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PLAYING OUT LOUD!
REVIEWS
Gig Reviews -
CD Reviews
Gig Reviews
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The Laura Vane Band. The Brook, Southampton - 4/9/05.
 Laura
Vane played support to the great Carleen Anderson at this highly enjoyable gig.
We reviewed Carleen on her last appearance at The Brook, so we turn the
spotlight on Laura here, partly because she is a Southampton girl, but mainly
because she is a big talent just waiting to break. And her set here with her new
band culled from the best of Brighton’s young musicians, confirmed that talent.
Diminutive, confident and bouncy, Laura has a distinctive soulful voice which
can go from an emotional whisper to rocking and raucous in an instant. She
opened with “Real Good Man,” showing no sign of nerves, with her band, two
keyboarders, bass and drums, soon getting into their stride.
Laura then served up an effective cover of Janis Joplin’s “Move Over,” before
the carefree “Sun Upon My Head” and the moody “See You In September.”
I’m not sure which songs in Laura’s set were self-written, but the standard was
high. I particularly liked the “September” song and “All Summer Long” which
followed the funky “City of Soul.” The audience, most of whom presumably had
come to see Carleen and her band, gave Laura and her musicians a big welcome and
were calling for more after the rocking closer, “Hot Money.” It was certainly a
set that left you wanting to hear more - and you can hear more when Laura and
her band play the Orange Rooms in Southampton on Sunday September 18. Be there!
CD Reviews
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Odditorium or Warlords of Mars. The Dandy Warhols.
 Parlophone. Running time:
62:16
Maybe a little self-indulgent, but an album that is never less than
interesting, from the opening “Colder Than The Coldest Winter Was Cold” to the
closing
“A Loan Tonight.”
In between, ten tracks displaying the odd vocal style of lead singer Courtney
Taylor-Taylor, plenty of freaky guitar work and some memorable songs.
Probably the most commercial are “Smoke It,” the Dandy’s latest single, “Down
Like
Disco” and “Easy.” There’s also a bit of a hillbilly hoedown on “The New
Country,” a curious chant-like track. “There Is Only This Time,” and much
more to enjoy. Whether the album stands up to repeated listening is another
matter, but on a first play, it sounds fresh and spontaneous.
It’s certainly original, and should satisfy Dandy Warhols’ fans.
Alfie. Tears At Teatime.
 Regal. Running time: 39:41
Manchester band Alfie have been bubbling on the verge of the big-time for a
few years now. With this album and the single “Your Own Religion” which is
the opening track, they have their feet on the threshold. The single is
probably the most commercial on the album, but it is not the best. Alfie’s
folk-infused harmony style is more about melody than thrash, and the following
“Look At
You Now” shows them at their best. Their songs are well-crafted, lead singer
Lee Gorton is impressive throughout and the album is pleasingly diverse.
Alfie’s lineup is full of multi-talented musicians, with a French horn solo on
“Wizzo” one of many musical highlights. In fact, every track has its own
charm - from the wistful “Where Did Our Loving Go,” the happy-go-lucky “Colours”
and the excellent closing track “Kitsune.” A fine album.
Helium Soul - Mass of Four
 OT Records - ZOWCD29001.
Running time: 56:00
"Mass of Four" is the debut offering from this new UK band. Having no
knowledge of them until receiving the CD, I was greeted with what is a great
first
album. “Retro sound” is a phrase that is used all too often, and can
sometimes have negative inferences. Yes, Helium Soul have what you might call a
retro
sound, but there is an interesting contemporary element interwoven within
these eleven tracks. Their origins are clearly rooted in the blues/rock idiom,
but there is a good slice of funk in the pot, as well as a dash of organic
world music influence. Here is a band who, for a debut album, are demonstrating
an interesting range of styles, tones and influences.
There is not a weak track on the album, the songwriting is strong (courtesy
of guitarist/vocalist Russ Blaber), and there are some great choruses
embedded in the warm but live-sounding production. The musicianship is
impressive, from the guitar power rock of "Nowhere to Run”, to the yearning
"Set Me Free".
The final track, "Coming Round Again" is an eight-minute epic complete with a
beautiful Spanish guitar on the outro; it leaves you wanting more. “Mass of
Four” is an honest representation of a band scratching the surface of their
creativity. GUEST REVIEW BY JANE SPENCER
SINGLES REVIEWS by “SOPHIE”:
Missy Higgins - Scar
A strong track vocally as Missy uses raw realism that is reminiscent of Alanis
Morisette to tell her story of a “Scar.” The words are twisted and turned to a
steady rhythm that doesn’t make easy listening. However, to say the song
leaves a scar on its’ listeners would be too extreme - but it does leave a
desire to hear more from this powerful vocalist.
