The Beauty Shop - A Desperate Cry For Help (Believe) 28/11/2005

T: A lot of the less imaginative scribes will undoubtedly compare this with Johnny Cash, due to it having a very "country" feel to it and because he's probably one of the very few artists of the genre they've heard. The funny thing is though, I think it has a great deal more in common with Frank Black's work with the Catholics as well as They Might Be Giants' more Bonanza led ditties than any yodelling hillbilly from the deep South you can come up with. Quite a pleasant listen and a refreshing change from the norm.

N: Where do I start? Looks like I'd better marry the daughter of my grandnanny's daughter's daughter, although the second track seems to expel any reference to deep inbreeding. See? Not a cash reference in sight, although track three... 7/10

This Et Al - Wardens (Jealous Records) 28/11/2005

T: Sounds rather like Interpol and Muse on a three day binge of cocaine and speed. A rough and ready, and rather grimy, if we're totally honest, single that has not even the remotest chance of reaching the charts, but hey, I quite like it anyway.

N: Even if Muse and Radiohead may be gone for the time being, they're certainly not forgotten. This testosterone fuelled version however definitely fills the void left. 7/10

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The Lodger - Watching/Not So Fast (Double Dragon) 21/11/2005

T: The Lodger always seem to release sparklingly catchy three minute pop songs and this one is no exception. Perhaps you feel a little bit like you're being taken back to the eighties and the birth of indie rather than any of the later "alternative" sounds, but that's high praise indeed. They're actually a bit like The Chesterfields but with a bit more bite. This is, once again, great.

N: I found the vocalist a little too dour, although lyricaly and musically I'm totally behind the band.

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Jon Hopkins - EP1 (Just Music) 21/11/2005

An artist with two critically acclaimed, self produxed albums under his belt, the ubiquitous Brian Eno and Imogen Heap collaborator has been labelled the grandchild of Ambient.

N: I'm listening to this, yet I can't help wondering who it is I'm listening to. Is it the artist Jon Hopkins...or Eno,,,because the fine line between the two seems fairly indistinguishable. Whichever way you choose to take this, this e.p. is either a tremendous salute or the work of another genius.

T: (with a far out look in his eyes) Yes. 9/10

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Various Artists - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've) (EMI) 21/11/2005

T: It's difficult to know quite what John Peel would have made of this version of the Buzzcocks' classic. On the one hand, all the proceeds from this single will be going to one of the late DJ's favourite causes - Amnesty International, but on the other hand, he was always someone who championed new and little known music, and that's something this definitely is not. Having said all that though, whoever organised this at least had the foresight to only reel in artists that Peel had the utmost respect for. What IS odd though is that it's mainly the old stalwarts like Robert Plant, Roger Daltrey, Dave Gilmour and Elton John who feature most prominently. Thankfully though, the single does seem to work...and it could have been such a mess!

N: I take on board what you've said. Although well meaning, I can't help recalling the old adage "If it ain't bust, don't fix it". Thankfully, track two does display the original however. 6/10

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Sanna - The Remote e.p. (Fire Records) 14/11/2005

T: A kind of woozy, 4am feel is bestowed upon us when this begins with "Two Feet and Rising", rather like the aftermath of a particularly heavy party. It actually reminds me of an early nineties indie-dance crossover tune as produced by Dirty Vegas. Second track "Tired To See" is rather like The Stone Roses interpretation of "Scarborough Fair" that turned into "Elizabeth My Dear" and track three is reminiscent of a chilled out Paul Heaton on a yacht in the Bahamas.

N: "Two Feet and Rising", a track with shades of the psychedleic in its five minute make up. You said a track a la Dirty Vegas; I'm more inclined to reference Spiritualized as sung by the members of Northside. "Tired To See" a track in complete contrast, and as you said "Scarborough Fair" is a good point for reference. Track three, "All the Time" revisits the general monged ou feeling that track one displayed, whilst track four, "Manyana", makes it clear the party's over. With the final track, "Leaves", making reference to the Stone Roses debut album, all in all a solid e.p. 7/10

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Athlete - Twenty Four Hours (Parlophone) 14/11/2005

Having reached sales of over half a million worldwide of the much acclaimed "Tourist" album and achieved number one spot in the UK airplay chart with bot "Wires" and "Half Light", the band release the third single from the latter album in mid November.

T: A ballbustingly fast, rocky and hugely entertaning single that signifies a drastic change of direction for this tremendously exciting band.

N: Now THAT I wasn't expecting. I always find that Athlete are a consistently good band writing good songs, and these none more so than from their latest album. These boys are just heading skywards in their underestimated perfection. Love them or hate them, or just choose the line of utter apathy (mentioning no names eh Tone?), Athlete are here to stay.

T: Apathy? Me? You'll accuse me of sarcasm next! Seriously though, Athlete have their uses - just ask any previous sufferers of insomnia.

N: I HAVE actually heard their next album is to be called "Counting Sheep"... 6/10

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The Decemberists - Sixteen Military Wives (Rough Trade) 21/11/2005

T: The Decemberists are like the jovial fat kid on a monotonous school outing. You know - the one who does impressions, acts the goat and falls over a lot. Not that they're a comedy band, by any stretch of the imagination, but they have that same ability to put a smile on people's faces. This is a big quirky number that could have been firework music for the marriage of Modest Mouse and Gordon Gano.

N: Or to put it another way, a great single with a great hook, in some way reminding me of Jona Lewie's "Stop the Cavalry" iin its simplicity and pace. This could be down to the use of horns in this arrangement admittedly. However you or I choose to look at this, falling in love with this ditty is a sure thing.

T: I think you're just getting over excited by the impending arrival of Santa Claus. Who doesn't exist, by the way.

N: Who said? I used to receive a letter from him every christmas.

T/N: A big fat nine...9/10

You lucky blighters, I have been provided the following, as it says "for a limited period only..." to enable our readers access to video and download of part of this fantastic single;

"To promote the single/album the album track "The Engine Driver" is available to download for free (for a limited period only) from:
 
To order by SMS (usual operator charges apply to text sent), text DECEMBERISTS to 81330.
To order by credit card (and later redeem SMS sales), go to www.7digital.com/decemberists"

That video may be accessed via the following link.

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Alkaline Trio – Mercy Me (Vagrant) 21/11/2005

Surprisingly easy humalong verses that could have been written by Difford and Tilbrook are ruined by a chorus that so desperately wants to be Green Day. It wears all the make up and displays all the “punk pop” sensibilities, but somehow it still seems like a watered down version of their evident heroes.

Only time will tell whether Alkaline Trio have the same staying power. 6/10

Tone E

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Goldie Lookin’ Chain – R ‘n’ B (Atlantic) 21/11/2005

Given the praise we bestowed upon this album not so long ago, you may be a tad surprised by the relatively low mark I’ve given this single, but the thing is, it works SO much better as an album track. When I first played “Safe as Fuck” for the first time, this one in particular stood out, because it was such a surprise – an out and out piss take of all those horrendous boy bands and even worse artists who proclaim themselves to be “R & B” artists when that couldn’t be further from the truth in the true sense of the term.

While this made me laugh a LOT, the fact is that it borrows (albeit very humorously) all of the very worst elements of what goes to make up a very, very bad song by any of those kind of acts. The fact that the lyrics are amusing (“she works down the shoe shop, but she’s into R ‘n’ B, not Hip-Hop”) and tell a tale of his efforts to win his girl by making music that fits her own pitiful musical tastes fascinate for the first few listens, but I have to say – it should have stayed an album track. Then again, this is probably the one with the least profanities on it! 5/10

Tone E

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Funeral for a Friend – History (Atlantic) 14/11/2005

Have they deliberately held this one back because it seems more fitting for Christmas, do you think? I only ask because this was always the most commercially viable track on their second album “Hours”, and is a surefire way to earn them the respect of more mainstream buyers. And of course, if you CAN manage to sparkle enough to get noticed through the traditionally bad UK chart gloss during the festive period, it’s a major, major achievement.

