8:18 – The Devil Wears Prada – Romans 8:18: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” is what the Christian metalcore band is revealing in this glorious mass of sound and self-flagellation: “Will I ever forgive myself?” asks Mike Hranica and this is the second album of theirs that defies harcore or Christian category to emerge as one of the most overwhelming, loud and sometimes even lovely experiences you will hear this year – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – A
Pushin’ Against A Stone – Valerie June – Dan Auerbach co-produced this and Alyson Camus loved her live and I cans ee what they both enjoyed in this rootsy folk music cum American. Always tuneful, always very felt, and sometimes the songs are as good as the delivery – B
True – Avicii – Avicii joins the charge of DJs moving from strict BPMs and remixes and original material. He has two hits on the charts as speak, one “Wake Me Up” is huge but not very good, the other “Lay Me Down” is getting huge and is big, melodic dance track. The rest is slimmer pickings – C+
Long Way Down – Tom Odell – Well, he ain’t James Blunt (that’s a compliment) and he manages to weather the Elton John comparison abd, even more impressively, cover Randy Newman without looking like a plank. Very good piano based English singer songwriter – B+
If Not Now Then When – Ethan Johns – I don’t know but for sure not now. Laura Marling’s producer releases a very weak debut album, proving than those who can do and those who can’t really shouldn’t – C-
Fly By Wire – Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltzen – Piano based pop songs of quiet beauty and quite a way away from “Let It Sway”, they should try writing for other bands. Till then this is smart indie pop and qill keep em running till they write a breakthrough – B
Defend Yourself – Sebadoh – Stil lo-fi, still pretty, still around 20 years and nine albums later – B
Saves The Day – Saves The Day – Emo boys write swell melodies and smart and sharp and easy going pop songs very well, very often… year after year after year – B