On the record: Chris Moyles makes musical debut

Nov 23 2009 By Polly Weeks

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

Chris Moyles - The Parody Album

Love him or hate him, it's impossible to deny the impact Chris Moyles has had on Radio 1. And the BBC station's longest-serving breakfast presenter has, over the years, created his own versions of some modern pop classics. From his take on Britney's Womanizer (called Lorrydriver), to his own cover of Tom Jones's Sex Bomb (Big Bum), this debut album is full of his comedy tunes. Granted, he probably won't win a Grammy for it, but the tunes are relatively amusing. After a while they do become slightly repetitive, and you'll have to be a big fan to listen to all 20 of them in a row.

Rating: 6/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Snow Patrol - Up To Now

Those familiar with Snow Patrol's anthemic hits such as Run and Chasing Cars might think it's a little premature to be releasing a 'best of', but the band have been going for 15 years now and this album charts their development. All five studio albums are represented from Fifteen Minutes Old, originally on 1998 debut Songs For Polarbears, to Take Back The City, which featured on last year's latest offering A Hundred Million Suns. This mix of old and new is complemented by the inclusion of live recordings and B-sides, which gives the album a non-linear sound. It also demonstrates that Snow Patrol have not always been the finished article they so consistently prove themselves to be, but instead have a rich, challenging and often beautiful past that is worth revisiting.

Rating: 7/10

(Review by Stefan Bonczoszek)

The Priests - Harmony

The self-titled debut from the trio of Roman Catholic priests proved to be a great success when released last year. While it would be easy to criticise brothers Martin and Eugene O'Hagan and fellow Reverend David Delargy for what is, of course, a marketing dream come true, their talent is clear to hear. From the opening song How Great Thou Art through to the wintery Silent Night, this is another strong album. It's obviously not a record that's going to get the party started, but as a classical release, it's a success.

Rating: 7/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Moby - Wait For Me (Deluxe edition)

The original album, Moby's ninth studio effort, was put out as recently as June - so a lavishly-upgraded reissue seems a tad unnecessary. That said, the New York producer's label has done him proud, adding two new tracks, a bonus disc of ambient remixes and a DVD. The album's heavy atmospherics are more pronounced on the second disc, with what minimal beats there were replaced by even more washes of dreamy synth and snatched vocal samples. If anything, though, that technique rounds the rough edges of what was at first a more interesting, if uneven, listen.

Rating: 6/10

(Review by Rory Dollard)

Sparrow And The Workshop - Into The Wild

This threesome only formed in 2008, but Into The World - which follows the June release of the six-track Sleight Of Hand - sounds like they've already had a wealth of experience. Country-folk in style, the album sounds like a cross between Bonnie Prince Billy and Howling Bells. While only seven songs long, this is a strong album and the female/male vocals are pitch perfect. Crossing Hearts and A Horses Grin are both strong songs, and the album closer Swam Like Sharks is enough of an indicator that this band should be further investigated.

Rating: 8/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Dave Rawlings Machine - A Friend Of A Friend

As the writing partner of Gillian Welch, sometime Ryan Adams collaborator and producer of bands such as Bright Eyes and Old Crow Medicine Show, David Rawlings certainly keeps very good company. This debut album is his chance to shine for a change, and shine he does over its nine splendid tracks. He never strays too far from the Adams-esque country songs you might expect, but whether he's covering Neil Young's Cortez The Killer or delivering one of his own compositions, A Friend Of A Friend is, while far from revelatory, hugely enjoyable.

Rating: 8/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Alesha Dixon - The Alesha Show: Encore

She's come a long way since her days in Mis-Teeq, has Alesha. Once famed for her fiery MCing skills, she's now a bona fide solo star, dance judge and TV presenter. To coincide with her national tour, her 2008 debut album has been repackaged for this Encore version - she's on tour, the album's called Encore, clever, no? - which manages to be both wholly unnecessary and harmless fun at the same time. A bit like Strictly Come Dancing, then. The four extra songs featured here are all solid, including latest single To Love Again, penned by a certain Gary Barlow. The new tracks don't make her admittedly good album great, but it does make a good idea for a Christmas present.

Rating: 7/10

(Review by Andy Welch)

Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster

Reissue! Repackage! Repackage! The inevitable re-release of a big-selling album usually equates to the addition of a cash-in single and a couple of dodgy remixes, but Lady Gaga has treated her fans to an album's worth of new material to accompany a slightly-tweaked version of her hugely popular debut. New tracks include the sophisticated Eurodance of latest single Bad Romance, full-throttle Beyonce collaboration Telephone and the pure pop brilliance of the off-the-wall Monster. Together with hits such as Pokerface, Paparazzi and Just Dance, this is a brilliant package that definitely provides great value for money.

Rating: 8/10

(Review by Simon Harker)

Various Artists - Now 74

The Now juggernaut continues and the pop chiefs are onto their 74th release. As usual, they've been able to get the big releases of 2009 and pop them all onto a couple of discs. Robbie Williams's comeback track Bodies sits near to the Black Eyed Peas tune I Gotta Feeling, and Cheryl Cole's Fight For This Love is also featured on the album. There are also tunes from rising talent such as Mini Viva, hotly tipped for success in 2010. If you're after an album with pure pop, you won't go wrong with this.

Rating: 7/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Various artists - 2012 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The big-budget disaster film details the end of the world, but does its soundtrack live up to the Hollywood drama? Partially. It's essentially a classical music score by Harald Kloser and Thomas Wander which, while a perfect accompaniment to the film, can make the listener feel a little bit jumpy as it goes from a delicate string section to crashing cymbals a second later. The music may be beautiful, but it will certainly keep you hanging on a knife's edge. In addition, American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has the honour of singing the theme song, Time For Miracles. It's a predictable tune, but is done rather well.

Rating: 6/10

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Singles by Polly Weeks

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

This song highlights Lady Gaga's individual take on the pop scene. It's a dance-heavy number and the video does, of course, feature a number of outfits.

Mika - Rain

His first album proved to be incredibly popular. This song is probably meant to be quirky, but it's just a bit annoying. Oh dear, Mika.

La Roux - Quicksand

Another synth-heavy pop number from Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid. This re-release of their 2008 independent debut highlights why they are one of Britain's pop success stories in 2009.

On the road

Live review

Ash, Gipsy Hill Tavern, Upper Norwood, November 16

Northern Irish indie favourites Ash are nearing the end of their A-Z tour. A novel idea, the band started in Aldershot on October 19 and will finish in Zennor on November 23. Tonight, having got to the letter U, they are playing in an average-sized pub in South London which is stuffed to the rafters. Without a hint of tour tiredness, lead singer Tim Wheeler launches into a nostalgia-filled set. From Goldfinger to Sometimes, the trio prove why they have been such a successful band. The crowd - a mix of locals who've come to check out who's playing at their local and dedicated Ash fans - leave a happy but sweaty bunch.

(Review by Polly Weeks)

Upcoming tours

Former Suede frontman Brett Anderson has three gigs in the UK as part of his solo European tour next year. Beginning at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on January 22, he plays Manchester's Academy 3 on February 8 and finishes at King Tut's in Glasgow on February 9. See www.brettanderson.co.uk for for full details.

Scottish music legend Malcolm Middleton begins his Long Dark Night Winter Tour this month. Starting at London's Bush Hall on November 24, he finishes up at the Glasgow Oran Mor on December 10. Visit www.malcolmmiddleton.co.uk for full listing.W