NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

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

CHASING INFINITY "INACTION" 2015     GROUNDED - This album Pop Rock opener reminds me of a raw early version of Bangles, some great guitar work and really eases you into the album with a swagger. DANCE WITH THE ONE THAT BROUGHT YOU - Laid back Pop with Adele Halsall's pure, bright vocals making this an absolute gem.  The half Acoustic momentsand big chorus are awesome. CRIME OF THE SCENE - Red Hot Chili Peppers with a female vocalist! Love this track, chugs along at a pace and its funky. HELL WOULDN'T HAVE YOU - Chili Peppers meets Blondie here. It's funky, rocky and frenetic.  Sheer class. TAKE ME BACK - Not as catchy as the previous tracks, its pure "live" cut back sound sounds cool but its a lesser Pop track, more like a demo for me. GATEWAY - Very much reminds me of Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, it's quirky, sweet and rocky enough to keep you engaged.  One of my favourites with is catchy chorus.   DEBRIS -

THE ICICLE WORKS "THE ICICLE WORKS"   1984     CHOP THE TREE - Opens the album with a fast tempo drumbeat with lots going on in the background.  Guitar chops, electronic whirrs and atmospheric leanings which actually give you the feeling of being in a forest.  A very emotive song again hidden in the uptempo music, clever composition. LOVE IS A WONDERFUL COLOUR - From the start it had that anthemic, almost gothic, medieval sound.  The lyrics just sounded so intelligent and as a lyricist I just thought it was brilliantly written.  The song was so powerful with an emotive background that just sounded so uplifting.  One of my all time favourite songs.  I played this song on a loop for weeks!     REAPING THE RICHEST HARVEST - A kind of Gothic Rock love song.  This is almost like what The Mission would be doing in another five years time.  A beautiful emotional chorus that gives a good feeling inside. AS THE DRAGONFLY FLIES - Has a

ALANIS MORISSETTE "JAGGED LITTLE PILL" 1995   ALL I REALLY WANT - With elements of Classic Rock, post Grunge and Pop this was an ear opening unique track.  The first song that I heard from Alanis and its still a classic.  Angst ridden vocals with her own distinct quirky style make her an original artist. YOU OUGHTA KNOW - Another classic Alanis track.  This has a harder 90s Grunge feel and more Alternative Rock style.  Enlisting the aid of Flea and Dave Navarro from Red Hot Chili Peppers on bass and guitar respectively gave this a funky feel as well.  Class.     PERFECT - A hybrid of Pop Rock balladic melancholic moments and Classic Rock segments make this an unusual track.  A really great song. HAND IN MY POCKET - Yet another outstanding track, this is a mainstream Rock song with Acoustic and almost Folk sections with a Bohemian feel. RIGHT THROUGH YOU - This is a straight up Rock track with pumping drums and screeching guitars.  One of

DEF LEPPARD "HYSTERIA" 1987   WOMEN - All the classic Rock elements are here, singer Joe Elliott's throaty vocals, screeching guitar solos, simple repeated chorus, pounding drums and almost Acoustic parts.  Throw some special effects in and this is a thunderous opening track to one of the best albums of the 80s. ROCKET - Epic 6 minute track opening with a seeming rocket launch leading into a burundi tribal drum section.  A midtempo Classic Rock track with Joe exercising his vocal screams.  Cleverly includes hints to other songs on the album "love" and "bites" from "Love Bites" and "we're fighting with the gods of war" sung backwards from "Gods Of War"!.  Lots of effects, great production, gives an eerie addition to the track. ANIMAL - This awesome track became the band's first top 10 hit in the UK and its a classic.  One of my favourites from the band (quite a few from this album too!).

TURIN BRAKES "THE OPTIMIST LP"   2001     FEELING OBLIVION - Simply lovely opening track.  Reminiscent of The Everly Brothers and Simon and Garfunkel in its really sweet melodious harmonies.  Acoustic Folk Pop at its best. UNDERDOG (SAVE ME) - Slightly more leaning to a rockier sound with its chug-a-chug guitar strums.  Also a brilliant solo towards the end.  Love this song, one of the tracks that got me interested in the band.  It is chirpy, bright and makes you feel good, almost reminds me of The Monkees when they were serious about their songs.   EMERGENCY 72 - A kind of Jazz crooner-esque start with the vocals ahead of background music.  Then the music comes to the fore and and it turns into a 60s/70s style hippie sounding ballad. FUTURE BOY - Mystical and Asian influences here as well as a little Country Folk.  Not one of my favourites, this still fails to grab me for some reason. THE DOOR - 70s style Acoustic Classic Rock bal

ONOFF "REBORN" 2017   KEEP THAT FIRE BURNING - The first track is a little New Wave Punk with the power and angst ridden vocals of The Clash.  Awesome Hendrix-like guitar parts at around the 2 minute mark.  A rockin' Punk masterpiece to open the Irish band's second album.  Its brain busting maddening pace give you a mindblowing intro to this album.  Parts also remind me of Foo Fighters and Green Day.     HAYLEY - A throbbing drumbeat reminding me of Iggy Pop, with vocals from lead singer "Paulie" sounding very much like Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.  A frenetic pace continues throughout the song with slight hints to Foo Fighters and snippets of Classic Rock.  A little funky Rock Red Hot Chili Peppers and Queens Of The Stone Age influences too I suspect too.  Brilliant track with super guitar solos.         INNOCENCE - New Wave Punk, sounding a little like Goo Goo Dolls.  Well crafted track that is becoming a favourite of min

