ALBUM REVIEWS

2007

iLiKETRAiNS - Elegies To Lessons Learnt (Beggars Banquet)
Released 1st October 2007



Following on from last year’s critically acclaimed mini-album "Progress/Reform" (Fierce Panda), "Elegies To Lessons Learnt" is the first album proper by iLiKETRAiNS and once again contains haunting songs that engulf you about dramatic or catastrophic historical events, which is a million miles away from the majority of records released these days in the world of disposable pop! Having seen them live in Rotterdam last year, imagery also plays a major role for iLIKETRAINS, who have been described by others as a post rock band, influenced by the likes of Sigur Ros and Nick Cave, to which I would then have to add 90`s indie rock band Tindersticks, but at the same time they have still managed to create their own unique image and have a very distinctive sound: moody and dark, yet at times very emotional and incredibly uplifting. A recent BBC article described the album as containing: "slow, majestic songs that draw lyrical inspiration from history and hagiography, and that wallow in an inconsolable melancholy while simultaneously attaining strange, euphoric peaks." which probably sums them up best. Having now listened to them over the past few weeks, I can only think of one word - magnificent, and must therefore conclude that this is one of the most impressive albums released so far this year. - 8+/10 - TerryA – 15th October 2007




THE HUMAN VALUE - Push and Pull (Big Deal Records)
Released 22nd October 2007



The Human Value are a female fronted, bass driven (post punk / New Wave) indie rock band from LA, and their self titled debut album * ended up being voted as one of our favourite records from last year - They have since decamped from the states to the UK, last month they released the single 'Hold of Me' (track 6 on the new album), and are now set to release their second album - "Push and Pull" (Big Deal Records) - later this month. This album has more of a live feel about it and the other stand out tracks include 'No Sacrifice' (track 3), 'I Don't Care' (Track 4), 'Parts' (Track 9), 'Home is Not Real' (track 11) and the albums closing and title track 'Push and Pull' ... Once again comparisons will be made with the likes of Blondie, Siouxsie Sioux, Joy Division, PJ Harvey and Karen O (YYYs), and in all fairness this album should, and probably will, end up appealing to a lot of fans of the aforementioned artists should they give this album a proper listen - I say this because just like their debut album it requires a few listens to get into it and then before you know it, you're hooked. The Human Value have delivered a very good second album. Go out and find it. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – October 2007

* - For the full review of The Human Value`s self titled debut album from November 2006 go to ALBUM REVIEWS 2006





PJ HARVEY - White Chalk (Island / Universal)
Released 24th September 2007



One of PJ Harvey's many strengths over the years is that she can release an album that ends up sounding totally different to one that she has put out before, in such a way that you actually end up expecting the unexpected. Here she replaces her rather unique guitar driven sound from the past 15 years with a piano! (something she apparently couldn’t even play when she made her last album "Uh Huh Her" in 2004) - When I reviewed her DVD "On Tour, Please Leave Quietly" * back in 2006 I said at the time: Apart from her music the most appealing thing about PJ Harvey is her unique talent for the totally unpredictable and that maybe just like modern day life not everything is necessarily better if it's always perfect ... Having now listened to her new album over the past few weeks I have pretty much come to the same conclusion - Although I really admire and like what she is trying to do here, "White Chalk" is an album that will probably divide her fans, and I also have to say that I am not convinced it will attract that many new fans. Musically, as well as lyrically (and there are some really dark moments on this album), Polly Jean Harvey seems to force herself out of her comfort zone, and takes you the listener with her, on a journey that at times is bleak and full of isolation. However, PJ Harvey has shown yet again that she's a truly original artist who has no need or desire to repeat herself and is still creating music that will go onto inspire so many more bands in the future. I would have given this album an 8.5 out of 10, only for a full priced CD the total running time of around 34 minutes has also created one unexpected disappointment too. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – October 2007

* - For the full review of PJ Harvey`s "On Tour, Please Leave Quietly" {DVD} from May 2006 go to ALBUM REVIEWS 2006





CONTROL {ost} - various artists (Warners)
Released 1st October 2007



The soundtrack for the Anton Corbijn film "Control" - the movie about Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, who killed himself in 1980 just as the band where about to embark on a US tour. This is not so much an original soundtrack but rather a compilation album that offers a track listing of the music that either inspired Joy Division (and then New Order) as a band in the mid to late 70`s (Sex Pistols, Bowie, Roxy Music, Kraftwerk), or fast forward to the 00`s, in how Joy Division have ended up inspiring bands today, which also includes three songs by Joy Division ('Dead Souls', 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', and 'Atmosphere'), while tracks 1, 10 & 18 are three new tracks by NEW ORDER that were written specifically for this soundtrack. There is however one glitch to the final choice of Joy Division tracks, and I don't want to come across too picky, but if the film has been called "Control", then why didn't someone think of including Joy Division`s 'She's Lost Control' to the soundtrack? All in all though this is still a good album as far as soundtracks or compilation albums go. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – October 2007




SIOUXSIE - Mantaray (UM3 / Universal)
Released 11th September 2007



Siouxsie Sioux made an immediate impact back in the 70`s when she fronted a band (Siouxsie & The Banshees) that emerged from the original punk scene who then went onto release a shed load of fantastic and in hindsight some really influential albums, and who also helped create a fair few styles and scenes (Goth, New Wave) along the way! Over the years she has also spent time fronting The Creatures with former partner and Banshees drummer Budgie. - Both Siouxsie & The Banshees and The Creatures have long since gone into musical history and over the past four decades Siouxsie Sioux has matured into one of the most powerful and original front women around - It is therefore a surprise that it has taken her over 30 years to release her first solo album - "Mantaray", although possibly more pop-oriented than her previous efforts, still has a dark(ish) underbelly, where it is especially the lyrics that end up giving her Punk, Gothic and New Wave history away. The stand out tracks are album opener and recent single 'Into a Swan', forthcoming single 'Here Comes That Day' (track 3), 'If It Doesn't Kill You' (track 5), 'Sea of Tranquility' (track 8) and 'They Follow You' (track 9), while 'About To Happen' (track 2) has this strange Franz Ferdinand style intro that doesn't do it any favours, and then there are other moments on the album where someone has decided to recreate some Goldfrapp sounds that in all honesty are slightly outdated now. For me personally, it is also a slightly strange experience to listen to Siouxsie while not being able to hear Budgie`s drumming but as they have both moved on that is something we will just have to accept. - As far as solo albums go, "Mantaray" is still impressive and therefore recommended. - 7+/10 - TerryA – September 2007




THE DYKEENIES - Nothing Means Everything (Lavolta / Columbia)
Released 18th September 2007



This debut album from Scottish band The Dykeenies includes the indie hit singles 'New Ideas' (track 6) and 'Clean Up Your Eyes' (track 4), and considering we included 'New Ideas' in our Monthly Playlist back in September 2006 it has taken a while in finally getting released, although on saying that The Dykeenies are in fact a very welcome addition to the indie-rock scene. The albums other highlights include 'Waiting For Go' (track 2), current single 'Stitches' (track 3), and 'Lose Ourselves' (track 10) which shows that they too are capable of taking New Wave influences to create something new and fresh. If you want a band that just regurgitates what other bands have already created then go listen to bands like The Kooks! - "Nothing Means Everything" by The Dykeenies is a good debut album and they are definitely a band to keep an eye on in the future. - 7+/10 - TerryA – September 2007




THE DEAD 60s - Time To Take Sides (Deltasonic / Rough Trade in NL)
Released 13th August 2007



This should have been an album review but despite someone from the band putting us in touch with their Dutch distributor (Rough Trade NL), nobody there was able (or willing?) to respond and/or deliver an actual copy for review ...





KT TUNSTALL - Drastic Fantastic (Relentless / Virgin / EMI)
Released 11th September 2007 (8th Sept in Benelux)



The second studio album from Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall was released a week earlier than originally planned and features the recent single 'Hold On' (track 5). Unlike her debut album "Eye To The Telescope" * (2004 - Relentless) this album is more upbeat and has more of a live feel to it, which is something that KT herself intended, with her preference to playing gigs rather than spending too much time in the studio recording. Once again, Steve Osborne (New Order / Happy Mondays / Placebo / Curve / Suede / Doves) was responsible for the production. Apart from the single 'Hold On', the stand-out tracks include 'Little Favours' (track 1) which is an upbeat re-recording of a b-side on a single from her first album, 'White Bird' (track 3) which is one of the more laid back songs on the album, 'I Don't Want You Now' (track 7) which is one of the catchiest songs she's written yet and probably the next single, 'Saving My Face' (track 8) which is another catchy song, and 'Somewhere Soon' (track 10), while 'Beauty of Uncertainty' (track 9) and the albums closing song 'Paper Aeroplane' (track 11) are both very moody and also stand out depending on your mood. KT Tunstall said that she also wanted to "push the musicality on the album", and having given it a fair few listens I have to say that she has succeeded admirably and this album should ensure that KT will finally get the recognition she deserves across mainland Europe as an extremely talented singer-songwriter with a fantastic voice. Her subsequent touring should also go towards helping people finally realize that she is very much the real deal and will end up putting fakes like Katie Melua and no shows like Amy Winehouse to shame. - 8/10 - TerryA – 12th September 2007

* - For our review of "Eye To The Telescope" go to ALBUM REVIEWS 2005





DRAGONS - Here Are The Roses (Ohm)
Released May 2007



Dragons are a New Wave band (duo) from Bristol who are trying to sound epic, are heavily influenced by Depeche Mode and the 80`s Goth scene, and where at times they are trying to copy a string of other pretenders like Tears For Fears, only it is 2007 now and their debut album provides rather dull and repetitive electro, and one has to ask who cares? - Yes, it is as bad as it sounds! - 2/10 - TerryA – Summer 2007




