Sneaker Pimps-Spin Spin Sugar

Sorry, but 90s music shouldn't be released again unless it's something really special. Old hip-hop group Sneaker Pimps single Spin Spin Sugar has been re-released which is very odd just for the fact that it only reached #21 in the UK Charts in its prime. I have to be honest, they are a bit old for me to remember as is the single, so I'm not nostalgic about this song, but from a neutral point of view it's typical 90s music. Something you'll look back on and wonder "why did I really listen to some of that music?". Sure, it isn't as bad as the likes of The Venga Boys and Aqua, but it has no chance of surviving in today's world.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Sneaker Pimps-Spin Spin Sugar here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjBwe6IL10o

Professor Green feat.Sierra Kusterbeck-Avalon

London rapper Pro Green is very hit-and-miss. He's the ultimate yo-yo artist, with a good/competent hit followed by a god awful song that not even his mother could love. His new single Avalon is actually one of his better songs, despite quite a lot of criticism of this song. Those telly watchers will have heard this song on the Relentless advert, where Pro Green's rapping is up to scratch and there's a very powerful chorus spearheaded vocally by VersaEmerge's fiery front woman, Sierra Kusterbeck. Apart from those snippets from the advert, the song doesn't really have anymore "best bits", but the best bits make this song what it is - great quality music.

Rating:7/10

Listen to "Professor Green featuring Sierra Kusterbeck-Avalon" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIhgVhTmrks

Passion Pit-Take A Walk

Wow. Passion Pit's new UK single Take A Walk is worth a listen. So if you are sitting here, reading this, click the link below! Already released in the US, this single is from the Massachusetts band's second album, Gossamer. Take A Walk flows with synthpop sounds and a beautiful summery chorus. It is also one of the only choruses I can listen to that is both repetitive and not irritating. If you have not heard of Passion Pit, get listening. Well worth the listen and so is this song.

Rating: 9/10

Listen to "Passion Pit-Take A Walk" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZX6Q-Bj_xg

Jennifer Lopez feat. Flo Rida-Goin' In

Love or hate her, you cannot help but to admire J Lo's flair and great attitude towards music. Her new dance floor favourite Goin' In will feature in the charts this week as she collaborates with one of the most irritating artists in music, Flo Rida. It has the usual build up and base drop which is the recipe for the average dance tune, and has a boisterous feel to it, along with some roaring vocals from shouty rapper Lil Jon. Then comes Flo Rida who buries this song 6 feet under, with a pointless rap. It's worse in the video as the topless R&B star sporting a fat pack raps while a car (yes there's always a car) sits in the background for no apparent use or reason. J Lo could have done a better job by herself, but unfortunately this is the way chart music is these days. Collaborating with everyone and anyone to promote their songs has really ruined the music business.  We need a saviour.

Rating: 4/10

Listen to "Jennifer Lopez feat. Flo Rida-Goin' In" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5W7DVFKrcs

Kindness-That's Alright

UK artist Kindness (aka Adam Bainbridge) is very new to music. Making ripples since the start of the year, he releases his new single this week called That's Alright. It begins with a drone before blending a saxophone beat into it, and yet like many songs recently, the 80s sound has came back with zany instruments and a splendid chorus built around an average song. If you cannot develop an idea of this song, it has a slight resemblance to INXS, but if that does not help, simply listen to the song. To sum up, That's Alright is not a striking track, but it is respectable. For 80s nostalgia fans.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Kindness-That's Alright" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uakYO-o9_84

Joss Stone-Pillow Talk

She undoubtedly has a beautiful voice , and Joss Stone's new song Pillow Talk is a real love song. Although it's not very imaginative and lacks creativity, this song will probably appear on every Chill/Love compilation album around the country. Lovers of Joss will adore this and so will those who are have a likening for soul music. The best thing about this song is the fact it is not spewed out of some machine which separates the true artists from the fake. It's not my cup of tea, but it's at least worth a listen.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Joss Stone-Pillow Talk" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRBlvPVhkGI

Halestorm-I Miss the Misery

Halestorm have only recently broke out in Britain as the hard rock band, from Pennsylvania have won over fans with their dark song titles (like Love Bites and Familiar Taste of Poison) and their mouthy, but wonderful songs, making them just as good as Paramore. Front woman Lzzy Hale really pushes her vocals to the limits in the band's new song I Miss the Misery. This has a touch of 80s rock and a bit of metal, and if you like nostalgia and you cannot find any music like it was in the 80s, I Miss the Misery is for you. Some good music.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Halestorm-I Miss the Misery" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJAmlnBxoA

Frightened Rabbit-State Hospital

Frightened Rabbit may be one of the most underrated bands in the UK. They've popped up everywhere without making a sound in the music scene, and even if they continue to be relatively unsuccessful, their new release, State Hospital will gain them some sort of recognition and respect that they deserve. Although such a tragic song with frontman Scott Hutchison saying "Her heart beats like a breeze block thrown down the stairs
Her blood is thicker than concrete forced to be brave she was, she was" this is pretty sweet and shows why this Scottish band need more publicity. I think a more bold song will help them breakthrough.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Frightened Rabbit-State Hospital" here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJb4uNi1VwU

Fake Blood-Yes/No

Fake Blood (aka Theo Keating, but apparently that isn't a great stage name) is a DJ who fuses electro-rave beats with hip hop. His new song Yes/No is has a frighteningly similar piano sound to one that you would associate with a horror film. The no vocals trick only works with Avicii-Levels, and it is absolutely boring at times. Really just a broken record song.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Fake Blood-Yes/No" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkhYYO76to

DJ Shadow feat. Terry Reid-Listen

When the name DJ Shadow comes to mind you would probably think of some ned/chav in a pair of Kappa trackies playing a shitty hardcore rave tune, but he is nothing like that. Instead we get an intelligent DJ that knows what he's doing and his new song Listen with Terry Reid conveys that. Such a cool, hip-hop-like song with is so organic, Greenpeace is all over this. At times the song drags on and gets boring, but some good work from DJ Shadow.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "DJ Shadow feat. Terry Reid-Listen" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1RznkLDngg

Deaf Havana-Hunstanton Pier

Deaf Havana have been around for a few years, and are described as "alternative rock or post-hardcore". This side of them is fairly absent for majority of their new song, Hunstanton Pier. The first two minutes are very different, quiet and unlike their usual material, before a proper rock song starts to develop, but by then, half the song is almost over. From that two minute mark, the song improves and disposes of the xylophone dominance and turns into a faster, harder song. Not too bad.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "Deaf Havana-Hunstanton Pier" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te712XaVMgM

Dappy-Good Intentions

Dappy's turned really deep in his new single Good Intentions. It's not his worst, as he actually seems to talk about something that is meaningful and important to him, but it's still Dappy who finds it very difficult to make enjoyable songs. Some of his lyrics are poor though, especially when he repeats the last word at the end of the line. Doesn't help his reputation with the overuse of pianos. Propa hard man. He then makes a ridiculous contrast by then rapping. Rapping+Piano=Never.

Rating:5/10

Listen to "Dappy-Good Intentions" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJjtpg1olsg

Pitbull feat. Shakira-Get It Started

Oh dear God, it's the return of Pitbull, appearing for the second time this week in my blog. As per, Pitbull sounds like an idiot and this doesn't change in his collaboration with Shakira in his new single Get It Started. Shakira should stick to Latin music as she really excels in that genre (as well as excelling in looks), not dance songs that have a predictable drop and a rave beat that would have been ridiculed 5 years ago. Yet again, Pitbull will get away with this song as it has Pitbull's name on it.

Rating: 4/10

Listen to "Pitbull feat. Shakira-Get It Started" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFrwqAhuvnQ

No Doubt-Settle Down

Since No Doubt announced a hiatus in 2004, fans wanted new material after the previous success of tracks like Just a Girl and Don't Speak, but it is a bit of an anti-climax with their new single Settle Down. The video really symbolises No Doubt going back to the good old days where they  reunite and get together and play their new single, but it's a sorry excuse of a song coming from the band who were planning a triumphant return, which has turned into a whimpering one with a song that is really unimaginative and a bit too pop for a rock band. Hope the next one is better.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "No Doubt-Settle Down" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb_zZ3xItPI

The Possession

Last night, I went to see the latest craze in the cinema, The Possession. It was what some people call a "horror" but I call it "a little jumpy".

