Kids In Glass Houses - Dirt (6.5/10)

KIGH's are back with there second studio album, what can i say.
The best way to describe this album is basically, it starts in the best way possible with top tracks like 'artbreaker i' & 'the best is yet to come', but for some reason towards the end, it kind of fizzles away into pop deadness. I mean you have guest vocals on a few tracks. These guests are that annoying one from new found glory and Frankie from the fucking saturdays. (ye tell me about it)
Its a real shame about this as the most of the album is actually quite good, its really rocking riffs and awesome melodies could take this band to the next level and get there own huge stadium tours going, but unfortuantely they need a little direction. A band like these should be bumchums with Biffy and those types of people, not the saturdays...its just a joke that is.
if they didnt have nfg and Frankie on this album it would for me be 7.5 or 8 , but unfortunately they have kind of bummed off in this respect. I really like the most of this album...but it does let its self down in places.

Stephen Lynch - 3 Balloons (2/10)

Stephen lynch is a comedy acoustic bloke from America if you didnt know this allready. Well its not very good or not very funny either to be honest. I think its all be done before but in loads better taste and the songs in general have been far more listenable.
Tenacious D are the masters of the comedy rock scene(if that even exists!). Your gonna get far more giggles and melody from something like Tenacious D. I jsut done really see ther appeal , the first song is about Aids and sleeping with a hooker and such things, a bit pathetic really !!!. once we haev the drivvle of the opener out the way we move onto pretty much the same old s**t all the way through.
Im told many people love this guy.....im not buying it!!

Ellie Goudling - Lights (6/10)

Ellie has had a great start to the year, winning a Brit for 'the critics choice' & the BBC sound of 2010 award. So theres alot riding on this album for 23 year old singer song writer. Lets be honest...awards dont really mean alot nowadays but that being said, Ellie has been put on a pedastal ready to be ripped and reviewed right, left and centre. This is gonna go one of two ways in terms of her career...flash in the pan or is she the next Gaga (god forbid!!)
so the album starts really well with a really smooth track called 'guns & horses', its got a nice rhythm and upbeat tempo attached...lets proceed.
'Starry eyed' comes next which is the obvious single the masses may have heard already, its a typical pop track to be honest..nothing offensive but im not dancing just yet, its ok from here to the end, and thats the problem... its just 'ok'... it doesnt provoke any emotions or outbursts that make you wanna go and tell your friends and set the ball rolling for Goulding.
Very generic sound to the album throughout. Theres nothing just a little bit different to whats out there allready in this release.
Its so tough to be original nowadays, but the key 'i suppose' is to be similar to the competition.... but with a firecracker attached. unfortunately the cracker is crocked. Theres not alot there that flicks the switch in the brain to say 'wow...this is amazing' ...because its not.... its simpley just ok, we'll leave this one to the pop pickers.... im sticking with Laura Marling!

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip - Logic Of Chance (7.5/10)

Hip Hop for the Indie crowd. Follow up to the 2008 release 'angels'.
This album has been exitedly anticipated by many... it doesnt disappoint, its quite good.
The Album kicks of with a wicked opener called 'sick tonight',it sounds like fizzy candy induced ryhmes, very fun to listen to on the surface. As the listener delves deeper into the album, theres an apparent politcally biting undertone than cuts through like a knife.You can find these rants and raves in tracks like 'Great Britain' & 'Get Better'. I like this about the album, its a refreshing change to the typical 'Hip Hop' yelps of 'bling and bitches'.
Its full of little gems and suprises from start to finnish, it tells a great story of a very hard life in the underground of London and what us 'upstanding citizens' must do to rescue this decaying country. As previously mensioned 'Great Britain' is worth a listen for sure, but i think to appreciate this Hip Hop duo, you need time to give the LP a good old listen in its entirety. If your not a rap fan then your socks will remain firmly intact but, If you like a dash of Hip Hop here and there its smashing, a nice break from the norm.

