Radio 1's Live Lounge Vol.1 - Various Artists > Reviews > Live Lounge - Simply Brilliant

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Brilliant Covers, Great Original Versions
Disadvantages:	Data Listings on MP3 Players Is Sketchy

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I actually downloaded this rather than buy the CD, but then had the wonderful surprise of The Blonde coming home and depositing it in my lap having just been out shopping.

She bought it because I had been wittering on about how much I loved Jo Whiley on Radio One and especially the covers that the artists did on the live lounge. It seems to have got through.... I might have to try that tactic when I want a new suit *grin*

Anyhow.... The album covers are actually pretty non-descript. The front shows some guitar cases with plenty of stickers, a couple of Mike stands and a bright red label with Radio One live lounge emblazened upon it. It does a job I suppose.

The reverse of the CD has the track listings on, and since it is a double CD, there really isn't that much room for anything else.

The tracks involved are as follows...

Titles on Disc 1
******************

1.: DOA - Foo Fighters

I *love* Foo Fighters, in fact, they are my favourite band of all time. ever. This is a typically brilliant live, non-acoustic performance. Even live, it can sound as good as an album track. I saw them in Cheshire this summer and it was possibly the best concert that I have *ever* been too.

2.: Love Machine - Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys covering Girls Aloud. Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. I love this version. Having said that, I love Girls Aloud too *grin*

3.: Run - Snow Patrol

Eyes Wide Open is possibly the best album of the year, and this is a beautiful acoustic version of this tune.

4.: Crazy - Kooks

If you like the Kooks, you'll like this version of Gnarlls Barkley's number one hit. I didn't like that and I don't like this. Oh, I don't like the Kooks that much either.

5.: Golden Touch - Razorlight

Stunning track. That's all that can be said about this. You really do have to listen to it to appreciate its beauty fully. Simply spectacular.

6.: Munich - Bailey Rae, Corinne

This seems like an odd choice of cover, but that is what Live Lounge is all about. Leeds lass singing Brummie Song. Ace.

7.: Gold Digger - Automatic

Hilary House. You'll know The Automatic from the "What's coming over this hill... Is it a monster, is it a monster?" fame, but they do a pretty funny version of this Kanye West tune. Again, severe deviation from the original.

8.: All Sparks - Editors

The Back Room is widely acclaimed and quite rightly so. Not the best cover in the world, but a good tune.

9.: Maneater - Boy Kill Boy

Nelly Furtado.... Looks a bit dodgy on Children in need, which is currently on and this version from a little known indie band is pretty good.

10.: No One Knows - Queens Of The Stone Age

Dave Grohl guested on the album version of the track and since he is the Foo Fighters frontman, it was an instant hit. This is a really really good version of this track. In the same way that the acoustic version of Everlong is the *best* song EVER.

11.: How Come - Embrace

This was so popular after the Live Lounge that it was played ad nauseum after it was on, due to the listener response it got. With good reason too.

12.: If There's Any Justice - Blunt, James

Some people like James Blunt. I don't; I think he is whiny. He covers Lemar in a non-descript fashion. I actually skip this tune quite often.

13.: Scientist - Bedingfield, Natasha

I have no idea who this tune is actually by..... This means that I can't really compare it to the original, but Natasha Bedingfield has a sweet voice.

14.: Molly's Chambers - Kings Of Leon

These guys have faded into obscurity a little bit, but this was their debut tune. It is pretty good in the live lounge although not acoustic.

15.: Frontin' - Cullum, Jamie

This was actually released, so popular was it. Even Pharell loved it and he's notoriously sparse with praise for his tunes being covered.

16.: Living For The Weekend - Sugababes

I didn't like the Hard Fi original since they overplayed it on the radio, particularly Radio 1, and this is a pretty drab cover really.

17.: I Believe In A Thing Called Love - Lemar

I like Lemar. He's made it despite coming third on whatever crap reality show it was that he was born from. Interesting choice of cover, but it works. Soulful work from the new Lionel Ritchie.

18.: Hey Ya - Young, Will

Will Young rocks (No seriously, I'm not gay or a 13 year old teenage girl *points at liking Girls Aloud*) and this was a really popular cover.

19.: Tied Up Too Tight - Hard-Fi

Who the hell did this original. I might have liked it. If it wasn't for Hard Fi covering it.

20.: Songbird - Oasis

Winners of Brit Pop the original battle they are an absolutely legendary band, still going strong. This was probably one of the weaker singles off the last couple of albums, but it still rocks.

Titles on Disc 2
******************

1.: Scientist - Coldplay

So, I learnt who did the original. No wonder I don't like it. Music to kill yourself too.

2.: Smile - Allen, Lily

Somehow this gangsters daughter has the sweetest, purest voice in the world. I love this acoustic version so much so that I prefer it to the original.

3.: With Or Without You - Keane

U2 = Brilliance. Keane = Brilliance. How could this possibly be anything other than. I could quite happily burst into tears at this version of this mighty tune.

4.: Other Side Of The World - Tunstall, K.T.

They ruined KT Tunstall by overplaying her in my opinion and this sounded exactly like the album track. Shame really, they could have made it really funky!

5.: What You Waiting For - Franz Ferdinand

Top effort. Gwen Stefani is the new queen of funk, and Franz Ferdinand could put energy into anything. They really do so in this with their own brand of punchy pop wizardry.

6.: Family Portrait - Pink

Sounds good, surprisingly. Pink has such a gravelly voice that you wouldn't think it would work with acoustic tunes. Well it does. So there.

7.: Ms Jackson - Outkast

Rap/Hip Hop/Funk always sounds good live and this is no different. Shame that they didn't play one of their better tunes though.

8.: Hounds Of Love - Futureheads

I liked the original from this Mackem bunch, but for some obscure reason I didn't like this. Didn't seem to work slowed down.

9.: Numb - Jamelia

It was reported that Jamelia was tired of Superstar, so she came out with a few singles in very quick succession. They were all far better than that garbage. Whilst this isn't my favourite, it is pretty good.

10.: Jus' A Rascal - Dizzee Rascal

Quality. I love this guy since you must wonder what the hell is going on in his head and he has such a distinctive sound, it's awesome.

11.: Nice Weather For Ducks - Lemon Jelly

Weird choice from a weird band. That's all that can be said about this really.

12.: In My Arms - Mylo

No sure about Mylo, but I suppose that this works.

13.: Song 2 - My Chemical Romance

Great upcoming band and their album is a must listen. Interesting choice of song, but it works, although it doe sound a bit too much like the original...

14.: Dreaming Of You - Coral

If you like country and western style pop you'll like this. It's catchy enough, but really not my cup of tea.

15.: Gone Missing - Maximo Park

I think, sadly, that these might be one hit wonders. Shame because I liked them and this is a nice tune to chill to.

16.: Honest Mistake - Bravery

Great tune, but slowed down it loses something, a bit like The Futureheads really.

17.: Let's Push Things Forward - Streets

Bit of ad libbing from the king of chav music, but annoying really. I don't like their style of music. It makes me want to hurt them. A Lot.

18.: Romeo - Basement Jaxx

Good live, which you wouldn't really expect from a *dance act* but they are awesome. I love the 2 black girls that sing this. They bring a whole story and culture to the tune.

19.: Push The Button - Orson

Orson are a good little catchy pop band and they vamp up this cover beautifully of the Sugababes smash hit.

20.: In Da Club - 50 Cent

I don't like him or anything that he stands for. This is pre-manufactured Hip Hop rubbish and a really sucky way to end the brilliance that is this album.

So there you have it, many thanks for reading and this is one of those albums that you will just have on repeat permanently.