Artist: Idle Fret
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Title: Resist Not Evil EP
Genre: Hard rock
Rating: ★★★★
In short: Turn it up!
IF this EP is anything to go by, rock is BACK on the Border.
Idle Fret have gone from strength to strength since their formation in 2009 and now, after building a fanbase, deliver their long-awaited first CD.
And over six tracks, Resist Not Evil stays true to the band’s quest for hard and heavy tunes.
With influences ranging from Jet to Grinspoon and throwback rockers Airbourne, the band’s sound is powerful but catchy and radio-friendly.
Musically, it’s super to hear the combination of an in-sync rhythm section and some blazing guitar fun — check out the opener DTA and the driving anthem F**k The Law.
The title track is a mid-tempo rhythm-driven highlight with a finger-bleeding, Flying V solo.
Mad Dog is a super-punchy cut. There’s a definite late 1970s, early 1980s feel about these tunes and frontman Hayden Edwards’ vocal delivery belies his teenage years.
Artist: Haim
Title: Days Are Gone (Universal)
Genre: Indie pop
Rating: ★★★½
In short: Harmonious
HAIM, as in the late 1980s teen hearthrob actor Corey Haim.
Fitting too, that the all-sister act from Los Angeles take their cues from that decade on their surprisingly good debut record Days Are Gone.
And while the Haim siblings — Este, Danielle and Alana — might be a snippet too young to remember ‘Choose Life’ t-shirts, they are obviously influenced by the likes of Pat Benetar, Blondie and Prince.
But what’s cool about Haim’s sound is the connection it has to more modern music: 1990s R&B and 2000s pop.
Opener Falling has throwback bop, squealing guitars and an energetic drum backbone. It borders on cheesy without taking that next step.
Forever sneaks closer to the line. But, heck, what a great time we’re having here!
Honey & I is a shade more folky, showcasing the girls’ superb harmonies and Go Slow is a Bangles-esque stunner.
Artist: Elvis Costello and The Roots
Title: Wise Up Ghost (Universal)
Genre: Blues/roots
Rating: ★★★½
In short: Cool
ELVIS Costello does hip-hop ... sort of.
Teaming with seminal hiphop/soul act The Roots, Costello delivers some truly funky music on Wise Up Ghost.
It’s The Roots’ ‘live band’ sound that really works with Costello’s often abrasive lyrics here.
Early, on the synth-slapped, string-laden Refuse To Be Saved, Costello quasi raps.
It’s a great example on how well these two legends of their own genres have found perfect harmony.
Costello’s impressive stance aside, it’s the musicianship of The Roots — led by beatsmith Questlove — that makes for a record that always keeps you guessing musicially.
Stick Out Your Tongue is jazzy, down-tempo blues, Walk Us Uptown is ice-cool and, to be honest, feels wrong on mp3.
Elsewhere, Sugar Won’t Work visits from the 1960s and Tripwire is delicate old soul.
Artist: Keith Urban
Title: ???Fuse (EMI)
Genre: Country/rock
Rating: ★★★★
In short: Fusion
KEITH Urban’s first studio album in three years sees the Aussie country superstar get a little adventurous.
Fans shouldn’t fear, the American Idol judge hasn’t started rapping nor has he taken to twerking, but he does ‘fuse’ a few extra genres into this release.
For the most part, this is the Keith Urban the world, especially America, has fallen for — classic country, stadium-ready rock and tender balladry.
Even The Stars starts almost punky before building into a danceable country pop anthem while don’t be surprised if Good Thing is subjected to a remix or two such is its already electronic undertone.
Red Camaro is hip-hoppy in a Kid Rock/Uncle Kracker kind of way.
Somewhere In My Car is more classic Keith while highlight Cop Car boasts the very country lyric: “I fell in love in the back of a cop car.”
Artist: Jessie J
Title: A??live (Universal)
Genre: Pop
Rating: ★★★½
In short: J-j-j-j-just right
JESSIE J is a popstar who just gets it right.
I mean how many pop divas could rock a shaved head (she did it for charity) and arguably look better.
Beyonce? Nup. Gaga? Ugh.
Pink? Probably.
Like Pink, Jessie J really excels as a strong songwriter without boundaries.
She’s inherently pop but not bubblegum.
Alive is Jessie’s second CD, building nicely on her hit debut.
She’s got party jams (It’s My Party, Wild and Sexy Lady), she’s got stripped-back ballads (the very nice Square One) and she’s got some decent uplifting, anthems (Harder We Fall and Gold).
Breathe, co-penned with Aussie songwriting genius Sia Furler, is destined for single release while US R&B star Brandy guests on the fierce girl power effort Conquer The World (which almost rips off Oasis’ Wonderwall).
Artist: Avicii
Title: ???True (At Night)
Genre: Dance/pop
Rating: ★★★
In short: Varied
HE’S one of the world’s most popular DJs and producers and everything Avicii touches in electronic dance music, literally, turns to gold.
But who could have predicted the 24-year-old would redivert to country and bluegrass and soul on his new album True?
It’s a divisive move from the man who brought us the joyous Levels (later nicked by Flo Rida for Good Feeling).
His collab with Aloe Black, Wake Me Up, has already been a chart smash and shows how genres can be cleverly melded.
Hey Brother features more slide guitar than club beats and Addicted To You sounds like it was penned as a Bond theme.
Liar Liar features Doors-esque keyboards, the pacy Shame On Me mimics a little Suzi Quatro and Imagine Dragons’ singer Dan Reynolds guests on the banger Heart Upon My Sleeve.
And Lay Me Down, with Adam Lambert, is super disco funk, easily the CD’s best track.