Rocking the Mike – November 2010 Reviews

Album Reviews

Brandon Flowers - Flamingo

I'm not the first to review this album and state that it's just another Killers effort. So why didn't Brandon Flowers make this album with the rest of the band? Stylistically, it's Killers. Lyrically, it's Killers. So why has this been dubbed a "solo" album? As much as I loathed the Kele Okereke solo release a few months back, at least he didn't create a carbon copy of a Bloc Party album.

Don't get me wrong -- Flowers has put out a solid effort with Flamingo, and it more than highlights that he is truly the songwriter, singer, and musician he claims to be. There's no song or songs that particularly stick out as being the strongest on the album with the possible exception of lead single "Crossfire" which I reviewed a few months ago. It's a solid effort overall, but, Brandon, the next time you want to make an album just do it with the rest of the band.

Interpol - Interpol

With their self-titled fourth album, Interpol has gone back to basics regarding both the sound and lyrical structure of their music. Gone are the overly-produced sounds of Our Love to Admire and in its place is this album -- not a step forward but rather two steps back in terms of creativity. I was a huge fan of Interpol back in the day, but, after seeing them live for the first time in 2007, I realized each of their songs tend to sound very similar to one another. Interpol is no different. Sure, one could argue that having an album structured this way could be considered thematically solid, but it just doesn't seem to work here. Instead there are no stand-out tracks, and, honestly, if I had their discography on random, I wouldn't be able to tell an old track from a new one.

I know that sometimes you fall out of love with a particular style of music or a particular band. I just hate to admit when it's happening to me. Interpol, you may have a great album here, but I just can't hear it. Maybe it's my own ignorance or maybe I've just become disenchanted as a "fan," but this will probably be my last album with you.

Robyn - Body Talk Pt. 2

When it was first announced that Robyn was going to release three EPs in place of a single conventional album, I was a bit suspicious. Sure, as music listeners we have the attention span of about three and a half minutes (note the average length of any pop song in the last 30 years), so on paper the idea of three EPs makes perfect sense. After listening to Body Talk Pt. 1 a few months ago, however, I wasn't completely convinced. Seven to nine songs per release with a staggered release over several months doesn't seem like enough to really whet the appetite, especially since I'm still a big listener to albums even if they are all digitized nowadays.

Body Talk Pt. 2 changes that. This model of releasing music is perfect. There's enough to draw you in, and I found that the release of this EP gave me reason to take a listen to Body Talk Pt. 1 again. This release is quite possibly some of the best material from Robyn. It has some slick production values, and, while it's most definitely a 'pop' album, there's enough variation in the styles that no two songs on this album sound alike. Early favourites include "U Should Know Better" featuring the rapping talents of Snoop Dogg, the very danceable "We Dance to the Beat," and the almost crunk-like "Include Me Out." It may be a mash of musical genres, but it works in a way that only someone such as Robyn could make possible.

Song Reviews

Michael Bublé - "Hollywood"

Michael Bublé has demonstrated in the past that with a little assistance he is a surprisingly good songwriter in his own right. Whether it's "Home" or "Haven't Met You Yet," Bublé has proven that it is still possible to contribute new material to a genre that for the most part is now dominated by artists who simply wish to retread the old standards. "Hollywood," his latest single, can be added to his list of accomplishments. It's classic Bublé in sound, yet there is a fresh sense of 'pop' to this track that not only suits his voice but whole persona as a singer rather well. The track is going to be released on the upcoming re-issue of his hit album, Crazy Love, and, though the song may not quite fit with the overall sound of the album, Buble has certainly made it clear that he has another hit on his hands.

Faithless Ft. Dido - "Feelin' Good"

I'm not really a fan of Faithless, but, when they do collaboration with Dido, I like to pick up the songs as a Dido fan. I have never really gotten into Faithless because they can't seem to stick to a genre of music; sometimes they are trip-hop and other times, pure dance. It's the dance stuff I don't care for. "Feelin' Good" is a dance track, and, while Dido could be a dance/house siren if she wanted to be, it's probably for the best that she sticks to what she's good at. This track clocks in at just over seven minutes, and it feels about 3 minutes too long. It's not a bad track, and its saving grace is the inclusion of Dido. Not essential if you're a Dido fan, and really, unless you're a hardcore fan of Faithless, this song can be overlooked.

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