Willy Mason –  If the Ocean Gets Rough

Following a debut album of critically acclaimed new-age protest songs was never going 

to be easy, but 'If the Ocean...' builds on the strengths of its predecessor and adds a 

clearly defined, more introspective dimension of its own. Still laid back and acoustic in 

essence, the songs are more personable and exude a confidence largely absent in 

previous recordings.  Inspiration is drawn from the road trips spent promoting his first 

album (more expansive songwriting and imaginative arrangements) and the waters 

surrounding his Martha's Vineyard home (tides, rivers and the omnipresent ocean).  

'Save Myself' returns to familiar territory, turning the ills of the wider world into a 

search for understanding and personal vindication while 'Simple Town' is a 

reflection on the generalism of American politics.  With such a fearless and mature 

piece of work, it's difficult to believe that Mason is still only 23, but that just underlines 

that he's an intriguing talent with a very bright future.



 
 
      [ added 30-01-07 ]
 
Duke Special – Songs from the Deep Forest

The Duke is an incongruous character whose appearance in no way matches his music.  

Trust your eyes and he's an earthy bohemian type such as you'd have found in deepest 

Brighton fifteen years ago: dreadlocks, big knitwear, socialist attitude... Trust your ears 

however, and The Duke is a troubadour of the highest calibre.  Falling somewhere 

between Ed Harcourt, Keane and Noel Coward, Duke Special, with his disarming Belfast 

accent and a band of merry men at his disposal, crafts big singalong songs with sweeping 

choruses, shrewd yet poignant lyrics and inspired orchestration. (The live experience is 

particularly striking given the inclusion of tuba, gramophone and even cheese grater on 

the bill).   I'm sure nobody was more surprised than The Duke himself when current single 

'Freewheel' proved such a hit at Radio 2, but it's a perfect fit and this album has more of 

the same to offer, and lots more besides; 'Portrait' calls to mind a gin-soaked luvvy swaying
louchly from the music hall stage, while 'Last Night I Nearly Died' with its classic chorus and
clarinet solos proves there is considerable depth to balance the quirks of Duke Special. 
'Songs from the Deep Forest' is a vaudeville masterpiece, a truly creative achievement and
a veritable pleasure to spend an evening with.
 

 
 
[ added 29-01-07 ]
 
Bloc Party – Weekend in the City
Phase two of the Bloc Party campaign for world domination kicked off with lead
single 'The Prayer', and it seems religious undertones abound; from the hymnal
start to opening track 'Song for Clay (Disappear Here)' to the symphonic cathedral
majesty of closer 'SRXT'.   Like its predecessor, debut 'Silent Alarm', this album
tips more than a nod to the eighties,  although 'Weekend in the City' owes as
much to contemporaries such as Muse and Radiohead as it does its obvious retro
influences.  After the gentle opening lines, the album pitches headlong into that
by now trademark Bloc Party sound - relentless, insistent drums, sparkling guitar
riffs and stadium-filling melodic hooks.  In truth 'Weekend in the City' is a concept
album in the original sense; it documents the monotony of the working week,
although 'Waiting for the 7:18' feels like we're already aboard and flying coastbound
through the countryside at a hundred miles an hour rather than creeping the
commuter route to London Bridge.  'I Still Remember' recalls an urban childhood
and is one of the stand-out tracks, laced with driving guitars and heart-bending
cadences.  As a whole the album is tinged with sadness and retrospective
melancholy, but, as is appropriate for a band whose creativity and fashionability 
seemingly know no bounds, is laced with an everpresent air of irrepressible hope. 

