Music Reviews

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• Single Reviews Album Reviews Event Reviews Artist Reviews

The Hot Puppies - The Word On The Street

'The Word on the Street' is a uninspiring yet pleasant enough track that utilises flutes well, but not much else to write home about. It has the ability to be something more, and whilst female singer Bec Woods does have a talented voice, it just doesn't capture the imagination lyrically and won't have you dancing in the aisles. A pretty ditty, but not worth rushing to the shops for. 4/10   

Reviewed by Sam Lydon

3TL - Alys

After initial reservations about their name being similar to the doomed pop act 3SL, the Guernesy quartet do have a bit more 'attitude' than the Scott-Lee brothers, although it sounds very much like a track Busted or McFly would reject from their album. Doesn't help that there is little inventiveness with the lyrics and are sung quite monotonously. Not great, but no bad effort either. 3/10  
  

Reviewed by Sam Lydon

The Rivers - Love Or Whatever

A track that ebbs and flows at a bubbly pace, and with the catchy chorus that may just turn these Brighton pop-rockers into something a little bit more mainstream. Lyrically nothing special, but a happy upbeat feel good tune and I expect more in the future. 7/10  

Reviewed by Sam Lydon

Dan Black - Yours

After receiving a great response from his first single "HYPNTZ", which includes the beat of Rihanna's infamous "Umbrella", Dan Black gives us a track of his own style, which sucks you from the first second. The track has got a very catchy beat, and may give you a strong urge to grab the person next to you and start dancing. Being on the same label with the likes of Duffy and Patrick Wolf, Dan is sure to be destined for greatness.

Reviewed by Julia Alcazar

Simple - The Indigo Road

 One word: Christmas. The acoustic guitar, piano, bongo drums and the harmonious vocals makes it impossible to think of this song any other way. A non-traditional song that captures the magic and spirit of such a beloved holiday. 

Reviewed by Julia Alcazar

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

The song title may be cheesy, but Jason Mraz's acoustic/pop/jazzy style allows you forget that for a while. Just his cool, scatting vocals with the edition of serene melodies and backing 'oohs' and 'heys' may make you smile a little bit, if not really big. It's great song to chill out to, sing to your significant other, etc.

Reviewed by Julia Alcazar

Eugene Francis Jnr - Hobo Occupation

This track's country-inspired style is far off from Eugene's first single, but is good nonetheless. Sounds more fitting to be at an energetic barnyard hoedown than a disco, though it is catchy and upbeat enough to move your feet to.

Reviewed by Julia Alcazar

Andy Steadman 'Causin' Havoc, Breakin' hearts'

I found myself singing along to Causin' Havoc Breakin' Hearts the first time I listened to the album. The lyrics are catchy and often amusing, but unfortunately the musical background doesn't always match up, so it lets some of the songs down. 'Middle of the sea', the current single is upbeat and generally has that feel good factor that catches pop fan's attentions. It is comfortable easy listening, probably the kind of thing I might buy for my mum.
4/10

Reviewed by Alice Jackson

Chairlift 'Bruises'

From the album ‘Does you inspire you’, the single ‘Bruises’ holds a delicate yet magnetic tune. It’s a song you can unwind to, dance to and will certainly be charmed by. The band has been related to the likes of MGMT and Vampire Weekend and after being played on Radio 1, they seem set to go far. The Brooklyn band is to play London Club Fandago - 229 on Nov, 26, a gig well worth recommending.

Reviewed by Rachael Williams

Attic Track: Queen 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives'

 

It is surprising what great tracks get forgotten about over the years and with changes in format.  This is one such track.   

Originally released in 1991 as part of a double A side (yes this was originally on vinyl) with Bohemian Rhapsody.  The proceeds from the sale of this record went to the ‘Terrence Higgins Trust’ to help those less fortunate than Freddie with the homecare of people living with Aids.  It also helped with health education campaigns to help prevent the future spread of the Aids virus. 

This is a beautiful, if somewhat sad story set to haunting music, which gives it a real power, full of heartfelt emotion.  It is a story of carefree youth that could just as easily be your story as it is Freddie’s.  Looking back at the fun and the good times that we all have and how in his case it was all a performance (Freddie was one of the greatest performers of our time).  It is about not regretting anything, and enjoying everything as its all precious as we never truly know when it will end.   It is a track I urge everyone to listen to and really feel the emotion and if you can watch the video that Freddie made to go with this record, which was to be his last before his death on November 24^th 1991.

