Archive for February, 2006

Album – 2 Cents an Acre – 3 Blind Mice

Posted by admin on 28th February 2006

This is the third album from those song masters 3 Blind Mice and is a sort of prelude to, and story so far, kind of album and serves as a filler, whilst the new one is still being recorded. Featuring 3 songs from Before They Were Famous Vol I & II and 9 songs recorded in the interim, including an incredible Christmas song, called “Watchstar” which gained a fairly high profile this Christmas with many podcasts choosing to play it. Two of the included tracks “Your Face is Not Enough” and “The Breaking” are taken from the new album “Good Grief”, which should hopefully be finished some time, SOON!

It’s no secret that I’m a big 3 Blind Mice fan and this album is every bit as good as their previous 2, but has a different edge to it. It’s hard to explain, but it’s undeniably there. I’m so glad that my old favorite “Emily has Compassionate Fatigue” is on this album, because even now it continues to haunt me. Actually haunt isn’t the right word, but if you can think of a better word that means haunt in a non creepy, happy way, just replace it in your head, as you re-read this sentence.

Two tracks that have an interesting pedigree are “Call me Beautiful” and “Tell Me Something”, which were written with the Corrs in mind, after being asked to submit some songs. The band aren’t sure if the Corrs ever got to hear them, but their loss is our gain.

Conclusion : This is an essential purchase for any 3 Blind Mice fan and serves as a great filler until the new album is released.

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Album – Will See You Now – Cagedbaby

Posted by admin on 28th February 2006

  • Band / Artist : Cagedbaby
  • Genre : Electronic / Pop / Dance
  • Sample Track Download : N/A
  • Buy CD : Buy
  • Buy Digital Download : Buy
  • Rating : 8 out of 10

This is another of the many bands I discovered via a podcast and eagerly awaited the album for review. However once I got the album out of the envelope, I couldn’t help but be taken aback by what looked like some kind of Rolf Harris archive picture. I have to admit, that image seriously tainted my initial impression of the album. Silly I know, but it did. This is the third review I’ve written for “Will See You Know”. The first two, were written in quick succession and promptly trashed. I decided to put the album aside for a while, because I knew (stupid though it sounds), that I wouldn’t be able to review it fairly, at that time anyway.

So here I am 2 months later, staring again at a Rolf Harris wannabe and just smiling at myself on how stupid I am. The picture has nothing to do with the music within and I’m over the bump and raring to go.

This is one of those albums I can imagine being played non stop in Ibiza during the summer, it’s just got that real, light and free vibe. It’s been a long time since I cut a rug on the dance floor (I don’t really talk like that, honest), but I think I still know good electronic dance when I hear it.

This isn’t an album to be broken down track by track, the album just works, but I do admit having a certain fondness for the tracks “Amplified Heart” and “Evolution” which is an amazing pumping, thumping, roller coaster of a song, especially when listened to on a good set of headphones.

Conclusion : This is a cracking, rhythm filled, electronic album, which at the very least will have you tapping your toes. Maybe mid winter isn’t the best time to review this album, but then again maybe it’s a good scene setter and a reminder for the summer to come.

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Album – Chap with the Wings, Five Rounds Rapid – Thumpermonkey Lives

Posted by admin on 27th February 2006

Bloody strange title, even stranger music. Well that was my first impression anyway, and after a few listens, that is my lasting impression. For anyone still missing the God of weirdness, Frank Zappa, this should help alleviate those pangs of loss. As well as the Zapper’s influences, there’s also some heavy David Allen/Gong overtones, which means this album is seriously out here. Cup of tea anyone?

For all the weirdness that this album has to offer, there is still an extremely tight sound buried beneath. In fact there’s some seriously good musicianship sprinkled liberally throughout this album. I have to come clean and admit though, I’m not a real fan of this style of music. It’s the kind of album I have to be really in the mood to listen to, but having said there’s a couple of tracks “Don’t Wake Me” and “My Debt to Scientology” that I really love.

I can imagine this is a band that’s unbelievable to go see live, as a lot of bands of this ilk are. I shall keep my ear to the ground as this is a band out of the ordinary worth keeping an eye on.

Conclusion : If you’re not in an altered state of consciousness before listening to this album, you will be after you’ve listened it. Who ever said music was dull, should take their head out of the sand and give this a spin.

