Fenech-Soler - Fenech-Soler

Rating: 4/5 I like this, I actually Like this


Fenech-Soler – Fenech-Soler


I had this album saved within my Spotify account, not hidden, just sitting there, virtually gathering dust. I vaguely remember listening to this quite some time ago, and must have just chucked it in a folder thinking I'd listen again soon, but I didn't, and I'm angry, well not really.

I'm going to take a wild guess that I am not in the majority liking this one, but that's the beauty of music, it splits opinion, and there is not one single band or artist that everyone will agree on, some people even like "The Rakes".

From the first track "Battlefields" I was drawn in, then "Lies", very catchy and had me taking notice, it's usually at this point I get excited, expectation grows and a wave of anger floods over me as I am yet again disappointed by the rest of the album, not this time though, it's genuinely a good album. I mention the first two tracks above, that is not to say the rest of the tracks are not of a similar good standard, "Demons". In terms of genre there is plenty of artists and making similar noise, but this just works for me, even with lead vocals not being fantastic, I would not have been disappointed if this would have been Bloc Party's follow up album.

Most definitely one of the better albums I've listened to recently, so much so, I have listened to it 3 times in 12 hours today. I have not looked into how old this album is, whether or not any were released as singles, so I could be stating the obvious now, but that is what comes from being in a musical bubble, and not listening to Radio stations.

Just listen to it.

The Rifles - Freedom Run

Rating: 3.5/5 Let this grow on you

The Rifles – Freedom Run

I will first admit that 'No Love Lost' was one of my favourite albums for a fair old while, "Peace & Quiet's" a particular song that was close to my heart,  I was not so keen on The Great Escape, and to be honest, thought that would be the last we would hear of them.

I was wrong, they're back, or are they, is it actually them?Yes, it is, and it is a very different sound for them, but different is not always bad. In fact, it's pretty good, definitely a grower, I know this first hand, as it has taken me so long to get around to writing this, I've listened three or four times.

A plus for me is the fact I cannot pick out particular tracks as 'top tunes' it's just  a decent album. I should however note that the album can be at times a little Kasabianesque, considering I like most of their material, that isn't a problem for me. The downside is, it's "nice", and "fun", and lacks the energy I am used to from these guys.

In summary, Freedom Run will get quite a few more listens, and will probably get some space as one of my offline Albums.

Japanese Voyeurs - Yolk

Rating: 1.5/5 A sympathy half mark for not making it to the end

Spotify: Japanese Voyeurs – Yolk

Again, no idea how this ended up on my play list, more than likely a Pitchify link. They're a British Alternative Metal Band.

The first track alone could put you off the album, but I soldiered on, Dumb was just as bad, yet I continued, and to be fair to them, it does improve a little. 'Cry Baby' & 'Feed' are noticeable improvements on the opening 'infernal dins' (the words my grandad uses to describe the music anyone under 50 listens to). However, after that, it pretty much descends back into noise, which is what Alternative metal is.

I won't waste anymore time on this, It's getting deleted straight after I've published this.

Villagers - Becoming A Jackal

Rating: 2.5/5 A Decent Chorus or two, That's it.

Villagers – Becoming A Jackal (2010)

I have no idea has this album ended up on my playlist, I'm guessing I clicked related artists at some point after listening to a half decent album. Spotify's related artists is another blog all together.

Well, what a difficult album to listen to, if I wasn't driving I am quite sure I would have cut this one short. It's now 24 hours since I listened to it, and I still can't decide if I hate it or not. Majority of this album is pretty dull, and hardly inspiring lyrically.

Track 2, Becoming a Jackal has quite a catchy chorus, but the you can pretty much right off the rest of that track. Home is another strange one, catchy tune and chorus, but the rest of the track just does not match up, just odd.

I will delete this album, never to increase the play count on my last.fm. If anybody likes this, and it turned out to be a grower, please let me know, unlikely though.

Kasabian - Velociraptor!

Rating: 3.75/5 Not their best work, but still worth a listen

Kasabian – Velociraptor!

I see these at Glastonbury in 2010, and I was slightly disappointed at their performance, maybe I was still on a downer from the news Cilla black had died, or Michael Jackson, or whoever it was, anyhow this album has slightly disappointed me too, but only because I really liked WRPLA

It is by no means their greatest work to date, but it is a one of the better albums I've heard over the past month or so. It is the norm, what you come to expect from Kasabian (not all of the tracks), good chorus, good beats & lyrics which are at times, cryptic to me.

This album may be one of those you don't admit to liking (because nobody else does), but probably do. I would put my neck on the line, and gently hint you should listen to this, but actually listen to it, it could work for you.

Note to self: Give this a few more goes.

Kids in Glass Houses - In Gold Blood

Rating: 2/5 Nothing grabbed me

Kids in Glass Houses - In Gold Blood

Listened to this whilst working from home, and I kept thinking "I've heard it before", then I realised, it sounds pretty much the same as anything else in its genre.

Maybe that isn't a bad thing, I mean, it's not awful, The Florist and The Animal aren't bad tracks I suppose. The album from start to finish doesn't offend too much, there's no real spark and absolutely nothing that makes you stop and actually give it your full attention.

Doubt I'll listen to this again.

Laura Marling - A Creature I Don't Know

Rating: 1.5/5 Not for me

Spotify: Laura Marling – A Creature I Don't Know

It is a bit harsh for me to rate this Album, as I've never really warmed to Laura Marling's material. This album didn't change my opinion on her music though.

She undoubtedly is talented, with a unique-ish voice, but I am not going to waste anymore time on this, I just don't like it, dull, depression inducing.. almost.

Slow Club - Paradise

Rating: 3/5 Good Start, but peters out in the middle

Slow Club – Paradise

Another Album I listened to whilst snowed under at work, but my ears pricked up for this one, which is surprising as I used to despise any lead female vocals, but since listening to Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Chew lips, Hundred in the hands, Alice Gold etc, my opinion has changed.

The first song 'Two Cousins' is catchy, which I hoped would set a trend for the rest of the album. Unfortunately my hopes were dashed, it slowly peters out, not quite as bad as Arsenal have petered out since February this year, but peters out all the same, probably loses its way from track 4 or 5.

On the plus side a few good tracks, Two Cousins, If we're still alive & the Dog worth a mention, the album is worth a listen, I'd say this is mood music. I will save this album under the folder "Give it another chance"

Note to self: Go on give it one more chance

Joshua Radin - The Rock and the Tide

Rating: 1/5 Irritating

Joshua Radin - The Rock and the Tide

This just isn't my kind of music, I could detail exactly what I don't like, but that would waste my time, which I could spend finding some new music.

I found the album very irritating, it regularly disturbed me from my work, and I found myself gritting my teeth through a few of the tracks.

In Summary, didn't like it.

Okkervil River - I Am Very Far

Rating: 3/5 Flows together well, epic at times, something missing though

Spotify: Okkervil River - I Am Very far

My review of this would have been very different, if I hadn't give it another chance during my flight to Las Vegas, which indicates, it could quite possibly be a grower.

I would have discarded this based on my first listen, which was whilst snowed under at work, so no time to really appreciate how well this is put together. Some epic choruses early on, and the album is stitched together well, found myself uninterested in the lyrics a lot of the time.

In summary, definitely worth a listen, twice!!

Note to self: Could be a grower.