ROCK THE WHITE STRIPES
Icky Thump
(XL Recordings Third Man) O...
The White stripes are keen proof that there is a god. Or at least a benevolent force in the universe that occasionally, just occasionally allows a little bit of
magic into this cruel, cruel world. Who else would have permitted this pair of
vagabonds to have million selling albums and host of Hyde Park-sized enormo-gigs? This is their sixth album, and for the greater part it illustrates that, despite recent distractions, the magic is very much still there.
In the mainstream, the blues is something anodyne and smooth, the greased up, dumbed down retroisms of Eric Clapton and his acolytes. Jack White is a great punk blues player, the likes of which we so rarely get to hear. He may idolise Charly Patton, but he’s as much in awe of Jimmy Page. The Raconteurs may be fun, the jaunty matador outfits might looks spiffy
and marrying super models from Oldham on a river boat on the Amazon may
be pretty darn special too, but records are much more fun for everyone else.
‘There’s nothing left for me to tell you.’ Jack White waits on ‘Little Cream Soda’. That their stripped down format had run its course has been a suspicion many have had since ‘Seven Nation Army’ fixed a commercial zenith for the pair back in 2003. But it seems White and his big sis (sic) still have plenty of fire left in their bellies, for despite a couple of truly eccentric turns - a duology of Scottish laments for starters - this album is about big, raw blues riffs in songs with guile, charm and no end of humour.
They perfected their technique early with the faultless De Stijl and White Blood Cells, two long players which people will be playing in 50 years time as examples of just how good music was back around the turn of this century. Icky Thump isn’t quite in the same league as those but it still hits the spot for the most part with its wit, wisdom, lyrical sparkle and ferocity
intact. (Mark Robertson)
of ‘Love' and ‘l-lustler"s dark and dirty rhythms. Minimal. cleverly made and quite magnificent to boot. Attack [)ecay Sustain Release simply must be owned. (Camilla Pia)
ROCK
EDITORS
An End Has A Start (Sony HMO) 0.
Editors have grown up since debut. The Back Room. There's new
i t z i i z 8
confidence to Smith's vocals. and anthemic 'nght of the World' has a grayity that 'Open Your Arms' never quite attains. The sound has
the urgency of shouts in the dark. and Smith's voice reverberates hugely in the choruses. The album however. lacks its own distinct feel. Just as The Back Room lost its momentum after the stomping climax of “Fingers in the Factories'. this effort peaks too soon: the second half feels like an afterthought. It evokes Joy Division without the
haunting simplicity. and the closing track isn't affecting enough to stay with you when it's over. The chance of Editors ‘doing a Coldplay' which was predicted for them is all but gone. (Cate Simpson)
ELECT RONICA
PAUL HARTNOLL The Ideal Condition (ACR Recordings)
.0.
For those wondering what Paul Hartnoll has been up to since Orbital split in 2004. he has been hard at it in his Brighton studio. figuring out how to produce something far removed from his past output: ‘lt Just took time to discover what that was.‘ And after lending your ears to this ill—titled selection. the only conclusion to reach is that he has discovered how much he wants to be Craig Armstrong or Michael Nyman. The horribly Romeo and Jtl/I(3[‘(}8(]tl(3 openers
‘Haven't We Met Before'
and 'For Silence' set the tone for a perfectly pleasant but effectiver pointless exercise. (Brian Donaldson)
LLLCTRONIC PAUL HAIG Electronik Audience (Rhythm Of Life) 0.
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Music has preVIoust always struggled to keep pace with Paul Haig. His 80s angular Edinburgh post punk outfit Josef K were way ahead of their time. influencing numerous contemporary bands (most notably Fran/ lerdinand). His last few solo releases too A the 'Cinematigue' albums ~ were eminently futuristic.
On Elect/or iik Audience it's Haig that
seems to be playing catch up though. Resembling a bunch of dodgy early 90s house anthems — all flimsy processed beats and ambient Synths — much of this record simply sounds dated. Only 'Reason' and ‘Thieves' show real flashes of inspiration. their sneering vocals suggesting — frustratingly, if nothing else ~ that the trailbla/ing old punk is actually still in him. somewhere.
(Malcolm Jacki
JAZZ
PAUL TOWNDROW SEXTET
Six By Six (Keywork Records) 0...
Alto saxophonist Paul Towndrow and his new Sextet recorded this album in adverse circunistances. but there is nothing here that would give away the fact that it was made under unuSual time constraints. Towndrow's brand of inventiv<_> contemporary ]a// offers plenty of variety in the writing and arranging. and the music has a nicely spontaneous feel that might not have emerged in less fraught circumstaiices. Trumpeter Tom Mchen and tenor saxophonist Konrad WiS/lll()‘."i.’i§Kl add power and invention to Towndrow's excellent (iuai‘tet. His six new compositions tor the sextet take in bristling hard bop on ‘Dr Jones Will Never Believe This' and ‘Big Hitter'. a funky workout on ‘Orook Sludge'. and the Ornette Coleman— inspired melodic tangle of 'Earth Scenes. Parts 1 & 9'. ‘Rostov' is a mid tempo workout. and ‘Protective Memoiy' an elegant ballad. A guartet version of 'l he Beatles ‘Across the Universe' completes an exc<—2llent disc. (Kenny Mathieson)
Simon Reynolds Bring The Noise (Faber and Faber) Understand yOur iPod contents with this greatest hits of Reynolds' music writing for the likes of Melody Maker with focus on hip hop and rock.
Nick Cave The Complete Lyrics 1978-2007 (Penguin Books) Nick Cave is a man of many demons and this book allows fans to chart his last three decades of beautifully macabre Antipodean rock genius.
Julian Ridgway Banda/ism: Do Not Destroy Your Group (SAP Publishing) The Beatles. The Pistols and The Stone Roses. All British musical icons plagued by ‘communication issues'. Avoid yOur band doing the same by reading this. Steve Overbury Guns, Cash and Rock 'n Roll: The Manages (It/laii‘istream Publishing) Behind every band is someone who deals With promoters. drug dealers. the mafia and Debbie Harry. This book looks at the legends of rock's most infamous managers.
Horace Panter Ska "d For Life (Sidgwick & Jackson) Before British music imploded in on itself and the country temporarin went on fire. The Specials were one of the most innovative bands in the c0untry. Relive that happy time with bassist. Panter.
Seb Hunter Rock Me Amadeus
(Pei igi iir i Books‘) Ever wondered why they have a separate glassed off area for classical music in l-lMV. or where you'd get a cheap lute from? Here are the answers in a laugh out loud v0yage of musical discovery.
I’l Jun 1') Jul i’i‘ii‘n‘ THE LIST 63