(Morning Star, Friday 27 July 2007)
ALBUM: Reuben - In Nothing We Trust
(Hideous Records)
RESEARCHING Reuben, distinctiveness is the central theme. "Distinctive, vigorous style" and "distinctive nasal vocals" pop up, but not one of the reviews or pundits refers to Reuben as "distinctly average," which is a bit of a misstep.
The Farnborough trio of emo underdogs have come far since 2001 saw their inception in this form, but their aggressive guitar and introspective lyrics even on this, their third record, show that they took their musical cue from early noughties emotional hardcore compadres such as Hundred Reasons.
On album opener Cities on Fire, the guys step away from the heavy guitar for a few bars, before the quiet rhythm and bass blasts into a big dirty riff and thrashing percussion.
The band's musical maturity is evident on Suffocation of Soul, a track which utilises harmonising and howling in pretty much equal measure.
But attacking Joy Division and Morrissey on Crushed Under the Weight of the Enormous Bullshit is probably the nadir, considering that these young upstarts have yet to earn their musical legend stripes.
Considering the tone of the record, one would have to surmise that Reuben are pissed off being unknown. But don't call them underdogs - their bite may well be worse than their bark.
Friday 27 July 2007
A real Latin feel
(Morning Star, Friday 27 July 2007)
ALBUM: Cat Empire - Two Shoes
(Universal)
IF Cat Empire could place a personal ad to attract new fans, it would go something like this: "Aussie six-piece with penchant for jazz fusion seeks ridiculously joy-filled listener for many hours of aural pleasure."
The Cat Empire make music for parties. They enjoy mixing styles up in a big pot of glee and spewing out rock-funk-ska-jazz all over their records. And so they should, they're bloody good at it.
Their third record Two Shoes is a winner for the world music-straddling colossus, reaching the dizzy heights of summer on virtually every track - a Cuban summer of heat and passion, not a soggy British summer.
There's a second on track Days Like This when the human heart is actually at its happiest, so thrilled with the clever lyricism and cheery salsa rhythms that it may well burst.
Recorded in Havana the album has a real Latin feeling, layering trumpets and sax with driving percussion and creating a rich wall of music to dance to. As far as music goes, this is designed to make your life better - all you have to do is bow down to the Cat Empire.
ALBUM: Cat Empire - Two Shoes
(Universal)
IF Cat Empire could place a personal ad to attract new fans, it would go something like this: "Aussie six-piece with penchant for jazz fusion seeks ridiculously joy-filled listener for many hours of aural pleasure."
The Cat Empire make music for parties. They enjoy mixing styles up in a big pot of glee and spewing out rock-funk-ska-jazz all over their records. And so they should, they're bloody good at it.
Their third record Two Shoes is a winner for the world music-straddling colossus, reaching the dizzy heights of summer on virtually every track - a Cuban summer of heat and passion, not a soggy British summer.
There's a second on track Days Like This when the human heart is actually at its happiest, so thrilled with the clever lyricism and cheery salsa rhythms that it may well burst.
Recorded in Havana the album has a real Latin feeling, layering trumpets and sax with driving percussion and creating a rich wall of music to dance to. As far as music goes, this is designed to make your life better - all you have to do is bow down to the Cat Empire.
Sunday 1 July 2007
AIR TRAFFIC - FRACTURED LIFE
(AU magazine July 2007)
(Tiny Consumer/EMI)
A summertime record in 2007 has to try extra hard to keep its head above water - for every Holloways, there's a Tiny Dancers trying to out-pop them. Still, Air Traffic take the essence of sunshine and put it into 11 of the bounciest, most radio-friendly piano-driven hits this side of Magic Numbers.
From opener Just Abuse Me, through single Charlotte with its catchy ‘I’m wasted’ refrain, the Bournemouth quartet hold their own against all comers, stepping up the intensity for sweeping Shooting Star and melancholy Your Fractured Life.
Excellent as young indie scenesters, and their ability to slow it down makes them perfect all-rounders. Expect these to be the hit of the festival season, as this record will please 14-40 year olds with no effort.
(Tiny Consumer/EMI)
A summertime record in 2007 has to try extra hard to keep its head above water - for every Holloways, there's a Tiny Dancers trying to out-pop them. Still, Air Traffic take the essence of sunshine and put it into 11 of the bounciest, most radio-friendly piano-driven hits this side of Magic Numbers.
From opener Just Abuse Me, through single Charlotte with its catchy ‘I’m wasted’ refrain, the Bournemouth quartet hold their own against all comers, stepping up the intensity for sweeping Shooting Star and melancholy Your Fractured Life.
Excellent as young indie scenesters, and their ability to slow it down makes them perfect all-rounders. Expect these to be the hit of the festival season, as this record will please 14-40 year olds with no effort.
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