NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

ANDY SUZUKI & THE METHOD  "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, su

ZZ TOP "ELIMINATOR" 1983     GIMME ALL YOUR LOVIN' - Ear opening track for me not familiar with too much Blue, something like I had never heard before.  That pumping drumbeat and twangy Country guitar solos with a sound that seemed like there were definitely more than two guitarists on the record, it was so big and loud.  Add the catchy chorus and it was an immense introduction to ZZ Top.  The video was the first in the classic "keyring and car" videos.     GOT ME UNDER PRESSURE - This was a classic fast Blues guitar driven track, searing guitar solos and the same pumping drumbeat that appeared on the first single.  Not sure why this wasn't accepted by the Brits in our charts, maybe the chorus wasn't as catchy or as frequent. SHARP DRESSED MAN - The old saying goes "if it ain't broke don't fix it" .  Same goes for this track, all the elements were re-invented from "Gimme All Your Lovin'".

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

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

VIRGINIA HAZE "GENUINE"   2006   BREAKABLE - Great foot stomper to open the album, complete with catchy chorus and an early 80s Heart style.  Almost a Pat Benatar/Joan Jett hybrid, this is uptempo Classic Rock at its best. GENUINE - A sombre beginning to this track and an almost Cher-like vocal akin to the American star's late 80s excursion into Rock territory.  More classic Heart hints make this a really beautiful song from start to finish. WHAT'S GOIN' ON - Blues Rock, somehow reminding me of Free and Lynyrd Skynyrd and those style of bands from the mid 70s era.  A subtle hint of Fleetwood Mac's early years is also present. THE COMING OF THE FAIRIES - Love this track as a fan of The Bangles, reminiscent of the girls' debut album "All Over The Place".  A raw, Psychedelic hippie Rock track that has a great feel good vibe. GOSPEL SINGERS - Soft, gentle ballad as Virginia plays the Chanteuse in a smoky bar.  A littl

THE BESSER 3 "TIME TRAVELS " 2018     WHO'S COUNTING? - The opening track is a kind of march style song with full force.  Very dramatic and mysterious, clever off beat and off tune elements which reminds me of a soundtrack to a movie thriller.  A mix of light piano and heavier, angry chops and the Swing style slow, jagged tempo set us up for a rollercoaster ride of experiments to come. KLEZMATIZED - Uptempo foot tapping track, sounds like a real Jazz jamming session.  Gives the feeling of happiness and fun and the funky bass gives this a real lift.  Really love this track, all musicians give the impression that this was a good time! SWINGTIME OUT - Gentle, bass and piano in this real Swing Jazz chilled out track.  Minimal sounding but very casual and easy on the ears.  I can imagine being in an old style bar late at night with the band playing on stage in the cool, smokey air. STEP FIVE - Romantic and emotive sounding track, again would be a

LYNX DELUXE  "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

  THE THE   "INFECTED"   1986 INFECTED - The second album by Matt Johnson's The The following "Soul Mining" opens with this brilliant track.  Kicking off almost with a gospel intro before hitting an infectious Synth Pop style beat, add some snarling Billy Idol-like vocals and it's already reaching "hit" status.  An infectious (no pun intended) chorus emerges into a Synth Rock/New Wave hybrid.  Just a class track.  Criminally ignored only reaching 48 on the UK chart. OUT OF THE BLUE (INTO THE FIRE) - An engaging Punk Pop ballad, the musical intro reminds me of The Pretenders but quickly kicks into a track Iggy Pop would be proud of.  Another gem merging New Wave with classic Punk elements.  HEARTLAND - This single release reached number 29 on the UK chart.  It is a beautifully composed track with an orchestral style backing.  Add an awesome piano solo, some Soul driven vocals from Matt and a lovely harmonised chorus it makes for a great listen.

  TYRANNOSAURUS REX   "MY PEOPLE WERE FAIR AND HAD SKY IN THEIR HAIR...BUT NOW THEY'RE CONTENT TO WEAR STARS ON THEIR BROWS" 1968 HOT ROD MAMA - The debut album by the band (later to be named just T-Rex) was performed by Marc Bolan and Steve Peregrine Took.  This opening track is a smooth, uptempo Blues Rock Folk with a blistering pace.  A great opening number.   SCENESCOF - This is a really nice Eastern sounding ballad with its slow drawn out vocals backed by a suprisingly quicker music.  Chilled. CHILD STAR - An eerie sounding mix of 60s Psychedelic Rock and mystical Folk. Experimentally cool. STRANGE ORCHESTRA - A quirky, fun Folk Pop track reminding me a little of The Monkees. Lots od "doo doo" vocals and it rocks along merrily.  It sounds like Marc and Steve had a little merriment here.   CHATEAU IN VIRGINIA WATERS - A light Blues Rock track which is similar to certain tracks by The Kinks.  Typical 60s casual Rock Pop. DAWRFISH TRUMPET BLUES - Cool ex

  THE PROCLAIMERS   "THIS IS THE STORY" 1987   THROW THE 'R' AWAY - This debut album by twins Charlie and Craig Reid was a godsend for me in the late 80s, along with Hue & Cry, Texas, Deacon Blue and Del Amitri.  Scotland gave me hope of great music when the 80s was dying to boybands and Acid House and fake white rappers.  This opening track is a a Rock N' Roll style track with a hint of uptempo Blues.  An electric start with this debut single. OVER AND DONE WITH - Ironically sounding like a stripped down "The Passenger" from Iggy Pop with the intro.  Then the vocals kick in with the boys' inimitable style (so refreshing to hear artists from the UK not trying to sing American! It reminds me of The Everly Brothers with the dual harmonies.  Brilliant. MISTY BLUE - The tempo slows down a little with this track.  It is a passionate, gentle at times but positive Gaelic Folk ballad.  Really nice pure song. THE PART THAT REALLY MATTERS - Another 60s