We've listed singles/EPs/demos in order of star rating. Best first.
MASTODON Divinations (Reprise Records)
This new track, from the new album 'Crack The Skye' is a ferocious number with a
minor key riff and elements of uptempo Black Sabbath. Rough vocals and guitar
are built up by a strong rhythm, and more than a hint of melody. The twin guitar
interplay and banjo picking intro adds a great atmosphere. Metal as heavy as the
eponymous beast. Focussed with prog metal leanings.
If you're a fan of power metal where it crosses into extreme territory, you'll
love this. ****
Review by Joe Geesin
KRISTA DETOR Robert Johnson Has Left Mississippi (Corazong)
Quirky singer songwriter Krista Detor has quite a following stateside and
this new single taken from her forthcoming 3rd album Cover Their Eyes could be
just what it takes to push her into the major league.
Imagine a song penned by Marc Cohen, delivered with Dixie Chicks providing some
subtle country backing and delivered in warm honeyed breathy vocals you wouldn't
be far of the mark. Some beautifully understated harmonica and finger picking
add the icing to the cake.
Delicious, but one somehow doubts whether UK audiences will indulge to any great
degree. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
exlovers Photobooth / Weightless
There's a nice guitar / keys opening to exlovers latest single that has a
Stranglers feel (at their more melodic). The twin girl / boy lead vocals that
wash over the beat adding a hypnotic quality. But running out at 2:40,
Photobooth runs out of track before ever building up a head of steam.
Weightless is equally meandering with a Beatlesque / U2 experimental feel. Lo fi
guitars, vocal harmonies and an almost eastern feel suggest that exlovers may,
just may have greatness (and the ability to rock out) within them. Wistful
***
Review by Pete Whalley
THE AUTUER Hey! Watch This
More up-tempo scuddy NME style rock. You know the stuff - shouty lyrics, big
chorus, and a pounding beat
Brighton's The Auteur - formed in 2007 - deliver a perfectly accessible stab at
the genre. Perfect, that is, for the summer festival scene. My only grip is,
close your eyes and The Auteur could be one of oh so many similar bands - all
small, and all perfectly formed.
Good as The Auteur are, I struggle to see what's going to make them stand out
from the swelling crowd. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
PETER DOHERTY Last Of The English Roses (Parlophone)
Featuring guitarist Graham Coxen (Blur) and producer Stephen Street (The Smiths,
Blur), this is not nearly as 'euphoric' as the press release would have us
believe.
Doherty provides vocals and acoustic guitar in a downbeat and well written way,
with Coxen providing some offbeat chords.
The song is well constructed enough, but is seriously let down by the
programming: either do the percussion properly or not at all. Nice bass line
though. **½
Review by Joe Geesin
EMMA DEIGMAN It Was You
If you believe it, this young lady already has some heavyweight admirers who
know a thing or two about climbing the greasy pole to stardom. Namely Rod
Stewart, Gary Barlow and Bryan Adams, to name but three.
At just 20 years of age, Emma appears to be looking to follow Joss Stone's lead
and break it large stateside with upbeat pop/soul. It Was You is typical of
today's modern repackaging of soul. Big sound, big vocals, but ultimately soul
without any real soul. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
SARAH WHATMORE Undefined
The second single taken from Sarah's Time To Think debut album due for
imminent release.
Having originally found 'fame' on Pop Idol back in 2002 and received a helping
hand (and an offer of marriage) from svengali Simon Cowell and signed to Simon
Fuller's management, Sarah was brave enough to exit stage left after 2 top 20
singles.
Having shelved plans for a debut album she concentrated on song writing, the
result Time To Time. Undefined is piano riff based piece of radio friendly pop.
It's the sort of stuff that Natalie Imbruglia might come up with - easy on the
ear, but ultimately disposable. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
SAM ISAAC Come Back Home Tonight
Following from his recently released Sticker, Star and Tape EP, NME circuit
veteran Sam releases Come Back Home Tonight - as a three track CD, with
exclusive B-side July, and with handmade packaging (whatever that means?).
Come Back Home Tonight is an up tempo and jaunty piece of pop - almost 'cross
over' for the NME crowd. Imagine the The Wombats doing a Jack Johnson cover.
Interesting, but lacking any killer hooks. **½
Review by Pete Whalley
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