On the record

Apr 6 2009 By Andy Welch

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

Doves - Kingdom Of Rust

With three equally impressive, idiosyncratic albums to their name already, the right fourth album could assure Doves' rightful place as one of our most consistently exciting bands. But what to do - deliver an album that sounds just like their past offerings, appeasing the fans, or break new ground? The answer is a little of both, for Kingdom Of Rust explores an even more layered, adventurous terrain, with nods to Kraftwerk and funk in various places, while thanks to Jimi Goodwin's unique howl, north-western imagery and the Sub Sub-esque groove that underpins several of the tracks, it couldn't be anyone else but Doves. Opener Jetstream and the title track will be known to fans already, but it's perhaps Winter Hill, 10.03, arranged by Chemical Brother Tom Rowlands and anthemic closer Lifelines that typify Kingdom Of Rust best, bustling with ambition. The year's best album may have arrived already.

Rating 9/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

With their UK tour dates selling out quickly, it comes as little surprise that the anticipation around this follow up to Show Your Bones is high. It looks like the New York natives are taking inspiration from not only garage rock, but also the electro-disco sound. For the first time the band use synths and they're in abundance. Heads Will Roll will be a good number to dance to, while Soft Shock sounds like something Depeche Mode could be responsible for (were it not for Karen O's lyrics). The album is not a brash 'we're back, sit up and take notice' affair, it's subtle and at times discreet. It will impress not only confirmed fans of the band, but a new breed too.

Rating 8/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Various - Now 72

Where previous Now compilations kicked off with the pure pop, this one breaks the mould. From the off, the tracks are upbeat dancefloor fillers, including Lady Gaga's Just Dance and Flo Rider's No 1 hit Right Around. Now veteran Britney is back with Womanizer, although it sounds less fresh than it did six months ago. CD1 ends as a tribute to girl power, with Katy Perry, Leona and Girls Aloud all featuring. The second disc is even more of a mish-mash, as Take That's opener Greatest Day and James Morrison's Broken Strings, segue into U2's comeback Get On Your Boots, and tracks from ageing rockers the Prodigy and Pet Shop Boys. Some great tunes, but some thoughtless placing. And do The Saturdays and Alesha Dixon really deserve two slots each?

Rating 6/10

(Review by Kate Whiting)

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

Returning with the follow up to her 2007 Mercury Prize nominated album Fur And Gold, Bat For Lashes picks up where she left off. Opening with Glass, the song has yearning lyrics and intricate instrumentation, as such it's a great indicator for the rest of the album. Moon and Moon is a delicate follow up to Fur And Gold's Sad Eyes. The first single from the LP is Daniel - which sounds like it would fit on the soundtrack to something like Danny Darko. It's both mysterious and nods towards a slightly more electronic sound. With the pressure on to make a good follow up to her debut album, Bat For Lashes can rest assured she's delivered another high quality release.

Rating 8/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Neil Young - Fork In The Road

At the venerable age of 63, it would be easy to forgive Neil Young a gentle semi-retirement of endless hits packages and the occasional Las Vegas showcase. That, though, no longer appears to be an acceptable career plan for ageing rockers. With Bob Dylan's Neverending Tour living up to its name each year, and an energised Bruce Springsteen joining Young at the top of this year's Glastonbury bill, it has never been a better time to be one of the grey brigade. This, remarkably Young's eighth studio effort since the turn of the millennium, is a thinly-veiled concept album on the dual themes of America's oil addiction and the credit crunch. His musings may be ultra topical but fans will be glad to know the guitars are as grinding, and the delivery as acerbic, as ever.

Rating 7/10

(Review by Rory Dollard)

Benjamin Taylor - The Legend Of Kung Folk

Having Carly Simon and James Taylor as parents was never going to make it easy for Benjamin Taylor to break into music. The fact he's made it to his third album, however, shows there's more to the man than coming from good stock. As an acoustic songwriter, he largely avoids comparisons to his old man by ploughing a different furrow, more akin to something surf-rocker Jack Johnson might put out. She's Gone, Dangerous Girl, and Something For Nothing are the best examples of this, although he does give away his parentage on the brass-laden You're The One For Me and album closer After It's Over - which could easily appear on a record by his old man, although without threatening to scale such lofty, finely honed heights. As easy on the ear as The Legend Of King Folk is, it's unlikely to linger long in the memory.

Rating 6/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Pearl Jam - Ten (Legacy Edition)

Ten was the record that brought Eddie Vedder and friends to angst-faced fame, roaring and doomy breakers atop the swelling wave of grunge. Now, almost two decades since its original release, it's back, remastered and coupled with a second CD. The extra disc features a new mix of the album supported by six previously unreleased tracks. Early nineties anthems, Alive and Jeremy, sound as lithe and crystal clear as you'd expect, but if you weren't convinced first time round none of the knob-twiddling here will be sufficiently revelatory to convert you to the cause. Dedicated Vedd-heads, on the other hand, should begin a slow-mosh of anticipation.

Rating 7/10

(Review by Kieran Haynes)

The Wave Pictures - If You Leave It Alone

Having been paying their dues for years now with a string of singles and short run CDs, three piece The Wave Pictures now release their debut album proper on respectable London indie label Moshi Moshi. The recording has a nice intimate DIY sound (reminiscent of Dylan and The Band's Basement tapes) as if the loose shuffling drums, acoustic guitars, and horn section were playing just across the room. Songwriter David Tattersall's penchant for wordy domestic allegories and slightly affected vocal translate best on the most direct songs here, like Tiny Craters In The Sand and Come On Daniel.

Rating 7/10

(Review by Steve Kerr)

Elvis Perkins In Dearland - Elvis Perkins In Dearland

Both a follow-up to Elvis Perkins' debut album Ash Wednesday and a debut from his new outfit, Elvis Perkins In Dearland, this eponymously-titled album is at once melancholic, uplifting, considered and ragged around the edges. Opener Shampoo kicks off with birdcalls, gently strummed guitar and Hammond organ, giving the track a rural feel recalling Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. The son of Psycho actor Anthony Perkins and renowned photographer Berry Berenson who perished in New York on 9/11, his personal life has, in the past, threatened to overshadow his work. If he keeps on putting out work of this quality, there'll be no such danger in the future. The haunting closing song, How's Forever Been Baby, is a particular highlight.

Rating 8/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Lady Of The Sunshine - Smoking Gun

With the current financial depression hitting the music industry hard, the unexpected emergence of Bon Iver as 2008's sleeper hit of the year must have been toasted with joy by record companies the world over. Choirs? Pro Tools? Expensive sequencers and costly samples? No, no and no. The success of For Emma, Forever Ago was built around an expenses claim no larger than a new set of strings and a decent microphone. Cue the soundalikes. It would be harsh to write off this Angus Stone vehicle in such cold terms but the simplicity of the arrangements, the cavernous recording quality and the dense, almost paranoiac vocals suggest tips have certainly been taken.

Rating 6/10

(Review by Rory Dollard)

Singles by Andy Welch

Zarif - Let Me Back

An unashamed Amy Winehouse clone, Let Me Back is newcomer Zarif's debut single. Unfortunately for her - or is that us? - the song lacks any real structure or a hook. There's talent in there somewhere, it just gets buried under the hefty production. Better luck next time.

Franz Ferdinand - No You Girls

Despite their angular art rock tendencies, Franz Ferdinand are at their best when making infectious pop such as this, all catchy chorus and knowing sexual energy. No You Girls is up there with their very best work.

Mumford & Sons - The Cave

With record labels currently battling each other to sign them, Mumford & Sons are one of the country's hottest prospects. And it's not hard to see why their glorious folk harmonies are so in demand. Catch them now.

On the road

Upcoming tours

:: Kasabian have announced a string of dates to support their new album, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. They begin with three nights in hometown Leicester on May 29, before ending up in London on July 17. They're also supporting Oasis on their series of summer shows. For more information, go to www.seetickets.com

:: The Cambridge Folk Festival, which takes place between July 30 and August 2, has announced its line-up. Acts scheduled to appear include Lucinda Williams, The Zutons, Los Lobos, The Saw Doctors, Jim Moray, Booker T Jones and Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds. For information, go to www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk