hideNseek

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)

Sergeant - Sergeant
UK: 12th Oct - Shy

Scottish Sergeant brings us back to the 90’s with their debut self-titled album. With markable guitar tone and sweet melody, the band is also praised by Alan McGee, Scotland never let you down.

Outstanding track: ‘Sunshine’.

The Cinematics - Love And Terror
UK: 9th Nov - The Orchard
US: 6th Oct - The Orchard

Love And Terror is the second album from Glasgow-based Post Punkers The Cinematics. The replacement of the lead guitarist doesn’t affect the band’s main direction. While the album is somehow mainstream comparing to their debut.

Outstanding track: ‘New Mexico’.

Back catalogue: A Strange Education (TVT, 2007)

Editors - In This Light And On This Evening
UK: 12th Oct - Kitchenware

Birmingham’s Editors come back with their Flood produced third album. This is a darker album, different from both previous two, keyboard is heavily used and the rhythm section is enhanced which make the album sounds like early Depeche Mode works.

Outstanding track: ‘Papillon’.

Back catalogue:
An End Has A Start (Kitchenware, 2007)
The Back Room (Kitchenware, 2005)

Midlife: A Beginner’s Guide To Blur
UK: 15th Jun - Parlophone
US: 28th Jul - Virgin

The compilation to be coordinated the re-form of Blur, selecting 25 singles or album tracks over Blur’s 20 years career into a double CD volume. Midlife, the compilation to be introduced to new fans of Blur, is the first official album to feature 1992’s standalone single ‘Popscene’, but it’s a shame that ‘Country House’ which was a massive hit in 1995 is not included in it.

Back catalogue: (studio albums)
Think Tank (Parlophone, 2003)
13 (Food, 1999)
Blur (Food, 1997)
The Great Escape (Food, 1995)
Parklife (Food, 1994)
Modern Life Is Rubbish (Food, 1993)
Leisure (Food, 1991)

Year 2000, Food/Parlophone to release their first ever official compilation, simply titled ‘The Best Of’, which collecting 17 tracks from ‘Leisure’ to ‘13′ along with a new track ‘Music Is My Radar’.

One year before ‘The Best Of’, 1999 is tenth anniversary of Blur’s formation, a strictly limited box set which includes all 22 singles, each one with its original b-sides were made in a separate CD. This was also released by Food/Parlophone.

Toshiba/EMI Japan had been released a Japan-only b-sides collection ‘The Special Collectors Edition’ for Blur in 1994, compiling tracks from the first three albums.