Malcolm And Mark's Happy Music - Malcolm Wilce Duo

Advantages: Richard Ashcroft singing good songs is always an advantage
Disadvantages: Will always be compared to the Verve, and it isn't as good

...you singing the chorus long after the growling guitar is suffocated. 'Music Is Power' follows, bringing Summery barbeques with friends. Aided by a Curtis Mayfield sampler, it should be a single when the weather starts to warm. Current single 'Break The Night With Colour' hits the mark also, but only just. Equally at home on Radio 2 as it is on Radio 1, it would be appreciated if dear old Dickie was a fresh faced youth from Sheffield. Sadly, he's a war-beaten old warrior from Wigan and it shows as he limps along on songs like 'Words Just Get In The Way' and 'Sweet Brother Malcolm', while 'Why Do Lovers' couldn't be more suited for a wedding unless it ended with a cheesy DJ asking friends and family to join the happy couple on the dance floor. Somewhat unsurprisingly for an album full of songs written over six years, it is a mixed bag... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sensual, glorious splendour
Disadvantages: None

...pop of the 'Happy House' and 'Christine' singles - the Banshees had been reborn. The sound was further developed on 1981's masterpiece, 'Ju Ju', which marked the end of the first phase of a remarkable band. From then on they were a more expansive, richer, almost psychedelic outfit, and one which defined a whole new niche for itself, far removed from its cold origins. The new approach also embraced the splintered off Creatures duo, with Siouxsie and Budgie now more than musically paired. They made some splendid drum based pop records, including the remarkable version of the old 'Right Now' standard and their own 'Mad Eyed Screamer'. This is where 'Twice Upon A Time' comes in. It is a marvellous distillation of late era Banshees, which includes the cover versions, Iggy Pop's epic 'The Passenger', the Dylan song made famous by Julie... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: All killer no filler
Disadvantages: Short

...?" and then a slower, plucked, more melodic, Simon and Garfunkel style playing in "Sweet Brother Malcolm". The title track is one closest to his stereotypical style although it incorporates a sample of a woman singing operatically that is played under the choruses and in the intro that gives feel to the song but can get a bit annoying. It could have been replaced with synths or strings. Another of the more original tracks is the second single "Music Is Power". This track uses a Chris Mayfield sample and with rhythmic drumming and a top notch vocal tune and lyrics makes it one of the most immersive tracks on the album. Whenever my father catches me listening to Richard Ashcroft he complains that it is dreary music. Yet at the end of "Keys to the World" there is one of the most uplifting tracks I have ever heard. "The world keeps turning, everybody... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful