Pop: Album Reviews

Tim Perry
Friday 09 April 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Add N to (X) `Avant Hard' (Mute) This weirdo London trio have trumped their much-heralded but over-arty debut with a much more accessible and inventive work that drags the electronica sound into a brilliant bombardment of sonic force that bears a great pop quality. HHHH

Bare Jr `Boo Tray' (Epic - import) This young Nashville band, led by the offspring of country legend Bobby Bare, rock like the Black Crowes meeting Steve Earle on a bender. Raucous, punky, fun, drinkalong music that's going down well on the US college circuit. The musical South has risen again. HHHH

The Gourds `Ghosts of Hallelujah' (Munich) Austin's Gourds are much better than their awful name suggests. This third album, their first all-electric one, sees them mash together their own personal blend of folk, hippie and southern rock with punk incursions on their best form yet. HHH

Grand Drive `Road Music' (Loose) The hard-gigging, south-London quartet's debut album arrives full of gorgeous harmonies, lush organ sounds and rustic charm. The songs are superbly constructed, but sometimes the production seems to get stuck in 1970s America. HHH

Tram `Heavy Black Frame' (Piao!) Weighing in at the quality end of British indie-folk, Paul Anderson and his various collaborators have delivered an album's worth of beautifully delicate and sparse-sounding songs. The subject matter is of course in the sadcore vein, but overall, it's a mesmerising piece of work. HHH

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in