Sound Audio for August

Here are my must hear musical treats for the month of August, enjoy….

New Album Releases

Not much happening this month…here’s the best of a little bunch

Kanye West & Jay Z- Watch the Throne

Release Date: August 1st

Watch this space for the review..

Watch the Throne: Review

Well guys I’ve listened and can’t say I’m mighty impressed as was expected when hearing these two names in the same sentence of musical collaboration. I’d say it’s lucky for these lads that they’re well established rap veterans otherwise most record companies may throw this offering in the bin after the first few tunes; I know I would.

The opening track , ‘No Church in the Wild’ is distinctively blah, followed by a Beyonce featured number, ‘Lift Off’ which I can’t say is much better. There is not much to talk about until track seven( all except some nice rapping by Mr.Z on the previous Nina Simone sample, ‘New Day’ ) than the ridiculous theme of sampling repetition throughout.

Thank God for some saving grace on song seven, ‘Prime Time’ which is clearly the highlight of the album. This tune displays a catchy underlay throughout sprinkled with genius rapping from the pair. ‘Murder to Excellence’ pretty much follows suit boasting an array of dizzy jungle beats.

Alas just when you think it’s finally turning good with silly named, although quite catchy, ‘Sweet Baby Jezus’ the lads manage to dent our spirits yet again with the pointless, ‘Love you So.’

It is with great regret that I’m sorry to say this much anticipated dual is one serious let down. No wonder the pre-releasing of any material was halted before we got our mitts on it, I reckon otherwise album sales would have been almost non-existent.

Beirut- The Rip Tide

Release Date: August 30th

If you like the Guillemots then I’m sure you’ll like these guys. The follow up to the indie folk band’s spectacular, The Flying Club Cup’, ‘Rip Tide’ displays measures of sincere tranquility coupled with a re-occurring haunting brass ensemble. Keeping with previous offerings, Beruit again sprinkle this title with a very clever theme of countries, places and things to see. This album is a sheer work of art and utter beauty.

Stand out tracks

Vagabond- I challenge anyone to listen to this track without smiling

The Rip Tide- One Word, ‘Beautiful’

East Harlem- Heartfelt lyrics and music, this little ditty has it all

Red Hot Chili Peppers- I’m with You

Release Date: August 30th

Note I have no reviews of either Kanye/Jay Z or The Chillies…reviews to follow…

It appears that the two biggest releases of the month are being kept hush hush ala some sort of similar legal and binding document, therefore I am making the wonderful Beirut’s Riptide August’s album of the month.

Have a listen to the splendor for yourselves…

So here it is the long awaited…

Red Hot Chilli Peppers- I’m With You: The Review

With a sell out gig planned for the O2 next November the Chillies were quite genius in releasing their tenth studio album within weeks, and a pretty much genius album it is at that. Kiedis and gang offer everything from chilli funk, to dance and some seriously melodic verses in this diamond.

Cliche I know but this latest offering is one serious roller-coaster ride of musicality. One can clearly see the years of work that has gone into creating this little trinket

With a thunderous start to the album, ‘Monarchy of Roses’ displays a fresh dance presence for which may enable the Peppers to instantly stretch their already dedicated fan-base. Although what follows with, ‘Factory of Faith’ hangs on to an old skool Chillies semblance; in turn something for everyone..

Kiedis continues to display his classic chilli’s sound throughout the next few tracks with catchy number ‘Annie Wants a Baby,’ certainly quite reminiscent of the ‘By the Way’ days.

Quite shocking the fact that, ‘The Adventures of Rain dance Maggie’ failed to make the charts. Just exactly what are the charts looking for these days? I reckon though I could be right to predict if the rockers release ‘Did I let Know’, as the next single; this easily listening catchy number is surely a guaranteed hit.

 ‘Goodbye Hooray’  keeps up the catchy pace of the later whilst accentuating the melodic sound of Keidis’ voice, leading into toned down beauty, ‘Police Station.’Although the album may fall a little flat towards the end with tracks such as, ‘Even You Brutus’ and ‘Dance Dance Dance, ‘I’m With You’ is a truly believable long awaited Chilli’s classic, which if ignoring the ending should not disappoint.

Must See Gigs

A freakishly quiet month in August…feel free to add comments of any good Dublin gigs!

The Olympia

Tuesday 23rd The Kaiser Chiefs

The Academy

Friday 5th Cashier No 9