Say Anything - In Defense Of The Genre (Hassle) 30/06/2008

T: Well if they're going to defend the genre, they'll need to be convincing, because geek punk is far from the favourites on my radio remote. It sounds like a bunch of slightly angry teenagers taking revenge for being wedgied on a daily basis. Revenge though extends to dropping a silent but violent anal explosion through the window of their erstwhile tormentors' car, and then running off like a bunch of girls.

N: The group have not only produced one of the leastwhile albums of the year, but have drawn together their mates from throughout the genre to aid the nailing of the lid to the coffin. Terrible lightweight sides that really do nothing to ingratiate themselves.

T: The telling thing is that the best song here is a rip off of Bright Eyes' "Four Winds" but with none of the panache or swagger of Oberst's original. 3/10

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The Watson Twins - Fire Songs (Vanguard Records) 30/06/2008

T: Jenny Lewis-less on this occasion, the Watson Twins have released what I can only describe as a lo-fi and rather lacklustre outing. Having said that, it took a fair while for me to enjoy "Rabbit Fur Coat" so maybe their music will eternally be a slow burner for me. Has it singed your arse yet Nick?

N: From a very Carole King sounding start, this album is an otherwise very lacklustre affair. Perhaps it's more than just "slow burning", you could in fact say, just slow. Numbers that are very well composed, with a full bodied sound, but again it all comes back to the fact that I think we'd both have to admit that this album may well be one of 2 things, first bad, or secondly and perhaps more to the point, an album we'll visit again and appreciate a little more and this will be the case each time we do so. 6/10

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Kaki King - Dreaming Of Revenge (Cooking Vinyl) 30/06/2008

T: She paints some interesting soundscapes, does Kaki. A lot of the instrumental stuff here wouldn't be out of place in a Lynch movie. She has a slightly leftfield voice too which elevates what would otherwise be basic mellow pop songs to another level entirely.

N: A guitarist of some repute, I have been reading, and then paying paying particular attention to, on listening to this album, but then it got difficult, as Tone picked up my sleeping six string, and proceeded to distract. Kaki brings to mind a chilled out PJ Harvey...

T: ...perhaps in an open top car in the desert...

N: ...certainly a breezy affair had in the centre of Oxford circa 1992.

T: But we LIKE 1992.

N: And I like this album. 8/10

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Less Than Jake - GNV FLA (Cooking Vinyl) 23/06/2008

T: I'm not sure we even need to review this. You know what Less Than Jake sound like, don't you? They're not really my bag, but, as we said with the recent re-issues, you cannot fault their efforts and loving attention to detail to keep their fans happy. Nothing's changed. They still wear their ska-punk badge like a shining beacon, their songs are still very catchy and their packaging is once again faultless. If only I liked their music enough, I would praise them to the high Heavens. Again though, I can't knock them down too much, because they are the epitome of "fan friendly" and that, in itself, is admirable.

N: Although not so much in the sense of "fan friendly", but musically, the opening number "City Of Gainsville" was more restrained than that the band usually present themselves as. A quiet hum before the storm if you like, before the band embark on what we're used to in "The State Of Florida". I think it's right to say that for fans, this is more of what you wanted. For the uninitiated, I don't feel this is too full on as an introduction to the band.

T: Portugal 2 Germany 3. Quite an interesting match last night. Oh, sorry were you talking? I nodded off.

N: So what you're wanting me to say is that this isa Colour-By-Numbers affair from LTJ?

T: Say what you want. I'm sleeping anyway. 6/10

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Thomas White - I Dream Of Black (Drift Records) 23/06/2008

N: This guy's the singer/songwriter from the Electric Soft Parade, so high hopes of this one. Let's press play... Tone?

T: Kicking off with the lengthy titled "Is It Wrong To Lose Faith In The Person You Used To Love", it is clear that White is a fan of the Bon Iver or Bonnie "Prince" Billy brand of folk music, but then he startles us with a glimpse of the dark side on "The Runaround", which perhaps recalls days listening to "God's Own Medicine" in his younger days. Although most of this stuff is pretty tender, there is definitely an element of something not being quite right, a rather fractured longing appearing to be at the heart of the matter. Intense and brooding, and not an easy listen, but certainly a rewarding one.

N: Definitely. With those darker shades, from a band wearing sunglasses at midnight, and a knee length black raincoat in the mid-day sun. Not going all out to declare themselves 'goth', but certainly hearing the longing for a darker side. I would have to say that this is an album with a deeper being, from the held back numbers such as "I Dream Of Black", not unsurprisingly, to the shade wearing number "The Runaround", where it's Wayne Hussey and Andrew Eldritch I can almost see in the darker corner of the recording studio.

T: One of this month's pleasant surprises. A very impressive CD indeed. 9/10

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Eliza Carthy - Dreams Of Breathing Underwater (Topic Records Ltd) 23/06/2008

T: For years, folk music was frowned upon by the younger generation as a twee and outdated musical format. Eliza Carthy was one of the forerunners when it came to turning that point of view on its head, and now it's kind of "cool" again to like folk. That said, it's probably down to the fact that she put a rather more modern spin on the genre. For example, the opening track here, "Follow The Dollar", is reminiscent of early T.Rex and features guitars not dissimilar to Dr and the Medics, yet somehow the album manages to sound fresh, and once again houses interesting lyrics amongst its relatively gloomy exterior. The new pretenders to the folk crown such as Tunng or Devendra Banhart may well have honed their craft to steadfastly appeal to the nation's youth, but Carthy can clearly still cut the mustard and appeal across the board.

N: But folk music was practised in a rock music sense by the likes of All About Eve, although it's fair to say that this faction was already open to folk, and willing to accept these newcomers. Eliza does so in a far more traditional sense of the term, and is really pushing the boundaries of bringing this music back to the fore with a fresh production and soundstage that will act as the "carrot of acceptance" when it comes to her brand.

T: All in all, this is another impressive bow to her arrow.

N: With a glorious vocal to boot. 8/10

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Camper Van Beethoven - Popular Songs Of Great Enduring Strength And Beauty (Cooking Vinyl) 23/06/2008

T: A greatest hits of sorts, featuring all the best known songs from this enigmatic but longstanding group. No doubt the most - and possibly only - familiar song to many folk will be "Take The Skinheads Bowling" after its prominent inclusion in the hugely sucessful Michael Moore documentary "Bowling For Columbine", but there is a wealth of talent in the ranks of CVB, shown in the diversity of tracks like "Border Ska" which does pretty much as it says, the dry humour of "ZZ Top Goes To Egypt" and the loyal cover of Status Quo's "Pictures Of Matchstick Men". All in all a comprehensive selection, five tracks of which have been re-recorded to thwart their former record label's attempts to prevent them using them.

N: I have nothing add. "Take The Skinheads Bowling" is that familiar lynchpin, and overall, I was only thinking, as this album played out, just how enjoyable it had been. A must have for any musically comprehensive record collection. 8/10

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Infadels - Universe In Reverse (Wall Of Sound) 23/06/2008

N: Following from their debut 'We Are Not The Infadels'of 2 years ago, now more comfortable now with themselves release 'Universe In Reverse' an album filled with energy and a frantic pace that just doesn't let up.

T: Well I don't mean to ruin it, but it seems a bit dull to me at times. Having said that, when it's good, it's VERY good, as in the seventies stomp of "Free Things For Poor People" or the Kratwerk meets Donna Summer intro of "Code 1". Actually, the more I hear of it, I'm realising it's NOT dull at all. Ignore my first comment.

N: I can perhaps hear what you're referring to though, but it can't be denied that the overall feel of the music is quite frantic.

T: And more than possible to do camp pat-a-cake games with each other, as we've just found out. Not that we usually do this kind of thing. Ahem. (Puts on deep voice) Did you see the Bears game last night?

N: Why is it that it always comes back to that dialogue between Steve Martin and the late John Candy? Umm, anyway I think after a little digging and games not played since we were children, that the hidden qualities of this album have been found. 8/10

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White Denim - Workout Holiday (Full Time Hobby) 23/06/2008

T: Now I personally think this is a tremendous album, but you were a miserable fuck when we reviewed the single, so I want to know if you're going to piss on my parade again with the long player...

