Buzzcocks - 30 (Cooking Vinyl) 26/11/2007

T: I know I always go on about not liking live albums too much, but I've just got to do it again. I love the Buzzcocks. I already know all these tunes very well, I know they're fantastic live, having caught them on many occasions, but none of this stuff captured on a recorded version is a substitute for being there; they actually sound a lot better in the flesh too, but anyway, all the usual suspects are here and they all sound great but take my advice, just go see them instead. Classic tune after classic tune, but fair play to them for celebrating 30 years together with this collector's item.

N: It's warming to hear how Shelley and Diggle have managed to keep this ungainly beast's wheel's still turning. Here you will find 28 tracks squeezed onto this single disc, something that speaks louder than anything else for these songwriters' impact. 8/10

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Psapp - Tiger, My Friend (Domino) 19/11/2007

T: This is a re-release of the outfit's 2004 debut album and is a sparsely populated soundscape full of Latin beats, striking mind imagery with dabs of jazz and droplets of folk here and there. It's almost like Dadaism in its musical cut and paste form, and it's thoroughly charming. Broadcast spring to mind as the closest reference, ut even that's way off the mark if I'm totally honest. Still, this is a thoroughly pleasurable experience from beginning to end A journey well worth taking.

N: An album that screams "Home Made!" like the best jams and cakes, void of any unnecessary chemicals, these songs' sparsity is refreshing, with air around the numbers, the songs cry in ecstacy on their own.

T: Top stuff. 9/10

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Led Zeppelin - Mothership (Atlantic) 12/11/2007

What to say about this release that hasn't already been said. Essentially a 'Greatest Hits' compilation released to coincide with Zeppelin's reformation and reunion show in London later this year. It has been said that with "...the announced reunion's of Van Halen and the Police, it was only a matter of time until the name Led Zeppelin was thrown into the mix." and so with this being the case this mighty dinosaur of the rock age release another greatest hits/anthology to provide those of us who haven't managed to get our sweaty hands onto tickets for the show, and of which there will be many, some sort of memento of the occasion.

Now as album's of this nature go, 'Mothership' is a well devised double set of 24 songs, and if your inclined, DVD to mark the reunion. The band, who split in 1980, leaving many salivating fans morning their passing, have left comments of the ilk; "...its been a long time coming!", "Cant fucking wait..." and "I Want Tickets!", although one I have read concerns me, this likening the reunion of "the greatest rock band of all time..." to the reformation of The Spice Girls! Now this one lost soul is either in rehab, or far too young to recall the magic dust that this band once spread.

Anyway, with a very commercial line-up (and who can blame them) this set of numbers produced, it is said, by guitarist Jimmy Page himself, is as you might've expected. With of course their most celebrated or loathed score (if you're Tone at least) 'Stairway To Heaven' lurking at the end of disc 1 in its full 8 minute form (was there a longer version? I'm sorry I don't know the answer to this one), but with a full hour still remaining, perhaps this was an intentional stab by the producer.

So a commendable set, if not a milked one, marking the band's reunion all but the late John Bonham, with his son Jason taking up the sticks on the stage at least. So here comes the hard part, what to mark this album of albums'? Well I'm sorry to fly a less than emphatic flag at this point, but I do have to drop marks for the fact that the packaging of the album is just dreadful. I mean, on Vinyl this may just survive, but in this reduced form I can't see many standing the test of time. Whoever devised the 'digipak'? Well, burn them at the stake! 8/10

Nick James

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The Vincent Black Shadow - Fears In The Water (Bodog Music) 05/11/2007

T: I take back what I said about her sounding like Pink; after all the band come across like Daisy Chainsaw at the beginning of their debut album. Not that she sounds like HER either, but even so, perhaps TVBS have more incisiveness about them than I previously gave them credit for. Feelgood music for downtrodden hipsters.

N: I have always felt that 'The Vincent Black Shadow' was a blinding name for a band, and coupled with your fitting description, this album is a pretty fair youth album from a Canadian rock band with cracking moves.

