The breakdown of communication seems to be a recurring theme for Algerian/Australian singer-songwriter and musical producer Ilias when it comes to his second effort ‘All The Way Up’. With one given the option of choosing which artwork should represent this sophomore album consisting of three space themes, any notion of a trial separation from a current relationship is either being taken to extremes or alternatively suggesting that such an option has long since departed. Beginning where previous long player ‘Somewhere In Time’ left off with the reflective guitar stroll of ‘Someone Like You’, there is enough suggestion, musically, that the windows of opportunity are opening for the first time despite the lyrical severance at the heart of this song. Such optimism gathers further momentum with the breezy indie-pop ‘My Girl With Blue Eyes’ that continues to have links to its predecessor ‘Somewhere…’ but also provides the first indicator of a departure from this former album due to being consistently tighter in its execution and offering a more full-bodied approach. ‘All The Way Up’ deviates truly from any former path once the atmospheric ‘Picture The Sun..’ glides into view and sets up the much-touted, in these very pages, of former single ‘Fire Away’. It was the manner in which ‘Fire Away’ seemed to dramatically dispel any former guidelines by throwing itself to the lions and undergo a major transformation with its film score concept and flitting rhythmic pattern that suggested only one word, DRIVE. From this neon lit landscape of LA, the influence of Radiohead can be heard with the melancholic ‘It’s All About Her’ that exists in its own shell of atmospheric electronics and quiet acoustic guitar and is complimented by the memory held during ‘Turn The Clock Back’ with a nice touch of glockenspiel. ‘Jet Glow’ is the proceeding vapour trail and provides further room for reflection with its emerging and often moody guitar reflexes. Despite suggestion of a future direction involving film scores, Ilias continues his love affair with indie music as ‘She’s Someone Else’s Problem Now’ pays homage to The Smiths, whereas elements of Radiohead spring to mind once more during ‘Finding You’ considering its somewhat improvised guitar with a rather nasty bite. The reprise of ‘Someone Like You’ is a fitting finale not only for surpassing its former incarnation with a vocal that gives an honest account of personal loss, but also for being the last tear shed on a body of work that is consistently better and creatively richer than its predecessor. ‘All The Way Up’ is a magnificent achievement and one that offers plenty of scope for future directions.

Having reviewed former single ‘My Silver Lining’ ‘ in these very pages, it is pleasing to hear that sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg have stuck to a winning formula comprising of alt-country blessed with heavenly vocals and lyrics of an introspective nature. The Stockholm-based duo sound closer to the rural south of America than their native Sweden, such is their song writing abilities and sincerity, which is captured once more by producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk). With the precursor that was the previously mentioned single to this latest release, lush strings and delicate melodies can often be heard throughout ‘Stay Gold’ as it’s brimming with confidence musically, with only a handful of lyrics giving the game away regarding a variety of anxieties professing to be “as big as the moon”. The trail of quality is most definitely hot throughout ‘Stay Gold’, as indicated by the sweetly addictive melody of ‘Master Pretender’, folk inspired ‘Cedar Lane’ with its huge aching heart, and topped by the waiflike and atmospheric qualities of the album’s title track. With a host of gigs and festival appearances imminent, First Aid Kit, on this current form, is the very definition of their album title as their success looks set to continue.

An appropriate album title for The Sidewynders with ‘Let’s Go Sparkin’ With…’ as there is a real energy fizzing between the grooves of the majority of songs, but also there is much to get incensed about judging by the angst that relationships can (sometimes) bring and reflected here. Beginning with the sprightly sounding ‘Lyin’ Baby’ with added steel strings, the contents of this song reveals a different tale, however, and one of a relationship that went sour and now replaced with resentment as indicated by the parting shot, “I hope that you live life with regret, with my heart you are in debt, because baby – baby what you done to me is lowdown dirty crime”. This is why The Sidewynders matter so much because they really do care about their feelings and the state of their music which, by the way, is as every bit skilled as the ideas and personal reflections scribbled here. Unfortunately, for these cool cats, the relationship stakes fail to see an improvement as far as luck goes, but it all makes for compelling listening which, combined with the dextrous guitar and light rhythm of ‘Fancy Free’ and followed by the rockabilly and severely broken heart of ‘No Shame’, The Sidewynders know something about turning misery into sheer delight. There is a touch of the Bill Haley’s with the percussion entrance of ‘Dry Run’, which proceeds with a similar rhythm to ‘Jailhouse Rock’, and then catching a second wind with the breezy tempo of ‘Closer & Closer’ that showcases some fine vocals. Just before last orders is called though, The Sidewynders up the ante further, as far as any competition is concerned,  by revealing the creative delight that is ‘She’s Got It Made’, taking its inspiration from big band and swing and offering superb interchanging and dual vocals that makes our life definitely complete!

Miranda Lambert is back with the brand new album ‘Platinum’ that offers a blend of traditional country with elements of rock music. By combining these two genres is a means of trying to appeal to a broader audience and not just hardened country fans, but while some other artists’ efforts may sound forced, Miranda Lambert makes it all sound effortless as there is a seamless flow of consistency throughout her latest long player. Starting with the solid country rock of ‘Girls’ that immediately provides an example of the sheer power at the centre of her vocal chords despite not really manoeuvring out of second gear. The title track is almost portrayed in a country rap style, if ever such a thing existed, but thankfully it doesn’t fully resort to such measures as the song refers to the pressures that come with fame and success and, more tellingly, the reactions from others. There is room for collaboration as well as Miranda Lambert joins forces with Little Big Town and pulls off a delicate and spacious number that is full of nostalgia for simpler times. What begins as a lone instrument, coupled with Miranda Lambert’s vocal, gradually builds its momentum and in the process peels away a succession of insightful lyrics of a personal nature during ‘Bathroom Sink’, which paves the way for the humorous and rather clever ‘Old Shit’ (Yes, that is correct) that displays its passion for collectibles as illustrated by the background noise of vinyl static. If there is a standout track, however, then that honour falls to the marvellous rendition of western swing of ‘All That’s Left’ featuring The Time Jumpers which, in all honesty, would suit a full album’s worth if ever Miranda Lambert warms to such an idea.

Naming your latest album ’48:13′ suggests that time is beginning to catch up with Kasabian. Not that this five piece from Leicester has anything to prove, of course, after a succession of critically well-received albums and legion of loyal supporters championing their cause, but the signs of a band struggling for fresh ideas is slowly beginning to reveal itself. This latest album, however, begins in fine fashion with the humming static of electronics and subdued fizz of guitars that is ‘(shiva)’, before flowering into the thunderous beats and tripped-out psychedelia of ‘Bumblebee’. The film score inspired entrance of ‘Stevie’ would not sound out of place in a Bond film as it eventually catches up with an exhilarating rhythm that gives a fine impression of a song moving in transit as there is a real sense of one car pursuing another, hence the Bond reference. ‘Mortis’ is a mournful and brief instrumental that directs the listener to the first lacklustre effort in the ideas department, both musically and lyrically, with ‘Doomsday’ and followed by the all too familiar ground of yet more pounding beats and boastful comments running throughout ‘Treat’. A change of tempo and style is welcomed with the intriguing ‘Glass’, that is more considered in its use of electronica and fleeting standard instrumentation but then, surprisingly, takes an even greater twist in its strategy by closing out with a spoken word passage that contains the telling line, “When the biggest criminals I ever met wore a suit and tie”. ‘Explodes’ continues the more restrained approach and owes a slight debt to Gary Numan, before returning to tried and trusted ground with the pounding ‘Eez-eh’ that skewers the usual suspects of Primal Scream, Happy Mondays and Stone Roses in one fell swoop. Not without its faults, ’48:13′ warrants enough attention for the sometimes weird and wonderful and one or two forays venturing into classic Kasabian territory. However, it’s the latter category that requires considerable tinkering if, next time around, Kasabian is to enter a whole new era.

The identity of Norway’s (Frank) Benjamin Finger remains an enigma and one that is on a par with the UK’s modern street artist Banksy. Such a mysterious identity is fitting of the music this Norwegian is peddling, as it is more about electronic atmospheric soundscapes than anything singer-songwriter by way of an acoustic guitar and unkempt facial hair (although…see above regarding the latter). What the listener gets, therefore, with Benjamin Finger’s latest album release ‘The Bet’ is a collage of sounds pertaining to various moods, such as the aptly named ‘Faintheartedness’ with its fleeting rhythm providing the woozy emotions by means of stammering vocalizations and simple piano that eventually ends up chopped and sliced and left flickering in a succession of electronic bleeps and whirrs.  Imagine if you will the characteristic tender openings of guitar strings being picked of an Explosions in the Sky composition and you are somewhere close to the shimmering and waiflike ‘Rosencrans Exit’. One can extract that ‘The Bet’ is concerned with humanities inabilities to safeguard world resources, given that the majority of songs presented here possess dreamlike qualities and therefore suggesting only one likely outcome if the downward spiral persists. ‘Bad-Luck Planet’, in particular, serves as one such precursor by sounding as if it has exited one world only to find itself wedged in a completely vacuous space as illustrated by the repetitive hum of electronica. Just as ‘Nasal Breakdown’ sounds equally grounded in its tracks, the space entered is far more pleasurable considering the beautiful ethereal vocals that surround it. ‘The Bet’ is a patchwork of ideas and emotions stitched together and striving to make sense of the world by means of various electronica and occasional guidance from elements of classical music that provides no further clues to the enigma that is Benjamin Finger only that he remains in a class of his own.