N: Well the single is obviously a grower - or it was because we were listening to it on YOUR hi-fi.

T: Hi-fi? How old are you?

N: That's not a reflection on me; it's a reflection on the age of your stereo equipment. Has it collected its bus pass ok?

T: Has the AD office turned into some kind of Northern Working Men's Comedy Club or something? Anyway, let's move on, because I want to say that this is a brilliantly urgent, remarkably messy album that refuses to sit down and categorise itself, to such an extent that if you're not careful, it can confuse the hell out of you. I personally think that, despite its clear reference points of sixties garage, this is an intensely fresh album that excites and surprises in equal measure.

N: Those influences are quite blatantly clear, but as you suggest, never get in the way of these songs' ability to impress. The band have indeed managed to throw a fresh coat of paint over these numbers, but in such a way they don't look out of place, wherever they choose to sit themselves. Fully engaging, bright and believable. I'm sold. 9/10

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Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Parlophone) 16/06/2008

T: The thing about Coldplay is that, although I'm not really a huge fan of theirs, they've never released anything I've disliked. On the odd occasion, they put something out I like a lot, but most of the time, it's pleasant background music. Nick, you've been living with this album for a while now. What's your take on it??

N: Well, I think I have to start off by explaining my thoughts on their latest single, the title track from this album. Although evidently, it became successful, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and looking likely to score their first UK number one, I don't think anyone could deny that this was a particularly "pedestrian" outing...

T: ...except all the people that bought it and made it number one, presumably...

N: Exactly. Complete with audio fireworks.

T: I thought you were implying that it was a dull song.

N: Not dull exactly, it just didn't bode well in my mind as to how the album was going to turn out. How wrong was I. Tentatively embarking on what I would imagine was going to be an arduous trek, it appeared that when Chris Martin had described the work on this latest album as being a more "accessible" album, he was bang on the money. Taking in influences as far ranging as New Order on opener "Life In Technicolour", Hothouse Flowers on the piano tinkling "Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love"...

T: ...Napalm Death on "Cemeteries Of London". No?

N: Something tells me you're not taking this review all that seriously.

T: Well, what else do the readers need t know really? It's a strong album, likely to delight the Coldplay faithful and unlikely to convert their fiercest criics. For my part, I will admit this is probably their best album to date. 8/10

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Weezer - Weezer (Geffen/Interscope) 16/06/2008

T: The band's umpteenth self titled album, no doubt which will be called "The Red Album" by fans and press alike, seems to feature the band dressed up like they were The Village People. Thankfully though, the music is nothing of the sort. "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations On a Shaker Hymn)" for instance, is like Fun Lovin' Criminals doing gospel with 10cc and changes so frequently that Status Quo and Iron Maiden seem to make an appearance, rendering this track the band's "Bohemian Rhapsody".

N: Comparing their debut, released some fourteen years ago, allowed me the opportunity to view the band then and now, and to think "Crikey, fourteen years"! Like this debut, the quality is still there, but this time with whiskers, and in one case a dubious cowboy hat. Twelve fully engaging tracks with gritty guitars and those trademark lyrics that leap off the page like a Playboy bunny from a cake.

T: I still think though, that it's when their at their loudest that they are most effective, and luckily that's often the case here. 8/10

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Gavin Rossdale - Wanderlust (Polydor) 09/06/2008

T: The alarm bells were already rigning in my head when I noticed that the former Bush frontman seems to have taken his lead from Phil Collins' "Face Value" album when designing the artwork for his debut solo album. Now, I've never been a huge fan of Bush where either band or president is concerned, as they always seemed a little too AOR and "safe" for my liking, and Rossdale's album seems to have taken this description and doubled it for "Wanderlust", which is hardly leaving me trembling with excitement. The only time that ever happened was when a girl I fancied the pants off asked me if I wanted to see Bush, and I wasn't exactly sure what she meant...

N: Well I think we can all take a pretty good guess - she was fed up with your pestering, and if you didn't, you perhaps don't realise how lose you came to finding yourself part of the nearest vegetation. Anyway, I'll be honest, on first listen, this album was disappointing, coming across like an album released by a former member of a boyband. Overproduced and lacking the balls to make this a really credible album for anyone else but young women in their early twenties and mums considering when they have to pick the kids up.

