Zarif // Box Of Secrets

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Box of Secrets is the début album release for Zarif and is released on her own label (Bright Pink) and also features 2 previous singles (Over and Let Me Back)a well as the current/title track Box of Secrets

The opening track is also the title track (Box of Secrets) and is a great little upbeat jazz/swing number. This is the original album version so no rapping section in this one. It also sets the presidence for the rest of the album. Seen It All Before continues the upbeat feel before Breakout enters with it mystic sounding background (although it does somehow conjure images of the Pyramids).

The Day The Music Left Me and Over return to the general upbeatness of the album before we're led into the beautiful guitar driven, acoustic sounding ballad You Take The Darkness. Coming after such upbeat songs would make you think that it would sound out of place. However, it almost feels as if it should be there. California brings a more sombre tone to proceedings in another little guitar driven track.

The opening bars of Silence Room may leave you wanting to burst into a Stevie Wonder song and it flows just like something that he would write or perform. Stop What You're Doing is another little upbeat song before heading into the relaxing and laid back Words. Let You Back is a great little summery sounding tune that you wouldn't mid sticking on and dreaming of the summer that we never had.

Summer In Your Eyes is another great laid back and relaxing track which is perfect for bring the album to an end. But no, we're not finished yet. It's time to come full circle with the radio edit of Box Of Secrets and yes, this time featuring Mz Bratt.

Some débuts try to cram as much differing material making them feel scattered and unorganized. However Zarif's focuses on the soul/jazz/swing/little r'n'b elements and is a mixture of upbeat and slower tracks, which would sometimes make an album awkward. However, the placement of the slower tracks make the album flow continuously without a hitch.

There is something that needs to be commended here and that is that the album isn't overproduced. Everything is brought together and seems to fit like pieces of a jigsaw. It may have retro feel but it has a modern twist. There's a balance between the music and vocals meaning you can actually enjoy the album without having to strain to understand what is being said.

Overall, Box of Secrets is a great little début. It probably not what you would expect given the current sounds covering the charts at the moment. Zarif's début is a breathe of fresh air and is perfect for this time of year or any time for that matter. Hopefully this is just the first of Zarif's secrets that she's pulled out of her box and that more are going to follow.

Rating:5/5

Gabriella Cilmi // Defender

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Gabriella returns with single number 3 from the album Ten and this time it's a double A-side (or what it would be deemed if it had a physical release!)

Defender is a beautiful ballad and quite possibly be ballad of the year. It's also the first ballad that we've heard from Cilmi as a single (past singles have been upbeat dancy numbers) and in essence, is about being there for the one that you care about no matter what happens.

As said, this is a double A and this is where the problem lies. On A Magic Carpet Ride features in the movie 'Soul Boy'. No problem. Except that this song has already been released as the B-side to the On A Mission physical single. It's difficult to understand why a song would be released twice, except to promote the film of course.

Defender as said is a beautiful ballad (previous ballads have been trapped on the last album) although it could be argued that it's release isn't well time. Yes there is the summer romances, but this feels like it would be more at home in Christmas. The only drag is that a previously released track features

Rating:4.5/5

Carrie Mac // Hello

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There seems to be an increasing number of artists emerging from Scotland this year and Carrie Mac is the next to step into the spotlight. Hailing from Edinburgh, this singer/songwriter already has an army of followers on myspace and facebook, but now she’s ready to show the rest of the music industry what she’s got.

Hello is the debut single from Carrie Mac and comes across as a very simple yet catchy pop song.  It fits in nicely between anything that’s already out there, making it a very versatile song to slot into any playlist. You’ll soon find yourself joining in with the chorus and dancing round to this little tune.

Hopefully this track isn’t going to set the bar too high for this newcomer and make her a one track wonder. Here’s looking forward to big things for this artist

Rating 4/5

Olly Murs // Please Don’t Let Me Go

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Runner-Up from the last series of The X-Factor, Olly Murs now releases his début single.

Sadly though, it's doesn't help him stand out from the crowd and feels almost like a safe option as it's been 8 months since anything's been heard from him.

The song itself sounds like a cross between Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl and any Will Young track and if you heard it without anyone telling you anything about it you probably would think that it was Will Young singing.

It's a wee swaying song and while yes, an original track, the similarity vocally between him and Will Young means that people will miss interpret who it is. Perfect as a little track to break up other songs and probably as a summery track, but with the new series of X-factor having started, this could hinder any progress as the nation becomes fascinated for the next Leona or Joe.

