Geoff Westen - Vidiots Tune In!! Out Now

T: From what we've heard on the corking opening track, this may well have been Peter Murphy meeting Eno and Byrne, possibly inviting Bowie as special guest.

N: Early electronica with a tight hand on the reins, so as not to let proceedings run away with themselves, but most certainly, the songwriter has a fair reading of David Byrne and a handle on the music that came out in the post New Wave period.

T: "Together" reminds me of an updated Blancmange and the whole album is peppered with pseudo-references and quality compositions that ought to see Westen's status elevated threefold in the watchful eyes of the music industry.

N: It's encouraging that the deeper you proceed into this album, the slicker it becomes. An excellent release, but I must admidt to being reminded of Girls Aloud 'Sound Of The Underground' in the early bars of the opening track 'Better Get Started' - yikes! 9/10

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Chicane Theory - Lose Track Of Time Out Now

T: Well this one usurped me somewhat. I was expecting some dance beats to come through but instead we have some rather gorgeous, heartfelt Americana. The band have been influenced by such luminaries as Dinosaur Jr, Swervedriver, Meat Puppets and Nirvana amongst others. Even Coldplay make an appearance in their list of references. After the melodic opener, we return to more grunge infested bravado of the aptly titled "Fuzzy", perhaps even owing a debt to Foil's classy debut album "Spread It All Around". And if they've never heard it, they should check it out, because I'm sure they'll like it. Anyway, as much as I like those noise nuggets, it's when the band are at their most restrained that they are most effective.

N: From your opening comment, that's because you were thinking of Chicane! But you are right in that this sometime grungy mix is like a strong, sweet cup of coffee. The vocalist, Nicholas Roesler, and musicians have got the right balance in their presentation, although I'd perhaps like to hear a more tortured delivery.

T: I'm not so sure, I think the gentler numbers benefit greatly from Roesler's tender tones.

N: I was going to say, before you so rudely interrupted, slightly more often, I wasn't dismissing it outright. Of course, you are right in that the low slung, laid back approach he takes in tracks such as "Same Old, Same Old" and "Once" are just delightful. Hell, their whole refrain is low slung and laid back!

T: And after all, it never harmed Stephen Malkmus, did it? 9/10

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The Child - Think Loud May 2008

N: This album made it to my mp3 player. I'm impressed with the balance and weight of the music; it feels like it already should have been.

T: Not entirely my cup of tea, to be honest, but clearly The Child are a talented outfit. Reminds me a little too much of bands like Bush, Reef and Living Colour, none of whom I could fully embrace either. However I will hold my hands up and say that they are obviously good at what they do.

N: That might explain it then. I'm a fan of Living Colour, having seen them live early in their career, and this band might possess a similarity to the aforementioned bands in places but do have an ability that's beyond doubt, as I think you were getting at earlier on.

T: Is that because I mentioned it twice?

N: Could be. 7/10

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Kick In The Eye - Sea Of Bitterness 02/05/2008

T: Female led glam-rock meets Phil Spectre's girl bands. It's like a great big pie made up of Suzi Quatro, Voice Of The Beehive, The Crystals and Sons And Daughters. The musicianship is not a million miles away from Dr and the Medics either...and occasionally vocalist Marian Lochrie sounds similar to Leicester's own gorgeous songstress Emma Chamberlain, especially on "Red Army Overdrive". Youthful exuberance and good fun songs, perhaps a tad too late.

N: I'm not too sure about this one, and I had such high hopes. It's almost like saying "The Mini Pops do Punk", but perhaps this one will be a grower...?

T: Ah well, I quite liked it anyway. Anyone for Marmite? 6/10

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