Album of the Week: Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy ****

Oct 7 2010

Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy ****

TINIE Tempah has exploded onto the UK rap scene with the commercial appeal of Dizzee Rascal and coolness of Kanye West. If you are the kind who likes their hip-hop a little more hardcore, this is not the album for you. With catchy dancecore beats and pop under the sneaky guise of dark and brooding lyrics, it is little wonder that Tempah has been on demand during the festival season with tunes such as Pass Out and Frisky becoming anthemic summer hits. Written In The Stars and Wonderman, featuring Ellie Goulding, are other songs that stand out on this album. These songs are sure to make Tinie, well, very big indeed.Morrissey - Bona Drag ****

THE reissue of Bona Drag will further swell Morrissey's army of suedeheads. The first three years of his solo career dovetail seamlessly, with songs from his debut album included alongside the cheekier music-hall patter of Piccadilly Palare and Hairdresser On Fire. Ouija Board raises a titter while Disappointed reveals the crooner's insecurities. But most interesting are the hitherto unreleased outtakes from sessions for his early solo work. Oh Phoney and Happy Lovers At Last United will not disappoint.

Yes - Keys To Ascension ****

YES have gone through several iterations in their career but the line-up of Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Squire and White is considered by the fans to be the definitive classic. Listening to this Yes Keys To Ascension YES have gone through several iterations in their career but the line-up of Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Squire and White is considered by the fans to be the definitive classic. Listening to this CD mega-package of concerts recorded in 1996 can only confirm that view. Over the course of four CDs and a DVD, the band proves not only their technical ability, but their almost uncanny ability to work together as an organic whole. The band recorded five new songs that are also included here.

Athlete - Singles 2001-2010 ***

NEVER the darlings of the snobbish music fan, Athlete have continued to produce occasionally inspiring songs that soar above the mundane and make you feel good to be alive. From their early work, You Got The Style is catchy, while tracks such as Westside tend to disappoint and fall in to mediocrity. From their hit second album, Tourist, the movingly soulful Wires really stands out. Although there's nothing new here, you can be moved to warm appreciation.