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Weekly Reviews For November 13, 2005

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857 - Stand Out

Self proclaimed purveyors of innovative hip hop, they're actually very old fashioned and very good. Harking back to the days of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, but with a dark edge found with the likes of Marxman, they comfortably mix up social issues and fun issues without deflecting from some powerful beats.

They're comfortable commenting on 9/11 and paedophile priest, but happy to take pops at Lindsay Lohan and Michael Jackson. It's also a blessed relief to listen to hip hop not blighted with the curse of misogeny. And while I'm on that subject, why aren't rappers getting taken to task for the appalling way they portray women? Why is it OK to diss the female of the species, but just try making similar comments about someones ethnicity and watch the shit fly.

There are some real crackers here including "The Real You", "3 Stages of Hell" and the rap rock number "Wingman", which celebrates the underrated art of being said wingman. They also have a wide pallete of sounds throughout the album including classical piano, Gregorian chants and steel drums, which adds to the depth of the music.

It's a shame that they fall into the trap of having so-called skits breaking up the tracks. Leave the comedy to the comedians and, hopefully, they'll stay clear of hip hop.

Minnie Driver - Invisible Girl


I like Minnie Drivers records. There. I've said it. They say admitting that you have a problem is the first step towards recovery, but I don't want to be cured.

There is a sweetness and innocence belying her years and past, which makes her singing quite affecting. The self compositions are strong as well, but as always in this country people seem compelled to damn her without reason.

Take a listen without prejudice, and enjoy.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson – Dress Rehearsal

I'm not sure if this single was ever actually released in the UK despite me having a shiny copy in my hand. Odd. I first became a fan in 2001 when “Room With A View” was released, an excellent modern country album highlighting some excellent singing and songs.

2005 sees Carolyn telling us "Life doesn't wait for us to get it right", something that seems banal but is horribly true. The two songs from the “Dress Rehearsal” album on show here see her continuing in the tradition of her previous release, which will doubtless see her back in the US Billboard Top 10.

It's a bit Sheryl Crow, a bit Dixie Chicks, and an absolute delight. The link takes you to the album as there's no sign of this single!

Alexis Strum – Bad Haircut

Dana Strum was in Slaughter, purveyor of big haired rock anthems in the eighties. As I know no other strums it pleases me to think that Alexis might know all the words to “Fly To The Angels”. Would certainly get her brownie points.

Because as good as this is, there isn't really a lot to distinguish Alexis from the hordes of other female singer / songwriters out there. Mind you, I'm tempted to blame the production and arrangements because the acoustic track “Might Be The One” is absolutely delightful, allowing her voice to shine, with all the little kinks that turn a good singer into a great one.

Might be time yet. Oh, and can I just mention how much I hate ringtone adverts on CD booklets! Stop it, now!

Jack Johnson – Breakdown

Was that it? Plinkity plonk, tiddly woo, banal lyric here, plink plop. From all the press fuss and bother I was expecting something akin to the second coming. Not an American George Formby (yes, it is a ukelele).

Dull in the extreme, it was only the honourable code of reviewing that made me sit through the EXCLUSIVE B Sides (record company capitals, not mine). And neither are as bad as the A side. They're not good, mind. “Constellations” goes for twee hula music, “Girl I Wanna Lay You Down” sounds like a Bread out-take, but it's still the best thing here. Couldn't bring myself to watch the video though, wasn't going to take the chance of putting my foot through the monitor.

Vanessa Brown – Whipped

In a righteous world, this would have soared to the top of the charts with its delicious fusion of old time soul, r'n'b and 21st century production.Topped off with a fabulous vocal and an infectious chorus, it defies belief that the record buying public pass this kind of record by. Flip side “Eternal Life” shows that she can handle ballads as well, although it pales besides the glory that is “Whipped”.

For once the record company can't be blamed as the song was all over the telly and the radio, which means its all your fault:-)

Blues Element – Baby's Got The Blues

Now, there's a lot to be enjoyed here, with some fabulous new songs, great musicianship and an added bonus in the shape of the B3 organ, probably my favourite organ – ooer missus etc. Which is appropriate as a lot of the material would sit nicely on a Dana Gillespie album. Funky blues with lots of double and sometimes single entendres as a quick listen to “Crazy Man Blues” will attest.

However, you need to pick and choose as the vocals of Jamie Browning take the same laid back approach to all the songs, which renders some of them flat. When it's good – “Baby's Got The Blues”, “Not Thinking Of You”, Crazy Man Blues” etc, then it's a delight. When it fails, it's time for the skip button, with “C'mon” programmed out every time.

Overall, though, this is well worth a buy, as you don't hear this style of blues very often nowadays, and it's one I've always enjoyed.

Model A – Transmission Lost

Now this is good stuff, especially for those who loved the verve when they were still 'The' and specialised in swirling, psychedelic grooves. Their goal is “to produce music that combines electronic sensibility and heavy classic rock inspired grooves”. And this is a very good start.

Straight outta California, the splendid noise that is Model A sound like classic prog rock, topped off with 21st century production values and a singer who sounds like the helium fuelled bloke out of The Music. They've put together some remarkable songs with the delicate “Telling” top of my particular pops.

Elsewhere it's a mix of sixties psychedelia and My Bloody Valentine, amped up for a modern Muse loving audience. There's something new every time you listen, and this lot could end up being the band The Mars Volta pretend to be.