Reverend and the Makers - The State Of Things (Wall Of Sound) 17/10/2007

N: This album possesses so much with which to draw on. It's hard-edged pop music, indie dance if you like that contains elements of early 80's electronica, dub-reggae not to mention Ian Brown, Gary Numan and much more. This album is easily digestable and an extremely fluid listen, demonstrating the telling of teen angst in a way that is likely to become a soundtrack. So bad points..., well 'er, 'Reverend and the Makers' what's all that about? This band are far more hard-fi than 'Hard-Fi' are themselves, otherwise pretty much a slammin' album, Tone...?

T: It is indeed, and I'm pleased about that, as I was very fond of "Heavyweight Champion Of The World" but totally underwhelmed by "He Said He Loved Me", which just seemed a cheesy, rather weedy pop-by-numbers tune. Thankfully, the rest of the albums segues together quite beautifully and is yet another great album from this year's heady catalogue. 9/10

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Stephen Fretwell - Man On The Roof (Fiction) 10/09/2007

N: Having listened to "Man On The Roof", my immediate impression was to consider this a good album, and one that was perhaps in the vain of his last, "Magpie", although perhaps only a continuation of his last outing. You can certainly hear the influences he has taken in...The Kinks come immediately to mind in the outstanding first track "Coney". It's perhaps disappointing that Stephen slips into his tried and tested means come the second track "Darling Don't". It's almost as if this was an out take from "Magpie".

T: But that was filmed live wasn't it? Ah well anyway I agree with you. Perhaps. Listenable but far from exciting. Perhaps. I'll just say "perhaps" one more, and then it's three all in this review. 6/10

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The Proclaimers - Life With You (W14) 10/09/2007

N: Why is it that when we think of The Proclaimers, there are just two tracks that crop up again and again? "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" was even played at a wedding that I attended recently by the band booked.

T: True, and they're so much more than that. There was, for a while, a slight stigma attached to liking the duo's music, but all that's gone out of the window as the current batch of music lovers have fully embraced their sound from the very very young to the very very old (hang on, that's Red Box). They completely deserve their hardcore cult following and I must confess they are easily one of the ten best live bands I have ever been fortunate enough to see. For this reason, it's lovely to hear they've lost none of their touch for a storming hook and easy singalong melodies. Long may the sun shine on Leith. 8/10

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Siouxsie - Mantaray (W14 Music) 10/09/2007

N: I came from the generation for whom Siouxsie Sioux has always been there, from her Banshees to Creatures, it's hard to believe that it's only now that the artist has released her debut solo album. From someone who's easily described as the Queen of Goth, listening to this album, it is evident that although she hasn't exactly left this category behind, "Mantaray" possesses a heavier rock edge than we might have been used to.

T: I think what you're saying is that it's perhaps less of the theatricals and more of the catcalls, as it's quite a sexy album. She rocks good, does our Sue, and the whole thing is dripping with the kind of dirty sweat that goes hand in hand with top quality rock 'n' roll. It's still something of a surprise when she goes all Amy Winehouse on us for "Here Comes That Day" but no matter, this is still a superbly assured, tremendous album release.

N: Out and out whatever any commentator might choose to categorise this album as, when the dust settles, this is Siouxsie Sioux at the end of the day, and how many artists can lay claim to this kind of consistency. 8/10

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Megadeth - That One Night (Lampstand) 03/09/2007

N: Megadeth, one of rock music's true mega-groups, alongside Iron Maiden and Mettalica. This band seems to possess a superhuman ability to perform and their fans trascend the globe.

T: The funny thing is, I've never really understood the appeal of thrash metal, but somehow hearing it in a live context, it all makes a whole lot more sense. I've talked with fans about what it is that appeals to them the most, and normally I'm met with the bemused reply that it's "all in the drums. They're played so much faster". Well great, does that mean you'd get off on me banging the table really quickly? Anyway, it's clear that the band are technically very adept with their instruments and arouse passion in their audiences with an exciting live show. Whether you're a fan of the band or not, you simply can't deny them this or their place in rock history.

N: Of this location, and concert in particular, the band's Dave Mustaine has said that he felt fans in Buones Aires displayed "something very different about the level of passion for Megadeth", describing them as "El Colorado to Maestro". So, essentially, Pavarotti for the thrash fraternity. Altogether, this album displays a very polished performance. 8/10

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Athlete - Beyond The Neighbourhood (Parlophone) 03/09/2007

N: "Oh, another Athlete album" came echoes through my mind, but after pressing play, these cobwebs were immediately expelled, as a very interesting prospect was embarked upon with what was a haunting instrumental (In Between 2 States) setting off from base camp. Continuing the momentum, recent single "Hurricane" was next, its familiarity embracing the listener, then we jet off to "Tokyo"...

