Shout Out Louds - Howl Howl Gaff Gaff

The Sweedes certainly can proffer up some hot bands these days, and the Shout Out Louds certainly have the tunes and style to follow the worldwide success of bands such as the Hives and the Cardigans.

This is the kind of album that will immediately make you think of one hundred and one other bands. The Strokes, The Wannadies, the Kings Of Leon, the afforementioned Sweedes...all will spring to mind over this perfectly formed collection of pop-rock tunes.

Pick of the pack are "100°" and "A Track And A Train" both of which would, with any justice in the music world, be massive world-wide hits. They can't quite keep up to this level throughout the whole album, but that is a small complaint. Get it now, before they become massive.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5.

Sheryl Crow - Wildflower

Truth be told, the prospect of a new Sheryl Crow album in 2005 does not fill me with the same kind of anticipation that I would have had back in 2000. The Live at Central Park CD was a bit rubbish, her greatest hits was something and nothing (good, but hardly something that was needed) and her date at the MEN last year was a bit underwhelming. Then of course we come to C'mon C'mon, which was in my opinion a pretty poor album and not one that I have listened to in all honesty since about the first four weeks that I had it.

The good news is that Wildflower is not as bad as some reviews would lead you to believe. It's still not a patch on her first three albums, but it kicks the proverbials out of C'mon C'mon. Its definately a mellower affair than anything we've collectively seen from Ms Crow before, and, to almost paraphase the lead single, when it's good its good.

The problem is that once you've heard one track, you've pretty much heard them all. Which doesn't make it neccessairily a bad album, but makes it one that doesn't bear up to too much repeat listening. Fans will probably find enough to entertain themselves, but there will always be the feeling that her best work maybe behind her.

Icon's View - 2 out of 5.

Nerina Pallot - LIVE

Ok, so much like Paddy Casey earlier in the year, I didn't stay around for the "headlining" act Arthur Joseph (or is it Joseph Arthur?) but really what would have been the point. There is NO way that anything he did could have come remotely close to what preceeded him.

Despite my paranoia that the doors didn't open until nearly 8 o'clock, (coupled with the big queue for Nine Black Alps in Acadmey 2), we were in there in plenty of time. The rather rude "who should mind where they're going" woman did her best to sully my mood (I tell you, that's the last time I attempt to be chivalrous to a Mancunian lady) but another pint, and the prospect of Nerina warmed me up.

Quite simply, she was fantastic. She only did six songs, but they were all top notch crew and she's just a very funny woman too. And I mean funny as in hilarious, not weird. In amongst the songs were tales of pyjamas with red spacemen on, the invention of a new word "Chavesty" and the confession that "All Good People" was from the Shania Twain-esqe part of her musican cannon. She also forgot half a verse of Geek Love, which was quite funny, although the uninitiated wouldn't have noticed as she didn't miss a beat.

But as FANTASTIC as all that was, the best was yet to come . After a short wait (in which a woman thought we were queing for the gents bog's, which gave way to a discussion about how Gee and Me could be living pieces of performance art outside a hospital) we toddled over to meet Nerina. There was some boring git from a radio station who seemed intent on wooing Nerina but anyway, I bought another copy of Nerina's excellent album Fires and as it was passed to her for signing, she looked up and my new favourite conversation ever kicked in. A brief synopsis is included below;

Nerina - Have we met before?
Me - Yes, we have.
Nerina - So you're a dedicated fan.
Me - I sure am.
Nerina - Is it Stephen?
Me - Hmm, no.
Nerina - John?
Me - No.
Nerina - Bugger.
Me - It's ok, I've got all night.
Nerina - Erm..
Me - It's Matthew.
Nerina - Yeah. That's right. Where was it...
Me - Well...
Nerina - Let me think.
Me - Ok
Nerina - Wait, was it at the Paddy Casey gig in Liverpool.
Me - Bloody hell. Yeah. And also at Warwick.
Nerina - Oh yes, I remember...Have you come far tonight?
Me - Only from Wigan.
Nerina - Oh not far then.
Me - Only about seven hours drive or so...

And then I went off. Although I went back as Gee needed his CD signing (the stingy bastard FINALLY getting around to buying his own copy) and then there were pictures to be taken, with the hilarity of me thinking Gee didn't know how to use my camera and thus moving as the first picture was being taken.

But anway, all that remains to be said is that the concert was bloody fantastic, Nerina is bloody lovely and, brilliantly, I was recognised by a celebrity. I was recognised by a celebrity. And a bloody fit one at that. So Gee man, you can take your Liz McPram Face picture and shove it :D

Editors LIVE

An absolute hellacious 90 minute journey to Manchester didn't bode well for the evening in prospect, although the sight of the Gee already on his way to drunkeness as I arrived certainly was hilarious. The long-haired foreign-looking idiot who was clearly off his head was a minor annoyance, although more of my energy was being put towards eyeing up the bintage on display in the pub. Quality teasely.

Anyway, we wandered into the venue in time to catch a bit of the support act We Are Scientists. They were quite good in a "I'll never actually buy one of their records" kind of way.

The Editors on the other hand were good in a "I might actually trade in my Cd-R copy of the album for a proper copy" kind of way. Of course, being so early in their career, the concert was more or less their debut album live, but even the weaker album tracks were injected with a steely intensity that made them rise above the versions we already know.

Quite simply, this was a top notch crew night, and for once the hype is justified. The Editors are going places.

Super Furry Animals LIVE

A day of insanely heavy drinking, for sure. I was half cut before I even met the Gee, and we carried on from there. About 15 minutes before bell time, the venue seemed empty and we feared the worst, and we took the opportunity to push our way quite a way up to the front of the crowd...which turned out to be a bit of mistake once the crowds belatedly filled up.

An hilarious video package set the scene, (and who can fail to sing along with the A-Team theme whenever they hear it?) and the band made their big entrance on something akin to a golf cart. So far, so good. But then it went a little pear-shaped. I'm not a huge SFA fan so it was obvious I wasn't going to know all the songs, but the ones they did play at first were totally unfamiliar to me. Coupled with a being in close proximity to a load of idiots, being hot and sweaty and getting high of the smell of, shall we say, controlled substances and the evening was taking a bit of a bad turn.

However a diplomatic retreat for water supplies and a more spacious view towards the back did the trick as SFA pumped out some of their biggest hits. And not even the technological problems during the encore could spoil the mood from there. A frustrating night in some respects, but in the end, it was all gravy.

Fun Lovin' Criminals LIVE

So it was time again to see THE coolest man on the planet and his band.

What can I say about FLC other than they are a bloody good live act who never fail to entertain. As you would expect, there was a heavy emphasis on tracks from the latest album, some of which were great, some of which were less so. But really, its the hits, such as Scooby Snacks, The Fun Lovin' Criminal, Loco, Love Unlimited etc. that you go for, and you can't help but bounce along with the vibe.

I could have done without the Al Green cover "Let's Stay Together", which really was a bit crap, but other than that it is impossible to have many complaints about another great evening of entertainment.

Laura Veirs - Year Of Meteors

A Seattle based folk musician, whose first four albums managed to completely pass me by, doing a loosely based concept album about travelling on the road doesnt't sound like much of a thing, but fear not. Laura Veirs is the girl who "put an enema into folk music" in the words of one critic.

For the first thing, whilst it is clearly allegorical in terms of the "travelling tales" idea, you wouldn't know it without deeper inspection of the lyrics. The setting is an eerie world, with unsuspected imagery drawing the listener in. Veirs sees the universe through a prism of eels, spiders, homing pigeons and snakes and yet I, for one, never sat back thinking "what the hell is she on about?"

Of course, all this may still be failling to convince anyone to whom "folk music" is a dirty phrase. Well be assured that "Galaxies" adds a layer of fuzzy guitars (that's the technical term you know) and synthesisers whilst "Black Gold Blues" turns out more like something the likes of Liz Phair or Sheryl Crow would come up with than a "folk musician".

But no matter what arrangements play behind her, its the voice that constantly grabs your attention. Constantly knowing, articulate and hauntingly beautiful throughout, always drawing the listener in deeper and deeper with each play.

Icon's View - 4 1/2 out of 5

Dandy Warhols - Odditorium or The Warlords of Mars

I read it somewhere that every great band does a bad album at some point in their careers. This may well be the Dandy Warhols effort on that score.

You can always rely on the Dandy's for a good single or two, and lead single "Smoke It" doesn't disappoint. "All The Money or the Simple Life Honey" and "Down With Disco" are two other songs which would comfortably sit up there in a best of... collection. But after this, it is rapidly downhill.

"Love Is The New Feel Awful" is a great opening track, for two and a half minutes. The problem is that the track goes on for nearly 10 minutes, disintergrating into a pseudo jam session. Close in spirit to the ethos of the Dandy's live shows it may be, but on record, with skipping facility I doubt even hardened fans will listen to it all for a second time. It's pure musical heaven though compared to the closing track "A Loan Tonight", which meanders on for nearly 12 minutes to no discernable effect.

When this album is good, its bloody brilliant, but sadly it isn't good often enough. They've reverted back to the languid, sprawling sound of their debut album (Dandy's Rule Ok) yet without the hazy charm that shone through on that effort. The Dandy's have always been clouded by their apparent emptiness, but usually there's enough smart, slick and slighltly smug genius to over-shadow on it. On this occasion, the balance has tipped the wrong way.

Icon's View - 2 1/2 out of 5.

Fun Lovin Criminals - Livin In The City

First of all, let me get my bias out of the way. Huey Morgan is, in my opinion, THE coolest man on the planet. There is no shaking my belief in that fact, so don't even try. But still, I am more than prepared to admit that FLC haven't always hit the mark. Come Find Yourself remains their high point, 9 years after it's release, and whilst 2003's Welcome To Poppy's album was somewhat of a (patchy) return to form, 100% Coumbian was half genius, half retread and the less said about Loco the better.

The bad news is that Come Find Yourself STILL remains the greatest collection of FLC's career...the good news is that Livin In The City is definately their best since then. "Mi Corazon" is their best single since Big Night Out and "That Ain't Right" could comfortably sit on Come Find Yourself. There are also some surprises, such as the piano driven "Gave Up On God" and "How It Be", which brilliantly switches pace halfway through. Sadly there is some drivel, but nothing as bad as the low-points of Loco, which were very low indeed.

