Maximo Park are a north east indie band, which have come out with some great indie tracks with the sharp bite of punk combined with some pop sensibilities. Their opening album 'A Certain Trigger' fit this description to a tee, with songs such as apply some pressure and graffiti packing the punch of their live shows. The second album 'Our Earthly Pleasures' took the band in a different direction, although 'Our Velocity' followed the formula that proved succesful with the fans, other tracks took a much more sensitive and mellow approach. Each album offered something different for the fans to warm to, however it was unclear which direction they would take in their 3rd album.
Opening track Wraithlike chucks listeners straight into the mix with jangling guitars and an ever present war siren sound grabbing you by the throat as Paul Smith sings with trademark passion 'A list of wraithlike things, That quicken the heart!'. A tale of a forgotten love as he sings 'She said i'd forget her voice, that's untrue, it's just not as clear as before'. 'The Penultimate Clinch' shows the bands more intelectual angle, with a sophisticated name and a Joy Division-esque bassline. Following the pattern is a over intelectualised analogy of love 'But it's like dismantling
A decommissioned spacecraft,Some parts you can't destroy' not the most romantic of analogies. Ultimately this track is forgettable with what seems like a forced chorus. Fortunately the next track that comes along is single 'The Kids Are Sick Again' a track whose depressing message of a meaningless life for children of this generation is covered by jangling guitars and pounding drums. The pace is relentless throughout with a swirl of instruments, along with the sing-along build up lines 'I-Don't-Mind, Losing self respect, i've done it before and i'll do it again' and 'The kids are sick again, Nothing to look forward to' that are just aching to be screamed live. A good choice for a single, however it doesn't quite hold up to previous singles such as 'Apply Some Pressure' and 'Our Velocity'. The more emotional vocals that were displayed on the second album are displayed in 'Cloud of mystery' a track with funky instrumentals with smith cooing 'Why can't we always meet, Under a cloud of mystery' a sentiment to grab hold of the moments of intrigue in the openings of romance. The passionate singing and upbeat instumentals make this one of the standout tracks on the albums showing a growing maturity in the bands style.
'Calm' is a steady song, that only really kicks into anything worthwhile about half way, with the line that marks out Smith as different from the loud rowdy indie crowd 'I don't know much about bravery, but I'll raise you up with my bad jokes and loose promises'. Similarly bitter track 'In another world' only really picks up any originality in the second half, once the melody picks up some pace. Smith opens with aggresion 'Your looking so pleased with yourself, I'm gonna come over there and wipe that smile of your face' with the contrast of more yearning vocals by smith 'In another world, you'd have found yourself by now'. An unspectacular pair of songs, if only to fill the gaps in the album between the more impressive songs such as next track 'Let's get clinical' again with funky basslines and Smith showing he has some vocal talent singing 'Oooo it's criminal, Ohhh let's get clinical' with a toe tapping melody and echoing Ooo's making this one of the standout's for a second single, with some cracking lyrics 'Bare ankles used to mean adventure, with you they still do'. Smith again flexes his lyrical muscles in 'Roller Disco Dreams' with the lyrics 'We shared a bed but never touched, Next time we compensated in a rush'. A relentless flurry of guitars and passionate vocals 'I just wanna kiss youu!' and lyrics 'And if its a growerr, Why can't we take things slower' in trademark northern tones make this another strong track. The pace slows with tanned as Smith longily sings 'She was my reward, And i was hers' along with adolescent memories where 'Her mother let me stay, After the disco made us deaf' another average song to fill in the gaps along with 'Questing, not coasting' with not enough intention and passion to grab the listener. 'Overland, West of Suez' takes up this mantel however, with a frenetic pace and well sung vocals, however where this is let down is with uninspiring lyrics 'I thought I saw your older sister, I was gonna ask after you, North of Suez west of britain'. Final track has one of the most literal names in the music business (I haven't seen her in ages) fortunately however it is a highly enjoyable song with a plodding and pleasant melody with further yearning 'I would put my arms around you, by the kitchen sing, I would hold on until you start to dream' and a playful chorus 'She ripped me to shreds, I haven't seen her in ages', ending the album on a high.