T: Are you leaving a gap there for me because you expect me to agree with everything you've said? Sadly I must admit I do not, as "Hurricane" to me is a rather tired single that leaves me cold. It does get better, however, with the atmospheric feel of much of the album's remainder, putting me in a kind of holiday mood (well, I guess "Airport Disco" WOULD have that kind of impact!) and there is an overriding spiritualism contained within Joel Potts' latest compositions that kicks "Tourist" to bits. Most impressive. 8/10

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Fightstar - One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours (Institute Recordings) 24/09/2007

N: Coming of age, former Busted frontman Charlie Simpson and his Fightstar prove that their debut album of a couple of years ago was no fluke, as they release "ODSTWABY".

T: He's come a long way, bless him. This is a huge sounding record, complete with big choruses and searing melodies. It's always satisfying for me when I see someone go from a crappy boy band into something a lot more credible, as this is a rarity. Having said that, I never actually hated Busted. I always saw them as a stepping stone to something a little more alternative for the younger, budding music connoisseurs of half a dozen years ago. It's not like they were the repulsive Westlife after all. Still, I'm going off course here, and we ought to be focusing on the latest project. At times it can seem a little overblown, I admit that, but this is an album that is sure to gain the band more critical acclaim with some sweeping harmonies and effective arrangements throughout. Well worth giving some time to.

N: You forget to mention the layered melodies I'm hearing in the numbers. From cringeworthy to credible, this is some passage.

T: You like Charlie's passage then.

N: Depends which one I'm looking at. And from which angle. 7/10

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Sohodolls - Ribbed Music For The Numb Generation (Filthy Pretty Records) 24/09/2007

T: Often sounding like Alison Goldfrapp with a dildo up her arse, Sohodolls perform the kind of sleazy pop that you'd expect the girls from Steps to make if they'd gotten hooked on heroin. Filthy sounding stuff, and a whole lot of fun.

N: There was a time when we just had to make do with "Stripper" and the thought that would never take us down that street, be it embarrassment or courage. "Ribbed Music..." is a whole album's worth of this tantalising fun. Heavy electronics and stripped guitars. Twelve songs that will take you to a climax.

T: So I see. Eugh.

N: This is very Human League circa "Travelogue" and "Reproduction".

T: Well THAT'S not going to happen if you're going to jizz in your pants is it?

N: Behave. 8/10

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Dropkick Murphys - The Meanest Of Times (Cooking Vinyl) 17/09/2007

N: School's out. Have I slipped on the wrong album? Surely this is the Pogues...

T: Not surprising really, as this 6th album from the group features guest appearances from both Spider Stacey and Dubliners main man Ronnie Drew. The whole thing is a riproaringly joyous celebration of life and the beer swilling themes create a massive sound that is as invigorating as it is playful. Wholly entertaining stuff.

N: Make mine a Guinness then! 8/10

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Chuck Prophet - Soap And Water (Cooking Vinyl) 17/09/2007

N: An album filled with rich tones and beautifully crafted lyrics, this is Chuck Prophet's eighth album in his catalogue and is certainly worth the 3 years it has been since his last.

T: What immediately strikes me is just how much Chuck sounds like Jonathan Richman these days, but seeing as the Modern Lovers were such a great musical institution, that can only be a good thing. I agree that tracks like "Doubter Out Of Jesus (All Over You)" and "Small-Town Girl" display a splendid aptitude for intelligent observational lyrics and this is one album I could play happily over and over again.

N: He has managed to squeeze onto the twelve track content here a warmth and passion akin to the best singer/songwriters. 8/10

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Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam (Domino) 10/09/2007

N: What is it that this artist is announcing at the introduction to "Peacebone"? Is it "bumface" or "bongface"? Both descriptions interesting prospects, but it's the music that when it takes off is exhilarating as a bungee jump, freefall or any extreme sport (not ELO's 'Mr Blue Sky'!). The first time I heard this band, they certainly knocked me off my feet.

T: Having been listening quite a lot to Beefheart's "Trout Mask Replica" recently, I can only presume that Animal Collective have been doing the same, perhaps playing "Pet Sounds" simultaneously, for this whole thing is a weird cacophony of pleasing tunes with the most bizarre backing to go along with those sun soaked melodies. "Unsolved Mysteries" in particular is reminiscent of Brian Wilson and co, whereas at other times it sounds like Conor Oberst has burst his way through the canopy to take part in an almighty jam session. This is quite remarkable stuff and is thoroughly uplifting.

