Kiri No Oto - Lawrence English

Advantages: Great album, still sounds great twenty years later.
Disadvantages: A few duff tracks.

...Way back in my youth I was introduced to lots of different music by my peers, there was such a varied amount of sounds in the early eighties that we were spoiled for choice and as such, my tastes became eclectic. One minute I would be listening to Michael Jackson, the next I would be rocking along with Queen or Led Zeppelin. There was also a huge live music culture in the west coast of Scotland, a healthy part of that was focused in my area and I was a regular at all the local live venues to hear my favourite local bands. Whilst roadying for a mates big brothers band I heard them playing a tape of a band called XTC, I was Immediately captured by their middle English pop sound, they seemed to offer something just that wee bit different from everything else and I was hooked from that moment. English Settlement is one... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots of variety
Disadvantages: Some weak tracks

..."Maths + English" is the third album form the UK Grime artist, Dizzee Rascal. He is a London MC who brought UK Hip Hop and Grime to the mainstream. This album was released on the 4th of June last year and peaked at number 7, one better than he previous album from 2004. The title refers to the two components of the album which he had a part in 'Maths', the production and 'English', the lyrics. 1. World Outside **Three Stars** To kick us off, we have a short track which tells all the young black males in the UK that they have to realize that the world is bigger than the area that they live in , because this is what s letting them down. If these people expand, then they can move on from the detrimental things which are holding them back in life. I like that he was doing something in order to spread his experience to people who... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Lyrically and musically diverse.
Disadvantages: some weak songs. not as good as showtime.

...gangsta and that porsche looks great. but do you really want it sittin on a council estate?" Dizzee has moved somewhat out of the underground theme with this album in an attempt to gain a more mainstream audience. Songs such as Hardback (industry) detail the ups and downs within a record label and his use of other artists such as the arctic monkeys and lily allen add to this. Hardcore fans may feel betrayed by such a move seeing it as catering to the middle classes whom obviously have the bigger pockets. On the other hand Maths and English still retains Dizzees distinctive offbeat sound and well delivered interesting lyrics detailing his life and the lives of those around him. I think that Dizzee was attempting to do what Mike Skinner and the Streets achieved with a Grand Dont Come For Free. Trying to widen the fan base... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful