THIS WEEK’S CD RELEASES

I, Gemini

Let’s Eat Grandma

(Transgressive)

It isn’t just the name of Norwich duo Rosa Walton and Jenny Hollingworth that is attracting attention (there’s no comma in it as per the grammatical joke). Their musical talent is well beyond their years – they are 16 and 17. They weave dark, dreamlike music with a range of instruments and the likes of Rapunzel and Sleep Song are quite disturbing. Nor will Chocolate Sludge Cake or Eat Shiitake Mushrooms cause hunger pangs. Some songs run beyond six minutes yet don’t need editing. This is a real album of the year contender.

The Getaway Red Hot Chili Peppers

(Warner)

What’s wrong with Rick Rubin? Jake Bugg dispensed with him after one album. Now the Red Hot Chili Peppers jettison him after 25 years and bring in Danger Mouse – who co-wrote many of these songs. The result is a mediocre affair. Sick Love, cowritten by and featuring Elton John, is typical of the album’s reflective mood. Production is clean, energy is contained. Dark Necessities is so-so and Eighties pop-influenced Go Robot is anaemic. Detroit and This Ticonderoga hint at their blistering best former glories. We want Rick back!

King Kong Company

King Kong Company

(White)

The Waterford-based dance act richly deserve their stellar live reputation. The Prodigy producer Neil McLellan has expertly captured the energy of those shows on this debut album. The instrumental opener All The Things is reminiscent of Underworld but Scarity Dan is a skaspangled stomper. Space Hopper and the Prodigyindebted Game Over should be melting decks worldwide if there is any justice. King Kong Company have nailed it. Catch them stealing the show at a festival near you soon.