LPF Album Reviews 2.0

[Stenners]

New layout new album review page from yours truley, I have baught alot of albums recently out of shere boredem so expect the biggest damned update ever!

 

First page: New Releases

 

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New Releases:

Artist: The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Album: The Good, The Bad & The Queen

Price: £10

Released: January 2007

Genre: Indie Rock

Summary: People looking for hooky Blur songs or dancey Gorrilaz songs, look else ware.

A super band, nothing much good has ever come out of the ‘Super Band’ often because they really aren’t a super band, just a collection of has been artists that have had their day and some hits about 10 years ago. Said and point this is sort of true Verve and Clash are over but having said that, were both truly remarkable bands. Blur was a hit spinning machine and Gorrilaz were also, danger mouse enjoying time with Cee-Lo has been spinning hits to. In theory this album should be the catchiest and hookiest album to come out this year? NO! For whatever reason they have ditched what they do best to come up with an obscure sound, does it work? Well yes sometimes, am I glad they did this? Not really. None of these songs are original or arty enough to be classed as ‘Good music’ and none of them are catchy enough to ever be indie disco floor fillers so why get it? Some of the tunes are good but nothing really hits above average.

6/10

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Artist: Klaxons

Album: Myths Of The Near Future

Genre: Nu – Rave

Price: From £7.95

Released: January 2007

Summary: Pop re-written in this gem of an album

Every year has a genre of music, last year was shamefully emo but 2007 looks to be a year of much brighter colours and much more energy as Nu-Rave looks set to be huge. The first of these bands to sell it big in 2007 is ‘Klaxons’. A band that uses escapism in all of their songs and when they should in theory be embarrassing they are actually a brilliant pop band. YES I said pop band, that’s what they are and they are proud of it, they know that’s what they are and that’s why it works, not trying to kid them self’s like Snow Patrol, Keane, U2 & Coldplay who think they are alternative & innovating song writers, truth be told if they said they were pop bands they would probably have more credibility. The case is true for Klaxons who now have indie credibility and mainstream acceptance, good on them.

8/10

 

 

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Artist: The Shins

Album: Winching The Night Away

Genre: Indie Pop

Price: From £9.99

Released: January 2007

Summary: Sub-Pops biggest selling band since Nirvana do good, again!

The Shins shouldn’t be big, it makes no sense, sure they do make some nice melodies and great hooks but they aren’t the typical soppy ‘big band’. They don’t chart highly, they don’t hog radio airtime yet where do these sales come from? Well word of mouth has been their main ally over the years and now I’m telling you guys so it helps them in the end don’t it! This album is a delightfully soft mix of synths and acoustic music and it works brilliantly, not as good as chutes too narrow but still a very strong album fit for proper indie rockers to Keane fans alike. They are what Keane/Snow Patrol would sound like if they had an ounce of inspiration amongst them, get it.

8.5/10

[Stenners]

New Releases Page 2 Little Man Tate;

 

New Releases Page 2

 

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Artist: Little Man Tate:

Album: About What You Know

Price: 7.99 (Regular) 9.99 (DVD Special edition)

Released: January 2007

Genre: Indie/Pop Rock/Punk

Summary: Arctic Monkeys are from Sheffield so every other band there must be great to! This is sort of true this time.

Remember when Oasis burst on the scene and put Manchester back on the rock ‘n’ roll map? Well every band soon after came from Manchester, had Mancurian sound or wore mop hair. Times haven’t changed, The Kooks discovery has landed the UK with a Brighton sound and scene, Wales is full of emo potential every emo band comes from Wales and now with Arctic Monkeys all the cheeky chappy sounds shall now be that of the Sheffield scene. So what else do we know about ‘Little Man Tate’ well I know that they are hotly tipped to be one of the contenders to wave the flag on behalf of the Sheffield music scene, but with Arctic Monkeys coming out with a new album in April this is unlikely. Anyways yea they do sound pretty similar to the Monkeys but not too similar! It was key that they didn’t! And they don’t so that’s a good start.

