Albums
Diarmaid O'Meara - 'Anti-Social Behaviour'
Released: 08/04/2008
Rating: ****
'Anti-Social Behaviour' is an inspired fusion of electronica and 'intelligent' dance music - even though the PR company concedes that the album is aptly named - the sort of music you hear spilling out of Fiestas as they wait at traffic lights. Tracks build up gradually from pumping techno beats, synth riffs and hard breaks, and kaleidoscopically swirling, mind melting motifs sustain ecstatic interest throughout. Highlights include "Green balls", "Hangin around with the wrong crowd" (incidentally offered as a free download from diarmaidomeara.com), "Antecedent" and "An inconvenient abomination". Expect much club floor damage from 8th April.
Reviewed by Chris
Hercules and Love Affair - 'Hercules and Love Affair'
Released: 10/03/2008
Rating: *****
To describe Hercules and Love Affair as "out of the ordinary" would be quite an understatement. Led by DJ and producer Andrew Butler and singer Antony Hegarty (once mistaken by Björk for a black woman as she listened to him sing), androgynous lesbian Kim Ann Foxmann and transsexual party animal Nomi (who has no known surname) complete the slightly odd quartet. Their "Night Fever"-style basslines, string synths and hi-hat-led rhythms pay strict attention to the musical elements of disco music, so the album would make just as much sense as the soundtrack to a contemporary film as the Bee Gees did. Highlights include 'Time Will', 'Hercules Theme', 'Iris' and 'This Is My Love'.
Reviewed by Chris
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. - Album Sampler 'Searching For The Hows And Whys'
Released: 10/03/2008
Rating: **
21-year-old Sam Duckworthsince is pursuiting a solo career after playing in multiple, local hardcore bands as a teenager. Since January 2005, he writes, records and plays gigs as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. and on the 10th March 2008 is releasing his new album Searching For The Hows And Whys.
Alas, there is no sugar-coated way of saying this - Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. is lame. There is an attempt to be sensitive and realistic simultaneously but which only results in too simply-written lyrics, feeble and stale vocals and a cheesy melody (of mainly guitar and some trumpets). This album will of course find an appreaciative audience but it does not deserve much attention or airplay. Apparently 'suddenly, everyone is talking about Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.' (according to www.bebo.com/getcapewearcapefly ), though in my opinion this is due to his nerve and determination to tour on his own rather than for his material.
Reviewed by Kate
State Radio - 'Year of the Crow'
Released: 03/03/2008
Rating: ***1/2*
Year of the Crow is State Radio's third full-length album. The US-band formed in 2002 but underwent several changes in line-up, releasing their first album with the current members only in 2006. State Radio reminds us what music is: not a commercial product but a means of expression and a source of inspiration.
Their style is an original mix of roots reggae, rock and a bit of punk - the aim is to get people both thinking and dancing. The tracks feature sombre lyrics about human rights - and crimes against these - sung over charming backing vocals and relatively up-beat guitar, drum and trumpet compositions. Amongst the issues raised in this album are the crimes against humanity taking place at the infamous detention centre on 'Guantanamo', war-profiteering and the abuse of power on 'CIA', embezzlement of funds on 'Gang of Thieves' etc. Backing the lyrics with an attractive, mobilizing rhythm is definitely an effective method of raising serious topics of universal concern while maintaining a positive atmosphere. Diversity is beautiful in the musical world and even if State Radio is not radio pop-chart material it is in fact widespread - especially thanks to their famous, extraordinary live performances.
There are several winning tracks on this album ('Gang of Thieves', 'Omar Bay', 'Sudan' and 'Fall of the American Empire' to name a few) with variety in style, ranging from the harder rock end of the band's musical spectrum to the smoother, reggae side. There is definite musical talent here, heard especially in the vocals and guitar. As a whole Year of the Crow is a piece of art for its music, influential lyrics and ability to lift listeners to their feet and dance (and also features splendid artwork on the inside).
Reviewed by Kate
Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim
Released: 11/02/2008
Rating: ****1/2*
A trully beautiful debut album for 18-year-old Laura Marling following her recent release of singles from 'Alas I Cannot Swim' . It is very impressive for such a young artist to have a perfect sense of what it is she is creating; singing and composing as an experienced, established musician. Marling's work is miles ahead of most other new appearences on the music scene today as she offers something different, something captivating and modern regardless of its folk roots. This genre is a new kind of folk (sometimes reffered to as antifolk as well); Laura Marling specifically was influenced very strongly by the work of Bonnie Prince Billy.
Her songs reveal self-awareness and maturity, raising profound subjects and presenting a worldview through modern, fairly dark folktales of love, solitude, nightmares etc. Many songs actually sound like lullabies and mesmerize listeners as such. Acoustic guitar faithfully accompanies her soft, ethereal voice, though strings feature on some tracks as well as baking vocals; both help amplify the songs' charm and the melody is such that they blend beautifully into the main body of each track.
With haunting compositions like 'Shine', 'Night Terror', 'Old Stone' - actually there are no subordinate tracks on this album, 'Alas I Cannot Swim' is a deffinite relief for our mainstream/indie-monopolised music scene.
Reviewed by Kate
Mexicolas - X
Released: 11/02/2008
Rating: ***
Now here's a band who's sound is just as cool as its name! The Mexicolas are definitely on a roll with their debut album. You can hear a bit of Stereophonics, Nirvana, something allong the lines of 12 Stones and even a tint of Muse in their material, this though is far from hindering to what they come up with. The tracks have a lot of energy, the tunes are captivating with just the right amount of heavyness without going overboard.
