It’s
not often that a band can wait 3 years between albums and still return to a
loyal fanbase. More often than not, fans become bored and
flee, with damaging results. The Duke
Spirit have been fortunate enough to surpass this problem, maintaining fans
during the wait for their second and now third albums. Bruiser
follows two years of hard touring their acclaimed second album Neptune, studio time in their new London
space and a slight line-up change, bringing with it an album that mixes the
expected and perhaps some of the unexpected too. Produced by Andrew Scheps, who has previously
produced the likes of Metallica and Johnny Cash, the album is exceedingly sharp
but with the right amount of rough to prove that they still are, are always
will be The Duke Spirit.
From the opening seconds of Cherry Tree,
it’s clear that The Duke Spirit mean business. Whilst the arrangement seems fairly simple on
the surface, there’s a complexity in places, like the short but sweet guitar
solos, that give the track the edge that shows why The Duke Spirit are still so
relevant. Liela Moss repeats “I don’t
look back” in an infectious manner that draws you so much that you almost miss
the album moving onto the next track. Although this shows the power the first song
has, this is also the downfall of Bruiser.
Whilst there is no doubt that most tracks on this album pull you in as they’re
playing, once they are finished, they become unforgettable as they begin to merge
into one another. Of course there are
highlights, from the heavier Surrender,
with its looping chorus hook “I just want to surrender” to the lighter Villain, complete with the unlikely
addition of a piano. This is seen again
on Northbound, where the album again
takes a dip in speed and we see the other side of the band, a definite upside
to the album, as we can experience the variety that The Duke Spirit can clearly
produce. Bruiser ends on Homecoming,
a track with a haunting yet beautiful melody, topped with Moss’ soothing voice
repeating “I will always think about the way I wanted you.” A perfect ending to an album full of highs and
lows.
Whilst this album has it’s fair share of highlights and genius moments, it’s
not the album we were expecting. There
seems to something lacking to push them to the next level. Still, it’s worth a listen, if only to see if
it was really worth the three year wait.
3/5
Sunday 23 October 2011
Benjamin Francis Leftwich- Atlas Hands
I've been AWFUL at updating this blog recently, sorry! Been getting back into the swing of university where time seems to disappear at an alarming rate. Gonna post two reviews to try and make up for a lack of posts...
At only 22 years old, singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis
Leftwich has already made a name for himself. In a music market that seems currently overrun
in this field, from Bon Iver to Ben Howard, it could be hard to stand out, but
not for this man. Favourited by DJ after
DJ, he has certainly made a name for himself.
Atlas Hands is the magnificent follow-up to Pictures, filled once more with haunting vocals and captivating lyrics. There’s a beauty in his voice that draws you in, and never once gets boring. The song is fuelled by optimism, as he talks about his “plan,” and the “lessons [he has] learnt.” The addition of a female vocalist only adds to and emphasises the softness in his voice, perhaps highlighting his suitability for future duets.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich has shown himself to be one of 2011’s best rising talents, setting himself up for an even better 2012.
Atlas Hands is the magnificent follow-up to Pictures, filled once more with haunting vocals and captivating lyrics. There’s a beauty in his voice that draws you in, and never once gets boring. The song is fuelled by optimism, as he talks about his “plan,” and the “lessons [he has] learnt.” The addition of a female vocalist only adds to and emphasises the softness in his voice, perhaps highlighting his suitability for future duets.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich has shown himself to be one of 2011’s best rising talents, setting himself up for an even better 2012.
4/5
Tuesday 11 October 2011
Monday 10 October 2011
Sak Noel- Loca People
Another review. Not the best thing I've done but 1) it was a bit rushed and 2) I just had to write about this song. I know it's getting pretty old but it still irritates me to death.
It’s not often you hear a song on the radio that makes you wonder whether you either dreaming or ridiculously drunk. Unfortunately, the summer blessed us with one of these, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger, reaching the heights of a number one chart position. Sak Noel’s Loca People is pretty much unavoidable at the moment.
It’s not often you hear a song on the radio that makes you wonder whether you either dreaming or ridiculously drunk. Unfortunately, the summer blessed us with one of these, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger, reaching the heights of a number one chart position. Sak Noel’s Loca People is pretty much unavoidable at the moment.
