Reunion

Skunk Anansie - Smashes and Trashes (2009)

4.60 / 5.00

One of the most provocative British rock bands of 1990s, Skunk Anansie reformed for a "Greatest Hits Tour" as well as for releasing a GH compilation and recording new material.

"Smashes and Trashes" include some of their best and most popular tracks like "Weak" , "Hedonism" and "Lately". New recordings "Because of You" reminds you their tracks from 90's, but never sounds outdated. Another new track, "Squander" also feels just as good as "Charity" and "Lately". So, "new" Skunk Anansie remains loyal to their roots in a sense, but it also makes it hard to estimate whether they can still achieve mainstream success after such a long break. However, this is a great compilation to bring back the memories and celebrate the reunion of a band you miss.

PS: As a provocative front-woman and a lesbian, Deborah's looks never overshadowed the good music of Skunk Anansie. If you make good music, you actually don't need that. (a foot note for the fans of Beth Ditto lol)

Taste It!

Hedonism

Pop Tarts; A Better Akon, A Free "Joss" and A Girl Aloud

Cheryl Cole - 3 Words (2009)

3.00 / 5.00

As a member of a generation who witnessed the rise and fall of Spice Girls, I thought that girl/boy band era would end with the decreasing popularity Spice Girls and alikes at the end of 90s. Sugababes and Girls Aloud proved me wrong. With a dream production team like Xenomenia, you can even create a new band composed of monkeys and make them top the chart for at least 2 weeks!

Cheryl Cole goes solo this time, but presents nothing new that can be distinguished from Girls Aloud albums. It's pure pop, fun to listen to. But would it help Cole start a solo career? Absolutely not. Moreover, the inclusion of dim and outdated Will I Am duet "Heartbreaker" even proves how unnecessary to name this record as a solo Chery Cole album.

Joss Stone - Colour Me Free (2009)

3.75 / 5.00

After the "American accent" debate and conflict with the record label EMI, Stone's fourth finally sees release this week.

Stone is definitely an innovative young performer and always comes up with different experimentation of hers. But these "experimentations" are also a search to find the perfect formula for Stone to make her appeal to the US audience too, which proved that it's too hard to achieve even with a big production and orchestra team as she did with "Introducing Joss Stone".

New album sounds more loose as the first single "Free Me" recalls her debut album "The Soul Sessions", but also proves that her performance improves with each new record. "Colour Me Free!" also has a wet feeling which tries hard to make you feel that this is actually an album recorded "live", which does not work with tracks like "Governmentalist" (a new topic for Joss - politics!)

Another weak point is the "You Got The Love" cover. As it was covered by new "Indie-Pop Princess" Florence Welch as a "bonus track" for her debut recently, it decreases the credibility of Stone's new album for including as a "new" track for her album. Besides these, an enjoyable record but modest record, which will probably stand as a low-key in Joss Stone discography.

Taio Cruz - Rokstarr (2009)

3.00 / 5.00

i don't know why but this guy reminds me Akon. They have a similar kind of sound, which plays for topping the charts and succeeds. But you can give Taio more credits as he sings better and he is still 23.

As a British popstar writing and producing his own tracks, Taio Cruz proved his marketability by co-writing Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Will Young's biggest hit "Your Game". After a successful debut album, he achieves in providing a different sound for "Rokstarr". For instance, in "Feel Again" you almost recall Snow Patrol songs. And catchy "Break Your Heart" is a potential #1 for UK Chart. (After I wrote that sentence, I googled it and learnt that it's already been #1! Shit, I always fall behind in following the charts!)

But the problem is that most of the songs sound similar that you can hardly distinguish between them. Moreover, even though they don't sound outdated (for now), they have a euro-popistic memorability and that's probably the reason why he can't hit the charts in US. But if "Break Your Heart' made it to #1 in UK, then most of the tracks on this album can. And if market rules the music business, then Taio is da real "ROKSTARR".

An Outmoded Makeover

Jody Watley - The Makeover (US Release: 2006 / UK Release: 2009)

3.00 / 5.00

If I wrote this review in 2006, I would have definitely given it 4,5 out of 5 stars. But after 3 years later of its release in US, one cannot help but wonder why they waited so long to release it in UK. If it was a problem with the record company then, why didn't Watley choose to work on a new album for UK? Who knows.

The 2006 release "Makeover" is actually a modernist and successful attempt by Watley but with a futuristic appreciation of retro - and that's what makes the album title "Makeover". Besides remakes of her own club classics such as "Looking for A New Love", Watley also covers Madonna, Bob Marley, Chic, Diana Ross, and Carpenters tracks and make them all hers with her unique and charming performing style. It is a pure challenge for a singer to cover classics of such characteristic musicians, but Watley carries out them all quite easily.

