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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
REVIEWS
Gig Reviews -
CD Album Reviews - CD Single
Reviews
Gig Reviews
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We Are Scientists, Southampton
Guildhall - 7/11/06
We Are Scientists gave a fantastically lively and unique performance playing
right into the hands of the ever grateful and spirited fans. Constantly joking
with the audience their perhaps geeky humour created a vibrant atmosphere and
was a welcome addition to their talented singing abilities. Unlike at so many
gigs the crowd felt appreciated, which was sensed in the energetic vibe that
echoed throughout the hall.
The band’s note perfect singing was second to none and the
linking of songs was smooth and well planned, making a brilliant change to a
usual stop start set. Their rendition of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” was an
unpredictable but inspired start to the gig and set a high standard, which was
kept up during the whole show.
Their encore was also just as exceptional. Ending the impressive
gig with their own sense of style, the band members gave a comical and quite
possibly better version of “End of the Road” by 90s band Boyz II Men.
Earlier, with the airy pop sounds of female three piece Au
Revoir Simone and the sunshine happy songs of male/female duo Mates of State, We
Are Scientists could not have had better supporting acts to warm up the crowds.
Guest gig review by Laura Collins
CD Album Reviews
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Storey. Out Of Reach.
 Readback
Records. Running Time: 39:08
STOREY’s debut album is like a conversation with a close friend; they confide in
you their innermost thoughts/ feelings of ambition, infatuation and anguish.
While bestowing you with empathetic insight after you've bent their ear.
Then again don’t think this is an assortment of dreary ditties, as I’ve done you
a disservice if you do. “Monkey Song” (winning track of September’s Whiteroom 10
chart) and “Hold Me” will especially enchant you with their infectious rhythms
and lyrics capable of brightening anyone’s day.
The first lyrics to be heard “Come take your time a glass of wine” paint the
album’s ‘mood’ perfectly. This is a chill out album with a difference, largely
due to its slick percussion, harmonies and unique guitar riffs. “Out Of Reach”
should be heard in car stereos and seen on coffee tables up and down the
country. Guest CD review by Bethany Borley
Milburn. Well Well Well.
 Mercury
Records. Running Time: 37:38
Not bad for a debut album - the opening title track sets the tone with Joe
Carnall’s swaggering vocals holding the attention.
The Sheffield band have been compared to the Arctic Monkeys, but I’m not really
qualified to comment on that. All I can say is that it’s a compelling album full
of driving guitar riffs, good lyrics, beefy drumming and lots of variation
between the tracks.
I particularly liked the ska-style “Storm In A Teacup,” which has a very funky
Blockheads feel, and the poignant “Last Bus Home.” The arrangements are tight
and there’s no self-indulgence here with most tracks coming in at around the
3-minute mark. I think Milburn are a band who could go a long way, and on the
evidence of this debut album, will go on to greater things from a songwriting
point of view.
Tim Finn. Imaginary Kingdom.
 Parlophone.
Running Time: 39:41
The former Crowded House man has come up with a very melodic selection of songs
some of which are very Beatleish.
It’s his seventh solo album, recorded in Nashville, although there is no obvious
country tinge to it. The opening “Couldn’t Be Done,” sets the tone for a very
upbeat and optimistic album, well produced and listenable without being
particularly involving.
Finn has the ability to write catchy melodic pop, but there are no classics
here. Nearest to it are “Astounding Moon” and “Salt To The Sea,” but having said
that there are no duds either. A very listenable album.
Madeleine Peyroux. Half The Perfect
World.
 Emarcy/Rounder
0602517032798. Running Time: 49:02
The third album in a decade from the dreamy-voiced Ms Peyroux, an an excellent
album it is too. Pared down arrangements, just behind the beat vocals, give it a
very laid back quality, much in the Norah Jones vein. The album contains
self-penned tracks and a mix of covers including the title track by Leonard
Cohen and a superb version of Tom Waits’ The Heart of Saturday night. Great
Hammond organ by Sam Yahel and outstanding guitar work by Dean Parks deserve a
mention. Beautiful production by Larry Klein makes for an album which makes
great late-night listening.
Other standout tracks include a duet with k.d. lang on Joni Mitchell’s “River,”
and Serge Gainsbourgh’s “La Javanaise,” performed in the original French.