The album opens with the single ‘Man I Hate Your Band’ a cheeky chap affair talking about over hyped bands whose songs all sound the same, got a record deal and likely not to exist in a years time. Now this is a pretty good sing song- song but not too much more, nothing that creative on offer there. ‘European Lover’ a little more conventional follows ‘Man I Hate Your Band’ now this does sound like a typical British rock song! To say it’s bad would be unfair; to say it’s great would be idiotic but to be honest its just a fairly good Brit rock song that you here from about every other band now days and it’s because of that it won’t ever pass ‘Fairly good’. This problem just follows the band about everywhere they go, this their biggest single ‘Sexy In Latin’ is a real nice dancey song and shows at least some interesting moments, the problem is it sounds like… well… an Arctic Monkeys song, almost as if they stole it from them when they were at the bar getting the round in. Anyways it’s still a very cool song likely to storm the Indie disco’s (I have heard it played recently) and yes it’s slowly becoming a floor filler, floor fillers always get my praise so I praise thee! ‘This Must Be Love’ is the typical lad rock slow song that is a minimal requirement on lad rock! Just like a title that’s 3 lines long is essential for any emo record, this song is pretty nice and has a pretty strong hook it would again be insane to say it’s great but it’s enjoyable think Arctic Monkeys meets Ordinary Boys with a tad of The Kooks, yes they do lack a sound of their own, in case you haven’t noticed.

Follow onto another huge song ‘House Party At Boothy’s’ the best song on the album in my opinion, another floor filler in the making the lyrics are a bit ludicrous and predictable but it’s so easy to relate, this is totally a anthem to lads having a drink so all is forgiven within its flaw ‘It’s winner stays on, on the Sony Playstation’ oh yea can totally relate (honestly), the piano addition towards the end is actually quite nice touch. ‘Who Invented These Lists’ is probably one of the bands more inspired and interesting moments… its not that inspired or interesting but again like the rest of the album you can’t help but fall in love with their boys with be boys charm, you can’t possibly hate this song but like all the others you can’t possibly love it, likely single? It has got the makings of one it has to be said. ‘Court Report’ follows this isn’t really at all charming, kind of like… why, here is that filler I been waiting for. The lyrics are funny… in some people’s eyes maybe. Why talk about cross-dressing footballers? I don’t know, I’m pretty sure the are more things to talk about in lad rock on your first album than that, whatever you say why not talk about full English breakfasts first, man whoares later J. The song is fairly average as a whole the hook falls flat and the melody isn’t that catchy, you need both for this type of rock. ‘Little Big Man’ is an improvement, it’s a thumping adrenalin pumper, sounds like Arctic Monkeys again, only with a really harmonious chorus, it’s good enough and I’m sure Arctic Monkeys may of discovered where half of the songs they lost for their 2nd album went but I cant seem to really slag them off for this sound snatch because in some way their appeal just lets them do it without a care, 1 more time lads and I will disown any liking to you! Next comes up the song ‘3 Day Rule’ you almost wish they carried on this kind of style all the way threw the album, it is interesting, it is their own (sort of) but for arguments sate lets pretend this will from now on be their sound, it will be better for all involved this way, stand out moment. Oh I bet you can’t guess what the song is about! This album closes with ‘This Isn’t My Girlfriend’ which again is pretty strong but makes you think, this band could be big… as long as he don’t get arrested for sexual charges soon.

Whilst a capable band, and they do offer their own lads charm they don’t have any edge and they don’t have a sound of their own, more of a disguised Arctic Monkeys song, but what did you expect. The exact same thing happened with Oasis, this band can potentially last but only if they get their own sound will they ever leave an in-print in the pop scene. They are alright at the end of the day and make a nice snack whilst we wait for the main course ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare‘ served on 23rd April 2007.

6.5/10

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Artist: The Used

Title: Berth

Genre: Emo/Live

Price: Around £12

Summary: Emo bands and there live sets are as common as teens and their zits, the are several for everyone!

