James Blunt All The Lost Souls (Atlantic/Custard)
With
Back to Bedlam, the million-selling debut that spawned his
ubiquitous paean to public transport perving, Blunt made enemies; people
who bristled at what they saw as insincerity, and who were not bothered if
his songs were “well crafted” or not.
All the Lost Souls is an escalation of hostilities. The track 1973 features an innocuously wistful bounce, but too much here smacks of balladry-by-committee ( Carry You Home) and sentiment so cheap that it cannot be kosher ( Shine On). The sad thing is that, when the former soldier sings “killed a man in a foreign land”, you don’t trust him enough to know whether it is a pained confession or just a line that almost rhymes.
Status Quo In Search Of The Fourth Chord (Fourth Chord)
In
Search of the Fourth Chord is Quo's - count them - 33rd album. After that
many records, you'd be forgiven for thinking that their enthusiasm might
wane, but this album shows that this is far from being the case.
With their characteristic energy and vitality on display, Quo have
delivered what is undoubtedly one of their strongest offerings in years.
The band sound enthused and fresh on every single track, especially on the
first song Beginning of the End, which kicks off with a chunky guitar riff
that sounds like a statement of intent.
As you'd expect from Quo, the riffs and hooks are so catchy that they stay
in your head for days, while the slower numbers also have a lot to offer.
Contrary to popular myth, the band have never been afraid to dabble in
different styles. This album is no exception as several ballads and a slow
blues sit comfortably alongside a number of formidable rockers.
"Admittedly, I am one of the many 'casual'
fans who thought Quo were resting on their 70s material but their past few
releases and this new album makes it ring clear that they have enough
going for them today to put any new band to shame with the power and sheer
quality of their material.
"I think this album will please the fans of old but will also wake up
anyone who is willing to detract them based on their public image alone.
It's a cool album with some really cracking good songs. Fabulous
production too. What other bands can do this??" – Paul Slowey
"What a fantastic album! This brings Quo into the 21st century with a
bang!" - Howlin' Wolf Estrados
"An hour's mindnumbing commute was transformed into an in-car rock
and roll feast thanks to the Quo's new offering. Aged only 22 there may be
a vast bulk of songs I have yet to hear, despite owning a wealth of
albums, but the latest is a diverse and intriguing collection of tunes.
From the moment Beginning of the End kicks in I'm thinking ahead to the
front of the NEC, head down and rocking out in December! Track nine - My
Little Heartbreaker - is an absolute gem and has the rhythm and beat which
bands of the modern era just cannot create, slow, deliberate, clear sounds
which envoke happy thoughts and emotions. I love it." - Bobby Bridge
KT Tunstall Drastic Fantastic (Relentless)
There’s
something immensely likeable about KT Tunstall. Where most contemporary
female singer-songwriters are bland, boring or both (Dido, anyone?),
Tunstall is acid-tongued, smart and on the right side of feisty to avoid
being annoying.
Drastic Fantastic, her sophomore album, may be inappropriately
named, however. If anything it’s a less drastic record than its
million-selling predecessor Eye To The Telescope, opting instead to
follow a more conventional pop-rock template. In this sense it’s as
far away from KT’s roots in Fife’s alt-folk Fence Collective as
Land’s End is from John O’Groats.
That said there’s much to enjoy about Drastic Fantastic.
Unlike her debut it feels like an album made to play live, with
“Little Favours” and “If Only” showing off her excellent backing
band, including Tunstall’s drumming beau, ‘lucky’ Luke Bullen.
Elsewhere Willy Mason lends his vocals to the jaunty “Hopeless” -
returning KT’s appearance on his last single - whilst the bluesy stomp
of single “Hold On” is infectious.
But sometimes Tunstall works best solo, and it’s the introspective
“Somewhere Soon” which provides the album’s highlight. With a
fragile guitar riff and tender vocal evoking kd lang, it shows the likes
of Amy Macdonald and Jem up for the pretenders they are.
With Drastic Fantastic Tunstall seems to be staking her claim
as the young Chrissie Hynde. That she does this with considerable aplomb
is testament to her skills as a writer and performer. If it’s classy
mainstream pop with a bite you’re after, you won’t get much better
than this.
Rowan Collinson (2007-08-31)
his new
album 'All The Lost Souls'll
from
her highly anticipated second album Drastic Fantastic,
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