Jade's Music Blog

Modest Mouse
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Reviewed by Rikki Wright
This album is interesting. In a good way…
It is not immediately easy to categorise, but is certainly intriguing
from the first play. There are no clichés here; it is original,
innovative and individual.
On the second play, the strange melodies begin to weave their
unexpected magic in your head - and suddenly you are hooked.
This band defy comparison, but there are certainly echoes of Talking
Heads, Jason Webley, The Three Johns, The Smiths and The Pogues,
along with plenty that I’ve never heard the like of before, swirling
about in there, in their own brand of dark frenzied mad delight!
It is wild and wonderful music, lifted into something quite special
by the bewitching touch of Johnny Marr and his enchanted guitar. This
could the best he’s done since leaving The Smiths…
Mouse, you have nothing to be Modest about – this is the stuff of
legends!
5/5

Stephen Fretwell
Four Letter Words
Fretwell's work is soothing, beautiful and powerful; all encased in lyrical songs from the heart. Four Letter Words shows just how much he has developed over the years. As yet another wave of singer/songwriters breaks through, Fretwell shows Damien Rice where he’s going wrong.”
Jenny Simpson
4/5

Bin It (The worst releases of the week)

Mumm-Ra
She’s Got You High
Reviewed by Grace Tiede
The main problem is that in this offering, the spirit of rock‘n’roll
is comatose, if not actually dead, and the end result is unengaging
and rather dull. It is inoffensive, it is glossily produced, there is
some good skill on instruments, it promises much but sadly fails to
really satisfy on any level.
I’m sure the band were doing their best, but somehow, it’s all gone
wrong.
I really wish this band well, and hope for something better next time.
2/5

Manic Street Preachers
Your Love Alone is Not Enough
Just when you thought they couldn’t get any worse, they churn out this soft-rock, sub-Bon Jovi, embarrassment to all that has gone before.
This is easily the album's weakest track off Send Away the Tigers, and with an album this tired and tedious that takes some doing.
1/5