UK Critics Album Chart Of Charts 2009

We wondered what would a top 25 albums of 2009 chart look like, if all the UK critics charts were compiled. So, here's the first draft, which takes its information from the best of 2009 album charts by the NME, MusicOMH, Drowned In Sound, Uncut, The Guardian, The Quietus, God Is In The TV and Gigwise. More will be added soon.

How it works is easy - if an album is at the top of a publications chart, it gets 50 points, if it is in second it gets 49 points and so on. At the moment, on quite a large Excel spreadsheet, there are 191 albums. Probably loads of vaguely interesting stats to be pulled from this. The first is that the current winner only topped one of the best of charts listed above. Ooh fancy.

So here it is so far, the 2009 UK Critics Chart Of Charts;

1. Wild Beasts "Two Dancers" (374)
2. Animal Collective "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (362)
3. The XX "The XX" (323)
4. Fever Ray "Fever Ray" (301)
5. The Horrors "Primary Colours" (300)
6. Grizzly Bear "Veckatimest" (288)
7. Dirty Projectors "Bitte Orca" (272)
8. Yeah Yeah Yeahs "It's Blitz!" (270)
9. Manic Street Preachers "Journal For Plague Lovers" (269)
10. Fuck Buttons "Tarot Sport" (265)
11. The Flaming Lips "Embryonic" (183)
12. Florence And The Machine "Lungs" (173)
13. Arctic Monkeys "Humbug" (171)
14. Phoenix "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (168)
15. Mumford And Sons "Sign No More" (148)
16. Future Of The Left "Travels With Myself And Another" (142)
17. Micachu & The Shapes "Jewellery" (136)
18. Noah And The Whale "The First Days Of Spring" (133)
19. Bat For Lashes "Two Suns" (129)
20. The Maccabees "Wall Of Arms" (126)
21. Health "Get Color" (120)
22. The Big Pink "A Brief History Of Love" (115)
23. PJ Harvey And John Parish "A Woman A Man Walked By" (114)
24. Jamie T "Kings & Queens" (113)

And lastly, currently on the same amount of points;
25. La Roux "La Roux" (98)
25. Lady Gaga "The Fame Monster" (98)

KCAT featured on Arjan Writes

"Inspired by artists like Blondie, Queen, Donna Summer, Pink and Gwen Stefani, up and coming London singer KCAT is planning to conquer the dance floor with her instantly infectious disco-pop stomper "Boys & Girls."

You may remember KCAT from her vocals Delinquent's "My Destiny" and "I Got U" that garnered over 4 million views on YouTube.

Her solo debut "Boys & Girls" is nothing lofty or serious. It's sassy, sparkly and totally fun. Just the stuff that dance floor gems are made of. The song will be released in the U.K. early 2010. Preview the song in the player below."

Click here to see the feature on Arjan Writes

The Dirty Disco featured on Arjan Writes!

"The Dirty Disco's cover of Florence & The Machine's "Rabbit Heart" demonstrates how these London newcomers strike a perfect balance between emo-fueled pop rock and '80s inspired synth pop with a theatrical twist. Their music is a bit like Shiny Toy Guns meets David Bowie meets Dead Or Alive. Combine this sound with "more-than-slightly subversive live shows" and what you have is potent package of both style and substance.

The Dirty Disco are Adam K (vocals), Kyle Mackenzie (keyboard), Olly Dexter (bass) Andrew Ignatius (guitar) and Kyle Langley (drums). The London-based group is currently working on their debut LP together with mixer Dylan Dresdow who mostly recently engineered Black Eyed Peas' GRAMMY-nominated "The E.N.D." The Dirty Disco's debut single, titled "Sista!," will drop in the U.K. early 2010."

Click here to see the feature on Arjan Writes, click here to download the track

ElectroQueer Interview Example

Last week I got to have a chat with rising pop sensation Example (real name Elliot) on the back of his tour bus with Lily Allen. To be honest, his debut single "Watch The Sun Come Up" was a bit of a slow grower for me in terms of the song, but the video itself was pretty phenomenal in all it's "I'm In London, look now I'm in Ibiza" animated glory. It wasn't until I heard his new electro-pop song "Won't Go Quietly" that I really "clicked" with his music and I'm really looking forward to his new album coming out in 2010.

In this EQ interview with Example, you get to read all about touring life with Lily Allen, the making of "Watch The Sun Come Up", the real meaning behind "Won't Go Quietly" and why his music is described as "dysfunctional electro-pop" - enjoy!

If you haven't discovered Example yet - make sure you check out his MySpace.

EQ: Well hello Elliot - how are you today?
Example: Alright dude!

Congratulations on your success with "Watch The Sun Come Up". Are you happy with how well the single was received?
Yeah yeah definitely - it was certainly got attention in all the right places. I've been waiting for that attention for about four or five years now so yeah, it's as good as it gets!

So tell me what was the inspiration for the video? I love the whole live action/animation feel to it - it's very a-ha.
Yeah a lot of people have said that. We weren't actually going for that. To be honest, I think that the animation was black and white is what tied it to a-ha. For it's time that a-ha video was amazing and everybody remembers that video. People will always compare my video to it, but I think my video has a different scope and story behind it.

How long did it take to concept and make that video?
Well the guy who directed it is a good mate of mine. We basically met up (he's done about five videos for me before) and discussed all the ideas. I told him all the things I wanted - there needed to be a beautiful girl in it and we wanted to shot it in Ibiza or Majorca. It took about a month to plan and two days shooting in Ibiza, one day in London and then a week of post-production - there was a lot going on for that video!

It certainly turned out pretty well - so congrats on that! So how did you come up with the name Example anyways?
Well it's my initials - EG. It says so on Wikipedia as well...I don't know if you read a lot of stuff on Wikipedia, but on there is a lot of fake stuff...

Well you know, wikipedia doesn't have a good reputation, so I try to avoid it when possible...
Fair enough, fair enough [laughs]

Continue reading the full interview on Electroqueer by clicking here

Bertie Blackman Featured on My Chemical Toilet

"Bertie Blackman's brain is like mush

Hey, she said it. But to be fair to her, Bertie was a tad tired at the time. BUT NOT TOO TIRED TO CHAT TO JANE BRADLEY FOR THIS HERE BLOGAZINESITE.

Yes, since I asked “Who is this Bertie Blackman person, then?” a couple of months back after encountering her splendid single “Thump”, Jane went along to have a mouthwag and find out ‘first-hand’.

They talked about Bertie’s ARIA-winning album Secrets and Lies (which is vay good), crushes on Fronch pop stars and, um, “nanimals”. BEHOLDIFY:

I became a bit smitten with Bertie Blackman while I was interviewing her. Not only is she infuriatingly talented, she’s also disarmingly charming; whimsical but self-assured, and a pleasure to natter to. By the time we meet, jetlag, exhaustion and a gruelling schedule of interviews and photoshoots have taken their toll, and I’m gobsmacked she’s still able string a slurred sentence together.

