Music Records
SINGLES & DOWNLOADS
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Proof that bad music will prevail so long as enough money is thrown at it. Dem Franchize Boyz' 'Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It” (Virgin) O
is a glorioust unoriginal dose of crunk hip hop that will doubtless provide the soundtrack to a thousand drunken American frat boys in Cancun. Like Sodom and Gomorrah. but in beach shorts.
Still at least things can't get any worse. Or can't they? The Pussycat Doll‘s ‘Buttonz' (MM) 0 is yet another exercise in the vacuous; At The Lake's 'I Made My Excuses And Left’ (Popfiction) O. rips off both Morrissey and Editors in one fell swoop. while Edinburgh lot. Saint Jude’s lnfirmary's 'Goodbye Jack Vettriano' (SL Records) 000 does the same to Nick Cave.
Paisley balladeer. Paolo Nutini's “Last Request' (Atlantic)... could feature on a Starbucks compilation. Interpret that as you please. Sticking with the cafe metaphors is Shack's ‘Cup of Tea' (Sour Mash) 0.0 — gentle strumming pop that won’t see the light of day when it has to contend with Lilly Allen's 'Smile‘ (Regal) 0.0 which pillages ska and pop in a way not seen since. oh. the Streets' first album.
And on that note . . . ‘the songs on the radio sound the same. everybody just looks the same.’ sings Johnny Borrell on Razorlight's ‘In The Morning‘ (Vertigo) O. proving that even the groups peddling this BritpOp revival shit are as bored of it as we are. How apt that The Kooks' 'She Moves In Her Own Way' (Virgin) O. is next.
Far more enjoyable is Sohodolls' ‘Stripper' (Filthy Pretty) 0000 a slice of dance-glam-pop that 's as catchy and filthy as it is breathy. Think Girls Aloud meets Goldfrapp on the set of a soft porn movie. Ahem . . . anyway. Less sexy. but no less appealing is Belle & Sebastian's 'White Collar Boy' (Rough Trade) .00 but the raucous Fortune Drive's ‘My Girlfriend's An Arsonist' (EMI) 0.00 is pure rock hedonism. while the Basement Jaxx~alike Justice v Simian's ‘We Are Your Friends’ (EMI) 000. is destined to be huge.
On an ordinary day. Mogwai’s ‘Travel is Dangerous EP' (Rock Action) 0000 would be a no brainer for the top spot but it's not often we get something as singularly mischievous as The Dillinger Escape Plan‘s “Plagiarism EP' (iTunes) «.00. Taking a break from their math-metal mayhem to bust out a covers EP they're the only band in the planet who could take songs by Soundgarden. Massive Attack. Nine Inch Nails and Justin Timberlake (yes. really) and make them more interesting then everyone else's own material. Single of the Fortnight. no contest. (Andrew Borthwick)
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CALVIN KEYS Vertical Clearance (V‘Jide Hive) 0..
San Franciscan guitarist Calvin Keys has amassed a considerable amount of diverse experience at the groove-based end of the Jazz guitar spectrum. and this latest album reflects a conSiderable amount of that range. helped along the way by a large shifting cast of muSicians that includes Doug Carn on organ and Sonny Fortune on saxophone.
The guitarist delivers a varied set of original funk-influenced tunes. including the radio- friendly 'MRKGY‘. the atmospheric title track. and an off-beat tribute to Monk in ‘Drunk Monk'. The manipulation of instrumental colour and musical texture helps. add interest to the material. and if the r‘eSuIts are rarely spectaCuIar, this is an enjoyable and very listenable outing.
(Kenny Mathiesonl
KRAUT ROCK FUJIYA AND MIYAGI
Transparent Things (Tlrkl 0...
Actually a trio and not the slightest bit Japanese. it's no Surprise that FuJiya And Miyagi have already managed to excite tastemakers Such as DJing legend Andrew Weatherall. BBC 6
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Music's Ton: Robinsor‘ and ortizdug:tion gods the DFA witl‘ their inspired excursions into kraut rock and electronic pop. This is no east. trick. but. siickly embellished by David Best's i.vhis;‘)ering vocals and LllltlSUétl lyrical style. the hypnotic. strung-Out grooves on debut LP Transparent Things turn the mundane into a thing of rare beauty. If you dig the likes of Can, Kraftwerk Neu. the Happy Mondays and Talking Heads. then chances are Fuiiya And Miyagi Will leave you aguaplaning in the slipstream of a space ship to nirvana.
Excellent stuff.
(Andrew Richardson)
FLECTROTUNK JIMMY EDGAR Color Strip (WarplOOOO
Taking his cues from techno and electro godfathers. Derrick May and Juan Atkins. this 22- year-old prodigy from DetrOit has mastered his craft in what seems like a very short time. producing a gloriously funky electronic sound. But. for all his Credibility gained DJing alongsrde the aforementioned black Motor City legends on the local rave Circuit. Edgar remains a white kid with a crate-load of soul. His more abstract approach is informed as equally by European experimental legend Stockhausen as contemporary innovators Dabrye and Prefuse 73. And yet. often featuring his own vocals. Color Strip is also light. airy. colourful and warm. Jimmy Edgar is certainly in a league of his own. but. as yet still extremely
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THE ACOUSTIC AFFAIR
Twelve of the Best
Volume I ‘Vertit‘al‘i O.
For those who find challenge enough in their Big Book of Sudoku comes The Acoustic Affair's 'Twelve of the Best: Volume I'. a chOice selection of cuts from artists to have appeared during the ten seasons and five years of the regular Glasgow showcase.
Full of misty-eyed sentiment and gentle thrumming, it's as predictable as could be expected. Karine Polwart otiivers. The River Detectives croon, Unkle Bob pirouette epically: it's all fairly pleasant. particularly for the abundance of vocal prowess. Unless you're prepared to accept the word ‘acoustic' as being Synonymous viith ‘safe' or 'nice to have on in the background though. yOu might prefer to steer clear.
(Malcolm Jack)
ROCK
LUCERNA
Your Favourite Planet (Beetroot Records) .0.
A band that started out under the monicker, Fred. was never gong to go down as one of rock's all time greats. but at least this Glasgow four-piece had the presence of mind to rectify that mistake. The problem is. it's not the
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(Andrew Bt‘ltt‘i\‘.‘lt‘lr\b
Mt lAt SEROTONE Moment of Transparency (Bock Rebel) O.
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Clearly hoping to be the UK's answer to Tool or the Deftones. this Scottish five piece manages to do what every other wannabe metal act did back in the late 90s and massacre the good intentions of those US giants.
They may be attempting to emulate their heroes but the stop~start riffs. slapped bass and “no one understands me' lyrics only serve to remind of that much-derided mUSical movement: nu- rnetal. Throw in a vocalist content to ape Incubus. Brandon Boyd and some passages that veer dangerously close to rapping and it reminds you why every two-bit metal act is now playing third rate thrash — because nobody ever liked nu-metal much in the first place.
(Andrew BorthWick)
INDIE COUGHLIN’S LAW
Limitations of Language (Underdogg Entertainment) .0.
Known primarily for their hip hop output. this Glasgow based label present Coughlin‘s Law. a strange brew of bedroom-based
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68 THE LIST 22 Jun—(3 Jul 2008