New Releases - 11 May

New Releases - 11 May

06 May, 2009
by: Music Team

Sparrow & The Workshop – Devil Song/ The Cold-Hearted Twist
Distiller Records

Sparrow & The Workshop make timeless music that's easy to imagine soundtracking the ages. When Robert Johnson walked up to that crossroads to exchange his soul for music he could easily have been whistling 'Devil Song'.

Swooping and diving, driven on a peal of Ron Ashton-filtered Morricone guitars and ceaseless, thunderous crashbox 'Devil Song' is a heart wrenching duet, a cautionary tale about the Devil's work building to a shivering climax. 'The Cold-Hearted Twist' highlights the band's star-crossed noir-country side. Essential. 5/5
JS


The Horrors – Who Can Say
XL Recordings

Cooler-than-thou Faris Badwan and his gang of amusingly-named stooges have traded in their Halloween noises and Victoriana posturing for a look that makes them seem less like an art-school ruse and more like a band.

Their new sound – courtesy of Portishead's Geoff Barrow – channels the shimmering relentlessness of early '90s shoegaze, but fortunately, Faris' pop sensibility stops the melodies from completely disappearing under an artfully unkempt fringe. And there's even scope for an arch voiceover. It's
actually brilliant! 4/5
TJ


Josh Weller – Push
Yodel
 
Get your tap shoes on everyone – Josh Weller is here with his ballroom cabaret-inspired slice of unique indie pop 'Push', the lead single from his debut EP.
 
Think '50s rock 'n' roll with elements of jazz and blues, and an upbeat, energetic vibe. Guaranteed to get your feet moving. Now where did I put my top hat and tails? 3.5/5
GT


Eminem – We Made You
Interscope Records

I'll admit it now. I was gripped by Eminem fever with the best of them. The circus which surrounded his brazen raps (about killing his ex-wife and abusing celebrities) was brilliant. And then, it got boring. Hands up who stopped following after 'The Eminem Show'?

Well, in his own words, 'Guess who's back?' and this song's alright. He's his old, frank self, chatting about Ritalin binges and nailing Sarah Palin. Jessica Simpson sings on the chorus, but even so it manages to be both funny and catchy. 3.5/5
LC

 
Asher Roth – I Love College
Universal Motown

Geeky, white-boy stoner rap isn't really my cup of tea, and when this particular ditty opens with a box-ticking Weezer sample, I prepare myself for the worst. Happily, I'm confounded by what follows: the track is basically a harmless ode to boozy college partying antics, and self-aware enough not to get under one's skin.

Tame-as-hell raps – 'Don't pass out with your shoes on / Don't have sex if she's too gone' – and dumbass one-liners – 'Time isn't wasted, when you gettin' wasted' – possess a kind of inane, pseudo-philosophical charm which, set to languid, summery beats, makes for an enjoyable (if forgettable) listen. 3/5
MB
 

Madness – Dust Devil
Lucky Seven Records

Madness return to form with 'Dust Devil', a plodding ska number which shows they've still got it. What 'it' is, I'm never sure, but old Suggs is on top form lyrically, singing about some girl who 'keeps a gizmo, under her pillow'.

Those cheeky devils! Let's hope those Capital FM listeners are as oblivious as usual, otherwise someone might be offended. Not that it takes much nowadays... 3/5
SL


Passion Pit – The Reeling
Columbia

Imagine you're back in Year 9 math and Rogers is droning on about quadratic equations while you drift off into daydreams about kissing Jessica Masters. Suddenly you look down and have 10 of the hardest questions ever to try and get through. What do you do?

Look over the shoulder of the smartest kid and just copy down numbers, right? You'll never get found out - the teacher's a douche. Well guess what 'Passion Pit'? You have been caught out. Now give Friendly Fires' 'Paris' back and write your own damn stylish electro. 2/5 (please see me)
DH


Mike Bones – Today the World Is Worthy of My Loathing
Vice Records
 
Wow, that Mike Bones is a cheery chap. From 'Everybody's Always Coming Down on Me', we come to 'Today the World Is Worthy Of My Loathing'. Bones has stated that his themes revolve around 'existential despair'. No kidding; step aside Morrissey!
 
Although he's far from outdoing the man with his lyrics, take for example: 'today there is no love that can console me/like a patriot that lost his will to be free'. Utter drivel. What does stand out are his impressive guitar skills; once you get past the mournful vocals, it's soft rock heaven. 2/5
EM


Annie – Anthonio
Pleasure Masters

I write this review fully aware that I may regret it in a few weeks time. That is, once this tune has worked up to radio-omnipresence and become as offensive as anything else you can't escape.

Having said that, maybe I'll be alright, because I genuinely think this song is more basic and unsatisfying than most of the high-commercial pop music out there currently. It's dressed up with effects that aren't particularly original, fails as both pop and dance, and sounds like a half-hearted money spinner. 1/5
MD


Ebony Bones – The Muzik
Sunday Best

Credit Ebony – she's been around a while now, wearing nothing except ridiculous spandex and a thrown together selection of the Emperor's New Clothes, and it seems nobody has called her out yet as a glorified podium dancer. Except she's rubbish and always has been!

Demonstrating a certain perverse chutzpah, 'The Muzik' is worst thing she's ever produced. Other artists grow, Ebony has replaced likable punk stomp with trite vocal house. Check the video – a real-life 'Rise of the Idiots'. 0.5/5 
JH


As Dom might say: 'Harsh'. But fair! Never less than fair. If you disagree, why not pile in to defend your favourite artists in the comments section below? If you enjoy a good opinion and some music every now and again, you really should join our Facebook group. See you next week!

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Music Team