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 Reviews: GOSSIP - MUSIC FOR MEN

Gossip’s fourth release Music For Men exceeds my expectations and to all those critics that say they are a one-trick pony get over it!!! I’m also in awe that this is a Rick Rubin record; it’s kinda different to what I thought I would hear with him at the helm of this particular band’s album. ‘Dimestore Diamond’ has a sultry and sexy sound that has been completely derived from the bass line. The subject matter is seemingly about vanity and women’s sexuality and how they individually express it or it could be about hookers...who knows. The first single, ‘Heavy Cross’ delves into a dance driven pop beat that is not only catchy but slightly different from the masses of dancey songs that have been released lately. I have to say the melody itself could have been written by YYY’s and appeared on their record, It’s Blitz! but the vocal qualities of Beth Ditto and Karen O are very different. However, I wouldn’t mind YYY’s covering this one just to see what the result would be.

The next few tracks continue with that bass line and a bluesy vocal but what stands out is that each song holds its own. Take for example ‘8th Wonder’ which is more rock based than say ‘Love Long Distance’ which is sampling with synthesizers and sequencers. The whole tone of ‘Love Long Distance’ is far more restrained as Beth just sings it and does not just belt it as she does on ‘8th Wonder’. The interesting use of percussion to create a unique rhythm makes ‘Pop Goes the World’ a fabulous party song and every time I hear it I feel like getting up and having a good ole’ dance, of course this is in the privacy of my own home. ‘Vertical Rhythm’ has a bit of a similar feel to ‘Heavy Cross’ which makes it lose some points in my books but don’t let that dissuade you as it still is a great song in its own right. I adore ‘Men In Love’ what a brilliant tune and I can gather a gay/lesbian rights theme through it. I mean the line “...men in love, with each other. Hey!...Shame, shame, shame...” says it all. I can’t help but ask if this is a somewhat autobiographical or personal song for Beth but who really cares its F***ING AWESOME. By this point in the album I have to admit that I’m kind of hearing some of the more boring aspects of the record. ‘For Keeps’ didn’t inspire me and I don’t think I would have noticed if it was missing from the album altogether. ‘2012’ feels like some of their work on 'Standing In The Way Of Control' but there is a particular few lines that I think are genius and just gets me.

“...a tragedy brings misery
misery loves company
company is misleading
I’ve made it this far...”

The last 3 tracks maintain the same course as there is no slowing down for the listener. The momentum is always there and the second last track ‘Four Letter Word’ could be the best on the whole record. I adore the use of keys and the subdued use of bass which is so present on the rest of the album. The only thing that I really question is the ordering of some tracks as it seems this song could be better suited further up but maybe it’s a conscious effort by the band to create a feeling. Closing with ‘Spare Me From the Mold’ is perfect as the intensity here balances that sexy opener of ‘Dimestore Diamond’.

This album shows the rise and rise of Gossip, a band worthy of the success they are receiving and I’m definitely considering it in my top 5 albums of 2009. They aren’t big here but that is about to change as they entered into the Australian album chart at number 13. This is huge for a band that many of my mates know nothing about. Fingers crossed they tour here and I’ll finish by saying if you like Gossip’s previous work you will definitely feel this. For all those new listeners get Music For Men as it is totally worth your hard earned money.

2009 Album Reviews: YEAH YEAH YEAHS - IT'S BLITZ!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ sound keeps evolving which I value very highly in a band as without it bands’ albums get boring, repetitive and predictable for audiences and critics. No band or artist should ever stay the same!!! Anyways, Yeah Yeah Yeahs manage to show off a less heavy sound and a more dancey-electronica based record on their third album, It’s Blitz! which I welcome for reasons above. I think the line “Off with your head...Dance ‘til you’re dead...” from ‘Heads Will Roll’ pretty much sums it all up...