Oh come on, the general rule for live CDs are simple, it has to be a must see performance, once in a life time or the band has to at least be able to put on one hell of a show live. Think Nirvana unplugged, a genuine treat of a live album this on the other hand show cases AGAIN (this is their 2nd one after all) how pitifully weak this band are live, the production is terrible though they probably had little to work with. The intro is good with the most depressing things your ever going to hear sets this set up brilliantly and leaves you in the state of mind your going to be when you realised you bought this or wasted precious time downloading this piece of shit your going to want to disown your family, call it a day and cut off your ears.

1.5/10

[Jeezy]

I missed your reviews...I'm gonna check out Klaxons soon...

[Stenners]

Page 3- New Releases Bloc Party; Noisettes; Futurepilot AKA

 

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Artist: Bloc Party

Album: Weekend In The City

Genre: Rock/Indie

Price: Around £9

Caption: One of early 2007’s most eagerly anticipated albums is finally amongst us but does it live up to the hype?

 

‘Silent Alarm’ was a great album as Bloc Party quickly developed a devote fan base they where to become one of the biggest success stories of 2005. Though they really didn’t have a voice or opinion in ‘Silent Alarm’ they where one of these shy no nonsense bands that didn’t really open up or speak up. The anti-climax in ‘Weekend In The City’ is massive, this is one very out spoken and very political album and it has to be said this mood does suit the band down to a tee. The album sounds much bigger, more defined and much more focused than ‘Silent Alarm’ its just one huge album with massive choruses but it’s the content I’m most impressed with. Finally we have a mainstream band in the UK that has a message and a voice without sounding artificial or fake and that alone makes this album an essential purchase, not as fun as the first album but still a massively good listen.

8/10

 

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Artist: The Noisettes

Album: Whats The Time MR.Wolf?

Genre: Indie Punk

Price: £9

 

The band which have been touted as the UK’s answer to the ‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ is this a fair comparison? Well listening to the album it does have some similarities to the excellent ‘Fever To Tell’ by the ‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ but with all the similarities there are quite a few differences. For one thing this no electronic element to the band really (cept the guitars, duh) the vocalist, though brilliant isn’t quite as intense as Karen of the ‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ though is equally strange in many respects! Right now after laying down the comparisons does the album sound the part? In a word ‘Yes’ it does indeed, the first 7 in particular offer some real highlights of pop punk with hooks by the dozen whilst offering variety they never really exit a basic formula but that’s fine by me as it works well. The opener ‘Don’t Give Up’ offers the most indie disco potential with a quite simply intoxicating guitar riff that makes you shake your thing and want to grab the nearest person and drag them onto the dance floor, where as ‘Scratch Your Name’ is a great sing along song with essences of ‘Death From Above’ it’s sort of a launch back in time. ‘Sister Rosetta’, which is the 2nd single of the album, follows quickly, similar to ‘Don’t Give Up’ it still has indie disco potential though isn’t quite as intoxicating or fun and hasn’t got as much swagger, still very enjoyable. ‘Bridge To Canada’ shows the bands hooks can greatly be enhanced by backing vocals, the backing vocals on this track MAKE the hook and a result is a thumping sing along shouting ‘BRIDGE TO CANADA!’ great fun, the intro to the next track, ‘IWE’ sounds so pixie that it was probably and I’m sure of this ripped straight from ‘There Goes Your Gun’ no references to guns this time, these quite peaceful indie folk, no violence here! Again the vocals are spot on and the heavy marching formula returns. Not quite as hooky as the previous tracks but still enjoyable, unfortunately one of the last memorable songs. ‘Nothing To Dread’ is another infectious likely to be single indie disco favourite, with another infectious guitar riff and hook, it goes from madness to a soft bridge it works really well, after this, the album sort of… falls short. ‘Mind The Gap’ is an interesting but ultimately flawed idea, Cannot Even (Break Free) is totally forgettable to the point its hard to remember ever hearing it and ‘Hierarchy’ is a soft riffing session, it seems with very little build up and doesn’t really go anywhere.

