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Auf der Maur. "Auf der Maur"  Melissa Auf der Maur has been around for years, playing bass with "Hole" and "The Smashing Pumpkins." She has recruited members of both to help on this, her first solo album, along with other rock notaries from Queens of the Stone Age, The Screaming Trees, Kruss and her first band Tinker. With this kind of support it is no surprise that "Auf der Maur" is one of the finest rock albums that I have heard in years. It is brimming with tantalising tasty tracks. Overloaded with attitude and a sexiness sadly missing of late in the rock world its by her own admission "electrified and cherry red." This album is not only for the rock purists, It succeeds by drawing on many different influences. This album is highly sexually charged. Powerful gutsy guitars and thumping drums provide the engine to the album. Melissa Auf der Maur vocals are both thought provoking and unchallenged. You can sense the enjoyment and pleasure that she gained from this, her first solo project. This is transferred to the listeners. "Auf der Maur" is one of the finest albums of the year so far. If you like your music powered by electricity, then i strongly urge you to check this one out. Bobo rates it: **** 4/5 Zero 7 "When it falls."  Zero 7 are Sam Hardaker and Henry Binns and hail from north London. This is the second offering, from Zero 7, and the follow-up to their 2001 platinum Album "Simple Things." "When it Falls" continues where "Simple Things" had left off. The opening track "Warm Sound" sets the tempo and direction of the journey Zero 7 intend to take us on this time. Whereas, the first album was sky bound, "When It Falls" is a walk through any city street, or golden sands you care to mention. Zero 7 have retained the services of Mozez, Sia Furler and Sophie Barker to provide the vocals, augmented by the addition of Tina Dico and Yvonne John Lewis. This album has many highlights. "Over our Heads" is rich with unconditional positive regard. A 'must-hear for any psychology student "The Space Between" tackles the many theories of life, love and happiness from a reflective point of view. The ID would be for readers of this column instantly recognisable. On "Home" Dico's vocal washes over your soul like a warm breeze, Instant empathy I feel is one of the vital elements to Zero 7's music. It is their ability to reach into the psyche of the listener that is their secret of their success. Wide ranging genres find themselves blended into the Zero 7 melting pot, with Soul, Blues and Jazz providing the framework and structure to their tracks. "When it falls" will have you not only have you tapping your feet to its gentle rhythms, but also humming along to its free flowing melodies and harmonies. If you have already discovered Zero 7 through "Simple Things" then "When it Falls" transcends it. If the band is new to you then you might be surprised just how much of Zero 7 you recognise from adverts. "When it Falls" is an album well worth listening to. If you enjoy the likes of Faithless, Lemon Jelly, Dido, Lighthouse Family, Morcheeba, etc. then this album will enhance your collection. It offers a gentle escapism from our humdrum existence. Bobo rates it: **** 4/5 The Delays "Faded Seaside Glamour." 
In recent months, bands such as Snow Patrol, Keane, Jet, The Stands and The Trills have been making inroads into "The Charts." Charts that had up until their arrival been dominated by media hyped artists. The Delays have now joined this list of successful artists from the "Indie" pop/rock tradition. One of the keys to The Delays, and many of their peers' success, has been their readiness to draw upon influences rooted in the Sixties. This is nothing new. But what makes the Delays different from loads of others? The answer to that lies in "Faded Seaside Glamour", an album that is stylish, vibrant, and refreshingly pure. You need only to soak up the opening track to find evidence of this. "Wanderlust", with its delicate echoes of the Byrds, sees Greg Gilbert's vocals remind us of this generation. With backing vocals by Aaron Gilbert and Colin Fox, Gilbert's performance heralds the return of a vocal "wall of sound". Both of their fantastic singles "Long Time Coming" and "Nearer Than Heaven", which nested recently in the charts, can be found on "Faded Seaside Glamour." "Stay where you are" is another stand out tracks on FSG. The vocals melt your soul. This track has a real 'feel good' factor that is wonderfully suited to the overall presentation of the album. I must conclude that the Delays, if they can remain true to their obvious talent, have a very bright future ahead of them. This album is so very complete. They have skilfully mastered the art of drawing on their influences without resorting, to down right plagiarism. "Faded Seaside Glamour" stands beside classic albums like "Parachutes" and "The Man Who." It really is that good. I can't stop playing it. Bobo rates it: ***** 5/5 |
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