26/07/10:

With this week being a tad quiet on the new releases front, following last week's single review of M.I.A's 'XXXO' I thought it was about time I had a listen to the album it features on - 'MAYA'. With the release date being put back to the 13th July, it's not long reached the shelves, eagerly anticipated by fans of M.I.A's hard hitting urban style. Also this week I take a look at Australia's drum and bass band Pendulum's latest single 'Witchcraft' released last week and still remaining at the forefront of my iTunes most played.

So, without further ado, (you guessed it)...

M.I.A - MAYA:

Being renowned for her political ongoings and protests, it's no surprise when M.I.A jumps straight in with opening ditty 'The Message', a clever and altogether genius take on the childhood rhyme 'Dry Bones'. Exclaiming that the '... hand bone is connected to the computer, the computer is connected to the google, connected to the Government' gives those willing to pay attention to the lyrics food for thought. For those with less of an interest in the goings on in the world, the onslaught of computer keys tapping and sirens ringing out are more than enough to persuade you to sit up and listen.

Second track 'Steppin' Up', (the third single to be released from the album), pays homage to M.I.A's tough, no nonsense character, with the grinding whirring of power tools accentuating her self assured lyrics; 'You know, you know who I am...'. With more bass than most tracks on the album, this is most definitely one, given the chance, to be played at full blast.

Previous releases 'Tell Me Why' and 'Teqkilla' follow the same pattern, heavy bass and unusual yet intriguing sounds which could only be associated with M.I.A's distinctive take on music. Although 'Tell Me Why' appears to be that little more mellow from the start, there are still hints of the urban sounds M.I.A's fans crave.

Tenth track 'Meds and Feds' comes as a slight surprise, favouring a rock approach in the place of metal grinding and keys tapping. After a few listens it's a risk that has clearly paid off, remaining catchy and brimming with bass - staying faithful to M.I.A's roots.

Of course, latest release 'XXXO' is a strong track on the album, hence it's success in the UK charts as it continues to climb. However, M.I.A certainly has a lot to offer with the aforementioned tracks on a collection that does her justice as the political urban mistress she is famed to be. She may not have found her next 'Paper Planes', but that somewhat adds to the charm. Finally, someone brave enough to continue rebelling against music trends and deciding instead to do as she wants, how she wants to.

Here is 'Meds and Feds', enjoy.

Pendulum - Witchcraft:

Aussie chart toppers Pendulum cause yet another storm with latest single 'Witchcraft' from their third studio album 'Immersion'. Oozing with the dramatic introduction we have all come to expect from Pendulum, 'Witchcraft' doesn't let us down. Reminiscent of previous track 'Propane Nightmares', perhaps it'd be interesting to hear something a little different from the drum and bass band; but would we still be able to recognize the tracks we know and love?

A tale of escape, 'Witchcraft' is a constant build up of energy, exclaiming that 'You gotta get out'. Breaking after just under a minute, the rest of the track is a delight, I imagine both live and turned up to full volume on your iPod. Overall, it looks as though they've cracked it again.

Have a listen for yourselves.

19/07/10:

Following last week's musical offerings, this week brings us MySpace rap tournament winning Professor Green's album 'Alive Till I'm Dead', (shouldn't that be 'until' Green?). Admittedly I'm not one of his biggest fans, but with latest release 'Just Be Good to Green' featuring Lily Allen being, rather annoyingly, on loop in my head I gave the album a listen. Also this week, M.I.A's recent release 'XXXO' makes it's way into the prestigious Top 40 at a respectable position of 26, catching my attention.

So, as always, without further ado...

Professor Green - Alive Till I'm Dead:

On the surface, Professor Green's debut album appears promising, with collaborations with hot head Lily Allen and summer hit maker Example. Of course, previous releases 'I Need You Tonight' and 'Just Be Good to Green' are as expected the strongest tracks, but I'm disappointed to say that the appeal ends there.

Opening track 'Kids That Love to Dance' jumps straight in with Ronson-esque riffs and vocals from big-haired urban songtress Emeli Sande being the perfect buffer to Green's underground drawl. Having previously worked with the likes of Wiley, her husky vocals are the song's best feature. Perhaps Green will use this catchy pop tune in his next release - he'd be a fool not too.

Sampling The SOS Band's 1983 hit 'Just Be Good to Me', second track 'Just Be Good to Green' is to follow, featuring Lily Allen - despite her adamant temporary retirement from the music scene. Much like Sande's vocals, Allen's child like pitch compliments Green's voice, with the all too familiar beat being the key to the track's success. Frustratingly catchy and something I'm sure will continue to be played on radio stations and music channels alike, this might just be Green's 'Wonderwall'.

INXS's chart topper 'Need You Tonight' is next to feature on Green's adaptation, an already successful dance floor filler. As expected, the fact it is yet another sample track adds to it's appeal and familiarity, despite it's cringe worthy introduction in which we hear Green making a pleading call to a blonde haired love interest.

So, is Green capable of his own material or was his opening track somewhat of a lucky fluke? Unfortunately it appears to be the latter, as after only three tracks Green's harsh voice begins to grate, with lyrics that lack in depth, despite trying his hardest to reflect his struggles in life. Track 10, 'Closing the Door' is slow, monotonous and depressing, It's almost laughable in comparison with previously released singles, with the sudden transition in style being somewhat unsettling.

