NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

 "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

"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

  "PARALLEL LINES" 1978 HANGING ON THE TELEPHONE - That unmistakeable telephone ringing intro kicks off and Debbie Harry sings her first line while the pumping drumbeat and New Wave sounds back her up.  An absolute classic Power Pop song.  Searing Punk guitars and Debbie's amazing vocals made this a massive hit all over the globe.  This third album made superstars of the band and forerunners of female fronted Rock bands in the future. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - The original version (not to be confused by the shocking cover by One Direction!).  This is a gritty, angry vocal by Debbie and its catching up with Blondie's Punk Rock roots.  Inspired by one of Debbie's ex-boyfriend's who stalked her.  Its slightly scary and musically brilliant.  PICTURE THIS - One of my favourite Blondie tracks.  Debbie delivers a lovely, sweet vocal over a New Wave backing, some nice guitar riffs and a steady, almost Rock N' Roll drumbeat.  Classic Blondie and a massive hit all ove

"NORTH OF A MIRACLE"   1983 WHEN IT STARTED TO BEGIN - The opening track is an orchestral based, breezy Pop song, similar to Nick's former band Haircut 100 but more accomplished in style.   BLUE HAT FOR A BLUE DAY - One of my favourite 80s songs not just by Nick.  A minimal, melodious Pop ballad, with a memorable chorus and great lyrics proving Nick was a very underrated songwriter and possibly still is.  Lovely song.     TWO MAKE IT TRUE - A track with a slight Country twang interspersed with some bright jazzy Pop.  Another great tune.   ON A SUNDAY - Reminds me a little of The Police and Men At Work with a little of The Cars, almost Reggae Pop Rock.  Sophisticated and classy. CLUB BOY AT SEA - Lots of different orchestral and effects but this is probably my least favourite on the album, its a slow tempo kind of Pop ballad.  On such a great debut album this is probably my filler. WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND - A simply brilliant Pop

"QUEEN" 1973 KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE - The debut single opens this first album by the band.  It remains the only single not to chart in the UK and was pretty much ignored.   It sounds like an experimental track with many genres intertwined, Glam, Progressive and Hard Rock.  Its still a great track though. DOING ALRIGHT - A stop-start track in the vein of Meatloaf.  It is an extravagant dramatic operatic style song changing places with aggressive guitar solos at intervals in the song.  It's soft, emotional vocals from Freddie Mercury kind of get lost when the Hard Rock parts kick in.  Not one of my favourites. GREAT KING RAT - Awesone Classic Rock track, lots of searing guitars and pure rocked up vocals.  Reminds me of very early Europe, its got that raw, live feel. MY FAIRY KING - Piano, guitars and drums mix that doesn't really hit it for me.  You either do it right like Meat Loaf or not at all.  Its an ok song but nothing great, a little bit too twee for a Rock ban

 "ALL OVER THE PLACE" 1984 HERO TAKES A FALL -  The debut single from this first album only reached number 96 in the UK chart but its a great introduction to the band.  This is The Bangles sound, sparkly guitars, breathy vocals from Susanna Hoffs, gorgeous harmonies and melodies and a punkish cheekiness of good old fashioned Rock and Roll.  New Wave Pop Rock at its best. LIVE - This track is a great 60s styled Psychedelic New Wave track covered from the American Rock band The Merry-Go-Round.  A nice, laid back foot tapper which drummer Debbi Peterson delivers with aplomb. JAMES - Another genre explored as this is a twangy guitar styled Country Pop Rock song that oozes class. ALL ABOUT YOU -  The multi-talented band give us Vicki Peterson on vocals this time.  This is a fast paced almost bluesy Rock and Roll number that has a catchy chorus, slightly repetitive lyrically but its just so cool a song to be spoilt by this. DOVER BEACH - Susanna takes back the vocals reins here

"WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME" 1984 WELL.../THE WORLD IS MY OYSTER/SNATCH OF FURY - This serves as a teaser for what is to come.  A small medley of sorts with siren-like singing, mysterious ancient film extracts and Holly Johnson announcing the world is his oyster and giving us his best maniacal laugh!.  Weird, eerie and unusual, just what we wanted from their debut album! WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME - This 13 minute version is a riveting listen, just what you expected, the unexpected! It was cinematic, chanting abound, little instrumental breaks ending with another maniacal laugh and a little Holly giggle having fun.  This was Frankie's "Bohemian Rhapsody" epic. RELAX - A Disco and Club classic, numerous versions and remixes and a debut Number 1 for the band.  Pumping beat throughout with Holly's unique vocals.  Always about gay sex but initially the band's media claimed it was about "feeling good and just relax".  The

"JAILBREAK" 1976 JAILBREAK - The opening track is a mid tempo rocker with an almost funky drumbeat, screeching guitar solos in the backing track and a scorching insrtumental break after the 2 minute mark complete with "jailbeak" sirens.  A memorable chorus completes a classic Thin Lizzy track. ANGEL FROM THE COAST - A chug-a-chug guitar picking and drumbeat , almost Celtic style, similar to the usual backing Iron Maiden took on later on in the 80s.  Uptempo 70s Rock track that simmers along nicely, not one of my favourites but the backing music sure gets you tapping your feet. RUNNING BACK - A really nice, laid back song, almost Blues Rock with a slight Pop element. ROMEO AND THE LONELY GIRL - I really like this song, its a little cheesy in the lyric, "poor romeo sitting all on his owni-io"!  Other than that its a nice song with the usual great guitar moments.   WARRIORS - A little  Progressive Rock, typical 70s style