Nitin Sawhney - London Undersound - remixes & instrumentals (Cooking Vinyl) 19/10/2009

N: Why?

T: I'm not quite sure if there was a necessity, exactly, for releasing a fully instrumental version of Sawhney's impressive 2008 release, but still, it makes an agreeable background noise while you're, say, doing the dusting or sorting out your finances. Yes Nitin, we know it's good, you really don't have to release all the various vocal and instrumental takes as separate albums to prove it.

N: I think you've said enough, what was the point exactly? 7/10

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Spiral Stairs - The Real Feel (Domino) 19/10/2009

T: Rather a lacklustre effort, I'm saddened to say, by the legendary ex-Pavement man. I do get the impression though, if I'm honest, that this would be something of a grower. "Call The Ceasefire" after all, is a drug addled Americana anthem that builds in stature the longer it goes on and actually is starting to win me over even as I type this.

N: The PR that came with this release describes an album which possesses "a loose, late night vibe", and I think this is the crux of any ill feeling toward this work...

T: ...I'm SORRY, Mr. Stairs. I admit I was wrong. This is an "After The Goldrush" for the iPod generation.

N: Rather than an album of solid rocking out numbers, this is perhaps a more introspective work for just that generation, but one that remains true to the ethos of rock 'n' roll. 8/10

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The Brute Chorus - The Brute Chorus (Rough Trade) 19/10/2009

T: Minimalistic compositions, effective handclapping tunesmithery, and a sound that marries the pop sensibilities of Cage The Elephant with the slightly askew world view of a pre-fame Pete Doherty, while wholly embraceable pop songs end up the blushing bride.

N: It's quite refreshing to hear a band who feel confident in presenting their work this way, compositions that ride on their own merit, and not needing to rely on modern day production values to assist their passage in this mixed up world.

T: I love their emphasis on the rhythmic quality of their songwriting, it's like they've found an untapped niche there, and I'm full of admiration for them. 8/10

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Flood Of Red - Leaving Everything Behind (Dark City) 19/10/2009

T: Yawn.

N: Tone, do you want to go first?

T: Zzzzz.

N: Zzzzz. 2/10

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The Scratch - Whatever Happened To Friday Night? (Ponyland Records) 12/10/2009

T: This is a bit like the Arctic Monkeys doing punk.

N: The musical equivalent of a Brillo pad - punk in the 21st century.

T: Not that horrible genre that passes for punk these days though - it's more like old school, possibly Adam and the Ants before they went commercial, but as you say, given a modern bent. Indefinitely listenable anyway, and possibly just what today's musical climate needs.

N: And that reminds me, whatever happened to Friday night?

T: You're just getting older mate. 7/10

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Bowling For Soup - Sorry For Partyin' (A&G Records) 12/10/2009

T: It's incredible that Bowling For Soup are in the midst of their TENTH studio album, especially considering they are, at best, a fun novelty band. I guess they're not without musicianship though - "A Really Cool Dance Tune" could be Alice Cooper poking fun at himself, but in the main, this is pretty much what you'd expect - the tenth series of a sitcom that's a little past its sell by date. It's not without its charm though, and anyone who doesn't take themselves seriously in the music industry and doesn't suffer from superstar pretensions should be roundly applauded.

N: It's like that advert, "no nails, it does just what it says on the tin", and although there is clearly no soup involved here (that we know of at least), BFS are consistent in what they record and perform. You just can't knock 'em. 6/10

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Nell Bryden - What Does It Take? (Cooking Vinyl) 12/10/2009

T: Well, the girl still uses punctuation correctly, so she's ok with me. After all, so many artists these days forego the question mark that their tites warrant. Am I being too anal here? I should skip to the music? Oh all right. She has some voice, does Nell, as perfectly showcased all the way through this album. A mix of classic old style soul and folk, nicely presented, well written and exquisitely vocalised.

N: Some departure from that we've been listening to earlier today - music in the traditional sense, sung eloquently as Tone has already suggested, in a fashion that would makes hearts sing and cowboys hang up their spurs. 8/10

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The Holloways - No Smoke No Mirrors (Snapper Music) 05/10/2009

T: They're starting to sound like they're writing B-sides for The Wonder Stuff. Not that this is a bad thing; after all, Miles' boys released a wealth of great music throughout their career, and the songs that backed the singles were all of a high quality. Good, fun songs, along the lines of The Fratellis, for wont of a more modern reference, and anyone who appreciates quirky, intelligent commercial tunes will no doubt find this of some appeal.

N: You've said it all really, and I'm with you all the way. 7/10

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Black Gold - Rush (Red Bull Records) 05/10/2009

T: I can't see it, you know, all this praise being lavished upon Black Gold.

N: That's the energy crisis mate, you know finite resources and all that?

T: Thanks for that meaningful interlude. Anyway, like I said before, it's not bad stuff, but it's really not grabbing me. At all. I really don't have much else to say about it. A less interesting version of Pendulum, perhaps? It might even come packaged in an "I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-Disco" wrapper, but the effect is the same with me - complete and utter nonplussedness. If that's a word.

N: I don't think it is.

T: I think we should go and ask Rachel Riley. On second thoughts, you can stay here, I'll go by myself.

N: Isn't it Suzy Dent who does the wordsmithery?

T: Ooh you have to go and spoil things don't you? Though for the record, I wouldn't say no to her either...

