In Spin It or Bin It - the lowdown on the new releases from LIPA, Crowded House and Ash. Log on and let us know what you think.
Spin It
Lipa Review 2007 – Robin Gibb. LIPA Records 4/5
Reviewed by Rikki Wright
This showcase sampler from Liverpool’s prestigious Institute for Performing Arts has a selection of work from its students that reaches the high standards we have come
to expect from them. Robin Gibb’s involvement has clearly been a
beneficial as this disc demonstrates.
That LIPA somehow keeps on producing musicians of this calibre is
something that makes Liverpool very very proud! This disc features
work from Alyssa Bongura, Miss Afrika, Katie Miller, Christell
Pimpernell and Duncan Ross. The track by track review can be found
online at -
Track 1 Alyssa Bonagura – ‘Someday Somewhere’ this is a superb song,
from a very talented musician. Alyssa has a wonderfully emotional
voice, which perfectly complements this superior loves song. This is
great, a smash hit single of the future from a star in the making.
Track 2 Miss Afrika – ‘Hold On.’ A stylish, sophisticated song,
richly layered and engaging, from someone who enjoys stretching her
voice to form a wonderfully textured piece.
Track 3 – Katie Miller – ‘You Fall, I Fall.’ Blusesy soulful music
and a passionate vocal from Katie. A little bit Joss Stone, a little
bit Laney Murphy, I would have preferred the backing music to be a
little quieter in places, to allow the vocal a little more room, but
all in all a lovely song.
Track 4 Christelle Pimpernell – ‘Never’ This somehow reminds of the
late great Karen Carpenter, and a little of Carol King. There’s a
sweet, fresh quality to this song and its singer, that brings a sweet
smile to the face.
Track 5 and 6 Duncan Ross – ‘Anyone Like That’ and ‘Tip from The Old
Book’ Duncan has a strong voice and an exuberance that makes these
songs remind me of The Police, as well as great US artists, such as
The Baby’s, The Eagles, and Tom Petty. I would bet that he has the
crowd jumping up and down and dancing in the aisles when he plays live!
Crowded House ‘Time on Earth’ Parlophone 5/5 Spin it
Reviewed by Rikki Wright
Three seconds into this album I was bewitched. Crowded House are
simply one of the best and most loved bands in the world, and ‘Time
On Earth’ shows why.
It’s got witty, incisive, heartfelt, thought provoking lyrics,
astounding virtuoso musicianship, and it’s got Neil Finn’s hauntingly
beautiful vocals. There are also other incredible musicians making
guest appearances here, such as the sublime Johnny Marr and his
enchanted guitar putting in appearances, on the marvellous ‘Don’t
Stop Now’ and ‘Even A Child’. Liam Finn (we’ve heard that surname
before somewhere!) provides harmonies on the bleak and touching
‘Silent House,’ which send shivers up and down the spine, and
‘Transit Lounge’ also stands out, featuring the ethereal vocal of
Beth Rowley. It’s breathtakingly good, all this. It’s a new Crowded
House album – so what more do I need to say? Nothing, just give it a
listen…
By far the best album I’ve heard in a fair while.
Bin it
Ash – Polaris 2/5
Reviewed by Grace Tiede
Lovely cover to this cd showing stars, one of which flashed,
beautifully. Great gimmick, but it seemed to have nothing to do with
the song, other than the title.
Polaris is a soft rocky ballad, with too many strings and an overly
dominant piano.
The vocal was ok, but maybe a little flat in parts, and lacking in
emotional zing.
‘Polaris’ is alright, but I’ve heard Ash do a lot lot better.