Music

Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation

There aren’t many artists who’ve had as long a career as Paul Weller, and managed to keep such a consistent level of quality. Each new album seems to sound fresh and urgent, even when the same basic blueprint is being followed every time – classic soul-tinged rock, with the blood of mod running through its veins. New album Wake Up The Nation happily follows suit. With effortlessly graceful songwriting, and interesting, well-considered production, it’s buy on sight once again.

MGMT – Congratulations

More kooky psych pop from the Brooklyn two-piece as they release their much-anticipated second album. Coming somewhat close to Curtis Mayfield, via Lambchop, the title track does a pretty convincing blue eyed soul impression, while Flash Delerium’s chugging keyboard and drum machine sail close to the sound of their debut Oracular Spectacular. Pete Kember, aka Sonic Boom of legendary psych throwbacks Spacemen 3, is on production duties, but he hasn’t really made his sonic mark as much as you might expect.

Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record

Already on their fourth album, Broken Social Scene are certainly pretty prolific by many bands’ standards, but they never really seem to go anywhere. If you’ve got their rightly lauded sophomore release, You Forgot It In People, then successors, including solo efforts of various members, are a bit redundant. Forgiveness Rock Record doesn’t really buck the trend, following a familiar slightly left-of-centre indie rock path.