bath with no other clues as to whom she’s depicting. But it becomes obvious when you think about it, and her Aquaman is most enjoyable. It is ace to see Emily back, and this shot brought a smile to my face throughout.

Emily is seen again with India on 92 and 93 in a series of shots that are simply beautiful. The play of light and dark works well, and the visual difference between the two models is a great juxtaposition. The superhero theme goes out the window here and that’s not a bad thing. It goes to show that you don’t need to overcomplicate things by going too high-concept. Beautiful and interesting models produce beautiful and interesting photos, end of story. Moving on to the image that greets us on page 96. It’s a casting I actually mentioned a few reviews back when Lucy featured previously in FRONT. It’s perfect seeing Lucy as Poison Ivy, so much so that I’d like to have seen it expanded to more than a single image. 98 and 99 sees Emily take her bow and the shoot end. It was a great touch to give the last two pages to Emily, and her portrayal of Catwoman and Rogue were wonderful. We see what Emily can produce here when not shackled by theme. Epic, vampish and elegant, with tattoos thrown in, it’s a great return to FRONT for an underused talent.

All in all it was a mixed bag this month from FRONT, and I seem to be saying that every month lately. It’s all well and good signing up India and Rosie for shoots, but they work for everyone else also, and the likes of Seren and Mel seem to favour involvement with FHM these days. I said it at the start of this piece, I think it’s time FRONT finds the new Seren, Mel, Rosie, etc. They have discovered/elevated some fantastic talents through the years, but now they seem to play second fiddle to other publications. I’d also suggest expanding the Alt Girl section and cutting down on the main feature length, that way we don’t get shoots petering out. New talent is the key to success, we need to see another Jessica Weekley, an unknown girl with the ability to carry shoots and spark new interest. But that’s all easier said than done, and I’m sure it’s FRONT’s aim.

The images used in this piece were taken from google and show both covers of issue 171 without straplines and headings. When searching for examples of both covers, I noticed that it has been advertised and promoted very little. Unless I missed it (and I don’t think I did) there are no versions of them on FRONT’s tumblr or website. Strange.

I’m not a massive fan of change at the best of times. I’m only just coming to terms with the fact that Tesco’s cheap stuff doesn’t have a blue stripe on it any more. Therefore facing an issue of FRONT without Alex Sim-Wise in her usual position as columnist was a little daunting; never the less I soldiered on and embraced the brave new world with optimism. It didn’t hurt that Rosie Jones was on the cover either, a lady that’s been everywhere of late and someone I intrinsically link with FRONT thanks to the early regularity of her involvement with the magazine. There still was trepidation however; I was uneasy thinking about how FRONT would treat Sim-Wise’s departure, and not giving her the cover was a negative for starters. Here’s what I thought of this months FRONT anyway, see if you agree or not.

Let’s start with the cover, and the righteous Rosie Jones. Fresh from her number 4 placing in FHM’s 100 sexiest women in the world 2012, Rosie has had a lot of exposure of late. Along with her regular stints in Loaded and Nuts etc new FHM (and old FRONT) editor Joe Barnes has opened Rosie’s modelling talents up to a more mainstream audience, and she’s been a huge hit. Issue 169 marks the return of Rosie to FRONT after nearly a year away from the magazine. While in her absence FRONT has gone in some very different directions with certain cover stars, it was nice to see an “old” favourite return. I have followed Rosie’s career ever since her first stints in FRONT, her cover shot for issue 169 is a cracker, although it did remind me of a cheerleader shoot she did with another magazine not so long ago. Rosie’s face and hair are what grabbed me about this shot, if I didn’t know it was Rosie on the cover from internet chatter, I would have had to look twice to indentify her. I love her pose though, nimble and oh so sexy, the playful twirl of her chewing gum draws the gaze, and her gorgeous brown eyes take over from there. Another great cover shot from Rosie, if a little same-ish alongside her previous work. I really like the colour scheme also; it’s something different and a little jubilee-esque/patriotic with the red white and blue.

The letters page is my first stop, and again a picture of Rosie. It’s a lovely shot from the feature set, and I’m glad it was included somewhere in the issue. The kind playful shot that Rosie does throw into her sets from time to time, a lot of fun and personality, and of course an inventive source of raunch. Just a little detour before we jump into the rest of the photographic content in this month’s issue.

It didn’t take long to get into Sim-Wise’s final feature, as she takes over the “Full Frontal” section in order to say ta’ra. The first shot on page 14 is classic Sim-Wise, sexy as hell but with an attitude and sense of fun that Alex has had a monopoly on during her tenure at FRONT. The vision of a strong and empowered woman, Alex stands arms a-flex, showing hints of her wonderful inner forearm artwork. I like that FRONT gave in to this departing goddess and let her say goodbye in her own words, it would have been awkward if FRONT tried to muscle in on her last feature with puns and a curtailed history lesson. I don’t know how much input she had with the images and format, but there are some excellent choices of photographs from Chico Willard. Page 16 is a very cheeky shot, awkward pun intended. Mid baking, Alex’s shock at a handprint of flour on her butt is perfect, and the story of the shot in no way detracts from its visual appeal. To be honest, and this is just a personal preference, I was a little disappointed that the decision was made to rehash Alex’s previous column content in a kind of “clip show” motif. I’ve never been a fan of clip shows, and I would have much preferred to see pages 17 and 18 used to showcase new images of Sim-Wise, as well as what she’s moving on to in the future. On page 19 Alex signs off in style, a glorious picture again filled with the Sim-Wise signature character and guile. It’s an image I’ll be saving for display, and a great way to remember this special lady. I just wanted to say here, that I have enjoyed Alex’s column immensely over the years, and she really brought entertainment to the pages of FRONT. I’m not sure what’s gone into her decision to leave, but I hope she’ll be happy in her future endeavours. I have never commented on Sim-Wise’s column in these reviews, as I found her input in FRONT to speak totally for itself. The magazine will not be the same without her, and I just hope FRONT can progress in a meaningful way without this livewire on the staff. An impressive and inspiring person, who I’ll sadly miss. It was a nice touch giving Alex this send-off in the magazine, while I would have loved her to have been given the cover; I guess it was never going to be feasible.

I have to mention in this section of the review, that issue 169 is very man-tastic indeed. There are a lot of articles featuring the male of the species, what with the NOFX piece, and Jason Mewes’ twenty questions, along with Blake Williams, Randy from Pennywise, Liam Gormier, Andrew WK et al… It’s very much a sausagefest between the pages, and while I did enjoy Mewes’ interview, I think the powers that be over at FRONT could have eased off the throttle with the fellas. I guess there needs to be something for the ladies in the readership, and from some accounts the male eye candy has been appreciated.

Gladly, we next come to the Alt Girl section, and Gemma Stafford’s stint in the feature spotlight. Gemma’s debut begins on page 54, with two shots that immediately reminded me of Alysha Nett’s work. That’s a complement by the way, as I’m a huge fan of Miss Nett’s and while Gemma bares a slight resemblance, it’s only in certain shots and acts merely as a familiar start to her four pages of pictures. I love Gemma’s ink displayed in her first two images, very nice choices indeed, and from the pictures, they look expertly executed by the artist. On page 55 Gemma makes the shoot her own, while the “arched pelvis in the air” is a classic for a reason, at the top of page 55 it’s dealt with in a great way. At the bottom of 55 Gemma gives us all a very coy shot, with a gorgeous playful smile and an almost careless flash of breast. It’s my favourite image from her set, and really is a unique image Gemma can proudly point to.

On pages 56 and 57 Gemma’s picture bombardment continues, in the top left-hand corner of 56 she’s on all fours looking into camera with a very inviting gaze. Below that, the striptease continues, and Gemma removes her ill advised stars and stripes leggings. I say ill advised for a few reasons, with Gemma being from Yeovil I felt she could have played up the British angle more, seeing as the issue covers the Jubilee weekend. Also, I think the stars and stripes didn’t help her visual similarities to America’s own Alysha Nett. Just an opinion. The final page of this month’s Alt Girl feature keeps up the lovely shots of Gemma, but there is a slightly unwelcome theme running through the shoot. In exactly half of the pictures (4 out of 8) published from the set, parts of Gemma’s body are out of focus. I know this was a conscious decision from photographer Rob Jamieson, and the pictures look good. But I felt so many being soft focussed left me craving clearer images of the model. Her face was the focus in many instances, and her face is stunning. But she’s also got a very lithe body, and she uses it well. I just would have liked to see the whole picture more often. Gorgeous body art though, and from the miniscule interview I would love to know more about Gemma and her work as a freelance makeup artist.

The Alt Girl DIY section this month is the best it’s been in my view. So many absolutely enchanting ladies feature. On page 58 we are greeted by an insanely amazing looking girl called Chelsea. I love her ink and her hair is out of this world! Chelsea has taken some wonderful images for this spread, and I’d love to see her gorgeous features in the magazine again. Moving on to 59 and the magnificent Edie D, such sublime photographs, and a variety that hints at a natural flair for modelling. Fun as well as sexy, I am confident that Edie will make another appearance in FRONT, and I am thrilled to say she’s also very visible on the FRONT forum lately. Lastly on 59, Abi Lucas deserves a mention for her fantastic showing and back tattoo. Page 61 continues the stellar DIYs this month. Lola at the top of 61 has already been featured on this blog to rave reviews. In this month’s FRONT she shows off her versatility and her glamorous visage. Lastly, Alice Cat pops up in the bottom left corner of 61. I made initial strides to feature Alice on my blog just after Christmas, so while her inclusion was a surprise, it has also rekindled that contact. Here Alice shows off a pelvis in the air shot, and a picture where she looks longingly into camera, showcasing her beautiful features. A truly blinding DIY section this month, and without exaggeration, I think we could see four or five ladies returning as Alt Girls proper.

