NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

"STONEFIELD" 2013 C'MON - This debut album by the female Australian Rock quartet opens with a sassy bluesy style Progressive Rock sound.  It is a blistering opener with powerful vocals and crashing guitars and drums reminiscent of the late 60s, early 70s vibe. LOVE YOU DESERVE - This track has a distinct Classic Rock vibe with a hint of Glam Rock.  Another superb track that is akin to an accomplished band of many years but for this young band its incredible.   PUT YOUR CURSE ON ME - This Led Zeppelin style track packs a punch with some awesome guitars.  Another gem.   OVER AND OVER - A cool, lid back, sleazy backing gives an almost Blues edge to this Classic Rock track.  A favourite of mine. TO THE MOUNTAINS - The first track that has a Pop Rock style and its another slice of mature Rock by the girls.  Its a radio friendly track in the vein of Pat Benatar.  Class. DIGGIN' MY WAY OUT - A genre mix of Goth, Progressive and Psychedelic Rock.  Pounding drums, eerie

"CALLS FOR REBELLION" 2015 PRETEND FRIEND - The debut album from Camille and Noemie Debray, two French born, South African raised sisters on a Punk mission! This opening track is what Madonna would sound like singing 90s Grunge! Great fiery, raw opener. WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD - This is a heavier Rock track, kind of Red Hot Chili Peppers fronted by a Pat Benatar/Gwen Stefani hybrid.  Angry and rocky, brilliant. VOODOO CHILD - Black Sabbath meets the Go-Go's in this almost funky Classic Rock track.  One of my favourites. HATER - Angry real Punk Rock/Alternative Rock stomper with a great chorus, awesome track!     BLOODY - Nirvana meets Amy Studt in this 90s styled Grunge rocker with a real dark, Gothic tone hitting in at just past the 3 minute mark.  Excellent track. NYMPH - Atmospheric, deep Progressive Rock/early 70s Rock track that hints slightly at 90s Grunge. HOLD ON TIGHT - Driven by a thumping guitar and drum rhythm, this is a New Wave style Pop Pun

"SHE'S SO UNUSUAL" 1983     MONEY CHANGES EVERYTHING - The opening track of Cyndi's debut album was a cover of The Brains'  1980 underground hit.  New Wave Rock Pop, Cyndi explores her vocal range to the hilt with some ear piercing, amazing high notes, which critics' adored later on her career.  Great uptempo start to a great album. GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN - One of Cyndi's signature tunes and became a feminist anthem and a hit all over the globe.  Perfect 80s Pop, with elements of Dance and Rock, and an unbelievably catchy sing along chorus.  One of the best and most memorable songs of the 80s decade. WHEN YOU WERE MINE - As a Prince fan I recognised this cover version on first listen.  A brilliant 80s Synthpop style track where she kept all of the he/him/his pronouns in the lyrics.  A mid tempo ballad that stands on its own and gives Cyndi's album a more mature track amid the hits.   TIME AFTER TIME - One of my f

 "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

"SONGS FOR GENTLE SOULS" 2020 RUNAWAY - The debut album by former The Fireflys' members, singer-songwriter and guitarist Lee Wylding and drummer Andie Packer begins with a gem.  This opener reminds me of a classic Bon Jovi or Def Leppard track that's part of an Acoustic set.  I always loved that change of style with the orchestral sounds lifting their famous songs.  Lee gives a brilliant, emotive Rock vocal that merges with the delightful melancholic melody. THIS HOUSE IS OURS - The tempo turns up a gear for this, with an Irish Folk style rhythm.  An instant foot tapper and  catchy chorus lifts this debut single.  Imagine a Pirate crew having a sing-a-long chugging some Rum with you clapping and stomping the deck!.  Awesome.     BRANCHES - A favourite of mine from The Fireflys' back catalogue gets a new re-working here.  This version emits even more emotion than the original.  There is a lovely Country twang as the track is slowed down a touch to be more of a F

"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

"BOMBS AWAY" 2014 GERONIMO - The album opener and this is the song that caught my attention to this great Australian Indie sibling band.  The driving, almost marching band drumbeat keeps the pace throughout while the fabulous harmonies from George and Amy Sheppard and melodies bring this storming song to life.  The chanted chorus that sticks in your head instantly makes you incapable of not singing along with it! Catchy, powerful, inspiring and uplifting.  An absolute gem.     SOMETHING'S MISSING - Slowing down a little after the opening track.  This is a more melancholic track, Acoustic sounding as it builds up pace as the song progresses.  Beautifully composed and produced, its a little Country and a little Folk Rock.  Reminds me a little of The Corrs in some moments, brilliant. LET ME DOWN EASY - A chirpy kind of 50s and 60s Rock N' Roll Pop.  The song grabs you with a fabulous rhythm that will make you nod your head, click your fingers or tap your toes.  Irresis