“My brain is like mush,” she explains. “This feels like it’s all a dream.” Guessing that I best take advantage of her whilst she’s still awake, and better still, amiable and articulate, we press on in all haste.

In swotting up about her before the interview, I read about an art exhibition she’s having in her native Australia comprising weird and wonderful large-scale ink illustrations of deformed woodland animals. Thinking this is a suitably abstract opening gambit, I ask her for an explanation:

“The exhibition came about unintentionally, after I designed the stage set for the Australian Secrets and Lies tour. I’d been drawing these ‘nanimals,’ which is my word for creatures that are not quite animals. And then I painted them onto plywood and made them into a giant mobile hung from fishing wire around the stage."

Continue reading the interview on My Chemical Toilet here

Archangel "Loud And Clear"

Example Featured On Arjan Writes

"Example's new single "Won't Go Quietly" is another fresh new hybrid of pop, dance and rap, which will be released through Data Records in the U.K. on January 11, 2010. The song is taken from Example's sophomore album that drops in April. Count yourself in the know early.

"Won't Go Quietly" combines Example's talk-sing lyrics with a punchy dance beat that is spun around a catchy pop melody. Very well done and it is a lot more radio-friendly than the everyday storytelling on his debut LP. Example's new poppy hooks are courtesy of Brian Rawlings who, of course, is known for his work with Britney Spears and Mizz Kylie. Love the the artwork for the single too. Very flower power.

Listen to the radio edit of "Won't Go Quietly" in the player below.

The single EP will come with a bunch of remixes including a revamp by DFA hipsters The Juan MacClean (aka John MacLean and Nancy Whang). The two add an athmospherric disco glaze the the original. More than eight minutes of dancefloor goodness."

Click here to see the full feature and download the track on Arjan Writes

BBC Chartblog Feature Basshunter "I Promised Myself"

"Poor poor Jonas. He's only just found out his new girlfriend has been taken to hospital after what must have been some type of horrific accident [in his new music vid - see his old music vid for details] . He can't believe it. After all his fooling around with countless women, he thought he'd turned a corner, he thought he'd finally found the woman he wants to spend the rest of life with, but now his new love may not be around to experience it with him... He promised himself, he promised he'd wait for her. As he rushes to the hospital a solitary tear begins to slowly run down his cheek... and then... THE BASS KICKS IN! DUM DUM DUM, Du Du, DUM DUM DUM.

Sensitive Jonas transforms into the Basshunter with a swift drop of his trademark dance beat, and you know what? I love him for it!

(Here's the video. Hurry Jonas, Hurry!)


Yes, so everything about this song shouldn't work, and most would argue it doesn't. The song has no sign of a verse, and it sounds like everything else he's done, and I know a song with this sentiment really shouldn't have a sniff of a dance backing, but you can't take the bass away from the Basshunter can you? Otherwise he'd just be Hunter, which is okay for a Gladiator but not a pop star.

What you've got to admire about this track is Jonas really does try to sing, and he kind of pulls it off. Unlike other Basshunter tunes, this doesn't annoy me and will make a half decent Christmas track. I can imagine myself dancing along to it on Christmas Eve, slightly intoxicated, at some random club and feeling quite fulfilled.

I realise as I'm writing this, I'm trying to make the glass half full by eeking out sayings like 'half-decent' and 'it doesn't annoy me'*, but for a Basshunter song I'd call that a success. This isn't exactly the type of song where you analyse its musicality, you either like it or you don't, and I like it.

*It would be awesome if he quoted this on his album cover."

See the feature on the BBC Chart Blog by clicking here

Gurrumul Live - Subba Cultcha Review

"Telling stories of his native Yolngu people and his culture; Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu sings in such a manner that is captivatingly haunting yet warmly arousing. A small shy figure on stage, he refuses to talk to the crowd, leaving all the talking to his friend and translator Michael Hohnen; but in spite of this, his performance was no less endearing. From the very first note you're left mesmerised. Whatever your conceptions of such music, he creates blissfully subtle acoustic melodies, which are made all the better by his other worldly voice. It’s an awe inspiring listen that’s full of emotion and deeply insightful.

Keeping the crowd’s attention for the entirety, it didn’t matter that no one understood what he was saying because you could feel the emotion and sincerity running through his soulful and enchanting voice. Educating as well as entertaining, he was accompanied by a stringed quartet, double bassist and a guitarist; it’s simple yet highly charged music that penetrates to your heart. Made all the better by the awesome visuals of his family and homeland, particular mention had to go to his ode to his father ‘Bapa’, my personal favourite 'Wiyathhul’, which was just as beautiful live and a reggae version of Marwurrumburr.

A true hidden treasure, he certainly wasn't lost on the shepherds bush crowd; he’s a true talent that needs to be heard."

See the review on Subba Cultcha here

Basshunter Featured On Sugarscape

SugarScape get an exclusive interview with Basshunter;

"Basshunter's Back! Do You Care? We just can't decide what we make of this guy...

So we're leaving it up to you! Do you think he is a cheesy wotsit, or is he a smokey Pringle (once you pop you just can't stop!)
Take a look at this video of Basshunter telling us all about his new single, I Promised Myself out on the 30 November!"

See the feature and the comments from SugarScapes readers here

Basshunter - Exclusive I Promised Myself Interview from Hard2beat Records on Vimeo.

YouTube Homepage : Bertie Blackman AND Gurrumul!

As part of YouTube's Music Tuesday celebrating the Australian Record Industry Association Awards which take place on Thursday 26th November. Bertie Blackman is nominated for Best Independent Release, The Temper Trap for Breakthrough Artist and Empire Of The Sun for Album Of The Year. Gurrumul was the surprise winner of Best Independent Release last year, and has gone on to tour the world.

Bertie Blackman "Byrds Of Prey"


Gurrumul "Bapa"

Geeks.co.uk chat to Jem!

"Singer Jemma Griffiths is a lady on the move. The Welsh native, who resides in LA, has just entered a competition to ‘Crash the Superbowl’. She’s also developing a string of iPhone Apps, writing a screenplay and teaching herself how to direct and edit films.

All this as her third studio album lies complete sans vocal tracks and her side project – a piano album – is ready to go.

How she allotted an hour with geeks.co.uk to chat about gadgets, technology and computer games is beyond me.

Her first album Finally Woken shifted over 700,000 copies in the UK and US alone and was a top ten hit along with single They, whilst irritatingly catchy Just a Ride made the top 20 in the UK singles charts.

Cited quite wrongly as the next Dido when she broke through, Jem’s debut album drew on a number of influences with the press struggling to pitch her genre.

The inability to pigeonhole Jem’s creative works seems a fitting testament to the artist herself; diverse and ambidextrous.

The qualified lawyer had to travel Stateside to get her big break. She’s still mobilised by music but is finding sweeter satisfaction by laboriously crafting new skills; an undying passion for film is now top of the pecking order."

