Lonely Nights - Memphis Slim

Advantages: brilliant sound to it, I Don;t Know Why
Disadvantages: some mediocre songs esprciall "It's All About"

..." (is he secretly responding to Orville the duck") In fact the whole song is one big cliché. It is another of the weaker songs that really lets Moonlight Over Memphis right down. Luckily there are better songs just around the corner. My favourite songs are those which have quite simple, sparse instrumentation that really let Marti's vocal shine through. "Let the Sun Walk You Home" is one of those songs. It is just beautiful. The simple piano arrangement with just a hint of organ works so well. Marti sings the opening line "When you are tired of living" almost wearily and the subtle backing vocals harmonise with him beautifully. It reminds me slightly of a downbeat spiritual song. I am not sure about the whistling at the end, which mars the song slightly for me. "How Much Love" is another late night soul number that starts off with a smoky... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Chan Marshall herself, the lyrical touches and musical flourishes
Disadvantages: Where Is My Love, a dull song that shouldn't be on here

...the drink began to take it's toll, and the odds were on this new album turning out to be nothing less than a complete shambles. Yet here we are, you reading this review and me stating now, for the record, that "The Greatest" is truly the best album Cat Power has ever released. It's a touching, powerful look into her psyche, and is as redemptive and confessional as anything Amy has released, but with a frailty that puts her in another musical league. From the powerhouse ballads to the quiet, lyrical twists she's well-known for, all that makes Cat Power the unique musical entity that she is can be found on "The Greatest", along with several new musical strengths. The songs here have a generally sparse feel, even though backing is provided by The Memphis Rhythm band, which creates an ambience that really does take you back through the decades... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Very good beats
Disadvantages: No consistency

...Flowing fresh out of the oven with his fourth solo effort, Memphis Bleek's new album, 534, is blessed by one of the sweetest songs of the summer with the help of Jay-Z. "Dear Summer" has become an anthem, yet the album fails to follow through with the single, which comes at an early third on the track list. While the album is not groundbreaking or terribly concentrated, it is a complete and valid project. With "Dear Summer," Jay drops in to lay a lyrical lick and some acappella poetry to set off the perfect joint for a ride around the neighborhood. Just Blaze drops a dope beat to add to the harmonic soulful sample. While the album does read Memphis Bleek, he's an absentee landlord on "Dear Summer." Jay takes his time on the track to show love to the game for his fame and reminds us that S.Dot is doing his thing in Corporate America... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful