[Something] is the belated record-industry reaction to Amy Winehouse's success, and an attempt to get More Stuff Like That on the shelves. Not necessarily a bad thing.
Really? I think Amy Winehouse is massively, horribly overrated. Seriously, I do not get it at all.
I've always thought Nickelback's success can be explained entirely by extremely catchy choruses that have been bolted onto an otherwise completely generic band. It's not like there's anything wrong with them, but none of their songs stick out in my mind.
After a first listen to 'A&E', I'm quite surprised I haven't seen anyone making the Erasure comparison before. It's fantastically apt.
On another note, I find myself rather annoyed by the super-compressed drums crashing the party towards the end there. It's a trick that's been done to death over the last couple of years (I'm not sure if it's ultimately a Sigur Ros influence), and it's managed to ruin a good few songs for any sort of easy listening. For instance, our three-month old would probably love 'A&E' otherwise, but that bit will prove too intense for him and hence it's off the list. Shame.
Cor, that Utah Saints tune takes me back. I heard it played on some radio station the other day, without explanation, and it must have been in connection with this remix/re-release, which, I agree, isn't strictly necessary.
If all this stuff is coming back, Orbital picked the wrong time to split...
The problem with the Duffy/Winehouse comparisons is that Amy Winehouse's material at least sounds like it was written by a human being with experiences, while Duffy's sounds like it was put together by songwriting software that's been fed with all the clichés of soul music. You know why Amy's No Good, and why she's Going Back to Black. You have no idea why Duffy's begging for Mercy. Or why she sounds so cheerful when she does it.
Which is a shame, because her voice is fantastic.
And by the way, Paul Hartnoll's new stuff knocks most of Orbital into the proverbial cocked hat.
Not sure I agree with that, to be honest. Or rather: I agree that McAlmont and Butler tend to make music-geek records which are more about paying tribute to earlier records than anything else. But I think those are the strengths of Amy Winehouse too. Lyrically, she's pretty superficial.
Stu N, I disagree about Winehouse, who's a talentless shambles, but am in full agreement about Paul Hartnoll. The Ideal Condition is ace.
that hot chip song is addictive.
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