There are so many albums I want to mention this week that I'm going to cover them over two blog posts. In this first part are a comeback album, a greatest hits and three bands I've not really heard before but want to check out.
Alice in Chains - 'Black Gives Way to Blue'
This is the first album from alice in chains for nearly 14 years. Having officially disbanded in 2002 after the death of lead singer Layne Staley they reformed in 2005 with William DuVall taking over the vocal duties. DuVall was good friends with lead guitarist Jerry Cantrell and had sung with him on his solo tours where he performed some Alice In Chains songs so was an obvious choice. Production on this, their fourth studio album, was done by Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Trivium) and I was intrigued to see what their sound would be after such a long time away. Could they bring their grunge roots up to date and make it relevant in todays music climate? They still sound very much like Alice in Chains with DuVall's vocals sounding very much in the style of Staley. Cantrell's songwriting is excellent as ever and the guitars snarl and growl as ever. There is however a lot more variety on this album with a scattering of gentle ballads thrown in to keep you interested. I think this album will appeal to both fans of old and those who've never heard them before. Single "Check My Brain" is a particular favourite of mine!
Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Funeral For A Friend - 'Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009'
This is a compilation of songs from the two EPs and four albums released so far as well as four new tracks. I was a big fan of debut album 'Casually Dressed...' and listened to it on repeat for months when it first came out. I have to say since then I've been massively underwhelmed by what they have produced and haven't bothered with their last two albums. This greatest hits compilation does seem to agree with me only including three tracks from the last two albums with the majority coming from their debut. I am a bit disappointed they have included the later version of "Juneau", one of my favourite songs in it's original form with all screaming present on EP 'Seven Ways to Scream Your Name'. The new tracks did give me a pleasant surprise. They have returned more to their earlier roots particularly on single "Wrench" with the dual screaming/singing vocals of drummer and frontman harking back to the good old days!
Funeral For A Friend – Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009
Girls - 'Album'
This is the debut album from Californian indie-rock band Girls. Lead singer Chrisopher Owens grew up as part of the Children Of God cult and was restricted in what he was allowed to listen to. This album sees him freed from these boundaries and this comes across in the emotional natuer of the album. Musically there have been obvious comparisons drawn to Elvis Costello and early Beach Boys. Lyrically most of the album seems to be about girls, reportedly being written in the aftermath of a bad breakup. This is a good if not remarkable debut and they may well be dismissed by many as just another American indie band but I've been wrong before!
Girls – Album
Hockey - 'Mind Chaos'
Over the past year Hockey have been building in popularity attracting the attention of the likes of Zane Lowe and earning them a record deal in the UK with Virgin Records. This summer saw them playing the John Peel stage at Glastonbury and at T in the Park. This week sees the release of their debut album 'Mind Chaos'. Musically they lie somewhere between The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem and The Rolling Stones. There are obvious new wave influences and it makes for a fun, upbeat, dancy take on the garage rock stylings of The Strokes. As you can see by the obvious comparisons they don't really do anything original but what they do they do well. There is an energy and vibrance that redeems it from being just another generic album.
Hockey – Mind Chaos
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions - 'Through the Devil Softly'
I thought I had no idea who Hope Sandoval was when I saw this album on the list of new releases for the week. It turns out I do have a vague idea, she was the lead singer of 90's band Mazzy Star whose second album 'So Tonight That I Might See' is in my collection. For any OC fans out there the song "Into Dust" by Mazzy Star was used in the scene in season 1 where Marissa overdoses in Mexico. She does have a beautiful voice and in this band she is joined by former My Bloody Valentine man Colm O'Ciosoig. Eight years on from their debut album this week sees the release of their self produced follow-up 'Through The Devil Softly'. Sandoval's vocals are haunting and dreamy as ever and the soft, ambient folk sound is so laid back. This is the ideal music for the reflective mood. There is a depth to it which immerses you in the sound and takes you to a calmer place. I'm pleased I've (re)found Hope Sandoval and hope this album gets put on Spotify! At the moment all that is available is "Blanchard", the first single released from it.
