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The Strokes
Room on Fire (Rough Trade)
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The New York big boys come back to the fore with a second offering. Considering the fantastic success of their debut, they're unfortunately facing a lot of stick in the run-up for this album, so it had damn well better be good.
by MD | Read me...
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Belle & Sebastian
Dear Catastrophe Waitress (Rough Trade)
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B&S appear to have taken a sharp change of direction in their tastes by reigning in TATU / Frankie goes to Hollywood producer Nigel Horn. Although it might not be too surprising that after a career of christian-lite folk that they'd want to flip out and do wierd things to each other, it could also prove distastrous (or pleasurable) for their fans!
by MD | Read me...
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Muse
Absolution (east West)
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Muse make a return with their 4th album, the first on their new big label, complete with big shiny Los Angeles producer as chief knob-twiddler (producer, in laymans terms). The singles are there, but what about the rest of the album?
Does it Rock, or will we roll it... erm, away...?
by MD | Read me...
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The Bellrays
The Red, White and Black (Poptones)
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One of the first big Soul-rock bands to enter the arena (not saying they're 'arena-rock', of course), The Bellrays hail from stateside with intent to give us our education in proper music.
With side projects alongside Basement Jaxx and the Streetwalking Cheetahs, these guys sure seem to know what goes where...
by MD | Read me...
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Lost in Translation
Sofia Coppola(2004)
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Lost in translation marks the crossover of the coppola family from 'the godfather dude and the girl who tried making a film' to 'the godfather dude and the girl who makes beautifully shot character movies'. Not a huge change, but the improvement is enough to bring Sofia Coppola a lot more respect, and the film that does it also gives two acting careers a big shove in the right direction.
by DS | Read me...
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Belleville Rendezvous
Sylvian Chomet (2003)
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The screens seem to be alive with cartoons from all over the world at the moment, what with Spirited Away, Finding Nemo, and now this, a gutsy european offering that isn't apparently aimed at kids. I guess we should hope we aren't entering Hentai territory here, people...
by MD | Read me...
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Whale Rider
Niki Caro (2003)
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Be warned people! This film is not Free Willy part VII (or whatever number they're on now). Its a half-arthouse film that hails from New zealand, with Kiwi director Niki Caro at the helm. It might be one of those big wet fishy tales of woe, and then on the other hand it might be an emotional, epic, er, ...fishy tale of woe.
Decide for yourself, or read our fantastic review...
by MD | Read me...
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