All in all a tricky album to review, standout tracks have to be Wraithlike, The Kids Are Sick Again, A Cloud of Mystery, Haven't Seen Her in Ages and strongest track Let's Get Clinical. However for all that these songs show promise there are far too many average tracks on this album to rate it too highly, though if heard seperately each song may have listeners toes tapping put together they show too little promise. Therefore Maximo have created an album that will not rule them out of the race just let, relying on their stronger songs and their live performances for now, however next time around they need to up their game : 6.5/ 10
Monday 4 May 2009
Saturday 10 January 2009
Mr Hudson and The Library- A tale of two cities
Mr hudson and the library are a band which are quite hard to define, an eclectic mixmash of reggae, ska, pop and jazz. This brings about images of a band along the lines of the specials however, but that image would prodominately be wrong. This band comprises of Mr hudson, the lead singer, a well respected man, who graduated from oxford, wears an array of hats and woolen tank tops. He himself has since embarked on a solo mission, ditching the library from his name and helping to produce kanye wests album as well as touring with him. The rest of the band are a well respected keyboardist with a huge afro, one of the most respected steel drum players as well as a guitarist, bassist and drummer respectively. The band have supported the likes of Amy Winehouse, Groove armada and Paolo Nutini, as well as their own tour comprising of touring 12 libraries across the country, a quirk maybe, but the band garnered good support from critical reviews.
The album opens with the track "On the streets were you live" bringing the sound of car horns, before a heavy drum and bassline kick in, with Mr hudson lamenting over the top in his crisp, suave voice "does enchantment pour out of every door? no its just here on the street where she lives" showing that sometimes just a place can conjur up more emotion than you would imagine. Into the chorus comes the lyrics "oh what a nautious feeling, just to know that she's near, oh what a tower block feeling, just to know that anytime she could suddenly appear" coinciding with the sound of the roll of gentle steel drums, and vocal echoes. A solid and enjoyable song to open with. Brave the cold follows on with the clang of piano, as Mr hudson and Joy Joseph (steel drummer) take part in a call-and-answer exchange "say we step outside" "come on come on" "cause we could brave the cold" "yeah we could brave the cold" "the night is on freeze frame" "double brandies" "triple glaze the cold from my soul"
before the song kicks on, a prominent drum beat kicks in as fingers run up and down the bass to make for a funky sound. The chorus "take us out tonight, take us out tonight, in the backseat please, take us somewhere new" rolls throughout the song, with "ooohs" and backing singer melodies peppered throughout the song. Again another solid enjoyable song.
Third song and first single from the band "Too late, Too late" is one of the albums strong points and ultimately where the album starts to come strong. The song opens with gentle guitar strums, as Mr hudson sings over the top "why must i always play the clown?" before the song kicks in with piano, steel drums, bass and drums all kicking in at once, a tight reggae melody uplifting the song. The song is peppered with the lyrics "Its too late too late too late too late too late to wash my face and hands" telling tales of pushing on against the tide of an unlucky night "Fall out the bath fall in the car throw up just pull that window down" followed by "lets have a beer another beer that is a fine idea my man". A standout out line in the song has to be "She's looking good I'm in the mood step up and try to make her smile try to make her smile, I need a line this time a chat up kind to steal the deal in time " the song all the while keeping an uplifting reggae tinged beat, offset by a modern style, which typifies the album.
Next song "Everything happens to me" changes the pace, with the sound of rain pattering down the backdrop to a tinkling piano, as Hudson rues "i make a date for golf, you can bet your life it rains, flatwarming got started, and the bitch next door complained" the song continuing in the same vain with each verse ending with the title line "everything happens to me". As all songs on the album, romance is not too far in the background, as tales of a lady begin to be told "At first i thought, that you might break this jinx for me, your love would bring an end to my despair" ending with the line "I fell in love just once, did it have to be with you, everything happens to me" and all the lines in between summing up Hudson's painful feelings. Albeit a less upbeat song than others, nevertheless a very good song summing up how at times we can all feel like things never go our way.
'Cover girl' tells the tale of, as the title suggests, a woman who could never become her dreams of staring on the cover of a magazine. The song opens with a offset skittish beat and heavy bass, brilliantly arranged as the guitars twang in and the singer comes in with the line "Beauty is in the eye, of the beholder, if you believe that, darling i'm lookin' at you" a clever line by Mr hudson. Following this up is more possibly cheesy, possibly genius lines "darling you'll never be a covergirl, just facing facts, your face isn't right, and i'll never want, i'll never want another girl now i've seen you in this light" the joyous beat carrying on through, giving the singer free range to lamment over the top.