EDITORS - An End Has A Start (Kitchenware)
Released 25th June 2007



For me this is an album of two halves. The first half (tracks 1 until 5) follows on from the Editor's 2005 debut, "The Back Room", and although I don't find it as edgy (over produced?) it does have the same formula for success: Some melancholic and deep (some would say depressive) lyrics about life and death sung powerfully by vocalist Tom Smith, a number of up-beat and catchy songs (some would say a bit too coldplayesq) lead guitar rifts, all bound together by some powerful and compelling drumming. I like it, not quite as much as the Back Room, but enough to say track 4 (Bones) is my personal favourite and give this half of the album a definite 7.5/10. Following track 6 (The Racing Rats), which for me is a sort of turning point on the album, I find my interest tailoring off somewhat and if I'm honest it has not been unknown for me to skip through tracks 7-10 a bit quicker than their actual play length. My highly subjective view is that it all slows down too much while at the same time the lyrics remain deeply melancholic, although now just that little bit more pronounced. Of course this is my personal opinion and I'm not sure if I am basing my judgement too much on "The Back Room", or maybe its simply that I just don't rate the last 4 songs? In any case, I cant give the second half of this album anymore than a 5/10. Overall, my calculator is therefore telling me that my score for "An end has a start" is a rounded-up 6.5/10 - Nick – Summer 2007




INTERPOL - Our Love to Admire (Parlophone / Capitol / EMI)
Released 9th July 2007



It has taken a while for Interpol to release their 3rd album but the wait has been worth it. The post punk band from New York who specialize in gloomy indie rock anthems, have more than likely been influenced by New Order, and who with Paul Banks have an intriguing (at times moody) sounding vocalist (on occasions even a bit like Joy Division's Ian Curtis), have got a lot tighter, while the bass and keyboards are even more expressive than on their previous albums, and they have been able to expand the overall sound with their arrangements. The standout tracks on this album include No I in Threesome (track 2), The Heinrich Maneuver (track 4), Mammoth (track 5), Rest My Chemistry (track 8), and Wrecking Ball (track 10). Interpol have definitely been one of the most impressive bands to come from the states this century and this album shows they are here to stay for some time to come. Highly recommended - 8/10 - TerryA – Summer 2007




GALLOWS - Orchestra Of Wolves (Warners)
Released 18th June 2007



This should have been an album review but despite someone from the band putting us in touch with their press officer, nobody at divisionpromotions.com was able (or willing?) to respond and/or deliver an actual copy for review ...





THE WHITE STRIPES - Icky Thump (XL Recordings)
Released 18th June 2007



The sixth album from the Detroit based garage rock duo who also spend a lot of time gathering influences in the UK bring us their follow up to "Get Behind Me Satan" (2005) which signals a welcome return to the band's raw playing style and delivers loud and distorted guitars and drums, with little or no keyboards this time around but with the addition of trumpets and erm ... bagpipes! The best tracks on this album include the opening track (which is also their recent single and the albums title track), You Don't Know What Love Is (track 2) and Conquest (track 4). Prickly Thorn (track 6), Rag and Bone (track 9), I'm Slowly Turning Into You (track 10) and A Martyr For My Love For You (track 11). One slight glitch however is that at times there does appear to be some kind of sound conflict between analogue and digital. Or is that just a sign that my ears are finally aging?! - However, a really good thing about this album (especially compared to the majority of releases by other indie garage rock bands over recent years) is that it does have a lot of variation, and the conclusion is that it is a very welcome return to form and therefore a recommended album for your collection. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – 18th June 2007




VIVE LA FETE - Jour de Chance (Bang / Surprise)
Released 5th June 2007



Vive La Fête have a new album out and this is about their 6th or 7th album since 1998. They are an electro pop band from Belgium, who in the past have tried to pass themselves off as indie and have had a reasonable amount of success in Belgium and Holland although to be honest not that many other places! They went through a period when they were popular with students (presumably the ones that don't have very good hearing or those who just follow the masses?!) ... Maybe the problem for them never breaking through in other countries (this new album has not even got a UK release date yet) is that they have only ever been regurgitating that electro pop sound from the 80`s and with their latest offering - Jour de Chance - they have now opted for a slightly heavier rocky bass sound, but to those living in the 21st century or with 2 functioning ears attached to their head then this album is a painfully dull experience while as a band they are about as useful to the future of music as an ashtray on a motorbike is in the sports world! - 1.5/10 - TerryA – 15th June 2007




CANDIE PAYNE - I Wish I Could Have Loved You More (Deltasonic)
Released 21st May 2007



