The Gresham Flyers - Sex With Strangers (Cherryade) 26/05/2008

T: There's definitely a Weddoes influence here, perhaps with Gedge fronting Magazine. Occasionally the quirkiness is reminiscent of the B-52's and sometimes The Housemartins leap out at you, but it's a toe-tapper of an album anyway.

N: This album's frankness is not just apparent in the music, but visually, the band have adopted some hilarious cartoons on the artwork, so in short, the album will not just have your feet tapping, but your belly aching as you discover inner pleasures of a visual variety. Certainly fresh in its outlook.

T: That reminds me, you've still not returned those videos.

N: They were mine in the first place! 7/10

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The Futureheads - This Is Not The World (Nul Records) 26/05/2008

T: Like many of today's bands, The Futureheads were clearly fans of Gang Of Four, and this is probably why they have such a satisfying sound. They're currently languishing in the second division where chart successes are concerned, behind Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, The Fratellis and Bloc Party amongst others, but their music is always bold and catchy, and may well yet elevate them towards the upper echelons. "Walking Backwards" is an exciting, loud swashbuckler of a song and much of the album continues in this vain. I doubt if we'll ever be referring to The Futureheads as one of the "best bands of the nineties", but they do have talent in spades and ultimately have provided a very enjoyable album.

N: A band who have evidently embraced today's "indie sound", in that this is not too left of centre, making it easily acceptable to fans old and new. The interesting part comes from picking apart those almost virginal elements in amongst the deftly recycled. As previously commented, this album is indeed an enjoyable one, but one where I would consider the real enjoyment would come from hearing these numbers reworked in a live setting. 7/10

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Gatecrasher - Summer Sound System (Ministry Of Sound) 19/05/2008

T: Of course, like all DJ compilations, it really should be credited to "Various Artists", but because they've flicked a few switches and melded the tunes into one, it gets counted as an official release by Gatecrasher. Some of the best known floorfillers have been spliced here, initiating proceedings with The Prodigy's "Girls" and following that with The Count & Sinden's infuriatingly infectious "Beeper". Along the way, we're hit with mixes of Mauro Picotto's "Lizard", Dizzee Rascal's "Flex" and Armand Van Helden's "NYC Beat". All of this makes me feel like I could DJ easily! It's blatantly obvious that these tunes would get people up and I'm certain I could be a superstar DJ with barely any effort whatsoever. I still have my flashing traffic lights, so I'd obviously be a big hit with the ladies. Oh no, hang on a minute, I got mixed up. What I meant was that I still GO flashig at traffic lights.

N: DJ? You?

T: Good name! DJ You...

N: Well I think I'll continue, before you get any further ideas of grandeur. Incidentally, should I just refer to "You" now? Gatecrasher's Summer Sound Syetam rolls on with the more acceptable side of today's dancefloor, or put another way, more "commercial" than some of the albums we've reviewed recently, and possesses a healthy dose of known tunes to draw the less educated listener in. However, once there, I think this Pandora's Box might just have enough about it to claw at flesh, neuro-signals and muscles, with or without the cardigan. 7/10

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Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Lie Down In The Light (Domino) 19/05/2008

T: Freak folk seems to have become somewhat fashionable of late, so it's a surprise to me that William's latest kicks off with a laid back, bright and breezy, infinitely cheery number called "Easy Does It". Perhaps he's reacting against his newfound "cool" and dragging his own brand of folk back to its roots, but one thing's for certain, he's definitely opened his curtains wide for the first time in years. And I must stress, that isn't a perverse metaphor...

N: Well I'm not so sure about that, I think you're one of those "sad sack fans" referred to in the press release, withdrawing to your "auto-erotic dungeon", and as for the toys, well we won't even go there. This album does include a claustrophobic air though, and as for those curtains, I get the feeling they're only half open. 8/10

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Liquid Liquid - Slip In And Out Of Phenomenon (Domino) 19/05/2008

T: This is the sound of the underground, circa the advent of Rubik's Cubes and legwarmers. "Retro" barely even covers it. Poles apart from the eyeliner brigade and equally at odds with the rotting carcass of what passed for punk at the time. If anything, this was more in keeping with the latter scene than its pale imitations, and could easily be seen as a reference for Lydon during his "Flowers Of Romance" period. Experimental beats and loops create a dark and seedy underworld that sounds thoroughly macabre. This could make a lot of people nervous.

N: The Manhattan band were responsible for highly infectious and inspirational sound textures. Their legacy certainly lives on today in more than just their music, with Glasgow's Optimo Club being named after track thirteen on this compilation. From a career that spanned little more than three EPs during their lifetime, the tracks available here have been said to possess an otherwise "imagined African night time future" and no doubt would well fit in an adapted screenplay for a slanted remake of "Blade Runner". 8/10

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Felix Da Housecat - Milan: GU 34 (GlobalUnderground) 12/05/2008

T: Right then maaan, let's drop some acid tabs, 'cause that's the only way I'm going to enjoy this album. Now, you have far more appreciation of these kinds of housebeats than I do Nick, so I'll let you do the talkin', you crazy cat...

N: ...Now remembering that the artist is DJ Felix, this album, on the most part, is one that represents his skill as a DJ and his mixing ability is one that is unquestioned, matching timings and beats pretty well. But as a DJ I would've hoped he could've represented music of a more diverse palette, although I suppose this is his 'bag' and the audience he's playing to appreciate that, so perhaps I might not fully like his brand of 'soft drink' but that's immaterial. This is apparently music that centres around "Europe's fashion capital" - Milan, so high energy beats are on the menu, from Josh Wink, Sasha to Amand Van Helden and Kris Menace, this album does "what it says on the cover" and that being the 34th release on the Global Underground label in that this time it's "Milan", so hey who are we to complain. And anyway Tone is enjoying what he can make of the beats in his skat throughout the numbers.

T: I think I might pass on my number to Mr. Housecat. I'm sure he'd be impressed. It sounded MUCH better with my skatting over the top.

N: Hmmmm. 6/10

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O Fracas - Fits & Starts (I Can Count Records) 12/05/2008

T: Sounds like Adam and the Ants at the beginning but then sounds like a cross between the Futureheads and (surprise surprise) Franz Ferdinand. Actually they sound a little like Punishment Of Luxury in places, and when that happens, they're a whole lot more appealing.

N: Although I feel that to lump these in with today's "It" bands is a little harsh, their presentation does at least set them apart, as you've started to say. It's this originality that I think can only grow if nurtured the right way. 7/10

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The Charlatans - You Cross My Path (Cooking Vinyl) 12/05/2008

N: This album is certainly one of their best to date, taking in all they've learnt since they released "Some Friendly". I was uncertain just how this would go, but haven't grown tired of it and still find it hugely entertaining, especially Tim's ability to fit "schizophrenic" into the first song.

T: True, and like you, I was a little apprehensive. The last few Charlatans albums, to me, have been like watching a car crash about to happen, in slow motion, and I anticipated that this may have been their fatal brick wall, but how wrong I was. They come out all guns blazing on "Oh! Vanity", throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, at the listener and relentlessly pound out some of their most thrilling work over the course of 35 minutes or so. Built and arranged beautifully, the tracks that make of "You Cross My Path" are such a victory that it's like watching Goliath rising to slay David. Superb album.

N: Awesome. 9/10

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The Getaway Team - Haven't You Heard...(Easy Tiger) 12/05/2008

T: You know how I just said Drive-By Argument sounded like The Enemy backed by the Gigolo Aunts? Well, The Getaway Team just sound like The Enemy. Genetic, tired and alarmingly mediocre. The reason they've released this as a five track mini-album is probably because they've realised their songs all sound the same and they think by giving you less, you're less likely to realise.

N: Good point. A (marginally) less mushy Scouting For Girls. 3/10

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Drive-By Argument - Drive-By Argument (Lizard King) 12/05/2008

T: I feel the time is ripe to let our readers know that you have Abba and A-ha right at the top of your iTunes playlist.

N: It's a comprehensive playlist! I also have Zwan and The Zombies, do you want to make something of it, Spice Boy!

T: Hey, my CD collection contains both my own CDs and the missus's so that doesn't count.

N: Ah, but was it your missus that bought it then?

