No Address – Time Doesn’t Notice

No Address’ release Time Doesn’t Notice is an album that will surely go unnoticed. This is an album that could only have come out of the bowels of mediocrity. Ben Lauren’s vocal’s have a quality you would expect from Kurt Cobain’s untalented third cousin. The rest of the band brings nothing new or interesting to the world of rock. Time Doesn’t Notice will earn itself 2 out of ten for being 2 places removed from being a recording of Barry Manilow’s butt hole. Bottom line… don’t buy this album.

By Jon Cohen

Dirty Pretty Things – Bang Bang Your Dead

While Pete seems to have taken a turn for the worse with Babyshambles,Carls’ new band “Dirty Pretty Things

Snow Patrol – You’re All I Have

“You’re All I Have” is the lead single from the band’s highly-anticipated new album “Eye’s Open”. On first listening, it sounds very familiar. It is typical Snow Patrol, catchy and sounds alike to “Chocolate” in many ways. The band have stuck down the road they set out on, no experimentation at all, in fact it wouldn’t look out of place on “Final Straw” in any way. The catchy melody and sing-a-long chorus makes this a worthy single choice, one that could see it hitting the charts fairly high and turn out to be a live favourite. Snow Patrol fans maybe a bit disappointed on first listening, but stick with it and appreciation is easy to come by. However, it is predictable and lacking that killer edge that have graced past singles.Good, but nothing new.

By Matt Shaw

Embrace – This New Day

Embrace’s comeback surely was one of the least expect in recent history. “Out Of Nothing” reached number 1, and they had a string of hit singles off the album to go with it. Now Embrace return 18 months on from “Out of Nothing” and already a number 2 single under their belts, Embrace are poised for a glorious return.

“No Use Crying” starts off the record very much in the same vein as “Ashes” did to “Out Of Nothing.” It’s a bit of a power pop record, not as urgent as “Ashes,” “Natures Law” is their massive single, their biggest to date as well. It fits very well in context of the album and I like it a bit more here. “Target” should be the next single a great track. “I Can’t Come Down” switches things up a bit it’s one hell of a gorgeous tune. The piano melody is beautiful with Danny’s vocal. The strings pick up the song well, Embrace always sound better with more of everything. “Exploding Machines” is next and was once the working title for this album. It’s a get fast, upbeat song, but towards the end, where Danny just keeps on shouting “Exploding Machines” just a bit to cheesy. But otherwise a top tune. “Even Smaller Stones” has a feel of Echo and the Bunnymen. Richard McNamara’s guitar on this track is fantastic, especially once we get to the three minute mark.

“This New Day” probably won’t win over and Embrace fans who haven’t already got on board. But it will certainly please their faithful followers. We get here 10 very nice tracks, that will satisfy your appetite for some soaring, epic hooks and mega guitar solos.

By John Siwicki

King Biscuit Time – Kwangchow

“Kwangchow” is a very mellow affair with a crazy psychedelic mix, lazily sung verses and a clap happy sound throughout the track. Muffled guitar and vocals break into this relaxed offering that skips along as smoothly and subtlety. If catchy dance floor tracks are what you’re after, this is something to stay clear of. If tracks you can relax to are what you’re after, give this a try. Not memorable, but it just has that something you can’t put your finger on that makes it a nice track.

By Matt Shaw

The Zutons – Tired Of Hangin’ Around

TRACK THREE

The Charlatans – Simpatico

I think in time this album will grow on me, I’ve heard of The Charlatans but this is the first time I’ve listened to their work. Personally I think the album is, in places complicated by stuffing some tracks with too many sounds, which takes the focus away from the lyrics and the vocals. The vocals are pleasant and confident throughout.

TRACK ONE- Blackened Blue Eyes, I really enjoyed this track, a great piano intro builds into a great tune with a well-balanced range of instruments, and the lyrics are good. A great opener for the album

TRACK TWO-NYC (There’s no need to stop) truthfully I can’t decide whether I like this song or not, it’s vaguely reminiscent of an 80’s track I can’t place. It is catchy and up beat, the vocals are great. TRACK FIVE-Muddy Ground, I really enjoyed this track despite the lyrics being a tad repetitious, again the music isn’t too overpowering and the vocals are evocative.

TRACK SEVEN-Road To Paradise, another great track, the vocals stir emotion, I’d love to hear an acoustic version of this song, the music builds and falls gently with perfect timing though I’d have been tempted to lose a couple of the unnecessary instruments and the abrupt ending of the track. TRACK ELEVEN-Sunset And Vine, a beautiful instrumental track, how I wish the artist had put some words to this. It has an almost meditative quality, excellent choice for the last track.

By J.Greenwood

The Flaming Lips – Yeah Yeah Yeah Song

Well, the first 20 seconds or so of this song certainly grabs your attention. It almost sounds like African chanting of the words Yeah Yeah Yeah. The beat is somewhat Caribbean and sounds like a bit like a calypso. Interesting, where can they take it? Well it turns into a clap happy song
with the chanting appearing now and again throughout the song. The lyrics start of as a set of questions which make you question yourself a bit. They appear now and again throughout the song as well. It makes you feel part of the song and keeps you interested.

“Yeah Yeah Yeah Song” even comes complete with a vocal chanting solo, certainly makes a difference from a guitar one. The song has so many sections and noises’ going on it really does take a few listens to it for it all to sink in properly. It even seems to have a small electronic section before the outbreak of the last part of the song. It’s 5 minutes of madness really. Good madness though…I think.

By Helen Daw

Duels – Animal

After a string of solid singles, (“Pressure On You” and “Potential Futures”) things were looking bright for this Leeds band. Their new single “Animal” is a rather catchy tune that will help get this band into the charts. However it lacks the charm and power of their previous singles. This one is just trying too hard to be funny and quirky. It almost feels at times forced. The vocal interplay between Jon Fuller and Katherine Botterill on the chorus is really the enjoyable part of this track. A bit disappointing but “Potential Futures” is still fantastic; make sure you dig it out again.

By John Siwicki

Arctic Monkeys – Who The Fuck Are

“Who The Fuck Are The Arctic Monkeys

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