 

 
 
[ added 29-01-07 ]
 

Ben Taylor - Another Run Around the Sun
 
Ben Taylor has quite a pedigree: son of James Taylor and Carly Simon,
he was born to sound this good.  On what is the first album recorded without
his band, Taylor continues his father's tradition of soulful acoustic songwriting
using gentle, uncomplicated guitar work to great effect.  From the opening
track 'Nothing I Can Do', his parents' influence is unmistakeable; from those
familiar, warm vocal tones to the beautiful 'Think a Man Would Know', written
with and featuring his mother.  However, the album sits equally well alongside
those by contemporaries such as Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter and
Amos Lee, with its introspective lyrics and simple and evocative arrangements
which conjure images of summer, whatever the season.  Celebrity parents aside,
Taylor has made a great start to his solo career, proving he's a sensitive and
honest writer by mining a quietly glorious slice from the well-worn seam of
understated folk-rock.

 
[ added 29-12-06 ]
 

Amy Winehouse – Back to Black


An astonishing follow-up to her debut album 'Frank', which won Winehouse Brit
and Mercury award nominations, as well as an Ivor Novello songwriting award,
'Back to Black' is nothing less than a breathtaking anachronism.  Sounding like it
just strutted off a 1960s sidewalk in downtown Detroit, and yet spitting such modern
vagaries as 'chips and pitta' and 'hand me your Stella', 'Back to Black' is a delightfully
witty and effortlessly stylish comeback.  Winehouse explores with a captivating
honesty such subjects, each of them close to her heart in recent years, as addiction
(the lead single 'Rehab' with its rebellious refrain of 'no, no, no'), new morality, sexual
liberty (the deceitful secrets of 'You Know I'm No Good') and alcoholism. Her now
trademark smoky vocals fuse perfectly with sharp production from Mark Ronson and
Salaam Remi, resulting in the compelling duality of fearless and defiant contemporary
lyrical references against a dense vintage backdrop.  From the start, and in particular
the magnificent 'Me and Mr Jones' ('what kind of fuckery is this?' ) Winehouse references
her influences (Slick Rick, Donny Hathaway, Ray Charles), although in so doing she has
become a force of her own.  This is the true spirit of jazz reborn for a new generation;
raw, sexy, bold and uncontrived.
 
[ added 28-12-06 ]
 
 
Bat For Lashes – Fur and Gold

Bat For Lashes is the nom de plume of Natasha Khan: Brighton-based storyteller,
dreamweaver and creative visionary. And this is an extraordinary work of beguiling
beauty, which will naturally draw comparison to Björk and Kate Bush, yet in truth is
both unique and exceptional. 'Fur and Gold' reads like a fairytale; dark sinister
landscapes and bold imagery play host to a variety of rich and compelling characters. 
'Horse and I' sees Natasha crossing desert and forest under wide night skies; 'Prescilla' 
seems to be the tale of a girl with dreams and invented futures stranded in a drab
reality (although we are never quite sure here where the boundaries of atmospheric
metaphor and reality blur); whilst the remarkable 'Sad Eyes' with its simple piano and
arresting vocals ('keep my heart breaking in the dark, come and spend the night') is simply
sublime.  Throughout this dramatic and captivating debut album, striking arrangements 
featuring harpsichord, ethereal piano, foreboding drums and bewitching strings are tenderly
complemented by enchanting and vivid melodies.  'Fur and Gold' is a cherished secret and
I share it with you now.

 
[ added 28-12-06 ]
 
 
Gossip – Standing in the Way of Control
A bright, ballsy album packing political punches and dirty disco from start to finish. This is
one band you wouldn't mess with, and the primary reason for that is voracious frontwoman
Beth Ditto. Her astonishing voice; all razorblade soul and velvet venom, marches bolshily
over widescreen synth flavours and enormous guitars; think Led Zeppelin with Tina Turner
at the helm. (And if that isn't an image you'd like to linger on, rest assured Gossip are no
less of a visual assault.) Elsewhere the stripped down arrangements and stark production
leave room for you to get right in close to the music; something which in itself will either
cause your blood to run cold (beware the unshaven armpits), or if you're made of sterner stuff,
will surely leave you rewarded. Stand-out tracks are the title track, also the lead single, 'Keeping
You Alive' (pure disco-rock, replete with backing 'oo's and hand claps), and the sultry closer
'Dark Lines'. This album is a challenging departure from the predictability of the chart, and yet
steps boldly out from the underground with a presence and persuasion that cannot be denied.

