NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

THE STRUTS "YOUNG & DANGEROUS"   2018     BODY TALKS - A storming opening track, The Cult meets Queen in this high tempo hard rocker.     PRIMADONNA LIKE ME - This has a beat like Elvis Costello's "Pump It Up" but its a kind of Iggy Pop And The Stooges New Wave Punk rocker. IN LOVE WITH A CAMERA - A quirky Glam Rock styled track with elements of Progressive and Classic Rock.  Catchy chorus as well! BULLETPROOF BABY - Blink-182 and the 90s Pop Alternative Punk bands spring to mind here.  Great tempo, and incredibly engaging with the snappy chorus. WHO AM I? - This is a great Alternative Pop song, similar to bands like Maroon 5 and a quirkiness of Electric Six.  PEOPLE - Snow Patrol meets early Def Leppard, radio friendly Pop Rock at its best. FIRE (Part 1) - Alternative New Wave Rock akin to The Psychedelic Furs.  Carries on right through at a brisk tempo and a booming chorus ending with a piano finish. SOMEB

TRANSVISION VAMP "VELVETEEN" 1989     BABY I DON'T CARE - It was bold, brash, guitar riffs a plenty and Wendy giving her best angry vocal and a massively catchy sing along chorus! Guaranteed to get the party started with crashing guitar Punk Pop.     THE ONLY ONE -  Elements of Motown and Soul disguised in the throbbing, driving drums and guitars and memorable chorus.  A frenetic Punk Powerpop following on from the album opener, one of my favourites from The Vamp.   LANDSLIDE OF LOVE - A slower song than the previous two.  Again, the Motown and Soul elements were there but more at the forefront.  A really nice song that gives Wendy James chance to let go her sultry, seductive side in the vocals. FALLING FOR A GOLDMINE - Slow paced soft Blues/Country hybrid with hints of Punk.  Great chilled track. DOWN ON YOU -  Pure Punk Rock with Wendy snarling her way through the lyrics with pumping drums and guitars and electronics backing her wi

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