T: Although I have to admit that the negative side of things is quite bad: from the bathroom, this often sounds like the Cast Of High School Musical.

N: Come off it, nothing is as bad as that!

T: Westlife?

N: Vocalist Cassandra Ford has better legs, or have you got something to tell me?

T: I wasn't saying Westlife had good legs was I? I just pointed out that they are worse than anything. Muppet.

N: Fair point, bilge then?

T: You're sharp today. 6/10

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Unkle - War Stories (Surrender All) 12/11/2007

N: It seems barely possible that it has been 9 years since James Lavelle's Unkle put out their debut album 'Psyence Fiction', with this awesome debut under their belts and 2003's 'Never Never Land' proving the band were more than just a 2 dimensional act, knocking out blue-print numbers, their latest number is a formidable outing and additional collection to add to their already diverse library of sounds.

T: And it's a truly absorbing masterpiece. Ruthlessly dark but at the same time a pulsating rhythm fuelled 16 track wonder, full of menace and a timely reminder of how remarkable music can be if you truly put your mind to it.

N: Lavelle's ability as a composer could almost be used in place of a "kite" mark when it comes to musical output. This is a blinding piece of work.

T: I should add that this is a re-release from June this year and if you didn't buy it then, BUY IT NOW. 10/10

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My American Heart- Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather (Bodog music) 05/11/2007

I'm concerned, this quintet from San Diego have apparently chosen to spend the Winter months in the UK and looking forward to it! This I presume to build some support from this side of the Atlantic, will they? Well from what I'm hearing from this album, described as the band's "sophomore" effort ('second' to clear up any confusion, their debut 'The Meaning Of Makeup' was released over here in the UK earlier this year and only previously available as an import), this group have certainly got what it takes in the song writing stakes, this is going down pretty easily.

Formerly known as 'No Way Out', but following a combination of legal considerations (note: Puff Daddy's 2005 album was also called 'No Way Out' - make of this as you will) and group consensus that the name was not typical of their act, they soon opted for the name that now fits like a glove thing. On this 11 track affair its warming to hear that the band are capable of changing directions from song to song. I would have to say their sound is mostly in the 'emo' camp, although not to be mistaken for acts of a far harder nature, with that refreshing respite coming when on the track 'Dangerous', I found music of a more bluesy and soulful nature.

I'm not casting dispersions here, but vocalist Larry Soliman possesses a quality that could quite easily be mistaken for one of a female nature and at times I heard was veering toward one with a similarity to Placebo's Brian Molko, no bad thing at all, it was good to hear a vocalist with a range and depth of presentation. All in all this album with a name far to long for me to continue 'tapping' is a pretty strong one, perhaps not a blinding one, but just the same I can find no real reason to argue with. Good musicianship and solid songs from a group that have an awful lot to offer. 8/10

Nick James

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The Pyramids - The Pyramids (Domino) 5/11/2007

T: Well, I do like the Archie Bronson Outfit, so I'm looking forward to hearing this...and it's a very dark beginning that is effective in grabbing you by the throat from the outset.

N: I am impressed by these albums that 'just happen', not that there's any forethought, but I guess that what they're suggesting, a creative splurge and well this is the outcome. Edgy, impatient lines and it does suggest a certain darkness in what is heard.

T: Dirty great grinding guitars and an almost Lydon-esque vocal snarl makes for an absolute killer of an album that will probably be very, very high on my playlist for the coming months. What a corker. 9/10

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The Royal We - The Royal We (Geographic Music) 5/11/2007

T: Sounds like the late, great Kirsty MacColl, but a hell of a lot more twee.

N: You mention "twee", isn't that odd, this singer apparantly had what was termed an "...idealised image of Glasgow..." that of an "...amazing tweeland...", I jest not, but with influences of Orange Juice and Belle and Sebastian, is this going places?

