Originally published by L.S. Media. February 3rd 2010.
When good things come round, they tend to come round in pairs, cup final tickets, bacon and eggs for example but in the case of music it can only be a new album and a tour at the same time. This mouth watering prospect is on offer from the stalwarts of the business and all round good guys The Stranglers.
With the exception of Chicken Foot they don’t tend to make super groups of note anymore, but in Transatlantic and their new studio album The Whirlwind, the rock world can breathe a sigh of relief.
Drawing on the strengths of Neil Morse (ex Spocks Beard), Dream Theater’s drummer Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings on guitars and Marillion’s bass player, Pete Trewavas, the band’s first album in eight years is an recording that screams excellence.
From the opening track of Overture/Whirlwind, music lovers are treated to 77 minutes of interesting musical arrangements, genuinely thoughtful lyrics and desire to please fans, old and new.
Originally published by L.S. Media. February 16th 2010.
Peter Gabriel has never really been known for his prodigious output but he has rarely put a foot wrong when he has given his loyal fans a new album to digest and pick apart.
Scratch My Back is certainly no exception to that rule. It combines all the qualities you would expect from the former Genesis front man, beautiful arrangements, a haunting voice and stunning production with the added bonus of hearing songs made famous by other artists.
Originally published by L.S. Media March 7th 2010.
The name Andy Steele may not mean a lot to the collective conscious of the music going public but within the thriving Liverpool folk scene, the man has already carved a huge niche out for himself. From playing in bands supporting Roxy Music to having his music picked up by radio’s Janice Long, it seems Andy’s talent is being taken seriously.
Now on the eve of his third album release, Night Fishing, Andy has hit a high point in his career. The album has a whimsical light feel but the energy and commitment that has gone into the production and the music itself is far from light weight.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 10th 2010.
After the critical success of 2008’s The Boy Bands Have Won, Chumbawamba have released their 15th studio album entitled A B C D E F G. The album reflects neatly the bands love of folk and the quirkiness that can be found in any social context or mistreatment of the oppressed and the injustice of life and society.
Originally published by L.S. Media. March 13th 2010.
The Automatic this week released their third studio album, titled Tear the Signs Down, and the second one to showcase Paul Mullen after the departure of Alex Pennie before the critically acclaimed album This is a Fix.
The album marks a huge sea change in the way that the band sound. Gone are the pop generation friendly lyrics and instead what the band have produced is an album that will surely generate debate not only amongst their die-hard fans but possibly to a wider audience also.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 18th 2010.
Once more The Alarm release an album full of social commentary, hard hitting lyrics that will make you stop and think and above all, music that will make you want to sing along and go with the flow.
The album Direct Action seems like a wonderful reminder of the band’s previous releases, not only in name, but in the way the band have pieced the tracks together to show how little society has moved on in the years since the band unleashed their debut album Declaration onto an unsuspecting public in 1984.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 19th 2010.
Almost 40 years since his first foray into the music business, larger than life showman Meat Loaf has released his 11th studio album, bizarrely titled, Hang Cool Teddy Bear.
More importantly it the fourth studio album that the singer has had no collaboration with Jim Steinman, and in parts it shows that however much Meat Loaf is a talent in his own right, the one person who truly understands him and the best out of out of him is Steinman.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 30th 2010.
No Looking Back is the startling debut album by The Floe. Sensual, beautifully crafted and full of little surprises that will jolt you occasionally from the relative tranquility you will feel when you first play the album.
It is one of those albums that upon first listen will make you think that the world is a good place and nothing much can go wrong with it. Scratch underneath the surface though and listen closer to the lyrics and you will find a roller coaster of emotions waiting to be explored, dissected and enjoyed. This is especially true on the songs One Deep Breath and the lamentable Playing Safe; both songs capture the imagination and the subtleness of the music superbly.
Originally published by L.S. Media. April 30th 2010.
There is an old saying that goes “If it isn’t broke, don’t change it”. The Reasoning sort of hold true to that adage for the third studio album Adverse Camber, what they have done instead is taken all that they have learned over the last few years and gone one better. The result is an album full of great, solid and cleverly written songs that screams for your attention from the moment you press the play button.