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KT Tunstall

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PJ Harvey - edited

It seems that with some good Cubase editing, it's possible to edit 'Glorious Land' to get rid of the fox hunting bugle and so I've managed to do it! Quite proud of it actually.

Feeder - Renegades

They seem to be getting better with age and their last two albums, while loud, are full on, in your face, celebrations!  All good songs, but 'Call out' and 'Down to the river' stood out immediately.

Best albums of 2010

I thought I'd list some of my favourite albums of the year and also make a comment on those that I didn't think were that fab.  (For my review of each album, please see Best albums of 2010)

1. Court Yard Hounds - Court Yard Hounds
2. Feeder - Renegades

There were also some other albums that I wouldn't regard as brilliant (i.e. 5 Star), but also worth a mention.

• Tricky 
• Tracy Horn

Court Yard Hounds - Court Yard Hounds

This album came to me in a coffee shop after a tiring, yet wonderful day in New York.  Ex-Dixie chicks, it's very 'Sheryl Crow', which was what I needed after her last two outings.   I was lucky enough to catch an intimate gig at the Union Chapel in Islington which was low key and brilliant. 

Great songs - March 2011

March 2011 and some of the best tracks out right now for me are:

• PJ Harvey - The words that maketh murder
• 7 Worlds Collide (KT Tunstall / Neil Finn) - Black Silk Ribbon
• Snow Patrol - Set the fire to the third bar
• Court Yard Hounds - Miss you
• KT Tunstall - (Still a) Weirdo

Top Albums 2010

Court Yard Hounds - Court Yard Hounds *****

Heard this for the first time in a coffee shop after a tiring, but wonderful day in New York.  At first I thought it sounded very 'Sheryl Crow', possibly longing for something good from her after her last two outings.  Ex-Dixie Chicks, the CYH album is super.  I was lucky enough to catch an intimate gig at the Union Chapel in Islington which was low key and brilliant.  

Amy MacDonald - A Curious Thing ****

She is pretty good and her previous album was always going to be a hard one to follow up on.  What is good about this one is that she didn't try and imitate herself, but stuck to crafting great songs.

Feeder - Renegades ****

They seem to be getting better with age and their last two albums, while loud, are full on, in your face, celebrations!  All good songs, but 'Call out' and 'Down to the river' stood out immediately.

KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit ****

Eclipse (OST) - Various Artists ****

Katie Melua - The House ***

Massive Attack - Heligoland ***

Crowded House - Intriguer ***
Christina Aguilera - Bionic ***

night bus

all those little private unknown scars
that you told me in the rush of the hour

you're not the only one going home alone tonight

Shelter - Darkpop

with open arms she lets me in
with silver charm she pulls me in
and deep within her walls i feel her lies surround me
and deep within her heart a guiding light will guide me
her simple promise takes me in
her bitter essence tricks me in
and like a burning fire consumes the air around it
i see the end this time but still im lured towards it

how we shelter ‘cause we’ve known her warmth
how we falter ‘cause we’ve known her thoughts
how i tremble under her desire
feel denied when she leaves my side

with knowing eyes she lets me in
with binding ties she pulls me in
and through her rhythmic sighs i feel her voice surround me
she sings into my mind and preys upon my longing

oh how i feel denied when she has left my side
feel myself tumbling down taking me underground
oh how i feel denied when she has left my side
feel myself tumbling down

taking me underground
taking me underground
taking me underground
feel myself tumbling down
taking me underground

Darkpop album review

Darkpop - Golden lilies and Mr Smith

Most of the songs have only been (frustratingly) available to date as demos and the drip-feed has been over an extensive period - but as an album it is very good. The website is worth a look too. There are imitations of Fetish, but nevertheless fantastic.
Overall rating: *****

Amy studt album review

Amy Studt - My Paper Made Men
Although dropped from Polydor, Amy Studt (21) returned, played gigs under another name (Jane Wails), supported Razorlight and threw herself into a redefining phase that has seen this album emerge. Undeniable echoes of Tori Amos resound, yet tracks like "Walking out" and "Here lies love" retain their own place. There are one one or two hiccups on the album, but these are very forgiveable as she tries to shed the very angst-ridden image that shot her to fame in the first place. Worth a listen.
Overall rating:****

Coldplay - Viva la Vida

It's hard to fault the Coldplay formula, which is both the cause for comfort and the associated tedium that brings. The title track is superb and all of the songs a reminder of Chris Martin's nack for crafting melodic, semi-indie tracks. An album you could safely play at a party, but one you won't play endlessly to yourself.

Bitter glass - Feeder

What are you saying?
You've got nothing to live for
You're tired and you're broken
You just can't free yourself

Sheryl Crow album review

Sheryl Crow - Detours

Hmmm. Perhaps it should have been called 'Detours from dark melodic introspection into joyful hand clapping and skipping'. Ok, so that's a bit unfair, but not far off. The title track is classic Sheryl Crow, which is great, and the overtly political 'God Bless This Mess' is simple and good. 'Make it go away' is also good, er, ish. And, for those tracks, this album is still welcome in the bland wilderness of bubblegum. However, 'Diamond ring' sounds like she's trying to imitate herself - never a good sign. 'Gasoline' is something to skip. And with track titles like 'Love Is Free', 'Peace Be Upon Us', and 'Rise Up', you're just hoping that this phase wont last long.

Shadowpuppets album review

The Last Shadow Puppets - The age of the understatement

This will be reviewed shortly.
Overall rating: tbc

Portishead - Third

Portishead - Third

Very Beth Gibbons. Which I suppose is what's good about it. Bands like this that have made such an impact with their first album often try too hard to do that with their follow up albums, fearful of being formulaic. And it some cases this is a pity. If you liked 'Out of season' then you'll like this. If you're hoping for Dummy, then you might not. I liked both.

Kooks album review

Kooks - Konk

This will be reviewed shortly.
Overall rating: tbc

Alanis Morissette album review

Alanis Morissette- Flavors of entanglement (Deluxe edition)

This will be reviewed shortly.
Overall rating: tbc

Feeder album review

Feeder - Silent Cry

This will be reviewed shortly.
Overall rating: tbc