Reviews

Weekly Reviews For October 15, 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

Loudaphone - On the Alpha Line

I've heard so many shite records recently that I really, really needed something inspirational to get me through the day. This isn't it.

Do we really need another competent indie rock band who think that emoting furiously while a swell rises behind them is the way forward? OK, it worked for Keane, and Loudaphone are nowhere near that bottomless pit of despair. Actually, now that the word Keane has permeated my consciousness, I'm starting to enjoy this a helluva lot more. Maybe more bands should start their press releases with "we're not as shite as Keane". It would make me pay attention.

So, in a fine example of a 180 degree turnaround (it that's the right number of degrees, I never got past three), since paragraph 1, I've decided this is alright. But if I ever remember who singer, Andy Double Barrelled is impersonating, I'd mebbe switch back. Mebbes aye, mebbes naw.

But working on the fine principle of quitting while you're ahead, I'm going to hit the stop button, recommend "Can You Hear Me?", "Your Star" and "Calling The Lonely", and move swiftly along.

Anton Barbeau - Drug Free


I'll start this review with a link: Anton live

On it you'll see Anton and his band singing the title track live in San Francisco, an interesting alternate take on the album version on which I thought for a minute I was listening to a John Lennon song. A strong start then! Backed by a myriad of musicians, Ant keeps up the standard achieved on previous releases (including one 'King of Missouri' where he collaborated with The Bevis Frond).'Leave it With Me' takes things along nicely with a nice bit of country rock. 'Just Passing by' has Steve Randall on 'jangle/ phase' guitars and Ant on lead and some uncredited hand drums. This is one that will stick in your head. 'Alpha Alpha Bhang' has more of the psychedelic Beatlish touches with guitars variously effected. Throughout Ant has many stories to tell and many idiosyncratic touches and musical snippets that make me think Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention may have hit his radar at one stage. This is confirmed on the satirical 'Disco Dress'- the old Farfisa adds to the 'cheesiness' and he even has his own Suzy Creemcheese in there. Alan Strawbridge provides the guitars and rhythm section on the heavy 'Magic Metal Apron' with its references to mango chutney and poppadums and a quotation from 'The Little Drummer Boy'– curious! The crowning glory of the album though is the 11:37 of 'In A Boat on the Sea' its preposterous beauty transcending all that has come before. The laid back twin guitars of Dave Middleton and Steve Randall work a treat and the rhythm section of Larry Tagg and Brad Cross make a telling contribution to a visceral atmospheric vibe that goes, like some Grateful Dead jam, nowhere in particular, part of its attraction I suppose. That's not to take away from the rest of the album wherein lie some real musical gems!

Another interesting and contagious release from Pink Hedgehog!

Reviewed by Phil Jackson

Johnny Ferreira - Rock & Roll Saxophonist

If there was ever a more invigorating musical genre than jump blues then I've yet to hear it. And here comes one time Colin James cohort Johnny Ferreira with the best non-stop party I've heard all year.

The 21st century version of Big Jay McNeely, Mr Ferreira may only be a serviceable singer but when he starts honking on his horn it's damn near irresistible. Setiing his stall out on the Colin James enhanced "Wine, Women & Song", it's a non-stop headrush through an electrifying set of songs.

He's toured with the Rolling Stones, ZZ Top and Robert Plant amongst others, but this is the music of his heart and it should be yours too.

Jak Paris feat Scarlett Pomers - The Chain

Well this could have gone two ways, what with 'The Chain' by Fleetwood Mac being an out and out, bona fide rock classic.

So, is it unmitigated disaster ot triumph of rock and roll? Surprisingly, it's the latter. Most covers tend to be appalling unless they're so different as to be almost different songs but, aided and abetted by a splendid guest vocal from Scarlett Pomers and some blistering guitar work, the band give a modern rock edge to a well worn classic but without losing the magic.

Taken from their 'Electric Revolution' album, buy it from iTunes and all the proceeds end up going to charidee.

Oakenfold feat Pharrell Williams - Sex N Money

You have to wonder whether Pharrell Williams ever sleeps. Or whether he is actually the product of an assembly line, and there's actually hunnerds of the blighters ambling through the world of dance and hip hop looking for a record to guest on. His expressionless face would certainly seem to indicate the latter.

Anyhow, Oakenfold (the Paul is long gone) has brought us a record all about the low lifes of L.A., somewhat ironic given the fact that he's lived there for four years. Or perhaps he realises the shallowness of his own life and is looking for some kind of absolution by laying it down for all to hear.

There's seven mixes on this promo lasting nigh on 40 minutes from the likes of Benny Benassis, Kenneth Thomas and Nat Monday, but the one you really want to hear is the Benny Benassi Pump-Kin Club Mix which blows the others out of the water. It's no 'Faster Kill Pussycat' but it's a fun bump n' grind.

Claire Sproule - Flame


In my world you can't go far wrong with a sweet voiced girl singing laid back smooth jazz tinged songs.

And so it is with Ms Sproule who wraps an endearing set of pipes around a couple of delightful self penned tunes, backed by a splendidly sympathetic set of sessioneers including the redoubtable Pino Paladino on bass.

It's firmly aimed at the whole Norah Jones market and should normally merit a degree of sneering, but you can;t argue with talent and Ms Sproule has it in spades, as exemplified when on the acoutisc version of 'The Deal', here as a B-side.

Ice Cube - Why We Thugs


Frankly few do it better than Ice Cube. It may be nigh on 20 years since NWA ruled the hood and he may well spend most of his time making forgettable movies but when he slouches up to the mic, then he can still teach the young uns a thing or two.

Granted he's dragged in a few of the hip names to help him out - this track was produced by Fiddy and Beyonce producer Scott Storch - but it's still the dry beats he pioneered all those year ago. Taking pops at the President ("Since I was little, ain't a god damn thang changed, It's the same ol same, Bush run shit like Saddam Hussein"), this is as good as it gets in the world of hip hop.

Katie Melua - It's Only Pain


Now I've always thought that Ms Melua could sing the telephone book and that I would still swoon but looks like I was wrong.

Because this was the low point of the album and it doesn't shine any more lifted out into the bright lights by itself. Katie does her best becasue thats the kind of girl she is, but a poor song is a poor song, regardless.

The B side is a live cover of 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamons', a song that has always royally sucked. Let's hope this is a blip in anotherwise unsullied career.

Nerina Pallot - Sophia


A shame for Kate Melua that I reviewed this the same day as her poor 'It's Only Pain' release, because this is how a songstress should present herself.

A splendid lead track, coupled with an interesting cover version, this one being a string drenched torch version of 'Confide In Me', the Kylie Minogue classic.

Nerina really does stand head and shoulders above the competition when she's on her game, and she certainly is here. Splendid.

The Neutrinos - Build Him Till He Breaks


Now this is a cracking little single. Listen as The Neutrinos mix up the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (bit good) with some good old fashioned stomping glam rock. Maybe that's what them there folks out in East Anlia loike, and if so they are to be commended.

The B-side goes a bit Patti Smith, something to be avoided at all costs, but the Glitter Band drums rawk. I'm sure they'll claim it's summat big and clever and ironic, but we all know it's spit n' sawdust rock and ah roll.