Mixed by The Potbelleez & Goodwill – Sessions 5
Yet another Ministry of Sound offering, the fifth Sessions edition has saddled up with local heavyweights The Potbelleez and Goodwill. Yet another cracker from the ‘belleez – Are You With Me – sets the tone of this frenetic, ‘hands in the air’ ode to the candy kids, but it’s a predictable line-up, with the likes of Pjanoo (Eric Prydz), Been A Long Time (TV Rock), C’est La Vie (Martin Solveig) and The Presets’ This Boy’s In Love. You know what they say, If it ain’t broke…
MOS/UNIVERSAL
The Vines - Melodia
We don’t know what Craig Nichols has been up to these last couple of years, but he sounds massively reinvigorated on this, The Vines’ fourth album. The ‘60s Brit-Pop influences remain but this time around they’ve been paired with an (almost) ‘80s stadium rock aesthetic. Yes, it’s a slightly odd combo, but it works. Tracks such as He’s a Rocker and Merry Go Round are massively catchy and showcase the bands slow/thrashy dynamic at its best. Critics may have written them off, but Melodia finds The Vines taking huge leaps as both musicians and songwriters. This is a welcome return to form. Ivy League/liberation
Little Red - Listen to Little Red
Melbourne’s Little Red could be this generation’s Daddy Cool. They clearly love their ’50s pop, moving from doo-wop to soul. Close your eyes and you can imagine ’em playing at Al’s Diner in Happy Days. Live, they are the nation’s happiest band, with a grinning drummer and plenty of hand-clapping action. And the live vibe translates to their debut album. The harmonies are sweet, the beat is toe-tapping, and not one of the songs outstays its welcome – there are 16 tracks, but the album clocks in under 40 minutes. Definitely one of 2008’s most likeable albums.
Hooch Hound/Shock
Clinic - Do It
On their fifth album, psychedelic indie rockers Clinic take it back to the garage.