Sadly likely to be overshadowed if Simon has his way and does a Glee with each week's performances

Rating:3/5

Hurts // Wonderful Life

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If Tears For Fears and The Pet Shop Boys had a child, Hurts would likely be the one. Wonderful Life is the first proper release for the British Synth-pop group. If you're a Sky customer, then you'll likely already have heard one of their songs for Sky1 HD (Illuminated).

The song itself is almost story like about a man saved from committing suicide (sounding a little Eminem here (Stan). The chorus although simplistic (Don't Let Go/Never Give Up/It's Such A Wonderful Life) is memorable and catchy. In fact, if you closed your eyes and listened to the song, then you'd almost swear that you were back in the 80's.

Overall, it's a nice little tune and brilliant to see something different rather than the generic sounds that seem to be flooding the charts as the moment. Hopefully this is a group that is going to be around for a while

Rating: 4/5

Alex Cornish // Call Back

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Call Back is the second release from Edinburgh based singer/songwriter Alex Cornish. Reading the credits on the booklet, it sounds like everything bar the kitchen sink has been used instrument-wise (maybe the kitchen sink has been included, who knows).

Call Back is a very laid back album right from the outset, starting with it's title track, which in honesty, sounds a little like a little introductory track. Once More I'm Put To The Test picks up the pace a little and features a great little guitar piece throughout.

Don't Hold Me Back is another great track and probably wouldn't look or sound out of place on a relaxing driving album. Slowing it down is I'm On The Right Side, featured in the closing credits of the film Solstice . Like John Lennon Said is a piano and vocal solo and probably not something you'd expect right in the middle of a album, but somehow, it doesn't seem out of place.

The Shame is up next and starts off very calm with guitar and piano, but after the first verse and chorus, it seems to become slightly disorientating with the piano playing a series of 4 keys over (think Twilight Zone) and then recovers with a beautiful string arrangement.

Shudder Like You're Freezing is another very calm, almost serene track. You're Not The One That I Love Any More picks the pace up again and again is another track that wouldn't look out of place on a relaxing driving album. In The Headlights is a lightly faster track which given it's position, doesn't instil confidence.. However, Won't Be Found brings the album to a calm and clean end. It doesn't leave you thinking that there's more to come.

Whilst some have described the music as dreary and like Marmite (i.e. you either like him or hate him), it is probably down to what you look for in music. As said at the beginning , Call Back is a very laid back and very relaxing album. You can quite happily put the CD on and then just listen to the tracks back to back without skipping. The songs themselves make you feel as if you've heard them before and almost draw you in, making you want to sing along with them, even if it's the first time that you've heard them.

It should be said though that the album doesn't do the songs justice. To truly appreciate them, you have to see Alex live. He's an artist gem that the world just hasn't discovered yet, which is a shame. If you're looking for something a little different and out of the ordinary, then Alex's new album is highly recommended

Rating: 5/5

Amy Macdonald Live at Edinburgh Corn Exchange (18th August 2010)

The Edge Festival (formally known as T on the Fringe) brings well known acts and those just starting out a platform to perform to their fans in some of Edinburgh’s well known venues.

This year, Scottish singer/songwriter Amy Macdonald headlines the festival with a show in the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. For those that have never been to the venue, it’s situated just outside of the capital in Slateford. It’s split into several areas, the Exchange being the largest.

 

Although doors opened at 7pm, it wasn’t until approximately  8pm until the support act came on. This came in the form of Edinburgh singer/songwriter Alex Cornish (website here). He kicked off his set with his last single, Scotland The Brave before heading into a track called Don’t Hold Me Back.  After introducing himself, he introduced a song from his new album called The Shame. This was followed by Untied and the set rounded off with the beautiful Chimney Pots, both taken from the debut album, Until The Traffic Stops. Chimney Pots in itself is a beautiful thing to watch come together as Alex records segments of violin music there and then with the use of a loop pedal.

Having seen Alex live previously (January 2010 at Celtic Connections supporting Sandi Thom), it was nice to hear the songs as they almost appear on the album and was a differing sound to what Amy has to offer.

 

After a quick rearrangement of the stage for equipment and set up of instruments (during which event staff were handing out free water to anyone that wanted it), it was time for the main attraction for the evening.

As with many of Amy’s sets since the release of A Curious Thing, things kicked off with An Ordinary Life before heading into the rocking version of Poison Prince. After this it was a welcome and thanks for coming before introducing the forthcoming single Love Love (which she reckons we should start hearing quite soon and if we don’t, to phone and complain). Next on the list is the beautiful rocky ballad Give It All Up which was immediately followed up by Next Big Thing.