Sure the end may be a little lack lustre and at times the vocals sound like Tommy from the Rugrats (its weird to hear a rugrat on a punk song) but the is one thing that, at least the start of the album shows, they know how to put swagger & life into their songs, full of personality & mass appeal this is an album with great potential. Not only does this prove they aren’t just a poor mans ‘Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ but also that they are up there with the best of them.

 

Rating: 7.75/10

 

[Stenners]

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Artist: Future Pilot AKA

Album: Secrets From The Clockwise

Genre: Alternative Rock

Price: £10

Rejecting to tour with Kylie Minouge would be, in many peoples books, a catastrophic career move, it probably is but to a musician it’s a way to keep your credibility thinking more about the music he produces rather than the audience he reaches. This, his 3rd album, is at times brilliant and at times totally, totally flawed which kills the album in a sense. Featuring many indie heroes such as ‘Belle & Sebastian’ and ‘Sonic Youth’ you would think this album would have been a flawless affair which would be critically acclaimed and would have been, given time, on the Top 100 albums of all time lists by many a person. Simple, it won’t no matter the time or the competition that follows.

To stop sounding so negative about the album, it is generally for the most part enjoyable but isn’t anything special. The opener ‘Nothing Without You’ is an example of when the guy gets it right, brilliant vocal performance from Vinita Dade over a nicely produced and composed Asian back track it gets the album off to the start I expected. However soon after the lunacy appears when ‘Lights Of The City’ comes on, it’s SUCH a nice track but its messed up as Sushil decides to break this track up into… I don’t know 5 parts threw the album so this track is cut horrendously short and this happens many times and it’s not that clever as each segment feels unfinished and wrecks the flow of the album, I’m assuming the original idea was to carry a theme and flow but it just doesn’t do it for me, trying to be too clever. ‘Eyes OF Love’ (track 3) is a standout moment of the album, two-tone toe tapping fun featuring the vocal power of Belle & Sebastian’s ‘interesting’ vocalist Stuart Murdoch, it works very well though not too fitting with the rest of the album. ‘Equations Of Love’ is part 2 of ‘Lights Of The City’, same backing and same lyrics but done spoken word, it don’t work. Follow this by an instrumental interlude that is meant to bridge ‘Lights Of The City’ with ‘It’s In The Heart Of Everyone’ when keeping it on the same track would of done, ya know, same backing, same lyrics only now back to being vocally delivered. ‘It’s In The Heart Of Everyone’ is the best segment however and is a nice listen. ‘Boomerang’ is very forgettable but is a nice listen, Tu Meta Mata should be the same, but its overly long. It works on the stop start formula that works so well on fast rock songs but not slow Arabic ones, it kills the track totally. The pointless interlude which again might as well be a part of ‘Tu Meta Mata’ that follows is just annoying ‘Mata Returns’ oh really that’s nice, why did she return, she returned enough in the previous track now go away, again maybe a bit too arty and smart. The City Of Lights is, I don’t know… part #6 of track #3, word association a long interlude but it’s okay, though you wont want to listen to it after a couple spins, finally after a catastrophic downward spiral we get to the STAND out track ‘Nuclear War’ featuring ‘Sonic Youth’ its truly a bizarre affair featuring kazoo air sirens, riffing guitars and a general bouncy tune and with Thurston and Kim simply going ‘Nuclear war…. Yeah yea’ over and over it shouldn’t work but believe me, it’s a gem. ‘Shenedoah’ is a beautiful haunting folk song, its just real nice background music ‘Changes’ is a dreamy & warm display which is just again a joy to listen to in the background or when your studying or chilling out, it’s one of ‘Those’ songs. ‘Festival Of Lights’ is a nice slow if not unspectacular instrumental before being finished off by A-N-U-R-D-H which returns to the dream like state of ‘Plate B’ as the 2nd half of the album is referred, this is also followed by a ‘Hidden Track’ but shh I didn’t tell you that!

