In today's review column we have the latest offerings from Billy Bragg, Amsterdam, Erykah Badu, Elbow and Tom Baxter. Read on and leave your views...
Billy Bragg – Mr. Love & Justice
This long awaited album from everybody’s favorite big mouth raises an important question. We all know he’s a good bloke, but can he still make music that touches the heart or that actually sounds any good?
Billy’s been immersing himself in the new folk scene, and been seen in the musical company of the likes of folk diva Eliza Carthy. There was speculation as to whether he might have gone soft and have started playing the dreaded spoons, or putting his finger in his ear and warbling on about fair maidens on white horses, or whatever folkies are supposed to do, but clearly he still has his edge, his uncompromising principles and his musical integrity.
His music has lost none of its power, has intensified rather than diminished. Mr. Love & Justice – we salute you…
5/5
Rikki Wright
Amsterdam - Arm in Arm
The Merseyside quintet’s second album is everything we hoped it would be. Packed with inspirational, anthemic songs, it tells of love, loss and broken dreams. Never swerving away from the darker side of the human condition, it is an album that’ll break your heart, then lovingly kiss it better, piece by piece.
From the opening track Home, a darkly poignant tale of love lost, through to the Feels Like Growin' Up and folk legend Christy Moore’s Heavenly voice on Nothing’s Goin’ Right, it’s another reminder, if one were needed, of just how good this band is.
5/5
Erykah Badu – New Amerykah
Fresh as a daisy Nu-soul music from the highly original and vastly underrated Erykah Badu.
Uncompromising edgy street sounds, upbeat, funky Shaft vibes, and slinky, sultry old school Motown get it on in an exhilarating cocktail that sets your feet dancing from the very first sip. There’s something of the Gnarls Barclay’s and the Kanye West’s to her music, but with her own brand of experimental magic that makes the release of this album into a very special musical event.
4/5
Rikki Wright
Elbow – Grounds for Divorce
Great bit of delta blues from the mighty Elbow. This song is addictive. Hear it once and you are John Lee hooked. This style of music suits their sound perfectly, superb vocal line, phenomenal guitar sound and a simple rhythm that fairly hypnotises. Just excellent.
5/5
Josh Green
Tom Baxter – Tell Her Today
A mournful yet beautiful song that simply bewitches. Reminiscent of Edith Piaff and Anthony and The Johnsons, there is a heartbreaking quality to this that haunts and gets right under the skin and creates its own shimmering images of love and loss.
4/5
Grace Tiede