At last! 

I bought the album exactly on September 6th, planning to write a review on that very evening, but I had such a lot of stuff to do, and I completely forgot about it..!

But now, it's finally time to tell you something more about the greatest album and band of 2013, in my opinion!

I had seen the Arctics at BKS last year, and they literally blew me away (or "knocked me socks off" in a thick Sheffield accent).
I had been looking forward to buying the album ever since I saw them perform, so when I found out the album would come out on September 6th, I was really excited. Would it sound as great as it did when I saw them performing live?
So, on September 6th, I rushed to the nearest record store to get this little piece of perfection, and found out the record was just as stunning as their live performance.

Sweet Lord. What a record.

Where do I have to start?
The album art is really simple, yet really good; it's a very striking design, and really recognizeable. The band's looks really match the dark and almost sexy sound of the record, like Alex' quiff, perfectly combed backwards, just as swift and smooth as their music can get.

Everything on the record is just complete; it really doesn't miss a single thing. It's rough (with its great guitar riffs and luscious basslines), poetic (just listen to those lyrics; purely magnificent), sexy (well, find it out yourself; you can't deny it. Basslines, Matt's backing vocals..), but also quiet (on "Mad Sounds" and "Number One Party Anthem").

I know it's really dangerous to change your music style, but there's something the Arctics always keep in their music; their very own style. They can change the genres on every album, but still sound like the one and only Arctic Monkeys.
There are a few songs that could have been on Suck it and See, or on Humbug, but the record really is something unique, and a massive success.

It's really striking how they managed to capture the ethos of one of those dark Sheffield nightclubs, or a good concert late at night, like they did on the first few tracks.
But who doesn't know this is some real good stuff right when that spot-on ''Do I Wanna Know?'' riff bursts in?

So the first five tracks (Do I Wanna Know?, R U Mine?, One for the Road (oh the bassline), Arabella (probably, as vaguely admitted by Alex, about his current girlfriend Arielle Vandenberg) and I Want It All) make you want to wear leather jackets and go out to concerts. You end up feeling extremely tired, right when the next tracks start; Number One Party Anthem and Mad Sounds.
Alex, you're completely right; those Mad Sounds "make you feel alright", indeed. Great tracks, that can definitely cheer you up.

But that's enough sweetness on the album, the Arctics thought. Those listeners shouldn't fall asleep before the album ends!
So, what they did, they got another chunk of smooth guitars, drums, bass and vocals, and made some other songs to wake you up again: Fireside (with its melancholic lyrics and beautiful instrumental parts, it is believed that the song's actually about Alex' former girlfriend and model Alexa Chung), Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? (just sheer perfection), Snap Out Of It (the song kinda reminds me of Amy Winehouse, especially the vocals on the second verse. Great song, but watch out; it'll get stuck in your head for days! Oh, and it might make you want to dance.), and Knee Socks (perfect catchy riff, great vocals by Josh Homme near the end of the song).

And then, unfortuntately, the last song on the album; I Wanna Be Yours, the dreamy lyrics by punk rock poet John Cooper Clarke, and a perfect song made out of them by the Arctics. Pure melancholy, the perfect way of ending such one hell of an album.

Now it's silent again, and I don't even hesitate to put the album on again, just like I've been doing ever since I bought it in September. Wow.
The album really never gets boring, and you know, if a band can do that, they have really made it.

That's why I don't doubt; I give this album a good 10/10, because I think this is a real classic. Not just for the band's discography, but one we'll still listen to with joy in the future.

Yes. That was a hell of an album...

"The Weight". That's what the dark and heavy first track of the new Editors album is called like.

The Editors? That has been a long time since we last heard of them!

But why haven't we heard anything from those British indie rockers for such a long time? Their last album, "In the Light and On this Evening", came out in 2009. Have they seriously been working on their new album for almost four years?

No, of course they haven't. After quite a lot of tours and great plans for a new album in 2011, the guitarist Chris Urbanowicz announced he wanted to leave the band. The new album would be more of a electronic album, and that was something the guitarist obviously didn't really like.

Would they split up? No, splitting up is a verb you won't be able to find in the singer Tom Smith's dictionary.

Just like the album said; An End Has a Start. It was the end for the guitarist, but a fresh start for the rest of the band, and two new members;  Justin Lockey and Elliot Willams.

After lots and lots of work, the band finished the new album on April 8 2013. The album would be remastered, and would soon be ready for sale.

And now, July 2013, The Editors' new album is like a dream coming true. Isn't it?

But, back to the first track "The Weight".

Quite a lot different from "The Weight" by The Band; they were probably thinking about something feather lite. But The Editors seem to have written a song about the weight of five pick-up trucks!

Nice drums, melancholic guitars on the background. And then; Tom Smith's voice, deep and  full of emotion.

Just like we expect from The Editors; deep, dark an mysterious songs. I can't wait to hear more from the album.