Candie Payne is a singer from Liverpool who has a great melodic voice and with "I Wish I Could Have Loved You More" she brings us an album that offers us something refreshingly different, which have songs that are either full of those sixties-flavoured retro pop guitar riffs, trumpets and drum beats that at times remind you of Nancy Sinatra or Dusty Springfield, parts when we hear some thrilling dramatic instrumentation bringing back images of John Barry in his days composing Bond soundtracks, but where there are also moments when you can hear more recent influences by the likes of Morcheeba or St Etienne, giving this album a similar retro-modern feel as the trip-hop that came out of Bristol in the Nineties (Portishead & Massive Attack). The production is also worth mentioning in that the album has at times been given a vinyl feel rather than a digital sound which adds to its overall charm. Candie Payne is also no ordinary chanteuse, in that she is also touring the UK at the moment doing gigs with a full band and all the reports we have received are that her live shows come highly recommended. Maybe a good summary would be how The Times described her music when they said "part Springfield, part trip-hop, part spaghetti western"! - She was recently one of the guests on the new series of Later with Jools Holland (BBC2 on 11th May 2007) and her debut album is released just in time to make the perfect accompaniment to those long hot summer days. An uplifting and very impressive debut album which you'll want to play again and again. - 7+/10 - TerryA – 30th May 2007




BJORK - Volta (One Little Indian)
Released 7th May 2007



Björk returns in style with her 6th studio album "Volta", and once again shows that apart from being experimental and still in great voice, just how unique she really can be. The album sound includes a brass section, while the now rather nostalgic 808 beat patterns have at times been replaced by guest drummers pounding out a fascinating tribal (African?) rhythm. The lyrics are about life's joys and pains, and the album sound, is at times rousing and then very ambient. The stand out tracks include recent single "Earth Intruders" (track 1), "Wanderlust" (track 2), "Innocence" (track 4) which will probably be the next single, "Hope" (track 8) and "Declare Independence" (track 9), and for those who have access to it, surround sound is the best way to get maximum impact from this album. As for the title itself, it appears to have multiple meanings: a medieval dance, a river in Africa built by men that doesn't work anymore, and the Italian bloke who invented a battery. There will of course be some people who lost interest back in the 90`s after her albums "Debut" (1993) or "Post" (1995), but to be honest a lot of those people probably haven't been buying anything new since they entered their thirties! (or possibly reside in Holland where the public aren't exactly encouraged to change musical direction that often!) - But for those who appreciate change, like to hear boundaries pushed, and have still got good hearing then "Volta" is an album that should be part of your record collection. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – 27th May 2007




TRAVIS - The Boy With No Name (Independiente)
Released 7th May 2007



TRAVIS shot to prominence in the late 90`s with a string of fantastic singles (Why Does It Always Rain on Me?, Driftwood, Turn) and the critically acclaimed "The Man Who" (independiente - 1999) album. It's now been about 3 years since the Scottish indie pop band released their "Singles" (best of) album and some people were beginning to ask whether they would ever get to bring out any new material. Then in April of this year they returned with the excellent single "Closer" and this month they went onto release their 5th studio album "The Boy With No Name". For those new to the band, TRAVIS became the bridge between the two dominant ends of the indie music scene in the mid 90`s (Radiohead & Oasis) and then contributed immensely (at least over in the UK) towards the post-Britpop, post-Radiohead wave of UK indie rockers during the late 90`s (Sadly too many mainland European countries are still stuck in that very period - even if it is already 2007 now! - which also may help explain why over recent years there have been far too many overrated 3rd and 4th division bands like Keane who have tried a similar formula and became popular with the ill informed youth of today?!) With "The Boy With No Name", TRAVIS are back doing what they do best (warm, at times expansive, indie rock ballads), and this album just gets better and better on each listen, with the single "Closer", "Big Chair" (which is the best song Coldplay never wrote!), "Selfish Jean" (of which the intro could fit perfectly into the "Trainspotting" soundtrack), "Battleships" and "Under The Moonlight" (which has some brilliant harmonies with fellow Scot KT Tunstall) being the standout tracks. The album closes with "New Amsterdam" which is in fact a tribute to New York City (its original name) although by mentioning Amsterdam it should therefore also appeal to the Dutch... Highly Recommended. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – 24th May 2007




ARCADE FIRE - Neon Bible (Merge / Sonovox)
Released 5th March 2007



The eagerly anticipated second album from Arcade Fire finally hit the shops on 5th March and having stormed the world with their debut album "Funeral" (2005 in Europe *) comparisons are bound to be made. "Neon Bible" has a different tone to their debut but is still left of centre, at times epic and highly enjoyable (sometimes even in a very dark or negative way) and is in fact one of those records that comes along once in a while that really demands your attention because they have managed to sound very unlike any other bands yet still offer a familiarity to fans of different musical genres. Some people have already drawn comparisons with 80s bands like Talking Heads or Echo & The Bunnymen, in which case I will add Prefab Sprout (especially on "No Cars Go"). Also worth pointing out is that unlike the last album by The Killers (see our review under October 2006), if you're going to make epic indie rock, it really helps if you have something to say, which Arcade Fire do. Apart from the biblical references or doomsday scenarios, ‘MTV/ what have you done to me?’ - is probably having a go at those who mistakenly believe image to be more important than the songs? There are plenty of other moments when they can be rather negative or melancholic, to which some people are bound to complain that this album is a bit too serious for its own good, but this just adds to its overall charm as maybe it is highlighting these kind of imperfections in all of us that may just become our own saving grace? At the moment my favourite songs (although just like with their debut I am almost certain these will keep changing in time) are "Keep the Car Running" (track 2), "Intervention" (track 4), "Black Wave/Bad Vibrations" (track 5), "The Well and The Lighthouse" (track 7), "Windowsill" (track 9) and "No Cars Go" (track 10). The overall impact of this album is a bit like huge landscapes hurtling into view - Not all as pretty but impressive none the less! With a European tour and summer festivals approaching, 2007 is the year that Arcade Fire will go mainstream, and for an indie band not too dissimilar to the kind of impact that The Smiths made during the 80s. "Neon Bible" is an essential album for your collection - 9/10 - TerryA – 17th March 2007

