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Content by Iain Campbell
Reviewer Rank: 209,924
Helpful Votes:
11
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Reviews Written by
Iain Campbell (Scotland)
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Circus
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| Price: £5.67 |
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| Availability: In stock |
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Blackout-Lite., 1 Dec 2008
So, one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year is finally here, but how does it measure up? Womanizer is a fabulous song, perfect pop, but when I first heard it, it just didn't jump out at me like Gimme More did last year. The case with the tracks' respective albums is the same. I was blown away by Blackout, it exceeded all my expectations with it's filthy, edgy, electro feel and banging beats. However, Circus is none of the above. I feel Britney and her team have taken a much safer approach to this album, whereas they threw caution to the wind on Blackout. The album is much more approachable than Blackout, and it seems that they are trying to stick in mainstream pop and appeal to as many people as possible. The songs are still catchy,a prime example being the title track. However, they often don't live up to their raunchy titles such as Lace and leather, a good song, but again I feel they're playing it safe.
Overall, this album is good, but lacks the edge that would have made it great. However, I would still recommend this to a wide audience of all ages.
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A Classic, 1 Jul 2008
I'll keep this short and simple. This is one of the greatet records of music ever created, of any genre. An absolutley suberb, unique voice which touchs your heart. As well as a brilliant voice, Chapman is also a world-class lyricist, singing about important issues, not just the false lovey/sex nonsense released by most of todays musicians. Buy the album, you won't regret it.
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Pictures
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| Price: £3.98 |
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| Availability: In stock |
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Just a bit of fun!, 1 Jul 2008
Okay, so the lyrics aren't so sophisticated. So what? The music is still pretty damn good. I got into the album instantly, as i found the music to be very accesible, easy listening; instantly likeable. I have been a Melua fan from the start and I am pleased to see her going in a different route, her music now being alot more entertaining and uplifting. Some of the lyrics may be called childish, i personally find them charming. For example, 'if the lights go out' has beautiful lyrics of love until the end of time, whereas i don't understand why some people are taking such issue with the lyrics of 'if you were a sailboat' among others. The concept of the album shows that she is not expecting us to take the lyrics too seriously and that she is trying to have a bit of fun, with her previous albums having quite a downbeat feel. Lets just be thankful that there arent any obscene claims about the number of bicycles in Beijing!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Proof they are anything buy one-hit wonders!, 30 Jun 2008
What an exceptional sophmore album! I had heard 'Run' on the radio many times, found it to be a really likeable piece of music, so i decided to give the album a chance. I was blown away! It exceeds any of my expectations, and has to be one of my albums of the year. It doesn't have the problem of St. Elsewhere in which one song overshadowed the rest, in fact in contrast I can honestly say that any song on the album could be released as singles, they are all THAT good!
The album starts with the infectious beat of 'charity case', which is a simple song, instantly loveable with its twinkly rhythm.
Next is 'Who's gonna save my soul', my personal favourite on the album. The production is stripped down to just a few guitar strings being plucked to allow Cee-Lo's fabulous voice to shine through and take centre stage.
With 'Going on' there is a retro 80's rock feel (due to the distorted sounding guitar) which works brilliantly.
The other main higlights include 'Run', the lead single and deservedly so, and 'Open book', which finds Cee-Lo showing a completely different, rawer side to his voice.
As for the rest, you can find out why i've been raving about them when you buy the CD. ;)
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Konk
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| Price: £4.98 |
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| Availability: In stock |
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Real hit and miss stuff., 30 Jun 2008
The kooks' second album was always going to be extremely difficult. The task in hand was to prove the critics wrong, maybe do something a bit different so as not to be labelled 1-trick ponies, and most importantly to keep the massive fan base which they had built on the back of their debut 'inside in/inside out'. Whether they have achieved any of these is debatable.
The album starts out in promising fashion with the two guitars being used in `see the sun' infusing together to make a catchy, instantly lovable pop-rock track which forces you to come back for another listen. This trend continues with the catchy lead single `Always where I need to be' which has you singing "do-do-do, do-do-do-do-do, do-do' in the irritatingly catchy chorus. The lyrics are however strange and a bit nonsensical to me. i.e. "I ask to be her hummingbird, whisper words in her ear". I don't know what this is supposed to mean but I'm not going to look into it in too much depth.
The next track `Mr Maker' is completely different being a lot mellower and subtler than the two opening tracks. It is one of the better tracks on the album, not being so brash and in your face and but will still have you singing along.
In all honesty the album goes downhill from this point on starting with the downright bland and forgettable `Do you wanna' which will bore you after a couple of listens. The next track `Gap' sees Pritchard and co trying too hard to connect with their critics and come across as not being pretentious glory hunters ("Don't heap this praise on me, I know I don't deserve it" he drones in the dire chorus).
The next few tracks do bring back some rays of sunshine to a sky appearing ever cloudier. `Love it all' is a laid back ditty, which will have you singing the chorus for several hours afterwards. `Stormy weather' brings flashbacks of the foot stomping, likeable indie rock, which made millions fall in love with their debut.
The next couple of tracks- `Sway' and `Shine on' are miserable pieces of work; instantly forgettable. I still question why the latter was chosen as the 2nd single as it is one of the weaker tracks on the album.
`Down to the market' is a half-decent track, but comes across as a lazy attempt as it is so samey and has no features that distinguish it from the other tracks.
`One last time' simply doesn't work. In his vocal work, he is trying too hard to make it appear that he is not trying hard. The flaws continue with the (supposedly) final track `Tick of time'. The sound quality is very poor (whether it's supposed to be or not, I'm not sure).
There is a hidden track called `All over town'. I'm not going to go in depth with it but let's just say it is hidden for a reason!
Overall, there are some catchy tracks, but too many mediocre ones to give the album any more than 3 stars. Who knows, maybe the ones I don't like will grow on me. I'll give them a chance.
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wow! i love it!, 24 Jun 2008
I bought this album for two reasons. First and foremost, the music is so beautiful, original and real compared to most of the other stuff about at the moment. The second reason is my support of free speech, especially when what is said is correct! The way the chicks (particularly natalie) were treated was horrendous and genuinely unbelievable but it has only made them stronger and theyve come back better than ever. From a first glance at the album cover you know what youre about to listen to is going to be interesting. The girls have matured so much, and if you contrast the covers of this and 'Home' of 5 years back you would struggle to believe it is the same chicks! Then again, alot has happened in their lives between the making of these two albums. The lyrics reflect this, with more or less every song reflecting the theme of change, and the persecution they recieved for it. Included is lead single 'i'm not ready to make nice', their way of saying they ain't gonna apologize for speaking their mind, and 'Lubbock or leave it', a swipe at the hypocritical far-right conservatives of 'the bible belt'. There are however softer moments such as lullaby (as the title suggests.)
All in all, the chicks have gone for a more rock & roll orientated sound, while still maintaining their country roots. Their sound is alot more contemporary and accesible to non-country fans. Natalie summed this up herself when speaking to time magazine. She said "I'd rather have a smaller following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith." They may have lost millions of fans for their remarks, but the chicks are not the ones who lose out. It's those so called 'fans'.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Superb in its own right., 3 Jun 2008
May I just start by saying that I wish people would stop expecting another 'Play'. It has been and gone and Moby is the type of artist who is never going to repeat himself. As much as I loved 'Play', I think that this album is on a par with it, although it is completly different. My favourite song on the album would have to be 'I love to move in here' which I instantly fell in love with for it's floaty, easy listening, but still danceable beat. However, there is not a bad track on this album, all in there own diverse way brilliant, with many talented guest vocalists; particularly the afroed diva belting out disco lies!
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Dive Deep
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| Availability: Currently unavailable |
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
What can I say?, 28 Feb 2008
Indeed, what can I say? this is just such a diverse piece of music with every song a standout, even the ones with no words. As a newbie to morcheeba i wasn't too sure what to expect, but just 1 listen of enjoy he ride encouraged me to investigate further. so glad i did. great piece of music with many talented guests such as the haunting voice of judie tzuke, and manda a french newcomer who i'm sure we have not heard the last of. all in all, 5 stars without a doubt, and it is not often an album is worthy of that in my book!
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