Month: July 2021

Week 29 Inhaler- It Won’t Always be Like This

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Oh, dear. I am about to piss off many a fan of Inhaler by mentioning the old cliché that lead vocalist Elijah Hewson is the son of U2 frontman Bono. Many fans hate this tired cliché of Inhaler being roped in with U2, but unfortunately, that’s the way it is. I first heard the Dublin outfit after seeing their name in a festival flyer I discovered on the festival wizard (Fucking brilliant little website!). I already knew their background but hadn’t given them a listen so far. The set was only about eight songs, but I was left impressed, and yes, just like this album, I could hear the comparison in the father and son vocals. Eli also looks a bit like his dad during the early years of U2. I would have described their set at that festival as ‘shoe gaze’, but this record surprised me because I could hear a more rock sound and, once again, drew comparisons to U2. In some of the tracks, you can hear the influence of U2 with the topics, bassline, obviously the vocals, and Edge’s riffs.

Inhaler has been making headway since they supported the likes of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. Despite the obvious connections and being signed shortly after forming, this debut effort has more than justified their position in the industry. I tend to frown upon this, but the band has shown that they should be taken seriously. The album starts with the title track, and from there, I was willing to give them a chance to prove they are worthy of their status. The album remains on that level as it progresses. I especially liked ‘My Honest Face’ and ‘My King Will be Kind’. I loved the Indie rock sound to it. Of course, they go back to their usual shoe gaze momentarily, but it doesn’t suit the overall sonics of the record. Still, though, it was a good effort for a debut, and I enjoyed most of it. 

Momentarily, I did start to wander. I mean, it’s not the best album I’ve heard this year, but it is up there. At the moment, it’s the Snuts.

Song recommendations: ‘My King Will be Kind’, ‘My Honest Face’, ‘It Won’t Always be Like This’

7/10

Week 28: Queen- Greatest Hits Volume 1 Reissue

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I have been putting this review off because I have been contemplating how to make this into a review. You know what type of review I was going to make, so rather than just going into detail, because I covered most of the songs featured on this compilation( It is like their first of three greatest hits or something.), I don’t need to go into much detail about them. This was re-released with a CD and vinyl version( I think. Definitely the CD version.)to celebrate the compilation’s 40th anniversary. The original cover has a portrait of the band, designed by Lord Snowdon.

Queen is like Marmite for many music lovers, although their iconic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ usually tops the best song ever polls internationally. So what’s “new” about this reissue? You can buy cassettes in five different colours and a collector’s CD signed by lead guitarist Brian May and Roger Taylor. 

However, as much as you might hate them, you wouldn’t let the lyrics pass you by, as you would have heard many of their songs at parties or wedding receptions. For those who love sport, you can listen to ‘We are the Champions’ at almost every major cup final as the players celebrate with the trophy. Of course, the first volume of their Greatest Hits contains; ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We are the Champions’, ‘We Will Rock You’, and many of their plethora of iconic songs. I have not listed some in the aforementioned, which I will recommend for you. I am quite surprised the compilation became number one, with all the streaming at a younger listener’s disposal. They have many new artists they would rather listen to, but legends like Queen still have that appeal across the generational board.

Song recommendations: ‘We are the Champions’, ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, ‘Under Pressure’

9/10

Week 27: Jack Savoretti- Europiana

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Several years ago, I first heard Jack Savoretti (or Giovanni Galletto-Savoretti) in ASDA. Still, I only knew who it was when I went to the Victorious Festival in 2016, where Jack performed seven songs before Ash took the stage. It was sad to see Jack performing every drop of energy on stage as most of the crowd talked among themselves or headed to and fro the bars and food stalls dotted around the field. It reminded me of when I saw Ed Sheeran on his “Red” tour in autumn of 2011 at the His Master’s Voice Forum in Hatfield, where one of the support acts, Passenger, was performing on stage while the crowd mainly ignored him. It prompted Passenger to say, “Don’t mind me. I’ll just create an ambience while you enjoy your conversation like you were having someone round for a cup of tea”. Fast forward nearly two years after that, that crowd wouldn’t give him such disrespect when ‘Let Her Go’ was in the charts. Anyway, back to Jack. Yes, my friend and I were waiting for Ash to come on, but we were one of a rare few who gave Jack the time of day. We listened to the majority of the artists and bands that day without ignoring them. It’s funny how the majority of people who gave Jack no respect that day will now listen to his songs. 

I mean, he now has a number-one album, so something went right.

I liked this record for its Nile Rodgers-esque sound, but Jack has drawn inspiration from his time in Lugano and Genoa. Just like what I did for the Doves’ latest record, I am going to do a brief track-by-track summary:

I Remember us: It sounds like Europop from France in the 1980s.

Secret Life: Goes more into that disco-funk sound for which Nile Rodgers is known. 

Who’s Hurting Who: Now, although it is a track that features the man Nile Rodgers himself with a terrific solo, I wasn’t overly impressed by it. 

When You’re Lonely: This song sees Jack draw inspiration from his time in Italy with its tender piano and his velvety vocals. 

More than Ever: This wonderful song is a sentimental auto-biographical ballad from his childhood in Italy. 

Too Much History: Again, this track returns to that Nile Rodgers-esque sound with its uptempo disco-funk and Jack’s vibrant vocals. It is my favourite off the album and made me want to listen until the end.

Dancing in the Living Room: Another disco-funk track and once again uptempo, and yes, you will want to do what the title suggests. 

Each and Every Moment: Right out of the 80s with its retro bass and uplifting tempo.

the Way You Say Goodbye: This has to be used on a cinematic soundtrack because it is apt to be played in that setting. The violins are heavenly.

Calling Me Back to You: Optimistic lyricism shrouded in energetic riffs.

War of Words: An emotional ballad that draws inspiration from the 80s to close the album.

As well as a brief track-by-track summary, I will end the review with my thoughts on the record; ‘Europiana’ is precisely what is necessary as we are still in these uncertain times; the upbeat nature of it fills your mind, body, and soul with the positivity that we all need at the moment. I found it odd because most of the album is highly inspired by Nile Rodgers and his disco funk, but he only produced one track. Cam Blackwood is the producer behind this beautiful record, and he has done a fantastic job of fusing both disco-funk and European music. 

I enjoyed Jack’s latest album, even on the downtempo and more reflective moments. Honestly, this is his finest work, and I have no idea how he can better it.

Song recommendations: ‘Too Much History’, ‘Dancing in the Living Room’, ‘More than Ever’

8/10