T: That's a bit sweeping, isn't it? No wonder you didn't get a shag until you were quite old...

N: At least I didn't find myself as part of the vegetation, and was able to differentiate between the different forms of bush.

T: Ok that's quite enough. If you want more, go and see that unfunny bugger Chubby Brown. 4/10

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The Tunics - Somewhere In Somebody's Heart (Manta Ray Music) 09/06/2008

T: It's a bit of an oddity, this one, due to the fact that the sum of its parts have been released - two tracks at a time - for free from their website www.thetunics.com and are only charging four pounds for the resultant physical album release on 9th June. Due to this, we have absolutely no idea which order the tracklisting should be in; therefore let me just comment on a handful - "Fade Out" is like Oasis meets the Bluetones, whereas "Do What You Did" is a riproaringly explosive track with a melody Pete Shelley would have been proud of. "Cost Of Living" comes across like Mike Skinner and Jamie T putting together an indie guitar band, and then the more restrained "Turn Away" is almost akin to the folksy kind of stuff that Richard Thompson is so wonderfully adept at making. Want to have a go at a few Nick?

N: Well I was going to say the band have taken a somewhat unorthodox approach of releasing their debut album as individual promo CDs to the press. Well, it perhaps encourages a more intense listening process, but in my case, has had the effect of sending me raking through piles...ooooh...of CDs, trying to find the missing disc...

T: ...just so you can make a quick buck, eh?

N: No, it's nice to have a set! Anyway, to the music, and as my colleague has already commented, the band have a wealth of influences from Northern England to the South, and music which comes at the listener in a liquid fashion. For instance, "Whatever Happened" showcases this likeable, and to paraphrase. "vagabond" method, a la Pete Doherty's vocal fashion, but it has to be said, produced in a far better way. Then to what is "the B-side", "Shine On", and we travel North up the M1 to Manchester again. Continuing another disc and another track, "A Winter's Tale" thankfully with not an ounce of a David Essex influence, but perhaps the weakest number we've heard, rescued at the last minute by the appearance of "The Way It Is", a wonderfully aggressive number in which both guitar and drums are shown no mercy.

T: And it delights me that "Paris France" starts as though it could have been pilfered from the classic Pixies album "Surfer Rosa". In fact, that probably makes it my favourite track on the album by default.

N: And the "final word", a band without doubt I think we wil both agree are certainly ones to watch.

T: I want to have the final word, and I want it to be "fish".

N: Daft, you see what I have to work with!

T: Fish. 8/10

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Wild Beasts - Limbo, Panto (Domino) 16/06/2008

T: Mixing Billy Mackenzie style falsetto with a laid back - perhaps more tuneful - sound reminiscent of The Duruttu Column, ""Vigil For A Fuddy Duddy" begins this album with great aplomb. You can't help getting the feeling though, a little further in, that this band is taking itself WAY too seriously. It's almost as though Leee John - of spangly loinclothed Imagination fame - has broken free of the shackles of his smooth funk outfit and decided to embark on a journey to the darker side. I want to hate this, to be honest, but I can't bring myself to have anything other than admiration for it, and I'm really not sure why.

N: Too seriously? Guitarist/vocalist Hayden Thorpe certainly gives something of the theatrical to his presentation, and I guess this is where you're leaning. The whole stage the band have created for him is something like that in a run down theatre. The musical aura terribly retro in its whole approach you can almost taste the environment in which the band were raised. 7/10

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Yoshitoshi - Space Miami Terrace (Yoshitoshi) 16/06/2008

T: An album full of mixes by Cedric Gervais (no relation to Ricky, in case you were wondering...)

N: ...it doesn't actually say that here, though. Slough's finest.

T: Trust me, it isn't. Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, I was about to say that Yoshitoshi is a label cum DJing entourage who have a vision of putting out "early hours music"...

N: ...so this is competing with the shipping forecast then?

T: You'll be doing a shitting forecast if you're not careful...

