AUGUST 09: ALBUM & SINGLE REVIEWS

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Album of the Month:
Frankmusic
Complete Me (Island)

A concept album if you will (about breaking up with someone) from the talented Vincent Frank whose electro/pop opus harks, not back to the 1980s for its keynote sounds, but to the likes of Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx for their synthy rushes. The more grandiose tunes owe something to ELO and the stripped down ballads sit neatly alongside the joyous bubbling of the supremely fruity singles Better Off As Two, 3 Little Words and Confusion Girl. RM

Released August 3

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Various
Soma Coma Vol III (Soma)

Soma regulars Slam, Alex Smoke, Vector Lovers and Percy X show their tender sides on some of the techno label's more reflective, downtempo tracks. The rosette has to go to Mirror Music who specialise in the kind of eerie, melodic electronica we love when kicking back after a heavy session on the crystal methadone, or whatever it is the kids are jacking up their spliffs with these days. Sorted! CK

Released August 24

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Dialog
Run Silent, Run Deep (Lo-Tek)

Spaced-out electronica from the erstwhile deep house crew, arranged around the 'concept' of submergence and resurfacing. That seems to be the only idea on offer, as the music itself constitutes the kind of aimless, ambient beat-making you've heard a thousand times before. I chucked this one in Leazes pond and - you guessed it - it sank without trace. CK

Released August 24

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Shir Khan
Exploited (Exploited)

Berlin-based DJ Shir Khan brings the cream of his excellent Exploited label, expertly blended into prime future-boogie sauce. Pinning down the classic electro template and giving it a damn good seeing to are Siriusmo, Modeselektor, Adam Sky and Le Le, whose decidedly un-PC 'Breakfast' stands out as a comic dancefloor gem. And check out the cheeky take on the vagina dentata on the sleeve. Shir class. CK

Out soon

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Kelly 8
The Union (Bombed Out Records!)

Hailing from Sweden (but warbling in English), Kelly 8’s new album isn’t from the fey, indie/pop strand of Swedish cool, but instead plumps for a much more bombastic approach with big and clashy choruses echoing across these big tracks. Lead singer, Pia Hogberg, really knows how to open her lungs and belt it out, too, lending plenty of urgency to the whole enterprise. Nothing too startling, but feisty enough. GM

Released July 27

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Walter Trout
Unspoilt By Progress (Provogue)

This album is subtitled '20 Years Of Hardcore Blues' and celebrates Trout's two decades as a solo artist. Rather than merely trawling through his back catalogue in time-worn 'Best Of' fashion, big Walt treats us to a mini-history of his down 'n' dirty, hard-rockin', blue collar blues by utilising archive live recordings, and radio sessions - plus there's three spanking new studio tracks. An essential purchase for fans of the Trout-meister, and an excellent primer for his Newcastle Academy gig on October 16. MJ

Out now  

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Gecko
Songs In The Key Of Lizard (independent)

Gecko is in fact 21-year-old Will Sanderson-Thwaite and he’s a singer/songwriter of some note judging by his second album which combine The Streets’ style delivery with gorgeously lilting tunes and bags of invention. Hooks abound and his scattershot lyrical concerns are a constant delight. One to watch. (Note: he’s supporting Chris Murray at Trillians on August 17 – a free gig, don’t miss it.) GM

Out now

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Belladonna
Hey Weirdo! (Vandal)

Belladonna are Sarah and Claire, two Darlington lasses who have successfully married off rumbling bass and beats with a garage punk sound. The results are a glittery darkness which feels like the onset of a pleasurable migraine. Or the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album wrapped in barbed wire. Or Siouxsie Sioux out of Siouxsie and the Banshees writing an album for Shampoo. Zesty stuff. DP

Released August 10

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Various
Bugged Out! Presents Suck My Deck by Brodinski (New State Music)

The latest in the respected compilation series sees techno type Brodinski, renowned for his tight and minimalistic sets, at the helm and this is a fine skip through his record collection with an array of understated beats from the likes of DJ Zinc, Tom Flynn, Broombeck and Rhythm Code keeping things ticking over nicely. The Djedjotronic remix of Tiga’s ‘Shoes’ is particularly fine. GM

Released August 17

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Al Green
Most Sampled (Hi Recordings)

There’s been something of a renaissance for Al Green as of late what with last year’s brilliant return to form (the Lay It Down album) and this collection contains a superb reminder of his past work containing tracks which have been sampled by the likes of Massive Attack, Jay-Z and Mary J Blige. If you want a primer in what made Green one of the THE soul voices of the 70s, then you’re not going to go wrong with this unbeatable collection. Soul doesn’t come much sweeter than this. RM

Out now

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Master Shortie
ADHD (Odd One Out Music)

Sometimes when an artist mixes too many colours on the palette all you’re left with is a sludgy grey but Master Shortie has managed to fizz up an effervescent melange of swingy hip-hop, synthy pop and cute techno for an album that is the aural equivalent of a pin-ball machine. (He even manages to lob in a sample from Adam Ant’s Prince Charming without falling flat on his face.) The pace rarely drags and even on the lesser tracks his sheer chutzpah pulls him through. GM

Released July 27

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People In Planes
Beyond The Horizon (Wind-Up Records)

This Cardiff band have supported the likes of Stereophonics but their debut album is a much beefier (and much better) effort than anything that the ‘phonics have previously served up. A better comparison is Muse or Radiohead as there is an intensity to these songs which lift them above the huge swathes of other guitar bands that are out there. Nothing ground-breaking, but pretty feisty stuff. GM

Released August 3

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Necro Deathmort
This Beat Is Necrotonic (Distraction Records)