 
[ added 24-11-06 ]
 
 
Damien Rice – 9



This week, heartbreak comes in a five inch paper box, and opens with the single '9 Crimes'
and the plaintive voice of an angel. Not Mr Rice as you'd expect, but the arresting co-vocals
of Lisa Hannigan. This is just the first of many twists lying within the folds of this long-awaited
follow-up to 'O'. Clearly a fan of the understatement, at least where album titles are concerned,
Rice has created another magnificent collection of songs, with lyrics reminiscent in places of
The Tindersticks, glorious orchestration, passionate injections of profanity and melodies which
will shred your soul. The songs are all so different, yet hang together with a cohesion oft lamented
these days. From the quiet desperation of 'Elephant', to the tranquil bliss of 'Dogs', to the dirty
urgency of 'Me, My Yoke + I', Rice demonstrates every time that he is a master of his craft. '9' is
as fragile and wonderful as its predecessor, and is a perfect winter album, in that it resounds
with a stark chill which, by some inexplicable means, also cannot fail to warm the hardest of
hearts. To lose yourself in the beautiful melancholy of this album is easy. To shake it from your
skin is not. But that's precisely what makes this a great album - that you'll be carrying it with you
long after you've put down that smooth paper case.
 
[ added 14-11-06 ]
 
 

The Killers – Sam’s Town


One of the most anticipated albums of the year, 'Sam's Town' is a sizeable leap on from 

the camp mastery of their debut album. Drawing inspiration from sources as obvious as 

U2 and Springsteen, this record aims high, and hits the spot effortlessly. Lead single 

'When You Were Young' is only the tip of this considerable iceberg. Stand-out favourites 

such as 'This River is Wild', 'Bling (Confessions of a King)' and 'Read My Mind' are driven, 

well considered and showcase the band at their very best. Positively dripping with ego 

and authority, the songs are flawlessly constructed, boldly produced and demand you 

listen again and again. Admittedly, the fun and sarcasm of Hot Fuss are largely 

conspicuous by their absence, but what we gain instead is much bigger: thought-provoking 

songs which seat poise and gravity alongside audacious hell-raising. In short, 'Sam's Town' 

is brash, confident and a rocking good ride. You will not be disappointed.
 
[ added 18-10-06 ]
 
 

Lily Allen – Alright, Still

This is a Marmite album: you'll either love it or hate it. If you're a fan of Burberry check, 

big gold jewellery and mouthy slappers with famous dads, you'll probably fall into the 

first category. Me: I'm firmly in the latter. Ms Allen is clearly a lady of the streets; more a 

female Mike Skinner (just what we needed) than a new Kirsty MacColl. 

Alright, Still is well produced, but that's the only good thing about it. Unfortunately a 

spirited flash of brass and some neat samples don't atone for cheap, childish lyrics 

(which those seeking to glorify the state of modern day teenage life will no doubt rave 

about), as shockingly depressing as they are hollow 'I'm trying to help you out, so can 

you stop being a twat?'. Debut single 'Smile' is representative of the whole album: 

vacuous, grating, ribald... And yes, I probably am missing the point. That's because 

there really is no point.
 
[ added 27-09-06 ]
 
 

Roddy Woomble – My Secret Is My Silence

A tender, heartfelt solo debut from the Idlewild frontman which cements the band's 

gradual shift away from their punk rock roots.  Indeed, the credits read like a veritable 

who's who of contemporary folk: Kate Rusby, John McCusker, Karine Polwart...  

