The little post of horrors

[YI]

Basically, IaceI and I have been talking, and I came to conclusion that I wanted somewhere to toss all the ratings I've given out in reviews. I've went back over all my old reviews (Well the ones I can find), and modified the marks slightly (I had a habit of over rating albums on the first listen, though some have been tweaked up), so basically this thread will be where I post reviews and update my list and stuff. I'm basically doing this to keep things organised, though I do enjoy cramming my musical tastes down people's throats. As of now I've sorted out my Studio album ratings, besides the albums from 2006 that are in "THE LIST", and will be edited in soon. Now I will post a bulk of reviews every week, probably towards the end of the weekend or something. I'll try and vary my reviews somewhat, get some different albums (As I go tend to listen to "What I like"). So if anybody's got any suggestions, I'm open, and willing. This post will be updated as new CD's are reviewed and such. As of now I've just got studio albums sorted, but I will sort out extra lists for EP's, Live Albums, Live Bootlegs and other random things. I want to play with the layout a bit, as I hate it, but it'll do for a start.

STUDIO ALBUMS

NUMBER 1 - 97/100

"(Stars Of The Lid) And Their Refinement Of Decline" by Stars Of The Lid - Ambient-Drone - (2007)

"Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues" by Strung Out - Pop-Punk-Rock - (1996)

NUMBER 2 - 92/100

"Maybe I'll Catch Fire" by Alkaline Trio (UK version) - Punk-Rock - (2000)

"Blackhawks Over Los Angeles" by Strung Out - Punk-Rock - (2007)

NUMBER 3 - 89/100

"Rooney" by Rooney - Indie - (2003) : 89/100

NUMBER 4 - 88/100

"Make This Your Own" by The Cooper Temple Clause - Rock - (2007)

"Plans" by Death Cab For Cutie - Indie - (2005)

NUMBER 5 - 86/100

"We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank" by Modest Mouse - Indie - (2007)

"All Killer No Filler" by Sum 41 - Pop-Punk - (2001)

NUMBER 6 - 85/100

"Emergency On Planet Earth" by Jamiroquai - Acid Jazz - (1993)

NUMBER 7 - 84/100

"Strictly Rude" by Big D And The Kids Table - Ska - (2007)

"Discovery" by Daft Punk - Electro-Dance - (2001)

"Dumb Luck" by DnTel - Low-Fi Electro - (2007)

"Exile In Oblivion" by Strung Out - Punk-Rock - (2005)

NUMBER 8 - 83/100

"Memory Man" by Aqualung - Piano-Indie - (2007)

"Frengers" by Mew - Indie-Prog - (2003)

"City of Echoes" by Pelican - Instrumental/Post-Metal - (2007)

NUMBER 9 - 81/100

"12:34" by Authority Zero - Punk-Rock - (2007)

"Copia" by Eluvium - Ambience - (2007)

"North" by Something Corperate - Piano-Rock - (2003)

NUMBER 10 - 79/100

"Born In The UK" by Badly Drawn Boy - Pop-Piano-Rock - (2006) |#38 (2006)|

"This Town's Disaster" by Blackpool Lights - Indie-Emo - (2006) |#36 (2006)|

"Stadium Arcadium" by Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Alt-Rock - (2006) |#37 (2006)|

"The Sufferer & The Witness" by Rise Against - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#39 (2006)|

"4152" by Sundowner - Indie-Acoustic - (2007)

NUMBER 11 - 78/100

"The Life Pursuit" by Belle & Sebastian - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#40 (2006)|

"Patent Pending" by Heavens - Alternative - (2006) |#41 (2006)|

"Speak For Yourself" by Imogen Heap - Indie-Pop - (2005)

"Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?" by Of Montreal - Psychadelic-Indie - (2007)

"Razorlight" by Razorlight - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#42 (2006)|

"Louder Now" by Taking Back Sunday - Emo - (2006) |#43 (2006)|

NUMBER 12 - 77/100

"Civillian" by Boy Kill Boy - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#47 (2006)|

"Of Whales & Woe" by Les Claypool - Funk Metal - (2006) |#48 (2006)|

"When Your Heart Stops Beating" by Plus 44 - Rock - (2006) |#46 (2006)|

"Begin To Hope" by Regina Spektor - Indie-Pop - (2006) |#44 (2006)|

"Ta-Dah" by Scissor Sisters - Pop - (2006) |#45 (2006)|

NUMBER 13 - 76/100

"Armalite" by Armalite - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#50 (2006)|

"Organic" by Freak Kitchen - Prog/Hard Rock - (2005)

Story Like A Scar" by The New Amsterdams - Folk-Indie-'Acoustic' - (2006) |#49 (2006)|

"Dead FM" by Strike Anywhere - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#51 (2006)|

NUMBER 14 - 75/100

"Chronicles Of A Bohemian Teenager" by Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - Acoustic-Indie - (2006) |#52 (2006)|

"Conqueror" by Jesu - Drone Doom - (2007)

"Putting Two And Two Together" by Scallywagon - Tech-Punk-Rock - (2002)

NUMBER 15 - 74/100

"The Bronx (II)" by The Bronx - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#54 (2006)|

"Reignition" by Down By Fire - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#53 (2006)|

"The Reminder" by Feist - Indie-Pop - (2007)

"Another Day In Paradise" by Strung Out - Punk-Rock - (1994)

NUMBER 16 - 72/100

14. "All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone" by Explosions In The Sky - Instrumental/Post-Rock - (2007)

"Discovering The Waterfront" by Silverstein - Emo - (2005)

NUMBER 17 - 71/100

"Veneer" by José Gonzalez - Acoustic - (2003/2005)

"Futuresex/Lovesounds" by Justin Timberlake - R&B - (2006) |#55 (2006)|

"Canyoneer" by No Trigger - Punk-Rock - (2006)|#57 (2006)|

"Stand Still, Look Pretty" by The Wreckers - Country-Pop - (2006) |#56 (2006)|

NUMBER 18 - 70/100

"Once Again" by John Legend - Pop-R&B - (2006) |#59 (2006)|

"Eyes Open" by Snow Patrol - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#58 (2006)|

NUMBER 19 - 69/100

"Silent Shout" by The Knife - Electro - (2006) |#61 (2006)|

"...And The Glass Handed Kites" by Mew - Indie-Prog - (2005)

"The Red Tree" by Moneen - Emo - (2006) |#60 (2006)|

"Death To Tyrants" by Sick Of It All - Hardcore-Punk - (2006) |#62 (2006)|

NUMBER 20 - 68/100

"Fiction" by Dark Tranquility - Melodic Death Metal - (2007)