"MAKE IT BIG"   1984     WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO - The opener to the abum was a 50s/60s inspired uptempo Rock and Roll/Pop crossover that would encourage every listener to try and stop themselves from singing the infectious chorus.     EVERYTHING SHE WANTS -  For me is one of George Michael's best lyrical songs.  It's not a ctchy Pop song, it doesn't have a catchy chorus, its composition keeps changing in the song, for fans of songwriting like myself though, the lyrics are brilliant.  This was a taster for the brilliant mature songs to come as a solo performer for George. HEARTBEAT - This has elements of a slowed down  "Freedom" hidden in the track but its ultimately a Motown Soul song similar to the greats of that genre in the 60s.  It showcases George's blossoming vocals and also his carrying of songs with a minimal backing. LIKE A BABY - In my opinion is the weakest track on the album, it meanders

 "ALIBI" 2019   MEDICINE - This third album by the New York based songwriters Andy Suzuki and Kozza Olayunki-Babumba kicks off with a Pop Rock track that has a big vocal and 70s sound.  The style actually reminds me of David Eseex's "Rock On" from 1973.  Its atmospheric percussion is booming and brash.  Great opening track.   DIRTY FLOORS II - A brilliant 80s/90s Rock stomper comes next, its got that almost stripped back feel enabling the percussion to take centre stage with the powerful vocals.  Reminds me of some of Bon Jovi's more fuller sounds on albums like "These Days".  Love it. CAN'T TALK - A kind of Country Rock/Blues hybrid. which packs a big punch.  Add a catchy chorus and this is elevated even more.  One of my favourite tracks, a gem.   OLD LADY - A dirty Blues track that has hints of arena Rock styles and Rock 'N Roll.  Like the other tracks here I listen on headphones and it sounds fantastic, such a pure "live" so

  CLEAN CUT KID "FELT" 2017 VITAMIN C - This debut album by the Liverpool band opens with their first single.  It's an atmospheric, simple funky Progressive Rock track with hints of Classic 60s styles.  Great melodies and clever compostion this is a catchy little upbeat track to kick off the set. RUNAWAY - Similar upbeat style to the opening track but a more poppy infuence complete with melodious chants and thumping beat.  Reminds me of a hybrid of The Coral and Sheppard.  Irresistibly catchy and memorable. LEAVING YOU BEHIND - A 60s Simon and Garfunkel or The Everly Brothers meets Fleetwood Mac meets 90s Pop.  Another chorus you can't get out of your head and its energy and positive vibe gives you a good feeling. STAY - The Fleetwood Mac influence and some 80s Rock outfits like Africa, REO Speedwagon and Foreigner give you a feel of this track.  Its emotional vocals mix with typical guitar riffs of the 80s decade still give a positive vibe despite the sad lyrics.

  "OH YEAH"  2015   SINCERELY YOURS - I first reviewed this great South Korean Electronic Rock band in 2012 in a minor feature before my blog was solely album reviews.  This is the debut album and is an absolute gem.  This first track is a mix of Funk, New Wave, Synth Rock and Pop.  This is such a unique sound, merging genres all over the place.  Brilliant opening. DANCE IN THE RAIN - Another great funky track which reminds me a little of The Police but with harder searing guitar solos!  A storming song and the mix of Electronic Synth style with Rock leanings is pretty ingenious. OH YEAH -  The title track begins like a typical Dance Pop track with a pumping beat.  Then the 80s style Synth Pop comes in followed by some guitars and its a completely different song than it was in the beginning.  Its classic Europop style "oh oh" chanting and simple chorus just make it even better. HER - This is one of the first songs I heard from the band and I loved it on first l

  "THE TIME" 1981 GET IT UP - Although this debut album by the Prince proteges is basically a Prince recording (all instruments except a Dr Fink synth solo on "Cool") , Morris Day does sing the vocals.  The Time became a popular live band on Prince tours and became a band in their own right.  This opener is a funky soul workout with keyboards and guitar solos at the fore.   GIRL - A pretty basic slow soul ballad, sadly the vocals of Morris Day cannot lift this like Prince probably could.  Average track. AFTER HI SCHOOL - In the vein of Prince's quirky fast paced sparse funky tracks such as "Gotta Stop (Messin' About)" and "Jack U Off".  Its a decent song but nothing great despite being written by former Prince guitarist, Dez Dickerson. COOL - 10 minutes of classic Prince Funk, a throbbing beat, the aforementioned Dr Fink synth solo make this a very "cool" track indeed.  Best track on the album for me.  Co-written by Prince w