McIntosh Ross - The Great Lakes (Cooking Vinyl) 28/09/2009

N: Both Lorraine McIntosh and Ricky Ross, formerly of Deacon Blue release The Great Lakes, the duo's debut. Now upon first play, this had the effect of making me reach immediately for my copy of "Raintown", the band's 1987 debut. Perhaps not exactly the course of action the musicians may have wanted to inspire, but once I'd done so, this left me clear to enjoy their new fruits and although not the same as the earlier work, this more mature album is filled with Scotland's finest melancholy.

T: In essence, an easy listening album, not that the erstwhile outfit was ever in competition with Pantera, but even so. Anyway, whilst I am doubtful I would have rushed out to buy this long player had I heard a few tracks on the radio, there's no question that it is a well put together, thoughtful and altogether "pretty" album. Calmingly effective. 7/10

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The Cinematics - Love And Terror (The Orchard) 28/09/2009

N: I think we would both agree this is The Editors via Echo and the Bunnymen circa 1983, in fact have they not got McCulloch to guest on vocals for "New Mexico", their recent single?

T: You'd be forgiven for thinking so, and they're playing to my heart really, seeing as I would still place the Bunnymen in my all time top five favourite artists, and "Porcupine" was probably my pick of their discography. This is quite a breathtaking album and has that gorgeous snow scene effect that so enhanced the latter band's output at the height of their fame.

N: But of course, this is not "Porcupine", and although it would be fair to say it's not exactly groundbreaking, this album is really quite stunning in its audio vista. 9/10

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Mama's Gun - Routes To Riches (Imagem Music) 28/09/2009

T: Well I know we're only a few tracks in, but at the moment Mama's Gun sound like a slightly less annoying version of Maroon 5.

N: So not exactly groundbreaking then.

T: I did say only slightly less annoying. It's like James Morrison fronting Maroon 5, perhaps playing watered down versions of Jamiroquai songs.

N: Exactly. but is it right to saddle them with such accolades?

T: Pfft. 6/10

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Baddies - Do The Job (Proper Records) 21/09/2009

N: They sound quite urgent, and wanting to get the job done.

T: I'm actually quite gutted, upon hearing this, then I wasn't able to see more than ten minutes of their set at this year's Summer Sundae Weekender, as this is rather like David Byrne jamming with a particularly angry Devo. Or even Gang Of Four.

N: I bet you feel sick.

T: I do a little, yeah. As you said, urgent. but also remarkably infectious. This is fist pumping music for the bittersweet generation.

N: Leaves you scratching your head, asking "where did this come from?", so leftfield is their approach to what was previously considered mainstream. 9/10

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Pere Ubu with Sarah Jane Morris - Long Live Pere Ubu! (Cooking Vinyl) 14/09/2009

T: I've always loved Pere Ubu, being one of those bands who will always go completely beyond what you'd expect. "The Modern Dance" was surely one of the most off the wall records of the 1970s and baffled many of those who encountered it. They certainly sound like they're still trying to confuse people, when you bear in mind that "Song Of The Grocery Police" could be a duet between Edith Piaf and Tom Waits circa "The Black Rider". It's almost like a movie soundtrack, and if you are after driving someone clinically insane, "Long Live Pere Ubu!" is probably not a bad place to start. It sounds humorously macabre sometimes, akin to an apparition of you smiling while Jonathan King pulls your teeth out with his bare fingers.

N: With the decline of the long player being prophesised, Pere Ubu, would seem to be on a single minded mission to ensure this does not hapen, as the listener is presented with an album so utterly engrossing that it's hard to believe that you, the listener, hasn't stepped into a parallel reality. In this case, an album that is worth listening to as "an album" and not a collection of three minute pop songs. 10/10

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Chuck Prophet - Let Freedom Ring! (Cooking Vinyl) 07/09/2009

T: Yeah, Chuck might still sound like Jonathan Richman for much of the time, but the former Green On Red man is still heck of a songwriter, and that effervescence shines through right from the opening number "Sonny Liston's Blues" to the slower, more poignant "Leave The Window Open". Rock, pop and country all mix perfectly to form a collage of tremendous works of art, the standout perhaps being the manic "Where The Hell Is Henry?" but there's so much to choose from. It's probably the man's best work in decades, quite possibly partly due to production duties being undertaken by Greg Leisz (Beck, Wilco, Emmylou Harris and others).

