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 Clash, XTC, Joy Divison, The Undertones and The Specials to name but a few and turned them into Jazz/Lounge music. They have really made every single one their own. This is why the CD works so well.  The laid back sound of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is just so chilled with the silky smooth voice draped all over it.  “Guns of Brixton” sounds like an old French war song. PIL’S “(This Is Not) A Love Song” just sounds brilliant. XTC’S “Making Plans for Nigel” just sounds so sad.  When I remember it being so happy.  I really think you should buy this album just for “Teenage kicks” and “Friday Night, Saturday Morning” alone. This really is worth a listen.

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 got that new wave feel to it, which is not a bad thing. I’m sure in the coming year we will hear more from these lads.

www.myspace.com/regards

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

This album has now been reviewed two 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 Christmas without it. This has got every great Christmas song you can think of but done in Spector’s trademark wall of sound with soul. “White Christmas”, “Frosty The Snowman”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to name a few, sang by the likes off The Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love and Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans. This really should be handed down like a family heirloom. GO AND BUY IT NOW!