Anthems R US
James - Whiplash |
Gene - Drawn to the Deep End |
Radiohead - OK Computer
Longpigs - The Sun is Often Out |
Jack - Pioneer Soundtracks
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James - Whiplash
Fontana/Mercury |
Gene - Drawn to the Deep End
Polydor |
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Let's all say hello to the new and improved James, well, almost. How about classic James meets boom rush, ace knob twiddler James? Whiplash is an unconventional James record. There are the sounds we all know and love in "Tomorrow", "Lost A Friend" and the single "She's A Star", but what follows, quite shockingly, is three songs (particulary "Play Dead") that can only be described as lightweight techno. |
Second (or third, if your count the wonderful b-sides compilation To See The Lights) album in, Gene have
produced a majestic opus - half fist clenching anthems (including the terrific singles Fighting Fit, We Could
be Kings, Save me I�m Yours) and half sorowful, melencholic laments (Speak to me Someone, Why was I born). If this album doesn�t touch you emotionally in some way I truly feel sorry for you. Pure Gene-ius.
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Offical Site
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James, however, save
this possible catastrophy by infusing the beats with great vocals and generally keeping their heads way above the "techno shit" line.
"Avalanche" and "Homeboy" are stepping stones in the pop singalong vein to bridge the gap between techno and ballad. "Watering Hole" and "Blue Pastures"
are the sleepy, sweet closers of "Whiplash", showcasing Booth's excellent vocal delivery and the versatility of the band.
Despite some bastard reviews in the UK, James have made a mature and interesting album, with songs for every occasion, which for some bands,
can prove difficult. James, on the other hand, have handled their forages into other musical avenues with aplomb and dignity. So all the "I was
there before you" James fans, stop smirking, the lot of you - the band has never sounded better.
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Radiohead - OK Computer
Parlaphone/EMI |
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The numerous reviews I have read all state that this album will take you five or six listens to even begin to get your head
round it. Well, I've given it five or six listens and my head's still buzzing. Look, I know I'm a huge Radiohead fan and that, even if Thom Yorke had
of done a series of belch remixes I would be banging on and on about how brilliant they were, but this album is incredible. One great beautiful headfuck
of an album in fact. One for the late hours when the humness and the drumness of daily routine is still a good few hours away and your addled and
intoxicated mind is prone to trip away and wander. Not really a sunshiney, daylighty album this one folks. Definitely nothing Britpop on here...This
album is a masterpiece, a beautiful freak, a collection of unearthly but beautiful songs, better than all my expectations. A friend of mine said a while
back that Radiohead were flying. Too true matey, too true.
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The Longpigs - The Sun is Often Out
Mother/Polygram |
Jack - Pioneer Soundtracks
Too Pure/Shock |
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Chester Longpigs interview |
Think of an album with memorable songs, searingly emotional vocal delivery and great guitar parts. Think of aggressive songs done with a politely cheeky smile. Picture Oasis as fops and Marion as lads, throw in a bit of Radiohead, James and the Verve and you have the Longpigs. |
Melancholia in the '90s has a soundtrack. And the band behind it is called Jack. Their 1996 release went absolutely nowhere in Australia, but that's
okay because this album isn't meant for the mainstream. It's meant for those who like their despair accompanied by an orchestra, for those who
sit in darkened rooms and befriend their muse.
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The 1996 release album is one that successfully encompasses fags and beer
influenced rock'n'roll, melodic love songs and everything in between
without losing the plot completely. Already, it has spawned four singles, the brilliant stomping ground of
'She Said', the tortured 'Lost Myself', 'Far' and the resident weepy, 'On and On'.
'Jesus Christ' and 'Sally Dances' are two of the best of the remaining
seven songs because they are simply bottom clenchingly anthemic and give
singer Crispin Hunt a chance to air his stunning voice.
The number of influences mentioned above may lead to the conclusion that the Longpigs are just another British guitar band, jumping on the invasion bandwagon. But they aren't. Formed in 1993, hailing from Sheffield, overshadowed by area band, Brit royalty Pulp, Crispin and Co have been a long time coming, but the wait has been worth it. The Sun Is Often Out is an ambitious and ear-tingling LP. It stands on its own two legs with a cocky stature to boot. You can be sure that their next album will leave the current chart monsters trailing in their wake.
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Up first is the song Pulp would have shot themselves in the crinolene for and "...of Lights" is blatantly lyrically and vocally Cocker-esque ('in a
cafe over coffee, he remembers Rachael and how her wrists were like China'). Get my drift? "Wintercomessummer" and "White Jazz" are defiantly
upbeat, a sort of deepbreath before plunging into the downward spiral Jack then traces...
Pioneer Soundtracks doesn't fail to slightly surprise or be as lush as you expect such an album to be. Jack's vocalist has an amazing, smooth voice, although it sometimes teeters on the ripoff stage, nevertheless, they have managed to make the perfect album for rainy Sunday afternoons and sunless mindsets...Even if this band split up tomorrow, it would have earned a place among the Dog Man Star's, the The Bends and The World Won't Listen's of Uk Music. Turn out the lights, plug in the eaphones and turn it up to 8. Such elegent misery cannot be shared.
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