The Kills bring music back to life

Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince are dynamic, intense and prove that quality music can still be made through the minimalist use of pre recorded backing layered with live guitar and vocals - putting to shame many mass produced music acts today.

I love.

Last Day of Magic

Black Balloon

No Wow

Tape Song

Welcome Back, Mr Mayer.

If there is one thing that we know about John Mayer, it is that when he makes music - he says something. Whether it be a criticism of the American state of affairs in 'Waiting on the World to change' to the use of getting high vs wanting more in 'Who Says,' Mayer speaks and sings volumes.

The latest release from his forthcoming album entitled 'Battle Studies' is 'Heartbreak Warfare' and it is sublime - and the film clip isn't too shabby either.

Sunny Side Up and Smiling

The smooth, soulful and Scottish sensation that is Paolo Nutini has finally returned after two years hiatus, whilst touring in celebration of his 2007 debut studio release ‘These Streets’ that saw him dominate not only the UK but also the United States where he can now mark The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin off his list of dream stage partners. His latest release, ‘Sunny Side Up’ sees a distinct departure from the soft pop-rock tracks that gained popular acclaim from a vast range of audiences around the globe and as such cements Nutini as a true talent who has matured and grown not only as a young artist at the age of 22 but as a person.

Possessing a music taste and influence far beyond his years, Paolo gets in touch with his folk roots and has teamed up with the 1970s new wave Irish group The Vipers for this album to produce a new sound that fans will either love or loathe. Bravely introducing a Blues, Reggae, Motown and Country influence to his already guitar laden and percussive performances, Paolo’s raw and raspy voice continues to ooze conviction and emotion in every song. The debut track from Sunny Side Up, the ballad entitled ‘Candy’ reacquaints fans with his original sound combined with a slight Country edge and reminds them as to why they fell in love with his rich, soulful music and writing in the beginning.

Stand out ballads on the album include No Other Way and Worried Man which contrast greatly to the upbeat and fun-filled tracks 10/10, Coming Up Easy and Pencil Full Of Lead that bare a resemblance to his older tracks Alloway Grove and New Shoes. Paolo Nutini’s eagerly awaited second album is eclectic, passionate, individual and revealing. The first song from the track list is 10/10 and so is the entire album.

Ben Folds High Five

Don’t underestimate the impact of “doo doo’s,” “wah wah’s” and “tra-la-la’s” in recreating and reinventing the soft pop rock and acoustic songs made popular by Nashville native Ben Folds, and the equally renowned group, Ben Folds Five over the last 15 years. Collaborating with 14 choral groups spanning the United States of America from Washington to Wisconsin, Ben Folds gets in touch with his inner Choir Master and dares to be different with his latest album release, restoring the faith in many that being part of a choir is not always synonymous with geek as 8 part harmonies, near-perfect diction and pronunciation as well as sharp beat-boxing dominates the University A Cappella record. This departure from earlier works since his decision to go solo in 2001 marks a major change from his debut release “Rockin’ the suburbs” (2001) and last release “Way to Normal” (2008) as he goes back to school to play teacher and music mentor to students who, going by their powerful, melodically smooth and soulful sound, thrive on making music as much as he does, albeit in a much different capacity compared to thrashing the piano, throwing his head and garnering audience participation to sing with him that is seen regularly in his packed concerts.

A collaboration of this nature is not new for Folds, since working with Symphony Orchestras’ throughout America on recent tours but this time; he trades the orchestra for a cappella. Replacing potent and powerful piano for mere voices has the potential to not live up to the high standard and reputation of the man Ben Fold’s himself, however innovatively capturing the balance of emotion, meaning, irony and instrumentation manifested in Fold’s tracks, University Choirs such as Greensboro’s ‘The Spartones,’ Ohio University’s ‘Leading Tones’ and The University of Chicago’s ‘Voices in your Head’ do great justice to tracks ‘Not the Same,’ ‘Brick’ and ‘Magic’ striking a chord with many hardcore Ben Fold fans around the globe as they too, get in touch with their inner baritone, tenor, alto and soprano with the album sitting comfortably at #9 on the ITunes Music Charts in the first few weeks of its release alone.

