LADY GAGA article for JC Report

http://jcreport.com/features/fashion-features/2010/01/27/lady-gagas-fantastic-fashions/#comments

Love her or hate her, there’s no disputing that 2009 belonged Lady Gaga. With a theatrical persona inspired by the likes of Madonna, Prince and Freddie Mercury, the name “Gaga”—taken from a song by the latter’s band, Queen—has acquired a meaning all its own, simultaneously evoking catchy pop music and avant-garde fashion (as well as a growing army of imitative fans). But Lady Gaga’s forward-pushing fad is not a fleeting one. Thanks to two back-to-back albums—the first aimed at the fans, the second aimed at the critics—she has shown that her music and revolutionary style are here to stay into the new decade and beyond.


Backed by designers like Alexander McQueen, Romain Kremer and Gareth Pugh, Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Germanotta) has helped lead a fashion transformation among today’s female artists. Everyone from Beyoncé to Rihanna has now recognized the marketing value of outlandish designer outfits, but they are all still dressing in Gaga’s shadow. Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand, but the classic creative pairing is now joined by a necessary business sense—even Forbes proclaimed that Lady Gaga is the music industry’s new business model.


These days, a budding diva can’t expect to just get by with good songs. Instead, the audience requires—at times even demands—a fascinating visual spectacles as well. And that is precisely what Lady Gaga both provides and inspires among them.


The lead single from her latest album The Fame Monster, “Bad Romance,” is a case in point. When the song’s video debuted as the soundtrack to Alexander McQueen’s spring/summer ‘10 collection, her fans flooded and subsequently crashed the ShowStudio site due to the surge in interest. Meanwhile, The Business of Fashion reported at the end of 2009 that her videos had been watched more than 500 million times on YouTube (with 50 million “Bad Romance” views within the first month alone and now at just over 93 million) and those numbers have continued to rapidly rise into the new year.


Much of Lady Gaga’s style can be credited to the people she works with. It certainly doesn’t hurt, for instance, that her stylist, Dazed & Confused’s creative director Nicola Formichetti, is on a first name basis with underground designers throughout the world. Thanks to him, Lady Gaga’s wardrobe is full of head pieces by milliners Nasir Mazhar and Alex Noble, clothes by emerging artists like Benjamin Cho and outfits by more established masters such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Donatella Versace. Even with this stylistic headstart, it’s Lady Gaga’s unstoppable attitude that makes these clothes and outlandish outfits really stand out. But with a rabid following of copycat dressers who routinely appear at her concerts, it’s no wonder that the next thing on the busy artist’s agenda is her very own fashion line, Haus of Gaga, as well as an impressive gig as Polaroid’s new creative director. This is only the beginning.

Memory Tapes review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/seek-magic/301109/put-record-memory-tapes-tests-your-recall

Put A Record On: Memory Tapes Tests Your Recall
November 30th, 2009 | New Jersey


Davyd Hawk may seem like your typical bedroom music geek, but the prodigious programmer exists in a category all his own. As a teen he went by the alias Memory Cassette before converting to Weird Tapes as he got into sampling. As his experimentation matured, however, Hawk decided to combine the two monikers into Memory Tapes. This new title is well-suited to his debut release, Seek Magic, which combines the youthful verve of his early efforts with the dexterity of his later work into an album of of beautiful electronic pop.


Hawk's main talent lies in combining minor and melancholic keys (see "Bicycle" for a good example) with euphoric dance beats á la Shoreditch dance floors in east London. There are more than a few nods to both New Order and Cocteau Twins on Seek Magic, but the New Jersey native merits close attention for his overarching uniqueness.


Hawk apparently owns neither a car nor a cell phone—an oddity in today's society—but perhaps this lack of social connectivity is what makes it possible for him to spend all day writing heavenly electronica. "Swimming Field," for example, has the sonic qualities of a summer meadow, while epic piano melodies accompany what sound like sneaker squeaks on "Green Knight." This assortment may sound suitably weird, but Memory Tapes is definitely worth keeping in your close recollections.


Seek Magic is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/memorytapes.

