Kanye West is an act well known for his producing and rapping, which he has had great critical and public success with over the years. Well known for his arrogant persona, and clashes with 50 cent as well as huge album sales, its unusual that Mr. West as I'm sure he'd like to be called, has decided to go for a purely vocal outing disguised by vocoder voice effects, much akin to those artists kanye wouldn't normally associate with. The question is however, can he branch far enough away from this crowd for this trial to be deemed a success.
Opening track Say you will is a track with an atmospheric end of the world backdrop, with optomistic blips and beeps, underneath kanye singing "Hey hey hey heydon't say that you will unless you will" a song about the pains of lusting after someone who doesn't give you what you ask, ending with kanye saying "I admit i still fantasize about you", it is a song that holds a lot of promise, but doesn't really live up to it as the lyrics begin to grate and kanye's vocals not up to scratch as they're drowned out by a vocoder.
Next track Welcome to heartbreak has good pounding and building asmospherics as the backdrop, however although slightly shorter and therefore less irritating, some of the problems with the previous track begin to grate for example kanye's voice, with the backdrop being the only saving grace.
Heartless is the first example of this style fusing with kanye's great production values, a bopping heavy pan pipe beat sets the tone for a slicker faster style of singing from kanye, with No I.D. providing complimentary vocals. The pace holds strong throughout with a cliche'd but suitable storyline about a heartless girl lamenting "Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul to a woman so heartless", a good club track.
Amazing carries on in the same vain, however a bit slower paced with Kanye providing most of the vocals, and Young Jeezy adding a stereotypical hip hop deep voice, to compliment Mr. West's laments "she's amazing, so amazing" could prove to be one of the singles in future.
Love lockdown is the first single from this album, the song which should have said this is my new style, and this is it at its best, however it failed to do that, and mostly dissapoints as the first half of the song has no distinctive features. Half way through the pace picks up slightly, but not enough to stear this into the territory it should be.
"Extrava-gangster radiooooooooo" starts the track Paranoid with Kid Cudi providing the opening vocals, bringing kanye in with a flowing beat in the background, and kanye singing at a higher pace almost breaking into his well known rapping style, singing "girl you worry about the wrong things". It is occasionally and successfully chopped into with a swooping noise or the short sharp opening phrase extrava-gangster radioooo. A very promising song and definite possible for a single, which would appeal to people in a similar way to Stronger with a good chorus and style that most could appreciate.
Robocop is the next song, and in my opinion personifies what is the main annoyance with this album kanye falling into all the cliche's of hip hop, with obvious unoriginal lyrics; "Cuz i don't want no robocop, You moving like a robocop (yea)" and oversynthesizing of his voice to the point were there is nothing to notice.
Kanye next breaks into a slow burning song, Streetlights which seems to be about aiming for something, but just waiting to get there, which makes normal life seem mundane until that time, "See I know my, destination But I'm just not there....All the street lights, glowing,Happen to be just like moments, Passing, in front of me" a pleasant song that doesn't break the boundaries but is strong none-the-less.
One of the main reasons Kanye has written this album as a response to his wife cheating on him and leaving him, as is the subject of next song Bad news. As kanye is in the media spotlight he tells of the story being broke to him via the media themselves, and acting as though he knew "People will talk, Like its old news, I played it off and act like i already knew" a personal song, that although again strong is nothing particularly inspiring.
Lil wayne features on next track Tell everybody that you knew is a bitter song continuing on from the last, with raw emotion telling of his lack of love for his ex now she's left him; "see you in my nightmare, oh how did you get there cause we were once a fairytale" With lil Wayne helping out spitting the words "BABY GIRL I'M FINISHED! I THOUGHT WE WERE COMMITTED" a strong and raw song, one of the highlights of the album.
Coldest winter brings kanye back to his lamenting self "memories made in the coldest winter, i will never love again" another strong track about the more emotional side to the breakup with the insessant drum and bigger range from kanye's singing voice being the highlights.
Pinocchio story is a live track that ends the album, musically though it is not as strong as some of the other tracks, however the lyrics are stronger than many of kanye's songs. From a man with such confidence it is refreshing to see his emotions are as raw as anyone's "I got everything figured out But for some reason I can never find what real love is about" and again even though he has a media persona, with an obcession for fashion and all the trimmings of fame, it must provide inspiring that he chooses the lyrics "There is no Gucci I can buy There is no Louis Vuitton to put on There is no YSL that they could sell To get my heart out of this hell"
In summary, this album is very hard to pin down, Kanye manages fleeting moments of the great production values we've come to expect of him, however this is possibly a genre it was best he left alone, as it has become fraught with cliche's which Mr. West unfortunately falls for. The times that he manages to avoid the cliche's and provide those great beats and pace that we come to expect from a Kanye West song, prove that he has the capability of making a strong album in this genre. 6.5/10
Tuesday 25 November 2008
Sunday 14 September 2008
Eugene McGuiness-The early learnings of Eugene McGuiness
This EP come album at a short 8 songs opens with high score with symphonic pianos and harmonising vocals set the scene for this hopalong upbeat song, with an unusual stream of consciousness as he sings "bravo, encore all the ravers are still raving, game over high score so tie your name in a perfume scented centipede, we walk the same street at the same speed" a song which sets the pace but is by no means the best.
