Album Reviews

Joey Ramone: Ya Know?

Second album to be released since Joey's death. If you crossed Slash with the Runaways and then got Joey Ramone to sing over the top ... it would be close to what we have here. All the...

3 days ago

Norah Jones: Little Broken Hearts

When you read the following info on the press release, “ Norah Jones, Jack White and produced by Danger Mouse ”, you know you can’t really go wrong. Norah Jones makes “ Heartbreak ” sound...

1 month ago

Jack White: Blunderbuss

How can a man that has already written some amazing songs carry on doing so. It never ends with Jack White; time and time again he comes up with the goods. Not only does he sound like...

1 month ago

Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires: There is a Bomb in Gilead

New band for you all... If you mixed The Stooges with Lynyrd Skynyrd, then chucked in a big pinch of Tom Petty, you've pretty much got where these boys are coming from. Maybe I’m doing...

2 months ago

Alabama Shakes

Are Alabama Shakes rock, gospel, soul, blues or country? Are they all of these things? It’s a push to pigeonhole the four-piece, hailing (unsurprisingly) from Alabama ,who are...

2 months ago

Paul Weller: Sonik Kicks

I've been waiting a very long time for Mr Weller to bring out an album that blows me away as much as "Stanley Road” did. Well, with "Sonik Kicks" he’s done it. This...

2 months ago

Michael Kiwanuka: Home Again

The North London singer/guitar player has brought to the table something we've been lacking in music for a long time... Soul; that Otis Redding and Bill Withers sort of soul. When the opening...

3 months ago

Regina Spektor: All the Rowboats

The return of the Regina Spektor is good news in the music world. This Tori Amos piano soaked sounding single is a perfect come back. The first track of the new album, "What We...

3 months ago

Arctic Monkeys: R U Mine

New track from the Arctic Monkeys - it’s not on last years "Suck It and See" but as you could guess it’s from the same family as those songs. Very rock heavy which I’m...

3 months ago

Manic Street Preachers: Generation Terrorists

So 20 years ago this month the Manics released their first album; for the time it was released it was very ambitious. It doesn't seem that way now but back then it was. All shoe gazing...

4 months ago

Lana Del Ray: Born to Die

This could have been written for any Quentin Tarantino film you can think of. All I've read about Lana Del Rey is bad press I'm not sure why. Every track on this album stands out for...

4 months ago

The Ting Tings: Sounds From Nowheresville

So the Ting Tings are back with their long awaited second album. By the sound of things, The Ting Tings have found New York's underground hip hop scene – well their twist on it that is. ...

4 months ago

Alabama Shakes

Fingers crossed we have found a new band to carry the flame for guitar bands. With this we have an added bonus in the vocal power of Brittany Howard. If you think of Otis Redding's...

4 months ago

Ben Drake: Repercussions

The first thing that comes to mind when the CD kicks in is how British it is. I feel it would be a cop out to just say “Brit Pop” so I'm not going to. This will drive you down the same...

5 months ago

The Sawdust Caesars

A Hitchin based band, ‘The Sawdust Caesars’ are definitely an up and coming band. Listening to the demo tracks "Mary Jane" and "I’m Gonna Do It", it is clear there is...

5 months ago

The Macabees: Given to the Wild

I have always thought that you would be forgiven for thinking the Maccabees’ previous albums were being put together with a few beers in a Brighton basement somewhere, and sounding fun, crisp and...

5 months ago

Tribes: Baby

New Year, new band... OK I'm going out on a limb here, I think they will go the distance. Great tunes, great vocals, great rock n roll look about them. How can they go wrong really....

5 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No 1 - Kasabian: Velociraptor

OK, no more callers, we have a winner. We have found the album of the year. Once again Kasabian have taken us on a journey that no other band around at this time does. The touches of...

5 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 2 - Adele: 21

In 20 years' time they will still be talking about Adele; not since Dusty Springfield have we had a soul singer of her like. This album comes close to perfect in every way: songs, vocal, lyrics....