The Possession is basically an average version of The Exorcist. The plot is based around a father who buys a box at a yard sale for one of his two children, but - believe it or not - the box is possessed. The youngest daughter Em, who keeps the box, starts to become emotionally attached to the box and starts to have unusual behaviour patterns, in which her parents think is due to their recent divorce. However, her father, Clyde, suspects it has something to do with the box and plans an exorcism to win his daughter back.

The film at times was predictable, as it was blatantly obvious for the first half an hour what would happen as they gave away the mystery in the first five minutes. I jumped once at what was supposedly a "scary film" which made the fear factor at an absolute minimum, as well as the film having unintentional humour, including the fact the Hasidic Jew (Matisyahu) in the film have the same curly hair as Em's mother...The age of the older daughter is ridiculous as well. The film suggests that Hannah (Madison Davenport) is around the age of 16, yet she is played by a baby-faced 15 year old.

Apart from the number of criticisms, the film had a decent storyline, yet is poorly structured and boring at times, the only part where I was genuinely scared was for a couple of minutes near the end. The ending is also average, but it was an OK film as I've said. The worse thing about the film is the fact that it ends with the possibility of a sequel and I cannot be bothered with one of these "horror franchises" like Paranormal Activity which is the same old crap. Was hoping for more than what I payed for and just slightly disappointed overall.

Rating:5/10

Night Trains-No More Heroes

No More Heroes is a jazzy soul song by the band Night Trains. It is very different from the usual material that I listen to and review, but also it doesn't excite me. The touch of saxophones and a strong voice behind the song makes it a little better but it is fairly average.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Night Trains-No More Heroes" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxs3DgLOEXs

Michael Jackson feat. Pitbull-Bad

When I realises that Michael Jackson had a new song out I was thinking he was working awfully hard from beyond the grave, but I was horrified when the word Bad came up on my screen and I just about screamed when I found out Pitbull was collaborating with him. With a little help from Afrojack, Pitbull has been hugely successful in murdering this song. WHY RUIN A CLASSIC? Whoever sat down one day and thought "hey we should make a Michael Jackson song turn into a rave tune" is beyond repair. The sooner Pitbull retires from music and becomes a bowling ball, the better. MJ must be rolling in his grave.

Rating: 1/10

Listen to "Michael Jackson feat. Pitbull-Bad" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eiq9xbSiWgY

Lianne La Havas-Forget

She is the next big thing in folk music. Lianne La Havas' soothing voice with a raw sound on guitar and drums, makes her new song Forget quite special. The chorus is a soul fest which bellows the title of the song and picks up the pace and the volume from the verse. This is quite a good song; it has its moments, but then doesn't stand out as much as I would have expected. One to definitely watch for the future.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Lianne la Havas-Forget" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug96eW6M9aw

Ladyhawke-Blue Eyes

Lady who? Well for most people they will remember her song My Delirium which was quite successful as well as popular, but I think people will remember her in some time for her new single - Blue Eyes. Warped riffs as well as a sweetly tuned voice make this song a treat and one of the easiest songs to listen to. The chorus is catchy and is clouded over by thunderous drums, which makes this song such a standout. You can tell this is like a Fifa song, full of fun and uniqueness. Really Ladyhawke and I need to catch up on her new album Anxiety.

Rating: 9/10

Listen to "Ladyhawke-Blue Eyes" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Pucpi8cvo

Example-Say Nothing

If you have read my blog long enough, you will know that I don't like his music that much. Yet, I'm warming to him more and more...I loved his collaboration with Calvin Harris on his track We'll Be Coming Back, and I hate to say it, but I like his new single Say Nothing. Although it does not promise what Example described it - calling it rock - it has a fresh sound to it and I'm weirdly hoping for more to come from him. Instead of an annoying dance beat, it has been replaced with more use of guitars than a Toshiba laptop's DJ app. Pretty good song, and I might like Example again. Yes, this is a new era.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Example-Say Nothing" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdoP2UmnEBM