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions – Blanchard
Alice in Chains - 'Black Gives Way to Blue'
This is the first album from alice in chains for nearly 14 years. Having officially disbanded in 2002 after the death of lead singer Layne Staley they reformed in 2005 with William DuVall taking over the vocal duties. DuVall was good friends with lead guitarist Jerry Cantrell and had sung with him on his solo tours where he performed some Alice In Chains songs so was an obvious choice. Production on this, their fourth studio album, was done by Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Trivium) and I was intrigued to see what their sound would be after such a long time away. Could they bring their grunge roots up to date and make it relevant in todays music climate? They still sound very much like Alice in Chains with DuVall's vocals sounding very much in the style of Staley. Cantrell's songwriting is excellent as ever and the guitars snarl and growl as ever. There is however a lot more variety on this album with a scattering of gentle ballads thrown in to keep you interested. I think this album will appeal to both fans of old and those who've never heard them before. Single "Check My Brain" is a particular favourite of mine!
Alice In Chains – Black Gives Way To Blue
Funeral For A Friend - 'Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009'
This is a compilation of songs from the two EPs and four albums released so far as well as four new tracks. I was a big fan of debut album 'Casually Dressed...' and listened to it on repeat for months when it first came out. I have to say since then I've been massively underwhelmed by what they have produced and haven't bothered with their last two albums. This greatest hits compilation does seem to agree with me only including three tracks from the last two albums with the majority coming from their debut. I am a bit disappointed they have included the later version of "Juneau", one of my favourite songs in it's original form with all screaming present on EP 'Seven Ways to Scream Your Name'. The new tracks did give me a pleasant surprise. They have returned more to their earlier roots particularly on single "Wrench" with the dual screaming/singing vocals of drummer and frontman harking back to the good old days!
Funeral For A Friend – Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009
Girls - 'Album'
This is the debut album from Californian indie-rock band Girls. Lead singer Chrisopher Owens grew up as part of the Children Of God cult and was restricted in what he was allowed to listen to. This album sees him freed from these boundaries and this comes across in the emotional natuer of the album. Musically there have been obvious comparisons drawn to Elvis Costello and early Beach Boys. Lyrically most of the album seems to be about girls, reportedly being written in the aftermath of a bad breakup. This is a good if not remarkable debut and they may well be dismissed by many as just another American indie band but I've been wrong before!
Girls – Album
Hockey - 'Mind Chaos'
Over the past year Hockey have been building in popularity attracting the attention of the likes of Zane Lowe and earning them a record deal in the UK with Virgin Records. This summer saw them playing the John Peel stage at Glastonbury and at T in the Park. This week sees the release of their debut album 'Mind Chaos'. Musically they lie somewhere between The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem and The Rolling Stones. There are obvious new wave influences and it makes for a fun, upbeat, dancy take on the garage rock stylings of The Strokes. As you can see by the obvious comparisons they don't really do anything original but what they do they do well. There is an energy and vibrance that redeems it from being just another generic album.
Hockey – Mind Chaos
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions - 'Through the Devil Softly'
I thought I had no idea who Hope Sandoval was when I saw this album on the list of new releases for the week. It turns out I do have a vague idea, she was the lead singer of 90's band Mazzy Star whose second album 'So Tonight That I Might See' is in my collection. For any OC fans out there the song "Into Dust" by Mazzy Star was used in the scene in season 1 where Marissa overdoses in Mexico. She does have a beautiful voice and in this band she is joined by former My Bloody Valentine man Colm O'Ciosoig. Eight years on from their debut album this week sees the release of their self produced follow-up 'Through The Devil Softly'. Sandoval's vocals are haunting and dreamy as ever and the soft, ambient folk sound is so laid back. This is the ideal music for the reflective mood. There is a depth to it which immerses you in the sound and takes you to a calmer place. I'm pleased I've (re)found Hope Sandoval and hope this album gets put on Spotify! At the moment all that is available is "Blanchard", the first single released from it.
Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions – Blanchard
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