(100TH POST!) ALBUM RUN DOWN:4TH MAY - PART 1

Believe it or not, this is 2SF4SB's 100th post! That's not very much considering I've been writing here for about 15 months now, but hey, I think the output has been good haha! Another amazing week for albums this monday, but less and less time to write about them all. This week there's so many good records out that they're overflowing into 2 features! Catch part 2 on monday morning.
A levels beckon and I'm going to have to pull something pretty miraculous out the bag if I want to get out of here. So it's going to get a bit quite around here soon, but as it's the 100th post we're going out in style, celebrating great new music. And besides, I'm finished by mid June so I'll be back in full regularity then. Right, what's going on..

The Horrors - Primary Colours
When 'Sea Within A Sea' first surfaced I was stunned and thrilled at the same time, and just as I had hoped, it closes an incredible album. All the reviews are going on and on about how much of an improvement it is from their "awful" debut but it's just a completely different direction, executed as masterfully as their last. Swirling guitars flood each track with Faris Badwan's unique vocals soaring above. Some are heralding it as the best psychedelic art rock album to come out of this country for years, and I'd whole-heartedly agree. Mind bendingly good. 9.5

Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band - Outer South
I approached this one with some apprehension. Oberst's last album and his first solo outing somehow rubbed me the wrong way - I think that it was just a bit too country infused. But perhaps as a result of my expectations being low, I'm quite enjoying his new effort, this time under the moniker "..and The Mystic Valley Band". The significance of the title is that all members of his group contributed to the whole album, with some even taking singing duties, hence the new 'band' vibe. And it's actually pretty good stuff, and with 16 tracks there's a lot to get into keep you occupied for some time. 7.5

Esser - Braveface
This one has been quite eagerly anticipated over here and it doesn't disappoint. Ben Esser's unique brand of *cringe slightly* wonky pop has garnered some well deserved praise but it still feels like his time hasn't quite arrived. As well as the flawless pop of singles 'Headlock' and 'Satisified' comes new joys in the shape of the fantastically pleasing opening and closing songs. Despite people are giving him all sorts of terrible comparisons ("Kate Nash with a penis" anyone?), this artist stands reasonably alone, skating the line between bubblegum pop and interesting electronics. It's just way too short. 7.5

Gallows - Grey Britain
Depsite fears over the band signing to a major, major record label, Gallows' 2nd album is a hard hitting punk masterpiece. Opening with the actual rushing water of The Thames river and doom-laden strings, it's a dark affair, seeing Frank Carter at his most resentful. "Trapped in the body of a man defeated/I am ashamed of mistakes repeated" he roars in 'I Dread The Night'. Elsewhere, 'The Vulture (Acts I & II)' sees the band go acoustic for the first time, unveiling Frank to have a beautifully soft singing voice. Also look out for Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro on 'Graves' as well as an authentic WWII air raid siren, and the squeeling of a pig. It's big. 8.5

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It's shaping up to be a pretty great year for music. I was thinking earlier how amazing 2008 was, but 09 is doing pretty well so far. Part 2 is on it's way monday morning. Check the picture at the top to see what's coming xx Have a nice bank holiday

MP3: Esser - Work It Out (Sinden Remix) (YSI)
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