With new albums from New Order, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Mars Volta, and Beck, March and April 2005 have proven to be musically fertile months. ‘Waiting For The Siren’s Call’ (London) New Order’s latest album comes highly recommended. It’s hard to say whether it’s one of their best, but if you’re a fan, you won’t be disappointed.

The Bravery have been acclaimed in recent months for good reason too. However, their debut album ‘The Bravery’ (Loog) is slightly disappointing. The main problem with it is one that is common with a lot of debuts– it relies on four or five strong tracks to carry it.

Saul Williams is a guy who’s been around for a while, but until now has largely been overlooked. His current album ‘Saul Williams’ (Wichita) is incredible. Pick of the tracks is ‘Act III Scene 2 (Shakespeare)’ which features former Rage Against The Machine vocalist Zack De La Rocha. Buy this album at all costs, it’s destined to be one of the records of the year.

The latest ‘B-Sides & Rarities’ (Mute) compilation from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds has some very interesting stuff on it. This definitely isn’t for any newcomers, it’s more suited to his hardcore followers.

Jack White’s pal Brendan Benson has struck the right notes with his third solo album ‘The Alternative To Love’ (V2). He’s an artist that you’ll get to appreciate more and more– fans of Jason Falkner should check this record out.

Fold is the latest guise of Hyper (Borea) man David Bickley. ‘Slowburn’ (Fold) is an album that suits the quietest hours of the night, evoking traditional imagery with an electronic treatment.

Speaking of electronic, ‘Bangzilla’ (Immortal) from Mix Master Mike should be on your list of records to get if acts like Beastie Boys, Hurricane, and Moneymark are your thing. While you have your pen in your hand, add Halfset’s ‘Dramanalog’ (Elusive) to that list– mellow, beautiful and highly recommended.

There has been plenty of talk about ‘Lullabies To Paralyze’ (Interscope) by Queens Of The Stone Age. Some say it’s not half the record that ‘Songs For The Deaf’ is, others say it’s better– the fact is, it’s a very different album. The guitar sound isn’t quite as intense, yet ‘Lullabies To Paralyze’ has a composed quality that not of the other QOTSA albums have.

If they haven’t won you over yet, then Stanley Super 800’s ‘2-Hours-Late’ EP (Bingo) might just do so. The Cork band have built quite a following after the release of their album last year, and this EP maintains their high standards.

Joe Chester has had an impressive career thus far. He was a key member of Ten Speed Racer, and the main guy behind the short-lived Sound Of Bells. His new solo album ‘A Murder Of Crows’ (BARP) contains a nice collection of songs, but at times some are a little too nice. His previous work always had an edge, which he lacks in this current crop of songs. It’s a more commercial record in many ways that could turn out to be his most successful work to date.

Lastly, this is the last of my regular music features in News Four. I’ve been writing for the paper for the past ten years, and have really enjoyed it. I just hope that you’ve heard about some decent music over the years, and that I’ve helped filter out some of the dross that’s out there! I can’t thank the following people enough: Anne Ingle, Eugene Carolan, Anthony Mackey, and in particular Dennis McKenna who took a chance and gave me the job– thank you, thank you, thank you!

Above: New Order Keep The Good Stuff Coming

ESSENTAL LISTENING
Lemon Jelly ‘64-95’ (XL)
This is one of those albums that gets better each time you listen to it. ‘64-95’ is more upbeat than their 2002 album ‘Lost Horizons’, and if you liked that, you’ll love this. The third instalment in the Lemon Jelly odyssey is an absolute gem.
www.lemonjelly.ky

The Evens ‘The Evens’ (Dischord)
Fans of Fugazi and Minor Threat will be frothing at the mouth about Ian Mackaye’s latest project. He has teamed up with Amy Farina of The Warmers on a record that is far more melodic and warm than many will expect.
www.dischord.com

Fred ‘Making Music So You Don’t Have To’ (RCM)
After the glory days of the early 1990s, the volume of good sounds coming out of Cork has been replenished itself once again. Fred are one of the bands that have helped this revival. Their latest album is full of humour, and more importantly good songs.
www.fredtheband.com

The Mars Volta ‘Frances The Mute’ (Universal)
If you’re looking for an album that’s unpredictable then ‘Frances The Mute’ is it. Some will say The Mars Volta have been too smart for their own good, but give the album a chance, and you’ll discover something quite remarkable - a haunted air guitar opera perhaps?
www.themarsvolta.com

RECOMMENDED
Beck ‘Guero’ (Interscope)
Engineers ‘Engineers’ (Echo)
Populous ‘Queue For Love’ (Morr)
Damien Dempsey ‘Shots’ (Sony)
Husky Rescue ‘New Light Of Tomorrow’ (Catskills)
Jon Kennedy ‘Useless Wooden Toys’ (Grand Central)
The Kills ‘No Wow’ (Domino)
Mogwai ‘GovernmentCommissions– BBC Sessions 1996 to 2003’ (PIAS)
The Mighty Stef ‘Let’s All Get Violent With The Mighty Stef’ (Dirty Propaganda)
Various ‘Music For People With Long Ears’ (Sofa)

LIVE AND DANGEROUS
The feast of live music that’s set ahead of us this year has never been seen on these shores before. This may sound like a slight exaggeration, but take a look below, and you’ll have to agree.