The vocals drive just as much as the drums do and there are some pretty good guitar solos and riffs as well.
As a whole the album, X, is a very well-rounded one with enough variety from 'harder' songs, to steady-beat mellow-rock, to even a couple of ballads.
One can appreciate the music for its somewhat experimental side too. It's not much (nor is it original) but there is a bit of mixing of different styles (especialy for guitar) and some electronic beats on a few tracks as well. Finally, there is certainly talent flowing here, it is not, however, a new sound for us listeners; still, the songs are enjoyable and stimulating - the Mexicolas do deliver.
Reviewed by Kate
Hot Chip - Made in the Dark
Released: 04/02/2008
Rating: *****
Hot Chip's music is widely described as electro-pop/"neo-soul", with influences from jazz, funk, hip hop and electro house music. Not the coolest of combinations, sure, but these guys proved with their first two albums that "cool" is no longer a prerequisite if you want to make amazing music. Each track has its own intriguing and very unique style, but the whole album shows off Hot Chip's ability to throw together frivolous synth-pop beats and overlay catchy melodies. Highlights include "Shake a Fist", which begins with an unnervingly out of place self-restraint but soon transforms into a brilliant dancefloor smash, unearthly and robotic "Bendable Poseable", and "Hold On" - an awesome track vaguely reminiscent of Armand van Helden's remix of Tori Amos' 1996 dance hit "Professional Widow" - an addictive "get up and move!" beat with fascinating progressions throughout the 6 minutes. Whether the popularity of "Made in the Dark" will match that of their ridiculously successful single "On and On" remains to be seen, but we think the odds are good on this album being one of 2008's best.
Reviewed by Chris
Caspa & Rusko - 'Fabriclive.37'
Rating : ****
This entirely dubstep 29-track album was originally due to be made by Justice - widely regarded as one of the best dubstep artists - but Caspa & Rusko were called in at the last minute to take his place when Fabric decided that Justice's playlist was marginally too short. They've not done a bad job, though... Although their inexperience is noticeable at times during small lapses in technical proficiency, they have proven they have creative talents and energy to match those of older dubstep breeds. The ridiculous low-end wobbling bass destruction and delay combined with dark narcotic swooping synths will make this dancefloor delight a big hit.
Reviewed by Chris
Mister Chill'R - 'Alien Unfolding'
Rating : *
Made by 68 year old electronic computer musician Roger Groendyke, this album is described as "mysterious and spacey" downtempo chillout music - which I'd definitely agree with - but I can't see it working on air. If there's a time/place to listen to this frankly weird music, I can't imagine where/when it could possibly be.
Reviewed by Chris
Steve Bug - 'Fabric 37'
Released:
Tracks have a steady, rarely changing beat which gives them a laid-back quality. Should be played on evening and night programs. Suitable for relaxing background music though, rather than dancing (there isn't much bass on most tracks). Better out of the 22 are: Lux Dementia - Afrilounge (5) Love love love yeah - Rework (9) Keep on - Matthias Tanzmann (17) lost - Rejected (21) Red doggy - Gui.tar (22)
Reviewed by
Stereophonics - 'Pull The Pin - LP Sampler'
Released:
Just like all previous Stereophonics releases, Pull The Pin delivers the bands' staple catchy guitar riffs, masculine sounds, churning backing vocals and relevant and intelligent lyrics. This is not to say that the band's traditional style has grown old, though; it may seem innocuous, systematic and lacking adventure, but it works well. The opening track, "Soldiers Make Good Targets", mourns the primitive modern attitude towards war, with vocals that will stir little controversy. The bass line is fantastic, though. "Bank Holiday Monday" is a lively song with more of a pop feel, which contrasts well with the previous track. "Pass The Buck" is a powerful song bursting with hard rocking energy, which was welcome. The cheesy lyrics and 'bouncy' feel to "I Could Lose Ya" make the track a fun addition. Overall, this is an impressive sampler. The new drummer has clearly given Stereophonic a new energy, which makes their tracks so much more enjoyable. I can certainly see a place for the tracks in our daytime slots.
Reviewed by
Malakai - 'EP1'
Released:
Great intro to a great album...original and upbeat. Best song has to be The Battle. Great beat throughout the EP and an amazing ability to glide over musical genres. Totally unpredictable and original.
Reviewed by Yasmin
James Murphy & Pat Mahoney - 'FabricLive 36 LP'
Released:
This is absolutely brilliant - great to dance to, great to chill out to. The mix is eclectic to say the least, from two guys who are obviously passionate about music. A brilliant mixed CD and much more original than I expected. The only hesitation I have is with LCD Soundsystem's own "Hippie Priest Bumout" - some interesting usage of percussion but other than that a rather dull track on what would otherwise be an excellent compilation.
Reviewed by Yasmin
Silversun Pickups - 'Pikul EP'
Released:
Very listenable indie EP, although nothing I haven't heard before. Obvious influences include Smashing Pumpkins, although I heard some Pixies and Placebo-esque sounds in there as well. Nikki Monninger is a great vocalist and should be used more - the best tracks were the ones in which she sang (my personal fave being Creation Lake)
Reviewd by Yasmin