Sandra Leong
Film taste: The Labyrinth
Music taste: Radiohead - from past to present
Hangout: Sainsbury's aisle 14
Most likes (about London): Meeting pseudo royalty on the bus
Least likes: People who eat to live
Me in 10 words: My foot likes to find its way into my mouth
Reviews
artist Thom Yorke
Tuesday, 15 September
SINGLES REVIEWS - Sept 14 2009
Thom Yorke feat. Andy Yorke – All For The Best
Shout Factory
After weeks of mediocrity singles-wise, Thom Yorke has saved me from musical abyss. The charismatic Radiohead frontman has turned Miracle Legion's 'All For The Best', originally a rather staid rock number, into a soul-searching masterpiece of programmatic beats, atmospheric guitars and vocals – backed by brother Andy - that seems to flit from note to note.
The song peaks and troughs beautifully, trailing off with lots of spine-tingling 'oohs'... and Yorke urging you to 'say you love me' whilst you blissfully surrender. 4.5/5
SL
Thom Yorke feat. Andy Yorke – All For The Best
Shout Factory
After weeks of mediocrity singles-wise, Thom Yorke has saved me from musical abyss. The charismatic Radiohead frontman has turned Miracle Legion's 'All For The Best', originally a rather staid rock number, into a soul-searching masterpiece of programmatic beats, atmospheric guitars and vocals – backed by brother Andy - that seems to flit from note to note.
The song peaks and troughs beautifully, trailing off with lots of spine-tingling 'oohs'... and Yorke urging you to 'say you love me' whilst you blissfully surrender. 4.5/5
SL
artist The Cribs
Wednesday, 26 August
SINGLES REVIEWS - August 31st 2009
Predictable! The Cribs have gone all woeful with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr now on board. 'Cheat On Me' employs the same sell as 'Men's Needs' and 'Hey Scenesters' - melodic guitar lines and the Jarmans rasping like they've got incurable tonsillitis - except it's less sprightly and plods on dangerously into tedious, Kasabian territory.
Ryan Jarman has urged fans to forsake a McDonald's burger to buy, rather than illegally download, this single. It's not a bad tune, just not as great as a quarter pounder. 3.5/5
Predictable! The Cribs have gone all woeful with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr now on board. 'Cheat On Me' employs the same sell as 'Men's Needs' and 'Hey Scenesters' - melodic guitar lines and the Jarmans rasping like they've got incurable tonsillitis - except it's less sprightly and plods on dangerously into tedious, Kasabian territory.
Ryan Jarman has urged fans to forsake a McDonald's burger to buy, rather than illegally download, this single. It's not a bad tune, just not as great as a quarter pounder. 3.5/5
artist David Bowie
Wednesday, 26 August
SINGLES OF THE WEEK - August 17th 2009
David Bowie/Nick Perito – Cat People (Putting Out Fire)/Green Leaves of Summer
Warner Bros
Tarantino has a knack for matching music with film (see: Reservoir Dogs/ear-slicing/Stealers Wheel's 'Stuck In The Middle'). He's done it again with the soundtrack of Inglourious Basterds, from which this Bowie/Perito re-release has been conceived.
The fantastical 'Cat People' begins with a slow, tribal drum beat before Bowie slides in with haunting vocals that make my unmentionables quiver with suspense. Suitably, it powers into a big chorus about, ahem, 'putting out the fire'. The B-side is an instrumental version of 'Green Leaves of Summer'. Strange bedfellows – but it works. 4/5
David Bowie/Nick Perito – Cat People (Putting Out Fire)/Green Leaves of Summer
Warner Bros
Tarantino has a knack for matching music with film (see: Reservoir Dogs/ear-slicing/Stealers Wheel's 'Stuck In The Middle'). He's done it again with the soundtrack of Inglourious Basterds, from which this Bowie/Perito re-release has been conceived.
The fantastical 'Cat People' begins with a slow, tribal drum beat before Bowie slides in with haunting vocals that make my unmentionables quiver with suspense. Suitably, it powers into a big chorus about, ahem, 'putting out the fire'. The B-side is an instrumental version of 'Green Leaves of Summer'. Strange bedfellows – but it works. 4/5
artist The Black Eyed Peas
Wednesday, 26 August
SINGLES OF THE WEEK - August 10th 2009
Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
Polydor
Uh oh, BEP attempts a bit of Daft Punk but falls gigamiles short. Wil.i.am, you lazy bugger. I'm guessing all you did was lay down some tracks, set them on repeat and then sneak off for a hot dog.
An ear-grating Euro-poppy bass line, over-processed vocals and monotonous lyrics about how 'tonight's gonna be a good night' make this bloated turkey of song a whole four minutes too long. Now, tonight's gonna be a crap night thanks to you. Argh. 1/5
Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
Polydor
Uh oh, BEP attempts a bit of Daft Punk but falls gigamiles short. Wil.i.am, you lazy bugger. I'm guessing all you did was lay down some tracks, set them on repeat and then sneak off for a hot dog.
An ear-grating Euro-poppy bass line, over-processed vocals and monotonous lyrics about how 'tonight's gonna be a good night' make this bloated turkey of song a whole four minutes too long. Now, tonight's gonna be a crap night thanks to you. Argh. 1/5
artist Tinchy Stryder
Wednesday, 26 August
SINGLES REVIEWS - August 3rd 2009
Tinchy Stryder ft Amelle – Never Leave You
Island Records
Tinchy's riding high. His last outing with Dappy, 'Number 1', lived up to its name. This follow-up makes me want to wind down my car windows and shout 'tuuuuuuuuune'.
There's nothing really original: addictive looping synth beats; Amelle crooning in a top made from artfully-placed duct tape; loved-up lyrics; done-to-death rapper/babe combo.
But by the time Tinchy chimes in with a gruff 'woah, woah', your hands are inexplicably and against better judgment, in-the-air-like-you-just-don't-care. Be afraid, Dizzee. 4.5/5
Tinchy Stryder ft Amelle – Never Leave You
Island Records
Tinchy's riding high. His last outing with Dappy, 'Number 1', lived up to its name. This follow-up makes me want to wind down my car windows and shout 'tuuuuuuuuune'.
There's nothing really original: addictive looping synth beats; Amelle crooning in a top made from artfully-placed duct tape; loved-up lyrics; done-to-death rapper/babe combo.
But by the time Tinchy chimes in with a gruff 'woah, woah', your hands are inexplicably and against better judgment, in-the-air-like-you-just-don't-care. Be afraid, Dizzee. 4.5/5
artist FrankMusik
Wednesday, 26 August
SINGLES REVIEWS 20th July 2009
FrankMusik – Confusion Girl
Universal Island Records
I'm reaching a point of diminishing returns with this whole electro-pop blitzkrieg. La Roux gave me the most excruciating ear worm ever and now I have to listen to a certain FrankMusik, erstwhile beatboxer plying easy synthpop hooks and cheap lyrics.
'Confusion Girl', from his upcoming album 'Complete Me', is radio-friendly drivel with a palatable chorus. Frank's piping vocals do a fair job but he's no classically-trained Mika, whom he's been compared to. Sorry Frank, you're still more muzak than musik. 3/5
FrankMusik – Confusion Girl
Universal Island Records
I'm reaching a point of diminishing returns with this whole electro-pop blitzkrieg. La Roux gave me the most excruciating ear worm ever and now I have to listen to a certain FrankMusik, erstwhile beatboxer plying easy synthpop hooks and cheap lyrics.
'Confusion Girl', from his upcoming album 'Complete Me', is radio-friendly drivel with a palatable chorus. Frank's piping vocals do a fair job but he's no classically-trained Mika, whom he's been compared to. Sorry Frank, you're still more muzak than musik. 3/5
venue Hampstead Theatre
Monday, 03 August
This is such a pretty little theatre that's situated overlooking the picturesque Swiss Cottage Park. When I last visited on a balmy, summer's day, groups of theatre-goers were spilling out of the premises onto the grass. Some were even lying spread-eagled in the sunshine - yep, that's the sort of relaxed atmosphere you get here.
Apart from the auditorium that's perfect for small, intimate productions, there's also a cafe bar with some outdoor terrace seating. But if bar snacks don't tickle your fancy, a couple of good Japanese restaurants round the corner might.
Apart from the auditorium that's perfect for small, intimate productions, there's also a cafe bar with some outdoor terrace seating. But if bar snacks don't tickle your fancy, a couple of good Japanese restaurants round the corner might.
Show More Reviews
Add an event