NorthernTrax - Reviews


Róisín Murphy – ‘Overpowered’
	In a just world Róisín Murphy's second album, ‘Overpowered’ should go to Number 1 in the album charts. As it’s not, the new release probably won’t. Her first album, ‘Statues’, released after she split from the band Maloko, didn’t rip up the charts. This one has a mix of pop belters with more lyrical offerings that could make ‘Overpowered’ one of the pop albums of the year. Dance numbers such as ‘You Know Me Better’ and her second single ‘Let Me Know’, lie easily alongside thought-provoking, quieter tracks such as ‘Primitive.’ Songs that relate to the environment (‘Miami’), or about her father (‘Scarlet Ribbons’), are musically less interesting. She makes up songs with the less emotional ‘Cry Baby’, a storming pop song that will get live audiences rocking.
Radiohead – ‘In Rainbows’
	This album has been ‘hype of the year’ so far, but despite this ‘In Rainbows’ is rather good. The album is full of simple melodies that may seem strange coming from one of the UK’s top performing bands. Three great songs appear at the beginning, middle and end of the album. ‘15 Step’ is a great opener with a distinctive end. Even better is ‘All I Need’ that has a smooth piano flourish and wave after wave of cymbal crashes. ‘Videotape’ has muted percussion that forms a distinctive backing to interesting lyrics. This doesn’t mean to say that the rest of the album isn’t full of other memorable songs. ‘Bodysnatchers’ is a guitar thrasher, ‘Nude’ and ‘Pyramid Song’ are shimmering romantic songs with lustrous strings. Strings also make a gentle appearance in the interestingly-titled ‘Faust Arp’ The last thing to say about this downloadable album is that even with a bit-rate of 160kbps it still sounds out of this world. ‘In Rainbows’ is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Jennifer Lopez – ‘Brave’
	‘Brave’ is one of her Jennifer’s strongest albums to date with a steady supply of likeable, '80s - sounding pop tracks that you can soon sing along to. ‘Brave’ is more song rather than production led, and as it is ballad free all the tracks are consistent and catchy. The bouncy ‘Forever’, disco inferno of ‘Hold It Don't Drop It’ and funky leaning ‘Do It Well’ may not be prime clubbing material, but they all come with catchy choruses. ‘ Stay Together’ and ‘Gotta Be There’ , which takes a Michael Jackson sample, ‘I Wanna Be Where You Are’, and makes a nothing-can-keep-us-apart anthem out of it, reflect her new found domestic happiness. When you include the stylish affection of ‘Be Mine and ‘I Need Love’ and you have an album, full of feel-good factor, happy endings and solid songs.
Avril Lavigne – ‘The Best Damn Thing’
	Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne’s latest album ‘The Best Damn Thing’ shows she has grown up somewhat. She doesn't moan about boys any more but gives as good as she takes. It's an assured collection of songs designed to get fans off their seats. There's no playing the lowly underdog here, with ‘I Can Do Better’ and ‘Everything Back But You’ giving the proverbial middle fingers to wasteful lovers. Contrast these with great power ballads ‘When You're Gone’ and ‘Innocence’. ‘ The Best Damn Thing’ is a fun, engaging record with other excellent tracks such as ‘Runaway’ and the catchy-as-hell ‘Contagious’. The ‘Best Damn Thing’ is a no-frills romp of an album which is not deep or particularly meaningful. It’s fun and an album that packs more than a fair punch However it possibly doesn’t further Lavigne's aim of eventually becoming a serious singer-songwriter.
Arctic Monkeys – ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’
	The Arctic Monkeys' 2006 debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not’ was a genuine UK phenomenon. It was the fastest-selling debut record ever, winner of major awards and one of those rare albums with enormous impact on pop culture and in the on-line or off-line shops. Following up an iconic album such as that has often been difficult for many bands, but the group has stayed true to their original aims as well as introducing many signs of their newfound sophistication. From the increasingly robust musicianship on ‘Brianstorm’ and ‘Teddy Picker’ to the multilayered songwriting found on ‘This House Is a Circus’ and ‘Flourescent Adolescent,’ there is more than enough here for Monkeys’ fans old and new. In fact with this album the Arctic Monkeys could have a record to achieve world domination not just UK supremacy.
Macy Gray – ‘Big’
	Macy Gray has come back after four years with an album that is OK but not very exciting. It’s full of guest producers and singing partners to help get her back in the charts with a more contemporary, radio-friendly sound. It's seven years since she was HUGE with ‘I Try’ with very little since. The album ‘Big’ tries to combine the attractions of ‘I Try’ with a popular R'n'B feel. But it doesn’t work as the dramatic oddness of her voice has been suppressed. Too many cooks have spoilt this album - the majority of the tracks have at least six authors. Songs like ‘Get Out’ are minor high spots but there are some cringe-worthy tracks here as well, including ‘Ghetto Love’. Macy Grey a Ghetto chick? - never. There are a range of songs about failed relationships, the best of which is ‘Strange Behaviour’. Classy Macy is made to sound like an angst ridden teenager. She deserves better.
	Sam's Town is a tremendous departure for the Killers. Whereas their first album, Hot Fuss, was the work of Anglophiles trying to sound like their musical heroes, their second album has set its sights much higher. The Killers are clearly not content with their indie-rock status; from the explosive introduction of the title track, Sam's Town sounds huge. But, thanks to the earnest vocals of front man Brandon Flowers, and lyrics still rooted very much in the real world, Sam's Town still manages to sound completely heartfelt and honest. In that respect, the Killers show themselves as potential heirs to U2, with an album packed with soaring guitars and driving basslines. C Dennis
James Morrison – Undiscovered
	James Morrison has "success story" written all over him. Drawing influence from soul greats like Cat Stevens, Otis Redding, and Van Morrison, debut album Undiscovered reveals this Rugby-born vocalist has the sort of world-weary voice and song writing chops to take the Late path to mainstream success that’s formerly made stars of Damien Rice, James Blunt, and former tour-mate Corinne Bailey Rae. The sure success of Undiscovered ought to prove that a strong voice will always be the bottom line. J Chapman
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: ‘Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’
	Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are said by some to be the US equivalent of the Arctic Monkeys mainly because of the growth of their do-it-yourself fan base. They sold 40,000 copies of their debut album before signing up to a record label. The album is named after the art-rock band and has a bizarre starting track, ‘Clap Your Hands’. It gets a lot, lot better. Go straight to the captivating ‘Let The Cool Goddess Rust Away’ - all tambourines, marauding bass and juddering guitars - before the sublime ‘Over And Over Again’. ‘The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth’ with its accelerating rolling guitars is the album’s stand out track and ‘Is This Home On Ice’ is also a song really worth listening to. Album-closer ’Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood’ is another great track. This is a very, very good record with songs with a dramatic edge that explode on leaving the speakers. For more about CYHSY visit http://www.clapyourhandssayyeah.com/

