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We've listed albums in order of star rating. Best first.
ALEX
VALENTINE A Short Album About Love (Dumb)
Forget the lousy title, singer-songwriter Alex Valentine has delivered a
wonderful piece of music with shades of Paul Simon and James Taylor. I guess his
peers would include the likes of Jack Johnson and Thom Yorke. His wispy vocals
may not suit everybody’s tastes but he has a passion and charm that is quite
soothing.
This is
his third album following on from the acclaimed Tardis Heart. There are some
upbeat moments like the catchy ‘Sing A Happy Song’; and ‘The Widow Swan’ has an
irresistible Celtic feel. I’m always dubious about albums that purport to
explore love and personal emotions; it’s often the case that they’re sentimental
nonsense but there’s honesty and depth here that saves it from being middle of
the road dross. Recommended.
*** ˝
Review
by Neil Daniels
BIRD
EATS BABY Here She Comes-a-Tumblin’
www.myspace.com/birdeatsbaby
Brighton based alternative
rock - with a difference. How different? Well, alongside the drums, bass guitar
and piano are a violin, cello and some smooth female vocals.
Some
changes of rhythm and not being too anal in being different make the whole thing
quite accessible. The strings come to the fore in opening track “Seventeen”
which occasionally veers into Jewish / traditional Russian music rhythms.
“I Always Hang Myself With
The Same Rope” features strong vocals and an indie sound, and “Shiver Up The
Spine” is a jangly waltz done alternative style.
Throughout the album the rhythms change their mind more frequently than Steve
Harris in Prog mode (although hints at the waltz are a recurring theme), and at
no stage does the Cello take you into Beatles territory.
It’s hardly rock’n’roll but it’s a lot of fun. ***
Review by Joe Geesin BO
DIDDLEY Rock N Roll All Star Jam 1985 (Angel Air)
Well, there's little that can be said about the legendary rock and roll star Bo
Diddley that hasn't been repeated a million times before. This CD is a great
piece of archive material that commemorates Diddley's career; the great
guitarist died in June 2008.
In 1985
Diddley got a rather high-profile band together to celebrate the 30th
Anniversary of his first chart hit, erm, 'Bo Diddley.' The band included Ronnie
Wood, John Mayall, Mick Fleetwood, Ronnie Lane and Kenny Jones of The Faces,
Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys, and Chuck Berry, amongst others. Even the great
heavy metal bassist Rudy Sarzo was involved. If you want to learn about the
beginnings of rock 'n' roll this CD is a great place to start your journey with
excellent versions of 'I'm A Man' and 'Rock 'N' Roll Music.' Fun stuff indeed.
***
Review
by Neil Daniels
SO
SHUSH Wistful Wanders
So Shush are a female
fronted alternative rock band (Carole Smart (vocals) and Ian Drumm (guitars /
keys) from Salford. That is, if two people can be a 'band'.
Influenced by sixties pop, obscure indie and progressive rock, Wistful Wanders
is the band's second album, their eponymous debut having already generated
interest on both sides of the Atlantic, primarily via internet radio stations.
With a distinctly melodic approach the band's sound veers towards indie pop and
with the album running out at 9 tracks over 30 minutes, is aimed typically at
the three minute 'single' format.
Wistful, aptly describes much of the material here - the swooping keys alternate
between a sixties Hammond and eighties synth sound, while Carole's ethereal
vocals are floated over the top. It's a marriage of eighties Madchester and
sixties California.
The overall effect is undoubtedly pleasant - washing over and around you, but
the absence of a real killer tune suggests that, for the time being at least, So
Shush are unlikely to join the mainstream. ***
Review by Pete Whalley
ERUPTION All Screwed Up (Escape)
Eruption is the latest band on Escape’s growing list of artists. The melodic
rock outfit formed in 2003 in Australia by Italian guitarist Santi Rigolizio.
Since moving to England they’ve managed to secure a record deal and some gigs
around London. All Screwed Up is a good album but what it lacks in originality
it makes up for with entertainment.
Most of
the songs are great fun. There’s a major Deep Purple influence with thumping
rock songs like ‘Temple Of Love’ and ‘Natural High.’ They also owe a debt to
Aerosmith and Van Halen. There have been a few line-up changes in their short
history but its Rigolizio’s dedication that has led them to this point and if
they continue to produce good albums like All Screwed Up they’ll have a bright
future in the melodic rock scene. But on the other hand, they’ll have to work on
a more distinctive sound to stand out in a saturated market. Good luck to them.
***
Review
by Neil Daniels
THE
SEEKERS Greatest Hits (EMI)
Without The Seekers, there
may have been no AC/DC. Probably not true, but the popular combo - formed in
1963 - were the first Australian act to top the UK charts, notching up eight Top
Twenty hits between 1965 and 1968.
And while the 'rock and roll' in the lyrics of their hit Morningtown Ride
referred to a boat ride, as opposed to the sex and drugs variety, the sad fact
is that baby boomers will find much of this collection instantly recognisable. I
was [almost] embarrassed to find childhood memories of Children's Favourites on
the BBC Light programme surfacing from subconscious memories. More worryingly, I
seemed to know every verse, chorus and vocal harmony line.
It has to be said, that the recording quality here is excellent and the songs
have never sounded better, but nostalgia aside most of the material is not
original, being covers of the likes of Dylan (Blowing In The Wind), Simon &
Garfunkel ( 59th Street (Feeling Groovy)), The Byrds (Turn, Turn, Turn), and The
Mammas and Papas (California Dreamin').
But, of course, you get all the instantly recognisable hits - I'll Never Find
Another You, A World Of Our Own The Carnival Is Over, Morningtown Ride, and
Georgy Girl, and more.
So, not rock and roll as we know it Jim, but nevertheless a lesson in timeless
simplicity. And to be fair, they did see the potential in Whiskey In The Jar
long before Thin Lizzy were a twinkle in Phil Lynott's eye. But, nostalgia
aside, quite why anyone would want the 28 tracks on offer here, is beyond me.
**½ Review
by Pete Whalley
KIKI DEE The Best Of (EMI)
Kiki Dee - under or over rated? A great backing singer, or an underachieving
solo artist? A difficult one. But let's be honest, mention the name and only one
thing comes to mind - her 1976 duet with Elton John, Don't Go Breaking My Heart.
The sad truth is that it did nothing to progress Kiki's career, instead saddling
her with unfulfilled expectation.
And this Best Of collection does little to solve the riddle, kicking off with
the aforementioned Elton/ Bernie Taupin penned number, and followed with Kiki's
other standout vocal track from the period - I've Got The Music In Me - which
reached #19 in the UK charts in 1974 and showcased her vocal potential.
But sadly, nothing much else here reaches those heights and while some tracks
bring back the odd wave (or at least a few ripples) of nostalgia, it's all a
bit, I'm sorry to say, lightweight.
One track does, however, stand out. Her 2008 collaboration with Carmelo Luggeri
- Walk Of Faith - which is both contemporary and a showcase for what Kiki still
has to offer. It burns brightly, but briefly - the other number with Carmelo
being, unfortunately, distinctly 'music for pleasure'.
So, The Best Of offers no answers, and is unlikely to win over new fans. Most
solo artists (and bands) have an instantly recognisable modus operandi. But Kiki
Dee's back catalogue fails to offer up any cohesive thread of continuity. Which
leaves the case for the prosecution fairly compelling. **½
Review
by Pete Whalley
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