T: Er, no...but that's not the point...for a pop band I still don't think they were that bad. Honestly! Anyway, let's get around to talking about Drive-By Argument. They sound like The Enemy being backed by the Gigolo Aunts and have released an album of ten accessible pop tunes. Likeable stuff. By the way I also have Chas and Dave's "Ain't No Pleasing You".

N: Well I think that says it all really. Shot, Your and Credibility's - rearrange the words and you've got where Tone is at at this present moment.

T: Credibility's your shot? 7/10

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Adem - Takes (Domino) 12/05/2008

T: The former Fridge magnate returns with more chilled out acoustic ditties - this time all covers - which sound like he's still enjoying the same post coital fag he started several years ago.

N: It could be he's practicing the same tantric exercises as does Sting, apparently.

T: I think he must be, because some of these songs were disturbing in their purest form, or at least a little angry. Sometimes it works, but I can't help but feel that occasionally he's sapped the energy out of them. For the most part though, this is a brave attempt at putting his own stamp on some personal faves ranging from PJ Harvey's "Oh My Lover" to The Breeders' "Invisible Man" and for that he should be given the greatest of respect.

N: Yeah, in the case of PJ Harvey, an acoustic interpretation replaces the original, whilst in the case of his reworking of Lisa Germano's "Slide", the arrangement compliments the earlier version. A collection of songs that spells out the artist's ability and rather than sloppy seconds, these twelve tracks, we feel are a welcome addition to his catalogue. 7/10

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Laurel Collective - Feel Good Hits Of a Nuclear Winter (Double Six Records) 12/05/2008

N: Now unlike when we reviewed their single, "Vuitton Blues", this album kicks off quite unlike any other, or certainly less so and to my mind certainly demonstrates their innovative sound, continuing with 'Gun Mouth'. Shaping up nicely.

T: This all begs the question, without wishing to sound foul mouthed, "Why the fuck did they choose to release the aforementioned track as a single when everything else on it is top quality stuff?!"

N: I suspect this was more a choice of their label and what would sell. Although WE might be open minded and appreciate something more leftfield, that's not always the case across the board.

T: Actually even that track sounds better as one of the parts that makes up the sum of the album, but I still prefer the others. Vocally, they do have a quasi-shambolic aura about them that recalls Alex Kapranos frequently, but this is just nitpicking, as this is a very, very strong album indeed.

N: My thoughts entirely. 9/10

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Sebadoh - Bubble & Scrape (Domino) 05/05/2008

T: A re-issue - in deluxe form - of Sebadoh's seminal 1993 album. Nick, you're more of an afficionado on this band than I am...

N: A halfway house in terms of their recording career, "Bubble & Squeak" is not just a reissued work in this sense, but it's also the subject of a live performance that the band will be producing in early May 2008 at London's Koko club. An influential work, the album displays those revered elements that have acted as tinder for many who have followed.

T: Sometimes weird, sometimes wonderful, and clearly from the era that gave us grunge rock, Sebadoh maintain an askew vision of the world through their dirty fingernails and fuzzed up musical haze and the result, whilst not always hitting the right button, does get under your skin like a particularly boisterous maggot.

N: Recording techniques aside, it's important that releases such as this get a second airing, and certainly, on this occasion, it is Domino we thank for this opportunity. 8/10

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Jack McManus - Either Side Of Midnight (Universal) 05/05/2008

T: He's got a hard act to follow, has Jack, seeing as we've just reviewed two unbelievably good albums (see below). Sounds pretty solid, perhaps a little like Steve Winwood's solo stuff at times. It's just the bits when he starts sounding like an AOR version of James Morrison that put me off a little. Having said that, this is an album full of likeable tunes that are unashamed in their simplicity and not afraid to bask in their shiny clean production.

N: Certainly mainstream, but Jack shouldn't consider this a handicap; it's obvious that "Either Side Of Midnight" is a well rounded product. From sixties California to mid-seventies AOR, it's clear what this boy grew up listening to. I would just like to reiterate just how much of a well rounded album this is, however you feel. It's an easy ride. The local authority have certainly taken care of the roads in this locality. A mature sound, Jack has displayed not only what a musician is today, but with echoes of yesterday. 8/10

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Anti-Flag - The Bright Lights Of America (Hassle) 28/04/2008

T: Uncle Flag is much better.