Best Friends-Surf Bitches

First time I've heard of Best Friends, but I love surf rock and profanity in song titles, so therefore I love Surf Bitches. From what I've heard of Best Friends they are very much like Howler and The Drums with an echoing tune to them, yet they have a pinch of The Strokes with a bits of indie rock blending in. I want to hear more of Best Friends, and hopefully they'll come back with something bigger and better.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Best Friends-Surf Bitches" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za0t9iO7lOw

Boys Noize-XTC

When you see the name Boys Noize you expect some boy band who would soon be the hated group of the next generation, but it is far from it. Instead you get something just as bad, but just as weird. Boys Noize's new song XTC (yes it's supposed to be like "ecstasy") is so weird it could make Noel Fielding seem civilised. Imagine The Crazy Frog was put in a blender with some random dubstep artist with the mind of a dementia patient. I say this as it is kind of annoying and the words are repeated like there's no tomorrow. Boring.

Rating: 4/10

Listen to "Boys Noize-XTC" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbSqK6cydJ4

Axewound-Cold

Axewho? Just a little bit of background on Axewound for you. They are a new band fronted by Bullet For My Valentine's Matt Tuck, as well as four other band members from other bands such as Cancer Bats and Rise to Remain all in the band as a side project. Although I'm not into metalcore, this supergroup ain't too bad and their new single Cold is decent. The verses are very screamy, but the chorus is easy to listen to and is quite enjoyable. The fact I don't really listen to metalcore might make me appreciate this song less, but it's fairly average and one to love if you like metal.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "Axewound-Cold" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A3u2LOqYk0

Marques Toliver-Magic Look

This guy has some voice, better than Ne-Yo. He is some musician overall, being unique with his violin, Marques Toliver could break it in the UK very easily. His new single Magic Look has a lot of soul put into it and is beautiful. Only problem is it is a little repetitive, but apart from that Marques has done a great job here and I would like to see more of this music breaking through. And you've got to admit, it looks pretty damn cool.

Rating:8/10

Listen to "Marques Toliver-Magic Look" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYaBpwt2s0g

Fixers-Pink Light

Fixers have been around for a couple of years, but haven't been well noticed. They headlined the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds last year, but apart from that, there hasn't been much recognition. Hopefully new single Pink Light will change that. Although it's hard to understand the vocals at times - as it resembles a drunk French man attempting karaoke - the tune sounds great, even if it is suspiciously like The Pigeon Detectives' I'm Not Sorry. It's not a bad track, and should boost Fixers popularity.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "Fixers-Pink Light" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcZx5hpIpWM

Sincere-Deja Vu

Apparently Sincere is a rapper from London, and as you can tell I've never heard of Sincere in my lifetime. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I listened to his new single Deja Vu. I am struggling to find the woman singing in the background who makes the chorus as good as it is, with a really good DJ Fresh-like beat throughout the song. Sincere's rapping is decent as well as he rattles through the verses with speed. After having a bunch of mainly poor songs this week I think Deja Vu might have brightened my week up slightly.

Rating: 8/10

Listen to "Sincere-Deja Vu" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKzf4LJkRvM

Tulisa feat. Tyga-Live It Up

As most people know, I don't really like Tulisa's music, and her new song Live It Up hardly makes my opinion of her improve. At first hearing the verse I thought "Shit I'm going to like this song" and the song had potential, until the chorus came. There was no clear indication when the verse ended and the chorus started and with the chorus usually being the strongest part, I was disappointed. I mean, I'll be honest, it's my favourite Tulisa track - as it has a bit of a similarity to Alexandra Burke-Don't Let Me Start Without You and having Tyga on this track made it slightly more bearable - but the structure is poor. It's a shame that when she finally does something right by having a good beat, she also does something wrong by having a poorly planned "song".