Next she introduced Youth Of Today, the song that she ever wrote and said that she still finds it strange to perform it live even now. This was followed by the debut single Mr Rock and Roll, but not before she mentioned that if she hears one of her songs on the radio that she has to listen to it as she wants to see what he DJ says about it and how when it goes straight into another song that she gets annoyed. There was also discussion regarding how someone had nominated Amy as an emergency step in model for the Ultimo Bra, which she quickly quelled any idea by saying ‘the clothes are staying firmly on’

 

Singles Run, This Pretty Face and Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over are up next followed by the ballad Troubled Soul to bring things down a little. Solo time and the audience is treated to Amy’s current cover of the moment, Born To Run. Rejoined by the rest of her band, Spark ‘s up next followed by L.A. at the end of which she if anyone makes shoes as her boot zips always end up open by the end of gig because she moves around the stage as much. Moving on, she introduces the track from which the  album name comes from (No Roots) and tells the tale of how her mother originally suggested 2010 as a title and Amy rubbished only to find Prince using it a few weeks later. Oddly enough, the crowd join instead of talking over, which has seemed to be norm at many other venues.

 

Another tale of false identity, the Wrath of Jo (aka Mum) and how the occassional binge is good for you and it’s into fan favourite This Is The Life. She brings things thing to a calming end with What Happiness Means To Me before leaving the stage for a brief moment. The crowd start chanting and it not long before she returns complete with band. She announces that she’s appearing on Ken Bruce’s Radio 2 show next week and how as part of it they’ve to perform a cover of a great British song. For this, they’ve chosen Aztec Camera’s Somewhere In My Heart and apologises as this is the first time that they’ve properly played it so there might be mistakes. If there was, it wasn’t noticed. The evening finished on a high with Let’s Start A Band.

 

Overall it was a fantastic night with Amy appearing to feed off the energy of the crowd and band. Breaking the songs up with her little tales (which also included finding a more alcoholic country than Scotland and the nerves about dueting with Ray Davies), she also showed that she’s aware of what’s happening with the crowd, enquiring live from the stage about someone who had fainted before continuing with the set.  The set was a great mixture of all her material, ensuring that there was something for everyone. There is one thing though; although she might have sold over 3 million records worldwide, she can’t play hide and seek as she was spotted before appearing on stage.

 

And as for the crowd: it seems that now the songs have been out for a while that more people are willing to join in making the night almost like one huge night of karaoke.

 

Of course, while the evening was about the music, it also comes down to the event staff, responsible for making sure that everyone has a great time safely. They continued to hand out water to anyone that wanted it throughout the set and acted quickly to ensure that the person who took unwell was taken away and looked after.  A successful night for all concerned.

 

Photos © Vhari Lannigan

 

Alex Cornish (Official Website)
Until The Traffic Stops
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Call Back
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Download @ iTunes

Amy Macdonald (Official Website)
This Is The Life
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Download @ iTunes

A Curious Thing
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Pearl & the Puppets Instore Performance at FOPP Union Street (16th August 2010)

To celebrate the release of new release “Make Me Smile”, Pearl and (most of) the Puppets performed a short set in FOPP on Union Steet in Glasgow before meeting fans and signing copies of the new single.

As mentioned at the start, most of the Puppets were present for this gig. Drummer Puppet was missing meaning that the renditions of her songs were going to be a little different from usual.

The set kicked off with Lower Ground before heading into debut single Because I Do which she dedicated to her grandad who was present at the performance. This was followed by Mango Tree. All these songs featured on the Because I Do EP released earlier in the year.

Current single Make Me Smile was next in line along with the B-side, Inside Out. The set was finished with fan favourite Kisses which also meant that it was ukulele time! It also meant that it was time for Pearl to complain that she couldn’t do two things at once but also mention that some people already knew what song was coming up.

As mentioned previously, it was a little strange to hear the tracks without a drum or box drum, especially with the two singles, however it was nice to hear songs in a different context than the same thing over and over again.

Despite the time of the instore performance (5.30pm), the tiny ground floor was packed, with some people heading to the second floor and sitting watching from the second level. Compared to other performances, the crowd seemed quite sedate however did show their appreciation at the end of the songs and no shortage of people wanting to meet her afterwards.

 

Overall it was a great little event and it’s great to be able to see an artist in such an intimate way. It’s also a great way to interact with the fans.

Photos: © Vhari Lannigan

 Links
Myspace | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

Because I Do EP:
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Make Me Smile:
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The Green Children // Dragons

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Dragons is the 2nd single to be released by The Green Children and is described as the second part of ‘Encounter’ (Life Was Beautiful is considered the first). However, it is also a first for them as it is the first release from their new record deal.