I have to stop and mention page 66, where readers are treated to a picture of Elle Richie modelling for Broken Girls Club. It’s always awesome to see Elle in FRONT in any capacity, and I can understand her involvement with Broken Girls. Without doubt, this company works with some of the most stunning models in the business. A visit to their website last year prompted me to apply for a job immediately. The unsuccessful nature of that application only goes to prove that Broken Girls hires only the most beauteous individuals. Their site took my breath away let me tell you!

Pages 70 and 71 sees Alex Sim-Wise’s replacement make her debut as a columnist, that being the incandescent Arabella. To start with, it looks like an exact continuation of Alex’s work, with a large main image on one page and a mixture of cuttings from the month on the other. I think this may prove to be a misstep, as any reminder of Alex’s previous column will no doubt bring with it comparisons. For the most part, I found Arabella’s output interesting and also discovered she was a fire performer. I think it’ll take some time for Arabella to get the right blend of humour and special interest comment. She’s got a lot to live up to following in Sim-Wise’s footsteps, but it’s a very good appointment by FRONT, and someone I’m surprised they were able to temp into a regular column. Good on them I say!

Rosie time starts on page 84; first of all I have to say that Jay Mawson has done an incredible job with this shoot, there are just so many magnificent pictures! While I’m thrilled to see Rosie back, I was a little irked that FRONT didn’t make a bigger deal of her return after so long. In my view it cast a little shadow over FRONT, after all they described Rosie as the “fittest women in the world” a fact that I’m sure was cemented by her high placement in FHM’s sexy list. Not mentioning or alluding to her absence seems to put FRONT in a seemingly oblivious position. Rosie is all over the place at the moment, and FRONT “fronting” like they’ve just decided not to use her for nearly a year is a little ridiculous. On to the pictures…

84 and 85 kick things off with a classic Rosie shot. Her hair over one eye and a mid-exhale expression has been seen before, but it’s always welcome in my opinion. A nip slip gives us all a hint at what’s to come, and get’s those pages a-turning. Page 86 is my second favourite shot of this set. I love how Rosie has been captured in full length perfection in front of a beamingly bright window. The angle of her body and the way the light plays off her skin is immense, and I love how she is framed amongst everything that’s going on in the room. Page 87 is a little bit of a wasted shot for me, especially when you look at the fantastic shots on the other pages. We see Rosie, back to camera, showing off the perfect bottom we all knew she has. I would have enjoyed seeing Rosie utilising her posing repertoire instead of just letting someone snap a picture of her bum.

88 and 89 shows us a new body positioning from Rosie, and almost a lot more due to the outfit and camera positioning. Blurring conserves Rosie’s modesty a little, but it is what’s above the equator of the pages that intrigues. I love how her eyes are slightly closed, and the gritted teeth and shine to Rosie’s bronzed skin utter glamour. My favourite shot of the series comes on page 94. I just love Rosie’s body against the light from the window, and sucking marshmallow off her middle finger is a choice that elevates this set of pictures to another level. I am in awe of the curve of her back, and the way her pert bottom sits on the wall showcases that portion of Rosie’s body even better than the rather wasted image previously discussed on 87.

Pages 96 and 97 end Rosie’s feature wonderfully. I would love this image on my wall, the same size but without the page divide. Rosie seemingly emerges from a washing machine, again her hair lying across her face with those bedroom eyes and ever so delightful lips; it’s a shot that looks like it was a lot of fun to shoot. It’s also an image that oozes confidence, and when I think back to Rosie’s first inclusion in FRONT, it’s awesome to see that progression in a model.

Lastly, I wanted to mention the back cover. I don’t usually, but I had to highlight how awesome Danielle looks and how well put together the ad is. Perfect positioning of the shoes on her breasts and the look on her face is sheer temptation. A very good audition for future inclusion in the magazine proper.

All in all, this issue was very enjoyable. Seeing Rosie back kind of tells me we could see Vikki Blows return in the near future, as well as the likes of Mel Clarke etc. We’ll see when the next issue is released I guess. All I will say is that I hope serious consideration is given to including some of the ladies from issue 169’s DIY section. I think there are definitely future Alt Girls in the DIY this month, and I’ll be watching out for their reappearance in future issues. I’m assuming next month with be Olympics-ish, so it’ll be interesting how that is dealt with. Thanks for reading if you did.

The above image was taken from google.

Another serving of FRONT is upon us thankfully, and it means another review from yours truly. I’m beginning this piece with the view to curtailing it slightly, following last months mammoth critique. No doubt I’ll fail at this attempt as I somehow always find things to say about the wonderful world of FRONT magazine, but I’ll give it a shot.

An ominous issue this month, with the news Alex Sim-Wise is leaving the team. For some reason I flashed back to the changes FRONT implemented a few months ago, where there was a backlash following the departure of the then editor to FHM. With Sim-Wise now leaving, I fear for the future and how FRONT will fill such a massive gap. I’ve never commented on Alex’s work in my previous reviews on this blog, I’ve always found her contributions beyond reproach, and commenting on a commentator never really seemed warranted. But I’ve always enjoyed the Wise ones two pages, and I don’t envy whatever tries to replace this hilarious howitzer of hyperactivity. More next week on Sim-Wise when she wows us with a farewell shoot. It’s disappointing her feature has waited till she’s on her way out the door, but I’m really looking forward to it.

