Reviews

Jose Gonzalez - In Our Nature

Continuing on the similar path he successfully created on debut album, Veneer. Our favourite Swedish artist Gonzalez returns with a warm welcome serving up a dish of what he does best. If you loved the debut album this record is definitely for you.

Sometimes it's disappointing when certain artists do the same thing over and over without ever progressing, though Jose seems content in his vision and he makes it work at every turn. "How Low" is a worthy opener, exhibiting his fine guitar picking skills, followed by the catchy single "Down the Line" which is nothing but fine song craft. On Veneer he covered the Knife's "Heartbeats" making the song even more famous then the original version. This time around he turns his attention to one of Massive Attacks greatest achievements with "Teardrop" which he has occasionally included on set lists of recent tours.

The song is an instant highlight, drenched in guitar picking brilliance, emotional and heartbreaking the song builds and builds. The album clocks in at just over 30 minutes long, with most of the album following in the same footsteps until we reach the last and longest track here. On "Cycling Trivialities" here he displays everything that he is and him at his most powerful, swirling melodies matched by his pleasant distinctive voice.

In Our Nature is maybe seen as a Veneer sequel of sorts but it's no doubt impressive if not a little repetitive from time to time, not taking anything away from the quality of the material displayed here, this firmly establishes him as one of the most talented folk artists of today.


7/10


The Hives - The Black and White Album

Fourth album in and still rocking their hearts out. The Hives release their follow up to their successful 2004 effort Tyrannosaurus Hives. First single and track number 1 "Tick Tick Boom" is relentlessly rocking and never gets boring.

The album is a little bit of a mix and match type affair with a few catchy rockers like "Try it Again", "It Won't Be Long", "Return The Favour" and "Square One Here I Come", though none of them quite match the flair of the single. I wasn't surprised at the inclusion of experimental material and i think it pays off, even if their rock tracks may have dwindled a little in the energy and creativity department, with their attention directed elsewhere.

The quirky instrumental dystopian like "A Stroll Through Hive Manor Corridors", the Pharrell Williams produced funky romp "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S" which is instantly catchy, the idiosyncratic "Giddy Up" and the drum and guitar less "Puppet on a String" all are strange but welcome songs to the Hives catalogue. Still rocking but a little different compared to their previous works is also other Pharrell Williams produced track "Well Alright!" and the strutting "You Dress Up For Armageddon".

The Hives are working in all moods, visions and flavours here but they always keep it fun and simplistic. The ever hedonistic front man Pelle Almqvist is in his ever blistering form, never tiring or boring belting out his ever humorous and nonsensical lyrics. The album is fairly different from anything they have done in the past but it somehow works. The record closes with the much rocking and exhilarating "Bigger Hole to Fill" going out on a complete high, the Hives are back with force. Want fun, quirk and the most ridiculously awesome front man of our times? Here it and he is, enjoy.


7.5/10


Sean B

Album Reviews - 31/10/07

Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon

He’s music’s been described as many things, but this time around US song smith, Devendra Banhart and his backing band have opted to strip things right back with their latest instalment of psychedelic trips in “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon”.

After the drug induced freak-folk haze Banhart has instilled over the past couple of years, this album is certainly the comedown affair of the bunch and when you listen to it, you will totally get this feeling.

The two sticking points begin with the epic ‘Seahorse’. It twists in your stomach with it’s musical foray of psychedelic nostalgia and mind tripping lyrics that all start from the song title itself. Although ‘Saved’ has a stripped backed feel to it, an injection of soul ventures into the background of the song, which is a nice change for Banhart and one that many will be surprised by.

“SRDTC” has to go down as Banhart’s most accessible album to date. Despite people wanting a more obscure aesthetic to dote over, this is an album that the hippie-esque songwriter was destined to make. Although I can see listeners having a slight distaste for it, it’s an album that you can relax to, and this alone makes it different from any other work Banhart has rendered to his audience thus far.

7/10

Simon K

The Good, the Bad & the Queen - The Good, the Bad & the Queen

Never had Damon Albarn tasted as much success with the Gorillaz then he did with Britpop sensations Blur, in which some Gorrilaz fans not even knowing who he is. Now the mastermind behind the Gorillaz, set his sights on another project which in mid to late 2006 became of the most anticipated records on the calendar for 2007.

Recruiting members from other familiar bands such as the Clash's bassist Paul Simonon and the Verve's Simon Tong, without the public knowing too much about the project, what was know was that it was said to be quite the departure from his previous endeavours. To descirbe their sound is quite a challenge as the album conveys quite an original sound. I can only liken them to parts of the Beta Band and bits and pieces of the Gorrilaz.

The album never seems to reaches it's goal, a greater portion of the tracks are slowburning and have a moody atmospheric quality, Albarns vocals included are as melancholy as the music. The album contains interesting compositions though they just lack a certain zest, so interest is lost in the making even if the sometimes elegant and gloomy soundscapes are occasionaly ravishing. Even with Dangermouse producing the outcome is still on an average level.

"The History Song" sets the tone for most of the album. This is a very ambitious set of songs and for that matter and fans have seemed to lost interest with only a handful endlessly defending it. "Kingdom of Doom" gives us the first taste of the band finding there footsteps before leading into the almost epic "Herculean" the first single lifted and easily the best track the album offers. The rest of the album seems to meander not really portraying the effectiveness of the few brilliant tracks. Filled with lush orchestrations and multi instrumentation, which are a pleasure to the ears, there is just something missing.

If its elegance and a well produced intriguing album is what you're after then this is a must, though if your hoping for a fun catchy pop record sadly this isn't for you. Never amazing, though not entirely unsuccessful, Albarn uses this project as an outlet to vent and continues to establish himself as an artist. Thankfully finishing on a high note with the much diverse title track, the longest and most rewarding song here, not all is lost. If the boys decide to get together again I'll be surely interested in what they come up with.

6/10

Sean B

Ryan Adams - Easy Tiger

Easily one of the most prolific artists of our times. Ryan Adams has released an album every year since 2000 (which was the year of his inception of his post-Whiskeytown solo career) except for 2006, in which he was absent probably due to the release of three albums in 2005. Also upon the release of this album their was a disagreement over which title would be put on the album as it was intended to be a Cardinals record though record company executives disagreed to Adams disdain.

Apart from his tendency to release copius amounts of material he seems restrained lately, with the release of only one album and the recently released Follow the Lights E.p this year. If not mostly known for his productive energy towards songwriting it's in the direction he follows with the material which makes it interesting. Albums of the past have been filled with different genres, leaving the fans constantly guessing on what to expect next.

Covering fields from country, rock, blues, folk etc on his ninth record Easy Tiger, it seems like a culmination of all his past works, the album features everything you might of heard before like a condensed version of his 2005 releases: Cold Roses/Jacksonville City Nights/29. Where "Goodnight Rose" has the blues rocking tones that could have appeared on Cold Roses, or "Tears of Gold" ripped straight from Jacksonville with the steel guitar taking the lead role throughout the song and the deep and dense quality of "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" fitting perfectly upon 29 no doubt.

Adams has seemed to almost work out his patterns for creating music and here he seems to of chosen a select group of songs from each and thrown them together creating a mould for which his sound has become. "Halloweenhead" is the tongue in cheek, rip roaring rock track, "Two, "The Sun Also Sets", "Off Broadway", "Rip Off" and "Everybody Knows" are the soft ballads in which become the make up of the album showcasing Ryan Adams talent as a heartfelt, bittersweet and melancholy songwriter, which all work magnificently.

Ryan Adams seems to lament his way through the album with only a few exceptions. He borders on brilliance if only held back by a few mediocre tracks and the inconsistency of the style of songs selected for the album. Easy Tiger shows an artist at his working best, displaying all his known strengths as a musician, singer and songwriter.

7.5/10

Sean B

The Go! Team - Proof of Youth

Off the back of their fresh sounding first album, Thunder, Lighting, Strike, the Go! Team return to 2007. Said to infuse indie rock, hip-hop, dance, funk and cheerleading chants etc, a fair sum up of their sound. Here, led by Ian Parton the band offer up 10 new songs in the vein of their debut. From the beginning "Grip Like a Vice", "Doing it Right" and "Titanic Vandalism" all display that frenetic energy the band are known to enforce and they don't at any time disappoint.

"My World" seems like an update of "Hold Yr Terror Close" a 2 minute instrumental of chant less charm. Again vocalist Ninja is hidden in the mix, with vocals more prominent from other members. "Keys to the City" is a highlight with the constant chanting delivered by a collective it seems, with brass over the top and a surf riff to top it off. "Fake ID" and "The Wrath of Marcie" provide catchy structures, keeping in touch with the albums flow of vitality. Fans of Public Enemy will be sure to enjoy "Flashlight Fight" featuring rapper Chuck D.

Where Thunder, Lighting, Strike was a breath of fresh air and practically original, it feels that Proof of Youth is just a copy of the main blueprint of the band's sound. While that sound is already quite impressive, there's not enough evidence shown to qualify this as a progression from their previous statement, more of a Thunder, Lightning, Strike part two if you will. Still with all said this a very likeable album and proves to be exciting after numerous amounts of listens, even if it doesn't outshine the quality of material executed on the predecessor.


7/10


Sean B

White Stripes - Icky Thump

Album number 6, for one of the world's most revered rock and roll bands. Since released it's been heavily noted in the media on the duration of the recording sessions, clocking in at just under 3 weeks. The longest amount of time compared to their other stints on previous albums. As the Stripes are known for their brief studio outings.

The title track was the first single to be taken from the album, it was a taste to come with a very zeppelin-esque style riff, the world were in awe and anticipation of what the Whites had on offer this time around. In all honesty though this isn't just a White Stripes record it's the next step in evolution of Jack White as musician/frontman/singer/songwriter etc.

The album relentlessly twists and turns and doesn't hesitate whatsoever to get where it's going, forgetting it's past destinations especially displayed on 2005's Get Behind Me Satan. Jack and Meg hit us with the stripped back rock sound we have come to know and love throughout their career. "Rag and Bone" and "Little Cream Soda" are clear representations of the aforementioned sound, raw, direct and effective. The latter shows an example of White at his most exciting and effective on the guitar. "Conquest" is either love hate with that kitschy feel to it though which ever side of the fence you stand on you cannot deny the appeal of the horns displayed throughout the track. There is no real balladry here only in spurts in occasional tracks, forgone with the intent on a full focused rock event."You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do What You're Told)" and "A Martyr For My Love For You" show the band at their full songwriting powers.

Icky Thumps strengths are it's weaknesses, it's a thoroughly consistent effort where each track is just about as good as the last, though no song tends to stand out more than it's peers. Some fans of course just can't get enough of White's bluesy rock sound but I'm one for pushing the boundaries of the modern rock sound. Where, Get Behind Me Satan was an intriguing affair, and the most experimental and enthusiastic set of songs the band has put to disc, I feel that Icky Thump pales in comparison with it's lack of freshness and zest, Icky may stand the test of time through it's consistency but on the back of such a terrific effort i can't help feeling at tad disappointed.



7/10

Sean B

Album Reviews - 29/10/07

Liars - Liars

New York/Berlin/L.A./(20 other places in the world) innovators Liars continue to make their audience think, but this time a more simple approach has been scratched to disc with their self-titled fourth album. Unlike previous efforts, where concepts are at the forefront of what the band has produced, those methods have been left behind this time around.

The title of the album suggests a more straightforward approach and judging by the sound, this is very much a forgone conclusion. This album also witnesses frontman, Angus Andrew, in a new light with his falsetto vocals (’Plaster Casts Of Everything‘, ‘Houseclouds’’ Cycle Time‘, ‘Protection‘) adding yet another dimension to the slew of variation the Liars already hold within their arsenal.

Andrews also uses his brooding vocals that we’re so used to hearing on the band’s previous material (‘Leather Prowler‘, ‘What They Would Know‘, ‘Freak Out‘, ‘Pure Unevil‘, ‘Clear Island‘), and although some may say this albums is of two halves based on the vocal range of the twisted Aussie, musically, this album is just an indie rock affair from a band that loves to create something different and awe-inspiring every time they enter the studio.

Although “Liars” isn’t the band’s best effort, all plaudits must be given to a band that hold a profusion of innovation and intelligence. No band this era has shown more diversity, musically and lyrically, than Liars and this album is just another bending chapter of the story this band continue to create. The ride will continue to change dramatically in the years and in truth, that‘s the exciting thing about it.

7.5/10

Grinderman - Grinderman

Nick Cave and his mates have ditched the emotional attachments that his music so often contains and have gone for the more in-your-face, ear-splitting adventure; this time under the moniker of Grinderman.

Although the majority of members comprise from the Bad Seeds, the Grinderman make a more visceral and direct approach with their debut self-titled album.

The harsh narrative splurge that kicks the album off during ‘Get It On’ basically represents the album as a whole. The feedback and distortion through album highlight, ‘No Pussy Blues’, is straight up rock ‘n’ roll that will make your ears bleed. It’s typical no-bullshit-straight-up-in-your-face rock ’n’ roll that Cave rarely dabbles upon through his solo material.

‘Depth Charge Ethel’, ‘Honey Bee’, ‘When My Love Comes Down’ and ‘Love Bomb’ all follow on in much the same vein, with Cave and Co. rocking out like the old campaigners they truly are.

Less poetic and more direct, Grinderman have made a visceral collective of sounds, where it’s evident that Cave has entered the studio to have some fun with his mates and what’s been created is just that and some.

7.5/10

Simon K