On the record: Kylie makes goddess return (From Redditch Advertiser)

On the record: Kylie makes goddess return

7:00am Saturday 10th July 2010

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Pop princess Kylie Minogue returns to work with her new album Aphrodite, but will it live up to her previous material?

Elsewhere there are plenty of indie, folk and rock releases with The Flaming Lips, I Am Kloot and Cherry Ghost all returning. Read on to see how they compare...

Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite

Kylie is back. If she'd gone off your radar recently, new single All The Lovers, a stellar performance at Glastonbury and new album Aphrodite have reminded us why we love the pop princess. Produced by Stuart Price - famous for his work with Madonna, this new offering is everything we want from Kylie. It's catchy dance pop that will have you up on the dance floor in seconds. All The Lovers, as we know, sticks in your head with its upbeat chorus. Title track Aphrodite is sexy, sassy Kylie. Everything Is Beautiful offers a more sedate option, and Too Much is a great and uplifting dance track. Some critics may knock the predictable sound of Kylie's floor-fillers, but anyone who likes a good pop tune will love Aphrodite.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Ellen Branagh)

The Young Veins - Take A Vacation!

Knowing that The Young Veins include two former members of emo-rockers Panic! at the Disco (Ryan Ross and Jon Walker), will give listeners misguided expectations of this Californian band's debut album. Gone is the angst-ridden pomposity of the previous outfit, and in its place is the nostalgia of dreamy beach-pop. The Beach Boys influence is prevalent throughout this first effort on tracks such as Everyone But You and Cape Town, where the harmonies and twanging lead guitar dream up images of surfboards, palm trees and sand beneath the toes. In recent years bands such as The Thrills have tried to reinvigorate this wishy-washy genre with mixed success. Take A Vacation! is full of infectious melodies and soothing arrangements - but with one foot stuck firmly in the past, Ross and Walker are unlikely to match the platinum sales and award-winning success of their previous musical pursuits.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Jamie Grierson)

Cherry Ghost - Beneath This Burning Shoreline

They may not be a household name, but Cherry Ghost - who hail from Greater Manchester - already have a top 10 album (Thirst For Romance) and an Ivor Novello award to their name. Now the quietly-successful indie-rock group return with their second album. This time around the group sound like a cross between Doves and The National. Second track on the album A Month Of Mornings highlights this. It manages to be both soulful and sparse. The album, while dark, does have some euphoric moments, such as the string-heavy Kissing Strangers. The only problem with the release is that it's competing with other recent albums of a similar style (with The National's latest album released just a few months ago). However, competition aside, this is a strong album.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Polly Weeks)

I Am Kloot - Sky At Night

I Am Kloot enlist the help of Elbow duo Guy Garvey and Craig Potter on their fifth studio album Sky At Night, and it could prove to be a masterstroke for one of Manchester's most underrated bands. The production oozes quality, from the sweeping violins in album opener Northern Skies to the unexpected trumpets on theatrical closer Same Skies. Radiation may last for more than six minutes, but the track builds majestically. Proof, which also features on the band's self-titled album of 2003, is another stand-out track. Lately is reminiscent of Joe Cocker's take on With A Little Help From My Friends, and To The Brink highlights John Bramwell's undoubted talent for songwriting. Well worth a listen.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Andrew Carless)

Ozomatli - Fire Away

If you're looking for something to turn up loud and party to this summer, then this latest offering by Los Angeles band Ozomatli could be it. Fire Away is only Ozomatli's fifth studio album since they formed in the mid-1990s, but with a lively mixture of funk, salsa, rock and a prominent horn section, there is something for most dancing feet on this record. There are also some quieter moments with Love Comes Down and It's Only Time - which is reminiscent of Extreme's More Than Words. The heart and soul of this album though are tracks such as 45, Gay Vatos In Love, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Nadas Por Free and Malagasy Shock - which demand full volume, a cold drink and hot shoes.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Mike Fletcher)

Spandau Ballet - Special Editions of True and Parade

After successfully releasing special editions of their first two albums earlier this year, Spandau Ballet have released True (1983) and Parade (1984) in the same format. The double CDs have bonus 12in and previously unreleased live concert tracks, and True has a DVD with the band's BBC performances and concert footage from their May 1983 show at Saddlers Wells. Musically, both albums are timeless and sound fresh. True consists of eight strong, upbeat songs. There's the classic title track Gold, Foundation - full of hope for the future - and the spine-tingling Pleasure. Parade was strong with the catchy Only When You Leave, funky Highly Strung and romantic I'll Fly For You. Both albums were innovative and well written - showcasing Gary Kemp's strong songwriting skills.