The next track, "Sugar", starts really nicely. Good riff on the background, really exciting. On this track I can hear very clearly that they've got a new guitarist. Their sound has changed a lot since the old guitarist left the band. The sound of the guitars is not as clear and sharp as it used to be. Now the sound's a lot heavier and darker, and really reminds me of that American indie from the nineties.

Very surprising is the track "A Tone of Love"; there are lots of instrumental details and variations on the song, which I really like. Hey, can I hear some American influences again? Yes, the track sounds a bit R.E.M.-like to me. 

The track builds up well, and is very original, both on the instrumental as the lyrical aspect. A real power-song, a perfect one to start your day with!

But after all that energy, we really ought to have a rest. That's entirely possible by hearing the tracks "Honesty", "Nothing", and "What Is This Thing Called Love". Beautiful violins and a soft and calm drumbeat on the background. Perfect.

But, we're rudely woken up by the next track "Formaldehyde". Again, a delicious (haha) bass-riff. Very innovative, totally not close to the old Editors sound.

"Hyena" though, reminds me of their earlier songs. The tracks gives you the same feeling as "The Racing Rats", but this one's a bit calmer, and doesn't have a climax, which I really miss. Without that climax, the song gets a bit boring.

"Two Hearted Spider" was written when the old guitarist was still in the band, and you can hear that very clearly, if you compare the track to the songs on their earlier albums. I really love the track.

You've got a nice climax in this song, which makes the song an even bigger success. I think this will be a real festival hit, because it's such an emotional and powerful song.

We can have a  rest again with the next track, which is called "The Phone Book". 

The album ends with a track called "Bird Of Prey", the ideal end of the album, in my opinion. The song's quiet, but also very strong and powerful.

The album is a success, we all know it. But does it still sound like The Editors, after the guitarist left the band? That's something I'm not sure about. The songs are less original, too. 

But that doesn't mean that the album isn't good. To me, this album represents the resurrection of The Editors.

Keep an eye on them, those Editors.

Rating: 7/10

Yes, there he is, the next piano man: Tom Odell, posing in one of the beautiful streets of London, proudly captured on the cover of his debut album.
But should he be so proud of his achievements? Or could he better run that long way down for the disappointed critics?

When I bought the CD, I had already listened to the songs "Hold Me", "Another Love" and "Can't Pretend", and when I listened to the rest of the album's tracks, I got a bit sad.
Is this album worth fifteen pounds? Not really.
Is the album worth a trip to the nearest city, twenty kilometers away? No, actually. (Well, I did in fact discover one of the best music stores I've been to, actually; Sounds Tilburg, you should definitely check 'em out!)
"Another Love" was a great success, but only in the beginning; the Dutch radio stations almost spammed the innocent listeners with the song, and after a while it got boring and annoying.
"Can't Pretend" is a good one, if you ask me. Nothing wrong with the track, nice vocals. Might be a little bit too "gospel", but it's not that annoying. But is this a song you can listen to every day and doesn't get boring? No, again.
"Hold Me" also sounded good, but got boring after listening to it a few times. If you'd only show me the lyrics, I would burst into tears; how cliché do you want the lyrics to be?
("And it's getting late now, and we're a long way from our homes..." "When you hold me, hold me in your arms, oh when you hold me, yeah I can feel your heart..")
Are those songs supposed to be the main tracks on the album?
Sorry, Tom, but I hope you've got something more special.
Because the album lacks that "wow-factor". And that's exactly what makes an album original, special and good.
But then you've got "Grow Old With Me"; listen to Coldplay's U.F.O. for a few seconds. Exactly the same chord scheme, same melody, even the same speed! Luckily he's good at copying other artists' songs... I've honestly never heard such a perfect form of plagiarism before! Good job. Ahem.
"I Know"  is a weedy ballad, nothing special at all. Sounds a bit like a Keane song.
"Supposed to Be" is a poor Coldplay imitation, again.
"Long Way Down"; how many times has he used the word "rooftops" in his songs?! Striking.
But how does he do that, making almost every song on his album sound like a vague imitation of Coldplay songs?
"Sirens" is just disappointing, I can't say much about this song. It's not original, boring and much too sweet...
"I Think It's Going to Rain Today" is probably meant to be called "I Think It's Going to Rain Criticism Today".
But there's not much wrong with the track. I like the ending of the song, although it totally isn't original. But it could be a nice soundtrack for a movie.
And then; Tom Odell's Mumford and Sons attempt... Attempt.
He simply hasn't got the right voice for heavy folk, and the backing vocals make the song even weaker.
"Heal" is, I think, the only strong and good song on the album. This is the first song that really shows that Tom can in fact write songs himself...
"Till I Lost"; which Coldplay song is that again? "A Message", maybe?

And then those two extremely unnecessary demos nobody will really listen to, because they're not very different from the finished songs on the album.

I think we can all make a good conclusion;
If this would be the height of his career, he is already descending that ''long way down''.

Rating: 6/10

Last summer, I bought the album Here by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
My review is a bit late, since the album was released in 2012, but I still think this is a good album to start the spring/summer with!

I really loved the album art, because it's really colourful, and really suits the music genre.

