NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

  CHARLOTTE CHURCH "TISSUES AND ISSUES" 2005   CALL MY NAME - The first Pop album from the former Classical "voice of an angel".  I was disappointed she did not keep this style going for a couple of albums as I really enjoyed this one.  I am an admirer of the feisty Welsh lady with the wicked sense of humour, she says how it is which is alright by me.  This opening track is big, brash and extremely funky.  Charlotte's voice is well suited to this new style, this is an awesome toe tapping, thigh slapping delight.  One of four top 20 singles from this set hitting number 10.   CRAZY CHICK - The debut single and when I heard this I was surprised who it was.  A great catchy Pop Rock track which hit number 2 on the UK chart.  The video showed a cheeky, sexy rocker, a world away from her previous persona, Charlotte had grown into a bona fida "rock chick".   MOODSWINGS (TO COME AT ME LIKE THAT) - The tempo drops slightly for this track, a little jazzy, a li

ADAM ANT   "MANNERS & PHYSIQUE" 1990   ROOM AT THE TOP - The fourth album by Mr Ant has a very different Funk and Dance style.  Aided once again by Marco Pirroni on guitars and previous Prince associate Andre Cymone on "everything else".  There is a distinct Minneapolis vibe going on and as a Prince fan I liked this album.  This lead track is a kind of Funk/Damce/Pop mix, with a great video and memorable chorus this was a good start.  Once again criminally ignored by the UK reaching only number 13!   ROUGH STUFF - Not one of my favourites, it tries to be R n' B a little but the annoying Disco like beat is overpowering.  It is repetitive and seems like Adam really isn't comfortable with this style on this track. IF YOU KEEP ON -  This is a pretty decent song, a more Pop sound than Dance and has better lyrical content than the previous track.  Its mid tempo half ballad style matched with Ant's various vocals and melodies which work nice together.  C

ABBA     "WATERLOO" 1974   WATERLOO - The band's second album opens with the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest winner and global smash cementing Abba's name in music history.  The timeless classic hit number 1 in the UK and as with most Abba songs is a staple at any party.  Catchy Pop/Dance/Rock , nothing more to say than "class".   SITTING IN THE PALMTREE - Lead vocals by Bjorn on this track, it is a kind of summery almost Reggae Calypso song,  Laid back and engagingly catchy. KING KONG SONG - Bjorn again joins the Agnetha and Frida for this track's vocals.  This is a brilliant Glam Rock style track.  Catchy chorus and powerful vocals by all, with a really cool melodious chanted chorus.  Could have easily been a single. HASTA MANANA - Spanish for "Until Tomorrow", this track is a female crooning styled track of old style Pop from the late 50s to early 60s.  Simialr to the female singers of the time like Connie Francis and Brenda Lee, beautifull

  PRINCE   "PRINCE" 1979   I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER - The opening track to Prince's second album was his first big hit in the USA reaching number 11 in the Billboard Hot 100 and also was his first single in the UK chart although only reaching number 41. It is a falsetto vocal all through backed by a funky almost Disco sound.  At about 2 minutes 40 the Synth Pop Disco style takes us to the end of the 5 minutes plus tune .  The first big notice that Prince was coming.   WHY YOU WANNA TREAT ME SO BAD? - A New Wave Funk Rock track, with hints of Rock N' Roll with the guitars and bass and easy drumbeat.  Sung in high pitch once again but well worth a listen for the awesome guitar solo for the last minute or so, introducing us to the sublime talent.   SEXY DANCER - A genre popping track, not so complicated lyric wise, with lots of grunts, sighs and soft vocals with an occasional scream.  Funky as hell, and because of the "orgasmic" breathy sighs was treated as ris

SPANDAU BALLET "TRUE" 1983 PLEASURE - Opener for the album and set the classy stylish tone for this record.  A real snappy chorus and matches perfectly with the singles released from this set. Bright, breezy, big vocals from Tony Hadley and pure New Wave Soul. COMMUNICATION -  This track became an unusual Club Disco classic.  I remember the 12" being awesome as well.  Great vocal harmonies, minimal musical backing with a memorable sing-a-long chorus.  One of my favourites.     CODE OF LOVE - Would be a great James Bond theme, slow and mysterious with fabulous vocals from Tony. GOLD - Everyone knows this song from adverts, parties and pretty much everywhere.  Chugging drums, powerful range of vocals and a great Saxophone solo make this a classic and much covered by many artists.   LIFELINE - A more summery Pop track than other tracks on this album but a great song nonetheless.  All the usual Spandau traits are here from this era.

