Category: Album Reviews

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Album Reviews

Chris Cornell

No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol.1

Chris Cornell – ‘Patience’

I can still remember vividly the shock and sadness that consumed me with the death of Chris Cornell in 2017. Cornell’s unique voice had helped to soundtrack the formative years of my life through his solo work and that of Soundgarden, and for me the biggest influence – Audioslave. Memories of not just his death but the manner of that death still thrust great sadness upon me and no doubt his legion of fans.

I recently spoke of the relationship between my mental health and music in my blog ‘Mental Health, Music and Me’. It’s important to remember that talking helps and you can find some vital links to resources in that blog.

With the surprise release this week of the aptly named ‘No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1’ fans of Cornell have been given an early Christmas present; the chance to savour once again those dulcet tones of his. Looking at the tracklist I must admit that I hesitated to listen to the album. Not because I wasn’t sure that the work would be amazing, but because I knew that hearing Cornell sing these songs would elicit a range of emotions including immense sadness.

I’m really glad however that I took the dive into this amazing snapshot of Cornell. Through the course of the album many emotions are felt including thankfully joy and celebration of an incredible once in a lifetime artist. I’m not ashamed to admit that the one-two punch of ‘Patience’ and ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ hit very hard and deep. Be prepared to cry at times and smile wide at others. This album is perhaps the perfect way to seal the legacy of a true icon in rock music.

As you progress through this stunning album you can see the effort put into the careful curation and construction of the record. You can feel the love that has been put into the album by those upholding the legacy of Cornell. This is not a cash grab release, and fans of Cornell are privileged to have the opportunity to listen to these songs. On this release, the true power and adaptability of Cornell’s heavenly voice is there for all to see.

Whilst I close by saying that this is a must own for fans of Cornell and his previous work; I must also stress that this album is an incredible piece of work in its own right, and even those not familiar with the great man will find joy, sadness and everything in between, on this record.

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Album Reviews

Yungblud

Yungblud weird!

‘weird!’

Yungblud – ‘mars’

Yungblud, or Dominic Richard Harrison to his friends, has been on the cusp of world domination since the release of his debut album ‘21st Century Liability’ in 2018. Now it appears he is finally ready to take up that mantle. His second album ‘weird!’ came out on Friday and is a stunning piece of work that may well be recognised as his masterpiece when all is said and done.

From the opening notes of ‘teresa’, listeners are thrown headfirst into the captivating world of Yungblud. The album transcends genre as Yungblud manages to blend tender with ferocious and emerge with outright pop. The crossover appeal of this album will be huge with all ages and persuasions finding the content very accessible. Yungblud comes of age with this release and has set a very high standard for his future output to reach.

‘cotton candy’, ‘strawberry lipstick’ and the exceptional ‘mars’ build this party of an album perfectly to its middle section, which is absolutely packed with sing-a-long anthems such as ‘superdeadfriends’. It has to be said that ‘love song’ sounds like a huge anthem, and is a subtle change of pace together with ‘god save me, but don’t drown me out’ before the electric trio of ‘ice cream man’, ‘weird!’ and ‘charity’ raise the bar again.

As we get towards the albums finish we see Yungblud collaborate once again with Machine Gun Kelly to fantastic effect on ‘acting like that’. It’s then down to ‘it’s quiet in beverly hills’ and the prophetic ‘the freak show’ to close out this superb collection of music. With this release Yungblud has achieved that seemingly rare feat of actually living up to his enormous potential. Expect to see the name Yungblud everywhere from now on, and with music this good, deservedly so.

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Album Reviews

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons

‘We’re The Bastards’

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons – ‘Son of a Gun’

Motorhead legend Phil Campbell introduced us to his Bastard Sons back in 2016 and together they released their excellent debut album ‘The Age Of Absurdity’ in 2018. That album helped to grow the bands fanbase and saw the band accepted as a legitimate entity. Well, two years later they are back with their sophomore album ‘We’re the Bastards’ as they seek to solidify their own legacy.