The way I see it Dish A is a lack lustre starter, you know over done and lacking any spice or kick, but the main cause is a meaty complex dish which hits the pallet perfectly and satisfies you. Skip the starter, indulge yourself in a couple of the more tasteful and edgy parts in ‘Dish A’ and save your appetite for ‘Dish B’ richness. In plain English, it’s a good idea just not executed to its full potential.

6.9/10

[Hahninator]

Thanks Stenners. I really enjoy reading these reviews here and it's an easy way for me to figure out what new stuff to get

[Stenners]

Fallout Boy, Gossip, CSS

 

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Artist: Fall Out Boy

Album: Infinity On A High

Genre: Rock/Stadium Rock

 

Notice how I haven't labled this record emo? Well thats because it seems this band has finnaly done something right and thats try to branch away from such a suffocating genre of music and branch into something new. No it's not a conceptial album about cancer, nor do they push any musical boundries (this whole hip hop branch thing shown on record is kinda nothing if u bring that up) but where credit is due this album is much more enjoyable then their previous efforts. No I won't ever list this as an album I would whillingly listen to but I won't cringe if it comes on either. Their best album to date and the band looks like its taken a good 8 or 10 steps in the right direction, looking for fun stadium rock and nothing more? Then this is for you.

 

6/10

 

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Artist: CSS

Album: Cansei De Ser Sexy

Genre: Electro Indie/Nu-Rave

 

Now not to sound a lil down on the record company but now that they noticed Nu-Rave is a whole lot more popular than it was when this was first pushed out, last year, they re-released it. Lets see, that may be a smart move on their behalf so as its been re-released I will still consider it a new release, if you dont mind me doing so! Anyways what you get here is a nice blend of crossover tunes that don't really push the envelope but the are some real nice ass shakers here 'Alala' and 'Lets Make Love & Listen To Death From Above' being the ones to point out. A nice album that never hits spectacular and lyrically, is often a joke, but they know they arent serious just look at what lovefoxx wears on stage!

 

7/10

 

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Artist: Gossip

Album: Standing In The Way Of Control

Genre: Indie/Dance Rock

 

Now lets pretend for a second this wasn't out 2 years ago nearly, okay good. Ever since Skins hit british TV's this album has shot into the top 40 for the first time like.... since ever. What you get here is a terribly samey album with 1 good idea.... thats spun out too much. Beths voice is amazing live, not so on record, go see them live and dont really try the album its just average.

 

5/10

[Stenners]

Modest Mouse

 

Artist: Modest Mouse

Album: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank

Genre: Indie/Alt.Rock

 

Fan or not, I approached this album with great curiousity because lets face it 'Good News For People Who Love Bad News' though a fine album with few flaws did show signs that Modest Mouse were branching away from lunicy and spontanious rants for a more pop/structured approach which I feel constrains the band pretty hard. With the additon of Smiths guitarist Marr and backing vocals from 'The Shins' James Mercer, never has the band looked more strong and with the return of original drummer the band set expectations higher then even they may of hoped.

The album opens with Modest Mouse returning to their somewhat mad best, Isaac presists the yelp and throw in ho-ho-ho's in opening track 'March Into The Sea' this track has a pretty strong hook and is full of charecter before the next track 'People As Places As People' comes in, a much softer and melodic affair which offers a strong hook and a very well produced track. 'Dashboard' the soon to be single of the album is done extremely well, its carries off all sorts of flair and whilst starts sort of slow really picks up towards the end.Signs of Modest Mouse getting back in some ways to their old format is the 8+ min track 'Spitting Venom' which like many older mouse songs of this length switches themes alot, the guitar work sounds huge on this and it pulls off well. My version of Fire Up is probably broken so I wont review that, this is then followed by one of the lower points, though still good, the rather stupidly named 'Steam Enginius' offers bouncey, dancey guitars and a chorus which is pretty hooky but the standards are fairly low in the track. This is followed by 'Education' which is very similar in structure as 'Stean Enginius' but done to a degree, better. 'Little Hotel' is a return to the soft and melodic, its beautifully produced and the vocal work on it is really nice, Isaac showing his range very well in the track. This is then followed by 3 of the highlights of the album 'We've Got Everything' is an infectiously catchy and dancey track where James Mercer provides vocals, as he does also on 'Missed The Boat' another soft track but only with Mercers beautiful vocal display making this track as good as it is. Followd by 'Florida' which in the same vein is hooky and dancey only more so, not as good at the same time but its a brilliant pop rock song. Parting Of The Censory sounds like something they took right out of Moon And Antarctica, the build up formular, the general sense of lonlyness its all back and is again a strong moment in the album. This is followed by the final track 'Invisible' which is again a strong if not unspectacular track.