Woomble's love for his Scottish homeland is evident throughout: from the gentle 

simplicity of opener 'I Came in From the Mountain', through the fluid beauty of 'Every 

Line of a Long Moment' to the strident uplifting grace of 'Waverley Steps'.  This is the 

sound of a young man finally at home in his own space and skin.

 
[ added 31-08-06 ]
 
 

Thom Yorke – The Eraser

Never one to take small creative strides, the Radiohead frontman has given life to a 

startling, breathtaking piece of work.  In what feels like a natural progression from 

'Hail to the Thief', Yorke fuses cutting social critique with expansive beats and smooth 

yet bleak melodies.  From the stark simplicity of the opening title track, through the 

dark disturbing landscape of 'Black Swan' and the driving insistence of single 

'Harrowdown Hill' Yorke takes us on a journey of conscience, challenging all our 

senses along the way.  An extraordinary album which does exactly what you'd expect, 

and yet still leaves you stunned.
 
[ added 31-08-06 ]
 
 

Seth Lakeman – Kitty Jay

Originally independently released, Freedom Fields - the follow-up to Mercury 

nominated 'Kitty Jay' - now benefits from the midas touch of the unstoppable 

Relentless label, although existing fans will be keen to avoid the inevitable 

remoulding of Lakeman as a 'James Blunt with a violin'.  But enough about 

the tall, handsome, well stacked young musician, with a face made for front 

covers, what about the music?  Well, if songs could be bright yet dark at the 

same time, these are they: tales of maidens, battles and medieval patriotism 

are sympathetically brought into the modern day, with some awkward folkish 

grammar as the only casualty.  Lakeman's electrifying live performances and 

keen following will ensure a sturdy platform for the inevitable approach of the 

stratosphere, and new single 'The White Hare' is sure to lure more converts to 

Lakeman's compelling style.  Whether the folk fraternity is ready to share its 

bright young heir with the dirty world of rock is another matter entirely.

 
[ added 31-08-06 ]
 
  
Scott Matthews – Passing Stranger

An exceptional album, just the right side of quirky, Passing Strangers positively 

steams with summertime.  Stand-out track is 'Elusive', an advertising exec's 

dream; a sensuous, sweltering, plaintive song just shimmering with the ghost 

of Jeff Buckley.  Atmospheric, ethereal and compelling, the tracks are shot 

through with a colourful mesh of musical cultures, creating a rich and vivid 

landscape from start to finish.  Renowned tabla player Sukhvinder Singh 

Namdhari guests, lending a gentle energy to Matthews' dreamy, introspective 

vocals.  Stunning string arrangements reminiscent of Robert Kirby's work on 

'Five Leaves Left',  lend weight to the already heady scent of Nick Drake.  

With such influences obvious throughout, Matthews has nevertheless managed 

to create a fresh, individual sounding album, well worthy of further exploration.

 
[ added 22-07-06 ]
 
 




Muse – Black Holes and Revelations 
Just when you think you've heard it all before and it's all just the same old stuff 

with a new name, something comes along which blows your theories apart, 

smashing little pieces of taste and opinion against the walls.  This is that 

something.  Muse have rocketed into the stratosphere with Black Holes and 

Revelations, defining for us an alien landscape of magnificent proportions.  

This is the soundtrack to the end of the world; the Book of Revelations set to 

music.  The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, are attendant from the start: 

from the curious, evolutionary 'Take a Bow', galloping headlong through the 

destruction of the Universe toward the exhilarating climactic enormity of 

'Knights of Cydonia'.  Riding with them, we pass through extraordinary 

environments: echoes of Mexico in a lightning storm; a call to war by the 

armies of Armageddon; the dirty, sexy electro-goth shuffling of single 

'Supermassive Black Hole'; and Queen presiding over a reincarnation of 

the Beach Boys.  Black Holes and Revelations is everything you hoped for, 

and so much more; but handle with care, for it's a dangerous beast straining 

at the leash, and just longing to rip out your heart.

[ added 11-07-06 ]