Joe Goddard review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/joe-goddard/231109/put-record-joe-goddard-steps-away-hot-chip

Put A Record On: Joe Goddard Steps Away From Hot Chip
November 23rd, 2009 | London


With a new Hot Chip record around the corner, it's impressive that the band's main rhythm man, Joe Goddard, has found time to release a solo album. But in the wake of his bandmate Alexis Taylor's own recent solo effort, Rubbed Out, this additional output is a testament to the five-piece outfit's creative constituent parts. Goddard's Harvest Festival reaffirms this prolificacy, while giving space to his compositional dexterity.


The album isn't as lyrically strong as any of Hot Chip's releases—or Taylor's own for that matter—but, then, Goddard has always been stronger with musical arrangement. With the 12 tunes simply named after delicious fruit treats ("Tropical Punch," "Apple Bobbing," "Go Bananas") and sparse lyrics, the album is better appreciated as an instrumental effort. "Lemon & Lime (Home Time)" is one of the most vocal songs, but it's still restricted to the repeated sentence "Take me out, I want to see the morning," while "Pear Shaped" is best described as dub step and the rest of the album makes clear musical reference to UK garage and Aphex Twin.


As good as both Taylor and Goddard's respective solo albums are, they ultimately make a strong case for the existence of Hot Chip as a whole. The two are talented, but their differing skills are better served as complementary rather than in absence. Harvest Festival is a valiant output, but we're still just counting down the days to the next Hot Chip album.


Harvest Festival is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/grecoromanmusic.


—David Hellqvist

Them Crooked Vultures review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/them-crooked-vultures/161109/put-record-them-crooked-vultures-are-it-fun#comments

Put A Record On: Them Crooked Vultures Are In It For Fun
November 16th, 2009 | Global


It seems like super-groups are formed practically every other month—and often involve Jack White—so it's refreshing when new names are allowed airtime. Aerial band starters Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) and Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age, Eagles of Death) are off to a successful start with Them Crooked Vultures' self-titled debut this year.


The tip-top trio is rounded out by none other than Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones himself, offering a three-way balance of seasoned rock 'n roll vets who each come with experience and skill to spare. Despite having toured the world countless with their other bands, the band members' joined camaraderie still excites themselves as well as the audience.


Grohl's pounding drums and JPJ's slap bass form a hard rock foundation for Homme’s minimal lyrics and screaming guitars. It’s easy to tell that Homme has been on writing duty, as many songs have the same long-winding quality as his work with QOTSA. "Nobody Loves Me And Neither Do I" is one example of both Homme's way with song titles and outlook on the opposite gender: "I told her I was trash/She winked and laughed and said: 'I already know, I got a beautiful place to put your face'/And she was right."


Them Crooked Vultures is a trio of men with nothing left to prove except the enduring power and pleasure of music. These guys are just doing it just for fun, and like them, we should just sit back and enjoy the crooked ride.


Them Crooked Vultures is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/crookedvultures.


— David Hellqvist

Annie review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/dont-stop/121109/put-record-annie-wont-stop

Put A Record On: Annie Won't Stop
November 12th, 2009 | Global


Some people are just born possessing that unique combination of talent, charisma and good looks—in other words, they are born to be stars. Norwegian songbird Annie is one such individual. Her music may verge at the edges of bubblegum-pop, but, like it or not, her songs will live with you for days after exposure. New album Don't Stop is yet another example of this infectious talent, and, just as the title suggests, she doesn't seem to have any intentions of quitting—or of letting you do so either.


Originally from Bergen, the music capital of Norway, the 32-year-old star has only released two albums to date. But Annie has been on and off the dance music scene since 1999, when she unleashed the amazing single "Greatest Hit." 2004's hits "Chewing Gum" and "Heartbeat," both off her Anniemal album, also managed to make serious waves. To keep up this chart-topping momentum on her follow-up release, she joined forces with Girls Aloud producers Xenomania and Paul Epworth, who have worked with Bloc Party and Primal Scream. The result, Don't Stop, is as good as—if not better than—anything Madonna and Kylie have done of late.


The album features other exciting music collaborations such as guitar riffs contributed by Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos on "My Love is Better," and a duet with Fredrik "Datarock" Saroea on "I Can't Let Go." But it's Annie herself who sums up Don't Stop the best in "Heaven and Hell"'s finishing line: "Oh baby, I am perfect!" And indeed she really is.


Don't Stop is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/anniemusic.


—David Hellqvist

Julian Casablancas review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/strokes/041109/put-record-julian-casablancas-all-grown

Put A Record On: Julian Casablancas Is All Grown Up
November 4th, 2009 | New York


Julian Casablancas, the frontman of NYC's hipster-rock outfit The Strokes, has finally caved in and recorded a solo album. While loyal fans await his group's fourth studio album, Casablancas has appeased our eager ears with Phrazes For The Young, a short but sweet collection of pop songs.


Despite being off the musical radar for the past few years, Casablancas has not been completely inactive— he's recorded collaborations with Pharrell Williams and Danger Mouse, while keeping a finger on the pulse of New York's ever growing music scene. Phrazes For The Young sees him trying concepts and song ideas that must have been discarded as not Strokes-y enough, but also belie a newfound maturity that suits him well.


With the successful solo careers of former bandmates Albert Hammond Jr. and Fabrizzio Moretti, it's now Casablancas' turn to enter a new phase of his musical sound and breadth. Though a few songs might fit comfortably onto The Strokes' breakout debut This Is It—most notably "River Of Brake Light—there's plenty of innovative experimentation to go around. The eight songs put together with Bright Eyes' partner Mike Mogis, have an epic and euphoric sound that shows a new side to the grown-up frontman.


"Ludlow Street" is arguably one of the albums best tracks. In this ode to the Big Apple, Casablancas manages to dwell on the city's proud history while lambasting the greedy yuppies, who, he claims, are destroying its reputation. Phrazes For The Young is another notch in the bedpost as the Strokes and its members steadily work towards musical world domination.


Phrazes For The Young is out now. For more information, see www.juliancasablancas.com.


—David Hellqvist

Devendra Banhart review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/what-we-will-be/261009/put-record-devendra-banhart-gets-freaky-his-folk

Put A Record On: Devendra Banhart Gets Freaky With His Folk

October 26th, 2009 | San Francisco

Devendra Banhart is as close as you get to a poster boy for the contemporary folk music scene. With his long, dark, curly hair and hermit's beard, he is bound to stick out among other more well-groomed pop stars. Not that his name didn't make him stick out already. But these circumstances have given Banhart a recognizable niche—one that he has been busily exploring.

New album What We Will Be is his seventh output in as many years and is also his most accessible release to date. The 14-track opus continues Banhart's soft approach to melodies and lyrics, but there is a clear Latin element this time around. Tracks such as "Maria Leonza" boast distinctive vocal arrangements, which gives off a welcome jolt of the exotic.

The 28-year-old singer was born in Texas, but raised by his mother in Venezuela—and this well-travelled past may explain the worldwide influences. Final track "Foolin" has strong musical relations with Bob Marley and The Wailers' "Jammin," while "Angelika" abruptly turns from folk to Brazilian tropicalia. What We Will Be constantly switches between styles and music genres, but it somehow always makes sense—there's a reason why his music has been labelled "freak folk," after all.

What We Will Be is now out in a limited edition. For more information, see www.myspace.com/devendrabanhart.

—David Hellqvist

Girls review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/san-francisco/191009/put-record-girls-get-heart-it

Put A Record On: Girls Get To The Heart Of It
October 19th, 2009 | San Francisco

In the cynical, PR-run music world, an interesting story is often more important than skilled musicianship and great songs. As such, Girls should be an instant hit—singer Christopher Owens was raised in the Children of God cult, but escaped as a teenager and fled to San Francisco where he met his future bandmate, Chet White. That said, Album, the duo's debut release, justifies positive press coverage on its own merits.

Girls have managed to create a characteristic—albeit melancholic—sound, which owes a great deal to Owens' amazing voice. As the band name indicates, the songs often deal with love—both successful and unanswered. Owens shows his emotional side on Laura ("You've been a bitch, I've been an ass"), while "Lauren Marie" suggests that a certain girl was at the heart of his inspiration. Owens' disturbing childhood—in which he witnessed sexual abuse and suicides—also comes through on songs like "Hellhole Ratrace."

