What does it sound like?:

His third solo album, and with enough traction to further bury/forget the mis-step underwhelm of Beady Eye, which could’ve consigned Liam to post-Oasis tryer. But 2 previous solo albums, and now this one restores the reputation, and continues to push Gallagher The Younger in front of his elder brother. ‘C’Mon You Know’ may not be breaking new experimental ground, but is just different enough from previous offerings to stand on it’s own.

The listening diet here must’ve included to The Beatles ‘Revolver’ with a side order of ‘Let It Bleed’ era Stones-y – there are echoes of both throughout (although I must state not exclusively).

Sometimes it might be a bit “Liam by numbers” like he’s toeing the record company line or career advisor to break the US (and anywhere else). And a Dave Grohl co-write can’t do any harm pulling in new fans from the Foo Fighters fanbase (or indeed the US where very British acts often fall – Slade, Elvis Costello & The Attractions, The Jam, Blur, Oasis)

Album opener “More Power” has a choir intro that is just a bit too close to ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

1997s ‘Ladies & Gentleman … We Are Floating In Space’ was, and always will be Spiritualized’s masterwork. But 2018s ‘And Nothing Hurt’ came very close to usurping it, and this release maintains that knocking on the door.

There is an argument that ‘And Nothing Hurt’ could’ve been a double album with the wealth of material Jason Pierce had at his disposal. In the end it was a single album, and many of the disregarded demos form the basis of this album – and it shows, there is a nice continuum from the last album, but this is not a collection of tarted up left overs. Each track is a mini-epic, mini-masterpiece with a range of styles popping in and out – Stones, Stooges, Jazz, Country, Psychedelia, even a passing early solo John Lennon-ish moment (or at least that’s what I heard), plus the best song Bobby Gillespie never wrote (and will no doubt be miffed that Jason Pierce beat him to it). But this album is not about the sounds or the influences, it’s about how they’re corralled and personalized to create a unique whole that is undoubtedly Spiritualized. And it also has that » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

“The most hotly anticipated album of the year” may be an over used cliche, but in the case of Wet Leg after the singles “Chaise Longue”, “Wet Dream”, “Too Late Now”, “Oh No” and “Angelica” it’s a cliche that fits. And now it’s here – was it worth the anticipative waiting?

On first listen, the album comes over as a bit insubstantial – nice enough, but nowt to really rave about. And then listen again and more is revealed. The intricacy of the instrumentation, to joy and exuberance of the songs, the underlying enjoyment and fun, the way the voices work together, the wit and story in the lyrics (and a bit of near filth and some naughty words).

It’s one of those “play and lose yourself in the world for 40 minutes” jobs.

Seamlessly mixing 80s pop, high energy dance, post-punk, dreamy pop, and anything else that happens to fit, this is a collection of songs written and performed for fun – and the enjoyment is there for all to hear. What comes out is proof that “Chaise Longue” – which continues to dig itself into my head on each hearing and refuse » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

This is the third Mattiel album, and the first where Mattiel Brown and Jonah Swiller have directly collaborated face-to-face in building a collection of 11 songs. And that collaboration has added more diversity and experimentation into the mix, where before they were perhaps aiming for a template or soundscape or atomosphere. And it is the diversity of influence and delivery that wins for this record. At times introspective, the next moment is joyous and bristling with a euphoric pop-ish sheen.

Retro garage sound takes (slight) a back seat in favour of broader styles including Country and Spaghetti Western moments – both of which showcase Mattiel’s vocal abilities. Too simplistic perhaps – there are many influences going on in here, and not always easy to divine. But combined together it just seems to weave into a very fine whole.

What does it all *mean*?

“Jeff Golblum” stomps along like a Glam Infused Indie Rocker, “On The Run” drips with Country, and “Lighthouse” is infectious euphoric pop with a massive hook of a chorus – and that’s just the first three tracks. Admittedly not everything works – “Wheels Fall Off” sounds like the wheels might be » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Releasing your debut album can be a daunting task. Without mass media hype, major record company support, or a persuasive sponsor and advocate, a relatively low key release on a minor, self-funded label is always going to be a risk.

But if you have a song titled “The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion 1973” in your cannon, then I’m going to want to hear the whole album. Credit where it’s due, it was Chris Hawkins enthusing on Radio 6, and the playing of the above track that piqued my interest, and now the album has arrived on my doormat … I am not disappoint.