"Meds" by Placebo - Alt-Rock - (2006) |#64 (2006)|

"Sound Of The Republic" by Raised Fist - Hardcore - (2006) |#66 (2006)|

"Grace" by Simon Webbe - Pop - (2006) |#65 (2006)|

"Spock's Beard" by Spock's Beard - Prog-Rock - (2006) |#63 (2006)|

NUMBER 21 - 67/100

"Remains" by Alkaline Trio (Compilation) - Punk-Rock - (2007)

"Be Your Own Pet" by Be Your Own Pet - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#72 (2006)|

"The Always Open Mouth" by Fear Before The March Of Flames - Post Hardcore/Math Rock - (2006) |#68 (2006)|

"I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child" by The Manchester Orchestra - Indie-Emo - (2006) |#67 (2006)|

"Amputechture" by The Mars Volta - Prog-Rock - (2006) |#69 (2006)|

"Get Lonely" by The Mountain Goats - Acoustic-Indie - (2006) |#71 (2006)|

"Dying To Say This To You" by The Sounds - Indie-Electro - (2006) |#70 (2006)|

NUMBER 22 - 66/100

"Taking The Long Way" by The Dixie Chicks - Country-Pop - (2006) |#73 (2006)|

"Songs The Animals Taught Us" by Roommate - Indie/Electro - (2006) |#75 (2006)|

"Return To Cookie Mountain" by TV On The Radio - Prog-Rock - (2006) |#76 (2006)|

"With Love & Squalor" by We Are Scientists - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#74 (2006)|

NUMBER 23 - 65/100

"We Don't Need To Whisper" by Angels & Airwaves - Emo/Rock - (2006) |#78 (2006)|

"Everything All The Time" by Band Of Horses - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#77 (2006)|

"Apocalypse In Increments" by Ryan's Hope - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#80 (2006)|

"Hello Everything" by Squarepusher - IDM - (2006) |#79 (2006)|

NUMBER 24 - 64/100

"From Under The Cork Tree" by Fall Out Boy - Emo-Rock - (2005)

"Under The Iron Sea" by Keane - Piano-Rock - (2006) |#82 (2006)|

"Virulence" by Only Crime - Hardcore Punk-Rock - (2007)

"A City By The Light Divided" by Thursday - Emo/Post Hardcore - (2006) |#81 (2006)|

NUMBER 25 - 63/100

"Pocket Symphony" by Air - Indie-Electro - (2007)

"Western Dream" by Bob Sinclair - Dance - (2006) |#84 (2006)|

"As Daylight Dies" by Killswitch Engage - Alt-Metal - (2006) |#86 (2006)|

"Mr Beast" by Mogwai - Intrumental/Prog - (2006) |#85 (2006)|

"This Is Satire" by None More Black - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#83 (2006)|

"The T4 Project: A Story Based Concept Album" by The T4 Project - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#87 (2006)|

NUMBER 26 - 62/100

"Three Cheers For Dissapointment" by Arrogant Sons Of Bitches - Ska-Punk - (2006) |#91 (2006)|

"Murder Party" by BeerBong - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#89 (2006)|

"Crime Slunk Scene" by Buckethead - Instrumental/Prog-Rock - (2006) |#93 (2006)|

"Letoya" by Letoya - R&B - (2006) |#90 (2006)|

"Liberation Transmission" by Lost Prophets - Alt-Rock - (2006) |#92 (2006)|

"Threes" by Sparta - Indie-Prog/Post Hardcore - (2006) |#88 (2006)|

NUMBER 27 - 61/100

"Rest Inside The Flames" by 36 Crazyfists - Alt-Rock - (2006) |#94 (2006)|

NUMBER 28 - 60/100

"The Gold Record" by The Bouncing Souls - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#95 (2006)|

"Everytime We Touch" by Cascada - Dance - (2006) |#97 (2006)|

"Costello Music" by The Fratellis - Indie-Rock - (2006) |#96 (2006)|

"Oh! Calcutta!" by The Lawrence Arms - Punk-Rock - (2006) |#98 (2006)|

"Pennybridge Pioneers" by Millencolin - Punk-Rock - (2000)

NUMBER 29 - 59/100

"Cassie" by Cassie - R&B - (2006) |#99 (2006)|

"ZOMBIES! ALIENS! VAMPIRES! DINOSAURS!" by Hellogoodbye - Electro/Indie/Emo/Pop - (2006) |#100 (2006)|

NUMBER 30 - 58/100

"The Crusade" by Trivium - Metal - (2006)

NUMBER 31 - 57/100

"Young Machetes" by The Blood Brothers - Hardcore - (2006)

NUMBER 32 - 48/100

"Supersunnyspeedgraphic" by Ben Folds (Compilation) - Piano Rock - (2006)

NUMBER 33 - 47/100

"Ezinean" by Ezinean - (Spanish) Punk-Rock - (2006)

NUMBER 34 - 45/100

"Keep Your Head Above Water" by A Kiss For Jersey - Emo - (2006)

"Coming Home" by New Found Glory - Emo-Punk-Pop - (2006)

NUMBER 35 - 36/100

"Sam's Town" by The Killers - Indie-Rock - (2006)

NUMBER 36 - 32/100

"The Open Door" by Evanescence - Alt-Rock - (2006)

NUMBER 37 - 24/100

"In The Trenches" by Static Thought - Punk-Rock - (2007)

NUMBER 38 - 8/100

"Yours Truly, Angry Mob" by The Kaiser Chiefs

NUMBER 39 - 0/100

"We Bring The Noise" by Scooter - Shite - (2001)

Edited June 18, 2007 by YI

[Guest mAXi]

Rate some Rnb to keep me caring a little bit.

[apsham]

He's obviously catering to you.

[YI]

He's obviously catering to you.

Edited March 22, 2007 by YI

[Guest mAXi]

He's obviously catering to you.

[YI]

John Legend HAS been 'reviewed' in my top 100 thread...so I wont do it again here...the only difference would be that I'd toss a grading on (It will be added to the list soon enough). Gnarls Barkley is still to come in the list also.

I'll review Daft Punk and A Tribe Called Quest in my next lot, purely as they're albums I have at my immediate disposal.

