Albums of the week (released 18th August 2003) - Tiscali Music News

2003-08-18

For this week's albums, read on, but for this week's singles, please click here

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Elbow - Cast Of Thousands

Elbow - Guy Garvey (vocals, guitar), Mark Potter (guitar), Pete Turner (bass), Craig Potter (keyboards), Richard Jupp (drums) - return from over a year away with their eagerly awaited second LP. 'Cast Of Thousands' was demo-ed at a friend's house in Western Scotland and recorded by the band and long-tern production collaborator Ben Hillier (Blur, Clinic, Clearlake) at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. Final mixing took place at the Dairy in Brixton. As with 2001's 'AsleepIn The Back', Guy Garvey's lyrical ruminations on life take centre stage, from the bluntness of 'Grow a f**king heart love' ('I've Got Your Number') to the re-affirmation of belonging that is 'These are good friends, these are mine' ('Snooks'). The experience of three years of touring and the success of 'Asleep In The Back' have clearly had an effect, as Guy notes, 'It's love letters home. Celebrations of friendships and wise words for the worn. It's the noise five blokes make if you show them the world and put 'em in a box". As such, the songs on 'Cast Of Thousands' demonstrate a bigger world for Elbow, and new horizons. Includes the single 'Fallen Angel'.
'Cast Of Thousands is an intimate, sensuous album, crackling with tension, and writhing with life and colour. It absolutely glows with romanticism' - X-Ray

'Surrounded by wilful obscurants,tremulous whiners and mordant wallflowers, Elbow can walk with their heads held high. They have produced a dignified, important and beautiful record - most probably the indie rock record of the year, in fact' - ***** Bang

'There are too many transcendent moments here to list. Thousands. Elbow remain unquantifiably great' - **** Uncut

'Rock 'n' roll is very nearly at the end of its creative evolution. But Elbow transcend their influences toproduce a virgin sound. A rare pleasure indeed' - 9/10 NME

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Neil Young - Greendale

Following on from the first European solo tour since 1989, Neil Young releases his concept album 'Greendale', taken from his new film project of the same name. A "musical novel" that touches on everything from a police drug bust gone tragically wrong to big-government conspiracy theories, the 10-song set chronicles the life and times of the Green family, residents of the fictional town from which the album takes its name. Young is backed on the album by Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina and bassist Billy Talbot.

"Greendale is basically one long song that is meant to be listened to over and over again. It isn't a simple thing and there is no quick and profitable way to do something like that. That would be boring, so I don't do it. It's not about selling anything. People who know my music know who I am, and I don't need the support of large corporations to reach them. And if they come down on me for disagreeing with them, they'll just make me stronger. It's just like when I got sued for being 'non-commercial' [by record mogul David Geffen in the '80s]. That was the best thing to happen to me in that decade" - Neil Young

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Alien Ant Farm - Truant

Alien Ant Farm - Dryden Mitchell (vocals), Terry Corso (guitar), Tye Zamora (bass), Mike Cosgrove (drums) - are back with their second studio album. The follow up the worldwide smash 'ANThology', 'truANT' sees AAF move on musically, developing the nu metal-isms of their multi-platinum debut into a heavier rock sound. Produced by The Deleo Brothers (Stone Temple Pilots), 'TruANT' features some superb tracks including the forthcoming single 'These Days' and the brilliant 'Glow'. This special UK edition includes the bonus track, 'Words'.

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The Faint - Danse Macarbre

Astralwerks/Labels UK has joined forces with Omaha, Nebraska's The Faint and Saddle Creek Records to produce a new album of remixes of their most recent critically acclaimed album. These remixes span the breadth of electronic and danse music creating a new album that reinterprets, mashes up and remixes 'Danse Macabre'. Among the amazing remixers included are: The Thin White Duke (Jacques Lu Cont), Paul Oakenfold, Tommie Sunshine, Jagz Kooner, Photek, The Calculators, Junior Sanchez, Ursula 1000,Medicine and Mojolators. The Faint are: Todd Baechle (vocals, synthesizer), Clark Baechle (drums), Joel Petersen (bass), Jacob Thiele (synthesizer), and Dapose (guitar).

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James Last - Classic Collection 2CD

40 tracks on this 2CD set featuring the greatest Classical works performed by the legendary James Last and his orchestra. All of James Last's projects have been a roaring success, whether it's the songs of Abba or the show tunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber, only James Last can make these classic tunes his own. The 'Classical Collection' takes world-famous pieces such as Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata', Vivaldi's 'Spring From The Four Seasons', and 'Ravel's 'Bolero', and reinvents them with the sumptuous string arrangements and lush melodies of his unique orchestra.

