Reviews

Weekly Reviews For June 18, 2006

Review Index

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.

New Reviews

JeBron - Beautiful

We don't get much r'n'b round our way. Well we do but it's white boys riffing up old Elmore James tunes r'n'b. Whatwe don't get are mid tempo grooves nodding towards Usher and R. Kelly with a big hunk of seventies Philly thrown into the mix.

Not only is this a great song, but the boy can sing. I mean really sing. All it takes is one lucky break and the removal of the Theo moustache, and JeBron could be all over with this self writtena nd produced gem.

Eric Anders - Tethered To The Ground


Sometimes you just have to shake your head in sorrowful astonishment. Because some records are just so good that I can't begin to comprehend how you (yes, you) manage to get through this miserable existence without experiencing their majesty. And this is one of those records.

Mind you, the same could be said of every record Eric Anders has released. For his acoustic based laments are unbelievably affecting. I've always been a believer in little joys breaking up otherwise perpetual misery and, from his songs, it would appear that Mr Anders may well share that viewpoint.

Although things never get above a gentle amble, the songs, yet again, are utterly captivating with "Far Away Land", "Looking Forward To Your Fall" and "Truth Be Told" the best of the best.

Always on the edge of falling apart this, like the best work of the Marks, Kozelek and Eitzel, is an album that ends up possessing you.

Ian Sclater - It's Weird In Here

Not another gosh darned acoustic singer / songwriter! there must be a mad professor type hidden away somewhere in the Carpathian mountains churning them out as part of a devious plan to destroy the world.

So, why should you listen to this CD? Well, if you like the sounds of words, then Mr Sclater has a few gems tucked away. "I Am the Light", "Black Silk", "Always More" and others take a delight in the use of language. He is also very adept with melodies and there's always a chorus just around the corner to keep you listening.

Considering the sparse instrumentation - just vocals and guitars - there are some interesting arrangements to make sure your interest doesn't flag and if you're a fan of old fashioned singer / songwriters who go beyond June moon glooom, then this could be right up your street.

Scissors For Lefty - Ghetto Ways

There are many things in life that I don't understand - the countryside, fruit, gravity, reality TV - and many others. Added to that list is the desire to recreate the popular music of 1981.

If I wanted to listen to a dodgy Depeche Mode single from the Vince Clarke era, then I would. But I don't. They mix it up a bit on track 2, "Save It Cory" (Haim, Feldman or both) by impersonating A-Ha. I assume "Marsha" is their big Mike Yarwood moment (ask your grandparents). "And this is me!" But he couldn't sing either

Mystery Disguise - Hidden Personality

Jesus, it's 1982! And the Flying Lizards aren't a figment of my speed ravaged imagination. This could be the most vivid flashback since the luminous green crucifixes. And I nver want to see them, ever again.

And, lo and behold, it transpires that Natha Toms (who is Mystery Disguises) is influenced by the Human League (boo!), tomas Dolby (why?) and Falco (hurrah!). And f his plan was to make an album that sounds contempourous to them, then he has succedded admirably.

There are some good songs here which almost have me reaching for the blue eyeliner - "Hidden Personality", "Different Kinds Of Heartaches" - which would have been a Top Tenner in '82 - and "Can't You Understand Me".
Elsewhere, it gets a bit Blancmange B-side, but it's certainly interesting.

Tommy Brown - Virtuosos 1


Now here's someone who remembers how great seventies soul music was. And once you ge past the scary front cover, there is a lot to enjoy here.

Tommy Brown possesses a fine voice, and when the material and arrangements mesh with it, then it is a delight. The mid-tempo lurve grooves of "Real Love", "Cry No More" and "Special Touch" bring to mind the vibe of Teddy Prendergass, which is no bad thing.

Some of the percussion is a bit eighties, and Tommys vocal register sometimes goes all Camille, but this is, overall, a late night treat for you and your woman/man.