ELECTRONICA ROYKSOPP Understanding (Wall of Sound) 0..
You can’t beat a good misconception. There was an assumption that the million copies of Royksopp’s debut - half of which were sold in the UK - were destined to soundtrack a million club comedowns. In truth, there’s bound to be plenty that were given percussive accent from the crisp roll of a Rizla but Royksopp showed another side to themselves in 2003 when they performed live in T in the Park's Slam tent. Rather than a burbling chill-out soundtrack, theirs was a phenomenal, throbbing crowd mover, proof that, in the right context, Royksopp’s music is far from wallpaper.
Further proof is that this second album is an even more refined song- based collection than its predecessor. Because of this perhaps, Understanding takes a while longer to invest itself in the synapses than Melody AM did. Prince, Pet Shop Boys and Air all come to mind, their sound caught in that crosshair where electronic pop and European techno traditions intersect.
While Daft Punk ran out of high-concept ideas only to revert straight back to the dancefloor that spawned them, Understanding signals a gentle stroll away from the club for Royksopp into more expansive, intriguing territory. (Mark Robertson)
has even approached before. Emotive. moody SOUl and futuristic blues stompers. (Henry
patented by the late Jimmy Smith. although that reference is there in the music. Colligan and
llttu ‘H'lt' Wands
NorthiiiOrel his collaborators take a
JAZZ mOre contemporary. off-
GEORGE the-wall approach to this . COLL'GANss MAD venerable format. f? SCIENCE drawmg on a potent brew
Realization of funk. Jazz fusion and
experimental jazz in the process. Purists should also check out Joey DeFrancesco's Legacy (Concord). but don't pass up on Colligan‘s tasty and eXCiting new recipe.
(Kenny Mathieson)
beery farewell to his long-term partner Aidan Moffat. ending Scottish music's most creatively consummated association since MaCKenZIe and Rankine? Well. if this and Moffat's own lush
(Sirocco MUSIC) 00..
POP _ l MALCOLM Babs"? under In: MIDDLETON UC Y terre moni er are
Elligan is familiar in these parts on piano. but this latest disc captures his work on Hammond 83 in his Mad Science trio with guitarist Tom Guarna and drummer Rodney Holmes. It's not what you would call the standard iSStie Hammond trio as
anything to go by. there are far worse things that COuld happen in the world of stuff.
From the irresistibly melodic (‘Bear With Me') to the downright downbeat ('Autumn'). Middleton hits more than just a happy medium. 00
Into the Woods
(Chemikal Underground) 0... i ‘You go your way and Ill 3 go mine' As an opening line to penultimate track 'Solemn Thirsty'. can this be Malcolm Middletov. actually waving a teary.
. (Sanctuary) can
' r was» . i,
yourself a favour and get Into the Woods today. (Brian Donaldson)
INDIE POP
ST ETIENNE Tales From Turnpike House
. i . oh i whim jut ""1. "It-
iii n rfi'fi "‘ f I ‘M
If you've got the talent.
| luck and savvy.
‘ producing a strong debut - is pretty straightforward.
; To keep us interested
seven efforts on, however, is much more
f tricky. which is one of the I reasons why Tales From
Turnpike House is such a triumph. It finds this
warm electro pop trio
combining compelling stOrytelling. dreamy
harmonies and Sarah
Cracknell's sumptuously breathy vocals with their most magnificent
melodies to date. Credit
‘ must also go to Girls Aloud producer
Xenomania who turns
' pretty ditties such as
‘Lightning Strikes Twice' and ‘Stars Above Us“ into sleaze-tinged. dancefloor-friendly stompers. If the gossip merchants are to be believed and this really is St Etienne‘s last record. they couldn't have chosen a finer farewell. (Camilla Pia)
ROCK
HULK
Cowboy Coffee & Burned Knives . . . (Suburban ) COO
This may be from the studios where Josh Homme and his homies lay down their infamous Desert Sessions. but it's sad to say the ideas factory is running out of steam. While sharing a similar supporting cast with guest slots from Chris Goss. Jesse
Hughes and Brant Biork. this is no more than identikit stoner rock. with none of the invention of Queens of the Stone Age. the sleaze of Monster Magnet or sheer insanity of Mondo Generator. It hints at a tripped out future of swirling. mind bending. sludge guitars and Hammond organ but never quite delivers on its promise. Sure it snarls but it never roars. (Henry NOrthmore)
ELECTRONICA T008
How to Spell Toob (Lo Recordings) oooo
At a time when some of Red Snapper's distant output s0unds more of our time than ever. the further collaborations of Rich Thair and Jakeone reach into the not too distant future and pluck out a handful of tuneful. experimental electronic nuggets.
Certainly a departure enough in sound to warrant a change of image. the driving, haunting love songs remain. but Toob's soul is holed up in a furtively squelchy electronica and its wits in intricate melodies. Synthetic bass loops and chunky hooks are woven together with Thair's organic drumming. all hugging the fringes of approachable dance music.
(Mark Edmundson)
ROCK FOO FIGHTERS
In Your Honour (Roswell) no
In a feat of peculiar rock engineering when making his biggest. boldest musical statement to date: two distinct albums in a twin CD package - 'one loud. One not so loud' as it declares on the front — Dave Grohl has taken a backwards musical step.
The ‘not so loud' album has more poke than the last six hours of fluff recorded by Turin Brakes.
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Grohl's predilection for Led Zep atmospheric folly rising to the fore. The 'Ioud' record. meanwhile. is bass-heavy buzz which reinforces the notion that Queens of the Stone Age don't have the monopoly on the Barretta-style guitar work and suggests that being far less self- conscious and contrived is what makes Grohl the million seller instead of
' cult hero.
Instead of expanding the depth and breadth of the Foo Fighters sound. Grohl's taken their two most appealing elements — incessant. throbbing riffology and trembling melody — and confined them to separate rooms. and in doing so lessened
their effect.
(Mark Robertson)
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L...»
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Brakes
Give Blood (Rough Trade) Knockabout art punk side project for Electric Soft Parade brothers and some Brighton scene pals. Daniel Wylie Postcards (Measured) More jangly. crafted guitar pop from former Cosmic Rough Riders frontman. Brooke Valentine Chain Letter (ngn) R&B shenanigans from sassy. Beyoncé- like new diva on the block. with Big Boi and Ol' Dirty Bastard (RIP) guesting. Hayseed Dixie
Hot Piece of Grass (Cooking Vinyl) Latest mental offering blending bluegrass sounds with metal tunes. Much better than that sounds. Kid Carpet
Ideas and Oh Dears (Tired and Lonesome) Imagine Badly Drawn Boy with a broken sampler and a head full of daft, dancy ideas.
23 Jun—7 Jul 2005 THE LIST 71