For those that have followed the group for a while, this new song won’t be as new for them. Originally available on a limited edition self titled album, Dragons has been given a slight reworking for the single release and likely will be the version to be released on their album later this year.

Also for this release it’s been given a remix by none other than Paul Oakenfold. This can be taken either way and depends on your love for all things remixed.

Things might seem to be going at a snails pace at the moment, however, but with the release of their album Encounter soon, hopefully things will start to pick up and more will be heard from these two.

Rating:4/5

Pearl and the Puppets // Make Me Smile

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According to Katie (aka Pearl) this is actually the first single from herself and the band. The song itself has already been used in ads by mobile phone provider Orange in Romania and Victoria’s Secret in America.

Make Me Smile is a great little number, breaking up the monotonous sounds that are currently flooding the chart. With it’s catchy melody and lyrics, you’ll sound find yourself joining in. Inside Out has got a nice melody and rhythm that you’ll soon find yourself swaying along to as well. Also included in this single is a remix of the main single by GRUM.

As previous said, it’s a change from the usual sounds currently in the charts, showing that there is hope yet for music

Rating:4/5

Zarif // Box Of Secrets (Feat. Mz. Bratt)

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Box Of Secrets is the title track to the forthcoming album (30th August 2010) and is the second single from Zarif, but the first to be released on her own label, Bright Pink Records.

Box Of Secrets was originally released as iTunes Free Single Of The Week, but is now getting a proper release and features a rap section by British female MC, Mz. Bratt

The song itself is a great upbeat jazz/swing track that you can’t help dancing along to and joining in with the chorus. For those more familiar with the free version of the single, the rap may be just to much to take in what is a brilliant single. For those that aren’t familiar with the track, then it’s not going to matter.

The track is different from what’s out there in the market at the moment, and hopefully this will help make Zarif stand out. The best of success is wished for her.

Rating:4/5

The Saturdays // Missing You

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Missing You is the first single to be lifted from the forthcoming album Headlines.

There is something missing from this single. Maybe it’s the fact that when the song reaches the chorus sections that you expect it to pick up the pace and become a nice little dancey pop tune, but instead it just stays as a walk in the park. There’s nothing to draw you into and mid-way you may just want to turn the track off.

The remixes of the track have more appeal than the normal radio edit (the Cahill Radio Edit is what the song really should be without a shadow of a doubt)

The B-side (CD Only) has a bit more omph. Alright it sounds a bit Eurovision entry-ish (and maybe the Eurovision panel are needing to take heed of this), but the sound and style of this is what the girls are probably better known. Would probably have been a better choice of first song too.

As a first single, for the casual listener, it probably doesn’t instil confidence in the rest of the album (released 16th August) but more than likely will be a hit with fans

Rating:3/5

Glee: The Music // Journey To Regionals

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The final instalment for the first Glee season. This mini album brings together the tracks for the final moments of the show and it a wonderful little collection.

The mixture of high energy songs and beautiful ballads is a great little mixture.  Fan favourite Don’t Stop Believing is back with a new arrangement vocally and increased tempo. A worry track here would be Bohemian Rhapsody as get it wrong and on your head be it. However, the track is beautifully performed (it’s almost like listening to the We Will Rock You soundtrack) and you could almost say respected. However, the highlight of this album has to be Over The Rainbow

As an ending to a what can only be deemed a phenomenal success both sides of the Atlantic, this mini album is a lovely completion for this series. More than likely though it will be the fans that flock to this.

Rating: 4/5

Glee: The Music // Volume 3: Showstoppers

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Volume 3: Showstoppers brings together a selection of tracks from the second half of the first season of Glee. The album boast no less than 20 tracks and for Gleeks everywhere, it’s probably a great little purchase for those that want to listen to the music without having to watch an episode over.

Whilst many of the songs from Glee are cover well, there are some songs that shouldn’t be touched (Lionel Richie’s Hello is one from this album)  However there are plenty of songs that have been given justice (in particular One, I Dreamed A Dream, Poker Face and Bad Romance). For a change, all the main characters all have solos on this album, instead of it being just a select few.

Sadly though this just doesn’t seem to have the same impact as previous albums. Maybe it’s the feeling that more songs have been left out than appeared in the show (as we all know, the songs were released on a weekly basis based on the episode) What would be nice to see is a release where all the songs from the show are included and not just some selection. Sure the album would probably cost more but by time you bought all the missing tracks, you’d probably not mind paying that little extra. Maybe it’s because this album doesn’t seem to have any oomph in it. Either way, fans will lap it up.

Rating: 3.5/5