Group Review - March 2015

Another Eternity

Purity Ring
Tiger Rating: 4.5 / 10
Electronic

There has always been something likeable and charming about homespun duo Purity Ring. Everything from their onstage threads to their beats and production is homemade and that's pretty cool.
The problem with this their second album is simply that, in the wake of Sleigh Bells, The Naked and Famous and even Charlie XCX, this is a heavily populated genre. And the other bands do this as well, or better, than Purity Ring. Sweet vocals and sick beats. We've heard a lot of this already. Good attempt though - WVS

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Froot
Marina & the Diamonds
Tiger Rating: 7.0 / 10
Electronic Pop

Marina Diamandis has always fallen just this side of gimmicky. Her effortless, yet camp cool has lent itself to some very refreshing moments in the electronic pop charts. She's kind of the nerdy version of Goldfrapp.
On her third offering Marina once again melds smooth, sweet and dark electronica with moody observations on human nature, ponders death and eternity and proves she can hold her own on a thinking woman's dancefloor. It's superbly mixed and is rather a sublime slice of pop - WVS

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The Scene BetweenThe Go! Team
Tiger Rating: 6.0 / 10
Experimental Pop

2015 is turning out to be the year of the comeback. Brighton sixpiece and one time heroes of the retro underground experimental pop scene The Go! Team announced their comeback at the end of last year with a trippy
video for first single & title track from their new album. Hopes stirred for yet more of their painfully unique brand of garage rock, old school breakdance and acid tinged psych.
What they have delivered is a cheerful albeit tame Saturday brunch of a record. It's recognizable as them, but it's rather like when Punk legends get married and take up golf. This album is basically Iggy Pop in a harlequin sweater - WVS
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Goon
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Tiger Rating: 8.0 / 10
Singer / Songwriter

29 year old Toby is at the forefront of a predicted wave of piano playing vocalists set to crawl out of the wood-works and take over in the next few months. Already drawing comparisons to Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson and even early Elton John, TJJ's debut (produced in part by Black Keys' Patrick Carney) is a throwback to the mid 70s post disco soul ballads. It's immediately recognizable, effortless and perfectly poised, with just enough heart on it's sleeve to be accessible. With the exception of one track (toe curlingly cheesy 'Crocodile Tears') this is one beautiful, refreshing and at times genuinely touching album. Your future is bright Tobias - WVS
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Will Butler
Policy
Tiger Rating: 6.0 / 10
Indie Rock

After knocking it out the park for his composition on the soundtrack of 'Her', Will Butler (younger brother of Arcade Fire's frontman Win Butler) has decided to release solo material.
Recorded in just a week 'Policy' reflects the brash spontaneity fans have come to expect of Will. Hopscotching between snarly punk, danceable throwback disco, warbling pseudo-gospel and the occasional near Nick Cave / Lou Reed homage, 'Policy' is by no means a classic, but is a brazen, all encompassing look at some of the influences that have been instrumental in shaping not only Will, but possibly even Arcade Fire as a whole. It's kind of a peep behind the curtain at the little man sitting in the seat of the Wizard. It's not bad and Butler has proved he has heart, brains and courage - WVS
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