The shortlist for this year’s Mercury Music Prize were announced yesterday at The Hospital Club in London. In a ceremony hosted by Lauren Laverne.

Among the 12 nominees for the £20,000 cash prize this year are veteran Paul Weller who was last nominated for his Wild Wood album in 1994, Corinne Bailey Rae, Biffy Clyro and favorite to win this year rapper Dizzee Rascal.
My pick for this year’s winner is Corinne Bailey Rae, The Sea which is such an honest and beautiful album.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Park Hotel in September.
Here is the full list of nominees;
Biffy Clyro – Only Revolutions
Villagers – Becoming A Jackal
Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea
Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
Paul Weller – Wake Up The Nation
Wild Beasts – Two Dancers
Kit Downes – Trio – Golden
Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can
Dizzee Rascal – Tongue N’ Cheek
Foals – Total Life Forever
I Am Kloot – Sky At Night
The xx – xx

Scissor Sisters, Night Work, 2010
It´s four years since the last Scissor Sisters album and there were alarm bells ringing when I heard that they had recorded and scrapped the follow up which took them nearly two years.
But fear not they are back with  shiny disco balls intact and an album that is exciting, fun and downright sexy.
Every song here is a killer including the leadoff single Fire with Fire is a song Brandon Flowers would die  for.
Highlights include Sex and Violence, Any which Way, the funky Whole New Way and Running Away with its Cult like guitar work. Harder You Get has Jake singing in a low register which works to give a variety to the album as does Skin The Cat which has Ana Matronic taking the lead.

My favourite track Invisible Light,  surely Frankie Goes To Hollywood´s bastard child which features Sir Ian McKellan’s voice over and is brilliantly produced by Stuart Pierce.
The album has no ballads this time which is my only qualm as they do them so well and it would have made a rest from onslaught of dance tunes.
Sparkle Rating 9 out of 10

Grum, Heartbeats, 2010
Heartbeats includes the three singles so far released the wonderful title track with its Casio, opening bars, the most recent single Can’t Shake This Feeling which is a little on the sweet side and Runaway which sounds like Calvin Harris making out with Kraftwerk .

On La Lights we are treated to a song which is melodic soothing house, and is one of the best tracks. Grum also cover Dame David Bowies classic Fashion which is not great but interesting to hear their version of this song. Other high points include Transport and the excellent Through the Night which should set the dance floor on fire.
A fine electro disco album debut from 24 year old Graham Shepherd, defiantly a guy to keep an eye on.

Sparkle Rating 6 out of 10

Marc Almond Varieté, 2010
Varieté is Marcs first album since his covers album Stardom Road and the first to feature original songs since his motorbike accident in 2004. It is also said to be his last album of original material.
The album is very personal covering Marc´s early childhood, growing up gay in the 70´s and his times in New York in the early 80´´s. There is not one a filler on the album and Marc is singing better than ever, he really is underrated as a singer.
Being of a similar age I can identify with some of the themes running through this album especially on Soho So Long where I´m sure we all have /had our own Soho , Marc reminisces about his times there singing “I gave it everything I had” .
Among my favourite tracks are The Exhibitionist “ordinary is bad strange is good” The Trials of Eyeliner is a fantastic song with many reverences to Marcs life which I recognize from his autobiography Tainted Life and must rate as one of the best songs he has ever written.

Nijinsky Heart is pure Almond with gorgeous strings and But Not for Today is a beautiful song . Lavender is my favourite track at the moment with its 70´s references “Lady Stardust, Judy Teen in your own Moonage Daydream” and “so you splashed on some Brut and lowered your voice when Charlie was really your choice”.
Varieté is often touching and occasionally funny this is Marc at his best let’s hope he changes his mind and one day writes and records in the future.
Sparkle Rating 10 out of 10

Brendan Perry, Ark 2010
With this new album his first since 1999 Brendan has written performed, produced and recorded this independently. The album also includes two songs Babylon and Presence which were originally composed for his previous band Dead Can Dance.
Ark has a spell like quality which draws you in with its mesmerizing electronic textures and of course Brendan´s rich hypnotic voice which has never sounded better.
With only eight songs which deal with politics nature and the human spirit it’s hard to pick out highlights as ever track is a dramatic listening pleasure.

Bogus man has an exquisite throbbing intro with minimal layers of gorgeous textures. Crescent is the longest track here and if push comes to shove my favourite- at the moment-The self released single Utopia is also a beautiful song and like the rest of the album really deserves a wider audience.
The album has a rich atmospheric feel with musical influences from around the world and is one that will just get better with time.

Sparkle Rating 9 out of 10

Andy Bell, Non Stop, 2010
Non Stop is Erasure front man Andy Bells second solo album, his last in 2005 became an instant favourite of mine and was a refreshing change to Andy´s work with partner Vince Clark and where his previous album had a much more subtle approach to the music Non Stop is a full on dance /pop album.
Throughout the album Andy´s vocals are treated which works well to make a marked difference to his Erasure catalogue.
Best tracks on the album are the glam disco of DHDQ (Debbie Harry Drag Queen) which is fast, fun and infectious, Running Out which opens the album with its catchy chorus and analogue synths still sounding fresh when mixed with today’s beats.
Subject Object is a fab song and surely should be a single, and Slow Release is also another highlight sounding darker than the other songs on offer.

My favourite track on the album is Honey If You Love Him (That’s All That Matters) which includes the line “I´ve got to confess your ex was a hot mess” which is sung with heavy treated vocals over a trancey backdrop. This is Andy´s collaboration with Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell.

Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Devo, Something For Everybody, 2010
Devo are back with their classic sound of the early 80´s and have produced an uplifting quirky album their first for twenty years including great Imagery used throughout the album booklet.

The band let fans pick songs for the finished album in a song study and it certainly seems to have created a buzz around this record.
Something For Everybody really does have something for every Devo fan every song bar one is classic Devo with hooks galore.
The album starts with Fresh a new wave song that has hit written all over it “so fresh it almost makes me want to cry”. Other highlights and there are many include What We Do with its irresistible dance beats, Human Rocket and Step It Up.
My favourite tracks are No Place like Home which is a little different than everything else on this disc which starts just a piano intro then becomes a driven ballad of sorts a little like Ah-Ha at their best, and the full on dance track March On which will go down a storm in the clubs surely another single.
In fact any of the songs here could be singles and as the band haven’t produced any new music for twenty years this could almost be a greatest hits from those lost years.

Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

The Gaslight Anthem, American Slang, 2010
From the opening bars to the energetic anthem American Slang -which wouldn’t go a miss in a Springsteen set-you get the feeling of a band who are enjoying playing this stadium style American rock.
This is their third album and is short –like albums used to be- and there are no fillers here just good old fashioned rock and roll sounding almost like a late 70´s album.

Standout tracks include The Diamond Church Street Choir and The Queen of Lower Chelsea –love this one- but the best song has to be We Did it when we were Young in which Brian Fallon sings passionately “But I am older now, we did it when we were young” to a U2 inspired backing.

Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

The Magic Numbers, The Runaway, 2010
With all the electro-synth retro pop music around at the moment it´s good to put an album on which is rich in vocal harmonies and subtle instrumentation.
If like me you have been put off listening to The Magic Numbers because of their image, (sorry)  just close your eyes and listen to this album you may become a fan, I know I have.

Highlights for me are the Fleetwood Mac inspired Why Did You Call? Along with A Start with No Ending.
There are some moments of still beauty here, The Pulse, Only Seventeen and I also really like the gorgeous Restless River.
As I said this is my first time listening to any of The Magic Numbers music and I´m pleasantly surprised how much I have enjoyed it. I have read a few reviews saying that this is not their best work but as a newbie I found it refreshing, relaxing and real.

Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Sia, We Are Born, 2010
On listening to Sia´s new album you will notice a departure from her previous style, she is going for the mainstream this time and is heading straight for the dance floor.
The album has much to admire, you still have Sia´s gorgeous voice and the production is very much now.

We Are Born has up-tempo/ dance numbers as well as down-tempo songs.
The dance orientated tracks work best here especially the single Clap Your Hands, Stop Trying, the Fight and the delightful Hurting Me Now.

Of the down- tempo songs the best are Big Little Girl, and I´m in Here which is my favourite song from the album as Sia´s voice sounds sumptuous.
There is also a cover of Madonna´s Oh Father which is a little pedestrian and ads little to the original.
Sia has made a good effort to reinvent herself on We Are Born much more convincing than Christina Aguilera latest album.
Sparkle Rating 6 out of 10

Kele, The Boxer, 2010
Kele Okereke’s first solo album is where he had decided to explore electronic music but unlike many artists at the moment he has gone for a harder Techno mechanical sound rather than synth-pop.
Because of this the album takes a while to connect with but on continued plays the songs really grow and become exciting.
The songs which have impressed are Unholy Thoughts which has an infectious bass line while the track Rise has the lyric “you are stronger than you think” over a stirring piece of music.

All things Could Ever Say is an electronic ballad in which Kele repeatedly sings “Your making me older, You making me old” and as the track peaks he is joined by female singers over a wonderful buzzing-swirling synth back track.
Yesterdays Gone is my favourite tune here and would make a good single and is probably the most radio friendly track here.
A good debut record from the Block Party singer.

Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Mojo, 2010
I have loved Tom Petty since hearing the very first notes of American Girl in 1977 and he constantly delivered quality songs ever since.
Back with the Heartbreakers releasing their first new album for nearly a decade Tom and the band sound as good as ever on the blues influenced Mojo.
Highlights include Jefferson Jericho Blues a spunky number where the harmonica playing by Scott Thurston really gets under your skin, No Reason to Cry is a lovely ballad with its steel guitar and The Trip to Pirate Cove is a slow subtle and sensuous .
Other highlights include the slow swing of Lover’s Touch the enjoyable groove of Let Yourself Go.

Tom just seems to write better as he gets older Good Enough is one of his best he has ever written if I had this album on vinyl I would have worn out this track by now.
Much of this album was recorded live and sounds fresh and exciting but most it sounds like the band are enjoying playing together again.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Kylie, Aphrodite, 2010
After Kylie´s last album X was released and lets be honest it wasn’t really very good- too much stlye over content-I thought perhaps it was time for a career change but no I have been pleasantly surprised at this return to disco hot pants form.
The album is full of exhilarating dance floor tunes which I´m sure will take her back into the charts in a big way.
The first single from the album All The Lovers is really a slow burner which on the first few listens didn’t excite me but I have grown to love the song and haven’t been able to get it outta my head!!
Other highlights include Get Otta My Way which will be a smash, as would the delightful Better Than Today. There are many potential single on Aphrodite.

Many different writers have helped out on this album including Calvin Harris, Jake Shears and Kylie on Too Much a euphoric floor filler and keane´s Tim Rice Oxley on the Scissor Sisters sounding Better Than Today.
My favourite track from the album is Cupid Boy with its slightly menacing guitar breaks and has the pop princess doing what she does best, big pink throwaway pop.

Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Some of the biggest and brightest stars have played at Glastonbury over its 40 year run and it has become the must see UK music festival.

The festival first took place  at Worthy Farm between the small villages of Pilton and Pylie in the South West in England. Glastonbury is organized now by Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily Eavis, originally it was run by Michael and his late wife Jean.

The first concert was held in 1970 and was attended by 1,500 people. The first act to appear was Stackridge and the headliner by default was Marc Bolan´s Tyrannosaurus Rex as the original headliner Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders pulled out at the last minute.

By the mid 80´s the festival had outgrown Worthy Farm and so neighboring Cockmill Farm was purchased.  Highlights include scores of fans invading  the stage as The Smiths played and they draped themselves around Morrissey and in 1989 Suzanne Vega performing  in a bullet proof vest as she had received death threats prior to the festival.

1990 saw its biggest ever festival to date and  also one which will be  remembered for the violence that occured between security guards and New Age Travelers which led to one year sabbatical in 1991. On its return in 1992 it was the first year the new age travelers were not initially allowed onto the site free.

Throughout the 90´s attendances rose and we had many memorable performances from the likes of Pulp, Oasis and the Cure, and in 1995 they had a Dance tent for the first time to cater for the now popular rave scene.

In 1995 ex-Take That member Robbie Williams was seen dancing on stage with Oasis and in 1997 Michael Eavis says Radiohead’s performance was “Glastonbury’s finest ever set.” While 1998 saw the attendance officially break the 100,000 mark.

In 2000 they had a new Pyramid Stage (the original burned down in 1994) and the festival was headlined by David Bowie playing there 30 years after his last performance. Although only 100,000 tickets were sold that year there was an estimated 250,000 people who attended the festival.

In 2005 the headliner was supposed to be Kylie Minogue who had to pull out due to treatment she needed for breast cancer (she would eventually guest with the Scissor Sisters this year). Coldplay performed a cover of Kylies “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” in their set as did Basement Jaxx . 112.500 tickets sold out in just 3 hours and 20 minutes.

This year also saw The New Tent renamed The John Peel Tent in his honour after he passed away in 2004.

Jay-Z the American rapper was the controversial headliner in 2008 and was ridiculed by Oasis Noel Gallagher, but Jay-Z won over the crowd when he opened with his cover of Oasis’s Wonderwall.

This year’s festival sold out within 24 hours. U2 due were to perform on the Pyramid Stage but had to pull out due to Bono´s recent health problems and were replaced by The Gorillaz. Although last year Blur were a success Damon´s Gorillaz this time failed to ignite the crowds.

2010 the driest year (no mud) for years kicked off with Rolf Harris celebrating his 80th b-day next year with more gusto than many of the young performers thrice his age singing his 60´s classic (hmmm) Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport.

Muse appeared on the Pyramid stage with U2´S Edge guesting on a cover of Where the Streets Have No Name.

Biggest surprise of the weekend was Radiohead´s Thom York with his set of classic tracks with guitarist Jonny Greenwood on the Park Stage. Thom was introduced by Michael Eavis who clearly felt that this was going to be again very precious. Though Michael didn’t introduce Vanilla Ice (strange that!!) when the rapper performed this year.

One of the campest  pop moments has to be the coupling of Jake and Kylie on new Scissor Sisters track Any Which Way.

Sundays headliner was Stevie Wonder who put on a crowd pleasing greatest hits set which makes me wonder (sorry for the pun) at what stage dose an artist get to where their catalogue is bigger than themselves and where does nostalgia just take over from real emotion, how long can you sing For Once In My Life or any of your old lyrics with any conviction?

But one could almost forgive Stevie for singing the awful Happy Birthday song when he has Michael Eavis on stage at the end of the festival (Well almost!!!!)

Happy Birthday Glastonbury here´s to another 40 years.

Keane My Shadow Remix by Danny Dance 2010
This is interesting; one of our own Sparkle members has remixed one of the tracks from Keane´s new album- reviewed in the May album reviews here.
An excellent piece of work Danny, love the radio sound at the end of the track.

Check out his site   here

LCD Soundsystem, This Is Happening, 2010

This is the third LCD Soundsystem album and is defiantly their best. James Murphy the main man here has also stated that this maybe their last.
I haven’t stopped playing this now for three weeks and it just gets better and better with hooks galore and inspired instrumentation throughout.

At times you get the feeling James has been listening an lot to Bowie, Eno and Iggy circa ¨77-¨78.
The standout tracks are the Iggy influenced “Somebody’s Calling Me” which could have been lifted of “The Idiot”, “I Can Change” is a new wave/synth influenced tune which evokes memories of “Love Is A Stranger” by the Eurythmics and  “Pow Pow” which was released as a single for this year’s Record Store Day and is punky funky and fun.

