NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

"DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH OR SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL?"   2009       STONE COLD SOBER - Great debut single from Paloma, has a slight Country twang but is deep in Blues Soul, a bit of everything with some awesome vocals.  Gave us a teaser for what was to come from the fearless singer.     SMOKE AND MIRRORS - A kind of 60s Pop feel to this track, a more laid back vocal this time. BROKEN DOLL - A darkly soft ballad with a distinct Musical feel, Paloma again taking on different styles that has since become her trademark. A little Eartha Kitt or innocent quality of Marilyn Monroe. DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH OR SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL? - Pure Soul Pop on this title track.  A beautifully (no pun intended) sung and almost 60s era style. UPSIDE DOWN - A great Jazz/Soul hybrid, its fun, its slinky and delivered in the unmistakeable quirky Paloma Faith style.  Love this, its cool.  You can see the dancers sancing behind her in a vintage smoky bar.   ROMANCE IS DEAD

"BOSSA510" 2015    BOSSA510 - The debut album from John Vargas' all star multi-talented ensemble kicks off with a funky bass and guitar intro which moves into Jazz Funk seamlessly incorporating some 90s style Hip Hop.  David Vargas (known as D-Varg and John's son) provides the cool, summery rapping while R n' b star Jamillions provides some chilled vocals.  It would almost be the perfect Pop song but the twist of Randy Merril's flugelhorn makes it just that little bit more unique.   COME WITH ME - A delightful Latin Jazz style track that again infuses Rap and the Bossa style.  A lot slower pace than the previous track with some beautiful Soul vocals from Nikki Rey fronting a lisght, laid back backing.  D-Varg again provides the Rap sections while Nikki harmonises in support.  A really nice chilled song.  Actually reminds me a little of LL Cool J tracks from the late 80s.   OCEAN BREEZE - Feeling like you are chilling out on a beach taking in the cool breeze

"SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR"   1983   SCRIPT FOR A JESTER'S TEAR - The opening track of a great debut album of six epic tracks.  This Rock experiment filled song begins gently and then gives us a whimsical almost Nursery Rhyme style backing before launching into dramatic guitars and pounding drumbeat increasing in intensity and power.  Named Neo-Progressive Rock, Marillion's style of  music has elements of all genres of Rock music and this track ticks all boxes! HE KNOWS YOU KNOW - A slow almost Pop Rock track changes after some angry, anguished vocals from lead singer Fish before the 2 and a half minute mark when the glorious anthemic guitar solos and faster drumbeats kick in.  The Medieval style vocals and chants are here that make it just a little more awesome.     THE WEB -  A slow to mid tempo Rock ballad, with some awesome keyboard and guitar solos.  More Electronic Rock than the previous two tracks but no less anthemic.  A v

 "RUSH" 1974 FINDING MY WAY - The band's debut album consists of Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and John Rutsey (soon to leave the band after this album and replaced on drums by the more familiar Neil Peart).  This opening track is atorming intro with a Led Zeppelin style, screeching vocals, searing guitar solos and pulsating drums.  Wake up, Rush are here!The first single from the set failed to chart in the UK. NEED SOME LOVE -  This track is a straight up rocker, with elements of Rock 'n Roll and deep lazy Blues.  More catchy than most Rush songs and has that "radio-friendly" appeal.  It also has a slight Punk vibe. TAKE A FRIEND - Another catchy track with more Classic Rock leanings and heavy sounding Pop.  I love the ZZ Top style bluesy guitars here.   HERE AGAIN - An emotional, powerful slow Blues Rock track until about halfway then the guitars get heavier and it ends with a crescendo of Blues, Classic and Progressive Rock. WHAT YOU'RE DOING - Another

 "YUNA" 2012 LULLABIES - Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna opens her first international debut album with a laid back ballad.  Yuna's gentle, soothing voice echoes eerily over a slow tempo Trip Hop style beat.  Lovely introduction to this lady. FAVOURITE THING -  An engaging, captivating vocal drifts through a slow melodious Synth Pop styled backing .  Dreamy Pop. REMEMBER MY NAME - This track has a delightfully quirky and sparse backing but reminds me of the style of Simon and Garfunkel.  A little upbeat and uplifting Folk Pop for your ears. DECORATE - Another soulful slow Pop ballad with stunning vocals.  This was also the title of her debut Malaysian album. PLANES - Straight forward Pop this time, almost Acoustic backing and a really catchy chorus.  One of my favourites. BAD IDEA - An unusual switch after the Pop of the previous track.  This is a jazzy, chanteuse styled track that has a "musical" feel to it.  Yuna is no one trick pony and even on this fle

