NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

FOO FIGHTERS "THE COLOUR AND THE SHAPE"   1997     DOLL - The opening track is a half whispered demo style track that is a nice gentle Folk-like introduction to the band's second album.  Coming in at almost 1 and a half minutes this is a very short opener. MONKEY WRENCH - This is actually one of my favourite Foo tracks, an almost Punk Rock number, the chugging backing track and Dave Grohl's angry vocals linking into a quite catchy chorus.  Love it. HEY, JOHNNY PARK! -  A loud, brash opening merges into an Acoustic backed vocal track before kicking in again with a 90s Grunge style chorus and back again.  It see saws like this before the mega Rock ending. MY POOR BRAIN - Bright and breezy 60s style hippie verses and a massive Hard Rock chorus.  Lots of gutiars, feedback effects and a thumping drumbeat with the usual clever veiled Foo melodies.  It's almost Punk gearing to its end! Awesome. WIND UP - Elements of Classic R

THE POLIC E "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 a

INXS "LISTEN LIKE THIEVES" 1985     WHAT YOU NEED - The opening track of the album had a bit of everything which was unusual in Rock songs at the time.  Acoustic verses then Hard Rock chorus, and a little bit of saxophone thrown in for good measure.  One of my favourites.   LISTEN LIKE THIEVES - The title track has a Rolling Stones Rock vibe, saxophone parts, typical guitar riffs and a funky bassline, with Michael Hutchence giving his best Mick Jagger-like vocals.  Absolutely loved this song on first listen.     KISS THE DIRT(FALLING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN) - Is similar to songs on the previous album "The Swing", a little more Pop and a swaying gentle song with a lovely chorus. SHINE LIKE IT DOES - Classic 80s Pop Rock, the band find their niche, lyrically and musically a brilliant track, which progressed later and brought us the classics such as "Mystify" and "Need You Tonight". GOOD + BAD TIMES - A mix of se

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

WHOWho   "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

SUGABABES   "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.

THE SOAPGIRLS "SOCIETY'S REJECTS"   2017     SOCIETY'S REJECT - Frenetic opening title track, reminiscent of Elastica in their prime.  Great Punk Pop. JONNY ROTTEN - Raw, energetic Punk Rock with a driving drumbeat, top track. WATERS EDGE - Superb Punk Pop akin to Blondie in their early days, hidden melody amidst the Punk backing track. PARTY IN HELL - Early Punk vibes here, reminds me a little of BowWowWow in its simplicity but its vocal harmonies and driving beat make it awesome. AIR - Half Acoustic until the chorus, Mie and Millie Debray sure have a knack of mixing various vocal harmonies and different music genres on their records.  This takes me back to Bangles first album, love this track, great Pop Rock. STEP OUTSIDE - Another change in style, this time 90s Grunge Rock akin to Nirvana and the like.  Angry driving rocker. ORIGINAL SIN - 70s Progressive Rock takes a bow in this track, the girls really take on any style and take

  OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN   "IF NOT FOR YOU" 1971  ME AND BOBBY MCGEE - A cover of Kris Kristofferson's Country track opens this debut album by a then 23 year old Olivia Newton-John.  Even though this isn't one of my favourite songs you can hear the purity in her voice even on this first song. IF - This time the cover is of Bread's 1971 smash hit soft ballad.  A really beautiful rendition here, although it has been covered many times since, this surely is the most emotional. BANKS OF THE OHIO - A well known Country standard since the late 1920s sung by many of the genre's stars.  It is a classic old Country and Western song that despite the lyrics being a little sinister its still classed as a love song! This version is my favourite and Olivia sings it flawlessly. Released as her second single it reached number 6 on the UK chart. IN A STATION - First released by The Band in 1968 this Americana style track is given a very slight Country twang but still keeping it

OLIVIA RODRIGO  "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. 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. 1 STEP FORWARD, 3 STEPS BACK -  Another

WET LEG "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

MARIKA RAUSCHER "A BROKEN HEART"   2013     SPINNING - The album opens with a happy, jolly number which conveys the happiness, of falling for someone and the 'spinning' in your head when you have good spirits and excitement of a new love.  It brings images of those old fashioned films where the lady in a ball gown is twirling around crazily on the dancefloor in a daze because she is so elated. ONLY YOU - Marika really shows off her vocal range in this emotive and powerful track pronouncing the lady's love for her 'special' one. LOVE'S FIRST KISS - Both piano and vocal are turned down to a more romantic, mellow calm to relay that moment we all dread but is one of the defining moments of new love, that first kiss! Marika is the chanteuse here which evokes the imagery of her lying on a piano in one of those smoky bars of the past singing about her moment to everyone. THE WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN - Quite a solemn, eerie trac

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

KELLI ALI   "TIGERMOUTH" 2003 INFERNO HIGH LOVE - Formerly lead singer of The Sneaker Pimps, Kelli's debut album opens with this pulsating high tempo Electro track.  Think of Madonna, add a few background searing guitars and an Alternative Rock style and this is it.  Great opener!   TEARDROP HITTIN' THE GROUND - Another Electro Rock styled track, and again a catchy chorus.  It is basically Trip Hop rocked up to the hilt! Superb song. KEEP ON DREAMING -  Mesmerising, atmospheric Trip Hop that reminds the listener of Kelli's previous band and the classic album, "Becoming X". ANGEL IN L.A. - A nice enough slow Electonic Pop ballad but its not as punchy and attention grabbing as the first three tracks. HERE COMES THE SUMMER - This is a beautifully sung New Wave Pop ballad with a little Electronica and Trip Hop.  One of my favourites, melodious and Kelli's vocals are sweet. FELLOW MAN - Another hint to The Sneaker Pimps' style, atmospheric, mid t

CHRISTINA AGUILERA "STRIPPED" 2002     STRIPPED INTRO - Exactly what it says, its an intro.  A few effects, almost like radio searching and Christina vocals. CAN'T HOLD US DOWN (Featuring Lil' Kim) - Funky Hip Hop with some R n' B thrown in for good measure.  It reached Number 6 in the UK charts and is considered by some quarters as a "feminist anthem". WALK AWAY - Piano led ballad, emotional vocals from Christina singing about an abusive relationship, really nice laid back song with a message. FIGHTER - One of my favourite tracks, a more rockier sound which suits Christina's booming vocals really well.  Elements of Classic Rock with slight hints of R n' B, clever.  Catchy and memorable chorus.   Brilliant song.     PRIMER AMOR INTERLUDE - 50 second Spanish interlude, a filler but not really sure why its here. INFATUATION - Very similar style to "Genie In A Bottle".  Pop song but not as catchy as the afore

BILLY JOEL "AN INNOCENT MAN"   1983     EASY MONEY - A Soul/Funk foot stomper, in the style of James Brown and one of my favourites, and maybe could have been a single but maybe there were just too many great tracks on this album. AN INNOCENT MAN -  The 50s style of The Drifters (of whom my dad was a big fan) sounded great to me and brought back some memories of secretly playing the band's hits on old vinyl.  The song continued Billy's Top Ten singles successes from this album. THE LONGEST TIME - Again another different style and genre.  A classic Doo-Wop song complete with finger snaps and hand claps and various harmonic vocal backing.  The crazy thing is, these songs are usually made by vocal groups but Billy decided he wanted to do all the backing himself including the percussive elements and vocal ranges. THIS NIGHT - Probably the the "filler" song for me, not that it is bad but the other songs are so gre