Today we've got the lowdown on the new releases from Johnny Cash, Maroon 5, Suzanne Vega, Badly Drawn Boy and Cedar Falls. Click below and tell us what you think. Do you agree? Do you disagree? Make your views known!
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Johnny Cash - The Legend of Johnny Cash 2 Island Records 4/5
Reviewed by Rick Underwood
Johnny Cash was one of the few iconic figures of popular culture who actually deserved the title of legendary in his own lifetime. He lived an incredibly interesting life, with more than its fair share of hard times in with the good ones, and this comes through loud and clear in his music.
This collection of his work features favourites like ‘The Beast In Me,’ ‘I Won’t Back Down,’ and ‘Bird On A Wire,’ but perhaps it is the duets that are the most interesting tracks. ‘Girl From The North Country’, with Bob Dylan, and ‘Always On My Mind,’ and ‘It Ain’t Me Babe,’with his wife, June Carter, are particularly enjoyable, but then, in this feast of great heartfelt music, there’s no shortage of excellent tracks. It’s Country influenced, but with a cool, dark passionate quality, so the appeal goes way beyond the Stetson wearers of this world. It’s moody, misunderstood loner music, from the master of his art, and reminds us why Johnny Cash has such a special place in our hearts.
Badly Drawn Boy – Promises EMI 4/5
Reviewed by Mouse
Dark atmospheric piano sets the tone for this sweet intense song.
Damon Gough's voice is rich and evocative, and draws the listener in, to share this haunting melancholy song. There’s something of The Smiths’ ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’, and Joy Divisions’ ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ about the feel of this. Really affecting stuff. I had to listen to it again straight away once it finished. Sometimes, as the song goes, you just have to walk away - but not from this, this will certainly have you coming back for more.
Cedar Falls - Escape! Glorious Escape! 3/5
Reviewed by Josh Green
There’s an edge to this music, reminiscent as it is of Blue Oyster Cult, U2, Aha, and Snow Patrol. With individual, emotional vocals, driving percussion, keyboard and guitar sounds, Escape! Glorious Escape! demonstrates qualities that hint of great things to come for Cedar Falls. This is one of those EPs you can show off about already having when the band hit the big time.
Bin it
Suzanne Vega - Beauty and Crime 2/5 Virgin Records
Reviewed by Jessie Allison
Suzanne Vega makes thoughtful, slightly sorrowful songs, rescued from self pity by a gentle sassy wit. Soundwise, this album is not a great departure for her, and her faithful fans will surely take to the new songs with relish, and be glad of their familiar feel. The new single ‘Frank and Ava’ has some nice jangly guitar, and motors along, with KT Tunstall on backing vocals.
‘Edith Wharton’s Figurines’ and ‘Bound’ stand out as two of the best tracks on the album, with a less overproduced sound than some of the others.
There’s plenty of beauty here, but the musical arrangements are a bit criminal, sounding quite dated as they do. I’d like to hear the sound stripped down to basics, letting her voice shine through more. Suzanne Vega has the talent to produce something more relevant to today’s music audience – so I hope she takes up the challenge to do just that.
Maroon 5 - It Won't Be Soon Before Long 2/5
Reviewed by Grace Tiede
Funky monkey, off we go!
There’s something of Jamiroqui, Level 42, Stanley Clarke’s ‘School Days’ and a vocal reminiscent of Will Young, here.
It’s bright, tight, and polished modern retro jazzy pop, bursting with bouncy exuberance. The lyrics are simple, the music is uncomplicated, and if that’s what you have a fancy for, you might well like this. But I didn’t really. There was nothing unpleasant about it, but nothing exciting either, and music without excitement is a bit of a waste of precious time.