NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

GUNS N' ROSES "USE YOUR ILLUSION II" 1991 CIVIL WAR - The second album in the "Use Your Illusion" twinset opens with this fourth single that reached number 11 in the UK chart.  A melancholic, poignant yet powerful Rock track is a brilliant peace anthem. 14 YEARS - A hard rockin' Blues track with Izzy Stradlin and singer Axl Rose sharing the vocals at times.  A guitar driven track merging with piano in a blistering partnership, YESTERDAYS - Yet another anthemic ballad from the band with some lush, emotive guitar from Slash.  The third single released from the album reaching number 8 in the UK chart.  Classic and one of my favourites to sing along to. KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR - Released as the second single from this set it reached number 2 on the UK chart.  Once again (like "Live And Let Die" on the "...Illusion I" album) the cover sounds better than the original.  Brilliant track. GET IN THE RING - Apparently "notoriou

ABBA  "VOYAGE" 2021 I STILL HAVE FAITH IN YOU - The lead track from the band's first album in 40 years has Anni-Frid  Frida) Lyngstad taking lead vocals.  It is unmistakeably Abba but takes time to grow on you.  It seems to me more like a musical number but its a nice opener.  This reached number 14 in the UK chart. WHEN YOU DANCED WITH ME - This is more like the Abba we know, a bright and breezy almost Folk Europop track with a catchy melody.  The girls Agnetha and Frida in perfect unison. LITTLE THINGS - A lilting lullaby style song that is a sweet track but not really grabbing you.  This only reached number 61 in the UK singles chart when released. DON'T SHUT ME DOWN - Released as a dual single with the album opener but this reached number 9 in the UK chart.  Sung beautifully by Agnetha this is a return to Abba gold.  A catchy chorus and a more upbeat Pop style. JUST A NOTION - Reaching only number 59 in the UK singles chart this is a new favourite of mine. 

PRINCE AND THE REVOLUTION    "PARADE" 1986 CHRISTOPHER TRACY'S PARADE - This album is also the soundtrack to Prince's second movie "Under The Cherry Moon".  This opening track is a whimsical almost fairgound sounding intro to his character.  It pretty much carries on the Psychedelic style of the previous album "Around The World In A Day" NEW POSITION - A mainly percussive track with Prince basically saying his woman needs a "new position", which we can all guess in what manner! As with a few of these tracks this is experimental and would appear fleetingly over scenes in the film. I WONDER U - A repetitive vocal fronts a strange percussive backing with a little guitar twinkling sporadically.  For some reason this album is a lot of Prince's fans' favourite, but it lacks quality songs in my opinion and is a soundtrack album with a few gems. UNDER THE CHERRY MOON - The title of the film and actually I quite like this

ADAM ANT "ADAM ANT IS THE BLUEBLACK HUSSAR IN MARRYING THE GUNNER'S DAUGHTER" 2013 COOL ZOMBIE - As with the album this only single from the album was self-promoted and released.  The album teased at being the "Kings of the Wild Frontier" Adam back from the dead, the "marrying..etc" in the title is an old naval term for a punishment of flogging, seemingly how music stars are treated today! This first track is similar to the "Kings.." era, but I am still disappointed he went "back", as Adam was the only star in the 80s who looked forward and moved on, re-creating...oh well.  This was a decent tune with its half bluesy feel. STAY IN THE GAME - This is an eerie, dark track in the style of Iggy Pop and like the majority of this album seem to go back to the early Punk days of the Ants of the "Dirk Wears White Sox" era and late 70s. MARRYING THE GUNNER'S DAUGHTER - This is a merging of some dirty Blues with Rock 'N Ro

