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MUSIC
This issue’s music selection has been reviewed by Francis Brown of www.newsoundwales.co.uk.
New Sound Wales’ website will keep you up to date with everything you need to know if you live in Wales and are passionate about music.
Their aim is to:
■ Keep you up to date with new bands and performers that are emerging from Wales and beyond.
■ Recommend new CD’s and music downloads.
■ Let you know which Welsh gigs are coming up in the months ahead.
If you like acoustic, folk and alternative music, www.newsoundwales.co.uk is the place to bookmark and check on a regular basis.
New Sound Wales are keen to hear what you think about music in Wales, what bands you’re listening to and who you would like to see playing in Wales. |
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MARTIN CARR
Ye Gods (and Little Fishes)
There is so much more to Cardiff’s adopted son than being an ex Boo Radley and writer of ‘Wake up Boo’. That was then, this is now. The songs take a while to sink in, but repeated plays reveal melodies that you realise have quietly been permanently etched into your memory banks.
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EUROS CHILDS
Son of Euro Child
Sounding like a man reborn with an album that is playful, melodic and at times inspired. There are about half a dozen songs here that are brilliantly simple pure pop whimsy. Overall this is a huge success and will help re-energise his career.
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RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Milwaukee At Last
The material here is very familiar and all previously available elsewhere with the exception of the traditional Irish song ‘Macushla’. However, the CD/DVD set is a great souvenir for die hard fans and accurately captures the sound and spirit of his recent live shows.
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THE BEATLES
Remasters
All of the Beatles re-masters are far superior to earlier CD issues both in terms of sound quality and packaging. This is a great set for old fans and newcomers alike. The White Album stands out as benefiting most from the exercise sounding as fresh as it did 40 years ago.
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LIGHTNING DUST
Infinite Light
Lightning Dust is a side project by members of Canadian band Black Mountain. Down tempo and brooding this record glides along majestically. The arrangements are stunning and “Take it home” with its doom laden melody is one of the best tracks of the year.
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VIVA MACHINE
Viva Machine
This Swansea band have been around for a few years now and have steadily built a loyal fan base and made a reputation as a live band. The layered vocals are quite spectacular a kind of updated mid 1980s Yes. The band need time to develop but show a lot of promise.
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WILCO
The Album
Headliners from this year’s Green Man festival Wilco’s 7th studio album is a mixture of sounds and styles and often tinged with sadness and darkness. If you have arrived late to Wilco this album should make you want explore their back catalogue in full.
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DIZZEE RASCAL
Tongue N Cheek
This album contains ridiculously catchy hits such as ‘Bonkers’ & ‘Holiday’. More commercial than his grime roots, but somehow he has managed to retain his credibility and in the process becomes a true crossover artist loved by hip hop fans and indie kids alike.
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ARCTIC MONKEYS
Humbug
Somewhat subdued and ‘mellow’ compared to their first 2 releases. This album shows a band in transition and in development. There is much more light and shade here musically and they have come along way since their raucous record breaking debut 3 years ago.
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BOB DYLAN
Christmas in the Heart
Bob Dylan’s 47th album is a collection of Christmas songs! Featuring traditional songs such as ‘Little Drummer boy’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’. It may not be up there with ‘Blonde on Blonde’ or ‘Blood on the Tracks’ but the profits are going to various charities including Feeding America.
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