* - For our review of "Funeral" go to ALBUM REVIEWS 2005





AIR – Pocket Symphony (Virgin)
Released 5th March 2007



The new AIR album seems somewhat of a departure from the ‘lounge’ and ‘electronic’ trademark that we are used to, which for some may be enough to write it off straight away as inferior to their previous releases. However, although on my first listen it certainly made less of a direct impact, the more down-tempo and organic piano and acoustic guitar based sounds are already starting to rub-off, albeit on a different level to Air albums of the past. Pocket Symphony seems a more complex mix of dark and melancholy, sad and empty, soft and emotional influences, including lyrical contributions from Jarvis Cocker and Neil Hannon following on from last years Air written and performed album "5:55" sung by Charlotte Gainsbourg. Those searching for a recognisable link to the classic Air sound should go directly and solely to track 8 (Mer du Japon), while track 6 (Left Bank) would not have been out of place on a folktronica inspired Tunng album. I am also left wondering, after listening to track 11 (Redhead Girl), if Air are secretly big fans of 80’s film Top Gun, with its reoccurring rift bearing a comic resemblance to Berlin’s ‘take my breath away’ used in the film soundtrack! However, after several more listens Pocket Symphony is continuing to grow on me, but it seems this is an album that needs time to make its mark. I just wonder how many people are buying the album or going to one of Air’s upcoming concerts expecting something different. At this moment in time I still find last years Charlotte Gainsbourg`s album a more memorable recent ‘Air’ achievement, so for now I am giving "Pocket Symphony" a 7/10 - Nick – 6th March 2007




TOKYO POLICE CLUB - A Lesson In Crime (Memphis Industries / V2 / Paper Bag Records) - EP / Mini Album
Released 2006 - February 2007 (Europe)



Originally released last year, and with the opening track sounding like they could be influenced by The Strokes, the European release of "A Lesson In Crime" has 8 songs in around 18 minutes and is in fact a mini album, with their full length debut album expected to be released later this year. This is described by the band as being a soundtrack to a futuristic society in distress. It is a promising debut from this Canadian Indie Rock Band, who will be making their first live appearances at venues across Europe during February, and you can already tell that along with a well oiled press machine and one of the top UK agents, whilst also appearing at most of the summer festivals, TPC will probably end up becoming one of the major breakthrough acts this year. However, on the evidence of this mini album I suppose time will tell whether in years to come they can stand the test of time, because although on this release these 2 or 3 minute songs are raw, energetic, fast paced and full of excitement with their scratchy guitars and pounding drums, I can imagine it could well be a totally different experience if you ended up with similar songs spread across a full length album? Because one thing that is missing on "A Lesson In Crime" is space! - And after a while you no longer appreciate all the potential highs because they have crammed their songs full of speed changes and as a result they have not left much room for any climaxes. That said, it is a promising debut and they do still have youth on their side. - 7/10 - TerryA – 15th February 2007




HUSKY RESCUE – Ghost is not real (Catskills records)
Released 29th January 2007



After being entranced by their ambient ‘folktronica’ debut album "Country Falls" back in 2004, I have been eagerly awaiting the January release date of Husky Rescue’s follow-up "Ghost is not real". Unfortunately for me personally, after a handful of listens I have to say that the Finish 5-piece have not lived up to my expectations with this album. Although there are some great moments of down-tempo electronica mixed together with the folksy sound (Diamonds in the sky/Nightless night/Caravan) for which Country Falls became a favourite album of mine, most of the other songs in-between fail to give this album the same level of quality and unity, with low moments "Blueberry Tree, Part III" (track 6) sounding like a Coldplayesq guitar crescendo, and "Shadow run" (track 9) an attempted rap song. That aside, I do like this album and if either their debut had not been so good or they had followed its concept more closely, I would have less to complain about. I certainly include Husky Rescue in my list of Scandinavian (Sigur Ros/Royksopp/Efterklang/Under Byen) and UK (Boards of Canada/Tunng) bands that keep producing music and lyrics with a sense of spirituality, space and an idea of the vast and often powerful natural landscapes that surround and influence them. I really wanted this to be one of my best albums of 2007, however with regret I can’t give it any more than a 6.5/10 - Nick – 10th February 2007