For me, this is just what I have been waiting to hear this year without consciously knowing it. As soon as I heard the first single, ‘Zero’ I knew I would love the album and they manage to reach some extraordinary heights with this one while still maintaining YYYs distinctive style. The full on dance songs ‘Zero’, ‘Heads Will Roll’, ‘Soft Shock’ and ‘Dull Life’ are progressive songs that are full of great hooks and melodies but they are not lacking an emotional intensity to them. In fact the whole record has an incredible heart to it that sets it apart from every other dance-punk/pop album that has and will be released; and that’s saying something considering the amount of synth-based albums that will be released this year alone. There are songs that are less full on but still manage to keep the synthesizer as the main instrument of choice e.g. ‘Runaway’, ‘Dragon Queen’, ‘Hysteric’ and ‘Little Shadow’. These tunes helped me question what a dance song should be as previous dance songs even within the alternative genre often (not always) sound similar but these just sound different in every way. I’m particularly partial to ‘Runaway’ and ‘Hysteric’ for some reason but it will change again and as soon as I get over how overplayed ‘Zero’ is. I can’t go on without mentioning the drums on this record...Brian Chase does an amazing job! The drum parts have depth and are innovative that allow a dancey sound to become more present. As you can probably tell I play drums and I always listen closely to the drums on any record and this is by far the best I’ve heard all year.

I would also recommend you all go out and buy the Deluxe Edition as you get some amazing acoustic versions which in my opinion are just as good as the ones that appear on the standard release. I always find it interesting to see how bands do their own songs in a stripped back environment and YYYs give it to us in a way that makes the song feel new again but this has a lot to do with the fact that the 4 acoustic songs don’t have a synthesizer in sight.

This is a BLOODY FANTASTIC ALBUM and if you haven’t got it well you’re missing out. This is some of Yeah Yeah Yeahs finest work and hopefully they will continue to change it up and they will be recognised by all as the great band they have always been and still deserve to be. By the way, in case you were wondering if I had to rank as of now, my current list of albums of 2009 this would top it and I doubt anything that is to be released will come close to this. Happy Listening Everyone!

2009 Album Reviews: NEIL YOUNG - FORK IN THE ROAD

Neil Young returns with what I see as an industrial album. In a previous post I said that the record was based around his hybrid-engine car project, Lincvolt. Well now that I have heard it I can definitely vouch for this as running throughout is an auto-centric feel with an environmental message to find alternative energy sources. This is evident in every song but the lyric that gets me is on ‘Get Behind the Wheel’ where he sings.

“You know she loves those long slow curves
So take her for a spin
(You gotta get behind the wheel)...she always wants to please you...”

Young is very open about his political stance and his support of social issues so if you are not into the political being overt in music this may not be your thing. However, I believe the best music ever written has been political or about certain issues and without this music would be dull and lifeless.

What to expect from ‘Fork In The Road’? I think there are some amazing songs on this album. ‘When Worlds Collide’ is the perfect opener because it’s an up- tempo rock song. I see in this song a lot of comparisons with his previous work e.g. Rockin’ In the Free World’ but without the punch in the chorus or seminal lyric or phrase. On first listen I enjoyed the tune but didn’t think it was one of my favourites from the album but now it’s growing on me rapidly. ‘Fuel Line’ isn’t anything too exciting but it does go well with ‘When Worlds Collide’. I really don’t have much to say about this except for the fact that his voice pretty much sounds the same as it did in the 60s. I don’t know if you all noticed that but whenever he releases a record you can tell from the get go that it’s Neil Young. ‘Just Singing A Song’ is absolutely the best on this album! There is a refinement in this song that is just not present in all his songs. It has everything; a meaningful lyric that is also interesting and a great guitar part for Neil to play on. I don’t know what it is but ‘Johnny Magic’ just doesn’t appeal to me. I think this has to do with the fact that after I heard the whole album for the third time I was very much over the car theme. But then I figured this was partly due to me playing Neil Young (older material included) for about 2 days straight. I returned to it just now and have to say, still not digging it. Oh well... I think ‘Cough Up the Bucks’ has an AMAZING groove that grabbed me as soon as I heard the first couple of notes. However, throughout the whole song Neil uses the phrase ‘Cough up the Bucks...’ in an annoyingly repetitive way. This is definitely not his best but the music is great so he wins a lot of points there. I adore ‘Get Behind the Wheel’ as it has a dirty southern rock feel with loads of heart. Also, I think the female backing vocalists help balance Neil’s rough around the edges voice and adds some edge. ‘Off the Road’ is the first track on this album to offer some harmonies even though it is very, very subtle. I love it when he does harmonies as not many singers or bands do it anymore. From ‘Off the Road’ to ‘Hit the Road’ there is a distinct change and I once again find myself completely blown away by how great a songwriter and musician Neil is. I still love ‘Just Singing A Song’ but this is coming in a close second. I am taken by the way it feels a lot like classic Neil Young and the first time I heard him when my Dad played Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s ‘Helpless’ to me. When I heard ‘Light a Candle’ for the first time I freaked because it was so stunning and light to listen to. I suggest for all those newcomers to Neil Young that aside from the classics like ‘Heart of Gold’ this track can be part of your introduction into his world. The closer to the album, ‘Fork in the Road’ finishes it the same way we started with a true rock & roll song. I am not too fond of it because it does sound similar to other stuff here but I guess it could be worse.

