The Melbourne-born foursome prove through their forceful ten track album, they lack nothing in ambition. “Conditions”, including the acclaimed singles “Science of Fear” and the song which stuck in festival-goers heads this summer, “Sweet Disposition”, most definitely does the indie-pop musicians justice. Producer Jim Abbiss, who has worked with the likes of award-winning Arctic Monkeys and Adele, is sure to be proud.
With glowing reviews from bloggers worldwide, as well as having BBC’s Zane Lowe as a fan, The Temper Trap are well on their way to UK domination. Energetic Dougie, Lorenzo, Toby and Jonathan have undoubtedly plucked a few heart strings with harmoniously strong tracks such as “Love Lost” and “Fools”. Contrasting the emotionally-driven songs on the album are musically intense “Fader” and catchy “Rest”, which are guaranteed to leave you singing at the top of your voice.
With The Temper Trap’s popularity swiftly rising, an amazing turn-out and atmosphere at this year’s festival season, not forgetting a UK tour which commenced this September, the ‘Ozzy lads’ appear to have a lot on their plates. Maybe take a leaf out of your own book boys – “Soldier On”! A must listen.
Up until now INME have always divided opinion. The band’s 4th album, “Herald Moth” is a record which reveals a band matured, one who’ve clearly shaken off the early ‘emo’ trappings of their 2003 debut. First single ‘Single Of The Weak’ is a real hybrid of sounds from early ska rhythms to + metal, ‘All Terrain Vehicle’ reveals Dave McPherson’s vocals at the top of his game, and similarly ‘The Art of Moderation’ and ‘Happy to Disappoint You’ reflects his under rating as a guitarist for the more technical progressive side, whilst ‘Nova Armada’ just about encapsulates everything the band is currently about.
“We wanted to create lots of technical layers with an edge; to heavy, melodic tunes,” opens lead vocal/guitarist Dave McPherson. “With Daydream Anonymous we established a more mature sound and pushed our abilities as musicians. Now we’ve really stepped that up. The new album is darker, more epic and grander than we’ve ever been.”
The Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance two-some who have been together since 1981 and are still going strong today. They have enjoyed world wide fame with hits such as ‘West End Girls,’ ‘Always on My Mind’ and ‘Heart.’ Their tenth album ‘Yes,’ produced by Xenomania, was released on 23rd March in UK stores, and reached an impressive number 4 in the UK album charts.
‘Love etc,’ the first track on the album and coincidentally the first track to be released, does not disappoint. Familiar funky electro beats, and the trademark lead singer Neil Tennant’s airy, breathless voice, with a chanting crowd over the top ensure that ‘Love etc’ is catchy, repetitive, and mesmerising. I’m not sure I could imagine it being an instant hit, but it’s good enough to catch on after a while, especially with the cool chorus “Don’t have to be a big bucks Hollywood star, don’t have to drive a super car to get far, don’t have to live a life of power and wealth, don’t have to be beautiful but it helps” and drumming keyboard beat. (more…)
Gary Go hit the music press headlines when he was confirmed as the official opening act for Take That’s UK tour this June – a dream opportunity for any new artist (at least one who doesn’t mind Take That). And now, with perfect timing, comes his self-titled debut album.
I feel bad about knocking it – it’s a good first album, but not much more than that. It’s very commercial, the comparisons made by Q magazine calling Gary Go ‘a one man Coldplay’ are justified, and I thought I detected a hint of Snow Patrol in there as well.
The first half of the album has a fairly routine selection of songs with slow build-ups to punchier choruses, the second half seems a little more downbeat, but then after “Wonderful” little else could be more upbeat. I was able to catch some intelligent lyrics in there, but generally the whole album is not a long laster.
Self-taught, self-produced – you’ve got to hand it to him, he’s made it a long way through his own persistence. Fingers crossed he can get to a more interesting second album. It’s an assured first album, and hints at great potential.
The Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance two-some who have been together since 1981 and are still going strong today. They have enjoyed world wide fame with hits such as ‘West End Girls,’ ‘Always on My Mind’ and ‘Heart.’ Their tenth album ‘Yes,’ produced by Xenomania, was released on 23rd March in UK stores, and reached an impressive number 4 in the UK album charts.
Gary Go hit the music press headlines when he was confirmed as the official opening act for Take That’s UK tour this June – a dream opportunity for any new artist (at least one who doesn’t mind Take That). And now, with perfect timing, comes his self-titled debut album.
