The Kills – Blood Pressures

The trashy rock guitars and vocals of duo of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince can once again be heard ringing as The Kills have recently released new album Blood Pressures.  The Kills have always been compared with similar bands like the White Stripes or Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in terms of vocals and music direction, but it cannot be denied that their own meshing of genres and time period influences has made their ‘bluesy’ pop-punk distinct.

First track “Future Starts Slow” establishes the mood of the album with thunderous drums and a menacing guitar lines underlying Mosshart’s vocals and Hince’s faint harmony. The interesting thing about the Kills is the concept of two people producing such a clamouring racket. The wrenching guitars on “Satellite,” followed by the anthemic chorus of “Heart Is A Beating Drum,” further drive the punchy rhythms.

It’s easy to be caught up in the notion that the Kills as underrated masters of their genre but it is also apparent that there is much room for growth. If you are in the mood for some soft dirty garage rock you will no doubt be taken with Blood Pressures however, it can also be said that the tracks flow a little too much into each other.

The Kills – Blood Pressures

Domino – 2011

Alesandra Hernandez

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

In Swedish indie-pop sensation Lykke Li’s follow-up to 2008's debut Youth Novels there’s an earnestness and weight to the album that drives her soft melodies and hypnotic beats, but also makes the listener yearn for some light amidst the bleak post-breakup laments. On Little Bit, centrepiece of her debut, she was "a little bit in love", while here "sadness is her boyfriend", the album recorded in the aftermath of an unrequited love affair. Thankfully, sadness tends to suit her, with producer Björn Yttling (he of Peter Björn and John fame) encasing the songs in a heady mix of primal drums, tinpot percussion, scratchy guitars and, on the excellent Love Out of Lust, a desolate whistle solo.

We are reminded that Lykke Li is only 24 years old in her lyrics. With only a pitter-patter beat and a simple guitar arpeggio as her accompaniment, Li sings lines from the tear-stained pages of her teenage diary on “Unrequited Love.” Wounded Rhymes  peaks with “Sadness is a Blessing.” Its final three tracks never quite match the quality of the rest of the album. “I Know Places” comes close when the early-Dylan ballad gives way to a ghostly choral incantation. But “Jerome” and “Silent My Song” suffer in comparison to highlights like “I Follow Rivers” and “Rich Kids Blues.”

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Atlantic – 2011

Alesandra Hernandez

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

When you think of Fleet Foxes previous releases, you envision beautiful harmonies that sweep you away, powerful vocals with a sound heavily influenced by traditional folk songs. This remains true for the recently released ‘Helplessness Blues’. While some of the catchier tracks they are famous for are missing, the haunting melodies and the use of baroque harmonic pop jams is present throughout the entire album. Helplessness Blues is an album that stays true to the distinctive sound that is Fleet Foxes. Musically, the hooks are softer, the arrangements more ambitious, and 1960s British psychedelic folk (Fairport Convention, Vashti Bunyan, Pentangle) a far more palpable influence than the Americana that fueled the band's 2008 debut, refreshing though you may find yourself waiting for a more ‘popy’ janglier number. In the end though, the Seattle boys do not disappoint and staying true to their roots will indeed pay off. 


Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Sub Pop; 2011

Alesandra Hernandez

Cassette Kids- Nothing on TV

Nothing On TV heralds the arrival of one of Australia’s most exciting young bands. Their indie rock sound is clearly derived from influences such as The Rapture, Klaxons, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and No Doubt. The sound heard in ‘Nothing on TV’ is a strange fusion of different styles which is both unique and catchy. The opening track Insomnia is a beautiful and light track about letting go. The guitar riff at the beginning allows listeners to be consumed with the synthesizer fills adding an edge and electro dance styling. Contributing yet another angle, the vocals heard by Katrina Noorbergen provide a pop sound or influence which listeners of mainstream music may find appreciation.


 The first single off their album is titled ‘Lying Around’ presenting listeners with an 80’s dance beat and self motivating lyrics. The track regretfully does not showcase any catchy hook lines and melodies that stick in your mind and the repetitive nature quickly becomes annoying. The musical tension remains virtually the same throughout with the only energy being delivered is from the vocals. The lyrics, however do communicate a significant message about not getting off your arse to go after what you want. The track Coming Back is quite different from the first few tracks on the album. The whole song is centered on a catchy guitar riff that adds a depth and contrast to the track. The a’cappella voice at the beginning is catchy and adds a certain unique flavor that is repeated at as a motif throughout the song. The album Nothing On TV is unique and exciting but there does come a time when you will want to change the channel. 

Breana Garratt

www.cassettkids.com.au

Sony Music Entertainment

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday

            Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday 

 Review by: Manav

Nicki Minaj, a name which the music industry was unfamiliar with about 3 to 4 years ago. However, this is not the case today as she has worked with many popular artists in a short period of time and has earned a much respected name in the rap industry. Today she is possibly the best female rapper in the world, and this is why I am disappointed with her latest album "Pink Friday".After spending over 3 years hyping this debut–building up a cheeky, fun-loving persona, a band of fiercely loyal followers and even her own concocted vocabulary (the Nictionary), Nicki Minaj has seemingly taken the winning formula that turned her into an overnight major label superstar and effectively…well, SHITTED ON ‘EM.

My suspicion is that the hype simply grew too great. With so much riding on this debut as the first female MC to top the charts in years, Minaj could do nothing but put down the pink mangoes featured on her mixtapes and guest verses, stand her ground and bare her teeth. She’s not playing around on this record–she’s marking her territory (and ultimately trying too hard in the process).

The result is a sloppy, samey and distinctly un-fun debut, leading up to what has proven to be the most disappointing release of the year.

In the end, Pink Friday ends up feeling and sounding more like a solid streak of grey.

Album rating: 2/5

S&M - Rhianna

Song: S&M

Artist: Rihanna

Release Date: January 21, 2011

Lyrics: Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm

Produced: Def Jam Recordings 

The single derives from electro, dance pop and dance music. Its lyrics are pretty raunchy and have bedroom fantasy themes such as "I may be bad but I'm perfectly good at it… chains and whips excite me." These have been criticised by many radio stations and TV channels who refuse to play the song before a certain time, as they believe they are more suited for an older  audience. 

In terms of chart performance, the single ascended and descended on the charts, until it reached its peak position at number one where it was fixed for five consecutive weeks. Rihanna performed S&M for the first time in 2011 for the "Last Girl on Earth Tour." 

I would definitely recommend anyone interest in dance music to buy this single ! Sunayana Kataria 

Usher - OMG

Song: OMG 

Artist: Usher feat. Will.i.am

Release Date: March 22, 2010

Lyrics: William Adams

Produced: American recording 

"OMG" is a mid tempo pop song that was influenced by RnB, hip hop, dance-pop and synthpop. It a fun dance song with an amazing beat, making it very popular in clubs and house parties. The lyrics for the single weren't as amazing as people had expected, but the music video did justice to that, by emphasising Usher's character and his stardom. The song is a typical Usher song in terms of the choreography which can be compared to that of "Yeah." Some lines have been auto tuned, which many people have criticised but I believe it perfectly accompanies the dance beat. In term of chart performance, this song did extremely well. It was Usher's ninth number one single, and as of March 2011, it had sold over 4 million digital copies. His series of successful OMG tours emphasise the popularity of this song. The single is known as 2010's summer anthem, and after listening to this song, its easy to understand why ! Sunayana Kataria