Continue reading the interview with Jem on Geeks.co.uk here

All Gigs 4 out of 5 Review for Bertie Blackman's "Secrets And Lies"

"It was with some trepidation that I started listening to Bertie Blackman's new album 'Secrets and Lies'. Probably for the most part because of that stereotypical idea I (did) have of Australian musicians. Don't get me wrong I'm one of Nick Caves biggest fans and I have plenty of Triffids and Go Between's records from the day, but apart from that I'm stuck in the mind set of Men at Work, Savage Garden and Kylie. I know, time to stop being so narrow minded!

A brief trip through Blackman's biography revels that at 25 years of age, this is her third album release following 'Headway' and 'Black'. She is a self-thought multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter, the daughter of the famous Australian artist Charles Blackman (check him out, he's done some good stuff!). Her original pre 'Secrets and Lies' work was one of an alt-rock persona but she now appears to have come down on the electro side.

Within only a couple of three plays the album grows and I'm already feeling guilty for the Australian pigeon holing comment!"

Continue reading the review on All Gigs here

Archangel "Loud And Clear"

New single and video from Archangel, this is "Loud And Clear" coming out in February 2010. It was directed by Henry Schofield who also directed the 2009 Music Video Award nominated "Do It Again" and was commissioned through Radar Music Videos

Bertie Blackman"Thump" (The Dirty Disco Remix) Featured on MySpace Homepage

Bertie Blackman is featured on the MySpace Music Homepage for a second week, with an exclusive download of "Thump" remixed by The Dirty Disco. Listen and download here;

Archangel LIVE - Death Disco @ Notting Hill Arts Club

Archangel will be performing at Alan McGee and Danny Watson's Death Disco at the Notting Hill Arts Club - if you'd like to come along please get in touch.

“Inventive heartfelt electro pop” The Guardian, critics gig of the day

“brooding, tetchy art-rock – it’s warm and infectious” NME’s “10 Tracks You Must Hear This Week”

“Do It Again. Indie, electro and funk elements thrown together into a shiny package of dance-friendly sound.” The Sun Something For The Weekend

"Eleven magnificently overwrought and dramatically fashioned songs that explore the lexicon of love with an epic sweep and neon glow that will remind you of all your favourite 70s and 80s groups while sounding utterly contemporary." The Guardian

“the sound made by a young man with a serious record collection having monstrous amounts of fun, and almost bafflingly, it works” Word Magazine

Bertie Blackman Featured On I Like Music Homepage

"25 year old Australia singer-songwriter Bertie Blackman releases her new single Thump, taken from her third studio album Secrets and Lies. Already hailed as an independent musical star in her own country, her unconventional initial steps in music are mirrored by her diverse musical style, with comparisons to Karen O, Bat For Lashes and PJ Harvey all justified."

Click here to read the full feature on I Like Music

Gurrumul Live - Music News Review

"There was a tangible air of anticipation in the Shepherd’s Bush Empire as the masses meandered into the former BBC theatre to take their seats for this Aboriginal artist, now starting to make strong headway into the vast landscape of mainstream music.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s debut album, 'I Was Born Blind’, seems to explain an important part of Gurrumul’s history but the rich tapestry of ancestral heritage that forms his make-up can only be fully appreciated when hearing him play live.

With the background screens showing filmed clips of his family back in their native land, it was easy to see how Gurrumul’s connection to his native land is at the heart of his very essence. He was led onto the stage by Michael Hohnen, his producer and double bass player and the man he relies on to communicate with the audience as he himself will not utter a word of English."

Continue reading the full 4 out of 5 review on Music-News here

Gayday feature Basshunter's "I Promised Myself" Pete Hammond Remix

Gaydar Nation feature the exclusive of the Pete Hammond remix of the forthcoming single "I Promised Myself" on their homepage!!

Basshunter - I Promised Myself (Pete Hammond Remix) from Hard2beat Records on Vimeo.

Example Featured On Bebo Music Homepage!

Red Blooded Women Featured on Arjan Writes

"The last time I blogged about Brit pop girl band Red Blooded Women was when they released a cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" earlier this year. It's been quiet since then, but the group has been working in the studio on their full-length LP. Slated as the next Sugababes (or Atomic Kitten for that matter), the trio of Candy, Carly and Li puts out sleek and synthy girl power pop that is a pleasure of the guiltiest kind. I love this kind of stuff. Superfraiche! Check out a guilt-free MP3 of JM's remix of brand-new track "Halo."

Click here to see the feature on Arjan Writes

Red Blooded Women : Halo (JM Remix) by TomorrowNeverKnows

Red Blooded Women Featured on ElectroQueer

"They are not your average girls, they'll make you work!

EQ faves RBW have a new remix of "Halo" which is available to download right now in the newly launched EQ Facebook Fan Page. Make sure you join the fan page to get your hands on this hot little 90's tinged diddy. Because as they say, this beat is "Technotronic"...

RBW are also appearing at EQ Live on November 21st as well if you want to catch them rocking their latest tracks! I personally cannot wait. Be there or be, well, you get the drill..."

Click here to get the free download through ElectroQueer's Facebook page!

War Child's Young Soul Rebels "I Got Soul"

Here's a selection of the coverage we've gained for War Child's Young Soul Rebels single "I Got Soul" - OUT NOW! (And doing rather well in the midweeks - click here to get your copy)

Popjustice "Its structure is somewhat 'cavalier' and one or two parts are downright shit charity or not but there's something very nearly brilliant about this Young Soul Rebels (ie War Child) 'I Got Soul' track. The best bits come from Vincemusik (near the end), Chipmunk and - who'd have thought? - Tula N-Dubz." Click here to see the feature

ITN.co.uk "Tinchy Stryder, N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Ironik are ready to do chart battle. They are not going up against each other though, instead they are releasing a new single together. The biggest names in British urban music have teamed up to record as The Young Soul Rebels, supporting charity War Child." Read the full piece here

Drowned In Sound (!!) "But let's be entirely - and I mean entirely - serious for a second. War Child are shockingly useful sorts who do practical things for children what are almost guaranteed to have had a shitter time than you. So rather than buy this single, have a think about donating the three quid you might have spent on that final, unnecessary pint that sendsyouovertheedgeintotheboozechasmofdoom. You can do that here." Read the full review here

Digital Spy "it's all for such a worthy cause, you'd have to be a real grump to knock their efforts"

NME.com "Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole releases her debut solo single 'Fight For This Love' today (October 19), though she's up against the Young Soul Rebels' version of The Killers' 'All These Things That I've Done'(which has been re-titled 'I Got Soul'). Young Soul Rebels feature the likes of Pixie Lott, Tinchy Stryderand Frankmusik, and the track is raising money for War Child."

BBC Chartblog "The people who get to have a go at the singing bits do a good job, by and large. Keep an ear out for Dappy N-Dubz inserting some much-needed grammatical correctness when he sings "all these things that I HAVE done", and Pixie Lott lisping a bit at the beginning. Oh, and VV Brown's bit is good too. And if we still can't handle a bit of rapping, some 30 years after hip hop started, we're not really evolving quickly enough, culturally speaking. There again, if you don't like it, but you support the cause, why not donate the cost of the single and then whack the Killers version up dead loud? That's the gentleman's way out." Read the full feature here

The Guardian "Despite having a name that references one of the finest albums of the 1980s, Young Soul Rebels actually include Tinchy Stryder, Pixie Lott and VV Brown. Which means two things: a) the definition of rebel has been rewritten to mean "mediocre music proffered by personality voids" and b) it's charity-single time. Just when you think it couldn't get any worse, the chorus – "I've got soul, but I'm not a solider" – samples the Killers, presumably to reference the fact the single is in aid of War Child. It's enough to make Dexy's Kevin Rowland turn in his grave. If he was dead, that is, and not busy maintaining his MySpace page and DJing at the Big Chill."

Bebo - Music Homepage for the Making Of video
MySpace Video Exclusive - featured on Homepage and Music Homepage - Young Soul Rebels rehearsing at the Shepherds Bush Empire
YouTube Homepage - Spotlight Music Tuesday - Young Soul Rebels Mobo Performance, and Ashley Walters
Habbo - Ironik visited Habbo for a VIP chat about War Child
BBC 5:19 Show - Ironik visited the show to talk about War Child

My Chemical Toilet : The evolution of Digga/McLean’s “Broken”

"I’m not one for R&B ballads, really. They tend to be syrupy and over-emotive, which is obviously a generalisation but, you know, given the choice between a ballad and a club “banger” it’s the bangful one that wins me over 85% of the time.

However, like the very best pop songs, Brit soul type McLean’s “Broken” manages to transcend the genre with which it would be most closely associated. It’s a heartbroken, overwrought fist-clencher which, in a landscape of overproduced, autotuned pop spaff with half an eye on ringtone sales, actually makes you believe the singer is properly, hair-tearingly lovewrecked. Marvellous.

It also has a very interesting history, having first surfaced way back in 2006, when McLean went by the name of Digga (since changed because an American artist went by the same name). Unbeknownst to me, it became an online sensation, racking up millions of plays on YouTube and prompting, seemingly, everyone with a webcam to produce their own version."

Continue reading and watching the 15 video versions of the track found by My Chemical Toilet here!

Example Q&A Featured On The Londonist

Fulham rapper Example has been knocking about for a few years, first releasing records on Mike Skinner's The Beats label, before returning this Autumn with a new label and a new sound. The Ibiza sounds of first single 'Watch The Sun Come Up' have propelled him straight into the Top 20 and have Radio 1 playing him at every possible moment. With an album to follow that sounds just as full of big pop songs and collaborations with Calvin Harris, we're sure this London boy has a bright future ahead of him. Tonight he plays Club NME at Koko so we caught up for a quick chinwag before…

Hello Example. Congrats on your first top 20! Can you tell us a little bit about who you are?
Er, I'm male, I'm 27, about 6'2" and I enjoy writing songs, performing them and celebrating with a Nandos and a rum & coke. That ok??

Sounds like a winning combo. Whereabouts in London are you based? What's brilliant and what's totally horrible about it?
I live in Fulham. Born and bred. Its brilliant cos Im right next to the river so it doesnt actually feel like I'm in a dirty noisy city. Whats totally horrible? Not much, maybe the queues at Tescos Express

If we had five hours in Fulham, what's the one thing we should make sure we do without leaving?
Watching Fulham Football Club I reckon.

What London location has been the most significant in your life so far?
Probably the river Thames. I run along by the side of the Thames almost every day to clear my mind and think creatively.

A lot of the current famous UK rap scene seems to be coming out of East London - is there secretly a West London massive?
Well I wouldn't say that. Grime comes out of East but rappers are from all over London. I'm the only person I know from Fulham who raps although Taio Cruz grew up down the road apparently.

What's your favourite London venue and why?
I quite like Koko, but I'd say Hoxton Bar & Kitchen - we've done about 5 sold out shows there over the last 4 years and their food is amazing.

Continue reading the Q&A on the Londonist here

Basshunter Same Six Questions featured on CMU Daily

Basshunter, aka Jonas Altberg, is - whether you like it or not - currently one of the biggest selling dance producers in the UK. With a little help from music software Fruity Loops, he began making music in 1999, self-releasing two albums before signing his first record deal in 2006 with Warner Music, releasing his first single, 'Boten Anna', the same year. Now signed to Ministry Of Sound's Hard2Beat label, he has just released new single, 'Every Morning', as well as his fifth studio album, 'Bass Generation', and began a UK tour this week. We spoke to Basshunter to ask our Same Six Questions.

Q1 How did you start out making music?
I was at a LAN party when I was seventeen, and I downloaded a folder from my friend's computer containing the music program Fruity Loops 3. I installed it and realised very quickly that this [making music] was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Q2 What inspired your latest single?
I had a two month break earlier this year in which to produce the new album and rest my legs for a while, after three years on tour. So, I had plenty of time to meet my friends and people in general, and during this period I met a really sweet girl. The feelings and emotions grew strong very fast and that inspired me to write 'Every Morning'. Because every morning she got up from bed before me and made me a cup of coffee, and she was always happy with a big smile on her face... tada: "Every Morning she makes me a cup of coffee with a smile on her face. I'm a man in love". But it didn't work out though, so as soon as I was done with the album I was back on tour.

Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
I usually begin with the riff and the chorus, because if I can't get that to work it's just a waste of time producing the rest of it. Regarding inspiration, hmm, well if I need inspiration I usually go to a busy bar or pub, have a beer and just watch people enjoying themselves, listening to their conversations etc.

Q4 Which artists influence your work?
Why would you think that any other artists influence my way of producing or writing? I'm better than that.

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Hold on to your hat mate, because we are going on a wild ride packed full with wicked bass lines, awesome riffs and a powerful chorus!

Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single, and for the future?
My ambitions? Well, I always do the best I can, I can't do any more than that. But the most important thing for me are my fans, as long as they like my new stuff I'm happy. Without them, I would be just like a fart in the wind. That kinda speaks for itself, doesn't it?

To subscribe to CMU Daily click here

The Dirty Disco "Sista!"

Basshunter "I Promised Myself"

Red Blooded Women Popjustice's Song Of The Day! Again!

"Red Blooded Women received their first Popjustice Song Of The Day about a year and a half ago. There have been some limited single releases and a couple of changes to the band's look and sound since then but the 'v decent pop music' remit still seems to be in effect and 'Halo', one of the band's brand new tunes, should open some new doors."

Click here to see the piece on Popjustice and hear the clip of new song "Halo"

BBC Chartblog Review Young Soul Rebels "I Got Soul"

"Even before I put fingertip to keypad, the feeling of walking a tightrope starts to tingle and fizz in the back of my mind, and here's a quick checklist of reasons why:

'All These Things That I've Done' by the Killers is a great song.
This is a charity cover version, for charity.
It takes phenomenal liberties with the original song.
Most of the people who are singing (or rapping) do not make indie-type rock music.
And indeed, this is not indie-type rock music in any way.
This is a journey outside of The Safety Zone for hardcore indie-type rock fans, that's for sure.
It probably does not count as real music.
Or surreal music, despite Ironik reading his lines from his mobile while rapping.

