The Bluetones - The Early/Garage Years (Cooking Vinyl) 30/07/2007

T: It's difficult to disagree with Bluetones' drummer Eds Chesters that they were "the best band in Hounslow in 1994". When he goes on to say they were possibly even he best band in the WORLD, I find it slightly harder to concur! This is a collection of the band's early demos that would mostly make up their well respected debut album "Expecting To Fly", and it actually doesn't sound all that different from the finished article, which must be to the record company's credit. Pleasant pop songs that are unlikely to offend anybody.

N: Bluetones - The Early Years could just as easily be referred to as The Charlatans' Demos, on hearing "Are You Blue Or Are You Blind". These demos reek of a long forgotten passage in music - the early nineties. Bands whose thoughts and aspirations never made it further than a handful of University gigs and a reference on local television; of course The Bluetones were one of the lucky ones, but here, you are hearing them like all the rest. 8/10

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The Bongos - Drums Along The Hudson (Cooking Vinyl) 30/07/2007

T: A reissued "cult classic" from 1981, "Drums Along The Hudson" actually sounds so fresh now that you would be able to convince practically any teenager that they are the "new Libertines". The instant, carefree pop melodies come triumphantly through and you can even hear a Pixies like screamed vocal on "Clay Midgets", while "In The Congo" is a rigidly infectious tune. A great, overlooked band, and this re-issue is welcomed with open arms.

N: It's strange how, listening to this, I can hear echoes of the early nineties sound that came out of Birmingham and later transposed across the Atlantic to New York. This is ready pop with a sharper edge. 8/10

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Chicane - Somersault (Modena) 23/07/2006

I think my last meeting with this outfit was on their 2000 release 'Behind The Sun' for Xtravaganza, this new release came as a complete surprise, more for the fact that they were still producing music. It has been said they were responsible for some of best dance music of recent years from ambient to trance and certainly my limited experience would have to agree, 'Behind The Sun' was indeed a superb album and one who's many facets I both enjoyed and used.

This latest offering is perhaps not of the standard of the earlier outing, although different time, different album and one where the outfit are exploring new horizons. A distinct euro-beat shade is present throughout this release and although this may not be the album I was hoping for is certainly light enough for the tunes to be enjoyed however briefly in a different climate. Maybe not different enough from earlier releases by Way Out West et 'al, even dating back to tunes of the middle to late eighties to make this truely their own, but certainly summery enough to make this an album for the summer we are still seeking. 7/10

Nick James

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Turbonegro - Retox (Cooking Vinyl) 09/07/2007

T: It's rather like Popeye has eaten some dodgy spinach and told Olive Oyl he's had enough of this heterosexual lifestyle and is now not only coming firmly out of the closet, but he's standing there in his gimp suit ready for his next experience with an unsuspecting Bruno. A more camp rock band hasn't been seen since the likes of Judas Priest, unless you include Justin Hawkins' novelty band.

N: A "musical dream cocktail" produced by this band takes in Syd Barrett, Alice Cooper and Sham 69. A more confusing mix you're unliely to hear, as if Twisted Sister didn't put on make up before the gig. Is this band taking the whole music thing seriously, or just sending it up? 6/10

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The Mooney Suzuki - Have Mercy (Elixia Records/Templar Label Group) 09/07/2007

T: It's always interesting to hear a band develop, and so it proves with the Suzuki's fourth album. It begins with a basic rock tune along the lines of Primal Scream, perhaps flirting with the Steve Miller Band and utilising a Kula Shaker singalong "na na na na" refrain. At this point, you think you're in for a straight down the middle rock/pop album, but it doesn't pan out like that at all, as the group sound, at other times, more like the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band ("Good Ol' Alcohol"), Mungo Jerry ("This Broke Heart Of Mine") and The Kinks (several). Just a real feelgood album which, whilst far from a classic, is a supremely easy to listen to album.

N: This album really is out of place and time. Very much like journeying back to the late sixties, perhaps on the set of "Easy Rider", the back of a Harley-Davidson, or in the midst of a San Francisco commune. Either way, this album is a shock.

T: A good shock or a bad shock?

N: A culture shock. 8/10

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Interpol - Our Love To Admire (Parlophone Records) 09/07/2007

With a tour, including some of the biggest shows to date the band are set to play, this August deadline is pre-empted by the release of the groups third studio album, 'Our Love To Admire'. I heard the first fruits of this offering in a late night radio meeting with Bob Harris, he playing the music and me set for some well earned shut eye. It was introduced along the lines that this long awaited follow-up to 2004's 'Antics' was set to be another shinning star in the band's catalogue.