The album's first track is called Man on Fire, which starts really quiet, but builds up really well. It's a very relaxing song. I really like the vocals on this track, especially in the choruses.
The song sounds very natural, and can certainly make you very happy!
I also love the didgeridoos in the song :)

The second track is called That's What's Up.
The song sounds really old-fashioned; that's something I especially like about this song.
I really love the fact that men and women are singing together, which makes the sound a lot, you know, saturated.

Track three is called I Don't Wanna Pray. The first sentences of the lyrics describe contradictions between the good and the bad.
The song sounds really country-like, which I don't really like.
But still, the song's not bad!

The fourth track is called Mayla, and sounds a bit like an Indian mantra.
It's a very slow and quiet song. The song's very relaxing, and almost hypnotizing.

The next track is called Dear Believer, and also sounds really old-fashioned.
When I first heard the track, I thought it was a Beatles or John Lennon (solo career) song!
This one sounds really lovely, and doesn't get boring, although the song doesn't really have any "peaks".

Track six is called Child. This song really reminds me of The Band!
This song also sounds really lovely, like real American 60's folk.

One Love to Another; that's what the seventh track is called like.
This song starts very good I think. It also reminds me a bit of a George Harrison solo career- song, although I don't exactly know which one...
The lyrics are very 60's like; it's a kind of a protest song.

The next one is called Fiya Wata. I don't exactly know what the title means...
I don't really like this one, because I think this one's not as original as the others, and is a bit boring.
But I quite like the instrumental parts in the end of the song.

The ninth, and last track, is called All Wash Out.
The lyrics could have been Jimi Hendrix lyrics, really!
This song is the only sad one on the album, and is to me one of the best tracks they have written.
I really like the whistling parts in the song, and the quiet guitars.

So;
If you can't wait for summer, I'd really recommend this album!

Rating: 8/10

I recently bought the album "180" by the Palma Violets.
I read about the band in several music magazines, so I started listening to their songs on YouTube. And I immediately fell in love with this astonishing new band!
And that's basically why I'm going to write a new review about the album!

Track one, Best of Friends, has a very warm and cosy beginning, in my opinion.
I love the contrasts in the song; there's the soft drum, the sharp guitar, simple bass, and the singer's rough punk-voice.
I think the song's very original, although it's got only four chords in the entire song, haha!
The guitar solo is quite simple, too, but that doesn't really matter to me.

I think the second track, Step Up For the Cool Cats, has a very nice beginning. I just love that Hammond-organ sound!
The song is very bright and happy, and can definitely cheer you up when you're feeling down!
I really like the fact that the music doesn't sound 'perfect', but that you can hear little inequalities and odds in the songs. I think that's what makes a record more personal.

Track three is called All the Garden Birds, and is a bit more quiet. The beginning sounds a bit sad.
I don't really like the beginning, but the second half of the song (around 2:00 minutes) is a lot better in my opinion. I really missed the roughness in the beginning of the song. I also really like the backing vocals in the second part.

The fourth track is called Rattlesnake Highway.
Well, if this doesn't remind you of The Clash..! I just love the vocals on this one. Again, the Hammond-organ makes the song a bit more original.
I really love this one!

The fifth one is called Chicken Dippers (quite a weird name, don't you think?). The song's got quite an experimental beginning. I like the ritenuto in the bridge, the choruses, and the guitar parts.
But, it's a shame the song's so sad.. I really expected the song to be happy, according to the strange title, haha :)

Track six, Last of the Summer Wine, is a very slow and quiet song. It really makes you think about those rainy days in summer!
I love the guitars in the beginning of the song.
This the kind of song that gets stuck in your head for days; such a catchy melody! The song's quite melancholic, but in a positive way.

Tom the Drum, track seven, is my favourite track. The song's so simple, but very original, actually. The song never gets boring!
I love it when it gets quiet and then, suddenly, the music "explodes" again.
And of course (it's starting to get a bit chliché) I love the heavy guitars in the song ;)

Track eight is called Johnny Bagga' Donuts (also a very strange and funny title, if you ask me. I love that!)
The song's got quite a noisy beginning. I like the microphone (effect?) they used for the lead vocals, which makes the song sound like it's quite old.
The song's not one of my favourites, to be honest.

We Found Love, track nine, is quite a cosy and warm song. I think it's not just a common love song. It's got more energy than most of the other love songs.
But I really like the slow and quiet guitars after the choruses.
How can you not fall in love with a song like this? ;)

The tenth track is called Three Stars, and sounds very lovely.
I think the title of the song's well chosen, because immediately it seems as though you're looking at a bright sky full of stars.
I love this one!

The last track is called 14. (But what exactly does it refer to?  Does anybody know?)
This one also starts very lovely, and is almost seems like this is the sequel to Three Stars.
There's quite a long pause between the first and the second part of the song.
But it almost seems like the second part is a hidden track..!
Does anybody know if this is true?

I hope you liked the review!
I really recommend the album, and, as Q magazine already said, perhaps this is THE band of 2013...


