New Music

Particularly interesting bunch of new music to review and recommend.

Snow Patrol
Final Straw
The band we saw the other week supporting Athlete. Then saw them on Top of the Pops as their single Run had reached number five in the charts. Can't remember when I last saw a chart band with a current chart single- think it may have been Tears for Fears in 1987ish, or possibly the Christians. Anyway this is an album full of great songs - guitar pop at its very best and haunting vocals from Gary Lightbody.

Jaga Jazzist
The Stix
For those who like their weird Scandinavian avant garde jazz at the very weird end of weird. Ten Norwegians, two of whom are called Lars, make noises together. Melodies wander in and out and occasionally stay for long enough to make you feel a bit weird. Weird.

Four Tet
Rounds
What do you get if you introduce Drum 'n' Bass to modern jazz. Well this. Is that a kid's squeaky toy I can hear them playing? I rather think it is. Not quite so Scandinavian as the previous one and certainly more to tap to.

Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
The ones all the fuss is rightly about at the moment. Talking Heads collide with the Strokes. Wonderful powerpop and all over in under 40 minutes. Words that make you go hmmm.

Alabama 3
Last Train to Nashville Volume 2
For those who have been away they are not from Alabama and there's more than three of them. Blues and country influences have always been behind their electro music so here's an acoustic version of their best songs. Not dumbed down but simply showing its underwear. They supported themselves on their last tour by playing the unplugged versions first. Marvellous. Their theme to the Sopranos 'Woke Up This Morning' has now been on three of their four albums and every version is a gem.

Still too sick to pray? Listen to some of these.