Drive By Truckers - The Big To Do (6.5/10)

First of all this is not an indie album! haha its country rock baby !!

cue the wiki description -
''Drive-By Truckers are an alternative country and Southern rock band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of five members (Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, and Shonna Tucker) are originally from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama. Their music is noteworthy for its "three axe attack," or three guitars as well as bass and drums.''
cool... now we have that out of the way, these guys have been going now about 12 years and deserve alot of appreciation. If your a country fan you will love this album, it basically to me sounds like nickelback crossed with Johnny Cash (very interesting)
'Get Downtown' is a personal favourite, its got a really upbeat happy country sound to it... its dead fun!! if you review this as an 'indie' album alone then you will bloody hate it... its not even close to anything out now. The guitars sound vintage and if someone told you this was made in the 70's you would have no reason to question it, timeless and a great album to take you on a Jack Daniels Binge.

A wicked album for Dads, Rednecks and truckers...but not the general UK music scene.

Plan B - The Defamation Of Strickland Banks (5.5/10)

Ive got the advance of this and its a 6 track demo of what the album will offer.

Well Plan B are back with some 'will young' infused indie. The follow up to his debut album ' who needs actions when you got words', its very very poppy to say the least, i ponder over this one trying to find the strengths and weaknesses and to be honest neither are very clear, this album once you've listened leaves you humming and arrring. I suppose this is a negative as it doesnt bit you in the bum with any track you wanna hear again and again, but it does plant the seed so that if you did hear it again you wouldnt be completely offended (This is why ive rated how i have)
'stay too long' as got the most potential as a single for me, its got a really cool rap breakdown throughout which makes this stand out from the rest of the typical poppy blandness that the rest of the release blurts outs. Alot of the tracks mingle into one.
If you havent heard plan B before then i think the only way to describe this album is.... Ndubz in skinny jeans colaborating with Will Young..... not a duo we ever want to see thats for sure..... and i feel this is what the listener will get when you hear this. A very awkward album with very few peaks and quite alot of lows.
I dont think its an album for the 'indie masses'.

We Have Band - WHB (7.5/10)

Ok, here we have the debut from We Have Band. For anyone never heard of WHB they are a bubbley electro pop outfit with hints of Hot Chip, New Order and a dash of Black Kids thrown into the mix.
It kicks off to be honest on a very boring note with the first 2 tracks 'piano' & 'Buffet' really dreary and easily forgettable tracks. But once you get these out of the way its actually a decent album! funky bass lines and screaming synths here and there. Very 80's again as we see from many releases nowadays but its nice 80's with a bloc party style vocalist weving in and out of the tracks. criticisms comes when you get 4/5 tracks in and the lyrics are very very basic! throughout they are carried by the electrifying bass lines and galloping drums, this is definately the bands weakest area!
It does get a little 'samey' as you delve deeper into the album, but its the kind of repetition you kind of dont mind because what you here is good, you cant help but tap a foot or spin a beer matt to most of this debut release, i think these guys have a great future ahead but they do have to adress a few areas most certainly.
'Love What Your Doing?' is the bands best track for me, i feel this sums up the bands in 4 minutes, giving you the pretty side of their work.
Its a definate grower...... 100% worth a purchase, i feel the NME are gunna be all over these dudes

MGMT - Congratulations (5/10)

well this is weird to say the least!, reading a recent article saying the band 'want to stay underground' and avoid the typical arena tour route, they have certainly made there bed with this album.
MGMT are back with their follow up to 'Oracular Spectacular' which was a great album. MGMT have made mistakes on this release, its just simpley not that good at all, they are trying to be a bit quirky and strange to win over a few votes but sorry, theres weird and good, then theres pants. This is the later. Its not bad to the point that its unlistenable though, i get the vibe that most new music fans wont choose this over another recent release.
'Song for Dan Treacy' is the closest song you will get to reality and even this song is a bit topzy turvey. A really beautifully flowing song which takes you on a magical journey, this unfortunately cannot be said for the album as a whole.
'lady dada's nightmare' which is a ridic title kind of sums up the album.... a little bit dreamy but not the exciting dreams we have like being spiderman or winning the world cup...but a dream like im listening to the paint on the wall crumble away and theres not much happening, im gonna go and wait for a bus kind of dream.
a bit of a shame really because this band has/had potential.... little bit poor overall.

