Ed Harcourt: Born In The 70’s (Radio edit) (Heavenly Recordings/EMI)
Multi – talented singer – songwriter Ed Harcourt bounces back with a jaunty
lyrically reflective knock at current day music. Now in his mid – twenties,
he pops at the scene that clearly influenced him – so what’s the big deal ?
It’s nice and easy, but quite forgettable and should have remained an album
track on Strangers. I’ve heard better from Harcourt - no doubt it’ll make
BBC Radio 2’s playlist.
Thunderclap Newman: Something In The Air
[Hollywood Dream]
Thunderclap Newman: Something In The Air (Vigilante)
Some things in life should never be tampered with – and this is possibly one
of them – well at least the lead vocals. Original singer John ‘ Speedy ‘
Keen (who died March 2002) has been replaced with Zoot Money, who’s
grittier singing doesn’t work for me on this particular track.
This re-working from one hit wonders Thunderclap Newman from June 1969
does have some delightfully epic moments such as the strings, adding real
crescendo along with Bluesy lashings of piano making up for its vocal
disappointment. Track 2, Sunshine In My Life, and 3, Old Soul Singer, border
on R’n’B, and are excellent indications of what’s to come (as they release
their first album since 1969), at the end of November.
Jamelia: DJ/Stop
[Thank You]
Jamelia: DJ/Stop (Parlophone/EMI)
More teenage-fodder from sultry Jamelia. Originally a hit for Sam Brown in 1988, it’s been commissioned
by new Bridget Jones’ producers for the film. Catchy hooks and heavy on the bass – girlies across
the nation will be doing their street moves. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
Don’t believe the hype; this bling trash is dire. It’s nearly as ridiculous as his name. Rap and Hip Hop’s
a big turn–off for me anyway. This gives me the first chance to slag of the genre. It might be
cool with street-cred kids in the States and UK. I say: bin it now, and hope this trash vanishes SOON!
Why don’t record companies invest in real talent ?
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B
37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Jan 2011: Intel Quad Core Dell XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80Ghz, 8Gb RAM, nVidia GeForce GTS 240, Windows 7
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