If you don't like FLC, then this album will do nothing to change your mind; it preaches to the converted 100%. But whilst sticking to what you are good at might not win too much critical acclaim, it has resulted in a very entertaining album which is a must for any one who has ever liked more than one FLC song.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5

Tennant/Lowe - Battleship Potemkin

What could possibly be better than my favourite band ever (no sarcasm there) doing a soundtrack to the greatest flim ever made EVER (slight saracsm there)? Well a fair bit actually.

First things first though, what other "pop" act would have been asked to undertake such a task? None that I can think of. Battleship Potemkin is one of the silent cinema's most celebrated films and given the boys fondess for playing with Russian imagery (the "from Lake Geneva to the Finland station " line in West End Girls charts Lenin's route back into Russia from exile in April 1917 - SEE, you learn some stuff in these reviews too) it seems as ideal a match as you are likely to get.

The end result is good rather than great, and needless to say it pretty much loses the point of the exercise to listen to the music as a stand-alone piece. There are only two "songs" on the collection as such, the best being No Time For Tears, but where these fall into the overall PSB cannon, i.e. about halfway down the list at best, tells you all you need to know.

This isn't a bad record, and it is an interesting exercise, but it falls someway short of being a great record. Still as something to tide over until the next proper PSB album (due in 2006) it just about does its job.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5.

Supergrass - Roud To Rouen

You're always in trouble when reviews of a band's new album continually focus on a band's new found maturity. That usually means that the band have jettisoned all that made them great to listen to in the first place in favour of a duller sound. And whilst this is not entirely true when it comes to Road To Rouen, its clear that the youthful exuberance that once fuelled Supergrass has long gone.

As ever though, with a new Supergrass album comes a new classic single to devour. This time its the delightful St.Petersburg which sounds delightfully Beatles-esque, and deserved to be a far bigger hit than it was. Other highlights include Kick In The Teeth, and the delightful Sad Girl.

Kicking in at around 35 minutes, this is a concise album which threatens something wonderful and falls just short. Credit should be given for Supergrass resisting the temptaion to release "another" In It For The Money or I Should Coco, but however much we credit them for evolving their sound, you can't quite escape the fact that they just don't manage to pull it off 100%. And if you are going to alienate large swathes of your fan base, your new direction has to result in a killer album. This, sadly, isn't quite it.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5.

Editors - The Back Room

Most critics are at pains to point out how heavily influenced by The Cure, Echo And The Bunnymen and Joy Division the Editors are. Well, I've never been a fan of any of those three acts and, to be honest, have never really took the time to check out much of their stuff (as brief initial forays left me cold) so I can come to The Back Room with a completely clear palete.

Initially this reminded me a little bit of Nirvana. Not in the sense that the music sounds anything like Kurt Cobain's grunge masters, but there is definately that knack of twinning catchy choruses with dark and brooding sentiments.

The one problem is that whilst the album starts off with a blast, the first five or six tracks could be taken off some long standing group's Greatest Hits collection, the rest of the album can't quite match up to this early promise, as if the inspiration has run a bit dry. It's by no means an awful second half, but its the musical equivalent of taking a two or three goal lead in the first half and then just settling back into a comfortable stroll after half time, safe in the knowledge that the match is already won. Still, there is enough here to suggest that the early promise could be molded into something very special indeed next time around.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5.

Stars - Set Yourself On Fire

First things first, lets acknowledge the the obvious comparisons with Arcade Fire, another Canadian band currently wowing the critics and the fans. There is definately the same grandiose and epic imagery on this album that there is on Funeral, but whereas Arcade Fire can be very dark, Stars take, on the surface, a much breezier approach, with more of a "pop" feel to this album.

We start off with the sublime "Your Ex Lover Is Dead" which set up the almost conversational element of the album, with lyrics which tell a story more eloquently than half of the novels currently taking up the bestseller lists. The sheer breadth of arrangements on the album is also striking; the title track breezes by in a whirlwind of strings whereas Reunion almost personifies perfect guitar pop. And no matter what instruments are playing, the quality of the songs remains the same.

Much like the recent effort from Goldfrapp, Stars never lose sight of the fact that it is the melodies that make a great pop song. And the result in a charismatic, energetic set of tunes, which cannot fail to delight anyone with a keen ear for a killer melody. It really does seem that Arcade Fire have a true contender for their crown of Canada's greatest band.

Icon's view - 4 1/2 out of 5.

Anna Nalick - Wreck Of The Day

Well surprise suprise that I should be drawn to a rather attractive piece of teasely that plays the piano... :D

Anyway, such concerns are not relevant here, the point is whether or not the album is any good...? And for the most part it is. Definately striking for the same kind of sound you would expect from Tori Amos or Fiona Apple, this is a very good album indeed, all the more satisfying considering it is a debut, and Anna recorded it at the age of 21.

However, as it is a debut, she seems to have been rail-roaded into the occasional over-production of tracks when it seems clear that her voice is more suited to more subtle, paired-down surroundings. Hit US single Breath (2 Am) is the kind of song that should have been a huge success over here (being as it is about 300 times better than the warblings of James Blunt) whereas Citadel aims to match the best that Fiona Apple has, and very nearly succeeds in doing so. The standount tracks however are Paper Bag and Satellite, both of which add a bit more tempo to proceedings and have the kind of sing-a-long choruses that Radio 2 listeners seem to love.

The album does petre out towards the end (save the sublime Catalyst) but even so, for a debut album this is a wonderful slice of piano driven pop. It augurs well for the future.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5

Goldfrapp - Supernature

Black Cherry certainly was a critically acclaimed album, but the fact was that only Strict Machine and Train really stood out as blinding tracks. Lead single "Ooh La La" (which would have been number one for years if Kylie had done it) was a clear indicator that we were in for more of the same, but thankfully the overall quality of this album is markedly higher than Black Cherry, and suggests that the time might indeed be now for Goldfrapp to really break out.

This is one of those albums where everything seems to remind you of something else (Number 1 sounds a lot like Blondie for instance) and yet the record remains fresh and unique in many ways. A lot of that is down to Alison Goldfrapp's breathy and sensual vocals, which come into their own on tracks such as Fly Me Away.

Although I think some critics have been a little over-keen to lavish this album with praise, it's still a remarkable piece of work, which never forgets that the secret of a good pop tune is that fact that it indeed has a memorable tune. There is enough on here to suggest that Goldfrapp will be riding high in the charts for some time to come.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5

Weezer LIVE

The Xav man was back in da hizzoouse for the long awaited chance to see the one and only Weezer in concert, and what a night it was too. The mega rich Xavi got me my tea in that nice pub whose name I can't remember for a start. The burger tasted like one of those in a "100 for £1" packs you get, and the barmcake was a bit stale, but bloody hell, the Onion Rings were bloody gorgeous.

Then it was over the road, just in time to catch the support act, the rather fabulous Nine Black Alps. Ok, so it's as if Nirvana never died (well Kurt Cobain) but if you like that kind of thing then they are bloody good at it. And I truly like that kind of thing. Looking forward to seeing them headline their own show later in the year.

Then it was onto the main event. Walking onto the strains of When You Wish Upon A Star, Rivers and the boys then proceeded to spend the next 90 minutes blowing the crowd away with a stream of classics. There was none of that "we must promote the most recent album" malarkey here (only 4 tracks off Make Believe, and two of them were singles of course), instead they treated us to tracks from right across the board.

Particular highlights for me were Say It Ain't So (my favourite Weezer song EVER I think), Buddy Holly, We Are All On Drugs, Undone - The Sweater Song, El Scorchio...hell it was ALL top notch. Add in Rivers solo acoustic version of Island In The Sun - PERFORMED ON TOP OF THE FUCKING BAR!!!! AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!!!- and him having to crowd surf his way back to the stage, and you have what was, quite simply, an absolutely AWESOME night. I was singing so much and so loudly that I virtually lost my voice. A definate contender for gig of the year!

Plus, I was able to purchase a freaking awesome green Weezer sweatband - and a big WHATEVER to that mardy bitch at the bar who thought it was the height of sadness for me to be wearing it - and what must be one of the finest Tee's ever, the soon to be classic WEEZER - ROCKIN' THE BITCHES SINCE 1994 shirt, and you have the icing on the cake!

ROCK!!!!!

New Stuff On The Way

It's been a while, but some new reviews are on the way in the next few days. So strap in and get ready for the following....

Stars - Set Yourself On Fire
Anna Nalick - Wreck Of The Day
Supergrass - Road To Rouen
Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft
Goldfrapp - Supernature

And of course, the Weezer concert review will be up in due course :D

Take care my friends, until the next time.

Supergrass LIVE

Or not as the case may be. Ill health (via hospital stay) meant I was unable to make this one. By all accounts it was good, but I am seeing them later in the year in all their electric glory so all is not lost.

The Raveonettes - Pretty In Black

Well this is a CD which will go down in the varied history of CD purchases as the CD I bought purely because it had four extra bonus tracks on it. Honestly. I hadn't heard a Raveonettes song before, and I really did look at the cd case and think "wow, four bonus tracks...that's really good value" and that is why I bought it.

But anyway, what of the end result? Surprisingly good as it turns out. There is very much a 50's pop feel to this and to me there is often the feel that the songs would play off wonderfully in a David Lynch or Quentin Tarrantino production (and yes, I do mean that as a compliament :D ).

Here Comes Mary sounds like the Everley Brothers at their best, Twilight had the amazingly funny moment upon hearing for the first time (before knowing the name of the tune) of thinking this sounds like the Twlight Zone theme and bonus track Black Wave is the kind of haunting melody that sticks in your brain immediately.

The standouts for me are Ode To LA (in which the Phil Spector sound is aided by Mr Spector himself on backing vocals) and Love In A Trashcan, with its handclaps (and boy, do I love handclaps).

