Dr John And The Lower 911
City That Care Forgot (Cooking Vinyl Ltd)
Dr John has been a big supporter of the cause of New Orleans for much of his life, so this album’s title, being the alternative name of the jazz city means we’re going to be hearing some of the spirit of the place. Well that’s the theory. Having been a part-time fan of the artist for a while I prefer his Night Tripper days, this album offers a few gems but nothing spectacular. Time For a Change, one of the Clapton collaborations has a funky electric solo with some strong supportive sax. Promises, Promises is much more of an early blues track with Nelson offering a lighter voice to Dr John's deep yet harmonious one. The final song, Save Our Wetlands has a bit of French thrown in, is a bit more funky than the other tracks, so good ending to an otherwise mediocre album. There are no musically dangerous tracks, nothing that really stands out as an amazing track. Fans of Michael McDonald’s may find this album enjoyable and in some of the tracks which are saved by the strengths of the Dr’s voice. Jack Tunnecliff
Dr John And The Lower 911 Website

Santogold
Self titled (Atlantic Records)
Santogold blazes into the musical mainstream with this dangerously infectious self-titled début. In her own words, she attempts to work with typically sub-cultural genres and make them accessible to all. Fresh, catchy and raw, this album throws rock, dub, punk reggae and electronica into a big music blender, and invites you to guzzle the result down. Whilst most artists would struggle to hold such a schizophrenic mix together, Santogold has crafted a fresh and cohesive sound, proving that in a stagnant industry, innovation is far from dead. The opening track L.E.S. Artistes,bounces along over understated yet driven guitars with a punchy vocal that'll bury itself in your head for days. Other stand out tracks include You'll Find a Way, which slowly skanks along like the moody half sister of a No Doubt track; and I'm A Lady, whose Pixies-esque intro moves into solid pop-rock with an urban twist. The whole album is so strong though, that one can expect Santogold's recent boom in radio air-time to continue unabated. Perhaps the only criticism is that, at just shy of 42 minutes, this album feels a touch short. Then again, you could always just hit play again...Tom Hawkey
Santogold Website

The Premature Ejaculators
Kill The Body and The Head Will Die (Unsigned)
Well, it’s been 32 years since its birth, so is punk dead yet or has it finally got a proper job, settled down with a nice lass and bought a semi-detached in West Bridgford? Stoke-based four piece The Premature Ejaculators aim to prove otherwise with their debut self produced album. Clocking in at a respectably old skool thirty three minutes for thirteen tracks, the songs don’t outstay their welcome, but you still wouldn’t bring them home to meet your mum. Jet black humour is the order of the day, kicking off with tall tales of romancing grannies for their pensions and then its downhill faster than a Camden celebrity. Punchy tunes skip from speed punk to lounge core to country, with the band decrying the country’s fall into moral decay and the hatred and apathy felt. There is also a slightly self-indulgent hidden jam track about nipples and panties, but the broken mouthed lyrics and 3am neon wit of the band win hearts. Maybe a few more years of punk will tell if bands like this are killing the genre or helping to develop it. Duncan Heath
The Premature Ejaculators Website

White Denim
Workout Holiday (Full Time Hobby)
White Denim hail from the deepest, hottest reaches of Austin, Texas and create a sound which is as informed by their surroundings and heritage as Oasis were by Manchester. Part of their sound is greasy, fag-in-mouth rawhide rock ‘n’ roll while the other half is as soulful as a blues humming chain gang. Let’s Talk About It kicks off the album with swinging, hip shakin’ violence, sounding like The Hives or The Dead Kennedy’s with even more persistent groove. With songs such as I Can Tell, White Denim rock slowly with lo-fi retro fuzz. Don’t Look That Way At It however takes a slightly different route from all the hair raising blues rock and, as it jerks awkwardly and uncurls into a gorgeous climax, it reveals itself to be one of the highlights of the album. The band excel at creating a slightly disjointed, unhinged sound of jangling guitars, thumping drums and fast fuzzy guitars. Workout Holiday is an album which grows with each listen, from a primal rock ‘n’ roll affair to a beautiful and fun creation with hidden depths, and is very worth a purchase. Gavin Williams
White Denim Website

Cathy Davey
Tales of Silversleeve (EMI)
Cathy Davey returns four years after her debut album, with this spunky and captivating follow up and she seems to have spent her time wisely. Tales of Silversleeve is a more mature and rounded album than its 2004 predecessor, Something Ilk. A blend of folk and pop/rock, the album is a triumph of catchy riffs coupled with quint and quirky lyrics. The real gem here though is Davey's voice. Tracks such as Sing For Your Supper are carefully considered, sometimes softly lilting, other tracks are edgier and more immediate such as No Heart Today. Thankfully, the music supports her wonderfully; sassy, hopping rhythms from Davey's guitars pulsate in your body, whilst melodies are neatly picked out on keyed instruments. The stand out track here is Moving, with a persistent and jaunty rhythm section, over which Cathy's swelling vocals demand that you, indeed, keep it moving. Despite such a strong album, Davey still does not seem to have captured the attention of the masses, but that can be seen as a testament to her genuine approach. This album is a perfect Sunday morning treat, so get some Cathy Davey in your life. Tom Hawkey
Cathy Davey Website

Death Cab For Cutie
Narrow Stairs (Atlantic Records)
Fey indie can get very tedious and with their latest release, Narrow Stairs, Death Cab For Cutie have obviously decided to move forward and reveal their darker side. Bixby Canyon Bridge starts the album off with a ghostly indie intro which is deceptive as the song progresses rapidly into just rock and sets a pretty good standard of what is to follow. There is nothing cute about the lyrics of I Will Possess Your Heart as they seem to be describing the frustrated thoughts of a stalker. All this is made darker by the slowly climaxing intro which lasts for a brave four minutes. In contrast the title of No Sunlight may not speak of hope but the music has an infectious good time feel. These juxtapositions are apparent and unfalteringly comfortable throughout. I personally see nothing wrong with a bit of darkness in music on occasion so long as it’s good music. You Can Do Better Than Me, with a 1960s drum beat that draws you right in, is a standout, if short, track. Having been on the music scene for over ten years this album shows a maturity suited to the length of their career. If you’ve not been a fan before it may be worth giving them a second chance on this record. Alison Emm
Death Cab For Cutie Website

MGMT
Ocular Spectacular (Rough Trade)
MGMT's début album Oracular Spectacular is a psychedelic pop album laced with heavier, rockier sounds. It starts strongly with Time To Pretend, whose swelling synths, Brit-pop guitars and light optimistic vocals grab your attention. Kids is a toe-tapper, achieved with a simple 80s bass line and a repetitive ,yet enjoyable, melody. In between these two tracks the quality dips, with attempts to create a dreamier ambience fall flat with tracks that feel more like sketches than finished numbers. Towards the end of the album, MGMT offer glimpses of genuine talent, but these lack full support and end up drifting off into the ether, forgotten before long. Sadly, with repeated listenings, the album begins to fall apart further. Ultimately, the songs end up sounding like lesser versions of Arcade Fire or contemporaries, Black Kids. Weekend Wars comes across as a bad Bowie impression. Nothing here feels new or improved. Expect to be told that you really ought be listening to this band. I think I will wait and see if they really will ever be the next big thing, but won't hold my breath. Tom Hawkey
MGMT Website

Kaki King
Dreaming of Revenge (Velour Records)
Hailing from Atlanta, Kaki King is on her fourth album and is a one woman folk show with jangly, tapped guitar playing, keyboards and a sweet voice. With hints of Lisa Loeb on tracks such as Life Being What It Is, this isn’t the strongest album but it does have its charms. Containing seven acoustic tracks, the stronger being So Much For So Little, Dreaming of Revenge feels well balanced and is refreshing in a confident way. It also suggests that she realises her strengths lie in the music she writes and not her vocal performance. The bonus track, Zeitgeist, definitely is a bonus even though it doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the album. The title had me expecting a bit more angst and bile but after a listen I felt calm, if a little bit like I’d eaten too much candyfloss. To confirm how super cute this album is the CD inlay has mobile to cut out and make for your bedroom. A truly laid back summer album that has a lighter than ordinary chocolate feel too it. Alison Emm
Kaki King Website

Paul Simon
The Essential Paul Simon (Warner Brothers Records)
This two disc album is nothing new, and when established artists like Simon get past their musical best they seem to feel the need to churn out a best of album, just to remind people how good they used to be. Solely Paul Simon creations, and with no Garfunkel paired pieces, this charts his solo career from 1972 all the way up to 2006 where his Gospel choirs and harmonising reaches new levels.The first CD is by far the best in terms of familiarity; Kodachrome, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover And Me and Julio Down By The School Yard all feature. The first disc ends with Larry David favourite, Still Crazy After All These Years. The second disc begins with Graceland and also features You Can Call Me Al…one of my personal favourites. If you like lounging around with a few glasses of vino on a Thursday night or enjoy scenic driving on a Sunday afternoon then these would be the best times to have a go with this album. It’s smooth, vocally deep and sprightly in parts. This may be the ideal present for your Aunty or Gran, but don’t go rushing out to buy it as it’s nothing new. Not a bonus track or studio outtake in sight! Jack Tunnecliff
Paul Simon Website

The Steeples
Tea For Two (Easy Money Records)
This band has indie rock written all over it. With such a saturated and formulaic music genre though, the question for new bands like this is how are you going to stand out? What tweaks to the mould can you make? The Steeples, thankfully, have enough fun about them to pique your interest early and hold it. Tea For Two is a collection of bouncy tunes, with stabbing staccato guitar chords and shuffling, off-beat drum patterns. These are songs that insist you dance around for three minutes in your tightest jeans whilst singing along at the top of your voice. The opening track Britney's Tears is a strong example, a gleeful, catchy and upbeat song. The 12 tracks are, admittedly, all very similar as diversity isn't the order of the day here. If you like the first song, you'll like the other 11 just as much. Think, The Kooks, only far less dreary, mixed with The Fratelli's, only far less self important, and you'll be about right. A decent first effort from a promising act. Tom Hawkey
The Steeples Website

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