This album is a nice return to form for Modest Mouse, though no Moon & Antarctica or Lonesome Crowded West this album is the step in the right direction. It's still intelligant and thoughtful and way more consistent then 'Good News' people may say its over produced and lacks a 'Float On' but I say the production suits them and it's good they didnt try to make an album full of Float On immitations, as they so easily could of.

 

9/10

[MrsBennington-Delson]

woho thats a big package of cd revies... lol

awesome! gonna check some out soon

[Jeezy]

Errm....Fall Out Boy deserves---cough8/10cough---

 

lol

[Stenners]

Not a chance, the cd's i rated below 8 but above fall out's are way better. Musically speaking Fall Out's is nothing new or that interesting it can be on some extent enjoyable but the album offers nothing more + none of the tracks really do stand out.

[HaziLPTonz]

id have given fob 6.5 to 7, nothing over that, i bought the album and a few songs are good, a few were forgettable but enjoyable overall

 

great reviews, 9/10 for MM, i should give it a go in the near future, thanks for this stenners!

[Stenners]

BTW you guys may also request cd's to be reviewed

 

Comming Up:

The Apples In Stereo

Towers Of London

The Holloways

[Jeezy]

Could you review the new Anberlin album "Cities" ?

[Stenners]

Anberlin - Cities

 

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Artist - Anberlin

Album - Cities

Genre - Pop Punk/Emo

 

Unless you havent had ears in the 21st Century it doesnt take a genius to realise this album sounds like, your typical emo album. Chugging guitar riffs, Sensetive lyrics & of course it needs to have melodies and harmonius. No this album isn't what I would call horrible trash but it's not what I would call a masterpiece, the is absaloutly nothing new here and the lyrics are well..... the same as every other emo band out there with nothing much to redeem it's self other than a couple of catchy hooks I say if you love emo you will love this, if you dont like emo or only like some emo or looking for something to try and understand what all this emo hype is really all about then your better off to look elseware (people looking for an explanation of why this music is so huge might as well give up btw). The only true moment that I would class a stand out would be the accousticly driven 'The Unwinding Cable Car' which offers a nice accoustic guitar and is a nice change of pace, though predictably, to the rest of the album and some of the vocals on here are quite nice and.... pleasent.

 

4/10

 

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Artist: Apples In Stereo

Album: New Magnetic Wonder

Genre: Pop Rock

 

Once a band that released something new ever year almost took 5 years to put this out, im not going to lie they did falter a little bit so it was probably best that they took a break and spent more time on this, their 6th studio album and as you suspect this sunshine pop at its purist, full of hooks and harmonies that will make ur heart melt this is a winner all around though nothing outstanding it's a great little pop record full of cheer and makes the sun appear. Yes sorry for the radicoulus rhyme but this album makes me want to do that

 

8/10

[Jeezy]

Thanks man...and yeah you are right with what you said about Anberlin....but I still like the album...nothing special but nice to listen to

[Black_Angel]

Ace reviews Mattmatt.

I've heard mixed reviews about the Bloc Party album, some say it's genius, some say it's boring.. bah.

Good the Bad and the Queen are better live people

[Stenners]

Betterer live people! be on next time i am! PLEASSE!

[xXMelancholiaXx]

BTW you guys may also request cd's to be reviewed

I would like to see some Metal bands payed attention to.

