Map Of What Is Effortless - Telefon Tel Aviv

Advantages: McRaes usual thought-provoking lyrics
Disadvantages: Not as easy to get absrobed into as previous albums

...All Maps Welcome is the third album from Tom McRae, after his self-titled album, Tom McRe, and then Just Like Blood. I first heard this album when I was given a free taster to it, which played about 30 seconds of each song; this then led me to buy the full album. I was already a fan, and was looking forward to seeing him when he toured last year. His dark lyrics and melancholy melodies really blew me away, and I wanted to hear more. In this album, he uses assistance from members of Beck’s backing band. It took only three weeks to record, and the album itself deals with the break up of a long term relationship. His lyrics are just as deep as in other albums, but with hints of self-pity never seen before. I never really connected with this album as much as the previous ones, and I am still sceptical with some of the songs on Just... Read review

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Advantages: Lucsious pop
Disadvantages: Flat in places

...Maps is a lad called James Chapman who works in his bed-room and splices sounds together on a 16-track recorder rather than using a computer. The result is a semi glorious pop album, in the style of bands like Grandaddy and the Postal Service, or maybe Death Cab for Cutie or even Moby — gentle, luscious pop. The positive side is that in its good moments, the luscious, rich sounds make you drift off into a happy place as the electronic sounds wash around inside your head. This happens enough that I could recommend the album. The downside is that in some places the album is a little flat. It does sound like Moby in parts (particularly his last album) but of course Moby didn’t learn in his bedroom, he went to techno raves and learned the power of a groove, which this album lacks. The opening couple of tracks are ok but track three... Read review

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Advantages: Good for the money
Disadvantages: can be a bit monotonous

...connotations. It gave me the impression of a feeling of, how can life go on if someone so important to you has died. I did not necessarily like the aggression of the music but the words are very clever. 3. Three babies Yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s about three babies!!! This song is very refreshingly portrayed, although it seems to be about the wanting to mother three babies of a father who doesn’t want to know. The chorus is very addictive as it is the negativity of the mother toward the father, and I find myself wanting to sing it with her. 4. The Emperor’s New Clothes Yet again another song about babies and relationships, not much to review about this one. Not sure what my opinion is of it, it’s one that needs a lot of deciphering I think. Listen yourself; I’d like to know what you think… 5. Black Boys on Mopeds One of my favourite... Read review

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