Alt-UK

Music, Film, and Gaming

Archives for January 2007

Kaiser Chiefs – Ruby

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Having enjoyed the Kaiser Chiefs ‘Employment’ album of 2005, I had been looking forward to their return and it is with much regret therefore that I have to say that their latest offering has left me extremely disappointed. While the Kaiser Chiefs previous singles have always been upbeat and fun, ‘Ruby’ is a generic, clichéd and extremely dull track that I just can’t seem to get in to. Having listened to it numerous times now on the off chance that this would be a grower, I have found that ‘Ruby’ really is as lacklustre and uninspiring as I first thought. Plodding along without ever really getting going, ‘Ruby’ is a track where the contemplation of ever possibly releasing this as a single should not have taken place. It is usually the case that the first single to be taken from an album of this sort is one of the strongest if not the strongest track on the album, however if ‘Ruby’ is the strongest track on the Kaiser Chiefs album which is to be released February 26th then the band have got some serious problems.

Label: B-Unique
Release Date: 19th February 2007

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Klaxons – Golden Skans

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I hate the Nu Rave scene that Klaxons seem to be a part of, however these feelings aside, ‘Golden Skans’ is a really catchy track and will surely see the band enjoy a great deal of success from it. This one has such a catchy chorus to it, strong verses and a knack for getting stuck in your head for days on end. I often find myself singing along and can’t seem to free myself from this infectious gem of a track. Released January 22nd through Polydor, come this Sunday ‘Golden Skans’ is sure to achieve a commendable chart entry. If it doesn’t then there is something seriously wrong with the music industry today as this track has enjoyed a large degree of radio airplay and has one of the catchiest choruses I have heard in years. 2007 is sure to be the year that Klaxons hit the big time, and with their album due for release on the 29th of January; it is bound to go down as one of the best releases of the year.

Label: Polydor
Release Date: 22nd January 2007

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Fall Out Boy – This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race

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Having released a great album at the beginning of 2005 in the form of ‘From Under The Cork Tree’, Fall Out Boy are back once again with their brand new album ‘Infinity On High’ and the first single to be released from this album; ‘This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race’. I have to admit that when I first heard this single I wasn’t too sure about it as it seemed more Backstreet Boys than typical Fall Out Boy to me, however the more I’ve listened to it – the more I’ve come to realise that this is the Fall Out Boy that I have come to know and love and is in fact probably the band at their finest. Patrick Stump’s vocal harmonies have never sounded so great, and Pete Wentz backing vocals are strong also (although not so great live I might hasten to add). Although for me this single was not instant – it really has been a grower, and in fact over the last few weeks I have not been able to stop listening to it.

Just as with their singles of two years ago, you will find yourself singing along uncontrollably to this one almost instantaneously. Fall Out Boy have a fine knack for penning some of the catchiest Pop Punk tracks going and ‘This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race’ proves not to be an exception to this rule, standing proud as another fine pop punk anthem to have been written by this great Chicago four piece.

Label: Mercury
Release Date: 29th January 2007

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