[Stenners]

Towers Of London

 

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Artist: Towers Of London

Album: Im A Rat (Single EP)

Genre: Punk

 

Highly influenced by old school punk rockers such as The Sex Pistols and The Ramones here you get a band that very much stay true to threatening & noice making punk music. The simgle 'Im A Rat' is fairly strong in fact, as much as I hate to say it after the vocalists recent appearance on Big Brother, it's got quite a strong hook and a strong confident instrumental backing. The next track 'Woman I Love' is pretty good also but a little too generic and entirley forgettable but at the same time its not a bad little tune. Faster Then The Fastest Car just sounds like some sort of Velvet Revolver song, its pretty predictable and generic but again it's not too bad for a B-Side. At the end of it all 'Towers Of London' are never going to be a band that push boundries but people looking desperatly for a punk rock fix should at least check them out.

 

6.5/10

[Stenners]

Comming tonight, 3 seriously long reviews of:

Kaiser Chiefs [brit Pop]

Gallows [Hardcore Punk]

Marine Stern [indie/Heavy Rock] <----- I really want to hear that combonation

[crazy robster]

Can't wait Matty, you know, especially cause I wanna see what you have to say about the Kaisers whom I love!! <3 And hardcore punk? Hmmm that should be interesting! ^^ :thumbsup:

[Stenners]

Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truely Angry Mob

 

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Artist: Kaiser Chiefs

Album: Yours Truly Angry Mob

Release: 26th Feb 2007 (UK & Europe)

Price: £5 - £8 (online (msn store) - shop (fopp))

 

You would have had to of been living under a rock for the past 2 years to not know who the hell the Kaiser Chiefs were, infectious tunes is their game and they planned to hook us with their catchy lyrics, highly dancable melodies and plain sillyness. It did work with great success they triumphed Europe, UK and most importantly did what Oasis and Blur never could and that was conqure America. This one of the latest additions the UK's long line of Brit Pop bands hope to secure their mark in the land of 'Great brit pop bands' with this, the follow up to Unemployment, 'Yours Truly Angry Mob'

 

01. Ruby - The album kicks off with lead single 'Ruby' which was apparently written in a rush when Ricky decided to work for a florist rather then write lyrics, truth be told it shows. The lyrics really have much to be desired, the melody is too fruity tooty and well.... it's just not Kaiser Chiefs, in a sense this is probably the last of the playful Kaisers your ever going to hear as you will soon discover as you get later into the album.

 

02. The Angry Mob - 'The Angry Mob' shortly follows and is a significant lyrical improvment over Ruby, the melody is dancey and catchy whilst at the same time very sinister, it's got a strong hook which is perhaps over used the lyrics clearly describe those who read 'The Mirror'.

 

03. Heat Dies Down - Not too dis similar to The Angry Mob, the song is again at a high pace, has a fairly strong hook but to me it's really nothing special. It's just too like any other brit pop song that has been done before it. Sure its not bad and is in a sense a good song to dance to but to be honest nothing really stands out about this track.

 

04. Highroyds - This song shows a glimmer of the old Kaiser Chiefs, its again easily a song that could be played at indie discos. Yes its one of the stronger moments of the album, it has alot of interesting moments and the synthed vocals do work and this is one song that would comfortably make it into my musical libary without a fuss.

 

05. Loves Not A Competition (But I'm Winning) - The 'slow progressive' song which all mainstream rock acts 'must' implement to show that they have some 'diversity' to the audience. The intro is the nicest bit of this track but the rest of the song is all a bit average. The build up of instruments ultimatley lead up to nothing and its not really epic at all.

 

06. Thank You Vey Much - Very much a run of the mill radio rock song nowa days, smacks of Blur but only not as good. The delivery of the track is much the same of the rest of the album making this track especially forgetable.

 

07. I Can Do It Without You - One of the other strong moments on the album. The hook is actually a real nice pop hook (in a guilty pleasure sort of way) and it's not as bleh meh and just white washed as the rest of the album. It shows some colour but if ur expecting old school kaisers here, ur not going to find it.

