On the record: 3OH!3 discover streets made of gold (From Redditch Advertiser)

On the record: 3OH!3 discover streets made of gold

7:00am Saturday 24th July 2010

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Colorado twosome Sean and Nathaniel return with their third album having grabbed the attention of the UK with their previous single Starstrukk. Elsewhere Level 42 celebrate their 30th anniversary with a boxset and the UK's latest hip-hop star Professor Green releases his anticipated album. How do they compare? Read on to find out...

3OH!3 - Streets of Gold

Electro hip-hop duo 3OH!3 have actually been producing music for some time - their first album came out in 2007. But Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte went relatively unnoticed until single Starstrukk - featuring Katy Perry - hit the shelves. And that loudmouth, bravado-packed track pretty much sets the tone for the rest of this, their third album. The two men clearly like to remind their listeners that they are just that - men, blokes, lads, whose brattish rapping tells us they love one thing above all else - women, girls, chicks. Regardless of whether you hate the duo's college-jock bombast, it's hard to deny the irrepressible melodies on offer. So infectious are the tunes that after just one listen even the most reserved feminists may find themselves unknowingly singing about "tight jeans" "double Ds" and "daisy dukes".

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Jamie Grierson)

Level 42 - Living It Up - The Boxset

Released to celebrate their 30 year anniversary, this four-disc boxset contains all 34 of the band's A-side single releases. Also included are previously unreleased demos and live tracks along with their standout 80s chart successes of Lessons In Love and Running In The Family. CD four is a brand new acoustic album featuring new versions of 10 classic tracks, and for die-hard fans this is Level 42 utopia. Listening to the set provides an enjoyable stroll down memory lane, but most won't want or need a boxset as comprehensive as this.

Rating: 4/10 (Review by Dan Thompson)

Hafdis Huld - Synchronised Swimmers

Icelandic singer Hafdis Huld started singing with dance collective Gus Gus when she was just 15 years old but first sprang to prominence beyond the confines of her homeland with her acerbic debut solo album Dirty Paper Cup in 2006. Four years on and her second, Synchronised Swimmers, is aiming for the mainstream pop market and may well succeed in both the UK and US with its glossy sheen and at times, it must be said, somewhat trite lyrics. But overall, it provides a perfect summer soundtrack with plenty of hooks making up for her occasionally pedestrian vocals. Highlights include breezy opener Action Man and Robot Robot but the standout track is I Almost Know a Criminal, the darker vibe more akin to her previous solo outing. Although nowhere nearly as adventurous as fellow Icelandic export Bjork, Hafdis Huld certainly deserves wider recognition, but deeper lyrical content next time would be a welcome bonus.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Kim Mayo)

Disney Pixar - Greatest Hits

Everyone loves a Disney movie and Disney Pixar boasts some of our firm favourites, from Toy Story to Monsters Inc, and Finding Nemo to the more recent Cars. These are just some of the films featured in the album, and great they are. But these films are about the whole package - it's not just the pictures, or just the sound, it's the two together. Numbers like You've Got a Friend in Me, from Toy Story, will evoke memories of the film scenes, but a lot of the album is music from the score, somewhat lost without the visuals to match. The music's great, but doesn't quite hit the spot when left to stand alone.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Ellen Branagh)

Loudon Wainwright III - 10 Songs for the New Depression

Wainwright's recession-themed offering kicks in with Times Is Hard, a polished lyrical ballad sounding like the 21st century's answer to The Times They Are A-Changin'. The record goes on to approach the economic climate from all kinds of angles - a couple who want a divorce but can't sell their house; juxtaposing optimism felt for President Roosevelt with Obama; and even a tongue-in-cheek look at the USA's version of the Scrappage Scheme.

Humour and solemnity is balanced despite the downbeat subject matter. Although his proposed solution to the New Depression is somewhat weak (buy a ukulele), the whole package is delivered in Loudon's trademark fanciful style - sounding as fresh as ever - which may just be the answer in itself.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Lewis Young)

Professor Green - Alive Till I'm Dead

The sound of the summer, encapsulated in a mix-tape. With this breezy feel, Alive Till I'm Dead certainly has the right time for its release. A selection of tracks featuring various samples (including INXS) and various guest artists (including Example and Lily Allen) the album remains fun whilst steering clear of the throwaway. With an urgent voice (think Dizzee Rascal meets Scroobius Pip) Professor Green adds a serious edge to his music. But despite his direct attitude and supposedly smart lyrics, there's a sense that he has nothing of importance to impart. Green's razor-sharp wit got blunted somewhere, perhaps a compromise for the slick production and carefree feeling. Singles abound, but will the album outlast the summer?

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Nathania Hartley)

Alan Pownall - True Love Stories

Championed by Fearne Cotton, admired by Will Young and hand-picked by Adele to support her on tour, 24-year-old Londoner Alan Pownall is on the fast-track to stardom. His debut album True Love Stories lives up to the hype, with summery, radio-friendly hits coming thick and fast. Pownall may have been described as the UK's answer to Jack Johnson following the release of Chasing Time, but don't be fooled. Life Worth Living has that vibe, but Don't You Know Me sounds like Roy Orbison covering a Buddy Holly song. Current single Colourful Day is Pownall's equivalent to You're Beautiful and could bring with it the same success enjoyed by James Blunt. Definitely one to watch.

