Album Review: Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer

 

In the emotion picture which accompanies Janelle Monáe’s new album Dirty Computer she is hunted by people who want to assimilate her, dress her in white and wipe her memory clean. Love, music, colour and self-expression are silenced in this eerily realistic dystopian future. This ambitious concept album and film proves that expressing your true self takes more than courage, sometimes you have to rebel against the very fabric of society itself. Continue reading “Album Review: Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer”

Album Review: Belly – Dove

When Belly broke up over twenty years ago I took my broken heart and I buried it in the ground. No one was to blame for the premature split – things just fall apart sometimes. Their songs though refused to die, their power only burrowing deeper into my soul over time. And other fans will tell you the same thing. The roots our fandom grew may have been invisible to most but slowly they began to form life again. It may have taken twenty years but now with their reunion and the release of their third album Dove, a new tree has burst through the ground and is spinning high above our heads. It’s hard not just to stare in wonder at what beauty we’ve helped bring back to life. Continue reading “Album Review: Belly – Dove”

Album Review: Darci Carlson – Darci Carlson

If you like your country music full of attitude and rebel yells then look no further than Seattle singer Darci Carlson. She’s an outlaw, in the true sense of the word: mad, bad and dangerous to know. Maybe some might think it’s an act but this self titled album proves she has enough authentic personality to burn down any room. These nine songs make for an enjoyable riot of a listen. Continue reading “Album Review: Darci Carlson – Darci Carlson”

Live Review: Whitney Rose with Martha Healy & Lisa Kowalski @ Glasgow ABC2

Whitney Rose’s wonderful album Rule 62 was one of my favourite releases of last year so I was delighted when she announced a show in Glasgow, her first time ever playing Scotland. And I wasn’t disappointed either as Whitney put on a fun and fabulous show, proving that sometimes music is better when you don’t take yourself too damn seriously. Continue reading “Live Review: Whitney Rose with Martha Healy & Lisa Kowalski @ Glasgow ABC2”

Album Review: Kim Richey – Edgeland

On Kim Richey’s first album for nearly five years she has worked with a variety of different musicians including Chuck Prophet, Mando Saenz and Jenny Queen. The title might suggest she’s trying something new but Edgeland seems to be more a reflection of where she is in life: traveling on the margins, a place where you can watch the world go by and contemplate life from a distance. The excellent songwriting on this album proves ‘Edgeland’ is a place to spend some quality time in. Continue reading “Album Review: Kim Richey – Edgeland”

How She & Him, Kesha and Valerie June are Among Artists Helping To Spread Universal Love

This week She & Him released two new singles with little fanfare or publicity, matching the understated way Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward have gone about their musical pairing since the start. And despite their quiet nature these two songs deserve our attention for their groundbreaking approach to inclusive songwriting. Continue reading “How She & Him, Kesha and Valerie June are Among Artists Helping To Spread Universal Love”

Album Review: Ashley Monroe – Sparrow

Ashley Monroe has always been somewhat of an outlier in Nashville – too glamorous for country rock, too understated for pop country and probably just a little too mainstream to be alternative Americana. So on Sparrow, produced by Dave Cobb, she steps away from trends and embraces a new vision for her music. Lush orchestral soundscapes sweep across Sparrow, creating a sheen of stylish sophistication rarely seen in modern country music. Continue reading “Album Review: Ashley Monroe – Sparrow”

Album Review: Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton John

Last year Juliana Hatfield released the bruising and brilliant album Pussycat (read my review here), exploring the bitter realities of the world right now. The only light relief on the album was the song Sunny Somewhere which dreamed of escaping to a happier place. Juliana ended up finding that paradise by retreating into the music of her childhood hero, Olivia Newton John and after seeing her in concert she decided to record a tribute album. This collection is a pure celebration of the joy of pop music, a love letter from one incredible woman to another. Continue reading “Album Review: Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton John”

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