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.
Written by Lucie Vincer
The Big Black and the Blue, the debut album from the Swedish duo First Aid Kit, has so far met with some critical acclaim – and not undeservedly. The album marks a step up from their first EP Drunken Trees and shows some promising talent – not bad for the sisters aged just 16 and 19.
The two girls give a more polished performance than their debut EP, with an amazingly mature and skilful, if sentimental, first album. The acoustic/folk style follows that of Fleet Foxes, clearly a heavy influence. The sisters pull off some impressive harmonies with strong, pure vocals in what are relaxed, almost lullaby-like songs. Their music has an incredibly nostalgic feel; many of the songs are about remembrance of by-gone times... I find myself looking at photos of myself and my best friend when we were five. The intense honesty of the lyrics (‘I saw my brother pack his bags and leave, and we made our goodbyes, and now he is settled down in a city where he doesn’t have to be himself’) achieves their goal of ‘aiming for the hearts, not the charts’. The gentle guitar melodies of songs such as ‘Winter Is All Over You’ inspire a sense of wistfulness that makes this album a treat to listen to.
Expect to see a lot more of First Aid Kit in future. They’re an up-and-coming band that seems to be going from strength to strength.
First Aid Kit will be playing The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on the 24th February.
Written by Brad Bailey
This is Beach House's first full-length release with Sub Pop, the label which gave us such acts as The Shins & The Postal Service, so this might give an idea of its content.
Beach House are a vocal/synth duo from Baltimore comprising French-born singer/keyboardist Victoria Legrand and guitarist/occasional singer Alex Scalley. Their music closely resembles the sweet tones of Air, but while their budget will have increased since the move from previous label Carpark, they are lacking songs as big as Heart of Chambers or Heart and Lungs.
Nonetheless this isn't music that is going to alienate their growing fan base. Opening track ‘Zebra’ has all kinds of potential with its guitar intro and Radiohead-esque sighs. Lead single ‘Norway’, meanwhile, is straight out of an indie movie, with its echoes of Enya or Fiona Apple and its repetitive drum beat.
Personally I would recommend not listening too closely to the lyrics as there is a tendency to rhyme 'stand' with 'sand' or 'liar' with 'fire'. Instead, sit back and get into the feel of it, play a bit while writing an essay or reading a book, listen to it over a cup of tea and a Battenberg cake but don't take it too seriously, it's not Bob Dylan.
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