N: Although the tempo might've changed, regrettably the music has got no more entertaining.

T: Let's just give it a couple of minutes before we sink it in the river shall we? Actually it sounds like a limp version of Stiff Little Fingers.

N: Limp little pinkies more like. If any listener gives this more than a couple of minutes, I think they'll be inclined to sink themselves in the river.

T: Glug?

N: Well there goes Tone, I'll call the river police later, no need to be hasty. Ummm, what mark? Well this doesn't possess the same passion of the Cancer Bats, just a plastic sheen. 4/10

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Cancer Bats - Hail Destroyer (Hassle) 21/04/2008

T: Shades of very early Metallica crossing paths with the gods of screamo. Unfortunately I'm not too keen on the embryonic Hetfield outfit, and if anyone spoke to me in the tone of Liam Cormier's vocals, they'd get a damn good smack in the chops.

N: I disagree, I think you'd just laugh uncontrollably.

T: It actually sounds like me having a row with the missus.

N: And that's about all we need to say! 5/10

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MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (Columbia) 14/04/2008

T: Well, "Time To Pretend" is certainly one of the singles of the year, but what do we make of the album?

N: I found it interesting that amongst the album's opeining track here, the aforementioned single, I was hearing one similar to Conor Oberst's Bright Eyes, one of last year's albums that criminally just missed our top 20. The compressed vocal continues on the track that follows, "Weekend Wars", but displays a range that is far greater.

T: It's a big, epic sound not too far removed from the Polyphonic Spree, perhaps enhancing the euphoric highs more so than our white gown wearing former heroes. Again though, it's an extremely varied, thought provoking album that would be effective whether you played it in your car, at a party or just in bed.

N: It would certainly appear that 2008 is shaping up as a year of some great music, and from an album that at first provided only a glimmer of interest - to me anyway - soon became one that shone brightly. From alternative to seventies disco and beyond, this album is one that could well be described as multi-faceted. 9/10

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Elle Milano - Acres Of Dead Space Cadets (Brighton Electric) 14/04/2008

N: It was, of course, yourself who introduced us to the band, and I would even go so far as saying that it was yourself who played a part in introducing a wider audience to them, having made moves to introduce one Steve Lamacq to the band's sound. Was it the right thing to do?

T: Hell yes, but even I couldn't have envisaged the thing of such grandiose beauty that would become "Acres Of Dead Space Cadets". It's an astounding album, starting with "Laughing All The Way To Plank", which is reminiscent of "The Great Escape" era Blur but twice as beefed up. "Meanwhile In Hollywood" was the perfect choice for single, being a triumphantly rousing singalong anthem which is impossible not to love. The whole album is just an onslaught of one utterly fantastic track after another. "Stepkids In Love" sounds bizarrely like a Bavarian folk dance when it begins, but turns into a total headfuck of mammoth proportions, beautifully arranged and with another thumping chorus, before the utterly devastating "Carousels" - possibly the finest thing I've ever heard by them - creates a stark contrast between the uproariously in your face bulk of the matter. I'm not sure if it's MEANT to be a heartbreaking song or not, but it sure comes across that way. Then later, on "Wonderfully Wonderful (All The Time)", Adam and co go all Carter on us, harkening back to the days of "Bloodsport For All", and finishing off with Chloe speaking her sultry tones whilst Adam sings a slightly off kilter melody during "This Is How It Ends". I never realised quite what a sexy voice the girl had before hearing this track. And James just brings the whole thing together with his well chosen beats and thoughtful presentation. "Acres Of Dead Space Cadets" is, quite frankly, an absolutely glorious offering, and to think I was a bit concerned that none of the tracks I'd formerly known and loved made it onto the album (though "Private Thoughts" has now become "The Nightclub Is Over" and sounds twice as effective. Do you agree with my over the top ramblings Nick, or should I be sedated?

N: Too right. Their sound is mature and innovative in that they have obviously taken influence from what I hear as a wide range of artists, making the sound their own with a collection of educated and entertaining lyrics. Time will tell if this group are more than a flash in the pan; I sincerely hope they'll stay the distance, because what I'm hearing from this debut album encourages me. It's almost like watching the kids growing into their skin, and are now ready to take on the world. 10/10

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