N: (laughs. Nervously)

T: (stares. Aggressively)

N: Parp. Anyway to continue... This label features the A&R skills of Deep Dish collaborator Sharm and will be no mystery to Electronic music fans the globe over. Music so tight that even the proverbial "gnats chuff" could not squeeze in between. 7/10

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Cathy Davey - Tales Of Silversleeve (Regal) 09/06/2008

T: It hadn't occurred to me until this latest album - her second - just how much Cathy sounds like Harriet Wheeler, but this, of course, is no downside. In fact, "Tales Of Silversleeve" seems to be peppered with just the kind of jaunty follies that were, if anything, the antithesis of the former Bristonian greats, yet suffers little for it. This is an accessible late night romp through eleven glittering tracks worthy of anyone's CD or mp3 collection.

N: I don't know whether you've ruined or made this album for me. Now I'm listening to "Reading, Writing & Arithmetic" over and over; I'm also twenty years younger, with all the problems that brought with it, but to be serious for a moment, "Tales Of Silversleeve" is a cracking album and Cathy's vocal delivery is every bit as sumptuous as Harriet's. This is fast having the effect of being able to transport the listener (namely myself, and by the looks of it Tone) to realms only visited in our dreams, although the open chords you are attempting on my guitar could well do with a little work.

T: They fit perfectly with the music. I don't know what you mean. Anyway, "realms only visited in our dreams"? She hadn't made it into my dreams yet, but I'm willing to add her to my harem...

N: Cathy, be warned. Tone thinks he's on a promise tonight.

T: And what's more, seeing as it's MY dream, she can't do a damn thing about it. 9/10

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Mark Morriss - Memory Muscle (Fruitcake) 02/06/2008

T: Before I interviewed Mark recently, I'd been a little alarmed that the lead off track here was called "How Maggie Got Her Bounce Back", as I wondered whether he was Tory Boy personified. Thankfully, I learnt that it was just about his missus and found out he was probably the most amicable bloke who's ever existed. Anyway, this is a thoroughly entertaining debut solo album from the Bluetones frontman, and, as he told me, he has always been good at marrying sunny melodies with dark lyrics. He certainly puts that into practise here, and the results are frequently astounding. Highlights are the brilliant single "I'm Sick", the more downbeat "So It Goes" and the astonishingly beautiful finale - a cover of Lee Hazlewood's "My Autumn's Done Come", but even to choose highlights would be doing this great album an injustice, because it's consistently marvellous. Lyrically astute and often hilarious, Mark ought to be more than proud of this effort, as it's barely been out of my CD player.

N: likewise, my feelings are that Mark has filled this album with eleven easily accessible tunes, some of which may not exactly be showstoppers, but are always filled with a life and energy that does credit to this singer/songwriter. His interpretation of Teenage Fanclub's "Alcoholiday" is quite an eye opener, put in context with the original tune, but as I think we both agree, this album is just filled with highpoints like the previously mentioned single. My personal feelings are that Mark doesn't need to rely on justice to have his work fully appreciated for ability and strength. I suspect that in seven months time, myself and Tone are going to have quite a hard job to discriminate between the best and the better of this year's musical output.

T: Another thing I want to mention is the overwhelming warmth of this album. "Memory Muscle" just makes you FEEL great. The only time we get close to a track feeling "cold" is the aforementioned closing number, but even that feels like you're being loved by the melody. Just a great, great album. 9/10

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Thea Gilmore - Liejacker (Fruitcake) 02/06/2008

T: On the surface, this may sound like a really "nice" folk album, but delve deeper and you realise that it's a whole lot more than that. For a start, these songs were written at one of the darkest periods of Thea's life. She was diagnosed with depression, lost a long term lover and the backing of a record company, as well as severing ties with her longstanding manager. Listen closely and you'll realise just how stark - and often starkly beautiful - these songs are.

N: Certainly on the face of it, this album is ripe for protestors to put in an application to the local authority to have a crossing erected in light of growing injuries. In this growing world of immediacy, "Liejacker" sticks out like a sore thumb, requiring that listeners be patient and take the time to appreciate its content, although to do so, they will be rewarded with a re-interpretation of Dead Or Alive's "You Spin me Round (Like A Record)". 7/10

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Dr. John and The Lower 911 - City That Care Forgot (Cooking Vinyl) 02/06/2008

N: I've happened to find out a snippet of information about this - Eric Clapton is playing on this album.

