I am quoted…
Someone made a comment on my Villeneuve review- and I checked out the link, to find that I am quoted on Villeneuves website!!!!
Theres no earthly way of knowing…
Robbie Williams – Intensive Care : as always, the media is in complete overdrive for Robbie’s new release – there seems to be almost wall-to-wall coverage on TV and Radio – documentaries, live shows and chat-show appearances…we’ve seen a huge feature in GQ with Robbie and a bevy of naked ladies (nice work if you can get it)…but the only thing that really matters is the 5 inches of silvery plastic that contain the 7th studio album from Stokes favourite prodigal son. Intensive Care is the first album Robbie has made without Guy Chambers on writing credits…Stephen Duffy is in, who released a brilliant record with Keep Going”>Lilac Time – Keep Going - and you can hear a more grown up thoughtful sound in Robbies Work – lyrically this album is amazing, from the opener Ghosts – which is very powerful and I understand the new show starter, through the ska sounding, chopped guitars of Tripping (the single) and a lovely tune called Advertising Space which is beautifully constructed. My stand-out track is ‘The trouble with me’ – superb lyrics – well sung and nicely produced. Its really easy to dismiss Robbie Williams – but you do so at your peril, despite the media circus – and the obvious (to the press) troubles – he’s really delivering the goods as one of the few British singers who can REALLY entertain. Nice one Robbie (not that you’ll read my tiny review!).
Pain and Misery always hit the spot…
Depeche Mode – Playing the Angel : Its 20 years since I discovered Depeche Mode, maybe a little more – and every time they release an album my anticipation is the same, my reaction is the same and I end up feeling exactly the same about their music. The first single ‘Precious’ emerged a few weeks ago, and I was less than impressed – it sounded like a weak ‘Enjoy the Silence’ to me, and without its requiste dance remixes, I really wasn’t feeling it – but my excitement at the forthcoming album grew all the same. When ‘Playing the Angel’ finally dropped, I was right on the case and suddenly Precious all made sense…there it was in the whole journey of the album and I finally got it, and thats the message here – DM truly are an album band, this is no exception and it grows on me with each listen. From the grinding, buzzing opening of ‘Pain that I’m used to’, with modulating keyboards and smooth vocals, through the cover of the 1930′s ‘John the Revelator’ and the anthemic ‘Nothings Impossible’ – once again they get it completely right. Dave Gahan is now credited in the writing, but still you can hear the edginess of Martin Gore in Damaged People, my standout track is Lillian – an outstanding electro sounding tune, with a typical DM chorus ‘pain and misery always hit the spot…knowing you can’t lose what you haven’t got’. Truly they never fail to impress – changing styles very delicately, using different producers and techniques, but retaining the essence of what they are about. Superb. No more words.
Saviours of Jazz Ballet?
Mew – And the glass handed kites : 2 years after their debut album – Frengers – I read a review of this in one of the Sundays, it was all talk of Sonic Youth, Sigur Ros and Mars Volta – which is enough of a mixture to put most people off, but I persevered and go myself a copy, intrigued by what this could sound like. I think I can understand the references…although I’d include maybe the Dears, and the Leaves in there – this is as grandiose, well constructed and well thought out as those albums from favourites of mine. There are some roaring, jangling guitars – and huge soaring vocals, coupled with clever lyrics and subtle production which makes the album sit just nicely – there are a few intrumental fillers – but tracks like Zookeepers Boy, Apocalypso and the mighty (and beautiful) ballad White Lips Kissed more than make up for the interludes. Excellent album – hunt this down and take care of it.
Still good souls…
Starsailor – On the Outside : There is always a danger that Starsailor will get lumped in with the other gentle british guitar bands, but there is something that sets them apart from the usual. On the Outside is their 3rd album following on from the 2003 release, ‘Silence is Easy’. This takes a similar tack, anthemic tunes, high on energy and well crafted lyrics. From the opening track (and single) ‘In the Crossfire’, the stage is set for full-on action all the way to the end. James Walsh vocals are as ever intense and well delivered – and as much of the album was recorded live, theres an urgency to the production that really makes it fly along. Highlights for me are the huge sounding ‘I don’t know’ – and the almost acoustic ‘Jeremiah’ which completes the album. Its a superb return, sounding like a call to action. I can’t wait to see them live on 17th November in Oxford.
Villeneuve – First Date
I can’t find anything on Amazon about this CD, so no picture – or even much research – this group appear to be French, and to be fair…they sound French. Its a brilliant album – veering along a wobbly line between anthemic pop (strings, vocals, harmonies) and twitchy electronica (sequencers, drum machines) – theres hints of influence from people like Hooverphonic (especially on Sport Hit Paradise), and maybe St Etienne in there with some very cool samples (Michael Caine is on ‘Oh No’) – theres trippy etherealness on Word are Meaningless, and even a little detour into poppy R&B with Men like You – which reminds me of the Sugababes a litle (and thats not a bad thing). I love this album to death right now, its on heavy heavy rotation. Hunt this down, and buy it!
NOTE : now I found a link – at play louder
Stephen Fretwell Live – London
I’ve been looking forward to this gig for a while now – after picking up his album on impulse about a month ago (review here). Its the first time I’ve been to Kings College Students Union in London, and after the initial shock of having to take a lift 4 floors UP to the club like venue, I soon recovered with Extra Cold beer and a Chicken Burger. Support acts were Liam Frost (bloody excellent) and Hush (from Denmark – a duo, who were a little bit eighties, a little bit harsh on the ears – but may sound much better on CD – I’ll check and get back to you). Stephen Fretwell came on at 10.00, with just a guitar – and after a couple of songs was joined by a 3 piece band – keyboards, drums and bass (who was the coolest bassist I’d ever seen – sat down, beer on the go). Cracking version of Bad Bad You – and some new tracks which were really good…came back for an encore of Emily and New York, in an acoustic, man with a guitar style. Excellent gig, from a guy full of style and humilty – superb. I’m gonna book up for Shepherds Bush Empire in January. I took a few pictures (before security stopped me!) – they are over here on flickr.
Rolling Stones album on flash memory..
I’m no Stones fan….but this is very cool – the new Rolling Stones album is released on Flash Memory. I can see this being quite a collectors item.
Franz Ferdinand – You could have it so much better
I sat and read my Sunday paper yesterday, and read a really gushing review of this album – how it was the finest follow up album in memory, and that they clearly hadn’t put a foot wrong in making it. Any review like that is a challenge for me, I’ve got to grab the album and find out whats going on. Strangely enough – I wasn’t disappointed…its a superb followup. They haven’t broken the format too much with tighter than tight guitar riffs, over superbly bad-ass funky rhythm sections. Occasionally they sound a little gang-of-four, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They still have the huge tempo changes, and high-energy choruses (I’m your Villain) and the lyrics are superb throughout (This boy is so spectacular, Not a boy but a wealthy bachelor – This Boy). Its truly a great follow up to their first album – miss it at your peril.
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