[ROC]

Clearly you should have all the super well known Pink Floyd albums reviewed. Mainly because I want to scream and yell at you when The Wall inevitably gets given a "less than satisfactory" grade. >_>

[YI]

Clearly you should have all the super well known Pink Floyd albums reviewed. Mainly because I want to scream and yell at you when The Wall inevitably gets given a "less than satisfactory" grade. >_>

Edited March 22, 2007 by YI

[Number of the Breast]

"The Crusade" by Trivium - Metal - (2006) : 58/100

[YI]

I'm pretty bored, so I'm stealing something from Nerf, and posting my favourite 10 songs of the moment (I stole the layout too );

NUMBER 10:

Name - All Our Vice

Artist - The New Amsterdams

Album - Worse For The Wear (2003)

Genre - Indie-Pop

This is the first of two appearences for Matt Pryor on this list. He's a versatile vocalist, and really makes the transition from the harsh, early Get Up Kids, to the softer, folky, more acoustic, New Amsterdams perfectly. This song is incredibly simple when you think about it. It's basically soft chords in the background, bass, (later) strings and the drums heavily in the foreground, giving it a really interesting texture. But again the drum beat's simple, and is the same throughout. So it's the vocals that make the track. It's just incredibly sweet. Pryor's voice is incredibly strong, and you will find yourself, without warning, singing along to the infectuous chorus of; "Here's to all our vice, our secret double life. I'll sleep with one eye open, maybe you'll save my life." You just cannot help yourself. Well, I can't anyway. This is proof simple songs can be great too.

NUMBER 9:

Name - I Still Remember

Artist - Bloc Party

Album - A Weekend In The City (2007)

Genre - Indie-Rock

I'm a fan of Bloc Party, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Whilst they milked their debut album totally dry of singles (Whilst it was REALLY good, one of the best albums as a whole, to come out of the 'new' indie-rock 'revolution'). This is the second single off the first album, and personally I think they missed the boat on it. This would have been the perfect lead-in single for the new album. It really has the vibe of both albums about it, leaning for towards their debut material, which will help get people more interested, as I heard a fair number of BP fans unhappy about "The Prayer" (Though I personally love it). This is possibly the catchiest track on the new CD ("Hunting For Witches" aside), and whilst it doesn't live up to the debut, it's a solid album, with the band certainly overcoming the 'difficult second release'.

NUMBER 8:

Name - Saturday Sailing

Artist - James Morrison

Album - Postcards From Downunder (1989)

Genre - Jazz

SWERVE!!! Oh, yes, not the long haired, acoustic guitar playing, English man. The fatty, trumpet playing, Australian man. After an MSN convo with Small Blue where he sent me a James Morrison song (English guy ) winamp ran on, ultimately leading to jazz-man James Morrison making his presence felt. My dad was heavily into jazz and stuff, and so was my brother. So naturally I picked up stuff here and there. Mostly stuff like; Dizzee Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis etc...I don't think either of them ever delved too far into it. Well anyway. This track caught my attention first and foremost as it starts suspiciously like "Birdland" (Weather Report BITCHES!!) played on a 'porno-guitar'. But it unravels and is basically a sweet trumpet melody, a piano solo comes in later. It's nothing special. Especially with all the whacked out Jazz Fusion stuff you can come across. But it's a really nice tune, perfect for relaxing too.

NUMBER 7:

Name - Radio Ballet

Artist - Eluvium

Album - Copia (2007)

Genre - Piano (FUCK KNOWS...the rest of the album is electronic-ambience...but this is...PIANO!!)

This is very much like the last track on the list. It's submerged in an album of electronic ambience, interspurced with moments of classical instrumentation, and then out of nowhere, you just have this beautiful little piano based track. The entire track is made up of a piano melody repeated various times. Nothing overtly flash, just simple, much like the rest of the album, but this melody just comes across as so incredibly epic, especially in comparison to the ambient style of the tracks surrounding it. It's hardly a 'small riff' though. The melody itself is a 55 seconds, so it never overstays its welcome, and a few curveballs are thrown in as the song progresses. Though it is basically the same thing repeated a few times. Still, incredibly good, incredibly sweet. I'm trying to learn it. It's proving to be really rather difficult. Grrrrrr......

NUMBER 6:

Name - Iris

Artist - The Goo Goo Dolls

Album - Dizzy Up The Girl (1998)

Genre - Rock

Selling out. Well, yeah, probably...well, yeah. But if this is what you can produce by selling me out, then sign me up, no doubt about it. This is probably the best song The Goo Goo Dolls have produced, IMO, and is hands down one of the greatest rock ballads I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. It's epic, it's got a slightly weird, but beautiful intro, a very melencholy voice (WHICH IS A MUST IN A ROCK BALLAD!!!)...shits on Bryan Adams. It's your typical rock ballad kind of stuff, slightly cringe worthy lyrics in places, and it's possible to guess whole lyrics abou 3 lines in advance...if it rhymes, it will be there. Still it's catchy, it's beautiful, it has strings...what else can you ask for in a ballad?

NUMBER 5:

Name - Set You Free

Artist - N-Trance

Album - Electronic Pleasure (1995)

Genre - House/Techno

One of the best, epic dance tunes to the best of my memory. Of course, it's slightly cheesy, and features a bleach blonde haired bimbo on vocals (Kelly Llorenna for those who care/don't know...yeah her who sung that song about making her body rock, or whatever, a couple of years back ). Underneath your techno drums, synth and bass, you've got some piano arpeggios, and then the big "ONLY LOVE CAN SET YOU FREE!!!" They don't make dance tunes like they used to. See, this is slightly cheesy, but it's far more complex, and has a lot more to it than the awful cheese that generally finds its way to the top of the charts these days (No bad words about Bob Sinclair though. ), definately one of the dance classics. And even if you don't 'know it', you WILL, 'know it'...if you get what I'm saying?

NUMBER 4:

Name - Saturday Superhouse

Artist - Biffy Clyro

Album - Puzzle (2007)

Genre - Indie-Rock

I first heard this song last week in the pub, and only recently tracked down what it actually was. The first time I heard it I was just so caught up in how amazingly beautiful the chorus was. Whilst the chord progression and some of the vocal melody did really remind of "The Praise Chorus" by Jimmy Eat World, but that's not too bad, as that also is a great song. Yeah, I always quite liked Biffy Clyro, but this song very well has the potential to be one of the best indie releases of the year, and a modern classic for years to come. The only problem I see coming with it is that it is possibly 'too catchy', which could see it getting overplayed. But until that day, I will keep on enjoying it. Here's to hoping for more great things from the Scottish boys.

NUMBER 3:

Name - Stay Gold, Ponyboy

Artist - The Get Up Kids

Album - Four Minute Mile (1997)

Genre - Emo-Punk

"4 Minute Mile" is unfortunately an album that seems to be affected by possibly having THE WORST production of any album I have ever heard, however that just further adds to the charm of the release. Here, nothing sounds to be in proportion, or to sound 'right'. The instrumentation literally drowns out the vocals a fair bit of the time, but Pryor's vocals sound enchanting though. When he screams over the chorus, this song is basically borderline perfect, even with the poor production. There's just so much going on in the song, so many changes, changes in style, in sound, it's just, top notch stuff. The Get Up Kids are one of those bands that are just great at what they do. When they were an emo-punk band they were amazing, just as when they became a glossy piano-rock band for "Guilt Show", they were amazing as well.

NUMBER 2:

Name - Sir Duke

Artist - Stevie Wonder

Album - Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)

Genre - Pop-Jazz

For many, mention Stevie Wonder and "Superstition" will be the first song that pops in their mind, and will hold that in regard as his 'greatest' track. However, for me, both of those are sumemd up by "Sir Duke". The first time I ever heard this song I fell in love instantaniously. Just a great melody, great lyrics, great instrumentation...I just...I just can't really describe how amazing I think this song is. It just wraps up everything that Stevie Wonder represents to me. Just such an amazing, catchy, song. I use amazing and catchy far too often.

NUMBER 1:

Name - Misery's Crown

Artist - Dark Tranquility

Album - Fiction (2007)

Genre - Melodic Death Metal

I have this thing. I like 'loud', but melodic metal bands. I'm not really into metal in a big way, but bands that can mix in some amazing melodies, with a generally 'harshness', usually grab my attention (eg. In Flames, Nevermore, Opeth, Into Eternity etc.). To me, this song is very much like "Only For The Weak" by In Flames, in terms of style and structure goes (It's faster though ). It's basically built upon a big synth/whatever riff, which is the intro to the song, and then doubles up as the 'focal' point of the chorus. You've got your slow building verse, with clean vocals (I really enjoy the clean vocals on this DT release, really interesting), before the riff kicks back in and we have an epic chorus, with growls and screams.

[ROC]

Does it make me a homophobe if I don't like "I Still Remember" because Kele Okereke said it was about two "ambiguous guys"? >_>

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Air! Daft Punk! Jamiroquai! Massive Attack! Now you're talking!

[YI]

Okay. updated the massive review pile with a slightly modified layout, editing in the 2006 stuff reviewed in that thread thus far.

Okay, I will post a mega-lot of about 20 'reviews' (basically a glorified paragraph, don't get too carried away...basically what I do in the CD thread/top 100 thread) or so about mid-week next week. Albums I will review will be;

"Strictly Rude" by Big D & The Kids Table - Ska-Punk - (2007)

"Veneer" by Jose Gonzalez - Acoustic - (2003/2005)

"Emergency On Planet Earth" by Jamiroquai - Acid Jazz - (1993)

"Fiction" by Dark Tranquility - Melodic Death Metal - (2007)

"Risk Revival" by Hot Cross - Screamo/Hardcore - (2007)

"Ben Folds Five" by Ben Folds Five - Piano-Rock - (1995)

"Make This Your Own" by Cooper Temple Clause - Alt-Rock - (2007)

"Copia" by Eluvium - Electronic-Ambient-Post Rock - (2007)

"Discovery" by Daft Punk - Electronic-Dance - (2001)

"Midnight Marauders" by A Tribe Called Quest - Hip-Hop - (1993)

"Pocket Symphony" by Air - Electronica - (2007)

"12:34" by Authority Zero - Punk-Rock - (2007) (LETS MAKE SOME MUSIC ACE )

"Yours Truly The Angry Mob" by The Kaiser Chiefs - Indie-Rock - (2007)

"Sleep Is For The Week" by Frank Turner - Acoustic - (2007)

"Allophone" by The Addison Groove Project - Funk/Jazz - (2002)

Edited March 23, 2007 by YI

[Farmer Reil]

Review Edguy's Rocket Ride album. Just to please me

[Guest mAXi]

I have a hard on for Once Again and would probably give it something like 95/100 with the only thing stopping it from being perfect being "Slow Dance" (i just find certain things annoying about it) but i am not suprised to see you give it 70/100. Meh, i just appreciate the fact you give it a relatively good score and you.. bought it. EWB is hardly the place to be looking for people with similair taste as me, however Hamster clearly shows promise

Edited March 24, 2007 by mAXi

[ROC]

I am bumping this topic if only to force YI to review the same albums I am reviewing like Amy Winehouse, Menomena, and next Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.

Edited March 28, 2007 by ROC

[YI]

I'll try and get Winehouse in this block of reviews (Look for them at the weekend). Basically the plan is to post a bunch of album reviews every weekend, but also post my top 10 tracks of the week sometime midweek...which brings us to (The list makes me feel especially dirty this week );

NUMBER 10:

Name - Radio Ballet (DOWN 3)

Artist - Eluvium

Album - Copia (2007)

Genre - Piano - (Album - Classical/electronic ambience)

As I said last time, a beautiful piece of piano melody making up the entire track. Despite this, it never gets old, and really stands out as something beautiful on this album. Something I could listen to non-stop on repeat. Breathtakingly beautiful.

NUMBER 9:

Name - Set You Free (DOWN 4)

Artist - N-Trance

Album - Electronic Pleasure (1995)

Genre - House/Techno

Much like last time. It's a dance classic. And it's still finding its way onto my winamp playlist (Though I don't have a playlist...I just click play on whatever). Though I can't help and think that Kerry Llorenna should just fuck off and die these days.

NUMBER 8:

Name - All The Things She Said (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - T.A.T.U

Album - 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane (2002)

Genre - Pop

Oh yeah, you thought this had gone forever. Oh no. I'm reviving it. Nothing overtly special. But it's a really catchy pop song. And because of that, it's somehow managed to creep its way into this weeks chart.

NUMBER 7:

Name - Don't You Know Who I Think I Am? (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Fall Out Boy

Album - Infinity On High (2007)

Genre - Pop-Rock

The new Fall Out Boy album was very hit and miss. Especially in comparison to "From Under The Cork Tree", which I also thought was fairly hit and miss. But this, whilst not being the 'best' track on the album, it does have the FUTCT vibe to it. More straight up rock than the rest of the new album, with the big, poppy choruses that I associate with FUTCT.