T: No shit! Is that why it says "featuring Eric Clapton" on the track listing? I'd never have guessed.

N: Oh yes, so it does.

T: It's pretty much what you'd expect from a blues legend though, isn't it? The sort of thing that wouldn't have been out of place on "The Old Grey Whistle Test" or "Cue The Music". My memory fails me as to whether Dr. John ever DID actually appear on either of those programmes but I'd be surprised if not. You can see where Robert Cray got many of his influences from. It's a kind of country/blues mixture but then anyone familiar with the medical expert's former releases will already know that. I keep expecting Steve Earle to pop up. Enjoyable, if not exactly groundbreaking.

N: This album is filled with a wealth of legends, so not just featuring the aforementioned Slow Hand, but also others like Willie Nelson, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews and Terence Blanchard amongst whom have lent their services to the production of this work. As Tone has already said, not just an enjoyable one, but one that bluesheads will most certainly appreciate. 7/10

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The Night Marchers - See You In Magic (Vagrant) 02/06/2008

T: Sounds like Speedo (Rocket From The Crypt) and Gar Wood have dusted off their old garage punk records and fed them, with the latter's former band Hot Snakes, through a blender for the new Smirnoff advert. This is relentless garage rock, full of energy and swagger, and even sounds like Buffalo Tom on "I Wanna Deadbeat You". Raw and exciting, The Night Marchers, whose average age would probably see them receiving Stanner Stair Lifts for their next birthdays, have created an impressive debut album.

N: Well Thora's position is now vacant, or did I see Gloria Hunniford representing them recently?. Well, maybe in a few years, with a clientele of aging punks finding years in the moshpit taking their toll. Out and out rock 'n' roll with punk undertones thrown in for good measure. This is your original good time album. 7/10

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Venom - Hell (Universal/Sanctuary) 02/06/2008

N: I can imagine that the band all sat down when it came to naming this album, scratching their heads, and pondering exactly what to call it. "Maybe in this case, we'll call it 'Smell The Glove'?", one remarked. More scratching of heads and time passes, before another pipes up "No I've got it, let's just call it 'Hell'", and this little piece of history was made. To be honest this revists a theme the band explored in their 1981 debut 'Welcome To Hell', so it's not going to be a surprise that they feel at 'home' here.

T: Grrrooooaaaaarrrrrhhh!!!!

N: This band are credited with being a seminal influence on not just latter day artists such as Metallica, Slayer and the like, but as the embryo that bore the genre of thrash, death metal, the intensity of Motorhead, and the "visual flash" of Kiss. Certainly this is not an album for the fainthearted, but will undoubtedly find a market ready and willing to drink from this watering hole. The strange thing I'm finding is that I'm not hating this. In fact, I'm appreciating the musicianship, longevity and passion of this band, but when you learn that Rage is on guitar, Cronos (who from his very name sounds more like a character in a kids cartoon) plays bass and Anton, who could just be a celebrity hairdresser is on drums and when you find yourself still searching for Death on backing vocals, the crown slips.

T: I'm a bit surprised that you said you were expecting to hate this; after all, we do appreciate all genres of music when it's done well and with a passion. This is highly entertaining stuff. But one thing I will say is this - they may think they're hard, aggressive and scary, but I've managed to decipher some of the lyrics already, and I'm sure they're saying "Ok mum, I need to go out and get some food for the budgie" and "Oh flip, it's nearly half past three, I'm missing Countdown".

N: I suppose you're right, these are nothing to do with the men in suits, and what you are hearing is music that comes straight from the heart, regardless of whether or not, in this case, that heart may be a very black one.

T: Oh, Des O'Connor's alright.

N: So if I'm right, what you're saying is that Des O'Connor is, in fact, Lucifer personified?

T: No, he's just Vorderman's henchman.

