FEBRUARY 09: ALBUM & SINGLE REVIEWS

Find:

Album of the Month:
the bird and the bee
Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future (Blue Note Records)

Second album in for Inara George and Greg Kurstin and it’s a delight. They’ve taken their original blend of Brazilian Tropicalia, 60’s psychedelic pop and sparse electronic beats and expanded them; let them breathe. A more poppy affair with dance-friendly elements this is dreamy stuff and you can tell that Kurstin has worked with Lily Allen – you can imagine her chirruping along to these sweet songs. DP

Released February 2

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Animal Collective
Merriweather Post Pavilion (Domino)

You know when you’ve got the radio needle stuck between two stations and you can hear both of them playing at once? (“Yes granddad” – the world). Well that’s what this album is like, and those stations are: Radio Flaming Lips and Radio Arcade Fire. This is the eighth album from these New York art-rock dabblers and it’s been garnering pretty high praise from all quarters although I felt myself utterly uninvolved seeing as the whole enterprise is as cold as a milk round in February. RM

Out now

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Franz Ferdinand
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (Domino)

There’s something odd about Alex Kapranos’ voice on the weaker songs on this album (and there’s a few) in that it seems lost, strained, and slightly annoying. This is the worst of their three albums, but it still has some tight and chunky moments with the addition of some poppy synths occasionally adding some more groovy textures to the mix. The acid-jamming of Lucid Dreams points to a more Super Furry Animals style direction and maybe that’s a road they should now hit. RM

Out now

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Ladyfinger (ne)
Dusk (Saddle Creek)

With the (ne) for Nebraska, not North East, Ladyfinger have much more in common with The Bronx, Queens Of The Stone Age, and fleetingly Fugazi, than singer-songwriter label mate Conor Oberst. Which means they largely deal in taut, sweaty, heavily poised rock dynamics, permanently pitched at the point right next to some very messy explosion. It may not be pretty, but it is certainly pretty convincing stuff. One for your younger brother with art-y angst issues then... IF

Released February 23

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Various
Now That’s What I Call Music (Virgin)

And this is where it all began. The very first Now compilation from 1983 getting a release on CD for the very first time. Best songs: Temptation (Heaven 17), Double Dutch (Malcolm McClaren), Hey You (Rock Steady Crew), Fascination (Human League), The Sun and the Rain (Madness). Worst songs: Moonlight Shadow (Bruce Oldfield), The Safety Dance (Men Without Hats), You Can’t Hurry Love (Phil Collins). There’s two from Culture Club, too (whatever happened to that Boy George?). RM

Out now

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Nostalgia 77
Nostalgia 77 Sessions Feat. Keith & Julie Tippett (Tru Thoughts)

This starts with a brace of moody numbers infused with all the heartbroke, windswept charm of a crisp winter's day in a deserted, leaf-strewn park and then breaks into the slightly-deranged freestyle action that sees Julie scatting over some seriously tasty horn-and-drum runs, before taking the side-road marked 'Modern Soul' and proving that proper jazz with real instruments needn't be something that Uncle John with the mustard cardy puts on to get rid of visitors. CK

Released February 2

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Various
Somabeta (Soma)

Always mining the seam of underground talent, Soma launch another imprint with the sole aim of bringing to the world's attention the cream of brand new techno- and electronica-based dance music. The resulting showcase features crisp, dark grooves from Audiofillia, broken tech-jazz from Jandroide and hypnotic future-rave from Mr Copy, leaving us in no doubt that the future of the scene is assured for some time yet. CK

Released February 2

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Tah Mac
Welcome 2 Tahland (TahMac Entertainment)

The Brooklyn-based artist and producer kicks 2009 off in fine style with this super-charged slice of teeth-rattling hip-hop with the emphasis on party anthems. The production positively gleams and also along for the ride are Gnarls Barkley’s Cee-Lo Green and our own Mutya Buena who crops up (and sings her heart out) on the delectable Give Back. Good stuff. GM

Released February 9

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Boozoo Bajou
Grains (K7 Records)

The Nuremerg pair of Florian Seyberth and Peter Heider have gained plenty of recognition over the last 10 years or so for their delectable blend of modern electronica, blues, jazz, soul, Latin and dub. On their latest release however, they’ve considerably lightened the mood and dimmed the switch, absorbing acoustic folk and great songwriting into the mix with some added vocals (in English) to boot. An album to bathe in. RM

Released February 23

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12 Stone Toddler
Scheming (Amazon Records)

This is rock but with a distinct poppy edge, and rock which comes at you from the jauntiest of angles. It fizzes with a punchy energy with the band not adverse to chucking in anything that comes to hand (daft noises, daft lyrics, choppy melodies) and is undeniably an arresting proposition. This can be a little wearing however: sometimes less is more, although the band should be applauded for setting their stall out in a manner that you’re not likely to find anywhere else. GM

Released February 19

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The Mojo Fins
The Sound That I Still Hear (Amazon Records)

Hailing from Brighton, The Mojo Fins, are a very fine proposition indeed; especially if you’re more than partial to pop-rock which has been inspired by the likes of Elliot Smith and Tortoise etc. Gorgeous melodies abound and the widescreen wistfulness should see them clean up amongst those who enjoy a nice tune. None too threatening stuff, but sometimes you just don’t need ‘edgy’. GM

Released February 23

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Various
Protected: Massive Samples (Rapster Records)

