'Miles Kane', star of both 'The Rascals' and 'The Last Shadow Puppets', had pretty high standards to reach from his solo outing due to both previous records being rather good.
And I believe that he actually has reached great heights with his newest outing. The wonderful riffs he has created on tracks such as 'Inhaler' and 'Rearrange, really capture the essence of the new age of music coming out of Britain at the moment.
However, I believe that this is the best 'Miles Kane' will come out with. He has recently left 'The Rascals', and he is clearly the inferior member of 'The Last Shadow Puppets' to Alex Turner. I just don't think that he has it in him to create more than one decent album, as he comes across as someone who needs an extra push with his musical direction, as he will never push any boundaries alone.
Despite this, 'Colour Of The Trap' is a fitting album for what he needed to do.
Best Tracks: 'Inhaler', 'Come Closer', 'Counting Down The Days'
7/10
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Review #33: Wild Beasts - Smother
Astounding.
It amazes me how 'Wild Beasts' have managed to produce three LPs where every song is a joy to listen to. 'Smother' also happens to be their best yet, building on their magical foundations from 'Limbo, Panto' and 'Two Dancers'
One of my favorite elements of the band is their use of both Hayden and Tom on vocals. I feel that this variation gives extra depth to the album, and also shows how diverse they can be, whilst still keeping a strong grasp on their core.
'Albatross' is a prime example of how mesmerizing 'Wild Beats' actually are. There really isn't another band out there, that captures beauty just like they do. From their glistening riffs to their graceful lyrics, you find the pure essence of what music truly is about.
I believe that this is only the start of 'Wild Beasts' and that they will continue to get bigger, however I cannot see them ever getting the full appreciation they deserve. Purely because they are just too good!
Best Tracks: To appreciate the album, you will have to get them all!
9/10
It amazes me how 'Wild Beasts' have managed to produce three LPs where every song is a joy to listen to. 'Smother' also happens to be their best yet, building on their magical foundations from 'Limbo, Panto' and 'Two Dancers'
One of my favorite elements of the band is their use of both Hayden and Tom on vocals. I feel that this variation gives extra depth to the album, and also shows how diverse they can be, whilst still keeping a strong grasp on their core.
'Albatross' is a prime example of how mesmerizing 'Wild Beats' actually are. There really isn't another band out there, that captures beauty just like they do. From their glistening riffs to their graceful lyrics, you find the pure essence of what music truly is about.
I believe that this is only the start of 'Wild Beasts' and that they will continue to get bigger, however I cannot see them ever getting the full appreciation they deserve. Purely because they are just too good!
Best Tracks: To appreciate the album, you will have to get them all!
9/10
Monday, 30 May 2011
Review #32: Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde
I really wish I had written 'Dye It Blonde'.
It shows that there still are bands out there who diverge far away from the mainstream and play music that they like playing. Glamrock really is glamorous when the 'Smith Westerns' make an album. It's not your usual glamor, but its perhaps better than diamonds and money. It's natural glamor. You know, the natural, amazing guitar riffs that these genii create. 'Weekend' has one of the best riffs I have ever heard, but it is the end of the album that shows the bands true flair.
There isn't much more to say really. Listen to it. It is wonderous!
Best Tracks: 'End Of The Night', 'Only One', 'Smile'
7/10
It shows that there still are bands out there who diverge far away from the mainstream and play music that they like playing. Glamrock really is glamorous when the 'Smith Westerns' make an album. It's not your usual glamor, but its perhaps better than diamonds and money. It's natural glamor. You know, the natural, amazing guitar riffs that these genii create. 'Weekend' has one of the best riffs I have ever heard, but it is the end of the album that shows the bands true flair.
There isn't much more to say really. Listen to it. It is wonderous!
Best Tracks: 'End Of The Night', 'Only One', 'Smile'
7/10
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Review #31: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
This is a beautiful piece of music. It is no wonder that bands such as 'Fleet Foxes' or 'Mumford And Sons' have become huge. It is purely because they seep talent from their veins!
'Helplessness Blues' clearly shows how 'Fleet Foxes really aren't one trip ponies and they are here to continue making music that is as beautiful and effortless as it gets.
But. And this is a big but.
They haven't gone anywhere since the first album. It sounds exactly the same as 'Fleet Foxes'. The lyrics, the chord sequences, the riffs... Need I go on? Its not that I have a problem with this, it's that I would have hoped to see some progress in the way that they band approach the music. However, I very much respect the way they are completely about the music, with it being their only focus.
Best Tracks: 'Montezuma', 'Battery Kinzie', 'Grown Ocean'
7/10
'Helplessness Blues' clearly shows how 'Fleet Foxes really aren't one trip ponies and they are here to continue making music that is as beautiful and effortless as it gets.
But. And this is a big but.
They haven't gone anywhere since the first album. It sounds exactly the same as 'Fleet Foxes'. The lyrics, the chord sequences, the riffs... Need I go on? Its not that I have a problem with this, it's that I would have hoped to see some progress in the way that they band approach the music. However, I very much respect the way they are completely about the music, with it being their only focus.