Warp/Lex Records Weekender
(Temple Bar Music Centre– April 15 & 16)
This is one of those events that you’re not going to get the opportunity to see very often. Featuring Boom Bip, Jimmy Edgar, Beans, and various others, this weekender might manage to turn out as one of the year’s live highlights.

Green Energy Festival
(Dublin castle - April 30, May 1 & 2)
The Black Eyed Peas are back this side of the world for what will be their biggest Irish live date at Dublin castle on Saturday, April 30. In the last couple of years they’ve won a Grammy Award, along with the admiration of millions thanks to songs like ‘Shut Up’, ‘Where Is The Love’ and ‘Let’s get It Started’.

Paddy Casey is no stranger to packing in the crowds as you might have gathered following his eight-night sold out run in the Olympia Theatre last year. Prior to his support slot with U2 in Croke Park, Casey plays at Dublin Castle on Sunday, May 1.

Faithless are possibly one of the best live acts you’ll see. They’re back in Ireland next month for a Dublin Castle headline date on Monday, May 2.

Slipknot
(RDS Arena - June 10)
The chaps with the masks are back, and they’re angry! After blowing everyone away supporting Metallica last year (everyone aside from Metallica that is). Slipknot bring their entourage to Dublin’s RDS Arena. Anyone that’s into Rock/Metal should try and see them play live– you won’t be disappointed.

Slayer
(Ambassador Theatre– June 13 & 14)
They may not be the hip kids of Metal anymore, but they’re still one of the loudest and one of the best. The first date is sold out, but if you hurry, you should be able to get tickets for the recently added second night.

Coldplay
(Marlay park - June 22)
The third Coldplay album is almost ready for release, and is said to be their strongest. Over the last few years the UK act have become a true force in music, and always deliver live. If they’re not enough to tempt you along, then support act Interpol might swing it for you.

U2
(Croke Park - June 24 & 25)
These are the shows that everyone’s been trying to get tickets for. Both dates sold out in minutes, and promise to be nights that you’ll think about for years to come. Support acts for the dates include Snow Patrol and Paddy Casey. ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’ is a monster of an album, and it should transfer into a live setting extremely well.

Oxegen
(Punchestown Racecourse– July 9 & 10)
The festival formerly known as Witnness has always had a good line-up, but this year’s is the strongest so far. Headliners The Prodigy, Green Day and Foo Fighters are joined by New Order, The Frames, Queens Of The Stone Age, James Brown, Ian Brown, and Snow patrol. Other recent additions include Kaiser Chiefs, Jimmy eat World, and Snoop Dog, along with a huge number of established and up-and-coming domestic acts.
For More see www.oxegen.ie

Iron Maiden & Marilyn Manson
(RDS - August 31)
Either one of these acts would sell out this venue on their own, so the chance to see both on the same bill should be mouth-watering. Maiden may be the elder statesmen of Metal, but they can still create quite a noise. Marilyn Manson’s live shows are spectacular.

News • News • News • News • News • News • News • News • News • News •

After what seems like a million years, JJ72 have announced that they are to release their third album this Summer. The follow-up to 2002’s ‘I To Sky’ will also see them undertake an extensive Irish tour. Which starts in May. Watch out for a downloadable single in the band’s website www.jj72.com

In other new album news, the rumours of a Portishead reunion are true (thank God!). The duo is currently finishing their first album in almost eight years. No release date has been confirmed, but it’s expected to surface some time this Summer. Contrary to reports, Geoff Barlow commented that Portishead never actually broke up.

If you’re planning to catch The Go! Team when they play their debut Dublin date next month, it’s worth taking note that the venue for their April 16 gig has been changed. Due to demand, the UK group will now play The Village. If you haven’t checked out their album ‘Thunder Lightening Strike’ yet, do so immediately!

If you were one of the many that got a laugh out of eyebrowy.com’s animated beauties, then make a point of tracking down the latest release from The Rags. The ‘Monster & I’ EP features the latest eyebrowy visual feast– you won’t be disappointed.

Finally, Fearghal McKee’s recent download only single ‘What You Wanna Start?’ has been downloaded by more than 1,000 individuals since its release just over a month ago. This will be followed shortly by his debut solo album, which McKee recorded with God Is An Astronaut as his band. For more, see www.fearghalmckee.com