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Take Them On On Your Own

After a two year hiatus, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Peter Hayes (guitar, bass, vocals), Robert Turner (bass, guitar, vocals), Nick Jago (drums, percussion) - return with their eagerly awaited sophomore album. Written over the past year or so, 'Take Them On, On Your Own' finds the band in ebullient form and ready to take on all-comers. From the primeval chugging riff of the opening track, the single 'Stop', through the late 60's-ish Stones power chords of 'We're All In The Love', the hypnotic vibe of 'In Like The Rose', the controversial 'US Government' and the mellifluous strum (and drang) of 'And I'm Aching', this stunning album showcases a band at the top of their form.
'Take Them On, On Your Own' proves that it's possible to have something to say and make a record that's so exciting, different and brilliantly executed it will suck the air from your lungs. 'Take Them On, On Your Own' is a masterpiece. You should get hold of it as soon as possible' - 9/10 NME

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Harry Connick Junior - After Hours

'Other Hours' is Harry Connick's first quartet album and an all-instrumental re-working of his Broadway score ' Thou Shalt Not', and recreates the steamy atmosphere of post-World War II New Orleans of Emile Zola's classic 1868 novel 'Therese Raquin'. Even without lyrics, the twelve tracks on 'Other Hours' captivate with their emotional an formal strengths. Some even enhance their melodic appeal with introductory verses that recall the glory days of Gershwin and Porter.

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Sara Evans - Restless

Sara Evans' previous album 'Born to Fly' was a dazzling listening experience, full of unexpected textures, inventive percussion and acoustic instrumentation. Its blend of rootsy rhythms, polished heart-in-throat vocals and vivid lyrics made her a star. She follows it with 'Restless', a collection of songs that takes Sara Evans up yet another notch. Again co-producing with Paul Worley, she has co-written some of the finest songs of her career and paired them with challenging and innovative works by other writers. Down-home country twang and humorous tales of impulsive teenage love are mixed with soaring ballads reminding us of her distinctive power as a vocalist. 'Restless' just might be the strongest melodic performance of her career to date.

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Cliff Richard - My Songs

Compiled by the man himself, this CD of Cliff's own songs showcases a lesser known side of his already accomplished musical career.

On 'My Songs' Cliff has chosen the best of his compositions written solo or with co-writers. He has contributed to the sleevenotes with a background history to many of the songs, how and when he composed them, and what the inspiration behind some of his favourites were.

What's fascinating about this collection of Cliff's own personal favourites is that theyspan a period of over thirty years.

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Serafin - No Push Collide

Serafin - Ben Fox Smith (vocals, guitar), Darryn Harkness (vocals, guitar), Ben Ellis (bass), Ronny Growler (drums) - first came to the music industry's attention by winning 2001's 'In The City' ('Best Unsigned Band'), signing to Taste Media (Muse's label), followed quickly by their infamous SXSW appearance (which resulted in the band signing to Elektra for North America in a record 10 days). Now, a mere two years later, the band are back with their stunning debut album. Recordedin Los Angeles, and produced by Dave Sardy (Marilyn Manson, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Dandy Warhols), 'No Push Collide' effortlessly matches the hype, delivering 12 blistering slices of hard-edged melodic rock; think Blur-meets-Foo-Fighters or Jane's-Addiction-meets-Weezer. Includes the singles 'Things Fall Apart' and 'Day By Day'.
'...a flaming rag of raw guitars and tight-ass Trail Of Dead rhythms to cauterize salted wounds...Serafin know our pornographic taste for schadenfreude is insatiable. Tuck in' - **** Bang

'As urgent as a gun to the head...Serafin are claiming dirty freaked noise entirely as their own' - NME

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Shack - Here's Tom With The Weather

Liverpool's finest return with their first album since 2000's classic 'H.M.S. Fable' (voted by writers of the NME and Uncut as the #2 album of the year, beaten only by The Flaming Lips). So-named after a Bill Hick's sketch about LSD, 'Here's Tom With The Weather' boasts a majestic and fresh form.

These are magical, psychedelic folk songs of the finest Head vintage; sleepy-eyed, stoned, wistful and mystical, yet crafted with a cunning and acute dexterity beyond just about anybody you care to think of.

'...Here's Tom...could be their Deserters Songs or Forever Changes and should be similarly savoured. After all, who knows when we'll hear from them again?' - **** Bang

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