NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

"ROCKLAND"   2015     OLD DE SPAIN -  The opening track is almost like a pirate shanty, Indie Folk complete with harmonies, chanting and a variety of acoustic instruments.   Great intro to the third album by the talented Norwegian band. CURVACEOUS NEEDS - A quickstep tempo, a mixture of Folk, Pop, Soul and Blues.  A fabulous foot tapper! A catchy chorus make this an irresistible slice of Scandinavian brilliance. OH MY GOD - A very unusual track, its got distant Soul backing vocals at times but mostly a Punk style vocal backed by an uptempo Indie Folk.  This is genius and an experimental masterpiece. LADY GREY - A simply beautiful Pop Folk track, melancholic and emotive vocals and melodies.  Reminds me a little of Susanna Hoffs and Bangles' tracks.  Its got that 60s Pop Rock vibe. MY OWN TUNE - This track is a quirky, upbeat track that has a little Latin Disco feel with a merging of Folk and there is also a Rap interlude with hin

"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 at around the 2

"KINKS" 1964 BEAUTIFUL DELILAH - The Kinks' debut album opens with this Rock 'N Roll styled uptempo with a hint of funkiness and Country twang.  A great cover of a Chuck Berry track. SO MYSTIFYING - A catchy Country Blues track with a memorable sing along chorus.   JUST CAN'T GO TO SLEEP - Sounds a little bit like The Beatles, a simple but steady Pop song.  Not a big fan of The Beatles so not that much of a fan of this, average track at best. LONG TALL SHORTY - A rough, dark Blues track which hits the mark and has a great foot tapping style and is catchy enough to be cool.     I TOOK MY BABY HOME - This Pop Blues track is reminiscent of Manfred Mann, really catchy and an uptempo driving musical backing.  I'M A LOVER NOT A FIGHTER - A brilliant foot tapping Rock 'N Roll/Blues track, reminds me of some of Elvis Presley's early songs.   YOU REALLY GOT ME - The Kinks' back catalogue contains some classics and this is one of the most f

"MORE OF THE MONKEES"   1967     SHE - The opening track sung by Micky Dolenz is a mix of Progressive, Psychedelic Rock and Beat Pop.  Great opening track, mid tempo and punchy and a memorable chorus.     WHEN LOVE COMES KNOCKIN' (AT YOUR DOOR) - Typical 60s Pop track sung by Davy Jones.  Written by superior songwriters Carol Bayer Sager and Neil Sedaka.  Its chirpy and bright and radio friendly. MARY, MARY - One of my favourite Monkees' tracks again sung by Dolenz.  Great guitar Pop Rock, simple hooks and chorus but it packs a punch. HOLD ON GIRL - Eerie and experimental, almost Folk Pop track sung by Jones with off key backing vocals and a Psychedelic keyboard solos. YOUR AUNTIE GRIZELDA - Another experimental tune, the first released song with Peter Tork taking on the lead vocals.  A persistent Rock keyboard leads the way through the song.  Its humorous, quirky and Tork makes a variety of sounds during the instrumental break

"THE ILLUMINATION OF EVERYTHING" 2016 ILLUMINATION - Rip-roaring opening of frenzied heavy guitars before launching into classic Fireflys territory, the melodious, incredibly catchy chorus! At 2 minutes 12 seconds we get an atmospheric electronic/guitar break, almost psychedelic before heading back to an epic finish. RELEASE/REPEAT - This light Folk Rock track is already a fan favourite before the album launch due to its prior single outing. One of those tracks you just need to keep playing, a first namer on any Flys hit team sheet! BRANCHES - This song was played to death in our house, and to our friends! A beautifully crafted song, melancholic and light, the guitars remind me of Prince's Purple Rain solo, it sings of sadness and hope. Sheer class, I called it a lilting mixed masterpiece in a first review, I wasn't wrong. ANGEL OF THE NORTH - A chilled and relaxing number, a little 70s Prog Rock, a little 90s Stone Roses. After a