Rating: 8/10

A few days ago, I bought the "normal" edition of Biffy Clyro's new album Opposites.
There's also a deluxe edition available, which includes a few more tracks and bonus material.
I really like the album art, although I think it looks a bit sober.

The first track is called "Different People", and starts very quiet. I think it sounds a bit like Snow Patrol, but only in the very beginning of the song.
The song doesn't have an original chord scheme, but is, in fact, very original though.
I really like the guitars in the second part of the song; it really wakes you up.

The second song on the album is called "Black Chandelier". 
I quite like the song, but the beginning is a bit too sweet for me, haha!
I don't really like the "drip, drip, drip.." in the beginning of the song. But I really like the chorus.

Track three is called "Sounds Like Balloons", and sounds a bit like The Red Hot Chili Peppers in the beginning, I think.
The guitars kinda "attack" you in the beginning. I really like that!
I think this is a real Biffy classic; heavy guitars, and a good flowing rhythm.

The fourth track is called ''Opposite''.
I think the lyrics are beautiful. It's a really sad song, which has an nice chord scheme, although it's quite common.
It's a lovely quiet song, perfect for rainy days, haha!

The next song is called "The Joke's On Us". This, again, is a really Biffy Clyro classic, I think.
The song's quite emotional, but nice and heavy.
I really like the fact that there's quite a lot of difference between the verses and the chorus.
Totally not a boring song, if you ask me.

Track six is called "Spanish Radio". It really sounds Spanish in the beginning (lovely trumpets!).
The song's got a very interesting rhythm.
But, the chord scheme is quite often used on the album!
(Apparently the band couldn't think of a new one?)

''Victory Over the Sun'' is what track seven's called like.
The song starts very quiet. But the second half of the song really makes you want to dance!
Again, a very interesting rhythm! The song's got good lyrics.

Track eight is called "Biblical".
I really like the way the singer sings in the chorus (short sentences, every sentence a bit higher).
It's a good contrast with the heavy guitars.

Track nine is called "Stingin' Belle", and, I think, is the best song on the album.
It really sounds like one Biffy Clyro's earlier songs.
Beautiful heavy guitars in the choruses, and good lyrics in the verses.
I like the last part of the song the most; it really sounds Scottish. It's got beautiful bagpipes, which is something I really like.
The song builds up very well, and is very original.

Track ten is called "Skylight", and is very serene.
I personally think the song's a bit boring, and reminds me a bit too much of Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die", in the end. (maybe because the drums on the song and the chord scheme resemble)
I don't really like the song.

"Trumpet Or Tap", track eleven, has a very good beginning.
I really love the vocals on the track. I think the song's very original.
The song starts very sad, but the chorus isn't very melancholic.
I particularly like the bridge and the verses.
I think the chorus doesn't really fit the genre of the rest of the song.

Track twelve is called "Modern Magic Formula", and is a real dance track again!
I really like the contrast between the verses and the chorus.
I think this is the second best song on the album, because it really cheers you up, I think!

''The Thaw'' is what's track thirteen is called like.
The song starts very quiet and serene, but the second half of the song's very heavy.
I really like the violins in the heavy part. I think that gives the song a bit more emotion and contrast.

The last track is called "Picture a Knife Fight". The song's title sounds very violent and sad, but the song's actually very bright.
But; it's got that Biffy chord scheme again!
It really reminds me of a track on one Biffy Clyro's albums (Whorses, from Only Revolutions).
I think this is a very well chosen song for the end of the album.

I really love the album, and I really recommend their new album!

Rating: 8/10

I bought the album "Come of Age" a week ago, and immediately fell in love with it. So I thought it would be a good idea to write a review about the album!

Come of Age is an album by The Vaccines, an English indie-rock band. They've already made two albums; "What did you expect from the Vaccines", their debut album (2011), and "Come of Age" (2012)
The band was nominated for the BRIT-, MOJO-, MTV- and Q-awards, for best new band.

Track 1; No Hope.
Although the title and lyrics are very sad, the song is extremely bright and happy. I really like the '70's punk-influences in the song.
The song builds up really well.

Track 2 is called "I Always Knew". This song is a bit less original (it's just a common four chord song, but that's not always bad (think of Let It Be, Don't Look Back In Anger, etc.)), but I also really like this one. I like the part where they all sing together (the "Ooh-ooh, I always knew"-part).
The song is totally not boring, and can totally cheer you up when you're feeling down!

The third track is called "Teenage Icon".
This is also a very bright and happy song. I first heard it on MTV UK, but I didn't know what the song was called, or even by whom the song was written... But finally I found out, haha! I like the way the singer sings; especially in the verses.

Track 4; All In Vain.
It sounds quite Beatles-like in the beginning, I think. I like the song, but not as much as the first three tracks; I think this one is a bit boring, because I think it doesn't build up as well as the others.
But I really like the guitars!

The fifth track is called Ghost Town.
The song is just as dark and obscure as the title. I think it's because of the bass riff, which repeats constantly. I also like the guitars; they give the song that extra dark sound.

