New Releases - 11th October

New Releases - 11th October

06 October, 2010
by: Music Team

Guess what? Joe McElderry fights like your dad...

Esben And The Witch – Marching Song
Matador Records

A year ago if I'd said that Ebsen and The Witch had the potential to be huge, you'd have looked at me like the nutter I rightly was. Well, we live in different times my friend. If the XX can win a Mercury for their self conscious bewitched-rock then being weird is officially mainstream.

‘Marching Song ‘ is a case in point, with its bubbly, underwater sounding reverb and its ghostly build up that is the aural equivalent of waiting for a panic attack that never comes, 'Marching Song' could be the sound of E&TW going places. 4/5
LM

Anna Calvi – Jezebel
Domino

I think it's fairly safe to brand Anna Calvi a 'chanteuse', as she seems to be channelling that Gallic thing, all breton tops, sultry red lipstick, and here covering Edith Piaf's Jezebel.

The song doesn't really attempt to deviate much from the original, with the harmony marching along at speed, as if chased by horses. Once the tempo has been, set, it's really all about Calvi and her deep booming, echoing voice. This is not delicate girly-girl singing. Because she's a Jezebel, geddit?! Stirring, pouty stuff.  4/5
SB

Arkist – What Do I See
Deca Rhythm 2010

What does Bristolian dubber Arkist see? Mostly a soft synth and not enough daylight if this is anything to go by. Simple and effective dubstep, this won't set the world on fire but it will creep into many a record box for those moments when something deep and chilled is required.  3.5/5
TO

Detroit Social Club – Northern Man
Polydor

Not going to lie, I got a little bit excited by the intro to this song. It's a bit epic, kinda like the soundtrack on the opening credits of a BBC drama. But then singer joins in with a sorta semi-drunk, can't-quite-be-bothered slur and, having listened to the whole thing, I have no idea what he was singing about. Their website tells me it's about 'the potential we all have'. Deep.

Good background music for the office. 3.5/5
EB

Chapel Club – All The Eastern Girls
Polydor

So, another pop noir shoegazing (etc) act. Apparently, they look to "Vintage natural history museum illustrations and Ted Hughes, Ernest Hemingway and Mikhail Bulgakov" for inspiration. Oh really.

As much as they would hate to hear it, these guys do have visible traits of Editors, White Lies and Doves, and the wry, melancholic moan in lead singer Lewis Bowman's voice does make for the obligatory Morrisey reference. The pounding rhythm and intense guitar riffs bring some energy, and it is a lovely song. Just not all that memorable. 3/5
CW

Surfer Blood – Floating Vibes
Kanine Records
 
Florida indie-rockers Surfer Blood earnt themselves comparisons with Vampire Weekend, Weezer and even Pavement when they released their first album Astro Coast in January.

I must say though that hearing this I was a bit disappointed. I suppose ‘Floating Vibes’ is pretty much what is says on the tin – a dreamy shimmying surfer-rock tune with Beach Boys-y vocal harmonies. But after 3 minutes you find yourself feeling like nothing’s really happened… There isn’t the same cheekiness, variation and energy that got them so much attention for ‘Swim.’  3/5
AH

Tony Roots – Lets Praise Jah
Scoops records

Not knowing much about reggae makes judging this song an interesting exercise. However if we take the song at face value and ask - has Tony Roots succeed in his aim to 'Praise Jah'? – then I think that it's clearly a runaway success. Jah has indeed been blessed, glorified and hailed many times over.

With regards to the actual music, it's got a killer bassline. 3/5

Joe McElderry – Ambition
Syco

Remember Joe McElderry? No, me neither… Well he’s back, with a brand new cover version for him to plug on this year’s X-Factor shows.

Originally by Norwegian pop group Donkeyboy, McElderry’s version of ‘Ambition’ is as cloyingly upbeat as pop songs come, sounding like the cast of Glee covering a Mika song whilst on a lot of drugs. Check out the accompanying video which features some truly terrible dance moves, the likes of which have not been seen since B*Witched’s glory days in the late 90s.  1/5
SJ

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