N: Lo-fidelity is the wonderful prospect here. Pace, passion and perfection is displayed in their songs, but cry more than does any drug administered to lift spirits. 9/10

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Alabama 3 - M.O.R. (One Little Indian) 10/09/2007

T: Obviously that's a tongue in cheek title; after all Alabama 3 could NEVER be called middle of the road. As vocalist Rob Spragg says, does it really stand for that, or does in stand for "Mice On Rohypnol"? Anyway, they're a great bunch, Alabama 3. I've spoken to them several times and they've always been one of the most amiable and interesting artists of the past decade. With this in mind, it gives me great pleasure to say that "M.O.R." is just as entertaining a listen as we've come to expect. "Lockdown" is a bluesy, soulful romp which follows the pilot announcement intro, and the whole thing really feels like the most enjoyable flight you've ever been on. One constant party throughout, perhaps including much debauchery with the air stewardesses, the odd tender moment here and there, and the sudden appearance of old friends you never realised were on the flight. Even The Proclaimers were on board apparently.

N: I'm going to change tack here, and to my ears this album contains a more confident swagger than I have heard on recent outings. It's as if they've eased off the accelerator and switched to Cruise, but it's not that they've lost any of their zeal, it's just that they now know their destination. 8/10

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Dot Allison - Exaltation Of Larks (Cooking Vinyl) 10/09/2007

N: Ok, so I'll kick off the review of Dot's latest long playing release by saying that, as an album artist, I'm much more accepting of Ms. Allison's ethereal warblings. It's almost as if this change in tone has allowed me to fully appreciate her art.

T: A change in Tone? I haven't changed at all mate.

N: That's what YOU think. Even her latest single is transformed on this format.

T: I think it helps that the musicianship here is very much in the early seventies mould. It actually makes me think of Dido lying naked on a deserted beach. Not an unpleasant vision if I'm totally honest. Breathy vocals, breezy tunes and full of heart. I like it.

N: I realise that the place for a single is to sell the album, but in this case, I feel that this would have done exactly the opposite to what was intended. The album has the space to breathe, and is not saying "hit me", as I feel a single has to do. I'm actually glad we had the opportunity of hearing the album in such proximity to the single, and the mystique I had previously held this artist in has been restored. 8/10

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Pink Floyd - The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn - reissue (EMI) 03/09/2007

T: If the woman over the road from me was called Dawn, and my cat wandered over to see her, it would be completely right, this title.

N: But she's not. Your neighbour's called Jean, isn't she?

T: Bloody killjoy. Anyway, the album, and it should have been bleedin' obvious to anyone around in 1967 that this was a band destined for great things. It probably frightened quite a few people, such is its other worldliness, but it has such a charismatic charm that you cannot help but be swallowed up by it. Just a great, great album.

N: I had taken the bull by the horns and bought the remastered version on CD only this last June, although it isn't until now that it sees a release with both the original mono recording backed with the remastered stereo version. Artwork may be slightly altered, for the cover certainly - and why I see no point - but the lyrics and additional photographs do seem better presented in this case. As my colleague has already suggested, the charm of this album is certainly out there with the content itself. An album in which we hear Syd Barrett's contribution in all its naked glory. 9/10

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Black Francis - Bluefinger (Cooking Vinyl) 03/09/2007

T: Excuse me while I wet myself with excitement, for Mr. Francis has released his finest album since "Teenager Of The Year" some fourteen years ago. In a way, it's his debut solo album, having never released any long players under his former Pixies moniker before. The fact that he's been possessed by the soul of Dutch painter and musician Herman Brood has only added to the intensity of an absolute powerhouse of an album. All in one fell swoop, the great tubby one embraces the Beastie Boys, Neil Young, the Stray Cats and Brood himself to provide one of the great album releases of 2007. It's not just me being biased; after all I did give a mildly disappointed review to "Fast Man/Raider Man", but this time around he's rediscovered the corpse of the Pixies frontman and not only revived it but decorated it with bells, whistles and almighty concrete testicles. Tracks "Lolita", "Tight Black Rubber" and his version of Brood's "You Can't Break a Heart And Have It" are amongst the finest in the great man's catalogue, and "Bluefinger" frequently astounds. Perhaps you have a less biased, reflective view?

N: Less biased maybe, but this incarnation certainly kicks ass, and the album is exhilarating genius. The album kicks off in fine form with the recently released "Captain Pasty" and ten further tunes that go to prove Black Francis has lost none of his vigour and energy in the writing of his music.

