Well this is fresh isn't it? It's usually the case that when a band releases three albums that sound the same, people tend to get bored. But 'The View's' flop of a second album 'Which Bitch?' meant that their third attempt really couldn't have been any worse. 'Bread And Circuses' seems to be wonderfully slightly better than average. Perhaps pulling themselves of out the landfill indie junkyard. Maybe not that far.
I have to say though, I do find Kyle Falconer's voice very enchanting to listen to. His accent really works with landfill indie, which is actually a good thing; he genuinely sounds like the kind of person who would wear the same pair of jeans four days in a row, and I take my hat off to him for that. But let's not reminisce anymore. Let's just say that the fourth album won't be too difficult to improve with, but harder than last time. So no, don't go thinking 'The View' are going to be going anytime soon. They are going to continue to be mediocre for a while to come. Don't you worry.
6/10
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Review #15: The Naked And Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You
I have to admit that I wasn't expecting a particularly decent record from a band with the name 'The Naked And Famous'. But I was surprised as it was actually one of the best albums I have ever heard.
The main attraction I found in it was that every song had a different feel to it, almost as if each one was a different genre of music, yet they all still kept true to their core style. 'A Wolf In Geeks Clothing' sounds almost hardcore in its intro, whereas 'Frayed' would have happily sat on a 'La Roux' album.
Perhaps one of the strangest things about the album, is that I felt as if I had heard each of the tracks before, yet I knew I hadn't. Like some impossible feeling of deja vu.
Aside from this slight abnormality I felt as if it was a wonderful listen.
8/10
The main attraction I found in it was that every song had a different feel to it, almost as if each one was a different genre of music, yet they all still kept true to their core style. 'A Wolf In Geeks Clothing' sounds almost hardcore in its intro, whereas 'Frayed' would have happily sat on a 'La Roux' album.
Perhaps one of the strangest things about the album, is that I felt as if I had heard each of the tracks before, yet I knew I hadn't. Like some impossible feeling of deja vu.
Aside from this slight abnormality I felt as if it was a wonderful listen.
8/10
Friday, 29 April 2011
Review #14: The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
Well, to answer their question, I was expecting a lot. I was expecting a huge debut, full of guitars and no nonsense lyrics that say what they mean. And that's exactly what we got.
Don't go thinking they've done this themselves though. A British nation starved of a decent guitar band, since the 'Arctic Monkeys', basically went for the best band they could find with the credentials 'uses guitars'. This has most certainly helped them along, and you can't help but think without that they probably wouldn't be as big as they are now.
But this is most definitely a good album. Their playing resembles that of 'The Ramones', which seem so pivotal to 'The Vaccines' sound, it's hard to believe that would have an album without them. But this is a review of 'The Vaccines' not 'The Ramones'.
So yes, well done guys. This is good stuff. Short. And. Sharp.
That's what we like to see. And did I mention. They use guitars.
8/10
Don't go thinking they've done this themselves though. A British nation starved of a decent guitar band, since the 'Arctic Monkeys', basically went for the best band they could find with the credentials 'uses guitars'. This has most certainly helped them along, and you can't help but think without that they probably wouldn't be as big as they are now.
But this is most definitely a good album. Their playing resembles that of 'The Ramones', which seem so pivotal to 'The Vaccines' sound, it's hard to believe that would have an album without them. But this is a review of 'The Vaccines' not 'The Ramones'.
So yes, well done guys. This is good stuff. Short. And. Sharp.
That's what we like to see. And did I mention. They use guitars.
8/10
Review #13: Noah And The Whale - Last Night On Earth
Noah And The Whale are quality musicians. I was pleasantly surprised when 'Live Your Life' blared out of my speakers. It wasn't the usual folk sound that i was expecting, yet it mesmerized me as they had changed their style so much, yet it had the same effect of lifting my mood, as their early work did.
'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' is clearly the main single from the album as it presents itself in a much broader way than the rest of the album. The clear influences of The Kinks 'Lola' is strong enough to be noticed, but not in a sense that it is stealing the original ideas.
'Just Before We Met' and 'Waiting For My Chance To Come' are the most impressionable tracks on the album. They really show how capable the band are of creating classic albums.
All in all a thoroughly well put together record, that will become many peoples sound of the summer.
8/10
'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' is clearly the main single from the album as it presents itself in a much broader way than the rest of the album. The clear influences of The Kinks 'Lola' is strong enough to be noticed, but not in a sense that it is stealing the original ideas.
'Just Before We Met' and 'Waiting For My Chance To Come' are the most impressionable tracks on the album. They really show how capable the band are of creating classic albums.
All in all a thoroughly well put together record, that will become many peoples sound of the summer.
8/10
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Review #12: Jessie J - Who You Are
She has apparently written over 400 songs.
This album does not show that.
It's just continually average. Songs like 'Abracadabra' and 'Nobody's Perfect' just seem like they are album tracks. It's almost as if she decided to release an album of album tracks.
However, 'Big White Room - Live' and 'Casualty Of Love' are lovely tracks, her voice seems to have tremendous presence and it really shows what she can do when she sets her mind on it.
I just hope that more tracks like this will come along with her next album, for her sake, to show what she can really do, which I believe she can.
6/10
This album does not show that.
It's just continually average. Songs like 'Abracadabra' and 'Nobody's Perfect' just seem like they are album tracks. It's almost as if she decided to release an album of album tracks.
However, 'Big White Room - Live' and 'Casualty Of Love' are lovely tracks, her voice seems to have tremendous presence and it really shows what she can do when she sets her mind on it.
I just hope that more tracks like this will come along with her next album, for her sake, to show what she can really do, which I believe she can.
6/10
Review #11: Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys!
I really wanted to be disappointed by this. 'Seldom Scene Kid' was amazing, almost too good. However, I was pleasantly surprised, 'Build A Rocket Boys' is such a feel good album whatever the lyrics say. The album opener 'The Birds', is truly rather quite beautiful.
However, songs like 'Jesus is a Rochdale Girl' just isn't up to the standard we expect from the now established band. It just doesn't sound like what Elbow should.
But apart from a few shaky songs, its a very good listen. Music to relax to.
6/10
However, songs like 'Jesus is a Rochdale Girl' just isn't up to the standard we expect from the now established band. It just doesn't sound like what Elbow should.
But apart from a few shaky songs, its a very good listen. Music to relax to.
6/10
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