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Post by Elliot Kane on May 26, 2009 7:56:12 GMT
Coz it seems like a plan. This is the format I'll be using. You guys can follow it or create your own as you like:
Album Name: Group Name: Genre:
Paragraph(s) of waffle about group/singer and how I know them.
Paragraph(s) of waffle about album
Standout tracks:
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Post by Elliot Kane on May 26, 2009 8:16:35 GMT
The Liberty Of Norton Folgate
Artist: Madness Genre: Ska
Growing up in the 80s was a fantastic experience if you liked a broad range of music and had a lot of money to spend on it. Back then, I was mainly a Metalhead and manly skint. So not ideal, you might say ;D It was only in the 90s that I really started to appreciate the music of my own era (Faced with the music of the 90s, seeking escape was the only sane option, mind! ;D). However, there were a few bands I actually liked at the time that were not Metal or Prog Rock, and one of those bands was Madness.
Madness, with their infernally catchy tunes that could be about almost anything, were (Along with The Specials) the leading edge of the Ska movement. And you know what? The sound hasn't aged at all. I think the secret is that Ska always sounded a little bit retro anyway, so in any era it still sounds a little bit retro. Including now. I have good memories of singing along to 'Our House' and 'Baggy Trousers' on the radio. Madness were fun where so many bands were so serious. They were a group of friends having a laugh and making great music while they did so.
More years on than I care to think about, they are still a group of friends making great music. The Liberty Of Norton Folgate is their first studio album in... yeah, about that long. And they haven't lost it at all. Many bands fade or lose the fire or go so far in search of the 'perfect' sound that they cease making anything that can really be described as music, but not Madness. They've not only still got it, but they may even be better than ever. The new album is a musical tour de force with not a single bad track.
Standout Tracks: There isn't a single bad song, but my favourites have to be Sugar And Spice, Forever Young and NW5, though that may change with repeated listening.
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Post by Elliot Kane on May 26, 2009 8:40:36 GMT
Faryl
Artist: Faryl Smith Genre: Classical
Britain's Got Talent has a great history of throwing up unexpected but brilliant singers who blow away both judges and audience. The first series had Paul Potts, the third series has Susan Boyle and the second had twelve year old schoolgirl Faryl Smith, the kid from Kettering. Fortunately, I don't have to waste my time actually watching the shows as the press always picks out the good ones, but nonetheless I've always managed to be surprised by just how good the best entrants are. IMO, Faryl should have won the second series. I thought so then and after listening to her debut album, I'm certain of it.
It's a year on and Faryl has now reached the ancient age of thirteen. Her voice has grown stronger and richer, her range has increased and her singing ability is frankly breathtaking. She probably has the best female voice in Britain today and were it not for a certain young Kiwi lass I'd say she looks to become unparalleled. She really is that good. When her voice fully matures... well, I can't even imagine how good she will be.
The song selection is a pretty good mix of Classical standards and show tunes, with a couple having lyrics rewritten especially for Faryl. The album as a whole works to showcase her voice beautifully. Not just a superb debut, but a strong contender for best album of the year.
Standout tracks: The River Of Light (New lyrics put to The Blue Danube) and A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.
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rhiian
Chaosite
One person making something up is a liar, but a bunch of people doing it is Government.
Posts: 661
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Post by rhiian on May 26, 2009 16:40:06 GMT
oooh this thread sounds FUN.
Album Name: The Nightcap EP Group Name: The Auteur Genre: Alternative
I first heard of these guys when they added me on myspace and I was hooked straight away. At the time they only had demos up and they were really catchy. The EP is due out soon, and they were selling it on tour.
I love how the first track blends into the second track with a SWOOSH. The lyrics are catchy, the tunes make you tap your feet, and the whole thing has a nice mix of guitar and poppy beats. Something for everyone.
Standout tracks: Nice Hair, Nice Face Hey! Watch This...
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Post by Elliot Kane on May 27, 2009 11:54:43 GMT
Hannah Montana The Movie OST
Artists: Various, including Miley Cyrus & Taylor Swift Genre: A mixture of Pop & Country
The girl in the silly wig is back! While I wouldn't be caught dead actually watching anything to do with Hannah Montana, I also wouldn't miss any of the soundtrack albums. Not only is Miley a terrific singer but she has a lot of really good songs. Throw in Taylor Swift, my current favourite singer/songwriter, and you have an album I couldn't resist.
