Imperial Vipers - Promised Land (Eminence) 12/12/2005

Following their debut single, "Kick A Hole" released in September of this year, this latest offering from UK five peice Imperial Vipers, attempts to kick a hole in the speakers through which they are being played. Coming at you like the sound produced on one of my favourite albums; Soundgarden's "Bad Motor Finger", this band sure know how to make the room shake as this solidly crafted tune hits a politically driven note, that tells as singer/songwriter Wevs urges us to "...hang them from the trees" (and trust me that's not where it stops).

The band's love of the solid rock'n'roll, once offered by ACDC, Led Zep and The Stooges rings through this number. Although this is available on a stickly limited etched 7" vinyl, the single is also being made available via the usual online download outlets, prior to an album, due to follow in the first half of 2006. If you like your music crafted out of iron, I'm sure this won't disappoint. 9/10

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Coldplay - Talk (EMI) 19/12/2005

Coldplay's interesting take on German techno pioneer's Kraftwerk's 1981 number 1 single - "Computer Love". At first glance a cheap shot at making a record; borrow someone else's and tinker with it. But on closer inspection and having lived with it for the 6 months since the release of "X&Y", quite a clever working on what must've been one of Martin's favoured memories.

Certainly the obvious choice for a single from the album I felt, when first hearing "X&Y" and finally given its very own full release loses nothing in the translation. Tonnes better than "Fix You" and even "Speed Of Sound", this gets a whole hearted score this time round. 8/10

Nick James

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The Strokes - Juice Box (Rough Trade) 05/12/2005

The egarly awaited first fruits to be taken from The Strokes 3rd album, "First Impressions Of Earth", due for release January 2nd 2006. Typically frantic, with an ever riding bass line and cutting guitar that obliterates any thoughts of boredom. This displays The Strokes retro rock ability with a stateside shine. What he's singing about I only have to wonder, but apparenly it's "cold" - whatever, perhaps someone should buy him a hat and sharf for Christmas. Roll on the new year. 10/10

Try downloading the audio link - here - Please 'Right click and choose save target as (PC)' Mac will save to desktop.

Try downloading the video link - here - Please 'Right click and choose save target as (PC) Mac will save to desktop'.

(Downloaded files will require 'Windows Media Player' to view.)

Nick James

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Milk Kan - Bling Bling Baby (Play It Again 7) 05/12/2005

N: Here come the white shirts on a Saturday night.

T: This is a hugely entertaining "Subterranean Homesick Blues" given a wash, cut and blowdry by the Streets in its musical style. Ballsy, fun and punky in the truer sense of the word. Excellent stuff.

N: I can't deny this is a top tune, sprightly and with audio that demonsatrates superb staging, on the copy we received I'm just concerned that this was dubbed 'clean version', I'm over 21, expose me to all the filth you can muster, I'm old and certainly ugly enough! But seriously this band are able to offer more than just a A-class a-side, the following 2 tunes offered here ("Real Fake World" and "Kill All The A&R Men") demonstrate a John Lydon'esque grasp of modern living. 9/10

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Sigur Ros - Hippipolla (EMI) 28/11/2005

Icelandic outfit produce this latest offering from their 11 year history. Typically featuring celestial vocals and an atmospheric soundstage, the only downside to this affair is that it is too short. 4-minutes may be considered enough for some artists, I just felt that more needed to be said here. Great music all the same, but I can't work out what the heck they're saying? Top tune and if this is a reflection of what they have to offer on a longer release, I'll be checking out "Takk" their recently released longplayer. 7/10

Nick James

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