It is hard to escape the stereotyped mould that a majority of Choirs are glued to today, however Folds attempts to break that mould and despite the odd occasion when the “doo doo’s,” “wah wah’s” and “tra-la-la’s” become a tad monotonous, the beauty of Ben Fold’s latest album release is the great range of audiences it can appeal to, including your own Grandma, if you minus the mild profanity or two. Consider the geek mentality associated with Choirs dispelled, if only all could collaborate with Mr. Folds.

Khan do no better.

British singer-songwriter Natasha Khan, better known as ‘Bat for Lashes’ is enchantingly haunting and oh so emotive and her second album entitled ‘Two Suns’ is no exception. Drawing influence from various artists over time such as the lyricism of Annie Lennox combined with a score-like quality, Bat for Lashes’ sound is invigorating and innovative in a music scene that is becoming increasingly saturated by mass produced pop.

Building on the experimental electronica, poetic piano and soft percussion eminent from her previous album ‘Fur and Gold,’ Khan continues to be musically and visually stimulating and engaging as she follows the same experimental path collaborating again with David Kosten and continuing to produce mysterious, psychedelic and soul wrenching sounds on tracks like ‘Siren Song’ and ‘Pearl Dream’ as well as acoustically endowed piano and percussion tracks such as ‘The Big Sleep’ featuring Scott Walker and ‘Moon and Moon.’

Bat for Lashes’ first track release entitled ‘Daniel’ combines dark electronica and strings with Khan’s lyrical and hypnotic voice featuring an eerie upbeat tempo reminiscent of previous tracks from ‘Fur and Gold’ such as ‘Trophy’ and ‘What’s a girl to do’.

Touring Europe at present, increasing in popularity in the UK and recently making her US debut, ‘Bat for Lashes’ is conquering the music scene with her unique and dark dream-like sound and omnipotent presence. ‘Two Suns’ is out now under She Bear, Parlophone and Astralwerks records as well as being available on Itunes.

The Fuss about Russ

If you could mix the comedic physicality of Billy Connelly and John Cleese, the lanky stature of Lurch from ‘The Addams Family,’ the hair growth of both Mario Bros, the sex drive of a rabbit, the style of Captain Jack Sparrow’s civilized long lost brother, the uncanny vernacular of Ben Elton, Prince Charles and Gordon Ramsay as well as the effeminacy of Dame Edna Everidge, the end-product would be nothing but diabolical and rather psychotic. In this instance however, it merely describes a mild resemblance to the ostentatious, sex addict-come-sex god, British-born and ever so controversial Russell Brand who recently performed to sold-out crowds in his stand up comedy show entitled, Scandalous.

After professing his outrageous love for blondes, the uterus, ‘spermination,’ ejaculation, threesomes and orgies in a manner that cleverly combined vulgarity and hilarity, Brand executed his scandalous routine to constant fits of laughter and dropped jaws, winning over the audience of women and their partners alike.

Touching on fame, fortune and various body parts, Brand addressed his failure at the American MTV awards, admitted to his sex and drug addiction and accepted the blame for the outrageous hullabaloo sparked by his sexual encounter with the Granddaughter of British actor, Andrew Sachs (better known as ‘Manuel’ from ‘Faulty Towers’) whilst harboring the point that there is a distinction between the angelic title of ‘Granddaughter’ and ‘Satanic Slut,’ - the title of her dance troupe.

Building on the overnight success of ‘My Booky Wook,’ Russell Brand circumvented reason and ridicule, proving to audiences that not only is he outlandish and eccentric but also a comedic pleasure to watch in more ways than one. Brand not only welcomes but attracts controversy, frenzy, and multitudes of women into his world and Scandalous was no exception, none whatsoever.