MADONNA "RAY OF LIGHT" 1998 DROWNED WORLD/SUBSTITUTE FOR LOVE - This opening track on Madonna's 7th studio album reached number 10 on the UK singles chart.  The album as a whole has a much fuller pure vocal from Madonna and this song has a very eclectic mash up of sounds.  There is a little Trip Hop, Pop and Techno hints while keeping the beautiful melodious backing keeping a mysterious ambient air.   SWIM - A very open Trip Hop style similar to Morcheeba with some great vocal changes happening through the song, another great melody and some nice Acoustic guiitars too.  The production on this album is superb, in headphones you can hear every little sound spinning around your head.  RAY OF LIGHT - The title track and a Madonna classic, although very different from her 80s Disco tracks.  This is a brilliant frenetic Pop, Club, Disco, Rock, Electronica crossover.  Should have been number 1 but reached number 2 in the UK chart.  Love this track and a real favourite of mi

A-HA "TRUE NORTH" 2022 I'M IN - The opening track on the band's 11th studio album was also the first single released.  This is an orchestral style, piano led Pop ballad that is full of hope and positivity despite its melancholic sound.  Morten's vocal is as impeccably emotional as ever.     HUNTER IN THE HILLS - This kicks off in some musical based sounds evoking a "thriller movie" imagery.  Has a very orchestral jazzy feel to it.  Unusual for the band but it works. AS IF - This ia a mid tempo 80s New Wave ballad that almost sounds like Folk with a little Americana thrown in for good measure.  Was the third single released from the album. BETWEEN THE HALO AND THE THORN - This is almost reminiscent of the band's debut album's slow songs but with a huge orchestral twist.  Still waiting for the rocky quicker song to liven the album up, although a nice relaxing listen so far. TRUE NORTH - A more familiar sounding A-ha on this title track. The rock

TEARS FOR FEARS "SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR"   1985     SHOUT - The epic 6 and a half minutes version of the single that reached Number 1 in many countries globally.  One of the best and most well known songs from the duo.  This second album was more mature and heavier in sound starting with this song with its power chords and synths, guitar solo and a more rockier drumbeat.  Awesome and memorable track. THE WORKING HOUR - A more soulful, melancholic song with piano and saxophone parts.  Similar to Spandau Ballet's soul style on "True" in 1983.  A really nice relaxing, mellow song, maybe a little long at over 6 minutes but nice all the same. EVERYBODY WANTS TO THE RULE THE WORLD - Probably one of two most memorable songs by Tears For Fears along with "Shout".  Ultimate Pop New Wave, lots of instrumental parts, a catchy sing along chorus, a mega hit all around the world.     MOTHERS TALK - One of my favourites, a fun

ALEXIS "THE DEBUT ALBUM" 2018 SWEET ANGEL - Opening like a soft ballad but building into a Bon Jovi style crescendo after the one minute mark.  Great Rock Pop with a little U2-esque instrumental break in the middle.  I can definitely hear a Goo Goo Dolls influence, being a fan of the band.  Its about unconditional support and love from his parents throughout his life, everybody needs a sweet angel to stop them from falling. FACE THE CROWD -  Kicks off with a pumping plucking guitar and drumbeat which for some reason reminds me of Van Halen.  Then it powers into a great Pop Rock track similar to the likes of Glass Tiger and Goo Goo Dolls with a little Berlin thrown in! It builds up to a blistering catchy chorus that I have to say, I was soon singing along to! HOLD YOU CLOSE - Alexis' promise to his own children that he will never break and hopefully give the same support and guidance his parents gave to him.  This track is a sweet, liltin

JOHN HEINRICH "3 FACES" 2015 LEAP INTO THE STORM - The opening track of the album is a light, mid tempo Rock song. It very much reminds me of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers with that laid back, cool style.  It is a Country Rock Pop track which includes a great guitar solo interlude at around the 3 minute mark!It is a fine album intro! ANSWERS - This is an unusual and strange track.  The music is Alternative 80s Pop Rock and that is fine by me.  I am never negative in my reviews but the singer Billy Anderson's vocals seem a little out of place in the song.  The monotone Bob Dylan style drops the song into bland territory.  It seems to just meander along and the vocals just don't work for me, but it is just my opinion.  The music is great but is dragged down by the voice.  However, the big redeeming feature is the 20 seconds or so Rock guitar near the end but its a little too late to save it.  More of the guitars and a different singer m