I’ve got a few more album reviews for y’all if anyone cares…
Scissor Sisters – [self-titled album] (released 2004)
What a surprise this album was! I was asked to check it out because “it had a lot of Elton John-sounding tunes”. Boy was he wrong! Yes, there is ONE song that does resemble him a little but that’s it. Instead, I’d have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer variety of tunes. Now mind you, most of the music here I would only describe as “the music you play during a show at a gay bar”. Still, I love it. Very much well produced, full of variety, and gobbs of style. A little of Robbie Williams here and there too. Their remix of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” is awesome. I actually heard that track last year somewhere on the radio and it sure did make me stand up and take notice. Definitely a joy to listen to.
Keane – Hopes and Fears (released 2004)
Where was I last year?! This is another smash that I seemed to have missed in it’s entirety. Mind you most of the decent tracks didn’t start getting airtime until early this year. There’s a strong similarity to Coldplay but only in style and use of a piano instead of a guitar as the lead. I’d lean this band more to Radiohead than Coldplay though -mainly due to the vocals. Very dreamy and airy. “Everybody’s Changing” is still my favorite but the rest of the album is fantastic too. No “one hit wonder” here!!
Jet – Get Born (released 2003)
From what I’ve read, this band has received a lot of flak for being “copy cats of the old retro bands”. Yes, it’s true that they sound a lot like ACDC, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, etc. They dress like they’re still in the 70’s (horror of horror!). What are people smoking these days??!! EVERYONE is dressing like the 70’s now!! All bands copy their styles from other bands. Is it not original? It is decent, simple rock. Nothing more, nothing less. I’ll admit I was slow to look them up -mainly due to radio stations playing out their single “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”. By the time iPod decided to use that song for their TV ads, I was staring to HATE the song (not that it’s that bad or anything, I just was getting sick of hearing it). Well the rest of the album isn’t really that different. Sure “Look What You’ve Done” sounds a lot like the Beatles. Who hasn’t? Even Ozzy Osbourne has a song in homage to their old style. What’s so wrong with that?! In summary, not a very deep album but a sure rocker worth lending a ear.