27/09/10:

This week's top release comes from bleach blonde Mark Ronson, (is it just me wondering whether his stylist is playing a cruel joke on him?!), with the anticipated 'Record Collection', crammed with collaberations from Boy George to Wiley. Also this week I take a look at Kanye West's second single release 'Runaway' from his elusive 'Fifth Studio Album', before it's official release on October 5th.

Without further ado...

Mark Ronson - Record Collection:

Since his debut ‘Version’ back in 2007, pint sized producer Mark Ronson has often graced the showbiz pages of most newspapers and tacky gossip magazines. Being the best friend to rehab songstress Amy Winehouse and gradually making his way through a catalogue of gorgeous models, it’s more than easy to forget about Ronson’s biggest gift – music. And now, three years later, it looks as though he has hung up his crown as ‘The most connected man in pop’, and instead decided to focus on his latest offering; ‘Record Collection’.

‘Bang, Bang, Bang’ is the album’s opener, the first track to be selected for release, (admittedly a while ago). Since it first graced the charts, I’ve not been much of a fan and failed to see the hype surrounding a track that to be quite honest, didn’t appeal to me. However, after appreciating the album as a whole it seems I’ve changed my mind, deciding that not only is the track crammed with catchy hooks, it’s also a perfect introduction, setting the tone for the rest of the collection.

Second track ‘Lose It (in the end)’, is a favourite of mine, featuring lyrics from Phantom Planet’s Alex Greenwald. It’s slightly distorted yet appealing style makes for a refreshing change, as does (surprisingly), Ronson’s second single release ‘Bike Song’, featuring The View’s Kyle Falconer. Although it doesn’t come equipped with the best lyrics, its juvenile bike bell sound effects and cheerful tune is impossible to get out of your head after just a few listens. Track 5 ‘You Gave Me Nothing’ is also pleasing to the ears, oozing with 80’s panache, which is emphasised further with the voice of Rose Elinor Dougall; a voice Ronson, (rightly so), utilises throughout the album. Title track ‘Record Collection’ is also a winner, showcasing Ronson’s own vocal abilities, as well as reinforcing the retro vibe with collaboration from Simon Le Bon. Referring to Ronson’s desire to focus on his music; ‘... I only want to be in your record collection’, there is a playful depth to the track.

However, it’s at just track 4 that the album reaches its peak, with ‘Somebody to Love Me’, a dose of retro nostalgia featuring the fabulous Boy George. An arguably odd choice for the collaboration, it works incredibly well, with Boy George’s vocals not only strengthening the track as a whole, but his personal background paving the way for some well thought lyrics; ‘... I want somebody to be nice, see the boy I was once in my eyes’. It is without doubt, the strongest track from the 14 tracks on offer, as well as being one for the dance floor.

Instrumental interludes aside, the rest of the album, (rather frustratingly), appears to go downhill, with Ronson lessening his grip on the retro vibe he previously captured so well; opting for rap instead. However, this aside the album is an overall success and proof that Ronson’s quirky and sometimes peculiar style can work - it’s refreshing to hear something that little bit different, which will still manage to burrow its way into your head.

Kanye West -Runaway:

Despite being better known for that incident at the VMA Awards last year with Taylor Swift, Kanye West is an artist I have always defended. Having seen him perform, I admire his passion and the emotion that goes into every performance. His fifth studio album is therefore one I'm eager to wrap my ears around, (when he finally makes his mind up what it's going to be called!). But for now, I'll have to make do with first release 'Power' and now the second track to be released 'Runaway', featuring Pusha T.

'Runaway' is somewhat sinister throughout and not for you if you're looking for the next 'Goldigger'. Instead, it follows on from the mature '808's & Heartbreaks', with some brutally honest lyrics from West, 'See I could have me a good girl, and still be addicted to those hoodrats'. In fact, it makes you feel almost sorry for the guy!