Track 6; Aftershave Ocean.
Quite a strange name, isn't it? I think this song also sounds a bit Beatles-like, but also a bit like Oasis. I really like this one, because of the bright chord scheme.
I particularly like the guitar solo in the end.

Weirdo, that's the title of track seven. (Yes! they've written a song about me!)
In the beginning the song sounds a bit country-like, I think.
This one is also a four chord song, but that doesn't really matter; it's an original song though.
I really like the lyrics and the vocals. The song is quite quiet and also a bit sad, I think.

Track 8; Bad Mood.
This is a real punk song again. I love the rough guitars and vocals; they really match the title!
Luckily the song doesn't make you sad or upset, but it gives you a lot of energy.

The ninth track is called "Change of Heart Pt. 2".
This is again a very happy and bright song, and sounds a bit like "No Hope".
I like the song, but I think it's not as original and exciting as the others.
The song is quite short I think, and is not one of my favourites.

I Wish I Was a Girl is track 10.
The beginning of the song sounds very good already. I think the song is very original and well written. I like the lyrics, and the guitars. I think the guitars sound  a bit  like in 70's rock, which I really love!
I think this is one of the best songs on the album.

Track 11, the last one, is called "Lonely World".
The title is quite sad, and so is the song. The track is quiet and serene; it's a good choice to end the album with this dreamy song. I really 'finishes' the album.

I hope you enjoyed the last review of 2012, and I wish you a very musical and happy 2013!

Rating: 8/10

It's been a long time since I've written an album review!

A few days ago I bought "Turn on the Bright Lights" by Interpol (remastered edition).
"Turn on the Bright Lights" came out in 2002, and was a great success, although I think not many people know the band.

I discovered the band by reading an article on Q about the top ten albums of the Maccabees. They called the album "One of the best albums ever, a real inspiration", so I thought it might be good. And that's why I bought the CD.

So;

Track one: Untitled.
Although the title is a bit mysterious, the song is great! But the song really sounds like "Speed of Sound" (a song from Coldplay's album "X&Y", released in 2005), I think. Even the instruments, and, in particular, the way the guitarist plays, reminds me of Coldplay (I think I even thought it was Coldplay when I first heard the track, haha!)
It's a very quiet song, very relaxed.

Track two: Obstacle 1, also a very strange name.
This song has got a bit more energy, and is a good example of American Indie music.
I particularly like the "She can't read, she's blind"- part, when the whole band sings along.
I really like the roughness in the song; there's a real contrast between the first track, and this one, which makes an album much more exciting.

Track three is called NYC (New York City; that's where the band comes from).
The song starts really quiet, and the voice of the singer really reminds me of The Editors. It also reminds me of Grizzly Bear. I think a lot of bands have listened to Interpol, haha!
But I have to admit that the song is a bit dull; nothing really happens in the song.

The fourth track, PDA, has, just like track two, more energy in it.
But the track actually constantly repeats the same pattern, and that makes the song a bit boring.
But theres certainly nothing wrong with the track; it's really nice to listen to in the evening, haha!

The fifth one is called "Say Hello to the Angels". I think this track is a lot better than the fourth one; this one is less boring, and the drummer doesn't play exactly the same rhythm the whole song.
It's a nice song to listen to when you have a lot of work to do; it's quite energetic, but not "screamy".
(Does anybody know what the title refers to?)

Track six, Hands Away, is again a very quiet song. Also a nice song to listen to in the evening. It almost sounds like minimal music, because the same pattern repeats constantly, but there are small varieties everytime the pattern repeats. The song is almost totally instrumental.

Track seven, Obstacle 2, is the sequel of Obstacle 1 (which is quite obvious). I think it's a good idea to have something like this (sequels) on an album, because it's quite experimental. Pink Floyd also did this a lot; it makes an album more a unit, more connected.
I really like the song, because it's peaceful, rough and totally not boring at once.

The eighth song on the album is called "Stella was a diver and she was always down".
I think the title is a bit strange, but very sad.
The song is also quite sad, and quite calm. I really like the electric guitar and bass in the song, because they have quite an important influence on the ethos of the song. The song is totally worth listening!

Track nine is called "Roland", and starts with a slight alternation of speed, which makes the song more interesting. This song is also very energetic. I particularly like the backing vocals in the end, and the almost fragile guitar solo. It's quite a good song.

Track ten: The New.
The song starts very sweet and quiet, and builds up really well. It's not one of my favourites, because I think the song is a bit too sweet for me, haha! But the song's okay; I like the dissonances in the end, that make the song a bit more experimental.

The last track is called Leif Erikson, which sounds like a Scandinavian name, I think.
It's a very sad song.
The track starts quiet again, but builds up perfectly, so that the track is not boring at all.
I like the guitar solo in the end.

I think it's a good album, and worth listening.

Rating: 7/10

I've been listening to the Kooks a lot since I discovered them last summer, and I recently bought their second  album named Konk.
I really like the album cover, but I still think the name's quite strange, haha.
I thought it would be nice to write a review, so; here it is!

