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New Reviews
Various - First Aid Kit
This is a bargain priced introduction to some of the artists available
through Fierce Distribution. How much of a bargain, you ask? Eight
tracks for a pound - that's how much of a bargain! And no, I'm not
kidding, it really is onle one of Her Majestys pounds.
Things kick off in absolutely stunning style with "Solid Rock"
by Delirious? It's a great song, chock full of their trademark big
classic rock sound but with a contemporary edge. ALl Star United
are next up with "Love And Radiation", more modern rock
but with another cracking chorus and biting guitar solo.
Vera Cruz are new to me but certainly impress with "Cold That
You Feel", especailly if you're into Muse. I'm not but hey.
"Big God Theory" by Superhero continues things in similar
indie rock mode before things take a slight electronic twist with
"You've Won My Heart" by Neil Wilson which, unfortunately,
then slips into predictable anthemic indie.
Matthew West whips out his acoustic for "History" which
is equally anthemic but he gets the swell factor bang on, carrying
you along with it. "Fire" by Sarah Brendel was a Top 10
hit in Germany and with its driving Kelly Clarkson / Avril Lavigne
rhythm, it's easy to see why. Luv Esther finish things off with
"Salvation Day", a reggae / samba hybrid, perfect ofr
a summers day.
"First Aid Kit" certainly did its job with at least half
the artists encouraging me to seek out more. And did I mention it
only costs a pound?
Jesse Sprinkle - Unnoticed
Personally, were I a sensitive melodic singer songwriter taking
a journey into melancholy and joy, I would not use the name Jesse
Sprinkle. If I was a porn star I'd be happy to, but I'm assuming
Mr Sprinkle doesn't have a night job he's not letting on about.
However, I'm here to write about music - a futile role, I know -
not cast aspersions at strangers. And Jesse is a very talented man
indeed. The words Elliot and Smith have been cast in his direction
but I've no time for that particular late lowlife, and "Unnoticed"
is considerably more grounded than that. Rather, his poetry is rooted
in the here and now of living, allied to some mighty fine melodic
rock.
There aren't many drummers who've stepped into the limelight and
shone - um, Levon Helm and, well that's it. Don't start me on that
Foo Fighters fool, that's an argument you will lose. I've still
got one shotgun blast left. But Jesse has it all, damn him. Great
songs and a soothing voice. Check it out now.
Stone Crazy Blues Band - Barnyard
Boogie
It's two in the morning, you've had far too much whisky to drink,
the rain and wind is beating against the windows, there's no-one
you can turn to, and the misleadingly named Stone Crazy Blues Band
are your soundtrack. Surely, the only way is up.
Both the band and the album fool you with their nomenclature, for
most of the music presented is downbeat and sparse, in the extreme.
Sure, they can kick up a Canned Heat type storm from time to time,
as they do on the title track. But if you're looking for a party
album, look elsewhere. The almost static "Introspect"
should put paid to any notions of par-tay.
Don't get me wrong, they're very good at what they do. Across 7
originals and 4 covers - "Little Red Rooster", "Help
Me", "Motherless Children" and "Trouble In Mind"
- they more than demonstrate their talent. Best of the bunch? Sonnie
Terry and Brownie McGhees "Trouble In Mind", yer actual
boogie, "Barnyard Boogie" and the beyond depressing "Workin
Blues".
Esther Alexander - Rhyme Or Reason
Another hard week at the coalface, this one beset with actual thunder
and lightning as well as the usual metaphorical kind. What I need
more than anything is a temporary salve for whatever passes for
my soul. Which is where this absolutely delightful album comes in.
Esther Alexander has a voice that washes over you, soothing and
healing, and when she tells you it's still a beautiful world, you
almost believe it to be true. The songs may never get above a gentle
canter but are rich, warm and melodic.
If you have a yen for seventies influenced melodic acoustic-based
singer songwriters then this will prove itself a rare treat. Across
12 original songs and 43 minutes, the world almost seemed worth
being a part of.
Eugene Marlow's Heritage Ensemble
- Making The Music Our Own
I listen to a lot of music. On average I probably get through over
20 new albums a week, every week. few, if any, have an original
premise. After all, there are only so many ideas to go around. But
it's fair to say that this is my first encounter with jazz interpretations
of melodies from the Hebriac songbook.
I also would have thought that I would have been unfamiliar with
the original melodies but it's odd how often a recognised motif
appears, peppered through the arrangements. I don't know how or
where I've heard "L'Cha Dodi" before, but I have, and
the chilled interpretation is a delight.
Most of the material is straight ahead piano led jazz but when things
really get stretched as they do on "Avinu Malkeino" they
really fly. Eugene Marlow may be a musical scholar, but this is
no mere academic exercise.
Misty's Big Adventure - The Black
Hole
Fair enough, Misty's Big Adventure may sound like the name of a
seventies Swedish sex romp but they're actually a rather intriguing
slightly left of centre orchestrated beat combo. A bit like a psychedelic
Divine Comedy but minus the being shite part. Which is a good thing.
They're not as good as the press release suggests with its claim
of Sly & The Family Stone mixed with the Muppet Show, for that
would be the best band ever! Although they make a fair fist of it
on "Never Stops Never Rests Never Sleeps", which is utterly
mad and utterly delightful.
Apparently Dave Zuton would shag mainman Grandmaster Garet if he
was fit, and one of the members of the band is a crazed dancer called
Erotic Volvo. Just a couple of reasons why it's probably best for
me to visualise this band in my head and avoid any form of actual
contact with the real thing.
If they get their finger out and release "The Story Of Love"
as a summer single, they could permeate the public psyche. But only
briefly before the cold grey dawn of reality sweeps them back into
the mindmeld they truly belong in.
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