Graham Coxon - Love Travels At Illegal Speeds

If you're like me, one of your fonder memories of Blur is not really about the poppy "Country House" or "Girls & Boys", nor that gospel-tinged "Tender", maybe a little on that ditty called "Song 2" but that one earnest ballad called "You're So Great". The lyrics and melody may be simple but even the coldest hearts would give in a little when they hear Coxon croon "You're so great and i love you.." Back to the present then and back to Graham Coxon's sixth (yes not second..SIXTH!) solo outing "Love Travels At Illegal Speeds". Probably the question is can he sustain a similar standard after possibly his most accomplished effort "Happiness In Magazines".

The album opens with a typical Coxon track "Standing On My Own Again" which probably serves as his anthem considering all the reports linking him with a reunion with his former band, Blur. Every track from then on doesn't let up, all with that thumping drum beat and driving guitar. "Gimme Some Love" retains the energy of "Song 2" but with more depth, "Don't Let Your Man Know" is downright clever Can i see you in the bathroom tonite?..Don't let your man know.. (talk about cheeky!) and if you can't get enough Coxon humour, there's "What's He Got?" What's he got that i haven't got..guess he's just better looking than me. And for those who cannot get enough of "You're So Great", check out ballads like "Just A State Of Mind", "Flights To The Sea (Lovely Rain)" and "See A Better Day". It may not exactly be an improvement on "Happiness.." but it retains very much the same standard and that isn't such a bad thing now is it?
- Reviewed by: addy.

Rating: 8 (out of 10)

Tracklisting:
1. Standing On My Own Again
2. I Can't Look At Your Skin
3. Don't Let Your Man Down
4. Just A State Of Mind
5. You & I
6. Gimme Some Love
7. I Don't Wanna Go Out
8. Don't Believe Anything I Say
9. Tell It Like It Is
10. Flights To The Sea (Lovely Rain)
11. What's He Got?
12. You Always Let Me Down
13. See A Better Day

For samples, Click Here
Available at: HMV, Gramophone and all major music retailers

The Vines - Vision Valley

Much was expected of The Vines after their their 2002 debut LP "Highly Evolved" - the album which churned out hits such as "Highly Evolved", "Get Free" and "Outtathaway" among others. After a much disappointing sophomore outing, they are back with their third studio album "Vision Valley" and less one band member, Patrick Matthews.

Overall, the production is more stripped down compared to their first two albums. This really helps the ballads like "Vision Valley", "Take Me Back" and "Going Gone" stand out in here. While those expecting anything as energetic as "Highly Evolved" will be disappointed, there is a wider variety on offer. "Don't Listen To The Radio" is a mid-tempo clap-along number, "F*k Yeh" is as close as you'd get to "Highly Evolved" and "Spaceship" (the longest track by far at 6min) is an extended atmospheric jam which provides an excellent album closer. While "Vision Valley" is a listenable album on the whole, it lacks an outstanding factor to really stay in your playlist. Not the worst album ever - one you'd listen to for a while but probably not that little bit longer.
- Reviewed by: addy.

Rating: 6 (out of 10)

Tracklisting:
1. Anysound
2. Nothin's Comin'
3. Candy Daze
4. Vision Valley
5. Don't Listen To The Radio
6. Gross Out
7. Take Me Back
8. Going Gone
9. F*k Yeh
10. Futuretarded
11. Dope Train
12. Atmos
13. Spaceship

For samples, Click Here
Available at: HMV, Gramophone and all major music retailers

Richard Ashcroft - Keys To The World

The Verve were one of the most influential bands around previously and its frontman, Richard Ashcroft widely regarded as a talented songwriter. However, much like Ian Brown, his star dimmed after a disappointing solo debut album. He then came back with a much improved but mostly ignored sophomore effort. Expectations then is mixed with the release of his third solo album "Keys To The World".

The album opener "Why Not Nothing?" with its soul influences reeks of a cheap Paul Weller imitation. It just gets worse, the first single "Break The Night With Colour" opens with a tune similar to a certain Robbie Williams song. Elsewhere, "Words Just Get In The Way" sounds like a leftover from "Sonnet". While most of the songs are listenable, none really stick. Overall, the album is lacklustre and uninspired. Stick with "Urban Hymns" in the meantime.
- Reviewed by: addy.

