4Play

Aug. 31, 2005

Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten - Sony Music
Dance rocker Daniel Bedingfield is perhaps the better known of the Bedingfield siblings - UK chart-toppers, both - but sister Natasha is quickly moving up the ranks with her debut disc. Combining electro-pop, ballads, and even a bit of R, Natasha - who also writes much of her own music - has already drawn comparisons with the likes of Nelly Furtado and Gwen Stefani. With Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers behind the boards, Natasha’s songs - from the Bridget Jones-esque anthem “Single” to the pretty “Wild Horses” to the poppy and catchy “These Words” - serve up powerful vocals, pointed lyrics, and plenty of ambition. The only negative point about the U.S. version of this album is the missing songs “Frogs & Princes” and “I’m A Bomb,” which can be snagged by simply ordering the album as an import.

Cowboy Junkies - Early 21st Century Blues - Zoe Records
This disc is an interesting project for the Junkies - a planned effort, the band members gathered together for a week to focus on the themes of war, fear, loss, and violence as seen (heard) through music. The way that they decided to do this was to have each band member bring along several of their favorite songs by other writers that the band would re-interpret into new performances - and the concept was such a success that they decided to release the results as this album. Filled with intimate, heartfelt translations of songs by the likes of Bob Dylan (“License To Kill”), Richie Havens (“Handouts in the Rain”), George Harrison (“Isn’t It a Pity”), and John Lennon (“I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier”), the album also includes two brand-new Cowboy Junkies original songs, and is an accomplished musical commentary on difficult times.


Daniel Lanois - Belladonna - Anti Music
An expert at bringing the best out of a wide range of other artists, from U2 to Emmylou Harris, producer Lanois, who earlier served as Brian Eno’s apprentice in the ‘80s and ‘90s, obviously picked up some of the master’s influence, which he deftly applies to his own music. Presenting this collection of tracks as an all-instrumental project, Lanois’ intent is to allow the listener to “use their imagination” while interpreting his compositions, and that is indeed easy to do here. An elegant, lovely set of music, many of the tracks are anchored with steel guitar, and revolve often around South American-influenced melodies, crafting aural desert landscapes that are easily listenable and evocative. Highlights include the beautiful “Flametop Green,” “Oaxaca,” and “Panorama.”

Mouse on Mars - Autoditacker - Too Pure/Beggars
The re-release of this disc - one of Mouse on Mars’ most eclectic albums - is a great notch on their catalog of albums, and offers up a yin-yang swing of approaches, which makes for one interesting listen. Dark one minute, ambient and floating the next, the beats are mostly dub and drum n’ bass, but they’re overlaid with everything from jazz to Eurorock, trance to straightforward electronica. It’s a dense mix, too - each and every song is as layered as a puff pastry - every spin brings forth a little something you hadn’t heard before. And if you want variety, you’ve got it - “Rondio” recollects the quirkiest of Bjork, “X-Files” is almost as catchy as a pop song, and “Sehnsud” takes you on a six-minute rambling excursion for the ears. A must-have album for Mouse on Mars fans.