Reviewed by Julie Lorraine

MGMT 'Kids'

With their latest single Kids, Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, AKA MGMT, have created one of the catchiest and most whistleable (yes, it’s a word) synth riffs this year, and possibly of all time. While they come from the North American school of awkwardly noisy indie-rock, working with the likes of The Flaming Lips and of Montreal, their latest effort is nothing short of pure pop and isn’t ashamed to admit it. Uplifting, yet melancholic, and deep, yet danceable, it isn’t difficult to see why they were the highlight of this summer’s festival season. 9/10

Reviewed by Nick Akass

The Ting Tings - 'Be The One'

The Ting Tings really are a marmite band, when I can only handle small amounts of marmite, I cant get enough of the Ting Tings. 'Be The One' is a complete opposite to what we've heard from The Ting Tings so far, its slower and a lot more sing songy and one to be played at the end of the school disco. Dont base your decisions on Great DJ or Thats Not My Name this is a really nice tune.

8/10

Reviewed by Emma Corsham

Kings Of Leon - 'Sex On Fire'

Kings Of Leon go commercial, and haven't they done it well with this track. Fair enough we still cant work out what they are singing, but that wont stop us trying to sing along on a Friday night. A quick tempo with heavy guitars, it really kicks arse. Heres hoping they come back with more of the same and don't disappear back into their on little world where they make music people may or may not have heard and may or may not like. It's a very welcome change from the Kings Of Leon.

8/10

Reviewed by Emma Corsham

Snow Patrol - 'Take Back The City'

Snow Patrol come back with a stronger and edgier sound with Take Back The City. Away from the mush of other Snow Patrol songs, this one stands out a little. The "woah woah woah" is slightly annoying and doesn't fit in with the song at all, but other then that its a good tune. One for the Ipod not for the dancefloor.

6/10

Reviewed by Emma Corsham

Flobots - 'Handlebars'

Initially it wasnt my usual taste in music, but this song really did grow on me. It sounds like a gloaty remark delivered by an annoying 10 year old, but as the song goes on, you see thats its gets a lot darker as the song goes on, and is a miniture story about a confident child growing up to be a dictator. Chilling but such a good tune.

8/10

Reviewed by Emma Corsham

Sugababes - 'Girls'

That song from the boots adverts... you know the one.. here come the girls, girls, girls girls. Thats it! Yes, Sugababes have covered it which I was initially wary of when it first appeared on the airwaves, but it has really grown on me. Not the most powerful Sugababes, niether does it really show off their vocals in anyway, but its a tune nethertheless. One that will stay in your head for a while as us girls recreate the boots adverts.

6/10

Reviewed by Emma Corsham

Pink - 'So What'

 

Its been a while since the last girl power, "shove it" song and this one has a very personal tinge to it. Its written as a tongue in cheek peek into her split with her husband, who she managed to get into the music video without telling him what the song was about beforehand. Nethertheless people will sing it out loud. I can see it in the charts for a while managing a few weeks at number 1 already. More of Pinks unique flare. Welcome back sing and fiesty as ever Pink.

7/10

Reviewed by Emma Corsham

The Courteneers - 'That Kiss'

 

The Courteneers last single 'Not Nineteen Forever' was quality. Teh recruitment of the legendary producer Stephen Street, who has worked with Morrisey and Blur, amongst others in the past, suggests a highly polished piece of music and this is indeed the case.

'That Kiss' is a whimsical reflection of a kiss that maybe shouldn't have happened but was enjoyed. Although it is not likely to trouble the upper echelons of the Top 40, this is good, well written indie music. 7/10.

Reviewed by David Taylor

The Streets - 'Everything Is Borrowed'

 

Mike Skinner has done some legendary work in the past. For me, this rambling rhyme is not one of his best moments. Its almost as if he is looking back and writing an ode to his life. He is trying to say that love is all encompassing, but lyrics like ' the sky's now re, my eyes reflect jest' undermine him. 1/10.

Reviewed by David Taylor