Therefore, if one is to say that it's rubbish, it has to be rubbish in a way which transcends its charitable status, or you're mocking the noble cause that War Child supports. And if it's great, it has to be so great that it drowns out the tutting of Killers fans who object to someone rapping on one of the key musical experiences of their life.

The full list of contributors is as follows: Tinchy Stryder, Pixie Lott, N-Dubz, Frankmusik, Chipmunk, VV Brown, Ironik, Bashy, MPHO, McLean, Kid British, Egypt, Domino Go and the London Community Gospel Choir.

Most of them spend their time singing that "I've got soul but I'm not a soldier" refrain in bits of the song where it did not originally appear. This, and the modern dance production, will probably be the bitterest pills for Johnny Rocksnob to swallow, once he's got those prickly rap thorns past his epiglottis."

Continue reading the review on the BBC Chartblog here

Electroqueer Feature Jem's "I Want You To"

"Jem is back! And reading the press release that was just issued, I totally just got schooled in Jem 101 as I really didn't know too much about her other than "Down To Earth" was a great cd that pops up every so often in my iTunes when set to random...so, here's some fun facts about Jem and her return to popular music.

Jem worked with Shakira producer Lester Mendez on this track...
The video is Jem’s directorial debut and features her fiancé Joseph MeNdicino - real life romance is HOT...
Jem is one of the most music-sync'd artists in the world, her music has appeared in the Sex And The City, CSI Miami, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, Ghost Whisperer and Beverly Hills 90210...
She's working on a few ELECTRO songs with Greg Kurstin of Beck, Kylie Minogue & The Bird & The Bee fame...
Feel schooled now? Thought so...now enjoy this little latino tinged numba if you please..."

Read the full feature on Electroqueer here

Bertie Blackman Nominated For An ARIA!

Bertie Blackman and Forum5 have been nominated for Best Independent Release at the Australian Recording Industry Association Awards!

Bertie recently performed Phil Collin's "In The Air Tonight" on JTV for "Like A Version";

Jem "I Want You To" Video

MSN Interview Basshunter

Click here to watch the exclusive interview MSN did with Basshunter!

Esquire : Kate Beckinsale 'Sexiest Woman Alive' Featuring Jet's 'Goodbye Hollywood'

"Spend some time with the newly crowned actress in a dark, undisclosed location in this video by the team that brought you "Good Morning, Megan Fox," as Kate Beckinsale follows in the beautiful footsteps of Jessica Biel, Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, and Halle Berry." Music "Goodbye Hollywood" by Jet from the album "Shaka Rock"

Read the full article on Esquire.com here

Chicane "Hiding All The Stars" - released 19th October 2009

The Chicane video for "Hiding All The Stars" is attracting a good deal of comment, much like the sleeve for the single (check the website here)

The video which features long time Chicane vocalist Tash Andrews in two distinctly different guises that has upset some unaccustomed to seeing girls boxing.

The last two Chicane videos including the hit 'Poppiholla', have dealt with misconception. Indeed, when the cover of 'Hiding All the Stars' was first issued people thought that a woman with a black eye must be the subject of abuse. As always in life jumping to conclusions is a tricky thing. The film reveals that Tash or her character, likes to box.

Nick was intrigued by the 2012 Olympic committee's decision to allow boxing to be included in the Games, and coincidently saw feminist Germaine Greer's views on the BBC's One show. We all jump to conclusions, and he thought Germaine would be anti the sport - she initially was, but having spent time with some female boxers, she saw how empowering it was and shocked herself by realizing it could be a good thing.

The One Show's blog showed just how contentious the whole thing is, people were incensed by the idea of the 'last bastion of maleness' being infiltrated. The media is male dominated so it will be interesting to see the reaction there, if any of course.

The video's supporting cast include Jacqui-Lee Pryce, a boxing coach and actress (Mike Nichol's Closer, Doctors), who works with the Olympic team and Mitch Horner, (The Bill, Grange Hill), Ola, who featured in the last Chicane video, 'Poppihola'.

The fact a glamorous woman likes to box is something the world will have to come to terms with, like women soldiers being in the front line. Like a lot of life we may not agree but we salute the freedom of the individual. Tash enjoyed the training, it is one of the hardest sporting disciplines in the world.

The video was shot in the east end of London. Misconceptions are everywhere, one that commonly occurs with the band is that Nick or Chicane is a DJ.

http://www.chicanemusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/chicanemusic

My Chemical Toilet : Who Is This Bertie Blackman Person Then?

"You can find anything out on the internet these days. Anything. And when one is investigating an act one is unfamilar with it’s good practice to check out Wikipedia, wait 11 minutes for the artist’s MySpace page to load, and so on.

For once, with Bertie Blackman, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to wait and see if the information comes to me. I’ll pretend this is a fun “experiment” rather than a symptom of my laziness. Do you know anything about Bertie Blackman? Leave information in the comments.

All I know, thanks to YouTube’s geographical info, is that she’s considerably more popular in one country than any other:







Her - yes HER, OMG WEIRD, RIGHT? - song “Thump” is an urgent, immediate, quiet-loud, um, thump in the synapses. I loves it, I do. There are a couple of remixes here, too. Not as good as the original though, which seems a novel happening these days."



Read the full piece and download the mixes from My Chemical Toilet here

Popjustice Daily Pop Briefing features both Crazy Loop and Young Soul Rebels

"Eight singles from the next eight weeks

October 11
Crazy Loop - 'Crazy Loop (Mm Ma Ma)'
This is Dan 'Dan' Balan from O-Zone and it is 100% ridiculous. It has already been Number One in Romania.



October 18
Young Soul Rebels 'I Got Soul'
This song performs three useful functions. Firstly, the reimagined version of The Killers' 'All These Things That I've Done' is good in its own right (although a couple of portions are slightly ropey). Secondly, it annoys serious Killers fans who, feeling rather threatened after that absolute dog of a last Killers album, are in a state of panic, running around bleating "oh dear oh no the world is going to end my favourite song has been butchered by 'urban' and 'pop' people". Thirdly, if you buy it it will make everything that is bad in the world suddenly become good, because that is how charity records work. In fact that's not how it works at all - it's really just about awareness so perhaps you don't need to even buy the song, you just need to be aware that it exists. And having read this far you're already aware of its existence. Your work here is done."


See the full feature and the other six singles on Popjustice by clicking here

Beat Surrender review Gods, Gangsters & Honour

"Steven Machat has been clever in writing this autobiographical book, he doedsn’t bore us with 70 pages about his childhood which nobody really cares about in these sorts of books, instead he cuts to the chase and gets straight into the rock n’ roll stories that make it such a fascinating read.

Having been something of a go to man in the American music industry once his father let him into that life, you get a taste for the thrill, enjoyment and at times grief he got for his troubles.

