SOUND JUDGEMENT
THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED
BRIAN FALLON
SLEEPWALKERS BRIAN Fallon, singer/ guitarist from punk rock band The Gaslight Anthem, continues to forge his solo career with this second record since his main band went on hiatus in 2015.
In many ways Sleepwalkers carries on where Painkillers left off in 2016; it is a straight-up rock’n’roll record with fast moving tracks (Forget Me Not) and sad love songs (See You On The Other Side) with occasional killer riffs, such as on My Name Is The Night.
Here Fallon is channelling The Kinks, The Rolling Stones and similar bands. Musically lighter than The Gaslight Anthem but emotionally and lyrically heavier, Sleepwalkers deserves to be a hit this year.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
MAN OF THE WOODS JUSTIN Timberlake is back with his fourth studio album and, if you were expecting a marked change in direction, you will be sorely disappointed.
What Timberlake has created is a homely sound with a hint of modern country. Say Something (which features Nashville-based singer/ songwriter Chris Stapleton) is a relaxed affair full of tight harmonies, and it is hard to hear where Timberlake finishes and Stapleton begins. As ever there are some up-tempo grooves – Filthy is a ball of fun wrapped up in electro funk.
There is no doubt that Timberlake is proud of where he comes from and is hoping that the resurgence in new country will bring him new fans, but there is not quite enough country running though this to keep them.
THE WOMBATS
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE THE Liverpudlian indie rockers’ fourth album has a playful track listing – Lemon In A Knife Fight, anyone? – and easily digestible rock/ pop tunes.
Nothing on this collection is particularly challenging – it’s politely accessible, with its layers of pop guitar, dense beats and lead singer Matthew Murphy’s effortless vocals.
But it is a decent foray through Noughties-esque sounds, even if the tracks sometimes meld together.
Listen out for opener Cheetah Tongue, one of the more unique offerings on the record, Out Of My Head and I Don’t Know Why I Like You But I Do.