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "Tulisa-Live It Up" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVPjldfJ9rM

Red Hot Chili Peppers-Magpies On Fire/Victorian Machinery

This week I have TWO new tracks from Red Hot Chili Peppers, starting off with their track Magpies On Fire. Keidis' voice is yet to be ruined despite the 20+ years RHCP have been performing for. He still has as good a voice as he did back in the days of Under the Bridge. Magpies On Fire isn't very catchy, but there's something about it that is utterly gorgeous. True RHCP fans will adore this song. Neutral fans will not mind this song. It's just great to see a band going for almost 30 years and still produce good songs. Long live RHCP.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Red Hot Chili Peppers-Magpies On Fire" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHPIWIKU_IA

Now, onto Red Hot Chili Peppers' second new track, Victorian Machinery. Compared to Magpies On Fire, this song is a lot heavier and uses guitars generously. However, during the chorus, it can be a bit messy. As much as making some riffs that resemble Jimi Hendrix's style, it can be all over the place. The calmer part of the song where the grunge sound leaves and we're left with just a guitar and vocals helps a little, but it looks like Victorian Machinery has lost out on best RHCP song this week.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "Red Hot Chili Peppers-Victorian Machinery" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-4Fo-gJnXU

Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City-Good Time

Pop songs come and go, and although both Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City have had their fair share of decent tunes, their song Good Time is just complete cheese. I mean it's alright and will pass for most pop lovers but it's just boring. The song starts off with potential, but by the time it reaches the chorus it is predictable and bland. It's not the worst I've heard this year (see Kreayshawn- Go Hard) but it shows how two artists with decent potential can sell out to boring dance music.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City - Good Time" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7HmzwI67ec

Labrinth-Treatment

Haven't I just warmed to Labrinth recently? His earlier work like Let The Sunshine was disappointing, until he really showed off his voice and planted himself in the as a respected artist in the music business. He's back with a new single which goes by the name of Treatment. This is very different from the likes of previous singles like Earthquake, using full use of his guitar and showing off his talent. Personally, I think this could be his best song to date and he hasn't had to rely on his old pal Tinie Tempah in the progress.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Labrinth-Treatment" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIeDGrfyQxE

Kreayshawn-Go Hard

Shit, Kreayshawn's a woman?! Was expecting some male, black hip-hop artist...Anyway, as much as I would love to say an artist with such a cool name is a great talent, Kreayshawn is piss poor. Go Hard at first sounds like harmless pop which could get away with having a decent beat to it, but then Kreayshawn had to open that mouth of hers and blurt out more nonsense than someone with severe tourettes. The genius lyrics consist of lines such as "Hey Bitch, Do you really really wanna go hard?/go in the crib, steal your step father's credit card". In other words, she is America's answer to Cher Lloyd. If this appeals to you, then please do yourself a favour and get counselling. 

Rating: 2/10

Listen to "Kreayshawn-Go Hard" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KleUddM2IPw

Hot Chip-How Do You Do?

The funky, electro-pop group Hot Chip are back after what seems like forever since their dance hit Ready For the Floor. There is a reason for that and the reason being, they aren't that good anymore. I mean, they can still make an OK song like their new track How Do You Do? but they will never be a legendary or talked-about band. How Do You Do? is repetitive and annoying, turning into noise sooner or later. I mean, it isn't too bad, but it's hard to listen to.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Hot Chip-How Do You Do?" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd_JW73R1Wk

Plan B-Deepest Shame

Plan B's new album Ill Manors is up for the Mercury Album of the Year, and that is no surprise. The rapper's album is based on his recently released film and the new single Deepest Shame is a piece of class. Filled with more passion than Frenchman, Plan B has produced a song that I actually like quite a lot. Forget the fact that he uses a piano a lot or that he is different, he is unique. Deepest Shame is pretty good, and full of soul.

Rating: 8/10

Listen to "Plan B-Deepest Shame" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke7LGK3UhxA

Graham Coxon-Advice

He's done it all. He's had number ones, he was part of one of the greatest bands of the 90s and one of the most well-known guitarists in Britain, but Graham Coxon's solo career hasn't lived up to his time with Blur. He releases new material today in the shape of his track, Advice. The beat is really catchy, but Coxon sounds like an out of tune karaoke singer at times and really doesn't suit singing. Brilliant guitarist, bad singer.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Graham Coxon-Advice" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6BtG8xI9EQ

Amelia Lily-You Bring Me Joy

Amelia Lily was supposedly a "rock star" on ITV's devil TV show "The X Factor" last year, but her debut song You Bring Me Joy is far from the genre that we expected from her. Instead of sounding like P!nk, she is sounding more like any other dance act just now. She had amazing vocals on The X Factor, and she has really had to restrict her voice on this track. It's a real shame because I think she genuinely has potential to be a great artist, but this track is just boring and frankly not very good. It's just very repetitive and messy  I'm sure Amelia will be able to spread her wings and have more of a decision over what songs she will sing. Hopefully soon.

