Albert Gets A Star

Albert Hammond Jr.'s album "Yours To Keep" is going to drop on 9th October, but thanks to our favourite music magazine/website, we get to preview the album. If you are expecting some very stroke-ish rock tunes, then you will be dissapointed. The tracks are in fact rather poppish and beatles-esque. After giving it a few spins, I actually enjoy it. With its guitar-driven and simple tunes, this is a album that will grow with more listens. Other than the three songs streamed on Myspace, the more memorable tracks upon few listens include Call An Ambulance and Hard To Live (In The City). The Strokes' fans would be most familiar with the track "In Transit" of which the original version has been featured on the band's mini documentary of the same title.

To sum it all, Albert's solo work is as cool as his fro.
Call An Ambulance
Hard To Live (In The City)

I just found out that my mother has been to Albert Hammond's (his father) concert. Looks like we all love the Hammond family.

Papa Hammond's 70s hit,
It Never Rains In Southern California

The Fratellis

I am pretty impressed with those young UK bands mushrooming since Arctic Monkeys made history and became big. The likes of The Kooks and The Automatic also made their ways to charts amidst boy-band-member-turns-pop-star and socialite heiress. The Fratellis is one of those in the leading pack in the bunch. It was actually pretty good for the band that "Chelsea Dagger" reached No.5 on UK single chart and their album debuted at No.2 on the UK album charts. Moreover, they are NME's new darling, two pages were dedicated to the band in the August 10 issue proclaiming them "the best new band in Britain", what more can they ask for?

When I heard Chelsea Dagger, I was instantly hooked. From then, I checked out more songs and had been eagerly anticipating their debut. Released on 11th September, "Costello Music" is a fun album filled with catchy riffs and foot tapping drum beat. Lyrics are mostly about girls, love and young fun-loving life, no profound thoughts on the meaning of life, that's what make me enjoy their music. Rumour has it that the band is named after the baddies in "The Goonies", though the band has denied it, apparently the name is derived from the bassist's surname.

We all like indie feuds, don't we? The Fratellis once started a feud with Arctic Monkeys, labelling their music as mundane. Vocalist Jon said: "We're a hell of lot more tuneful. Is no one sick of hearing that same song of theirs over and over again? We don't stick with one style and don't like singing about mundane, everyday life like a lot of bands do. So you hate where you grew up? Keep it to yourself." Well, I enjoy both bands. But I can't see how The Fratellis could have got themselves signed to a label so fast if it wasn't for Arctic Monkeys started the whole "young-indie-rock-wave" in UK.

Tracks from Costello Music:
Got Ma Nuts From a Hippy
Whistle for the Choir

Bonus mp3:
Cigarello

Shine On

I've been a lazy bum lately, so I am not gonna write long. Here are some new tracks from Jet's sophomore album, Shine On. Listen for yourself.

Tracklistings*:
1.L'espirit D'escalier
2.Holiday
3.Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
4.Bring It On Back [download]
5.That's All Lies
6.Kings Horses
7.Shine On
8.Come On Come On
9.Stand Up
10.Rip It Up [download]
11.Skin and Bones
12.Shiny Magazine [download]
13.Eleanor
14.All You Have To Do

*Australian version

Ta-Dah!

Ta-Dah! Here I present Scissor Sisters' second studio album. After hearing 'I Don't Feel Like Dancin' which features Elton John on piano, it totally made me feel like dancing to more gay yet fantastic tunes. Clocked in less than an hour, the rest of the album does not disappoint with the band's signature campy disco glam rock. Sir John also contributed on 'Intermission'.

One particular song 'Babyhair' raise my interest because it is probably the only song inspired by the phenomenon of tumours containing partially formed foetuses, how weird? Unfortunately I haven't heard it yet as it is a bonus track on deluxe version.

Tracklistings
1. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’
2. She’s My Man
3. I Can’t Decide [download]
4. Lights
5. Land of a Thousand Words
6. Intermission [download]
7. Kiss You Off
8. Ooh
9. Paul McCartney [download]
10. The Other Side
11. Might Tell You Tonight
12. Everybody Wants the Same Thing

Arctic Monkeys Win Mercury Prize

The most hyped band on internet has won this year Mercury Music Prize with their debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not". As much as I like Arctic Monkeys, it never crossed my mind the band would win the Mercury, because normally it doesn't go to such mainstream album. A lot people say the lads don't deserve it, but I think the album is a solid one with many great moments. Who cares what those indie weirdos who practically bashed all bands that sell more than a dozen records think?

Hmm, I wonder if fatty Andy gets his share of honour?

The band's latest b-side:
Put Your Dukes Up John (The Little Flames Cover)
Baby I'm Yours (feat. The 747s' - Barbara Lewis Cover)