What. The. Fuck? Bananarama have reformed. minus the goth one. What’s the point? ‘Move in my Direction' (A&G) is dreadful beyond words. It is worse than a million Popstars: The Riva/s rejects. The 21st century Bananarama. Destiny’s Child. fare better. in that “Cater 2 U’ (Columbia) . is poor within words, those words including ‘insipid', ‘formulaic' and ‘ballad'. While we’re in the musical area. Kanye West's
conspic. by its abs. (as PG Wodehouse used to say) on ‘Diamonds from Sierra Leone’ (Mercury) .. . Instead it's a perfunctory and rather tedious mainstream rap over ‘Diamonds are Forever'. Well done, Mr West. Slightly more
Roll Deep. which sees a bunch of grimy lads from the housing schemes going nuts over the Masionettes' “Heartache Avenue' with fleetineg pleasant results. But right off the scale of original mentalness is M.I.A.'s ‘Bucky Done Gun' (XL) ... , a kind of grubby Far Eastern take on Missy Elliott doing playground chants, fun but
On a more conventional tip, Glasgow outfit Cinematics' ‘Be in the World' (TVT) .. is standard anthemic indie stuff. all mournful vocals and bland so-called atmospherics. Edinburgh band Denied Sons of Iglesias win best band
(www.deniedsons.com) ... has some admirable indie thrashing angst. it never really takes off. ‘Hand of God EP' (Flotsam & Jetsam) .... , the split single between the Amphetameanies and their Argentinian counterparts the Argies. is much more
but mostly because it celebrates one of the best goals ever scored.
In comparison. Reeve is sensible demureness incarnate. ‘September Sessions' (demo)...
Reeve fronting her own delicate outfit. turning in intelligent Ieftlield rock, although it is slightly underwhelming.
Not an accusation to be levelled at ldlewild these days. and ‘El Capitan’ (Parlophone) ....
fantastic acoustic version on the B-side. ldlewild tunes have ideas packed into every moment. Arcade Fire are here to save the day. Easily Single of the Fortnight. ‘Cold Wind' (Rough Trade) ....
truly heartbreaking version of crooner standard ‘Brazil’ on the B-side. Fine and cultured stuff. (Doug Johnstone)
Arcade Fire
much-trumpeted new Franz Ferdinand direction is
satisfying is ‘The Avenue' (Relentless) .. by
altogether a bit too wonky for mass consumption.
name of the fortnight, and while “What Goes On?‘
entertaining, partly because it is skanking silliness.
sees Reindeer Sectioner and Arab Strapper Jenny
continues their upwards rise. being a great slab of tune-heavy indie rock, with the added bonus of a
is a moody. atmospheric. building better of a tune. apparently written specifically for the finale of Six Feet Under. What's more there's a
f5» Loud
ALI. CDS WERE REVIEWED ON A
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compilations worth lies in the broken beats and future funk that pricks the ear and soothes the soul.
Singing from the same hymn sheet are Manchester's electric chairmen of the board, the Unabombers' Summer Sunset continuing their blissful groove. Though this third offering doesn‘t have the landmark release feel of the sublime Electric Soul 2 — this is a straighter mix, narrower in scope than its predecessor — it again features a veritable who's who of the UK's buoyant soulful house scene.
Similarly uncomplicated in approach is Scots DJ Snafu‘s Party Mix, sewing up largely underground hip hop standards for the dancefloor. Recorded live at Glasgow's Liquid Lounge. it's a mix that packs a block party punch but ultimately offers little more than an unsophisticated showcase for Snafu's old-school tackle.
(Mark Edmundson)
FOLK VARIOUS Folktopia Vol 1 (Vertical)...
As with all musical genres, folk is a broad church, and this run through of releases on the Vertical label takes in everything from timeless lilting ballads from Karen Casey to dancier beats soundtracking Alyth McCormack's traditional Gaelic contribution. More recognisable names such as Capercaillie cover the most common ground, an upbeat Homer's Reel that would be your best weapon at getting the most ceilidh-resistant onto the dancefloor pronto, while at the other end of the spectrum. cult indie
ii llz’, Ant.
songstress Monica Queen more than covers the sparse and ethereal corner, and fades some of the compilation 's more twee folksy moments.
