Candid Article 51

Klaxons - Love Frequency

For my latest Candid article on electro group The Klaxons new album, click here:

http://candidonline.com/new-music-the-klaxons/

Candid Article 47

Lucius

For my latest article, on New York band Lucius, click the link below:

http://candidonline.com/new-music-lucius/

Candid Article 41

ARTPOP by Lady Gaga

For my most recent article, a review of Gaga's latest album, click here: 

http://candidonline.com/review-artpop-2/

Candid Article 38

Tapes by Bloc Party

Click below for my review of Bloc Party's latest album, the compilation 'Tapes'.

http://candidonline.com/review-bloc-party-tapes/

Candid Article 36

The Airborne Toxic Event

Read my review of 'Such Hot Blood' the latest offering from The Airborne Toxic Event, here:

http://candidonline.com/review-the-airborne-toxic-event/

Candid Article 31

Disclosure - Settle

Here's the link to my latest article (I'm pumping them out at the moment!) a review of Settle, the new album by Disclosure:

http://candidonline.com/review-disclosure-settle/

Candid Article 30

30 Seconds To Mars - Love, Lust, Faith & Dreams

For my latest article, a review of the latest 30 Seconds To Mars album, click on the link below:

http://candidonline.com/review-30-seconds-to-mars-love-list-faith-and-dreams/

Candid Article 29

Jagwar Ma - Howlin

Please click the link to read my latest article, a review of Jagwar Ma's new album 'Howlin':

http://candidonline.com/review-jagwar-ma-howlin/

Winter Sounds...

Lana Del Rey: Born To Die - 4 stars ****

I got this album as despite not being a huge fan of Del Rey's first single 'Video Games', I am totally in love with the second single 'Born To Die', and so thought I'd give it a go. The album has 16 tracks on it, and they vary from the melancholy 'Video Games' to urban tunes like 'Lolita' to uplifting choral numbers such as 'National Anthem'. It really shows her diversity as an artist, and her true musical talent, as nothing on the album sounds remotely manufactured. They are all quite personalised, with quirky lyrics, unusual compositions and also parts where rap-esque talking is laid over the backing music as in 'Born To Die'.

Million Dollar Man sounds like a 50s style musical track, you can almost see Lana walking through a gloomy American city singing the lyrics in pursuit of her lover. 'Radio' is quite humorous, as she uses love clichés in the lyrics, but they are filled with irony such as 'lick me up and take me like a vitamin 'cause my bodies sweet like sugar venom'. This occurs frequently and lets her personality shine through, which gives a cynical overtone to the album.

Despite Lana Del Rey having her own distinct style and voice, I couldn't help but think that certain songs sounded a lot like some other famous female vocalists. Without You is quite high pitched and dreamy, reminiscent of 80s Kate Bush tracks, and in Blue Jeans she sounds like Gwen Stefani - which, as she is one of my favourite artists ever, is a massive compliment!

Overall I would recommend this album to someone who wants a bit of a change from the usual girls that dominate the saccharine pop world, yet don't want to stray too far into unknown territory. Give it a go.

Candid Article 8

Kelly Clarkson ‘Stronger’- 3 stars ***

A couple of weeks ago saw the release of Kelly Clarkson’s latest studio album, entitled ‘Stronger’. The 29 year old from Texas shot to fame after winning American Idol in 2002, and is easily the most successful act to emerge from the show. Best known for hits such as ‘Miss Independent’, ‘Since U Been Gone’, and her first UK number one, ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’, she has won two Grammys, three MTV Video Music Awards and a Women’s World Award given to females who have ‘influenced the world by their work in areas such as society or politics’.

‘Stronger’ is the artist’s fifth album, and according to her, was the best to record as, ‘everything was really fluid, and everyone agreed on it’. It is also her first concept album; placing a heavy focus on ‘strength and empowerment’, hence the title that she decided upon. Despite starting to write it in November 2009, the album’s debut was put back twice, until it was finally released on October 24^th.

The record was produced with the aim of sounding as close to Clarkson’s live performances as possible, and therefore Auto-tune was used sparingly. Rather than showing the cracks in her singing, this decision does her powerful voice massive justice, even on the less ballsy tracks such as ‘Standing In Front Of You’ which has a quieter, ballad-esque feel. This won her serious points from me as it shows that she does possess a very natural talent, a revelation when considering that her rock/ pop sound is often compared with the likes of P!nk and Avril Lavigne.

There are thirteen tracks on the album, and although a few sound quite similar, it is easy to pick out the most successful. ‘Einstein’ is my personal favourite as it is quintessentially Clarkson, issuing a clear message with a punchy beat, and the same goes for ‘Hello’. I think the song from which the album takes its name ‘What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)’ could do well if released, as it has a strong dance inspired chorus, and America’s Entertainment Weekly calls the track ‘a throbbing glitter disco tribute’.

The album’s release comes after the first single ‘Mr. Know It All’ was made available on September 5^th and reached number six in the UK chart. ‘Stronger’ wasn’t any serious contender for the number one album spot (after all, Coldplay’s ‘Mylo Xyloto’ came out the same week) but it is not one to be relegated to the bargain bucket just yet.

Candid Article 5

Kasabian vs. Blink 182

The last fortnight has seen the release of two records that have been highly anticipated.

