On the Record: Latest music news and reviews

Feb 2 2009 By Andy Welch

What's hot and what's not in this week's new releases.

The Bird & The Bee - Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future: When electropop duo Inara George and Greg Kurstin unveiled their self-titled debut two years ago, it was conceived as a grand coming out party for the hottest new band on the block. Everything was in place - critical buzz, a celebrity endorsement from Lily Allen and a quirky single (F****** Boyfriend) to get things moving. Public reaction, though, was minimal. Which brings us to Ray Guns... a more measured, less knowingly arch affair than its predecessor. Multi-instrumentalist Kurstin, whose playing credits include the likes of Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado and The Flaming Lips, enjoys a more prominent role than before, moving from the jazz mash-up of Love Letter To Japan to the proggy Ray Gun with ease. George's honeyed vocals still seem a shade too mannered but this has strong crossover potential.

Rating 7/10

(Review by Rory Dollard)

James Taylor - Covers: It's now 40 years since James Taylor released his eponymous debut album on The Beatles' label Apple. His second album Sweet Baby James would secure his place in the '70s folk scene with tracks like the autobiographical Fire And Rain. While he's no stranger to cover versions - he had a hit with Marvin Gaye's How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - James' choice of covers on this latest album falls short of the mark. Recorded over ten snowed-in days in a converted barn in the States, the record rather ambitiously tackles Hound Dog, Summertime Blues and Not Fade Away which don't suit James' vintage voice so well as tracks like O What A Beautiful Mornin' and Tom Waits' Shiver Me Timbers. The orchestration is ropey and it's disappointingly far from his best work.

Rating: 6/10

(Review by Kate Whiting)

Charles Aznavour - Duos: French is often referred to as the most romantic language, as if merely uttering a few choice Gallic words were guarantee of success with a lady. That in mind, an album of duets from France's premier crooner Charles Aznavour should be perfect Valentine's Day fodder. The first CD here is a collection of duos sung in Aznavour's mother tongue, although trying to find something remotely sexy about opener Toi Et Moi, which features the caterwauling of Celine Dion, is a long and thankless task. On the English-speaking, second disc, Elton John, Sting and Josh Groban all make appearances, as do the late Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin - the recordings were made over the years, but have never been released before - which at least adds some class to the proceedings. On the whole, however, give this one a miss:

Rating 4/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

The View - Which Bitch?

Dundee's favourite scamps are back with the follow-up to their hugely-popular debut, Hats Off To The Buskers. While lead single 5 Rebeccas failed to set the charts alight like the tunes of old, Which Bitch? sees the band pushing their boundaries to mostly pleasing effect. Strings waft their way through Unexpected and Distant Doubloon, while pianos and harmonicas have also been added in places to complement their familiar scruffy sound. Paolo Nutini combines brilliantly with lead singer Kyle Falconer on stand-out track Covers, although the rapping on One Off Pretender must be rated as cringe-worthy at best. Despite lacking any obvious hits, The View have proved they can still mix it with the best of 'em.

Rating 8/10

(Review by Nick Howes)

Various - Cream Future Trance: A sub-genre of dance music that first came to prominence in the post-rave era of the late 1990s, trance remains a staple of contemporary clubbing diets. Over the duration of three action-packed discs, top dance band Cream highlights a pretty impressive roster of trance talent for the year ahead: Guru Josh's instant classic 'Infinity 2008' is included in two versions and overall the mix from track to track is seamless. Standouts include trance master Ferry Corsten's 'Radio Crash', superstar DJ Armin van Buuren's 'Unforgiveable' (First State remix featuring Jaren) and Marc Marberg with Kyau and Albert's Neo Love (Giuseppe Ottaviani remix).

Rating 7/10

(Review by Patrick Gates)

Titus Andronicus - The Airing Of Grievances: Titus Andronicus have earned themselves a fierce reputation in the New Jersey indie/punk scene for their energetic live shows and this, their debut album, attempts to harness that energy and blast it through the speakers of their growing legion of fans. Opening track Fear And Loathing in Mahwah, NJ sets off at a leisurely pace before breaking into a Pogues-esque ditty which pounds along with reckless abandon. From then on it's a non-stop aural assault with lead singer Patrick Stickles' screeching drawl as unrelenting as the pumping drums which underline every song. While you can't fault these guys for passion, their scruffy, fuzzy sound does start to grate after a while leaving listener's eardrums decidedly battered and bruised.

Rating 6/10

(Review by Nick Howes)

Luther Vandross - Love Songs: If you've been within a mile of a card shop or florists in the last two months, you'll know St Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Apart from the obvious roses, chocolates, soft toys and a table reservation in a fancy restaurant, what else could you possibly need to make the romantic occasion go any smoother? Why, a collection of Luther Vandross's finest love songs of course, you cold-hearted fool! It's not difficult to hear why the late singer sold 25 million records - Never Too Much, Always And Forever and Your Secret Love still sound original, but en masse, Vandross slushy ballads, with one-dimensional arrangements, are more sickly than a self-penned poem to your loved one.

