Giant Drag – This Isn’t It

This track is very pleasant. Starts off with some electronic synthesizer on top of some faultless guitar work that repeats itself through the track, it really gives the track a nice feel and uplifting feel. It’s the females’ job to take over the vocals on this track, and they work really well. They slip and slide, complementing the music well. Not a chart storming tune but one that will definitely be an enjoyable listen to indie/alternative rock fans.

By Matt Shaw

Jakokoyak – Flatyre EP

Flatyre is the latest release from Welshman Jakokoyak. The first thing that you notice about this EP is that Jakokoyak had opted to write and sing his songs in the Welsh language. The risk here of course is that he risks alienating one audience but at the same time, potentially builds a rapport with another. Either way, this style choice is bound to make the CD stand out.

The songs for what is technically a foreign language album aren’t too bad. There is a mellow atmosphere cast throughout the five tracks making them easy and surprisingly relaxing to listen to. Certain songs can be compared to other artists such as Beck (Eira) or Beta Band (Glow and Troi). There is one track called Panic which features no vocals and will probably appeal to a wider audience than the rest.

The overall tone of this album is slow, quiet and tranquil. It does not really spark any real emotion during listening and will probably be best used as background music or for relaxing to.

By Craig Evans

Arthur Baker Featuring Tim Wheeler – Glow

Arthur Baker has an impressive list of people he has worked with. Afrika Bambaataa and New Order just to name a few. “Glow” was originally an old Ash tune that just never made it out to any album. That alone should set off a few alarms. But “Glow” really sounds like a Ash b-side. Musically, it’s still got that trademark power pop that Ash usually provides us. Tim again delivers his trademark vocal, but the hook overall is pretty weak. Arthur Baker just seemed to beef up the sound a bit. The remixes of the track do more to bring it into the realm of a proper dance tune. Overall, it’s a safe bet but tread carefully.

By John Siwicki

Various Artists – DFA Remixes Chapter 1

It seems like the DFA crew has remix everyone as of late. They have done the likes of Goldfrapp and Gorillaz and even Nine Inch Nails. The DFA guys have a unique form of remixing and usually you can always tell it is one of their mixes. In this package we get 9 remixes that they have done. Notice that this album is called Chapter 1 so hopefully so of the ones not on here like their remix of Goldfrapp’s Slide In make an appearance on a future compilation.
The album starts off with Le Tigre’s Deceptacon. The remix just blows the original with ease. It is infused with so much energy and just makes you want to dance. Gorillaz’s “Dare” starts off with that disco punk feel and turns quickly into a nosey wild trip. Radio 4’s “Dance to the Underground” also gets the treatment and they actually make Radio 4 sound good. Soulwax “Another Excuse” could of used a bit more of the vocal. Hot Chip “Just Like We Breakdown” sounds terrific here. It is a bit dark and dreary but they give it the song some muscle that takes it to a whole other level.
If you were a fan of DFA remixes this is a nice collection to get. A few of them were a bit much and they have already more than enough to make a second volume.

By John Siwicki

Morning Runner – The Great Escape

Morning Runner has been hit and miss with me, my opinion on them seems to change with each single. “The Great Escape” is an interesting single choice, but gladly the band has not gone the route of reissuing previous singles. “The Great Escape” is a slice of melodic indie that is instant likeable. Matthew Greener does take a bit to get warmed up to but here he sounds in great form. There is a little keyboard bit in there that gives a throw back to those early 90 days. Nothing overwhelming and original but a nice pleasant taste of some pop-indie.

By John Siwicki

Broken Social Scene – 7/4 Shoreline

Probably the standout track off their album it was no surprise to see this released as a single. This begins with a folkish melody that switches into a poppy tune with some female vocals that compliment the music well. Great guitar interplay and a crisp rhythm section that culminates in an explosive closing section almost make the track by themselves, but the lyrics are not to be ignored either. Extremely original, with an excellent production job that has done the track justice. This is unlikely to break the mainstream and it is hard to fit into any genre, but “7/4 Shoreline” is sure to win fans for Broken Social Scene.

By Matt Shaw

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones

Second coming from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Show Your Bones” is a little patchy. Included are some great songs, namely recent single “Gold Lion

Placebo – MEDS

Meds is the first full length record released by Placebo since their massive success from their singles album. Funnily enough, if you are new to the band and heard this, you might be mistaken into thinking that this was their singles album. Why? Well, Meds doesn’t really have a weak track in sight nor does it have any highlights as careful craftsmanship has been put to all 13 tracks. It’s a difficult task to make a reasonably lengthy album that keeps the same consistency, power, strength right the way through. Placebo have achieved it here and made it look effortless.

The reason why it all works so well together is because each track is so different. There is the piano in “Space Monkey

Ben Harper – Both Sides Of The Gun

Phoenix – Long Distance Call

French pop-rockers Phoenix return with the first single off their eagerly-anticipated third album “It’s Never Been Like That”. “Long Distance Call” is a lovely, modest piece of pop that is perfectly happy floating along as it is. If you’re looking for something that is perfectly middle-ground, with no desire to be anything but that, then look out for Phoenix. The vocals are used to good effect to mask simple melodies and catchy electronic hooks; this results in a very unpretentious song that is guaranteed to brighten up almost any dull day.

By David MacDonald

Next Page »