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "Amelia Lily-You Bring Me Joy" here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvpeBPxyZAY

TOY-Lose My Way

TOY are newcomers to the music scene, with a sound similar to close friends The Horrors. They have had a decent opening year and their psychedelic rock has pulled some fans. Their new single Lose My Way is a piece of moody rock which may not have everyone going crazy at a concert, but it is still a great song to sing away to if you're a fan of these new boys. Wishing them luck for the future and maybe a little change in music might make them more popular on the indie scene.

Rating: 6/10

Listen to "TOY-Lose My Way" here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNl-kEJEmlo

Ne-Yo - Let Me Love You

I love Ne-Yo. His songs are always real R&B coming from the heart rather than talking about sex constantly. His vocals are just brilliant and he can actually sing and he doesn't disappoint on his new single Let Me Love You. Piano playing in the background as his voice floats through this song, before it hits a proper banging dance tune and it's one of the few dance tunes I really love this year. Not much more to say apart from he is a very consistent artist.

Rating: 8/10

Listen to "Ne-Yo - Let Me Love You" here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crrOl0egI00#!

ALBUM: The Vaccines-The Vaccines Come of Age

Love or hate them, The Vaccines are the hardest working band of this generation. Critics might disagree with me, but look at the facts: the boys from London have been together for two years, and last year played over 200 gigs in the year. To top it off they have produced two great albums in two years. Their debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? was well received, with many loving the silly pop rock and great concert anthems, fast and slow. But, their new album is a lot darker and a lot more mature than the debut album. The lyrics are superb as well, with a lot more intellectual input to them, making the first album look like nursery rhymes. I was genuinely excited from the moment I first heard No Hope and more or less creamed after hearing Teenage Icon. After waiting 3 bloody days for the album to arrive after release date, I  gave it my first listen, and I was uncertain about the new album, but after listening to it a couple of more times, I realised how brilliant this album actually is. Full of proper rock songs that will leave every critic of the first album speechless, this is a must have album and hopefully will make number 1 in the album chart this week. Finally, The Vaccines have a new sound, a better sound, and have done what the album title suggests that Justin, Arni, Freddie have finally - Come of Age.

Rating: 9/10

Track By Track

No Hope 9/10

First single from their new album, and  it lived up to fans expectations, showing similarities between the first album but showing progression. This track is very like The Strokes.

I Always Knew 9/10

Although I had doubts of this when I first heard it, it really reminds you of Blow It Up except more of a rock edge.

Teenage Icon 9/10

Great bassline, great vocals, great guitar riffs and that's enough to plant this song as The Vaccines new sound.

All In Vain 8/10

Slow track, but full of a genuine fun with a crooning sound.

Ghost Town 10/10

One of the best on the album. Grunge-like track with a really catchy chorus and a moody behaviour.

Aftershave Ocean 10/10

My favourite track on the album. Really beautiful surf-like song, with sweet riffs.

Weirdo 9/10

A really moody song that although being slow, has been praised by critics for being a very deep song.

Bad Mood 9/10

Hard to hear the lyrics at times, but oh my Lord, the use of guitars here are just amazing. 

Change of Heart pt 2 7/10

The weak link of the album. Even though it is similar to the previous album, it's just not that special.

I Wish I Was A Girl 8/10

Controversial song, with many thinking Justin wanted a sex change, but it's a clever bit of rock yet again.

Lonely World 7/10

A slow powerful rock song where Justin bellows on vocals and a good finish to the album.

Cheryl-Under the Sun

I can't stand Cheryl (Cole). I had a guilty pleasure for Girls Aloud, especially with Love Machine, but I wish they hadn't split, because they created a monster to the music industry. To date, I have only liked one of Cheryl's tracks, that being Parachute. With great help from Calvin Harris, she done well with her track Call My Name, but I doubt she'll do as well by herself in her single Under the Sun. Quite a summery song, which  is out in September. Well done there. This song is frustrating because it bores me to death. Ignorant people call rock bands boring and depressing, although this isn't depressing, you can get so bored from listening to this shit that it WILL depress you. Cheryl's vocals also annoy me. Sorry everything is annoying me today, particularly Cheryl.

