Never had the chance to say goodbye:
Mark Curran
Diamond Rings: Chipmunk
Radar: Britney Spears
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MTV Unplugged by All Time Low
POP punksters All Time Low head into the intimate Unplugged arena for a stripped-down run-through of some of their more popular songs. The transition is comfortable enough but does not offer any real fireworks and you cannot help but feel a sense of sameness as the tracks progress. With just six songs included on this album fans may feel a little short-changed, but the pack includes a DVD recording of the show to numb the pain. While this should be acknowledged as a commendable effort by a band that has a bigger following across the pond than it does in the UK, it certainly fails to reach the heady heights set by Nirvana in the Unplugged series.
Richard Long, Soldier
The Betrayed by Lostprophets
LOSTPROPHETS end their four-year hiatus from recording and fans of the band’s early sound will be pleasantly surprised with the fruit of their labour. Although 2006’s Liberation Transmission saw massive commercial success and a sold-out arena tour, it sounded like a watered-down version of Lostprophets’ previous efforts and left fans feeling like something was missing. The Betrayed is, for the most part, a showcase of the Welsh six-piece’s strengths – angry guitars, heavy drums and sing – or indeed shout – along choruses. The music is raw and far less accessible than the radio-friendly tracks of Liberation Transmission, but that is definitely no bad thing. Highly recommended.
IF 2009 was the year of Lady GaGa then expect exotically-titled singer Ke$ha to follow suit in 2010. The pop temptress is already making waves in the charts in the United States and music fans in Britain can now look forward to an assault on the UK market courtesy of the inevitable string of releases from her album Animal. Hit single Tik Tok has paved the way for the artist’s future fame and, with sass-fuelled anthems such as Your Love is My Drug and Kiss N Tell waiting in the wings, it’s going to be a long 12 months if you’re not a fan of her work. While this electro-pop offering is far from my sound of choice it is inoffensive enough, given the clear market it is aimed at.
Richard Long, Soldier
Among the Living by Anthrax
THIS re-issue of a late 1980s’ Anthrax album provides a snapshot of the mainstream American thrash metal scene at the time but little else to the casual listener. The set of nine original tracks features some dubious lyrics coupled with the trademark over-produced wall of distorted guitar, drums and wailing vocals. Die-hard fans of the genre will no doubt love this well-packaged offering, which includes a healthy haul of bonus material plus a DVD of the band performing live in London while Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister and the first Gulf War was years away. If you like your vintage metal, this is probably for you – otherwise it is best left buried.
Cliff Caswell, Soldier
Of The Blue Colour of The Sky by OK Go
IN A career spanning nearly eight years OK Go have been largely recognisable for their innovative videos rather than the music they make as a band. The skilfully-choreographed treadmill routine on Here It Goes Again was an internet phenomenon and could easily be considered as the group’s defining moment. But Of The Blue Colour of The Sky gives us something else to admire and covers diverse genres including funk, synth-pop and rock. WTF? is a throwback to Prince in his pomp and the Weezer-esque This Too Shall Pass is among the many stand out offerings. At last OK Go have delivered an album that could prove as admirable as their work in front of the camera.
Richard Long, Soldier
Outta Here by Esmee Denters
SULTRY Dutch singer Esmee Denters shot to fame after Justin Timberlake saw her singing cover versions of pop songs – including one of his hits – on YouTube and offered her a recording contract. The cynic in me was convinced that the resulting debut album would be a sickly sweet pop-by-the-numbers offering, but there is actually a hidden depth to many of the tracks that makes it more than bearable. Denters co-wrote everything on the album, which benefits from the production skills of Timberlake and Timbaland. A nice change of pace for the pop genre and, with the likes of Outta Here, an album that is likely to propel Denters onto many radio playlists.
