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SUGABABES - 2000 (1 ALBUM)

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  "ONE TOUCH" 2000 OVERLOAD - This debut album recored by the original three members as teenagers, was a brilliant first set.  This opening track was smooth, R 'n B/Funk with a throbbing steady drumbeat and some almost lazy, but engaging vocals.  The single reached number 6 in the UK chart and was a storming introduction to the girl group's career, as powerful an ear opener as Spice Girls' "Wannabe". ONE FOOT IN - This song is pretty much a straight forward 90s style Pop song in the vein of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in their fledgling days.  A very accomplished track although a comedown from the opening track, it still has merit. SAME OLD STORY - Another very smooth and mature track that you would believe it from Destiny's Child or maybe TLC not by 3 teenage girls.  This is a cool funky song with some really nice harmonies. JUST LET IT GO - Again a song that the previous aforementioned seasoned girl groups would be proud of.  It's

SIMON & GARFUNKEL - 1966 (1 ALBUM)

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"PARSLEY, SAGE, ROSEMARY AND THYME" 1966     SCARBOROUGH FAIR/CANTICLE - One of the duo's many memorable songs and one of my favourites.  A really lovely, melodious atmospheric Acoustic ballad.  With its Folk style and almost medieval sound, a fabulously emotive song.     PATTERNS -  A Folk song with hints of Progressive Rock and a kind of tribal drumbeat and sounding like a native Indian old style camp fire number. CLOUDY - This is a really nice, easy going track with a little Psychedelic snippets but mainly a Pop Folk style. HOMEWARD BOUND - Another of my favourite tracks.  A more upbeat Folk Rock track, with melancholy lyrics as Paul Simon misses his new found love waiting at a Railway station in Widnes, Cheshire.  Top track.   THE BIG BRIGHT GREEN PLEASURE MACHINE - Reminds me a little of The Monkees.  More upbeat than the previous tracks.  A chirpy, bright and breezy 60s style hippie track. THE 59TH BRIDGE STREET SONG (FEELIN

OLIVIA RODRIGO - 2021 - 2023 (2 ALBUMS)

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 "SOUR" 2021   BRUTAL - Olivia Rodrigo's debut album opens with a scorching 90s Brit Pop Punk track, reminding me of Elastica and Sleeper in its female angst ridden vocals. It also has me thinking of Wendy James and Transvision Vamp in its brash style.  The former Disney star shows she has left that way behind with great Indie Pop Rock album with a few expletives thrown in for good Punk measure! TRAITOR - A slowed down tempo for this track, a beautiful, soft and melancholy Indie Rock track similar to Avril Lavigne in style with maybe a little nod to Kate Bush or Tori Amos in the atmospheric vocals? Love this track.  Reached number 5 in the UK chart. DRIVER'S LICENSE - Perrfect Pop break-up ballad, Taylor Swift, Sophie B.Hawkins and Michelle Branch spring to mind on listening to this.  Beautiful heartfelt vocals over a sparse, orchestrated style moody backing.  Really nice and accomplished composition from 18 yr old Olivia and her debut single.  This first outing a

ONOFF - 2017 (1 ALBUM)

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"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

LYNX DELUXE - 2021 (1 ALBUM)

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 "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

THE POLICE - 1979 (1 ALBUM)

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"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

THE KINKS - 1964 - 1967 (2 ALBUMS)

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"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

THE MONKEES - 1967 (1 ALBUM)

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"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 FIREFLYS - 2016 - 2019 (2 ALBUMS)

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"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

PALOMA FAITH - 2009 - 2012 (2 ALBUMS)

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"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

CHASING INFINITY - 2015 (1 ALBUM)

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"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 - Some New Wave Pu