PALOMA FAITH – DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH OR SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL?
Whilst I am not necessarily against Paloma Faith and her work, I also think it is difficult to find something especially notable about her. Her work certainly has some lyrical credibility and depth, but whilst she is certainly trying very hard to be interesting, I’m afraid for me she falls short of genuine intrigue, both musically and personally. It feels like she has selected aspects from different artists; her vocals have a bit too much of the Winehouse about them, she samples lashings from Roisin Murphy’s wardrobe, and something indistinct I can’t quite place, but am pretty certain is not organic to Miss Faith. She is certainly listenable, indeed there is a gentle, unassuming quality about her that is quite endearing, and additionally her album/single artwork is often very curious and attractive. However, I feel Paloma and her music are missing something that makes her ultimately a bit lack lustre. “New York” is alright though. 4/10
BOWLING FOR SOUP – SORRY FOR PARTYIN’
Most famous in the UK for their righteous single “Girl all the Bad Guys Want” back in 2003, Bowling for Soup return with their eighth full-length album this month, which has entered the hot 100 this week off the back off their UK mini-tour. The new album continues with the group’s pop punk trend, consisting of constricted, whiny American vocals, naughty school boy lyrics, contemplative middle eights, and guitar riff heavy segways. A good 18 tracks long, you get a lot of pop punk for you money. “My Wena” in particular is a notable highlight, not just for obvious innuendo relate aspects, but because of the enjoyable, competent instrumentation. As albums go, Sorry for Partin’ certainly isn’t gonna break any boundaries, but it does deliver what pop punk intends to do; cute, fun, accessible guitar music that harbours a fantastically charismatic adolescent quality. Why not, I say, why not! 7/10
