9:51am Monday 24th May 2010
By Telegraph & Argus
Goldfrapp – Head First (Mute) ***
I am not a massive fan of Goldfrapp. I have never really seen the attraction to their music, but after listening to Head First I have really begun to change my mind. For a start, it was written and
self-produced in just under six months, but this does not betray its quality. Head First is softer; digitally ethereal and drenched in Eighties-style synth. It does not have the rousing pop feel of
previous hits such as Ooh La La and Black Cherry, but this, I feel, is to its credit. It has a more chilled-out feel, easy to listen to and less harsh. A superb album with a refreshing new
direction from Goldfrapp.
Dave Ayres, 32, engineer, Idle
Duke Special – Presents The Songs Of Mother Courage And Her Children (Universal) **
This album is just one of a triple package being released by Duke Special (the other two being The Silent World Of Hector Mann and Huckleberry Finn, neither of which I have heard). The box set is
being released under the title of The Stage, A Book & The Silver Screen. This particular album consists of the songs written and performed by Duke Special to accompany the National Theatre’s
new production of Bertolt Brecht’s anti-war stage play of the same name. As an album by itself, it sounds just as you would expect the music of a stage play to sound like. Brecht surely wanted us
to understand about the futility of war and how lives are made and destroyed by it, but it is difficult to get all of that in just 37 minutes of music.
Nigel Goodman, 52, teacher, Heaton
Exit Calm – Exit Calm (Club AC30) **
Hailing from South Yorkshire, Exit Calm have spent the last year touring the UK serving as support act for bands including The Charlatans, Modest Mouse and Soulsavers. Their debut album, seemingly
inspired by artists such as The Verve and U2, showcases tracks that are likely better suited to live performances than the more limited acoustics of an album. With a significant fanbase continuing
to expand, the album is sure to propel Exit Calm into the spotlight, yet they have a long way to go before they can emulate both the sound and success of their idols.
Charlotte McCallum, 19, student, Bradford
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