Artist: Andre Rieu

Forever Vienna, 2010-02-06
This CD has a wide selection of Strauss music and for us was a good introduction to the music from Andre Rieu and I don,t understand why he is not more popular than he is however with all the success this recording has had I think this will change. The free DVD that accompanies is very entertaining even though it was recorded in 2000 the colorful dresses of the female members of the orchestra and their wide ranging repertoire from Strauss to pop was fantastic.
We have already ordered our next Andre Rieu DVD

Artist: Lady Gaga

Pop as it should be., 2010-02-06
It's easy to see why Lady Gaga has become the pop phenomenon she has in 2009. This album is packed with great pop songs - songs you find yourself singing along with when they're on the radio or playing on your iPod. If you're after something really deep and meaningful and off the wall then this probably isn't for you. If you like songs with a tune, then it definitely is. 24 catchy songs with no duds and no filler. It is a great album.

Artist: Vampire Weekend

INCREDIBLE, 2010-02-07
This is the perfect follow up album, it links well with the first but bursts into life spanning various genres making this one magical and musically inspiring album. Listen to it, now imagine singing and dancing to that at the summer festivals in the sunshine and mud, PERFECT.

Artist: Alicia Keys

A delicate and uplifiting album, 2010-01-31
I loved alcia's las t album but found it quite stodgy and a little un flowing in places but with TEOF shes back on form the songs are beautifully crafted well sung and either get you thinking or in a very uplifted mood. yes its different from the more soulful records shes done but this is one of her best albums and one i'll have on repeat for years to come.

Artist: Mumford & Sons

Adore it!, 2010-02-08
I'll begin by saying I can't really write a very good music review as I don't know the proper terminology so all I can say is ...

This album is amazing. It's folk music but sounds very current. I play it in the car going to work and I'm in a great mood by the time I get there! It is bouyant and cheery and I absolutely love it.

I can comment with more knowledge on the lyrics and they are some of the best I have heard. Some songs are deeply and overtly spiritual; focusing on grace and redemption, while others are more covert and obscure. There are some beautiful and some powerful images. Sigh No More considers the transcience of humanity and the salvation to be found in love and its designer. Roll Away Your Stone is about grace. The lyrics speak to me about hope which coupled with the upbeat music make for a really uplifting album.

This is quite possibly the best album I have ever heard!

Artist: Massive Attack

Back For Good?, 2010-02-08
This is an album you quite simply have to buy, it's that simple.

As one of the few Massive Attack fans that really loved 100th Window, despite it's 'unlistenable' parts, this new album is back to what made them great in the 1st place. While it never reaches the heights of their 1st 3 albums - I don't think that would be possible anyway - this has some absolutely sublime moments and even mixes in some little snippets of light into the usual dark concoction.

The choice of vocalists is, once again, inspired, particularly Guy Garvey's tortured soul on 'Flat of the Blade' which stands out as one of the finer moments on the album, although it does take a couple of listens to get your head round. Opener 'Pray for Rain', 'Girl I Love You', closer 'Atlas Air' and the afore-mentioned 'Flat of the Blade' stand up to scrutiny along side Massive Attacks best works, it's not that the rest of the tracks are in any way bad, just that they aren't real 'Vintage' Massive Attack.

All in all then, a superb return to form. Will Grant Marshall and Robert Del Naja be able to stand each other long-enough for them to release another record sooner than the 7 years we've had to wait for this one? Who knows, but let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Artist: Florence + The Machine

Already the year’s most hyped new artist--not only first in the BBC’s famously unreliable poll of new talent and recipient of a special Brit award devised just for her--Florence Welsh has a lot to live up to, and thankfully the artfully titled and sleeved Lungs justifies the investment. The singles are undeniably the standouts. The impressive "Dog Days Are Over", neurotic and fierce, and the slightly more reserved follow-up "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)" lead her debut collection, sometimes overshadowing her other material. Yet the extremes of "Kiss With A Fist", a jokey celebration of mutual domestic violence and noisy guitars that shamelessly steals its melody from the White Stripes’ charming "We Are Gonna Be Friends", and the showstopping, almost unashamedly stagy "Girl With One Eye" show off both her development and an already instantly recognisable voice. The gallows humour of songs like "Between Two Lungs", the daft "My Boy Builds Coffins" and the ferocious "Hurricane Drunk" where she threatens "I’m gonna drink myself to death" backed by a spirited choir of Florences, save her from accusations of self-absorption. The concluding, and hugely loud "Blinding" is al...
Best album of 2009...BY FAR!!!, 2010-02-05
Bought this album on a whim after hearing 'dog days are over' on the radio. Since then I have been a converted Florence fan, she is an absolute GENIOUS!! Amazing tracks/lyrics/sound...have played this CD so much and I still get the 1st play excitement when I hear it. MUST BUY cd, one of (if not, THE) best albums of 2009, and a firm favourite in my all time collection.

Artist: Paolo Nutini

Fans of Paolo Nutini’s debut album, These Streets might raise an eyebrow or two at this sophomore release. Produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon), Sunny Side Up features an eclectic and "rougher" range of songs that set it somewhat apart from its slick predecessor. Recorded in Ireland, Wales, New York, LA and the UK, Nutini--backed by his band The Vipers--tackles folk, reggae, soul and rock, with varying results. The Motown-esque "Coming Up Easy", the ballad "Worried Man" and the sea-shanty "Growing Up Beside You" are shining examples of Nutini's erudite songwriting skills, as is the charming, Dylan-esque "Tricks Of The Trade". But songs like "Pencil Full Of Lead" and "No Other Way", as well as his forays into reggae-lite and ersatz ragtime are less convincing, often sounding more like sketches than full songs. Whether Sunny Side Up is bravely eclectic or an incoherent disaster depends ultimately on the loyalty--and the patience--of the listener. --Danny McKenna
Sunny Side Up, 2010-02-08
I thought it a brilliant album and haven't stopped playing it.
Easy to listen to and what I call anytime music. Great!

Artist: Susan Boyle

I Dreamed a Dream - Susan Boyle, 2010-02-05
I love Susan's voice and the choice of the songs she sings. I had to re-play the cd because I enjoyed it so much. I am sure you will enjoy it too if you like easy-listening music.

Artist: Michael Buble

For his fourth studio album Canadian crooner Michael Bublé has headed into the studio with his live band to create an album of…autobiographical love songs. The outcome, according to Bublé, is the "ultimate record about the inevitable roller coaster ride of relationships". It’s true that from the dramatic opening--a great cover of Julie London’s "Cry Me a River"--the album swings like a pendulum between introspective balladry and exuberant pop. As is to be expected with Bublé, he has revamped plenty of classics along the way, tackling evergreens like "Georgia On My Mind", Van Morrison's "Crazy Love" and the Eagles' "Heartache Tonight" with typical aplomb. He also joins contemporary soulsters like diva Sharon Jones (of Dap Kings fame) on "Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)" and singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith to recreate one of Sexmith’s tunes, the sultry "Whatever It Takes". Bublé’s two self-penned songs fit in well with the overall high standard. The poppy single “Haven’t Met You Yet” is catchy and the folky “Hold On” also helps make Crazy Love yet another quintessential Michael Bublé experience. --Danny McKenna
Michael does it again, 2010-02-02
How can someone who hates this kind of music love Michael Buble so much? I love this CD I play it in my minibus and I'm almost dancing in that weird way he does.
I hated this guy at first but he grows on you and when that happens you cant get enough.