"WET LEG" 2022 BEING ALONE - The opening track to this debut album by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers is a quirky mix of 90s Grunge and Alternative Pop.  Add a little Psychedelia, funky drums and some flirty, panted vocals this is a great track. CHAISE LONGUE - The debut single by the girls only reached number 74 in the UK chart but had massive play on all platforms and got the band noticed.  It is mostly spoken tonge-in-cheek flirty vocals but its incredibly catchy, reminding me of Elastica and Sleeper in the 90s.  Got me hooked to the girls' music. ANGELICA - A cool, hypnotic slice of early 70s Psychedelia Pop Rock.  Another catchy song that once it hits your head it becomes memorable.  Love it. I DON'T WANNA GO OUT - An Alternative Rock track similar to Garbage with a slow, atmospheric style.   WET DREAM - The second single is a mish mash 90s Pop Rock mix of Grunge, Elastica-style vocals and backing but also a little Alanis Morissette.  It's a sexy yet

"URBAN CAMPFIRE SONGS" 2013 HIGH ROADS & HOLLOWAYS - The debut album by the Finnish rockers kicks off in frenetic style.  A track that seems to be a hybrid of Sex Pistols and The Clash.  Pulsating beat and thrashing guitars with equally manic vocals.  Great opening! BRAINFUCK EUPHORIA - Another cleverly melodious Punk Rock track, the chanted vocals remind me of 80s band Tenpole Tudor and a little Green Day but more rockier.  Surprisingly gets more catchy the more you listen! BLIND HORSES - This track reminds me of Gogol Bordello's brilliant Gypsy Punk Folk.  Imagine an all out rocky sea shanty and this is it! Quirky and fun! GLITTER RODEO - A fast paced song with musical backing that is kind of New Wave Punk, something like early Blondie, The Ramones or Generation X with typically sneery Billy Idol-like vocals.  A great track. NOW I WANNA LISTEN TO THE RAMONES - Ironically I just mentioned The Ramones and here they get a namecheck.  This is classic New Wave Punk

    "ON A CLOUD" 2014 MY MARILYN - The debut album by Widnes band The Spase opens with a great bluesy style Pop track with brilliant passionate and powerful vocals from vocalist/guitarist Andy Forrest ably backed by Peter Walker on bass and Simon Harris on percussion and guitar.  The song hints at Blues while keeping a Pop slant until about halfway through and slide guitar sounds come in to make it a Folk Country ending, superb. EMPTY LANE - The tempo slows down on this Acoustic Indie track with hints of Gothic Rock sounding at times like The Mission.  The continuing moody and melancholic backing is sombre but has that unique positive tint.  The vocals actually remind me of Tom Bailey from Thompson Twins, emotional and deep. A ROAMING SON - One of my favourites by the band, and after hearing it live many moons ago it became more so. A beautiful Acoustic track, minimal guitars and percussion bringing to mind a hybrid of The Stone Roses and The Monkees.  An absolute gem with

"LITTLE EARTHQUAKES" 1992 CRUCIFY - A piano Grunge Rock sound made this song stick in my head for weeks and got me hooked on Tori after "Silent All These Years" peaked my interest. Packs a punch with a slight drum beat and a 70s Psychedelic Rock segment and harmonising vocals.     GIRL - A little orchestration and light drumbeat as well as Tori's unmistakeable vocals and keyboard skills, it also has a kind of Progressive/Psychedelic Rock middle segment.  SILENT ALL THESE YEARS -  Its quiet minimal piano and beautiful vocals reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan and to an extent Kate Bush (although I consider Ms. Bush as a Piano Pop artist and Tori Piano Rock).  Its such a lovely song.  The video is amazing and kind of sweet too like the song itself.     PRECIOUS THINGS - This has a quicker pace, a frantic piano with a more powerful Rock drumbeat and with screeching vocal accompaniment and a range of other atmospheric vocals.  This