Either way, it's a grower. Admittedly it takes several listens, but once it's in your head it's hard to shake.

Here it is, 'Runaway':

20/09/10:

This week signals the release of blue-eyed soul five piece Maroon 5’s third studio album; ‘Hands all Over’. I had a listen to the extended version of the album, with an impressive 19 tracks. I also take a look at electro-pop band Fenech –Soler’s single ‘Lies’.

Without further ado...

Maroon 5 - Hands All Over:

Maroon 5 are a band whom I have a lot of admiration for and a group that composed the soundtrack to a good handful of my teenage years, (without wanting to sound like a middle aged woman). So it comes as no surprise that eight years since their debut ‘Songs About Jane’ and another three years since ‘It Won’t Be Soon Before Long’, I have been eagerly awaiting their latest offering, ‘Hands All Over’.

Levine and Co kick off with ‘Misery’, a quirky and catchy number which was the first track to be released from the album back in June. Ever more enticing with each listen, it makes for an excellent homecoming for the guys, rekindling their well deserved place as one of America’s best bands.

The second single from the album follows and is in my opinion one of, if not the, strongest out of the whopping nineteen tracks on offer. ‘Give A Little More ‘is a brave move from Levine, who although pushing forty, manages to throw in a few risqué lyrics; ‘You’re wrong for turning me on, and on and on.’ Ending abruptly with a Jacko-esque squeal, it’s most definitely one for the ladies, (as is the video!).

It is at this point that the album takes yet another turn, swapping lust for good old fashioned love during ‘Never Gonna Leave This Bed’, with Levine promising ‘... I will never run away again’. (I doubt many girls would let him!) ‘I Can’t Lie’ follows the same theme; a soulful and strangely upbeat track which tackles regret, exclaiming ‘... I wanna feel your heartbeat like yesterday’.

With nearly twenty tracks in total, it’d take a lifetime to go through each and every one, (and wouldn’t make for very good reading either!), so I think it’s fair to say that the album goes on to take several twists and turns. Levine dips his toes into a pool of slow melodic musings to dramatic rock ballads, all the while nurturing that enviable star quality most bands these days don’t possess. Although it’s not to the standard of ‘Songs About Jane’, (in my opinion of course), it’s a brilliant album, with the only reason it doesn’t compare being down to nostalgia and not necessarily the quality of the songs themselves. So, to cut it short, for all those Maroon 5 fans or the hordes of girls screaming for a piece of Levine – buy it!

Here’s ‘Give A Little More’:

Fenech-Soler - Lies:

Next on this week‘s agenda is Fenech Soler’s superb single, ‘Lies’. Having a hidden penchant for dance music and being Calvin Harris’s second biggest fan, (there’s got to be another psycho out there, right?!), ‘Lies’ encapsulates everything I’ve come to look for in an electro floor filler. The only negative factor to come from this track is the fact that it wasn't released earlier on in the summer months - I'm sure it would have given Example's 'Kickstarts' a run for it's money.

Gaining momentum from the off, Ben Duffy’s vocals give the track the depth it deserves, and to be perfectly honest it’s difficult to explain just how good it is without having a listen yourself.So at the risk of writing the shortest single review yet, that's exactly what you need to do.

So, here it is, Fenech Solar’s ‘Lies’. An undeniably healthy dose of electro-pop goodness:

13/09/10:

It was this week that Les Savy Fav's fifth studio album 'Root for Ruin' was set to be released. However, the album was leaked online towards the end of July, therefore prompting an earlier digital release at the beginning of August. Still, to stay respective to the original release date, I take a listen to 'Root for Ruin', a fantastic offering from a band I consider to be ridiculously overlooked. Also, released just over a week ago, I review Robyn's latest single, 'Hang With Me', a tune that's been dominating both the airwaves and my iTunes since it's first play.

Again, without further ado...

