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Kevin Ryan - 10/31/2010
Caitlin Rose first started causing a buzz last year with an EP mixing her own funny, punky, country originals with classic cover versions. Now with Own Side Now she's announced herself as a major talent. There is nothing 'alt' or indie about this album, it's straight up Nashville country. But don't be scared - the classic country song structures and subjects are reimagined by a funny, whip-smart 22 year old woman into something that sounds fresh and contemporary. On first listen this album might seem a little polished and polite - all brushed drums, pedal steel and gentle hammond organ. But very quickly you'll find yourself completely hooked by Rose's glorious voice with it's echoes of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Linda Ronstadt.
With repeat listens it becomes apparent what a terrific songwriter this young woman is. "For the Rabbits" with its lyric "Why is your love like rubber, he said/ Or gum stuck under my shoe?/ Leaving it there to avoid the risk of/ Making a mess out of you" recalls Ryan Adams at his very best. "Shanghai Cigarettes" and the pure heartache of "Sinful Wishing Well" sound like long lost classics. At times Rose sounds assured and cocky at others uncertain and vulnerable. She can do funny and ribald, "New York City", but like any country great it's the heartbreak and regret that really gets you and songs like "Things Change" and "Comin' Up" will have anyone crying into their beer.
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Liam Cromar - 10/31/2010
It may be somewhat unusual for an artist to release a second eponymous album after 40 years of solo work, but perhaps there's more to the title than meets the eye. In fact, there's only one Clapton composition to be seen ("Run Back To Your Side"), and even that's a shared credit. One possible interpretation is that the title is, despite first impressions, not at all ego-centric, but more a nod to all his influences. Clapton could be saying, in effect, "This is Clapton, but Clapton owes these guys."
Whatever the real reasons behind the title, it's a delight to hear more of the sublime touch of the wonderfully laid-back J. J. Cale, indisputably one of his major influences. Cale contributes two fine tracks: the smoky "River Runs Deep", and the groovy "Everything Will Be Alright". Compared to their 2006 duet album "The Road to Escondido", however, the album displays more of a mixture of styles, going from a traditional blues howler (Walter Jacobs's "Can't Hold Out Much Longer"), through light 30s pop tunes ("My Very Good Friend the Milkman", "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful"), to the up-tempo "Run Back To Your Side", which sounds as if it could easily have appeared on his 1977 album "Slowhand".
What's the conclusion? Well, although technical brilliance and stunning guitar solos do put in a suitably restrained appearance, if that's all you're interested in, this probably isn't an album for you. If, on the other hand, you appreciate the finer points of songcraft, you'll enjoy the care that has clearly been lavished on this set by this musical giant-and you'll come to appreciate his lesser-known friends and influences.
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Sean Anderson - 10/31/2010
Some gem Decca have picked up here! She has already been compared to legends such as Carol King and Norah Jones, but Kirsy Almeida is truly unique so much so that her genre in at least one HMV store was 'unclassified'.
From the laidback short introduction 'Gather Round', you are lurched into the domineering 'If You Can't Make Me Happy', with its irresistably catchy beat. The next track 'Spider' is an equally catchy song with lots of imagination and atmosphere, and sing-along 'na-na-na-na-na's of course!
It is especially with songs such as the mysterious 'Scares Me' (an impressively held note at the end of this one!) that Kirsty's vocal talent really begins to shine. She has a silky smooth voice, which is innocently withdrawn in higher pitches and sexily sharp in lower ones. Watch out for the tracks 'Cool Down Rewind' and 'Late at Night' with a sound so melodic that you could hear it all day - also recommended for late-night listening before bedtime!
Not to be overlooked on 'Pure Blue Green' are the delightful instruments. A mixture of sounds like this, that come together so naturally and sweetly, is rarely heard elsewhere. In 'Willow' it is certainly ethereal. The track 'Shine All Your Light' is bound to be a favourite of many and a very apt summer barbecue track and 'Couldn't You Just', which follows it, is extremely lively, demonstrating Kirsty's ability to inflict different kinds of moods and emotions upon the listener. Lyrically, a favourite of mine is 'Butterflies', with its almost agonising sentiment portrayed wonderfully by Kirsty's voice so effective that it could be compared to acting.
To conclude, buy this album and be sure to experience Kirsty live if you get the chance - Miss Almeida's on-stage presence is immense is immense and the eccentricity reflected in this album fills the room. She wears some brilliantly made dresses and, curiously, aviator goggles (wait till she gets out her megaphone!) and her band look like they're off in some other world . Actually, you feel as if you're in another world when you listen to Kirsty and her band. 'Pure Blue Green', a captivating mélange of folk and pop, is a joy to hear and gets better every time.