Rating: 4/10

Listen to "Cheryl -Under the Sun" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tube44tkZA

The Script-Hall of Fame

Right...I'm all for artists trying something new from their old work, but The Script have changed too much from their original sound. It's hard to believe that The Script went from the work of their eponymous album - full of pop rock and twists of rapping especially in single We Cry - to what I describe as a power ballad duet with will.i.am. in the band's new single Hall of Fame. I hate to call The Script generic, but they really are nowadays. Hall of Fame is mostly played with the sound of a piano, which is a shame seeing how a band with a drummer and a guitarist almost go unnoticed. If anything, I think that the Irish boys could pull in more fans with more songs closer to the first album, but I don't see that happening in their third album which was so well thought of that they named it #3.

Rating:5/10

Listen to "The Script-Hall of Fame" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk48xRzuNvA

P!nk-Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

I know her name's supposed to be P!nk, but I'm calling her Pink. So much easier, she's just being all awkward with the exclamation mark. One thing I'm disappointed about this track is Pink tries to come across as some sort of rock star with her persona and attempts to get a rock sound in her songs, but Blow Me (One Last Kiss) is nothing but a dance song. It's average, nothing too catchy or WOW about it and I really expected something better from her.Slowly even rock pop is being devoured by dance music these days. It's only a matter of time before Metallica start getting their tunes remixed by David Guetta...

Rating: 5/10

Listen to "P!nk-Blow Me(One Last Kiss)" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUqoHUFo1F4

Chicken Lips-Dromp

You cannot help but laugh at the band name if you are a first time listeners of Chicken Lips. I am and their new track Dromp is a cool soul song with a funky bassline and what sounds like metal drums being used as well. They really are a cool group of guys who make these songs, but after hearing Dromp 3 times, it started to annoy me a little and although it's better than chart music, it has the same irritation of a bee down your trousers. Not bad music, just not one to hear on repeat.

Rating:5/10

Listen to "Chicken Lips-Dromp" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCRS3Vk-mws

Fazer-Killer

Who is Fazer? I remember that name from somewhere...oh yeah it's that guy from N Dubz. While N Dubz music had a lot of thought put into it (their first album was about a family member who had died), Fazer's does not. It is quite obvious that a songwriter wrote the lyrics, and if I'm wrong, then Fazer writes some terrible lyrics. The chorus is bland, the dance music has been done by just about everyone and when I thought N Dubz splitting was amazing, I forgot that they would all have crap solo careers. Anyway Fazer's new track Killer (well suited seeing how it makes everything around it die) is all the above that was described about Fazer and I'm hoping he and his bandmates stop their solo careers as they are a shambles.

Rating: 2/10

Listen to "Fazer-Killer" here>  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq-bv3Oz448 

Cover Drive featuring Dappy-Explode

The Carribean R&B group have came on leaps and bounds since their debut single "Twilight" and I don't mind them, mainly because of the good looking front girl that is Amanda Reifer. Her voice in the band's new single Explode is just a beautiful Carribean twist. Although the song tries to sound like a different genre, it unfortunately falls under pop music and apart from the voice and the adequate background music, there's nothing that is special about this track. In my view, there was only one man who could ruin this and that was Dappy. So well done mate in making songs really shit, Cover Drive could have had a decent track here if it wasn't for you.

Rating: 4/10

Listen to "Cover Drive feat. Dappy-Explode" here>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQWAk92KEa8

Dinosaur Jr.-Watch The Corners

Since their reunion in 2005, soon-to-be pensioners Dinosaur Jr. haven't really amounted to much, but I'm really digging their new track Watch The Corners. Although far from their previous best, the rock veterans have produced a quality song. Dinosaur Jr.'s famous bark like vocals and guitar solos are as great as they have ever been and they have matured well, just missing something from their glory days. It's a shame they weren't about when I was growing up, but they are still providing decent music today and that is all that matters.

Rating: 7/10

Listen to "Dinosaur Jr.-Watch the Corners" here> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFZkZk_4j_o