Next is single monsters under the bed, a quirky beach boys-esque song opened by computer like beeps and sweeping keyboard as if in a horror film. Tales of teenage boredom and insomnia as he sings in an almost reggae "my will to move or even use my brain is weathered by eternal english rain" as the chorus kicks in beautifully and poply singing "i spent 5 hours on the net last night avoidin' the monsters under my bed with square eyes" problems teens know too well.
Vampire casino slows the pace with a gentle song comparing a casino to a bloodsucking vampire draining the mans soul as "It was just two hours to go, Before the Vampire Casino, Took your hat, sat you down and sucked your blood" a great howling song with great lyrical comparisons
Half way through the album, comes Bold Street an imagery feast of a typical city street as "Bold Street's caked in its own vomit" and there's "Burberry check, curbside sex and police cars" however this is really a love song as a girl stands amongst all this, beautiful like a star, as he laments the childrens song twinkle twinkle, sumptous in this context.
In jumps A child lost in tesco a song like The police on drugs with tales of wandering streets looking for something he can't find "like a child lost in tesco" a quick paced, breathless song.
The dream like Vela soothes the listener back with soundscaping guitars and melodic and echoing harmonies. A textured and pleasant listen, as another highlight.
Madeleine further wraps you up in a blanket of sound with the tinkling of a piano leading us through another visual world where "You were dancing like a dying matador, Amongst an armada of four-by-fours" and ends with the chanting of "I knew we were leaving, yeah, we were leaving Me and Madeleine"
That could have ended the album nicely, however the song "I gotta find a girl whom my eyes shine for But my shoes run from" is probably more fitting as an upbeat but layered, harmonic treat about finding a challenging girl in a confusing world.
A great album and an original breath of fresh air in the over populated singer-songwriter crowd, as well as a maturity beyond his 21 years. Although to some the vocals maybe grate at times it is hard to deny he can hold a tune, this combined with a natural propensity to create catchy songs with very visual and quirky lyrics, make this a very promising debut.
8/10
Next is single monsters under the bed, a quirky beach boys-esque song opened by computer like beeps and sweeping keyboard as if in a horror film. Tales of teenage boredom and insomnia as he sings in an almost reggae "my will to move or even use my brain is weathered by eternal english rain" as the chorus kicks in beautifully and poply singing "i spent 5 hours on the net last night avoidin' the monsters under my bed with square eyes" problems teens know too well.
Vampire casino slows the pace with a gentle song comparing a casino to a bloodsucking vampire draining the mans soul as "It was just two hours to go, Before the Vampire Casino, Took your hat, sat you down and sucked your blood" a great howling song with great lyrical comparisons
Half way through the album, comes Bold Street an imagery feast of a typical city street as "Bold Street's caked in its own vomit" and there's "Burberry check, curbside sex and police cars" however this is really a love song as a girl stands amongst all this, beautiful like a star, as he laments the childrens song twinkle twinkle, sumptous in this context.
In jumps A child lost in tesco a song like The police on drugs with tales of wandering streets looking for something he can't find "like a child lost in tesco" a quick paced, breathless song.
The dream like Vela soothes the listener back with soundscaping guitars and melodic and echoing harmonies. A textured and pleasant listen, as another highlight.
Madeleine further wraps you up in a blanket of sound with the tinkling of a piano leading us through another visual world where "You were dancing like a dying matador, Amongst an armada of four-by-fours" and ends with the chanting of "I knew we were leaving, yeah, we were leaving Me and Madeleine"
That could have ended the album nicely, however the song "I gotta find a girl whom my eyes shine for But my shoes run from" is probably more fitting as an upbeat but layered, harmonic treat about finding a challenging girl in a confusing world.
A great album and an original breath of fresh air in the over populated singer-songwriter crowd, as well as a maturity beyond his 21 years. Although to some the vocals maybe grate at times it is hard to deny he can hold a tune, this combined with a natural propensity to create catchy songs with very visual and quirky lyrics, make this a very promising debut.
8/10
Saturday 13 September 2008
The last shadow puppets-Age of the understatement
The last shadow puppets are a band formed by Alex Turner and Miles Kane, the former of arctic monkeys fame and the latter from the rascals. Formed due to Kane's previous band the little flames supporting the band and the pair hitting it off with distinctive vocals and similiarly biting lyrics. On stage their a smartly dressed, confident, mop haired pair resembling a young beatles.
