Reviews of new releases from The Bureau, Staind and Electrovamp
This week's reviews of new releases from The Bureau, Staind and Electrovamp
By Rikki Wright
The Bureau ...and another thing
Jazzy, snazzy, saxy soul blues sound, with an edge that conjours up the much missed and beloved Ian Dury and his Blockheads, Louis Armstrong, The Blues Brothers along with shades of Joan Armatrading, Elvis Costello, and Alabama 3, and the occasional whiff of something straight out of the 1920's, which surprises, but actually adds a curious sparkle to the overall mix.
Very likeable sound, quite different to the majority of music around at the moment, but in a good way. 3/5
Staind - The Illusion of Progress
That rare combination of very heavy and very melodious, like Metallica, Nickleback and HIM. This album starts as it means to go on, smashing you between the eyes with uber emotional, heartfelt and yet somehow catchy songs that you are singing along to by the second verse, first time you hear them. This tends to mean that they get permanently stuck in your head, so be warned! 3/5
Electrovamp - Drinks Taste Better When They're Free
Pussycat Dolls-ish saucy aural pouting from Electrovamp, sisters Kally and Tammy from South Wales. As the lead track from Simon Pegg's new film 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People,' this glass of Fizzy Femme-pop with a smile has enough exuberant froth to fill a bucket. 2/5