Album Reviews!!
These album reviews featured in Issue One. Travis, The Charlatans, Ian Brown! All reviews by Nicci Foster.
THE CHARLATANS GREATEST HITS ALBUM 'MELTING POT', IS AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF SONGS FROM A BAND THAT WILL REMAIN ONE OF THE GREATEST ACTS IN BRITISH MUSIC HISTORY.
When a band put out a greatest hits CD, it means one of two things. One, that the bands is about to break up, or two, that the band are entering a new phase of their career. For The Charlatans, thank god, it is the latter.
'Melting Pot' is an awesome album. The person that had the task of choosing the tracks for it, would have had one of the hardest jobs in the world. I mean how do you decide the greatest hits of a band who, from the moment they began, they were writing some of the best melodies, and coming up with some of the greatest lyrics of their time. It would be nearly impossible.
The obvious starter for the album is of course, 'The Only One I Know'. This depicts The Charlatans innocent beginning, when everything was coming up roses. From there follows, nearly every single, and some bonus tracks, during their very chaotic career. When track six, 'Weirdo', comes in, you get that feeling that only The Charlatans can give you. Then as you go through 'Can't Get Out Of Bed', 'Jesus Hairdo', and come across 'Just Lookin', you suddenly realise why you love this band so much. Because when Tim Burgess sings that line, '...feelin' good, feelin' high, it's a rush / I'm in because I don't wanna work / in no place in the whole universe...', something inside always snaps. There are images of Rob Collins, of getaway cars, of ripped up tour itinerary, of those organ solos. You feel sad, but are picked up again when all of this highlights the greatest thing about the band. It is their strength. That part of The Charlatans that makes you lose your head, jump madly around your room, or lie on the floor in awe. That thing that let's you put everything terrible behind you, and even if for just a second, be transported to a world where nothing touches you.
This is what makes The Charlatans so special. They have felt so much pain, and been so strong, that they just demand respect. 'Melting Pot' is the best testimony to this band yet. Let's hope that Fate's Finger stays well away from Tim Burgess and his merry men, unless it is pointing towards world domination. For if anyone deserves to be sharing their messages with the world, it is The Charlatans.
5/5
THE BEST NEW BAND FROM BRITAIN, TRAVIS, PRODUCE ONE OF THE FRESHEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL ALBUMS THIS DECADE.
As Travis' debut album begins, you feel as if you are just witnessing another one of those bands. Those bands that just glaze the current market of music. 'All I Wanna Do Is Rock' is probably one of the rock anthems of 1997, but there are thousands of rock songs out there. When you buy an album, you are looking for something amazing, something that no one else has touched on yet. To be honest, the first three tracks of Travis' album did nothing for me on first listen. I skipped through the album and hit Track 4, 'A Good Day To Die'. It showed me what the band was capable of. A sweet melody, great lyrics, and a display of top musicianship. However, it was not until Fran Healy threw his voice into over drive that I knew Travis had something else.
Travis have a unique gift, and perhaps it's because of the type of people that they are, but they just seem to touch you. They have a real intimacy with their audience. A real one on one feeling. They also have another gift, and that is Fran Healy. His voice is simply stunning, there is no other way to describe it. Track 8, 'I Love You Anyways' really highlights this. This song, two lines in just brought tears to my eyes. It touches the heart and brings back so many memories. Innocent memories though. Fran Healy's lyrics are so relative to anyone. He has a real personal touch, and expresses himself so very well.
Track 9, 'Happy', brings you up again with it's really cute chorus and flowing melody. The last three tracks of the album however, made me devote myself totally to Travis. Track 10, 'More Than Us', which is also their next single, is heart wrenching to say the least. It begins simply, and then a burst of harmonies in just the most perfect place, sends shivers up your spine. 'Falling Down' towards the end of the song, where Fran sounds as if he is about to break down from the amount of passion in his voice, brings tears to my eyes again, and I have to lie down to try and take it all in. To top it all off, 'Funny Thing', the last track on the album, is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Fran is on the edge of his vocal range the whole time. Andy Dunlop's distorted guitar in the solo, is just superb. Yes, Travis are special.
On about the third listen of 'Good Feeling', I fell in love with every track. They each have their own little special meaning, and beauty, but the highlight is still 'I Love You Anyways'. It typifies what is so honest and beautiful about Travis, and the way Fran Healy writes songs. The title track shows the diversity of his ability. It begins as a reggae song, and turns slowly into ragtime. The piano solo is something else. So, not only do Travis have the emotion, musicianship, and looks to take them all the way, they have such a broad range of material, that they can appeal to anyone.
I believe that 'Good Feeling' was the album of 1997. So please treat yourself to a copy. Of course that may be a bit difficult, but try all of the independent stores. If you have trouble getting the album, and really want it, write to British Awareness, and we will do our best to get you a copy. We will be running a petition next month to try and force Sony into releasing 'Good Feeling' here, but until then, keep searching!
5/5
IAN BROWN COMES OUT OF THE GARDEN TO PRODUCE HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM, AND IT'S NOT BAD EITHER.
I had no idea of what to expect of Ian Brown's solo album, 'Unfinished Monkey Business'. I mean Ian was always my favourite member of The Stone Roses. It was the way he swaggered around the stage, and even though a lot of the time it was out of tune, you didn't care. Just the look of Ian Brown was enough to make anyone want to join The Stone Roses club of seriously dedicated fans. But solo? Could he do it. I have come to the conclusion, that he could not only do it, but do it bloody well.
The opener of Ian's album highlights probably the biggest downfall of the whole project. Somebody please tell him to stay away from the drum machine, and the sampler. There are about four tracks on the album which are just Ian playing around. They are interesting enough, but lack the substance in the rest of the material.
'My Star' is a great song, and is followed by one of the biggest highlights of the album. 'Can't See Me', sees Mani and Reni join in. It is one of the grooviest songs I have heard in a while. It remains Ian Brown, but has that old Stone Roses sound that I have missed so much of recent years. 'Ice Cold Cube', with it's dark, groovy chorus, is wonderful, and maintains the standard set up by the previous track. It is also one of three (including 'My Star') that were co - written with Aziz Ibrahim. He proves to be a great musician, and makes Ian's songs really come to life.
'Sunshine' is a sweet song, and is played entirely by Ian. He shows his limited ability on guitar, but managers to pull it off with a cruising vocal, and some great lyrics. 'Lions' features Denise Johnson from Primal Scream, and is quite a good song, but their voices don't really sit that well together, and Denise overpowers Ian quite a lot. 'Corpses In Their Mouths' is a different story all together. The definite highlight of the album, it grooves along with great percussion and one of the best vocals of Ian's career.
'What Happened To Ya Part One' includes a lot of slide guitar form Aziz, and sounds really fresh, with some great energy. This highlights another great thing about Ian's album. It doesn't sound like someone who has been playing around for years. It has fantastic energy and the feels of his songs are second to none.
Track 11, 'Deep Pile Dreams', seems to be having a dig at John Squire. With lines like "I only ever wanted the one with the flag / all you ever wanted was a $60 bag / and a cheap limousine for your deep pile dream on the highway." It seems to show Ian's sadness about the whole situation. It is also played entirely by Ian, and is a much better attempt.
As the album closes with the title track, you feel very happy. Although The Stone Roses are no longer there, you can rest assured that at least Ian Brown is not going to go boring on us. He has produced an album, which is touching new grounds, and with the limited musical experience he has had, the future looks bright. Thank you Ian, your fans are proud.
4/5