 

08. My Kind Of Guy - Again somewhat more interesting than the rest of the album, the riffs and melodies are not as predictable, over done with power chords mind you. It does build up to some degree well the end half of the track is the highlight.

 

09. Everything Is Average Nowa Days - This sounds like old school brit rock which is pretty nice to hear, not average cause my God what the ironey would of be been if it was. Another highlight of the album for sure. I actually quite enjoyed this song, more so than alot of unemployment, this is alot more like older Kaiser.

 

10. Boxing Champ - Sounds again like something Blur have done several times, however its not bad its pretty good, not that great though. Its shamfully short maybe they could of done more with it like make it the 'Epic' track this album lacks.

 

11. Learnt My Lessons Well - Very boring track this one is, nothing about it particually appeals to me, thats more or less I can really tell u. It seems to be about debt.... yea errrm its dull.

 

12. Try Your Best - Again a slower approach that shows some promise, its over produced though, never really pics up and never gets anywhere near the epic track this album seriously needs. At the end of the day you will just forget this song all together unless you listen to it like 200 times in a row. The lyrical content is kind of predictable and cheesey, trying to be an uplifitng track but it just fails.

 

13. Retirement - A fitting way to end an album me thinks, its okay. Im not going to sing its praises at all, its one of the stronger tracks on the album though. The hook is average which lets it down quite badly.

 

Summary:

Dissapointingly average, most of the songs sound the same to each other the are just too many power chords and not enough melody. This isn't right for the Kaiser Cheifs, most of the fun is gone which was 'Unemployments' main charm, without it they just stink of medicority, the are some redeeming moments and you can tell this band has so much potential but they just lack any real creativity. Not to mention this album is far too polished and over produced.

 

5.75/10

[crazy robster]

Matt can't thank you enough for this review!! I love Kaiser Chiefs I enjoyed Employment and I was really curious about what your detailed opinion on this new album was! I've heard it all and I have to admit I love it. My favourite ones are Ruby, The Angry Mob, Heat Dies Down, I Can Do It Without You, Everything Is Average Nowa Days and Retirement so I guess this is a good number of fav tracks for me to consider the album successful (for my ears always^^) I recognise there is some degree of sameness between tracks you're right about it but then again the overall outcome sounds good to me! I would give it at least 7/10 but then again I know you're a perfectionist and you notice things about music that I don't. I'm glad that I see we pretty much agree on which tracks are better! So I'll just bow to you and say THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT REVIEW MATT!!!

[Stenners]

Artist: Marnie Stern

Album: In Advance Of A Broken Arm

Genre: Hard Rock/Indie

 

First of all this isn't no normal singer song writer, she is one of the most gifted guitarist I have heard for a long time, is consistantly evident threw out the album. All of the tracks show sign of musical genius especially in the guitar department, this is as you could probably tell from the way im describing it already an alternative album. The structures of all the songs are not standard, many with more than one hook and many different lengths of choruses, to some people thats enough to put them off but to me it shows a different artist.

The albums opener pretty much sets the toone of the whole album with complicated and quite frankly amazing guitar licks pretty much a stand out moment on the album but when the whole album could be called stand out that doesnt say much. Another personaly faviroute of myn is 'Put All Your Eggs In One Basket And Watch It' which offers a strong and strange melody, great guitar work and in general is a good song. The closing track is also superb as is 'Healer' which is one to mosh to, most certainly! Not since 'Sonic Youth' have i heard such complicated guitar licks used so often & not since 'Modest Mouse' have I been so swept off my feet by such as different sound on first couple listens. Though not the most approachable album in the world and it will never be big because it's really not a pop listen, though it has its fair share of hooks, the music is hyper active, complicated and totally original.

The are many things right with this album, the only flaw is some of the songs come off a tad samey as does the guitar licks.... but i dont care im in love with this album after only 2 listens and im sure I will find new depths that will suck me in further, for me a contender of album of the year 2007. It's not everyones cup of tea but those with an open mind to music will absaloutley love this.

 

10/10