hideNseek

Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young
US: 3rd Nov - RCA
UK: 2nd Nov - Rough Trade

During the hiatus of The Strokes, Fabrizio Moretti did with Little Joy, Nikolai Fraiture formed Nickel Eye while Albert Hammond, Jr. went solo, now it’s Julian’s turn, who comes back with his solo work. Phrazes For The Young only consists of eight tracks on its physical version, which can be regarded as new Strokes recordings if it hadn’t been told.

Outstanding track: ‘Left & Right In The Dark’.

The Dodos - Time To Die
US: 15th Sep - Frenchkiss
UK: 31st Aug - Wichita

Third album from San Fransico’s Indie Folk The Dodos, who had turned to a trio from a duo after adding a Vibraphone player. Time To Die consisits of nine tracks, which is heavily used in strings and synths, results in a Baroque Pop record.

Outstanding track: ‘Small Deaths’.

Back catalogue:
Visiter (Frenchkiss/Wichita, 2008)
Beware Of The Maniacs (Dodo Bird, 2006)

The Rakes - Klang
UK: 23rd Mar - V2

Recently, it was heard that The Rakes come to an end, the band leave three albums legacy before the split. Klang is the last one, which is the German word for ‘Sound’, the band recorded this album in a place of ex East German, that makes Klang sounds a little bit different from England’s Post-Punk scene.

Outstanding track: ‘1989′.

Back catalogue:
Ten New Messages (V2, 2007)
Capture/Release (V2, 2005)

Broken Records - Until The Earth Begins To Part
UK: 1st Jun - 4AD

Broken Records is a seven piece from Edinburgh, who has been branded the Scottish Arcade Fire. Until The Earth Begins To Part is their debut album after three singles on three different labels. The band has a strong section of orchestra, especailly for the violin performace, reminds us of Levellers.

Outstanding tracks: ‘Nearly Home’ & ‘A Promise’.

Weezer - Ratitude
US: 3rd Nov - Geffern
UK: 2nd Nov - Polydor

Another great Power-Pop album from productive Weezer, although they only have seven albums in their fifteen years career, Rivers Cuomo had made hundreds of demos. Two out of ten tracks from Ratitude had already appeared on his Home Demo Volume 2 album. This record got collabration fame and honours from producers like Jacknife Lee, Butch Walker and Dr. Luke, musicians from Lil Wayne and The All-American Rejects. Also a song witten and vocals leading by drums Patrick Wilson.

Outstanding tracks: ‘Love Is The Answear’, ‘I Don’t Want To Let You Go’ & ‘Put Me Back Together’.

Back catalogue:
Weezer aka Red Album (Geffen, 2008)
Make Believe (Geffen, 2005)
Maladroit (Geffen, 2002)
Weezer aka Green Album (Geffen, 2001)
Pinkerton (Geffen, 1996)
Weezer aka Blue Album (Geffen, 1994)

The Law - A Measure Of Wealth
UK: 28th Sep - Local Boy

Debut album from The Law, a four-piece from Dundee, who are close friends of The View. A Measure Of Wealth is released on their own label, an Oasis-inspried Brit-Pop retro album, energic and joyful.

Outstanding track: ‘The Chase’.

The Big Pink - A Brief History Of Love
UK: 14th Sep - 4AD

London Electro-Rock duo The Big Pink named after the debut album of The Band. Consisted of ex Alex Empire guitarist Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell who runs Merok label. After four singles released, the debut album is out, which sounds like Phil Spector meets My Bloody Valentine.

Outstanding tracks: ‘Velvet’, ‘Love In Vain’ & ‘Dominos’.

Brett Anderson - Slow Attack
UK: 2nd Nov - BA Songs

Do not talk about Suede anymore, this is Brett Anderson, a middle-aged singer-songwriter who makes middle-aged Pop/Rock songs. Slow Attack is his third offering, the album is mostly consisted of piano led acoustic ballad, with strings arrangement from his partner Leo Abrahams.

Oustanding track: ‘The Hunted’.

Back catalogue:
Wilderness (BA Songs, 2008)
Brett Anderson (Drowned In Sound, 2007)

The Holloways - No Smoke, No Mirrors
UK: 5th Oct - Snapper

The return of The Holloways, a more joyful album they bring, in spite of a fire that burned their recording and equipment during the album session. Half of the members are replaced, but The Holloways are still strong enough to carry on.

Outstanding track: ‘Under A Cloud’.

Back catalogue: So This Is Great Britain? (TVT, 2006)

Echo & The Bunnymen - The Fountain
UK: 12th Oct - Ocean Rain/WEA

The best since 1984’s Ocean Rain, Bunnymen’s Ian claimed. The album was set for released last summer, but have to be delayed to one more year later, under their own label. The Fountain is a fine album if it exist in the 80’s, poppy tunes which haven’t appeared in their previous albums after the re-formation. Coldplay’s Chris Martin guest in the title track.

Outstanding track: ‘Forgotten Fields’.

Back catalogue: (studio albums)
Siberia (Cooking Vinyl, 2005)
Flowers (Cooking Vinyl, 2001)
What Are You Going To Do With Your Life? (London, 1999)
Evergreen (London, 1997)
Reverberation (WEA, 1990)
Echo & The Bunnymen (WEA, 1987)
Ocean Rain (Korova, 1984)
Porcupine (Korova, 1983)
Heaven Up Here (Korova, 1981)
Crocodiles (Korova, 1980)