NUMBER 6:

Name - Saturday Superhouse (DOWN 2)

Artist - Biffy Clyro

Album - Puzzle (2007)

Genre - Indie-Rock

Built around a really good chorus, I feel as though this is a song that could potentially go down as a modern rock classic. I'm really surprised that I don't hear it more. Definately a song I feel could have a universal mainstream appeal.

NUMBER 5:

Name - Snakebite (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Big D And The Kids Table

Album - Strictly Rude (2007)

Genre - Ska

We're in a time where ska bands are generally pop-punk bands, or at the opposite end of the spectrum are borderline hardcore. However Big D And The Kids Table, whilst be incredibly catchy, it has a darkness, an air-y feel to them, which I can associate very much with the likes of The Specials. This song's a prime example of this. Top notch stuff.

NUMBER 4:

Name - Pins & Needles (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Billy Talent

Album - Billy Talent II (2006)

Genre - Emo-Rock

When I first listened to this album, I basically found myself skipping past this song, it did nothing for me. However over the past week I decided to listen to the album all the way through, and found myself literally repeating this track time and time again. Not their fanciest work, but it's certainly effective.

NUMBER 3:

Name - Sir Duke (DOWN 1)

Artist - Stevie Wonder

Album - Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)

Genre - Pop-Jazz

Like I said last time, to me this song is just Stevie Wonder at his best. I probably wouldn't be surprised if this song remained on this list every time I do it, purely because it is possibly one of my favourite songs of all time, and one that only gets better on each listen.

NUMBER 2:

Name - A Rook House For Bobby (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - iLiKETRAiNS

Album - Progress - Reform EP (2006)

Genre - Prog-Rock

Despite having an incredibly pretentious name, I've hyped iLiKETRAiNS for a LONG time...well, just over a year or so. After reading they have a new single out soon, I went back over the mini-album/EP, and loved it. It is a little same-y in places, but the atmosphere surrounding the tracks is amazing. Also, "All I ever wanted to do, is play chess with you", may be my favourite lyric in any song ever.

NUMBER 1:

Name - Misery's Crown ( - )

Artist - Dark Tranquility

Album - Fiction (2007)

Genre - Melodic Death Metal

Clean vocals, the dark growls, an incredibly catchy riff, this has everything it needs to, to be a classic song. And once again it sits at the top of my chart for the week. I still think it's a little too much like "Only For The Weak", structure wise, but still, it's still amazing in its own right.

Edited March 29, 2007 by YI

[YI]

Okay, most of the reviews are done, I'm going to get as many finished as possible by the weekend and post them. I'll be updating "THE LIST" in the next couple of days as well. Everything's just hectic at the minute. "THE LIST" has also went to shit, after I 'discovered' another band, and their 2006 album is top notch stuff.

Here's my Top 10 for the week;

NUMBER 10:

Name - Radio Ballet ( - )

Artist - Eluvium

Album - Copia (2007)

Genre - Piano - (Album - Classical/electronic ambience)

No change for this beautiful piano based track. I can't really say much more about it, whch I haven't mentioned the past two weeks, but no matter how many times you've heard it, it still keeps sucking you in. Surrounded by the ambience of ther est of the album, really does give it a grande feel.

NUMBER 9:

Name - Saturday Superhouse (DOWN 3)

Artist - Biffy Clyro

Album - Puzzle (2007)

Genre - Indie-Rock

Built around a really good chorus, I feel as though this is a song that could potentially go down as a modern rock classic. I'm really surprised that I don't hear it more. Definately a song I feel could have a universal mainstream appeal.

NUMBER 8:

Name - Education (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Modest Mouse

Album - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank (2007)

Genre - Indie-Rock

The album as a whole is amazing stuff, going for the more upbeat feeling. The song is centred around a pulsating, rather funky, bass line. The vocal work on this track, and the album as a whole, is simply phenomenal. This album really give "The Moon & Antarctica" a run for its money. And this is a stand out track for me.

NUMBER 7:

Name - Burn (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Lagwagon

Album - Blaze (2003)

Genre - Punk-Rock

Joey Cape is lke the holy trinity. And somehow has managed to find himself on the 'chart' this week in all three incarnation. First came Lagwagon. "Lagwagon" must be the God of the situations. Some of the traits of the other incarnations are here. He mixes a lot into the regular of the punk-rock formula. Slow parts, quiet parts, the song has so much. It even has a 3 second guitar 'solo'. Absolutely quality song. Perfect way to kick off a CD.

NUMBER 6:

Name - A Rook House For Bobby (DOWN 4)

Artist - iLiKETRAiNS

Album - Progress - Reform EP (2006)

Genre - Prog-Rock

Despite having an incredibly pretentious name, I've hyped iLiKETRAiNS for a LONG time...well, just over a year or so. After reading they have a new single out soon, I went back over the mini-album/EP, and loved it. It is a little same-y in places, but the atmosphere surrounding the tracks is amazing. Also, "All I ever wanted to do, is play chess with you", may be my favourite lyric in any song ever.

NUMBER 5:

Name - The Passenger (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Bad Astronaut

Album - Houston: We Have A Drinking Problem (2002)

Genre - Prog-Indie

The softer, acoustic based finale to the album, is beautiful and atmospheric, and is definately a stand out song from the release. This album alone shows the amazing versatility of Joey Cape and his band (You'll never hear music as good from people in Sugarcult and The Ataris, I assure you ), with so much going on, there's so many changes, it's just flat out beauty in music form. This is Cape in his form as Jesus. Why...I don't know. But it has to be, to fit with my ridiculous idea.

NUMBER 4:

Name - Misery's Crown (DOWN 3)

Artist - Dark Tranquility

Album - Fiction (2007)

Genre - Melodic Death Metal

Clean vocals, the dark growls, an incredibly catchy riff, this has everything it needs to, to be a classic song. And once again it sits at the top of my chart for the week. I still think it's a little too much like "Only For The Weak", structure wise, but still, it's still amazing in its own right.

NUMBER 3:

Name - Snakebite (UP 2)

Artist - Big D And The Kids Table

Album - Strictly Rude (2007)

Genre - Ska

We're in a time where ska bands are generally pop-punk bands, or at the opposite end of the spectrum are borderline hardcore. However Big D And The Kids Table, whilst be incredibly catchy, it has a darkness, an air-y feel to them, which I can associate very much with the likes of The Specials. This song's a prime example of this. Top notch stuff.

