On the record: Scissor Sisters return to Night Work (From Redditch Advertiser)

On the record: Scissor Sisters return to Night Work

7:00am Saturday 3rd July 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

The glam-rock group Scissor Sisters return with a third album, but how will it compare with their previous releases?

Elsewhere, he has gained fame for his Wavin' Flag tune, which has been used during the World Cup, but will the rest of K'naan's tracks live up to the hype? Read on to find out...

Scissor Sisters - Night Work.

When New York group Scissor Sisters burst onto the UK music scene in 2004 they were seen as the next big thing. A stylish mix of glam pop and disco, they managed to combine addictive chart hits such as Laura and Filthy/Georgous with memorable personalities. Fast forward six years and the group release their third album, Night Work. The band still posses the same qualities that gave them success the first time around. However the spark that made their debut such a noteworthy release seems to have disappeared. This may of course be down to the fact it's impossible to re-package the exciting-new-act feel they had in 2004. Or of course, because they are six years older. That's not to say this album isn't without merit. Tunes such as Sex And Violence, Nightlife and Fire With Fire are all addictive.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Polly Weeks).

K'naan - Troubadour.

Unless you've forgotten to pay the electricity bill this month or you are a World Cup widow who has been watching back-to-back screenings of Sex And The City 2 for a fortnight, you will be familiar with Wavin' Flag. The track is the official anthem of South Africa 2010, which is also the reason why this album has been re-issued. Regardless of the blankly commercial reasons for that, it is great to hear more of K'naan. The Somalian rapper is a fascinating writer - one minute tackling poverty and high-sea piracy, the next helming up-tempo party bangers. Socially conscious and musically inventive, K'naan joins the likes of Lupe Fiasco in breaking hip-hop's predictable routines.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Rory Dollard).

Def Jam 25th Anniversary Box Set.

Anyone who's got a moderate interest in hip-hop will find it impossible to not get excited about this release. Coming in its very own Def Jam branded miniature record box with T-shirt and five albums to boot, this is quite the package. What's more each disc contains all the Def Jam singles you could dream of in chronological order. So while old-school hip-hoppers will love disc one, which features releases from the iconic label during the period 1984-1988, those who have only recently discovered an interest in the genre will find disc five, 2004-2008 the most entertaining. Along the way, artists such as LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Jay Z, Method Man, and Ludacris are all featured, which highlights how successful the label has been over the years in bringing hip-hop to the mainstream.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Polly Weeks).

Sound Of Guns - What Came From Fire.

To press play on this swaggering album from Liverpool five-piece Sound Of Guns is like hearing old friends crash through the door, bellowing a favourite song. From the moment the anthemic Architects thrashes out its first chords, What Came From Fire demands attention - and giving it is effortless. With their raw, booming rock, Sound Of Guns will remind some of The Enemy, but on a grander scale - throw in the fairytale ambience of 106 (still the words) and the eyes-closed joy of Collisions and you have a gripping collection; just as much at home in the living room as in its rightful place, the car stereo.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Tom Lowe).

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - Mojo.

The band's first studio album since 2002 sees them going back to basics, recording live in the studio with as few overdubs as possible. For the most part Petty is going for slow burn blues-rock wit this record, reminiscent of early Fleetwood Mac or the Doors, although with touches of other styles - heavy guitar work on I Should Have Known It, an excellent reminder of the band's 1980s material on Something Good Coming, and even a reggae feel on Don't Pull Me Over. This is an assured collection from a band who have retained their musical mojo to become one of the great rock survivors of our times.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Maurice Buxton).

Kula Shaker - Pilgrims Progress.

Psychedelic rockers and Britpop heroes Kula Shaker return with their fourth album after an absence of three years. The Indian-influenced four-piece from London have tried and so far failed to build on the success of K - the fastest-selling debut album of 1996 - and this release is unlikely to catapult them back into the spotlight. Outspoken frontman Crispian Mills has taken the band in a more mellow direction on tracks such as All Dressed Up, Cavalry and Ruby. However, fans may be pleased to know that Modern Blues and Figure It Out are more like the Kula Shaker of old. Despite this, there is nothing as memorable as biggest hits Tattva or Hey Dude on what is a fairly weak release.

Rating: 4/10 (Review by Andrew Carless).

Chris Singleton And The Distractions - Lady Gasoline.