I can take or leave the cover versions (Everyday, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, My Boyfriend's Back) which really only have comedy value and some of the tracks are too samey, but for an impulse buy this is pretty good stuff and a welcome addition to my CD collection.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5

Aimee Mann - LIVE

She's been flying solo now for 12 years and at last The Dean gets to see Aimee Mann in concert and back at the old favourite Manchester Academy too. A nice warm up to proceedings saw me kick Gee's ass as the golf game in the pub opposite, and copious amounts of alcohol were drunk leading to a real feel good atmosphere, which rarely subsided throughout Miss Mann's classy set.

Ok, so there was a bit too much of an over-reliance on stuff from new album The Forgotten Arm (but hey, I've been going to concerts long enough now to know the score), but there was very few songs which didn't sweep you off your feet. And to boot she did my absolute favourite (Driving Sideways) AND also the Big Gee's fave (Amateur) as well. In fact most of her solo albums were well represented, and it is perhaps a sign of her class that songs from right across her back catalogue were warmly received.

This was, quite simply, a top notch concert from a top notch talent and throw in a bit of Phil Collins :) and you have all the ingredients for a great musical night out.

Charlotte Church - Tissues and Issues

Look, lets get the whole "Matt fancied Charlotte Church" six years ago thing out of the way before we go much further. I was mis-quoted. Well ok, not so much mis-quoted, more mis-interpreted...Ok, so mis-interpreted might be a bit unfair...aw, to hell with it, let's just move on before I dig the hole for myself any deeper.

Only the deaf (or pop pariah's) could deny the charms of Crazy Chick, with it's Mowton-tinged groove, and there is little doubt it my mind that it is one of the pop singles of the year so far. It also proves that Miss Church is more than capable of carrying a decent pop tune.

The problem seems to be that the pop industry has spent so long with artists that can't carry a tune, that they don't seem to know what to do with a girl who really can sing. The album starts with a bang. Call My Name is the kind of sexy pop song that Girls Aloud would do really well, the afformentioned Crazy Chick is a mini-classic, and Moodswings is that pop rarity - a ballad you don't need to skip. The problem is that it's pretty much downhill from thereon in.

Playing the "which songs were written with Guy Chambers" game is as easy as it always is, Let's Be Alone sounds like a blatant attempt to sound like Girls Aloud (and fails to come anywhere close to being as good) and after a while, young Charlotte's seemingly constant whinging about how bad her life gets can get a bit tiresome. Pop music is about fun and at times Charlotte would do well to remember that edict.

This is not the terrible album it could have been, but nor is it the blinding success that it perhaps could have been given Church's obvious talent. Memo to her record company...give her better songs to sing next time.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5.

Feist - Let It Die

Ok, so this was originally released in 2004 BUT i only bought it this year AND it is now being released in America for the first time. Which means that in this increasingly global community that we live in, this album counts as a new 2005 release for my collection.

The first thing that immediately strikes you when you put this CD on is her vocals. Aural booning indeed, at once sultry yet delicate. The next thing that hits you as you listen to the album is the vast range of styles that Feist can work within, yet always sounding fresh and original. That she has been compared to varied artists such as PJ Harvey and Norah Jones shows indeed that Fesit is not easily catergorised.

Highlights of the album include US Single "Mushaboom", a song so immediately catchy that McDonalds attempted to license it, and "Gatekeeper" which both accenuate the warm and mellow side of her personality. The pick of the bunch however are renditions of Ron Sexsmith's "Secret Heart" and the Bee Gee's "Inside And Out", the latter being what the Dean could only describe as being foxy.

Not everything on this varied collection works, but even the weaker tracks are emboldened by the feeling that this is an artist working on her own terms. This is the soundtrack to my summer, and is perfect for those long, hot days.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5.

Tara Blaise - Dancing On Tables Barefoot

You would never guess upon listening to this album that the same bloke who discovered the Corrs also discovered young Tara. Ok, I jest. That thought may very well be the first thought you have when you listen to this album. It's got that polished gaelic charm that one would associate with the Corrs, but Tara is an artist in her own right, writing all her own lyrics and co-writing all the music.

When the songs are good, such as the summery The Three Degrees, which is sure to get copious Radio 2 airplay when it is released as a single in the near future, Later and Radio Star which is perhaps my particular favourite on the entire album, they are very good indeed. But far too often the arrangements drift into bland Terry Wogan Radio 2 territory and frankly some of the lyrics are not exactly relevatory or interesting.

This album will sell well, and does have a great summery feel, but unless a little more substance is introduced in her next effort, I cannot see the success continuing. If she takes a few more risks next time, she might come up with something really worth listening to. Still this is a good effort and certainly has more than enough to keep you going on a slow day. And a couple of the tracks are crackers. So hopefully the best is yet to come.

Icon's View - 2 1/2 out of 5

Nouvelle Vague - Nouvelle Vague

As a concept Nouvelle Vague, a collection of two multi-instumentalists producers teaming up with French and Brazillian singers to reinterpret some classic songs in a bossanove stylee, is somewhere down there with the Mike Flowers Pops and seems like someone has set this up purely for a joke. But to dismiss this album as mere frivolity would be to do it a great dis-service.

Yes at times it is playful and will bring many a wry smile to the faces of those familar with the originals, but many of these songs could easily stand on their own feet without the weight of history behind them.

The joy in this collection is two-fold. You can delight at hearing new versions of some classics tunes you know and love (Love Will Tear Us Apart, Teenage Kicks) but you also have the excitement of rooting out the original versions of those tracks you haven't heard before (and shame on you for not having heard of them).

The picks of the bunch are the afforementioned Love Will Tear Us Apart (which rather surprisingly captures the hopelessness I always felt was prevalent in Joy Division's song), A Forest (giving the Cure classic a totally tropical taste - Copyright LILT) and Too Drunk To Fuck (which turns the somewhat dark Dead Kennedy's version completely on it's head).

Whilst not all the collection can reach these heights (and there is only so much of this style of music the Dean can take in one sitting) there are very few stinkers, with even the lesser tracks, such as Making Plans For Nigel, being perfectly pleasant, if somewhat instantly forgettable on occasions. Still this is a worthwhile purchase to say the least for those looking for something a little different.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5

The Subways - Young For Eternity

Much hyped, and hotly anticpated, it was always a question of could the Subways debut long-player live up to two great singles (Rock And Roll Queen and the absolutely fan-bloody-tastic Oh Yeah) and wow across the board...the answer is not quite, but it's not bloody far off.

The two afformentioned singles both play off the tension between lead singer Billy and his lovely guitar playing girlfriend Charlotte and much like last year with the Von Blondies, I fail to see why more rock groups haven't gone for the male/female dynamic, which is totally underused. Sexual frission burns the air throughout this album, and it's all the better for it.

The two great singles are not the only highspots on the album; Lines Of Light slows things down somewhat, and remarkably doesn't bring the quality down, and Holiday, clocking in at a wonderful 1 minute 50 seconds, would be a punk rock hit in any era.

There are some duffer tracks in amongst all this, but for a band so young this is a remarkably strong debut and makes you salivate at what else might be in store in the future. It's brash, it's cocky and it's hormonal. You just have to hope "maturity" doesn't set in too near in the future...

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5

Arcade Fire - Funeral

Anyone who is anyone has told the world just how great this album is, which always fills me with a slight sense of dread. How can it possibly live up to the hype and even if I like it, will it just look like I am following a trend to be "hip."

Well screw any of you who would think that of me, because this is one record which proves the hype is totally justified AND is one that I would be failing in my duty not to shill just as much. The cracking single Neighbourhood #3 (Power Out) is surely one of the tracks of the year so far with its rousing and uplifitng chorus, but it is by no means indicative of the whole album with only Rebellion (Lies) really matching the tempo of that.

But that's not to say that the rest of the abum is a disappointment. Neighbourhood #2 (Laika) is a song Franz Ferdinand would be proud of (if indeed decent lyrics were anywhere on their particular check list) and Neighbourhood #4 (7 Kettles) captures the mundane everyday existance yet makes it seem alive with passion and love.

As evidenced by the title, the making of Funeral was shrouded with death and despair (witness the dedication to recently departed familty members in the cd booklet - the song Une Annee Sans Lumiere sums this up as well) but this album does not leave a feeling of despair. If anything, it's underlying message is that love truly can conquer all. Let this album conquer you.

Icon's view - 4 1/2 out of 5

Family Guy - Live In Vegas

Family Guy may well be the single most funniest programme of the last 10 years or so, and really does beat off the likes of The Simpsons and Futurama to certainly take the prize of best animated show of the moment. And much like the Simpsons before it, music has always been a big part of the shows; but can the Family Guy make the transformation to a full on musical extravaganza?

Including a 48 stong orchestra, all your favourite characters are here and it's certainly pant-wettingly funny in places. "Babysitting Is A Bum Deal" sees Stewie duet with Haylie (sister of Hilary) Duff and also was nearly responsible for me crashing my car with Stewie's "Go Fuck Yourselves" opening and Quagmire's sexual perversions are laid bare in the classic "The 'Q' Man Loves Nobody." Stewie and Brian's medly of 1980's Theme Tunes is hilariously funny too (The Different Strokes and Golden Girls themes are worth the price of admission alone) but the show-stealer has to be "All Cartoons Are Fucking Dicks" where the likes of Barney Rubble and Elmer Fudd's supposed faux pa's are laid wide open by the whole Family Guy crew, and guest star Jason Alexander.

Not all the jokes hit the spot, and there are a couple of Lois and Peter songs which only raise a mild chuckle, but overall this is a dangerously funny "show" which no Family Guy fan should miss. As ever, Stewie and Brian are the stars, and even Mr Hubert makes a welcome appearance. As always with these comedy music albums, it's debatable whether six months down the line that this will be quite as funny as it is now, but this is a wonderful stop gap until Season 4 hits our shores.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5.

The Magic Numbers - The Magic Numbers

First things first, lets get the "they don't look like your average pop stars" bit out of the way. Ok, so they may not, but then The Magic Numbers are hardly appealing to those music buyers who place a great importance on "image" anyway.

There has, and indeed IS, a great deal of fuss surrounding this quartet but, sad to say, my first reaction upon hearing the album was more "what's the fuss?" Still, you have to give these things time, but here we are, two weeks down the line and the album still strikes me as decidely average.

