The other night I was watching Leno (again, an inspiration for a post) when Minnie Driver was in the hotseat chatting with our favorite skunky late night host. The show went to commercial, and then, to my surprise, came back with Minnie Driver on stage about to perform. Musically. What the fuck? I didn't see that one coming. 

And guess what. Unlike most actor-turned-musicians, this chica is good. Like, really good. I love her voice, and I fell head over heels in love with the song she and her band performed. It's called "Beloved". I've been singing it ever since. I chalk it up a bit to her being British (ahem, go England). I've always loved Minnie Driver anyways, if not for her acting, but for her incredible laugh. It makes me giggle ridiculously. 

And, this is her second album! Sheesh.  

It must be crappy to be compared to your former career in reviews, Minnie, but thats what happens. Your fellow actors have tried to the music thing and sucked at it, so we have to be cautious when you do it. But don't worry, love, you've done well.

Anyways, 

the song was sung well, lyrically very good, and not overdone. Simple in it's simpleness and beautiful at the same time, if you get what that means.

Right, so anyways, I've now got the album, yay, and I'm very much enjoying it. I'd love for you to love it too, so check out these MP3s, or better yet, go out and get the bloody album.   

To summarize:

I liked her before, when I just knew her as an actress.

She turns out to be a kickass musician.

And she lives in a trailer park.

And the boyfriend thinks her music is good.

So basically, all systems go. You'll like. 

Minnie Driver Official Website // MySpace // Buy Seastories 

Beloved MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03-minnie_driver-beloved.mp3]

Cold Dark River MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04-minnie_driver-cold_dark_river.mp3]

Sorry Baby MP3

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/02-minnie_driver-sorry_baby.mp3]

So how much fun is Lily Allen's latest release, Alright, Still? Lots.

Allen actually played at Bonnaroo, but I think I bypassed her performance to see someone else I was more familiar with. I now regret it a little.

This album is super cute, super fun, and super funny. Perhaps I'm biased towards British performers, but I don't think so. I mean, I never loved Eternal. 

I love this album for a few reasons: 

1. People always ask me, as though I am an authority on linguistics in music, why British musicians mask their accents whilst singing. I won't hear that question here, because her British accent is quite clear, and warms my heart a bit.
2. It's funny. The lyrics aren't sentimental and sappy and emotional, it's fun words to sing along to, and hearing "Tesco's" in the track LDN made me feel a bit nostalgic. Tesco's has the best Cornish Pasties, fyi.
3. Her voice isn't harsh or belty, it's sweet and simple, and uncomplicated.
4. The album is boppy to the point of wiggling my bum around my seat. It's not washed down pop music, it actually has elements of other genres of music in it, and I can appreciate that.
5. It has a decent variety of beats and sounds. Listen to "LDN" and then "Shame For You". 

If you're discriminating when it comes to your musician's personal life, Allen might not be for you. She's similar to Amy Winehouse–the bad girl reputation and the lot. I couldn't give two shits either way. 

Definitely take the time to check her out.  

Lily Allen Official Website // MySpace (which she personally updates, I think) // Buy Alright, Still 

LDN

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/03%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20LDN.mp3]

Take What You Take

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/09%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20Take%20What%20You%20Take.mp3]

Shame For You

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/07%20%20Lily%20Allen%20-%20Shame%20For%20You.mp3]

Nux Vomica - The Veils

Thanks to Sixeyes, I have discovered the tootin' glory of The Veils. It happened all quite innocently, just reading an interview Alan Williamson did with the lead singer (good stuff by the way, check it out), and I happened upon an MP3. Sweet. Then "Jesus for the Jugular" started playing, and I was stricken. So stricken I suspended everything I was doing to listen closely. 

Oh, yes. It is that good. Hit play.

I'm sure as I'm hooked on this song and the rest of the album that a review will be forthcoming. I'll do a bit of history on the band, too, as I've never heard of them before this and we've got the right to know.

Related Audio: 

Jesus For the Jugular - The Veils

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20-%20Jesus%20For%20The%20Jugular.mp3]

Related Links:

The Veils Official Website

The Veils on MySpace

Buy This CD 

 
The Noisettes - What's the Time Mr. Wolf

The Noisettes Official Website

Label : Motown Records

So, whats up, Noisettes? The hype, you say? I'd have to agree.

The Noisettes are pretty decent. Nothing overly original. Good beats and riffs and the lot.  In doing some reading about them on the good ol' interweb, I've found that there is so much hype its hard to focus on the music. Its like, "Hey, check out this crazy 3-bit band from the U.K! The lead singer is a girl and plays the bass, and the drummer played for 8 hours everyday in high school! OMFG!"

Yeah, big deal. I've never been one to pay attention to the intricacies of band bios and history. The music is whats important. So, saying that, lets talk about the music.

Lead singer, Shingai, rocks the mike, so to speak. I do love her voice; an odd mix of soul and screetchy punk-rock. Most of the songs on the album are pretty catchy, and an excellent roaring listen. The album is strangely conventional, or typical–no frontiers being breached here, but after a couple of listens I'm pretty hooked on the album.

Some favorites: Scratch Your Name, Don't Give Up, and Nothing To Dread. The Count of Monte Cristo very much like another song I know, and I'm thinking its PJ Harvey.  

Final Verdict: As D. would say, ignore the hype. For real. Give it a listen and HEAR the music, and make a decision. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Related Audio:

Sister Rosetta

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/04%20Sister%20Rosetta%20(Capture%20The%20Sprin.mp3]

Don't Give Up

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/01%20Don%27t%20Give%20Up.mp3] 

Scratch Your Name

[audio:http://lovethemusicreviews.com/audio/02%20Scratch%20Your%20Name.mp3]

Related Links:

The Noisettes Official Website

The Noisettes on MySpace 

Buy This CD 

The Noisettes On Tour:

NOISETTES are out right NOW with TV ON THE RADIO
4/17 Norfolk, VA @ The Norva Theatre
4/18 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
4/19 Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
4/20 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
4/21 Poughkeepsie, NY @ Vassar College
4/23 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
4/27 Indio, CA @ COACHELLA

NOISETTES Tour With BLOC PARTY in JUNE
5/27 Pompano Beach, FL (Pompano Beach Amphitheatre)
5/28 Tampa, FL (USF Sun Dome)
5/29 Orlando, FL (UCF Arena)
5/31 Atlanta, GA (Tabernacle)
6/01 Myrtle Beach, SC (House Of Blues)
6/03 Washington, DC (DAR Constitution Hall)
6/05 Philadelphia, PA (Tower Theatre)
6/06 Boston, MA (WFNX Radio Show)
6/07 Asbury Park, NJ (Convention Hall)
6/09 San Francisco, CA (Live 105 Radio Show)
6/11 Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theatre)
6/12 Denver, CO (Ogden Theatre)
6/13 Las Vegas, NV (Palms Casino Hotel)
6/16 San Diego, CA (Concerts In The Park)