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Reviews
Weekly Reviews For October 9, 2005 I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life
I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock I am also featured reviewer at spacerock.co.uk
I
was Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.
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New Reviews
Zane Lowe likes them which is another strike against them, but they do come from Canterbury, home to my 2nd favourite cathedral, so one strike back. It's all a bit sweeping, anthenmic, coldplayesque, but they do have a sense of urgency that stops them spinning off into the hole marked dull. As indie goes, they do it reasonably well, and I do hold the vocals of Jason Bavanandan in high regard, as he has a stridency missing from many of his dishwater peers. Oddly, I preferred the languid B-side, "Damascus", which was considerably more hypnotically desolate, a feeling I have some empathy with. To be honest, thats what saved them from the pile marked NME pap. Whisper it, but it was very Gene-like, a bit of a guilty pleasure.
"One of those albums that dark times and late nights will have you reaching for, "Cichi (A Beautiful Woman)" is a delight from start to finish" and, 'The Guitar In The Window' as "one of those albums you will turn to time and time again when you need respite from the rigours of life." And this might be his most accomplished album yet. Skipping over the opening jazz / hiphop crossover track, 'The Guitar Homie' as all reasonable human beings should, this latin infused album is chock full of delights. From the re-recording of 'A Beautiful Woman' (now complete with vocals - go for the Spanish version), the sheer poetic artistry of 'The Gypsy Woman', the delightful and heartfelt ballad, 'Riding On' with a fine vocal from Adrian Bred and my particular favourite, 'Latin Ways', with its understated accordion part, this is another inspiring instalment from Mr Cuda.
The Black Watch - The Innercity Garden
ep / The Hypnotising Sea Actually dating back to 1987, the Black Watch has a chequered history with many ups and downs. Despite their name bearing a remarkable similarity to a famous Scottish regiment their music is, I'm reliably informed, best compared to the likes of XIC, My Bloody Valentine, Robyn Hitchcock and The Cure. Now I'm not 100% familiar with music of all of these bands but whatever the reference points, I was impressed. The feedback drenched opening of both the 'ep' and the album soon gives way to a strong melodic guitar line and what unfolds is a wondrous slice of 'indie pop'. The string embellished chorus of 'Papercut' is simply irresistible while the words play and musical acumen on 'Dylan, Dylan, Dylan' is a fitting tribute to his Bobness- and great fun as well! The title track of the album is a lyrical odyssey, over 5 of the most creative minutes, with an extraordinary backing with ingenuous use of guitar tunings, a demonstrably excellent rhythm section and an inspired use of sampled 'soundbytes'. 'The Teacup Song' is an entirely different animal with a Nick Drake acoustic lightness. Indeed 'Moonlight Thru' Ivy' later also has that special Drake touch, a beautiful, suitably sparse number with just a vocal and acoustic guitar joined by percussion. I was more than satisfied by the first six tracks and didn't think the 'lo fi' did 'Willing to Wait'- there's actually a very fine song buried in there- any favours. The jangly guitars of 'The Shakespeare Song' suggest that The Black Watch's music is rooted in another era but the music has a modern touch, sounding fresh and vibrant largely thanks to the distinctive vocal and lyrical style of writer John Andrew Frederick. The highlight of this immensely enjoyable music may in fact come
on 'Teacup Song Take 2' from the 'ep' (Worth buying for the brilliant
drumming alone).
(Reviewed by Phil Jackson for Zeitgeist) Hawkwind - Spirit Of The Age CD1
and CD2 The 'greatest band in the world' (c) me return with the 'greatest song ever written' (c) me and you expect me to criticise? Not going to happen. Now,I will admit that when Hawkwind are bad, they are very bad. But when they hit form no-one can even come close. And this is a good version, and I'm speaking as someone with 40+ renditions on various albums and singles, official and unofficial. Naturally, it's not as good as the original, but as that is the only perfect song I've ever heard, it wasn't likely. But Hawkwind 2005 give it a good go. Taken at a quicker pace than the original, it's augmented with some driving bass, and the odd guitar attack, which I'm sure will get it on the radio - well, it is the wishfully titled Radio Edit! CD2 gives you a live version with the added bonus of 'celebrity' fan Matthew Wright joining in. I'm not sure if Channel 5 qualifies you as a celebrity, but he's still more famous than me and bigs them up whenever he can. CD1 adds in a couple of live versions of "Angela Android" and the still renamed "Assassins Of Allah". "Hassan I Sahba" to you and me, I'm sure it will get the Daily Mail up in arms. They're both good versions, but "Assassins.." is another classic, so wins on points. CD2 goes with another re-recording, this time of "Paradox". Similar to the original, it lacks a bit of oomph in the middle section, but remains a Hawkwind highlight. It all bodes well for the new album, and hopefully will give them a shot in the arm. After all, it's been 7 long, long years since the last studio album, and I need more Hawkwind fixes than that!
Keane - This Is The Last Time What son / daughter of Satan sent this to me? An unmarked envelope, damn them. The rules dictate I listen to all submissions but after this it was ear bleaching time. It's rare for a band to be worse than the execrable Coldplay but the facile emoting on display is beyond dire. Odd then, that the actual ballad - B-side "She Opens Her Eyes" is very Peter Hammill "Love Songs". Maybe there's a good solo album 20 years down the line. At least it's a limited edition 7" so there might be a home on Ebay.
The White Stripes - My Doorbell Another day, another peculiarly addictive single from Jack and the always luscious Meg. This time on white vinyl, but sadly, sans stripes. As with most of the new material it's piano drive but underpinned by Megs primal percussion, topped off with Jacks new quasi falsetto. Flip it over for a live version of "Same Boy You've Always Known" from that live show in Brazil MTV keep showing. The one where the cameraman keeps on cutting Meg off. Git. Unremarkable but a pleasant enough curio.
Le Tigre - TKO I don't really do self conscious 'arch'. You know - a raised eyebrow, a smug look and a sense of 'I know something you don't. Le Tigre have that in spades, but this is an infuriating, addictive, pure pop single, the way it should be. I hate myself for liking this, and I'm glad no-one will buy it. That way I can avoid the sugar rush chorus and urge to do the robot. The remix is rubbish, mind.
Super Furry Animals - Lazer Beam You can't go far wrong with a Super Furry Animals single, although they're not as good as the music press would have you believe. Bit over 3 minutes they purvey a superior brand of sixties psychedelia, all West Coast harmonies and Zombies melodies. This time with a hint of added gospel. Another vinyl release, this 7" has "Sunny Seville" as its B-side, which is abit Archdrood Julian Copey by way of Beck (not Jeff) and McCartney melodies. Not their best, but good enough.
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