In new music we trust II

My tunes of the moment (ALBUMS)

HIGHLIGHT:

- Newton Faulkner - Hand Built By Robots (Folk \ Alternative)

Newton Faulkner is probably my favorite artist at the moment although he has just debuted in the music industry. Having heard him sung in a bar in Brighton for only 50 people I was blown away by his sense of humour and simplicity. Everyone was deeply entertained by him as he created a big empathy with the small audience. But not only does he have great communications skills, his ability to play the guitar is absolutely amazing and he has a great voice too. His style is considered to be folk pop but I like to call him a campfire artist as his songs are very “warm and cosy”. There are some that say that his sound has some resemblances to Extreme or Mr. Big in the 90’s but with a modern outlook. This may be so, but there is no doubt that Newton is going to make it all the way the top. I just hope he doesn’t let fame get in the away…GO NEWTON!

Score: 5 out of 5

OTHER ALBUMS

- The Decemberists - The Crane Wife (Indie)

This is a band with a very interesting sonority that I have just recently found out. They have a wide-ranging music, which encompasses baroque pop, progressive rock, and dozens of other styles. This album was much acclaimed by critics and listeners but it is definitely not commercial. It was inspired by the Japanese folk tale “Crane Wife” and all the tracks evolve around that tale. Be aware that these are not catchy tunes. It takes a while before you become evolved with their sound, but when you do, you’ll be amazed.

Score: 4 out of 5

- Loreena McKennitt - An Ancient Muse (World \ Ethnic)

With irish and scotish blood in her heritage, this Canadian-born singer has been classified as a new age and celtic artist. She has had a long and much-admired career in the music industry that somehow as been interrupted by several misfortunes in her private life. “An Ancient Muse” is her latest work after a 9 year gap and unlike her previous albums features music influences from Greece, Turkey and the middle east. This is a great album to enjoy a relaxing break.

Score: 4 out of 5

- Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight (Alternative Rock \ Rap)

Linkin Park have been one of my favorite bands for years and years, since they first debuted with Hybrid Theory in the year 2000. Of course at that time I was a bit more into rock and hard rock songs as I was still on my late teen phase and had a “bad attitude”. It was during this period that I begun to love bands like Incubus, Limp Bizkit, Korn and later Linkin Park. Since than, I have matured in life and in sound but I still find that I have not got bored of the latter. Minutes To Midnight has polarized critics and fans. Some say it is Linkin Park’s best album and others see it as the worse. One thing is for sure. Their sound is different. The album features a mix of punk, classic rock and hip-hop and reflects the growth of the band. One of the good surprises for me is that Mike Shinoda (which I had the pleasure to meet) is singing much more in this album. Overall, I find it to be very eclectic and diverse. I learned to love it, but I recognize that it might take a while, especially for Linkin Park fans, to fully appreciate it.

Score: 4,5 out of 5

- Hot Chip - The Warning (Electronic \ Dance)

“The Warning” is the second album from London quartet Hot Chip. Continuing with the sound that graced their 2005 debut, the band continues to create a strange mix of hip-hop, funk and indie pop, taking influence from many genres and artists including Prince, Public Enemy, Brian Wilson and The Neptunes. Hot Chip are one of those bands that are reinventing pop and electronic music. It is definitely worth listening to.

Score: 4 out of 5

Amy Winehouse - Back To Black (Soul)

Amy Winehouse is becoming a world wild phenomenon, after having stormed her way into the British much populated music world and conquered everyone with her powerful voice. By only looking at her, it is hard to imagine how she can produce such a voice with a skinny and almost fragile body but she has proved to everyone that the strength of soul voice doesn’t lie on the shape of the body or race. “Back To Black” is considered to be one of the best soul albums to come out for years earning appraisal in almost every country. Amy’s emotive vocals tinged with 60's girl-group stylings, sly funk, and anguished jazz have made her be compared to the likes of Etta James. In fact it is said that she's taken her inspiration from some of the classic 1960's girl groups like the Supremes and the Shangri-Las, a sound particularly suited to her textured vocal delivery, while adding a contemporary songwriting sensibility. Be as it may, this is one of the best albums of the year…so far.

Score: 5 out of 5

- The Chemical Brothers - We Are The Night (Electronic)

This is a group that doesn’t need to be introduced. All the same, they never cease to amaze regarding their ability to compose music. “We Are the Night” continues their eclectic electronic approach even though it includes some songs that have a very different sonority from their previous albums. This is considered by many to be their best album. I guess it is up to you to decide, but don’t worry if you don’t like it initially. Listen to it a few times as this is definitely a grower.

Score: 4 out of 5

- Bustan Abraham - Pictures through the painted window (World \ Ethnic)

Although I am including this album in this post I must say that this is not a new album. If fact, it goes as far back as 1994. Nonetheless it is one of my recent discoveries and I thought that it would suit the purpose of this blog well: to share good music knowledge with others. Having said that, it important to enlighten that, Bustan Abraham is comprised of seven distinguished Israeli musicians, both Jews and Arabs, who have combined their experience as composers, soloists and heads of musical ensembles to create original instrumental music which combines elements of both Eastern and Western traditions. The backgrounds of Bustan's members represent an astonishing variety of musical cultures, including classical Arabic and European music, Jazz, Indian, Turkish and flamenco music. This is why their sound is so unique. Don’t miss out a chance to listen to “Pictures through the painted window”.

Score: 4 out of 5

My tunes of the moment (SINGLES):

Axwell - I Found You
Biffy Clyro - Folding stars
Brick & Lace - Love is wicked
Chris Daughtry – Home
David Guetta - Love is Gone
Fair To Midland - Dance of the manatee
Faithless - Music matters
Fall Out Boy – Thnks fr th mmrs
Fergie - Big Girls Dont Cry
Ida Corr - Let Me Think About It
Kate Nash – Foundations
KT Tunstall - Hold On
Manic Street Preachers - Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
Mark Ronson feat. Lily Allen - Oh my god
My Chemical Romance – I don’t love you
Pendulum - Blood Sugar
Plain White T's - Hey There Delilah
Razorlight - I Cant Stop This Feeling Ive Got
Scouting For Girls - Its Not About You
The Chemical Brothers feat. Ali Love - Do it again
The Enemy - Had Enough
Trevor Hall - The Rascals Have Returned
Unklejam - What Am I Fighting For