N: Granted, that from the opening strains of 'Pioneer To The Falls', what with the briefest shimmer of a La's melody at the start, this carries all the drama and substance of a classic and certainly a tune that if it graced 'Antics', their earlier album, wouldn't seem out of place

T: I was actually quite relieved with the whole thing. After two tremendous albums, there's always a chance that a band is going to fall flat on its face attempting - and failing - to open some new doors. Thankfully Interpol haven't really bothered with anything like that, and instead we get more of the same. The fact that "the same" means more moody, darkly atmospheric splendour means that "Our Love To Admire" remains a success and although it only reaches the absolute pinnacle of its two predecessors a handful of times, it's still a worthy addition to the band's catalog.

N: Personally, I did tend to find that the album dragged a little towards the end, but as you say this is indeed another fine addition to the band's catalog.

T: You fucking parrot.

N: Go on then, put the kettle on. 7/10

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Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth (Domino) 09/07/2007

T: Rediscovering this classic 1980 album is like going down a superslide and ending up playing in the schoolyard with all your old mates. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. The sparse arrangement on "Colossal Youth" is something that holds great appeal; it's rather like watching a stripped down Patti Smith baring her most intimate thoughts to the world. It really DOES feel intimate - as though the band are here, playing personally in your living room. The fact that the music still sounds fresh is a reminder as to how timeless their melodies always seemed. They could easily have sounded annoyingly twee, but somehow they managed to avoid any such pigeonholing. A truly original piece of art from a band who were, by and large, criminally overlooked by the record buying public.

N: It's not difficult to believe that this band's release saw light of day back in 1980. This is the kind of post-punk, reggae tinged music that I guess I was weened on, as friends at school swapped Two Tone and Go Feet tapes as the Specials, Madness and The Beat sounded out at the school lunchtime discos. Oh memories...which makes this reissued work all the more delicious, and will certainly cast those original vinyl copies aside, as this is the ideal replacement to those EPs, compilations and LPs making a welcome debut on CD as the crackles make way for the previously mentioned stunning simplicity of the compositions. It is only left to wonder what they are doing now. 9/10

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Jason Isbell - Sirens Of The Ditch (New West Records) 09/07/2007

T: Having achieved widespread critical acclaim with the Drive By Truckers, 28 year old Jason Isbell left the band in April this year to concentrate on his new solo career. There's more than a touch of Grant-Lee Phillips about him, occasionally becoming reminiscent of John Cougar Mellencamp in his "The Lonesome Jubilee" era. Ultimately a very listenable alt.country recording with few frills.

N: This singer's North American take, a la Bruce Springsteen, is not only infectious but vocally the songs are sung well, and with command of his tunes. Those tunes are deep, rich and as vocals ooze from between guitar and drums, Jason is not making it diffcult to win friends. Ok, Ryan Adams may have done this more recently than the boss's influence suggests, but when an album is dipped so easily in charm, it's already won its place. 8/10

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Ash - Twilight Of The Innocents (Infectious) 26/07/2007

T: What immediately strikes you about this album is just how similar Tim's voice has become to that of Gaz Coombes. Not all the time admittedly, but there's no doubt about it on either the album's opener "I Started a Fire" and the album's beautiful standout track "Dark And Stormy". It's incredible to think that this is Ash's fifth and final album before they revert to a download only format for all future releases, and it's also a pity, as they still sound as invigorating as they ever have. Recent singles "You Can't Have It All" and the gorgeous "Polaris" are testament to this alone, but delve deeper and you'll find a multitude of superior standards, even though they were both fantastic. At the time of writing, the album seems to have peaked at a lowly number 32, and would be regarded s something of a flop. The crying shame is that the boys are right at the top of their game. Just listen to the rip-roaring "Palace of Excess", the sweeping beauty of "End Of The World", the bravado of the epic title track that closes the album or the pop brilliance of "Blacklisted" and you'll be blown away. It might be their best album yet, but sadly Radio One seem to have chosen to ignore them now they've reached 30!