Track one; See The Sun.
The song starts quite melancholic, but when the electric guitar-part starts, everything sounds much brighter and happier. It's not one of their best songs, I think, because it's not very original. But I really like the song, though.

Always Where I Need To Be, track two, is a very energetic song. I really like the rythm and the "do-do-do"-part. The song's is one of the most popular songs by The Kooks, and I can really understand why. I also love the singer's voice. It really matches the song.

Track three; Mr. Maker.
Well, to be honest; the song's almost too happy, haha! The song is about a man who's got everything he needs ("beautiful wife", "bills are already paid"), which is quite an original subject for a song; most of the songs are about problems or love, but this one certainly isn't. Well-written, and very, very happy!

Track four, Do You Wanna, is not one of my favourites. It's too eighties for me! It sounds like acoustic disco music, and the beginning sounds a bit Green Day-like. I really like the electric guitar between the verses, though, which makes it sound rough.

Number five; Gap.
This is one of my favourite songs by The Kooks. It was written for one of the bandmembers' father, who had died. The song is very sad, but extremely beautiful. There's a lot of emotion in the singer's voice, which makes the song almost sound poetic. I also really like the lyrics and the guitar solo in the end.

Love It All, the sixth track, is not bad, but also not quite original. The squeaky quitar in the beginning really annoy me; it makes the song sound a bit too soft. I also think the song's quite boring, and doesn't really fit the genre of the complete album.

The seventh one, Stormy Weather, is much better, I think. This is also one of my favourites (despite the fact the song also contains weird guitar-squeaking). I really like the roughness, which really matches the singer's voice. Although the song almost constantly repeats the same scentence, the song's quite original. Indeed a very good song to listen to when it's stormy.

Track eight, Sway, is the best song on the album I think. The song really cures everything, really; when you're feeling down, this song really cheers you up. It's a very sad song, though; the lyrics are about losing someone you love. I love the guitar solo in the end.

Shine On, track nine, is not even worth listening, if you ask me. The song is much too soft, and everytime I listen the song, I see dancing unicorns and rainbows everywhere, especially when the "sha-la-la"-part comes. Much too soft and boring. Even worse than Love It All, I think...!

Down To The Market is track ten.
I really love this song, because of the guitars and the vocals. The song's totally not soft, and is a real must-hear! But watch out; the song's very addictive.

Track eleven is called One Last Time. The song's not like the other ones; it's not rough, but also not soft and boring. The song is very melancholic and sad, but can still cheer you up, just like Sway. It's a shame not many people know the song, because it's very beautiful.

The last one, Tick Of Time, begins with a take of the rehearsal. You can hear the bandmembers laughing, and asking: "Are we recording?", and then it starts; a very beautiful folk-ish song, with the singer (Luke Pritchard) and the guitarist doing the "main vocals", which sounds very cozy. I really like this one; a must-hear!

So; if you love indie-rock, the album is a...

Oh no! There's a hidden track!

Well then. Track thirteen; All Over Town.
Also a very cozy folk song, which almost sounds like a Beatles song. I really like the end of the song, when the trumpet starts to play.

I really recommend the album. A real must-have!

Rating: 7/10

Last week I bought "Origin of Symmetry" by Muse (for only 6,50 pounds!).

The album came out in 2001 (quite a long time ago).
First of all, I really like the album artwork. There are a lot of beautiful paintings in the booklet, and I think the CD itself is beautifully designed. It looks quite minimalistic, and that's exactly what the music sounds like;
sober, minimalistic and mysterious.

I really like the first track, New Born. The beginning of the song almost sounds like minimal music (Philip Glass could have composed the first part, which really sounds like a Glass composition), but the rest of the track sounds like a very rough version of Bach, I think :)

Another very mysterious track is Bliss, number two on the tracklist.
I starts very quiet, but then the astonishing guitar-part starts. Really, this part is superb.
I really like the roughness of the guitars combined with Bellamy's high, fragile voice.

Track three, Space Dementia.
Well, the first time I heard the song, I thought this was classical music. It turned out to be classical MUSE-ic...
The rest of the song sounds quite, well, space-y.

Hyper Music, track four, is not one of my favourites. My ears hurt after listening to it. The name is well chosen, this is exactly what you call "hyper music".

Plug in Baby, the fifth one, is a perfect example of a real Muse song. It sounds very mysterious, although it's totally not the most quiet song on the album. I really like the guitar riff in the beginning.
This is the type of song that you keep listening to, but never gets boring.

Citizen Erased, track six, sounds a bit like Radiohead. Not very original, even though the song is one of the best known songs Muse has ever made. But still, the song is pretty good, and very, very dark!

The next song, Micro Cuts, is a bit too experimental for me. It's a weird mix of classical music (sounds a bit like a vague Stabat Mater) and rock. But I must say; Bellamy's voice is both suitable for classical as well as for rock music, so the voice really matches the genre.

Screenager, track eight, is also not one of my favourites. This is a mix of some Spanish music and mysterious vocals. It's much too quiet and boring for me.