You Wanted A Hit starts off all atmospheric then turns into an infectious art dance floor song ripped from the early eighties with a fantastic vocal inflections throughout.  Drunk Girls another single is almost a rewrite of Bowie´s Boys Keep Swinging featuring  lyrics “Drunk Girls, Drunk girls cause a couple of heart attacks, Drunk girls are unusually mild, Drunk boys keep in pace with the pedophiles, Drunk girls are boringly wild”.
Another stand out track is Dance Yourself Clean which crawls along for three minutes eight seconds till a big fat bass reverb kicks and lifts the track track to a whole new level.
Don’t be put off by all the musical references here as they don’t distract from the songs which stand tall in their own right.  Lets hope James changes his mind and records another album in the future.
Sparkle Rating 9 out of 10

Macy Gray, The Sellout, 2010
I absolutely love this album. Macy has such a distinctive raspy voice and has a wonderful way in which she expresses herself, her lyrics, her look she is definatly  real deal.
This album her first for three years has so many good songs and in many different styles;  Still Hurts is Macy the torch singer and features Romika,  Kissed it is almost a 70´s Glam anthem were she rocks out with Velvet Revolver and it’s just Glamtastic!!
There is a sweet ballad called Real Love with ex Mr Houston Bobby Brown , Stalker is brilliant with fantastic lyrics from Macy and Let You Win is a lifting musically with Macy sounding oh so good.

Another highlight is That Man which uses the 60´s Batman TV theme perfectly. Beauty In The World is the first single from the album and deserves to be a hit.
Go out and buy this album, highly recommended.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Broken Bells, Broken Bells, 2010
The Broken Bells are James Mercer from the Shins and Brian Burton AKA Danger Mouse. This is their first album together which is an interesting listen.
The album is a bit of a slow burner but you reap the rewards tenfold with repeated plays. At times the album almost sounds cinematic with its lush production.

Highlights include the excellent first single The High Road, Trap Door and The Ghost Inside which is an up-tempo number and sounds like a Gorillaz track , also the post punk influenced track The Mall and Misery is fantastic
A good debut album worth investigating let’s hope this duo work together again in the future.
Sparkle Rating, 7 out of 10

Smooth The Parade, 2010
Smooth are an Electro Lounge act from France. The album is a melodic and dynamic affair. Each track has something different to offer from Downtempo coolness , 80´s New Wave to lush Synthpop.
The Parades stand out track is I Know which features the sultry vocals of Dominique A and it’s just stunning.
Other highlights include the opening track Friendly Yours featuring a scratchy record intro-love that-, and the Trip Hop Manson featuring Alain Chauvet.

The piano  ballad This World is also a stand out song and the gorgeous synth song Another Life which I just love.
I have been listening to this album for a couple of months now and it has become one of my favourites releases this year.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Christina Aguilera, Bionic, 2010
I approached this album with more than a little caution after looking at the sleeve Christina’s face is half robot and reading who she has collaborated with for the album, Ladytron, and M.I.A. it just smacks of her not being comfortable  and doesn’t quiet ring true.
Some of the songs here sound a little forced ie; the title track and Elastic Love. Other  low points are I Hate Boys and Vanity- swearing is just not you Christina- and the track Glam is very Vogue era Madonna.

The songs which work best are the ballads; I Am, All I Need and Lift Me Up written by Linda Perry is what this girl is really about and my favourite song here You Lost Me which really shows off her voice.
It seems to me that Lady Gaga has had an effect on Lady Aguilera and I don’t think it is for the best.

Sparkle Rating 5 out of 10

Tracey Thorn, Love And It´s Opposite, 2010
Putting on a new Tracey Thorn album is like getting into a newly changed bed with crisp sheets and a duvet so soft and warm that you loose yourself into it.
I fell in love with Tracey’s voice in 1984 when I first heard Each And Everyone then she was with her now husband Ben Watt in Everything But The Girl.
This is only Tracey´s third solo album and follows up the excellent Out Of the Woods from 2007. That album had a dancey felling about it, where Love And It´s Opposite is wrapped in a friendly intimacy and makes for a cosier listen.
The album contains eight new tracks and two covers,  Come On Home To Me by Lee Hazlewood which is one of the albums highlights as Tracey duets with Jens Lekman-simply dazzling- and You Are A Lover by the wonderfully named The Unbending Trees.
Other memorable songs are “Long White Dress”, Singles Bar which includes the line “Can you guess my age in this light?”, another favourite is Late In The Afternoon with its sparse backing which has Traceys sublime vocals painting a melancholy picture. Oh! The Divorces is also a strange but a good song to be singing when she only recently married.

So pull down the blinds curl up in your bed with a loved one and prepare to fall in love with Tracey all over  again.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

The National, High Violet, 2010
This is the National´s fifth album and is a little darker than previous outings, if you enjoy Joy Division you may like they’re blend of slow burning  emotive songs full of tension.

The stand out tracks are England , Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks and the amazing Sorrow which includes the lines “Sorrow found me when I was young, sorrow waited , sorrow won, sorrow put me on the pills” sung over jangly guitars. Afraid of Everyon is my favourite track here which builds from its humble atmospheric almost acapella vocals to a crescendo of rampant drums and raucous guitars.  Anyone´s Ghost is also a song of note with a welcome upbeat air about it.

I recommend this album, at times sad and bleak but also wonderfully magnificent.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Eli Paperboy Reed, Come and Get It, 2010
When listening to this new album by twenty six year old Eli Paperboy Reed  it is  like listening to Motown by numbers.
Everything is in its right place, horns a plenty,  soulful backing vocals and Eli has a very good voice.  It´s just there is no originality in the songs they are just 60´s pastiches lacking any real sparks.

Where´s Amy Whinehouse and Plan –B bring something new to the classic 60´s sound Eli has added nothing and I would rather go and listen to some of the original Motown or Stax songs from that era.
Best song “Come and Get It” download this and forget the rest.
Sparkle Rating 4 out of 10

Jakob Dylan, Women and Country, 2010
I used to love the Wallflowers Jakobs former band who are probably best known for their excellent single One Headlight. At the time I didn’t realize Jakob was the son of music legend Bob Dylan.
So with this his second solo album Jakob has produced an enjoyable taste of folk driven American music.

The opening song Nothing But The Whole Wide World is a pleasant tune with sweeping strings and Jacobs vocal is perfectly harmonized with Neko Case. Everybody’s Hurting is also a highlight here with its peddle steel and Fiddle.
Truth For A Truth is one of my favourite tracks as it´s a little more upbeat than many of the songs on the album. Smile When You Call Me That is a lovely romantic song and both Standing Eight Count and Thevé Trapped Us Like Boys are both quality songs.
The production of Women and Country by T Bone Brunette is excellent throughout and makes for a pleasurable listen.
Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Faithless, The Dance, 2010
With The Dance Faithless seem to have gone back in time. The album could easily of been released at their 90´s peak.
They have tried to vary their sound on a couple of tracks notably the reggae paced  Crazy Bal’heads and for some reason there is a remixed Blancmange track Feel Me-great tune but so out of place here-

Tweek Your Nipple sounds like a watered down poor man’s Insomnia and because Maxi  Jazz´s voice is so distinctive it can wear a little thin.
The best track is probably North Star which features Maxi and Dido.
Sparkle Rating  5 out of 10

Turin Brakes, Outbursts, 2010
It´s been a while since Turin Brakes made their must-have debut The Optimist in 2001.
Well this album is again full of must-have songs delivered with a new self belief in their song craft and has an edgier production than their overproduced last offering.
Highlights include Rocket which has frantic strumming guitars and lofty vocals, Radio Silence and Mirror which I have on repeat.
The album also includes Paper Heart which is a seductive ballad which features the line “you shake the ground, rearrange the sunsets and terrorize the town”. I´m loving this track.

Outbursts’ leading track has to be the single Sea Change which has a compelling beat that turns into a crescendo singing “if we don’t do this nobody else will” complete with delightful strings.
An album full of acoustic, folk based gorgeousness that sparkles lyrically; a must have.
Sparkle Rating 8 of of 10

Keane, Night Train, 2010
Keane’s new album has the sounds of a band really enjoying their music and experimenting with their sound.
With only eight tracks the album has no fillers and has various styles not usually associated with the band.
Night Train opens with a brief instrumental, House Lights before the album kicks in proper with the first of two synth influenced tracks. Back In Time has agitated synth riffs and frantic drumming, Your Love is straight out of the 80´s an alluring tune which is wrapped with engaging vocals from Tom and has echoes of Ah Ha.
Following on from the 80´s influenced tracks Keane cover the Yellow Magic Orchestras Ishin Denshin (You´ve Got to Help Yourself) which is delightful and includes Tigarah sharing vocals giving Keane again a different dynamic to their sound.

Stop for a Moment has a piano driven melody featuring a collaboration with rapper K¨Naam who is used to great effect towards the end of the song. My Shadow is a typical graceful Keane ballad which they are so good at, beautifully sung by Tom.
The stand out track for me is Clear Skies which begins with handclaps and acoustic guitars and eventually escalates into almost a Radiohead style song, just mesmerizing.
Keane have surprised me with this one and it makes for an entertaining impressive listen.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Babybird, Ex-Maniac, 2010
Stephen Jones is back with his tenth album with a featured cameo from Hollywood actor Johnny Depp who apparently talked Stephen into recording again.
Probably still best known for the hit single You re Gorgeous from the 90´s, Ex-Maniac includes darkly twisted lyrics and beautifully commercial crafted tunes, one the best here being Failed Suicide Club a song which is about aborted suicides.

Drug Time which has the opening line of “Can’t get the smack out of arms, can’t get the coke out of my nose, can’t get the drink out of my liver, can’t get the smoke out of my clothes.” As with all the songs on the album they all feature uplifting music at odds with the lyrics which work impeccably.
Unlovable which features Johnny Depp on guitar and a gorgeous melody which builds to a crescendo with Stephen exclaiming “you can’t love me I’m unlovable, but baby you could try.” Also check out the video which Johnny directed.
I’d forgotten how good Babybird were and this album ranks as one of their best, highly recommended.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Plan B, The Deformation Of Strickland Banks. 2010
Plan B´s second album the follow up to their acclaimed 2006 debut, Ben Drew then a hoodie rapper now a sharp suited soul singer.
The Deformation of Strickland Banks tells the story of a singer who falls on hard times and features the already well known singles, Stay Too Long, She Said and the excellent new single Prayin.
The album includes so many potential singles, What Yo Gonna Do, The Recluse, Free which has touches of the Fine Young Cannibals with its faux Mowtown and Welcome To Hell, this could well be the soundtrack for this summer.

The album dose lose its way at times and I feel that it is also over long and at times samey but you do get a rest from this with Traded in My Cigarettes and my favourite track I Know a Song.
So if you’re bored waiting for the new Amy Winehouse album, go grab this, you won’t be disappointed.
Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Meat Loaf, Hang Cool Teddy Bear, 2010
I remember buying Bat Out of Hell on the same day I bought Never Mind the Bollocks by the Sex Pistols. I loved and still love both albums, it was cool to like The Pistols in 1977 but you never admitted to liking Meatloaf in the school common room.
I have followed his career with interest (please don’t ask him to appear as a judge on TV again!!) over the years and bought many of his not so good Bat out of Hell follow up albums which have included the odd good track. I think the problem has been how to follow up a 43 million mega selling over the top album without writer and producer Jim Steinman.
Well he may have just done that with his eleventh album by trying something a little different. The album is based on a short story by Kilian Kerwin . Sure you have Meat singing his heart out like his life depends on it and it includes guests, Brian May, Justin Hawkins, Jack Black and oddly enough actor Hugh Laurie.
This time around the production credits belong to Rob Cavallo who has also produced The Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day and Kid Rock.

But it’s the songs which make this album from the piano ballad pomp of If I Can’t Have You , which Meat duets with Kara Dioguardi, Like a Rose which reminds me of Run DMC and Aerosmith with guest Jack Black- great song- and Elvis in Vegas in which Meat blatantly rips off Springsteen .
So is cool to like Meatloaf today, maybe–it will never be cool- but if you have enjoyed any of his previous albums buy this, it’s a new crisp sounding Meatloaf who sounds like he’s having a blast.
Sparkle Rating 6 out of 10

Jonsi, Go, 2010.
Go is the solo debut from Sigur Ros front man Jonsi Birgisson and its a sweeping epic with layers upon layers of textures featuring strings electronics and harmonies throughout.
Jonsi really does have an incredible voice which never ceases to delight as he gives feeling and warmth to the songs.
High lights include Tornado, Go Do and Kolnidor in which he sings in his native tongue -simply beautiful-

If you download one song from the album make it the magnificent Boy Lilikoi which makes me feel like spring and summer rolled into one.
Go is a sometimes challenging but always a rewarding listen.
Sparkle Rating, 7 out of 10

Avi Buffalo, Avi Buffalo, 2010

Occasionally an artist comes along and delivers an album far beyond their years. At 19 Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg and his band have achieved that with this their debut album.
At times the songs evoke the late 60s in their instrumentation and the vocals of Avi and Rebbeca remind me of the Flaming Lips. It is also a pleasure to hear a simpler acoustic sounding retro that’s not 80’s electro.

Songs to cherish here are Where’s Your Dirty Mind, Jessica which is a love song with the lightest melody, Summer Cum with the lyrics “I’ve waited for your love, I’ve got lost in your summer cum leave all your stains with me”
The stand out track though is What’s It In For? That has impressive lyrics and a clever melody where you’re left feeling you already know the song.
A lovely album that evokes memories of lost young love with long hot summers and times when we were lost in our innocence.
Sparkle Rating 7out of 10.

Pink Floyd, Synthpop, Indie Music

New Wave, Dance Music, The White Stripes

Chillout Music, Glam Rock , Grace Jones

New Romantics, Obscure 80´s, It Should Have Been A Hit.

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Goldfrapp, Headfirst, 2010
After their last album, the folk-influenced Seventh Tree, I´m pleased that Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp have returned to their electronic roots with Headfirst.
At times Alison sounds dangerously like Olivia Newton John especially on Head First which is not the best track from the album.

Goldfrapp’s best moments here are tracks Alive which has shades of Abba, Shiny And Warm harks back to Strict Machine days but is all the better for that . Dreaming reminds me of Giorgio Moroder and Fleetwood Mac at the same time, and it’s my favorite track on offer here.
While Goldfrapp have been away there have been many girl singers who have taken inspiration from where they started.  Alison and Will seem to have been left behind a little.
The album is full-on glossy 80’s influenced music – sometimes a little too sugary produced but a good pop album with hooks galore.
Sparkle Rating 6 out of 10

MGMT, Congratulations, 2010
Following up  a debut album is never easy especially when your debut album was a massive success like Oracular Spectacular. So you would think that MGMT would have stuck to that winning formula for this, their sophomore release.
But not MGMT. Gone are the synths for most part and as a casual listener or even fan you could easily mistake these tunes to be from an altogether different band. I’m not saying it’s a bad album but it’s just not the MGMT record I wanted or expected.
The title track is an excellent song, a lovely slow laid back tune; I also like the epic Siberian Breaks with its change in tempo, as the track builds and falls it seems to get a little lost and ends up actually going nowhere. Which brings to mind prog rock-
Brian Eno is a great idea but could have been a better song but I do like the chorus and the fact that they get his full name Brian Peter George St. John Baptiste de la Salle Eno into the song; maybe my choice for a single.
As there is no  obvious single on the album the record company must be worried that this album is going to kill the band’s popularity.
I´d like to say congratulations to the band for bravely changing direction but I do think they may have shot themselves in their own dancing shoes.
Sparkle Rating 5 out of 10

Sharleen Spiteri, The Movie Songbook, 2010
What happens when you leave a successful band and begin a career as a solo artist? Your first solo album performs ok but no high profile hit singles. You then follow it up with this artist – desperate for a hit -dirge of an album.
Sharleen has turned into the female equivalent of John Barrowman with this collection of soulless songs from the Movies.
Now I like a good cover version but these songs have added nothing to the originals and they sound like a poor woman’s Karaoke.
Songs slaughtered by Sharleen are, Take My Breath Away, Xanadu, What’s New Pussycat, Sound Of Silence - which had me reaching for the skip button- and Windmills Of My Mind.
But the two worst offenders have to be If You Can’t Have Me in which she sounds like it’s a chore to sing- as reviewing this album has been -and the what were you thinking cover of Bowie’s Cat People (Putting Out the Fire) not even worthy of an X-Factor performance.
Sometimes bad can so bad it’s good, sadly this is just plain bad, avoid at all cost.
Sparkle Rating, 0 out of 10

Class Actress, Journal of Ardency EP 2010
One time folk singer Elizabeth Harper has teamed up with producers Mark Richardson and Scott Rosenthal to form electro pop band Class Actress.
From folk to electro pop seems a strange choice but they pull it off majestically with five songs you will want to hear again and again.
Let Me Take You Out has echoes of New Order / The Cure with Elizabeth’s breathy vocals not dissimilar to Debbie Harry, which is the stand out track here.

The rest of this EP is very much 80’s retro synth-pop at its best. Careful What You Say is the lead song here and probably the most radio friendly; Journal of Ardency has such a sexy slow groove, Prince would be proud.
And the dance-influenced Someone Real does get under your skin with its incestuous bleeps and swirling synthesizer sounds.
With just five songs on offer here there is enough variation to keep you interested and bodes well for a full album in the future.
Sparkle Rating 4 out of 5

Groove Armada, Black Light 2010
When I first played Black Light I had to check the sleeve to see if this was the same band who gave us “I See You Baby” with its crashing guitars on the opener, “Look Me in the Eyes Sister” and on “Cards to the Night” with its dirty synth sound. This sees the band making a move forward from their last effort and both tracks are highlights on the album.
The use of guest vocalists works well with Nick Littlemore from synth band Empire of the Sun singing on four songs. I especially love him on “Look Me in the Eyes Sister” and, would you believe, Will Young sounding like Jimmy Somerville at his 80’s best on “History” -  this really should be a single.
Bryan Ferry also puts in the album’s best performance on the wonderful “Shameless”, singing as only he can over a slow electro beat with atmospheric touches, the song just seduces you-beautiful.

Also good to hear Saint Saviour on two  tracks  “I Won’t Kneel”  and “Time and Space “; she really has a unique voice and these two tracks are quiet infectious.
A good album from Groove Armada who takes on a lot of past and present influences with at times stunning results.

Sparkle Rating  7out of 10

Gorillaz, Plastic Beach 2010
After the Blur’s magnificent reunion,  you may have thought Damon Albarn would be back with a new group album, but instead he is back with the fanciful Gorillaz.
Plastic Beach has much to enjoy with some unique guest vocals from Lou Reed, Gruf Rhys, Mark E Smith, Snoop Dog and Bobby Womack.
That said, I also think some of the strongest songs with Damon singing including , Broken which has a slow rhythmic beat and is nearest to a Blur song, and On Melancholy Hill which is one of the prettiest songs I’ve heard in a long time- just delightful.
What master strokes to have Lou Reed appear with Damon on his self penned Some Kind Of Nature, and brings a welcome relief to the sometimes same self vocals. I also like the Glam stomper in which Mark E Smith asks “Where´s north from here” – class.
But the real treasure to be found on the Plastic Beach is the electro pop Stylo which has a fantastic deranged Bobby Womack vocal as a foil to Albarn’s sweet vocal. The single has no immediate chorus hook but you are drawn into the song with repeated listening, yeah “Right Now”.

A very good album but a little on the long side, if they had made a few cuts it would have been a much stronger album.
Sparkle rating 7 out of 10

New Young Pony Club ,The Optimist 2010
Back with their much anticipated second album the Optimist is a fine body of work and a darker album than its predecessor.
The band sound more confident and have matured –vocally and musically – since their last outing. I love Tahita Bulmers dead pan vocals which are a definite highlight.

Lost a Girl is a shiny bright pop song which starts and stops throughout its driving beat and has hooks galore. Chaos is a tremendous song which has echos of Ice Cream in which Tahita’s vocals are sharp and tight.
On Rapture they sing “Big on the outside, small on the inside” a highlight of this diverse collection of interesting charismatic songs.
Other highlights include, Oh Cherie, Before The Light- reminiscent of the Banshees- and the title track The Optimist.
An admirable second album, time to go and join the New Young Pony Club.
Sparkle rating 8 out of 10

Villa Nah, Origin, 2010
This band from Scandinavia has produced a stunning debut album that is retro, romantic, brooding and intoxicating.
I’m sure the duo have found an old recording studio dating back to 1981-82 with the name Vince Clark somewhere scribbled on a mixing desk.
The album starts with a gorgeous instrumental only two minutes six seconds in length and lures you into their world. Running on follows with a treated vocal and is a pure hedonistic dance track.
The next song is Ways to Be- which was their first single, an engaging song about thinking of ways to be with one’s partner. Some Kind of Dream is a song the Human League would be proud of (I can even see Susanne and Joanne doing their awful 80’s dance moves to this)
The other two singles from the album are Rainmaker, a wonderful disco drenched tune which has touches of The Associates within its glittering beats; and their latest single the addictive romantic  Remains Of Love.
There is not a bad track on this album with the exquisitely enchanting Autumn Gone being the standout song –Vince would be proud.
The sounds are a pure analogue feast and if released in the early 80’s would now be regarded as a classic of its genre.
Go buy it now.
Sparkle rating 10 out of 10

On the 7^th of January the Royal Mail issued ten stamps which celebrate British album artwork.

Among the stamps are Mike Oldfield´s Tubular Bells, David Bowie´s glam masterpiece Ziggy Stardust and Coldplay´s a Rush of Blood to the Head.

I would love to receive any letters with these stamps attached. I´m a little surprised that Pink Floyds The Division Bell was issued instead of The Dark Side of the Moon but overall great choices.

The full list is,

The Clash, London Calling,

Led Zeppelin, IV

Primal Scream, Screamadelica

Mike Oldfield, Tubular Bells

Coldplay, A Rush Of Blood To The Head

Blur, Parklife

The Rolling Stones, Let It Bleed

Pink Floyd, The Division Bell

New Order, Power, Corruption & Lies

David Bowie, Ziggy Stardust

I also would have loved to have seen The Sex Pistols God Save the Queen as a stamp. How cool would this have been…?

What album or single artwork would you like to see on a postage stamp?

Marina & the Diamonds, Family Jewels 2010
Listening to this album is an absolute joy; it´s pop with an edge.
Remember when you first heard Parallel Lines by Blondie or Dare by The Human League? This album has given me the same feeling.
It contains fantastic songs with many vocal inflections such as the underrated Lene Lovich, Hazel O´Connor and Kate Bush
Highlights from the album include Mowglii´s Road with its frantic beat, Girls “ look like a girl but I think like a guy” on both tracks Marina sounds Like Lene Lovich.

Hermit the Frog’s a fun tune where she sings “Did you find your bitch in me?” it also has an interesting arrangement. The single I Am Not A Robot is a lovely song and Guilty is another fabulous, darker song.
There are so many potential singles here you are spoilt for choice. The only down side is the track Hollywood – which is now a single which is just so damn catchy and which I have a love/hate relationship with.
I love this album, pure pop but with something more mysterious within.
Sparkle Rating, 8 out of 10

Lonelady Nerve Up 2010
It´s refreshing to hear a new girl singer not jumping on the electro 80´s band wagon and delivering a darker lo-fi sound to her music.
Lonelady-aka Julie Campbell- has an album which wears her influences on her sleeve with `post punk bands Gang of Four, Magazine and Johnny Lydon’s PIL but with a commercial pop feel.
Album highlights are If Not Now which is quietly infectious and Intuition which verges on indie disco with its structure not unlike Devo.
Marble is just a brilliant song which, if released as a single, could break this album into the mainstream with its simple electronic touches.
A very good debut album which just grows and grows.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

Massive Attack, Heligoland 2010
This is their fifth album and has taken seven years to follow the disappointing 100th Window.
As usual there are many guest vocalists on the album. These include Martina Topley -Bird, Damon Albarn, Hope Scandle, Tunde Adehimne and Gus Garvey.
The album starts with the wonderful Pray for Time which is a real slow burner, along the way we have Psyche which is their most commercial song for years, and the two collaborations with Blur´s Damon Albarn, the best being Saturday Come Slow – a real treat.
The standout track from the album has a haunting vocal from Elbow´s Gus Garvey “I´m not good in a crowd, I´ve got skills I can’t speak of” and then he later sings “things I´ve seen will chase me to the grave” making Flat Of Brave an altogether unnerving track.
Other songs that deserve a mention are Atlas Air with its almost glam beat giving a much needed lift to the album and Paradise Circus with Hope Sandoval on vocals.
Many have copied Massive Attack over the years; listening to this album makes you realize why. At times here they show they can still be ahead of their game.

Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Four Tet, There is Love in You 2010
There Is Love is much more accessible than their previous efforts and is one of those albums which you could so easily lose yourself in.
The album opens with the hypnotic sounds of electronic bleeps and blips with an angelic voice repeatedly singing -there is love in you –exquisite.
Other songs of note are This Unfolds in which on repeated listens you can follow its contrasting layered sounds, and Love Cry which builds into an almost trance like track with an under belly synth sound which I love.
She Just Loves to Fight is a lovely come down instrumental that closes the album perfectly giving way to the feeling of calm and serenity from this accessible electronic experimental album.
Sparkle Rating 7 out of 10

Hurts, Wonderful Life EP.2010
Not a full blown album, but as I have been championing this band for some time now I´d like to review this EP.
Hopefully you will be familiar with the excellent Wonderful Life which is such a gorgeous synth-pop tune that deserves to be a massive hit. The EP also has a great Arthur Baker remix of the single and you really should catch the excellent video which accompanies the song.
Other tracks included are Blood, Tears & Gold which is an atmospheric big ballad pure angst pop, and Silver Lining which has a harder industrial edge.

The final two tracks include the luxuriously produced Unspoken which is an engaging tune which would make a fine single and Illuminated which is a grandiose/dramatic song –just marvelous.
Sparkle Rating 8 out of 10

The show started with a glamorous performance by Lilly Allen which was in the vein of a big Hollywood musical production; although I don’t think she quiet carried off the glamour look she was looking for, but still a fantastic start to the show.
Along the way we had a so-so performance from JLS who amazingly won two awards, perhaps down to the back flips! Two great collaborations one from Dizzy Rascal and Florence Welsh the other from Jay Z and Alicia Keys.

The awards themselves were a little predictable and among the stars presenting the awards we had Dame Shirley Bassey, Sam Fox-still failing as a presenter, Geri Halliwell and the oh so not funny Jonathan Ross.
Oasis won the best album of the last 30 years for “Whats The Story Morning Glory?”
Liam Gallagher made a surprise appearance and thanked everyone but his brother and then threw the award and microphone into the audience for which Peter Kay commented after, “what a k___ head.” Well said that man.

But the big winner of the night for me was Lady Gaga who performed a touching tribute to the late Alexander McQueen for the first part of her number, then in true Lady Gaga fashion she showed a singer at the top of her game with a deranged performance in a lace body suit – a pure pop star.
She went on to win International Album, International Breakthrough Act and International Female Artist.

The outstanding contribution to British Music award this year went to Mr. Robbie Williams who closed the show in a typical Robbie swagger, with annoying crowd participation to many of his hits.

And as for the Pet Shop Boys – priceless!
For a full list of winners see here