NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

"DIRK WEARS WHITE SOX"   1979 CATROUBLE (Parts 1 + 2) - The opening track is a mix of New Wave, raw Punk and arty Pop.  It is raw and with that great "as live" sound.  Part 1 is an experimental mish mash of sounds and effects, while Part 2 is a stripped back original demo style slant on the later, more brash and superior "Catrouble" single. DIGITAL TENDERNESS - One of my favourite Ant tracks, New Wave Pop Punk at its best, similar to the style Blondie and the like were releasing.  Annoyingly catchy with the repetitive pumping drumbeat and guitar riffs its a gem. NINE PLAN FAILED - On the backdrop of an eerie army style "pom pom" drumbeat and provocative lyrics about war and its effects.  Early Punk meets Progressive Rock.  THE DAY I MET GOD - Storming Pop Punk track about seemingly weird dreams when Adam met God.  Apparently it was "pissing with rain" and God had a big "knob", on his door

"WANDERING SOUL"   2018 FOLLOWER - The opening track sounds like a ZZ Top/90s Grunge hybrid.  Awesome Blues Rock guitars and drums backing with vocalist Juliette Tworsey's snarling vocals akin to someone like PJ Harvey make this a stomping intro!     SINNER - Classic 70s style Rock with slight hints of Blues and Country and also Progressive Rock.  A bit of everything make this a great track. WINE, WATER AND BREAD - One of my favourites by the band, a Blues Rock slow tempo tune with hints of 60s and 70s Psychedelic leanings.  Superb track.     WANDERING SOUL - The title track reminds me a little of Paloma Faith, an almost funky Jazz/Blues style midtempo jam that emphasises the creativity of the band to sample many genres. THE RIVER - Early 70s Progressive Rock takes centre stage here with hints of hippie style Psychedelia effects and echoes.  Experimental and is almost like early Heart or Fleetwodd Mac. FOOL LIKE ME - A raw

  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.

"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

  "FRIEND OR FOE" 1982 FRIEND OR FOE - Adam's first solo album kicks off with this title track carrying on with a more polished sound than "Prince Charming". More mature with the orchestration sounds and brass but still with the big percussion.   This track reached number 9 in the singles chart as the second single.  Its jaunty uptempo beat combined with the usual vocal improvisations of wah wah's and the like merged to make a catchy tune.   SOMETHING GIRLS - One of my favourite Ant tracks, its innuendo laden, mid tempo and full of whoops and whistles and yet a kind of ballad. It has a really dirty but sexy sounding backing.  Adam sings his best crooner style.  The catchy sing along chorus makes this a hit for me. PLACE IN THE COUNTRY - Big, brash and Jazz/Pop fusion, always loved this track.  You can't help but sing along, its fast paced and you need to take a quick breath! Love it, really good song. DESPERATE BUT NOT SERIOUS - Another ballad, Ant