General Fiasco - Buildings (7/10)

right,i think the NME are trying to write this band off and not giving them a real chance of getting anywhere, in a recent magazine they rated this album at 3/10 which is a load of rubbish to me. This 3 piece from Belfast are having a good old go at it to be fair, yes ok, not the most original band in the world but who is nowadays...people who think there original have a very short memory.
if your looking to capture a little taste of the glory days of the view or pigeon detectives etc, then this album is just right for you. They are fresh and playing the music they love, thats obvious. They have a rocky edge to them and feature some really nice mainstream sounding melodic chorus'.
Songs 'ever so shy' & 'we are the foolish' are the single tracks... and rightfully so, they are the best tracks on the album, head and shoulders above the rest of the album.
I just get the feeling that people need to give them a chance, this band are young and writing about what they know, so why knock them? they are doing exactly what the enemy did but with less of a chip on there shoulder.... a decent pop from a bright young band...worth a purchase i think.

Jimi Hendrix - Valleys Of Neptune (9/10)

Well we never thought this little bundle of treats would be as good as it is, but then again it is Hendrix.
Im so so happy this album have been released, really really fresh sounding and absolutely amazing as ever. Where to begin ... from start to finish its just jaw dropping. personally i didnt hold high hopes of this being a classic as i thought it was gonna be a collection of naff B sides but it really really is great. Tracks like 'bleeding heart' and 'hear my train comin' are up there arguably with the likes of Voodoo child and Purple Haze!
Of course there are many tracks hendrix fans have heard, but so what! there all brilliant and should be rammed down the throat of any rock fan.

The guitar work ..... ill stop there ........ too obvious......

so smooth, cool and 60's its just gorgous! Hendrix is a pure legend and the spirit of his work lives with this great album 'Valleys Of Neptune'. I urge any Hendrix fan who hasnt allready, grab a copy and dedicate some time to this almost perfect album. The best release of 2010 so far and it was recorded over 40 years ago.

Hats of to Eddie Kramer, John McDermott and Janie Hendrix (producers and engineers of this masterpiece)

Goldfrapp - Head First (6/10)

Goldfrapp unfortunately fall a little short of the standards with 'Head First'. One foot in the 80's like its main competitors still, with the same 'sythy pop' sounds many have splurted out over recent years.
Its a fair effort from Alison Goldfrapp & Co but 'black cherry' and the beauty of that album is a distant memory. Head first falls into the slum of the generic poppy stuff we seem to keep hearing, fair play to them for setting the ball rolling with there sound back in 2000 ten years ago. But it feels like they have set the scene and others have come along and made the 'scene' there own and done it a little better than this duo. its decent and unoffensive effort of an album, but nothing comes along and knocks you for 6 as a listener. 'Dreaming' is a personal favourite of mine, one of the more upbeat dancable tracks from the album.
I still think Goldfrapp will be very succesful with this album as they are a great duo with love for their music. I do feel previous albums like 'black cherry' and 'seventh tree' are better albums.

Marina & The Diamonds - The Family Jewels (4/10)

Debut Album 'The Family Jewels' just doesnt cut it. Indie is full enough with Florence, Lilly Allen & Kate Nash... so honestly we dont need another 'NME women' on the scene. I feel like abit like, should i review this? because to me its on the same page as sugababes, lady gaga and the rest of the tripe that smash hits churns out.
very poor album, nothing new that offers anything to the listener. Its all be done before about 7 times over so give it a rest. Im not trying to be harsh its just, i can think of so many artists that are similar that have done a similar thing loads loads better. there is no uniqueness to this album and it doesnt take you on any particular journey or path you wanna go down. A decent song you might get from this is 'Hollywood' but its not amazing.
its just full of nothingness, you might aswell put your ear in a shell...you will get more character & passion.... i promise!!

Not a fan .

Errors - Come Down With Me (7.5/10)

for anyone who doesnt know who Errors are, then in a nutshell, a 4 piece 'indie dancey electro' outfit from Glasgow, Scotland.