Rating: 4 (out of 10)

Tracklisting:
1. Why Not Nothing?
2. Music Is Power
3. Break The Night With Colour
4. Words Just Get In The Way
5. Keys To The World
6. Sweet Brother Malcolm
7. Cry 'Til The Morning
8. Why Do Lovers?
9. Simple Song
10. World Keeps Turning

Available at: HMV, Gramophone and all major music retailers

The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth

The Strokes first burst onto the scene in 2001 with their bold debut "Is This It?", sparking a garage rock movement which saw the emergence of bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party and The Libertines among many others. With two critically aclaimed albums already under their belts, one wonder how much more can The Strokes give.

The album opens with the simply delightful "You Only Live Once", typical of all fans have expected from The Strokes. This is followed by the first single "Juice Box" which sees the band take on a heavier sound. Sadly, that's as good as The Strokes gets on this album. Songs like "Heart In A Cage" and "Vision Of Division" lack direction while one wishes there was more to the chorus of "Ask Me Anything" than "I've got nothing to say.." In fact, a majority of the songs sound like the band wrote them halfway and then simply ran out of ideas. That said, there are still some saving graces like "Razorblade", "On The Other Side" and "Ize Of The World" (check out the guitar solo in the middle) which reminds the listener that they are still capable of churning out a cool tune or two. Though the album offers more tracks than their previous two, sad to say, this won't save "First Impressions Of Earth" from being the most disappointing album from The Strokes yet.
- Reviewed by: addy

Rating: 6 (out of 10)

Tracklisting:
1. You Only Live Once
2. Juice Box
3. Heart In A Cage
4. Razor Blade
5. On The Other Side
6. Vision Of Division
7. Ask Me Anything
8. Electricityscape
9. Killing Lies
10. Fear Of Sleep
11. 15 Minutes
12. Ize Of The World
13. Evening Sun
14. Red Light

Available at: HMV, Gramophone and all major music retailers

Babyshambles - Down In Albion

After walking out on The Libertines, more was written about Pete Doherty and his drug addictions than about his music. His new band, Babyshambles suffered as a result making the news for postponed tours, cancelled gigs, assault and yet more drug busts. Now, if "Down In Albion" was any good, perhaps no one will care about all the bad press which preceded the album release.

Singles "Killamangiro" and "Fuck Forever" showed signs of early promise, with the latter surely being contender for one of the anthems of 2005. At his best, Doherty's songwriting and vocals are truly magical, but too often tracks which start out promisingly are allowed to drift into an untidy mess. With its fusion of reggae and punk, "Down In Albion" will probably split the opinions of fans and music lovers. But while it is easy to hate the man, Doherty, one thing undeniable is his songwriting ability when he is on form. Not exactly the masterpiece most people were anticipating but if Mr Doherty can keep himself clean and sober, we surely can expect greater things to come from Babyshambles.
- Reviewed by: addy

Rating: 7 (out of 10)

Tracklisting:
1. La Belle Et La Bete
2. Fuck Forever
3. A'rebours
4. The 32nd Of December
5. Pipedown
6. Sticks And Stones
7. Killamangiro
8. 8 Dead Boys
9. In Love With A Feeling
10. Pentonville
11. What Katy Did Next
12. Albion
13. Back From The Dead
14. Loyalty Song
15. Up The Morning
16. Merry Go Round

For samples: Click Here
Available at: HMV

Upcoming Events

20 - 21 January 2006
Sembawang Festival
Featured Artists: The Suns, The Rushed, Lunarin, Vertical Rush, Ronin and many others!
Venue: Sembawang Park
Booking Details: Click Here!


16 February 2006
Franz Ferdinand - Live In Singapore
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 8pm
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23 February 2006
Oasis - Live In Singapore
Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 8pm
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16 March 2006
Kings Of Convenience - Quiet Is The New Loud
Mosaic Music Festival - The Living Room: Easy Indie
Venue: Esplanade Concert Hall, 7.30pm
Booking Details: Click Here!

16 March 2006
Mosaic Music Festival - The Living Room: Easy Indie
Set For Glory and Vertical Rush
Venue: Esplanade
Details: Click Here!
Cost: Free

Starsailor - On The Outside

Starsailor - On The Outside

This third release from Starsailor sees the band finally establishing a personalised style to their music. Whilst the first drew comparisons to another UK band - Coldplay -, the second saw the band try a little too hard to break away from the stereotype. This resulted in a messy effort which failed as an album.

Back to the present, "On The Outside" is a tighter offering - from the driving first single "In The Crossfire" to the Bon Jovi sounding "Faith Hope Love" to the second single "This Time". The only let down, like in the previous two albums is the lack of consistency throughout the album. Still, this is an enjoyable effort filled with lots of potential indie anthems.

Rating: 7 (out of 10)
Reviewed by: addy

For full tracklisting and samples: Click Here