That said, this IS probably the best track on the aforementioned album, despite what some of the band’s more hardcore purist fans may tell you. A gorgeous, touching tune whose refrain of “Archers in your arches, raise your fingers for one last salute / and bleed this skyline dry – your history is mine” gets you deep inside. Impossible to dislike, surely? 8/10

Tone E

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I Am Kloot – Maybe I Should (Skinny Dog) 14/11/2005

Wow, the Kloot boys have not only gone and released the best single they have released to date, but also one of THE best tunes of the year.

It’s insanely infectious, and while it’s true that vocalist Johnny Bramwell tends to overdo his Mancunian accent at times, this doesn’t have any adverse effect on the music herein.

“Maybe I Should” is a glorious feelgood tune that deserves to beat the number 38 slot attained by previous single “Over My Shoulder” earlier this year. Great stuff, and if this is a taster for their eventual fourth album, I’ll have a bagful please. 9/10

Tone E

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Kaiser Chiefs – The Modern Way (B-Unique) 07/11/2005

Many people, press and public alike, would proclaim “Employment” to be their favourite album of 2005, and it IS a very strong album I must admit – better than we thought in our original take on it. Normally though, when something gets so massively hyped, like this has been, it’s easy to dismiss it and start your own mental backlash.

That’s not going to happen here though, as this is another fine tune from said album and, whilst it is a personal favourite, I always think more than 3 singles from one album is milking the cow of honour a bit too much. 7/10

Tone E

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Engerica – Roadkill (Sanctuary) 07/11/2005

They’re always entertaining, Engerica, whether or not you like their short, snappy and bewilderingly angry style of music or not.
Actually that’s not an entirely fair description because their songs are always bursting at the seams with a wicked humour on top of that. Take for example the lyric “My dad says don’t take chances / Don’t do drugs and don’t trust fat kids”. The fact that this line is sung in an almost identical fashion to Sting’s part on Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing” makes me piss my pants laughing as well. Er…not literally of course.

Let’s just say your granny won’t be blasting this one out of her gramophone, but it’s a knowingly tongue in cheek tirade that manages to amuse and satisfy in equal measure. 7/10

Tone E

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Elbow - Leaders Of The Free World (V2 Music) 07/11/2005

The title track from their latest and 3rd album and if you listen to this you'll begin to realise just how stong an outfit this band have become, if it were ever doubted. Superb musical arrangement, coupled with a vocal that just slides through the strength of the lyric, utterly beautiful. Unfortunately falling foul of a less than simpathetic engineer responsible for the reining in of this 6 minute number for the sake of airplay. For pity's sake, do a Pink Floyd and to hell with the radio! 4/10

Nick James

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Tommy Lee - Good Times (Steamhammer/SPV) 07/11/2005

Motley Crue's drummer releases his latest single and follows it with an album two weeks later.

T: I certainly hope this is better than I'm expecting it to be...and having just listened to it I can say that it definitely IS; however it does have a kind of "boy band" feel to it. Perhaps this is something to do with the involvement of Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys or Good Charlotte's Joel Madden. The track is a mellow, pleasant tune that is fairly reminiscent of Sugar Ray in places. Not a bad effort though, to be fair.

N: I'm surprised you were that lenient. Not as nasty as I was hoping for - a little too AOR. The second track, "Trying To Be Me" was the complete opposite, a great deal more forthright. It's a pity that this has pampered to the casual listener and not to the rock fans, and as a single was saved only, in my opinion, by the second track. I can't even remember "Good Times" now, it really was that unimpressive. You mentioned boy bands; well I think that was blatantly obvious.

T: Though oddly enough, I actually disliked the second track about a billion times more than the lead one. It reminded me of all these horrendously pretentious acts like Nickelback (ooh, LOOK who was involved with THAT one!) and when you talked of AOR, surely that description is FAR more fitting for "Trying To Be Me" than "Good Times". The first one was inoffensive, the second was poisonous to my ears.

N: "Good Times" was offensive in its prettiness...

T: and "Trying To Be Me" was offensive in its pomposity.

N: Ok, we'll agree to disagree! 5/10

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Johnathan Rice - So Sweet (SPV) 07/11/2005

So, has Tone got over his dislike of the extra "H" in Johnathan's name?