Rod Stewart. Still The Same... Great
Rock Classics of Our Time.
 j
Records. Running Time: 50:06
Good to hear Rod’s voice in fine fettle in a selection of covers which are all
ideally suited to his vocal style. Indeed, some of the tracks, notably “Fooled
Around And Fell In Love,” and “It’s A Heartache” sound like they were written
with Rod in mind. Standout tracks for me included a heartfelt version of Cat
Stevens’ “Father and Son,” and a rollicking take on Eric Clapton’s “Lay Down
Sally.” Other tracks like “Missing You” and “Love Hurts” are covered well,
without the dramatic qualities of the originals. But overall it’s a pleasing
selection, and always a pleasure to hear that smoky voiced.
The only criticism I would make is that some of the arrangements are rather
tepid, with some fairly perfunctory guitar solos. But it’s that voice that
people will want to hear, and in that respect the album is going to be very well
received by Rod’s legion of fans.
CD Single Reviews
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BY MARTIN SIRL
Shoot Me Down by Boy Kill Boy
Boy Kill Boy demonstrate they can be subtle too when the need arises and sound
much better for it. With that little extra room to breathe Chris Peck's lead
vocals take on an extra dimension, coming over something akin to a cockney Neil
Hannon. Add in catchy chorus during which the band drop sweetly down through a
succession of minor chords and and you begin to realise that these guys can
actually play a bit. But most notably the Leytonstone boys actually sound like
they're having some fun here, an element which has been sadly absent from their
releases to date. If you're a sucker for a good tune you might do worse than
invest in a copy of this.
African Girl by Nayo
Born and raised in West Africa before relocating to the USA, Nayo has been
spotted by Sony and looks poised to be next big thing Stateside. As the title
suggests this is soul with just enough of an African backbeat to set it apart
from the rest. The beauty of this 4-track release is that the Nigerian angle
(for Nayo is Lagos-born) is used here purely as a means to an end. Rather than
advertising her heritage in an 'in your face' way Nayo employs the merest hint
of African groove in her sound to enhance, rather than drown something which
after all is already pretty good. There has always been, and will always be a
market for this kind of sound and there is much here to suggest that Nayo could
find herself doing for this decade what Sade did for the eighties.
Lights Out by Sondura
As time goes by there is more and more evidence that Metallica really do have a
great deal to answer for. Sondura (a name, not completely surprisingly, meaning
'hard sound') are yet another in a swelling army of bands who seem intent
on battering us to death with an arsenal of power chords and a lead singer whose
true vocation in life surely has something more to do with trick or treating.
But in fairness, in Sondura's case it's actually a shame because repeated plays
of Lights Out do start to suggest there is a decent tune hiding under there
somewhere, and if nothing else this is at least mercifully short, hinting that
they might be capable of avoiding the kind of excess with which Mettalica have
become associated. If leather coats and Brandon Lee are your thing then Sondura
can be found appearing at The George in Andover on 26th November.
This Is Not Real Love by George Michael and Mutya
The king of smooch teams up with an ex-Sugababe on this classy soul ballad
tailor made for late nights, silk sheets and red wine. George Michael is rapidly
becoming a male Madonna, embellishing everything he touches with a touch of
class that can turn material that might otherwise sound jaded into something
fresh and worth a listen. But sometimes things are clearer looking back and
after a few plays this fails to burrow itself into your subconscious anywhere
near s deeply as most of his best work. One for the devotees certainly, but
unlikely to create many new ones.
The Change (EP) BY Zein Simone
A truly bizarre mix of styles here. It seems that at times Miss Simone can be as
left-field as Portishead while at others sounding like a Bonnie Tyler wannabe.
And despite an obvious talent one suspects that her wide range of musical styles
might ultimately be her undoing. CD buyers often become uneasy if they can't
immediately pigeonhole a performer and Miss Simone, who is Des'ree one minute
but then comes over all Kate Bush on the title track, may well fail to catch
their imagination. Always interesting and at times very good, but perhaps more
likely to confuse potential buyers than persuade them to part with their
hard-earned readies.
The Rose by Westlife
The Rose, Nothing's Going To Change My Love For You and If. Three well-worn
standards for which the word 'classic' could almost have been invented. Here
they are reproduced with crystal clear purity by Dublin's finest and produced to
death by Graham Stack, a man who can justly be blamed for giving us A1, Steps
and Atomic Kitten. So the really the only question is 'Why?' As an attempt to
add something to the original versions this lands dismally on it's highly
polished behind. But as an exercise in shifting units this is another guaranteed
winner and will no doubt assure those boys at Sony of another hefty Christmas
bonus. Wherein, I guess, lies the answer to my question.
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