Kano – Home Sweet Home

‘Home Sweet Home’ is the debut album from London based grime artist Kano . Featuring a whole host of producers including Southern hip hop DJ, Diplo, and Bloc Party producer Paul Epworth, the album mixes garage, hip hop, cuban rhythms, and rock creating a unique slice of British hip hop with crossover appeal. The single’s ‘Remember Me’, “Typical Me” and “P’s & Q’s” are also included. Also it is featuring some of the newest and best UK emcee’s around like Demon, D Double E & Ghetto! This is not your average every day album..
The sampler to his album has been out months ago and featured the tracks “Mic Check

Love Ends Disaster! – Stories for the Dislocated EP

The E.P was produced by Warren Bassett of Bloc Party and Fall fame. Here we have 5 tracks, each one is unique and quite impressive. “TV” starts off with some epic guitar riffs that remind us of British Sea Powers more rockier moments. “Ginko Disco” one of the highlights here, this track really gets me excited. It’s got a bit of a groove to it and the vocals are very dark but not to over the top. It’s very catchy and its got a great epic feel. This song should, and will be huge. “Little Lost Causes” shows a different side to the band. It’s a much slower and more atmospheric affair. “Warning Robots” (any song called that I already like!), it’s shows a bit of their more experimental side. There are not many times when you can find this much quality on one EP.

By John Siwicki

Lyca Sleep – Closer In

Lyca Sleep have been working on their sound for the past year and a half. They really seem to have something here. “Closer In” which is very Verve, but they pull it off because they make the sound into their own. The guitars are huge swirling affairs that just intertwine so well with the vocals. It’s so well produced, that the song doesn’t really seem to be six minutes long. The B-sides here are exceptional and worth mention as well. “Falling On Cedars” slows things down a bit, it takes the sound of more Elbow at their most powerful moments. It’s an emotional and gripping song. It is impressive for a b-side. This is a fantastic look into a band that you will surely be hearing about more in the future.

By John Siwicki

N.E.R.D – Fly or Die

The Neptunes ‘ first album “In Search Of” was a brilliant merge of rhythms over live instrumentation. It was a stunning work. So naturally, “Fly or Die” is much sought after.
“Don’t Worry About it” starts off with a slick little riff. The lyrics are shit, but more on that later. The production on this song is very nice. It would be a great song if Pharell didn’t open his mouth. “Jump:” now people, be careful of this one. For some odd reason they got the boys from “Good Charlotte” to do a guest vocal. They cannot sing for their lives but to make things even worse this is what they are singing. “Hey, Dad/ Okay, Dad/ That’s what you say, Dad/ I never could obey Dad/ Punk rock tattoos/ Leather jacket. “She Wants to Move” is the first single off the album and it’s really the only highlight. The song is a smooth little R and B tune that flows very well. It’s a funny and very danceable tune. “Drill Sergeant” is another one of the album’s highlights. It’s like a throwback to the ’60s with some very lush and fluffy melodies. You almost think this isn’t NERD. “Chariot Of Fire” is the album’s closer and it starts off with “I wrote this song while I was drunk;” already I’m turned off. Pharell sounds like he is trying to imitate some soul legends.
This is simply a huge disappointment. I do have to say the production work is impressive on some songs. But just take a look at some of this album’s lyrics: “Shit happens/ just blow it off.

The Hungry I – Beginning is the End

The Hungry I is basically the brain of young genius Jon Stolber. “Beginning Is The End” is the follow to his “Birthday” single released some time ago. The sound for the group has always been this Board of Canada meets Mogwai and Radiohead in a back dark alley. The new single does nothing to change that. The song does tend to go slightly to the post-rock side with the songs crashing and scaling walls of sound being thrown at your face and the incredible delicate and sad intro. The song is a powerful slice of persistent post rock music from our young genius.

By John Siwicki

Radio 4 – Enemies Like This

Following the post-punk meets dance movement that has blasted its way out of New York, a small band named after a P.I.L. song has grown and is growing into increasing popularity. “Enemies Like This” is Radio 4’s fourth album release, and provides more of the distorted guitars and heavy bass beats that are perfect for underground stages as well as the dance floor.

The strongest track on the album is the namesake, “Enemies Like This.” It is a perfect combination of post-punk and dance. The repeating guitar melody is distorted, fast-paced, and would have no problem finding its way into heavier rock. Wrapped around this however is a bouncy, ever-present yet forgotten bass-line and light, quick drum riffs. Slapped over the top are simple rhythmic vocals that are more pop than anything. The total effect is an interesting mix of indie rock, dance, and pop. While interesting, it is not unique, and reminds one of recent bands such as The Bravery or The Killers. The bassline to “As Far As The Eye Can See” for example is almost a rip-off of the one in The Bravery’s “Public Service Announcement.”

Despite this, Radio 4 mixes many different styles and genres in the album, and several can be found in a single song. “All In Control” includes a standard rock-riff guitar, but also features a bass beat similar to tribal drums that are matched by rhythmic vocal chants The overall effect is a pleasant blend of modern rock and an almost Africa-like tribal groove. Another example, “Ascension Street

Adem – Love and Other Planets

There’s a guy and he’s releasing a new album. It’s largely acoustic, he’s singing from the heart and he’s not too offensive to look at. On the face of it, it would be all too easy to label him the new James Blunt, write this review and move on.

With the music industry bursting at the seams with these types of performers at the moment, you could almost be forgiven for suspending your excitement about this album, the second from former Fridge member, Adem Ilhan.

It’s a concept album about space and the cosmos, which is apt because it’s an album that would sound great listening to late at night, in the open air while looking up at the stars. Alternatively, for those more suited to city life and looking for and album to come back and unwind to after a heavy night out on the town, this could be what you need.

From the first listen it gets right under your skin, with it’s folky undertones and gruff vocals that bring to mind memories of the Badly Drawn Boy debut album, rather than anything produced by Blunt and his many sound-a-likes.

Stand out tracks include the album opener, “Warning Call

Withdrawal – The Perfectionist Blacklist

Debuts are tricky things. New bands trying desperately to find their place in the musical world, to gain a larger audience and possibly even pick up a bigger record label. In many cases this makes a band’s first CD jumbled and confusing, touching on a variety of different musical styles, trying to reach out to a variety of different listeners. Withdrawal’s debut album, “The Perfectionist Blacklist

The Ordinary Boys – On A Island

The Ordinary Boys will hope to show some consistency with this, their third single from album

McLusky – She Will Only Bring You Happiness

McLusky hail from Wales and who have quietly been releasing some of the great records of the last few years. The boys are no shy to some humor in their songs. “note to self be erect by half past 10″ and this is clearly one of their most accessible tunes ever. Yet, it still retains that McLusky charm. This is the second single of their “The Difference Between Me and You Is That Im Not On Fire” LP get your hands on this record you wont regret it.

By John Siwicki

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