Singles and album reviews: April 13

Apr 13 2008 By Mickey Mcmonagle & Avril Cadden

KANYE WEST - FLASHING LIGHTS 5/5

More solid gold from the rapper and producer who can do no wrong. On this synth-driven monster, Kanye again explores the common ground between dance music and hip hop to superb effect, its mid-tempo pace and subtle vocal chorus backing the the usual razor-sharp delivery.

SEPTEMBER - CRY FOR YOU 1/5

The sort of slick, well-produced commercial nonsense that led to the downfall of dance music as the dominant force in Britain. Now loved by Scott Mills and teenagers, hate the stuff for what it did to a style of music at which the UK was a world leader.

MAKE MODEL - THE LSB 4/5

I love the sheer energy and vibrancy of this killer tune. LSB stands for less said the better and the angry lyrics take a kick at the Asbo generation.

Fantastic stuff from a Glasgow band who deserve to go far.

TWISTED WHEEL - SHE'S A WEAPON 3/5

This Oldham trio sound like a mix of The Clash, The Who and The Jam and they write about ordinary life on their doorsteps along the lines of Arctic Monkeys.

Loud, shouty lyrics with a jagged Northern edge, this is perfect festival fodder.

JACK MCMANUS - BANG ON THE PIANO 3/5

Jack was a classmate of Brit School of Performing Arts member Amy Winehouse. The 23-year-old's debut is a cheery piano-led track influenced by Elton John and Billy Joel. It's radio friendly and has a catchy melody but it's a little too MOR.

ADELE - COLD SHOULDER 4/5

Mark Ronson produced this track for the silky-voiced songstress and it's a soulful record with trip-hop beats and funk. But it's her voice that makes this bighearted track with sad lyrics. She sounds oddly Lily Allen-esque at times on what should be another hit for the soul siren.

DJ YODA - FABRIC LIVE 5/5

The dance music compilation series pulls off another masterstroke by handing the reins to the king of cut and paste. It's a slice of what you might expect from a Yoda club set, with the usual breakneck pace but a less cluttered feel. Ice Cube, Bel Biv Devoe, Run DMC, Salt N Pepa and The Chemical Brothers pop up in the process.

THE KOOKS - KONK 4/5

Foppish fool he may be but Luke Pritchard and his band craft very fine pop songs. This album sticks to the winning formula,which leads to songs of the quality of Always Where I Need To Be and Mr Maker.It lacks the cheery bounce of their debut Inside In/Inside Out at times and they will have to develop if they're to make it to a third album.