T: My only criticism is that I can't a find one single damn thing to criticise. 10/10

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Tunng - Good Arrows (Full Time Hobby) 27/08/2007

Where have this band been all my life? We reviewed their last album 'Comments Of The Inner Chorus' and it seems that the whole thing passed me by without leaving any impression other than their name, I mean Tunng, what are we to think? But as this, their third and it has to be said best album hits my ears, indifference is no longer in my vocabulary when it comes to Tunng, not such a bad name after all.

It was 'Bullets' that first met my ears, even before I'd had their album in my sweaty palms. Thanks to Radcliffe and his evening radio show, the eloquance of the song's lyrics had me hooked. I mean "...we're catching bullets in our teeth, and though it's easy when you know how it's done..." what was I to think, the words were fashioned in such a manner that made not only a catchy song, but one whose music danced patterns in front of me, and I was driving home at the time, thankfully I made it back to hear the album some weeks later.

Well that's track 4, the album has 10 more differently crafted numbers (and they're all one word titles, genius) that had me dancing some more, opening with 'Take' a strangely rhythmical number that with Mike Lindsay's vocals, put me in mind of Gomez and further on, The Beta Band, this is looking good. And so with the following number 'Bricks' reinforcing this impression, by now the band were old friends. So when I had said "...I'm liking the uncluttered presentation..." when it came to reviewing their last album, this fleeting remark was this time an impression that had been more than just the briefest of flights and when another had said of this album "...Good Arrows is a totally immersive record, enveloping the listener in Tunng's wyrd world." I know exactly where he was coming from.

If this album doesn't make it into the best of best 2007 polls, then those polls have no place to call themselves "polls", this album is simply great. 10/10

Nick James

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Christian Scott - Anthem (Concord) 27/08/2007

N: From the sleeve, if I'd picked this album up in a record shop, I'd have put it straight back down, but making it, as we have, to the CD player, this is a wonderful jazz explosion, with Scott demonstrating his dexterity on his horn. I mean his trumpet. I mean...er...

T: Just leave it mate. The hole is getting deeper and deeper. But you wouldn't have picked it up? That's a little closed minded, after all it isn't dissimilar to the sleeve of DJ Shadow's "Endtroducing", and that was a fine album. As for the music here, yes it is relaxing and well made, and if you're a fan of jazz I'm sure this would tick all the right boxes. I'm not sure if I'd have the time or inclination to play this all the way through though...

N: It's quite believable that I could see artists like Sting or Bowie picking up on his talent, and bringing that to their world. 8/10

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Heaven & Hell - Live From Radio City Music Hall (Steamhammer) 27/08/2007

T: Having watched "Saxondale" last night, I still have this image of fiftysomethings desperately clinging to their youth from the early seventies and refusing to believe they now ought to be playing Bingo or wearing their trousers too high. Or both. I'm sure these songs were effective in their day; indeed Black Sabbath were quite refreshing for their time, but right now it just screams Coogan at me over and over again.

N: Great comedy. Coogan that is. But in your youth, which camp was it that you were from?

T: I was in the Iron Maiden...

N: You were in the Iron Maiden? I saw that illustrated in a recent rerun of a Carry On film...

T: Let me finish! I said I was in the Iron Maiden camp. Then again I was a bit young to appreciate the pre-punk "rock" music fraternity. There's no questioning their virtuoso talents on their respective instruments, but I, for one, am mightily glad Mr. Rotten and co came along to blow things right out of the water.

T: So what I glean from your comments and disinterest is that this is like listening to an "original" tribute band, featuring as it does, the entire line up of post Ozzy Black Sabbath. It's clear they have the material, but they're also spinning it out on stage.

T: If you were a Sabbath fan, it's still worth getting to complete your collection anyway. 6/10

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Johnny Cash - The Great Lost Performance (Mercury) 27/08/2007

T: Apparently a lost performance from the Paramount Theatre, New Jersey in 1990, this set captures Cash in his full flowing glory, from the bombastic bravado of "Ring Of Fire" right through to the country classic "I Walk The Line". The best thing about it is that it shows Cash's true showmanship, with entertaining little spoken interludes that give more of an insight into just what kind of a man he was.

N: That's right. This particular performance is an extremely intimate affair, or at least this is how it comes across. The recording is first rate, and the material nothing less than we would expect from an artist of this calibre. It's a shame that it took the singer's death to encourage this fascination in his music.

T: He was hardly unknown before his death though! I mean, I had Cash albums long before his passing as I'm sure many people did...

N: That's not what I'm saying and you know that. I'm just sure he'll be smiling that he's remembered so fondly, and what's more we get to hear some great music.

T: It really must be great if it's a live album and I'm giving it a nine... 9/10

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