Metric – Live It Out

Emily Haines, singer of Metric has a incredible voice. Their previous album “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” showed this very well. But, “Live It Out” steps it up a bit. The sound seems to be a bit heavy and much more raw which is an interesting move. “Empty” starts off with a rather simple and slow intro and it’s just destined to break out into something loud. It kicks into a rousing indie tune and Emily is in terrific form. “Glass Celling,” musically is a bit of a mess but in a good way, things just keep popping up through the song. But, it really works. “Poster of a Girl” is a true highlight here. The tracks’ slightly electronic vibe and Emily whispering in French, it’s unique and very sexy. ” Monster Hospital ” has a great rock edge to it. “Patriarch on a Vespa” is a bit more bass heavy, it works well with the ahhs and woos. “Live It Out” one of the more accessible tracks on the album. A true power pop tune, very catchy and will certainly get stuck in your head for days on in.
Any direction Metric take they also sound so fresh. Which shows the band have some longevity. They sound more confident and are playing better than ever. We get to reap the benefits. “Live It Out” is a very solid record that should not be missed.

By John Siwicki

King Biscuit Time – C I AM 15

After the demise of the Beta Band, it was only a matter of time before we heard from the one of the guys. Steve Mason brought back his King Biscuit Time project. With a delightful bass sound, and a great Steve Mason trademark vocal going for it, the track is surprisingly enjoyable and it has charm. The end of the track features a rap about Blair and Bush by none other than Top Cat, this is my first experience with him. The rap doesn’t seem out of place unlike most tracks where indie guys bring in rappers. It’s a well produced track with a great beat, which deserves a look.

By John Siwicki

New Order – Waiting For The Sirens Call

A New Order album is like an event. They don’t come very often; this is the second in the last 12 years (2001 Get Ready and 1993 Regret), so of course anticipation was very high. After all these years they still sound fresh and hip.
“Who’s Joe” starts off with an interesting mildly dark intro. The track is a simple little rock song that is very charming. “Hey Now What You Doing” would fit in perfectly on “Get Ready,” again another guitar driven number and some nice daft lyrics to boot. “Krafty” of course is just plain splendid. “I Told You So” is where things start to get a bit on the dance side. It’s got a nice pounding beat. The track does have a good feel to it and will get the people moving. “Morning Night And Day” has a big beat intro, that smooth Hooky bass line, big silly chorus. It’s all here for fantastic pop song. “Jetstream” features Scissor Sisters vocalist Ana Matronic. She provides a sexy and sassy backup vocal to Bernard. The track is a lot of fun, its easy to sing along to, and would be a brilliant single choice. “Guilt Is a Useless Emotion” have the band sounding as sexy as ever. It’s a full on dance track that will not keep you in your seat. The track has some great beats and is heavy on the synths and this one really stands out. “Turn” is a track that at times reminds us of Joy Division but the vocals are a bit more upbeat. “Turn your eyes from me/It’s time for me to go/Across the hills and over the sea” its simple but very effective.
New Order created an album that plays out much like their Greatest Hits would. You have a few songs very guitar oriented and then you have some full out dance tracks. The band has survived everything thrown at them; but they still make some of the best pop music out there and still sound fresh and cutting edge.

By John Siwicki

Royksopp – 49 Percent

Royksopp’s new LP “The Understanding” was a very good record except for one thing, this track. Easily, the weakest moment on the album and why this is a single is beyond me with so many better tracks to pick from (What Else Is There?, Beautiful Day Without You just to name a few). “49 Percent” lazy beat over, some incredibly awful lyrics doesn’t really do much for me. The only saving grace is it picks up a bit in the end. Get the LP and be prepared to skip this one.