T: I have actually, and I've really grown quite fond of the guy's stuff. The music still reminds me of that carefree vibe that Prefab Sprout always gave off and I love the originality of his voice. This is a breezy, London Underground at 2am kind of track, although what anyone would be doing down there at that time I'm unsure...listening to Johnathan Rice drunkenly on their Ipod perhaps?

N: Strangely enough, this guy reminds me of another artist I had the pleasure of meeting this year, that of Joseph Arthur, both artists producing, in this case at least, upbeat rock with an electronic twist. You say the album differs somewhat in its makeup (see Tone's review), well even stranger, so does Joseph's in places. Certainly Johnathan would be one to listen out for, in my opinion, and, as he will be portraying Roy Orbison in the Johnny Cash biopic due for release early next year, this may be soone rather than later. 8/10

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Humanzi - Fix the Cracks/Get Your Shit Together (Fiction) 07/11/2005

Debut offering from angular Dublin Outfit.

T: Difficult to pinpoint exactly who the band reminds me of, but where the song structuring is concerned there's an overwhelming early Damned factor there, as well as a pulsatingly catchy punch that could have been thrown at us by the masters of hook, the Adverts. Now THIS is an unspeakably brilliant single.

N: Now, I'd certainly go along with your findings. I was thinking electronic rock with a darker leaning - Vanian's crew might well fit the bill there. Destined for greatness and completely unashamed of the noise they are responsible for, and not holding anything back. Like waking up to a cold shower on a Monday morning.

T: Can't agree with that - waking up to a cold shower on Monday morning is horribly unpleasant and unwelcome. These guys are anything BUT that!

N: You can't deny you wake up though! Put it another way - like a striking image of beauty you see as you're walking down the street. Makes heads turn and minds start to race.

T: Now I LIKE that comparison. 9/10

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The Great Depression - Prefix EP (Fire Records) 07/11/2005

N: I hit play, and a very striking composition began its incline. Soft and dark in its appearance, almost theatrical in its manner. Not exactly afternoon drive time, more late night mood music, but these guys have definitely got it where it counts, even throwing in a touch of Brian Wilson magic along the way.

T: I like it too, but I feel more like it's music for a dreary day while you watch the rain trickle gently down your windowpane. It's actually rather like a concept album but shortened to fit an extended play - a concept EP, if you will. Some of the tracks do come across as rather overlong though if you ask me, but I would agree that the intensity held within is of some appeal. One thing's for sure though - it won't be reaching the top 40, and if it does, I will have my penis surgically removed and replaced with a bunch of sunflowers.

N: I wouldn't necessarily go that far, but the band have been sparing in their use of vocals. This doesn't seem to matter though - the music more than compensates, and those dreary afternoons I think may be closer at hand! 8/10

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Echo and the Bunnymen – In the Margins (Cooking Vinyl) 31/10/2005

Are Echo and the Bunnymen one of the greatest bands that ever existed? I mean, sure, they’ve been one of MY personal favourite bands for a long time, but I honestly think they now merit a place amongst the elite at the forefront of the Hall of Fame.

The reason I say this is because for over a quarter of a century, McCulloch and Sergeant have been consistently churning out quality albums that have never ebbed below the “very good” water margin – perhaps an apt analogy given the title of the single.

So, of course, as we’ve come to expect from this band, “In the Margins” is a supremely beautiful track with McCulloch’s trademark croon making it even more irresistible.

Fantastic stuff, and it’s made me wonder whether this band ever WILL release anything mediocre? 9/10

Tone E

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Gliss – Blue Sky (Digital-Hustle) 31/10/2005

This LA trio sure makes a heck of a lot of noise for a three piece, and their downtrodden brand of indie rock is really very palatable, if not necessarily one that blows you away.

Picture a bunch of people at the peak of a very steep hill; the air is demonically overcast and a bleak, blustery wind is blowing through everybody’s hair. That’s the vision that Gliss have conjured up for me, but also one of very tightly knit togetherness somehow. Interesting stuff. 7/10

Tone E

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