Again romance is one of the keys to this album, as serenading finger plucked guitar opens the track '2x2' surely a reference to noah, here suggesting "2 by 2 the lovers step, through the crisp still falling evening snow" a romantic picture indeed, Hudson furthermore pleading "I hope that they will, i hope they lead me to your door" the song again jangling with piano's, steel drums and gently plucked guitar. As the song progresses tales of relationships progress "The music's loud, The party's hot, The people are the kind I'd like to,Sit and talk with a while" however love drives through "I'd love to stay but no she's going, So I drop her off on the way, She'll need her coat it's started snowing". Another good slow burner as Hudson overlaps his own voice, with the aforementioned lyrics over the top of the line "I won't feel the cold, not now i hear the music taking hold".
'Bread + Roses' is another of the standout tracks from the album, combining all the elements that make this band interesting, the skittish beat of drums, exotically strummed guitars and the jangling of steel drums, all combined with Hudsons ability to create good harmonies and lyrics. Throughout the song, Joy Joseph again echoes the occasional line to create pleasant harmonies, as each tells the story of someone whose only love is cash, telling them "why not give blood make love and don't think twice? too many men they are just trying to get paper" a cracking ode'to'life asking "what you gonna do with all that cash? it must get boring, being so flash".
Again the band are so tight that when the band comes to a close and each part is working in harmony, everything just fits into place brilliantly, a song along with 'Too late, Too late' which begs the question as to how this band are not bigger.
'Ask the Dj' keeps the pace, opening with aggresively strummed guitar, as Hudson groans "somethings not right, there's a hole in my life, so i wander the clubs, looking for some soul looking for some life" as the singer continues "all i find is you, but you make me laugh and thats a start" as the song whips into the chorus "You ask me, 'What tune is this?', I don't know but I like it, If you ask the DJ, On Monday I'll buy it". Another good song that builds up the pace throughout as the instruments continue to twang, tinkle and clang.
"It's always the sunny days, that bring me down, when i'm reminded that your not around" opens 'picture of you' a slow regretful song, with haunting piano's. Hudson consoles himelf however "I’ve got a picture of you wherever I go, A sweet reminder from you to me, That I’m never alone" continuing with his great romantic one liners (i may try them myself one day) "Keep your cars, cigars and frosted rings, Without you here they don’t mean a thing". A sentimental song, but again cleverly constructed with each instrument coming in perfectly, to create a melody to match the lyrics.
Track 10, as the album begins to close, a reggae sounding guitar, opens 'one specific thing'. A song about an argument in a relationship, as the singer says "It wasn't one specific thing that you did, it wasn't one specific thing that you said" running away from his troubles "I'm really sorry that i took the car, but i just had to get out of town" quite an uplifting song considering the topic as Mr Hudson continues to bare his soul.
Following suit 'ghosts' is a song that combines elements of those before, sounding similar to 'Picture of you', a sweeping piano opens as Mr hudson reminiscently sings " Like ghosts we both appear, In this Polaroid I'll treasure through the years, Full of promise and of smiles, We are happily quite ignorant of pain". However as it appears the heart of hudson hurts as he continues "And oh, how life can quickly change, You can't predict the rain or second guess the stars" another great point about how life can turn like the flip of a coin.
'Upon the heath' sticks to the jangly mellow tone, however offering some hope to end on, with the lyrics turning "Upon the heath we sit, Trying to make some sense of it, These mushrooms help a bit, Help us think, How we ought to think" again a romantic scene painted by the singer of a closeness of mind and body. Against the tide of the album the renewed sense of optimism is everpresent "There's nothing in our way, And no ones dyeing here, There's nothing in our way, We've nothing left to fear". A strong end to the album, again with good vocal melodies by Hudson and Joseph, a clap beat to keep pace, and atmospherics throughout.
