Waiting three years between albums seems to be suiting Lisa Germano on her latest – a spare and beautiful record without a trace of fat on it.
Author Chris Marling
Kraftwerk – 12345678 The Catalogue
On the release of the reissued vinyl editions of the Kraftwerk back catalogue, Chris Marling takes a stroll back through the Krautrock masters output…
Various Artists – Kats Karavan (The History Of John Peel On The Radio)
If you were a fan of the John Peel radio show, then Kats Karavan is a must have nostalgia item according to Chris Marling.
Killa Kela – Amplified
Killa Kela is a well respected beatboxer, but you’ll be hard pushed to know there’s any beatboxing happening on Amplified. The album is a pop electro mess that highlights his weak voice rather than his genuine vocal talents.
eaststrikewest – Wolvves
Wolvves is compelling debut, with some outstanding tracks, but for me the best moments are just a little too samey to make this a classic.
A Sunny Day in Glasgow – Ashes Grammar
Otherworldly and playful yet sometimes surprisingly intense, Ashes Grammar moves seamlessly from jangly and joyous celebrations to busy instrumentals or quiet interludes.
Reggae Chartbusters: The Series “Volumes 1 – 6″
Even well stocked fans of the genre will love these reissues, if only for the original artwork and the beauty of having these classic tunes in context from a fresh and worthwhile angle.
Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh – Overloaded Ark
Chris Marling gets to grips with the wondrous world of press releases during the review of the latest combination of Western and Eastern musical styles.
Kevin Devine & The Godamn Band – Brother’s Blood
Brother’s Blood is quite simply a cracking album, and has become Chris Marling’s favourite of the year so far…
Tinariwen – Imidiwan
Sit back, close your eyes, and indulge yourself in the latest album from the African wonder that is Tinariwen.
Hop Farm Festival 2009
Chris Marling braved the poor Hop Farm line-up, but managed to enjoy a blazing hot weekend with hardly any queuing for beer or food. Marvellous.
Michael J Sheehy & The Hired Mourners – With These Hands
With These Hands – The Rise And Fall Of Francis Delaney is one of those rare and dangerous things, a ‘concept album’. It tracks the life of prize-fighter Francis Delaney, and much like the fictional focus of its title, it has moments of glory and others spent flat on its arse.
Moby – Wait For Me
Moby’s spent most of his time since the genre defining album Play in the musical wilderness. It’s anyone’s guess where it all went wrong, but Wait For Me shows there might be life in the old dog yet.
Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping
Of Monreal have had their moments, most notably with last album Hissing Fauna…, but Skeletal Lamping isn’t one of them. Chris Marling suffers a Queen and Bowie inspire disco overload.
Plus/Minus – Xs on Your Eyes
Chris Marling can’t quite put his finger on WHY this is such a great album, all he knows is that it IS a great album.
The Chap – Builders Brew
‘Builders Brew’ is the second long-player from electro pop weirdies The Chap in just six months; a mini album of singles, remixes and other layabouts that doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