Now "The Makeover" sees UK release, and also includes Watley's version of Erasure hit "A Little Respect" , a more dynamic 10-minute version of Ross' "Love Hangover" and piano ballad standard "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrrow?". Besides the new version of "Love Hangover", none of the new additions provide something new for the record, but they also don't push it below the standard. But if you bought this album in 2006 and had enough of it, then you better download the new tracks from a legal web site or iTunes store. Suggested only for die-hard Watley fans.

Taste it!

I Want Your Love

Remastered Kraftwerk Catalogue

4.50/5.00

Despite lacking their first 3 albums, "The Catalgoeu" is an essential box set for any music collectors, any Kraftwerk fan, and those who reently discovered and became interested in electronic music. You can call them the "techno Beatles", the "godfathers of electronic music" , but they all mean nothing unlesss you hear what they sound like. (Haha , I use Webdings characters consciously, it looks more Kraftwerk-ish! What I write is meaningless unless you hear what their music sounds like - but I should add that this is a "must buy" for every fan, electronic music lover and collector.)

"Tour De France Soundtracks" 2003 (3.75/5.00)

"The Mix" 1991 (2.00/5.00)

"Techno Pop/Electric Cafe" 1986 (2.75/5.00)

"Computer World" 1981 (5.00/5.00)

"Trans Europe Express" 1976 (4.75/5.00)

"Man Machine" 1978 (5.00/5.00)

"Radio-Activity" 1975 (4.25/5.00)

"Autobahn" 1974 (4.00/5.00)

Taste the remastering technology!

The Robots (2009 Digital Remaster)

Diminishing Returns!

"Do It Again" (Chemical Brothers) singer Ali Love shares his appreciation of echoed dance tunes of 80s and italo synths with his new single "Diminishing Returns" ! Despite recording a full-length album which never saw an official release, now Love is signed to Back Yard records and it is so likely to hear an album of some cool dance tunes from his beautiful voice.

'Hey Annie - Well Look At You'!

Annie - Don't Stop (Exp. Release Date: 19th October 2009)

4.00 / 5.00

You've got your new album released, and you don't know what to do?

Well guys, it's time to show some love for Annie , as her second album is going to be out in 3 days finally! Although most of the tracks on the album leaked on the internet in April 2008 as a full album under the title of "Don't Stop" , Annie removed some tracks, and recorded some "fancier" ones instead of kitschy breakbeat cover of Stacey Q's "Two of Hearts" (which was expected to be the first single!), summer anthem "Anthonio" and another single released last year called "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me".

"Don't Stop" proves that Norwegian princess doesn't want to play "underground Madonna" anymore and chooses to work with the creme pop producers like Paul Epworth and Xenomania (Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Girls Aloud). Xenomania produced tracks like "Loco" and "Bad Times" present their "perfect pop formula" again with a different artist this time, so you don't mind much about who sings it actually. But it's worth mentioning that Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand plays guitars on "Loco" and another Xenomania produced track as well as the new single "My Love is Better" , which has a big potential to become a hit.

But it's mostly tracks like "Take You Home" and "Songs Remind me of You" which reminds how Annie should have sounded like in her second album, if she followed the footsteps of her debut. She could have remained as an "underground" name, who is appreciated by indie lovers and blog writers if she also included tracks like "Anthonio" in the album. But Annie challenges herself and plays her cards to go mainstream this time - and time will prove if she will be able to achieve receiving mainstream success. But there's one thing for sure that "Don't Stop" is a smooth pop record and is fun to listen to, wherever it takes Annie's career a year after.

Taste it!

I Don't Like Your Band

Kanye Hearts Mr Hudson

Mr Hudson feat. Kanye West - iTunes Live London Festival EP (2009)

2.50 / 5.00

As Mr Hudson's full length album has not been released/leaked yet, I'm sure his record company is quite guarded to keep it new until the date it will shine on shelves of music stores. However, an iTunes EP has been released, in which Mr Hudson-the band- performs their almost "biggest" hits like "Supernova" and "White Lies" with Kanye West, as well as covering his gem "Paranoid".

Their debut "A Tale of Two Cities", released in 2007, was a guitar/Motown-ish drums driven soft pop/rock goodie, which attracted local attention in UK, but could not find its place in the mainstream arena. Now, former acid jazzer, Ben Hudson and his band reveals they go mainstream with Kanye's support, who defined Hudson, as "a guy who can be more popular than him".

