Album Reviews: 16 July 2008

I like talking about music. If you've ever been out with me on a night out, you'll definitely know this. Don't let Graham and me near each other, or we'll just spend the evening talking about music. Thus, I'm adding a new feature to the blog where I sum up the latest releases. Not every album mind, just every one that appears on Metacritic, as well as some other notable Irish and international releases. I'll also be reviewing some non-notable ones too.

Don't expect huge long reviews. Just a few lines. I do have a job I'm meant to be doing! So, without further ado...

New on Metacritic: 14 July 2008


The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

As featured in a recent Upcoming Brilliance, the Hold Steady's fourth album is probably the one that will see them move on to even bigger venues. You may have seen them at the Academy this year, but after Stay Positive, expect them to move up to the Ambassador, but probably not The 02 Point Depot quite yet! The album itself is glorified excellence, and 'Constructive Summer' should be the song of the summer. Highlights include 'Yeah Sapphire', 'Sequestered in Memphis', and the title track 'Stay Positive'.

John Mellencamp - Life, Death, Love and Freedom

Good friend of mine (and maybe perhaps furture blog collaborator) Chris absolutely loves this record. He claims it's the best album Mellencamp has put out since Scarecrow, and although that's not a huge triumph in itself, it is a great addition to his extensive catalogue. The album has a "dark bluesy feel" (Chris's words, not mine), and is a "pleasant surprise".

Nas - Untitled

Untitled or Nas or whatever you want to call it is a much better title than the unsettling Nigger that Nas had proposed. Like Mellencamp, this is his best in years, since 2001's Stillmatic. 'Queens Get The Money', 'Make the World Go Round' and 'Fried Chicken' are all standouts. And he even namechecks Barack Obama on 'Black President'. Hell yeah.

Wire - Object 47

Another oldschool artist releases a return to glory. Seems to be a trend this week, eh? It's short, punchy, and not really my thing at all. But for fans of the band, it's meant to be a great album (minus the singer, of course), and is sure to please those of you who never left their punk years behind.

Other Releases This Week

The Dutchess & the Duke - She's The Dutchess, He's The Duke

An album that's getting a lot of love at a forum I use (ufck.org if you must know!), this improperly spelled band, with their improperly spelled album are a great new folk-rock act. It's dark, menacing, brooding, and pretty damn good. If it weren't for The Hold Steady, this would definitely be the best album this week. It's like a dirtier Rolling Stones. That can never be a bad thing!

Carla Bruni - Comme Si De Rien N'Etait/As If Anything Happens

The French President's wife might be in Ireland this week as her husband visits to try and convince us to vote again on the Lisbon Treaty - and this time the right way, or something. His new wife, former model Carla Bruni will probbaly not be making a quest appearance at Whelan's at the weekend. This, her third album shows her to be a great performer as well as a great wife! It's an album of baroque pop, that'll probably do well in France and her native Italy, but end up in the bargain bins over here. Here previous record No Promises is still on my iPod, and gets played now and then. Usually when I see her photo in the papers though! Publicity worked for Geri Halliwell, why not her?