I sometimes feel when writing this drivel, that I do the artist in question a dis-service when I compare them to others. But I need a hook … imagine Scott Walker grafted to Morrissey, with a bit of Neil Hannon and Richard Hawley thrown in. Oh, and passing nods to Echo & The Bunnymen, New Order, and Joy Division. Even a whiff of Pink Floyd for good measure.

11 tracks ranging from all out Indie rockers (“Bakerloo, Unbecoming”) to introspection (“New Rhododendrons”) to Post-Punk (“Caterpillar”) and many points between. If I’m » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

There is a school of thought with the Sex Pistols that says all you really need is Never Mind The Bollocks, maybe The Great Rock n Roll Swindle, and perhaps the Kiss This compilation to round up the rest. And to those I say: “You’re probably right”. For a band with a relatively short lifespan, and a relatively small (but perfectly formed) catalogue of songs, which have all seen the light of day in various releases (some of questionable quality) over the years, does this 4 CD really add anything to the legacy? The earliest commercial release of some of these tracks was the Spunk Bootleg in late 1977 – believed to be McLaren’s attempt to scupper his own band. Later proper releases include Sex Pistols Box Set, This Is Crap, and a host of low budget releases (not exactly Bootlegs, but far from official, and not exactly high on quality control either). And latterly, rarely a Record Store Day passed without a new issue of Never Mind The Bollocks – whether it be coloured vinyl, special boxing, or a series of 7” singles, minidisc, ringtone, 8 track cartridge, a bagpipe-heavy cover remix …

» Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Matt Berry is a bit like that kid at school where everything he turns his hand to is a success. But his charisma prevents you from disliking the annoying over-achiever. And so it is with his music career. He’s been releasing albums for a decade and a bit, and with this one he really has gone full polymath – playing all instruments (except the drums), writing, producing, arranging, even supplying the painting for the cover.

‘The Blue Elephant’ is a journey through summer sounds against a backdrop of 60s Garage-Psych, The Doors meets Deep Purple, Proggy moments, and even a near David Bowie vocal impression. But it’s not a retro exercise – this is as much a product of 2021 as the debt it owes to the past. Breezily familiar yet brand new. Relaxing yet occasionally jarring. An exercise in audience pleasing as much as pleasing the artist himself. Berry’s sometimes over enunciated tones fit the musical styles, although the album is sometimes let down by weak lyrics. Actually, those lyrics might be weak on purpose – maybe Matt Berry can’t help himself returning to Comedy-type.

“It’s a drag to be set on fire, » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

Paul Weller has been in the game for nigh on 45 years, and his catalogue boasts 26 studio albums. Those of his sol career have often been an exploration of his latest musical passion – each album has enough difference about it to make it unique from it’s predecessor. And in all those switches of style, he’s remained relatively clunker-free. Now into his seventh decade (he’s 63 at the end of May), one would think he might start slowing down a bit, revel in his elder statesman position, make the odd guest appearance on mates albums and live shows. No chance – he’s maintained his lifetimes work rate of an album every couple of years. In fact ‘Fat Pop’ comes just 10 months after ‘On Sunset’. When you hear that a new album is due, the initial excitement is often tempered by “OK, how much experimentation, will he be doing this time?” or that unfortunate thought that there may be a couple of diamonds amongst the tracks, but probably not enough to pull from the shelves again at a later date. The opening track – “Cosmic Fringes” – sets the ground for what’s coming. » Continue Reading.

What does it sound like?:

The Coral’s first album came out 20 years ago. And a fine album it is. After this, and over the next 8 albums, The Coral went about their business with quiet consistency, and whilst perhaps not receiving untold riches or high profile interviews in the music press, there really is very much to like in their catalogue. Phase 1 of their career was closed out by 2008’s ‘Singles Collection’. 1 more album came before a 4 / 5 year hiatus which was broken in 2016.

And now they’re back again with a double concept album titled “Coral Island”. Except … it isn’t really a double album (done and dusted in under an hour!) more two companion albums telling 2 sides of a story. And it isn’t really a concept album – there is a theme and outline narrative (best explained in the accompanying book), but no underlying story, main characters, or narrative conclusion.

Coral Island is an imagined seaside resort, and the album is split into 2 parts telling the story Summer point of view when the place is buzzing with incomers (Part 1: Welcome To Coral Island) and then looks at the town » Continue Reading.