First release on Newcastle’s innovate Distraction label for Matthew Rozeik and AJ Cookson and if you’re looking for an aural definition of the word “uncompromising” then this is it. Dark and doomy noise is their stock in trade, achieved through digital and analogue means, by way of dirty beats, surprisingly affectionate drones, skull tightening clatter and all manner of other apocalyptic high-jinx. This is the sound the Devil’s Hoover makes when he’s doing the housework. RM

Released August 31

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The Dead Weathers
Horsehound (Third Man)

First album from Jack White’s Third Man label and featuring White himself along with Dean Fertita (Queens Of The Stone Age), “Little” Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs) and Alison Mosshart (The Kills). It may have ‘vanity project’ written all over it but it’s definitely worth checking out. But yes, it does sound very much like Queens Of The Stone Age fronted by The Kills. I can also detect Brit influences ranging from The Stranglers to The Selector. GM

Out now

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The Lea Shores
The Lea Shores (independent)

The debut album from this South London five-piece and it’s a very accomplished slice of guitar tunefulness which has one foot in the bucket market ‘psychedelia’ and the other in the bucket marked ‘pop’. Blissy without ever threatening to collapse into a dirge these tunes have been liberally coated with a glittery substance which make them sparkle with the kind of sun-dappled qualities you might find on The Stone Roses’ Bye Bye Badman. Excellent. DP

Out now

 

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Single of the Month:
Little Boots
Remedy (679/Atlantic)

The whooshiest track taken from L. Boots’ “7 out of 10” debut album and it sounds like electro-crunch Kylie at her very best. It also makes you wonder why every track ever made doesn’t also contain two – yes, two – choruses with the second being a thrilling step up from the first. Pure aural sherbet dib dabs. RM

Released August 17

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A-Stout
Drinks (Acuphen)

Despite efforts to distance themselves from the pack, A-Stout sound pretty much like most up-front hip-hop crews - all shouty transatlantic vowels and no real substance, although there's a catchy enough hook to reel in the dully unimaginative. CK

Released August 24

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Nasty Jack
I'll Do Life (247)

Grime! It's so relevant! If you're a suburban teenage douche-bag, that is. Is this really what South London gang members are into? It's about as challenging as a potato. CK

Released August 24

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Hearts In Pencil
Hannibal Ad Portas (independent)

Here are four confident teens from Oxford who aren’t afraid of a bit of experimentation. This starts out like a particularly louche version of Flowered Up’s Weekender, before throwing a few strident punky moves and ending up sounding like The Clash at their most urgent. Grandiose stuff. GM

Released August 10

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Red Light Company
Meccano (Lavolta Records)

Everybody raise their hands in high-spirited chorus to the newest release from this London-based rock group. The track is fresh, persuasive and the melody is a winner - before we know it we’re swaying along. HF

Released August 3

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Fables Last Stand
New Breed EP (Orange No 5 Records)

The region's fave sleaze-rockers deliver four meaty slabs of classic rock 'n' roll, packed with razor-sharp hooks and memorable melodies. The standout title track could be their musical manifesto, "We are a new breed, a new tattoo". Guys, I can't wait for the album.  MJ

Out now

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Burn the Negative
Low (Gung-Ho! Recordings)

The Carlisle quartet make electro/indie and have been receiving their fair share of plaudits although sadly there is nothing interesting going on here. In fact this is a very boring and forgettable. IT

Released August 10

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The Victorian English Gentlemen’s Club
Watching the Burglars (This is Fake DIY Records)

A welcome return from the Welsh DIY noisy indie pop trio with this frantic and bizarre short sharp anthem. On Tour now! IT

Released August 10

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The Arctic Monkeys
Crying Lightning (Domino)

First single from the A. Monkey’s forthcoming third album and the much heralded heavier sound is largely represented by some brooding bass work, no chorus to speak of, and a tune which sounds like the incidental music from a Scooby Doo cartoon. Very good and lyrically as interesting as ever. RM

Released August 17

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Smoove & Turrell
Don’t Go (Jalapeno Records)

Can this cover of the Yazoo classic do for this Geordie duo what the cover of Hounds Of Love did for The Futureheads? It should do. It sounds like the theme tune to Starsky and Hutch as sung by a hitherto undiscovered 70s soul star. Thrillingly funky. RM

Released July 27

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Viva City
Have You Ever Felt So Messed Up? (VeRT Recordings)

Rattling good second single from this Newcastle-based four-piece who deal in zippy electro/pop. This is a naggingly insistent chunk of lazer beam sharpness which oozes class and no little attitude. The soundtrack to letting your hair down. DP

Released July 27

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Simian Mobile Disco
Audacity Of Huge (Wichita)

The sound of the twinkling Star Trek dashboard with Chris Keating from Yeasayer laying down some vocals over the top. The results feel like a 21st century marching song. That good. RM

Released August 8

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The Twilight Sad
I Became A Prostitue (Fatcat Records)

Bleakly triumphant, this is The Twilight Sad tightly winding up some swirly guitars to melancholic effect. Brutally uncompromising, but very listenable. GM

Released August 3

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Erik Hassle
Don’t Bring Flowers (Island)

It’s obviously that they’re still putting something in the Muesli in Sweden as Erik Hassle is another Scandi artist who looks great, has a great voice, and comes up with great tunes such as this. It’s a kind of acoustic synth pop affair which you can imagine X-Factor contestants murdering later on in the year. Corking. RM

Released August 24

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The Cribs
Cheat On Me (Chrysalis)

Starting off as a so-so, guitar-based, indie no-hoper, on repeated listens I have to admit that the first single from The Cribs’ forthcoming album quietly does the job. (That job being to provide us with quite-good, guitar-based, indie). DP

Released August 31

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