Artist: Chiddy Bang
Single: Opposite of Adults
Label: EMI UK
Released: Out Now
Reviewed By: Nicole Tiernan
For Fans of: Kanye West, MGMT, Timberland

‘Chiddy Bang’ are a duo from Philly with the aim of changing traditional hip hop forever. Chiddy (Real name Chidera) and Xaphoon Jones (Real name Noah) are currently challenging the norm of hip hop by pursuing a different approach to the music genre. Instead of Chiddy ‘spitting’ over a constant thumping beat, ‘Chiddy Bang’ with the help of DJ and producer Xaphoon are taking some of the current music of today and sampling it with their own lyrics.

Their new single ‘Opposite of Adults’ taken from the forthcoming ‘Opposite of Adults EP’ with its clever title hinting towards the backing track used on this record (MGMT – ‘Kids’). Rather than rapping about stereotypical topics of this genre ‘Chiddy Bang’ further challenges the genre by rapping about their personal lives and specifically childhood in this track. The lyrics further match the subject of the song with the use of immature language such as ‘mummy ‘when used in the chorus ‘Tell mummy I’m sorry This life is a party, I’m never growing up’

With the addictive jittery sample and Chiddy’s smooth vocals this track is refreshing, impressive and borderline amazing. Giving even ‘MGMT’ a run for their money ‘Chiddy Bang’ are sure to be turning heads with this record and I don’t mean in curiosity, I mean turning heads to find the nearest place selling this record! Cannot wait to hear the follow up to this track.

(10/10)

Download the album now from iTunes

Listen to more from Chiddy Bang on Myspace

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Artist: Glee
Album: The Music, Volume 1
Label: Columbia
Released: Out Now
Reviewed By: Leighanne Sykes

The television series Glee has shot up in popularity ever since its premiere in 2009 and it seems everyone is talking about it especially when considering the massive array of musical covers the cast have created. It’s safe to say that if you are a fan of glee then you’re going to love and live your life by this album and it is definitely worth the purchase.

The show is significantly music driven. The music tells the story, adds emotion to the show and gives Glee that special ingredient that has made it such a success. But what if you don’t watch the show, will that make the music irrelevant too? Possibly.

With the amateur west end sounding quality to the album nobody would have taken the tracks seriously. It just wouldn’t have been so mainstream having being released in its own entity. This is only because the tracks are so innovative and experimental that maybe no one would have given them a chance.

The album really catches the essence of the show’s sprit and the majority of the songs on the album are well known classics in their own right. This makes for easy listening, although covering such well know material, always has the daunting task of living up to the original version. But with the inventive and clever arrangements of the songs like ‘Gold Digger’ and ‘Take a Bow’ and the way in which they totally change direction of the original tracks it is not an issue.

The fact that the cast have taken RnB and Hip Hop Tracks like these and turned them into pop and show tunes which have the Glee stamp seeping though the centre like a piece of rock makes you less likely to make direct comparisons to its original and thus have you enjoying the tracks for what they are. Ultimately the Glee Cast’s versions won’t displace their well-known originals, but the songs are catchy, are good to sing along too and effortlessly gives you that feel good factor.

By far the best song on the album is ‘Dont stop Beliven’ followed by ’Somebody to Love’ and ‘Bust Your Windows’ each giving solid vocals from the cast and an inventive twist to its composition. One thing’s for sure with this album love it or hate it, it will inevitably have you singing along within seconds and it seems like the Glee phenomenon is set to continue.

Track list:
1 Dont Stop Belevin’
2 Cant Fight This Feeling
3 Gold Digger
4 Take a Bow
5 Bust Your Windows
6 Taking Chances
7 Alone
8 Maybe this Time
9 Somebody To Love
10 Hate on Me
11 No Air
12 You Keep Me Hangin’ On
13 Keep Holding On
14 Bust A Move
15 Sweet Caroline
16 Dancing With Myself
17 Defying Gravity

Download the album now from Amazon

Listen to more from Glee on Myspace

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What: Manic Street Preachers
Where: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
When: Feb 18th 2010
Reviewed by: Gareth Fraser

Much has been written over the years about both the Manic Street Preachers, and Glasgow’s King Tut’s venue. Tonight saw the two UK legends come together for the first time since 1991 to celebrate the latter’s 20th Birthday.

This was very much a hot ticket event, and though some may argue the Manics are past their peak, internet prices were commanding upwards of £400 for one of the 150 pairs of tickets for this show. Only the three remaining original members were present tonight, no additional guitarists or keyboard players were there which led to the Manics trademark grandiose sounds being stripped back, giving way to the original angry venom, raw guitars, and more screaming lyrics of a band which once threatened to release singles in sandpaper sleeves to scratch the records they were placed beside. Rather aptly, the three-piece started the set with ‘Strip It Down’.

