James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
The second song released from the album Reality Killed the Video Star, ‘You Know Me’ isn’t anything spectacular, or even vaguely original. Yes it’s nice and pleasant and does everything it’s supposed to, but frankly that’s boring. Is Robbie still trying to break away from Take That’s style or return to it? During the chorus the big-band style bass-line promises good things, but then regresses to traditional cheesy background violins. You can imagine it played over a montage of heart-warming clips on the BBC (just like a Take That song). Oh, and the video is completely incongruous with the song – watch it, I dare you.
Hannah McCarthy
With the recent demise of Oasis, it feels like there's a God-shaped hole in rock 'n' roll. While Kasabian vie for the Gallagher's mantle, would it be so naive to think that, in a Cinderella twist of fate, it could fall to a lesser-known up-and-coming band? Why not London-based four-piece Officer Kicks? From the sound of their latest offering, 'The Kraken', they could be in with a shout. Epoch-shaking? Not exactly, but their return to classic, gritty, weighty-yet-agile rock, with a riff to singe your eardrums, is fantastically refreshing. D'you know what I mean?
Rich Powell
Steve Mason is back, yet again. This time, however, he is not hiding behind random names, such as King Biscuit Time. This seems to signal a more personal approach, something definitely found in the lead single ‘All Come Down’. Richard X's ethereal production fashions a song that sounds like the illegitimate lovechild of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ and The Beta Band’s ‘Gone’. This should mean a fantastic introduction to his forthcoming album but instead there are too many layers and as such the crescendo just ends up confusingly distorted. This is a real pity as there was a lot of promise in the now completely submerged vocal delivery.
Peter Searle
Before her Superbowl performance Janet Jackson had America at her feet. At a time when Hip Hop was just starting to take over the World, she occupied the middle ground between Britney Spears and Missy Elliot. That was in 2003; nine years later 'Make Me' is still stuck in that period. Lyrically, it's solid, and a different production could be quite successful, but this incarnation doesn't encourage dancing or singing. Regardless, her publicity will shift copies, just hope for a remix.
Brad Bailey
Swedish band BWO (formerly called the ever-appealing Bodies Without Organs) aren’t that well-known in the UK, but have been active for several years on the European electro-pop scene. Their newest single grabs you with an irresistible synth-pop hook, and quickly has you singing along with the infectious (albeit not very original) chorus. Not quite being a song to bop along to on your iPod, ‘Right Here, Right Now’ is most suitable for the clubbing scene, although it’s almost a little too peppy for even that.
Natalija Sasic
50 Cent's latest libidinous lyrical endeavour may superficially seem to contain uncharacteristically homely sentiments. It purports to be a song about happy family life, the hos this time replaced by the potentiality of a wife and little 5 cent pieces. Yet this Candy Store owner betrays his true colours during the verse, the sexualised refrains that colour so much of the rapper's work seep back in, in lines like 'Maybe you could start on top or on all fours' (presumably not discussing Twister strategy). Ne-Yo's sporadic and whiny interjections just about save this ludicrous song from being soporific but nothing more.
Diggory Dunn
50 cent having 'little 5 cent pieces'...LOL!
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