iPod: Rock Steady - Showbiz

Rock Steady (No Doubt)
Gwen Stefani's (infinitely better) homebase; No Doubt. Almost everybody I knew ownded Tragic Kingdom, but their follow-up didn't cut the mustard. This, however, in my humble opinion, is No Doubt's best album; and their last, to date (excluding the GH). This album sees the band 'selling out'(?), or, at the very least, experimenting with more radio-firendly tunes whilst retaining their ska-esque vibe. The results are of mixed qualities: some tracks are rather strong, whilst others are more forgettable. Yet, at the same time, I wouldn't class any song on here as a filler. If you own the album, you'll see what I mean (hopefully!) Anyway, I, for one, cannot wait for the next ND album which was originally mooted with a 2008 release. Watch this space...

Recommended Track: Making Out
This is my favourite track on the album, as well as my recommended track. To this day, I still cannot understand why it wasn't released as a single. Very catchy, excellent bass line and a hot rhythm: this tracks sums up the album - a fun cd with the heavy overtones of its predecessors left firmly behind them.


Saints & Sinners (All Saints)
At the time of its release, I was a massive Spice Girls fan and was hesistant to listen to any other girly pop music, for fear of becoming completely gay. LMAO. But, I heard the Pure Shores single, which was used on the soundtrack of The Beach, and had caught the girls late at night on an episode of Later... and I loved what they were doing. So, I bought the album on the way to uni one day and instantly fell in love with it. The sound, whilst relapsing at times, is certainly a more mature type of pop which you could have on in the background whilst trying to work (hey...I was at uni at the time). Some excellent production comes from Mr Orbit (check out I Feel You). I didn't think I'd like an All Saints album, but I did. Definitely their best.

Recommended Track: Whoopin' Over You
A very fun, party song. Not much else to say about it. I saw them do it on Later... and liked it immediately.


Scissor Sisters (Scissor Sisters)
I'm not really sure why I have this album; I'm not a fan - far from it. I quite dispise their songs and whole ethose. They get on my nerves. I do like Take Your Moma Out; but, it was only after I heard Texas do a live cover of it, and asked someone at the gig who that song was originally by that I found out it was the Scissor Sisters.

Recommended Track: A Message from Ms Matronic
Well, for me to recommend the track on the album that isn't even music puts it into perspective! This is quite funny and original for an album though.


Selma Songs (Bjork)
An unusual lil album from the Icelandic goddess; but hey, what's new? This is unusual in that it is a soundtrack to a movie (I'm not sure it even counts as an official album?) I find it quite difficult to listen to this one; though I haven't seen the movie, so it is taken out of context for me. The music isn't as dark & broody as some of her efforts and it isn't the hardest thing to listen to; she has made 'worse' stuff than this. As you would expect with a soundtrack, it is quite orchestral, and features others' vocals in places too.

Recommended Track: Cvalda
Some very interesting sounds here, that keep the track fairly upbeat and Bjork provides some rather random lyrics (again, maybe if I saw the film it would make more sense)


Showbiz (Muse)
The 1999 debut album from Muse (the band from which my screename derives). I actually didn't get this album until after I got Origin of Symmetry. However, I first cam across Muse after seeing them on TV and I went out to buy the Sunburn single, which acts as the opening track on this cd. On the whole, you can tell that Muse hadn't become accustomed their niche at the time of making this record. There are songs on here of a style that they are, probably, unlikely to record again. It's not perfect, in the sense that it doesn't sound like the same Muse of 2008, but it is a very very good album. A good mix of angst rock, pop rock and tender ballads. The band has changed since this time, and it is a great shame they often snub this album in their live shows (with the exception of Sunburn - which is fantastic - and the recently resurrected Unintended)

Recommended Track: Uno
I would big-up the two aforementioned songs ahead of this one, but I've selected this to give the album the most exposure as possible. A great song about a girl who could have "been number one" in a man's life, if she hadn't screwed things up. A great beat and fun.