5 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 3 - Chase & Status: No More Idols

In a world where everything has now been done music wise, it was a breath of fresh air to hear "No More Idols". It felt like they had given something new to the idea of dance...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 4 - Beastie Boys: Hot Sauce Committee, Part 2

They’re back with modern day collaborations, but the same old skool vibe. This album must have been a massive gamble with the potential that new fans might be put off when they see their Dad listening...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 5 - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

At last Noel's album is here, after all the rumours, "Will it be any good?", etc. Well, it's not just good it's brilliant! It's not balls out Rock ‘n Roll; these are...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 6 - Birdy: Birdy

At the age of 14, Birdy released her cover version of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love". Fearne Cotton then picked it up on her Radio 1 show as the single of the week and the rest, as...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 7 - Damon Albarn: Kinshasa One Two

An album that was put together by Damon Albarn to raise money for the Oxfam charity and also to shine a light on some fantastic talent coming out of the Congo. The hope and creativity that runs though...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 8 - Gruff Rhys: Hotel Shampoo

Front man of the Super Furry Animals - his third solo album is a collection of soft psychedelic, soft, and sometimes touching, piano ballads. After listening to this album, I feel like I've been...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 9 - Arctic Monkeys: Suck it and See

I know before I start this, I need to tell you that this is not like their first album. So if that is what you’re after, you will be disappointed. But if you stick it out, you will find a...

6 months ago

Local Insight's Top Ten Albums of the Year: No. 10 - Tyler, the Creator: Goblin

If you've not heard about Tyler, where have you been? If you have, I'm sure you will have an opinion on him. Everyone else has!!!! Like Eminem before him, he's trying to push Hip Hop forward,...

6 months ago

Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures

When I first heard this album I wasn't sure if I should review it as a new album or just a mishmash of never used songs / demos; I think I will go for a bit of both. First track "Our Day Will...

6 months ago

Emeli Sande: Heaven

The sweet soul vocal over the top of a club dance beat that arks back to “You’ve Got The Love” is what rings out for me on Emeli’s track. It will be a shame if this gets lost as just...

9 months ago

Ms Dynamite: Never Soft

Wow Ms Dynamite has grown up! Back with a drum and bass/reggae track, which Ms D sings in a Jamaican Patois style, MCing as well as that great voice over the top of the catchy chorus....

9 months ago

Little Roy: Battle for Seattle

Lots of reggae stars have done unusual covers in the past, but none as unusual as this collection of cover versions. Some of these Nirvana songs were close to being thrash mental, so to...

9 months ago

Jay Z & Kanye West: Watch The Throne

This has been very much a hyped album across the U.S.A. Jay Z plays the part well although I’m not so sure the same could be said for Kanye. West is Poor. It feels like West is holding on...

9 months ago

Red Hot Chili Peppers: I’m With You

The tenth studio album from the rock funksters… There is lots of 70's funk rock going on around here, nothing wrong with that. The songs have very big, strong choruses, starting with “Monarchy of...

9 months ago

Amy Winehouse

I felt that I needed to write a little piece about the passing of Amy Winehouse. I’m sure over the coming months we will hear all sorts of stories about drugs, drink etc. So I wanted to write about...

10 months ago

What's in it for?

This is really what MGMT’s new album should have been like. Fresh, Summery, Glowing, Pop Tunes, with a hand full of psychedelic stars chucked in for good measure. I really think this band could come...

10 months ago

Detroit social Club: Existence

I have reviewed the last few singles from this hotly tipped band. Like the singles this album really shines, great music, great lyrics. All the influences are worn on their bodies like a gold medal....

11 months ago

Hole: Nobody’s Daughter

Five years in the making but it seems to be worth the wait. (Well for me). See I know how a lot of people don’t really get her. But for me she’s one of the most under rated songwriters. I know...

11 months ago

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector: Step back zone

This album has now been reviewed three years running. This is why. There really is only one Christmas CD and this is it. I would even go as far as to say this is a masterpiece - Christmas is not...

11 months ago

Gorillaz Feat Daley: Doncamatic (All Played Out)

You’ve got to love Damon Albarn. He released a new Gorillaz album at the start of the year, well March, then instead of releasing another track of fthe album he's written a new one....