The set list was very varied, showcasing songs from every album (excepting Lifeblood) and whilst some of the big singles were there, there was also a welcome littering of lost gems. The aforementioned ‘Strip It Down’ and b-side ‘Donkeys’ made rare appearances, as did full band versions of ‘This is Yesterday’ and ‘Little Baby Nothing’; two songs which usually only appear in James’ solo acoustic section. Slightly surprising was the rapturous welcome recent single, ‘Jackie Collins Existential Question Time” received. In reality a testament to a band which, despite continuing media disregard, is still producing songs of a standard which equals their previous best. The band seemed to love playing in such a small, sweaty venue once again, and the adrenaline from the crowd was rubbing off on the band, or perhaps it was the other way around…

Either way, as the show went on, song after song seemed to get rockier, the crowd a little wilder, the vocals a little more raw than before. This culminated in a very raw, distortion heavy version of ‘A Design for Life’ played without its trademark strings. It was almost impossible to hear the band over the crowd singing word for word, a true moment of euphoria for the 303 people in that sweaty room.

The Manics famously have only ever played an encore once - for Cuba’s Fidel Castro. 20th Birthday of the venue or not, the show was over. The band left the crowd baying for more; with ‘Faster’ being the song title shouted the most after the band’s departure. Given the heavy sound of tonight’s set it would have been phenomenal. Perhaps it will be played in the December tour promised from the stage tonight? Certainly the demand for the tour should remain, and hopefully the re-invigorated stripped down sound will be there too.

Set List
Strip It Down
Your Love Alone Is Not Enough
Motorcycle Emptiness
From Despair To Where
Peeled Apples
This Is Yesterday
Kevin Carter
Tsunami
Found That Soul
Little Baby Nothing
Jackie Collins Existential Question Time
If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
Donkeys (acoustic)
The Everlasting (acoustic)
You Love Us
No Surface All Feeling
The Masses Against the Classes
All or Nothing / Motown Junk
A Design For Life

Download the album ‘Journal For Plague Lovers’ now from Amazon

Listen to more from the Manic Street Preachers on Myspace

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com

Jean Michel Jarre announces UK shows for October as part of a world tour in 2010,

National Indoor Arena FRI 08/10/2010
Manchester Evening News Arena SAT 09/10/2010
The O2 arena London SUN 10/10/2010

Tickets onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster, Seetickets, Ticketline, Gigantic

Aerosmith return to the UK and europe this summer with the ‘Cooked, Locked, Ready to Rock Tour!’

Band members Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer will hit europe for the first time in three years,

Sweden - Rock Festival – June 10th 2010
Download Festival – June 13th, onsale now from Ticketmaster
London 02 Arena – June 15th
Romania – Bucharest – June 18th
Greece – Athens Olympic Stadium – June 20th
Holland – Nijmegen Goeffert Park – June 23rd
Belgium - Graspop Festival – June 25th
Spain – Barcelona St Jordi Arena – June 27th
France – Paris Bercy Arena – June 29th
Czech Republic – Prague 02 Arena - July 1st
Italy - Venice Festival – July 3rd

Tickets onsale from 9am from Ticketmaster, Seetickets, Ticketline, Gigantic

Artist: Paramore
Single: The Only Exception
Label: Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic
Released: Out Now
Reviewed By: Mikaila Sykes

Vulnerable, poetic and emotive, these aren’t words you would have necessarily associated with American Rock band Paramore, not until now anyway. Paramore’s new single “The Only Exception” is an acoustic ballad that oozes elegance, maturity and passion.

With a twenty second delicate instrumental intro it is clear this is going to be an extremely different track for the band. Being simple and subtle throughout, the track builds its way to a powerful verse at 2:54 which showcases the tender emotions of the song.

The Only Exception is deeply personal for Songwriter and lead vocalist Hayley Williams uncovering her insecurities about life, love and her childhood. “Maybe I know, somewhere, deep in my soul, that love never lasts” But like most other Paramore songs the message of hope, belief and strength prevails especially in the closing lyric; “And I’m on my way to believing” Combining Williams’ exposed lyrics with the subtle beauty of Josh Farro’s music has given the band raw authenticity which the band has been missing in the past.

Paramore are renowned for their anthem rock songs such as Misery Business, Decode and Ignorance which is why they have such a dedicated fan base hat has appeared to grow and grow ever since their first release All We Know is Falling in 2005.

With their first love song now successfully under their belt Paramore have proved they are more than just a pop rock band that only reaches one kind of audience. They are versatile, innovative and never fail to impress their legions of fans all over the world.

Download the single now from Amazon

Listen to more from Paramore on Myspace

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Reviewers: We are being contacted by Promoters to feature live reviews and albums on the site, if you would like to get involoved with attending shows for us all over the UK and/or reviewing albums/ singles for us, Please get in touch via gettothefront@gmail.com