Track nine, Darkshines. I think the song is not really good enough to be on the album. It doesn't add anything; if the track wasn't on the album, I wouldn't have missed it.

Feeling Good, is a much better song in my opinion. It's got beautiful lyrics, and I really like the ethos. The song has that particular sad sound; the song can make you smile while you're feeling sad. I think this is one of the best songs on the album. The song is quiet, but not boring. I really like the microphone effect they have used for the second verse, which makes it sound old-fashioned.

And the last one; Megalomania.
The track could be a sequel of New Born. Also very mysterious, and very, very beautiful. I like the organ-part in the end; such a dark and overwhelming sound.

So;
I really recommend the album. It's a real must-buy, and because Muse just released their new album, the older albums are much cheaper!

Rating: 7/10

Part three of my London adventures; new albums!

On Saturday, I went to HMV to buy new CD's, and there was a big sale! (so, be fast, CD's are very cheap now!)

I bought these albums:

-Wall Of Arms (Maccabees)

-Shields (Grizzly Bear)

-Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not (Arctic Monkeys)

-Lonerism (Tame Impala)

So; review one!

Wall Of Arms is one of the Maccabees' best albums, I think. Some of the songs are very quiet and lovely, like "Young Lions", "One Hand Holding", "Love You Better" and "Wall of Arms". 

But the songs "No Kind Words", "Kiss and Resolve", "William Powers" and "Can You Give It" are a bit more powerful. I really like the whole album. 

The only thing; I've seen a Maccabees gig on Youtube, and the singer sings very insecure and he seemed to be very stressed. But you really can't hear that on the album.

A must-have for indie fans!

Rating 8/10

Review two; Shields

This album by Grizzly Bear is not much better than their first album, I think. 

I really like their quiet songs, like "Sleeping Ute" and "Yet Again". I also like the rest of the album, but I think these two songs are much more original than the rest of their new songs. There's too little contrast between the songs, which makes the album a bit boring. I actually expected more when I first heard "Yet Again". 

Not the best album, but it still sounds good, though.

Rating 5/10

Review three; Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not

I really think this is the best album the Arctic Monkeys have made. The album was released in 2006, quite a long time ago, but I think people will always regard this album as a classic. The album includes the hits "I Bet You Look Good at the Dancefloor", "Mardy Bum", "When the Sun Goes Down" and "A Certain Romance".

I really like the lyrics of "When the Sun Goes Down"; they're very original, even though the song is about love, considering love is the most chosen subject for songs.

Also a must-have for indie rockers! (:

Rating 8/10

And the last one; Lonerism

A very dreamy album by Tame Impala. It really sounds like a mixture of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and a little bit of Nirvana. I know this sounds like something you'd never buy, but they've got a very original sound!

I really like the album cover, it looks very bright. All songs have the same "highness" as Pink Floyd albums, which makes the songs very relaxed. I especially like the song "Apocalypse Dreams", but it's quite difficult to explain why. They're just all very good.

So; if you like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, and psycho-cosmic-indie, you should buy Lonerism!

Rating 7/10  

Yeah, finally; their new album "Babel" is out now!

So; here's my review: I really like the album cover- art; it looks very cozy, and really folk- ish.

A few minutes ago, I inserted the CD in my computer, and even before I could walk back to my computer screen, the immense feeling of happiness fulfilled me; they've made another beautiful album.
And I knew this just by listening to the first track, called "Babel".

The first two tracks (Babel and Whispers in the Dark) are actually quite calm, but the third one, I Will Wait, is very bright and happy.

The fourth track is called "Holland Road". I've listened it once on YouTube before the album was out (Mumford and Sons called it "Home" at that moment),and to be honest; there's a big difference between the song they performed live (before the album) and the song on the CD. The difference is actually that big, I didn't even recognize the song! And, I think, it's a shame they changed it so much; I prefer the "live- edition".

The fifth track is very quiet. It's called "Ghosts That We Knew", and is very sad.

Track six, Lover Of The Light,is also very calm, but sounds very bright. A real Mumford and Sons song, very beautiful!

Lovers' Eyes, track seven, is quite nice, but it sounds a bit like the band didn't know what to do with the song; it just doesn't really fit on the album. It's just not very original and a bit boring.

Track eight: Reminder. This one sounds very original again. A bit sad, but so beautiful...!

The next track is "Hopeless Wanderer". I had already heard/seen a live performance of it on YouTube, and this one hasn't really changed. Such an emotional song; beautifully written, and again a real Mumford and Sons song!

Track ten is called Broken Crown, and really sounds like one of their songs on their first album. It sounds really dark and sad.

''Below My Feet" is the next track. Really, the beginning of the song is just perfect!I really like this one!

The last (well, last...) track is called "Not With Haste". I really like the song, because it's got a very good structure.

But; I've got the album with bonus tracks!

So... Bonus track one: For Those Below. The song's very serene, and cozy. I really like the end of the song! (with the violins)

Bonus track two: The Boxer. The song is originally written by Simon and Garfunkel. The description on the album told me Mumford and Sons have recorded the song with Paul Simon himself, very beautiful song; a real classic!