Fancy a rummage around the record boxes that Massive Attack have plundered to get their samples from? From rare groove favourites such as Lowrell’s ‘Mellow Mellow’, to reggae corkers from John Holt and Lewin Bones Lock, there’s plenty of interest to be found here. Classic breaks come courtesy of Isaac Hayes’ ‘Ike’s Mood’ and The Blackbyrds’ ‘Rock Creek Park and it’s always great to luxuriate in some Al Green (‘I’m Glad You’re Mine’). Quality treats. DP

Released February 2

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Titus Andronicus
The Airing Of Grievances (Merok Records)

Titus Andronicus are a young rock band from Glen Rock in New Jersey and they make the kind of rock music you’d expect to hear from a college band from New Jersey. And yet, and yet… they’ve got something going on here; a song-writing style that doesn’t just go through the motions and it’s got an air of early Springsteen about it which bodes well. GM

Released February 2

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Various
Defected Clubland Adventures (Defected)

Is it just me, or does this sort of soulful house still sound like the greatest music in the world? This is a box-set celebrating 10 years of this independent label and it contains five CDs worth of super-soaraway slinkers which are just the right side of frantic; supremely uplifting and a paean to being alive. It occasionally strays into territory that’s a bit too ‘techy’ for my liking, but on the whole this is a frankly unbeatable compilation. RM

Released February 16

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Emmy The Great
First Love (Close Harbour)

As salty debut albums goes this one is right up there. Emmy The Great is a singer/songwriter who likes a good dollop of grit in her Crème de la Mer. She has a fabulous way with a melody and has plenty to say about life; much of it stark and told in the kind of uncompromising manner which calls to mind Martha Wainwright. She’s playing at The Cluny in Newcastle on February 17. DP

Released February 2

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Single of the Month:
Smoove & Turrell
I Can’t Give You Up (Jalapeno Records)

Local funking DJ, Smoove, looks like he’s finally found the voice to go with his beat-laden skills and he’s named, Turrell, a Newcastle-lad who’s got the sweetest of soulful voices and who does a tremendous job on this Northern Soul-style stomper which is relentless in its pursuit of good times. Frenetic stuff and pretty unstoppable. RM

Released February 23

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Laura Steel
Running (Rollon Entertainment)

Catchy, beat-driven pop that would probably sound better if the backing didn't sound like it had been made using a load of samples from a free CD off the front of a music production magazine. Decent vocal, though, despite the cliched woman-wronged lyrics. CK

Released February 16
 

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Lorenz Rhode
Motor Cortex (Exploited)

Fusing electro funk, old school house and b-boy hand claps, this manages to sound like every great body-popping 80s synth record ever produced - and that's just the title track! The rest is like Yellow Magic Orchestra soundtracking 'The Breakfast Club'. Ace! CK

Released February 23

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Man Like Me
Single Dad (Our Time)

Novelty Brit-hop coming off like the bastard offspring of The Streets and Bad Manners but without the wit, style or imagination of either. And that's not saying much. CK

Released February 2

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Morrissey
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris (Decca)

In the absence of human touch Morrissey is throwing his arms around Paris. That’s nice for him. This is Morrissey treading water, although I’m sure treading water is something that would appeal to him lyrically. Expect his forthcoming album to contain the lines: “You’re content to tread water, while slapping down your daughter, and still you refuse to became entangled, in any way with me”. Each syllable of the word “entangled” will be elongated. RM

Released February 9

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Prok & Fitch
El Beasto (Floorplay)

The Brighton-based duo hit with a – can I use the word “intelligent” here – intelligent slab of techy trance which is clean as a whistle and zippy with it. Boppy remixes from Filthy Rich and Gabriel & Castellon, too. GM

Out now

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Dan Arboise
Let Me Be (Just Music)

The sleeve of this lovely single depicts the sun rising over a distant hill, just beginning to shine through the morning mist. It’s a visual representation of this song which sees Dan strumming along on his guitar and capturing a feeling of quiet hope. Some lovely strings simply add to the sense of delightfulness. Great. RM

Released February 16

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The All American Rejects
Gives You Hell (Interscope)

This is the first single from their forthcoming album and it’s a typical three and half-minutes of US rock which I can imagine cropping up on any amount of ads. Pleasant enough but ‘Gives You Hell’? This is more likely to ruffle your hair. DP

Released February 2

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Seasick Steve
Happy Man (Warner Records)

Seasick Steve’s well grizzled barroom blues is married to a sashaying soul element from KT Tinstall and Ruby Turner to rather toe-tapping effect. Good times ensue. DP

Released February 2

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Esser
Let’s Work It Out (Transgressive Records)

This sounds very much like Jamie T fronting up Hot Chip with maybe Air twiddling a few knobs in the background. Can this be a good thing? Yes – but it could do with a killer hook or two. RM

Released February 23

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Enya
My! My! Time Flies! (Warner Records)

This sounds like it could be a creepy interlude in an Andrew Lloyd Weber musical as re-imagined by Tim Burton. Yes that good. It dips and swoops in all the right places, but remains pleasingly understated. So there. RM

Released February 2

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James Yuill
No Surprise (Moshi Moshi)

Yuill is looking to build on the success of 2008 and this is an uplifting and blissful folktronic pop track which furthers highlights why he is so revered. IT

Released February 2

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Tommy Sparks
I’m a Rope (Electric Eyeball records)

This is the debut single from the part time Bloc Party member and it is an electro pop glam stomp. A hip name to watch out for this year and mainstream success beckons. IT

Released February 2

 

 

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