But the problem is that this EP proves Ben Hudson is not a good live performer, and tears his throat to deliver back vocals for Kanye in "Paranoid", as well as while singing his single "White Lies". Drum beats and auto-tuned vocals of Hudson also remind Kanye's "808s & Heartbreak" a lot  - as you will not be surprised if all these tracks would be placed in Kanye's following album, rather than Mr Hudson's second effort. 

Therefore, there is something unsincere with Mr Hudson. They claim to go mainstream but they offer nothing special or new. This EP proves that their second album will be the white-faced version of Kanye West, copying his a la mode look with bohemian platinum blond hair of Hudson - which definitely makes an imperfect combination.

Moz - Unhappy With The New Compilation

Morrissey - The HMV/Parlophone Singles 88-95 (2009)

2.50 / 5.00

After seeing the image above from Morrissey's latest single sleeve, you might get charmed by the beauty of Moz's body, as he still looks fit at the age of 50  and buy his new compilation from HMV records. But this boxset, which compiles the full 62 tracks that Moz recorded when he was signed to HMV is a compilation, which will not make him receive any royalties for it. Thus, he urged his fans not to buy this album.

Besides this, the boxset also fails in covering Moz's career throughout the years. As it only covers the post-Smiths period until 1995. Therefore, you will not find any tracks from "Maladjusted", or the greatest hit "You Are The Quarry" , which proved that after decades, Moz knew how to play the game. Moreover, besides the die-hard fans, I am sure you will not care about the b-sides which you have never heard of - which are struggling to be above the average. We better listen to Moz, and not buy this record then?

Taste it!;

Suedehead

A Tribute to MJ

The Roots feat. Erykah Badu - Billie Jean

Tons of tributes have been paid for Michael Jackson after his death, as numerous artists covered his pop classics within the past months. This cover of Billie Jean by The Roots and Erykah Badu was also released after he passed away- but it differentiates itself for sounding like a studio demo (Actually it is) , and for being a live recording with no editing or retouching. It is such a refreshing!! and fun approach for Billie Jean as Erykah vocalizes the inner bitch of Billie Jean theatratically and the Black Thought of The Roots humbly rejects the claims of her - I know it sounds like a parody, and it actually is, but it is not all to this record. You must definitely hear it!

Enjoy!

P.S. I regret for not writing about Erykah's 2008 album "New Amerykah Pt 1 : World War 4". It's definitely a great classic record beyond its time, and there is not a single bad song in it. (haha it's ironic that i'm writing this a year after its release!) Moreover, it is more meaningful than what Kanye did during VMA's in terms of supporting his race.

Some people blamed Erykah Badu for sounding "elitist" , as she referred to blacks as "they" in the track "Twinkle". But those criticized her also ignored the fact that same song included lyrics like "They kept us uneducated, sick and depressed". It is possible that those people just listened the first minute of the song and then turned the radio off by deciding to judge without being objective. Whatever.

What Happens If The Sound of The Last Shadow Puppets Becomes a Heritage for Arctics...

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug (2009)

4.50 / 5.00

Arctic Monkeys is not one of the bands you'll either love or hate. You can even just "like" them, and it can be more meaningful than dedicating yourself to their music. As their debut album started with the idea "think small but make it big", their career evolved around making good music without suffocating in the pool of fame. Therefore, they became the band which you know will exist, at least, in the next decade and will produce some delicious British rock'n'roll goodies before they write up their breaking-up story.

"Humbug" is, thus, a satisfying album, in which Alex Turner sounds more mature , as his voice sounds deeper and fits with ballads like "Cornerstone", which we are not used to hear from Arctic Monkeys. It is also obvious that The Last Shadow Puppets debut have also become uninevitably influential over the new album's sound, and "Cornerstone" is a one great example of this. Album opener "My Propeller" and first single "Crying Lightning" also gives you the signs that this is a good record, and the weariness of "Favorite Worst Nightmare" has passed. "Potion Approaching" is another outstanding up tempo rock'n'roll track reminding the debut record, but distinguishes itself with more mature vocals of Alex, and the influence of Josh Homme, who made great impact on shaping Arctic Monkeys' new sound as a producer.

There is not a single bad song on this album - and it seems that as Alex Turner and his band grows old, gets more and more disappointed in this life by seeing that growing up is not a solution for any problem, they will come back with much better music.

Check It Out!:

Fire and The Thud

Propellerhead

Cornerstone