Emotional turmoil and heartache aside, there is no doubt that Owens and White possess a knack for music that is painstakingly honest. With Girls, the duo continues the laid back power-pop tradition of California's storied music scene.

Album now is out. For more information, see www.myspace.com/girls.

—David Hellqvist

Muse review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/resistance/121009/put-record-muse-offers-another-epic

Put A Record On: Muse Offers Another Epic
October 12th, 2009 | London

Defying the odds, Muse continues to successfully combine the unexpected components of a rock opera and concept album. The British trio's latest effort is The Resistance, an 11-track opus about life, revolt and love in a Big Brother-ruled dystopia.

Singer and chief songwriter Matt Bellamy seems to have spent hours reading George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, while writing this album. The story revolves around the United States of Eurasia, an empire where oppression, injustice and corruption rule: on "MK Ultra" he even sings "How many lies will you create?" But mankind will prevail—and love is the resistance. The first song, "Uprising," sets the tone—and is up there with Muse classics such as "Plug It Baby" and "Starlight"—and together with the title track testifies to Bellamy's undying faith in humanity.

To further prove its status as an avant-garde band, Muse finishes off with "Exogenesis: Symphony," a song in three parts featuring strings, piano melodies and other majestic sounds, cementing Muse as the over-the-top band of the noughts. Luckily, songs such as the brilliant "Undisclosed Desires" take Bellamy and his bandmates back to reality with an r&b intro and powerful chorus. Don't fight the resistance, just go with the flow.

The Resistance is out now, more info at www.myspace.com/muse.

—David Hellqvist

Hockey review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/hockey/051009/put-record-hockeys-undefinable-sound

Put A Record On: Hockey's Undefinable Sound
October 5th, 2009 | Portland

Portland quintet Hockey brings together the best musical influences of the past decade. Their Myspace page may label the music as new wave and soul, but on debut album Mind Chaos, there's also a strong hint of LCD Soundsystem's drumbeats, The Rapture's bass chords and even The Strokes' garage rock sensibilities.

Like so many other bands today, Hockey refuses to be labelled and put in a corner. Mind Chaos draws inspiration from all over the musical spectrum, be it Talking Heads or Primal Scream. Music journalists are competing with witty references and imaginative name droppings to describe the Hockey sound, including "MGMT meets U2" and "Arcade Fire with dancing shoes," but the beauty of Hockey is that the band can't be pinned down. Instead we define them by the music, rather than their heroes.

"Too Fake," the album's opening song, beautifully features singer Benjamin Grubin's clever lyrics over his bandmates' tight funk grooves. The track's inherent catchiness is a hard act to follow, but the rest of the album puts in a good effort: "Preacher" boasts a strong piano melody, "Curse This City" mixes guitar riffs with Timbaland-esque drum machine beats and "3am Spanish" is another example of Grubin's excellent way with words.

Mind Chaos is now out. For more information, see www.myspace.com/hockey.

—David Hellqvist

Richard Hawley review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/richard-hawley/280909/put-record-richard-hawley-croons-charts

Put A Record On: Richard Hawley Croons To The Charts
September 28th, 2009 | Sheffield

Many have tried to step into Frank Sinatra's shoes, but the crown fits better on Sheffield crooner Richard Hawley than anyone before. The parallel isn't because of conservative values or mob connections, however, but because of both gentlemen's ability to spellbind listeners with their voices and stories.

Hawley used to play with Britpop band Pulp, and it was singer Jarvis Cocker who persuaded him to break out of his drug addiction and pursue a solo career. After the brilliantly received Cole's Corner and Mercury nominated Lady's Bridge, Hawley must feel free enough to let his adventurous aspirations fly. Now, Truelove's Gutter, his sixth album, shows that he has reached the point where his record label almost allows him to do what he pleases—the release even features several songs that nudge the 10-minute mark. That said, Hawley's crooner sound—remarkable as it is—limits his chances of securing a bigger fan base; he would probably have to do a duet with Britney Spears in order to break into America, for instance.

Truelove's Gutter contains a wide array of unusual instruments—including a waterphone, mega bass and a crystal baschet—which inject a bit of humor into Hawley's usually melancholic lyrics. Hopeless romance, as on "Open Up Your Door," and the hilariously titled "Remorse Code" add sonic quality to this album. In his three-piece suits, sunglasses, quiff and ever-present cigarette, he might not look like Frank Sinatra, but he sure croons just as well.

Truelove's Gutter is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/richardhawley.

—David Hellqvist

The Big Pink review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/big-pink/210909/put-record-big-pink

Put A Record On: The Big Pink
September 21st, 2009 | London

Not many bands are keen to wear musical influences on their sleeves, but British duo The Big Pink has taken such reluctance a step further. Listening to debut album A Brief History of Love, it's clear that the musicians grew up on a healthy diet of Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine, but their rose tinted name seems to divert such obvious inspiration.

Despite donning black denim and crumbling Converse, Milo Cordell and Robbie Curze's music is tender, and, as the album title indicates, offers a sensitive and introverted collection of songs. That being said, A Brief History of Love is also full of distorted guitars and carpet bombing synth melodies—Curze was a guitarist for digital hardcore singer Alec Empire, after all. Cordell's musical credentials are equally impressive: he used to run influential record label Merok and is the son of '60s record producer Denny Cordell. Unsurprisingly, the pair's musical heritage and talents shine through on this hyped album.

First single "Dominos" sets the tone with pounding drums and a catchy chorus ("These girls fall like dominoes"), but "Velvet" is the crowning achievement. Were the boys slightly more refined and packaged for mainstream success, it would be a bona fide billboard hit. As it is, "Velvet" will have to confide itself with underground club cult status alongside similarly broody tracks like "Love in Vain" and "At War with the Sun."

A Brief History of Love is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/musicfromthebigpink.

—David Hellqvist

Arctic Monkeys review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/arctic-monkeys/140909/put-record-arctic-monkeys-shirk-spotlight

Put A Record On: Arctic Monkeys Shirk The Spotlight
September 14th, 2009 | London

The pressure of being Britain's so-called best band can't be easy, so it's only natural that Arctic Monkeys' third album, Humbug, is a reaction to the popularity and hype of the preceding albums and four years in the limelight. Humbug is a recognizably brilliant record, but it's just not as accessible and straight forward as the preceding two—nor should it have to be.

Fresh from his Last Shadow Puppets side project, singer Alex Turner has perfectly honed his lyrical talent. The album puts a sonic microscope on his witty musings and advanced word play. The bandmates all seem to have adopted a more rugged look to suit this new attitude, with all but drummer Matt Helder sporting the archetypal long-haired rock star look.

This shift may be due in part to the presence of Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme who adds macho credentials and produced half the album. The combo works surprisingly well, even though Arctic Monkeys are quintessentially British and Homme is the American Dream personified. Single "Crying Lightning" has an excellent QOTSA bass intro, but supplies the only straight up chart-topping material on Humbug. The James Ford-produced "Cornerstone" and "Pretty Visitors"—which includes the hilarious line "What came first? The chicken or the dick head?"—are also two of the better songs. Maybe that line sums up the state of mind and musical development of Arctic Monkeys—they're on top and they know it, so now they're just having a bit of fun.

Humbug is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/arcticmonkeys.

—David Hellqvist

The XX review on JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/music/080909/put-record-xx-reach-perfect-harmony

Put A Record On: The XX Reach Perfect Harmony
September 8th, 2009 | London

The XX might look like a bunch of gloomy romantics who play industrial-tinged goth, but looks can be deceiving. In fact debut album, The XX, is a thoroughly uplifting experience. Not only does the band transcend its own physical image, but the quartet also manages to soundtrack the soulful relationship of lifelong friends.

The set-up is traditional—drums, guitar, bass and keys support Oliver Sim and Romy Madley-Croft's vocals—but their sound very much differs from like-minded peers. The album opens beautifully with atmospheric and instrumental "Intro" and The XX follow it up with calm and mature tales of loving—yet platonic—relationships. The singers have known each other since they were toddlers, and thus the songs often investigate this lifelong kinship. "Island," one of the highlights, even states: "I'm yours now, so now I never have to leave/I've been found out, so now I'll never explore."

