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.
Opening with what sounds like mid-90s cartoon-theme style melody you would be forgiven for thinking that "I'm Not A Thug" is the next stop for the ever-rolling nostalgia bandwagon as it rumbles on past new rave… but you would be wrong. Plastic Little are actually one of the most entertaining hip hop acts to come out of Philly in recent years. This taster of their second EP, due in December, mixes the aforementioned cartoon sound with genuinely funny rhymes to brilliantly mock the macho posturing of most mainstream rap.
~Ben Rackstraw~
Even though Damon Albarn said that the Gorillaz project would end after the immense success of Demon Days, Albarn as well as other “real” members of the band will compile and remix tracks for a release to be titled D-Sides. The first tracks released from this album are “Rockit”, an early demo from the recording of Demon Days and “Hong Kong”, which became a fan favourite at live shows and will be extended for the album.
“Rockit” captures very steady and monotone vocals on top of a cool synthesized beat. Albarn's lyrics are quite amusing and mock the stereotypical techno song. “Hong Kong” resembles a remix of a Good, Bad, and the Queen song, but much more interesting and uses a far east style melody to send the listener on an almost trance like journey.
~Albert Testani~
Looking for some playful, light-hearted pop fluff? Then keep searching. Pop princess Kylie’s new single, ‘2 Hearts’, is an outburst of surprisingly synth-heavy electronica – not at all unlike Goldfrapp, but with a smidge more girlishness. From the glacial way Kylie gazes at us from the single cover in her burlesque-style Ziggy Stardust make-up, to the manic repetition of ‘is this for ever and ever?’ it is clear that the worry-free days of ‘Lalala, lalalalala’ are over. But the catchiness remains. Kylie’s tenth studio album, X, is out on November 26.
~Kathryn Bromwich~
A catchy, autobiographical hip-hop single from Sheffield's Kid Acne. This song makes interesting use of what appears to be some of the techniques they used for the old Byker Grove theme tune, giving the song an early 90s feel. Occasionally the lyrics are quite witty but the moments don't last long and I think that Eddy Fresh isn't fresh enough to make me want to listen to it again.
~Jessica Price~
A happy, slightly bizarre piece from North Carolina's Annuals. An original texture and structure definitely makes Dry Clothes more like a float downstream than a pop song but the more driven chorus saves it from being a mess of musical candy floss. Once I got used to its slightly dreamy approach, I found I really enjoyed this song and am interested in hearing it in the context of an album, although I'm not sure whether I'd listen to it as a single.
~Jessica Price~
With an interesting style that starts off sounding like a Bloc Party copy cat, Hadouken!’s single quickly transforms into a hybrid of indie and a heavier style of alt rock. Featuring excellent keyboarding and a unique melding with the guitar during the chorus, this track provides a very nice and very hopeful glimpse into Hadouken!’s new album set to drop on 12 November.
~Albert Testani~
If you're in search of an indie power ballad boost, then this is for you. Taken from her debut album Under the Influence, Up Here is disturbingly similar to something out of the nineties, which I can't for the life of me put my finger on... have a listen and you'll see what I mean! There's a hint of Alanis Morrisette, a bit of Shakira, and some KT Tunstall, but not much originality. I found myself a bit too aware of where I structurally was in the song (i.e. verse, chorus, middle eight, etc...) and not aware enough of what it was she was singing about. In all fairness to Terra, it's no less than a good song, and she's got a great voice. Perfectly listenable to, and would fit smoothly into any radio line-up, just don't expect anything extraordinary.
~Anna Goldbeck-Wood~
A cross between funk carioca (Rio favela funk) and Daft Punk, the latest outing from these oddball Brazilians is a refreshingly raggedy affair. The backing track features a heavy old school hip hop beat complimented by a riff played on what can only be the tuba sound on a cheap Casio keyboard. The lead singer hollers and yelps like a drunken schoolchild and has a knack of creating a rhyme where seemingly no rhyme exists - gasolina with vaselina is particularly impressive. To top it off, the DJ in charge of the project is a mix happy madman, making the track sound clunky and angular as if a cat was walking over the decks during its creation. Don't see these as negatives however. It is so brimming with attitude and rhythmic power that only the most soulfully inert could fail to be affected. It contains those little touches that sets Brazilian dance music apart from our own, often turgid variety. Furthermore, a reliable source tells me that they are a sight to behold live. Come join me at the Warehouse Project, Manchester on 23 November to find out.
~Rod James~
You must log in to submit a comment.
