Andy's Land of Adventure

Milburn - Well Well Well

Every now and again you hear an album that completely refines a style or a genre of music. The last one that I heard that did that to me was the Arctic Monkeys huge debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not! They changed the way that people wrote indie rock trip hop songs and made waves high enough to cause even Godzilla's lower lip to tremble!

Off the back of their success, a new generation of trip hop rockers were born, and undoubtedly, one of the best is Milburn. The Arctic Monkeys evidently agreed, as they asked Milburn to support them on their world tour. They also started by supporting one of my personal favourite current indie rockers Dirty Pretty Things, and because of all this they've played both Reading and Leeds festivals in the last year as well as playing on T4's Transmission show.

Well Well Well is Milburn's debut album, but despite their achievements in the live arena, it was only placed at 32 in this weeks official chart after it's release last Monday. This was also reflected in their debut single Send In The Boys that only achieved a place at 22 in the official charts. I would have hoped for better.

The album ranges from the absolutely stunning Send In The Boys, Lipstick Lickin', Storm In A Teacup and Brewster with powerful, addictive lyrics and punchy lead guitar to unfortunately more disappointing songs like Stockholm Syndrome (stick to the Muse song of the same title in my opinion). It's quite clear that the inspiration for this album comes from bands like the Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, the Libertines and so on as the musical stylings and the vocal arrangement is very similar to songs from these bands.

Don't get me wrong, the majority of the album is very good and leaves me wanting more, the production is excellent and performing together Milburn are tighter than a gnat's ass. It's just a shame some of the songs just don't have a little more "sha-zam". For example, when I listen to What You Could've Won, I expect an awesomely dramatic crescendo in the last quarter to rocket off the end of the song, but I'm left a touch disappointed when it retains the same level throughout before trailing off at the finale.

There are two versions of this album; the one with the bonus tracks and one without. I of course got the one with the bonus tracks. If you don't have the bonus tracks, then you'll finish on Roll Out The Barrel which is an excellent one man acoustic performance by Milburn rhythm guitarist Louis Carnall. If you don't have the bonus version though, you're missing out on some class. Let Me Go, December and 17 are all brilliant songs. 17 is a song a lot of people will relate to, about being 17 and going out on the town but being worried getting in the club, then meeting a girl and going to hers but not knowing what he's doing. "He doesn't have a shave so he looks a little older. But he just a little lad that don't realise, you don't look with your hands you look with your eyes". It's very reminiscent of When The Sun Goes Down by the Arctic Monkeys. How these bonus tracks didn't make it onto the full album is beyond me as the three songs on there (excluding another version of Brewster) are probably all in the top 5 of this album.

All in all, it's a good album, especially for a debut, and there are some excellent songs on there, but you'll have to like this style of music to bother. If you're a big fan of the Arctic Monkeys or The Libertines, run your little legs as fast as you can down to your local HMV and snap up a copy right now  (making sure it's the bonus tracks version in the cardboard sleeve) as you'll love it. If you don't like those kinds of artists, then you would be best to avoid as the styles are very similar.

Overall, I give this album 7 / 10 as I do like this kind of music, and the pure brilliance of the few great songs on there highly outweigh the fact that some of the songs disappoint.

The Killers - Sam's Town

A new regular slot that will appear on my blog from now on is a review of my "Album of the Week". This is the album picked by myself or Katie that will be plugged on the radio show, and songs from that album will be played on air.

To kick things off, we have my choice this week in the shape of "The Killers - Sam's Town" which came out on Monday 2nd October and flew straight to number 1 in the official charts. This massive album is the follow-up to the explosive debut Hot Fuss and had everyone itching to know if it could possibly be anywhere near as good as The Killers first attempt.

You will not be disappointed. From the very outset, Sam's Town explodes all over your stereo. The first (and title) track sets you up for what can only be a great album. The catchy licks and strong harmonising lyrics in the chorus let you know that The Killers are here to stay for a long time yet.

"When You Were Young" is the first single from the album was just pipped to the top of the charts by the Scissor Sisters which is a shame as it's a worthy of a number one chart position with its tuneful rock melodies. Brandon Flowers, The Killers front man who was voted "Sexiest Man" and "Best Dressed" at NMEs 2005 Music Awards has certainly come up with a 'Killer' (sorry) formula that keeps this band moving from strength to strength. From the bouncy, addictive styles of "For Reasons Unknown", through to the funky bass driven "Uncle Jonny" and back to the mellow and tuneful introduction to "My List" this album is full of passion, emotion and just damn good rock and roll stylings.

I was lucky enough to see The Killers last year at Live8 and it was a phenomenal performance. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get tickets this year as they sold out in an astounding four minutes, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that somehow an opportunity will somehow arise without resorting to eBay.

Overall "Sam's Town" receives a very respectable 7 / 10 as it's a great album, but I don't think it's quite as powerful with as many sure fire hits as Hot Fuss, but I sincerely hope that these Las Vegas indie superstars just keep on rockin!