New Releases – 6 July

New Releases – 6 July

01 July, 2009
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*
Franz Ferdinand – Can’t Stop Feeling
Domino

The release of ‘Tonight’, the long-gestating third album from the Rodchenko-bothering, Dior-clad Franz Ferdinand, has so far met with decidedly mixed reviews. It’s the kind of album that, like a first growth Haut-Brion, takes time to open up and reveal its depth and grandeur.
 
Well, now with the release of ‘Can’t Stop Feeling’ surely it’s time to realise their brilliance? A fuzzy, sweaty relentlessly urgent stomp, hollowed out by the vocals of Alex Kapranos and his distinctive haughty yearnings. Nobody but Franz can do this kind of empty complexity. 4.5/5
TJ


The Maccabees – Can You Give It
Polydor
 
I can't listen to this song without having painful flashbacks of being completely battered by over-excited pogo-ing indie kids and getting absolutely soaked with wayward-flying beer. Ah, fun times.
 
The video is also rather good. It offers some fascinating insights into the crazy world of cheese rolling. Definitely worth a watch. Cheese aside, it's actually a very good song. Kind of makes you want to jump up and down and throw beer everywhere. 4/5
GT
 

We Were Promised Jetpacks – Roll Up Your Sleeves
Fat Cat Records

The second single from Scots upstarts We Were Promised Jet Packs seems to be seasonally challenged as it gloomily informs us that we are heading for winter, which whilst true in the Pinter-esque sense that we're dying from the moment we're born doesn't seem too prescient in the middle of a heat wave.
 
Fortunately their marriage of 'Take Me Out' era Franz Ferdinandisms to Jetplane Landing summerfuzz indie and the delightful lyrical declaration 'I am not even kidding' make this infectious number impossible to chastise. 4/5
JS


Animal Kingdom – Tin Man
Warner Bros.

This is the very definition of a grower. It begins in a faintly irritating manner, and I want to dismiss it immediately. But by the third listen I am endeared by the ethereal guitars and Wizard of Oz references paired with the flimsy voice of singer Richard Sauberlich. Later, the drums kick in and toughen it up a bit. The Cure spring to mind.
 
‘Got no arms, got no legs, got no shoulders but I got a head / I got a head that tells me stupid things to do’. That pretty much sums up how I feel post-Glastonbury. 3.5/5
LC


Girls – Hellhole Ratrace
Fantasytrashcan
 
Girls like to party. And man, when they party, they party like one of those fashion shoots in Vice, where people stumble around somebody's comfortable New York Loft whacked on gak and watching Swedish models neck with each other.
 
However after the parties are the inevitable hangovers and this song feels like the worst one ever. It just drones on and on without going anywhere. It’s the musical equivalent of that bummed-out kid in the pub who just sits there staring at people and freaking them out. Cheer up dude, you're killing my LOL! 3/5
DH


A Mountain Of One – Bones
Ten Worlds
 
Woah, this tune is, like, totally dreamy, man. Or something to that effect.
 
Slightly more upbeat than their usual 'Dark Side Of The Moon'-inspired chill-out music, 'Bones' nonetheless exudes all the ambience, elegance and serenity of A Mountain Of One's spaced-out-after-a-heavy-night-of-techno sound. It combines psychedelic pop with elements of prog rock, melodic electronica and ambient techno. Sounds a bit like the stuff dreams are made of. 3/5
GT
 

VV Brown – Shark In The Water
Island Records

I’m not sure 'Shark in the Water' would have done anything to enhance the Jaws soundtrack but this little ditty ain’t so bad. In fact, it could well become my second favourite shark-themed song – after the Jaws theme tune that is.

It’s being touted round as this year’s Summer Smash hit which is a tad optimistic – it’s good, but it’s certainly no Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff ’Summertime’ number. Then again, what comes close...? 3/5
GS


Esther O'Connor – Lost Innocence
Self Released

About two minutes into this pleasant radio-friendly ditty about broken cherries and angsty but character-building emotions, Esther offers a trademark rousing lilt on the words 'you think it's more than you can handle, oh please, does anyone care?'

Only hardcore teen fans who've not discovered the lyrical depth and comparative power of, say Tori or Ani. I really like O'Connor but this particular effort feels like a fudged, deliberately cod-American summer break-up song for preppy girls. 2.5/5
JH


Marmaduke Duke – Silhouettes
14th Floor Records

Given that he is one half of Biffy Clyro, I should probably love Marmaduke Duke at least half as much as I do those lovable bearded Scotsmen.

The problem is Marmaduke Duke seems to the musical outlet for the stuff Simon Neil brings to the Biffy studio and is quickly told: ‘No Simon, you’re being weird again…’

It’s not that Marmaduke Duke are bad, their songs are just hit and miss. 'Silhouettes' is somewhere in the middle. It’s just a little bit dull. 2.5/5
SL


Jordin Sparks – Battlefields
Jive Records   
 
You can't expect too much from one of the winners of American Idol (Kelly Clarkson – need I go on?). That said, the girl has sold a few albums and won several awards so clearly someone thinks she's pretty neat.
 
I didn't think I'd ever hear myself saying this but Leona Lewis is like, way better. After the 50th time of hearing Sparks squeal: ‘Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield?’ - I’m more than ready to fall on my sword. 1/5
EM


So - a good week with some quality summer releases. But is Jordin really lame? Do Franz Ferdinand deserve top spot? And is it more fun when we're forced to listen to stuff that we really hate? Have your say below. Or not. But the one thing you've got to do is sign up for the Facebook Group. Otherwise you're missing out. And like, fundamentally uncool.

Have a lovely hot week and see you next time...

Music Team