Pearl Jam, have managed to stand the test of time. Although it appears to some as if they have gone off the radar a little over the latter years of their career, these boys have managed to stir us all up with their release of their latest release Backspacer, which is now out today.

I remember listening to them when Ten and VS came out in the early 90’s. I felt then that they could rock a record, and that a lovely story could always be told, not just singing or playing songs about self-emotions. Stories being told are always going to sell records. See the Followell’s band for instance. I’m listening to Backspacer as an album in itself, not as another Pearl Jam studio release. Which you can here by clicking this link here.

The songs are short and explosive as is the whole record. The Fixer is their single released and doesn’t even touch 3 minutes. It is a simple track lyrically, it has a feel good vibe to it and it will rock out the venues where ever they play. The drumming is quite the hook of the song for me. It makes it fast and furious. But it’s just dead short. Supersonic is a headstomper of a tune bordering on a punk anthem similar to that of Green Day’s tracks.

Fans I don’t think will be disappointed. As for me, I like it but I’m not overwhelmed by it. The album has great tracks falling it into a cracking rock record. I sense a touch of bleakness. They have a pace, short and punchy tunes and but the explosiveness is not quite there for me. But that’s me comparing it to Even Flow , but that was then and this is now.

It’s good to hear them back even though they haven’t really gone away.

Soul, funk, bass and they’ve brought out the trumpets! Cracker!

Be prepared to be moved.

We have sublime, delectable offerings this Autumn/Fall with The First days Of Spring from Noah & The Whale.

The first track off their latest release being the single of the album title is nothing short of a 6 minute 39 second symphony. Orchestrated wonderfully, sung divinely and so, so warm it is as sweet and an apricot dipped in gomme syrup.

The entire album is intelectual acoustic folk surrounded by strings, supported by the occassional choir and on a couple of tracks, no lyrics, just fantastic warming piano keys being tinkered for a short while. Nevertheless, they are lovely little numbers. For me, the track Blue Skies is exceptional, it is really, really good.

For a second album release this is quite an accomplishment and this is definately a global record that will certainly hit platinum status. It is easy listening, easy going and so easy to love.

But that is not all though. The group have even developed a short film too with the release of the music material. A glimpse of that is below and there is no doubt I’ll seeing that soon.

How fantastic it is to listen to something which is sooo cool.

From NZ, Fat Freddy’s Drop are from the other side of the world to where I am. This second studio album titled Dr Boondigga & The Big BW is a delightful ensemble of instruments from trumpets to harmonicas, digital effects and vocals, bass and some lovely deep dub sounds which have influenced the band from across the globe. It doesn’t sound messy, cluttered but refined and clean. The engineering work is truly a masterful piece of production.

Soulful to the max, a reggae feel yet with a more blues tint to it withoutcoming across as bluesy. the dance tunes hum and bounce brilliantly and the more lyrical tracks are soft, sweet and harmonious to the point where I feel I’m still experiencing summer.

The Camel featuring Alice Russel (which is a shame not to hear on their MySpace player but it is the track below) is a perfect example of the entire bands talents all working superbly well as the comprehensive collective. The track sounds simple and light but the bass is absolute quality with such a dreamy and airy ambience to it.

This is fat, funky, soul food for the brain in the form of some warm vibrations. Totally non-offensive, soothing and healing. A great record and I am happy it has managed to get to these shores too.

“Lovin’ his work, a fantastic producer”

With the British summer time drawing to an end music lovers will say that they have been introduced to some quality tunes over the recent couple of months due to the festival season.

3OH!3 are, in America, HUGE. Ask any random lad from the Midlands and they will say, “You what? Three o Three?!”

Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte have had ten’s of millions of hits on MySpace and YouTube alone, and where are they?

This weekend Reading & Leeds and in the UK, we are a little distant with this current trend. (Like most things) Don’t Trust Me is one of the highest played tracks I’ve ever seen and heard ever on the net.

These lads from have created a storm of followers with (once again using the appropriate word of) eclectic musical picks in their music to produce a sound that will no doubt catch on with every late Teen, early Twenty-something dude and dudette and/or perhaps the slightly immature, thirty-something.

Their album release Want has some catchy rock riffs, simple lyrics but yet smart and that pop-sound hook which will grow on you to the point it will feel like you’ve had that song in your head for the last couple of years.

The lastest tracks on their MySpace player show more development. A more aggressive Hip-Hop tinge has been incorporated on one or two tracks which will go down well and with the Katy Perry link-up on Starstrukk, the doors to further progression are surely to open. Having 3OH!3 crossing the genres like so many are nowadays doing, these boys will definately catch on.

These boys are Far Too Loud, soon to be parting ways are the duo to do solo projects so Far Too Loud will still be existing which is fantastic news and Neurodriver is now born!

I love Far Too Loud! They have the sound that levitates you, picks you up and down a few shots of fresh air ready to take on the world. Inspiring, passionate and filthy! A sheer electronic delight.

Check out their tracks! Top ones for me are What’s Goin’ On, Play It Loud and the new All Is Machine record available from their MySpace site .

Click here for ALL, yes, ALL Far Too Loud Tracks on My MySpace.

“Banging breaksbeat that’ll make you want to go out everytime you here them. Awesome stuff!”

Bounce and sway..

When it comes to potential and acts for the future I seriously feel that The XX could very much be around for some time.

A four piece band with Oliver, Romy, Baria and Jamie, a collective of 19 year old’s producing their own work in the studio’s of XL records, signed under the Young Turks label under the same umbrella. They have not mastered, because they could be deemed as possibly sexist, but perfected a delightful, minimalistic album that is wonderfully airy with a soulful warmth.

I can’t help hearing similarities to the outstanding Damian Rice in the vocals so immediately I’m sold to it. With resemblances also to Portishead and perhaps the Wild Beasts too, this is subtley sexy record that has the ability to suit many moods and environments. A small party or gathering or on your own with a book and a cup of hot chocolate, it really doesn’t matter, this is very smart, well thought through and hasn’t been over-done.

This is one of those must-have albums for rainy or even the sunny days, but definately for a Sunday chill!

The band, The XX have their album “XX” out now, xx.

Coming to a stereo soon is actually a fact rather than a forthcoming album. The delightfully enchanting Nina Schofield has not yet released any official material. But dear me, what a delight Nina is to listen to.

After many, many a random MySpace friend request received, sometimes, something comes through that really is quite a treasure.

Sweet like peaches soaked in syrup de gomme, soulful, jazzy and “lullaby-esque”.

After hearing the tracks on this lady’s MySpace player and also seeing Nina’s iLike page, I’m looking forward to hearing much more and I would no doubt think it would be before long. Only in her early 20’s and is producing her own material (which is always a refreshing change) after continuing life experiences pass by I believe that Nina’s music will grow in maturity taking the soul sense deeper, the jazz sexier and even sweeter dreams to come.