A very pleasant suprise when i chucked this album on for the first time. Didnt know what to expect because id never heard of them before purchasing this album, gave it a shot & its really good. A very nice alternative LP to the mainstream 'indie' or 'dance electro' music you generally hear in most bars and stuff. Its really funky and wicked just to have on in the background with a catchy & unique quirky sound.
so if you crossed hot chip with LCD soundsystem and threw them a bag of mushrooms, the love child would be ERRORS! with albums 'generally' like these its easy to get bored of them after a few listens, but to be honest its fresh and tastey so you wanna keep going back for more. 'A rumor in Africa' & 'The erskine bridge' show the bands angles completely.(both really top tracks for differant reasons)
The Dynamics are really cool too, the mood seems to swing up and down throughout, dreamy yet upbeat in places. I thinks its definately worth a purchase at a tenner. to sum up this album id defiantely say.... its a great alternative from the norm and a nice break away from reality for 40 minutes, give it ago, i think you'll like it

Frightened Rabbit - A Winter Of Mixed Drinks (8/10)

A personal favourite band of mine here withe their 3rd studio album 'A Winter Of Mixed Drinks'. this the follow up to 'Midnight Organ Fight' p.s you must buy 'Midnight Organ Fight' its the best.

anyways, on with the review. Usually a band has a dodgey second album after their debut and pull it round on the third release, i thinks thats a fair comment. But there are exeptions to every rule. With Frightened Rabbit they kind of rip up all the common trends and do it there own way, and thats what they have been doing since their debut in 2006.
The album is great again for sure, but i just feel that it would have had to be one of the greatest albums ever to top there second album, but i suppose thats not a bad thing for the band the hear from the punters. Again its a very accomplished piece of work with a wonderful sound of freshness and gritty honesty. I love Scott Hutchinson (lead vocalist) i feel he's a perfect canidate for an 'unsung heroe' award. This album unfrotunatley wont take them to the forefront of the indie scene and to be quite hoenst i dont think they will care. They love what they do and are very true to themselves and there music, they wont change there sound to go mainstream and hats off fo this point alone. Selkirk's best kept secret.... Frightened Rabbit

Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can (8/10)

Laura Marling is back with 'i speak because i can' with her follow up to her 2008 debut with 'Alas, i cannot swim'.Ive got this album a bit early which im chuffed about :)

well, shes matured and the lyrical work is fantastic again!! A very consistent album with very few inperfections. its hard to pick out indvidual tracks from this one which stand out as great. This isnt a bad thing its just that its all really well rounded and a solid album from Marling. She will be busy touring this album through the year so try and get out and see her if you can, i feel this album and set of songs will be even more grabbing and powerful live. One of the best ladies we have in the 'indie' scene at the moment.

If im forced to choose 2 tracks you must here.. they would be 'Rambling Man' & 'Goodbye England (covered in snow)'

please go and buy this album, theres one thing for sure. This album will eclipse her debut release which only reached 45 in the album charts back in 2008.

beatiful..delicate..talented
a super super folk indie album.

Groove Armada - Black Light (8.5/10)

Groove Armarda are back in style with Black Light, what a wicked album. If theres any 'dance' music that is bareable and actually fucking good, its groove armada.

This album i suppose is very 'now' capturing the sound of many acts out today, florence, Justice, new young pony club etc. But its no rip off, its a very nicely blended album with some great sections of euphoric sounds blurting out from time to time.
'Look me in the eye sister' is a personal favourite along with 'just for tonight'. I cant help but hear a massive influence of fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks on a few of these tracks, its brilliant. As a general rule if its not got live drums, gutiar and bass... im not interested, but this one slips through the net and im glad of this. The best 'indie dance' (if you will) album for bloody ages. I really really really think its a great album. The Duo (Andy Cato & Tom Finley) have created a smashing album here with Black Light. GO AND BUY IT

The Courteeners - Falcon (6.5/10)

