Kylie Minogue – Aphrodite

Kylie Minogue - Aphrodite

After 23 years riding our airwaves, Kylie Minogue returns with her new album Aphrodite after a not so successful “comeback” in 2007 with album X. X reached only number 4, perhaps not seemingly a failure of a chart position, but for Kylie this was highly unusual. So is Aphrodite all glitz and glam like the Kylie Minogue we know and love?

‘All The Lovers’ is her first single offering taken from the Aphrodite album, with electro beats and a real purity of vocals. She is back on top; catchy and poptastic, this is a true Kylie sound with a mature feel that she has perfected through the experimentation on her last few albums. … Continue Reading

My Tiger My Timing – I Am The Sound

My Tiger My Timing

Is this an ’80s Madonna single? No it’s the latest offering from pop five piece My Tiger My Timing. The fresh female vocals make a nice change; recent times have provided a real surge in indie/pop female lyricists, seemingly a winning ingredient.

… Continue Reading

Mirrors – Into The Heart

Mirrors

The first church organ sounding notes blare through our speakers and wind into a very Pulp sounding mildly psychedelic track, with electro beats and similar tones to those of Jarvis Cocker. This is Mirrors.

… Continue Reading

Frank Turner – Poetry Of The Deed

Frank Turner

Ex-hardcore band Million Dead-member Frank Turner has a new offering in the form of album ‘Poetry Of The Deed’, and what a treat it is. Turner is simplistic and original with his folk-punk style sound. His music is very personal and is far from the repetitive over-produced tracks that drown the music market on a daily basis.

… Continue Reading

Red Bull Bedroom Jam Launch, London Sanctum Soho Hotel

Attack!Attack!

September 17th 2009

Here at Muso’s Guide we love to find new and upcoming bands, so when we were invited along to the launch of Red Bull Bedroom Jam season we were there quicker than our noteworthy purple boots could carry us…
… Continue Reading

Basement Jaxx – Scars

Basement Jaxx - Scars

Basement Jaxx are back with their fifth album, following 2006 release Crazy Itch Radio. These are exciting times, or so we expect.

The question is, is their time up? Having experienced the peak of their success with first albums Remedy and Rooty? Back then they were something a bit different, but have dance acts with new points of difference such as Pendulum stolen the attention?

Scars allows Basement Jaxx to call upon some famous collaborators. Not shy to the world of using guest vocalists, this is not a new concept; but the line-up on this album is somewhat fierce. Sam Sparro, Chipmunk, Kelis, Lightspeed Champion and even Yoko Ono. Well if nothing else the album sleeve line-up will certainly get people talking…

Summer top twenty hit ‘Raindrops’ kicks off the album with a rare showcasing of Felix’s own vocals. The first question we ask ourselves is where has the power behind their tracks gone? The essence is there but it lacks the face and impact that we have come to know this duo for. With vocal distortion effects there are some points of interest but they are rather few and far between. It is all a little too mediocre and lacklustre, surely they have more to offer? In time this track is a grower but it is certainly no ‘Bingo Bango’. A track to please fans but it will certainly gain no new ones.

By the time ‘Twerk’ kicks in we start to lose all hope. This very American sounding track with its hip hop intro (Is this a Black Eyed Peas album?) is far too all over the place.  There is no focus and it causes some irritation to the ears. This track is bizarre and certainly not in a unique and likeable way. We are quickly losing faith. … Continue Reading

We Were Promised Jetpacks, London Barfly

We Were Promised Jetpacks

August 21st 2009

Having heard significant amounts of hype around this band of late, this particular Muso felt it was about time to head out and check this band out live to see just what they have to offer.

And glad we were to have made that decision…

… Continue Reading

Muso’s Guide Introduces… Glassyouth

Glassyouth

Glassyouth are a five-piece band from Barnsley (Previously known as The Headliners) who are set to bring freshness to the charts with a sound they describe as ‘light-hearted northern grime’.  It is collaboration of all 5 members having different tastes; from the 60s, 70s and through to modern alternative and dance.

… Continue Reading

Master Shortie – A.D.H.D.

Master Shortie - A.D.H.D.

Master Shortie’s sound is a fusion of electro-pop, rap and hip hop that gives him broad appeal and is sure to create a stir on the music scene.

We head down to Heaven nightclub in Central London for the album launch party to check out the man himself. Hip hop and rap does not normally float this particular Muso’s boat, but pre-conceived ideas aside we will take this album as we find it, and surprised we are.

Album opener ‘A.D.H.D’ is an attention grabbing start that introduces us to the multi-faceted sound of the album. Where many others have failed with album intros, Master Shortie has achieved in drawing us in and making us want to hear more.

‘Bringing It Back‘ is the album’s gem. With its 80s influences it is a jam packed blend of electro, and urban that errs very much on the pop side. Perhaps one would describe this sound as hip-pop. Right from the word go we are hooked. It is a song that you will not be able to avoid dancing to, we dare you to keep your feet still to this one.  “I’m-a keep it old school like Thundercats”. The song makes reference to things we know and love from the ’80s like Dirty Dancing, mohicans, Kevin Keegan; there is something for everyone! “Old school style” is what it says and what it does. This is the track that will set Master Shortie apart from all other hip hop artists on the scene at the moment. … Continue Reading

Muso’s Guide Introduces… Camera Club

Camera Club

There are so many bands coming onto the scene from London these days, and it is nice when we discover new northern bands.

… Continue Reading