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Chris M - 10/28/2010
As a self confessed musician of sorts and a fan of that tuneful stuff that comes out of my headphones I must reluctantly make a shameful confession...I had never even heard of The XX prior to their Mercury Prize win. Maybe you share in my current shame or perhaps you are reading this review with a rather smug look on your face thinking how "cool" and as my Mum might say "with it" you are for having discovered the band pre Mercury hype. I can however claim to have called shotgun and jumped into the front seat of The XX bandwagon immediately following the band's intense post Mercury media coverage...so yeah...at least give me some street cred for that dude...Even if you have not listened to The XX's eponymous debut album, if you watch television then you have probably heard their music at some point over the past few months. The catchy sampler generated beats of 'Intro' (track 1) have been cropping up on numerous TV adverts in reply to the bands meteoric rise to fame.
The crunchy sampler generated beats of 'Intro' (or as it could now be renamed 'As Seen on TV') kick the album off in style. This song is one of my favourites even though it has no lyrics and is mainly an instrumental track; I just love the rhythm. I really admire the simplicity of the individual band member's contribution to each track. Put simply, they don't overdo things. The XX take the bare bones of a musical concept and work with what they have. They don't try to complicate and muddle each song by adding too much instrumentation. This is most evident in the unadulterated beauty of 'Shelter'. Simple lines lead to an incredibly clean and pure sound with the crunch and precision of the sampler generated rhythms and beats contrasting beautifully with the dreamy electric and bass guitars. Moving through the album the simple musical lines are intertwined with the whispery, silky smooth dulcet tones of lead singers Oliver and Romy. The strength here lies in the natural contradiction between the male and female vocal lines, the duo producing a congruous ethereal quality with an interesting and euphonious contrast demonstrated most notably in 'Basic Space'.
It is for good reason that the London trio's debut album has been met with such universal critical acclaim. It is a beautifully crafted, well balanced foray into an ethereal dream-like state of sleepy wonderment and every track's a keeper. Having found their sound The XX show a maturity and awareness belying their youth, confidently remaining true to this new and unique otherworldly clamour throughout the album's eleven tracks. The CD is now available at a bargain basement price, so add it to your shopping basket and proceed to checkout...you won't be disappointed.
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Gareth Holland - 10/28/2010
The Saw Doctors first album since 2005's 'The Cure' and what a return to form it is. An album of slow and fast numbers to suite all emotional needs. The first song and lead single taken from the album is the rocky Springsteenesque number 'Takin The Train' which sends you hurtling full steam ahead into listening pleasure.
The highlights from this 12 track album are 'Taking The Train', 'Friday Town', 'Well Byes' and 'Songs and Stars'. There are however some slightly weaker moments on the record such as 'Indian Summer' and 'Be yourslef, which seems to be a strange choice to be the current single from the album.
This is The Saw Doctors 7th studio album and one of their best, right up there with the 1996 album 'Same Oul' Town'. It seems to be a very creative time for the boys from the imiginitive West of Ireland and the production on the album is of high quality too, with some of the recording taking place at the famous Rockfield studios in the heart of Wales.
If your a fan of The Saw Doctors you will love this album, and dare i say it, far more than the last, where The Saw Doctors had seamingly got a little stuck in the mud. If your a new listener to The Saw Doctors then you have come in on a high for the boys and if you like this one, there is plenty more where that came from in the back catalogue.
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Jessica - 10/23/2010
This album is amazing Taylor Swift is by far the greatest singer of all time i would definitely recommend people to get this album my favourite song is mine!!!!!!
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Editor - 10/13/2010
Swanlights combines poetry with the musical talent of a creative genius. Bjork's voice on Fletta is surprisingly complementary. Thank You For Your Love was played on Later with Jools Holland on 12 October 2010 and the performance was spellbinding. It is wonderful when you see a singer completely entranced in his art. This album gives you a wonderfully fresh vantage point on the world. I love it!
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Steve Pledger - 9/25/2010
The review I wrote was supposed to have 5 STARS!!! Not sure why it doesn't. Believe me, this is definitely a 5 star release, folks!
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Donna - 9/24/2010
Totally agree with other review. I saw them on the same tour at Southampton. They really are something special! Excellent album.
Thank goodness they are coming back to Southampton 19/10/10 as support to 'Fozzy'.
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Steve Pledger - 9/22/2010
For lovers of great songwriting and passionate, compelling acoustic music everywhere - this is one album you really must own. Martyn Joseph is one of this country's most gifted singer/songwriters. With songs, guitar playing and vocals of a quality and integrity that most performers can only dream of, this collection of some of his finest work is a testament to what music can achieve when in the hands - and the heart - of a master writer and performer.
This is one album that I would NOT want to be without. I honestly recommend it to you that highly.
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Steve Pledger - 9/22/2010
A career defining achievement from the immensly talented Welsh singer/songwriter, Martyn Joseph.
I have heard each song live - some a good few times! I have also been privileged to hear snippets of each track of the finished album at a recent MJ event and I can recommend this to all who love and appreciate the craft of the songwriter, amongst whom, this man is second to none. Here is beauty, passion, longing, tenderness and - above all - empathy.
This is an album that soars; songs that will leave you breathless and inspired. I implore all who already love the work of Martyn Joseph and all who are thrilled by songs of integrity; vocals that find their way straight into your soul and spectacular and sensitive musicianship to per-order your copy now. I believe no-one will be disappointed!
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Anne Kearney - 9/18/2010
This is an album to buy!
