New York five-some bring music back to the charts

'Angles', The Strokes fourth studio album, is the first in just over five years due to well documented 'band issues'. It is a collective of Julian Casablancas' clear 80's pop influence carried over from his solo project 'Phrazes for the Young'. Nick Valensi's ever catchy and melodic guitar hooks all glued together by the tried and tested back line of Albert Hammond (rhythm guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass) and Fabrizio Moretti (drums) pushing the message home.

Front man Julian Casablancas and guitarist Nick Valensi started writing material for 'Angles' in January 2009.

The album was originally due to be released late in 2009 but disagreements about the songs readiness forced them to push back this date highlighting the bands disparity to get this long awaited album spot on.

Arguably not as fluent or instant as the pinnacle of 'Is This It' or as undeniably driving and powerful as songs such as 'Juicebox' and 'Heart in a Cage' from third album 'First Impression of Earth', 'Angles' may at times lack attention seeking songs throughout its duration but it certainly has a mood and energy worthy of the bands high reputation.

The first single 'Under Cover of Darkness' draws you in, catchy enough for prime time radio and edgy enough for life long fans not to discard them for reaching a possibly unexpected, unsuspecting new target audience. 

'Taken For A Fool' may well inspire the tag of a teenage anthem, assisted by its sing along arrangement of vocal hooks, cutting guitar lines and tunnelling bass and drum work. The albums opener 'Manu Picchu' shows the bands ability to combine unexpected influences, the opening guitar lending hand to roots of ska, alongside Casablancas' crisp, streetwise vocal inevitably provoking a head bop from its first listen, climaxing in true Strokes style with mood altering guitar work and a thundering rhythm section turning it into more of a persistent tic on the top of your shoulders.

 

In conclusion I would say 'Angles' is a worthy addition to the The Strokes' back catalogue and certainly will not do them any harm, gaining new additions to their already flowing fan base. 

However, I would still strongly recommend any new followers revert back to their platinum selling debut album 'Is This It' to see where it all began and to hopefully get a true impression of the bands beginning and convert the new followers among you into life long fans.

‘Tallest Man On Earth’ Artist Review

It must be hard not to feel intimated when the biggest selling folk musician of all time, Bob Dylan, is still making music in the same genre as you. You could be forgiven for being passively cast in to a career performing in his shadow, after all, how do you compete with a man with a back catalogue of over forty albums, and a host of prestigious awards and critical acclaim?

However, ‘Tallest Man On Earth’ has an edge and appeal beyond just becoming another folk singer/song writer, proving he is capable of casting shadows himself.

Born in Dalarna, Sweden, real name Kristian Matsson, he exudes a collective of acoustic/folk/blues pursued with a husky murmur curiously pleasing to the ear, guitar riffs and chord sequences written to float on the lightest of summer breeze, and thought provoking lyrical content.

He spins yarns on relationships, lifestyles and passers by with attentive curiosity and throat lumping heart.

His fusion of originality whilst lending hand to music of old makes for an exciting yet familiar discern.

With an ever-growing arsenal of songs spread across two EP’s and two studio albums he has plenty of material to sink your teeth into.

Starting with a self-titled EP in 2006 and flowing effortlessly into debut album ‘Shallow Grave’ 2008 he starts with intent and gathers an army of fans and admirers along the way.

Early 2010 gave us his second album ‘The Wild Hunt’ and his newest EP ‘Sometimes the Blues Is Just A Passing Bird’ was released at the end of 2010.

 ‘Tallest Man On Earth’ is an artist gathering momentum, recently playing new single ‘King Of Spain’ on ‘Later…with Jools Holland’.

My conclusion is simple, don’t be left behind wandering what you’ve missed when Kristian Matsson is on his 40^th + album, and gaining critical acclaim only hall of fame members are worthy of captivating.

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