NUMBER 2:

Name - The Work (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - I Am Robot And Proud

Album - The Electricity In Your House Wants to Sing (2006)

Genre - Electronica

This quirky one man electro project has totally fucked up my best of 2006 list, by discovering this CD late last night. I've gave it a couple of spins, and have found myself repeating this track. It starts off with a very weird, but sweet vibe to it. But once the bass line kicks in, it's ridiculously catchy, and a tune that just wants to get you strutting about.

NUMBER 1:

Name - Canoe (NEW ENTRY)

Artist - Afterburner

Album - n/a (2007)

Genre - Electric-Acoustic

I heard this song for the first time earlier in the week and it simply blew me away, so much so I made an EWB topic about it. This is very much the Holy Spirit stage of Joey Cape. After the death of Jesus/Bad Astronaut, his followers were apprehensive not sure about what will happen next, then he produces this awesome acoustic styled project. The Holy Spirit appeared as fire above the heads of the disciples, and the project is called AfterBURNer...coincidence...yes.

Look for updates of all my shit soon. Happy ROC? (Y)

[YI]

ABOUT TIME I POSTED SOMETHING IN HERE

"Pocket Symphony" by Air

GENRE - Indie-Electro

YEAR - 2007

I've heard a fair amount of Air in the past, but never picked up an album. But I had high hopes for this album. The name seems somewhat deluding. Whilst Air, for me were also a perfect laid back, ambient kind of band, in that sense I guess this album for an Air album could be grandiose enough to be refered to as a symphony, but in the larger sense of music, putting the term 'Symphony' on this album seems a little weird. It's kind of disjointed, and not particuarly epic. However, there is some beautiful music here. The first stand out track is the single, "Once Upon A Time", which is driven by a repititive piano riff. Then you've got Jarvis Cocker guesting on vocals in the next song, which ruins the track for me. His voice just doice not suit what's going on around him. Basically, every song has something I really enjoy about it, but also something that seems to put me off. For what I see often refered to as simply an 'electro' band, these are incredible musicians, mixing in various oriental and uncommon instrumentation into their music. There's just something about them that leaves me wanting more. They're a lot more stylish to the newer bands out there, and I'll go on record as saying they're probably better musicians, but still, I just don't feel like the material they've produced can hold a candle to the sheer simplicity and beauty of say, Electric President. Air here seem to be suffering from the curse of indie-electro. By it's very nature, of sweet sounding songs (Not simple) it is 'easy' to write a good indie-electro album, but to really put yourself head and shoulders above other bands, and write a great or amazing album. That's INCREDIBLY difficult. A great mix of conventional instrumentation, some less common instruments and electronics mixed in. If you're a fan of this music or the band, I suggest you give it a listen. But otherwise it's not going to change your oppinion. The sweeter, quieter songs are generally where the band are at their best.

RATING - 63/100

BEST SONGS - "Left Bank", "Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping", "Photograph", "Once Upon A Time" and "Space Maker".

"12:34" by Authority Zero

GENRE - Punk-Rock

YEAR - 2007

Authority Zero are one of those bands that can constantly reinvent themselves, however keep the same principles at heart, and still be easily recognisable. They started life as a ska band, with heavy hardcore punk and reggae influences. But basically this album is generally a hardcore punk album with occasional reggae and ska influences, but it's also the best material the band has produced. They sound more cohesive, a lot less rough around the edges, and the melodies that are packed into this release are outstanding. The first four tracks on the album are straight up punk-rock, and really help give you a feel for the 'new' band. Then we catch a glimpse of the reggae influence of the band. With a slow, groovy song. Which somehow cuts into a Creed style, epic chorus. Which is totally not what you expect. That's what's great about this album. It sounds so familiar, it flows really well, but they keep throwing curveballs at you. From "Carpe Diem" onwards, the punk sounding tracks tend to get a lot more harsh. Reminding me very much of the early Rise Against. You've got a few more reggae styled tracks, and a punk version of "What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor". Just so much variation on here. One of the best punk-rock albums I've heard in a while. Big choruses galore. And a nice variation in musical styles.

RATING - 81/100

BEST SONGS - "Broken Dreams", "Carpe Diem", "No Regrets", "Wake Up call", "Sirens", "The Bravery" and "Courage".

"Strictly Rude" by Big D And The Kids Table

GENRE - Ska

YEAR - 2007

By its very nature, for the most part ska music isn't going to be full to the brim with meaningful, deep, lyrical whimsies, it is however music about having a good time. It's often been classed with 'silliness', and the pop-punk sound that seems to have cursed the genre to those who refuse to do any digging. There's only so far that sound could go. You've seen Less Than Jake pretty much ditch the horns, trying to reinvent themselves, still keeping the poppy'ness, and brashness. Big D and the gang, however have been carving a niche for themselves as a smooth, slick, party styled band. There's still your faster songs here, but they're just not the same as the uptempo songs of old, showing much more maturaty, but still brilliant party numbers. Most of the tracks here are much more mid-tempo numbers, pulling lots of influences from dub and a more traditional ska sound. I get a vibe similar to that of The Specials from many of the tracks on this album. This is partly due to the dark atmosphere that is laden throughout the songs. One of the things that causes Big D and The Kids Table to stand out in comparison to other ska acts, is the amazing horn section that they've assembled. There's often the feeling of, lets have some guitar chords, and toss some random trumpet melodies/riffs over the top. However here, everything is scored to perfection. Songs such as "Relocate The Beat" are put together so intricately, that there's so much happening in the instrumentation, so many different layers. There's times in ska that you just expect the horns to move in time with each other, basically just playing as a block to make chords, but here it's all different, and if you listen carefully, it's incredibly awesome. One downside is the vocals. Whilst I do like them, they are very 'ska', in that most of the of time it kind of just sounds like he's talking melodically. However I think they're a perfect fit for this kind of band. A great album. No filler. It just seems to miss a certain hook though to make it a bonafied classic.

RATING - 84/100

BEST SONGS - "Snakebite", "Relocate The Beat", "Raw Revolution", "Try Out Your Voice" and "The One".