11 months ago

The Charlatans: My Foolish Pride

This starts with a Northern Soul beat that is very infectious. It wouldn’t go amiss on any of the sixties programs with the cool soundtracks. How this band carries on writing...

11 months ago

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip feat Kid A: Cauliflower

Dan le Sac has to be one of the best lyric writers I’ve heard in a very long time. From the same guy that brought us “ Thou Shalt Always Kill ” (if you’ve not heard this, please go and...

11 months ago

Robbie Williams: The Greatest Hits 1990-2010 In And Out Of Consciousness

With a staggering 57 million album sales and 11 million singles sold, Robbie Williams has been breaking records over the course of his whole career. So now he’s released a double CD to show how many...

11 months ago

Kings of Leon Radioactive

What can I say? Magnificent? Perfection? How about the Kings’ best track ever in my opinion. It really shocked me when I first heard the song. Personally I didn’t...

11 months ago

Duffy: Well, Well, Well

So Duffy has gone all modern on us. Still the same soul voice as before but the music backing this time is very 2010. I’m not sure if this is going to get on my nerves or not. It is...

11 months ago

Echo & the Bunnymen – Echo & the Bunnymen (1987)

Some might say it was the end of the band proper. Some might say it was a commercial output that lacked the trademark edginess which formed the Bunnymen sound over their previous albums. ...

11 months ago

Annie Lennox: A Christmas Cornucopia

With a voice like Annie Lennox’s you really don’t need a great deal. Well maybe a few decent songs, which here with a Christmas album she can’t go far wrong really. “ Silent Night ” and...

11 months ago

Oasis: Time Flies: 1994-2009

If this is the end (which I very much doubt), this is a fond farewell. 26 singles come on!!!! I for one will miss seeing them giving it the big one on the big stage but hey I’m...

11 months ago

The Xcerts: In The Cold Wind We Smile

Three chaps, twelve tracks, one amazing album! For all their comparisons to ‘popular’ Scottish acts, these guys have created their own impression on the live scene and now announce their...

11 months ago

Madonna - Hard Candy

The thing here is I’m not a fan. But if you're a fan of music, you must tip your hat to her. She’s always ahead of the pace when it comes to her albums. This is no diffrent - she’s got a host...

11 months ago

Michael Kiwanuka: Tell Me a Tale EP

Every now and then, a singer comes along that really makes you believe in music all over again. It’s true you know, you don’t have to be endorsed by Mr Cowell to really have a God given...

11 months ago

Kasabian: Switchblade Smile

So i'ts here the - new offering from Kasabian. How does this man keep on coming up with the goods? Really, how? This starts with a trippy sounding loop...

11 months ago

Coldplay: Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

At what point did Coldplay turn into U2? Oh well something to think about. The new song is a grower - now this doesn’t mean I like it but I’m...

11 months ago

The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

I’ve only recently been aware of how spectacular The Beatles really were. This particular album spent twenty-seven weeks at top spot in the charts, picked up four Grammy’s and clinched number...

11 months ago

Does It Offend You Yeah! - Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You

‘Does It Offend You Yeah’ are back again with their second album, Pretty much offering the same Techno, Indie, Rave, Dub-Step feel, but as they seem to have covered pretty much every genre...

11 months ago

The Vaccines – What Did You Expect From The Vaccines:

With the relaxed Ramones style bass and contrasting quick step drumming, ‘The Vaccines’ debut album ‘ What Did You Expect from the Vaccines?’ i s a truly brilliant debut. Most...

11 months ago

The Strokes – Angles

Okay, so we’ve had to wait perhaps a little too long between ‘ First Impressions’ and ‘ Angles ’ - maybe some of the original fans have become deaf and old in that time! But...

11 months ago

Tyler the Creator – B****rd

For the past few months, to those who have been paying attention to a new LA group named ‘Odd Future’ with the man at the helm being ‘Tyler the Creator’. Pretty much a gang of guys who seemed...