The tempo is often slow, giving the lyrics a front row platform, but songs such as "Crystallised" feature the man-made beats that demonstrate excellent musical craftsmanship. The XX take in hip-hop, r&b (they have even covered Aaliyah's "Hot Like Fire") and pure pop, combining such disparate influences with the tried and true boy-girl vocals formula.

The XX is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/thexx.

—David Hellqvist

The Temper Trap review on JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/music/310809/put-record-temper-traps-london-calling

Put A Record On: The Temper Trap's London Calling
August 31st, 2009 | London

It's not often you hear Australian bands that sound more like Coldplay than Cut Copy—or any other band signed to Modular Records, for that matter—but London-dwelling The Temper Trap's debut album Conditions is a testament to the band's fondness for the UK's tradition of pure pop melodies.

The Coldplay comparison is both unfair and inevitable. Sure, TTT has piano and guitar-based songs destined for stadium success, but the quartet—who all share a house in trendy Hackney—has been clever enough to add a layer of cool freshness to the music. This comes mostly in the form of Dougy Mandagi's falsetto voice, which has more in common with MGMT than Chris Martin.

With songs such as the brilliant opener "Love Lost" and single "Science of Fear," there are also occasional U2 tendencies on Conditions—minus the rockstar ego, of course. "Fader" is another potential hit, and you can clearly hear the mighty hand of producer Jim Abbiss—of Arctic Monkey fame—guiding the band through the usual debut album traps. The Temper Trap is an Aussie force to be reckoned with—as long as they stay in London.

Conditions is out now. For more information, see www.myspace.com/thetempertrap.

—David Hellqvist

Simian Mobile Disco review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/music/240809/put-record-simian-mobile-discos-permanent-pleasure

Put A Record On: Simian Mobile Disco's Permanent Pleasure
August 24th, 2009 | London

James Ford and Jas Shaw are well versed in the machinery of making hits. In addition to their own singles, Ford has worked miracles as a producer for Arctic Monkeys, Klaxons and Peaches, and they've both performed as DJs around the world. As Simian Mobile Disco, however, they offer the perfect fusion of dance and rock music, hyping up indie kids into a dancing frenzy.

Second studio album Temporary Pleasure will last longer than the name suggests, as listeners will find themselves putting it on repeat. The record's guest list features many famous pop stars from Beth Ditto to Telepathe to Jamie Lidell, showcasing SMD's impressive rolodex. With such a varied lineup it may seem difficult to define the band's sound, but Ford and Shaw have managed to make ti work.

First single "Audacity Of Huge," a nod towards Barack Obama's first book, has an annoying intro, but, like most SMD singles, slowly creeps under your skin with its infectious hooks. Instrument-heavy electro track "10,000 Horses Can't Be Wrong" takes home the gold medal with its blippy beat and pulsing rhythm. Always expect the unexpected from these boys.

Temporary Pleasure is now out. For more information, see www.myspace.com/simianmobiledisco.

—David Hellqvist

Tommy Sparks review for JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/tommy-sparks/100809/put-record-tommy-sparks-burns-bright

Put A Record On: Tommy Sparks Burns Bright
August 10th, 2009 | London

In the pop tradition of fellow Swedes ABBA, Roxette and Ace of Base, Tommy Sparks is a sure-fire hit machine. His eponymous debut album continues where cooler-than-thou artists such as Annie, Frankmusik and Sam Sparro left off with sing-along electro anthems and '80s-inspired DIY electro.

This London-based Swede is no stranger to the upper echelons of pop music—Sparks is a contributor to Prodigy's latest studio album and has toured with the likes of Foals and Bloc Party. And before going solo, he was one half of semi-successful dance duo Vatican DC. Tommy Sparks was recorded next to his mother's house in Stockholm's archipelago, and in strict DIY fashion he only allowed one other person to help out with it. That said, Sparks is a subscriber to the pop star manual—the album demonstrates how a solitary artist can write accessible yet brilliant radio music.

