ALBUM REVIEW: Braveface by Esser

Well I was initially presented with the knowledge of this album's existence in the hot-bed of frivolous spending that is Fopp... but I didn't buy it because I thought he looked like a bit of a twat on the album cover! Later, however, I heard "Headlock" and realised that this guy is actually MINT.

This album is a short, sharp shock that doesn't beat around the bush and gets down to work with knocking out singable/danceable/listenable TUNE after TUNE. It's the sort of immediacy that made We Are Scientist's debut so essential, and the sentiment is kind of similar. On the surface this is pure party music, but the lyrics are heartfelt. For obvious reasons though, Esser's voice and lyrics are so much more British, and this heritage is reflected musically. Much like Lilly Allen's early stuff, there's the kind of ska/reggae vibe running through that's so much more London than Jamaica, married with a kind of mainstream polish that makes this accessible while not for a moment damaging the authenticity.

Singles "Headlock" and "Satisfied" are standout tracks here, with their shuffling, purposefully off-beat rhythms and Big Love for Trojan Records, but the restricted tracklist has no room for bum numbers.

This is a really fun album, that's got the seriousness and fidelity to last. Certainly a promising debut.

Still looks like a twat though...

Chris/Audio Bigot.
xx

ALBUM REVIEW: Mama, I'm Swolen by Cursive [Warning, this review may contain SPOILERS!]

So after buying about 3 music magazines the other day in a desperate attempt to become even more "down with it" I learned two things: One is that the NME is shocking, the other is that Cursive are pretty cool. Now I must warn you from the outset that this album is, without doubt, a concept album. If you think you can handle that then read on, and frankly I think it would be better if you did.

The album's lyrics tell the story of a son trying to justify himself as a flawed human in the face of his bible-bashing mother, but I almost feel like I should stop there for risk of inflicting SPOILERS upon you! That's cos the lyrics are very well written, and while they're at times slightly too melodramatic they never reach David Tennant levels of over-exaggeration [yeah, that's right, I just dissed the Doctor. What you gunna do?]. It helps that the vocal delivery is sincere, and more creepy than whiny.

Musically, there are a few moments that sound like an alt-rock Alkaline Trio ["In the Now"], turbo-charged blues ["I Couldn't Love You"] and some macabre atmospheric moments. Quite a few songs, including personal favourite "Mama, I'm Satan", sound really restrained for the most part, but then RIP IT UP about 1/2 way through. The song structures are varied though, so its not a straightforward case of "down, up, next song, down, up, next song...". It's gripping. I was particularly drawn to the intelligent drumming, which becomes almost as much a melodic instrument as the guitars. There's also some pretty cool alternative instrumentation (never before has a flute been so rock 'n' roll)!

There's just one problem, and it's completely unfair because it's got nothing to do with the album. It's a damn good album. It's gripping, it's varied, it's got some really great moments... but for me this is all ruined by three fairly sizable letters...

M.C.R.

Three years ago, My Chemical Romance released "The Black Parade", and while I don't think it was all that bad, it was an epic disappointment compared to "Three Cheers..." That, coupled with their poncing around in uniforms and singing "Ooh look at us we're doing a concept album aren't we so relevant! We heard "Sgt. Pepper..." once and we like Queen and all those bands that our fans are too young to remember because they weren't even born yet" just got on every ones tits.

And the problem is that I can't listen to "Mama, I'm Swollen" without wanting to kick some sense into the stupid 12 year olds who turn up to MCR shows in full Black Parade regalia! To be honest, if MCR had released this album instead I would have joined the ranks, grabbed a jacket and some guy-liner and hope that my balls would un-drop. But as it happens they didn't and now they're spoiling other songs for me!

So quit pissing in the punch, Way! No one cares anymore!

Chris/Audio Bigot
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ALBUM REVIEW: Manners by Passion Pit

OK, so I must confess that I ended up not going to see Blackbud. This was for a few reasons, one of which was that the new House episodes were on TV. This is important.

BUT instead of that (potentially) thrilling review, we have some ground breaking developments. I would like to report that for the first time ever, my sister has gotten me into a band. For the first time, the ever flowing river of recommendation has turned, and I am made to admit the greatness of a band she brought to the house.

This band is Passion Pit, and their new LP "Manners" is bloody good.

Don't be fooled by the muted colour scheme of the album art, because this album is derived from the kind of shoutitfromtherooftops euphoria that usually settles in half way through "Hoppipolla", spread out over 45 minutes. "Manners" oscillates between sounding like a high pitched Motion City Soundtrack ("Make Light") or a more resolutely happy Death Cab For Cutie ("Moth's Wings", "To Kingdom Come" and "Let Your Love Grow Tall") and the chunky/funky electro sounds one imagines would occur if the Twelves remixed the Rent soundtrack ("Little Secrets", "The Reeling").

The production is far tighter than I've heard before, with the stomping kick drums cutting through, and ridiculously high vocals grabbing the album by the scruff of the neck and throwing it into the "party music" category.

