Tuesday February 13, 2007

Two new albums from .....

After much hype The Good the Bad the Queen release their first album. Damon Albarn's latest band features Paul Simonon, Tony Allen and Simon Tong. Heavily influenced from the part of London where Albarn comes from the album is quite a mixed bag and it is not really like any project he has been involved with before. There is a tinkling piano on some tracks that you can imagine hearing in a pub in an old fashioned London pub. The album is good but some days I think its is brilliant and other days just good. There are subtle undercurrents of Albarn's previous projects in some of the tracks. The band have also been doing several live shows. The cd insert has drawings for each track done by Paul Simonon. The best tracks. ..

History song, is a track they released as a taster on their web site before the album was released and as a single which is a track mostly just with Albarn leading the vocals and a guitar. An organ/backing vocals also appear from time to time in the track.

The Kingdom of Doom another pre-released track is another of the best of the tracks - possibly an anti war song but still excellent

Herculean feature a nice vocal medley of the band with nice instrumental pieces.

Nature Springs, more vocal harmonies with a slightly unusual ending

Green Fields this track has hints of a Beatles track I can't place.

The best comes last the title track starts with that tinkly piano from a London pub somewhere but the pace of the track soon picks up, once the vocals end the band picks up the pace again and the track wizzes along at a fearsome pace suddenly ending with a faint piece you have too listen very carefully for. I bet this track is good live.

The question is will the band do another cd ?

The second CD is from Jarvis Cocker which was released late last year. This is a good solo effort from the man behind Pulp. All his own music except Black Magic which is a collaborative effort with Steve Mackay. The cd insert shows several pictures of him with his 'trademark ' glasses. Despite this being a solo effort he has a large choir and a huge orchestra sized set of string musicians helping him.

The Loss adjuster excerpt one starts with a quiet piano introduction then builds up to a really powerful loud track. Later in the cd is an instrumental second part of the track.

Heavy Weather with background thunderstorm noises sounds almost like a Tom Petty track.

I will kill again a ballad with some typical clever Cocker lyrics.

Baby's coming back another ballad to me an almost nursery room type song - intended of course..

Fat Children a great rock and roll track.

Disney time a strong candidate for the best track with a great piano piece very dramatic sound and the choir only add to the sense of drama to this track.

Tonite another Tom Petty sounding track gets you tapping your feet uncontrollably with excellent smart lyrics.

Big Julie starts with someone speaking some words about Big Julie I suppose second best track for me ?

After the last track Quantum Theory - which is also a strong candidate for the best track - there is silence and the cd keeps playing. Has anyone hung on and found out of there is anything there ?