To sum it up, it’s your stereotypical European dance track
characterised by a girl discussing how surprise at how people in Spain like to
party “all day, all night.” Shocking I
know. There’s some Spanish lyrics thrown
in for fun, followed by the girl phoning her friend Johnny, the point in the track
where complete confusion comes in and you realise that the lyrics are
ultimately nonsense.
I’ll admit, it is annoyingly catchy. Put it on in a club, and it’s guaranteed that 99% of people will dance around like mad people to it. However, the track itself is not good, no matter how many times radio stations insist on playing it.
I’ll admit, it is annoyingly catchy. Put it on in a club, and it’s guaranteed that 99% of people will dance around like mad people to it. However, the track itself is not good, no matter how many times radio stations insist on playing it.
1/5
Thursday 6 October 2011
Rizzle Kicks- When I Was a Youngster
Unless you were crawled up under a rock somewhere, there’s a very strong chance you will have heard Down with the Trumpets at least 50 times this summer (not that this is a bad thing). Its success was somewhat unexpected, as Rizzle Kicks’ popularity shot up pretty much overnight, mostly thanks to the BBC Introducing scheme. Next single When I Was a Youngster, proves that these boys are not one-trick ponies.
Heavily sampling The Clash ‘Revolution Rock,’ the track automatically has a nostalgic feel, fitting perfectly with the lyrics. We all had those ambitions when we were little, in their case, “wanted to be a fireman,” and you can’t help but reminisce to those days as you listen. There’s a clear mass of talent between the duo, from singing to rapping to songwriting, as well as a charm surrounding them that’s hard to resist.
Their album Stereo Typical is due for the release at the end of October. If their two releases are anything to go by, it’s going to be brilliant.
4/5
Heavily sampling The Clash ‘Revolution Rock,’ the track automatically has a nostalgic feel, fitting perfectly with the lyrics. We all had those ambitions when we were little, in their case, “wanted to be a fireman,” and you can’t help but reminisce to those days as you listen. There’s a clear mass of talent between the duo, from singing to rapping to songwriting, as well as a charm surrounding them that’s hard to resist.
Their album Stereo Typical is due for the release at the end of October. If their two releases are anything to go by, it’s going to be brilliant.
4/5
Coldplay- Paradise
I haven't had internet for about 2 weeks now... mainly because Sky are shite... so I'm using the University internet to quickly post a couple of reviews I wrote for the Uni newspaper. Firstly, Coldplay's new single.
Since the release of their first album, Parachutes, in 2000, Coldplay have gone from strength to strength, constantly progressing their sound, regardless of what critics say. Mylo Xyloto (try pronouncing that one) is due to be released on 24th October this year, and promises to once again show why Coldplay are one of the world’s greatest bands.
Paradise is the second single to be released from the album, showcasing the band’s ability and willingness to experiment with different sounds and instruments to create something unexpected in all the right ways. From the moment the track starts, the synths are apparent, building to a kind-of second introduction that hits like a truck, in a good way. The track leaps to a new level, an anthemic level, that we know Coldplay are more that capable of reaching. This is echoed in the chorus of “para-para-paradise” that gives an indescribable feeling. There’s a sense of hope and euphoria, as it becomes pretty hard to resist singing along. Of course there are guitars and the like involved, as Coldplay haven’t forgotten their roots.
Experimenting suits the band well, as they roll out yet another obvious hit. There’s no doubt the album will be just as brilliant.
4/5
Since the release of their first album, Parachutes, in 2000, Coldplay have gone from strength to strength, constantly progressing their sound, regardless of what critics say. Mylo Xyloto (try pronouncing that one) is due to be released on 24th October this year, and promises to once again show why Coldplay are one of the world’s greatest bands.
Paradise is the second single to be released from the album, showcasing the band’s ability and willingness to experiment with different sounds and instruments to create something unexpected in all the right ways. From the moment the track starts, the synths are apparent, building to a kind-of second introduction that hits like a truck, in a good way. The track leaps to a new level, an anthemic level, that we know Coldplay are more that capable of reaching. This is echoed in the chorus of “para-para-paradise” that gives an indescribable feeling. There’s a sense of hope and euphoria, as it becomes pretty hard to resist singing along. Of course there are guitars and the like involved, as Coldplay haven’t forgotten their roots.
Experimenting suits the band well, as they roll out yet another obvious hit. There’s no doubt the album will be just as brilliant.
4/5
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