UB40 – Who You Fighting For

UB40 are more well known for their banal cover versions and diluted radio friendly reggae-pop than their very good first few albums in the early 1980’s. For years now, UB40 have been walking in treacle. Once quite edgy and intelligent songs (my way of thinking/one in ten/if it happens again to name three) have been replaced by the kind of respectable mid-tempo dirge that even Simply Red would reject. Sure, sometimes they’ve managed to claw their way back and produce something at least hinting at early promise (such as the over-looked UB40 album which had its moments). The songs here are mostly fairly well crafted but it just sounds middle-aged and safe. They have at least found a bit of passion in the lyrics but musically, it’s sterile and dull and well..just plain bland. Is this really the same band who wrote tunes like “One In Ten” and “Madam Madusa”?     4/10

Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret 

It could be argued that the album celebrates decadence in a way that champions the type of oneupmanship we see on the gay scene – of drugs, dancing and mindless lonely sexual encounters. That may be so but Almond is so sick of suburbia and normality that he is begging for fun and new beginnings. But Almond soon finds out that it’s not what it’s cracked up to be. Take “Bedsitter” for instance – one of synth pop’s finest moments – it’s the hangover after the party, the crabs after the crap one nighter, the black eye you don’t remember getting..it cries with despair, pain and loneliness. The realisation has hit home that here is one big false dream. A lack of friends (“No one knows i’m here for sure”), comfort eating (“think it’s time to cook a meal..fill the emptiness I feel”) and the painful confession that Saturday night is one over rated sea of nothingness (“start the night life over again and kid myself i’m having fun”). Rarely has a song so catchy and poppy been hiding such a lonely existence. Back then and Soft Cell sound like a mini revolution, destined to talk about the things your neighbours would rather not acknowledge. Musically, they sound innovative, daring, exciting and most of all they make electronic music sound a bit threatening and edgy at a time when nobody else dared do this. For all the battles within the music industry he stood against – and won – and the battles he encountered in his life offstage – and won – Almond deserves his place right up there as a pop giant. A timeless celebration of daring to be different in a era of clones and where gay sexuality was largely frowned upon in the industry. And “non Stop Erotic Cabaret” is a pop album that breaks free in every sense of the word.  9/10

The Pet Shop Boys – Behaviour

Prior to “behaviour”, I think there was a perception of the pet shop boys as being a bit too clever by far. What this album does is stop the knowing nods to irony in its tracks and slow the pace down to a level where Niel Tennant can start to shine a bit more. I hate the word “mature” as it will probably conjure up images of George Michael (“older” period) or Phil Collins at his most pompous, but there is a real sense of adult themes about loss, relationships and life in general. It’s as if Neil Tennant is putting away his super coolness for a while, and revealing the pages of his diary and as a result, they’ve never sounded so autobiographical, so warm and intimate and so smooth.Musically, Chris Lowe settles for the sublime and is quite happy for the anologue synths to bobble along nicely as Tennant reveals what’s on his mind. Fans expecting or hoping for a camp over the top disco pop album will be surely dissapointed. But for those who like their synth pop a bit more reflective and intelligent (and indeed understated), then “Behaviour” is an out and out winner from start to finish. “Being Boring” is the epic opening track that surely must rank as their best ever. A sad, warm, reflective and beautiful song – musically outstanding and where Tennant’s whispered vocals truly stand out as he looks back on friendships and the sad impact of AIDS on his life – “Some are here and some are missing..in the 1990’s”. This track has the power to stand the test of time and still sounds as fresh and vibrant today as it ever was and of course, they can’t help but shatter the public’s perception of them into the bargain: “We were never being boring cos we were never being bored”. Musically, vocally and lyrically, the pet shop boys here are at their artistic peak. In fact “Behaviour” probably sets the ultimate standard in how to tackle a mature pop record and stay interesting and relevant. Above all else, it is a timely reminder that for a band whose entire career has been based around various images that substance always beats style.  10/10

Client – City

Electro-pop always could always deliver pure raw emotions that defy their machine origins. sweeping synth sounds and primitive drum machines lead themselves well to a vocal like Sarah Blackwood – a singer who silently spits her anger with restrained frustration and deadpans her way out of the speakers and straight into your heart.”City” breathes new life into the genre and this is in no small way due to a sound that recalls the best moments of Numan, Depeche Mode, Human league and at times, the icy chill of Kraftwerk. Client work with minimilist electro sounds and add layers of strong melodies and ear pleasing vocals. Carl from the Libertines pops up to add edge to “Pornography” which is a fine rock out moment and Pete Doherty adds his vocals to the impressive “Down To The Underground”. There’s also moments of sparkling pure-pop like the abba pop that lights up “Don’t Call Me Baby”. Shameless greed is the topic of the anthemic sounding “In It For The Money” complete with chorus “just give me love, just give me sex, just give me money.” “City” offers that rare winning formula of style and substance and has a slowly infectious charm that will leave you coming back for more. After the huge critical and commercial success of debut Dubstar album “Disgraceful”, many wandered if Blackwood would vanish to the sky of forgotten pop stars. She sounds far from washed up here. With a mature and interesting lyrical take on relationships and fame, Blackwood deserves a bit more than fifteen minutes. It never quites reaches dizzy heights but it’s an entertaining album.. 7/10

Hal – Hal

Irish quartet Hal do sound and look like they are trapped in a timewarp with their blend of melodic summery 60’s guitar pop and richer Beach Boy-esque dreamier numbers where singer Dave Allen never shies away from thse high notes. This is an album that is about as inoffensive as you can get and is destined to be loved forever by Radio two. But don’t let that put you off. If you like great tunes, then Hal rarely dissapoint.Tracks such as the sunshine Beautiful South type anthem pop “What A Lovely Dance” and the quite brilliantly joyous “Play The Hits” show that Hal waste no time in their persuit of the heights of great melodies that will hit the heart and head. “worry about the wind” and “keep Love as your golden rule” are further examples of quality tunes that will be enjoyed by all long after the summer is over. It doesn’t all work. The pace occasionally drops to leathargic levels – such as on the snail paced non-starter “Slow Down (You’ve Got A Friend). Likewise, some of the lyrical cheer-ups are a bit cliched and worn. 7.5/10