I really do not know why I still bother with these Ringo Starr albums. A few songs aside ("It Don't Come Easy", "Vertical Man"), none of his music has ever appealed to me. His latest, Long Long Road, is country pop with zero personality attached to it. A few high-profile guests (Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent) can't save it either. It's okay, I guess, as a background listen on a long car ride. 4/10
My New Band Believe (has to be the worst band name I've seen in a long time) is adventurous chamber folk music which is both charming and a little unfocused. The self-titled album is the brainchild of Cameron Picton from black midi, and you can certainly feel the melodic and instrumental complexity associated with that band. There is a lot of orchestration here, whimsical lyrics and vaguely pretty melodies running awry. Sadly, the meandering nature of Cameron's songwriting prevents me from truly enjoying this. 6/10
They Might Be Giants return with their latest, The World Is To Dig, and it is 18 outbursts of nerdish vocals, quirky lyrics and terminally catchy melodies ("Character Flaw" will probably eat at your brain). I have never been a huge fan, but it is impressive how effortlessly they keep doing this. 7/10
There's a part of me that thinks Foo Fighters have never been good. I know they probably have, two or three times, but mostly their brand of alternative rock mush is just been a few steps above Nickelback. "Window" is passable, I guess, but overall Your Favorite Toy is terribly mediocre. No subtlety, no charisma, no tunes. 3/10
Mercifully, there is a great album from the end of March that I missed one month ago. It is by the British band Memorials who specialise in beautifully sung post-punk that is well-written and just endlessly inventive. The way the melodies in the opening "Life Could Be A Cloud" flow and ebb should give you a good idea of the album's sound. There are powerful Stereolab vibes here, but the vocals are even more elegant, almost folk-tinged. All Clouds Bring Not Rain is a fascinating album that just becomes better with each listen. 8/10
Songs of the Month:
"Till Your Mind Is Shining" by Peter Gabriel
"Outside Brain" by They Might Be Giants
"I Am This Thing" by Robyn Hitchcock
"Dropped Down The Well" by Memorials (from March)
