R.E.M. COLLAPSE INTO NOW. Warner

It makes me laugh (or cry) when I hear music critics slagging off an album like this because ‘it doesn’t come close to… (a previous album)’. R.E.M. have been recording since 1980 and have released fifteen studio albums (including this one), and not every one of them could be a MURMER or AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE. How many OK COMPUTERS has Radiohead released? It’s all bullshit of the most lazy kind, so what’s this new album really like? It’s good, in fact it’s very good albeit not a masterpiece. It amazes me that a veteran rock band can still deliver the goods while sounding new and fresh…

‘Discoverer’ opens the album with a pounding, slow drum rhythm overlaid with jangling guitar and the most passionate Stipe vocal. This has everything including powerful melody and typically good lyrics. Superb and edgy production completes this wonderful package. ‘All The Best’ repeats the dose while ‘ÜBerlin’ reminds me of previous classic cuts with its acoustic backdrop. ‘Oh My Heart’ sounds like Dylan at his very best and is a highlight of this album.

I like COLLPASE INTO NOW a lot and rate it as one of then band’s best albums, and it gets better with each play. I have no hesitation in recommending it to fans and those not familiar with the band.

4/5

Alessi’s Ark TIME TRAVEL. Bella Union

Alessi’s Ark is a project of singer-songwriter Alessi Laurent-Marke. She grew up in Hammersmith, London, UK and first got into music when her mother gave her a copy of Graham Nash’s 1971 album Songs for Beginners. She took up the drums at the age of 11 when her secondary school required students to take up an instrument. Her drum teacher played locally in different bands and through this she began going to see
various bands live with her dad, sometimes attending as many as four shows a week.

But why do I like this album so much? Perhaps it’s because Alessi doesn’t try too hard making it all sound so natural, easy and accessible. Perhaps it’s because there’s nice variation in pace and mood that holds the attention. Perhaps it’s because it’s acoustic folk-pop which is both intelligent and supremely melodic. The truth is that it’s all these things and more, including the record’s fine production and twelve songs of consistent quality.

4/5

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart BELONG. Rainbow Inc/Play It Again Sam

Now here’s a band that has matured nicely with this second album. I saw thw band perform a few years back when they were being strongly hyped but I was disappointed in the first record, although live songs did come alive. BELONG is a cracking record starting with the rambling opening and title track. The multi-layered vocals are magical; the low hum of guitar and drums floating underneath are dark and threatening; with a strong melody underpinning a superb introduction. The band’s sonic signature is kind of muted while voices reflect youth and a high degree of innocence. Lyrically, this is top drawer and clever with it: “She’s the heart in your heartbreak, she’s the miss in your mistake…”  Just occasionally the sound become sharper and louder such as in ‘The Body’ and ‘My Terrible Friend’ which are more overtly rock. Strongly recommended.

4/5