Bonus track three: Where Are You Now. Also very quiet and calm. A bit sad, but well written.

Rating: 9/10

I'm pretty sure none of you has actually ever heard about Stornoway (unless you're from the village called Stornoway).
Stornoway is a folk band from Oxford. They've only made one record yet, which is called "Beachcomber's Windowsill".
And here's my review...

At first; I discovered the band on youtube, and really liked the album cover- art.
The album has 11 tracks, and came out in 2010.
I think the singer, Brian Briggs, has got a beautiful voice. The band uses acoustic instruments instead of electrical instruments, which makes the sound much more natural and original.
Most of the songs are quite happy; Zorbing, I Saw You Blink, We Are the Battery Human, Watching Birds are very cheerful.

The other songs (Boats and Trains, Fuel Up, The Coldharbour Road, Here Comes the Blackout, On the Rocks, The End of the Movie and Long- Distance Lullaby) are quite sad, but beautifully written!
I really like the album; the songs sound very English, and very sweet.

Rating: 7/10

A few weeks ago, I bought the album "My Head is an Animal" by Of Monsters and Men (OMAM).
I actually didn't know them, I had only seen an advertisement in the British music magazine "Q".
I really liked the album cover, so I bought it. :)

Of Monsters and Men is an indie/folk band from Iceland. "My Head is an Animal" is their first album, and I think they're actually quite good.


I really like the songs "Mountain Sound", "Little Talks" and "Dirty Paws".
The songs are very original; the lyrics are about nature and fairytales, and the band doesn't only use instruments like guitars, drums and vocals, just like most of the bands do; They also use accordions, trumpets and harmonicas.
Most of their songs are very serene, and sound very Scandinavian!

So; if you like folk music (like Mumford and Sons, Sigur Ros, Ben Howard, Dry the River, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, etc.) I would kindly force you to buy this album. ;)

Link to the track "Little Talks": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I


Rating: 8/10

Hi there!

I'm not going to introduce myself, so let's just begin... :)

Maybe you wonder why this blog is called "Sheer Heart Attack"; 

Sheer Heart Attack is an album by the band Queen.

It was their third album, and it was released on november 12, 1974.

And now, I'm going to write a review of this excellent album:

Track one; Brighton Rock, written by Brian May (guitar, vocals)

 Well, first, I'd like to say Brian did a great job; he composed an astonishing guitar solo. Not just a simple solo everyone could just reproduce, but four minutes of greatness! Quite difficult to remember I guess... 

I also really like those fancy fair-sounds in the beginning of the track; typically Brighton!

Track two; Killer Queen, written by Freddie Mercury (vocals, piano)

Just perfect. I really can't tell you more than this, just listen :)

Track three; Tenement Funster, written by Roger Taylor (drums, vocals)

To be honest; I don't really like the song. It just doesn't have that Queen-sound.

Track four and five; Flick of The Wrist and Lily of the Valley, written by Freddie Mercury

Just another beautiful example of that typical Queen-style; I really like the part when Brian May starts singing along, but very low. It sounds extremely dark, and that combines really well with the lyrics ("work my fingers to my bones, I scream with pain, I still make no impression). Lily of the Valley is the second part of Flick of the Wrist, and sounds incredibly sweet compared to Flick of the Wrist.

Track six; Now I'm Here; written by Brian May

Some say this song announced Brians comeback after he had to stay in hospital for a very long time. I still wonder what "Down in the dungeon, just Peaches and me" means. Does anybody know it?

Track seven and trirteen; In the Lap of the Gods, written by Freddie Mercury

I really think this is a very strange song. The introduction is the strangest part; the song starts with Roger Taylor "singing" (well, screaming), and that sounds quite awkward, to be honest. I like the rest of the song, but it's not my favourite. In the Lap of the Gods revisited (track 13) is a much better song, it think. It's the last song on the album, and that's quite a good choice.

Track eight; Stone Cold Crazy, written by Freddie Mercury

I really can't tell you more than this; it's a real sonic vulcano, with very good lyrics!

Track nine; Dear Friends, written by Brian May

So sweet! I think he plays the piano very well. It's quite a sad song, but worth listening!

Track ten; Misfire, written by John Deacon (bass)

This is an extremely happy song John Deacon wrote for his wife. But it doesn't really have that Queen-sound, again.

Track eleven; Bring Back that Leroy Brown, written by Freddie Mercury

This is just pure excellence. Come on, who could write such an original song today? I bet nobody will be able to reproduce this masterpiece. It's quite strange that not many people have heard about this song; most of them only know Bohemian Rhapsody (another masterpiece Queen wrote. Pure perfection).

And the last one;

Track twelve; She Makes Me, written by Brian May

A very serene song, which ends very strange; the last minute of the track makes clear that something happened to the girl the song was written for. It's seems the girl had an accident, or maybe a "Sheer Heart Attack"? 

I hope you liked the review!

P.S. Here's a link to the full album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-0n7gUb5Dk


Rating: 9/10