I first encountered Miley's music on a rather bored day when I was clicking random musical links at the SSF to find out what the fuss was all about. Someone had linked to her singing live and as I had no idea who she was, I decided to check her out on a 'what the heck' basis. I find a lot of musicians that way ;D (And yes, I also have to put up with a LOT of utter crap, but them's the risks ;D).
The first thoughts ran: 'stupid name, worst wig I've ever seen and she looks about 12. This will be a train wreck' (She was 14 at the time, for the curious). I was just reaching for the off button when she started to sing... And my jaw hit the floor! To say Miley has a good voice is to understate her ability by some distance. She has power, control and range. And that is more apparent when she sings live rather than less. She's not the most impressive young singer I've ever heard, but she's certainly up there.
So I ignored the dumb name and the dumber wig and just got the music.
This album is fairly typical of the Hannah soundtracks in that Miley sings most of the songs (Either as Hannah or herself - and she has a somewhat different sound depending on who she is being!) but there are a few tracks by others (Rarely as good, nor even close). With 18 tracks this one is certainly good value and has an added incentive over & above the usual - Taylor Swift wrote one of the songs and wrote/performs another.
Standout tracks: You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home (Writer: T. Swift, sung by Miley); Crazier (Taylor wrote (at 13!) and sings it), The Climb (sung by Miley), Butterfly Fly Away (Duet between Miley & her Father).
Last note: Taylor needs to write more songs for Miley. The combination is truly explosive.
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Post by Elliot Kane on Aug 7, 2009 15:15:36 GMT
Gloriana
Artist: Gloriana Genre: Country
When I first heard that one of my favourite up and coming solo singers, Cheyenne Kimball, was joining a band, I wasn't happy. Now I've heard what the band can do with a full album! Cheyenne: you're forgiven! ;D
Gloriana are a four-piece, consisting of Cheyenne (Of course), Tom & Mike Gossin and Rachel Reinert. All four of them sing, the Gossin brothers play guitar and Cheyenne plays the mandolin. Rachel sometimes gets to bang a tambourine ;D So basically, they are a proper band ALL of whom are good enough to be lead singers. As you might imagine, this gives them an amazing sound.
The scary thing is that I can't really point to anyone as the 'best' singer. It's not that none of them stand out, but rather that they ALL stand out. By shifting who takes the lead, singing alternating lines and singing together in chorus, they change the sound to suit the song. It's truly extraordinary how versatile they are.
It's a great year for debut albums and this is a truly great debut.
Standout tracks: scarily, they are all so good that none of them really rise that far above the rest. If I were utterly forced to pick the best song, I'd go with Time To Let Me Go but it's not an easy decision...
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Post by Alrik on Aug 8, 2009 12:48:35 GMT
Album name: "In the meantime" Group/Singer name: Christine McVie, formerly known as Christine Perfect Genre: Blues Christine Perfect is a blues singer. She married at one point in her life a Jon McVie - the one who co-founded the group called "Fleetwood Mac" (the "mac" in the group's name is dedicated to him, the "Fleetwood" is dedicated to Mick Fleetwood). At one point she also became a formal member of the group of Fleetwood Mac, thus contributing to the band's success. "Little Lies" is probably the most well-known song contributed by her in later albums of he band. Some time in this decade, Christine McVie decided to split from the band. They recorded the album "Say you will" mostly without her, with only very little contributions. The last recordings with her in the band are Video & CD of "The Dance". She has released an album of her own, with her travelling back to her blues roots. Thus, this album is a blues album. The overall tome of the album is very, very quiet and relaxed. You could even use it as a kind of "slumber music". To me, this its best strength: A quiet, relaxed kind of blues athmosphere, a sound that comes rather in the background of a living-room. I like it, because of this. Although the themes aren't always sunny, my personal overall impression of this album is that of a rather "sunny" album which one could listen to at any time - a little bit tendency towards Blues music supposed (but not required). One could also use this album easily as kind of an "entrance into blues music", imho. Standing out tracks: I have listened to this album only once, but I still have the refrain of "giving it back" in my ears, so to say. ,)
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