Liam fray and The Courteeners are back after 2 years away with there second album (follow up to St Jude)
To be honest I was expecting a lot more from this album. Where is the 'not 19 forever' I asked myself as I pondered through this album. Liam has tried to show that he has matured slightly with this release but the maturity doesn’t always work on this album, sorry.
The Courteeners, for me are about the upbeat danceable anthems perfectly written on St Jude, falcon doesn’t give this. A slower moodier approach has been taken which is done well in places in fairness, but overall I think Liam can do a lot better than this. Manchester Manchester is the cry you hear through out which is done with wit and charm put I just feel it's been done more than thrice. Let's hope the 'second album syndrome' doesn’t take hold of The Courteeners and ruin a top band.

Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But i Shook Them Loose (8/10)

These young bands from the UK's capital have hit the nail on the head with this debut album produced by the glorious Jim Abbiss (producer of the Arctic Monkeys Mercury prize winning Debut Album)
The album is pure 'NME' indie oozing freshness and youthful vibrancy with anthems dotted around for today's youth. Inspired is the writing with a very honest approach to life, which the listener can really connect to. Tracks like 'cancel on me' & 'it's always like this' stand out for me personally as the big hits, but others such like 'dust on the ground' are eager to get to the forefront and are beginning to be played and to be heard. Bombay definitely have a unique edge to there work while keeping well within the parameter of the indie scene, they have captured a great following on the gigging scene with the NME backing them massively, and rightfully so too. What a fantastic attempt for such a young band, the future is very bright for BBC. This band could catapult to the peak of the indie scene with the correct mentoring and guidance through the unpredictable 'music scene'.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Beat The Devils Tattoo (8/10)

BRMC are back with a massive album after some time out of the scene. Returning to the same studio where they recorded album 'Howl' It is no doubt the sound is very similar to there past work, and I'm glad, why fix it if its not broken?!!!
BRMC have given us another quality album here with more grit, more fire and more moody blues. What can I say; it's hard to find a bad track on this album. The title track opener on this album is a personal favourite but it's easy to fall in love with all the tracks on this accomplished LP. The vocals don’t tire at all; they just mature over time and flow even better than ever.
Most wouldn’t recognise the new drummer in this band just from listening, but what can most certainly be recognised is a revitalised fresh BRMC. A top album which every roots rocker must own !
I cannot believe the NME slated this album, i think they need to stop thinking about new 'fashionable bands' with 80's hair cuts and get some balls.

Beach House - Teen Dream (7/10)

This charismatic dream pop duo make there 3rd album release with 'Teen Dream' and there debut with Sub Pop Records.
The interplay between Victoria Legrand's voice and droning keyboards and Alex Scally's guitars is still the key element of the band's aesthetic, but this album gives you a rounder more listener friendly piece of work. Beach House mix up the sounds of many influences which can be heard in this album from start to finish, such sounds of Fleetwood Mac and Velvet underground spring to mind personally. I think the music scene is missing a band like this, a great breath of fresh air.
Soulful, dreamy and chilled would be three words to sum up this album. Not a 'world beater' by any stretch, but beach house displays a real confidence in their sound and uniqueness; this is where we take our hats off. So different to anything out now, This Baltimore Band really does offer the music scene a very clean, fresh and atmospheric alternative to the 'chinking' guitar riffs of many bands today.

The XX - The XX (8.5/10)

The XX are a 3 piece band from South West London, originally 4 piece as you can hear from the album, either way 3 or 4 members.... what a great great album!!!
Self titled debut album from the XX arrives with us with a massive impact upon the indie scene. Where to begin?.... from start to finish this album grabs hold and keeps you close for the duration. When reviewing albums we look for faults or something that could be better, but with this piece of work it is very difficult to find fault so we won’t dwell upon this. The positives from this album, the mood and subtleness of this album is just perfect with a dreamy euphoric ore, tracks like ‘heart skipped a beat’ & ‘shelter’ are on a different level to any other new band of 2009 and 2010 so far. The melodies of vocalists Romy and Oliver are just mouth watering, back and forth throughout, a duo made in heaven. This lot are going to be around for some time we think, but let’s not forget also..... This album is a debut release. Let’s hope the XX have the stamina to pull together to make a great second album.
Overall The XX are a fantastic band oozing with talent with a beautiful unique sound.

