New tricks from old dogs, and old tricks from new dogs…
Carry On The Grudge is the third release from London-based musician Jamie T. Album opener Limits Lie sounds like 8 different songs just waiting to burst into life, but are restrained behind a tame yet radio-friendly melody. It’s very much a false start, thankfully, as the album soon kicks into life. More genre referencing than truly groundbreaking, the album seems oddly familiar. The first single form the album, Zombie, is a standout piece of songwriting; sounding very much like an old-school punk/ska vocals (think a well spoken Tim Armstrong) laid over traditional Arctic Monkeys indie band track. The Prophet sounds like current media darling Courtney Barnett, which isn’t exactly a bad thing. Despite its faults, it’s not a bad album; however lacks enough sparkling moments to be considered one of the greats.
Wonder Where We Land is an hour long selection of “choons!” from electronic hipster SBTRKT. The LP kicks off with speaker busting frequencies and organic tones. Despite this promising start, occasionally the vocals seem unnecessary, almost pinned on after production. Stand out moments really impress, but they are few and far between; especially on a project so grand. NEW DORP, NEW YORK picks the pace and funk vibe up where other tracks fail, adding Prince-esque vibe. Overall this seems like “part-time killer, too much filler.”
Gerard Way is a name that will be familiar to some. He is the frontman of now defunct band My Chemical Romance. Here we have a collection of monotonous songs combined with strained vocals (and not in an edgy good way, more of a fatiguing manner). Where the album could shine though is musicianship, however it falls flat: dynamics are subdued and thin. Songs blend into one another. Millions sounds decidedly Britpop, and not in a bad way – considering the faceless nature of the rest of the album.
Give My Love To London is the 20th solo album by singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull. Full of Dylan-esque vocals & lyrics, combined with skilled instrument-playing, the album is a real pleaser. Title track and album opener Give My Love To London is a grand old trad-folk stomp, with those familiar vocals complimenting beautifully. True Lies is paradoxically both a defiant growl and simultaneously a heartfelt lament. This album shows what a talented songwriter can create, when given plenty of scope and a talented session band at her disposal. It’s not all clear sailing however, album track Going Home sounds more like a Broadway ballad – quite disconnected from the overall tome of the album. All things considered though, a strong release. 2014 certainly appears to be the year of the late-career comebacks.
