Author: jerobear
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Jeff Buckley: You And I
Poor old Jeff: died too young after rashly going swimming in a big river with his boots on, leaving us with one album and memories of a fantastic voice. That lone album Grace contains his cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, one of the finest tracks ever recorded. Never mind scouring the world for inspiration, Nasa…
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Deltino Guerreiro: Eparaka
Guerreiro is from Mozambique and while you could call this world it’s actually pop, Guerreiro drawing in influences from a variety of musical cultures. It most reminded us of Moonflower vintage Santana, which combined the energy of Brazil with tribal rhythms and western rock. Guerreiro developed his sound travelling from the north to the south…
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Magnus Öström: Parachute
Öström was a member of the famous Esbjörn Svensson Trio (no, us neither, but presumably if you like jazz you’re all over them), until Mr Svensson perished in a tragic diving accident. Öström says in the Press release: “During the years after Esbjörn’s death I struggled to find my way back to life. At times…
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Molotov Jukebox: Tropical Gypsy
Most albums start off well and then tail off; Molotov Jukebox do the opposite and opener Pineapple Girl (nice snare solo at the start aside) is a little saccharine for us, like the music from a kids’ television show. But it’s not bad, with its horns and energy, and it gets the party started.…
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Mmoths: Luneworks
We’ve been bathed in a warm sea of happiness this week in the Review Corner, thanks to some lovely music across several genres. Mmoths’ Luneworks is one. Yes, it’s ambient, which too often denotes hoochy Zen background music sold in wacky shops that believe lumps of rock can make you emotionally stable. Or Clannad. Ugh.…
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Poliça: United Crushers
You wait ages for one moody electronic album to come along and then you get two. Christine and the Queens (published shortly, or above, depending when you read this) is poppier than this, which combines the sparse electric feel of The xx with something meatier; Portishead perhaps (though the female vocals made us think of…
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Various artists: The Long Road
This has to be one of the coolest charity records ever made. Instead of various boy bands you’ve never heard of mixing with a few big names to produce ear wax that’s at least in a good cause, this is a genuinely good mini album. And Robert Plant is on it. ROBERT PLANT. The Long…
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The Mining Co: Burning Sun and The Atomic Powers Within
We’ve been playing this likable slow burner quite a lot but it’s hard to write a lot about it. The intro of opening song Country Heart reminds us of something, possibly James Taylor’s Fire And Rain, and Taylor is a good comparison. It’s well-crafted and heartfelt, with acoustic guitar and steel/country in the background to…
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Elevant: There Is A Tide
This is the third album we’ve had from Elevant, a Liverpool band treading their own furrow. Their ambition to get their music out there has always been a few steps ahead of their actual level of accomplishment: the music has always been impressive but (we felt) lacked that spark that would encourage anyone but friends…
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The Fidelio Trio: Dancing In Daylight
Mention Dublin, dancing and light of some kind and your average music fan is going to think Thin Lizzy and Dancing in the Moonlight. We don’t think the composer of the piece that gives this CD its name was thinking of Phil Lynott and his chocolate stains but the two bits of music contrast well:…
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