Rating: 9/10 (Review by Laura Wurzal)

The Flaming Lips, Stardeath And White Dwarfs - The Dark Side Of The Moon Wayne Coyne, frontman for the Flaming Lips, has long been one of rock's more mysterious performers and his decision to cover Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon ranks as one of the bravest decisions of the year. The original 1973 release is consistently hailed as one of the finest albums ever made and has sold more than 45 million copies, but fans may be disappointed by this version. One of the original's most familiar tracks, Money, is ruined by the overuse of vocal effects, and the choice of Peaches to provide the female vocals will not be to everyone's taste. So, while Coyne and co can be commended for putting an original twist on one of the all-time greats, they should perhaps focus on their own material in the future.

Rating: 4/10 (Review by Tom Rostance)

Daniel Johnston And Beam - Beam Me Up!

Eerie a cappella opener Sarah Drove Around In Her Car is one of three new songs to feature on Johnston's latest album, which is mainly comprised of unnecessary re-workings of previously released material. Dutch orchestra Beam add colourful backing to the fragile troubadour's shaky vocals, but it's his austere songwriting that resounds with so many listeners. Brass and strings do lift the unnerving lyrics with joyous riffs, particularly on Wicked World and Try To Love. The addition of the strings gives the bumbling song structures a classical quality. However, a perfect anti-folk ballad such as True Love Will Find You In The End should remain untouched.

Rating: 5/10 (Review by Matthew Stoppard)

Zero 7 - Record (Best Of)

The genre of chill-out music is much maligned these days with the likes of Zero 7, Groove Armada and French counterparts Air no longer enjoying the success they did in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But for a time Zero 7 were hip young things - with their brand of ambient electronic music proving popular to many people. Founder members Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker utilised guest vocalists on a regular basis to augment their glossy sound. This release is a comprehensive overview of their best moments and also includes a bonus remix CD as an extra incentive to buy. Polaris and Everything Up (Zizou) are both excellent and much of the rest is tasteful and laid-back, if not entirely suitable for those who like their parties to go with a swing.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Kim Mayo)

Various Artists - Heroes & Sweethearts: A Salute To The Greatest Wartime Songs

Music is a powerful thing. A quick look at this two-CD track-list shows a number of tunes which boosted morale for both those fighting on the beaches and trenches, and those left behind at home. This album does of course feature well-known tunes such as Dame Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover, Gracie Fields' Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye, and The Andrew Sisters' Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. But there are also tunes which with time, have been forgotten - for example the tune Adolf by Billy Cotton & His Band with Alan Breeze, and Irving Berlin's This Is The Army, Mr Jones. In addition to the double album there's a DVD included. Titled Songs That Won The War, this features more than 30 songs from the war years and newsreel footage. This is a great collection which anyone with more than a slight interest in the country's history will find exciting.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Polly Weeks)

Singles by Polly Weeks

:: 3OH!3 Feat. Ke$ha - My First Kiss

This jaunty pop number isn't as catchy as previous single Starstrukk and Ke$ha doesn't leave much of an imprint on the song.

:: Florence And The Machine - Cosmic Love

This is set to be the last single release from Florence Welch's mega-successful debut album Lungs. It's just as powerful and as atmospheric as her previous tunes.

:: Lee Ryan - I Am Who I Am

This ballad comes courtesy of ex-Blue member Lee Ryan. It's a schmaltzy number which will impress his fans. It also comes complete with his electro-club tune Secret Love.

On the road

:: Shakira has just announced a European tour. The pop star will begin the British leg of the tour at the MEN Arena on December 14 and will also play dates in Belfast and Glasgow before moving onto the O2 Arena in London. For full details, visit www.shakira.com/tour.

:: Over the past year west London quartet Mumford & Sons have become one of the most exciting folk bands around. Now they have announced a UK autumn tour. Beginning on October 1, they will play dates in Glasgow, Manchester, Brighton, Nottingham, Bristol and London. For full details, visit www.mumfordandsons.com.

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