CAGE THE ELEPHANT – Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked. These Kentucky rockers have
a formidable reputation for live chaos. This is one of the breathers in
their set – bluesy slide-guitar with a rapped stream of observations on TV
evangelists and picking up girls on the street. Huge. 4
WHITE WILLIAMS – Violator. Feel-good loungey beats with a
leftfield slant, from Joe Williams’ debut album Smoke. 4
MICHAEL JACKSON featuring AKON – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.
Lively version of the original with a new vocal from Jacko. The tentative
first step on the comeback trail. 3
THE PRESETS – This Boy’s In Love. Electro-pop which would
have been described as futuristic in the Eighties. Disco beats with a new
romantic icy coolness from the Aussies. 4
BRENDAN CAMPBELL – Twilight Bird EP. Four arresting tracks from
the 25-year-old Glaswegian folkie. 4
JONAS BROTHERS – SOS. Teenage heartthrobs playing adolescent
rock. 2.5
WE SMOKE FAGS – Eastenders. Brattish punk vocals with a fuzzy
backing track like a Rolf Harris Stylophone. 3
PANIC AT THE DISCO – That Green Gentleman. They’ve swapped their
Las Vegas glam popsters sound for a sub Britpop. Confusing. 2
I WAS A CUB SCOUT — The Hunter’s Daughter. Anthemic proggy
synth-pop with swelling, impassioned choruses. 3
JAMIE LIDELL – Another Day. Uplifting soul. 3