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Andrew Carless)

Department of Eagles - Archive 2003-2006

In 2000, New York University roommates Daniel Rossen and Fred Nicolaus began creating music using samples, pirated software, a borrowed microphone and sticky-backed plastic (OK, I made the last bit up). They released one album to cult popularity before Rossen joined Grizzly Bear. This CD is a collection of 'practice sketches' and unused tracks from that time; the former especially sometimes grate, and production values are rough and ready. However the songs, which lay vocal harmonies over a simple piano or guitar backing, often have a pleasantly eerie and hypnotic quality reminiscent of Radiohead or the Beatles in experimental mood. Probably an acquired taste for most listeners, though.

Rating: 5/10 (Review by Maurice Buxton)

Gurrumul - Live in Darwin, Australia

Gurrumul - or to give him his full name, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - is not your average pop star. The 40-year-old is an indigenous Australian who was born blind, has never learned Braille and does not use a guide dog or a cane. Despite this he plays the drums, keyboard, guitar and didgeridoo as well as possessing a remarkable singing voice. On this six-track EP he plays songs from his eponymous debut album which include lyrics in English as well as his native Yolngu tongue. This is a fine recording of a unique artist at work, whose haunting songs deserve a wider audience.

Rating: 7/10 (Review by Tom Rostance)

Earth Wind & Fire - Greatest Hits

Even those with no interest in the funk/disco scene will not have failed to notice the impact Chicago group Earth, Wind & Fire had on the music scene. With 11 top 40 hits between 1977 and 1982, their tunes such as Let's Groove, Boogie Wonderland, September and After The Love Has Gone are still popular dancefloor fillers now. These tunes are captured on their Greatest Hits - released at the same time as their UK tour. With 17 tracks, this is quite the collection of E.W&F songs. While firm funkers will revel in the song choices, those with a casual interest in the genre may struggle to remember all 17 tunes - I've Had Enough and Let Me Talk anyone? Some of the songs may not be all that familiar, however the quality of them are clear to hear and most importantly they will provide a great soundtrack to anyone's disco-inspired party.

Rating: 6/10 (Review by Polly Weeks)

Singles by Polly Weeks

:: Taio Cruz - Dynamite

The UK R&B star returns with this dance number which isn't dissimilar in style to OMG by Usher.

:: Pendulum - Witchcraft

The dance group release this stomping drum and bass number perfect for the festival season and summer.

:: Diana Vickers - The Boy Who Murdered Love

The X Factor singer releases this light summer number which gives Ellie Goulding and Marina & the Diamonds a run for their money.

:: On the road

Tegan and Sara, Camden Roundhouse, London, June 24 2010

Tegan and Sara returned to Camden to play their biggest UK gig to date. The Canadian twin sisters, though seemingly one of indie-folks' best kept secrets, played to a full house of adoring fans who ranged from new teenage devotees to those in their 30s who have followed the duo throughout their 10-year career. With six utterly infectious albums in their repertoire it wasn't hard for the pair to give the crowd a seamless set of sing-a-long gems. Each song was interjected with amusing banter which made for an enduring tapestry of a show, as it became apparent that the band are as fond of their collective fan base as the audience clearly are of them. Closing the evening with the upbeat, bluegrass tinged, crowd pleaser Living Room, 4000 people left the Roundhouse with warm hearts and huge grins.

(Review by Amy Stolarczyk)

Arcade Fire, Hackney Empire, July 7 2010

The seven members of Arcade Fire took to the stage of London's historic Hackney Empire to play songs from their eagerly anticipated new album, The Suburbs. As well as the title track, they also enthusiastically performed Modern Man, We Used To Wait and Rococo, the band's stadium sound rocking the intimate auditorium. The multi-instrumentalists constantly switched between playing guitars, drums, accordion, keyboards, glockenspiel, tambourine, violins, hurdy gurdy and a mega phone. Connecting with his audience, front man Win Butler sung on as he crowd surfed, taking his mike stand with him. The spirited band appeared delighted to be playing the secret gig to a sold-out audience of 1250 plus, as a warm up for performances at the Reading and Leeds festivals in August. The lucky ticket holders responded gratefully singing lyrics back at a volume to rival the group's massive presence. Arcade Fire's performance was a spectacle, the crowd rapturous and the atmosphere magical.

Rodrigo y Gabriela, O2 Academy Leeds, June 30 2010

Instrumental flamenco extraordinaires Rodrigo Y Gabriela have been on the scene for ten years, and their experience shows. They let the music do the talking for the most part, using clever interplay and back-and-forths to impress. Their on-stage presence is surprising given their basic set-up. They create a myriad of sounds using every square inch of their guitars, furthered by audience hand clap rhythms conducted by Rodrigo. The group display their metal roots, most noticeably with a cover of Metallica's Orion, but it jars with the chilled-out flamenco atmosphere. The show wanes towards the end, which isn't surprising considering the rate at which they play, but the duo are received well throughout - the only thing missing is a flamenco version of duelling banjos.

(Review by Lewis Young)

Tour dates

:: Their stage presence has won them an allegiance of fans. Now Goldfrapp have announced they'll be heading on their first major tour in two years. Beginning November 9 at Bristol O2 Academy, they'll then play gigs in London, Brighton, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow before finishing at the Newcastle O2 Academy on November 20. For more details visit www.goldfrapp.com.

:: Their blend of electro-pop and hip-hop has made them a festival favourite and Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip have just announced they'll be heading out on a full UK tour. Beginning in Hatfield on October 14, they'll then play dates throughout the country before finishing the tour in London on November 1. For full details visit www.livenation.co.uk.

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