It's well known that R.E.M never produce a bad album. Collapse Into Now proves that point. There was lots of speculation about how this album would turn out, would it be in a similar vein to their 'comeback' album of 2008, or would they reintroduce some more of their nuanced sounds of earlier albums? As it happens, they compromised and there is a equal mix of both on Collapse Into Now.
Opening with an attention grabbing track by the name of 'Discoverer', you understand exactly why there has been so much hype surrounding this album, and just how deserving it is. Followed up by a punchy, more agressive 'All The Best', the opening tracks of the album cement the reason why it could be one of the best releases of the year so far.
R.E.M have never been a band to shy away from the slower, fokesy songs, and with the addition of mandolins and accordions on 'Oh My Heart', they manage to do that successfully too, enchancing the texture and layers to an already great song.
The most intriguing track, however, is closer 'Blue'. It's almost like an experiment with post-rock, with spoken lines mixing with harmonies, to create a song that leaves nothing to be desired. With Patti Smith guesting on 'Blue', other guests such as Eddie Vedder and Peaches, all contribute to making Collapse Into Now a winner.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Michael Monroe - Sensory Overdrive review.
The debut studio album from the Michael Monroe band is finally here, and was well worth the wait. With a band consisting of Ginger from The Wildhearts, ex-New York Dolls guitarist Steve Conte, ex-Hanoi Rocks bassist Sami Yaffa and drummer Karl Rosqvist (often known as Karl Rockfist), there shouldn't have been any doubt that this album would be a success.
Opening with 'Trick Of The Wrist', you know you're in for a great time with this album as your ears are treated to a track that wouldn't be out of place on a Wildhearts album or a Hanoi Rocks album, but masterfully created to fit on Sensory Overdrive perfectly. More of the same is released on the chosen first single, '78', which pays homage to the music scene and sense of community in 1978. Michael's vocals and Ginger's riffs manage to create one of the most infectious choruses and foot-tappingly catchy songs of the entire album.
'Got Blood' follows and leaves it's mark, making it obvious that Ginger wrote the majority of the album, and that no matter what he does, it works perfectly. 'Got Blood' is, put simply, 2.38 minutes of fast paced, raw, rock'n'roll. Next up are Superpowered Superfly, Modern Day Miracle and Bombs away, all adding to the flow of an album that will be stuck in the minds of thousands for weeks after it's worldwide release, and cementing the fact that the Michael Monroe band will certainly be around for quite some time.
Not only are the members of this band a fantastic mould of talents, country star Lucinda Williams and iconic frontman Lemmy are guests on 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'Debauchery As A Fine Art' respectively, adding another level to two outstanding tracks already destined for good things. With all those talents on one album, it was never going to be a failure, but to produce something like this is just incredible. Already a contender for album of the year, only 3 months in is an acheivement in itself, but when the band spans over 3 countries, it's even more of an acheivement.
Thirty-three minutes of a day are taken up by a first listen to Sensory Overdrive, and I'd recommend it to everyone, not just Monroe or Ginger fans, but anyone who likes music as a whole.
Opening with 'Trick Of The Wrist', you know you're in for a great time with this album as your ears are treated to a track that wouldn't be out of place on a Wildhearts album or a Hanoi Rocks album, but masterfully created to fit on Sensory Overdrive perfectly. More of the same is released on the chosen first single, '78', which pays homage to the music scene and sense of community in 1978. Michael's vocals and Ginger's riffs manage to create one of the most infectious choruses and foot-tappingly catchy songs of the entire album.
'Got Blood' follows and leaves it's mark, making it obvious that Ginger wrote the majority of the album, and that no matter what he does, it works perfectly. 'Got Blood' is, put simply, 2.38 minutes of fast paced, raw, rock'n'roll. Next up are Superpowered Superfly, Modern Day Miracle and Bombs away, all adding to the flow of an album that will be stuck in the minds of thousands for weeks after it's worldwide release, and cementing the fact that the Michael Monroe band will certainly be around for quite some time.
Not only are the members of this band a fantastic mould of talents, country star Lucinda Williams and iconic frontman Lemmy are guests on 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'Debauchery As A Fine Art' respectively, adding another level to two outstanding tracks already destined for good things. With all those talents on one album, it was never going to be a failure, but to produce something like this is just incredible. Already a contender for album of the year, only 3 months in is an acheivement in itself, but when the band spans over 3 countries, it's even more of an acheivement.
Thirty-three minutes of a day are taken up by a first listen to Sensory Overdrive, and I'd recommend it to everyone, not just Monroe or Ginger fans, but anyone who likes music as a whole.
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