Back to the front of 168 now, and the cover stars are Kitty and Gabrielle. Firstly I have to say, when tattoos are visible on a FRONT cover, it’s usually a sign of good things to come. Gabrielle has some stunning work on her body, and her pieces draw attention straight away! I also loved the green of the background, and it really played well with the weather in the UK at the time of release. The water-balloons and the summery feel reminded me of Seren Gibson’s wet t-shirt shoot from a few years back. However, I do have a few issues with the configuration of the cover shot. It’s a bit of a bugbear for me when FRONT integrates photography with graphics/cartoons. It has to be done incredibly well for it to work, and I don’t think this cover achieves that. The models look amazing, Gabrielle’s scorching blue-eyed look over the shoulder is perfection, and Kitty’s stare screams menace, as she supposedly readies a balloon of water to hurl at our heads. But when you look at the water-balloons they’re just stuck on the cover, and are easily mistaken for text bubbles. They don’t marry with the image at all, and believability goes out the window. With this in mind, we’re left looking at two beautiful women, holding their hands unnaturally; Gabrielle with a claw curled around her back, and Kitty standing there like she’s about to summon a Ryu style Hadouken. It’s a shame, and took a little edge off the cover for me.

Inside we move on to the letters page, and a shameless plug for content coming up on this very blog :) Rebecca Bone’s immense appearance in issue 166 was heralded by Jamie Rowson. There was nothing of note about Jamie’s letter, I just wanted to mention Rebecca is coming on the blog soon, and her showing in 166 always deserves praise :) Moving on…

Page 14 begins the “Full Frontal” section, and introduces Ryonen. I must admit at first glance I was taken aback by just how young Ryonen looks, something I’m sure she gets all the time. That’s why I think FRONT has included her age in the intro line. With reassurances it was ok to admire this lady, I continued my enjoyment. It’s in the Full Frontal where experimental shots are welcomed it seems, here we get a very mood rich set from photographer Chase Lisbon. The choices made by the photographer do obscure my appreciation somewhat I must admit. I understand it’s a stylistic choice, but it’s a massive departure for a FRONT shoot. It took me back to my Media Studies days and the technique of Chiaroscuro implicit in many film noir pieces. The OTT shadowing all adds to the feeling I got that this shoot was a bit of a tie-in with page 24’s blurb about the photographer’s new movie “We Must Remain the Wildhearted Outsiders.” A feeling that left me a little uneasy and detracted for the experience slightly. Don’t get me wrong, Ryonen is stunning, and her work on pages 18 and 19 in particular is impressive. I love how her body tells one story on page 18, while her eyes tell a completely different one. Her cascading hair over her breasts is simply perfect, and throughout the shoot Ryonen is sporting such cute underwear, that peeks from the page. Page 19 is my favourite shot, she’s not looking into camera, but you want her to. Sporting a divine nose stud, her face is serene and ethereal. Her shimmering skin is in contrast to her magnificent bust, which is squirreled away under her hair and the shadows of the shot. I’d love to see Ryonen back in FRONT in the future, she’s got such an interesting look, and her eyes are magic. I just feel this issue was not about her, and there was a self-indulgent tinge to Chase Lisbon’s use of this set.

Page 30 is my next stop and an honourable mention for Hannah Snowdon’s contribution. I loved the personality of her pictures, and the examples of her work on display are sharp and multifaceted. Her brief interview was entertaining, and I shall “watch this face” as the article suggests. Well found FRONT.

Alt Girl time now, and this month she’s called Keshia. I really enjoyed Keshia’s showing for a number of reasons. Firstly, and obviously, she’s a very attractive lady, who knows what she’s doing in front of the camera, and who knows what the FRONT readership and the Alt Girl section is all about. Also, in contrast to the “Full Frontal” section’s shoot, these photographs are full of energy and colour! They gave me a little jolt as I was looking through them, and kind of perked me up for the rest of the issue. Keshia’s first shot on 54 is a nice intro to her feature, there’s a shyness to her stance that works well, her gaze is down, and the expression on her face is one of preparation, gearing up for the striptease that follows. Page 55 is all about Keshia’s eyes, the top image is the reader’s first introduction to them, and we’re met with multicoloured pools of amazement :) In all three pictures on 54 I was immediately drawn to her eyes. They really tell a tale, drawing you in more and more before she glances away in the last shot and pulls down her bra with a nonchalant thumb. These three photos are a delight, colours from every angle; her eyes, leggings, bed spread, even her spreaders are vibrant! The three pictures seem in a constant state of movement, and it’s a very alive collection of imagery.