T: It's ok I guess, but it doesn't sound like Kirsty anymore, after the opening track. My mate Pete would like this - any band fronted by a female singer seems to float his boat, not including manufactured girl bands of course.

N: Serioiusly, doesn't say much about your mate Pete. It would be like me saying, any film with a woman in it "floats your boat", but then again I wouldn't be overstating myself, eh?

T: I guess if they're naked, then yes, it definitely floats my boat...although I can't say that Kathy Bates' nude scene did a lot for me, if I'm totally honest...anyway, about my mate Pete, he reads these pages regularly you know, so Hello Pete.

N: Fair enough. 7/10

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IAMX - The Alternative (Fiction/Genepool Records) 29/10/2007

N: "Edgy leftfield electro", IMAX, featuring Chris Corner, formerly of the Sneaker Pimps, bring us "The Alternative".

T: Doesn't the synthesizer here (on "President") remind you of "Drowning In Berlin" by The Mobiles?

N: I'm sure it does, but doesn't come immediately to mind, however, now you have continued to voice the chorus of the song, I suppose it does.

T: I just want to say that I like the stripped down presentation here. I'm not sure I'd call it "edgy"...

N: Perhaps not, but that was someone else's thought's. Perhaps better described as 'stark', maybe it's the whole being based in Berlin that offers up echoes of a former Iron Curtain country.

T: It's definitely moody and it's all good stuff. Incidentally, I had no idea the band were based in Berlin when I made my Mobiles gambit! 8/10

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Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols 1 & 2 Fire And Water) 29/10/2007

T: Right, in case you're wondering what we're babbling on about, I ought to point out that we're reviewing volume II first, due to mishaps with the office CD player. And I have to say, it sounds like pure bliss, compared to some of the other stuff we've had to endure so far today.

N: It's all good fun though. They used to use LSD to expand one's mind, this is safer. Well ok in small doses, but isn't that always the case! Anyway, disc 1 was scratched.

T: Ah, but was it deliberate? Maybe the first CD was shit, and they only wanted us to hear volume II?

N: Conspiracy theories - the CIA murdered Marilyn Monroe, and it was the shooter on the grassy knoll who shot JFK

T: Regardless of this, this is a lovely album that is almost dreamlike in its quality, I've used this analogy before some years ago, but it feels like travelling in the backseat of a car in the early hours of the morning with the window slightly open, so that you feel a little chilly but not cold, whilst being snugly wrapped up in a blanket of some sort. It's a strange comparison I know, but it seems to work. Aha, the first CD has started working now. Right then, after hearing a few minutes of it, I can without hesitation say that disc two is infinitely preferable and I'm glad we played it first, but volume I is not without its merits. Some resounding backing vocals make for a glorious uplift, and you can see why the two halves have been separated, this one being far more noisy. I'll have to give them their dues though, this is a well crafted, not to mention very interesting, album. I AM getting old though - disc two is MILES better.

N: Is that Robert Miles?

T: No.

N: Oh well. The two discs are indeed poles apart, musically, but I will confirm this is indeed a finely crafted album, it's almost 'concept' in its nature. A worthwhile hour or so. You're right, I can see why they split these discs. 8/10

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Various Artists - Hassle Volume 1 (Hassle) 29/10/2007

T: A compilation of a handful of bands I quite like amongst several I wouldn't pay to lick my boots, let alone watch a live performance by. Not that I often pay people to lick my boots, I hasten to add. Well, not my boots anyway. Actually, I say a handful of bands I quite like, but I'm some way through the album and I haven't heard one of those yet. In fact, ignore my comment, most of this stuff's rubbish. Am I getting old do you think?

N: Not necessarily, but you are losing your hair a bit. Anyway, mmph, what, ummph, do you, urgh, mean, mmph, lick your boots, 'cough' these are shoes!

T: Shut it. I don't pay you to talk.

N: I like the quiet bits.

T: Of which there are none.

