Oasis - Are they are aren't they?

Noel Gallagher quit Oasis!! Apparently, but I think it is all but confirmed now that Liam broke Noel's guitar backstage before a festival gig near Paris and thus any further shows have been cancelled with the band no longer in existence. However, given time there maybe news on a replacement but I really don't see how Oasis can go on without the Gallagher brothers together. Noel released an official statement on their website that you can view here. This is all a great shame as they are one of the great rock and roll bands of my time!!!

2009 Album Reviews: LA ROUX

The debut album by La Roux is a winner. It is a triumph of an electro-pop album that is unashamedly full of radio friendly singles. However, underneath the funky beats and coolness is a serious take on relationships that could possibly be reflective of Elly Jackson’s own personal relationships. Songs like ‘Cover My Eyes’, I’m Not Your Toy and ‘Armour Love’ were unexpected on my first listen but are achingly beautiful and ‘Armour Love’ has since become one of my fave songs of the year. Each song is made to be a single and after hearing ‘In For the Kill’, ‘Quicksand’, ‘Bulletproof’ and ‘Fascination’ prior to the album’s release I was pretty sure that those 4 were just the best songs and the rest were going to be duds. I was wrong. There are some great moments on this record and for me the highlight is ‘Colourless Colour‘. I mean c’mon, how can you not like a chorus like,

"...Early nineties decor
It was a day for
We wanted to play
But we had nothing left to play for
Colourless colour
Once in fashion
And soon to be seen..."

I’m glad they are holding out on releasing this as a single (FYI - fourth single is I’m Not Your Toy) because it leaves listeners with room to be surprised when this thumping tune comes on. There are some bizarre moments as evident by ‘Tigerlily’ where there is this odd spoken bit which is very reminiscent of ‘Thriller’. It sounds like they used the same guy as the tone of his voice is practically the same but I doubt it because I think it’s her father. To me, it ruins a perfectly good song. Other cool songs include ‘As If By Magic’ which seems to be an interesting take on a break up song. It’s quite brilliant in that respect and not too depressing. I also must say that I was unaware of the power of Jackson’s voice as every other electro-pop singer (male or female) out there does not have the range she has or the beautiful falsetto. If she was singing in any other style people would be commenting on how great a singer she is but unfortunately the style itself has seen too many with mediocre vocal talent. I am definitely intrigued by her too as she seems to be coming to terms with her sudden rise in popularity as teens want to emulate her style. It is also good to see that a band or duo is able to share equally in the creative direction of the music even though it does seem that La Roux is Jackson.

La Roux is here to stay! This record is not just another of the many electro-pop albums released this year but the pop album of the year and it's synthesizer based which just happens to be right on trend. Also, fingers crossed they take out the Mercury Prize which is handed out in early September. Check out these RAD live performance videos if this doesn't get you hooked to La Roux then nothing will.







Just a reminder I'm also very aware of my lack of posts but I'm working on it with some new and interesting ideas that might get me posting more regularly!!!

2009 Album Releases: MIKA - THE BOY WHO KNEW TOO MUCH

Mika releases his much anticipated 2nd album The Boy Who Knew Too Much on September 21st. The first single is 'We Are Golden' and will be released in early September and looks to be another catchy one with his quirky pop sensibilities stamped all over it. You too can hear it too on his official website www.mikasounds.com. Also, here is the official video for We Are Golden. Sorry about the lack of embedding for the video as its been disabled by his record company.

Tracklisting:
1. We Are Golden
2. Blame It On the Girls
3. Rain
4. Dr. John
5. I See You
6. Blue Eyes
7. Good Gone Girl
8. Touches You
9. By the Time
10. One Foot Boy
11. Toy Boy
12. Pick Up the Off the Floor

Looks to be another poptastic record!!!!

Apology

Sorry I haven't been around much been a bit under the weather and now on the way to a full recovery. I'm hoping to have the La Roux album review up by Sunday night...
Have a good rest of your Sat night, personally just got back from a lovely dinner in the city so yay for that!!!

MUSE - THE RESISTANCE Cover Art

Hey all....Muse have finally released their album artwork and here it is....

What do you all think...was it worth the wait? Anyways, you can hear full length versions of United States of Eurasia (+Collateral Damage) and Uprising here. I can't wait!!!

U2 I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

Please please check this video out from U2's 360 Tour it's UNBELIEVABLE! This just proves that the lads have still got it. The stage design is amazing and they keep doing it over and over again with a show that no one has ever seen before. I mean the progression is staggering from ZooTV to Popmart to Elevation to Vertigo to THIS...bloody hell. They still have the most innovative live shows amongs any band anywhere in the world and manage to put on a rocking show too.

I really hope this turns out to be the official video for this single it's their best concert video yet. Sorry it is linked here as their official site won't let me embed it. Just follow the links its the Live from Barcelona one...enjoy

I'm really hoping this tour comes here but I seriously doubt it. However, there are some amazing videos on the net that make you feel like you are there which is a small consolation. This YT video channel is particulary good. I wish I had the time and could afford to follow U2 around on a world tour when I win lotto that is what I'll do...hehehe

U2006com's Channel