TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

SPIN THIS

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 3, 2008

DUFFY:

ROCKFERRY

(Mercury) ***½

If Dusty Springfield ("Son of a Preacher Man") had a songstress for a daughter, she would be Duffy.

The Welsh singer could easily hold her own among classic torch singers such as Julie London ("Cry Me a River") or Lena Horne ("Stormy Weather"). She's not just riding the coattails of Joss Stone or Amy Winehouse. Instead, she leaves you wondering where she has been all this time.

"Rockferry" is a mix of bluesy singles such as "Syrup & Honey," the "Stand By Me" bass-lined "Mercy," and '60s-like first track "Rockferry."

Whatever emotion Duffy (Aimee Ann Duffy) is feeling effortlessly seeps out through her singing and is enhanced by her band and backup singers. The songs are well-written without sounding whiny.

Download This: "Mercy"

Sarah Hoye

LADYTRON:

VELOCIFERO

(NETTWERK RECORDS) **

Ladytron presses on, navigating past the knee-capped careers of other bands that pioneered electro-pop's resurgence since 2002, almost unapologetically so.

But, four albums in, it's clear that the group needs to carve out a larger identity and stop relying on one monster hit single per album.

And even the ultimately disappointing "Velocifero" has two standout tracks: "Ghosts" and "They Gave You a Heart, They Gave You a Name."

Hopefully, the next album will include hit singles and artistic growth.

Download This: "They Gave You a Heart, They Gave You a Name"

John W. Allman

JULIE OCEAN:

LONG GONE AND NEARLY THERE

(TRANSIT OF VENUS) ***

The terms power pop and punk-pop have been so debased it seems a shame to burden this fine little (25 minutes) album with them.

However, Julie Ocean (named for an Undertones song, a hopeful sign if ever there was one) fits the bill, playing melodic pop tunes following the loud-fast rules of punk.

Singer-guitarist Jim Spellman served time in Velocity Girl, a no-great-shakes alterna-outfit from the '90s. He apparently learned quite a bit about separating wheat from chaff in the time since. If "Long Gone and Nearly There" seems to go by in a heartbeat, it doesn't waste anyone's time.

Even the least of these 10 cuts could be somebody's standout, but check "Bright Idea," all 1:36 of it, for a concise history of irresistible guitar pop.

Download this: "Bright Idea"

Curtis Ross

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT