New release album, ep, lp, music review, youth music, metal bands, hip hop reviews, album downloads, cheap

 


Album- Booty Luv- Boogie 2nite (Hedkandi)

REVIEW- This is the debut album from the dancefloor filling duo Booty Luv. Nadia and Cherise, formely of the group, Big Brovaz, have switched from their previous hip hop and r&b style to funky vocal dance music on the infamous Hedkandi record label. This album is a mixture of original work and covers of classic dance tracks. 'Boogie 2nite' clearly steals the show and has been played continuously on the club circuit and radio for months but we're still not bored of it. It's a feel good uptempo tune which will soon get you nodding along. If you haven't heard it by now where have you been?

Their other singles from this album are 'Don't mess with my man' and 'Shine' . The latter being a funky vocal based track, it clearly shows that the smooth vocal chords of the Booty Luv girls are best suited to the beats of dance music where their choruses go hand in hand with the thumping beats and synths. 'Don't mess wth my man' is a well thought out remix of Nivea and Jagged Edge's original, the catchy lyrics are impossible to forget.

'He's a winner' has an electro house feel and stands out as the best track that is not being released as a single. The filters and echos provide an atmospheric base for the girls voices to work from. 'Where you are' is a slower guitar and drum pop tune which brings the main album tracks to a close in an easy listening style.

In addition to the 12 album tracks there are 3 bonus tracks providing great value for money.  These tracks are by producers who have come in and remixed the three singles from the album. It's good to have such a selection of remixes on the album, and even better they are of the hit singles! Top marks for Booty Luv. 

Reviewed by-Toby Clarke
 

Album- Snow Patrol- Eyes Open (Polydor Records 2006)

REVIEW- Snow Patrol return with the follow up to the multi- selling album ‘Final Straw’ with ‘Eyes Open’. The band have undergone a few line-up changes since their last release with Paul Wilson replacing Mark McClelland, who left the band last year, on bass and the introduction of Tom Simpson on samples and keyboards. Luckily none of the bands chemistry is lost and the band emerge with a more than worthy follow up.

The album kicks off with ‘You’re All I Have’, the lead-off single and definitely one of the standout tracks on this album. It starts the album with a bang and dispels any believe that the band are bland, as some of their critics often throw their way. The tempo is maintained by second track ‘Hands Open’ with it’s louder and heavier sound, which will surprise many listeners and fans. This could easily become a hit single or festival favourite as could the catchy chorused ‘It’s Beginning to Get to Me’.

           

‘Eyes Open’, as you would expect, has it’s slower moments too with tracks such as ‘You Could be Happy’, which is written entirely in rhyming couplets and new single ‘Chasing Cars’, a song about being with someone special which is both beautifully written and performed. ‘Set Fire to the Third Bar’ is another of the albums tender moments and features female vocalist Martha Wainwright. The song has double-tracked vocals that compliment each other perfectly and show an ambitious and more mature sound than their earlier work (relatively unknown albums ‘Songs for Polar Bears’ and ‘When it’s All Over We Still Have to Clear up’)

           

Singer Gary Lightbody hits each note perfectly and can be both soothing as well as uplifting, like on the slow burner ‘The Finish Line’. Fans can be thankful he recorded the vocals for the album before coming down with throat problems which have led to the cancellation of US tour dates as performances (any fans planning to attend can be rest assured that the dates are being re-scheduled for when he recovers).

           

The only let down to this album is track 12; the brief interlude which separates the bonus tracks ‘In My Arms’ and ‘Warmer Climate’ from the rest of the album. If you don’t own the CD with these tracks (the band released two editions; one with bonus tracks and the other with a free DVD) you are missing out as they fit with the rest of the album.

           

After years of searching for the right sound it appears that they have found the perfect formula without committing to one genre alone. If you liked the anthemic ‘Run’ or more upbeat ‘Spitting Games’ there are plenty of songs here for you to enjoy and grow to love just as much. There are tunes that will have you whistling and tapping along and chorus’ that will whirl around your head for hours.

           

‘Eyes Open’ is sure to be a massive hit and bring more success for the band, who with this new batch of anthems look set to remain a chart favourite. 

 

Reviewed by- Michael Snowden.

Album- Red Hot Chilli Peppers- Stadium Arcadium (Warner Bros 2006)

REVIEW- The Red Hot Chilli Peppers return with the follow up to the huge hit ‘By the Way’ with a double album. Rumour has it that bassist Flea and guitarist John Frusciante fought so much over creative control on the previous record that Flea was prepared to walk out if the band after 15 years. Many have attributed this to the reason behind the double album with the band not wishing to restrict each others creativity and so by doing a double album they can all have a taste of the glory. However this doesn’t matter when you are listening to the end product.

Stadium Arcadium sees the band flex their musical muscle by rediscovering their funky side which dominated their early work and is noticeable on tracks such as ‘Hump de Bump’ and ‘Warlock’ as well as exploring the melodic sound perfected on both ‘Californication’ and ‘By the Way’, in songs like ‘Hard to Concentrate’ and ‘Hey’. Then there are anthems in the making with lead off single ‘Dani California’ with its catchy verse and chorus and soaring guitar solo. It’s almost impossible to listen to without tapping your foot or slowly nodding your head. Other possible singles are ‘Torture Me’ as the band find a heavier funky style, complete with trumpet and ‘21st Century’ with a catchy chorus and brilliant bass line.

Regardless of the bands relationship during recording they work harmoniously on record with every component playing an important role in the sound of the songs. Flea’s bass parts remain as catchy as ever, drummer Chad Smith providing the necessary backbone to the songs, Anthony Kiedis displays his wide range of vocal styles and with almost every song comes with a brilliant Frusciante solo.

With 28 songs in total spread over two discs, ‘Jupiter’ and ‘Mars’, fans certainly get their moneys worth, which is more than can be said of some of today’s biggest rock bands, but because of the two discs some fans may have to continuously switch between the two in order to hear their favourite songs. Also it can be hard to find time to listen to all of it. With tour dates approaching it is interesting to think which songs will be added to their live set as fans will expect to hear the old classics such as ‘Scar Tissue’ and ‘Under the Bridge’ with the band likely to showcase the new material.

If you’re already a fan of the Chilli’s you should easily find something you like as the album contains every sound the band have ever offered on previous records. However if you are more of a fan of the newer Chilli’s sound then you may find the funk tracks bring the album down. It should be the ideal album for all fans but with their previous big selling albums having a more mature vibe some fans may wish for them to continue on that newfound path.   

The band have provided an album which is sure to hit the mark and after becoming one of the world’s biggest rock bands after the success of both ‘Californication’ and ‘By the Way’ it appears ‘Stadium Arcadium’ is going to see that it continues.  

BEST SONG- ‘Dani California’

WORST SONGS- ‘Charlie’, ‘Hump de Bump’

Reviewed by- Michael Snowden.

Album- Placebo - Meds (Virgin 2006)

 

 

REVIEW- Placebo return with their first studio album since 2003’s ‘Sleeping with ghosts’ and have returned to the rockier sound that dominated their earlier work. Title track and opener ‘Meds’ kicks off the track with its catchy chorus, Brian Molko’s nasal voice sounding more bitter than beautiful and a contribution from The Kills’ Alison Mosshart which fails to go unnoticed. ‘Infra-red’ is another pop rock offering with a catchy chorus and quiet to loud parts.

These songs are common place among any Placebo album and are what they have built a career on. Their songs remain accessible to a wide audience; either a rocker or teen bopper. ‘Drag’ could easily be found on a greatest hits album as it is one of the albums' stand out tracks.

Placebo have never been afraid to experiment and ‘Space Monkey’ shows this with its muffled vocals until Molko explodes in the chorus. 

The real stand out track is first single ‘Because I Want You’ which is easily as catchy as tracks like ‘Nancy Boy’ and ‘Every You and Every Me’ from previous albums. The song wastes no time getting going as it sets off right from the outset with heavy drums and sing-along vocals. ‘Post Blue’ will have your head nodding to the bass with your feet tapping to the treble. It has a seedy love song feel to it similar to that of ‘Taste in Men’ and is another fans' favourite in the making.

Although the slower songs, for example ‘Blind’ still feel coherent with the rest of the album, it’s the heavier rockier songs that really make this album. ‘Pierrot the Clown’ however is a beautiful self-pitying ballad where Molko appears to be crying out for an ex- love to ‘come around’ and turn his frown upside down.

Placebo call on another musical legend for a guest appearance, David Bowie joined the band for ‘Without you I’m nothing’ for the album of same name, with REM’s Michael Stipe lends his lungs to the slow-to-heavy ‘Broken Promise’ which ends wonderfully with a Molko vocal solo.         

If you’re a fan of Placebo this is well worth adding to your collection as the band appear rejuvenated and ready to take the world by storm again 10 years since they invaded the UK Charts. If you're starting out get ‘Once More With Feeling’ to find all the hits and then try your luck with this one.

BEST SONG- ‘Because I Want You’.

WORST SONG- ‘Cold Light of Morning’.

Reviewed by- Michael Snowden.

Album- Fightstar - Grand Unification (Universal 2006)

 

 

REVIEW-This debut album from former Busted member Charlie Simpson and his new band Fightstar will surprise a lot of people. Firstly with the sheer heaviness of the songs, secondly with the mature lyrics and finally the musical talent expressed. This is much more than a former pop star jamming with some friends.

The album’s concept depicts a self-destructing world and the birth of a new world order – compare that to ‘Year 3000’ and you can see how far Simpson has come. From instrumental opener ‘To Sleep’ to the albums climax ‘Wake Up’ the album takes you on a journey of angst and anguish.

Simpson is joined in the band by Dan Haigh (bass), Omar Abidi (drums) and Al Westaway (guitar and backing vocals). Westaway and Simpson’s vocals fit perfectly either when singing in harmony with each other, in songs such as ‘Sleep Tonight’, or when screaming along to represent pain and anguish in songs such as ‘Build an Army’, which smacks you in the face with its pounding drums and thunderous guitars.

Some songs have been brought over from their home-recorded EP ‘They Liked You Better When You Were Dead’ but have been given a new lease of life in this new found confidence and believe the band have. ‘Lost like tears in the rain’ and ‘Hazy Eyes’ sound more refined and perfected than the originals with Westaway and Simpson again sparring vocally.

The truth is Fightstar write good rock songs, none more so than the epic ‘Mono’ (also taken from their EP) which is a six minute showcase of their talent with soft guitars and vocals leading into a heavy finale. Similarly ‘Grand Unification pt. II’ drifts in and out of surprising pianos and melodies to low sounding guitars with voice clips of social commentary overtop showing a sense of maturity.

The first single ‘Paint Your Target’, which reached the Top20 in the UK Charts upon release, explores the break-up of a failing relationship and has one of the catchiest choruses on the record. This album is definitely for the more rock minded and anyone wanting another radio friendly Busted-esque band will be extremely disappointed.

Fightstar still haven’t fully gained acceptance, as many people cannot see past the tag that comes with their frontman, but this remains an impressive debut which more than justifies Simpson shunning his past. Many thought it was the biggest risk of the young man’s life and on the basis of this it appears it may be paying off.  

BEST SONGS- ‘Mono’, ‘Paint Your Target’.

WORST SONG- ‘To Sleep’.

ALSO RECOMMENDED- 'Palahnuik’s Laughter’ and ‘Amethyst’ [Taken from EP]

Reviewed by- Michael Snowden.

 

Album- Oasis, Don't Believe The Truth, (Creation Records 2005)

 

 

REVIEW- This album has been described by critics as oasis’s best album in ten years. With some mediocre offerings from oasis (sotsog) in recent years it was always going to be interesting to see if the band could produce an album as good as those of the early days.

The album starts with “Turn up the sun” , which can only be described as a rock and roll song. The bass-line is just as infectious, as the melody that starts the song. Liam Gallaghers' vocals are superb on this track which was penned by Andy Bell. This song makes a good start to the album that you pray will continue.

Next track in is “Mucky Fingers”, a simple but effective rock song, which has Noel Gallagher taking up vocal duties. This song has a harmonica solo that fits in perfectly - this track reminds me of the velvet underground.

The single “Lyla” follows with an extremely infectious melody. As the band have since admitted this is by no means the best track on the album, although it is clear to see why it was released as a single. The drums at the start of this song show why Zak Starsky has been chosen as the new drummer.

“Love like a bomb” a Liam penned track has hints of Revolver in the solos and Oasis make no attempt to hide their influences on this track, however once again the vocals are superb and the rhythm will have you tapping your feet. Single no. 2 on the album “The importance of being idle” is an acoustic number that almost has a country feel to the intro. Noel once again takes up vocal duties and does a good job of hitting the high notes.

“The Meaning of soul” follows with a sharp short rock and roll song with just a handful of chords. Backing vocals on the chorus, along with a nice guitar sound make this song.

“Guess god thinks I’m abel” brings the album back down to an acoustic affair. This song is definitely one of the best of the album and it is almost impossible not to sing along with it. This track has been penned by Liam, and has shown how much his song-writing has improved since “Little James”.

“Part of the queue” has been described by some critics as their favourite track on the album. Unfortunately I believe it to be the worst track on the album. The chords are quite blatantly stolen from “golden brown”, and the song seems to drone along for just too long.

Luckily “Keep the dream alive” follows with some excellent vocals, and a melody that The Beatles would be proud of. The lyrics on this song really stand out, and the chorus has vocals from most of the band.

“A bell will ring” has been said to be about either literally “a bell will ring” i.e. you realise something, or Andy Bell will ring you up. Either way this song (as well as a few others) has hints of revolver in the intro that builds up to a wall of sound to begin the verse. This is certainly one of my favourite tracks on the album.

“Let there be love” finishes the album and features both Noel and Liam on vocals. This song could have been produced so much more; however it would have missed the point. The organ on this song gives it a 60’s era feel and the vocals from both Gallagher brothers make for the most Beatles sounding song on the album. However this is certainly not a bad thing in my eyes.“Don’t believe the truth” is an album of rock and roll songs mixed with acoustic anthems. It is sure fire proof that Oasis have certainly not “lost it”. It is for this reason I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Kaiser chiefs watch your back ‘cos the Gallaghers are back!

BEST SONG- "Turn Up The Sun".

WORST SONG- "Part of The Queue".

Reviewed by- Tom Cuthbertson.

Album- Two Gallants – ‘What The Toll Tells’ (Saddle-Creek)

REVIEW- I can’t quite put my finger on it. There’s something different about this band and I just can’t think what it is. Oh yeah, they rock! But they don’t just rock, they roll. In fact, they rock, they roll, and they rule! Quite simply, Two Gallants are the finest band on this planet at this very moment in time, and I challenge anybody to buy this album and tell me otherwise. We agreed? Good. On to the album them – in a word, awesome! From the haunting Morricone-esque intro to ‘Las Cruces Jail’ you just know you are about to witness greatness. When you can open an album with a track that starts like the opening title music to a spaghetti-western and ends like Hanoi Rocks throttling the White Stripes, you can pretty much achieve anything. Follow up track ‘Steady Rollin’ takes things a notch higher. Try to imagine Axl Rose singing the theme tune to a modern day western where the hero gets shot at the end – except Axl Rose never wrote a song this good – ever! Songs of woe that Johnny Cash would have been proud of, and songs with a chirpiness The Pogues or The Dubliners would have sung loud, this album doesn’t let up, no matter what tempo the tracks take on. Listening to ‘Waves of Rain’ is like Nick Cave singing Irish Folk with its tear-jerking chord changes and bouncy progression, while ‘The Prodigal Son’ is somewhere between Irish Folk and Southern Country Blues sung down on the ranch in a Quireboys-style. This is raw, but beautiful raw at it’s best. ‘Threnody’ - which for me is the stand-out track of nine stand-out tracks - starts so slowly it’s almost stationary, but the power of the melody and the vocals is unique and as the track progresses it just gets more powerful and even more melodic as it builds and builds into a wall of emotion that you just want to go on and on and on, and that’s after the 9-minutes-plus that the track lasts for anyway… and I still don’t know what a threnody is? I could write an essay on each and ever track on this album and still I’d want to go on, but you probably wouldn’t want me to, so I’ll summarise. What we have here is a fusion of Country, Blues, Rock, Punk and Folk – not all at the same time, but dealt out in sporadic episodes, and just enough of each in certain areas as to not be 'art for arts sake', as we so often hear these days - just 'art for music’ s sake'. Much needed! Pure Class, of that I have no doubt!

BEST SONGS- ‘Threnody’, ‘Steady rollin’’, ‘Las Cruces Jail’

WORST SONG- ‘Age of Assasins’

Reviewed by- Stephen Michael Pugh

Album- Jack Johnson- 'In Between The Dreams' (Universal Records 2005)

REVIEW- Jack Johnson is undeniably an extremely talented artist. His latest offering “In Between Dreams” is an album of simple but effective acoustic songs.

It starts with “Better Together”, a finely crafted song obviously written about a girlfriend or former partner. The gentle mix of acoustic guitar and piano works well to provide an uplifting song.

The next track is a definite standout track on the album, due to the catchy melody that dominates the chorus. “Never Know” has more percussion than a lot of the other tracks on the album, but it seems to work well.

“Banana Pancakes” is track 3. This track in comparison to some of the others seems to be there to make up the numbers. It is certainly not a song that sticks in your head and is probably one to skip. In contrast “Good People” is easily the best track on the album. With some fine vocal harmonies from Jack that dominate the chorus, you just can’t help singing along to. This song is also one of the most produced songs on the album with more than the standard acoustic guitar and bass combo that works so well on some of the other songs. “No other Way” is yet another acoustic ballad from jack. It has some nice lyrics but seems to lack diversity and you can’t help being slightly disappointed with it, like some other tracks on the album it seems to be bland in comparison with the key songs, which verge on greatness. Tracks such as the sublime “Situation”, at 1 minute 17 seconds is extremely short, but is just the right length.

“Crying shame” is another stand out track that has more of jack’s vocal harmonies, but to a more sombre song this time. The album finishes on a live track entitled “Mud Football” which has a reggae feel to it, and is a nice addition to an album that is already great value for money.

In summary “In Between Dreams” is an album which is great at its best and frustrating at its worst. Jack Johnson for those who are unaware is a professional surfer, and the care-free nature of the surfer certainly shows on the album. The average listener will feel frustrated with the tracks that just seem to be “fillers”, and amazed by some of the stand out tracks. There is no doubt that Jack Johnson is a talented artist, but while the value for money of this album is a strong point it is also a weakness. It is for this reason that I give it a 3 out of 5.

BEST SONG- 'Good People'

WORST SONG- 'Banana Pancakes'

Reviewed by- Tom Cuthbertson

Album- The Subways - Young for Eternity (Infectious Records 2005)

REVIEW- UK Band The Subways were recently overlooked for a Brit Award nomination. The band, who are more rock than Hard-Fi and eventual winners of the Best Rock category Kaiser Chiefs are best known for the thunderous sing-along single ‘Rock & Roll Queen’, which is now featured in yet another Kate Moss advert. But their debut album ‘Young For Eternity’ is in no way a one-hit wonder. From the moment opening track ‘I want to hear what you got to say’ shifts from acoustic to electric guitar you know this wont be yet another indie album with it’s generic flat sound. Lead singer/ guitarist Billy Lunn and bassist/ back up singer Charlotte Cooper’s interchanging vocals work perfectly throughout the album with drummer Josh Morgan providing the backbone to the songs. Follow up singles ‘With You’ and ‘Oh yeah’ are songs that you could easily head bang or dance along to. Acting like anthems they are the kind of songs you put on before going out to get yourself in the party mood or remind you of your high school friends. The songs will stick in your head and you’ll soon find yourself singing along with Lunn and Cooper without even realising. Title track ‘Young for eternity’ will soon have you tapping our foot and grabbing your air guitar. There is however more to this album than heavy guitars and occasional screaming. Songs such as ‘Mary’, ‘She sun’ and ‘No goodbyes’ are a change in gear and break up the album preventing it from sounding repetitive. ‘No goodbyes’ has an Oasis-esque feel to it which is unexpected when compared to songs such as album closer ‘Somewhere’ which has the heavy/quiet sound perfected by grunge kings Nirvana. Although few could imagine Kurt Cobain breaking into a chorus of na na na’s and by doing this The Subways make that sound their own. Every song on this album sounds like it could be a hit, even hidden track ‘Encore at 1am’ is worth waiting to hear. If you like ‘Rock & Roll Queen’ check out this album- you won’t be disappointed.

BEST SONGS- ‘Oh yeah’, ‘Rock & Roll queen’, ‘With you’

WORST SONG- ‘Lines of Light’

Reviewed by- Michael Snowden