Showing posts with label alternative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternative. Show all posts

Friday, October 7, 2011

Music Review: Gotye - Making Mirrors

One of the biggest names to be thrown around of late is Gotye. With the release of his sophomore album, Making Mirrors, he is gathering attention from around the globe. With this smooth harmonies and catching melodies, Gotye is being hyped around the world. This time, believe the hype.

From the opening of Making Mirrors, there are 12 tracks that you can't help but fall in love with. The beats, the drums, the harmonics, the riffs and that smooth vocal performance. This album is nothing short of astounding and will be played non-stop in an attempt to appease the ear.

By now everyone should be familiar with the single Somebody That I Used to Know which features the talents of Kimbra. The song is memorable and engrossing. Listening to it time after time and the song does not get tiring. Gotye has found the joys of highs and lows in his music and changing tone from soft to loud.

Following is Eyes Wide Open, which was the lead single on the album which was released October 2010. Since then it has been well received and even clocked in at number 25 on Triple J's Hottest 100. It's up-tempo and catchy riff that leaves will have even the most leaden of feet tapping in time.

Smoke and Mirrors is a strangely stunning mix of alternative rock and smokey blues. The chemistry of the track is no less appealing that any other track on the album. It's rich sound and smooth performance arrest the ear. It's preformed with such light and shade that it's listening pleasure at it's best.

When you first here I Feel Better, you are forgiven to think that you're listening to something that has appeared from somewhere between the 70's and 80's. The track sounds closer to something that you would expect to hear Cliff Richard sing back in his heyday. The brilliance of the track though, is that it still works and is just as captivating as the rest of the album. The catchy feel of the song. The up-tempo, foot tapping enticement that is so rich throughout the song.

The personal favourite track of the album, however, is State of the Art. The song feels seductive and layered with enticement that clings to the skin and will turn your head to pay attention to the track. The overuse of vocal exciter and digitization of Gotye's vocals breaks the sound the rest of the album goes through. Right up until the chorus when the the harmonics are just breath taking,. The jazzy and electronic feel of the track are an absolute fusion that is just amazing.

The closing track is Bronte which is far more subdued than the rest of the album though no less appealing. It's actually a welcome change and quite fitting way to end the album. It's delicate nature and almost dream like performance means that it is set aside and given extra notice that it otherwise may not have been. Let your breath be stolen... it's worth it.

The album has been given hype by people around the world. Guess what, it's deserved. The mixture of melody, harmonics and just out and out talent, means that this album is worth listening to. You do want to grab it with both hands and have a damn good listen. It's highly recommended for everyone and anyone to get their hands on this album and hear what all the noise is about.

Making Mirrors is out now through Universal Music



Monday, February 7, 2011

Music Review: Bruno Mars - Doo-Wops and Hooligans

Music Review: Bruno Mars - Doo-wops and Hooligans


Here at Talking Reviews, we usually attempt to keep our finger on the pulse with good music and let you know. This time, it would appear, we let one little gem slip by us. Bruno Mars album Doo-Wops and Hooligans is the debut album of Bruno Mars. Slick and eargasmic, the album is an amazing piece of music that has been playing non-stop at Review HQ since it's discovery.


By now, everyone knows Grenade. Those who don't know it have obviously not been listening to the radio in recent times. Every station you tune into seems to have picked up the song for one reason or another. Mostly because of it's amazing talent and undeniably addictive sound.


You saw the Glee episode where they featured Just The Way You Are. Yes, the actors on the show can sing but Mars leaves there rendition for dead. The inspiring song is full of confidence boosting lyrics and lush melodies  which are almost reminisce of Craig David. Y'know, back when he was still popular. A pleasant trip down the R&B river. 


The smooth R&B flavour continues with Our First Time. It's a stunning piece that plays gently and relaxing. There is nothing offensive about this song. It blends nicely into the background. It's slow pace and relaxed tones make this song just easy to kick back and relax to. It's a track to watch and certainly get your hands on. It's almost a bubble bath with chocolate covered strawberries and champagne. If you're into that sort of thing.


Runaway Baby brings a new aspect to the album. It's got a healthy upbeat tempo with a bit of funk and groove in there. Mars shows his true vocal talents throwing this track in. It's got a bit of a stomping rock feel with vocals that sound like something akin to melted chocolate. It's refreshing and irrefutably amazing. A grabbing piece of music to infuse into your day.


Keeping the up-tempo trend in line is the other Glee song, Marry You. With Mars' trademark groove and smooth vocal delivery, there's even a hint of Beach Boys-esque backing music. This would be an amazing track for a beach wedding. Needless to say, this is going to be played at a lot of wedding in the coming years. Don't look like that, you  know it's true. The infectious music, the slick lyrics and enticing voice. It's everything a wedding night will be. Just remember, sock on the door knob.


Liquor Store Blues is the first of two collaborations. The reggae feel to the track is a little out of place compared to the rest of the album. This isn't to say that it's not a great track. The track features Damian Marley who does his own style of rapping. Yes, this is the youngest son of legendary Bob Marley. The two individually are creators of great music. Together, they are epic.


The track Count On Me sounds like something that we would expect from Jason Mraz. Here at Review HQ, we see this as a good thing. The indie feel of the track and relaxing vocal stylings are a bit playful and very addictive. The track can be played several times over without getting bored and without the track losing any of it's shine. The track is catchy, chilled and will get your head bopping from side to side.


The second, and last, collaboration is The Other Side which features Cee Lo Green and BOB. The song itself is quite hard to describe. It's got smooth melodies. It's got a bit of rock in there. It's got a bit of pop. The song has something that will appeal to everyone. There's just something about this track that makes it just standout from the others. Whether it be the collaborative input from all three, it's catchy. Maybe it's the eager rapping or maybe it's the mix of everything. Needless to say, this is an absolute highlight of the album.


Closing the album is Talking to the Moon (Acoustic Piano Version). Hearing Mars' voice with such a pure sound is just magic. The way the piano and his voice work together. It sounds like a stripped back and raw version. The effect is just breath taking. Hearing Mars sound so honest is just amazing. Lose yourself in the majesty of the song. Let it was over you. It is, truly amazing.


Doo-Wops and Hooligans is amazing. There are no other words for it and here at Reviews HQ, we can't believe that it slipped by without us noticing. It's exciting and fresh. It's endearing and enduring. It's actually got talent and sets the scene that we may have Bruno Mars hanging around on the scene for longer than we originally thought. This album is truly amazing and gets by without mass amounts of post-production work.


Doo-Wops and Hooligans is out now.



Monday, January 31, 2011

Music Review: Sarah McLeod - Untitled EP

Music Review: Sarah McLeod - Untitled EP


The unmissable voice of Sarah McLeod has captivated listeners around Australia and overseas since before the release of Eight Step Rail with The Superjesus. Since then, she's gone from strength to strength with ARIA awards under her belt, three albums and an EP with The Superjesus, a solo album and a brand new EP.