This is a miscellaneous post, starting off with 2 reviews that didn't make the deadline for my previous post.
Crystal Castles - II (7.5/10)
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The second self-titled album by this elektronica duo -infamous for not shying away from controversy and for their chaotic live performances - from Toronto, Canada, with a slightly creepy album cover. On this album, they expand the noisy-poppy contrast that was also present on the debut album, but overall succeed better in keeping the balance between those two opposites. "Violent dreams" is a dreamy track, whereas "Intimate" is a more classic danceable videogame-bleepy CC-track.
Balthazar - Applause (7.5/10)
Balthazar did good in Humo's rock rally a couple of years back, but were smart enough to find their own sound first before bringing out a full album. On Applause, they present a collection of tracks that fall in 2 categories: more downtempo intimate ballads, and extravert, funky, groovy, danceable tracks with a minimal but very functional rhythm section and even some group vocals. I prefer the latter tracks, current single "Hunger at the door" is the catchiest Belgian single of the first half of the year, and "Throwing a ball" is equally good. Don't know if their sound is unique enough to stand out enough for a international breakthrough, but I wish them all the luck.
This is the rip-off section of this post.
Now, as an artist, you can borrow a riff or an idea from some obscure track and get away with it because no one ever notices. It's different however, when you clearly base your new hit single track on another recent smash hit track. Jason Derulo ripped off Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry's new "California Gurls" single has an undeniable Ke$ha influence, with maybe a more eighties production and a little less auto-tune. But still, the synth riff in the verse and the "ooh-ah-ooh"-s in the chorus give it away.
VV Brown's voice sounds a whole lot like Alicia Keys in her new/old single, now doesn't it? Not to mention the acoustic intro riff is a distant cousin from the guitar riff in "Faith" by George Michael.
In another clear example, local singstress Natalia tries to cash in on the long Amy Winehouse absence with a track that's clearly based on the "Back to black"-track. Very similar piano riff, some brass instrument decorations, and even a very similar tempo change in the chorus. Very, very obvious.
I guess everybody was hoping for something really cool when Kele Okoreke from Bloc Party announced his solo dance album. On the first single however, he doesn't do better than a pretty weak remake of a well-known euro dance track with a quite raunchy video.
I'll wrap it up with 2 more video's from UK bands.
I have to admit I was a bit sceptical about the Mumford and Sons-hype. Little Lion Man was an unexpected hit that even propelled them to commercial radio stations in Belgium, something even Fleet Foxes never succeeded in doing. Of course, they're jumping the whole folk revival movement bandwagon a little, but they I was convinced by their appearance on Jools Holland a couple weeks back. Ok, there are some hilarious attempts at beard growth, but they seem to play their songs with the right amount of conviction. Plus, this track has a foot stomp solo at around 2:50!
Florence and the Machine is doing really good everywhere, so she got approval from the record company to make a new video for new single (and I daresay best single so far) "Dog days are over". The result is really colourful, and one of the few music videos these days really worth watching.
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