Music Reviews

A variety of stuff reviewed

Archive for November 17, 2007

Kate Nash – Made of Bricks

kn  She can’t sing but neither could Billy Bragg or Shaun Ryder and we didn’t hold that against them. Besides, in a world that doesn’t even know Whitney singing “I will always love you” was a shocking cover version  devoid of any soul at all, Nash might be up against it. The comparisons with Lily Allen are easy to make – the vocal style, The My space stuff, The swearing (shock horror eh? Women swearing in pop songs) – but the actual sound is elsewhere. Some of the album sounds like half finished demos or scrapbook ideas and some of it starts to hit the mark in terms of making you want to hit the ‘repeat’ button. “Mariella” is one of the maddest pop songs I’ve heard all year but it’s compelling..There’s a mixture of vulnerability, irony, boyfriend bashing, boy ignores girl, clumsy tinkering and genius at work here. May be a bit too fragmented now but there’s evidence that she might just be sticking around a bit longer than some might have predicted. 7/10

Chris Dye

Chris Dye is a singer/song-writer worth checking out. With influences ranging from Nina Simone, Tori Amos and Antony & The Johnsons, Chris Dye has a real skill at telling stories in his songs. “I Will Be Your Child Tonight” tackles the sensitive subject of being a young gay man preyed on by older guys who manipulate and abuse teenagers fresh in coming out. I look forward to hearing more from this guy.

Minipop – A New Hope

minipop  Minipop are Tricia Kanne (vocals), Nick Forte (bass), Matthew Swanson (guitar/keyboards) and Lauren Grubb (drums). They are from San Diego and debut album “A New Hope” is just lovely. This is dreamy indie-ish pop with the sultry and sweet vocals of Tricia Kanne angelic and delightful. The album has a kind of Saint Etienne and The Cardigans vibe whilst sounding slightly other-worldly and original at the same time. “Like I Do” (featured in the youtube clip below) is one of the nicest pop tunes of 2007 and tracks like “Precious” sound like they’re being sung in heaven themselves. Gorgeous in places. 8/10