Keshia amps thing up incredibly on page 56 and 57 with a real bevy of photographs that have so much going on, and stand out individually. It was bitter sweet for this reader as I knew Keshia’s set was coming to an end, but what an end, and surly a good endorsement for a future reappearance. The first picture on page 56 is a poster waiting to be printed in my opinion. I love this image, and I think it’s my favourite from the shoot, but it’s hard to choose really. Keshia back to camera in the process of seemingly removing her underwear, it’s not a gratuitous shot by any means, but it’s sexy as hell, and the lighting, positioning and look off to the side of shot all add to the perfect storming image! In the top left hand corner of 56 is another exuberant picture of Keshia, and another of my favourites. We get a glimpse into her personality here, and the playful use of the bra along with her expression entertains. It’s a hard thing to get across in shoots like this, but Keshia manages it wonderfully. At the bottom of 56 and 57 is a classic glamour pose, but I mostly enjoyed the introduction of Keshia’s tattoos. They’re always a nice surprise when you can’t see designs from the outset, and they’re cute choices, with the lock motif on her right arm adding to the rainbow of colours that Keshia’s shoot absolutely was. A very good showing in my opinion, and I’ll be sending her my congrats for sure.

The Alt Girl DIY section was a mixed bag again this week, it definitely seems as though some sort of filter has been taken off the submissions. There are some tan-tastic and pouty entries, but also some interesting discoveries that I’d love to see more from. Page 59 has a trio of ladies that intrigue; Sophie Smith, Amanda Rourke and Gemma Webblewhite provide some good pictures. I could have seen Michelle Alexander making the move to Alt Girl proper if she wasn’t based in the states, but I think consideration should be given to Dawn Stone and Evangeline from the margin on page 61.

Summer is indeed here as the caption says on pages 82 and 83, and we’re greeted by a very sunny looking Gabrielle. She’s looking terrific bathed in sunshine and beautiful ink, along with a cheeky smile that is the epitome of coquettish charm. There are some gorgeous photographs of Gabrielle in this shoot, and I think FRONT need to pull back on the throttle on the double feature main shoots. One model always seems to steal the show, and Gabrielle certainly does that here. Right away I had my favourite shot from this set, on page 84 Gabrielle sits on a staircase toes a-pointing, legs a-kimbo, and comic expression working well. I’ll most certainly be framing this page n the future for display, it’s so fun, and sexy at the same time. Adjacent to that shot on page 85 we see Kitty and this is my favourite shot of hers from this issue. Standing in a drenched Fred Perry polo shirt, it’s an interesting image, and her almost blasé expression works so well. The picture screams “Yeah I got wet, but I still look fucking awesome!” It’s am impressive vision of a kick-ass lady, and there’s an air of the iconic about it. Maybe I’m harkening back to This is England-esque styling, but I like it.

Gabrielle is in the bath on page 88, and looking very mischievous indeed, her expression is one of playful menace, and it’s so cool. She’s in a bath of balloons, which is the only time the balloon motif from the cover is used in the shoot. For me it just goes to reiterate a point, and means FRONT could have scrapped the cartoon balloons on the cover and just utilised the models on their own, no visual aids were needed. Moving on to pages 90 and 91, again Gabrielle is featured, this time in a gorgeous shot that spans two pages, the use of light here is terrific, Gabrielle’s wonderful pert bosom is highlighted in the sun, along with her dazzling chest piece. Your eyes follow the arch of her back down towards her posterior, and her chosen pose is somewhat echoed by the mermaid tattoo along her side. I enjoy everything about this shot, the placement of her hands on the sofa’s arm, the twist of her upper body to reveal gorgeous artwork to camera. A far away gaze is useful here too, it adds a little poise to the photo, and heightens an angelic quality that’s created with the light.

Page 92 is an explosion of a picture, and also a hive of energy and colour. Gabrielle throwing open her top and revealing perfect boobs, the yellow of her garment picked up by the yellow blossoms on the tree in the background. There’s something about her face in this picture that reminded me of Rachy, FRONT forum aficionado, and all around gorgeous lady. It’s a very fun shot indeed. On 93 conversely, the fun and energy has switched to a more restful state, catching some rays, Gabrielle and Kitty seen from above, lie on the ground quite peacefully. Kitty is the rare focus of this shot, and her elongated torso is wonderfully shown off, while the story of the shoot winds down with this visage of two exhausted models.

The final image sees Gabrielle once again the focus of a double page spread, and there’s a message that even at rest, this woman is fabulously sexy. In the failing light of the afternoon, she lies on her back, with a twist to her hips and arms splayed to the sides. She’s wearing some knockout suspenders that suit her colouring and styling to a tee. Her positioning is that of a model who knows what she’s doing, and how to perfectly showcase herself in the confines of a tight space on the floor.

All in all this issue of FRONT had a tad more disappointments than it did successes. Keshia’s set was a highlight for me no doubt, and Gabrielle and Kitty provided some amazing shots. But all in all I think the news of Sim-Wise leaving began the issue on a bit of a downer, and the worry of what will replace her didn’t help. I enjoyed the main feature photo shoot but again, I think FRONT should stick to solo shoots from now on to save models jockeying for attention. It invariably leads to one model standing out and commanding more page time, and the other becoming somewhat of an afterthought. I guess we’ll see what next issue has in store for us, and I hope FRONT are going to pull it out of the bag with some new features, and I can’t wait to see Sim-Wise in action.

I don’t think I kept to my aim of curtailing this piece any, but I’ve enjoyed commenting, and I hope if you read this far, you had a good time too. These are just opinions, and I always welcome different viewpoints.  

I’m very excited about this month’s Alt Girl. The feature begins on page 54, and it’s with the divinely unique and vamptastic Abbie Mac. Followers and regular readers of these FRONT reviews might remember I mentioned Abbie in my review of issue 165, in which I said something like “watch out for this girl” or “Abbie Mac is one to watch”. Something like that, I can’t remember exactly. Anyway, I was so chuffed when I saw Abbie in all her glory as this month’s Alt Girl. I loved Abbie’s look in her three photos in the DIY section of issue 165, and pointed out her hairstyle in particular. There was something different about her, and I’m pleased FRONT has noticed this also. So then, on to Abbie’s Alt Girl feature…

Abbie Mac’s set starts slowly, and builds anticipation. On page 54 denim shorts and a checked shirt look a little out of place if I’m honest. I’d love to have seen Abbie in something a little different, maybe along the same lines as her DIY set. But that’s nit picking by me, I just loved her in those suspenders, and really thought it added to her sexy retro vibe. On page 55 Abbie’s strip down gathers momentum, a lovely shot of her at the top of 55 is very relaxed and natural, the checked shirt has gone which is good in my opinion, and the way she’s holding her legs cleverly conveys innocence. That innocence is juxtaposed with a very brave shot at the bottom of 55, when Abbie goes topless and pulls down her tights oh so low! The shirt is back, but it looks good opened against her pale skin. There’s a lot going on in this photo, but I focussed on her face at first, and her smoky eyes looking out from the page are so engaging.

Page 56 gets a lot more playful, and Abbie shows off a bit more personality. While playing with the shirt in the first photo, I love how her hair lays over her breasts. I’m not sure if this was an accident, but it really is a nice touch, and helps with the tease. A very cheeky shot (pun intended) follow that on 56, and Abbie’s arched back, lovely skin and little look over the shoulder work together amazingly. The final shot of 56 is a bit out of character for the set I found. The wink to camera seems a little forced, but I love the positioning, and the cheeky look while taking off undies is a classic for a reason. But I felt Abbie could have chosen a different expression here. Her final shot on page 57 is my favourite, and a contender for next years Alt Girls calendar surly. Again, the thumb pulling down the panties is well used, but I love the dainty positioning of her feet, I love foot tattoos also. Abbie’s face here is also engaging even though she’s not looking at the camera. There’s composure to the stance that just thrills, and the expanse of nakedness shows off Abbie’s wonderful figure, as well as her terrific skin.

I know I always talk about the shots in these reviews, but I wanted to give special mention to Abbie’s interview as well. I loved her answers, and they were very different from the norm. Battlestar Galactica, tortoise, Xbox, she even likes Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, a terrific movie. Abbie, I salute you!

The DIY section this month was a bone of contention for me. There were some stand out contributors, mainly Ane, Hannah Laura, Donny and Faye Edwards, but I also thought some girls that were chosen didn’t really belong. I won’t name them because I dislike slating people, but I think a little more consideration was needed in a few choices. As Abbie Mac popped up as Alt Girl this month, I thought I’d name another “one to watch” from the DIY ladies and see if they return. Not that I’m an expert, or have any pull what so ever. Just for fun, I reckon Hannah Laura and Faye Edwards have a good shout at reappearing in the mag (they also both have names I can see printed in FRONT as models for some weird reason). But I’d also like to see Donny, her eyes are wonderful. So my “one to watch” is actually three.

Pages 86 and 87 begin this month’s main feature, and it’s where I first realised that there were two other models involved. That’s a bit bad from FRONT, especially as both Alice and Courtnie aren’t regulars in the magazine, they should have been promoted more I think. The first double page photo is a breath of fresh air for FRONT features. Jay Mawson the photographer is highly regarded by models that have worked with him, and from this shot and others I’ve seen, it’s with good reason. I haven’t seen a shot like this in FRONT before, and that’s not something I can always say. I love the symmetry of Sabine and Alice either side of Courtnie, Sabine’s expression is sizzling, and the way Alice has her legs crossed is cute and a nice little quirk. This shot is all about Courtnie though, and her doe eyed look up at camera is incredible. Sometimes a hat just doesn’t belong in a shot in my opinion, but the massive bobble hat Courtnie has on works with her pose and the camera positioning wonderfully. She’s tiny to begin with, but the hat dwarfs her still further, and it makes for a very sweet image.

Courtnie is the focus again on page 88, and in yet another exquisite photograph. I know the trainers are important to the feature, but I couldn’t care less when they share the frame with such a beautiful lady. Her expression is sexy with a hint of derision, but that works. Her pout is glorious, with a little curl to her top lip. The hand to her left temple is a little touch, but an important one, it’s alluring and very much so! Then you’ve got the trainers, but Courtnie’s bosom and incredible midriff make sure you pay no attention to them. I’m not sure if it’s by design, but the lace of the trainer skimming the nipple is just tantalising.

Page 89 sees Sabine’s first solo shot in the shoot. She’s bent over a radiator with a pair of leggings pulled down to reveal her pert bum, it’s one of Sabine’s strongest shots of the set, and I say that hesitantly. I say hesitantly because I always worry when a model produces the middle finger, and “flips off” the audience. Some girls tend to use the middle finger in the absence of actual attitude, but that’s not the case with Sabine. I love the pose, though she does a lot of facing away from camera posing in this feature. The trainers aren’t as on display as the previous page, but I couldn’t get past Sabine’s face. Again, slightly scornful, but full of attitude, and very sexy.

I wasn’t a fan of Sabine’s double page shot on 90 and 91. You see a lot of the floor radiator and sofa, and with the page crease, Sabine kind of disappears, which was a shame for me. Page 92 was rightfully chosen by FRONT to promote the issue online and with posters and special covers. It’s Sabine’s best photo of the set, and yet another interesting and fresh idea from photographer, model, stylist, or whomever may have suggested it. Vibrant laces in the foreground and Sabine topless eating them like pasta behind is a very fun image, and she works it well.

Alice makes her first and only solo appearance on page 93. It’s a shame because I feel Alice gets a little bit lost in this feature. With Sabine’s headlining, and Courtnie dominating with excellent photos, Alice doesn’t get anywhere near equal billing. Her shot on 93 is a good one though. Alice has a wonderful figure, and I love the arm behind her head, but her expression seems a little spacey to me. I would have loved to see Alice do something expressive with her only solo picture, and I really hope we see her back again in the magazine in the future to see what she can do on her own.

94 and 95 provides another platform for Courtnie to take over this set. She’s been given a lot of exposure in this feature, and I’m very pleased with that decision. In this double page spread Courtnie lies on a bed, Adidas jacket on top, nothing on the bottom, and said bottom is thrust into the air. It’s a perfect posterior I have to say, and I also love what she’s doing with her right foot, just having the trainer hanging off her toes. A good idea well captured. Her expression is once again spot on, the wistful look off camera makes you want to know what’s on her mind, and the sunlight playing on her face adds to an emotional visage. A touch of modelling knowhow comes into play with the placement of a thumb on the bottom lip. Playful and complementary to her full lips.

Again Courtnie takes centre stage on page 96. I think its Alice she’s in front of, but it’s not obvious. This picture is all about Courtnie’s incredible body, like a sexy “s” crouching in front of Alice, with her hands clawing at her model partner’s buttocks. Again, a growl appears on Courtnie’s face, but it doesn’t detract from the image, rather it adds a dimension of aggression. Who cares about the trainers at this point right? This is a wonderful shot once again! Page 97 is Courtnie again, but I think this is a wasted page. When you have Alice hardly doing anything in this shoot, I thought this page could have been used better. We get the benefit of Courtnie’s amazing body again, but her face is cut off and only an Adidas track top is focussed on. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just added in for advertising and funding purposes, but I again feel sorry for the models that could have used this page time better.

The final double page spread sees all three models reunited in one last collective image. They’re lined up on a bed, arms above their heads knees bend. This is a lacklustre ending but a lovely image. Again Alice is somewhat overlooked being positioned in the middle, but all three models look stunning, and the use of red lipstick works well against pale skin and white bedding.

All in all this main feature was a little disjointed. I don’t understand why it wasn’t billed as a three way shoot, and only Sabine was on the cover, and I also don’t understand why Alice was used so little. On the plus side, Courtnie stole the show, and produced some incredible imagery. For me she has to be guaranteed a return to the magazine, and hopefully Alice will get a better opportunity to show what she can do. Perhaps at the beginning of the “Full Frontal” section?

My final mention comes from page 127, and the “Readers’ Ink” section. I have to point out the work of Sophie Butcher right in the middle of the page, the Star Wars decorative skulls. Sophie has featured in FRONT before, and is currently strutting her stuff on the website with a new DIY photo set. She’s also a wonderfully talented tattoo artist, and one kick ass lady. She deserves attention, and I think she should be in the mag again sharpish!

Issue 167 had a lot of highs for me, and you can tell by the length of this review that I had a lot to talk about from its pages. I’m enjoying the influx of new models and talents, but I am wondering when or if the likes of Rosie Jones, Seren and Vikki might return? I think it’s been long enough for each, particularly Rosie and Seren to make a return, but are they still interested? Can FRONT afford them now they’ve been in FHM? I do hope so. If they are out of reach, it’s good to know FRONT still has the magic touch when it comes to finding new talent. I can’t wait to see what next month has in store!

Image taken from the FRONT tumblr, seriously, so check it out.

This month’s FRONT was an interesting one. It’s kind of gone under the radar in my opinion, with not a lot of “bigging up” or even discussion. With this piece I hope to highlight some of the good things about this month’s issue, as well as maybe mentioning possible reasons why it’s not been lavished with praise. Let’s get straight into it…

As we always do, let’s begin with the front cover. Sabine adorns the cover of this Easter issue, and I think this may possibly be the first reason why the issue hasn’t taken off. There are some people who just don’t seem to like Sabine for whatever reason. When she made her debut it was greeted with a range of emotions, largely ranging from indifference to dislike. I must admit, I wrote that her first appearance in the mag was not spectacular. However I changed my tune when she reappeared in issue 164 with an amazing showing in what has been one of the best issues of FRONT in years! But people did have a problem with her originally, and it has stuck for some. I personally am on board with Sabine in FRONT, and was looking forward to seeing what she had for us this time. Having said that though, I was only sure it was Sabine when I read the accompanying circle of text just below her right knee. I didn’t recognise her from just looking, and it’s become a feature of her work with FRONT. Looking back from issue 161 to issue 164 and now issue 167, every time Sabine has appeared, she looks different. It definitely denotes a versatility and reinvention, but you also want to be memorable don’t you? As for Sabine’s cover shot, it’s 100% FRONT, and reminiscent of the work Rosie Jones did in her early years with the magazine. Girls in trainers was what brought FRONT to the dance, so to speak, and it’s perpetuated here. The shot itself is gorgeous of course, but that’s down to Sabine’s physique and beauty solely. There’s nothing really earth-shatteringly original about it, and there’s quite a disservice done to the other girls that appear in the main feature. Alice and Courtnie aren’t even mentioned on the cover, let alone seen. Unless I just picked up the Sabine version of a three cover special (which I didn’t), I think Alice and Courtnie should have had a presence on the cover, especially seeing as there seems to be more shots of Courtnie than Sabine in the main feature!   

Moving inside and straight to the “Readers’ Shit” page, just a quick mention for the picture of Alysha Nett in the bottom left hand corner; Anthony’s drawing isn’t perfect, but it’s good, and it reminded me of Alysha being in the mag, which was also good.

On page 16 we are greeted with one of the massive positives about issue 167, that being the return of Cala at the beginning of the “Full Frontal” section. I had just interviewed her last time she appeared in the mag, and that just added to the praise I heaped upon her then. This time her feature starts with a four window page, in which she sports some unfeasibly sexy thigh-high socks/tights. I love the photo in the bottom left of the four panel page, the coy hand in front of her face, and gorgeous underwear with that pink shirt just works! Page 17 shows off Cala’s amazing bottom, clad again in some incredible black lacy undies. The arch of her back helps to emphasise her beautiful tattoo, and the light coming through the window onto her face leaves an angelic haze that is pure pretty.

The images are sharper on pages 18 and 19 as Cala moves away from the light source. Still resplendent in those socks, these pages are all about Cala’s face and of course her wonderful bosom. Her hands on head pose at the top of 18 is playful yet sultry, and her gaze into the distance at the bottom of 18 is equally emotive. These two photographs show off Cala’s excellent use of her features when posing, and while she is topless, you consider each picture as a whole, it’s not just boobs!

The next three pages are straight out of a calendar, or definitely should be. FRONT has spoilt us with three full page photos, the first of which on page 19. Here Cala’s bright eyes and full pouting lips draw you in, and you follow her tussled hair down her shoulder to take in yet another example of this wonderful model’s body. Page 20 and 21 are my favourites from the set I think, although there is a lot of competition. The fairy lights and butterflies in the background of 20 echo the free spirited stance and pose of Cala, there’s a lightness and elegance here, with her arms stretched up almost in a balletic manoeuvre. I also love the touch of the belly button jewellery, it’s very Cala, fun and feminine. Page 21 finished the set perfectly. I’d love this image blown up as a poster, it’s such a sweet image, full of contemplation and intrigue. There’s nothing detracting from the grace being show, Cala’s nose ring hints at a stylish flair, and it’s just a terrific picture.

Moving on to page 28, and I must flag up Stef Nurding’s interview. I didn’t know who Stef was if I’m honest, but this little interview definitely grabbed my attention, and I’d love to interview her in more detail sometime. Fingers crossed. She is of course a gorgeous lady, but very interesting also, and I’d love to know more about her passion for boarding, both skate and snow.

My next stop is page 30, and unusually for me, I want to dwell on the “illustrator profile”. It’s a section of the mag I have not been moved by in previous issues. It’s an issue of personal taste, but I haven’t liked the style of a lot of the guys that have featured. This month is the turn of Kate Prior though, and I really enjoyed her interview. Her work reminded me of some classic cartoons and illustrated adverts from the 50s, but with a very modern twist on the comical elements. There is also a unique spark in her use of colour to achieve vibrancy and a more demure understatement. I’m no art expert, but I really love the examples of her work, and it’s moved me to check out her website. The most impressive things is her interview though, and the humour that jumps off the page. Kate seems like a very cool lady indeed, and yet another discovery from this issue that I would love to talk with someday.

To be continued…

Image taken from FRONT’s tumblr, you should go check it out.