Reviews>>Jack White - Blunderbuss (Third Man/XL)

In a span of just fifteen years, Jack White has had the career to fill a lifetime. From festival headlining, Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum sellers The White Stripes, to successful super group The Raconteurs, to his recent endeavours on drums with The Dead Weather, White was inevitably due to record a solo album on his next career step. That debut solo album, Blunderbuss, sees him crossover all aspects of his career so far, while still maintaining something fresh at the table.

This ruthless neo noir takes a sinister ride through tales of deception, femme fatales, guilt and lust. The title track sounds like White Blood Cells-era White, while the song’s piano and violin melody add in a new dimension to his recognisable bluesy rock grooves and progressive riffs. “Weep Themselves to Sleep,” pays homage musically to previous efforts in The Raconteurs. “I’m Shakin’” is a doo wop, rockabilly cover of Little Willie John, whilst the vaudevillian “Hip (Eponymous) Poor Boy,” is a bit of a leftfield surprise, driven by jangly and happy piano melodies, which sounds like the final piece of the “My Doorbell“ and “The Denial Twist” trilogy. Lead off single, “Love Interruption”, is a duet with Ruby Amanfu about the violent things they both desire from love. Album closer, “Take Me With You When You Go”, who’s additive fuzz riffs will have air guitars at the ready, is probably the record’s standout track, as White ponders whether displaying his own inner desires may be harming someone else.

Certainly a trip down White’s career memory lane, but still an adventurous and unconventional release from the man who’s already done it all, so early in his career. The White Stripes may be sadly long gone, but with an impressive debut as this, that may well be a good thing.

8/10

Reviews>>Cold War Kids - Mine Is Yours (V2)

Back in late 2006, a band appeared from Fullerton, California, setting the blogosphere alight with their bluesy indie rock tunes. Following the release of highly-regarded debut 'Robbers & Cowards' in January 2007, Cold War Kids unfortunately have yet to recreate that momentum.

While follow up 'Loyalty to Loyalty' recieved warm reviews, it didn't recreate the same mainstream breakthrough, and after touring for the last two years, Cold War Kids return with their third album, 'Mine is Yours.'

Cold War Kids teamed up with Kings of Leon producer Jacquire King to part-record the album in Tennesse, and certain 'arena' sounds are included on this album. Title track 'Mine is Yours' and 'Louder than Ever' are evidence of this new arena, blues rock the Kids seem to be aiming towards.

However, it's not all one way traffic. 'Royal Blue' and 'Sensitive Kid' are Cold War Kids at their best, particularly the former; fast paced percussions and soaring guitar solos, definately the album's highlight. 'Skip The Charades' is also heartbreaking, mellow piano riffs that will probably be the sound track to Grey's Anatomy and other hosipital dramas.

The arena sound certainly suits frontman Nathan Willett's ranging soul vocals, he sounds as they he's been long waiting to express himself to such levels. The 80s sounding percussions also bring the Kids a new dimension.

Overall, it's not a bad return, however anyone hoping for another 'Robbers & Cowards, will be disappointed.

6.5/10

theAmp's Singles of 2010

The standout tracks from the best artists of 2010, as chosen by theAmp.

Surfer Blood - Swim//Ok, we're cheating here as it was actually released in 2009 in their native US, however across the pond we didn't get the album till January 2010, whilst it was released on Rough Trade in May. One of the leaders of the rebirth of lo-fi surf rock in 2010, this track from the Floridians is drenched in reverb, while the echoing vocals of John Paul Pitts will leave you singing it for weeks. But what was it about, swimming or suicide?

Vampire Weekend - Diplomat's Son//Based on a song from the Clash and a borrowed M.I.A sample, this was the standout track of Vampire Weekend's excellent sophomore album. The whole song is set around a wild house party, with the song's protagonist coming out. An emotional rollercoaster ride, written by keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij about his struggles with his sexualty, it brought the summer early in January 2010.

Yeasayer - O.N.E//One of the best dancefloor tracks of the year, this odd track from Yeasayer was one of the suprise hits of the year, bringing the trio into the mainstream and even appearing as a track on FIFA 11.

Ce Lo Green - Fuck You//A simple track about a cheating lover, the former Gnarls Barkley frontman had one of the biggest hits of the year with his track, cruelly censored by the Auntie to 'Forget You.'

Titus Andronicus - A More Perfect Union//Six and a half minutes of epicness is the only way to describe this song. Three interchanging guitar solos from wild frontman Patrick Stickles, epic choruses leading into battle 'Rally around the flag' and an opening epilogue from Abraham Lincoln's Lyceum address, whilst remaining energetic and different throughout. Brilliant.