All in all its quite a surprise this album hasn't been more in the spotlight. The accessability of the album is here for all to see, the combination of uplifting reggae tunes as well as slow burners mean that this could easily sit in your typical london cafe', however there is more to this album than just immediate accessability. The band itself are very original, how many bands have you heard using a steel drum in what is essentially a form of pop? combining this with other great instrumentalists on guitar, piano and drums respectively works for an interesting treat for the ears. On top of this Mr Hudson appears to be a clever man, who also has a heart and wit, shown by his constant throwaway commentaries on life and love. Its not hard to see how this band could have, and should have become bigger than they are, maybe this will come as Mr hudson persues his own solo career (although it seems he may just have kept the backing band, just dropped them from his name).
8/10
The album opens with the track "On the streets were you live" bringing the sound of car horns, before a heavy drum and bassline kick in, with Mr hudson lamenting over the top in his crisp, suave voice "does enchantment pour out of every door? no its just here on the street where she lives" showing that sometimes just a place can conjur up more emotion than you would imagine. Into the chorus comes the lyrics "oh what a nautious feeling, just to know that she's near, oh what a tower block feeling, just to know that anytime she could suddenly appear" coinciding with the sound of the roll of gentle steel drums, and vocal echoes. A solid and enjoyable song to open with. Brave the cold follows on with the clang of piano, as Mr hudson and Joy Joseph (steel drummer) take part in a call-and-answer exchange "say we step outside" "come on come on" "cause we could brave the cold" "yeah we could brave the cold" "the night is on freeze frame" "double brandies" "triple glaze the cold from my soul"
before the song kicks on, a prominent drum beat kicks in as fingers run up and down the bass to make for a funky sound. The chorus "take us out tonight, take us out tonight, in the backseat please, take us somewhere new" rolls throughout the song, with "ooohs" and backing singer melodies peppered throughout the song. Again another solid enjoyable song.
Third song and first single from the band "Too late, Too late" is one of the albums strong points and ultimately where the album starts to come strong. The song opens with gentle guitar strums, as Mr hudson sings over the top "why must i always play the clown?" before the song kicks in with piano, steel drums, bass and drums all kicking in at once, a tight reggae melody uplifting the song. The song is peppered with the lyrics "Its too late too late too late too late too late to wash my face and hands" telling tales of pushing on against the tide of an unlucky night "Fall out the bath fall in the car throw up just pull that window down" followed by "lets have a beer another beer that is a fine idea my man". A standout out line in the song has to be "She's looking good I'm in the mood step up and try to make her smile try to make her smile, I need a line this time a chat up kind to steal the deal in time " the song all the while keeping an uplifting reggae tinged beat, offset by a modern style, which typifies the album.
Next song "Everything happens to me" changes the pace, with the sound of rain pattering down the backdrop to a tinkling piano, as Hudson rues "i make a date for golf, you can bet your life it rains, flatwarming got started, and the bitch next door complained" the song continuing in the same vain with each verse ending with the title line "everything happens to me". As all songs on the album, romance is not too far in the background, as tales of a lady begin to be told "At first i thought, that you might break this jinx for me, your love would bring an end to my despair" ending with the line "I fell in love just once, did it have to be with you, everything happens to me" and all the lines in between summing up Hudson's painful feelings. Albeit a less upbeat song than others, nevertheless a very good song summing up how at times we can all feel like things never go our way.
'Cover girl' tells the tale of, as the title suggests, a woman who could never become her dreams of staring on the cover of a magazine. The song opens with a offset skittish beat and heavy bass, brilliantly arranged as the guitars twang in and the singer comes in with the line "Beauty is in the eye, of the beholder, if you believe that, darling i'm lookin' at you" a clever line by Mr hudson. Following this up is more possibly cheesy, possibly genius lines "darling you'll never be a covergirl, just facing facts, your face isn't right, and i'll never want, i'll never want another girl now i've seen you in this light" the joyous beat carrying on through, giving the singer free range to lamment over the top.
Again romance is one of the keys to this album, as serenading finger plucked guitar opens the track '2x2' surely a reference to noah, here suggesting "2 by 2 the lovers step, through the crisp still falling evening snow" a romantic picture indeed, Hudson furthermore pleading "I hope that they will, i hope they lead me to your door" the song again jangling with piano's, steel drums and gently plucked guitar. As the song progresses tales of relationships progress "The music's loud, The party's hot, The people are the kind I'd like to,Sit and talk with a while" however love drives through "I'd love to stay but no she's going, So I drop her off on the way, She'll need her coat it's started snowing". Another good slow burner as Hudson overlaps his own voice, with the aforementioned lyrics over the top of the line "I won't feel the cold, not now i hear the music taking hold".