NIK KERSHAW "THE RIDDLE" 1984     DON QUIXOTE - Like a Pop/Funk/Disco crossover, the song again had a very catchy chorus and brass-like accompaniment. KNOW HOW -  Synth based track, similar to those on "Human Racing", ik has this ability to sing a slow lyric with a faster backbeat.  Lots of electric sounds on this, very experimental but a great song. YOU MIGHT -  A Pop Rock song, great Rock guitar riffs with a driving beat and synths throughout and of course the obligatory catchy sing along chorus! WILD HORSES -  a really nice song, slow Synth Pop ballad type.  A beautiful melody and chorus make this a superb song.  Proving that Nik could cut a ballad as well as the catchy Pop he is known for. EASY - Sounds a bit like Level 42, which is not unusual as it has the brilliant "slap bass" master Mark King helping out .  A Funk Pop foot tapper and again if you listen to this in headphones, try to pick out all the things going

TEXAS "SOUTHSIDE" 1989     I DON'T WANT A LOVER - With its thudding marching band beat and Country tinged twang slide guitars with a distinct American Rock vibe I was taken aback.  Thinking this was an experienced band from USA calling themselves Texas, surprising to find them Scottish!.   The voice of Sharleen Spiteri is just pure, soulful and effortless.  She is still one of my favourite vocalists today, a fantastic voice.     TELL ME WHY - Would have been a great single.  Similar in vein to "I Don't Want A Lover", same tempo and a range of soft and powerful vocals from Sharleen.  More Pop Rock than the singles and radio friendly.  Still the driving guitars and beat remains. EVERYDAY NOW -  One of my alltime favourite songs.  Sharleen's vocals get front and central and it is a beautiful lilting Blues/Soul ballad.  An absolute cracker of a song full of emotion.     SOUTHSIDE - A lazy, laid back Blues Rock instru

EAGLE EYE CHERRY "LIVING IN THE PRESENT FUTURE" 2000 BEEN HERE ONCE BEFORE - The opening track on Eagle Eye's second album is a laid back 60s style Pop mid tempo ballad.  Nice melody and harmonies on the vocals and although lacking in lyrical stature its a nice, easy going start to the album. ARE YOU HAVING FUN? - The fifth single and first from this album reached number 21 in the UK chart.  The best single since the debut "Save Tonight" in my opinion.  Its catchy chorus and uptempo almost New Wave Punk backing make this a great track.   ONE GOOD REASON - This is a really cool slow, dirty Blues track with almost whispered vocals from Cherry.  Should have been a single, one of the best tracks on this album. PROMISES MADE - The third single from the album which failed to chart here.  This is a slow, soft, melodious track that at times sounds like an old Folk shanty track.  It's string accompaniment gives it a nice lilting feel. BURNING UP - This track has

MICHAEL JACKSON "OFF THE WALL" 1979     DON'T STOP 'TIL YOU GET ENOUGH - Brilliant single and a thumping Disco Funk that makes you want to get on your feet and boogie. This was the start of the new vocal styles includging "hiccups", "woohoo's" and grunts that would make his later songs his own and a unique sound of his own.     ROCK WITH YOU -  A much slower tempo, a Disco/Soul ballad with a little Funk.  One of my favourite tracks from MJ.   It was apparently offered to Karen Carpenter but she turned it down, it proved to be one of the defining hits of the Disco era.     WORKING DAY AND NIGHT -  Another Disco Funk track similar to "Don't Stop.." in composition.  The non stop rhythm, repetitive catchy singalong lines and chorus and funky basslines.  Not a single but one of MJ's most popular songs. GET ON THE FLOOR - A real funky track, not much lyrically but a throbbing funky bass drives this