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Album – So Familiar – Dusty Hughes

Posted by admin on 26th February 2006

  • Band / Artist : Dusty Hughes
  • Genre : Pop / Rock
  • Sample Track Download : Feel
  • Buy CD : Buy
  • Buy Digital Download : Buy
  • Rating : 8 out of 10

For anyone expecting something along in a similar vein to Dusty’s Christmas album, is in for a bit of a rude awakening. Yes that incredible gravely voice is still their, but now we have an all together different sound. Where the Christmas album is easy listening, this album, is in your face rock and loud with it.

It’s funny that the title track, that opens the album is a pretty predictible rock song. I say funny as I would imagine the title track to showcase the album. It’s Track 2 however, “Wanted” where this album begins to come alive. A thumping bass line and kicking drums, drive this song relentlessly onward and man does it rock. A good indicator to a good rock song, is the head bob and this has head bob up to the yin yang. “Reason to Stay”, drops the tempo down a gear, but it’s still loud and proud and a good track to test your stereo, to see if you can notch it up to 11.

Track 5, “Feel”, takes the tempo down a bit and gives you a chance to catch your breathe, but ever though it’s a slower track, it doesn’t detract from the rest of the album, it’s still valuable piece to the puzzle.

With 13 songs , plus 2 additional re-mixes this is an album that’s going to test your stereo to the max, if you are brave enough to try. I think the only low point on the album is track 10, “Maybe It’s Just Me”, with the incredibly suspect keyboard intro, but that is at least rectified with the remixed version at the end of the album, so no real complaint there.

Conclusion : An excellent rock album from an artist that really has me excited to hear what’s next.

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Podcast : Indie Launchpad #7

Posted by admin on 24th February 2006

Just a quick note to say the Indie Launchpad Podcast #7 has been released. Direct Link here.

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Album – Say I Am You – The Weepies

Posted by admin on 24th February 2006

So many times I find a band/artist after hearing one song and eagerly anticipate the album, only to find, I’ve heard the best track on the album. This is a small let down, but usually the album as a whole is still good. Not so with The Weepies for their whole album is filled with absolutely amazing songs. Not only that, but I’m seriously falling in love with Deb Talan’s voice, which has a real, ethereal, Karen Carpenter sound. I usually have albums in rotation for about a week or two, before they finally get reviewed. With the Weepies I heard them on Friday, got the album on Wednesday and am writing this review here on Friday, whilst still listening to the album… again.

I’ve said many times that I have a great respect for singer/songwriters and they don’t come much better than Steve Tannen and Deb Talan. When you mix great songwriting with a voice as amazing as Deb’s, you have a real winner. And yes Steve himself has a good set of pipes, sorry Steve I don’t mean to forget you.

The album opens with the one of my favourite tracks and I have to say, when an album’s this good, it’s pretty difficult to choose favorites, but again, it’s Deb’s voice that just send’s my head into the clouds and turns my knees to jelly. I wouldn’t mind, but there’s still another 12 tracks to go. The album on the whole is pretty laid back, with some great acoustic guitar. Have I mentioned the voice? If your blood pressure runneth over, after a hard day at work, this is the perfect cure.

Conclusion : If you like the track above or are reading this after enjoying “Gotta Have You” on the Indie Launchpad Podcast #7, pass “Go” collect $200 and go buy the album. This is seriously good stuff.

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Album – Hell is Eux Autres – Eux Autres

Posted by admin on 24th February 2006

Well before the horse is even out of the gate, I should say that this isn’t your usual common or garden band. Born in Omaha and based in Portland, Eux Autres is a brother and sister duo, Heather and Nicholas Larimer, who sing an infectious brand of 60’s French pop. This is something a little different, but as they say “Variety is the spice of life”, and a little bit of what you fancy, does you good, but enough of my private life. What about the album?

For me this has a real 90’s/60’s vibe happening. Both styles are fused to give a very contemporary feel. Although a simply produced album, it really has an intimate sound. Track one gives you a chance to dust off your high school French, which in my case is quite a few years old, but I could have sworn I heard a grapefruit. The second track “Other Girls” is an absolute doozy. It’s very simple, but boy is it catchy. It’ll have you humming the tune all day. A relatively short album, with just 9 tracks, it does however still manage to waft in like a breathe of fresh air.

At times sounding like a sort of Jan and Dean surf song and then bam, it’s the Shangri-Las. For musical influences, it’s all over the place, but that’s half the charm of this eclectic album, you never know what’s going to be served up next.

Conclusion : Yes this is something a little different, but give it a chance, it really as that spark of originality and freshness.