BLOC PARTY - A Weekend in the City (Wichita / V2 in Europe / Vice in USA)
Released 5th February 2007



First of all I have to confess that while there was tons of people out there who raved on and on about their debut album "Silent Alarm" (Wichita Records) from 2005 I wasn't really that convinced. Ok, it did have a few good songs but by the end of that year there were so many other albums that had impressed me a lot more, and come the spring of 2006 I actually gave my copy away, realizing that it had since ended up in a pile of CDs that I hardly ever touched anymore. Fast forward to 2007 and the current music press darlings get to bring us their second album, "A Weekend in the City", and it appears that there are now tons of people who simply can not afford to suddenly say that they are not impressed with the outcome. But now having listened to it, just like their debut album, Bloc Party ultimately flatter to deceive, with a few good or decent songs ("Kreuzberg", recent single "The Prayer", "I Still Remember" & "SRXT") surrounded by far too many instantly forgettable songs. Maybe one reason is because on this second album Bloc Party attempt to create a rock sound that has long become outdated to the new generation of alternative music lovers (maybe their own record collection even includes far too much U2 and Therapy?) and as a result they may like to think that they are still indie and cutting edge but will end up only appealing to those still stuck in the 90`s. That said, this album should do really well in Holland then! - After all the hype, and even though there is some talent on display, a disappointing follow-up to their debut album, while in the current music industry climate they may not even get a chance to record their third album.
6/10 - TerryA – 7th February 2007




FIELD MUSIC - Tones of Town (Memphis Industries / V2)
Released 22nd January 2007



Back in 2005, Field Music's self titled debut album * was an exciting find and I went onto mention that this trio from Sunderland were definitely ones to watch out for in the future. Once again, with their new album "Tones of Town", Field Music have a unique ability to allow their songs to change direction, and unexpected gems begin to unfold. The initial intro on the album goes from somewhere inside a cafe, to a sound which reminds me of Ryuichi Sakamoto`s soundtrack from The Last Emperor, before totally changing direction to bring us the opening song that is "Give It, Lose It, Take It". What follows is a very impressive, highly infectious, charming and very clever album. One that after several listens unfolds layers and layers of musical and lyrical magic! - Thankfully there is no lyric sheet in the album, because this way you have to work it out for yourself, where on closer listening their songs are jam packed with clever tales about both hope and despair surrounding life in today's society (in the past they have been accused by some of being a bit too subtle for the masses and this may still be a stumbling block for those Europeans who tend to get their English language skills from those American TV shows!) - In my opinion Field Music have delivered a fantastic album. They have shown again that they are not afraid of pushing boundaries and to try something different and for that they should be praised to the heavens. Yes, it is that good! - 8+/10 - TerryA – 5th February 2007

* - For our review of their self titled debut album go to ALBUM REVIEWS 2005




THE SHINS - Wincing The Night Away (Sub Pop)
Released 22nd January 2007



Some will say that they have matured on this (their third) album, while others will say that they may have played it too safe, become rather predictable within their current environment and dare I say it, become a bit boring! - On their previous albums, especially "Oh, Inverted World" they showed that they were really clever at creating intimate songs with really good melodies, and after their inclusion on the "Garden State" soundtrack they almost went onto reach mainstream recognition. This album does have some highlights ("Phantom Limb", "Red Rabbits", "Girl Sailor" & "A Comet Appears") but the remaining tracks on offer are just about passable or in some cases even disappointing ("Turn On Me" & "Spilt Needles") - After several listens it also becomes apparent that the drums and bass in the final mix appear way too loud and therefore those aforementioned cool melodies from albums past suffer on this album. In addition, the lyrical content has become rather lame. But lets face it, how can you continue to write about the ups and downs of small-town life and recreate the occasional adrenalin rush of youth when it quickly becomes apparent that the artists involved have long since vacated their trailer park setting and moved on into the nearest cosy hotel? Maturity and pop, especially indie pop, don't mix and probably never will? - So although this album is a brave attempt to try something different it somehow fails to deliver convincingly. - 6.5/10 - TerryA – 31st January 2007