N: I first heard this while travelling in the car with Tone, and was surprised at just how mature this album had sounded. Hearing it as I did, from the point at which it chimed in. Now hearing it from the beginning, the outfit, now back to a three piece, sound remarkably like their former selves, so I can only assume that with the benefit of hindsight and their vast experience, Ash are reaffirming themselves with this collection of twelve songs, and hoping not only to interest fans but hook a new shoal of little swimmers more familiar with the new media. A fine album. 9/10

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Bryan Ferry - Dylanesque (Virgin) 05/03/2006 (uk) 26/07/2007 (usa)

The style of the new Marks and Spencer menswear advertising campagaign, can be found here once again practicing what he is probably better known for and that's singing. Although Ferry is no stranger to cover versions, having reworked songs by John Lennon, Bob Dylan (funnily enough) among others, it is Dylan who he appears to hold a particular affection for, this time having devoted an entire album of songs written by the great man.

This is a real treat and as a fan of both artists to hear these songs re-invigorated is wonderful. To hear Ferry breath the words on 'Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues' is stunning and from one story teller to another Dylan's original composition is made extra special when told from Ferry's suave perspective. It was the US version of the album I was given to review, which co-incidentally differs not a jot from that released in the UK, only that in the US this album was released sometime after, on June 26th as opposed to 5th of March in the UK!

However you feel about compilation albums, or more to the point artists releasing albums of cover versions, this one release shows how it should be done and oozes class. Once inside its strains, you may never leave and however you've first met with some of these songs, you're sure to find something different. 'All Along The Watch Tower', the song that rounds off the album is just as rabble rousing as a Hendrix version, although admittedly sporting a closer shave! 'Knockin' On Heavan's Door' may not feature Axl Rose's strained vocal or Slash's guitar rendition, but this easy take is another that'll be considered up there among the greats and 'The Times They Are A-Changin' is just as relevant as it was when the original took to the stage in 1964.

I could go on and on and probably on, but just to round off I do notice that appearing on the album are both Paul Carrack on Organ and Leo Abrahams on Guitar, along with a host of session musicians and singers. I think I've probably said this before, but this is a wonderful album, from one of music's true masters, featuring songs that are history themselves. Like sat down before a warm fire, indulging in a chocolate cake, Columbian cigar, glass of Courvoisier Cognac, or anything that tickles your fancy, this is a great album. 9/10

Nick James

Fancy winning yourself a copy of this splendid album? Well click here (Competiton open until 31.08.2007)

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Muleskinner Jones - Alcohol Tobacco Raygun? (Red Meat Records) 25/06/2007

It's wonderful to hear that this artist (a long-time favourite here at Atomicduster, his first appearance on the site goes all the way back to December of 2001!) has finally got around to releasing his debut full-length LP (although he has been name checked several times). Of course on a personal level this will entitle him to nestle alongside the likes of Mother Earth, Mother Love Bone, Motherhead, Muse and My Bloody Valentine, in my vast library of musical luminaries, I just hope he doesn't object to his new bedfellows.

One of those rare artists who posses not only the mad genius of another like Syd Barrat, but also the charmed interlect of those such as Julian Cope and as a first full length outting it is clear that this really is quite something from the very outset. Music that contains a confident swagger appears comfortable brushing shoulders with the likes of Nick Cave, Tom Waits or Shane McGowan and within the songwriting Muleskinner smashes any thought of a depresive nature with an utter ambivalence that is pretty forthright.

So 13 tracks of hard drinking, hard smoking darkness that would eclipse the night and where the press release would suggest a handful of "Key Tracks" I would have to disagree with, considering the possible exception of 'Her Desert Yard'. Instead head straight for 'Satan Is My Bitch' and then take in the trilogy that are Mr Jones' advice between tracks 4 and 6, rounding of with the simply superb 'Mr. Jones Gets Blissed', a slip of the pen I'm sure! Alcohol Tobacco Raygun? and its title track, is a wild ride that makes up for the time it has taken to produce. 8/10

Nick James

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The Beastie Boys - The Mix-Up (Capitol) 25/06/2007

Billed as "their first-ever full album of all-new instrumental material" this album is just that, it's The Beastie Boys in the studio, just, well jamming. It won't be an album filled with chart classics, neither will it be an album that will necessarily be ripe for the dance floor, I'd describe this as an album to get wasted to, an album that slows the whole process of living down. Its thick soupy sounds are like the smoke coming from a bong, or Bob Marley's dressing room.

This is no 'Ill Communication', 'Paul's Boutique' or 'Licensed to Ill', but this may be in its own small way a classic of a kind, a concept album if you like. Its wholey structured content is loose and flowing. Go on, get monged. 6/10

Nick James

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