Their aim is to dispel any ideas that side projects and supergroups dont work.
Title track and single Age of the understatement opens with a horror film tension screech before exploding into an array of pounding drums, rythmic guitars and strings. As the vocals come in its clear the pair compliment each other, as the similarities allow for an echoing effect and is ideal for harmonies. This song tells the story of a woman who treats males as plaything, though inspite of warning the teller enjoys the challenge of a girl who is "Subtle in her method of seduction, The twenty little tragedies begin". As the tension is cleverly built he pleads for her to "Kiss me properly and pull me apart" in a successful and growing opening track.
Standing next to me is an old fashioned busking style ballad, with further tales of temptation as a girl teases while her lover is standing next to him. A good 2nd single with a nice tempo and good harmonies and a personal favourite.
Next pounding drums and strings introduce calm like you, a sound like a gangster musical painting a dramatic mental picture of a damp dark street of a lover who speaks too soon "Oh, he was young, in the frost, No regard for the cost, Of saying his feelings, In the moment they were felt" again continuing the dark tense cinematic feel.
Kane's biting words compliment sharp guitars on 4th track seperate and ever deadly carries on the theme of love and its 7 deadly sins by snapping jealous lines about an ex's "handsome maverick" who "You don't talk about to keep me calm". The reason of which he sarcastically claims is "That he painted you a gushing sunset" a good bitter song about break-up which is high paced.
The chamber is a ballad which is more well placed for pacing reasons, slowing you down to shake you again after, than it is anything spectacular, solid though none the less.
Track 6 Only the truth tells stories of a temptress, as in age of the understatement, who is dangerous to even look at. Musically this song flows well, however it is lyrically that it captures the audience as she "She lifts up her glass, As if to bring down a mass" and with "Twist of a lime, It seems a bitter end". A picture is brilliantly painted of a character we all recognise, out of reach who has every man eating out of her hand, whilst musically it spirals to an end.
My mistakes were made for you appears to be a dramatized version of how Turner met his celeb girlfriend alexa chung in a 007 theme styled ballad. He talks of meeting a girl who has the enticing prospect of "innocence and arrogance" entwined, though their celebrity makes them "as solid as a rock, rolling down a hill, The fact is that it probably will, hit something, On the hazardous terrain". Its a beautiful song, and set to be the 3rd single.
The interestingly titled black plant is musically like an 80s drama theme tune and though pleasant and plodding nothing stands out enough for extended merit.
I don't like you anymore is a song thats self explanatary tale of grating habits and falling out of love. Turner laments quietly over atmospheric guitars before Kane comes in biting hateful lyrics on their subject as the pairing again compliment each other. An interesting song but not an easy listen as it ends in a frenzy.
You would be forgiven for mistaking next song, in my room, for a james bond song however it is average in comparison to early hits on the album.
The meeting place is a schmaltzy tune with lyrics of regret and pain in relationship-breakdown, but ultimately albeit occasionally veering toward cheesey it is a good well paced song, which would befit a romantic themetune.
Final track Time has come again ends what is almost a concept album on the various stages of love, with memories of the past lamented in a whistful, sad song. The storyteller tells of "Slowly walking down the steps, To where she would have been, If only they were seventeen" romanticising the past in a way fitting to end an album.
This album clearly shows ambition, with the youngsters tackling the charts with a style seldom heard there. The string arrangements, pounding drums and atmospheric guitars build certain songs such as the title track to epic proportions. It is the lyrics that the pair pen however that are something special, with a sharp wit and ability to carve stories. Several songs on this album are good however a few are only held up by the lyrics. For this reason along with occasional major lapses in originality is what makes this album as a whole only promising, however songs such as Age of the understatement, Standing next to me, Seperate & ever deadly and My mistakes were made for you are brilliantly arranged and promise a lot. A solid debut and grower, certainly not just a side project: 7.5/10
Their aim is to dispel any ideas that side projects and supergroups dont work.
Title track and single Age of the understatement opens with a horror film tension screech before exploding into an array of pounding drums, rythmic guitars and strings. As the vocals come in its clear the pair compliment each other, as the similarities allow for an echoing effect and is ideal for harmonies. This song tells the story of a woman who treats males as plaything, though inspite of warning the teller enjoys the challenge of a girl who is "Subtle in her method of seduction, The twenty little tragedies begin". As the tension is cleverly built he pleads for her to "Kiss me properly and pull me apart" in a successful and growing opening track.
Standing next to me is an old fashioned busking style ballad, with further tales of temptation as a girl teases while her lover is standing next to him. A good 2nd single with a nice tempo and good harmonies and a personal favourite.
