Feel It Break
Austra
Domino/Virgin
Any Triple J listener will instantly recognise Lose It – the second track on the debut album for this Toronto-based band. Austra – apparently pronounced as ‘Owstra’ – has these lovely low-key electronic tunes that need to be listened to at least twice to sink in. Lead singer Katie Stelmanis’ voice is mesmerising and earnest; there are some incredibly high and lengthy notes that this Canadian can belt out. The entire album is quite stark, yet this isn’t a bad thing, in fact it’s the quite opposite – think The XX. Stelmanis also hails from the queer-indie underground scene of Owen Pallett. A great debut album here although only a few tracks really stand out. – Benn Dorrington
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Torches
Foster The People
Sony
There is a lot more to this three-piece band than their hit Pumped up Kicks which has recently hurtled them into the spotlight. Eclectic in the way that Gorillaz is, FTP is sunshine pop: subdued and laidback with an edgy bass line. At first I imagined FTP to be some electronic/hip-hip amalgamation going off the sound of Pumped Up Kicks but I was pleasantly surprised to find it closer to alternative pop. Top three tracks include the aforementioned track, opening track Helena Beat and Miss You found at the end of the record. Easy listen right through to the end (although this may be my inner-hipster guiding my judgement.) – Benn Dorrington
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Destroyed
Moby
Little Idiot / EMI
Moby’s tenth album is a mix of symphonic electronic, peaceful ambience and the occasional vocal track with a bit of a beat- a concise collection of tunes of the ilk that has brought Moby acclaim throughout his career. But do we need another album full of Moby’s serene sounds? It’s beautiful but boring, because we’ve heard it before. You can’t help but wonder if this is an album made up of everything left on the studio floor. If you don’t own a Moby album, this one is lovely, if you own all of Moby’s albums you’ll love this one too. Looking to be surprised? wait for the eleventh Moby album. – Graeme Watson
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Arctic Monkeys
Suck It and See Domino
One of the best bands to come out of the UK in recent years is back on track with their fourth album. While the title track is not what we were hoping it was about, this 12 track long collection is seriously good. Lyrics have always been a strong point for the Arctic Monkeys and they turn a few good phrases here, my favourite being ‘those other girls are just post mix lemonade’. The heavy style of lead single Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair is not indicative of the sound of the rest of the album which is quite varied in style.
– Graeme Watson
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The Wizard of Oz
2011 London Palladium Recording
Polydor
When Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to bring the Wizard of Oz to the stage the score of the iconic film presented a problem. While Dorothy sings about heading over a rainbow and teams up with Scarecrow, Tim Man and Lion to follow the yellow brick road, there really is nothing for the Wizard or the Witches and no tunes for the part in Kansas. So Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice have reunited and added some new tunes. Michael Crawford is The Wizard, Paul Keating who featured in the Pet Shop Boys musical Closer to Heaven is Scarecrow and Dorothy is played by the winner of a reality TV show.
– Graeme Watson
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Matthew Morrison
Matthew Morrison
Mercury Records
Matthew Morrison, (the teacher in Glee) and this is his debut solo album. They say to make it as a singer you have to have a distinctive and recognisable voice and while Morrison sings quite nicely, he lacks that unique sound. The strongest tracks on the album are the ones with the special guests, Sting duets on a Sting song, Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot is given a slight R&B flavour, Elton John duets on some Elton John songs, Gwyeneth turns up to duet on Somewhere Over the Rainbow in the style of ‘Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole’. For Glee fans only.
– Aaron Westmeg
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Lady Gaga
Born This Way
Universal
She’s ba-ack! Finally, the long awaited follow-up to smash hit two-fold debut Fame and The Fame Monster has dropped… and it doesn’t disappoint. What we want are some lovely thumping tracks, and there are quite a few to choose from. Scheibe, Bloody Mary, Government Hooker, Heavy Metal Lover… in fact with 17 tracks to choose from, us little monsters are spoilt for choice. High camp abounds on Americano and Edge of Glory, more than making up for the atrocity that is Judas. Let’s just hope no-one lets her direct her own film clips again… because from the look of the last one – eeeep. Still, this is a dense feast, with something for everyone. Indulgent? Maybe. Poptastic? Certainly. – Scott-Patrick Mitchell
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