CDs 2004 (3)

Hello Folks !

 

Yeah, yeah all right, all right, I'm about 1 1/2 month late, not much improvement, and no excuse in sight. And you'll notice the quality of the reviews has maybe dropped too, references get confused, all the clichés have been used.... even though I did what I said, i.e. scrapped a few reviews of records that I didn't feel worthy of a mention one way or the other. To be fair, I have wondered quite a few times : is this record really so unremarkable ? So apart from the really great ones, I’ve probably listened more to the shit albums than the good ones. Really this review thing is getting out of hand. Next one could be the last one, you never know....

And to think I still have to go through a 4th quarter and a best of list within the next 1 ½ month….oh dear………….(don't worry, I have already listened to Interpol/Nick Cave etc....)

 

Not reviewed : Amplifier (not very interesting r'n'r, probably loud live), Zutons (The Coral, with better attitude but worse tunes), Six By Seven (still a good album by the Nottingham rockers), Secret Machines (nearly reviewed prog-rock with a few very good tracks), Violet Indiana (Cocteau Twins fronted by a Liz Fraser soundalike only not as good..by far), Grand National :(French Disko from the UK, good for only about 2-3 tracks).

 

Anyway............

 

 

The Killers : Hot Fuss. British Indie Pop music from Last Vegas is the best way to describe this. Instantly engaging with first track Jenny (bass-line directly nicked from Barbarism Begins at Home, Smiths fans), it’s got a series of instant killer (sorry) tracks you can’t disagree with (check the dance-tastic Somedy Told Me sure to fill indie dancefloors all over the world). OK, they turn out sounding more like The Frank&Walters (now that’s indie!)  than the Smiths, but apart from a few cheap synths sounds and a couple of duff tracks (but every British review seems to be complaining about a song called ‘Glamorous Indie Rock’n’Roll’—well I got my hands on the (cheaper) US version and it’s not on it), this is a winner. 8/10.

 

Dogs Die In Hot Cars : Please Describe Yourself. Now I remember reading about them in the NME a year or so ago, when they were touted as the next big thing to come from Scotland, in the same bracket as Franz Ferdinand. Well, look what happened to the Franz ! There’s a chance you’re hearing from DDIHC for the first time here, and to be fair I think there’s a pretty decent reason for the differing careers. But to the album: first it grates, starting with a Queen-sounding number (I was never a fan), although there’s shades of DMR (nice) as well. But once over this blip, there’s some affecting pop songs in here, hinting at different genres (ska, whatever), only the voice never really comes good. Finely treading the line between catchy and downright irritating, I’m not sure I was really meant to review them but hey-ho. Qualities they have. It’s good pop, memorable, but not quite my cup of tea I’m afraid. 7.5/10

 

Radio 4 : Stealing of a Nation. Some may argue. It’s more ‘produced’, less ‘underground’ than their first. They’ve sold out the punk spirit. Well, who cares when the tunes are as good as these, and the percussions and bass will still make you dance ? Straying away slightly from the Gang of Four influences to catch up with New Order (and a song called ‘Transmission’ featuring the chorus ‘Digital Recording Heroes’ can surely only be a tribute to Joy Division), it’s only when they veer towards new sonic experiments that they let the side down a bit. OK, they’re punk-funk and The Clash had a go at reggae, but frankly here there’s no need, and they lose half a mark.But fair enough, the dub-isms of the title track work a treat. So while maybe 10 minutes too long (there are indeed 3-4 dispensable tracks here) this is still one of the most enjoyable records all years. And worth 8/10 in my book. Just a shame they had to pull out of that gig in Paris: Bloc Party.+Radio 4 I was really looking forward to. Must have been the news of Dubya just re-elected. Oh bugger, get well soon mate!

 

Kasabian. Baggy Revival , Madchester comeback (er, from Leicester, mind you). So nothing really new there, but it’s not been heard for a while, and it’s  rather good, makes you nod along. Does exactly what you expect it to do then (Roses, Mondays or the Scream have all done it in their time), but not much more unfortunately. And after a while it just turns into boring ambient dross Zero 7 style, I feel let down (or is it just that short attention span again?). Before I see them live (maybe), here’s just another band that I feel is slightly overrated. A very uneven 7/10.

