If I could only manage to get this dyslexia under control (or simply learn to read a tape measure) I might actually find time for leisure activities such as contributing insightful yet meaningless fluff to the blog.

Be forewarned that that I have not yet made it into my stack of favourites yet, but am currently working my way through the runners up/ the would be favourites if only….

First off… “To the Five Boroughs” is the Beastie Boys first effort in six years and is heavily influenced by the thick layer of post 9/11 dust that settled on the island. The boyz have used the voice of popular urban music in an attempt to bring a worthwhile message to their well established audience, and for that I applaud them. “Right Right Now Now”, “It Takes Time to Build”, and “An Open Letter To NYC” are powerful highly political songs that speak out against the insanity of the Homeland with a style that is crafted, catchy, melodic and accessible. Somebody had to say it and I am glad the Beasties had the courage to stand up for what it truly sounds they believe in. What stopped the Boroughs from reaching the top of my top 10 is that a large minority of the album is crap! The Beastie boys bounce back and forth between meaningful tales of injustice and unsophisticated rappa rhymes dissing fellow mc’s. wha da fuck’s up wid dat? Well worth the listen…”cause we got the power to make a change”

The Jazzland label brings us Bugge Wesseltoft ‘New Conception of Jazz / FiLM iNG’ (sic). The work blends Bugge’s smooth Scandinavian interpretations of 60’s – 70’s funk and jazz and fuses it with modern techniques and concepts and a little cross border ethnicity. I have had this one for a while and it’s still growing on me but I occasionally find it a little hard to get over the moodier sides of the music. Look out for Jazzland! I keep hearing stellar pieces from the label. http://www.jazzlandrec.com Bugge also brought us ‘Moving’ a few years back. No regrets from either of them.


The girls of Organ released ‘Grab That Gun’ with much fanfare from the indie press earlier this year. The sound is post/post punk all gurl band with a slightly cloying sweetness to the sound that disturbs at times. Think Blondie without the edge…just a little too much GoGo’s. The songs are at times strong, the problem with the album being that the sound is tiresome, unrelenting. “I could care less if people bred themselves to death” …I wish the album were more than just an also ran.

Franz Ferdinand – yes Kyle, it’s so much better on holiday! This almost made it into the top 4. Nice to hear what might be a new face to Brit pop? Clever, boppy, catchy, fresh; but in the end, the latter part of the album drags and does not have the legs it needs. The package is, at times, passionless….”so if you’re lonely/ you know I’m here/ waiting for you” …now that’s conviction! … I love the change ups though, they’re so cheap.

Antibalas picks up the torch where they left off and bring it all home to the Bronx with ‘who is this America’ More politics from the streets of NYC and it pulls no punches. The sound of Antibalas has always been big and has followed the afro beat roots of Kuti’s soul, but in “America” it on occasions breaches the levies that have, to date, contained it. Check out Stuart Bogie’s ‘Indictment’ for a swift kick in the head. Think Tom Waits meets the wholly father of afro funk himself in an alley and everyone done gets beat up! Want to hear these fuckers really rock? Head down to the Shoe next time they are in town. Five thumbs up for the show and four for the album because it fails to “push the boundaries” towards the end of the album. Again, it almost makes it into the top 5.

Snow Patrol – ‘Final Straw’ The biggest surprise of the year for me is how I am craving the sound of guitar driven rock…(witness next weeks picks) Final Straw’s sound is big and lush, diving and feel good, straight forward and well crafted, beautifully engineered if a little shallow. Will it be on the top of my cd player next year or back in the stax? Only time will tell. Final Straw has its introspective moments but always comes around. Again, it almost makes it into the top 5. ok ok, maybe it IS #5.

Lastly, Jolie Holland ‘Escondida’ might well have made it into the top 5 but I have not bought it yet and besides, I’m sure Stuart will tell us all about it.