Jamie Woon - Lady Luck
After the success of the anthemic Night Air, the music world was waiting with baited breath for Woon's second single, would he prove himself as the star we all hoped he would be? Thankfully, along came Lady Luck and she has firmly cemented Jamie Woon's place into the Dubstep elite.
Lady Luck is sensual and soulful, filled with passion and romance whilst being edgy and so damn cool at the same time. The lyrics are minimal and pretty simple which just makes for a showcase of Jamie's incredible voice. His silky tones caress the lyrics and evocative melody to create something really rather special. Staccato, off beat rhythms juxtaposed against Woon’s smooth vocals make this song stand out as a triumph for commercial RnB fused with Dubstep. This song is certainly raising expectation for his debut LP Mirrorwriting which is released on April 18. However, ruling Dubstep alongside James Blake and Magnetic Man, Jamie has every reason to be confident at telling the world that Dubstep is here to stay - we can only but obey.
Rx
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Machu Picchu
So another album review from yet another indie band
Dutch Uncles – Cadenza
Cadenza is the ‘first’ album from Dutch Uncles and as Cadenza means a dramatic flourish of accomplished musicians and exceptional music I was expecting something special.
I say ‘first’ as Dutch Uncles were actually signed to an independent German label back in 2008 and released an album on the continent. Yes, I thought it a rather obscure beginning for a Mancunian indie band too. However, now back in Blighty and signed to Love and Disaster Records, Dutch Uncles are ready to release their first UK album.
Eleven three-minute songs of pure indie sounded right up my street but on reflection, I’m afraid I’ve heard it all before. Tight riffs and snappy lyrics with punchy drums are usually a pretty good combination – the killer combo has been proven time and time again. However, the reason indie music has lasted so long is that bands put their own stamp on the genre, something which has been missed by Dutch Uncles.
Highlights of the album are ‘X-O’ and ‘Fragrant’ which really show off lead singer Duncan’s tremendous voice. His voice and the whole band’s style in fact, echoes the likes of The Mystery Jets and Bombay Bicycle Club. And in that is what is most frustrating about this album. It isn’t a bad album, not by any means - it’s just nowhere near good enough to compete with its peers. Whilst listening to the album for the first time all I could think of was Two Door Cinema Club, Egyptian Hip Hop and Everything Everything. And there are serious questions to be raised when your album sounds like an uninspired version of three other brilliant albums.
Cadenza is a copy cat album bringing little originality to the table. There’s no stop-and-take-note element to this album. I mean, I didn't even notice the album had looped over until I was on track 5 again. These days with the sheer volume of music that is around, you have to stand out. The spark and unique point about this band is missing – using obscure time signatures just isn’t enough to get you heard.
All in all, if you want non-descript indie which is pleasant enough for background music then Cadenza will be right up your street. However, for something a bit more special and memorable, look to any of the other bands mentioned above.
It’s fair to say I had high hopes for this album - an edgy five piece from Manchester pounding out the indie should have been great. Unfortunately it turned out to be just another indie album to toss on the scrap heap.
Rx
Dutch Uncles – Cadenza
Cadenza is the ‘first’ album from Dutch Uncles and as Cadenza means a dramatic flourish of accomplished musicians and exceptional music I was expecting something special.
I say ‘first’ as Dutch Uncles were actually signed to an independent German label back in 2008 and released an album on the continent. Yes, I thought it a rather obscure beginning for a Mancunian indie band too. However, now back in Blighty and signed to Love and Disaster Records, Dutch Uncles are ready to release their first UK album.
Eleven three-minute songs of pure indie sounded right up my street but on reflection, I’m afraid I’ve heard it all before. Tight riffs and snappy lyrics with punchy drums are usually a pretty good combination – the killer combo has been proven time and time again. However, the reason indie music has lasted so long is that bands put their own stamp on the genre, something which has been missed by Dutch Uncles.
Highlights of the album are ‘X-O’ and ‘Fragrant’ which really show off lead singer Duncan’s tremendous voice. His voice and the whole band’s style in fact, echoes the likes of The Mystery Jets and Bombay Bicycle Club. And in that is what is most frustrating about this album. It isn’t a bad album, not by any means - it’s just nowhere near good enough to compete with its peers. Whilst listening to the album for the first time all I could think of was Two Door Cinema Club, Egyptian Hip Hop and Everything Everything. And there are serious questions to be raised when your album sounds like an uninspired version of three other brilliant albums.
Cadenza is a copy cat album bringing little originality to the table. There’s no stop-and-take-note element to this album. I mean, I didn't even notice the album had looped over until I was on track 5 again. These days with the sheer volume of music that is around, you have to stand out. The spark and unique point about this band is missing – using obscure time signatures just isn’t enough to get you heard.
All in all, if you want non-descript indie which is pleasant enough for background music then Cadenza will be right up your street. However, for something a bit more special and memorable, look to any of the other bands mentioned above.
It’s fair to say I had high hopes for this album - an edgy five piece from Manchester pounding out the indie should have been great. Unfortunately it turned out to be just another indie album to toss on the scrap heap.