 

The Futureheads. I’m sorry but having listened to it a few times I still don’t really get it. Bloc Party. haven’t released their debut yet, and still this already tastes like sub-BP music. Similar guitar sound, but it won’t make you turn it up or hit the dancefloor. Lots of fuss has been made about them, they make a fairly decent racket, but I think it’ll take a lot more to convince me. Speaking about Bloc Party., watch this space because they may well be next year’s big thing. Only four singles into their career, and they already play like superstars. I’ve not seen that many gigs, but I can nevertheless say that I’ve never witnessed a support band, with no album to their name what’s more, get such a riotous reception at a gig before. But hey, what was I talking about ? Oh yeah, the Futureheads. Not bad, but…. 7.5/10.

 

Mark Lanegan Band : Bubblegum. Gravelly crooning voice, some rocking tunes, but mostly slow stuff. Guest stars (PJ Harvey the most notable one –on the best track, as nearly always when she guests!) enhance the album a bit. They were really rocking live, but on record I’m less sure. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very very good LP, but I’m not sure there’ll be any space for me to remember it at the end of the year. Let’s face it, it’s a bit too boring at times. Maybe I'm just not listening to this at the right time ? I mean, I think it's very good, but go see them live instead. 7.5/10.

 

The Earlies : These Were The Earlies. Like Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips flown over to Britain and dropped all above Wales where they met some pixies (of the celtic variety). So very quiet and psychedelic, lovely slices of gentle music. I might not listen to it very often as it’s not necessarily my favourite genre, but this is undeniably a gem of some kind. 8.5/10

 

Amusement Parks On Fire. Nice name, I expected sparks Explosions In The Sky-style. But whereas the opening track actually delivers just that and in the best possible way (Sigur Ros meets EITS), it all turns a bit Seafood when the voice kicks in. Which isn’t necessarily bad but has been done before. And all throughout while it’s rather good, the best moments really are the instrumental bits. Most of the rest can be dispensed with. So guys, you know what you have to do if you want to come back a second time in this review. 7.5/10

 

The Music : Welcome To The North.Opinions are apparently divided on this one, I personally like it a lot. More space, maybe the grooves are not as immediate as on the first album, but this still rocks along nicely and widely, quite a good autumn record, all told. And when the hidden track is a studio version of live favourite Walls gets Smaller, I really have no complaint. Except that it dawns near the end of the record that they’re actually trying to be the new U2, same sound, similar voice. Next album should clarify the situation. 8/10

 

The Polyphonic Spree : Together we’re heavy. Well, they’ve swapped the white robes for colourful ones now. So here you go : more lush harmonies, more upbeat heart-warming melodies. And no weird 20-minutes-of-humming closing track this time! It may be a bit late in the year for that kind of things (blame me for not having reviewed it earlier), but keep it warm for next summer. 8/10.

 

The Open : The Silent Hours. They certainly mean it epic. But the ‘return of The Big Music’ ? You’re having a larf ! If it were still 1994 I may call this great, but it’s 2004 and on a year where Keane show how it’s done without guitar, let’s call this what it is : not much cop I’m afraid. If the last track shows they could write half a melody if they bothered, this record sounds like very average music that does absolutely nothing for me. Maybe I’ve gone numb, but this is just pointless pretentious stuff. 5.5/10

 

The Ordinary Boys : Over the Counter Culture. Heir apparent to Morrissey. Well, just like The Open, it starts with one of their better tracks. Unlike the Open, it doesn’t get completely pear-shaped after that. Still, despite the decent tunes, I remember Idlewild did an album called The Remote Part maybe 3 years ago, that was in exactly the same vein, yet better and more varied.  So get that instead, and only if you can’t get hold of it, settle for these not-so-extra-Ordinary Boys. Overhyped ? 7/10.

 

The Golden Virgins : Songs of Praise. They may have a crap football team in Sunderland now, but it seems like they have a couple of decent bands. And at last something that veers away from the ordinary. Not revolutionary, but their wise alternance of quiet ballads (there’s even an acoustic country-ish number) and straight rocking tunes hits the right spot. OK maybe finishing with 2 quiet tracks is a bit too much, but it would be churlish to complain. This is just very good. And it sounds interesting for a change. 8.5/10.