TRANSVISION VAMP "VELVETEEN" 1989     BABY I DON'T CARE - It was bold, brash, guitar riffs a plenty and Wendy giving her best angry vocal and a massively catchy sing along chorus! Guaranteed to get the party started with crashing guitar Punk Pop.     THE ONLY ONE -  Elements of Motown and Soul disguised in the throbbing, driving drums and guitars and memorable chorus.  A frenetic Punk Powerpop following on from the album opener, one of my favourites from The Vamp.   LANDSLIDE OF LOVE - A slower song than the previous two.  Again, the Motown and Soul elements were there but more at the forefront.  A really nice song that gives Wendy James chance to let go her sultry, seductive side in the vocals. FALLING FOR A GOLDMINE - Slow paced soft Blues/Country hybrid with hints of Punk.  Great chilled track. DOWN ON YOU -  Pure Punk Rock with Wendy snarling her way through the lyrics with pumping drums and guitars and electronics backing her wi

KANE "AS LONG AS YOU WANT THIS" 2000   AS LONG AS YOU WANT THIS - A storming opener to the Dutch band's debut album, a classy Alternative Rock track showcasing Dinand Woesthoff's fabulous husky vocals. CAN YOU HANDLE ME - Great Pop Rock track with awesome melodies and harmonies.  Catchy chorus and a foot stomper.     DAMN THOSE EYES - Absolutely gorgeous mid tempo Pop Rock ballad.  Big, anthemic and memorable.  Simply stunning.       HANDS - Reminds me a little of INXS at their peak.  Great mid tempo and another top singalong chorus, these guys know how to hook your ears. WHERE DO I GO NOW - Half Acoustic, this track is almost Grunge Rock, with a little segment of Classic Rock guitars thrown in forgood measure. I WILL KEEP MY HEAD DOWN - An atmospheric Progressive Rock/Classic Rock track.  Some great Acoustic guitar interspersed with searing solos. NOT HERE - A beautifully constructed Rock ballad, great melodies and Dina

NO DOUBT  "TRAGIC KINGDOM"   1995       SPIDERWEBS - The opening track has the previous album's styles of Ska and Reggae but with a Classic Rock, almost Progressive Rock backdrop at some points.  Its a high tempo manic starter for what's to come! EXCUSE ME MR. - A bouncy uptempo Classic/Pop Rock track that has slight elements of quirky Jazz moments, brilliant. JUST A GIRL - New Wave Punk track similar to tracks by early Blondie, frenetic with Gwen Stefani's angst ridden vocals lifting the song to bigger heights.     HAPPY NOW? - A Pop Rock track that reminds me both of Blondie and Bangles, melodious and a catchy harmonised chorus, great tune. DIFFERENT PEOPLE - A throwback to the previous albums, a quirky Ska/Reggae song with the minimal rocky sound in the background this time.  Takes you back to Selecter and The Specials times. HEY YOU - Psychedelic 60s Pop Rock, with some great Classic Rock vocals from Gwen. TH

THE CARS "THE CARS" 1978     GOOD TIMES ROLL - Medium paced Synth Rock opener with elements of Classic Rock, I think ZZ Top may have taken the guitar backing influence on their 80s track "TV Dinners". MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL - 60s/70s style slow tempo Rock N' Roll, one of my favourites by the band.  Electric Power Pop with a memorable catchy chorus.     JUST WHAT I NEEDED - New Wave Rock mixing elements of Synth and Acoustic styles with Classic Rock guitars.  Another classic song by the band and one of the best in my opinion.  Also the first single by the band.     I'M IN TOUCH WITH YOUR WORLD - Experimental almost off key musical backing, a quirky Punk Rock track with slight elements of Progressive Rock. DON'T CHA STOP - Punk Pop similar to Iggy Pop and The Stooges.  An annoyingly catchy repetitive chorus with a great uptempo beat and guitar riffs. YOU'RE ALL I'VE GOT TONIGHT - Punk Power Pop similar t

THE SWEET "FUNNY HOW SWEET CO-CO CAN BE" 1971 CO-CO - Cool, quirky Pop, with Caribbean and Latin infuences, really unusual start for a Glam Rock group's album.  Catchy No.2 hit in the UK.   CHOP CHOP - A little Funk, a little Progressive Rock with some very eerie, shadowed vocals by Brian Connolly.  The band were not scared of experimentation and this was certianly one that worked.   REFLECTIONS - A cover of The Supremes' 1967 hit.  Brave move from a new Rock band on their debut album, covering a Motown track.  A nice version and Brian's voice seems to suit the style. HONEYUCKLE LOVE - Pure 70s guitar driven Glam Rock akin to the sounds Marc Bolan was also making with T-Rex.    SANTA MONICA SUNSHINE - Another change in style for this debut set, proving the band were not going to be pigeonholed into just a Glam Rock band.  This is Country twanged Blues. DAYDREAM - This is another cover of the classic by Lovin' Spoo