Friday 2 October 2009
The Short Reviews: Diverse Companionship
Lots of albums coming out and so little time again. So here are some more short reviews of some very diverse albums by Das Pop, New Cool Collective, The Big Pink, Monsters of Folk and Moss among others.
Das Pop - Das Pop (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
They had trouble releasing this album but it was worth the wait. Nicely produced (by magic duo Stephen and David Dewaele from Soulwax) album with catchy pop songs put Das Pop back on the map.
New Cool Collective ft. Los Papines & Mapacha Africa - Sugar Protocol (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
Another great album by Benjamin Herman's New Cool Collective. This time with more focus on African and Cuban influences because of guest musicians Los Papines (Cuba) and Mapacha Africa (Kenya). So many musicians and still the songs are able to breath. Would love to see all three bands live one day!
The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
Heavily inspired by the 80s "shoegazer" music. This means noise, electronics and pounding drums but then in a modern way.
Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
"Supergroup" or not? Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward joined forces on this highly acclaimed album. The new Traveling Wilburys according to some but maybe that's too much credit. Still a well written album.
Action Park - When Everyone Else Is Gone (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
Nice rock songs with ringing guitar riffs. Production isn't great but good album by this Dutch band from Utrecht.
Baddies - Do The Job (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
It's rock 'n roll baby and I like it! Fresh sounding British band that's more rock than brit pop.
Moss - Never Be Scared/Don't Be A Hero (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
Very good album by this Dutch band. Diverse songs with nice arrangements. A bit of rock, a bit of pop. Firm rock songs followed by beautiful harmonies in others.
Girls - Album (Ronald Says 7 out of 10)
The songs were supposingly written while on drugs. It sounds very British from time to time but a little more rough around the edges. Not all songs are great but still a nice album.
Alberta Cross - The Broken Side of Time (Ronald Says 8 out of 10)
Nice rock songs with gospel and soul influences by this band from New York. Especially the vocals of Petter Ericson Stakee makes this a great album.
Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much (Ronald Says 5 out of 10)
I could barely handle his debut album "Life in Cartoon Motion" but this one is too much. Super sweet pop meets musical and taken way over the top. This time the cartoon figures are psychos. Think Happy Tree Friends on speed that will crack your teeth enamel. Awful!
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