Les Savy Fav - Root for Ruin:

As previously mentioned, Les Savy Fav are a band who I feel are ridiculously overlooked, if not under rated. With BlocParty's Kele often listing them as one of his many inspirations as well as Black Lips and Welsh noise rock trio Future of the Left singing their praises, it's a wonder they're not that little more mainstream.

The album kicks off with the loud, self assured 'Appetites', cementing the band's return to the Indie scene after their brief hiatus back in 2005. The track takes me back to dirty dance halls; snakebite in hand and feet firmly on the dance floor. Although not necessarily the strongest track on the album, it's a suited opener - assuring us that Les Savy Fav have still got their 'appetite' whilst acting to ignite ours.

The next three tracks unfortunately pass by without much importance, with raucous 'Lips N'Stuff' making the next big impression. A tale of frustration and heady lust, it has a certain juvenile charm. Bold as brass with lyrics like 'Let's be friends with benefits, You know we'd be into it', for those not used to Tim Harrington's ballsy lyrics and 'couldn't care less' attitude, it may come as a slight discomfort. However, with an open mind and a basic understanding of Harrington's character, it makes for a brilliant listen, (or ten).

The theme continues throughout the rest of the album, with Harrington slipping in a handful of adolescent anecdotes along the way. 'Poltergeist' appears to take it's influence from goth rockers 'The Horrors', oozing with grimey goth-tinged guitar chords, whereas 'Excess Energies' is everything the title suggests. It's loud, fast and a rather honest peek into the front man's teenage years - 'I am only 17, someone kick me in the teeth, I could use some enemies, I have excess energies'.

The last three tracks are of a somewhat calmer nature, (at least in relation to the rest of the album). 'Dear Crutches' acts as a useful insight into Harrington's personal life, insisting he's not quite the wild, ignorant persona he is often perceived to be, pleading '...you can go home my sweet, just please don't go home tonight'. So, Harrington does have a heart capable of breaking after all.

It is by the end of the album that we're made aware of Harrington's personal root to ruin, (or at least that little bit closer). In reflection, all 11 tracks are an honest collection of individual insights and realisations. We're thrown from frustration to frustration, from lust, to sex, to regret - all wonderfully juxtaposed with abrupt, ear-splitting boisterous rock.

And it's with great pleasure, that I share with you a live performance of 'Appetites', the first single to come from 'Root for Ruin'.

Robyn - Hang With Me:

Robyn has always been my guilty pleasure. A genre in herself, (Swedish electronic pop perhaps?!), it's rare she releases a track that I don't like to some extent. 'Hang With Me' is no exception to this general rule, in fact it's turned out to be one of my preferred offerings from the Swedish songbird.

Egotistical yet remarkably honest, Robyn pleads us to not fall '...recklessly, headlessly in love' with her, although showing a slightly softer side, she insists that '...if you do me right, I'm gonna do right by you'; all the while romancing us with her trademark electro-groove style. It's a tune to sing along to, to dance to and to more importantly, relate to. It's not often a track ticks all three boxes.

Derived from it's acoustic version on previous album 'Body Talk Pt.1', I for one am glad Robyn chose to work her pop-synth magic on 'Hang With Me' for the follow-up offering - 'Body Talk Pt.2'. And here it is:

06/09/10:

This week sees the arrival of Irish crooners The Script’s second studio album, ‘Science and Faith’. Renowned for often showing their soft side and not adverse to a soppy ballad or two, I take a listen to see whether their latest offering is as different as lead singer Danny O’Donoghue has hyped it up to be. Also earlier this week, skinny jean and vest wearing Kings of Leon premiered their new tune ‘Radioactive’ online, to be released from their fifth album to date; ‘Come Around Sundown’ – due to reach our eardrums in October.

As always, without further ado...