First of all the flowery "summer" attitude of the whole thing starts to get annoying about three or four tracks in, and secondly whilst the harmonies certainly impress (until you get sick of hearing them over and over again), there isn't much else that does. "Forever Lost" is a good single, and Long Legs is pleasant enough, but really the album is the same old, same old, and not very good same old at that.

So if you're in need of a summer lift-up, this might work in the short-term, but there is just not enough of interest, and not enough variation to sustain the interest. Much like The Thrills found out second time around, The Magic Numbers routine might not pack anywhere near the same punch. They should enjoy the adulation whilst it lasts.

Icon's View - 2 out of 5

Suzanne Vega & Nerina Pallot LIVE

AKA, Dean and Gee's Summer Holiday trip to Coventry! :D

Anyways, yet another stacked and loaded tour date on the resume, held on the lovely campus of the University of Warwick...which isn't actually in Warwick, but is in Coventry. Which is strange, but hey! As this contained a support act who was worthwhile, lets tackle them seperately.

NERINA PALLOT
Last time out, Nerina's set was somewhat ruined by drunken Scousers and Irishmen prattling on rather rudely during her songs (although I don't include that nice Irish family who let me to the front to take some pictures in that) but here, in somewhat more sedate surrounding of the Butterworth Hall, the atmosphere was much more respectful. And, quite frankly, it's difficult to imagine anyone sat in the theatre not being a fan of Nerina after her bloody awesome performance here. Solo, with only a guitar or a piano for company, Nerina's star quality shone through, as evidenced by the frankly obscene queue for her little meet and greet after her set. And by the wonders of modern technology here is the set list...

All Good People
Idaho
Sophia
Geek Love
Grace
Mr. King
Damascus
My Last Tango

A nice selection from both of her albums, and substantially different from last time out (which is always a good thing). The highlights for me were Geek Love (which quite frankly is perhaps my favourite song of 2005 so far) and Damascus, which never really was one of my favourites...although it certainly is now. So really, I cannot eulogise enough about how great Nerina was, and I felt like a proud parent afterwards watching everyone battle it out to get hold of her CD before it sold out. Mind you, that's the kind of thing that would peg me as the stalker Nerina probably now thinks I am. Ah well...

SUZANNE VEGA
So onto the main event, and although my patient wait to get my picture taken with Nerina meant I missed three quarters of the opening song Marlene On The Wall, which just happens to be my favourite songs of hers...anyway, that couldn't be helped. Considering how few of her songs I thought I knew beforehand, there seemed to be something reassuringly familiar with a quite a few of the tracks she did. Not that this was a night solely dedicated to the hits as she took the opportunity to unveil some new tracks. Some new tracks that were so new that she had to have lyric sheets in front of her to remember all the words! All I can really say is that Suzanne Vega was a revelation and, despite not having ever purchased any of her records in my entire life I am wholeheartedly looking forward to her next album. And I think it is time to peruse t'internet for her back catalogue. So yes, this was bloody brilliant as well, and special mention to the midget Greg Rusedski on bass guitar :D

So really what more could I ask for from a concert than what I got here? I tell you, I'm dreading December coming around and having to formulate a "best of" list, because this was yet another top notch crew concert.

The Best of...GIRLS ALOUD VIDEO'S

Yes, I am the kind of sad person who thinks a discussion of this nature IS a worthwhile way of allocating my time! So here it is, all the videos, from "worst" to best, and with a "Most Valuable Girl" (an MVG) award for each one too! :D

8) Sound Of The Underground
Look, I'll come clean. I don't really like this song. And I don't really like the video all that much. To be honest if, on the basis of this ONE song, they'd done what is known in the trade as a "One True Voice" I don't think I'd have missed them. I mean really, they don't look half as nice in this as they do these days do they? MVG: Nadine. It's the legs.
7) Life Got Cold
This always reminds me of that Oasis one where they are on the bus. Not that other than the bus thing there is any correlation between the two video's, but come on, you love these little pointless nuggets of my train of thoughts don't you? This is an alright song, and an alright video, but nothing special. MVG: Sarah. For reasons I probably best not go into...
6) Love Machine
Now here is where it gets bloody stupid. This is a book of the dick video, as are all from hereon in, but hey, if you are going to rank the videos you have to make some tough decisions. And here it's just some small imperfections that knock this out of the top 5. Why on earth would Cheryl even be interested in that Double Bass player who looks as if he is in his 40's? And I'm sorry if you find her entry into the World Gurning Championships appealing, but I think she just looks stupid. Plus look at her orange tan!!! Needless to say I don't think this is Ms Tweedy's finest hour. MVG: Kimberly. That pink dress leaves little to the imagination, but crucially it leaves just enough to the imagination!
5) I'll Stand By You
Another song I'm not overly keen on, but there is no denying the charms of the video. I shan't repeat Gee's thoughts about the sand getting everywhere on here...Still I don't see why they are on a "beach" for this one, but then again, these things don't have to make sense do they? MVG: Cheryl. Oh you know why... :D
4) No Good Advice
Now this is where the love affair started. This is just a cracking song and the Spice Force Five parrallels simply cannot be ignored. Although funnily enough, the Girls look better in the two videos above, but there is just something about this one that I love. MVG: Nadine. I love the fact that she is just so bad at doing the dance moves.
3) Jump
I am of course referring to the video sans Monseuir Grant. This is a fun track with a suitable fun video, and it of course has the most blatant lesbian come-on bits in a mainstream pop video ever. You know the bits I mean fellas, although the mere fact that the five of them are prancing about on a bed is sign enough of what I'm going on about. MVG: Bloody hell, this is a tough one. Nadine in the backless schizz...Tweedy's C.A.T. on display...Kimberly looking hot as fook in that Harley Davidson top thing...Sarah and Nicola looking like they're from some lesbian track meet team...ooh, what to decide. Well, i shall plump for Kimberly.
2) Wake Me Up
Ha ha. Oh my god, what a video this is. Superb. Girls on Motorbikes...what an idea that was. There is something quite sexual about that idea isn't there? MVG: You know what I am going to say here don't you...come on, you can't really expect me to look past Nadine's "glad to see that you're still sugar" booby shake can you? Throw in the Asda price ass slapping and there is no contest here.
1) The Show
Well there had to be a winner, and this is it. Truth be told, after the first album, whilst I liked Girls Aloud, it wasn't an obsession, but this funky "comeback" single was just one of the finest slices of 21st Century pop I'd ever heard, and just like that I was in love. And then i saw the bloody video and I was in Boon-heaven!!! This is funny, sassy, funky...well lets just say it is absolutley bloody brilliant and be done with it! MVG: Geesus, what to decide here. Cheryl is at her finest here and you have to love Sarah's laughing at the end, but as depressingly predicatable as it may be to you, I shall have to plump for Nadine again. It's the cherry thing really...:D

Dido - Live At Brixton DVD (and CD)

Well the lovely Dido, who gave us one of the best concerts of 2004 now releases a great value for money CD/DVD set of one of said live dates. It has to be said that visually, a Dido concert is hardly an extravaganza, but musically Dido shows here that she is much more exciting and vital than most people would tend to give her credit for. Highlights of the show are Take My Hand (although it does give me nightmares of Gee singing "Take My Hand" over and over again on the way back from her concert last year) and Life For Rent. So basically, if you are a fan of Dido, get this. And if you're not, but think you might be, then get it as well. And if you're not a fan at all, still get it and be amazed at how good she is.

REM (and guests) LIVE

Well it's been a long time since I went to something like this, but there we were, sat in the humid atmosphere of Lancashire County Cricket Ground to see four of Dave's favourite bands. I'll get to the main eventers in due course, but here is a complete run through.

IDLEWILD - I found myself pleasently surprised at just how many of their tunes I knew. And even the ones I didn't know passed by quite well. They're not world-beaters, and are hardly likely to ever be so, but this set proved that they are good at what they do...and there is nothing wrong with that. Bring on the Greatest Hits CD... :D

THE ZUTONS - I still think they are striving too hard to be "quirky" but they do have some killer tunes in their locker. The ones I'd heard of before seemed to be the best of the bunch, but the band did bring an enthusiasm to the gig that was hard to resist. I still don't care what some people say though, that saxsophonist is not all that fit. Nice yes, but let's keep a sense of perspective dudes.

FEEDER - The disappointment of the day for me. There didn't seem to be any fire in the boys and too many of their songs are just too average to me to stand out. On a couple of songs I was enjoying it, but overall not the live act that I would expect.

REM - There is no denying that Michael Stipe and the boys are one hell of a live act. Personally the set list was not what I would have picked, but then for a band who's been going for over 20 years they cannot please everyone all of the time can they? Still, just for the likes of Man In The Moon, Losing My Religion and To The One I Love, REM are a band you simply must take the time out to see once in your life.

So overall, a great day out. But there was little on show that would make me want to see any of the four acts in concert again.

Foo Fighters - In Your Honour

Oh Dave, what have you done? I tried to keep the faith that a 2 cd album (one "loud", one "not so loud") would be a great move, I really did, but when it comes to it, it's not.

This is as if someone has annoyed the Foo Fighters by saying they've nothing new to say so they've decided that a 2 cd set will show all the doubters. Well all it shows me is that Dave Grohl isn't quite the genius he probably thinks he is, and he certainly isn't the genius I was hoping he was.

Thing is, with the exception of the unbeatable Color And Shape, Foo Fighters albums have always been patchy affairs but at least in the past the good has outweighed the bad. This time we aren't so lucky.

The "rock" selection bascially dispenses with any kind of tune you might actually nod along to in favour of "earnest" rantings and loud guitars. I seriously struggle to name a stand out track. Some are passable, one or two even reach the heights of "alright" but most are mediocre.

The "acoustic" selection is, to be fair, better than I thought it might turn out to be, but that still doesn't leave it as being any good, with only the Norah Jones featuring "Virginia Moon" being of any real usefulness.

This is not an awful album, but then again it's not a very good one either. There is just not enough that stands out, and there are just far too many songs that will become piss-breaks when the Foo's next hit an arena near you. Come on Dave, please sort yourself out in time for the next album.

Icon's View - 2 out of 5.