'Bread + Roses' is another of the standout tracks from the album, combining all the elements that make this band interesting, the skittish beat of drums, exotically strummed guitars and the jangling of steel drums, all combined with Hudsons ability to create good harmonies and lyrics. Throughout the song, Joy Joseph again echoes the occasional line to create pleasant harmonies, as each tells the story of someone whose only love is cash, telling them "why not give blood make love and don't think twice? too many men they are just trying to get paper" a cracking ode'to'life asking "what you gonna do with all that cash? it must get boring, being so flash".
Again the band are so tight that when the band comes to a close and each part is working in harmony, everything just fits into place brilliantly, a song along with 'Too late, Too late' which begs the question as to how this band are not bigger.
'Ask the Dj' keeps the pace, opening with aggresively strummed guitar, as Hudson groans "somethings not right, there's a hole in my life, so i wander the clubs, looking for some soul looking for some life" as the singer continues "all i find is you, but you make me laugh and thats a start" as the song whips into the chorus "You ask me, 'What tune is this?', I don't know but I like it, If you ask the DJ, On Monday I'll buy it". Another good song that builds up the pace throughout as the instruments continue to twang, tinkle and clang.
"It's always the sunny days, that bring me down, when i'm reminded that your not around" opens 'picture of you' a slow regretful song, with haunting piano's. Hudson consoles himelf however "I’ve got a picture of you wherever I go, A sweet reminder from you to me, That I’m never alone" continuing with his great romantic one liners (i may try them myself one day) "Keep your cars, cigars and frosted rings, Without you here they don’t mean a thing". A sentimental song, but again cleverly constructed with each instrument coming in perfectly, to create a melody to match the lyrics.
Track 10, as the album begins to close, a reggae sounding guitar, opens 'one specific thing'. A song about an argument in a relationship, as the singer says "It wasn't one specific thing that you did, it wasn't one specific thing that you said" running away from his troubles "I'm really sorry that i took the car, but i just had to get out of town" quite an uplifting song considering the topic as Mr Hudson continues to bare his soul.
Following suit 'ghosts' is a song that combines elements of those before, sounding similar to 'Picture of you', a sweeping piano opens as Mr hudson reminiscently sings " Like ghosts we both appear, In this Polaroid I'll treasure through the years, Full of promise and of smiles, We are happily quite ignorant of pain". However as it appears the heart of hudson hurts as he continues "And oh, how life can quickly change, You can't predict the rain or second guess the stars" another great point about how life can turn like the flip of a coin.
'Upon the heath' sticks to the jangly mellow tone, however offering some hope to end on, with the lyrics turning "Upon the heath we sit, Trying to make some sense of it, These mushrooms help a bit, Help us think, How we ought to think" again a romantic scene painted by the singer of a closeness of mind and body. Against the tide of the album the renewed sense of optimism is everpresent "There's nothing in our way, And no ones dyeing here, There's nothing in our way, We've nothing left to fear". A strong end to the album, again with good vocal melodies by Hudson and Joseph, a clap beat to keep pace, and atmospherics throughout.
All in all its quite a surprise this album hasn't been more in the spotlight. The accessability of the album is here for all to see, the combination of uplifting reggae tunes as well as slow burners mean that this could easily sit in your typical london cafe', however there is more to this album than just immediate accessability. The band itself are very original, how many bands have you heard using a steel drum in what is essentially a form of pop? combining this with other great instrumentalists on guitar, piano and drums respectively works for an interesting treat for the ears. On top of this Mr Hudson appears to be a clever man, who also has a heart and wit, shown by his constant throwaway commentaries on life and love. Its not hard to see how this band could have, and should have become bigger than they are, maybe this will come as Mr hudson persues his own solo career (although it seems he may just have kept the backing band, just dropped them from his name).
8/10
Tuesday 25 November 2008
Kanye West-808's & heartbreak
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
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
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
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