The elder Campbell is of course accustomed to hard work from his time with Motorhead. The band rarely took a break from touring and were relentless in the studio. Since the untimely conclusion of Motorhead, Campbell has sustained the same work ethic with his new band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. He even found the time to release a solo album, ‘Old Lions Still Roar’, last year!

For those that don’t know, this band is named so because Campbell is joined by his actual sons Todd, Tyla and Dane; a fact that they are proud to proclaim in blistering opening number ‘We’re the Bastards’.  The theme is then furthered on the song that follows the title track, ‘Son of a Gun’. In fact there are a number of lyrical Easter eggs throughout the album for fans to enjoy.

And fans will enjoy this album. It picks up where its predecessor left off; with a steady stream of infectious rock and roll. Singer and sole non-Campbell, Neil Starr is on great form and helps to ensure that there is recognisable progression from the first album. The likes of ‘Promises Are Poison’, ‘Born To Roam’ and ‘Animals’ will fit seamlessly into the bands next set list whenever live music can return.

Whilst we might not know exactly when live shows will return, this album gives fans something to get their teeth into in the meantime. There is plenty here to whet the appetite with ‘Bite My Tongue’, ‘Hate Machine’ and ‘Waves’ particularly worthy of mention. As with Motorhead, you get the impression that Phil Campbell and the Bastards Sons won’t be breaking the mould anytime soon, but why would they when they appear to have formed the perfect style.

Phil Campbell has been consistent with his output throughout his career, and we should be grateful that he once again has an outlet for his talents. ‘We’re the Bastards’ is statement however that this band is a force to be reckoned with in its own right. The bands fans are the loyal kind hence their lyrics proclaim “…’cause we’re the bastards, and you’re a bastard too…”.  If you’re in to good old fashioned rock and roll, give this album a listen and you too will be in that club.

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Album Reviews

Bring Me The Horizon

Post Human: Survival Horror

Bring Me The Horizon – ‘Obey’ with YUNGBLUD from ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’

“Bring Me The Horizon aren’t heavy anymore”.

If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard this said over the past five years, I’d definitely be able to buy a ticket to their 2021 tour. Well, based on ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’ that’s just what their critics need to do. Hopefully this would show them just how silly this statement is.

Bring Me The Horizon are a band that have constantly evolved throughout their career, and yes that means that not every song is a head banging, scream your lungs out belter. It doesn’t mean however that they have lost their teeth. This new EP takes the best elements from throughout their career and combines them in one stunning masterpiece of an album.

The release of ‘Ludens’ back in 2019 was lauded as a return to form and ‘Paradise Eve’ released mid-lockdown teased a heavy edge to this release. Even I’m surprised though as the band come straight out of the gates with the ruckus ‘Dear Diary’. ‘Paradise Eve’ and the Linkin Park tinged ‘Teardrops’ follow and by the time you reach the fantastically mad YUNGBLUD collaboration ‘Obey’ even the most disillusioned old school fan will have their foot stomping and their head banging.

There has certainly been a quirkiness to Bring Me The Horizons recent releases such as the much maligned ‘Amo’. On ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’ that quirkiness is embraced and even emboldened. The combination of ‘Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)’ and ‘Kingslayer’ featuring Babymetal is insane. Insanely good that is. I dare anybody not to have the chorus stuck in their head after listening.

‘1×1’, ‘Ludens’ and the curious Amy Lee collaboration ‘One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death’ close out this brilliant EP. It’s a relentless statement from the band from start to almost finish. ‘One Day…’ is an interesting choice to end on and is probably the weakest track on the EP when held in context of the EP. As a standalone piece of music however it’s an enjoyable if unexpected composition. Adding it to the end of this EP however has done both the song and the EP a disservice.

I very much doubt however that Bring Me The Horizon will care. This EP continues the evolution of a band very much willing to experiment and test the boundaries of their capabilities and their fans patience. Quite possibly this EP represents the most complete sample of the band to date and I for one cannot wait to witness the majesty of these songs live.