Best Tracks: 'Montezuma', 'Battery Kinzie', 'Grown Ocean'
7/10
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Review #30: Times New Viking - Dancer Equired
Well, that was weird...
I am still not entirely sure what I just experienced. It seemed to be a man, and a woman, singing over each other. That is right isn't it? Did they have any songs before they entered the studio. Maybe it's improvised. Yes! That must be it.
Well done 'Times New Viking'. Wonderful improvised album.
I do hope it is improvised or I, and them, will be looking very silly right now.
Best Tracks: Any. Each one is just as weird as the next.
6/10
I am still not entirely sure what I just experienced. It seemed to be a man, and a woman, singing over each other. That is right isn't it? Did they have any songs before they entered the studio. Maybe it's improvised. Yes! That must be it.
Well done 'Times New Viking'. Wonderful improvised album.
I do hope it is improvised or I, and them, will be looking very silly right now.
Best Tracks: Any. Each one is just as weird as the next.
6/10
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Review #29: Airborne Toxic Event - All At Once
Another one for the landfill site? I think so!
This has absolutely nothing on their stunning debut. 'The Airborne Toxic Event' is one of my favorite unsung albums, and I still regularly listen to it two years after its release.
'All At Once' on the other hand is not very good at all. His slightly out of tune voice in the first record was beautiful. It is what I felt made the record that much better. However, on their second outing his voice seems to have got more out of tune and it really doesn't work. He still has a distinctive voice, but not for a good reason anymore.
It seems that the best songs on the album are those that are either very similar to the tracks on their first record or the numbers that are very different like 'Welcome To Your Wedding Day'. The majority of the album, however, seems as if they have created a record whilst they have become stuck half way through 'Changing' into their new selves as their song suggests. Or maybe this is what they were going for, and the song 'Half Of Something Else' describes this.
I cannot say I would recommend this to anyone. Go listen to their debut.
Best Tracks: 'All For A Woman', 'Welcome To Your Wedding Day', 'Half Of Something Else'
5/10
This has absolutely nothing on their stunning debut. 'The Airborne Toxic Event' is one of my favorite unsung albums, and I still regularly listen to it two years after its release.
'All At Once' on the other hand is not very good at all. His slightly out of tune voice in the first record was beautiful. It is what I felt made the record that much better. However, on their second outing his voice seems to have got more out of tune and it really doesn't work. He still has a distinctive voice, but not for a good reason anymore.
It seems that the best songs on the album are those that are either very similar to the tracks on their first record or the numbers that are very different like 'Welcome To Your Wedding Day'. The majority of the album, however, seems as if they have created a record whilst they have become stuck half way through 'Changing' into their new selves as their song suggests. Or maybe this is what they were going for, and the song 'Half Of Something Else' describes this.
I cannot say I would recommend this to anyone. Go listen to their debut.
Best Tracks: 'All For A Woman', 'Welcome To Your Wedding Day', 'Half Of Something Else'
5/10
Review #28: Dutch Uncles - Cadenza
This album doesn't deserve the hype it has been getting.
It is a good album; 'Candenza' is a wonderful opener and a great single, but the album as a whole just doesn't do it for me. The tracks don't seem connected, with no strong underlying message, which is the idea I got that they were trying to put forward through the album.
So, basically I understood that they were trying to get a message across, but I didn't understand what the message was.
6/10
It is a good album; 'Candenza' is a wonderful opener and a great single, but the album as a whole just doesn't do it for me. The tracks don't seem connected, with no strong underlying message, which is the idea I got that they were trying to put forward through the album.
So, basically I understood that they were trying to get a message across, but I didn't understand what the message was.
6/10
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Review #27: The Wombats - This Modern Glitch
So. I have been waiting, what? 3 years for this? Good job its amazing isn't it!
Matthew Murphy can write a song. He can write many. Each as good as the rest. Which is exactly what album number two shows for the Liverpudlians/Norwegian.
'This Modern Glitch' is made of 10 tracks that are probably some of the catchiest songs you will ever hear. Each track could easily have been a charting single, and the genius of 'Murph's' synth riffs astound me.
'I'm a man of simple taste no whiskey or caviar' and 'Take me as I am, or not at all'. The lyrics easily compare to that of the 'Arctic Monkeys', with every word being magical.
The only problem with the album is that there are only 10 songs!
8/10
Matthew Murphy can write a song. He can write many. Each as good as the rest. Which is exactly what album number two shows for the Liverpudlians/Norwegian.
'This Modern Glitch' is made of 10 tracks that are probably some of the catchiest songs you will ever hear. Each track could easily have been a charting single, and the genius of 'Murph's' synth riffs astound me.
'I'm a man of simple taste no whiskey or caviar' and 'Take me as I am, or not at all'. The lyrics easily compare to that of the 'Arctic Monkeys', with every word being magical.
The only problem with the album is that there are only 10 songs!
8/10
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