Advantages: Two or three good tracks, a fantastic collaboration with Beyonce Disadvantages: A lot of disappointing filler tracks
...charts; her debut album The Fame went platinum and with the two number ones (Poker Face and Just Dance) it would seem that her unique brand of pop music infused with electro dance music was here to stay. With her insanely catchy music to her eccentric sense of style and equally eccentric personality it’s been impossible to ignore Lady Gaga this past year and now she’s back her new 8 track album The Fame Monster but is it any good?
Track Listing
... ...a few ballads on The Fame so I’m glad that she’s realised her niche with this album and kept the ballads down to a bare minimum. After the brilliant start to the album it seems to go downhill with Alejandro in which she starts the song speaking to her supposed lover ‘Alejandro’ the song is a mid-tempo dance number but I feel that this is a disappointment as it’s more annoying that catchy whereas her previous songs were just annoyingly catchy! The ...
Advantages: A lyrical masterpiece Disadvantages: 'River of Brakelights'
Phrazes For The Young is another classic example of Julian Casablancas' lyrical aptitute and taste for a raw approach into life's tantalising experiences. He consistently touches on emotional understatements and preaches realistic sensitivities towards love, passion and, inevitably, notions of despair.
His laid-back slurring vocals arouse a Strokes-esque nostalgia, yet unique melodies permeate any ressurection of a 'typical Storkes' rhythm. Julian ... ...of classical, soul and a reactionary outlook on eighties dance. Songs such as 'Out of the Blue' and 'Ludlow St' has established this album as an avenue into Indie revival with a twist. With the prospect of an imminent Strokes regrouping and Julian's impending intention to follow up and cement his first piece of solo work, there is much anticipation. With prior hyperbole surrounding its release, it is inconceivable that this album would not be embraced ...
Advantages: Great songs and great singing Disadvantages: Still don't dig Eternal Life
...6 concerts in Jeff Buckley's Mystery White Boy tour make up this live album. My ratings are as follows: [*] - Nothing really catches the attention. [**] - Something grabs my attention. [***] - Gets me air-drumming, air-guitaring and singing along to the track. 1. Dream Brother Slow to start, and though in the buildup there is some laidback vocal improvisation, Jeff is having to squeeze hard for some of those falsetto notes. [**] 2. I Woke Up In A ... ...heavy, and the riffs dirty. [***] 3. Mojo Pin Solid but for the final bridge where Jeff slips into sheepish singing - however he does come on strongly for the finale. [**] 4. Lilac Wine As if Buckley has had too much to drink here, what with the guitar losing its way and his vocals being reduced to a croak at the end, though the improvisation in the singing is as strong as it is soulful. [***] 5. What Will You Say Similar to Dream Brother in that ...
Advantages: Lots of big tunes Disadvantages: Final Dance track
“My Kind Of Christmas” came out in 2000 and was the first Christmas album for the Pop singer Christina Aguilera. Coming directly off her debut album, which was then re-recorded in Spanish, it was released prior to her “Stripped” years and so has her in a position where she was much more accessible to the 'family' market. Here she mixes traditional carols with well-covered Christmas classic and some of her own original ones. 1.“Christmas Time” We ... ...that I felt made a strong impression as it shows that here she is down to bring an album that reflects how her debut album sounded with the heavy R&B influence, but she ensured that it sounded as though it stuck to the main 'Christmas' themes. It was one of only two singles from the album, and I felt that it was a nice way to get it underway. **Four Starr** 2.“This Year” We see that she comes in with another fresh tune (a non-cover) here and she ...
Advantages: Some good tracks Disadvantages: Not as good as the previous volumes, less covers
I have been eagerly anticipating Live Lounge Vol 4 having loved the previous 3 volumes. However, I was very disappointed with this collection. It contains less covers than the previous volumes. The covers for me where always the best thing about it. There are several good tracks including Little Boots doing Beat Again, Biffy's Love, Sex, Magic and Kasabian's cover of Gwen Stefani. I found Lady Gaga's Pokerface an unexpected highight. However, there ...
Excellent performance, tonnes of steam, ventilated ironing board (*)
