
As an old school Coldplay fan, I was a little apprehensive when it came to their new album. I was quite the Coldplay fan a while ago, but I had become bored of the same old Coldplay sound, and stopped taking any interest in them. So I was looking for one thing in this new album, and that was some range. It has been (and I think still is) number 1. in the charts, so despite the apprehension I had high hopes. The album was surrounded by claims that it’s lyrics were more abstract and visual than before, on top of that one of the band members said he was a little terrified of this album. But on to track 1. MOAR »

Ah The Ting Tings, from humble beginnings a year ago to super-stardom today. The Ting Tings, winners before they knew it themselves, 7 months ago the BBC named them number three in the new Sound of 2008, only to Adele(number one single and album), and Duffy(also number one single and album). It was almost ineveitable to say that the Ting Tings were next in line, as the BBC havent been wrong in previous years, Arctic Monkeys and The Feeling to name a few. The Ting Tings album is a surpisingly good album, despite the odd hiccup in places.
The album is no doubt full of radio friendly single chart toppers, which is both a good and bad thing, and lets not get carried away, the album has many flaws as it rolls onto the last few songs of the album. But lets start with good points. The band have said that they are going to reinvent the pop genre, and they certainly going a different ring to it. MOAR »

An artist thats getting maximum exposure in the recent Sure for women ad, things are looking up for this 17 year old Aussie. Sweet About Me has gained popularity and will surely be a hit of the Summer, as she looks to cement her name at the top along with Kate Nash, Duffy, Amy Winhouse and the likes. Unfortunately, the album disappoints.
To my shock and disbelief, the opening song, ‘Save the Lies’, is a debacle. Roll on the cheesy synths and oh-so-predictable, vocals. She attempts to give the song a funky 70’s style disco ring to it, but fails miserably, even the Fast Food Rockers could do better than this(maybe an overstatement!). Thankfully, the pattern of awful songs isnt repeated in the all of the album, only some of it. The already popular ‘Sweet About Me’, already the flaglining the album, is the best song on the album. Easily constructed and sang, and so relaxing her voice is, it could but you to sleep. Its a shining example of a song that can be both actually good and be on the radio simultaneously, which is no mean feat.<
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The Mystery Jets isn’t a band that would jump straight into your head as recognizable, but rest assured, after listening to this album, it wont be long until they will be.
The bands previous album, Making Dens, caused quite a stir when it was released two years ago, with the band being hailed as the king of 80’s revival. Its quite a big name to take, but from the first album, it was deserved. The band had been quoted as THE band reviving the eighties and ‘how they plan to take over the world.’
The new album, Twenty One, again focuses with 80’s The Cure inspired melodies, with a punchy electronica/indie feel to it. Up to the pre-release of the album, the band released a free Christmas single, ‘Flakes’, which features on the new album. The song is beautifully executed, with the bubble-pop guitar strumming swiftly moving from three different melodies, beginning woeful, then bright, spunky Duran Duran like chords, and then to a more Cure sound. The song is a highlight of a very colourful and bright album. Hideaway gives away a punchy electronica bassline, and a magnificent and simple, powerful voice to accompany it. MOAR »

After the resounding success of Costello music, The Fratellis had a lot to live up to for their second album. The media pressed that the ‘woeful’ second album of every artist would be likely for The Fratellis second. This is not the case. The Fratellis has met expectations, and thankfully has exceeded it. It can be quite tricky for a band to write an album that preceded concert anthems like Chelsea Dagger and Creeping Up the Backstairs, but the guys decided to go on a slightly different path.
The album begins with a more crunchy, more rock steady song, ‘My Friend John’. The song starts off a bit downbeat, but takes off blissfully. MOAR »