I'm still not entirely sure I like this album yet. I find it almost haunting. The pure simplicity of it being simple amazes me.
When the album started I immediately thought that I was going to have to give it a bad review, as i felt it was a very weak start. However, it grew on me as I progressed through the tracks, almost when I didn't want it to and by the time I reached track 4, 'The Look', I was completely captured in the sound. I felt that this was the pinnacle of the album, and the point where the album's meaning became blurred. I'll let you make your own mind up on its meaning, but it's a decent record.
8/10
Monday, 16 May 2011
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Review #25: Jamie Woon - Mirrorwriting
Post-dubstep seems to be having the effect dubstep had on lazy people. 'Jamie woon', like 'James Blake', has really taken the new style with both hands, and songs like 'Lady Luck' could perhaps be some of the best the genre will ever see.
'Mirrorwriting' is a wonderful piece of work, which was a huge surprise, as I saw Jamie supporting 'La Roux' last year, and I wasn't impressed. Perhaps the genre doesn't work live, or that he has really improved in the meantime, but this really impressed me.
One of my favorite elements of his work are the lyrics. 'Walked when I shoulda ran. Ran when I shoulda walked.' are brilliantly simple, yet effective, which is the element that the whole album radiates.
7/10
'Mirrorwriting' is a wonderful piece of work, which was a huge surprise, as I saw Jamie supporting 'La Roux' last year, and I wasn't impressed. Perhaps the genre doesn't work live, or that he has really improved in the meantime, but this really impressed me.
One of my favorite elements of his work are the lyrics. 'Walked when I shoulda ran. Ran when I shoulda walked.' are brilliantly simple, yet effective, which is the element that the whole album radiates.
7/10
Monday, 9 May 2011
Review #24: The Pigeon Detectives - UP, GUARDS AND AT 'EM!
Oh, my beloved pigeons. Where have you gone?
You cannot really get more landfill indie than this. It seems it seems as if they have put no effort into it, almost as if they thought their first two albums were good enough, and released this because they were bored. Probably just as bored as I am reviewing it.
Anyone see the game last night? Good wasn't it. Was quite enjoyable I must admit.
4/10
You cannot really get more landfill indie than this. It seems it seems as if they have put no effort into it, almost as if they thought their first two albums were good enough, and released this because they were bored. Probably just as bored as I am reviewing it.
Anyone see the game last night? Good wasn't it. Was quite enjoyable I must admit.
4/10
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Review #23: Cat's Eyes - Cat's Eyes
What a pleasant surprise. I was expecting some hardcore techno, or some weird spiritual music looking at the cover, but inside i got this relaxing blend of just about everything. They do say you should never trust an LP by its cover art. Don't they? Anyway this is tremendous. Faris Badwan has outdone himself and created a new band that is just as good as 'The Horrors'. There are of course elements of the horrors in the music, but it still sounds completely fresh.
I had the feeling that I was listening to the soundtrack of 'The Never Ending Story' as it seemed like some fantastical story.
A truly brilliant effort. Every second was a wonderful surprise.
8/10
I had the feeling that I was listening to the soundtrack of 'The Never Ending Story' as it seemed like some fantastical story.
A truly brilliant effort. Every second was a wonderful surprise.
8/10
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Review #22: The Human League - Credo
No one told me 'The Human League' were back. But part of me wishes I hadn't found out. I can only imagibe how good those 'Human League' eighties days were, and I'm sorry, but they are over hyped if this was similar to what they were like.
It just doesn't catch you in the way 'Dare' does, especially with 'Don't You Want Me'. There is no stand out track on 'Credo' that makes you think 'Woah!, they've still got it'. It's more of 'Okay, what's next', it keeps you wanting more, but that's because there wasn't enough there in the first place.
5/10
It just doesn't catch you in the way 'Dare' does, especially with 'Don't You Want Me'. There is no stand out track on 'Credo' that makes you think 'Woah!, they've still got it'. It's more of 'Okay, what's next', it keeps you wanting more, but that's because there wasn't enough there in the first place.
5/10
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Review #21: Glasvegas - EUPHORIC///HEARTBREAK\\\
This is beauty in music.
This album had such an affect on me it is unbelievable. I sat in silence for an hour afterwards, not even moving. The lyrics (when you can understand them) are truly enchanting. 'Heartbreak, I'm not holding your hand anymore, Why cant you understand?'. Anyone who can write words like that deserves some sort of award. James Allen's voice, albeit impossible to understand, has something mystical about it.
The best track on the album is 'Dream Dream Dreaming'. The transition into it from 'Stronger Than Dirt' is wonderfully archaic compared to the rest of the album. 'There will be no holding back, now I'll tell you a feeling, Tonight when I see you, When I'm dream dream dreaming'. James Allen said in a recent interview that the album is 'Like A Dream', and I am very strongly inclined to agree with him.
The Irony of 'Euphoria, Take My Hand' and the lyrical genius of 'The World Is Yours' are the other highlights of the album.
But despite all this. It was the final words of the record that hit the hardest. James' mother telling his son 'But before you change for me, Change for you'. I think it is clear to see that Glasvegas have created one of the best albums of this decade at least, and this should get the recognition it deserves. Beautiful.
10/10
This album had such an affect on me it is unbelievable. I sat in silence for an hour afterwards, not even moving. The lyrics (when you can understand them) are truly enchanting. 'Heartbreak, I'm not holding your hand anymore, Why cant you understand?'. Anyone who can write words like that deserves some sort of award. James Allen's voice, albeit impossible to understand, has something mystical about it.
The best track on the album is 'Dream Dream Dreaming'. The transition into it from 'Stronger Than Dirt' is wonderfully archaic compared to the rest of the album. 'There will be no holding back, now I'll tell you a feeling, Tonight when I see you, When I'm dream dream dreaming'. James Allen said in a recent interview that the album is 'Like A Dream', and I am very strongly inclined to agree with him.
The Irony of 'Euphoria, Take My Hand' and the lyrical genius of 'The World Is Yours' are the other highlights of the album.
But despite all this. It was the final words of the record that hit the hardest. James' mother telling his son 'But before you change for me, Change for you'. I think it is clear to see that Glasvegas have created one of the best albums of this decade at least, and this should get the recognition it deserves. Beautiful.
10/10
Monday, 2 May 2011
Review #20: The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart - Belong
What a horrible album. It just makes you want to leave the room. And cry.
And what are the lyrics! 'You look so hard in fishnets and leather'. What. I mean... What!
I'm sorry. This cannot be anyone's type of music. Surely no one can enjoy this, can they?
The one decent song on the album 'Heart In Your Heartbreak' is completely ruined by the vocals. How could any record company let this be released? It must be self released. I'll look now.
It's not!
Slumberland! Get new artists.
2/10
And what are the lyrics! 'You look so hard in fishnets and leather'. What. I mean... What!
I'm sorry. This cannot be anyone's type of music. Surely no one can enjoy this, can they?
The one decent song on the album 'Heart In Your Heartbreak' is completely ruined by the vocals. How could any record company let this be released? It must be self released. I'll look now.
It's not!
Slumberland! Get new artists.
2/10
Review #19: Panic! At The Disco - Vices And Virtues
The '!' is back, and half the members left, including the main lyricist, leaving just the drummer and Urie. Sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, somehow, they have managed to create a rather impressive album.
Whether it's luck, or that they are actually talented. I don't know. But I'm not complaining. It was a very good hour of my life.
The first track 'The Ballad Of Mona Lisa' is very very very good. Almost too good. It's a song about everyone having that bit of evil inside them, and you get that feel from the rest if the record too. It's a completely different outlook to 'Pretty Odd', which had the feeling of lightness, and carefree about it. But this opposite view, works just as well.
7/10
Whether it's luck, or that they are actually talented. I don't know. But I'm not complaining. It was a very good hour of my life.
The first track 'The Ballad Of Mona Lisa' is very very very good. Almost too good. It's a song about everyone having that bit of evil inside them, and you get that feel from the rest if the record too. It's a completely different outlook to 'Pretty Odd', which had the feeling of lightness, and carefree about it. But this opposite view, works just as well.
7/10
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