THE BEST OF...Ben Folds (including BFF)

Ok, so after the wonderful concert here is my list of my 10 favourite Ben Folds tracks...which probably will be competely different this time tommorrow :D

10) Landed
His latest single, (rock on for Radio 2's airplay of it), and truly one of his all-time classics. This has been known to make me cry (actually it did today as a matter of fact) although it is very uplifting in many ways.
9) Mess
Another of the more mellower ones in the cannon, this one hits home because I can relate to the feelings behind this one.
8) Rockin' The Suburbs
Fuck you Limp Bizkit. Well at least that's what this makes me think of when I hear it. What's more I can remember that prick Zane Lowe getting all arsey about this tune because it took the piss out of his beloved earnest rock music, so that's Tommy Two Thumbs fresh for this one.
7) Emaline
Obviously I've never known a girl called Emaline, but this is another one I can SO relate to. Well at least in what I think its about anyway. Sometimes I do indeed wish it was last September. Well not literally, but you see what I mean.
6) Song For The Dumped
Ha ha. You have to love this one. This is superb in both the original version and the slowed down solo live version.
5) The Battle Of Who Could Care Less
I remember watching MTV one day and they showed a clip of the video to this, with all the funny angles, and then they showed an interview with BFF at some house and then in walked the Kate, of Kate fame. But anyway, this song is where the love affair started.
4) Brick
Oh the tales. I remember Jonathan King being on GMTV and saying that if there was any justice in the world this song would be number one for weeks. Alas it wasn't. But this is haunting, and another one that makes me cry at times.
3) Where's Summer B?
Just a classic pop tune. What else can I say?
2) The Last Waltz
Brilliant, just bloody brilliant. Slightly barbed lyrics as well for such a nice melody.
1) Smoke
Truth be told this is one I skipped past for about the first two years I had the Whatever & Ever Amen album, but one proper listen was enough to captivate me. I can honestly imagine that this song is me and some woman arguing the toss about a relationship. It is that personal to me.

Nine Black Alps - Everything Is

The much anticpated debut album from Nine Black Alps finally hits the shelf, and it's as if Kurt Cobain never left us. There is little subtlety in these 12 songs. The band obviously love the whole Nirvana "Grunge" thing, and have set out in making a collection jam packed of the kind of music that would sit side-by-side with Nevermind, without ever threatening to reach the heights of musical genius of that particular classic.

Derivative it may be, but if that kind of music is your thing, you will find much to rock out to on this great album. Singles "Not Everyone" and "Shot Down" are mini-classics, but my personal favourite is "Ironside", which sadly has nothing to do with Raymond Burr but is a sub-3 minute slice of power pop that Dave Grohl would do well to replicate these days.

The pace is ferrocious (with only "Behind Your Eyes" slowing proceedings down at any stage) but Nine Black Alps have thankfully realised that making "loud" music doesn't neccessarily mean that the tunes and melodies have to go missing as well. Much like Cobain, Nine Black Alps probably wont appreciate talk of pop "sensibilities", but that's exactly what they have. And long may they continue in that vein.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5.

Girls Aloud - Girls On Film DVD

Ok, so this is actually a load of old tosh if one really considers it, but honestly this DVD is just 90 minutes of wonderful boon-tastic entertainment. It's got all the videos (which I shall rank in a seperate post in due course ;) ), the rather wonderful "Show" MTV programme and a few other TV performances and behind the scenes schizzle...who could ask for more?

It's worth it just for the guacamole incident :D

Ben Folds LIVE

It was a long time coming (it's six months since Mr Folds should have graced these shores) but in the end, this was well and truly worth the wait. A last minute work committment meant that young Xavier could not join the party as planned, which meant that Caroline (or Deviate if you like) had the honour of being a part of the 50th ever concert that me and Gee have been to together. And apart from her swearing outburst at me whilst having a drink ( :D ) she was great company. And I suppose even me and Gee were preferable company for her to a weird looking American unappropriately dressed in unfashionable shorts.

Ben was on top form as he rattled through most of the highlights of his two solo albums (although on a couple of occasions there were too many "slow" songs following each other for my liking - a minor gripe I know, but hey...) with his band before settling down to his piano and playing requests. Some old Ben Folds Five favourites were pounded out (including Brick - which welled up tears in my eyes), the highlight of which was probably Army, complete with the conducted sing-a-long. Then the band came back out and they rattled out some more top quality tunes.

It's hard to fault this concert. At nearly two and a half non-stop hours of great tunes, who could ask for more. Most of the favourites were there (Landed, One Angry Dwarf, The Last Waltz, Where's Summer B?...man I could go on and on), and he'd have to play for seven or eight hours to do ALL the songs you would like to hear. Quite simply Ben Folds is a musical genius, and I simply can't wait until next time.

Sons And Daughters - The Repulsion Box

Last year's Love The Cup EP was excellent, so it was with great anticpation that I took delivery of Sons and Daughters first long-player.

The first thing that sprung to mind was just how "Franz Ferdinand" they've become in some senses, although ultimately Sons and Daughters are unique and fresh and inhabit a world entirely of their own. Single "Dance Me In" is a joyous and highly sexually charged sing-a-long, "Medicine" is sparse and almost tribal and "Choked" higlights the sparring vocals of Adele Bethal (who, it has to be said, sound extremely sexy) and Scott Paterson to their fullest effect.

10 songs lasting barely over half an hour in total, but not a second of that half and hour is wasted or boring and the sheer spread of styles and sounds is amazing. Some call them the "new Franz Ferdinand" but in all probability the songs are too dark and gothic and too far removed from the "pop" of the Top 40 for Sons and Daughters to scale those heights. Nevertheless this is a stunning collection which will enchant all those that listen to it.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5

The Subways LIVE

Or not as the case may be, as this was cancelled. "This date should never have been labelled as a Subways headline gig" said the band. Then why the hell was it then? The more I think about it, the more I think they never had any intention of playing this and it was merely a trick to get you to watch the other bands on the line-up. Bah humbug!

Kraftwerk - Maximum Minimum

Damn that Vince McMahon for booking WrestleMania 20 for the approximate time that Kraftwerk were in the UK for their first tour for donkey's years (and probably their last knowing my luck). But there is a god, with the release of this superlative 2 cd collection of choice cuts from the whole of their 2004 tour.

This set is pretty much a live greatest hits collection from one of my favourite bands ever. And the remarkable thing is how fresh the music sounds. It's difficult to comprehend that most of the tracks on this collection were written over 20 years ago, yet could be brought up to date by the original artists in such a thrilling manner.

All their best stuff is here, including killer versions of The Man Machine, The Model, Trans-Europe Express, Autobahn and, most impressively of all, The Robots. This is, quite simply, a superb collection from one of the most infulential bands in history, and you only hope that some new material will come from them soon which lives up to this impressive legacy.

Icon's View - 5 out of 5

The Irresistable Cathy Dennis

Not a new release, but deserving of a mention nonetheless. Cathy Dennis was the first woman to adorn my bedroom wall. I remember cutting out a picture of her from the Daily Mirror and pinning it to the wall at the side of my bed...

Anyway, this is a wonderful little trek down memory lane. Cathy had 11 top 40 hits (although criminally the two tracks she recorded with D'Mob aren't included on here - my bet is publishing issues) over a period of 8 years, although looking back she probably wasn't as successful as a) I thought she was and b) she deserved.

Essential tracks include the debut solo single Touch Me (All Night Long), Just Another Dream, and my personal favourite You Lied To Me (which was produced by one-time Madonna cohort Shep Pettibone, which explains it's Madonna-ian sound 13 years on :D).

There is some rubbish tossed in amongst the good tunes, but for a bargain price of £3.33, you can't really complain about this collection. It's a reminder of how underrated Cathy Dennis still is, and a clue as to how she can knock out quality pop tunes such as Toxic and Can't Get You Out Of My Head today.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5

Kasey Chambers - Wayward Angel

The idea of an Australian Country and Western singer doesn't sound all that appealing, but those willing to look past prejudices and take a listen will find much to impress in Kasey's third solo album. Whilst not as striking as The Captain and Barricades and Brickwalls, mainly due to the fact that stylistically this album is ploughing the fields planted by those two albums, this is still a quality Country-rock collection, albeit straying a bit more to the "traditional" side of things than she has previously recorded.

Each songs seems to be a quality story in itself, with Chambers singing from many different perspectives, from that of a child in "Pony" to that of an eldery gentleman in "Paper Aeroplane". Indeed it seems that Kasey is hitting top form in terms of her skills as a songwriter.

Despite the songs being sung from these different perspectives, there is the feeling that Kasey is baring her own soul on this quality collectiong and the busy, but at the same time uncluttered, musical background adds to this feeling. She'll probably never be seen as a "major" star, but trust me, Kasey Chambers is every bit the superstar.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5.

Rachael Yamagata - Happenstance

Rachael is a lady who has been around for quite some time, but is only now officially releasing her debut album here in the UK. It comes sufficiently hyped up, but can it live up to that hype? Well the answer is almost.

First things first. If you are one of those people still anxiously awaiting the next Fiona Apple album, then Happenstance will quite easily fill that gap for now, and that is exactly the kind of music fan that this colllection is targeted at. Tracks such as Letter Read and Meet Me By The Water sound so much like Fiona Apple that if you heard them on the radio unsolicited you would think it was Apple herself.

There is slightly more to Rachael than that, but again it is comparisons being made with other artists. She has the smokey echo's of Norah Jones coming through in places, and Wear Me Down sounds like U2 if they were fronted by a woman.

It seems a bit churlish to compare Rachael to a multitude of other artists, but as evidenced by the sticker on the cover, these comparisons are being used to draw potential new fans in. Whilst this is a classy collection of great (and sometimes excellent) songs, there is still the nagging feeling that Yamagata has yet to truly find a sound of her own. But then again, this fine collection will more than pass the time until she does.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5.

THE BEST OF...Pet Shop Boys (singles)

This is to commemorate the release of the Back To Mine compilation (review soon) from the boys.

10 - Flamboyant
Their most recent effort as of the time of writing, and a brilliant return to form. If, as they have led us to believe, their next album, due in Spring 2006, is along these lines, it will be very good indeed.
9 - Rent
A song too controversial to be granted an American singles release, but nevertheless this stands up against any of the more succesful singles of the period. Some people think it's a lament on the state of Thatcher's Britain, some say its about male prostitution...I just say it's a bloody catchy tune.
8 - It's A Sin
Perhaps the most grandiose PSB single ever released, complete with nonsensical astronaut count down and latin prayers, this is a stomper every step of the way. Pointless trivia, they successfully sued Johnathan King when he suggested they had plagurised the tune for this from something or other.
7 - I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore
One of the boys blinding song titles, and another cracking tune. One of the sexual intrigue cannon, this is all about a love falling apart. Not something I would strictly know about, but I can imagine being the singer in this kind of situation.
6 - What Have I Done To Deserve This?
Does anyone really know what this is about? And does it really matter when the tune is this good? I actually prefer the Shep Pettibone mix of this, so you can imagine how good that must be.
5 - West End Girls
Where the fame and fortune started, and arguably the first ever "Rap" number one in America...if we aren't getting to technical about these things.
4 - Always On My Mind
Whereas Elvis' version just made you think he was a complete loser (and don't get me started on Chris DeBurgh's version), this up-beat version makes Neil Tennant come across as a cool cad who will probably get the girl (ok, bear with me on that one) anyway, despite her knowing excatly how he won't treat her.
3 - So Hard
The Boys aren't particularily keen on this one, saying it was out of place on the otherwise mellow Behaviour album, but I think it is absolutely superb. Another of the sexual intrigue ones, with the all time classic line "we've both given up smoking, 'cause it's fatal, so who's matches are those?".
2 - Can You Forgive Her?
Oh for the sunny days of the summer of 1993, when I was 14 years old and didn't quite understand the subtle nuances of the story in the lyrics of the song. Still it's rollocking tune and I love the way that the person in the story is completely in the wrong but switches the blame to the woman. A good life lesson there.
1 - Being Boring
Originally not one of my favourites, but as the years go by I can't deny it's all-round awesomeness. A sad tale, beautifuly told.

Girls Aloud LIVE

Oh my god. What on earth can be said about this? I mean come on guys...FRONT ROW!!! :D I have to say that this was one of the greatest concerts nights in my entire concert going history. It kicked off in grand fashion with us actually being sat next to Nicola's family, and for once, Gee's "she looks like a famous person" routine was actually bob on. It was her birthday and we all sang happy birthday to her as well... awww!

The concert itself was just bloody brilliant. You know sometimes you are disappointed when you see a celebrity close up and realise they are not that fit...well that didn't happen here. I'm telling you, I am more in love with Nadine than ever. She is quite simply sex on legs. And she'd even ditched the tousled hair she had at Manchester for my much preferred straighter version. Thanks love. Also thanks for the flash of your knickers during the school-girl bit.

Tweedy had me in stitches throughout with her gurning, and some of the "acting" the girls did (especially during Teenage Dirtbag) was absolutely hilarious as well. Kimberley has such a cute arse that's its almost untrue, and that slit dress that Nicola had on during the ballad portion of the evening almost left us with the sight of her *CENSORED* i'm sure. In a plus for the Gee, Sarah spent what must have been at least 60% of the show right in front of him.

To me this cemented their place as the finest girl pop group EVER. In the flesh all five are quite simply "feet as fook" and I genuinely mean that. And the songs are bloody excellent too. Quite frankly, I love everything about them. Yes, even when they do an off-the-cuff version of "Where Is The Love" I love them. And you really can't get any more of glowing reference than that! :D

KT Tunstall LIVE

Ok, so to be in Liverpool on the night of the Champions League homecoming wasn't ideal, and it did lead to some logistical and transportational problems, but once inside the venue, none what was going on outside really mattered did it?

What can I say really? KT was her usual top class self (although the sooner she stops ruining Heal Over and does the damn tune properly the better) and she really is extremely funny as well.

I also had the pleasure of meeting a nice bloke called Andy off the KT forum, although I didn't join him at the front of the crowd. The real downside of the evening was the idiot stood near us who talked through all but three of the songs, and who was, quite frankly, a complete and utter knob jockey.

Still he couldn't ruin the evening. Another top notch crew event.

The Best Of...GIRLS ALOUD

Right as a bit of a commemoration of the double Girls Aloud concert whammy, I've decided to list my Top 5 Girls Aloud songs (in reverse order for added suspense);

5 - Love Bomb
This sorts out the true fans from those people who follow trends doesn't it? Only available on the original edition of the Sound Of The Underground album, this is perhaps quite rubbish if I were to really think it through, but it's just so damn catchy that I can't help loving it.
4 - Stop
This one has a bit of a gangsta rap kind of feel to it's opening (well, sort of...) and is one of those great songs that just builds and builds as it goes along. Nadine does quite a lot in this one as well, which is good as she is the best singer.
3 - Wake Me Up
Power pop at it's finest (almost). This was the track that I picked out as a single when I heard the album, and thank goodness that the record company agreed. Still, even if the song had been rubbish, it would have gained legendary status for the "moet in mud, bottle of bud" line alone.
2 - No Good Advice
Forget about the over-rated Sound Of The Underground single, and instead look to this pumping tune which owes more than a little to The Knack's sublime My Sharona. It's better with the swearing in though isn't it?
1 - The Show
What can I say? This, for me, is still the quintessential Girls Aloud song. If Kraftwerk were to suddenly find five women and have them front a band, this would be the end result. I loved this song the first time I heard it, and I still love it to this day. In many respects, this is the finest pop song this century so far.

The Best Of... An Explanation

Due to sheer boredom, I have decided to pepper this blog with the occasional best of list. These lists will be basically my opinions of the best songs of particular artists, and where possible there will actually be a reason for me choosing that particular artist at that particular time.

Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm

I'm convinced that there is no such thing as a "bad" Aimee Mann album but it does seem that the law of diminishing returns is applying itself to her career since the wonderful soundtrack to the film Magnolia. Her last two efforts (Batchelor No 2 and Lost In Space) were good, but not in the same class as Magnolia or Whatever or even, the much unfairly maligned, I'm With Stupid. And whilst The Forgotten Arm doesn't reach the peaks of her earliest work, it is still her strongest effort since Magnolia, and has much to reccommend it.

Loosely, the concept of the album is of a boxer returning from the Vietnam war, but really any close inspection of the album as a whole shows up many flaws in the "story". It's saved by the fact that the best tracks work best as stand alone songs. Two great examples are Dear John and Goodbye Caroline, which both stand comparsion with her old favourites.

However there is the feeling that whilst this is a good album, it contains nothing that we haven't heard before from Mann on previous releases. If you like her, then you'll like this. If you haven't been convinced by her previously, then you won't be convinced by this.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5.

KT Tunstall LIVE

KT time again, and despite me being ever so slightly tipsy, and being LATE for the concert (oh the shame), this was yet another top night of concert action.

The songs were as good as ever, and KT's banter was priceless. Not too keen on the Heal Over live version which morphed into some bizzare version of Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This, but other than that this was faultless. I honestly don't think I've sung along as much to any concert in my entire life. Quite basically I just had so much fun. Can't wait until the next one! :D

Girls Aloud LIVE

Well the finest girl group since the Spice Girls finally made it on tour, but would it be worth the wait...? The answer is a resounding YES!!!

Quite frankly this was a superior pop show, even better than last year's classic Sugababes effort, and was one hell of a spectacle. The Girls ran through all their hits, the highlights being The Show, Wake Me Up and Jump, and threw in some tasty album tracks such as the delightful Grafitti My Soul for good measure. Toss in a wonderfully bizarre cover of Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag and you have all the makings of a great night.

The girls can all sing, and even Nadine seems to be able to dance to a certain degree these days and the energy level never drops. Hell I was even singing away at the top of my voice to I'll Stand By You, which quite frankly is an abomination on record, but seemed top notch crew live.

My only minor gripe would be that once the music stopped, not much of the girl's personalites shone through although as the show progressed all five seemed to be really enjoying themselves, which is half the battle isn't it? The costume changes were well timed, and certainly got the Dean's seal of approval, and showed that really, all five of the lasses are lovely. Although Nadine is still far away my favourite. I mean come on...those legs :D

So to paraphrase my own good self, this was book of the dick, and one of the most "fun" concert nights I've ever had the pleasure of. Roll on next week!!! :D

Finally, apologies to that woman sat next to me (although try as she might to put on a stern face at our group's antics she couldn't help laughing along with us) and if that woman sat in front of me is reading this, please get in touch. I imagine you'd be very good at...erm...well you know ;)

Casino LIVE

Ok, so basically on the Night Of Legends, I stumbled across this free gig in a Nightclub. There were fairly decent considering I've not a clue who they are or what they do. They rock out quite well. And they had a lovely lady (who I assume is/was bethrowed to one of the band) on their merchandise stall. So yeah, I might as well count this as a concert...for the reason that it was!

Weezer - Make Believe

Five albums in and little has really changed for River Cuomo and the boys, but nevertheless Make Believe is a very good "rock-pop" record, which whilst probably not converting any new fans to the cause, will keep Weezer fans all over the world very happy indeed.

Thankfully much of the bile that enveloped Maladroit seems to have been mellowed out, and whilst the lyrics still bite it's a much more pleasant listening experience than their last album, and sees them a similar ground to the much loved Green album. Lead single Beverley Hills is a perfect stomp along track, even if it is slighlty grating to hear multi-millionaire Cuomo moan about his affluent neighbours, but future hit single "We Are All On Drugs" is perhaps the perfect Weezer song and is the song you'll be humming all summer.

It's not a perfect album (the album's slower songs are nowhere near the quality of previous "slowies" such as Say It Ain't So) but it does give you pretty much what you want from a Weezer album. And personally, that's just the way I like it.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5

Holly Palmer - I Confess

It's upon listening to a CD like this that you realise that nine times out of ten there is no justice in the world of pop music. Becuase quite frankly, this is one of the best pop music albums you are ever likely to hear (knocking the crap out of anything the likes of Britney Spears or Kylie Minogue could do) but chances are you won't have heard of Holly, and are likely never going to. Apart from now, when I've mentioned her to you.