N: What do you mean, this album has 15 tracks, that means at least 14 quiet bits. Sadly they're all too short. Shall we move on?

T: Here comes a quiet bit now (turns CD player off).

N: Arrh, that's nice. 2/10

mewithoutYou - Brother Sister (Strange Addiction) 29/10/2007

T: Being the first album we've reviewed after I Hate Sally is probably going to help here...

N: It's like watching a butterfly flying above a flowing river on a bright summer day...

T: Indeed it is, featuring, as it does, some quite unusual vocals, perhaps akin to that of a wasp, but also somehow deeply appealing. It's a strong album, even despite its favourable position amongst the month's new releases. There are even moments that remind me of At The Drive-In contained within "Brother Sister" and is almost classical in its structuring, which works tremendously.

N: Typographically though, I think the band would have had more impact visually had they spelt their name the way you did in the first place, upper case "M", lower case "y". Even upper case "M" and "Y" might have appeared to the quality in their sound, perhaps the way I suggested may be too straight laced.

T: Are you actually going to say anything about the music, waffle gob?

N: Had you waited, and not shot your load too soon...

T: You would have gone on about the "w"...

N: As I would have said, but the vocalist does seem to put emphasis in all the wrong places, and it's here I will make comparisons: a little bit like Jetplane Landing's Andrew Ferris, or Blue Aeroplanes' Gerard Langley, this is quite effective.

T: Huge sounding and very, very likeable. 9/10

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I Hate Sally - Don't Worry Lady (Vagrant) 29/10/2007

T: I've only played this once, but I'll be honest, I really, really hated it, despite the fact that it started quite promisingly.

N: <laughter> That's a shame, because you're right it does start promisingly, is he/it singing now?

T: I've never quite "got" this screamo stuff, unless you include the Pixies song "Rock Music", which was an original diversion from the norm. This, however, is totally baffling to me.

N: Sounds as if the producer has got the right idea when it comes to the vocals though. They genuinely seem to be downplayed, unlike much of how this genre is presented.

T: Did I say "screamo"? Sorry I meant just "scream". Actually, on second play, it doesn't seem quite so bad; however I can't say I'm particularly enamoured with it! Who knows though? If it grows on me every time I play it, perhaps it'll end up being one of my faves of the year! Sadly, I don't intend to play it again...

N: Actually it was self produced, my mistake, but these are a four piece, do the other three, meaning guitarist, bassist and drummer, not realise that if they did away with their vocalist Dee Prescott, their earnings would then be split three ways? I think this is what Kurt Barlow, he responsible for mixing this album, may have been surreptitiously suggesting. 2/10

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The Bled - Silent Treatment (Vagrant) 22/10/2007

T: Not that we're connoisseurs of this kind of music, but I can assure you, there IS a worse album to review this month.

N: I think you have to be in a place to fully appreciate this work.

T: Yes. Hell.

N: Come on, we're listening to the music, the structuring, the er...lyrical content.

T: To be honest, I did play this after listening to I Hate Sally, and really it seemed like a walk in the park at that particular moment.

N: But I don't really know Sally.

T: I'll say one thing for it - if you like music that is very intense, you might well go for this.

N: Like a rich chocolate mousse, this IS that intense.

T: Ok, I'll confess, I did actually quite like "You Should Be Ashamed Of Myself" and there are some more commercially viable (as far as hey can be) tracks on the album, but it's not exactly my mug of peppermint tea.