For me, ‘Fork In the Road’ is an album that is difficult for both long term fans and more casual fans, like myself because it is in many respects a concept album. I, for one, got tired of hearing about driving, the road and cars whether in metaphor or not, but despite this there are some songs that really ‘get’ you in a way only Neil Young’s songwriting can. This is a great record by many standards and every time he releases an album I will always get excited purely because of his amazing back catalogue and he does such interesting stuff even if it isn’t always my cup of tea.

2009 Album Reviews: BAT FOR LASHES - TWO SUNS

I’m trying very hard to like ‘Two Suns, ok it’s not as dire as this but it doesn’t grab me like ‘Fur and Gold’ did. I have been trying to work out what bothers me about this album for days and I think I finally came to the conclusion that both albums sound too much alike. That’s not to say that they sound the same in every way but there are similarities in terms of all being dark pop songs with interesting bass lines and beats behind them. I think this is especially the case for ‘Moon And Moon’ from Two Suns and ‘Sad Eyes’ off Fur and Gold which are both exceptionally beautiful songs but sound like they belong together on an album. They also both mix different styles within the one record and have put an enormous effort into drums and percussion.

Moving on to the songs itself, the greatest part of the album is the first half of the album. ‘Glass’ opens the album with a stunning vocal part at the start that flows into an unexpected rhythm with the tom toms being used to full advantage throughout. ‘Daniel’, for me is the pinnacle of ‘Two Suns’ and I believe it is the first single, so kudos to her and the record company for that choice. I find it to be gem of a pop song that turns out to be an unexpected, yet wonderful love song. The album has a lot of Asian influences in it which is not surprising considering her background and the use of intricate drum parts that give the album the sound it has. I see ‘Sleep Alone’ as one of those songs as I want to tap my foot in time with it whenever I hear it. ‘Moon And Moon’ is a beautiful piano ballad with great overdubbing of her voice to get that electronic voice in the background. The next track I find to be worthwhile of mention is ‘Siren Song’ which has certain epic qualities about it particularly as it builds from a ballad to something completely different. This is much like ‘Glass’ as it threw me initially but I grew to really love it! ‘Pearl’s Dream’ is a very dance and synth-based song that is not completely unique in a pop song but is something special for this album. ‘Two Planets’ mixes a whole lot of sounds and inspirations that make it into an exotic, and almost world music song which then goes into ‘Travelling Woman’ with its folky feel. Although, ‘Travelling Woman’ is a song that would not seem out of place on a number of other female singer/songwriters albums it somehow feels new when she does it. The record closes with ‘The Big Sleep’ which does in fact help make me go to sleep...weird, how that works.

The whole album is a strong release but I think I expected something more. I did enjoy most of it but as I said earlier she is continuing to write dark and melancholy songs which definitely makes for interesting sounds but isn’t looking into the future. Aside from this, I find her so interesting and therefore will continue to support her and would love to see her live show. I will end by saying Bat For Lashes has an exceptional understanding of the space within a song and knows how to draw you into her world so it is definitely worth checking out.

music=love

2009 Album Reviews: U2 - NO LINE ON THE HORIZON

So it has been approximately 5 years since 'How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' and every time U2 release a record it's an event and therefore you cannot rush reviewing their new work. It is so easy to be influenced by what music critics say so it was best that I took my time and got familiar with the new songs and watched some of their promo tour to see how the songs sounded live. I think this time around the hype was particularly obvious or bad, depending on how you look at it because they delayed the release of the album from late 2008 to Feb/March 2009. Over the last 3 or so months I felt the build-up for this album but it became really intense about February (especially if you know where to look) and this, I think puts pressure not only on the band, but makes Bono & Co. seem above criticism which they most definitely are not. The hype and circus, from where I stand is a lot about the music industry looking to U2 as the saviours of the industry itself. This is a huge weight to put on the band and no one can live up to this expectation as there will always be people who hate or love the record/band. I love U2 and am not afraid to admit that they are in my Top 5 favourite bands however, I am afraid that all the stuff that surrounds U2 will overtake the reason U2 exists in the first place, to make good music as a band; which is where they began and where they will ultimately end. I think Larry talked about this in an interview where he said that at one point senior people from Microsoft would drop into the recording studio which was a distraction from making music. It is often forgotten that U2 is not just Bono but there are 3 other band members who have just as much to say or more.

Anyways, on to the record itself...
This album marks a return to a more experimental sound rather than just a straight up rock album. I wholeheartedly embrace U2’s experimental side as I'm a fan of ‘Pop’ which I think is their most underrated album and not truly understood. Everyone should go back and listen to the small nuances of this record. In my opinion all U2 records have something special but ‘Achtung Baby’ will always be my favourite, which Bono has said in the past is the sound of U2 chopping down the Joshua Tree. This is such an apt description...love it!

So imagine hearing this is what the band were returning to for their 12th studio album. I was super excited as I admittedly was waiting for the band to change up their sound and slightly disappointed in their previous two albums, ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ and ‘...Atomic Bomb’ in terms of risk taking. I am a fan of the U2 that keeps the public, fans and critics guessing. I had heard early reports that it was a bit ‘Achtung Baby and some ‘Zooropa’ and ‘Pop’ in there as well; but I was really surprised when I heard it in full as I immediately compared it to ‘The Unforgettable Fire’ with some similarities to those records above with a lot of new stuff in there too. I am thoroughly impressed that after three full listens it keeps getting better. On the first listen, I was taken back as I didn’t expect it but it is full of great song writing. This is the U2 I know and love and I think inviting Brian Eno and Danny Lanois into the song writing process with the band turned out to be quite a good idea. The Eno/Lanois touch is definitely noticeable on the album.

I understand ‘No Line on the Horizon’ to be introspective and reflective as it does not bombard you like ‘Achtung Baby’ does but gets you in a much more subtle way. This is Adam and Larry’s album because it shows off the intricacies of the U2 rhythm section and how good those two are. It seems that the more U2 experiment the better the drum parts and bass lines get. Good for you lads! There are problems with this record and I think it does stem from the way the tracks are organised and certain songs just not being my cup of tea. The song writing is in parts epic and in others flat but I think this has a lot to do with lyrics...sorry Bono. All the songs in terms of the music are good but some of the lyrics just ruin it but there are moments of genius e.g. Moment of Surrender where Bono truly shines as a lyricist.

A track-by-track look at each song:

