Album Releases: Week Commencing 05/04/10

David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim - Here Lies Love

The weeks oddest release belongs to David Byrne of Talking Heads and Fat Boy Slim of Fat Boy Slim who collaboration Here Lies Love tells the story of Imelda Marcos former first lady of the Phillipines and her extravagant lifestyle. The album rarely threatens to become interesting in its 90 minute run time mostly plodding along content to drift along as dance pop offcuts. The album possesses 22 guest vocalists (Florence, Santigold and Marth Wainwright amongst others) and two clever left field minds tackling an interesting (odd) subject, it could have been incredible or it could have been horrific, both of which would have been more enjoyable than what we get on this double album. The only time the album get interesting is when Steve Earle guests on A Perfect Hand and the funky bassline throbs of Why don't you love me. But every other song canters around never excelling and never failing to badly, if they were going to use so many resources to make this album you would've though Bryne (a man who has taken many risks in the past) should have really gone to left field. I can't bad mouth the album because it is so inoffensive, but I can't give it any praise either.

Top Tracks: Why Don't You love Me (ft Tori Amos and Cyndi Lauper), A Perfect Hand (ft Steve Earle)
If you liked this try: chewing cardboard for the taste equivalent of this album

Avantasia - The Wicked Symphony/Angel of Babylon

Releasing the final two parts of his Scarecrow saga concept albums on the same day was a ballsy move in anyone's books. Even more so when you realise both parts are over an hour long. There is a lot to digest upon listening with a lot of guest musicians and even more guest vocalists, alongside these is trying to grab a hold of a complex storyline while trying to listen to the music itself. The music itself is on the whole power metal in the style of Iron Maiden with hefty guitars and high pitched vocals. The instrumentation throughout is exemplary especially the solos which rip through most the songs with a vigorous power. The album really hits its peak when multiple vocalists appear on a song with each voice battling against one another which makes the tracks sound very exciting like on the title track Wicked Symphony and Stargazers. There are a few duff tracks (Death is Just a Feeling tries to be quirky but comes across as lame, Blowing Out The Flame is a drab piano ballad) but even with its obviously hammy flaws and difficult to follow storyline, you can not help but respect the effort that has gone into making such an epic, vast album.

Top Tracks: Stargazers, Black Wings
If you like this try: Alestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge

She and Him - Volume 2

Hollywood types in bands is nothing new they range between the good (Jack Black), the bad (Kevin Bacon) and the just plain odd (Bruce Willis). Zooey Deschanel (of Yes Man and Hitchiker's Guide) falls into the good category along with M Ward they form She and Him, a breezy indie folk band on their second album. Zooey doesn't possess a perfect voice but she emotes so much you ignore her shortcomings, instead focusing on the story of each song and the excellent arrangement from Ward. The album can become a little sickly sweet after a while but it perfectly captures the light loving feel of the 1960s and is a pleasant world to dip into.

Top Tracks: Theives, Sing
If you like this try: Laura Marling - I Speak because I Can