One
would expect only few new albums to be released in the summer, but also
to lack the mood to listen to such albums. That is not the case with Suburbs by Arcade Fire which we have longed for and which has already excited many fans. I consider it as one of the best albums in the last few years. An analytical review can be found
here.
The
Morcheeba released their seventh studio album that also marks the return of
Skye Edwards, their original singer, after several years. The ideal summer holidays soundtrack is formed by
Crimson, the single
Even though,
Recipe for disaster and the homonym song.
I have not watched any of the
Twilight Saga series of films, as I think I would die of boredom. Still, I am very excited with the soundtracks. So, after
New Moon comes
Eclipse that includes some of the best songs by
Vampire Weekend,
Metric,
Black Keys,
Uncle and
Cee Lo Green from
Gnarls Barkley.
The
Coral, sticking to the 60’s and to psychedelia, released
Butterfly House ,produced by
John Leckie, who had also produced the first, legendary album
by the
Stone Roses and
The Bends by
Radiohead. Besides the homonym song, I have distinguished
She’s comin’ around,
1000 years and
Coney island.
The third solo album by
Martina Topley Bird entitled
Some place simple has a different style from
Tricky, in many albums of whom she had participated. Mostly dominated by soul forms, it brings her vocal potential to light. I mostly enjoyed
Some place simple,
Sandpaper kisses and
Orchids.
The 27-year old
Lissie Maurus from California has certainly been listening to
Steve Nicks and
Fleetwood Mac. Her debut,
Catching a tiger is worth noticing. I have selected
Record collector,
When I’m alone,
Bully and
Loosen the knot.
We have listened to several new, interesting female soul voices in the last years. While
Amy
is hsolding back the release of a new album, it is logical for new and ambitious singers who share the same influences to emerge. The 21-year old
Rox,
from London with origins from Jamaica and Iran, is one of them and released her first album in June. The singles
My baby left me,
No going back and
I don’t believe stand out.
The debut by the Italian
Alessandro Magnanini entitled
Someway still I do was released last year, but came to my hands the last few days. It is an extraordinary mixture of
jazz,
easy listening,
pop sounds. With the awesome voice of
Jenny B in three songs and especially in
Secret lover one would bet he listens to Shirley Bassey but would lose. I also enjoyed
Stay into my life with
Renata Tosi and
L’estete e’qua with
Rosalia De Souza.
The second album by
Isobel Campbell along with
Mark Lanegan was released last week and is entitled
Hawk. To be completely honest, I always thought this collaboration is a bit boring, although I adore both of them solo and of course i pay my respect to their original bands. The best song from
Hawk is
Come Undone, no relation to the song by
Duran Duran under the same title, and
You won’t let me down again and
Sunrise.
Becoming a jackal by the
Villagers is nominated for best album in this year's
Mercury
awards that will be announced early September. We will have more details on them soon, but until then listen from their album
Becoming a jackal,
The pack (I’ll be your fever) and
That day.
ALBUMSARCADE FIRE - Suburbs
MORCHEEBA – Blood like lemonade
O.S.T. – The twilight saga eclipse
CORAL – Butterfly house
ALESSANDRO MAGNANINI – Somewhere still I do
LISSIE – Catching a tiger
ROX – Memoirs
MARTINA TOPLEY BIRD – Some place simple
VILLAGERS – Becoming a jackal
ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN – Hawk
SINGLES
ARCADE FIRE – Ready to start
METRIC – Eclipse (all yours)
ROX - My baby left me
CORAL – 1000 years
MORCHEEBA – Even though
STARS – Fixed
CHERRY GHOST – Kissing strangers
VILLAGERS - Becoming a jackal
LISSIE – In sleep
EELS – Spectacular girl