Overall it seems as though Green should stick to the sampling, with his own material currently lacking something. Whether that said something is another dose of 80's pop melodies or a well thought collaborator, here's hoping his next offering will be his best, rather than a collection of ditties that you'd expect to be heard blaring from the back seat of a bus.

And, just in case you've not heard it enough times, here is hit 'Just Be Good to Green'.

M.I.A - XXXO:

Famed for 2008's 'Paper Planes', activist and artist M.I.A's latest single 'XXXO' is set to cause waves, hitting the charts at 26 this week after it's original release in May. A rather helpful blimp informed fans during Jay Z's performance at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival of her upcoming album release - and let's face it, you've got to be pretty good to pull that one off. And after taking a listen or two, 'XXXO' is living up to it's potential.

Staying faithful to her alternative roots, 'XXXO' echoes previous works, oozing in M.I.A's alternative style whilst remaining charmingly popular as far as pleasing the radio waves are concerned. Perhaps a dig at social networking sites, she accuses admirers to want her to be '... somebody who I'm really not', after '... tweeting me like tweety bird on your iPhone'.

Whether she'd like it or not, with a comeback single like this, M.I.A will be getting more 'tweets' than ever before. A summer song definitely worth a listen, 'XXXO' looks to be the start of something special; let's hope her recently released album 'MAYA' doesn't doesn't disappoint. (Full review to be found in next week's TalkLessDanceMore blog).

Here is 'XXXO'.

12/07/10:

This week we're introduced to Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody's new side project 'Tired Pony' and for those who prefer dancing shoes to cowboy boots, 'I Blame Coco' realease second track 'Self Machine', complete with a remix from electro punk Le Roux.

So, without further ado...

Tired Pony - The Place We Ran From:

Having always been fond of country music and believing he 'had a country album in there somewhere', it was only a matter of time before Snow Patrol's front man, Gary Lightbody, decided to take a chance and ensemble a group of similar minds to form his side project 'Tired Pony'. Consisting of members including REM's guitarist Peter Buck and Belle and Sebastian's quirky Rich Colburn, the 'country tinged' super group have produced something special.

Kicking off with melancholy 'Northwestern Skies', LightBody's distinctive vocals demand your attention, working to instantly amplify the charming lyrics. 'Girl, you were beautiful before, but in the cyclone I love you more.' If only all men were as tolerant towards temperamental girlfriends!

Second track 'Get on the Road' is worth a mention, featuring collaboration with actress Zoey Deschanel. Hardly a stranger to the music scene since releasing a number of albums with her 'cute' country group 'She & Him', Deschanel's voice is one which complements Lightbody's. Despite this, you can't help but envisage Snow Patrol's hit 'Set Fire to the Third Bar', with the similarities crystal clear, something which I doubt will go unnoticed to avid Snow Patrol fans. Sadly, all love for Deschanel aside, she unfortunately doesn't live up to the ridiculously natural chemistry Martha Wainwright and Lightbody oozes during 2006's aforementioned hit.

Whilst on the subject of collaborations, Lightbody and Co also welcome Editor's Thom Smith into the midst on ninth track, 'The Good Book'. Sombre and thought provoking, Smith's romance with the band's mellow style is enviable and in my opinion the perfect partnership.

Another highlight of the album is track 'Point Me at Lost Islands', brimming with country-esque chords and harmonising vocals, all of which wouldn't be out of place at a barn dance. Livelier than most of the album, it's certainly a gem.

Not to forget debut single 'Dead American Writers', one of the two energetic tracks on the album, hence the choice for release I should think. Despite Lightbody worrying that the group were not 'commercially viable', the track offers a catchy chorus and as promised, a hint of their beloved country style.

Although perhaps lacking in stronger, livelier tracks, the album is promising overall, with well thought collaborations being a definite highlight. The band deliver exactly what is 'on the packet' so to speak, with clear attributes to Snow Patrol, REM and Belle and Sebastian throughout. With a dusting of country passion, it’s more than obvious that it is a genre that clearly runs beneath each member's veins. Far from tired ponies, Lightbody's 'side-project' might just, (hopefully), become a regular thing.

You can find snippets of the album, (released July 12th) on http://www.youtube.com/user/TiredPonyOfficial, and for those who would like to hear the debit single, have a listen:

I Blame Coco - Self Machine:

19 year old songstress Coco Summer releases her second single 'Selfmachine' this week, (12th July) on label Island Records. Husky voiced daughter of Sting, Summer's band 'I Blame Coco' are tipped to succeed, with several positive reviews under their belt. However, despite promises of distopian disco anthems, 'Selfmachine' is disappointingly bland.

With a voice that remarkably echoes that of her famous father, Coco's whispering vocals are almost lost amongst the electro pop melody. With talk of robots and statuesque machines, 'I'm not a human if you say I'm not / I'm not a human if my hinges lock', it seems as though Summer's 'hinges' have done exactly that.

However, although being slightly repetitive and somewhat bland, 'Selfmachine' will no doubt be a radio wave pleaser, going down equally well with pop chart followers. However, having been a fan of 'I Blame Coco's' gritty debut track 'Caesar' featuring Swedish popstress Robyn, and acoustic b-side 'Ritalin', Summer and Co have in my opinion far more to offer.

Criticisms aside, here is single 'Selfmachine':