Rx
Sunday, 13 March 2011
I've Had The Time Of My Life
Beach Fossils – What a Pleasure
Just when you thought we’d lost classic indie music to the thumping synths of drum and bass over the last few years, Beach Fossils come to the rescue with a simply brilliant new EP.
Not content with just another indie record to be listened to, acknowledged and dismissed all in one week, lead singer Dustin Payseur clearly took his time over this album. ‘What a Pleasure’ is wonderfully complete. The harmonies and melodies intertwine amongst each other like teenager lovers alone for the first time. The music cradles the wistful and romantic lyrics into a delicate yet dynamic record. Each song ties into the next and by the last track of the EP, ‘Adversity’ links right back round to the opening track ‘Moments’. The composition of the instruments is classy and mature which, in short, makes for complex and beautiful album. Kudos to Dustin for creating a symphony with two guitars and a drum kit.
There are hints of Field Mice and even the XX in the new, more focused sound offered by Beach Fossils since their last album. Wild Nothing also feature on the track ‘Out In The Way’ and they have clearly influenced Beach Fossils in honing their sound into the delight it’s become.
At just 21 minutes the EP is over way too soon. Like the fleeting romances Payseur is crooning about, each track is short, impressionable and infatuating. You find yourself getting absorbed by the music as you float away with the lyrics into daydreams of lazy summer days. Dustin’s melancholy voice creates stark contrast to the benign and charming lyrics, “the sun lights the room because we talked all night.” The juxtaposition works so well – it adds another enchanting layer to this opus.
What I personally love about this record is how honest and simple it is. It’s not trying too hard nor is it covered up with ridiculous outfits or accompanied by a stupid dance routine. It’s just great music. And that’s what it’s all about isn't it? The reason we listen and search through hundreds of albums is to find glimpses of genius and something which you really connect with. So when you land upon those special records they stay with you. And this totally does it for me this album.
What a pleasure indeed.
Check it out here:
Beach Fossils New Album
And the published version here:
http://www.rhythmcircus.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=868:beach-fossils-what-a-pleasure&catid=48:cd-reviews&Itemid=124
Rx
Just when you thought we’d lost classic indie music to the thumping synths of drum and bass over the last few years, Beach Fossils come to the rescue with a simply brilliant new EP.
Not content with just another indie record to be listened to, acknowledged and dismissed all in one week, lead singer Dustin Payseur clearly took his time over this album. ‘What a Pleasure’ is wonderfully complete. The harmonies and melodies intertwine amongst each other like teenager lovers alone for the first time. The music cradles the wistful and romantic lyrics into a delicate yet dynamic record. Each song ties into the next and by the last track of the EP, ‘Adversity’ links right back round to the opening track ‘Moments’. The composition of the instruments is classy and mature which, in short, makes for complex and beautiful album. Kudos to Dustin for creating a symphony with two guitars and a drum kit.
There are hints of Field Mice and even the XX in the new, more focused sound offered by Beach Fossils since their last album. Wild Nothing also feature on the track ‘Out In The Way’ and they have clearly influenced Beach Fossils in honing their sound into the delight it’s become.
At just 21 minutes the EP is over way too soon. Like the fleeting romances Payseur is crooning about, each track is short, impressionable and infatuating. You find yourself getting absorbed by the music as you float away with the lyrics into daydreams of lazy summer days. Dustin’s melancholy voice creates stark contrast to the benign and charming lyrics, “the sun lights the room because we talked all night.” The juxtaposition works so well – it adds another enchanting layer to this opus.
What I personally love about this record is how honest and simple it is. It’s not trying too hard nor is it covered up with ridiculous outfits or accompanied by a stupid dance routine. It’s just great music. And that’s what it’s all about isn't it? The reason we listen and search through hundreds of albums is to find glimpses of genius and something which you really connect with. So when you land upon those special records they stay with you. And this totally does it for me this album.
What a pleasure indeed.
Check it out here:
Beach Fossils New Album
And the published version here:
http://www.rhythmcircus.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=868:beach-fossils-what-a-pleasure&catid=48:cd-reviews&Itemid=124
Rx
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Champion
Suck It and See.
What a great name! So the Arctic Monkeys have released a date for their latest album, 6th June it will be hitting our shops so we will have heard it by mid May.
Track list goes as follows:
01. She's Thunderstorms
02. Black Treacle
03. Brick by Brick
04. The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala
05. Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
06. Library Pictures
07. All My Own Stunts
08. Reckless Serenade
09. Piledriver Waltz
10. Love is a Laserquest
11. Suck It and See
12. That's Where You're Wrong
And here's the first album of the album. Number 3.
Rx
What a great name! So the Arctic Monkeys have released a date for their latest album, 6th June it will be hitting our shops so we will have heard it by mid May.
Track list goes as follows:
01. She's Thunderstorms
02. Black Treacle
03. Brick by Brick
04. The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala
05. Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair
06. Library Pictures
07. All My Own Stunts
08. Reckless Serenade
09. Piledriver Waltz
10. Love is a Laserquest
11. Suck It and See
12. That's Where You're Wrong
And here's the first album of the album. Number 3.
Rx
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Hitz
Yes I do.
I think Kissy is such an underrated DJ and mixer. His Radio 1 show is just always brilliant.
Rx
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