N: As music goes, this is not the easiest to accept and will NOT be high on many Christmas lists, well I can't see my 94 year old grandmother fully appreciating the group's texturing and the layering of moods present here. However The Bled are certainly committed to what it is they are saying and are able to fully illustrate that in what I'm hearing right now. Although to be fair, I do need to take a Ibruprofen and lie down in a darkened room for a while. 6/10

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Neil Young - Chrome Dream II (Reprise) 22/10/2007

T: It takes a certain calibre of artist who can write a song that lasts more than eighteen minutes and doesn't get boring at any point. Not only that, but the song was written 20 odd years ago and never officially released, yet holds up today as a monumental achievement and a stunning body of work. "Chrome Dreams II" is a reference to the abandoned "Chrome Dreams" project back in the eighties, which is still only available as a bootleg, and it's a stunning record, it really is. Beginning with the "Harvest" like "Beautiful Bluebird" (an ode to a dead friend), you would be forgiven for thinking this was going to be an alt.country album in the same vain, but no, "Boxcar" is an uptempo number that puts you in mind of being in a fast moving car in the desert, and then comes the epic - "Ordinary People". Despite its length, this is a song you'll play over and over again, and the rest of the album is just an absolute corker. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's my favourite Neil Young album since 1979's "Rust Never Sleeps", which is some accolade. Indeed, "No Hidden Path" is also more than fourteen minutes long and again holds the listener's interest throughout. Sure there are the odd throwaway moments, like "Dirty Old Man'" or the rather Motown like "The Believer", but these enhance the album rather than drag it down, and are a much needed diversion from the depth of the rest of the album. Even the inclusion of a children's choir on the "Chrome Dreams II" finale doesn't ruin it. It's just a brilliant album.

N: I think it takes a certain calibre of musician who can appeal to generations of fans. It's the music and not the image that the "machine" might create. His lyrics are like a book you can pick up again and again, the roar of his guitar holding a familiarity like an old friend. I think basically you've said it all in your introduction. 10/10

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Soulwax - Most Of The Remixes... (Parlophone)22/10/2007

Reworking other people's songs, seems today as common place, as well baked beans!? Where did that come from, oh well I'll continue... Soulwax's new album ingeniously titled 'Most Of The Remixes' are as you might guess, remixes the outfit have made "for other people over the years", but being totally honest the guys confess that these are with the exception of "...the one for Einsturzende Neubauten because we lost it and a few we didn't think sounded good enough or just didn't fit in length wise...", well that's alright then because I have no idea what you're talking about.

Anyway, enough of that just to say this is a cracking collection of music, let alone those of hardly polished production and mixes. One thing that does intrigue me though is whether or not they had been watching porn whilst working on these, with a filty sample finding its way onto Lords Of Acid's 'I Sit On Acid' following into DJ Shadow's 'Six Days', fair play, whatever floats your boat eh?

The tracks and remixes featured here find their way from 1999 to 2007, in fact the hole of the second disc of this twin set features nothing but. So kicking off 'Most Of The Remixes' with the outrageously outspoken, not to say outrageous The Gossip, Beth Ditto's Arkansas 3 peice, femisism tinged with riot grrrl influence is certainly not too outrageous, but followed by LCD Soundsystem's chilly 'Daft Punk is Playing in my House' remix, then Human Resource Vs 808 State's Soulwax edit of 'Cubique', the heat is turned up. So with the likes of Klaxons, DJ Shadow, Kylie, Gorillaz and Robbie Williams all among the attendees that follow I'll be honest and say that although this may be a floorfiller for the moment, I found that I soon became tired of the albeit good reworkings.

As I have said the second disc brings proceedings right upto date with a continuous mix provided courtessy of 2manydjs. These feature tracks that were on disc one, but also with portions of other rare, lost or unrealeased tracks included. I found this disc the most exciting of the two and worthy of my final score. 6/10

Nick James

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The Hives - The Black And White Album (Polydor) 15/10/2007

T: Starting off with the crackling rock of recent single "Tick Tick Boom", Sweden's finest go on to prove that they have no intention of changing a great deal, and bugger anybody that wants them to. "Try It Again" is almost a dead cert for a future single and the whole thing really is a celebration of classic rock 'n' roll songwriting...

N: So just to prove that all is not just a bed of roses and Abba in Sweden, this band turn up their Marshall stacks and proceed with an onslaught of nasty sounds...

T: But nasty in a good way, surely?

N: Of course. This is music of ear bleeding goodness. 8/10

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