Next pounding drums and strings introduce calm like you, a sound like a gangster musical painting a dramatic mental picture of a damp dark street of a lover who speaks too soon "Oh, he was young, in the frost, No regard for the cost, Of saying his feelings, In the moment they were felt" again continuing the dark tense cinematic feel.
Kane's biting words compliment sharp guitars on 4th track seperate and ever deadly carries on the theme of love and its 7 deadly sins by snapping jealous lines about an ex's "handsome maverick" who "You don't talk about to keep me calm". The reason of which he sarcastically claims is "That he painted you a gushing sunset" a good bitter song about break-up which is high paced.
The chamber is a ballad which is more well placed for pacing reasons, slowing you down to shake you again after, than it is anything spectacular, solid though none the less.
Track 6 Only the truth tells stories of a temptress, as in age of the understatement, who is dangerous to even look at. Musically this song flows well, however it is lyrically that it captures the audience as she "She lifts up her glass, As if to bring down a mass" and with "Twist of a lime, It seems a bitter end". A picture is brilliantly painted of a character we all recognise, out of reach who has every man eating out of her hand, whilst musically it spirals to an end.
My mistakes were made for you appears to be a dramatized version of how Turner met his celeb girlfriend alexa chung in a 007 theme styled ballad. He talks of meeting a girl who has the enticing prospect of "innocence and arrogance" entwined, though their celebrity makes them "as solid as a rock, rolling down a hill, The fact is that it probably will, hit something, On the hazardous terrain". Its a beautiful song, and set to be the 3rd single.
The interestingly titled black plant is musically like an 80s drama theme tune and though pleasant and plodding nothing stands out enough for extended merit.
I don't like you anymore is a song thats self explanatary tale of grating habits and falling out of love. Turner laments quietly over atmospheric guitars before Kane comes in biting hateful lyrics on their subject as the pairing again compliment each other. An interesting song but not an easy listen as it ends in a frenzy.
You would be forgiven for mistaking next song, in my room, for a james bond song however it is average in comparison to early hits on the album.
The meeting place is a schmaltzy tune with lyrics of regret and pain in relationship-breakdown, but ultimately albeit occasionally veering toward cheesey it is a good well paced song, which would befit a romantic themetune.
Final track Time has come again ends what is almost a concept album on the various stages of love, with memories of the past lamented in a whistful, sad song. The storyteller tells of "Slowly walking down the steps, To where she would have been, If only they were seventeen" romanticising the past in a way fitting to end an album.
This album clearly shows ambition, with the youngsters tackling the charts with a style seldom heard there. The string arrangements, pounding drums and atmospheric guitars build certain songs such as the title track to epic proportions. It is the lyrics that the pair pen however that are something special, with a sharp wit and ability to carve stories. Several songs on this album are good however a few are only held up by the lyrics. For this reason along with occasional major lapses in originality is what makes this album as a whole only promising, however songs such as Age of the understatement, Standing next to me, Seperate & ever deadly and My mistakes were made for you are brilliantly arranged and promise a lot. A solid debut and grower, certainly not just a side project: 7.5/10
Wednesday 10 September 2008
Kings of Leon-Only By The Night
Kings of leon are a band associated with having all the trimmings of a rock band, sex, drugs and some rock n roll chucked in. Musically their a band most noticeable by their raw unique sound typified by the vocals of Caleb Followhill. A band which was brought to us in 2003, with a scuzzy rock sound and rasping vocals not usually heard in the modern era. Youth and young manhood was exactly that, tales of sexual debauchery and nights out told in a way not recognisable since the likes of the rolling stones, bringing a debut to match such names. Aha shake heartbreak, the second album by the band saw them keep their rock sensibilities whilst venturing towards a more open, jangly style ultimately getting them noticed in the mainstream, introducing quieter songs such as milk and day old blues. Album 3 (because of the times) saw them expanding their sound after touring with the likes of bob dylan and U2 with a sound to echo round stadiums, still keeping a good balance with more raw songs such as charmer. After 3 succesful albums kings of leon are held in high regard by fans and critics alike, but can they keep up the pace with album 4?
Opening song closer anounces itself with landscaping echoes by a slow siren and thumping drums, becoming clear straight away that the kings want to expand their sound further and ultimately place themselves with the elite. As the drum beat pounds on caleb howls the lyrics "she took my heart, i think she took my soul" in a more sensitive vocal style than the rasping voice we've become accustomed to. Throughout the band are tight and build up an asmosphere with the incessant sirens and drums holding pace as the guitar echoes signitures over the top.
Crawl, the opening single in the USA and probable 2nd UK single, is a much scuzzier affair closer to songs showcased on because of the times. The song is commanding and strutting, with pounding drums and distorted guitars as the singer shouts "you better learn to crawl before i walk away" leading into howling guitars.