The Dandy Warhols - Smoke It
Welcome to ‘The Dandy Warhols ride’ - fans of the band will not be disappointed
as they pull off another rollercoaster of a hit. It’s definitely a surreal and
uplifting experience from the band who “have been thinking about nothing but
doing nothing but thinking.” Whatever they are doing they are doing something
right, as they have the ability to transform your mood and make some sunshine
come on the cloudiest day.
Hot Hot Heat - Middle of Nowhere
“The Middle of Nowhere” encapsulates the times of today when we are all striving
to be different of try something new. But the style of the song is anything but
downbeat, with strong and expressive vocals from an impressive lead singer.
SINGLES REVIEWS BY MARTIN SIRL
Ben Folds - Jesusland
Pleasant, if mildly depressing observation of suburban America from the
multi-talented Nashville-based singer-songwriter. Ben Folds' trademark piano and
lilting voice conjure up visions of a midwest town slowly dying on it's feet. By
the time Ben sings "Billboards quoting things you'd never say, you hang your
head and pray" you might just be forgiven for reaching for the sleeping pills.
But it's well worth sticking with this as the melody will burrow its way into
your subconscious and linger there long after Ben has locked up his Steinway and
gone home.
The Doves - Sky Starts Falling
Driving guitar and a hardworking rhythm section fail to save this lacklustre
effort from the Manchester three-piece who have justifiably earned themselves a
reputation as a storming live act on the festival circuit but who, in the
studio, have yet to match the heights of their debut album, “Lost Souls.” The
latest album, “Some Cities” sees the band expanding into a number of other
musical styles, so it's a shame that this unchallenging foot-tapper was chosen
for a single release.
The Coral - Something Inside Of Me
The Coral may have the lost a little of their earlier quirkiness but the eye for
a great melody remains. These days everyone's favourite Liverpudlians might be a
little more Oasis than Captain Beefheart, but this fresh-sounding slice of
guitar-driven pop proves that James and the boys are, as ever, in fine form. A
stop-start melody and a chorus so catchy you can hang your coat on it will no
doubt only serve to swell The Coral's already substantial fan base.
Richard Hawley - The Ocean
The shadows of Nick Cave and Lou Reed hang over this ballad from former Jarvis
Cocker collaborator, Richard Hawley. Two minutes in the song explodes into a
glorious mix of keyboards and strings worth of 80s era Scott Walker. Hypnotic
and strangely unforgettable, there is enough in this track to suggest a sizeable
hidden talent lurking somewhere in the wilds of West Yorkshire. The world might
not be ready for the next Leonard Cohen, but just maybe it's ready for the first
Richard Hawley.
The Subways - With You
Sub-Foo Fighters guitar thrash from Ian Broudie-produced trio, soon to be
appearing at Portsmouth Pyramids. This band are rapidly gaining a healthy
following, thanks in no small part by an invitation from Michael Eavis himself
to appear at Glastonbury. However, The Subways' problem is that they do what a
lot of other bands today do, namely 3-chord pop with an attitude. Enjoyable for
the life of the song but, I'm afraid, forgettable the moment it ends.
Faith Evans - Mesmerized
The self-proclaimed First Lady of Soul produces a passable impression of Aretha
Franklin on this sulty dance number. Over a pulsating baseline and heavenly
backing vocals Faith sings "My heart is on fire since you put that thang on me"
and boy, does she sound like she means it. Sure to be a hit on radio and dance
floors across the world. Look out for the Ben Watt and Dave Hernandez remixes
too.
Alfie - Your Own Religion
Hugely listenable release from a five-piece who will be appearing at The Joiners
in Southampton on September 9. Embrace meet Te Kinks in three minutes of a
perfectly crafted slice of indie pop, jangling guitar, juicy harmonies and
faultless production combining to make this a Summer 2005 highlight. Already on
their fourth album, superstardom must surely be imminent for this talented
Manchester outfit.
Idiotpilot - To Buy a Gun
Idiotpilot's web site describes them as "The musical equivalent of a monkey with
a hand grenade" and this track certainly intrigues and disturbs at the same
time. Opening with acoustic guitar and subdued vocals “To Buy A Gun” soon
explodes into a full-blown assault on the senses, prompting comparisons with
bands such as Limp Bizkit and Rage Against The Machine. Idiotpilot certainly
know their market and thrash metal fans will no doubt eagerly lap this up.
My Chemical Romance - The Ghost of You
The ghosts of Sisters Of Mercy live on, only less so in this depressing thrash
from US east coast goth-rockers. If musicians take inspiration from their
surroundings, then one can only suppose that New Jersey is a deeply depressing
place to live. But what the hell. Buy this, jack up the volume, annoy the hell
out of your neighbours, then take an aspirin for the headache and pin the cover
to your wall to ward away evil spirits.
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