Latest releases reviewed
KINGS OF LEON King of the Rodeo Sony/BMG ****
One of the best tracks off Aha Shake Heartbreak, this is distinguished by some fabulous single-picked guitar notes and singsong vocals. Like speeded-up Swamp rock - and get a load of the super-quick way he sings the chorus. Rather good indeed.
MAROON 5 Must Get Out Sony/BMG *
The inexplicably popular Maroon 5 are everywhere these days. This is safe-bordering-on-wimpie alternopop from this generation's Hootie and the Blowfish. It sounds like it was written with bad daytime radio programmes in mind, which is exactly where it will end up.
10,000 THINGS Dogsbody Polydor **
It goes thump-thump-thump before threatening to evolve into a semidecent, bar-room boogie track, but ultimately disappearing up its own retro-rectum. They're from Leeds, a city which seems to specialise in stupid band names these days, cf Kaiser Chiefs.
THE FEATURES Blow It Out Island/Universal ***
Good 'n' catchy intelligent rock with a distinct power-pop twist. "If you're happy and you know it, turn the volume up and blow it out" they sing engagingly on this bright and bouncy affair. It'll probably be featured on The OC this week - if it hasn't been already.
SASO I Can Do Nice Melted Snow ***
Saso are songwriter Jim Lawler and producer Ben Rawlins, and this is a good slice of sadcore that will remind you a bit of Talk Talk. The interesting thing here is how they can do "ethereal" without sounding weak and nebulous. All very lush and languorous.
DAFT PUNK Robot Rock EMI ****
Sounds like the Dr Who theme song having a row with Queens of the Stone Age. Brim full of Gallic inventiveness, old skool squelchy synth sounds and a rockin' core. Destined for a "clever" car ad any day now.
THE DEAD 60S The Last Resort Deltasonic ***
On the famed Deltasonic label, home of The Coral and The Zutons. You really have to work hard to get over the weird 1980s Level 42 bass line, but once past that considerable obstacle, you'll find a passable enough song. Like The Chili Peppers - if they came from the Wirral.