Opening song closer anounces itself with landscaping echoes by a slow siren and thumping drums, becoming clear straight away that the kings want to expand their sound further and ultimately place themselves with the elite. As the drum beat pounds on caleb howls the lyrics "she took my heart, i think she took my soul" in a more sensitive vocal style than the rasping voice we've become accustomed to. Throughout the band are tight and build up an asmosphere with the incessant sirens and drums holding pace as the guitar echoes signitures over the top.
Crawl, the opening single in the USA and probable 2nd UK single, is a much scuzzier affair closer to songs showcased on because of the times. The song is commanding and strutting, with pounding drums and distorted guitars as the singer shouts "you better learn to crawl before i walk away" leading into howling guitars.
The next song is the rousing sex on fire previously reviewed as a single, closer to classic kings of leon tracks such as Mollys Chambers and holds its own in such ranks.
Fourth track Use Somebody is a slow burner in the mold of on call, with "woah ohhs" over an unusually standard chord change for kings of leon, however the soulful vocals singing "Oh babeh i cud use somebody, somebody like you" make this track so good. The way the song builds up with a presence of pounding drums and a sub-chorus about 3/4 of the way through makr this an interesting track and potential single.
Manhattan is similar musically to a track such as Where Nobody Knows from the 2nd album, however this song is more ambitious with echoing U2 sounding guitar and further soulful singing howling the lyrics.
"What a night for a dance, you know im a dancing machine" opens a smooth song about a love shared but ruined by the singers lust for sex, which the girl isn't giving, eventually tearing apart their good relationship on track, Revelry. His pleads of "dreaming of revelry" offset by wailing guitars and more "wo ooh ooh's".
17 opens with clashing drums and unusual bells, as caleb shows us the side of his voice trained when younger at the choirs he attended as he hits the high notes singing "ooh she's only 17" with guitar riffs howling along building into a chorus oh harmonising oohs singing the praises of the girl "oh your 1 in a million" as it transpires as another potential single.
U2's stadium rock influence clearly comes in again on Notion with jangly guitars and a plodding bassline. I want you is another slow burning love-making song sweetly singing "I want you, exactly like i used to" with the band so tightnit that as on opener closer the guitars can wander off and back to great effect.
Pounding drums and swooping guitars open be somebody as caleb struts in "i loosen my tie, i loosen my tie" and "you cant get enough" before the tempo changes and caleb swoons "Given a chance, I'm gonna be somebody" all about him trying to get the girl by ripping up the dancefloor, appropriatelyanother potential single.
Cold desert ends the album with some lovely guitar playing as the album gently winds away.
This album follows on from 3 great albums, all packed with great, original and passionate songs. Only by the night does not dissappoint, although hardcore fans may need some time for it to grow. On the whole this album is ambitious and original, with tracks such as crawl and sex on fire satisfying fans of old as newbies use somebody 17 and be somebody seep into your brain. Technically the best of the four and musically placing them inside stadiums alongside greats where they belong. If they keep up this pace their place in history awaits.
9/10
Saturday 30 August 2008
Noah & the Whale-Peaceful The World Lays Me Down
Noah & the whale are a folksy band not far removed from the likes of Willy Mason, The Spinto Band and Frank Turner. Each of these fulfils the pop ideals of catchy riffs and rythms, with an acoustic style and traditional singing.
This debut by the band, named Peaceful The World Lays Me Down, starts with the song 2 atoms in a molecule a song about the beauties and pains of love, and in particular waking from a romantic dream to realise he's alone. A quickly plodding song with plenty of little instrumentals and harmonising "ooh oohs" over the top of some fast vocals.
The song is a simple strum n drum rythm in the form of jacosta and although not poor, just another album song along with the track second lover later in the listing.
1st single shape of my heart is a pounding song scattered with trumpets and sing-songy vocals all in all leading to a good track closely mimicking the succesful pop-folk style of the aforementioned willy mason.
Do what i do is a slow burning johnny cash style song with minimalist strumming and violin sections. A love song about the point where you stop searching and just let love blossom:
There's a pleasure
We must all feel
And it's a pleasure I know
Of losing your heart
And then letting love grow.
Next up is another pacing track with a simplistic verse chorus verse structure with a pleasant and relatively catchy chorus. The track builds up and down using plodding pianos and swooping violins are used to effect with question and answer vocals also coming into play. I wouldn't be surprised to see this as the next single.
The best track and second single 5 years time is a song about whistfully imagining in 5 years time not needing alcohol or cigarettes to have a good time as they are happy together in the sun. The summer pop chorus is what makes this such a good single with the lines, And it was, Fun Fun Fun When we were drinking It was, Fun Fun Fun. I can definately see this being placed in many a quirky advert or independent film.
The next song rocks and daggers scatters in with a melancholy tone proceeded by violins slowly pounding into a whipping chorus where the violiin is turned into an instrument of irish folksy joy. The track flutters between melancholy and joy with such ease using the lyrics There's no need to play with my heart from words of defeatist pleading into fun which is what makes this song so enjoyable and interesting.
