This week we review the latest albums from Jarvis Cocker, Ragamuffin Children, The Black Crowes, The Diamond Rings, and Dave Matthews Band.
3 stars (out of 5)
It's pretty clear one-time Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker intends to grow old disgracefully.
On this follow-up solo album to 2006's Jarvis, he rails against middle age by maintaining his preoccupation with the sordid and the suburban, chucking in a sufficient measure of self-deprecation to let us know he can no longer always walk the talk.
Steve Albini's live-band production leads Cocker on a journey through '80s Lou Reed (Leftovers), wall-of-sound flatulent-sax boogie (Homewrecker) and old-style disco (You're In My Eyes), taking in one or two flat spots on the way (Caucasian Blues, Slush).
Single download: Angela
For those who like: Ray Davies, Pulp, Blur
- Jeff Harford
2 stars (out of 5)
The Seahorse Emporium is like one of those films where you marvel at the cinematography, technical brilliance and acting, but leave the theatre scratching your head.
Taking into account the pedigree of artists involved, and the Creative NZ interest, I was convinced I had missed something. Unfortunately, giving the album more time didn't help.
Anita Clark's silky voice rides high above some beautifully constructed backing instrumentation, but the songs are just not that interesting.
Brimming with inoffensive melodies, the Ragamuffin Children make sounds to accompany brewing espresso machines.
Single download: Tincans
For those who like: Morcheeba with a hint of Mazzy Star
- Mark Orton
3 stars (out of 5)
Having reunited in 2005 following a five-year break, the Black Crowes released studio album Warpaint last year.
This latest effort is a live rendering of much of that set, with a few favourites (Bad Luck Blue Eyes Goodbye) and some covers (The Rolling Stones' Torn And Frayed) thrown in.
Recorded in Los Angeles early last year, it captures the American southern rock revivalists in good form.
Helped by a trio of backing singers, which further confirms the band's heavy Stones influence, the Black Crowes straddle that nice line between ragged and honed, keyboards and twin guitars providing the obligatory wall of sound.
Single download: Locust Street
For those who like: The Band, early to mid-'70s Stones
- Shane Gilchrist
4 stars (out of 5)
It's hard to put a finger on what makes this album work. Is it the sugary harmonies? The naive lyricism? The space between the piano keys and guitar licks? The sense of fun?
In other hands, this could have been a cringeable attempt at turning back the clock to the early '80s. However, Dance Exponents founding member David Jones and his mate "Little Ross" Hollands, formerly of Auckland outfit the Bird Nest Roys, have produced a pop gem, a dozen tracks spiced with guitars, accordion, rollicking drums and a relaxed attitude that suggests though they take their craft seriously, preciousness is a theme best left unexplored.
Single download: My Turn
For those who like: Squeeze, The Kinks
- Shane Gilchrist
4 stars (out of 5)
The Dave Matthews Band is an enigma, huge stateside but relatively obscure elsewhere. It has shifted 30 million albums in the US alone.
Recorded in the shadow of founding member LeRoi Moore's death, Big Whisky & the GrooGrux King is a colossal fusion of sound.
Trawling through jazz-tinged country and sprawling rootsy rock, the DMB coin so much more than mere mixed-genre mash-ups.
Matthew's voice, somewhere between the Boss' croak and Seal's rasp, perfectly complements stacks of catchy tales. It's a great antidote for the winter blues.
Single download: Shake Me like a Monkey (Listen out for Cameo's "word up")
For those who like: Seal, E Street Band, Phish, John Mayer
- Mark Orton