Fang Island - Daisy//The energy in this song will leave you bouncing around for hours on end, while the song will refuse to leave your head. A great track from one of the great finds of 2010.

The Black Keys - Tighten Up//Another band to find mainstream success in 2010, the Akron, Ohio duo kept their bluesly rock to the backburn, with the groove of hip-hop beats bringing out the hidden cool side to Dan Auerbach.

theAmp's Albums of 2010

It's been another busy year in the music world, but there have been some gems been released and here's theAmp's pick of the bunch.


The National - High Violet//Although you could say it was somewhat an inferior comeback to 2007's excellent 'Boxer', album no.5 was the one to bring The National to escalating heights. The deep emotional lyircs of Matt Berginer, both feel uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. A deserved placing into the mainstream for the hardworking New York quintet.

Titus Andronicus - The Monitor//The probable only way to describe Titus Andronicus is 'Bruce Springsteen brawling with The Pogues in 19th century America' however that will still only get you half-way there! The New Jersey literates once again bring their druken, punk energy to the front of their sound, which mixes from eccentric guitar solos, to slow, moving tracks. They probably recorded the most expansive album of the year, which was based on the American Civil War, featuring the readings of Abraham Lincoln, Walt Witman and even a bagpipe solo.

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs//Although an album with 16 tracks, does look like it would be filler material, Arcade Fire manage to somehow produce an album where every track is great. Unlike 'Funeral' and 'Neon Bible', where there were a few outstanding tracks sublemented with weak tracks, there is no weak track here on The Suburbs. A triumphant year for the Montreal band, with headline appearances at Reading and Leeds and a sold out arena tour, the pressure will be on them to deliver another masterpiece next time around.

Fang Island - Fang Island//"The sound of everyone high-fiving everyone" is how this energetic lo-fi band describe themselves, and with their energy and creativism it's hard to argue otherwise. It's been a year of the lo-fi revival, and while some bands have been bland, Fang Island have been a fresh air amongst the crowded market and certainly stood out.

Vampire Weekend - Contra//Contra seemed to have an adverse effect on Vampire Weekend. While it didn't ooze the same mainstream sound as their self-titled debut, it managed to propel them to new heights and went number one on the billboard charts in the native US of A. They experimented more than the previous with reggae, reverb and harps, but once again they lead the pack of chasers of their peers.

Review>>Interpol - Interpol

Interpol - Interpol (Co-op)

In the three years since the release of “Our Love to Admire,” the New York pessimists have suffered a dramatic downward turn in momentum, from what looked like a placing on the world’s main stage, resulting towards a belief that the band are starting again from scratch.

The self-titling of the new record will intensify those beliefs, whilst the loss of key bassist Carlos Dengler is a huge hole to fill. Fortunately, Dengler was around for the recording of the album and despite all the gloom surrounding the release, it means he leaves the band with them heading back to form.

Returning from a solo album under the guise of ‘Julian Plenti,’ front man Paul Banks’ distinctive, cynical vocals are again at the forefront of the band’s sound. This is particularly evident in Try It On, where he yearns for his love’s return, letting his emotions get the better of him through a bundle of expletives. All of the Ways, however, is the opposite; a cold and seething disgust evident in his vocals, as he demands “Tell me you’re mine.” On the album’s standout and most diverse track, The Undoing, Banks shows off his vocal range by breaking-out into Spanish mid-way, further deepening the gloomy outlook of the atmosphere, combining with the Church organs and brass background echo.

Banks isn’t the only standout, with lead guitarist Daniel Kessler producing several riffs that make him the key element in the band’s sound, for the first time in their back catalogue. In the album’s most mainstream sound, Barricade, Kessler’s guitar floats off in its own simultaneous direction, while the stomping drums imprinted in the chorus will make it a live favourite. In pre-album teaser Lights, Kessler’s guitar work once again leads the listener to their impending doom of the song’s brooding darkness; which brings rewards through repeated listens, whilst Safe Without is a classic riff gradually built up alongside a hypnotic emotion.

The synthesizers of Always Malaise (The Man I Am) wouldn’t look out of place in 1980s horror movies, whilst the bleak pianos lurk towards a cold and bitter winter ahead, with the robotic drumming of Samuel Fogarino culminating in a late surge in tempo. Dengler’s work will be missed as heard through the haunting, atmospheric bass of Memory Serves, the calm stroll in Summer Well and Success is Interpol at their menacing best, with the reverb guitar work complimenting the thumping build up of the bass.

On this evidence, Dengler will be a loss to the band; however they clearly have the flair to survive without him, suggesting a guitar-based sound coming to the fore.

7/10