CD Reviews Round-up - Spiritualized / Polica / Alabama Shakes (From Blackpool Citizen)

CD Reviews Round-up - Spiritualized / Polica / Alabama Shakes

4:03pm Friday 20th April 2012 in Leisure By Daniel Orr, Reporter

SPIRITUALIZED - SWEET HEART SWEET LIGHT

ONE could write a book on how good Spiritualized are.

Their magnificent seventh album sees main man Jason Pierce, aka J Spaceman, continue in his quest to produce music which soothes the heart and the soul.

Whether it be The Velvet Underground-tinged Hey Jane, or the lush orchestral Life Is A Problem, one thing is guaranteed - lyrics about the fragility of the human spirit set on a bed of the most beautiful sonics you could dream of.

Simply put, Spiritualized are the best band in the UK.

POLICA - GIVE YOU THE GHOST

WITH its layered electronica and driving basslines, Give You The Ghost is a promising debut from Polica.

Singer Channy Leanagh does tend to overuse the vocoder most famously employed by Cher on her abominable Believe single many moons ago.

But other than that, this album feels fresh and vibrant and has even received the thumbs up from superstar Jay-Z who posted the video for their single Lay Your Cards Out on his blog.

ALABAMA SHAKES - BOYS AND GIRLS

SOUNDING something like a cross between Kings of Leon, Lynryd Skynrd and Tina Turner, it’s hard to go wrong with Alabama Shakes.

Everything that’s good about guitar music is incorporated within this CD - great riffs, strong songwriting and an incredible vocal performance from Brittany Howard.

You Ain’t Alone could fit easily on an Aretha Franklin album, while the sun-kissed Goin’ To The Party could bring a smile to anybody’s face.

This is an outstanding debut, so accomplished and full of life.