The Script – Science and Faith:

Although not necessarily a band that grace the ‘most played’ section of my iTunes, I have a certain amount of respect for The Script, a band who came as a pleasant surprise during the Isle of Wight Festival one year. Despite producing a set crammed with endless tales of unrequited love and yearning for ‘The One’, their undoubted passion, (and not to mention good looks), filled the stage more than adequately; leaving me wondering how three Irish songsters could make such noise.

The first two tracks on the album, ‘You Won’t Feel a Thing’ and latest single ‘For the First Time’ are no different from their previous self entitled debut - strident, painstakingly honest ballads. O’Donoghue does something I feel most bands and artists don’t do, which is telling a story. And there’s most definitely a story to tell throughout both tracks. Reflecting the current climate that most are experiencing, in both the boy’s hometown and the UK alike, there’s talk of ‘... these times are hard, they’re making us crazy’. However, in the style of a true Dublin man, love seems to conquer all, insisting ‘...everything is going to be OK.’

With such a positive and somewhat inspirational start, (to those of us with doe eyes and big hearts), it then comes as a shock that the rest of the album should be so melancholy. The gloom begins on track three, ‘Nothing’, recalling a drunken apology which ends in tears. Then comes title track ‘Science & Faith’, formed from an interesting concept, (does love spawn through nature or nurture?!), but unfortunately lacking in much else.

O’Donahugue then dips his toe into the tricky pool that is rap – an honorary attempt maybe, but not quite Eminem. In fact, it’s quite uncomfortable to listen to. The theme continues throughout the rest of the album, coming to a stop only before last track ‘Exit Wounds’. Charming us with an acoustic start - although it’s slightly disappointing when the band’s trademark heavy instrumentals kick in; it’s more than fitting as a close to the album.

Overall it’s a fairly average album, with only a few tracks grabbing my attention. However, I have to hand it to them; they can still make that noise and ooze with the passion that made me sit up and listen in the first place. Let’s just hope their next album is a rather more cheerful one, eh?

Here is single, ‘For the First Time’:

Kings of Leon - Radioactive:

The majority of Kings of Leon fans, (including myself), often talk of their preference for the Followill's older works. 'Aha Shake Heartbreak' and 'Because of the Times' therefore firmly remain at the forefront of my CD collection. Despite these preferences, third album 'Only by the Night' wasn't unbearable - in fact, it gave birth to a new legion of fans, fans that never grew tiresome of howling 2008's hit 'Sex on Fire'. It was then a debate was formed - did Kings of Leon 'sell out'? With new track 'Radioactive' acting as catalyst to reignite the said debate, I was eager to see what I'd make of it.

At first listen, it's definately closer to their old works than it is their new, which is no surprise seeing as it's a track that has been knocking around since 2004. Rather than an anthem of sorts, like 'Use Somebody' or the aforementioned 'Sex on Fire', it's respective of the band's childhood roots. It's when you listen to the lyrics; '... just drink the water, where you came from', that you appreciate the gospel and spiritual influences that its teeming with, allowing you to realise just how much the track means to the brothers, (and cousin). It's with this squeaky clean image the boys admit that when their Grandma first heard the track, she insisted they'd not go to hell - or at least not as fast.

Overall, it's most definately a grower, and although I'd love the band to revert back to their Dixie-style rock'n'roll days, it looks as though I'll have to make do. With their next album due out on October 18th, perhaps I'll be able to make a more informed decision as to whether 'Come Around Sundown' will put a stop to the rumours of 'selling out' and instead remind me why I fell in love with Kings of Leon in the first place.

And here it is, 'Radioactive':

30/08/10:

This week The Killer's enigmatic frontman, Brandon Flowers, releases his hugely anticipated debut solo album - 'Flamingo'. His meaningful approach to music makes for an interesting listen, with 14 hard thought tracks. As if Flowers, Blocparty's Kele and Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, (who have all recently announced their decisions to go solo), wasn't enough, Maximo Park's Paul Smith has decided to jump on the bandwagon with upcoming solo project, 'Margin', which features 'North Atlantic Drift' - the single I will be listening to this week. Now all we need is The Cribs Ryan Jarman and Kaiserchiefs Ricky Wilson to give the solo route a go and we'll have the full set of what can be argued as the finest frontmen of 2004. That's got to be a good thing, right?