1. No Line on the Horizon – One of my fave tracks! The promo tour didn’t allow for us to hear this live but I think it will be awesome as it has a certain quality to it. I love the line “No. No line on the horizon”...the way he sings it is beautiful. As lyrics go, there are a lot of ooohhhsss... The melody is what sets this song apart from others and it almost could have gone on ‘The Unforgettable Fire’ or ‘The Joshua Tree’.
2. Magnificent – This is very much U2. It’s an epic anthem that will work well in stadiums when they go on tour later this year. I can imagine it will be a crowd pleaser as it builds much like ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ and has an amazing drum part, once again proving that this is the rhythm section’s album. The chorus is typical U2 and the whole song is a testament to Bono’s lyric writing but the best part is when B croons “I was born, I was born to sing for you...I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up...” On David Letterman this worked well and Bono’s falsetto was in full glory for all to see and showed that it has a transcendent quality like ‘One’ and ‘WTSHNN’.
3. Moment of Surrender – This is possibly the best song on the album. It shows the band in all their grandeur as it’s a 7 minute or so masterpiece. What a fricking beautiful song was my initial reaction to it. It is a slow-ballad type song so I am giving you all fair warning but it has an amazing quality to it. Also, as a part-time drummer I found out that Larry recorded this on an electronic drum kit...how cool is that. This also has great lyrics like “At the moment of surrender of vision over visibility, I did not notice the passers by and they did not notice me...”
4. Unknown Caller - Easily my least favourite song. I found the music fine but the lyrics and structure are kind of all over the place. I'm not sure how to even go about breaking this down in all honesty. It doesn’t have something that pulls you in like all U2 songs do.
5. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – This is going to be a great song live as it has shown on the promo tour. I originally thought it wasn’t that great but once I heard them perform this live I was convinced it is a great pop song. It just has a natural beauty about it particularly the bridge and a bit of country when The Edge’s guitar solo kicks in. Is that just me? My favourite lyric is “...Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot...”
6. Get On Your Boots – My review for this is in a separate post and I thought it was good but now that I have heard the whole album and the more I think about it doesn’t belong on this album. I will say now it should not have been the first single as it doesn’t really represent the album at all.
7. Stand Up Comedy – This is certainly interesting as an unconventional love song. The best line is “...be careful, of small men with big ideas." I wonder who they are talking about here...I'm picturing Bono right now talking about poverty! The production of this is amazing too.
8. FEZ – Being Born – Obviously this began in Fez, Morocco and it does have an African feel. This is interesting because it starts off as one thing and becomes another. I think people might find it confusing but I see it as showing off their ability to push the boundaries and make songs that are almost like films. I hear the cinematic nature of the music and it is uncomplicated like that with very few lyrics. This is about the music.
9. White As Snow – What a beautiful song I feel like crying just thinking about it. This is very melodic and it definitely tells you a story. I am in love with the line: “Now this dry ground, it bears no fruit at all. Only poppies laugh under the crescent moon...” It sounds like a hymn.
10. Breathe – I know Bono has said that this is fast becoming his favourite song on the album. I am not sure I can agree with it being my fave on the album. It is a great song by most standards but along the U2 standard it falls a bit short. It will probably be a single at some point.
11. Cedars of Lebanon – This is an interesting song in terms of what is about. Bono said it was written from the perspective of a war correspondent and going by this it makes sense with lyrics like “...Spent the night trying to make a deadline, squeezing complicated lives into a simple headline..” Bono is almost speaking the lyrics at certain points in the song which serve to highlight the words and what it is actually about. It is not as beautiful as ‘White As Snow’ but it is a strong tune that leaves an impression. An excellent closer for a record.

That ended up being fairly epic. WOW!

2009 Album Reviews: LILY ALLEN - IT'S NOT ME, IT'S YOU

I have something to confess it took me a long time to be convinced by Lily Allen even though I had been hearing great things about her. I don’t know what it was but something stopped me from jumping on the bandwagon but then I heard ‘Alfie’ from her debut album Alright Still and I found it hilarious, infectious and a brilliant pop song! I saw the video and that too had me giggling like a 16 yr. old. Still, I was not going to buy into the hype.....yet. This time around I was much more prepared for her re-emergence on the music scene and when her single ‘The Fear’ was released I was fully convinced that she was worth the hype. As a result I bought Alright Still and now I can see a huge leap from this to It’s Not Me, It’s You and I only sort of like Alright Still.

It’s Not Me, It’s You is a really good pop record and I think she had realised that there are so many artists doing a ‘retro’ type-thing and she needed to set herself apart from the Amy Winehouse’s and Duffy’s of the world in her second release. I like her taking a risk and in many ways it is a safe record as many of the songs e.g. ‘Everyone’s At It’ & ‘The Fear’ sound somewhat similar in parts, particularly the chorus. I am overall truly impressed.

The sound is very laid back and goes for an all round musical feast with sampling from different styles but it still remains very much pop but pop that I am not ashamed to say I dig. Pop has gone through a makeover with the girls no longer squeaky clean with perfect bodies and pre-fabricated tunes to sing; now it is about flicking the finger at the industry and life in general. I love it...and what is more endearing about Lily is how her accent truly shows through in all her music. Even when I wasn’t really convinced by her I loved this and it continues on this album.