I had to stumble across this one thanks to an article in Playboy, and a review in the Mail On Sunday, but I sure am glad I stumbled across it. This is funky, quirky and, above all, sexy pop and takes roughly about one listen for half the tunes to be lodged in your head.

Title track I Confess is the kind of sassy and funky track which would be a hit in any circumstances, Does Your Mama is the best Avril Lavigne track that Avril could never do herself, and the Dr Dre produced Jumping Jack is superb. The album falls down slightly on the last two tracks (and I hate the MP3 player runing 20 minutes of silence on track 10 before some stupid speaking part kicks in) but from tracks 1-8 this is quite simply the essence of pure pop. It's intelligent, funky, danceable, hummable, sexy and, quite frankly, brilliant. Do youself a favour and check this out.

Dean's View 4 1/2 out of 5

Ben Folds - Songs For Silverman

Ben Folds is certainly one of my all-time favourites, but the nagging suspicion upon the release of each of his three ep's in the recent past is that he would never quite manage to once again reach the heights he did with Ben Folds Five, nor indeed the heights to which his first solo album Rockin The Suburbs soared. Thankfully it turns out that Ben was saving the good stuff for his second album afterall, although it still doesn't quite match up to some of his superb earlier output.
The one particualr problem I have with this album is at times it seems a tad too pedestrian, and also the fact that if the album well and truly starts off with a bang, it somewhat meanders out towards the end.
"Bastard" is a superb opener, showcasing Folds wry obsertvations to their fullest effect and is perhaps the most "BFF" style tune on the collection and . "Landed" is anything but grounded, as it's a soaring tune which would have, in a fair world, supplied a huge international hit. Songs that in prinicple could be feared to be overwriught (such as "Gracie" - an ode to his young daughter and "Late" - in memory of the late Elliot Smith) just sneak in at the right side of tenderness to avoid a cliched fate.
Folds has certainly still got "it" as evidenced on this fine collection, but for me he doesn't quite reach the heights I associated with his previous work. Perhaps I lament the passing of Ben Folds Five too much to be totally unbiased, or perhaps it's my fault for watching Ben move on, without wanting to leave behind my own past. Ben's still on form, but now he's playing a different game.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5

The Eels - Blinking Lights And Other Revelations

Since the sublime debut album "Beautiful Freak" The Eels have unfortunately been hit and miss. None of their albums have been dreadful, and all have had some killer tracks, but spiritual leader E has never managed to keep the consistency over a full set. The good news here is that E has finally done the trick...the bad news is that this only covers disc two of this special two disk set.

Again, that's not to say that Disc 1 is poor. In fact it is far from it with killer standout tracks such as Son Of A Bitch, Trouble With Dreams and Suicide Life, but it falls prey to the afformentioned inconsistency that plauged previous albums. However Disc 2 is perhaps the finest collection of songs that Mark Everett has ever put together. It's much slower and mellower than you perhaps might expect, but it is quite simply astounding from start to finish. I'm Going To Stop Pretending That I Didn't Break Your Heart and Ugly Love are probably the tracks that grabbed me immediately, but this disc is a rare thing of beauty.

It's said that E spent the last 7 years putting this together...well if that's the case, it was time well spent.

Icon's View - 4 1/2 out of 5

The Hives LIVE

Last minute changes of personnel saw the "Phenom" join the Dean and Gee 2005 tour for a slice of Sweden's finest, the Hives but in all other respects it was business as usual. Having relaesed no new material since the last time we saw the Hives in action (indeed, Two Timing Touch and Broken Bones was annoucned as their latest single, just as it was back in 2004 when they last hit these shores) this was pretty much a carbon copy of their 2004 show, but with some great tunes and a charismatic frontman this was still a great night of entertainment.

There is no doubt that the lead singer is a fruit-loop, but it's impossible not to get caught up in his crazy world of The Hives. When he asks you a question, you are going to answer it.

All the hits were played, and the pace never slowed down for a minute. Is it ground-breaking stuff? No. But all the same The Hives are a virtual guarentee of a great night out, and sometimes that is all you need.

Nerina Pallot LIVE

See that bit in my concert list where it says that this was technically a Paddy Casey concert? Well you can officially scrub the "technically" as we didn't even stay for Paddy after Nerina had done her thing.

And she did her thing bloody well. Sure there were far too many Irish scousers prattling on as she played,but it shouldn't, and indeed didn't, detract from what I paid to see. Equally at home strumming a guitar or playing the piano, Nerina exudes star quality at every turn, and has a wonderfully witty turn of crowd banter but its the songs, in their stripped down solo renditions, that really capture your attention. The lovely lass played my three favourite songs first, which I am sure was just a happy coincidence..., but it's a mark of how good she really is that rather than losing my interest after that, it merely went higher and higher.

I also got to meet her after her performance, and she signed CD booklets for both of her albums. She also put different messages on each, which surely is a sign of a great woman. I know what you are thinking now, you are thinking Dean is waffling and prattling on, but really, Nerina is great in every single way you could think of. So I'm telling you if you get the chance, check her out!

And finally, apologies to Paddy Casey for not sticking around to see his set. But then again, I was seemingly the only person in the auditorium who recognised him when he walked through the crowd prior to Nerina's set, so really, I think me and Paddy are evens! :D Oh and if anyone who reads this was at the concert and has an unwanted ticket stubb, please let me know...I'm sure I could find a good home for it.

Updated Concert List

As you might expect, this is an updated concert list.

18th February - KT Tunstall - Liverpool Academy 3
27th February - Electric Six - Carling Academy Liverpool
1st March - Natasha Bedingfield - Liverpool Royal Court
7th March - The Donnas - Manchester Academy
16th March - The THrills - Liverpool Academy
12th April - The Subways - 53 Degrees, Preston
19th April - Nerina Pallot - Barfly, Liverpool (technically this is a Paddy Casey concert, but I'm really only going for Nerina :D).
24th April - The Hives - Liverpool Academy
19th May - Girls Aloud - Manchester Apollo
22nd May - KT Tunstall - Manchester MDH
26th May - KT Tunstall - Carling Academy 2, Liverpool
27th May - Girls Aloud - Liverpool Empire
8th June - The Subways - Night & Day Cafe, Manchester
11th June - Ben Folds - The Lowry
17th June - REM (with The Zutons & Feeder) - Lancashire Cricket Club
15th July - Aimee Mann - Manchester University

Do Me Bad Things - Yes

A nine-piece band from Croydon? Doesn't sound all that promising does it, but this album may well be one of the pleasant surprises of the year so far. Weird doesn't begin to describe the band, but as long as you listen with an open mind, and are prepared for a certain amount of silliness (I mean, come on, COWBELLS?), then you should find much to enjoy here.

Singles Time For Deliverance, What's Hideous and The Song Rides pretty much set the tone (if you didn't like them, well then you are better off looking elsewhere) but there is plenty to enjoy throughout the album if one can stomach heavy metal tunes with operatic singing! But seriously, beyond the laughs there are enough killer tunes on this stomping record to hook in pretty much anyone prepared to give them a go. Whether or not their rise will last though, is open to question.

Icon's View - 3 1/2 out of 5.

Madeleine Peyroux - Careless Love

It is no exageration to say that someone listening to this CD for the first time, with no knowledge of the artist in question, could believe that this was some remastered version of some classic 1920's or 1930's album long since forgotten about. Whilst this is very much a modern album, featuring tracks made famous by the likes of Leonard Cohen and Boby Dylan, there is that authentic air of Billie Holliday and Bessie Smith always permeating through.

Quite how this is seen as the "true" style to Norah Jones' "commercial" efforts is beyond me, but it is clear that Madeleine is donig the music she loves and she's doing it bloody well. My particular favourites include "Dance Me To The End Of Love" which surely makes any man listening want to do whatever she asks of them and "Don't Wait Too Long", which is, ironically, one of the few original tracks on the album. Where it falls down is the over-abundance of slower melancholic songs, which whilst being authentic, don't do much for me.

But having said that, the very fact I like this album, when the "style" is certainly not one that I am over-enamoured with, perhaps shows just what a classy piece of work this is. If you have any liking whatsoever for the era of Billie Holiday, then this is certainly an abum for you.

Icon's view - 3 1/2 out of 5.

Nerina Pallot - Fires

Dear Frustrated Superstar was one of the best albums of 2001, and was one of the best debuts by a female singer songwriter that I have heard. Of course the problem was that not too many other people heard it, which always led me to fear that a follow up would never be released. Well it's taken four years, but Nerina Pallot has finally gotten around to releasing Fires, her second, and equally breathtaking, album.

This is just full of great track after great track with memorable tunes, and great lyrics. From the opening track Everybody's Gone To War, with it's memorable "I've got a friend, he's a pure-bred killing machine...and he'll be dead by Christmas" lyric this is just pure class all the way.

Standout tracks for me are Halfway Home, Idaho and Geek Love, which, with it's catchy chorus lyric of "So hey, you, could you give it a rest. Just take me home and get me undressed", could be the hit single which finally, and justifably, let's the rest of the world in on the charms of this great singer-songwriter. This is quite, simply, a must buy.

And on a final note, I "made her day" when I exchanged messages with her so that's just another reason to love her.

Icon's View - 5 out of 5

The Subways LIVE

First things first, 53 Degrees in Preston is a pretty rubbish venue. And a weird shape as well.

But now that's over, lets concentrate on what was a pretty awesome concert. Normally, watching a band whose songs you don't know can be a pretty baffling experience, but track after track here was top quality, with hardly a ballad/slow song in sight.

"Oh Yeah" is one of the most exuberant singles of the year so far, but it was by no means the only highlight of the set. Heavy, without losing the pop sensibility that I love so much, this was a great night. If there is any justice in this world (sorry Lemarr) The Subways should be a name on everyone's lips by the end of the year!

And Charlotte is Grade A teasely! Good job I spotted her first hey Gee man?

Shakin Stevens - The Collection

Well, what can I say about this one?

Since I was about 2 years old, Shaky has been one of my favourites. Hell, I once wrote to Jim'll Fix It in hope of meeting the great man (I didn't, but I did get sent a signed photograph) and Shaky did send me a get well card when I was hopsitalised. But that is hardly the point here is it?

