Part two of this weeks other new releases. A good mixture of the new and the old for you here and quite an eclectic mix of styles as well! Enjoy!
Ian Brown - 'My Way'
I have to say I was a fan of The Stone Roses but I've never really got into Ian Brown's solo work. Maybe I've just never given it a chance but what I have heard hasn't inspired me to give it a chance! This week sees the release of his sixth studio album since going solo and once again working with long term production partner dave McCracken. Ian Brown will always go down in history as being hugely influential for his involvement in pioneering the Madchester with The Stone Roses. His solo work seems to me to be more pop than rock and just doesn't really do it for me. A lot of people still love him though and he clearly does have a talent for songwriting and an incredibly distinctive voice which seperates him out from the crowd. I'm still hoping, almost certainly in vain, for a Stone Roses comeback some day!
Ian Brown – My Way
Kid Harpoon - 'Once'
Born Tom Hull, Kid Harpoon is a new kid on the English singer/songwriter block. Originally from Kent and now living in north London he has been gradually gaining popularity through the local gig scene. Often joined live by a band known as The Powers That Be, he has previously released a single and two EPs, the single in particular receiving much critical acclaim from the likes of NME. 'Once' is the debut album released on the Young Turks record label. All that potential doesn't seem to have been realised in this album. The sound would probably have been very popular a couple of years ago when the likes of Jack Penate first came out but now it is just old and tired. I think the best word to describe it would be boring. There is no real invention, no real passion shining through and that is a shame after the promise shown in his previous work. Could this be the last we se of Kid Harpoon?!
Kid Harpoon – Once
Liam Frost - 'We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain'
Another English singer/songwriter for you to check out! This time hailing from Manchester and now on his second album following on from his 2006 release 'Show Me How The Spectres Dance'. Having gigged tirelessly round Manchester and building a fanbase he has gained much recognition as fine songwriter with Guy Garvey of Elbow describing him as "the UK's answer to Bright Eyes". His debut album was described as a bit of a deperessing, despairing album but he seems to have cheered up in the past three years. This album is full of happy, catchy, toe tapping, uplifting tunes. It sounds like he is having fun and it makes you feel like you are having fun listening to it. "Your Hand In Mine" is a particular highlight with Martha Wainwright featuring and guaranteed to get your toe tapping and your head nodding along.
Liam Frost – We Ain't Got No Money, Honey, But We Got Rain
Newton Faulkner - 'Rebuilt By Humans'
Yet another English singer/songwriter but I don't think this one needs any introduction. This weeks sees the release of Faulkners second album after his massive number one hit album of 2007, 'Hand Built By Robots'. Once again he uses producer Mike Spencer (Jamiroquai, Alphabeat) and releases on Ugly Truth Records. When you have such a big success at the first time of asking it must be incredibly difficult to produce something to follow it up with. Where do you go from there? How do you produce something better or at least as good? The pressure must be huge. So how was this going to play out with Newton Faulkner? Unfortunately this new album flatters to deceive. The quality of his distinctive finger-picking style guitar playing is unchanged but none of the songs on this album jump out at you. Where on his debut album there were songs like "Dream Catch Me" which just sounded like hits, this album seems to pass you by without you even noticing it. Worth checking out if just to hear his technically brilliant guitar work but I reckon you'll be reverting back to his debut fairly quickly!
Newton Faulkner – Rebuilt By Humans
Paloma Faith - 'Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful
In recent years there have been a number of female British singers bringing soul to the masses. Paloma Faith is the latest of these and with her debut album proves that she is up there with the best of them. Having a wide ranging CV already including co-starring in the film St Trinians and working as a burlesque dancer in a club, her first musical venture is very impressive indeed. Musically and vocally she comes somewhere inbetween Amy Winehouse and Duffy. That is not to say that she is generic in any way, she certainly stamps her own quirky personality on her music. I first heard her when, much to my delight, she stepped in for La Roux on Later With Jools Holland and that was enough to convince me that I needed to check her out more.
Paloma Faith – Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?
Zero 7 - 'Yeah Ghost'
This is the fourth album from Britsh dance duo Zero 7. It sees them moving further in a direction that I hoped they wouldn't go. I love the Zero 7 that produced the brilliant downbeat ambient dance evident on songs like "In The Waiting Line". These days they are much more a pop than downbeat dance and to be honest I don't think they do it that well. "Mr McGee" sounds like a reject from a Basement Jaxx album and I can't help but think there are people out there making this kind of music but doing a better job of it. I want to Zero 7 of old back, I'm sticking to their debut 'Simple Things' for now!
Zero 7 – Yeah Ghost
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