N: Don't be long then, I guess that's some hope! Either way. 6/10

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Idlewild - Post Electric Blues (Cooking Vinyl) 05/10/2009

N: Considering the opening bars, and those of the band's earlier work, including their current single, was certainly something we were not expecting.

T: I think it's the fact they've signed with Cooking Vinyl, a label which always seems to give artists a new lease of life (see Echo and the Bunnymen, Killing Joke, Buzzcocks etc), and that certainly seems to have been the case with Roddy Woomble's outfit, as former glories are restored, enhanced, and shaken into a joyous celebration of their own existence. Sure, some of the more diehard fans may scream "sellout" at the extreme commerciality of it all, but let's be honest here - Idlewild have always been a wholly saleable proposition; it's just that on their latest release, it's all come together in one big swooping vulture of a record that ought to be the biggest hit of their career.

N: Definitely a band recording the album they want to record, and not bowing to any corporate restraint. This is fresh and exciting, and kudos must go to Cooking Vinyl to reinvigorating the band, no less music in general. 9/10

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Lou Barlow - Goodnight Unknown (Domino) 05/10/2009

N: A strong release in the form of the reunited Barlow with former Dinosaur Jr members and under his own flag has issued what will surely stand proud among the reissued Sebadoh catalogue. Melodic, grinding and solid numbers that crash through the 14 tracks here, and will make fans of a new generation.

T: The stripped down acoustic tunes are spectacularly beautiful as well, such as the effervescent "Too Much Freedom". Truly, Barlow has lost none of his songwriting ability, having learnt when to temper his compositions with watercolours and when to leave them in black and white. You can hang these numbers on any one of your walls, and they'd be guaranteed to garner praise from all your visitors. Or, in your case, both of them. 8/10

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Maps - Turning The Mind (Mute) 28/09/2009

T: Beginning with a tite track that sounds like a cross between Spiritualized and Dirty Vegas, Maps appear to be carrying the torch for their own newly created musical genre - electrogaze.

N: Chill out in the fashion of Jason Spaceman, Chapterhouse, Slowdive and the ilk of a nineties heyday, brought up to date at times with Basement Jaxxlines.

T: It's all cool stuff. 8/10

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Karen O and the Kids - Where The Wild Things Are OST (DGC Records) 28/09/2009

T: The soundtrack to Spike Jonze's Oscar nominated feature, and it's about as far removed from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs as you could reasonably expect. These tunes hold an innocent charm, perhaps formed from memories of a childhood playground...

N: It reminds me of some of the soundtrack work on "Juno"...

T: You'd be specifically referring to the Moldy Peaches there, I presume? That said, of course, these tunes were specifically written for Jonze's movie, whereas "Juno" was largely made up of music that had already been penned some time before. Still, it's like going back to the early eighties work of artists like the Go-Gos, The Belle Stars, or even Toni Basil, but perhaps adding a slighlty more sinister twist to proceedings. It no doubt will work wonderfully with the animation, though I'm not sure I'd want to sit through this album as a standalone piece too often. 7/10

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AFI - Crash Love (DGC Records) 28/09/2009

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Ian Brown - My Way (Fiction) 28/09/2009

T: A rather defiant looking Brown adorns the front cover of "My Way", but really he needn't look so surly. I think most of us would agree that the lead off single that opens his latest offering is the best thing he's put out in years, jumping stoically and feverishly rupturing your musical ventricles until you submit to its sonorous rhythms. "Crowning Of The Poor" follows and gives no let up, a bombastic explosion of glorious uplift before the surprisingly positive "Just Like You" attacks you like a persistent pro-life preacher.

N: Your opening remark is one referring to the album's face, and I would agree it's sadly naff. Thankfully however, leaf through this album's pages and you'll be relieved to hear that Brown has refused to give up any of his passion, and let's be honest, genius. Having revisited The Stone Roses debut album on its reissue (again) recently, a warm glow filled my soul at just how good the music was, and even though Ian Brown may dance awkwardly, like your dad at a New Year's Eve party, his musical fervour has losy none of its sparkle. Dance on monkey man.

T: Now, I don't know about you, but I really do feel that this sounds like it should have been The Stone Roses third album. If it had been, I have no doubt it would have been salivated after by press and public alike. Even a respectful cover of Zager and Evans' "In The Year 2525" is pulled off with great aplomb and, dare I say it, betters the original by some distance.

N: Well as constant whispers that Squire and Brown have settled their differences abound, one day this may happen. Then maybe we really WILL see the second coming. 9/10

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Brand New - Daisy (DGC Records) 21/09/2009

T: Several years ago, when I interviewed frontman Jesse from Brand New, he was such an amicable chap, even going to the extent of finding me a pen so that he could sign my CD for me. With the release of "Daisy", on the track "Vices", he appears to have turned into the spawn of Satan, bizarrely eschewing an Edith Piaf style music hall number in favour of a hideous screamo track. Thankfully it all quietens down on "Bed" and harkens back to the more melodic days of "Deja Entendu", a route which is followed throughout the rest of the album.

N: This quintet, hailing from Long Island, have released a confident fourth album to add to the library. Lyrics presented in a tortured fashion at time, while others drift in an almost ghostly ambience. A cracking album of emotionally charged pieces that marks their diversity. 9/10

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