"Listening to some rock bands in 1989" is the opening line from the first track Let Me Out. By the time you get to the end of the album it's clear that Chris Singleton has listened to a lot of music. The trouble is that this sounds a bit too much like a collection of cover versions rather than a new identity forged from personal influences. There's Beatles on Sold The World, Jesus Jones on Let Me Out and Lose It, and Blur on a number of tracks - particularly the vocal style. While all this familiarity makes for enjoyable listening, it will be interesting to see if he can (or indeed wants to) establish a sound of his own in the future.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Mike Fletcher).

Dr John And The Lower 911 - Tribal.

Mac Rebennack, better known to his fans as Dr John, turns 70 later this year, but on this latest release he proves that age is no barrier when it comes to exploring new musical horizons. Born and raised in New Orleans where he still lives, Dr John has again drawn on the city's rich musical heritage, with jazz, cajun and blues expertly intertwined and enlivened by his trademark keyboard flourishes. But African influences are also evident, fleshing out the songs and giving his music a new and unexpected twist. Opener Feel Good Music sets the tone with its catchy chorus, immediately underlining that the advancing years have yet to diminish his distinctive vocals. Other notable highlights are Whut's Wit Dat, Manoovas and the title track. Cracking stuff.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Kim Mayo).

Sarah McLachlan - Laws Of Illusion.

Anyone who's sung along to Building A Mystery or I Will Remember You, will understand just how good Sarah McLachlan is at writing dramatic, emotionally-arresting, songs. A ballad-writing supremo, she manages to skirt over cheesy, singer-songwriter territory, and offer up songs which sound more profound. Whether this album quite lives up to some of her previous 'ice sliding down your back moments', of albums Surfacing and Afterglow, is debatable. And if you're looking for wine-downing music, and tears as you do the washing up, you'd be better off downloading her greatest hits. This is an uptempo album, but still is a strong offering, with tracks such as Loving You Is Easy instantly likeable. With hundreds of thousands of devoted fans, and Laws Of Illusion being her first album for seven years, this release will no doubt split opinion.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Sarah O'Meara).

The Quails - Master Of Imperfection.

To date the Quails biggest claim to fame is hailing from Teignmouth - the same small Devon town as stadium fillers Muse - and there is nothing to suggest here that this will change. Master Of Imperfection is the four-piece's second album, after 2008's I've Heard It's All Rumours, and there is little to distinguish them from a host of other current guitar bands. The band show a hint of variety with piano-led ballad Shining Star toward the end of the album but for the majority they stick to formulaic pop songs in the mould of indie bands such as The Kooks.

Rating: 5/10 (Review by Tom Rostance).

Singles by Polly Weeks.

Kylie Minogue - All The Lovers.

Pop princess Kylie returns with this addictive dance number, which will be a hit in both the clubs and charts.

Kelly Rowland feat. David Guetta - Commander.

Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland releases this dance number which she'll be hoping will be as big a hit as When Love Takes Over.

Lady Gaga - Alejandro.

She's one of the biggest artists in the world and now Lady Gaga releases this pop number which isn't as entertaining as her previous tunes but has an extraordinary video to go alongside it.

:: On the road.

N*E*R*D, HMV Forum, London, June 21, 2010 N*E*R*D have that rare cool quality in a band... they make guys go wild and set girls on a screamathon, thanks partly to star of the trio, Pharrell Williams. The band's acronym, standing for 'No-one Ever Really Dies' is fitting for frontman Williams who, at 37, seemingly never ages and jumps around the stage like a teenager despite admitting to struggling with a sore throat. The bustling crowd quietens only at the introduction of unfamiliar tunes from forthcoming album, Nothing (due for UK release in September). New song Hot-n-Fun went down a storm despite missing the collaborative vocals of Nelly Furtado. However, it was vintage N*E*R*D anthems such as Lapdance and She Wants To Move that really raised the roof. With the trademark girly stage invading and encore missing from the end, fans only grumble was that they were left wanting more.

(Review by Lisa Haynes).

Tour dates.

:: With Shaun Ryder confirmed as their special guest, The Charlatans have announced they will be heading out on an extensive UK tour in October. The 13-date tour begins on October 7 in Newcastle before finishing on October 23 in Birmingham. For full details visit www.thecharlatans.net.

:: The Libertines' very own Carl Barat has just announced he'll be heading out on his first solo UK tour. Taking place in October the singer will be performing throughout the country, starting at the Brighton Coalition on October 15 and finishing at London's Scala on October 27. For further details visit www.myspace.com/carlbarat.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)