The song that I am most obsessed with is ‘Not Fair’ it’s just so bizarre with its country twang and cheeky lyrics like “...I’m feeling pretty damn hard done by I spent ages giving head....” Yep, I think I know what this song is about. ‘22’ is what I believe to be somewhat autobiographical as she partied pretty hard, well if you believe the magazines and gossip. I don’t think it is a great song but others would probably disagree on this. There are some truly soulful moments like ‘I Could Stay’ which is actually very different from anything on her previous record and has a very dance/synth feeling to it. I have to say I like it more and more. Well, hello...synth-pop!! ‘Back to the Start’ is an amazing song because as you first listen to it you think it’s going one way but as it progresses it takes another road and this is very impressive. Another possible next single and generally awesome tune. There are some Latin tendencies within ‘Never Gonna Happen’ especially at the start but then it becomes this bizarre song with a very interesting rhythm. I am not convinced on this at all as I think it belongs at a school fete or carnival. The next truly great song on this record is ‘Fuck You’, I think I honestly put it there because of the title....really how can you not like it. The song is great and the chorus is the winner:
“Fuck you, fuck you.
Very, very much....
Cause we hate...
What you do...”
See I told you it was full of awesomeness!
The soulfulness returns with ‘Who’d Have Known’ which is an enjoyable listen and one cannot really say anything bad about this as it is a love song and we all know the world needs more love songs (by the way I’m serious). There is more of that synth influence on ‘Chinese’ but it’s another song similar to ‘The Fear’ and ‘Him’ but that is not to say it has no place here and I have to say it is much better than ’22’. ‘He Wasn’t There’ is an interesting choice to close the album as it could probably go in the middle somewhere as it is a bit of a retro throwback. I am not sure I like it and I don’t think it will grow on me.

It’s Not Me, It’s You is a contender for my album of the year. There are constant surprises for the listener throughout the album and within the songs. This is an incredibly difficult thing to do but amazing when it turns out right and sure enough it is effortless here. I am going to be following her career a lot more closely now and hope that she continues to develop and change her sound and style. Go Lily!

Hope you enjoyed and feel free to comment and disagree with me. U2's No Line on the Horizon review should be up towards the end of the week hopefully earlier.

Loz

2009 Album Reviews: KAISER CHIEFS - OFF WITH THEIR HEADS

Well I have to say this is a good record, not their best but still better than many others released today. I admit I was a bit sceptical when I heard that it was going to be produced by Mark Ronson. I am impressed with Mark Ronson's work particularly with Amy Winehouse and I did enjoy his covers record, 'Version' but I felt that his touch would ruin the Chiefs' rock sound. I was wrong! It is also important to note there are cameos by Lily Allen and New Young Pony Club in terms of backing vocals.

The album goes beyond their first two albums but people will be disappointed that it does not offer anything new. They still keep their basic sound and its easy to recognise them when they are played on the radio. There are those catchy songs which will no doubt be singles and hit the top of the British charts. However, it is still much better than Keane's most recent album 'Perfect Symmetry'.

The opening of the album is 'Spanish Metal' with a rocking song. It is the typical Chiefs but it has something extra like a weird synthesizer in there. I don't think this quite matches 'Everyday I Love You Less and Less' as an opener but its decent and I am not sure I hear Mark Ronson yet....hmmmm....interesting indeed.

'Never Miss A Beat' is the best song and its the first single. I did see the video before I listened to the song and I was not to keen but once I heard it without any images to distract me I found myself obsessed with it for a week. It was my most played on my Ipod but that has now gone to XR2 by M.I.A.

All the songs are worthwhile and once you hear 'Tomato in the Rain' you know why this band is successful. Its heartfelt and I can't wait to hear it live!!!!! Yay for the V Festival. "Yes....I do, know about you...."

The closing song, 'Remember You're a Girl' is a typical ballad and I believe it's very cliche to end a rock album with a ballad. This is not a bad song but the tracklisting could be rearranged and end with 'Always Happen Like That' (Lily Allen on backing vocals), maybe.

I see this as an album that gets better over time as each song can make you shrug your shoulders in indifference but it does get under your skin. Give it another listen!