The following two tracks, Mary and title track Peaceful the world lays me down are largely average tracks save for some nice guitar plucking and violins respectively. Final album track Hold my hand as im lowered does little more of interest though the vocals are stronger.
Ultimately there is a strong core to this album with stronger songs such as 2 atoms in a molecule, shape of my heart, do what i do, 5 years time and rocks and daggers all feeling original and ranged, however too much on this album feels like filler for it to be truely successful. On the other hand this is their debut with the lyrics and instrumental variation largely succcesful on the aforementioned succeses. The best word to use would be solid, though this needs building on: 7.5/10
This debut by the band, named Peaceful The World Lays Me Down, starts with the song 2 atoms in a molecule a song about the beauties and pains of love, and in particular waking from a romantic dream to realise he's alone. A quickly plodding song with plenty of little instrumentals and harmonising "ooh oohs" over the top of some fast vocals.
The song is a simple strum n drum rythm in the form of jacosta and although not poor, just another album song along with the track second lover later in the listing.
1st single shape of my heart is a pounding song scattered with trumpets and sing-songy vocals all in all leading to a good track closely mimicking the succesful pop-folk style of the aforementioned willy mason.
Do what i do is a slow burning johnny cash style song with minimalist strumming and violin sections. A love song about the point where you stop searching and just let love blossom:
There's a pleasure
We must all feel
And it's a pleasure I know
Of losing your heart
And then letting love grow.
Next up is another pacing track with a simplistic verse chorus verse structure with a pleasant and relatively catchy chorus. The track builds up and down using plodding pianos and swooping violins are used to effect with question and answer vocals also coming into play. I wouldn't be surprised to see this as the next single.
The best track and second single 5 years time is a song about whistfully imagining in 5 years time not needing alcohol or cigarettes to have a good time as they are happy together in the sun. The summer pop chorus is what makes this such a good single with the lines, And it was, Fun Fun Fun When we were drinking It was, Fun Fun Fun. I can definately see this being placed in many a quirky advert or independent film.
The next song rocks and daggers scatters in with a melancholy tone proceeded by violins slowly pounding into a whipping chorus where the violiin is turned into an instrument of irish folksy joy. The track flutters between melancholy and joy with such ease using the lyrics There's no need to play with my heart from words of defeatist pleading into fun which is what makes this song so enjoyable and interesting.
The following two tracks, Mary and title track Peaceful the world lays me down are largely average tracks save for some nice guitar plucking and violins respectively. Final album track Hold my hand as im lowered does little more of interest though the vocals are stronger.
Ultimately there is a strong core to this album with stronger songs such as 2 atoms in a molecule, shape of my heart, do what i do, 5 years time and rocks and daggers all feeling original and ranged, however too much on this album feels like filler for it to be truely successful. On the other hand this is their debut with the lyrics and instrumental variation largely succcesful on the aforementioned succeses. The best word to use would be solid, though this needs building on: 7.5/10
Thursday 28 August 2008
Kings of Leon-Sex is on fire (single)
This single by the kings starts off with an unassuming riff, but once the drums and the bass kick in you know you have vintage kings of leon. In comes Caleb with his distinctive vocals with a timid sound hidden in his voice fully charged with passion and aggression. Ultimately its all building with pace into the rip-roaring chorus howling "woah-oh your sex is on fire" like he can't hold it in any longer with the pulsating guitar and beating drum you just have to give in to the urge to howl along. With kings of leons passion and stories being easily matched in ability and hard work its impossible not to like and good news for their forth coming album Only by the night : 9/10
The Verve- Forth
The verve are a band listed alongside famous names such as oasis, blur and pulp, with a host of famous songs like the drugs don't work, sonnet and of course the epic bittersweet symphony.
The question was always can they step up and do what others have failed to do and launch a succesful comeback?
The album launches with an eerie atmospheric pinpoint siren noise echoing around before a drumbeat and eratic guitar come in with the lyrics announcing the song title "sit and wonder" the instrumentals do a great job of announcing loudly "we're here to do our thang" but lyrically it begins to bore. Next to the single......
Love is noise a great name, which many a music fan would agree with and indeed very vervesque. This song builds from the outset with vocal cawwing and whooping with the drums rumbling in, with vocals to match and as is with a good verve song a sing-along chorus "Love is noise, love is pain Love is these blues that I'm feeling again" the whole song feels a skip ahead of your heartbeat and is ultimately successful and hopeful for the rest of the alum.
Rather Be opens with moby style aquatic wah style guitars, and ashcroft coming in with a dylanesque drawl in his voice which pitters away in the chorus. Ultimately this is a sweet love song, with lyrics such as " Sometimes life seems to tear us apart don`t wanna let you go ". Nothing epic but good none the less.