11 months ago

Shotgun Sinners: Demo

Local Hitchin band Shotgun Sinners gave me a copy of their new CD and I’m very glad they did. First track on the CD is 'Ready Set Play' . This opens up with a Biffy Clyro style guitar...

11 months ago

A Christmas gift for you from Phil Spector - A Christmas gift for you from Phil Spector: Step back zone

This album has now been reviewed two years running, and this is why. There really is only one Christmas CD and this is it. I would even go so far as to say this is a masterpiece. Christmas is...

11 months ago

Bob Dylan: Christmas in the Heart

Now I know this was released in October but it just didn’t feel right to review it then, so here goes. The first thing you need to know is he (Bob) has given all his American royalties from this...

11 months ago

Kyuss - Welcome To Sky Valley - 1994

Once upon a time in the mid 90’s, before Josh Homme rose to superstardom with the likes of Eagles Of Death Metal, Them Crooked Vultures and (of course) Queens of the Stone Age, there lived a...

11 months ago

Paul Weller (2CD Deluxe Edition)

This re-released, special edition CD offers the best of both sides of the Modfather as far as I’m concerned. There are brilliantly recorded versions of some of his well known classics which...

11 months ago

Biffy Clyro: Only Revolutions

Lets hope for Rock sake that Biffy’s new offering will send them to the stadium rock outfit that they should be. What are we going to leave it to Muse?… Come on! Anyway back to the album....

11 months ago

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: It’s Blitz

I would definitely say that this album was full of energising power pop. This album demonstrates a bit of a revolution in the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s style. Previous albums have been known to be far...

11 months ago

Bat For Lashes: Two Suns

My first impressions of this album weren’t brilliant. I wasn’t too sure of the eighties revival styling they were going for and I really couldn’t see myself wanting to listen again, in all...

11 months ago

Hundred Reasons: Quick the Word, Sharp the Action.

Surrey based band, Hundred Reasons re-released this album recently. From what I have heard of them they have never written a bad song, and this album is no exception! The band...

11 months ago

The Maybes: Trick of the Light

English indie rock five piece - The Maybes really impressed me with this single. The vocal stylings remind me of those that you would hear when listening to bands such as the verve. I...

11 months ago

The Enemy: No Time For Tears

I’m sure some of you, like me, would have been waiting to hear this for a while. Is it worth the wait? Yes, really worth it. It starts with a nice little piano sound, then comes the shuffle...

11 months ago

The Boo Radleys: Giant Steps

In only a couple of years, the assimilation of sixties music by the Britpop brigade would be all encompassing, with Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn regularly borrowing great chunks from the works of...

11 months ago

Twisted Wheel: TBC

Never have the words “A breath of fresh air“ been so appropriate for a new band. Twisted Wheel is a three-piece band from Manchester named after a Northern Soul nightclub. I’m...

11 months ago

Metro Station: Metro Station

LA four-piece Metro Station's eponymous debut is an electro-fuelled pop/rock opus, soon to be heard emanating from secondary schoolers' bedrooms nationwide. This is helped in no small part by...

11 months ago

The Xcerts: Crisis in the Slow Lane

Word of mouth, what a wonderful thing. I read on Facebook a while ago that this band was worth checking out - I’m really pleased I did. These guys are from Scotland (here we go Biffy...

11 months ago

Red Light Company: Fine Fascination

I listened to this with absolutely no pre-conceived ideas, having only heard them on Zane Lowe a couple of times. They are a group of international musicians, fronted by New Zealander Richard...

11 months ago

Speech Debelle: The Key

Second single from the wordsmith that is Speech Debelle. You know sometimes you want to put on a CD that will make you feel good. This does that - it makes you smile from the opening sound...

11 months ago

Kings of Leon: Revelry

Hot on the heels of them picking up two well-deserved Brits, comes the third single off the outstanding " Only by the Night ". Very different than the other tracks on the album -...

11 months ago

Sex Pistols: Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols

From the opening words of “ A Cheap holiday in other people’s misery ” to the last words “ A and M ”, you truly know you have listened to a masterpiece. And it really is! ...