Tales of gangsters shaking down label bosses, label bosses screwing foreign record companies, stupid musicians, brilliant businessmen and some of the biggest stars of the last 40 years (Michael Jackson, Wu Tang Clan, ELO, The Osbournes, Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones, Dr Dre... you name them and they are in here."

Read the full review on The Beat Surrender here

Sugarscape : McLean One To Watch!

"McLean is being tipped as the modern day Marvin Gaye!

That's quite a claim, one that we reckon we'd have to agree with though! The video for his first single, Broken, is here. Give it a listen and let us know what you think..

He's paired up with Tinchy Stryder for a remix of this track, check out a cheeky preview here...

And he is also featured on I Got Soul, he is one of the Young Soul Rebels for War Child!


Looks like McLean will be heading up the charts, will you be buying his single?

If you want to know more head to his MySpace.

Click here to see the full feature on Sugarscape!

Mclean 'Broken" Bebo Exclusive

mclean TV on MUZU.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - Bapa Video

Stunning video. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu's new single, 'Bapa', from his critically aclaimed album 'Gurrumul' available from iTunes here

Example "Watch The Sun Come Up" Behind The Scenes

Example "Watch The Sun Come Up" Devil's Gun Zeitgeist Remix Video!

The Chemistry Is Dead review Example's Watch The Sun Come Up

"Like a Disney star ‘growing up’ or someone going solo after being in a cheesy boyband for years Example is swapping his strange comedy rap past for major league tunes and emotions. He’s an unlikely pop star but all the new songs we’ve heard by him imply that his album could be a really brilliant pop album. Watch The Sun Come Up is a wistful mid-tempo piano single, perfect for those still not over the summer yet, and particularly, a summer love. He raps sweet and funny lines throughout the verses and in one amazing/a bit weird moment he says “took one last sniff of your hair” and there is a sniffing noise. The video is brilliant and reflects the song really well. We really like the bridge where he sings “Believe me I wanna stay/ but I’m off and away” because it sums up all the different feelings really simply. This is such a huge leap from irrelevant to relevant it’s hard to believe it’s the same person but we’re looking forward to the next single and hope that others will start noticing him too."

Read the full piece on The Chemistry Is Dead here

Basshunter featured in 5:19 and on BBC2

Basshunter's moving performance for the 5:19 show made it onto the show's brand new BBC2 slot on Saturday afternoons!!

Click here to watch it (only available for a week)

Example featured on Beat TV

Example performed his new single "Watch The Sun Come Up" live on Beat TV - skip to 6mins 20secs

Subba Cultcha's 5 out of 5 for Gurrumul!!!

"Sit back and fall in love with the beautiful sounds of Australia’s new son, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.
A man of little words Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu lets his music do the talking. Blind since birth, he has shot to stardom by catching the heart of the nation as the first aboriginal artist to break into mainstream Austrailian music. Now seeping into British consciousness, his acoustic melodies have received acclaim from the likes of Terry Wogan, Jeremy Vine and more importantly, Elton John; 'Gurrumul' is a remarkable debut offering that truly encapsulates everything that is beautiful about this man and his music.

Singing in the dialects of the Yolngu people as well as English, Gurrumul sings of his native culture and the world's beauty. He sings with humility and a heart felt sincerity that resonates through out; it’s mesmerizingly delicate. It would be impossible to pick one stand out track on this album as each possess it's on distinctive and inspiring narrative that you will undoubtedly fall in love with. Particular mention will no doubt go to his first release 'Wiyathhul'. A song about two birds that are said to be relatives of Gurrumul's people; it has a beauty to it that transcends any language, and indeed mainstream music.

What ever your conceptions of such music, he creates blissfully subtle acoustic melodies, which are made all the better by his other worldly voice. It’s an awe inspiring listen"

Click here to read this brilliant review on Subba Cultcha!

Clink Music Review JET at The Forum

"My night starts off with a fashionably late entrance only to be greeted by light filtering jazz sounds from the speakers above. A glance to the stage, a vintage looking piano, amps styled in the same manner and a drum set with that 70’s glitter finish. All that coupled with the calming melodies gives the venue a sort of distinguished feel that makes me think I should rather be sat at the bar with a bourbon in one hand and a pipe in the other.

The band strolls, cool calm and collected. By the way they take the stage you might be mislead as to what is about to ensue, a night of total ass thumping ROCK! Get What You Need shifts the crowd from standstill to pure mayhem, with girls screaming and guys giving it the old ‘arm in the air’ routine. It’s too early in the show probably to start claiming on favourites but Genius is so full of 70’s swagger that I cant seem to control myself. It’s laden with riffs that can strut their stuff with the best of them. The drums are starting to rumble the walls at this point, it might be down to the fact that Chris Cester is banging away relentlessly like a neanderthal. The tone’s from his drums and the fuzz of the guitars fuse together perfectly and are just what the doctor ordered, there isn’t a person in my direct line of sight that isn’t having the time of their lives tonight."

Read the FULL review on Clink Music here

Electroqueer "Crazy Loop Mm Ma Ma"

"You know what - sometimes you need a little bit of euro-pop to lighten and brighten up the day.

Enter Crazy Loop - you know him. He is Dan Balan of O-Zone - yes O-Zone. You know them too - they had that gianormess crazy pop song called "Dragostea din Tei"aka the “Numa Numa song”.

Well Dan has decided to release this little crazy pop gem in the UK (It was already number one in Romania - go figure) and the video is really silly and cute. It's not the serious pop I usually like to write about, but I watched the video, thought it was funny and well - it's here on EQ now, so enjoy it. No piss-taking please."

Read the feature on Electroqueer here

JET Exclusive Maxim Show

"Aussie rockers Jet invaded our local boozer for a private acoustic set. Then we got tipsy with them. But not with the cider...

You may know Jet for a variety of reasons. It could be for their Iggy Pop-pilfering hit rawk anthem ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’, it could be because you pur-chased a copy of their swaggery new album ‘Shaka Rock’. Or it could be you remember them as the band Spurs' benchwarming wingman David Bentley went to see, before drunkenly trashing his sports car on the way home - the plonker!

Here at Maxim HQ, though, we remember them as the very friendly, soulful rock chaps from Oz, who took over the upstairs room of our local boozer and showcased us a track from their new album (plus the earlier 'Skin And Bones' from 'Shine On'), all stripped down to acoustic bare bones.

They liked our pub, we loved their songs, so everyone was a winner. Except for the “sweet, gassy cider”, which didn't seem to complement the bassplayer's hangover…"

Click here to watch the show on Maxim

All Gigs Review Example's "Watch The Sun Come Up"

"Example has rolled out some suspect (as in 'naughty') boot-mash compilations and racked up a mere morsel of adulation at various play-outs during the last few years including comedy gigs and DJ moments. Now he has an album approaching called 'Not Going Quietly' and a raft of appearances confirmed for the autumn to promote this rather infectious holiday-romance single.