Rating 5/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

The Airborne Toxic Event - The Airborne Toxic Event: Still riding high after the widespread acclaim of an impressively anthemic first single, 'Somewhere Around Midnight' which attracted a big following on Radio One schedules and also as iTunes 'alternative song of the year', The Airborne Toxic Event has produced a self-titled debut long player at last after a frenetic touring schedule for the band of 30 UK shows on consecutive nights. Frontman Mikel Jollett was an aspiring journalist and his literary tendencies (the group's name comes from the Don De Lillo novel 'White Noise') shine strongly throughout the album's duration. The overall effect is of an indie melange, as Jollett's unselfconscious lyrics provide a low-key narrative of our times, with clear echoes of both 'Arcade Fire' and 'Bright Eyes'.

Rating 7/10

(Review by Patrick Gates)

Various - Notorious: It's no surprise that for a film which is based on the relatively short life of hip-hop's Notorious BIG, the album accompanying it is mostly made up of his own tracks. On first appearances, it seems like this may be just a bit of a cash in - you'll find a lot of these songs already featured on other Notorious BIG albums. However, you also get a few rarities including some Biggie demos - Microphone Murderer being a highlight. In addition, there's a new track by Jay Z featuring Santogold. While the album serves as a reminder of his importance in hip-hop, the guns-money-girls lyrics do verge on being utterly crass.

Rating 7/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Bruce Springsteen - Working On A Dream: The Boss has struck a rich vein of form. His last album, Magic, was a welcome return to working with the E Street Band and the more bombastic sound of his '70s/'80s heyday. Working On A Dream can be seen as a continuation of a similar thought. Springsteen embraces all the themes he loves so much: unrequited love, wide open spaces, love eventually fulfilled and, as always, a bit of good old fashioned contemplation about the state of life. He sounds more at ease, as if he is singing with a big smile on his face, than perhaps ever before. Tracks not to miss include the opener Outlaw Pete, My Lucky Day and his ode to a checkout chick - Queen Of The Supermarket. Treat yourself to a master who is enjoying being at the top of his game.

Rating 8/10

(Review by Glen Corry)

SINGLES By Andy Welch

Daniel Merriweather - Change

After providing the vocal for Mark Ronson's reworking of Stop Me, Australian singer Daniel Merriweather has been threatening a solo career of his own. This trumpet-heavy single might just be the beginning of it.

Coldplay - Life In Technicolour II

This song will be familiar to anyone who owns Coldplay's recent album - this song opened Viva La Vida… as an instrumental. Now it's got words, and is rather special for it.

Seasick Steve - Happy Man

No, it wasn't recorded in the 1930s, but this Gospel-soaked blues stomp from everyone's favourite down-and-out Seasick Steve could have been. Wonderful.

ON THE ROAD

LIVE REVIEW

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK - O2 ARENA, SATURDAY JANUARY 24

With bands reforming left, right and center, it's no surprise that the boyband who started it all - perhaps spurred on by the success of Take That's re-invention, have decided to get together again and set out on tour. This, probably their largest date in Europe, where there's 20,000 screaming women to contend with, proves to be a massive success. Performing the same dance routines as they used to and as many costume changes as you'd expect from a diva presenting an awards ceremony, this is true early '90s boyband nostalgia. All five are on great form, and from Right Stuff to Hangin' Tough all songs are strong. The highlight of the concert is Tonight - which sees the band appear in a round lifting platform - complete with piano in the middle of the arena. The 'Kids all live up to their stereotypical personas - Donnie still the tough guy who grabs his crotch and pulls down his trousers mid-concert, Joey still the cheeky scamp of the group and shy Jonathan, seemingly slightly embarrassed by all the attention. Their voices are still strong - especially of course Jordan's while Danny's break dancing is impressive. A great return for the five, whether they could have done any better when they were at their popularity peak is debatable. Everyone leaves entirely satisfied - grateful for their pure pop fix.

(Review by Polly Weeks)

UPCOMING TOURS

With a No 1 album to their name, top tips for 2009 White Lies have announced their second tour of the year. They kick off of May 3 in Leeds, calling at Glasgow and Manchester before finishing up with two nights in London. Check out www.myspace.com/whiteliesuk for more details.

Counting Crows have announced a full UK tour for later this year. They'll be supported by The Hold Steady, and begin in Belfast on May 7, ending up in Newcastle on May 27. For more details, go to www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

LISTEN OUT FOR

Doves are back! The Manchester three-piece will release their eagerly anticipated fourth album Kingdom Of Rust on April 6. Billed as their most sonically adventurous album yet, we should expect something very special indeed.