N: The textures Chuck uses on this album simply make time stand still, as vocal interacts with rhythm and melody, dancing like moths to a candle. The flickering shapes shimmering in the twilight. Nuff said really. 9/10

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Dawn Landes - Sweetheart Of The Rodeo (Cooking Vinyl) 07/09/2009

T: "Young Girl" announces the arrival of Landes' third album like a laid back PJ Harvey.

N: All the urgency without the angst.

T: That's very true. Angst was clearly never printed in the dictionary Dawn bought, and you get the overriding feeling that she travels everywhere with a hidden monkey gently massaging her back. This is a hotpot of fun tunes and laid back serenades that are incredibly easy to digest.

N: These gorgeous numbers, with sometime avant-garde content, which throw a curveball to upset the usual scheme of things, then settle into a comfortable pair of boots to restore the equilibrium.

T: Shall I put the thesaurus away now?

N: Preferably. It'll give you indigestion. 8/10

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The Pastels/Tenniscoats - Two Sunsets (Geographic) 07/09/2009

T: Something a bit different here. Musical landscaping, expressed through a Lunz like kaleidoscope, perhaps spying on sun worshippers in a Japanese garden. She's gonna take that bra off any minute...

N: It doesn't do much to get going though.

T: Well it's probably meant to be more of a meditational thing. Which clearly isn't working, seeing as it just made me think of my dick.

N: Now you're worrying me, but meditational? Surely that's what Spiritualized are for. 6/10

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The Black Crowes - Before The Frost (Silver Arrow) 31/08/2009

T: Odd. This album begins with "Good Morning Captain", which has the cockney swagger of Chas 'n' Dave. Have they been spending some time over here recently or something? Or maybe they're so demoralised with the dissolution of the partnership that they've decided to keep their spirit alive.

N: I think this was probably recorded before the split mate.

T: So you reckon it's more of a Faces tribute then?

N: I've got the feeling...

T: ...that tonight's gonna be a good night.

N: I can't believe you're singing Black Eyed Peas songs at me...

T: Yeah well, I'm no music snob. It's a catchy tune man.

N: Fair enough. No, this has the heart and what I guess is the spirit of The Black Crowes. Not so rock oriented as I might have remembered them, but certainly rock 'n' roll.

T: I'm not their biggest fan, but having said that, these sun drenched melodies are easy to digest and, for a change, I'm actually quite impressed. 8/10

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The Voluntary Butler Scheme - The Voluntary Butler Scheme At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea (Split Records) 31/08/2009

T: Like a bridge between the jangly guitar bands of the sixties and the stomping glam rock of the early seventies, TVBS do their thing with just the right spirit and care to put you under their spell. "Trading Things In" could easily be The Sweet in their prime, and Marc Bolan would surely envy some of the band's twee pop (in a good way) to such an extent that the album gives you a lovely warm glow. It's summer all year round in TVBS's world.

N: It's like this band have not just been responsible for crafting tunes, but in the first place have actually thought about the moniker they wish to sport. The Voluntary Butler Scheme is perhaps among the all time great names. And what does this mean? Well, that's where the music picks up, like honey off a spoon.

T: And it's not just how I described it; you can pick out traces of Motown, even Spector like production qualities at times, and it's thoroughly satisfying throughout. 9/10

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Athlete - Black Swan (Fiction) 24/09/2009

T: Well they've nicked the old Triffids album title, but let's see if they've snaffled anything else by way of musical influence. And having listened further, I can, alarmingly, report that they've started to sound like Sad Cafe. Or even REO Speedwagon at times.

N: Now that really was uncalled for...

T: Maybe, but it's undeniable. Just listen. I don't actually mind the old AOR though, regardless of how uncool it is regarded.

N: I think they've developed the same opinion.

T: Maybe I should grow a mullet to embarrass my nipper when he/she is born. What do you reckon? Do you think I'll look good?

N: I thought that WAS a mullet. 7/10

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Arctic Monkeys - Humbug (Domino) 24/08/2009

T: The "difficult" third album? Well, the great thing about Alex Turner is that he won't be forced into churning out more of the same, as was signified on "Favourite Worst Nightmare", and he's taken it a stage further here, deciding that choruses can take a running jump out of the window and never show their shameful faces again. Bizarrely enough, the music still works admirably.

N: I have to admit that on first visit to this affair from the cold primates, I wasn't particularly struck, but in this case a return visit has been worthwhile, and as Tone has pointed out, both "difficult" and "same" just do not equate in Alex Turner's world. Arctic Monkeys have produced a solid stud to include in their stable.

T: I think the whole point WAS that the album wouldn't be immediate, and would instead reward the cannier fans who really took the time to get used to the band's musical development. As seems to be the case with you. 8/10

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