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Sallybee - 9/4/2010
Overall the album is disappointing. Maybe it was spoilt by a decade of hype, maybe by the departure of the majority of the original lineup.
The fact that the album took over a decade to produce is evident, as one can deduce genre shifts between songs which cover what was 'in' at the time.
Title track 'Chinese Democracy' is reasonable, but is still missing that 'something'.
I'd say 'for die-hard fans only', but even that might be a push - it's essentially not the same band. If you've not heard any Guns N' Roses before, then 'Chinese Democracy' might pass as reasonable, but when compared to gems such as 'Use Your Illusion' it leaves a lot to be desired.
Buy the Greatest Hits if you want to enjoy what this band has to offer.
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Sallybee - 9/4/2010
3OH!3's 'Streets of Gold' is a pleasantly surprising piece, full of songs with catchy riffs. The whole album has a more dance-music feel than their previous album, 'Want', which fitted much more into the electro/rap side of things - though the energetic vocals still remain.
Opening with 'Beaumont' (which provides a super opening track for their live shows), it makes a slow start with tracks like 'I Can Do Anything' and the unfortunate 'My First Kiss' with Ke$ha. However, the pace is quickly picked up, with some real boomers such as 'We Are Young', and 'Touchin on My' which bears some resemblance to the Pussycat Dolls' hit 'Beep'. As well as the real dance-floor tracks, there is a more sensitive side to the album - some of the best lyrics are on 'R.I.P.' and the title track, 'Streets of Gold'. Also included are two songs from 3OH!3's previous album (Want), the hit singles 'Starstrukk' (with Katy Perry) and 'Don't Trust Me', both gloriously catchy and have massive replay value.
Overall, a superb album, and with 16 tracks, you can't go far wrong - you're bound to find a few favourites in there.
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Ashley Wiley - 9/2/2010
AMAZING!!! Big disturbed fan. love this album and could guarantee you will to ;)
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Ashley Wiley - 9/2/2010
Being a huge Disturbed fan i will try not to be biased towards this album, but i feel this is better than their down with the sickness album which for me would take some doing. this album to me is one of those rare albums that every track on there you like even if you have not heard it before. Every track is quality and souns amazing!!! I really recomend this album to anyone and everyone. I love it :) I cant think of anything bad about it
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Kev - 8/31/2010
A punning title is rarely a good sign with an album but most will forgive The Low Anthem this time because 'Oh My God, Charlie Darwin' is a stunning record. Soaked in classic americana combining folk, gospel, Appalachian spirituals, blues, country, rock and even a hint of jazz this is no piece of nostalgia but an absolutely vital and contemporary mix. Very loosely themed around Charles Darwin the record is a critique of 'the survival of the fittest' and a paean to community and love. Starting with the clear falsetto and hymnal-like title song and the even more beautiful 'To Ohio' and 'Ticket Taker' the Anthem then completely wrong foot listeners with the ferocious Tom Waits stomp of 'The Horizon is a beltway'. OMGCD continues switching back and forth between musical styles, between seriousness and joy, between pain and love, all the time combining the three members voices in incredible harmonies.
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Liam Cromar - 8/31/2010
You could be excused for thinking that this is your typical late-career release of a sad has-been artist desperately trying to cling on to some semblance of relevance by surrounding himself with a bevy of famous names. You'd also be wrong. Last Man Standing, while it's not without its low points, is worth much more than a cursory listen.
For a start, this isn't a pretentious, overblown album, full of overwrought, moody, end-of-life folk songs. Nor is it a radically new direction for the ivory-thumper. No, it's a joyful run through a good number (21!) of familiar and not-so-familiar numbers in traditional rock 'n' roll style. It doesn't take itself too seriously (after all, who else but Jerry Lee would dare to open with such a crazy cover of Led Zeppelin's 'Rock And Roll' with Jimmy Page in the studio at the time?), and yet through it all, one gets the impression that Jerry Lee Lewis is taking the opportunity to have a slightly wry look and laugh at the past antics of his 60-plus years of music.
One could go on to list some of the big names that appear on the record to stimulate interest in the album, but that would really be an insult to JLL, and I'm not going to: the Killer still knocks 'em dead.
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Aaron Morris - 8/22/2010
An absolute masterpiece, Ludovico never fails to impress with his relaxing classical piano. This CD has been used so many times I'm beginning to think I should buy another because I know I'm going to wear out my first copy. If you buy this CD than I can guarantee that you will be relaxed without a care in the world by the time you've listened to it. Overall an absolutely fantastic album yet again from the master that is Ludovico Einaudi. Keep them coming
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Editor - 8/20/2010
I have just finished listening to the album for the first time and I have ordered it straight away. I am definitely going to be looking for concert tickets when they tour. It is brilliant - I love every song. The Final Frontier is a much more philosophical album than we are used to, and in my opinion moves the band into the same league as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, the influence of which is apparent in the style. Although never a fan of Iron Maiden prior to the Final Frontier, I have respected their talent; in future I will describe myself as a fan - much to the amusement of my teenage children. I promise a more comprehensive review following delivery of the album.