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Reviews
WEEKLY REVIEWS FOR JUNE 6TH 2004 I am also Assistant Editor & reviewer
at MetalUK. I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock You will also find some reviews at spacerock.co.uk
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New Reviews But "F.U. Right Back" sold over 2 million copies, so there has to be more than meets the eye from that one song. And there is. Scarily enough, this is almost an r'n'b concept album, split into three parts. The good is represented by "Do Me", "How You Do", "In Love With Me", "I’m Leaving" and "Gotta Man" which represent the happiness engendered by love. The bad comes next with "Who The Hell Are You", "Him" and "I Told You So", then we end up with the ugly in the shape of "Hell No", "Don’t Be Mad" and, of course "F.U.R.B. – F U Right Back". The first big surprise is - the girl can sing. Not something you would have guessed from the single. And they've rolled out the heavyweights for this, not something they would have done for a no-mark. Manning the desks are the Trackmasters (NAS, Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Brandy, R. Kelly, Jay-Z) along with Grammy award winner Rich Harrison (who was responsible for Beyonce’s "Crazy in Love") and Troy Taylor who has produced Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men. These names don't come cheap. There are some fabulous moments here, the killer ballad "I'm Leaving" being top of the list, a definite single contender and a song that shows she can match her voice against the best. The classic soul of "Who The Hell Are You" is another gem, as is the acoustic flavoured "Hell No", which belies it's gentle groove with some very harsh words! There is some hit and miss here, as there often is in this genre, as they try to cover too many bases, with "Gotta Man" missing by several miles in its attempt to cover r'n'b, rap and latin bases in three minutes. But there are considerably more highs than lows and Frankee could end up surprising all of us who ticked the box marked 'one hit wonder' next to her name.
Polly has a warm and sensual style, making it sound all so easy, when it's nothing of the sort. An absolute peach of a single. Hard to believe she used to ply her trade as a Ben & Jason backing vocalist! It's too groovy and joyous to be folk, although the other tracks to tend to wander down fey boulevard. The perfect soundtrack to the warmer days.
Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl Basically, it's "Lust For Life" giving a good old fashioned AC/DC kicking, then having a bucket of water thrown in its face, just in time for another good kicking. It was fabulous then and it is fabulous now, so just buy the damn thing. At least they've done us the courtesy of providing a new B-side, a drawly Exile On Main Street acoustic type thing. If you want to be more technical, from the tambourine intro through the Iggy bass line to the thumping kick drum to the jangle guitar to the drawled rock'n'roll vocal to the handclaps, this is what greasy guitar biker rock should sound like. Even if it is being made by a bunch of skinny white boys! Rock'n'Roll Is Still King.
The Zombies - In My Mind a Miracle Of course, it all went pear shaped and after a long run of flops, their second and final album emerged in 1967, but by then the band had called it quits. It wasn't released in the USA until several months later, and then - shock, horror, probe - "Time of the Season" - became a major hit, more than a year after the group had broken up. Not even that was enough to prompt a reunion, but here we are 37 years on, and mainstays Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone are trading under the name again. I'm not sure how this is any more credible than 1990s "Return Of The Zombies" sans Argent, as this outing sees them without Chris White, Hugh Grundy and the late Paul Atkinson. However, Colin and Rod have been playing together for a few years now, so have found their way back into a groove if "In My Mind A Miracle" is anything to go by. Aided and abetted by former Argent man Jim Rodford on bass, his son Steve on drums and Keith Airie on guitar, this is a fantastic slab of white soul, straight out of 1967, replete with fabulous harmonies and keyboard runs, along with a lyrical smile and a nod to "Odessey and Oracle", their posthumous release. Still not sure about calling it the Zombies, but as song, it's flawless. The single has a live version of the song from London in June 2003, and the album "As Far As I Can See" is out now.
http://www.colinblunstone.co.uk/ Octopus Syng - Beyond The Karmadelic
Coldness, There's The Lovedelic Warmth We loved the "All Beings Are Beautiful" seven incher from last year and wear our hippiedelic badge with pride, so this (limited edition, 500 copies only, get in sharpish) release, is a pleasure from beginning to tend. For those who care about these things, Octopus Syng is basically a one man project from Finland (his Mum calls him Jaire). As far as he is concerned the world stopped turning in 1967 when the summer of love was still a beautiful thing. Which is why this is 60's psychedelic folk rock written, performed and produced by your man Jaire (apart from a couple of backing vox and the word "wonderful". If you'd like a count he manages to tot up 19 different instruments in the pursui of his whimsical psychedelic muse. Including the eko tiger-organ. No, me neither. There are plenty of references, musically, to the world of Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd, with many songs bordering on a cross bwtween fairy tales and nursery rhymes. It's all rather fabulous and does give you a pang for when times seemed to be simpler. Jaire is at his best when he really slows down and strips down as "Life Of Nature" will attest, but the best of the best is, without doubt "Soft Velvet Dreams", which has a little more edge and a fabulous arrangement. Most amusing is the sitar driven r'n'b of "Varansi Rock And Roll All Night Long" where Jaire demands that we 'let cows live in peace'. As we should. A tremendous release which demands your urgent attention. Details on his website, or you can try 'telepatic contact; over the limits of sensibility'. His words, not mine.
Nick Cuda - The Guitar In The Window Nick Cuda has been performing for over twenty years, and now has an intimacy with his instrument that only dedication can bring. Performing Laton jazz, as he does here, every note is heartfely, and if you give yourself up to the music, especially on "European Kind" and "Zitou (Quiet Time)" you will be well rewarded. ALthough there are no weak links here, it is pure pleasure. Ably assisted by Andrew Downing-Acoustic Bass, Ben Riley-Drums, Dick Smith-Percussion, John Lettieri-Accordian/Piano, and Chuck Jackson-Harmonica (who wails a treat on the final blues), this is an absolute delight from beginning to end, one of those late night albums you will turn to time and time again when you need respite from the rigours of life.
NYC Reggae Collective - Alie Nation There are even hints of a Latin beat ("I Don't Think So" - an album highlight) and whereas the collective nature means there's a heapload of different vocalists, it never distracts from the unity of sound. Based on a weekly reggae jam, this CD is composed mostly of original songs by Louie Fleck that deal loosely and directly with the idea of alienation. Amongst the many talented musicians involved are Brian "Milo" Lowe (The MOT!VES, Shaka Milo), Maggie Roche (The Roches), Keith Johnston (Lisa-Lisa & Cult Jam) and Bela Fleck (banjo). A bit out of our way, but well worth the journey.
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