Without further ado...

Brandon Flowers - Flamingo:

For those of you expecting a guy-liner clad, glitter adorned Flowers to make a reappearance, I’m afraid he has been well and truly left back in 2004. ‘Flamingo’ instead pays homage to his darker and more mature character; an unaccompanied continuation from The Killer’s recent works, ‘Sam’s Town’ and ‘Day and Age’.

‘Flamingo’ kicks off with opening track ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’, crammed with atmospheric energy and the patriotism that Flowers is notorious for. With talk of ‘...blackjack and Lady Luck’, he sums the city up in just a few choice words. However, not afraid to be different, Flowers makes several references to childhood, the yearning to revert to a simpler world – only to remind us that ‘... the house always wins.’ An indication of new age society or simply a reference to Las Vegas casinos; either way it sets the tone for the remainder of the album.

A personal favourite of mine is ‘Only the Young’, the second track on the album and in my opinion the strongest, gaining momentum with each listen. With a chorus that will plant itself firmly in your head for quite a while, it’s hopefully going to be on Flower’s shortlist for his next single release after the success of ‘Crossfire’, which reached number 8 in the UK charts after it hit the shelves on July 8^th.

‘Jilted Lovers and Broken Hearts’ is also one to listen out for. Just track four on the album, it’s upbeat and carefree melody hides a darker story, with several emotions being unearthed throughout. It is at times a tale of regret, at others a submission of longing. Flowers bares all as he exclaims ‘... you fly away while I’m stuck here on the ground’. With the track ending in a crescendo of drums and heavy guitar chords, it’s a tribute to Flower’s honourable ability to convey an array of emotions in just four minutes.

I may be slightly biased due to always being a huge fan of The Killers and therefore Flowers, but with the album growing on me with each listen; it’s hard to find negatives throughout. Perhaps at first glance, (or perhaps this should be listen), some tracks appear slightly tedious, even weak. For example ‘Swallow It’ features Flower’s vocals at their most vulnerable, but it strangely grows on you, as does the country tinged ‘The Clock Was Tickin’.

Overall, ‘Flamingo’ is an enviable attempt at a solo album for such a prestigious front man. Flowers is renowned for his style, a style which I find refreshing and have a high level of respect for. Yes, ‘Flamingo’ could be mistaken for the next album from The Killers, but surely this is due to the heavy influence Flowers had on the band itself. Like most of his work, ‘Flamingo’ is brave and for those who aren’t looking for the next ‘Mr Brightside’ and have instead matured along with Flowers, the lyrics are something special and most definitely worth a listen for those who appreciate his talents.

Paul Smith - North Atlantic Drift:

Maximo Park's energetic and somewhat wacky Paul Smith is set to follow in the footsteps of his musical predecessors with his debut solo album, 'Margins'; set for release on October 11th. Track 'North Atlantic Drift', (the opening track on the album), is available as a free download from paulsmithmusic.eu, so I took a listen.

Led by Smith's unique vocals, the track possesses the same charm Maximo Park so effortlessly maintained throughout their succession of hits; a factor that I put down to the lyrical qualities and the sheer passion behind them. Smith talks about his '... private heart', despite being so enviably honest throughout the track, exclaiming that '... you can rely for nature to chuck another spanner in the works'. As always, Smith's influence comes from previous relationships.

Fortunately, his music isn't as negative as he proclaims his love life to be. 'North Atlantic Drift' is a heartfelt dose of blissful indie pop. Although like Brandon Flowers and Blocparty's frontman Kele, it begs the question as to whether they'd have done just as good if not better had they stuck with the bands that gave them success in the first place.

Nonetheless, here is 'North Atlantic Drift', enjoy.