Quite frankly, this does exactly what is says on the tin. It's collects 25 of Shaky's greatest hits (including FOUR number one UK singles) and is pure joy from start (This Old House) to finish (Merry Christmas Everyone) and proves exactly why Shaky was THE biggest selling solo artist in the UK charts in the 1980's.

My personal top 5 Shaky singles would be (in no particular order) A Little Boogie Woogie (In The Back Of My Mind), Lipstick Powder & Paint, A Rockin’ Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love), I’ll Be Satisfied and, perhaps my favourite of all A Letter To You. Throw in the best Christmas record EVER, and a free DVD collecting 12 Shaky promo videos, and you have one bloody brilliant package. Buy it NOW!

Icon's View - 5 out of 5!!!!!

Martha Wainwright - Martha Wainwright

There was certainly a lot of hype and expectation riding on the release of this album. With her mother, father and brother all successful (artistically at least) recording artists, the pressure was surely on. But then again, maybe not. Martha's view's on her parents are plainly on show in the song "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole", and perhaps Martha simply doesn't care for the inevtiable comparisions with her family.

Thankfully shorn of the over-blown, some would say pompous, arrangements that her brother Rufus favours, this is a good album, without ever really threatening to really live up to the expectations some placed on it.

When it's good, as in the afformentioned BMFM, "Ball and Chain" and "TV Show" it's very good, but that level of quality isn't sustained over the whole of the album. It's a promising debut, at times hauntingly beautiful and at others filled with raw, flamed propelled, energy, but, and perhaps this is just me here, I was expecting more. It's well worth a listen, but you get the feeling the best is still yet to come.

Icon's view - 3 out of 5

Basement Jaxx - The Singles

I really don't have enough dance tunes in my collection so the release of this compilation came at just about the right time for me. And what a corker it is too. The Jaxx have been churning out top-quality tunes for ages, but have never really quite grabbed me enough to purchase a studio album. This however is the perfect compromise.

The Icon's quality-o-meter definately pricks it's ears up at the earlier tracks on this collection. "Red Alert" is a funky stomper, "Where's Your Head At?" is funk-punk at it's best (if indeed that is even a genre of music at all) but my pick of the pack is the delightful "Romeo". A song so good that the Beckham's decided to name their daughter after it. Or perhaps not.

Other trakcs don't quite hit these heights, but all offer something different, and take on different styles, which is always a welcome feature of dance collections. New single "Oh My Gosh" is quite a grower too.

So all in all, this does exactly what is says it will do. It collects the Basement Jaxx singles in one handy collection, and proves that they are well worth a listen. Now let's all get on that dancefloor.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5

Concerts 2005 Update

Just a quick update, for my reference more than anything, complete with latest addition.

18th February - KT Tunstall - Liverpool Academy 3
27th February - Electric Six - Carling Academy Liverpool
1st March - Natasha Bedingfield - Liverpool Royal Court
7th March - The Donnas - Manchester Academy
16th March - The THrills - Liverpool Academy
12th April - The Subways - 53 Degrees, Preston
24th April - The Hives - Liverpool Academy
19th May - Girls Aloud - Manchester Apollo
22nd May - KT Tunstall - Manchester MDH
26th May - KT Tunstall - Carling Academy 2, Liverpool
27th May - Girls Aloud - Liverpool Empire
11th June - Ben Folds - The Lowry
17th June - REM (with The Zutons & Feeder) - Lancashire Cricket Club

Queens Of The Stone Age - Lullabies To Paralyze.

Ignore my slightly warped liking for the wonderful Josh Homme, this is one hell of a rock record and one that, for once, deserves every bit of critical acclaim that has come it's way.

From start to finish this is a rollocking ride which is even better than previous classics Rated R and Songs For The Deaf. Stand out tracks include the single Little Sister, You Got A Killer Scene (featuring guest performances by Brode Dalle and Shirley Manson) and Everybody Knows That You're Insane. Although to be honest, choosing favourite songs from this album is much like choosing which of your offspring is your favourite.

So this is rock as it should be. Dark, edgy and, above all, sexy. Buy it now.

Icon's View - 5 out of 5.

The Thrills LIVE

Well could The Thrills continue to enthrall at the third time of asking? The answer is a delightful yes. The poor boys come in for some stick, but they sure can put on one hell of a show.

Their great tracks, pick of the bunch being the delightful One Horse Town, were spread throughout the show so you never really got bored. There was also the plus point that the venue was stacked with the most teasely skewed audience I've perhaps ever seen. Not that that did my constitution any good at all.

Another cracking night out with the Irish lads and they really do give it their all. I just pity them if they ever have to play a gig in Skegness or Lytham St Annes.

Kaiser Chiefs - Employment

Pitching straight in as a 21st Century Parklife (right down to the packaging of the album), Employment is an album which makes no bones about it's outlook or intentions. Singles "I Predict A Riot" and "Oh My God" whupped up a frenzy of expectation for the album, but sadly, the boys from Leeds can't quite manage to live up to the hype.

When they are good, as in the singles and the riotous "Everyday I Love You Less And Less", they are bloody fantastic, but too many tunes meander along without ever really hitting the mark, and at times it feels like the band are trying too many styles and are trying to be too ambitious in a debut album.

They've nailed the "storytellin" aspects of Parklife, but failed to keep up the momentum up over the whole album. Still, there is enough here to suggest that there is something more to come, and songs such as "Team Mate" suggest that there is more to the Kaiser Chiefs than the "Brit-Pop" attitude would otherwise suggest.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5.

The Donnas LIVE

It's been a long time coming, but finally the Donnas made it to Manchester. Worries about the girls health led to pre-concert speculation as to whether or not they would even make it on stage, but once the first drum beat kicked in there was no doubt at all. The Donnas were here, and they were coming to ROCK!

The energy level was amazing and the quartet sounded very tight indeed. There was a varied choice of songs from their back catlogue, and whilst this meant that some classics were ommitted, there wasn't really a duff song in the set.

Four chicks who love to rock out? Is it any wonder I love them?

And on another note, I do hope that lad from London managed to get home alright.

Natasha Bedingfield LIVE

She's teasely for sure, but could she capture me for an hour and a half of concert related entertainment? As it turned out, she did the job well.

All the hits were in (thankfuly spread throughout the show) and some great album tracks reminded me just how good her album actually is. The only negative would be that the girl appears to be losing her voice and at times the backing singers took over. But she still belted her lyrics out with aplomb and she does have a great voice.

Top marks for the Maroon 5 "This Love" cover version too, which was the best that song has ever sounded. Throw in some delightful drunken ladies and a soon to be infamous "lacy red knickers" incident, and you have yet another top quality night of entertainment.

Electric Six LIVE

The kings of irreverance put on one hell of a show. There is no mistaking the fact that their new album is nowhere near as good as their classic debut, but there are enough good songs knocking about in the Electric Six cannon to make for a wonderful hour and half of stomping entertainment.

And let's face it. It's worth the price of admission alone for Gay Bar, Dance Commander, Danger! High Voltage, Vibrator and Radio Ga Ga.

Snotty critics may scoff, but sod 'em. Just get your dancing shoes on and have a bloody good time. I sure did.

KT Tunstall LIVE

Well what a way to kick off the 2005 concert season. This was, quite simply, absolutely bloody fantastic. This girl isn't a star yet, but she soon will be.

The entire audience was captivated from start to finish by this superb singer-songwriter, who played virtually all of her debut album, Eye To The Telescope. Technical problems didn't faze her, and didn't detract one iota from the concert.

KT can do the fast songs and the slow songs with equal aplomb, and never hits (or sings) a bum note throughout.

To be honest, I think I'm in love with her.

Electric Six - Senor Smoke

As great as their debut album "Fire" was, there was always the danger that the joke would wear thin long before a follow-up could ever be released. And whilst "Senor Smoke" doesn't live up to it's predecessor, either in terms of tunes or hilarity, there is enough good stuff on it to render it worth a listen.

Internet-only single "Vibrator" is an instant sing-a-long classic, (who could resist the lines "she don't need no Vibrator, no electric genetalia tonight") and rocks out as much as anything we've heard from them before. "Boy or Girl", "Devil Night's" and "Rock and Roll Evacuation" all display the irreverence one would expect and all have laugh out loud moments contained within, and all have the ability to get you dancing.

Sadly there is too much "by the numbers" filler on this album to make it really stand out, but there's enough quality to make it a worthwhile addition to Fire.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5

Emiliana Torrini - Fisherman's Woman

Call my cynical but when an unsuccessful artist completely changes direction after their debut album I have to wonder whether its the artist themselves or the record industry who make that change. 1999's Love In The Time Of Science is the polar opposite of this second album from the delightful Emiliana. Where as that was electronically based music, albeit of the "chill out" variety, this album is pared down to the bare minimum, with acoustic and gentle songs.

The problem is, it is perhaps too gentle and quiet to really grab the attention over a whole album. There is no doubting that Emiliana is a talent, and there is no doubting that the songs are good, but listening through the album all in one go is not ideal. Fact is, if you were to listen and fall asleep, when you woke up you would be hard pressed to know which track was on. They all kind of blend into one another.

All in all though, this is not a bad album. In short doses it is worth a listen, but at times it's just too anonymous to really stand out from the crowd.

Icon's View - 3 out of 5

Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous

What could be worse that a band fronted by a former teen movie starlet, which also includes her (ex) boyrfriend? Not much you would think, but ignore all that (although do watch Plesantville, in which lead singer Jenny Lewis has a part - that is a quality film) and instead just sit back and listen to one of the most pleasantly pop albums in quite some time.

One listen through is all it takes for most of the delicate melodies to lodge inside you brain although it takes subsequent listens to appreciate the lyrical venom that sometimes lurkes behind the calm veneer. This juxtaposition only adds to the band's appeal, giving the music heart and soul.

Stand out tracks include, "It's A Hit" (which it certainly should be), "I Never" which seemingly adds a cast of thousands to the group and lead single "Portions For Foxes" which deserves to lodge into the top 10 on a permanent basis.

Occasional lapses into schmaltz mean the album isn't perfect, and the collection does peak rather early, but if Miss Lewis really is "Bad News" as she suggests she is, then long may the bad news continue.

Icon's View - 4 out of 5