POLY STYRENE: GENERATION INDIGO
Cult Punk legend, Poly Styrene who summarised an entire youth movement and helped revolutionise Seventies counter culture ahead of changing musical styles, releases her eagerly awaited: Generation Indigo next month. Here is a record that resists being a nostalgic Punk by-product and proves that there is still much of the essence of the woman she was, residing here. In fact not a bit has wavered, she is still capable of delivering a punchy monotone vocal and great Punk tracks, resonant of the early days. What I find great and utterly impressive here is that Poly Styrene has successfully not succumbed to total Pop degeneracy.
The album stimulates the senses, dallying around Pop standards with clever dub arrangements and non-commercial dance beats. The pristine production gives a perfect vessel for her unchanged and un hinged non-cynical look on life. Ever the caring, anti-war and very much socially aware woman she always displayed herself to be. This album is exciting without portraying a completely transparent and false image - Awesome.
I also just heard that Poly was recently diagnosed with Cancer, so therefore Any planned shows arranged with the promotion of this record are currently on hold .I wish Poly a very speedy recovery while currently undergoing treatment.
PETER, BJORN & JOHN: GIMME SOME
There was a time that not a day went by without hearing the tune of Young Folks. It’s the token catchy song that has fears of getting ruined because of multiple plays. Yet, I am quite sure that Peter, Bjorn & John, are proud of it and so they should be, it made way for all things that followed.
Gimme Some reins you in with the obvious pop songs, they’re so poppy they border on being a guilty pleasure. Half of the album see's the band doing what they do best, the other half is them experimenting, which is also what they do best. This is in no way a disappointment in any sense and absolutely a worthy addition to their distinguishable discography.
Gimme Some doesn’t lack is energy. It doesn't lack great pop songs destined to be Summer anthems, It is idiosyncratic in the shortest bursts of vigour that almost sounds like a garage rock band and they’ve managed to release a great pop album with the unmissed absence of whistling… albeit I think its safe to say Gimme Some willl and them back on the map they have been traveling off and on since Writers Block.
Here is one of the tracks:
Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History
It’s a fact; Two Door Cinema Club have been unstoppable for the past year. With sold out shows all over, its no wonder that amongst their loyal fans, it extends to include Kanye West, Daft Punk and Blink 182, and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world comes on board the gravy train. That is, if their debut record Tourist History is anything to go by. (All aboard then..)
The album, features to the point, customized electro-pop anthems arranged and executed in a teen like fashion, aimed at a youth market who will support to till the bitter end. Here is target marketing, at its best. They deliver, deliver, deliver.
Offering the listener 10 tracks, over the space of about 35 minutes, they album is a high-octane energy bar with all the fat trimmed off. Two Door Cinema Club have stepped into the arena, and will remain for the fight offs. We think they will survive.