N: Oh, alright, that makes sense. 7/10

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The Pigeon Detectives - Emergency (Dance To The Radio) 26/05/2008

T: I need to do some serious word eating. Just recently, I said I was seriously underwhelmed by the lead track from this album, "This Is An Emergency", but since then it's grown like a leper colony on my brain and I now think it's a great record. The fact that I'm listening to this album for the first time while reviewing it tells me that I ought to think before making too many rash decisions. Anyway, "I'm Not Gonna Take This" sounds like an angry Rick Witter, while "Don't You Wanna Find Out" is more in keeping with "Wait For Me" than probably any other track on the band's sophomore album. All of this points to a band on a high from the resounding success of their debut and they've proved they were no flash in the pan with another instantly infectious long player.

N: That's funny, because I'm feeling somewhat odd that the single, and lead track, is proving it's reached its capacity in me, and I can't wait until the following number makes its debut. Thanks to CDs this is not that difficult, and mp3s mean I can erase its presence entirely until I am ready to receive it again; but the album of (almost) the same name is literally filled with pop songs that some might summise have been written with the live forum in mind. Simple, snappy and with Matt Bowman serving up "man in the street" lyrics, are so accessible it's easy to hear these numbers nestling alongside last night's football score, Friday night's meeting with the lads and that note left on the fridge reminding Terry not to forget to pick up the kids from school today, as phrases make their way to his lips in a somewhat out of tune nature. But that's ok because it was "him" that the Pigeon Detectives wrote this album for in the first place. 8/10

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The Vichy Government - Whores In Taxis (Filthy Little Angels) 23/05/2008

T: This reminds me enormously of the little known and sadly overlooked Irish band of the early nineties, A House. Hopefully The Vichy Government can break the mold and reach out to a wider audience.

N: I've been listening to this a lot recently, and despite its quirky demeanour, it possesses a loveable quality that's hard to pass without turning heads. The VG (sounds like the Open All Hours shop that used to be down the road) have a lo-fi strain acting as the songs' mainstay, particularly where the band have borrowed from Eels on "The Loneliest Man In Ancient Rome", and this familiar strain adds an even greater quality. If anyone is familar with early outings by The Human League, 'Travelogue' in particular, 'Whores...' also posseses a quality familiar to this.

T: It's a good album, but all I can think of is an electropop version of A House.

N: I feel that's unfair. All I can see is a desperate to please puppy. 8/10

N: Now I've been unable to source this album anywhere but the Label's site, themselves - filthylittleangels - at 2 quid this album this no bargain bucket affair, but instead a healthy purchase for any serious music lover, 'ANGEL003' is the catalogue # to look for.

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Neil Diamond - Home Before Dark (Columbia) 12/05/2008

It's just me I'm afraid, my partner in sounds could not bring himself to talk fairly about this one, so it was decided that I should give it a go and more than open minded, unsurprisingly I found myself enjoying this latest release from the 67 year old son of Brooklyn. I've been listening to 'Saturday Live' on Radio 4 lately, which features a strain that looks at listeners' "Inheritance tracks". Speaks for itself really, but it has got me thinking that with release of this album, it's some of his work that I would have to put down as those among my own inheritance tracks, having grown up with those sounds ringing throughout the house. So with this in mind I was able to immerse myself in the media coverage from this event, hearing the album and watching the recent live performance Neil gave for a select audience at the BBC Radio Theatre in May and viewed if not first hand, the love he holds within his fans.

First and foremost, Neil is a songwriter and it is the quality of this that can be heard within these numbers. But of course it's not hard not to feel the tone of a man which might be likened to a strong cappuccino, something which I'm sure plays its part on an audience, whether it be in person or when hearing a recording. So from a career that has spanned almost half a century, these latest 12 songs are of a quality you might expect, from a master of composition - welcome melodies, that whether played for mood, or simply to rouse the spirit, volume is the key for this engine. It might come as no surprise then that Rick Rubin the chameleon of production was employed to work on this album. A producer who was no stranger to Neil's work, having worked with him previously on his last album, '12 Songs', but also a producer who's no stranger to bands as diverse as The Cult, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Dixie Chicks and KRS-One to Slayer and Metallica's ninth album. In short an album that worked on many different levels, from songwriting to numbers that I could read like a book, heartfelt songs and rich country tinged guitar that filled the space around me. 8/10

Nick James

T: It's a bloody good job I wasn't here to review this album.

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