New sounds stand clear of Xmas clutter
December is a strange old month for albums – it's mostly Christmas tunes and re-releases, but RandB diva Alicia Keys is taking on the festive market with her fourth album, The Element Of Freedom. Plus, we look at other new albums out now.
The Element Of Freedom by Alicia Keys: Ever since New Yorker Alicia Keys sang the opening bar of Fallin' in 2001, she has captivated fans of soul and R'n'B. And eight years since her debut, the singer-pianist is now a global superstar. This album highlights just why. Her vocal ability, as shown on songs such as Love Is Blind and Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready), continues to impress. She's willing to embrace other genres, and Wait Till You See My Smile sees Keys experiment with electro pop and is a good effort. This album might not have the catchy hooks of her debut album, but her ability as a musician continues to shine.
Avatar OST by Various Artists: The much-hyped film has a soundtrack to go with it. So what sounds can you expect? Essentially, lots of orchestral tunes - sharp, shrill strings alongside heavy booming drum beats. Composed and conducted by James Horner, the Oscar winner does a wonderful job of creating an atmosphere fit for such a tension-filled film. Leona Lewis completes the job with theme tune I See You, a power ballad that packs a punch – like the album.
Codeine Velvet Club by Codeine Velvet Club: Fratellis frontman Jon Lawler has teamed up with Lou Hickey to produce this 1960s-inspired pop with sugary girl-boy vocals. It couldn't be more different to the sound of the Fratellis, but is a success nonetheless. It would have been easy for Lawler to have a side project that was no different to his Chelsea Dagger-singing day job. But glamorous-sounding opener Hollywood, with its soaring strings, is a powerful number and sets the tone for the album. Vanity Kills, Like A Full Moon and Little Sister are also great tracks.
Telling Tales by Leddra Chapman: The latest in a line of acoustic-folk pop female singers is Leddra Chapman, who sounds like a posh and relaxed Tori Amos. Her debut album is relatively middle of the road, but likeable all the same. With a great tone, her vocals support the simple acoustic instrumentation. A Little Easier highlights this, covering a couple of octaves throughout the song. The track probably won't set the world alight, but it will make a nice listen on the way to work in the morning. The rest of the album follows a similar vein – a good first effort.
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