Albums of the Month

 March 2010

Groove Armada
Black Light
(Ministry of Pies)

Few would have bet that the dance duo of Andy Cato and Tom Findlay would have come up with their best album yet this far into their career. 

After five collections of dance floor winners such as I See You Baby and Song For Mutya this latest album is full of inspired, joyous music. With guest vocals from people including Empire Of The Sun’s Nick Littlemore and even Bryan Ferry, there’s a wealth of invention here wedded to great tunes. 

The standout closing track History, with a superlative and surprising guest spot from Will Young, is a pop classic.

Courteneers
Falcon
(A&M)

Their first album saw this band laying claim to being the new big band from Manchester and this follow-up is a real progression. 

It’s an enjoyable mixture of the swaggering pop excellence of the single You Overdid It Doll (even if it owes more than a little something to Franz Ferdinand) and passionate, moving love songs such as the excellent The Last Of The Ladies. 

On the evidence of this they should be around for a long time to come.

Chew Lips
Unicorn
(Family)

Female-fronted electro may be a shade ubiquitous now but there’s certainly room for one more such act when the end results are this good.

Singer Tigs has a distinctive enough voice and the music never descends into synth cliché — remaining catchy and inventive. 

There’s a boldness and confidence on this concise 
10-track album that means it never outstays its welcome. It only lacks a standout single to really set it apart.

Sade
Soldier Of Love
(Sony)

This Is the sultry songstress’s first album of new material in 10 years and in the past the rareness of her albums has been tempered by the fact that each usually has at least one killer song. Unfortunately this album fails to deliver anything exceptional.

It’s immaculately produced — smooth and sophisticated as you’d expect — but ends up being merely pleasant rather than spectacular.

Yeasayer
Odd Blood
(Mute)

YOU’LL LIKE this is if you enjoy lush techno pop from a band who can provide a tune.

It’s quirky and experimental in places and their dalliances with psychedelia enhance the songs. Overall it’s invigorating stuff that sounds thoroughly modern and upbeat and will slowly hook you in.

Ocean Colour Scene
Saturday
(Cooking Vinyl)

Nine albums into their career you wouldn’t expect too many surprises from this Birmingham outfit and you’d be right. 

This is good, solid old-fashioned rock from a band whose glory days may be in the past but who can still turn out an enjoyable collection of stompers with the odd ballad thrown in. Mrs Maylie and the title track should go down a storm on radio.

They may not get the hype of some new bands but there’s plenty to like here. 

Owl City
Ocean Eyes
(Island)

The single Fireflies has been a massive No. 1 hit with its catchy tune and retro-feel electronics. However it’s by far the highlight on this new album from the US singer-songwriter. 

While there may be tunes aplenty, the album is let down by slightly flat production and the frail-sounding vocal gets wearing after three or four songs. Sadly, there’s a risk his future may never live up to that first hit single.

Massive Attack
Heligoland
(Virgin)

Hardly the most prolific of acts, this album sees the band deliver a more intimate and less mechanical-sounding album than some of their past releases. 

The stripped-down arrangement allows the musicianship to shine and this is late night, early morning music that repays repeated listening. If it’s instantly catchy melodies and a quick pop fix you’re after, this won’t be for you. But if you want serious, slightly challenging music, this delivers.

k.d. lang
Recollection
(Nonesuch)

THIS IS a lengthy career retrospective from the superlative Canadian singer whose abilities span everything from country through pop to old school balladeering and this showcases all her strengths. 

Duets with the likes of Roy Orbison and Tony Bennett are included along with career highlights such as her version of Hallelujah, which few can match. 

If all you know of her is Constant Craving, this is how to catch up.