 

Razorlight : Up All Night. Another band that didn’t invent or reinvent the wheel but use it bloody well. Straightforward rock’n’roll. Nods to the Libs, early Cure (Golden Touch is to 10-15 Saturday Night what Time for Heroes was to Boys Don’t Cry). Loud bits, quiet bits, classics by the bucket load. Live, Johnny Borrell looks like a bit too smooth first, maybe he just can’t help it, but boy does he act like he means it!! And with the new song (keep the right profile) sounding even better than all the others, this band could be on to something very big. Now for a quick reminder. Anything strictly about 8 is top stuff. 8 is either engaging and new but flawed, or used recipes rehashed very very well. This is top notch rock’n’roll. A promising 8/10

 

The Hives : Tyrannosaurus Hives. Relentless garage rock. Well, they’ve slowed down. Slightly. Kept compact at just 30minutes, this is near flawless, just fantastic no nonsense garridge. No new sounds, no innovation, why bother ? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And you’ve got to admit this is working pretty well. Don’t look for too many slow songs though, there’s hardly one. 8/10

 

!!! : Louden Up Now. Apparently fantastic live, on record it all sounds rather tame apart from a couple of groovy numbers that will get your legs and hips moving. 6/10 (just reviewed to tell you to go and party with them live….something I happened to have just missed actually!)

 

Mylo : Destroy Rock’n’Roll. The Scottish Royksöpp ? Starts there, goes into Daft Punk territory, with a tinge of LCD soundsystem maybe. It’s all very fine, but really pointless in the context of the aforementioned bands doing it just as well. I’m not taken aback. 6/10. (and yes what is this also doing in this review ? I guess it’s just the fact that it was a really easy-to-describe record ! -- and it did get good reviews elsewhere)

 

Björk : Medulla. A very brave move, indeed. Nearly a capella, spooky work from the Icelandic little pixie (want more clichés?). Not bad at all, but let’s face it, not the very best record of her career. There’s only so much art I can acknowledge but not enjoy. So while this might get 9/10 in a weird dreamland, it only gets 7/10 with a reality check.

 

The Radio Dept : Lesser Matters. Some records just stand out. A touch of MBV here, a hint of JAMC there, a decent dose of early Boo Radleys, with a bit of Swedish charm thrown in for good measure: sometimes it’s just about getting the right blend in. So gently rocking and melodic and with a distinct Scandinavian flavour (very reminiscent of last year’s Magnet’s album from nearby Norway), this is the best thing to come out of Sweden since…at least one week. Amazing how these people can now excel in any music genre, not just the old Cardigans’pop. A CD to make you fall in love with (to?) music again. Keep it warm for this winter 8.5/10

 

The Libertines. Do believe the hype. Possibly the best first two albums by any band since Oasis. Actually better than that. Heartfelt, melodic, rocking, ballading, autobiographical even, the complete works. Possibly more Carl when the first was more Pete ? I won’t go into details, but there’s another series of instant classics here, from opener Can’t Stand Me Now to closer The Likely Lads. The Man who would be King ? Last post on the Bugle ? What Katie did ? That’s just too many excellent songs. So where to now for them? You can’t really envisage them carrying on Pete-less, while Babyshambles on the other (i.e. Pete’s) side may be too…shambolic for a consistent career. Still, enjoy this record (and the one before!), it might well be their last. 9.5/10

 

The Concretes. Swedish retro types, chanteuse included. Not in the 70s R’n’R style, but old fashioned 70s French pop. Or something. Interesting, original and soon the magic works, it makes you feel good, it makes you feel good.…..More lovely Scandinavians coming with something different. Some stuff there is irresistibly catchy, summery while co(o)ld. Songs like ‘Seems Fine’ and ‘Lonely As Can Be’ can only cheer you up. Very Swedish indeed, chirpy and fine by me. Absolutely endearing… I must press ‘Play’ again. They just can’t seem to stop churning out good bands out of Sweden these days. Resistance is futile. 8/10

 

Modest Mouse : Good News for People who Love Bad News. For People who like good music too. I don’t know why, I’d listened to this record twice without paying any attention, I guess I just wasn’t taking enough focus too listen. This, while starting like some sort of Mercury Rev rework, gets a little more shouty after a while, and let’s be fair, never lets you down along the ride. Good guitars, interesting voices, up from the underground, this is a very pleasant listening experience, can’t compare it to anything. Stones ? Rev ? Fuck knows what else, it’s just really good, maybe just a touch too long. 8/10