Now because I'm an essayist at heart I'm gunna have to come up with some negatives, and they are thus: One, I know a great deal many people who would become annoyed with that vocal very quickly; and Two, a lot of the tracks are just a LITTLE too long (especially the first few super-happy tracks, for which it is difficult to keep the same level of enthusiasm going over the full 4.5 mins).

Other than that, I think this is a fine debut full-length, and I can see it soundtracking a lot of road trips with the sis.

Ciao.
Chris/Audio Bigot
xx

What's playing in the "Office"

OK, so here are 5 tunes that have been stuck in my head recently:

1. "Juggernauts" - Enter Shikari
2. "I Am Azerrad" - Tubelord
3. "Black Wax" - Dananananaykroyd
4. "Zero" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. "Sometimesitsbetternottostickbitsofeachotherineachotherforeachother" - Hot Club de Paris

So now you know. Blackbud tonight! Yay.
C.x

p.s. I ignored "In The Mood" by Glen Miller, because that's always there...

ALBUM REVIEW: Skanky Skanky by Toddla T

Bout a year ago I heard "Full Up Me Portion" on a free magazine sampler and it was one of those magical moments where the track comes on and you know that something special just invaded your brain. It's an immediate track that don't beat around the bush (literally "Snare... and we're in") and Mr. Versatile's slick and funny lyrics really make this a classic.

A year later, was it worth the wait? (And I mean wait, I was on his site at least twice a week until a release date popped up.)

Well I'll start with the negatives.

1. He renamed "Full Up Ma Portion"! It's exactly the same track that was previously available... but now it's called "Rice & Peas"! WTF?!
2. The skits that proliferate the album are funny at first... but at the end of the day just get on your tits after a few listens. Especially since they aren't cut as separate tracks, which is always a pain in the arse if you're into your mixtapes. Like me.
   
3. The best tracks on the album are the ones that have been kicking around for a while anyway. If you happen to have the "Do You Know?" Ep already, then there's not really much reason to get this! Instead, go on iTunes and download "Goin Off" and lead single "Shake It" and that's about all you need.

THAT SAID!

This is still a good album, and if you're fresh to the T (which I'm guessing will be quite likely) then most of those criticisms don't apply to you. The beats are fresh and vibrant in a way that Armand Van Helden can't even comprehend (That's the other guy who did Bonkers by the way. In fact I'd say he did most of the work.) There is some great stuff here, with some quality guest vocals; though no one can top the brilliant chemistry Mr. Versatile brings to proceedings, Roots Manuva and Tinchy Stryder both make a few sweet appearances and an unexpected colab from Benjamin Zephaniah takes a brave stab at a more down-tempo sound.

Not all the tracks are top notch, and maybe a 10 song tracklist would have been more realistic, but then I'd probably be complaining about value-for-money. Probably. In the mean time, settle for some classics, some quality new tunes and MAYBE a few presses of the FFWD button. No more than 3 tho, I promise. You should definitely stick it out, as final track "Better" is a gorgeous eletro-keys driven late-night track that has to be heard.

At the end of the day, the slightly insane, blippy noise that comes off this disc is thoroughly enjoyable, and if you haven't already got a wide selection of T Willy's tunes then there's nothing to complain about here! It was a long wait... "but I'm glad for you, yeeaaaahhh!"

Chris/Audio Bigot
xx

EP REVIEW: A Genuine Freakshow's free sampler!

Wow, a week just slips by hey?

Ok, so on monday I saw A Genuine Freakshow supporting The Northwestern at the Louisiana. Now the other two bands on the bill were pretty lame: Tripwires need to change chords more often than every 4 bars, and the Northwestern were just very bland (their insistence on having 3 guitars playing just crowds the sound and made it difficult to really hear anything going on. Also some dynamics would have been appreciated. Oh well.)

But after the show, AGF were handing out free samplers and I've gotta say, that it's pretty impressive stuff. The sleeve inlay touts them as "A seven-piece, experimental, post-everything pop bonanza". Now I don't know what the hell that's supposed to mean. I also take issue with the comparison with Sigur Ros, which I think is kinda off...

My personal soundbite? Well... "Jingly jangly indie guitars get the orchestral treatment and a proper drummer." That's close enough...

One thing I did note is the refreshing brevity of the songs. The 1st track, "We Are The Undercurrents", clocks in at only 1:52. In fact the total for the three tracks here is less than 10 mins! It's nice to see that the band are capable of condensing their ideas down to the essentials; pruning back the guff that other bands might leave in because its "progressive"...

The result is a focus on the song, old school style, where the orchestration revolves around and works to compliment a particular melodic idea. Know what I mean?

It's good stuff. Vocals are strong, production is tight, and the writing is innovative. If you're a fan of Guillemots, Soe'za or possibly "Silent Alarm" era Bloc Party then this band are well worth checking out when their debut album comes out (I'm told that may be some time in September). Expect a mention on this page, naturally!

Coming up: Gunna see Blackbud on monday, which should be fun. Also, a long list of albums I want to buy is building again. Expect Toddla T, Ebony Bones, Enter Shikari and if I suck it up and pay the £15 that seems to be the lowest price on Free Blood's singles amalgamation then that too!

Superdupermegalove.
Chris/Audio Bigot.
xx