Album Review: Other Lives - Tamer Animals (2011)

I am one of thousands of Other Lives band since my fave hit 'Black Table', I own their 2009 eponymous album. This new release (not really new actually, released in UK August 2011) sounded almost too commercial it closely resembles The Black Keys. Music styles sorta Arcade Fire-ish. 

Seriously if it wasn't for strum of various acoustic strings, I can actually bought it that they are indeed the latter. Most likely because vocally Jesse Tabish (of Other Lives) and Dan Auerbach (of The Black Keys) are almost indistinguishable except Auerbach has a hint of falsetto in his. Now if you put Chris Cornell (of Audioslaves) into this picture, it'll all sound confusing.

But this album is flooded with excellent composition nonetheless. My favorite is 'Dust Bowl III' and 'For 12', I need to frequent this album to get a hang of it.

THE TRACKLIST:

• Dark Horse
• As I Lay My Head Down
• For 12
• Tamer Animals
• Dust Bowl III
• Weather
• Old Statues
• Woodwind
• Desert
• Landforms
• Heading East

Album Review: Birdy (2011)

Well I’ve featured Birdy in brother site [grav.i.ty] not so long ago with Skinny Love, a cover of Bon Iver. Well, she did well afterwards. Releasing her eponymous debut studio album last year on November 7. Set for US, Canada and International release on upcoming 20^th March 2012.

Her voice is not that remarkable but yes innocent and young. Like your little sister sings and hit all the correct notes without sounding terrible. Somewhat Hayley Westenra-ish in her younger day a little low on soprano.  It was simple and somewhat monotonous. On a plus side, she plays piano. But that doesn’t mean that this album isn’t good at all. Kudos to the mellow, melancholic, dark but melodic music arrangement.

It had me at melancholic.

My favorite tracks 1901, of course Skinny Love, People Help People, I’ll Never Forget You, Shelter, Terrible Love… this list can go further citing entire album.

Tracklists

1. 1901
2. Skinny Love
3. People Help People
4. White Winter Hymnal
5. The District Sleeps Alone
6. I'll Never Forget You
7. Young Blood
8. Shelter
9. Fire and Rain
10. Without a Word
11. Terrible Love

THE VERDICT: 3.5/5

Album Review: Kyler England - Electric Hum (2011)

The last time I listened to Electronic music are of Kate Havnevik and Mackintosh Braun aaaand Robyn until I discovered Kyler England. She seriously sounds like Sarah McLachlan the first time I heard her, I thought "What the... how come I didn't know Sarah has a new album?", but no it was Kyler with her brilliant assemble of songs for her latest album, Electric Hum. With a voice like her, she doesn't need synthesizer to make it sound good. Just sayin'.

The tracklist

1. Battle Cry*
2. Take This Things To Heart
3. We Rise Like Smoke
4. Eye of Your Storm*
5. When The World Stops Spinning*
6. Alchemy*
7. Take Me With You
8. Leave A Light On
9. I Need You Now
10. This Time Next Year

* is my personal favorite track.

THE VERDICT: 5/5

No way this album can be found here in Malaysia, but you can find it in iTunes store or her YouTube channel. She made all her song

Album Review: Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (2012)

She is so damn beautiful, and effing talented. She has voice to die for. Just like Shakira, she has multiple type of vocal variation and she ain't afraid to experiment and flaunt em'. I got a chance to listen to Born To Die before its official release this 30th January. You might wonder how do I managed to get all latest album when they are not yet released. Well, as music enthusiast, I got my own perks.

Here's the songlist for this upcoming delight.

1. Born to Die
2. Off to the Races
3. Blue Jeans
4. Video Games
5. Diet Mountain Dew
6. National Anthem
7. Dark Paradise
8. Radio
9. Carmen
10. Million Dollar Man
11. Summertime Sadness
12. This is What Makes Us Girls
13. Without You
14. Lolita
15. Lucky Ones

My favorite are Born to Die, Off to the Races, Blue Jeans, Video Games, National Anthem *stop me please*. Well, to be honest, all of them are great. They are so damn catchy and you just love it the first time you listen to it. I can promise you that. How can you resist her sultry lazy voice. National Anthem has a gist of The Verve's Bitter Sweet Symphony for intro.

THE VERDICT: 5/5 

Let us hope they sell this album here in Malaysia or you can always go to YouTube to listen. SOPA my ass.