Judas is a quiet jangly number with occasional prince vocals, but feels pretentious and uninspiring.
In comes Numbness, a cross between Tom Petty and Pink Floyd even the words "breathe in the air don't be afraid" they could be accused of copyright fraud however there is enough of thei own inventiveness and distinctive vocals to show these are simply heavy influences. All in all one of my favourite tracks on the album.
This is followed strongly by i see houses with slidey soundscaping guitars and moaning vocals not to dis-similar to one of ashcrofts solo efforts, check the meaning a pleasant listening experience with a nice melody.
Noise epic rests your ears at first slowly building into a rocky riff and distant vocals much like a Nick Cave track, flowing into some punky drawling vocals. and round. About 4:30 we get an echoing spiralling UFO like noise, coming into a southern rock ending. For all the name promises, and the occasional highlight there's too many effects and ideas going on for this to be truly epic.
The melodic follow-up is Valium Skies which is a pleasant enough chilled out track and could-be-second-single, though it possibly would have needed more padding, to bring the whole song closer to the chorus.
As the album draws to a close the remaining two tracks are quiet chilled out soundscapes with Columbo having a dreamlike feel with disjointed echoey instrumentals in the background throughout and changes in vocal pitch to take you on a journey which is quite interesting and their experimenting on this one has been successful.
The ending track Appalachian Springs is a nice vocal treat and pleasant floydesque instrumentals with a feeling of leading you nicely out of the album into a pleasant quilt of nothingness.
Ultimately the verve slot right back in, with one of the more succesful comebacks we've seen. This needs though, to be a springboard for further succesful albums, given their willingness to experiment and ease in which they create such a great single as love is noise.
This track along with Rather Be, Numbness and Valium skies being others of particular success.
All-in-all the question can they launch a successful comeback and the answer has to be a yes but rome wasn't built in a day.: 7.5/10
The question was always can they step up and do what others have failed to do and launch a succesful comeback?
The album launches with an eerie atmospheric pinpoint siren noise echoing around before a drumbeat and eratic guitar come in with the lyrics announcing the song title "sit and wonder" the instrumentals do a great job of announcing loudly "we're here to do our thang" but lyrically it begins to bore. Next to the single......
Love is noise a great name, which many a music fan would agree with and indeed very vervesque. This song builds from the outset with vocal cawwing and whooping with the drums rumbling in, with vocals to match and as is with a good verve song a sing-along chorus "Love is noise, love is pain Love is these blues that I'm feeling again" the whole song feels a skip ahead of your heartbeat and is ultimately successful and hopeful for the rest of the alum.
Rather Be opens with moby style aquatic wah style guitars, and ashcroft coming in with a dylanesque drawl in his voice which pitters away in the chorus. Ultimately this is a sweet love song, with lyrics such as " Sometimes life seems to tear us apart don`t wanna let you go ". Nothing epic but good none the less.
Judas is a quiet jangly number with occasional prince vocals, but feels pretentious and uninspiring.
In comes Numbness, a cross between Tom Petty and Pink Floyd even the words "breathe in the air don't be afraid" they could be accused of copyright fraud however there is enough of thei own inventiveness and distinctive vocals to show these are simply heavy influences. All in all one of my favourite tracks on the album.
This is followed strongly by i see houses with slidey soundscaping guitars and moaning vocals not to dis-similar to one of ashcrofts solo efforts, check the meaning a pleasant listening experience with a nice melody.
Noise epic rests your ears at first slowly building into a rocky riff and distant vocals much like a Nick Cave track, flowing into some punky drawling vocals. and round. About 4:30 we get an echoing spiralling UFO like noise, coming into a southern rock ending. For all the name promises, and the occasional highlight there's too many effects and ideas going on for this to be truly epic.
The melodic follow-up is Valium Skies which is a pleasant enough chilled out track and could-be-second-single, though it possibly would have needed more padding, to bring the whole song closer to the chorus.
As the album draws to a close the remaining two tracks are quiet chilled out soundscapes with Columbo having a dreamlike feel with disjointed echoey instrumentals in the background throughout and changes in vocal pitch to take you on a journey which is quite interesting and their experimenting on this one has been successful.
The ending track Appalachian Springs is a nice vocal treat and pleasant floydesque instrumentals with a feeling of leading you nicely out of the album into a pleasant quilt of nothingness.
Ultimately the verve slot right back in, with one of the more succesful comebacks we've seen. This needs though, to be a springboard for further succesful albums, given their willingness to experiment and ease in which they create such a great single as love is noise.
This track along with Rather Be, Numbness and Valium skies being others of particular success.
