Lillian Axe [Digipak] - Lillian Axe

Advantages: Not overlong at 10 tracks, gets better with each listen.
Disadvantages: Opening track not the strongest.

...All the best records take a few listens (at least) to reveal their true nature. On first play this sounded like a typical 2nd album - longer tracks, less up-tempo. A month on this has to be my favourite CD of 2007. Nearly all the 10 tracks have resolved into fantastic, atmospheric (and not always gloomy!) tales of urban life and escape. Great tunes underpin the songs, with the now-trademark steepling guitar riffs standing out most in the choruses. Some not unwelcome echos of The Smiths are to be found in the lyrics, most obviously in the title track, but tracks like Weight of the World and Escape The Nest are really uplifting, the latter also containing the finest moments on the album with its soaring, thrilling chorus. What a live track that promises to be... Recommended! Ok then, what about the digipak? Well if you like a glossy... Read review

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Advantages: For folkies everywhere
Disadvantages: Not for rockers

...Fortune Street is Bostonian Alistair Moock's fifth album and he presents nine original songs and one cover. The album was recorded in just five days and Moock says that "it was the most fun I've had making an album". The eponymous title track opens this album and highlights Moock's slight gruff quality to his voice. It's a sedate opener, played in the open key of E that is firmly in the Americana fold. Yin Yang Blues is a quirky blues and Woody's Lament is Americana again. These gentle acoustic sounds blend into Moock's understated guitar and Sean Staples' vocal. This is a Woody Guthrie tribute with some harmony that confirms Moock's citation that "Woody Guthrie is the reason I'm a songwriter". Swing That Axe is old style folk blended with jazz and is a well executed good time song. God Saw Fit To Make Tears is a lovely title... Read review

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Advantages: Classic track 'Bulldozer' & 4 bonus tracks, good production job
Disadvantages: By far the worst Machine Head Album let down by weak lyrical content

...to the point. The middle eight is almost a Slayer riff, but exactly what you want to hear and a welcome break from the monotony that has gone in the majority of tracks before. Ends with the sound of rain that leads into the next track... ...'Deafening Silence' is another leftfield track that is actually quite good. It has some good lyrics and guitar riffs, but best of all the clean parts sound right alongside Robb's singing. One thing though, I'm glad Machine Head never decided to retain this sound on their following releases. 'Supercharger' rounds out the album as the last track (The rest are bonus tracks limited to the Digipak Version). It's a welcome ending and a very punchy one with a similar opening as in the intro 'Declaration'. The riffs are aggressive and the title seems perfectly justified. A good ending to an album which is a slight... Read review

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