James Blunt
The Afterlove
"If YOU thought 2016 was bad," tweeted self-effacing popstar James Blunt last year, "I'm releasing an album in 2017". The You're Beautiful singer is undoubtedly one of the wittiest stars of social media, but does this transpose to musical ability? Well, he's had four hit albums already, with previous offering Moon Landing easily reaching Platinum status. And for this, he's had help: his pal Ed Sheeran has penned some of the tracks, while a host of other time-served songwriters have also chipped in. The result is as polished as one would expect, but it's also uninspiring. Lead single Love Me Better was his lowest-charting in almost a decade, peaking at 43 – and, it must be said, deservedly so. Follow-up Bartender is no better, with its hackneyed refrain: "Bartender can you pour me some love?" Not bad, by any means – but unlike his Twitter feed – it's far from great.
5/10
Rob Lavender
The Mavericks
Brand New Day
IF YOU had to put a label on The Mavericks, then 'dance band' would be a far more suitable one than 'country', especially since they returned – better than ever – in 2013 after a 10-year lay-off. The accordion-drenched Brand New Day follows the same splendidly wayward path as their previous album, Mono, veering from the Roy Orbison-like title track and old-timey Goodnight Waltz to the early ska of I Think Of You, 60s go-go pop of Easy As It Seems and Damned (If You Do), where mariachi trumpets duke it out with rock guitars. It's all infectiously good-natured, expertly played and beautifully sung.
7/10
Mike Whiteway
Wire
Silver/Lead
CELEBRATING 40 years in the business, post-punk experimenters Wire show no signs of either slowing down or mellowing. One of the most influential bands to have emerged from the late 1970s (R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Blur and The Cure were all fans), Wire have never been a band to trade on former glories and Silver/Lead sees them pushing themselves again. This collection may not have the rough edges of their early days, but it's full of angular tunes and lyrics with bite. Short Elevated Period is a fast and furious alt-pop anthem in the making, guitars thrashing away, while the lyrics hint at sorrow and heartbreak. Musically, this record spans indie, art rock, psychedelia and cinematic synth, but there's a fierce intelligence and sinewy energy underlying it all. Some bands lose their way early on, Wire keep on getting stronger and stronger.
8/10
Darryl Webber
Conor Oberst
Salutations
A COMPANION piece to last year's Ruminations sees those 10 sparse tracks and seven more fleshed out by an all-star backing cast of The Felice Brothers and drummer/co-producer Jim Keltner – the latter has played with Neil Young, Bob Dylan and John Lennon among many others. Alcohol abuse, introspection and damaging insomnia are recurring themes and yet much of the album has a soaring sound – the contradiction in keeping with a cover showing his name and the album title spelled out in multi-coloured balloons while Omaha, Nebraska native Oberst floats face-down in a pool. That image is alluded to on the notably changed Counting Sheep – where the names of two dead children were intentionally garbled on Ruminations and Oberst sang: "I hope it was slow, hope it was painful", now the names are clear and his wish is that it was "quick and peaceful". The darkness remains, but the reworked set casts light upon some of Oberst's strongest songs in some time.
8/10
Tom White
Formation
Look At The Powerful People
IN 2015 Formation frontman Will Ritson claimed: "I don't think we're a political band, but we're not willing to not be ourselves." Fast forward to March 2017 and a lot has changed with the world. Not only have the electro-punk Londoners expanded from a twin-brother duo into a five-piece, but they also have plenty more to say. A recent tweet to promote Look At The Powerful People read: "We are no longer individuals. We are the powerful people. Together not apart. Inclusive not exclusive. Redefined not predefined. Music is power. Join us." Anti-establishment vibes? Musically, Formation sit somewhere between Foals and Jagwar Ma – two bands they have ably supported – and certainly have the tunes to make themselves heard. Drugs sounds fresh and gritty, Pleasure – with cowbells clanging – is another strong track and Powerful People, a third single, are highlights on an album exuding swagger.
8/10
Andrew Carless