His biggest achievement on the record is "She's Got Me Dancing," which makes it impossible to not bust a move while listening. Other highlights include "I'm a Rope," on which Sparks merges his electro bleeps with rock riffs, while power ballad "Brand New Love" manages to fit right into the otherwise more upbeat mix. Sparks lives up to his name, but it's up to us to keep it burning.

Tommy Sparks is out now, more info on www.myspace.com/tommysparksmusic.

—David Hellqvist

The Rumble Stripes review on JC Report...

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/music/030809/put-record-rumble-stripes-walk-together

Put A Record On: The Rumble Stripes Walk Together
August 3rd, 2009 | Devon

With the help of super-producer Mark Ronson, The Rumble Stripes' latest album Welcome To The Walk Alone will propel the British quintet into a new stratosphere of fame. Thanks to Ronson's hefty rolodex, the album features an array of celebrity appearances and the inevitable tabloid coverage that comes with it. Lucky for us, this media attention didn't blur the band's focus.

The resulting album is a natural progression from debut Girls And Weather, which helped bring horns back into today's musical landscape, and the strong brass section seems to have become a defining feature of the band's sound. It's little wonder the band has already been compared to '80s rockers Dexy's Midnight Runners.

The recording's epic qualities are evident from first single "Not The Only Person." Singer Charlie Waller's voice has a welcome strength that stands out from the rest of the warbling indie-rock scene. Despite a few low points, such as on "Sweet Heart Hooligan," the album still has a lot of humor. Despite famous producers and trumpets, The Rumble Stripes manages to rumble up a party, and it's not to be missed.

For more information, see www.myspace.com/rumblestripsuk.

—David Hellqvist

Mos Def review on JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/mos-def/270709/put-record-mos-def-ecstatic

Put A Record On: Mos Def Is Ecstatic
July 27th, 2009 | Brooklyn

Mos Def has successfully built his career around socially charged lyrics and bouncing beats. After five studio albums and a few films, Mos Def—aka Dante Smith—has achieved modest mainstream success along with critical acclaim and a loyal base of hardcore hip-hop fans. With new album The Ecstatic, however, he's poised to grow into an urban music institution.

Mos Def continues the legacy of legendary hip-hop stars such as De la Soul and A Tribe Called Quest. And, as with Q-Tip's The Renaissance, The Ecstatic perpetuates a resurgence of '90s quality hip-hop albums. In his usual philosophical fashion, Mos Def addresses racial and political issues, but also looks toward the Middle East in "Auditorium," his brilliant account of a day in the life of an American soldier in Iraq.

Though the Brooklyn artist has yet to top solo debut Black On Both Sides, The Ecstatic has the qualities of a widely popular recording. Thanks to superior beats, especially on "Quiet Dog Bite Hard," and pleasantly fast vocals, this is one of the true classic rap albums of the noughties. In the words of Mos Def himself: "It's ecstatic!"

For more information, see www.myspace.com/mosdef.

—David Hellqvist

VV Brown review on JC Report

http://www.jcreport.com/intelligence/music/200709/put-record-vv-browns-retro-indie

Put A Record On: V.V. Brown's Retro Indie
July 20th, 2009 | London

V.V. Brown breaks the mold of female solo artists with debut album Travelling Like The Light. While her contemporaries rely on pop-friendly electro beats, this British-Caribbean beauty offers a catchy mix of doo-wop indie along with her note-worthy fashion sense.

The '50s-esque pop is coupled with an impressive rockabilly quiff, which has made Brown a musical force to be reckoned with. And, as an ex-song writer for the likes of Sugababes and Pussycat Dolls, Brown deals with her newfound fame in a mature way. Like Janelle Monae, she impresses with the pure pop sound of "Shark In The Water," while "Back In Time" has a more scaled down sound and "Crazy Amazing" boasts a simple but infectious piano melody.

Like most great pop albums, Travelling Like The Light is inspired by a broken heart and a dysfunctional relationship, but lucky for us Brown has turned her sorrows into joy!

Travelling Like The Light is out now, more info at www.myspace.com/vvbrown.

—David Hellqvist