Album Reviews

Kasabian – Velociraptor!: This is the sound of a band at the top of its game. Many stars have faded by their fourth albums, but the Leicester quartet continue to progress. Making what guitarist Serge Pizzorno describes as “future rock”, Kasabian’s effortless ability to cross genres blows supposed rivals Beady Eye and The Courteeners out of the water. This follow-up to West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is dynamic, dramatic and interesting from start to finish. New single Days Are Forgotten is stunning, the title track insanely catchy, while ballad Goodbye Kiss – perhaps the most straight-up pop song the band has produced – and Rewired are also highlights. AC
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Sep 2011, 11:21 BST

Transfer – Future Selves: This offering from the San Diego-based alternative rock four-piece shouldn’t be ignored. But it doesn’t shout to get your attention; rather it patiently makes its case and waits for listeners to love it. An understated masterpiece, Future Selves is full of nice rock ‘n’ roll flourishes and sharp lyrical touches, and boasts a well-engineered sound, with singer-guitarist Matthew Molarius’s double-tracked vocals sounding every bit like the next Brandon Flowers. Shifting from anthemic rock to harmonic soul effortlessly, the album shows why they have already made a big noise in the US and could conquer these shores. RL

Tori Amos – Night of Hunters: Tori Amos’s latest record is a mythical experience. In less sophisticated hands, the story of shape-shifting fox Anabelle might push hardened folkies to their limits of musical acceptance. Yet, Amos make her songs about her travels through the Nine Underworlds as she hunts for Mr Right, lyrical rather than loony. As expected, the orchestration is sensitive and spine-tingling, and makes it feel like a surround-sound fairytale for grown-ups. For those looking for a more traditional Amos sound, stand-alone songs such as Edge of the Moon will get you there. SO’M

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Kevin Costner and Modern West – From Where I Stand: Hollywood star Kevin Costner takes a break from the day job as he reunites with his country-rock band Modern West to do what they enjoy. Their third album, From Where I Stand, should please fans greatly. With the Oscar-winning actor on lead vocals, the album opens with the catchy Indian Summer before leading into the up-beat rock-tinged Hurricane Rain and Where Do We Go From Here. It’s all rather pleasant and easy-listening, with Indian Summer and the remastered The Angels Came Down as the stand-out highlight. SL

Liszt – Dante Sonata/Sonata in B minor/Scherzo and March (Piano Classics PCL 0014): Those privileged to hear Arnaldo Cohen playing Liszt in a remarkable Harrogate recital a few years back, can now recapture that white-heat brilliance in this 1989 recording. His performance of the Dante Sonata is in a league all of its own, fingers dazzling in their agility, the power of climatic moments continuing into a technically coruscating account of the B minor Sonata. Cohen never shortchanges the listener in the tenderness of the many poetic moments and he sparkles in the quirky Scherzo and March. DD

Grieg – Symphonic Music Vol 2 (Audit 92.579): I cannot recall a more beautifully played or more thoughtfully conducted disc of Grieg’s music for string orchestra. The young Norwegian, Eivind Aadland, draws the most elegant and refined performances from Cologne’s WDR Symphony, the silky smoothness of Two Elegiac Melodies and Two Melodies, contrasting with the vivacity and joyful account of the ever-popular Holberg Suite. The disc closes with the sad Nordic Melody, and the rustic Cow-Call and Peasant Dance. Fine for all CD players, it is in stunning surround sound. DD

Andrew Carless, Rob Lavender (rock/pop), Sarah O’Meara Shereen Low (folk/country) and David Denton (classical/opera)

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