All-in-all the question can they launch a successful comeback and the answer has to be a yes but rome wasn't built in a day.: 7.5/10
Wednesday 27 August 2008
Bloc Party- Intimacy
This album starts with the quiet serine sounds of a choir before kicking off with swirling guitars and pounding drums shouting (metaphorically) we're back and were hungry for change. The opening track ares screams in your face quite literally, with a relatively rappy style that have been shown on previous tracks such as "She's hearing voices". The section of sweet singing at 2:17 is almost as much a shock as someone shouting in a quiet silence, with the proceeding racket grabbing you and shaking you the pause is one of unease not knowing when to expect the next throttling.
The 2nd song and 1st single is mercury showing their lust for experimenting and testing themselves. Starting with the effects on the vocals with kele shouting "m-mercury's in retrograde" he starts to loop his own voice as a thumping beat comes in before kele keeps the theme of a more rap-come-sing style. A brass set comes in building to intense cruscendoes as though in an old fashioned horror movie. As it all hits a peak and promises a change of style, a more aggresive, experimental style in comes halo, bringing closer to the bloc party we know. Good but nothing original.
Biko is a lulling song with a crisp high voice, singing beautiful lyrics such as:
--for my sweetheart,
the Melancholic
you crossed the river states
and the waves have taken you away
as I lay my head on your chest
I can hear it in your veins
wake me up when you come to bed
so toughen up biko toughen up biko toughen up
this world isn't kind to little things--
You can feel the sense of loss and love, as well as helplessness about the person involved, its their most beautiful song to date along with signs.
Signs carries the same emotional punch with lyrics such as:"I can sleep forever these days,Cause in my dreams I see you again" and "I see signs now all the time,That you’re not dead, you're sleeping,I believe in anything,That brings you back home to me".
My personal favourite and destined single success is One Month Off, choppy guitars reminiscent of Helicopter with a bouncy beat and aggresive powerful lyrics "I can be as cruel as you, fighting fire with firewood".
Zepherus brings back memories of the prayer with monk like drones and an incessant beat however it follows closer to the likes of waiting for the 7.18 with kele wailing emotional lyrics about a need between two people as well as regret.
As the album draws to a close "better than heaven" comes in merging the two types of song from throughout the album into one with ballad like singing and a higher tempo pulsing chorus in one of the most successful tracks on the album.
The album closer is Ion square which is largely dissapointing, not for content rather originality, mimicking its more succesful,older brother blue light.
All in all it reaches for the sky and gets the clouds, striving for an album that experiments whilst having beautiful songs, floorfillers and songs that shake you to the core, but is mixed in its results. Stand-out tracks are one month off, biko and better than heaven, and as a whole manages to show glimpses that there on the road to an album which fulfils silent alarms promise. Keep striving lads and good effort: 8/10
The 2nd song and 1st single is mercury showing their lust for experimenting and testing themselves. Starting with the effects on the vocals with kele shouting "m-mercury's in retrograde" he starts to loop his own voice as a thumping beat comes in before kele keeps the theme of a more rap-come-sing style. A brass set comes in building to intense cruscendoes as though in an old fashioned horror movie. As it all hits a peak and promises a change of style, a more aggresive, experimental style in comes halo, bringing closer to the bloc party we know. Good but nothing original.
Biko is a lulling song with a crisp high voice, singing beautiful lyrics such as:
--for my sweetheart,
the Melancholic
you crossed the river states
and the waves have taken you away
as I lay my head on your chest
I can hear it in your veins
wake me up when you come to bed
so toughen up biko toughen up biko toughen up
this world isn't kind to little things--
You can feel the sense of loss and love, as well as helplessness about the person involved, its their most beautiful song to date along with signs.
Signs carries the same emotional punch with lyrics such as:"I can sleep forever these days,Cause in my dreams I see you again" and "I see signs now all the time,That you’re not dead, you're sleeping,I believe in anything,That brings you back home to me".
My personal favourite and destined single success is One Month Off, choppy guitars reminiscent of Helicopter with a bouncy beat and aggresive powerful lyrics "I can be as cruel as you, fighting fire with firewood".
Zepherus brings back memories of the prayer with monk like drones and an incessant beat however it follows closer to the likes of waiting for the 7.18 with kele wailing emotional lyrics about a need between two people as well as regret.
As the album draws to a close "better than heaven" comes in merging the two types of song from throughout the album into one with ballad like singing and a higher tempo pulsing chorus in one of the most successful tracks on the album.
The album closer is Ion square which is largely dissapointing, not for content rather originality, mimicking its more succesful,older brother blue light.
All in all it reaches for the sky and gets the clouds, striving for an album that experiments whilst having beautiful songs, floorfillers and songs that shake you to the core, but is mixed in its results. Stand-out tracks are one month off, biko and better than heaven, and as a whole manages to show glimpses that there on the road to an album which fulfils silent alarms promise. Keep striving lads and good effort: 8/10
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