THE VIEW - Hats off to the buskers (1965 Records)
Released 22nd January 2007



As the new year kicks in we get this very energetic debut album full of big choruses and guitar solos from hotly-tipped Scottish band The View, who have already had two top 20 hits over in the UK (with debut single "Wasted Little DJs" and the follow up "Superstar Tradesman"), and already look set to become the latest hype for 2007. The album was produced by Owen Morris (who was also responsible for the OASIS debut album "Definitely Maybe") and not too dissimilar to the ARCTIC MONKEYS about this time last year, "Hats Off To The Buskers" finds a young working class band telling stories about life in a provincial British city (in this case the setting is Dundee) - Apart from the aforementioned singles, there are also clearly Oasis influences to be found on this album with “Don’t Tell Me” (track 4) sounding a bit similar to “She’s Electric” and “Face For The Radio” (track 7) which has that acoustic feel from their second album. "Wasteland" (track 13) is in your face and bound to be a live favorite for years to come, and while "Same Jeans" (track 3) is a very uplifting and catchy song, I also have to confess that ever since hearing it for the first time it keeps reminding me of a song by a band who continue to remain on the tip of my tongue but I just can`t seem to come up with it (yet!?) ** - That said, "Hats off to the buskers" is an(other) impressive debut album by a band who should become very popular in 2007. Whether the lyrical content is understood or appreciated by the youth in Holland is probably irrelevant (other bands have previously had success over here based on the music and sound alone) - However, songs should be all about the music AND the lyrics and at the same time you then also realize that this album could never have been made by any Dutch band (Johan & The Sheer take note!) and this is not just because life can sometimes be a real struggle. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – 27th January 2007

See also previous article about THE VIEW in our NEW BANDS section.

** update 4th February: it finally came to me, "Same Jeans" in fact sounds way too similar to CORNERSHOP`s "Brimful of Asha". And while we`re on the subject of "sounds like", I can also hear a lot of Kirsty MacColl in "Wasted Little DJs" - Still good songs though!




HOT CLUB De PARIS - Drop it `til it pops (Moshi Moshi Records)
Released 2006 (4-1-2007 in NL)



Hailing from Liverpool, Hot Club De Paris are another in a series of new punky pop bands who have been emerging from the UK over recent years and their debut album has been getting a decent amount of press since it was released late last year over in the UK. With their high-speed and catchy stop-start riffs, they sound like they could be influenced by The Futureheads, while their long song titles suggest they may have taken a few tips from P!ATD and Fall Out Boy. Most of the tracks on this album are delivered at a furious pace with almost no time to stop for breathe, with current single "Shipwreck" (track 1), "Clockwork Toy" (track 2), previous singles "Sometimesitsbetternotto..." (track 6) & "Everythingeverythingeverything" (track 13) and "Your Face Looks All Wrong" (track 12) being the standout tracks on the album. The lesser moments on this album would have to include the lyrical conflicts found in "Bonded By Blood" (track 10) where one minute they are singing about 'scoring some sluts' and almost immediately go on to tell us that they "love them"?! and "Welcome To The Hop" (track 10) that comes across as a b-side thrown onto the album at the last minute in an attempt to increase the total running time to just over 33 minutes? But despite this slight blip, it is a good debut album and Hot Club De Paris are set to become firm favourites in the alternative music scene.
7/10 - TerryA – 27th January 2007




CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG - 5:55 (Because / Atlantic)
Released September 2006



AAPA has to admit missing a great album released way back in September 2006. Daughter of French musical parents Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, Charlotte Gainsbourg first released a solo album back in 1993 and has now managed to release an album with music written and played by AIR with lyrics written by both Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) and Neil Hannon (Divine Comedy). We also now understand how Jarvis and Neil came to work on the new Air album due for release in March 2007 (see our latest news section), while this album was produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck, Travis, REM) and David Campbell (the father of Beck) was responsible for the string arrangements. "5:55" has trademark AIR sounds resonate through the album, which could have been ‘Air featuring Charlotte Gainsbourg’ was it not for some typically witty and cynical lyrics from both Jarvis and Hannon giving it some extra lyrical depth usually missing from an Air album. As a big Air fan everything they do is in my opinion musically fantastic and this beautiful album is no exception, electronic and natural sounds perfectly blended together with a whispered and haunting voice signing some great lyrics. Personal favourites are track 1 (5:55), track 3 (Operation) and track 7 (Little Monsters) and had I had known about this fantastic album in time, it would certainly have made the top section of my 2006 albums.
8/10 - Nick – 24th January 2007




JOANNA NEWSOM - Ys (Drag City)
Released 6th November 2006



This is one of those albums that you will either love or hate, and who knows, maybe that's the whole idea? Joanna Newsom is a classically trained harpist and singer who sounds a bit like a harsher version of Björk. This is her 2nd album and it was recorded by Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Solar Race) and it also includes string arrangements by Van Dyke Parks. The end result is an album that many are saying sounds unlike anything else, while the media hype machine (which looks like it has been working overtime over recent months!) tell us that Newsom is a poetic and musical genius, is able to create songs with no apparent structure and that this album is simply a stupendous, unique, exceptional masterpiece, etc, etc. However, the flipside to that entire media fed over hyped description is how would you describe someone who has made an hour long "Alt-Folk" album with a lot of Harp and the occasional Banjo!, who after several listens you then realize tends to repeat herself far too often, comes out with sentences like "When I cut your hair, and leave the birds all the trimmings, I am the happiest woman amongst all women" (as heard in "Only Skin" ) and probably likes the sound of her own voice so much in that she just keeps going on and on and on without recognizing that sometimes a break or moment of silence may be appreciated by the listener? There are even occasions when her extended word play results in nothing actually being said, which is a bit contradictory if according to her press release she is supposed to have "a passionate appreciation for the musicality of words"!? This is a very bold album, and it does have its moments, but the end result to me was dull, boring, very very pretentious, erratic and could very easily be described as drivel. I can already see certain sections of the public (and press) embracing this album (a bit like those who have previously embraced the likes of Katie Melua, Clannad or Keane as being cool and interesting!) - Probably those same annoying modern day hippies and revolutionaries who still manage to keep one eye on the stock market while having no qualms buying organically grown mangos that have been shipped or flown over from Central America at a much greater cost to the environment?! - Ok, rant over, as for this album I think I will pass. And for what its worth, at least Björk can actually sing!
4/10 - TerryA – January 2007




THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN - The Good, The Bad & The Queen (Parlophone / Virgin in North America)
Released 22nd January 2007



Damon Albarn, the front man of both BLUR and GORILLAZ starts the new year by releasing a brand new album with his new band THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN which also includes Paul Simonon (bass player from The Clash), Tony Allen on drums and Simon Tong (guitarist from The Verve), along with the help of part of the production team behind Gnarls Barkley (Danger Mouse). There are times on this album when you can still hear Blur and Gorillaz, but there are also moments when Bowie, The Beach Boys and Ennio Morricone *, along with influences drawn from the British Beat sound (from the 50`s), punk (from the 70`s), reggae and dub, Britpop (from the 90`s) and moody film scores can be heard. "Herculean" (their debut single - see also the AAPA Playlist from November) is downbeat, atmospheric and menacing, while recent single "Kingdom of Doom" (track 4) continues along that moody path while telling a tale about a city whose inhabitants "drink all day, because the country's at war", but despite these 2 tracks its when you listen to the entire album as if watching a film unfold that you end up with a very different, more satisfying image. "Northern Whale" (track 3) was originally a love song that turned into a song about a whale, while "A Soldier's Tale" (track 9) could well be a homage to Morricone`s "Story of a Soldier" / "Death of a Soldier" from his soundtrack to "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" * from 1966. The end result is that its different than anything you think you've heard, and one of those albums that really does get better and better with each listen. A highly recommended album and a fantastic start to the new year. - 8/10 - TerryA – 22nd January 2007

* - Like myself, Damon Albarn is probably also a huge Ennio Morricone fan and it is therefore fair to say he has also been influenced by the Italian composer. He was also sat directly behind me during the maestros first ever UK concert back in 2001 at the Barbican in London. Meanwhile there are strong rumours that Ennio Morricone will finally be honoured at this years Oscar ceremony for his outstanding contribution over the years to film music.




JARVIS COCKER - Jarvis (Rough Trade)
Released 13th November 2006



former PULP front man Jarvis Cocker releases his first solo album, which also includes a choir and string arrangements, and was recorded this year in Sheffield, London and Paris. It is an album full of typical British wit and sarcasm covering topics that swing from life and western society as it is today, to relationships and finally, 25 minutes after ending, you're treated to that eagerly awaited bonus track "Running The World" which is his response to a speech from Tony Blair surrounding last years Live8 event, which includes the lines "the cream can't help but rise to the top, but I say shit floats" ... "the working classes are obsolete" and in conclusion that "the cunts are (indeed) still running the world". The stand out tracks are "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time" (track 2) which is to be the new single and set to be released on 8th January, "Heavy Weather2 (track 4), "I Will Kill Again" (track 5) which is a ballad covering our media controlled safe but dull life where we are all dying of boredom, "Fat Children" (track 7) which delves into modern day life, telling us that "parents are the problem, giving birth to maggots without the sense to become flies", the end of society depicted in "From Auschwitz to Ipswich" (track 8) when "just like the Roman Empire fell away - we are going the same way", and "Tonite" (track 10) all help make this a really good solo album. - 7.5/10 - TerryA – December 2006






Please be advised that although we would really like to review more albums (or gigs) in depth this is not always going to be possible as we are just not in a position to purchase every release. However, through our network we do get to borrow or make use of listening posts in record shops to check out new releases - For an expanded summary of more new albums then you can also go to our "2006 - The year so far" section (HERE) for our marks out of 10 ...

Our overview with a "Best of 2007" compilation in one Play List can now be found - > HERE

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - 2007
click here for NOMINATIONS & WINNERS !!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - 2006
click here for NOMINATIONS & WINNERS !!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - 2005
click here for NOMINATIONS & WINNERS !!

We would also recommend that you go through our MySpace link where you get to see an overview of all the artists & bands who we believe are making a real difference - > HERE

Wij adviseren dat jullie ook via onze MySpace link naar de overzicht gaan kijken van alle bands wat wij op dit moment belangrijk vinden - > HIER




There are more CD reviews in the Dutch language & TOP 10 ALBUMS by TerryA on the musicmeter.nl website (where it is marks out of 5) - > HERE