Let’s start with the album cover. I expected Blink’s comeback to boast some impressive artwork, if only to draw attention to the fact that they are ready for action. However, graphic designer Mike Grant has depicted a simple industrial styled monochrome skyline, with the band’s name emblazoned across the front, which I found a bit disappointing. In comparison to Kasabian’s cover, a cartoon style optical illusion featuring a bearded man’s face, it just doesn’t have that wow factor. Though perhaps with Kasabian winning an NME award for best album artwork with their last album, they felt the pressure to keep up to the standard they had already set.

‘Velociraptor!’ is the fourth studio album from Leicester’s famous Kasabian, while ‘Neighbourhoods’ is the first album to be released in six years from rock-pop trio Blink 182. Although the bands are miles apart in the music world, not least because they hail from opposite sides of the pond, I thought it would be good to compare the two albums, to discover the merits and pitfalls of both, and if they are worth a listen. Both bands have released two tracks off the albums prior to their release.

First impressions aside, the crucial thing of course is the music itself. Tom DeLonge, lead singer with Blink 182, describes their latest effort as ‘ambitious, weird and expansive’, and it is unquestionably their darkest album yet. This has been put down to the events which have inspired the member’s song writing, most notably their substantial career break, when disagreements led to a parting of the ways. As well as this, drummer Travis Barker was injured in a serious plane crash, and the producer of all the band’s previous albums, Jerry Finn, died suddenly of a cerebral haemorrhage.

However, despite the more serious subject matter, the album remains quintessentially Blink, still using ‘fast sunny hooks’ as was described of their original sound. Track 8 on the album, ‘This Is Home’, is definitely the catchiest tune, and harks back to the band’s more carefree songs of the late 90s.

The problem with the record overall is that having been produced solely by the band members for the first time, as well as being recorded mainly at three separate studios to suit each of them, means that the finished product feels slightly disjointed and erratic at times. Barker’s drumming hints at his more hip-hop based projects, while bassist Mark Hoppus admits he has manipulated ‘weird indie rock’ into some of the songs he wrote. It is however, a good attempt to break back into the market, and will no doubt have old fans queuing up to see them tour the UK next year, despite them cancelling their previous one due to delays in album production.

Kasabian’s ‘Velociraptor!’ has been put together much more quickly (work started in November 2010) but by no means does it impair the quality of the outcome. It is a widely varied album, with 80s inspired beats such as on ‘I Hear Voices’, as well as unmistakeably Kasabian tracks such as latest release ‘Days Are Forgotten’ and opening song ‘Let’s Roll Like We Used To’. Having already made it to the top spot of BBC Radio 1’s Album Chart in just a week, it looks like it is set to rival the awards won by their previous albums, which include a Q award for Best Album in 2009, and an NME award for Best Album in 2010, both for ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’.

Music magazine ‘Rolling Stone’ has been very complimentary of both the band’s latest work; awarding 3 out of 5 stars for ‘Neighbourhoods’, and announcing ‘Velociraptor!’ as Kasabian’s best album yet, predicting an even bigger future for the foursome. With ‘Neighbourhoods’ recent release (27^th September) we’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out if Kasabian will be knocked off the top spot by the popular US band’s eagerly awaited 7^th album. Until then, I’d recommend downloading them both, and casting an ear to the latest offerings from these two successful bands.

Autumn Sounds...

Hands All Over by Maroon 5

When I first heard Maroon 5 had a new album coming out, I was straight on to Play.com to order my copy. Aside from having a huge crush on Adam Levine, I think their previous two albums were really good, and since seeing them live in November 2007 they have remained a firm favourite on my Ipod.

Hands All Over took a few listens initially before I got into it, but now I can't get enough of it! It's been in my car for the past four days and will remain there for some time. The first track is their latest release 'Misery' which is catchy and fun, and sounds as far from misery as possible. Levine's voice is pitch perfect as usual, and the band seem to work together harmoniously for a brilliant outcome. The album was produced by Robert 'Mutt' Lange, who has previously worked with AC/DC, Bryan Adams, Nickelback and The Boomtown Rats, and his expertise is apparent throughout the whole album, as it has been constructed and edited with great results.

My favourite song is the third track on the album, 'Stutter'. It sticks in your head for days (though whether that's a good thing..) and has a great beat for bopping around to. There is also the added comedy of the chorus literally sounding like someone stuttering! After previously mentioning this being in my car, I would like to add that the whole album is great to listen to while driving, or popping on the MP3 to take for a run at the gym. The CD cover looks edgy on the shelf too.

With it being the band's third album, it is at this point that a lot of artists run out of steam and their material begins to sound like carbon copies of previous work. Thus far, Maroon 5 have managed to steer clear of this, with each album having quite a different sound. Their debut, Songs About Jane is still, I feel, their strongest, as you can tell it was them experimenting with what image and sound they wanted. It Won't Be Song Before Long emerged five years later with a more mature feel, and slightly more risque lyrics. Hands All Over seems to be a return to their original material, but with sleeker results. Levine's vocals are not quite as high pitched and Prince like, and the instrumentals have more power and emotion behind them now. I love that they've done a cover of Queen's 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' as the final album track as well, it means it ends on a high, and shows the band are still having fun while making music. Hopefully it won't take them another five years to bring out their next record, as I'm curious as to which direction they are headed next.