IV Thieves - If We Can't Escape My Pretty (One Little Indian) 26/02/2007

N: Originally seeing its release in October of last year, 'If We Can't Escape My Pretty' is repackaged and reissued. The band made their Atomicduster debut in our Singles Reviews for October, but hearing the album for the first time, how did they fare?

T: Noel Gallagher has already thrust this band's name into the spotlight, proclaiming that "they'll be one of the biggest bands in Britain". Whether this will be a help or a hinderance remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure, they do appear to have that "X" ingredient in their sound that ought to propel them into the watchful eye of Britain's chartwatchers. Then again, I thought that about The Monochrome Set, Midway Still, Jetplane Landing, The Real People and literally hundreds of other great bands that never quite made it. Hopefully the same fate won't befall IV Thieves. The one thing that coud possibly hold them back though is that theirs is a very "early to mid-nineties sound", perhaps a hybrid of the Midway boys, the Bluetones, Milltown Brothers and so forth. Good album but time will tell.

N: I can hear countless young pretenders in this band's sound. Groups who still yearn for the heady heights. The only difference is that IV Thieves are already there, having discovered their "wow factor" and put it to good use. Alright, shades of the Gallagher brothers are apparent, not to mention reef, and maybe a more recent Ocean Colour Scene. Perhaps this is where their current sound is firmly rooted at present, but as for the future, who knows? 8/10

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Jesse Malin - Glitter In The Gutter (One Little Indian) 26/02/2007

T: Jesse Malin has been growing on me lately. I must get some cream for that. Seriously though, this guy seems to get better and better - perhaps it's the fact that his idol Bruce Springsteen contacted him with a view to working with him on the track "Broken Radio" that gave him the relevant uplift to go on and produce another album of classy tunes. Lyrically, Malin has been one of the most interesting artists of the past 5 years, and now his music has gained more of an edge than it had initially, it is of tremendous appeal. "In The Modern World" is a fantastic rocker of a number and Malin continues this theme throughout. It seems that we have yet ANOTHER great album in what has proved to be possibly the strongest years of the decade so far for quality output. Let's hope it continues.

N: I think, when you listen to this artist, influences come flying at you face on, and none more so than the previously mentioned Boss, but also the greater output of Aemrican singer/songwriters. I can hear where the growing appeal of this artist that Tone mentions is coming from, and when we arrive at the track "Broken radio", the jigsaw completes. I think the only way is up (no Yazz references here please) for this artist, and this album will certainly be viewed in years to come as his coming of age. Jesse, you now have the keys to the world - use them wisely. 9/10

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Rose Kemp - A Hand Full Of Hurricanes (One Little Indian) 26/02/2007

N: Having opted for genetic surgery, eastenders star Ross Kemp successsfully embarks on a solo music career, that's right isn't it Tone?

T: Oh for fuck's sake Nick LEAVE it. We've done that "comedy routine" already, and I bet she gets as pissed of at people mocking her name as Ryan Adams does! You'll never get to shag her now...

N: You said you wouldn't mention that fantasy!

T: Anyway, moving on, Rose's music is a refreshingly understated mix of acoustic charm and darker undertones. At times, she sounds like a guitar version of Tori Amos, such are her arrangements. She has many talents all around her hat. Ooh, see what I did there? After all, she IS the daughter of Maddy Prior and Rick Kemp from seventies folk rockers Steeleye Span...

N: Alright, seriously, shades of PJ Harvey creep into this raw cut of meat and Charlie Francis' production of this album is beautifully crafted, allowing the compositions to speak for themselves, leaving them to sound clear, uncluttered and with space around them t breathe. Looking at the album's credits, the people involved in the making of this album is somewhat like looking at the cast list of "Cry freedom". Nice album. 8/10

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Malcolm Middleton - A Brighter Beat (Full Time Hobby) 26/02/2007

T: He's a miserable fucker, is Malcolm Middleton. I know this because I've been trying to transcribe an interview I did with him recently, and he pretty much told me nothing of any interest whatsoever, so I'm not sure if it's ever going to surface. Thankfully the former Arab Strap frontman's music is a damn sight more interesting than the man himself, especially the explosive opener "We're All Going To Die"...

N: (sings) "US bombs flying overhead dadadadadadada"...I can see what Malcolm was listening to in 1986...

T: Ok, admittedly it does sound a little like "Love Missile F1-11" initially, but then it turns into a belter of a tune, and there's a great deal more where that came from throughout this album, from the paranoid title track through the unexpected trashing glory of "Death Love Depression Love Death" after a pretty acoustic start, right through to the triumphant uplift of finale "Superhero Songwriters". It's a marvellous album. If only he had a personality to go with it.

N: ...regardless of the fact Malcom revealed here that he had Sigue Sigue Sputnik's single in his music library, this album is truly a work of greatness. I've never met the guy, spoken to the guy, shared time with the guy, so the fact he could do with a personality transplant is irrelevant to me. 9/10

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Dr. Hook - Hits and History (EMI) 26/02/2007

T: That reminds me, I must pick up some cheese...

N: Should I be slipping this to the back of the cupboard? Out of sight, but still accessible...