"Make This Your Own" by Cooper Temple Clause

GENRE - Rock

YEAR - 2007

The response to this album has really surprised me. I've seen an awful lot of people blasting it and bashing it, due to its more mainstream sound. I admit, it put me off slightly at first, but then it struck me that it was the more mainstream sounding songs that were the best songs on here. There's anthematic choruses all over the place in this album. You've got your shout along chorus for "Damage", the melencholy and atmospheric "Head", the ridiculously catchy "Connect", the straight up rock & roll approach of "Waiting Game", "What Have You Gone and Done?", "Isn't It Strange", I could literally just keep going. Pretty much every song on here has its own unique feel and killer hooks to boot. The thing about CTC is the fact they're a multi-talented bunch. The main vocals on this album are handled by three different people, and all of them are top notch singing talents. You may think that this will make the album sound disjointed, but they all sound similar enough, but still different, to give it a real interesting vibe. You still have your regular CTC 'weirdness' going on as well. The very much post-rock track, "All I See Is You" is slick and stylistic, the closing "House Of Cards" is a haunting number, and a perfect close to a CD like this. CTC are basically the epitomy of variation. And it's sometimes hard to believe that these songs are all on the same album. As I've already said. I really don't understand why this album's getting so much flack. In fact, I rate this as their best overall release. I also find it funny that some people are blasting it for its mainstream sound, when the album in fact charted lower than their previous two releases. Granted they're no longer on a major label (I'm sure I read they started their own), but still, makes me chuckle. This album's so catchy. One of modern British rocks, recent classics. Very accessible for new fans, more so than the previous albums.

RATING - 88/100

BEST SONGS - "Connect", "What Have You Gone and Done?", "Isn't It Strange", "Head", "House Of Cards" and "Waiting Game".

"Discovery" by Daft Punk

GENRE - Electronica/Dance

YEAR - 2001

This is one of those albums that seems to be chock-full of classic tracks. The first 5 songs, are all massive, easily recognisable 'classics'. So you may think, looking through the tracklist that this is going to be a top heavy album. well, I guess, you're right. But the bottom half still has a lot to give. "One More Time", "Aerodynamic" (More on this later), "Digital Love", "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" and "Crescendolls" are certainly the tracks that will grab your attention. They're the songs that will get you dancing, the songs you're heard before. And there's a reason for that, as they're probably the best on here. And give for one of the coolest starts to an album ever. Then you have "Nightvision", which basically plays out that section of the album. It really disrupts the flow, and I don't like it. However it does make the uber-cheesy "Superheroes" a welcome surprise, and possibly makes it seem better than it actually is, especially in comparison to the early tracks. However this is just the first case where the tracklisting does not seem to go in the favour of the album. Where you've got some really high-tempo, sounds with some quieter songs interspurced, and it just doesn't work all that well. Yes, it's difficult, especially for a band like Daft Punk to get this right, as their sounds have many different styles and sounds, but the flow really affects this from getting any better. Also, the last track does absolutely nothing for me. "Too Long", does 'exactly what it says on the tin', and it isn't particuarly good to begin with. The flow of this album as I said is disrupted, like 9-million times. And this is partly because Daft Punk want to cram so much into one album. Fair play for them for that, but it does make things seem disjointed. This can be seen in the second song on the album, "Aerodynamic", which is basically the entire album in song form. You have something cool, then it stops...something else comes in, and it's not the same, it doesn't fit, but hang on, this is pretty cool too...then it stops...and then you're back at the start...now it kind of sounds like the two mixed...now it's something different again...you're waiting for the great stuff to come back, and it doesn't. They just don't seem to run with what's working, anywhere near long enough. I love parts of "Aerodynamic", but as a song itself, it could be so much better. So could this album. I love it. Hell, I probably love 'all' of it, if you were to split it from 1-5 and 7-13...still a little disjointed in places, but it'd work, but as a larger unit, it just needs something to help keep it together, which it doesn't have. But the sheer quality of the songs on here, really makes it difficult to punish it too much.

RATING - 84/100

BEST SONGS - "One More Time", "Crescendolls", "Digital Love", "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger", "Voyager", "Superheroes" and "Aerodynamic".

"Fiction" by Dark Tranquility

GENRE - Melodic Death Metal

YEAR - 2007

I generally have two requirements from my metal. I like it either fast or cheesy. It's got to be melodic, but also fairly harsh as well. And Dark Tranquility certainly fits the bill on those two aspects. From the moment the album kicks in with the building bassline of "Nothing To No One", it really sets the tone for the rest of the LP. There's a fair amount of variation on here, with some kick arse melodies and some great, great guitar riffs. The vocal work is solid as always, with the growls being both catchy and strong. There's also clean, straight forward singing, which too is great, this is most evident in the standout track, "Misery's Crown", which is hands down the catchiest track on the album. Very much channelling the spir of In Flames' "Only For The Weak". As I previously stated, there's a good amount of variation on here. You've got the influsions of keyboard/synth. Nothing overly flash, even just single long notes in lots of places, but it really helps fill out the tracks. And the fact that they're high and soft, is very much in contrast to the crunching, dark sounding guitars. Adding an interesting dynamic. Also, in the middle of your harsher tracks, you've got odd moments of quietness, and sweetness. The ending track is a fine example of this. It's just totally steeped in epicness. An immensly talented band, producing another good album. It's nothing groundbreaking, and it's not going to redefine the genre, but it's definately an album that fans should pick up.

RATING - 68/100

BEST SONGS - "Misery's Crown", "Blind At Heart", "Focus Shift", "Nothing To No One" and "The Mundane And The Magic".

"Copia" by Eluvium

GENRE - Ambience

YEAR - 2007

I was never really into ambient music, but this year, two CD's drastically changed my oppinion on it. Whilst I hold the Stars Of The Lid release in such high regard, it was actually this album that first changed my mind on the whole ambient genre. Matthew Cooper, better known as Eluvium, has crafted an amazing musical landscape, in a little over 6 months! Seriously, listening to this album, if feels like an epic, which has been crafted over and extended period, but to think something so beautiful was done in so little time, it is simply astounding. Despite being a fairly ambient affair, Cooper has inserted some amazing melodies into these tracks. You've got your long drone, string and electronic chords, which pulsate throughout the tracks. However on the stand out tracks, riding the thick wall of sound are a selection of beautiful piano melodies. The kind of piano playing you'd come to expect from recitals and in studies, but here they are, shining through the long drawn out chords. It just provides the whole thing with such a grandiose effect. In the same way people get up in arms over say Sigur Ros, I'm like that with Eluvium and Stars of The Lid. To think that one man can sit down by himself, and write this kind of music absolutely amazes me. It's the kind of music that could potentially make me cry by it's sheer sweetness. As with each song, you can sit back, let thoughts race through your head, it just cunjures up such imagery. I understand that this may not be everyone's cup of tea, also there's a couple of tracks I get very little from, but when it's right, it's amazing stuff.