It's a Moby-pianoloop-cum-Ibiza-bounce-holiday-tune that might just drive you nuts come the Winter. I do wonder if it's being released at the wrong time of year but, if you like an optimistic Balearic bouncer with a crazy chorus mixed with big rave-style swells and smiles, this might well untie your anchor. Forget Mylo, forget Calvin Harris and forget that rubbish nonsense called the 'Mercury' and park your sun-kissed arse over here - Example has written a damn neat tune here.

Some decent remixes here propel the whole thing forward, namely the lovely rolling Blame drum n bass remix. Straight out of the Good Lookin' LTJ Bukem school of smiles and joy, it is a strolling good-time tune that ought to be gracing every non-aggressive sound-system during the imaginary British Indian Summer that must surely come. Hospital Records used to churn stuff out like this every week a few years ago yet no one cared - you should, it's good stuff. Nice work Example - now show us what you've got....."

Read the full review on All Gigs here

BBC Chartblog Review "Every Morning"

"Hey, Oasis fans, I think I might've found a way to keep the band going. You interested? Excellent!

I have the perfect replacement for Noel. He's got the right haircut, carries himself in a suitably shamelessly arrogant fashion, and best of all, he can even write big anthemic crowd-pleasing tunes, which are naggingly familiar at first, then get stuck in your mind, and best of all, they'll probably sound great when everyone gets together to sing them in a stadium.

The only drawback is...it's Basshunter.

Now I know what you're thinking, you're thinking "how will Liam take it?", and to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I expect he will be unhappy. I've a feeling that Liam takes a dim view of Basshunter's musical output so far. I would even go so far as to say that I would not be surprised if it turns out that Liam is not a Basshunter fan, and would find the idea of O-bass-is (we're all going to have to get used to it, might as well start now) to be troubling.

But if you listen to this song, and maybe strip away some of the Vengaboys backing, is it REALLY so very different to one of the big Oasis ballads like 'All Around The World'? OK, the lyrics are a little clunky, but c'mon, "slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball"? We're not talking about Shakespeare being replaced by Peter Andre here.

And yes, Bassey's voice is perhaps a little soft, but so's Noel's. Liam would do a fine job on a song like this, leaving Jonas free for backing vocal duties, and maybe the odd lead on 'Don't Look Back In Anger', so that Liam can have a little rest.

The only real job of work is to pry that synth out of Bassy's hands and to put a proper, real, wooden guitar in there instead. Then teach him how to play it, put him in a parka, and then introduce him to Russell Brand. Job done."

Click here to see the piece on BBC Chartblog

Jet Venue Change for 15th September - due to fire!

Aussie Rockers JET were set to perform tonight at Bristol University in the Anson Rooms but unfortunately due to a fire which started in the storage shed at the University, the gig will be moved to The Bristol O2 Academy.

Avon Fire and Rescue had the blaze under control by 9.30am. Queen's Road was closed during the operation.

Everyone who has purchased tickets for the show at the Bristol University Anson Rooms will be able to use these tickets for entry into The Bristol O2 Academy.

As the venue has changed, more tickets are now available, to purchase goto www.o2academybristol.co.uk/ or www.ticketweb.co.uk/ or call the O2 Academy on 08444 77 2000

This tour is the first in 3 years for JET who have established themselves on an international stage selling over 4 million albums worldwide, Shaka Rock closes the gap between the raw roots of Get Born (2003) and the grace and melody of Shine On (2006).

JET are supported by fast-rising indie rock band, Detroit Social Club.

Gurrumul Announces Shepherd's Bush Empire Show 8th November

Gurrumul returns to Britain on his European tour to play at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire on November 8th.

Tickets £18.50 - Box office - 08444 77 2000 or www.ticketweb.co.uk

"...the greatest voice this continent has ever recorded..." Sydney Morning Herald

Gurrumul’s sound is as fragile as gossamer yet as robust as time itself. His tenor voice resonates with emotion as he tells stories of his land, his ancestry and his culture with the simplest of musical accompaniments. An unlikely superstar, Gurrumul has become just that. Quietly, and with little fanfare, Gurrumul and his poetic songs, which he sings in Yolngu dialects, have connected with listeners around the world. No one expected it, least of all the intensely shy 39 year old from east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Citing his favourite singers as Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley and favourite groups as The Eagles and Dire Straits Gurrumul learnt to play guitar as a young boy. Because there were no left-handed guitars in the area he played a normally strung right-handed guitar upside down and continues to do so. He played for eight years in the internationally successful Yothu Yindi but found that his blindness made the constant travel exhausting and returned to Elcho Island where he formed The Saltwater Band. Meeting Michael Hohnen, a classically trained bassist, was the catalyst for Gurrumul to record a solo album on which, opting for the less is more approach, Gurrumul’s extraordinary voice is the main instrument with the sparse backing of his guitar occasionally joined by Hohnen on bass.

This record, simply titled ‘Gurrumul’, has seeped into the mainstream consciousness of Australia, causing a nation to reassess its relationship with its indigenous people. Winning a string of awards in 2008 including Aria Award for ‘Best Independent Release’, Limelight Award for ‘Emerging Artist Of The Year’ and 3 AIR (Australian Independent Record) Awards, in June 2009 an APRA Award followed for ‘Breakthrough Songwriter Of The Year’.

Meanwhile in Europe Gurrumul’s music is captivating a new audience with the album entering the charts across the continent including a top 10 chart position in Germany. In Britain earlier this year he appeared on Later With Jools Holland and played at Islington’s Union Chapel to great acclaim; this summer he performed at the Latitude Festival and at Queen Elizabeth Hall leading the Daily Telegraph to write “The sound he makes is extraordinary”… “It feels like a privilege being allowed to listen in”…

Prior to the concert, on October 12th, Dramatico will release the single ‘Bapa’, a delicate homage to Bapa (Father) on which Gurrumul’s exquisite, transcendental voice and his hauntingly beautiful music penetrate the soul.

“Grief has taken hold of me for my father when the sun sets, oh beloved father”

For more information:
www.gurrumul.com

...."his celestial voice and his swelling acoustic songs full of dignity reduce you to tears, aching with the pain of the past and hope for the future..." Q Magazine

MySpace Homepage : Win VIP Tickets To Jet's Aftershow!

As featured on the main MySpace homepage!

"Email your name, phone number, and email address to jetisaband@gmail.com for a chance to win tickets to see JET on 9/17/09 at the HMV Forum in London - Plus access to an exclusive after-party!

Please put “I want to party with JET” in the subject line. Winners will be contacted on Wednesday, September 16th if they are selected, so make sure you check your mail on that day! Hotel and other travel costs are not provided..."

Good luck!

Introducing Bertie Blackman

This will be Bertie's first uk single, "Thump" released 9th November in the UK, from the forthcoming album "Secrets And Lies"

AOL review Jet's "Shaka Rock"

"Although critics sometimes dismiss them as a band lacking original ideas, Aussie rockers Jet rather refute that suggestion with this uniquely ballsy blend of the best bits of Brit rock history lashed to a distinctly Antipodean sense of fun. With worldwide album sales topping 4.5 million since 2003, when they landed the opening slot on the Rolling Stones' Australian tour, Jet have built a loyal fan base. The group's energy is truly relentless for the duration of a dozen tracks on this latest offering. Beat On Repeat and Goodbye Hollywood display their frenetic swagger particularly well, and while not quite matching the full singalong glory of their earlier hit single Are You Gonna Be My Girl, there can be no denying that She's A Genius finds this promising quartet firing impressively on all cylinders."