11 months ago

The Stone Roses: The Stone Roses

I thought I would start 2009 with an album that will be 20 years old this year. It doesn’t matter what top 100 albums of all time poll you read, this will usually be in the top ten. Also this is one...

11 months ago

Lily Allen: The Fear (Single)

This starts off with a tune that you get the feeling you’ve heard before, which is not a problem (I’m sure we have). I’m also sure this will be her second number one. It drags you in straight...

11 months ago

White Lies: To Lose My Life (Single)

If you can imagine Joy Division and The Killers have a love child, this is pretty much what it would sound like. So rumour has it, these guys will be the next big thing. Mmmmmm well we will wait...

11 months ago

A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector

There really is only one Christmas CD and this is it. I would even go so far as to say this is a masterpiece - Christmas is not Christmas without it! This has got every great...

11 months ago

Roy Ayers: Greatest Hits

A while ago, a friend of mine turned me on to Roy Ayers. Up until that point I really had not heard of him - shame on me! The one thing that comes to mind here is the bands that were on the...

11 months ago

Oasis: Dig Out Your Soul

This is the album that these guys have promised us for a very long time. It opens up with 'Bag It Up', a great blues stomping opener. As always, great big sound layered with great vocals and...

11 months ago

The Subways: All or Nothing

The Subways return with their second CD, produced by Butch Vig ( 'Nirvana', 'Smashing Pumpkins', 'Sonic Youth' ). As you can hear from the opening of this CD, they have made a big progression...

11 months ago

David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust Live Santa Monica 72

OK, this month I’ve sort of mixed the step back zone and a new release together. This was a bootleg for years then sort of came out in 95, but now has its official release. Hope you're keeping...

11 months ago

Black Kids: Partie Traumatic

I’m sure you’ve heard 'I’m not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance with you'. If so, this does set you up for the CD. Really different in the way they put together the songs. Really strong...

11 months ago

Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes

This has got a real Mamas & Papas / Crosby Stills and Nash vibe going on here. Really great harmonies all the way though this CD. It’s just so chill - I love the feel to it. Opening...

11 months ago

The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing

I first saw this band on Jools Holland with the track ’That’s not my name’ and was hooked. The album starts with 'Great DJ' which you just need to turn up and jump around to. It sets...

11 months ago

Portishead - Third

OK where do I start with this? It’s been a long wait. Was it worth it ???? Yes in places. It’s got that mad dance free beat vibe to it. Her voice just sends shivers down to the...

11 months ago

Vincent and the Villains: Gospel Bombs

This album was a pure pleasure for me. The opening track is a frantic Mexican influenced romp, 'Beast' , which I could almost picture as a soundtrack over a shaky silent movie. Then with no let...

11 months ago

Gnarls Barkley: The Odd Couple

Second offering from the pairing of DangerMouse and Cee-Lo Green. MoreSoul / More Funk Hell yeah and a touch of Northen Soul (have a listen to 'Run' ). There's some really big sounding...

11 months ago

The Kooks: Konk

So here we are, The Kooks second album - catchy melodies, strong chorus. This is a very mainstream, friendly, big anthems CD. Stand out tracks for me were 'See the Sun' , 'Gap'. In all,...

11 months ago

Marvin Gaye - What's Going on

If you haven’t already got this in your CD collection, you need to. When this album came out in 1971 it changed Motown for ever. For the first time someone wrote about politics, not just...

11 months ago

The Kinks Choral Collection - The Kinks Choral Collection

I think this has been re-released for Christmas! I must admit it sounds very Christmassy but I think that may be the choir. I must admit when I got a copy of this I really didn’t...

11 months ago

Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague

This is a re-release, so thought it would be a good idea to review it - just in case you missed it the first time. Basically, on this album the group have covered songs from groups like The...

11 months ago

After Many A Summer - Regards: After Many A Summer

A great debut single from this Stafford band. From the building guitar to the uplifting chorus, you really are hooked. Really cool strokes rift sits nicely over the track. It’s also...

11 months ago

Avi Buffalo: What’s in it for?

