Music Album Reviews

Empire
Kasabian
When you have an album as successful as Kasabian's self-titled debut, it's hard to follow that up. So naturally, we were a bit hesitant at the start of the album. However, right from the title track Empire, this album gets you hooked.

The album is kickstarted by title track Empire, which, along with being the first single, is also possibly the liveliest number on the album.

Unlike their earlier work, Empire features more of an electronica sound and less guitars. Not that it backfires. In fact, it seems that this quartet can do no wrong.

Listen out for the brilliant Shoot The Runner with its Middle Eastern string loop.Our other favourites on the album include the trippy Last Trip (In Flight), the super-pop Me Plus One, the next big club track By My Side, the beautiful acoustic ballad British Legion and the indescribable, anthemic finale track, Doberman.

Fans of the band will enjoy Empire's indie-techno-meets-old-skool glam-rock sound. We sure did.

Remixed & reimagined
Nina Simone
While retaining the spirit of the inimtable Nina Simone, Remixed & Reimagined managed to add a whole new 21st century sound to her music. All her old favourites such as Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter, Turn Me On, Here Comes The Sun, My Man's Gone Now, The Look Of Love and To Love Somebody are featured in a brand new way. It's hard to find fault with an album such as this.

The truth about love
Lemar
From his early days as a struggling artiste, to his Fame Academy period, Lemar has come a long way. He's already won two MOBO and two Brits awards for his first two albums. So it's no surprise that The Truth About Love is about as brilliant as it gets. The album features everything from soul (It's Not That Easy) to doo-wop (Tick Tock), R&B (Can't You See feat. Styles P and Mica Paris) and Motown (Anniversary, a duet with Joss Stone).

At the movies: Soundtrack hits
van Morrisson
This brilliant collector's CD features 19 tracks from different stages of Van Morrison's long career of contributing to movie soundtracks. With everything from Gloria (from The Outsiders), to Wild Night (from Thelma and Louise) and Brown Eyed Girl (from Born On The 4th Of July) , our absolute favourite still remains his his collaboration with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters on Comfortably Numb, which was featured on The Departed soundtrack.