NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

"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 mine sinc

 "JUNGLELAND" 2021   JANE GOODALL - The opening track is presumably about the renowned primatalogist and anthropologist noting the "queen of the jungle" reference.  It's a booming Gothic/Punk hybrid with a pounding beat that conveys a "jungle" background to your ears.  It's a plethora of sounds converging as one to make a cool first listen on this album.   THE STRUGGLE - I love the relentless drums on this track and the accompaniments remind me of The Jam and The Clash if they played together.  It has that almost funky rhythm with jangly guitars that were reminiscent of Bow Wow Wow (although with more "oomph") with some low toned and chanted vocals. Atmospheric at time, sounds really cool in earphones! MERCY - A nice slice of laid back bluesy Rock, a little like Van Morrison or Joe Cocker in style.  Ticks along at a mid tempo pace with a great chorus and powerful Rock vocals. SAINTS - This track is one of my favourites, a Rock track

"ROCKLAND"   2015     OLD DE SPAIN -  The opening track is almost like a pirate shanty, Indie Folk complete with harmonies, chanting and a variety of acoustic instruments.   Great intro to the third album by the talented Norwegian band. CURVACEOUS NEEDS - A quickstep tempo, a mixture of Folk, Pop, Soul and Blues.  A fabulous foot tapper! A catchy chorus make this an irresistible slice of Scandinavian brilliance. OH MY GOD - A very unusual track, its got distant Soul backing vocals at times but mostly a Punk style vocal backed by an uptempo Indie Folk.  This is genius and an experimental masterpiece. LADY GREY - A simply beautiful Pop Folk track, melancholic and emotive vocals and melodies.  Reminds me a little of Susanna Hoffs and Bangles' tracks.  Its got that 60s Pop Rock vibe. MY OWN TUNE - This track is a quirky, upbeat track that has a little Latin Disco feel with a merging of Folk and there is also a Rap interlude with hin

"REGGATTA DE BLANC" 1979     MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - One of the first songs I heard of The Police as an 11 year old lad.  One of those songs that stay in your head.  Great guitar Pop Rock with a repetitive engaging drumbeat and pumping bass.  Add to that a catchy chorus and this couldn't fail to be a hit.  The guitar melody throughout is similar to that of Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper".     REGGATTA DE BLANC - The title track is a mostly experimental instrumental Ska/Reggae/Rock crossover with various tribal chants by Sting.  It is almost Punk sounding in parts too. IT'S ALRIGHT FOR YOU - This is a punchy pumping Punk/Mod Rock hybrid based on a repetitive drumbeat and guitar riff.  A foot tapper if nothing else. BRING ON THE NIGHT - A New Wave/Reggae Pop track, it is quirky bu pretty unremarkable. DEATHWISH - A funky Ska based track that bounces along nicely until the drums kick up a beat at around the 2

"KINKS" 1964 BEAUTIFUL DELILAH - The Kinks' debut album opens with this Rock 'N Roll styled uptempo with a hint of funkiness and Country twang.  A great cover of a Chuck Berry track. SO MYSTIFYING - A catchy Country Blues track with a memorable sing along chorus.   JUST CAN'T GO TO SLEEP - Sounds a little bit like The Beatles, a simple but steady Pop song.  Not a big fan of The Beatles so not that much of a fan of this, average track at best. LONG TALL SHORTY - A rough, dark Blues track which hits the mark and has a great foot tapping style and is catchy enough to be cool.     I TOOK MY BABY HOME - This Pop Blues track is reminiscent of Manfred Mann, really catchy and an uptempo driving musical backing.  I'M A LOVER NOT A FIGHTER - A brilliant foot tapping Rock 'N Roll/Blues track, reminds me of some of Elvis Presley's early songs.   YOU REALLY GOT ME - The Kinks' back catalogue contains some classics and this is one of the most f

"MORE OF THE MONKEES"   1967     SHE - The opening track sung by Micky Dolenz is a mix of Progressive, Psychedelic Rock and Beat Pop.  Great opening track, mid tempo and punchy and a memorable chorus.     WHEN LOVE COMES KNOCKIN' (AT YOUR DOOR) - Typical 60s Pop track sung by Davy Jones.  Written by superior songwriters Carol Bayer Sager and Neil Sedaka.  Its chirpy and bright and radio friendly. MARY, MARY - One of my favourite Monkees' tracks again sung by Dolenz.  Great guitar Pop Rock, simple hooks and chorus but it packs a punch. HOLD ON GIRL - Eerie and experimental, almost Folk Pop track sung by Jones with off key backing vocals and a Psychedelic keyboard solos. YOUR AUNTIE GRIZELDA - Another experimental tune, the first released song with Peter Tork taking on the lead vocals.  A persistent Rock keyboard leads the way through the song.  Its humorous, quirky and Tork makes a variety of sounds during the instrumental break

"THE ILLUMINATION OF EVERYTHING" 2016 ILLUMINATION - Rip-roaring opening of frenzied heavy guitars before launching into classic Fireflys territory, the melodious, incredibly catchy chorus! At 2 minutes 12 seconds we get an atmospheric electronic/guitar break, almost psychedelic before heading back to an epic finish. RELEASE/REPEAT - This light Folk Rock track is already a fan favourite before the album launch due to its prior single outing. One of those tracks you just need to keep playing, a first namer on any Flys hit team sheet! BRANCHES - This song was played to death in our house, and to our friends! A beautifully crafted song, melancholic and light, the guitars remind me of Prince's Purple Rain solo, it sings of sadness and hope. Sheer class, I called it a lilting mixed masterpiece in a first review, I wasn't wrong. ANGEL OF THE NORTH - A chilled and relaxing number, a little 70s Prog Rock, a little 90s Stone Roses. After a