(Emma Newlands)
ROCK
PAJO
Pajo
(Domino) ....
David Pajo has tried most things as a member of Slint, Tortoise and Zwan, as well as his own projects Ariel M and most recently Papa M. but this eponymous Outing is his most intimate, delicate and coherent record; a relaxed and Subtle vignette of simple but effective Singer songwriting. lnevrtahly the tOuchstones are all from the American underground -- ‘Oh No No' is pure Sparklehorse and ‘Manson Tvrins' sounds like a typical Lou Barlow ditty, while ‘lcicles' could be the ghost of Elliott Smith.
But elsewhere. especially
on the wonderfully touching ‘Mary of the Wild Moor', Pajo displays enough character to mark him as distinct from the crowd. (Doug Johnstone)
JAZZ
SOPHIE BANCROFT Hot and Cool
(I isaLeo Records) O”
m2 “we!
Sophie Bancroft has put in her time on ja/z standards and straight swing, but this album explores her own songs. some of which have more of a pop feel. They are nicely crafted wrthout being especially r‘nemorable or original,
and she fills out the material With a couple of covers. ‘Mad Mad Me' and “Show Me What a Man Can Do', as well as ‘llotel', a song by guitarist Sandy Wright. Her vocie is light and airy, and her singing has matured nicely. Dave Milligan's piano playing is exemplary, and Phil Bancroft contributes sax to “Beautiful Place'. (wwwsojihiebarir',roft.co .uk). (Kenny Mathieson)
AMERICAN (El-'Nll IS SUFJAN STEVENS
lllinoise
(Rough Trade) .....
This is an astonishing record. Allegerlly the second in a {SO-album series about the American states (Ari/chrgan appeared last year). it is a concept album of sorts but. more importantly, it is a record of remarkable. inr‘iovatix'e. touching. expansrre tunes: music that is by turns simple and touching, orchestral and complex, dining and melodic. 'l be whole thing is far from pretentir )l is, rather
Stevens iriil,iies his music wrth such depths of emotion (joyous celebration to l‘ieartbreaking despair) as to make other music seem pale in comparisr'm. ll/i/io/se marks Stevens out as the most inventive songwriter and musician of a generation. Roll on the next 48 states. (Doug Johnstone)
ROCK
THE STANDS Horse Fabulous (Echo) ....
The cases of bands failing to follow up a promising debut are Well documented, so it comes as no small relief to find Scouse foursome the Stands raising the stakes considerably for their sophomore
xenture. While they more or less stick to the same unmistakably Mersey indie path, there are brief but successful detours into altcountry, gospel and bluegrass territory It's unclear which irigrelient in particular makes it work -- perhaps the sunshine in l A where recording took place somehow just made everything fuse together — but they can rest safe in the knowledge that The Second Coming this is definitely not.
(mea Newlai it Is)
ALSO RELEASED
Goldfinger Disconnect/on Notice (Mayer/M) Fifth album from poj‘qunksters on Madonna's label. some of which is co- written wrth Good Charlotte‘s Benji Madden.
Mirah
C 'mon M/IaC/e (Arrrvederc/ Baby!) Meandering, experimental sounds blending acoustic with electronica. delivered in a sleepy whisper from this Philadelphia Singer. Autolux
Future Perfect (Full Time Hobby) Debut release from Los Angeles noiseniks influenced by Can. Faust. Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine.
Imogen Heap Speak for Yourself (Megaphonic) More Tori Arnosisrns from quirky singer songwriter, some of which featured recer'itly in The ()(3 and (28/.
Youth Group Skeleton Jar (Epitaph) First UK release from tune laden Australian indie outfit.
SYSTEM SUPPLIED mo msmueo av Louo 8. CLEAR
“3% °Cleor
70 THE LIST 7 21 .Jul 2005