Review: Editors – In This Light and On This Evening
Editors are a British indie-rock band hailing from Birmingham. Having formed in 2002, the band consists of Tom Smith, Chris Urbanowicz, Russell Leetch, and Edward Lay. They were formerly known as Pilot, The Pride, and Snowfield, before settling on Editors. They released their debut album, “The Back Room” in 2005 and received a Mercury prize nomination for the release. Their sophomore album “An End Has A Start” went straight to the top spot on the UK Album Chart and earned Editors a Brit Awards nomination. The band’s third album, “In This Light and On This Evening” also debuted at #1 on the UK Albums Chart. The album, as well as the first single, “Papillion” has received mixed reviews from both fans and critics due to its staggeringly different approach to its sound. The band previously stated that it would be heavier, darker, and more raw and in that sense, they did not disappoint. Frontman Tom Smith explains the change to the British media by saying, “If we’d tried to make another more traditional guitar record, I don’t think we’d have got through it… for our own sanity, we had to do something we hadn’t done before.”
Review: Imogen Heap – Ellipse
Imogen Heap is an English singer and songwriter known for her role in electronic pop duo Frou Frou as well as her solo work. Her third solo album, “Ellipse”, was released this past summer, an astounding 4 years after the remarkably successful “Speak for Yourself”. The album was recorded in the basement of her childhood home in Essex, receiving its name from the unique elliptical shape of the house. The first single “First Train Home” was released in July and was accompanied by two different music videos. As usual, Imogen Heap’s haunting voice takes center stage on this album and enhances her minimalist lyrics. While the soft elegance of “Ellipse” may not shoot her into the mainstream like her infamous single “Hide and Seek” did – largely due to its popularity on “The O.C” – true Imogen Heap fans know a gem when they hear it. “Ellipse” is undoubtedly the most challenging and wide-ranging work to come from this English songstress, showing us that not only was it worth the four year wait, but the best is yet to come.
Review: Arctic Monkeys – Humbug
English rock band Arctic Monkeys first burst onto the scene with their hugely successful second single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor” in 2005. Four years and two studio albums later, the band has released their third album “Humbug”. The album went straight to the top of the charts within the first week of its release in Ireland and the UK. Steering clear from their pop-punk roots which helped propel them into stardom, “Humbug” surprises fans with its dark sounds and heavier lyrics. While the band is to be applauded for taking a risk with this album, it is simply missing the spark and energy that we have come to know and love Arctic Monkeys for.
Modest Mouse – No One’s First and You’re Next
There’s nothing that I love more than discovering unreleased tracks and B-sides by one of my favourite bands. This is the case with the most recent release by Modest Mouse, cleverly titled “No One’s First and You’re Next”. Composed of previously unreleased tracks from their past two studio releases, “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” and “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank”, this EP is more accessible and dare I say it, mainstream, than the band’s previous releases. However, in no way is this a bad thing, but rather is simply a sign of Modest Mouse becoming more comfortable with their success. Thus, fans can expect a less experimental and bold sound from “No One’s First”, yet still an intriguing listen. Translation: by no means is this EP boring. However, it does leave us wondering when we can expect a new album. For now, the boys of Modest Mouse seem happy to just “float on”.