New Young Pony Club - The Optimist (6.5/10)

NYPC are back with their second album, fresh and independently released and funded. Is this the right thing to do for a band like these Nu Wavers??
First impressions are always important, it doesn’t blow me away. I feel NYPC have lost the edge displayed so perfectly on their debut album. It’s tricky to find the anthems in this one. An album of driven bass and synth from start to end, the vocals weave in and out throughout but with no real cut throat edge or conviction.
The 5 piece from London have given it a good old go on this album but it just seems to fall a track or 4 short of a real hearty accomplished release. The band has obviously put an awful lot of time and effort chucked into this, so fair play for that, a very courageous move by the pony club to ‘go it alone’ with no real guidance from records label people. I can’t help but think maybe they still do need the guidance and support of the pros in the game to just nudge this ‘optimistic’ band to the next level.

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (8.5/10)

Damon Albarn and Co are back with a wicked piece of work, ready the set to road for many to follow with this highly collaborated album ‘Plastic beach’. The 3rd in the exceedingly exciting Gorillaz collection.
Forget the cartoons and pop anthems of the Gorillaz past and welcome a very full of beans ‘hip pop’ album. This album as something for everyone, so many great artists, differing sounds and moods. Snoop Dogg, Kano, De La soul and Lou Reed (yes LOU REED!!) all feature on this awesome publication. It’s so good it kind of makes you giggle almost; it’s exhilarating on the first listen round. Imagine a kid at Christmas unveiling each gift. This is the only way to describe it! Some presents are better than others, but to be honest there all bloody brilliant.
Let’s face it, It’s very rare Albarn gets it wrong, it would be great to see another blur album alongside this, but that’s for another day, The Gorillaz seem to have gone on a great journey to get this album put together. They must know they have smashed it with ‘plastic beach’, electrifying, exciting and as cool as Pingu in Ray bans.

Blood Red Shoes - Fire LIke This (8/10)

Brighton Rockers Blood Red Shoes are back with ‘Fire like This’ with their follow up to the 2008’s ‘Box of Secrets’.
What can i say, Pleasantly suprised with this one. Prejudgment told me this was another album to get lost in the cracks of the Indie walkways... but to be honest its bloody good, ‘no pun intended’ haha!!. The album kicks off with a great track called ‘dont ask’ which is an obvious single blood red could utilise. Vocalist Laura-Mary seems to have got the perfect balance of indie grunge and melody on this LP, drummer Steven Ansell seems more at home with this sound and direction too!!
This Analogue recorded album has a slight hint of Nirvarna which works really well. It sounds honest and pure with an allmighty front, which speaks volumes for the band as just a 2 Peice. The dynamics are immense and the mood switches from sweet purity to overdriven anarchy. I cry for a bassist in this band as the back bone and tracks are there, but a slight punch af a crunchy rickenbacker could just tip them to the top of many radio DJ’s playlists. Bassist or not, this album has balls and is defiantely worth a purchase.

Biffy Clyro - Only Revolutions (8.5/10)

Scotch rockers Biffy Clyro are back with their 4th studio album after a year of hard gigging on the global scene.
Let’s start with the opener ‘the captain’..... Great track to kick of an overall well rounded album. Biffy are one of the best around to combine great melody with pure indie rock grit. But it doesn’t stop there. The captain is just the appetiser of the album; throughout the LP you can hear the confidence of the band and almost the sound of accomplishment. Front man Simon Neil seems to have mellowed slightly with tracks such like ‘many of horror’ & ‘Know your Quarry’ which I love as this shows the roundness of the album. Within Only Revolutions there are some massive singles waiting to be sprung upon MTV and the NME which I’m sure will arrive throughout the beginning of 2010 and through to the summer festival period. Biffy are almost certain to making an appearance at the big UK festivals in 2010, listen out for top tracks like ‘Mountains’ & ‘Booom Blast & Ruin’.