This is really what MGMT’s new album should have been like. Fresh, Summery, Glowing, Pop Tunes, with a hand full of psychedelic stars chucked in for good measure. I really think this band could...

11 months ago

Nobody’s Daughter - Hole

Five years in the making but it seems to be worth the wait. (Well for me). See I know how a lot of people don’t really get her. But for me she’s one of the most under rated songwriters. I...

11 months ago

The Notorious - XXX

I thought this would be worth a mention. It’s not going to be released on CD but you can find it all over the Internet. DJ Wait What has put together a new band called The XX and The...

11 months ago

Slash - Slash

Now I was thinking this would be an over indulgent affair but I’m pleased to say I was wrong. The first track “ Ghost ” has a Guns n’ Roses feel to it, except you have the brilliant Ian Astbury...

11 months ago

The Dead Weather - Die by the Drop

Introducing the new offering from Dead Weather - how can you go wrong with Jack White at the helm? Just as they left us last time, they start with a new darker touch. It kicks off with a...

11 months ago

MGMT - Flash Delirium

First offering from the new CD “ Congratulations ”. It starts with a very OMD sounding synthesizer. Then moves on to a very psychedelic sounding pop song. It’s so catchy - it...

11 months ago

The Charlatans - Some Friendly

Okay all get your baggy flairs out. Ten years ago this album flew out of Our Price (does anyone remember that record shop?). It’s not their best album but still it’s their first, so worth...

11 months ago

The Moons - Life on Earth

Andy Croft (Paul Weller’s keyboard player) and Chris Ketley (The Rakes) have put together 12 very soulful classic English sounding pop songs. Very 60’s sounding “ Don’t go Changin ” starts...

11 months ago

Plan B - The Defamation of Strickland Banks

Whatever this guy touches it turns to gold, whether it be acting alongside Michael Caine, rapping or singing his soul out, which is pretty much what he's doing on the new CD. It’s got to be one of the...

11 months ago

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat The Devil’s Tattoo

I really feel that BRMC have lost their way. The first album was outstanding, as was the second one, but then it started to go wrong - in band fighting etc. It’s a shame because there was a time I...

11 months ago

Corn Exchange, 19th Feb 2010 - The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club,

Unfortunately I missed The Drums. I heard them as I was trying to get in but hey these things happen. I’m sure I will catch them again. It’s a shame I can’t tell you I missed The Big...

11 months ago

Detroit Social Club - Kiss the Sun EP

The first song on the CD is hypnotic drum sounding ‘ Kiss the Sun’ - great haunting chanting vocal. There is even an orchestral sound running in the background. ‘Black and White’ starts with...

11 months ago

Straight lines - Persistence In This Game

A new, young and fresh straight up Rock n’ Roll band introducing their first album. The band ended 2009 rather successfully as they supported back to back tours with Kids in Glass Houses, The...

11 months ago

United Nations of Sound - Are You Ready

New band formed by Richard Ashcroft. From the opening beat of the drums you’re already on board. Then into the orchestral sound which is very Ashcroft. The guitar playing is very ‘Rolling...

11 months ago

Plan B - She Said

‘ She Said’ is the second single from ‘ The Defamation of Strickland Banks ’ album. This is a track that Amy Winehouse would have died for to have on her last album or the new one for that matter....

11 months ago

Eels - End Times

The 16th album from the beautiful wordsmith that is E. The first time I heard this band was on TFI Friday, singing " Novocaine for the Soul ". I must admit it wasn’t until a...

11 months ago

Rage Against The Machine

It seems appropriate to choose this album as the step back in time zone this month. Now after “ Killing in The Name “ being Christmas number 1, it makes me very pleased to tell you...

11 months ago

Broken Bells: The High

First offering from the new group (well sort of), one half Danger Mouse (Brian Burton), one half The Shins (James Mercer), so maybe we could say a super group. This is a taster of the...

11 months ago

Screamadelica - Primal Scream

20 Years old this year. OMG!!!!!!!!! I hear you say. This, when it came, was a great cross over album Mixing Indie with Acid House. The album kicked off with “ Move on Up ”. “ Slip...

11 months ago

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