By John Siwicki

South – With The Tides

We last heard from South about two and half years ago with their brilliantly different album Here On In. In their second full-length release, With The Tides, they leave their past ambient rock ways in favor of a more stadium rock sound.
The album starts off with the undeniably catchy “Motiveless Crime”. The addition of some wonderful strings gives the song a full, complete sound. “Loosen Your Hold” is the album’s first single and an absolutely beautiful track. The strings make another comeback and combined with the perfect vocals and some awesome effects, they make this track a keeper. “Fragile” brings things down a notch. The song has a much quieter sound, but also includes some amazing effects and samples. Its has a beautiful arrangement. The 6th track, “Nine Lives,” is another gorgeous track. The song itself is very simple, featuring an acoustic guitar, but with the added effects and a great vocal accompaniment, the track is heavy. “Straight Lines To The Bad Lands” has some excellent guitar and drum work on it, making it one of the greater tracks of the CD.
All in all, With The Tides is a solid album, but it is a bit too long. The last few tracks just seem to blend together. The album is nothing groundbreaking but nevertheless it is enjoyable. There is less experimentation on this one and it features more of a refined sound. If you are fans of indie rock, go ahead and give it a listen. It will be worth your time.

By John Siwicki

The Magic Numbers – The Magic Numbers

The Magic Numbers are fronted by Romeo who was born in Trinadad, then moved to New York , and then onto London . He then met Sean and they started making music together. They both got their sisters Michelle and Angela to join in on the fun. Their story is interesting. The Magic Numbers eponymous debut has charm, some killer pop melodies and top vocal arrangements. Their inspirations are wide but they have a true sound of their own. Enough of me sounding like a press release onto the record shall we.
“Mornings Eleven” is a perfect album opener. There is a nice selection of slow beautiful melodies. Michelle and Angela singing together with Romeo just sounds simply sublime. “Long Legs” is another brilliant little pop gem. It’s a perfect song for a summer day and will surely be a highlight in their live set. “Love Me Like You Do” will most likely be the next single. Romeo sounds fantastic, it’s just such a well put together track. “Which Way To Happy” is very delicate but very soulful. Gorgeous track! “This Love” follows, it’s really hard to keep a dry eye during this one. “Loves A Game” showcases their mix of pop and soul very well. Also, at the end there’s a treat for us in “Hymn For Her” It’s such an emotional and beautiful song that will simply move you.
This album is really something special. They are so many ups and downs it’s a wild journey. The one of the most enjoyable albums you will hear all year.

By John Siwicki

Goldfrapp – Fly Me Away

From the ever-fun album ‘Supernature’ is a more, beautiful and laid back track called

Oceansize – Everyone Into Position

This is the second album by Oceansize their previous was the mega “Efforesce” which was quite an album. “Everyone Into Position” was produced by the band and Dan Austin. There is no denying the quality of “Efforesce” but the band have taken huge steps.
“The Charm Offensive” opens us up and has some impressive thick riffs, it turns into a wonderful seven minute plus epic. “Heaven Alive” gets better with each listen. The song has the potential to be massive; it’s infectious and it grabs your attention so well. “A Homage To Shame” attacks us with a much heavier vibe than any previous tracks. The last part of the song where it just gets really heavy is bloody fantastic. “Music For A Nurse” starts off rather slow and gently but don’t let it fool you. There are some really gorgeous moments on the track. The vocals are exceptional passionate and expansive. It really shows another side of the band. “No Tommorrow” begins to pick things up a bit for us. Following the quiet/ loud formula quite well. “You Cant Keep A Bad Man Down” is a good moderate track, it never gets to loud or to quiet, but it still knows how to rock. “Ornament/the Last Wrongs” are two part epic finale. The first half is a rather haunting instrumental with this guitar shimmers that are quite spine tingling. The second half is where things get interesting, the vocal harmonies are spectacular. It’s such a huge, epic, grandiose affair, an the perfect way to end this record.
“Everyone Into Position” was a very enjoyable record. It’s a great progression for Oceansize, and a really splendid record.

By John Siwicki

The Subways – With You

Probably the band where you most here people saying

The Like – What I Say And What I Mean

When “What I Say And What I Mean” starts, it is pretty standard rock. However it soon progresses into a high energy driven song. It’s nice to hear female vocals in a rock song being used properly. No fake angst or false emotion hidden here as far too many female fronted rock bands have. It’s hard to think that none of the band has yet hit 20, it’s certainly a promising start from a band so young. They perhaps need to find something a bit different to make sure they stay in the industry as they are not the only all girl rock group emerging. However, they certainly overtake most of the ones already about and make this kind of rock look effortless.Nothing new musically or lyrically however it remains a nice listen for a while.

By Helen Daw

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