ALBUM REVIEW: Alabama Shakes: 'Boys & Girls'

Make way for Alabama Shakes, with their harem of famous fans including Adele and Bon Iver and Russell Crowe. This album is pure neo soul with classicist influences. There are moments of Jack White, Al Green and Tina Turner. This album is a spectacle, and in my books –an instant classic.

They met at high school and have been a successful covers band for a few years – covering the likes of The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC to name but a few. So in essence, they have spent time imitating the greats, doing their homework and drawing inspiration from an array of iconic sounds. The studying has paid off, and this is only their debut album.

Every once in a while you hear a song and think you've heard before somewhere. Why is that? This rings true for ‘Hold On’, the album opener that is also their debut single. This has received loads of airplay and huge support from DJ’s.

Brittany Howard is lead vocalist –her androgynous voice is iconic in itself, similar to the strength of Amy Winehouse with the character of Jack White. ‘I Found Out’ is magnificent, and ‘Rise to the Sun’ is my favourite, sounds a little like Macy Gray, the spangled guitars twinned with her voice are a winner.

‘You Ain’t Alone’ is a ballad, it’s so delicate and emotional, “Are you scared to wear your heart on your sleeve, are you scared of me?” ‘Hearbreaker’ sounds enormous; it reminds me of Al Green’s ‘How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’.  ‘Be Mine’ is silky and smooth.

The album has the feeling of being at an intimate gig in a bar, sounding so raw and crisp. Her voice is spectacular; I do doubt without the unstoppable Brittany Howard, they would still be playing cover band slots. I foresee that this album will appeal to a wide range of demographics, and no doubt be the soundtrack to many a summer barbeque this year.

ALBUM REVIEW: Oberhofer: 'Time Capsules II'

Published at: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/music-news/oberhofer-%E2%80%98time-capsules-ii-%E2%80%98-glassnote

Oberhofer is a band made up of four musicians, three of which are fundamentally minions (meant in the politest sense) to Brad Oberhofer,sole lyricist and clear victim of a severe case of teenage heartbreak. After their EP – ‘oOOoOOo’ was released back in 2010, they became one of The Hype Machines most blogged about artists, but remained puzzlingly unsigned until they were picked up by independent record label Glassnoteand this is their stunning debut.

Brad is sickeningly only 19 and originally from Tacoma, but is currently residing in Washington DC studying music! ‘HEART’ is titled aptly, it opens with a nostalgic classical piano piece that sounds like an intro to your favourite childhood film –each key tugging at those heartstrings. This is emotionally charged music - and not for anyone without romantic persuasion. There are hints of Animal Collective/Local Natives, a very promising beginning to the record.

‘Landline’ is another standout moment. It sounds like what the Drums always tried so hard to achieve, but never quite mastered. ‘Away Frm U’ is rich in heart on sleeves lyrics, but then so is the entire album. You wallow with Brad in his heartbreak, but it remains light and soothing. ‘Yr Face’ embodies his childlike innocence and susceptibility to angst only a nineteen year old can feel, “When I saw your face, I knew I was in love right away.”

‘Gold’ conjures up the image of driving down the freeway (let’s pretend were in California, it makes for better imagery than say – Slough) with the wind in your hair in an open top car, summer funnelled into 4.21 minutes. Brad and his love for elongated O’s and his strong vocal style are nothing other than dazzling throughout the album.

The other tracks do merge into each other, but this is not a criticism. It’s a hazy blur of sunny keys, riffs and tones, a melancholy but bright creation. This would make for the perfect ‘lie on your bed and listen to on a wet Sunday afternoon’ album. It’s an ode to a lost love and I hope it receives the kudos and recognition it so rightly deserves.

ALBUM REVIEW: Evans The Death - 'Evans The Death'

Published at: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/albums/evans-death-evans-death-fortuna-pop

Evans The Death are a five-piece outfit from London have put together an impressive self-titled debut, here.  Dan (guitar and vocals), “We're very proud of it and glad we paid little or no attention to what is currently fashionable in music," this rings true as the record unfolds. It’s not Avant- garde by any means, but they’ve created music that they enjoy to perform. This element makes the record sound authentic, as if it’s come from somewhere real.

Opener ‘Bo Diddley’ shows off vocalist Katherine’s range beautifully; ‘Catch Your Cold’ opens with, “I’m afraid of getting a job, I’m afraid of next doors dog.” There are “twee” elements in her vocals, but in a nice way. There are similarities with Beth Constantino where her vocals compliment the angular guitars perfectly in a summery and warm way.

Single, ‘Telling Lies’ has a remarkable guitar solo in the middle of the song. ‘Morning Voice’ is melancholy and then transcends into a rocky domain. The lyrics remain intelligent and easy to empathise. I find it irritating when I love a song, but can’t really sing along as it’s hard to distinguish the lyrics.

‘Threads’ implicates a juxtaposition of noise and teenage-angst; an instant standout track.  ‘What’s in Your Pocket’ is another highlight. ‘Wet Blanket’, to me is reminiscent of The Stone Roses intro to ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ while ‘You’re joking’ has sixties sounding guitars, and is a mellow lid placed on an extraordinary debut.

Evans The Death is both lyrically and musically strong and a brilliant post-punk effort. The kind of abstract but everyday vocals that are present in early Maccabees, appear throughout. It’s imaginative, but still easily relatable. It is a concise record; no track more than three minutes long. There are no faux pas or boring moments; It’s a very pleasant and catchy effort from a band that I’m excited to hear more from. 

ALBUM REVIEW: The Futureheads - 'Rant'

Published at: http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/albums/futureheads-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%98rant%E2%80%99-nul-records

On the realisation that Rant, The Futureheads fifth album is a cappela - just four burley northern ‘blokes’ singing Barbershop style to The Black Eyed Pea’s ‘Meet Me Halfway’ amongst other covers, I was perplexed...but intrigued nonetheless.   

According to a recent press statement from the band, “A Futureheads fan who doesn’t get Rant, is not a Futureheads fan.” We all know to take comments like that with a generous pinch of salt, Oh yes of course the fault must lie with me, because I’m obviously not a real fan. Snore.

Nevertheless,... (long pause), why not? How inventive, having always been noted as forward thinkers as a band per se, what better way to shock and create hype than to deliver something completely unexpected, a concept that leads to curiosity- a stunt album.

What they have created is irritating in parts (Meet Me Halfway) and glorious in others (The No.1 Song In Heaven, cover of Sparks). The idea for a Barbershop style album came after they covered Kelis’s ‘Acappella’, for Radio Ones’ Live Lounge Sessions. This appears on the album. ‘Meantime’ is another highlight. 

‘Rant’ is not going to go down as a stone wall classic by any stretch, but nonetheless it’s a record worth having in the collection. I don’t foresee it reigning the album charts throughout the year, but it will serve as a reminder to those who have ever liked The Futureheads. I hope that their next album will be a little more refined.  To me it just seems quite clumsy, and like a bit of a joke, which after the full 35 minutes, gets rather tiresome. However, what you do have is a pleasant album, and definitely worth a spin.