RATING - 81/100

BEST SONGS - "Indoor Swimming At The Space Station", "Reciting The Airships", "Radio Ballet", "Prelude For Time Feelers" and "Ostinato".

"Emergency On Planet Earth" by Jamiroquai

GENRE - Acid Jazz

YEAR - 1993

Possibly the most laid back Jamiroquai release, the debut album is entirely different to the Jamiroquai most of you know and love. Well not drastically different, but the whole disco edge of a lot of their singles are not their, instead replaced with a very be-bop, Acid Jazz feel. A lot of the songs are slower in pace to the later, single successes, moving at more of a groove. I have somewhat of a soft spot for this album, in that it is often the 'forgotten' Jamiroquai album, in that if you were to ask someone to name classic Jamiroquai songs, this album would always tend to be overlooked. Occasionally you might get someone who name dropped "Too Young To Die", but that's a rare occurance. Speaking of "Too Young To Die", the strings at the start of the song are utterly orgasmic. Actually, the strings, the horn section and the utterly smooth basslines make this album absolute sex. I really miss these days of Jamiroquai. I liked the disco days, and as a whole "Dynamite" was a great album, and had a more 'rock-y' sound, showing another variation to their sound. But "Emergency...", "Return..." and "Travelling..." are to me, GENUINE JAMIROQUAI! (Though Travelling had a lot more disco in it). Lyrically it's sometimes downright cringeworthy, but who cares. Jay Kay rocks this like any white man should. And it goes together perfectly. One problem with early Jamiroquai was the tendency to have songs drag on far too long, and having random things that could be cut. Like "Blow Your Mind" really could be cut down slightly. And the instrumental part really suffers when put next to "Revolution 1993". Also the outro track "Didgin' Out" really, really takes away from the album. Which I find with a lot of Jamiroquai's Didgeridoo tracks. Yeah, it's a cool 'gimmick', and would be cool to see live, but really not great on an album, it either disrupts the flow, as very little seems to happen in the tracks, or puts a downer on the song that has just been, what happens in this case. The standout track is "Revolution 1993", which I've previously mentioned. It is a horrifically daring track when you listen to it, and think about it. Incorporating jazz fusion into the mix, some crazy synth, and great drumming. And a lot crazier than the rest of the album, that's generally laid back. It's the best ending track to an album...which isn't actually an ending track. If this album ended after "Revolution 1993" it could possibly be perfect...as this track is just AMAZING...and would wipe out everything that went before it. All in all, this is a sweet album. Some great, great songs. Not a lot of 'classics', but the songs are all good, outside of the ending track, which I feel takes away from the effect of the album, and puts a horrible taste in my mouth upon conclusion. But, even if you're not a Jamiroquai fan, "Revolution 1993" is certainly a song you have to get a hold of. 10-minutes of brilliance.

RATING - 85/100

BEST SONGS - "Revolution 1993", "When You Gonna Learn?", "Too Young To Die", "Emergency On Planet Earth" and "Blow Your Mind".

"Veneer" by Jose Gonzalez

GENRE - Acoustic

YEAR - 2003/2005

Originally released in 2003, but Jose Gonzalez shot to fame in 2005 (As predicted by myself), after his cover of The Knife's, "Heartbeats" was featured on a Sony advertisement. He has the most horrifically Spanish sounding name for a Swede, but that's probably to do with his Argentinian heritage. However, it still makes me smile when my brother goes "Who you listening to? It's good." - "Jose Gonzalez" - "Oh. That Spanish guy." As for the music itself it's a straight up acoustic affair. Forgive me, as I don't play guitar, but it sounds like stuff that's generally a little complicated to generally be accepted into the mainstream, and that I feel, is part of the reason lots of people latched onto him. His guitar playing is intricate, adventurous, but precise. And it's repetitive. So you soon get used to what's going on, and you bask in it. Another thing on Jose's side was when he was introduced to the British audience. This was at the time when James Blunt was conquering TV screens and radio waves with his self-involved, whiney, awful, tat. I generally hate 'attacking' artists, but he has no redeeming features when it comes to his musicianship and singing. Jose was laid back, Jose was cool, so therefore was embraced by the indie community as their antidote to James Blunt, but soon with the help of "Heartbeats" found himself in the top 10. Unfortunately none of his original songs really live up to the standard of the single, showing that his actual song writing still has a little way to go yet. But for an album made up of entirely acoustic guitar, it's a really good effort. It does sound slightly unfinished in places, which really helps add to its charm. Perfect for summer listening. In fact it encompasses the summer mentality. "Should I finish...no it's sunny in SpainSweden, lets just lie about". And when it gets sunny, I damn well will lie about, listening to this.

RATING - 71/100

BEST SONGS - "Heartbeats", "Remain", "Crosses", "All You Deliver" and "Stay In The Shade".

"Yours Truly, Angry Mob" by Kaiser Chiefs

GENRE - Indie-Rock

YEAR - 2007

OH MY GOD! How fucking boring is this record? "RUBY, RUBY, RUBY, RUBY!!!"...after that, it goes downhill and fucking fast. FAST!! Yes, FAST!!! Remember that Kaiser Chiefs...your slow songs are, and always will be, boring as fuck! "Employment" was a solid album. Totally overhyped, purely because the singles were hands down the best things on there. It was very much a top-heavy album as well, and after "Oh My God" it dips in quality. But here, I can't actually think of one song that I'd rank as anything up to scratch to the material on the first album. Well outside of "Ruby", but then again, I wouldn't rank it as an amazing song, by any stretch of the imagination. This album is just so generic, it's basically paint by numbers, uninspired material. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. It fucking sucks. it fucking sucks. 10-times, there we go, panned out a bit. And I fucking like these cunts. Even "Ruby" had to grow on me. It only won me over because of the guitar bit after "Know what ya doing, doing to me" and how fun it is to shout "RUBY, RUBY, RUBY, RUBY!!!"

RATING - 8/100

BEST WORST SONGS - EVERYTHING....."Learnt My Lesson Well" is slightly better...slightly...

THE ONLY GOOD FUCKING SONG - "Ruby".

"Now lets see what that does to the table...when I can be arsed".

[ROC]

Hmmm. "Ruby" is good but I doubt I want to listen to the Kaiser Chiefs album in full especially after such a scathing review (in addition to the other reviews I've read saying that it was weak). And yeah, the Air album was pretty underwhelming to me. I'd probably give it around a 5/10.