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James Blake

The Britpop band Spiritualized’s NME’s album of the year for 1997 _Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space_ came elaborately packaged in the style of a pharmaceutical product, complete with information for consumption – 1 tablet 70 minutes, to be taken twice daily, best listened to when on substances,...
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By , Feb. 1, 2011
Music

Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Honolulu raised Mars has produced a radio-friendly, effortless, pop album that will be forgotten within the year. To liken his style to the Doo-Wop of the 1940s sets the scene for an album which is easily accessible. The difference is of course, the 1940s Doo-Woppers music wasn’t manufactured to sell...
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By , Feb. 1, 2011
Music

Palace

The grandiose landscapes invoked by Chapel Club has led to Zane Lowe swooning in his pants over their singles. BUT, it is when they over-reach and see themselves playing stadiums that the album sinks in to self-indulgence. New single ‘Surfacing’ is a labourious rock-anthem that fails to excite. Sometimes sounding...
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By , Feb. 1, 2011
AlbumsMusic

The King is Dead

2009’s _The Hazards of Love_, the last release by Portland’s indie folk quintet The Decemberists, was a towering rock opera full of shape shifting forest dwellers, jealous fairy queens and lascivious rakes. The album received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its scope and its heavier sound when compared to...
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By , Feb. 1, 2011
Music

Michael

It has never been possible to separate the singer’s personal life from his undeniable mastery as a musician. In the same way, it is almost impossible to assess this album for its true musical worth because of all the controversy and tragic events surrounding the release and construction of _Michael_....
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By , Feb. 1, 2011