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Album – Ill Advised – The Boy Lacks Patience

Posted by admin on 23rd February 2006

From the moment the CD begins, you’re struck by it’s sheer, almost childlike simplicity. Actually simplicity isn’t the word I mean, I think naivete is closer to the mark. This feels like a very personal album. You can almost sense the layers being stripped, one by one as the album progresses. The vocals at first seem very pure and youthful. That’s how it appears at first, but as you listen, there’s something more. This youthful voice has incredible maturity, but there’s a delicate balance of fragility and nervous excitement. At times there’s a touch of loneliness and then of breathless urgency.

The album consists of 10 tracks, helping to form an incredibly polished debut album. All the songs follow a very similar style, consisting of a pianist, vocals and some accompaniment. Predictably enough, my favorite tracks are “A Boat To Your Fathers House” and “Christopher John” as I’ve heard these quite a few times, before even getting the album. I have no doubt that my list of favorites will quickly increase the more I listen to the album.

I keep trying to form a mental picture, trying to make some kind of comparison between The Boy Lacks Patience and anyone else, but my mind keeps staring at a blank canvas. I suppose you could throw in a bit of Deacon Blue here and there, but I can’t think of anyone else. That’s probably a good think overall, but sometimes people find it harder to access a new artist without having some kind of preconceptions. All I can say is listen to the featured song and visit the website for some more free downloads and make your own mind up.

Conclusion : I love this album and have been waiting for it, ever since I first heard an early track recording on the Tartan Podcast. The wait was worthwhile. I wholeheartedly recommend this album.

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Album – Electrotherapy – Mangomad

Posted by admin on 23rd February 2006

  • Band / Artist : Mangomad
  • Genre : Tip Hop / Electronic / Dance
  • Sample Track Download : Your Beautiful Daydream
  • Buy CD : N/A
  • Buy Digital Download : Buy
  • Rating : 8 out of 10

Many artists that rely strongly on modern day, electronic wizardry sometimes seem to loose track of what makes good music. Yes, there’s many effects and sounds that would have been very difficult to produce years ago, but that doesn’t mean you have to squeeze in as many as you can. Anyone can make electronic music, but it takes real talent to make good electronic music. I keep saying electronic music, but I suppose this is more trip hop, but don’t hold me too it. There’s so many different terms for the many different genres of music today, that I get totally lost, so I’ll just stick to the ones I know, but feel free to substitute for the term of your choice.

This isn’t all electronic wizardry, there’s a real foundation of sound songwriting under each and every track. There’s also a real 90’s vibe about some of the tracks, that remind me a lot of the KLF and Massive Attack. There’s even some Beatles influences on the Strawberry Fields inspired “Your Beautiful Daydream”.

For me the stand out song on this album is the cracking “Search for Zen” which is just an absolutely awesome track. No doubt it comes as no surprise that this is the track that first brought Mangomad to my attention, as happens so many times. At times this album is infectiously melodic, at other times it borders on the hypnotic. It’s certainly an album that’s dusted off a few cobwebs for me and one that I’ll be playing a lot more in the near future.

Conclusion : If you are looking for a something with a laid back, chilled vibe, this is the album for you. At just 7.99 UKP the download is simply a steal.

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Album – Joni’s Garden – Green Peppers

Posted by admin on 22nd February 2006

  • Band / Artist : Green Pepper’s
  • Genre : Folk / Acoustic
  • Sample Track Download : N/A
  • Buy CD : Buy
  • Buy Digital Download : Buy
  • Rating : 8 out of 10

This is the first solo project from former Soup Dragons member and Glaswegian guitar legend Jim McCulloch. I have to say this wasn’t the album I had expected, but sometimes having your preconceptions broken is a good thing. It’s no understatement to call this album laid back. If it were any more laid back it would be standing up in my CD player.

This CD has 11 tracks of unadulterated mellowness, just the kind of album to put in the stereo when you get home after a hard day at work. As is sometimes the way with albums like this, many of the tracks sort of blend from one to the next. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it just means that no tracks really standout and slap you up side the head. Then again, that’s not what this album is about. I get the feeling that this was a very personal album to both write and record and indeed it feels very personal when you listen to it.

The album finishes off with the very upbeat (well it is compared to the rest of the album) “Time Machine”, which might have been better used in the middle, or beginning of the album, but I suppose that would have upset the balance of the first 10 tracks, so yes maybe that’s not such a good idea, but it’s a great track and one I could imagine being a single release.

Conclusion : This is a great mellow album, that’s more Suzanne Vega than Leonard Cohen. Actually it’s a lot more upbeat than Suzanne Vega, whilst still remaining laid back, if you get my drift. A definite one for the car, when driving home, to ease you of the burdens of the day.

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