Belle & Sebastian: 'The Life Pursuit'
	Musically this album goes all over the place. It starts with ‘Act Of The Apostle’, a confident orchestral pop classic that has dreamlike harmonies, a melody that seems to float up and away. ‘ Another Sunny Day’ and ‘Funny Little Frog’ are simple, pop songs with great melodies happiness. ‘Dress Up In You’ drifts along beautifully while ‘The Blues Are Still Blue’ sounds positively glam, with front man Stuart Murdoch putting as much swagger into the delivery as his voice will allow. The danceable beat of ‘White Collar Boy’ and funky keyboard of ‘Sukie In The Graveyard’ get toes tapping. Belle And Sebastian have regained the confidence evident with their remarkable earliest releases. For more about Belle& Sebastian visit http://www.belleandsebastian.com/

Young For Eternity by the Subways
	Another young band, average age 19, are The Subways with brothers Billy Lunn (singer/guitarist) and Josh Morgan (drums) teamed up with Mary –Charlotte Cooper on bass. This is a stunning debut album making a noise of a group twice their size. Their talent lies in crating thunderous grunge-inspired anthems such as ‘Rock and Roll Queen’ but they do have softer moments ‘She Sun’ and ‘Lines of Light’ Liam Gallagher no less thinks that ‘Oh Yeah’ is the new anthem for adolescents! As a debut album it’s highly effective and irresistible – The Subways will not follow their name and go under – they are destined to go up and up. http://thesubways.test.wmg.com:88/ for more about The Subways

Fear of Music by Fear of Music
	Fear of Music is a four-piece band from Manchester with singers Ali Esmaail who is 15 and Jo Rose (17). Chris Stanley (18) and Mike Ward (19) make up the group. Because of their age, all the group couldn’t celebrate properly at the party held after their Manchester industry showcase in The City or when they played Glastonbury earlier this year. Last year (after their exams!) they went on a sell out tour, played Radio I and were booked for the Viper Rooms in LA. The sound on the album is advanced beyond their years as it’s dirty and corrupted with an art punk aesthetic. The pace, tempo and deftness of the movement in their songs is typical of a much more mature band. If you’re into this type of sound – get it! http://www.fearofmusic.biz/ for free download of track and video

Come and Get It by Rachel Stevens
	"Come And Get It" is a record that knows, loves and understands what pop music is. Music that doesn't have to mean anything tomorrow but means everything while it's playing right now. And, for the most part, it's a sonic joy, the throbbing, techno-tinged "So Good" segueing into the Goldfrapp strut and squiggling electronica of "Crazy Boys". Even the slower tracks are a great, from the staccato "Je M'Apelle" to the sulky, sultry minimalism of "Funny How". It's a fantastic pop album. In fact, "Come And Get It", believe it or not, could be one of the best albums of 2005. www.rachelstevensofficial.com for more about Rachel Stevens

Revolutions by Various Artists
	40 great tracks mainly by British artists on two discs is a must have choice for your Christmas stocking filler. What a breadth of talent! This album is subtitled ‘Alternative Bands, Radical Music’ but many of the groups are now up and running in the mainstream of the British and international music scene. There’s a range of styles from the smooth pop of the Kaiser Chief’s ‘Na Na Na Na Naa’ to the harmonies of the Futurehead’s ‘Hounds of Love’ and to the raucous sound of ‘Kilamanjaro’ by Babyshambles. ‘ Revolutions’ is a classy mix of the old and the new. And if it promotes the likes of The Black Velvets, British Sea Power and The Earlies to a wider audience there'll be no harm in that. Fantastic tracks from the Las, the Clash, the Scream and the Roses and the Libertines are also included making ‘Revolutions’ a must have, great value package.

A Night On Earth by Crazy P
	One of the hottest acts on the live scene, Crazy P follow up last year's underground blockbuster ‘24 Hour Psychedelic Freakout’ with ‘Night on Earth’ which is billed as a coming of age record This is a glorious mix of house, disco and jazz with their song writing ability never being better. Singer Danielle Moore has a voice of an angel and she can change rapidly from a sweet, soul vocalist to a strutting, superstar front woman. The dark, funk parable "Lady T" contrasts with the down tempo "A Night On Earth". Tracks such as "Kicks" and "Sun-Science" see the boys in the band providing their uplifting best to back up the radiant Danielle. This is the perfect answer to the current fashion for glum rock. If you want to feel happy take a dose of Crazy P.