T: What can you say really? There were one or two tracks the band did that were relatively enjoyable, but most of it was really quite embarrassing, unless you're looking at things from a nostalgic bent. I guess if you liked the band in the first place, you'll buy this. If not, you won't. Anyhow, I think some smelly stilton is the order of the day...

N: I'm just sadly amazed that I sat watching the DVD content of this album following the lyrics line for line. Childhood has a lot to answer for.

T: Anyhow, being a compilation album, shall we be fair to the guys and not mark it?

N: Whichever line we decide to take (and I can see Tone is erring for the latter), this is classic schmaltz. Childhood memories shrinkwrapped and served in a case. I could not mark this down! And anyway, they're playing in Northampton in April. Fancy a trip?

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The Triffids - In The Pines / Calenture (Re-issues) (Domino) 05/02/2007

T: Cult heroes in their homeland of Australia and the more knowledgable music press, The Triffids were inspired to make music after seeing The Sex Pistols on the ABC TV programme "Weekend Magazine". Not that they sound anything like them; instead they embraced the American punk and new wave scene, taking obvious references from the likes of Talking Heads, Television and even the earlier work of The Doors. With this musical immersion, the band went on to create a sound all of their own, and produced some outstanding work throughout the 1980s including the seminal classic "Born Sandy Devotional" in 1986, and this gem, originally released a year later. A majestic charm transcends the album and now, on its reissue, confirms the band as one of the great overlooked artists in the history of music.

N: An utterly compellinbg listen - haunting and with late sixties production values. These albums of truly mammoth track content blend country music, the best of sixties psychedelia and low key rock. I can certainly hear Nick Cave and Bob Dylan from within these phrases, and certainly at times the ghost of Jim Morrison makes an appearance. These album of long forgotten moments are truly great. 10/10

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Noisettes - What's The Time Mr. Wolf? (Vertigo) 05/02/2007

T: The funny thing about this band is that, at times, their music sounds like the stuff you would hear in the background of "The Animals of Farthingwood" or whatever it was called, as all the characters go about their respective business, while "The Count Of Monte Christo" sounds like Nelly Furtado. For the most part though, the band sounds like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, or occasionally Lush in their "Ladykillers" era. Pretty good fun. An enjoyable listen all round.

N: It's for that very reason I think I found this hard to get a grip on, sounds swinging from side to side in a vortex of constant changes. Wild, and with some truly remarkable harmonies, this will set your head in a spin, but enjoyably so. 8/10

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Fall Out Boy - Infinity On High (Mercury) 05/02/2007

T: Bowling For Soup emo? Now THIS is an emo band. Not that this means they're any good of course. They're certainly popular with 14 year old kids who like to wear their trousers back to front, and, it's probably quite easy to get squashed between several attractive teenage girls at their concerts, so it's not all bad. It's just not my bag, that's all. For the kind of music they make, however, they obviously are at the top of their game. I've even found "This Ain't A Scene It's An Arms Race" growing on me lately - not to the extent that I'd buy it, admittedly, but still.

N: It's at this point that I grow concerned for your well being. Finding yourself at one of this band's gigs, squashed between a number of teenage girls and intonating mild enjoyment is not really a place you should be! I feel removed from the music scene, as a band come along who I wouldn't even follow to the exit in a burning building! 3/10

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Bowling For Soup - The Great Burrito Extortion Case (Zomba) 05/02/2007

T: Geek pop-rock. The soup bowlers aren't really giving us anything new. True, their lyrics can be amusing at times, but musically, they've been wedgied and hung from the hinges of a door from 8 years ago.

N: I think you've very much said it all. Emo with nothing much to offer.

T: In fact we've already wasted too much ti... 2/10

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The Hours - Narcissus Road (EMI) 05/02/2007

T: The beginning of recent single "Ali In The Jungle" reminds me of a mellow Smashing Pumpkins track, but then doesn't sound anything like them by the end, perhaps borrowing the melodic structuring of Springsteen, who would appear to be flavour of the year, let alone month, for a lot of bands doing the rounds at the moment. Seems to be an album that would be easy to lose yourself in and it makes a refreshing change for these artists to base their sound on the classic songwriters of days gone by than forever trying to emulate The Clash, which, as we've seen time and time again, cannot be done. Turn out the lights and immerse yourself - this is yet another fine album in what really has been an astonishing start to the year for terrific releases.

N: I found the first track here, "Ali In The Jungle", a necessary diversion before the main dish was served in the title track, whose whole being was filled with all the best bits, although I didn't necessarily make the connection until I'd taken the first bite of track two. The album continues in fine form with the majesty continuing in the shape of the single "Back When We Were Good". "Love You More" carries on in fine fettle, but I'd take exception with the line "I love you more than my record collection..." - they obviously don't own Chapterhouse's rare 12" "Die Die Die" - but can be caught mentioning The Clash in the song, so really this makes no sense. Well, tracks continue, and at each turn, add something from which to take sustenance. So all in all, much along the lines as you have said. 2007 is turning out to be a good year so far.

T: It's all very heartening for the future of music. 9/10

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