Click here to see the review on AOL

BBC.co.uk review Sean Paul's "Imperial Blaze"

"Along with Red Stripe, Sean Paul is one of the few Jamaican exports you’d expect to find in a bar.

He’s the mum-friendly dancehall artist that your indie-loving flatmate wants to hear at a party. He’s the guy that made club reggae cool but no longer promotes excitement among, well, anyone this writer knows. And on this, his fourth studio album, there’s simply no let up of the pop fodder.

Despite claims a couple of years back that we could expect an array of diatribes on the issues and violence facing the youth of Jamaica, Imperial Blaze features more of the club hopefuls fans of Paul have come to expect. And, sadly, none of these come close to his classics from 2002’s breakthrough album Dutty Rock – the likes of Get Busy and Like Glue.

In fact, anyone who processes the more acceptable, older material may find themselves reeling as they realise the closest thing to Sean Paul in 2009 is the more-than-cringe-worthy Sean Kingston, best known for his number one single of 2007, Beautiful Girls. Check Paul’s track Pepperpot for evidence of this unexpected, and unwanted, parallel.

Efforts like Hold My Hand, featuring Keri Hilson, edge close to a more traditional reggae approach, as previously heard four years ago on third album The Trinity’s highlight, Never Gonna Be the Same. Decent production from Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, Don Corleon and Jeremy Harding elevates a handful of tracks to a level appropriate for an artist of Paul’s profile. But while this collection’s first single, So Fine, has proved popular in provincial clubs, and She Want Me will have more than a few people busting bad dance moves, one comes away from the experience feeling that this 22-track album boasts quantity but little quality.

Something that could be said of Red Stripe, too: just because it’s everywhere doesn’t mean you want to drink it, and while Paul’s tunes are reaching new highs of ubiquity they’re less welcome today, and a lot less interesting, than they seemed earlier in the man’s career."

See the review on the BBC.co.uk here

BBC.co.uk review Jet's "Shaka Rock"

"Like a lot of hugely enjoyable music, Australian rock band Jet are entirely ludicrous.

With a cartoon-like devotion to rock and roll that makes Angus Young look like Thom Yorke, they offend those who believe music should be simultaneously serious and ironical. But Jet have no time for such self-loathing. They have one mission, which is to write loud, daft and instantly familiar songs that shout “Look at me! Look at me! I’m doing a band!” at the listener, and to keep on doing it until they have filled up an album.

While they lack the grunginess of The D4 and The Datsuns, their nearest competitors (both musically and geographically), Jet are just as noisy and engaged. Their current single She’s A Genius is a perfect example, a tune that continues a great rock tradition of praising unusual women (from My Girl is Red Hot to Talking Heads’ Girlfriend is Better) and one that does so over a riff that’s so incontinently brilliant you expect a man with a shovel to be following it.

Jet’s roots may be in punk and rock’n’roll but – as befits a band with the same name as a Wings song – they know how to widen the brief. Seventeen (a title which lacks all originality but makes up for it with total catchiness) bounces down the road not only on big crunchy guitars but also a piano riff nicked from Foreigner’s Cold As Ice, some mad American power pop harmonies and a slightly insane butcher’s shop lyric about bleeding hearts decaying. Start the Show sounds like Supergrass channelling T.Rex, except with an idiot vigour and lack of distance that very few British bands could manage. And the final song here, She Holds a Grudge, which is also the longest at a whopping 4:17, is an almost Stonesy ballad (is that a pedal steel?) which aims for epicness without the bloat of a Coldplay or Verve.

Jet, then: three albums in and they’re still a lot of rough fun. They’re never going to be Oasis, but then, nor are Oasis…"

Click here to see the review on the BBC.co.uk

Jet Shaka Rock - Subba Cultcha Review

"Retaining their classic sound of strong hard rock, Australian rockers Jet return with 'Shaka Rock'.
Three years since their last album, multi-Platinum Australian rockers JET return with their third studio album. Described by Nic Cester himself as the band’s “most honest so far”, Shaka Rock is the perfect follow up to ‘Get Born’ and ‘Shine On’ both in terms of style and nature.

This time round, with the help of Chris “Frenchie” Smith on productions; the band has tried to experiment and evolve their sound. Whereas ‘Get Born’ was known for its hard and gritty tones, Shaka Rock seems to possess a more modern sound; with songs like ‘K.I.A (Killed In Action)’ or 'Beat On Repeat' the album incorporates more synthed beats and a heavier bass. Similarly, if you're going to put it in context of their first album 'Shine On'; they also seem to have forgone the ballad-style acoustic songs like ‘Look What You’ve Done’ in favour of more up tempo rock pangs like ‘Genius’. The standout tracks of this album have to come in the form of 'Seventeen', 'Goodbye Hollywood' and 'She Holds a Grudge'; all radio worthy songs that are sure to please their beloved fans as well as first time listeners.

Nic Cester and co's efforts to mix it up on this album is indeed valiant and will undoubtedly keep naysayers’ describing them as AC/DC and Zeppelin impersonators at bay for another day; However only Just. For as good as this album may be, it's hardly groundbreaking either"

Click here to see the review on Subba Cultcha

Gurrumul Alt Sounds Review 93%!

"Sometimes an album comes along that knocks you sideways; an album that hits your heart and your head and redefines everything that’s gone before. An album that’s so personal you want to keep it for yourself but so sweet you have no choice but to share it with others. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, known simply as Gurrumul, is very simply a musical genius.

He happens to be a native Australian, from the Armhemland area of the northern-most Northern Territories. He happens to be blind, he also happens to play a right-strung guitar left-handed, approaching the strings from beneath with an almost clenched fist. But there's only beauty in his voice, a voice of angels, of wind over water, of rock made smooth with time.


This exceptional collection stuns in its simplicity; from the first, likely Grammy-award winning track, Wiyathul, his music stirs something deep and elemental. So it is throughout the entire album. Even the initial jarring use of English in Gurrumul history (I was born blind), soon becomes a beloved topographical feature.

Experience the ancestral beauty of Baywara, or Gathu Mawula, where changing tides are likened to the arms of an octopus, thoughtfully explained in the enclosed translation. I defy anyone to hear Marwurrumburr without recalling old songs, tears cried, friends lost. Already recognised in his homeland, this superb album will undoubtedly launch Gurrumul to world music superstardom. To see him, to hear his contemporary take on traditional songs and stories, is to recognise outstanding talent and to know musical greatness.

I can’t pretend to comprehend the life whose suffering and history brings forth such an array of gentle melodies and rhythms. I can only urge you to listen for yourselves and to discover whether this truly great artist works his deceptively simple magic on you, too"

Click here to see this amazing review