Music: The return of the Icelandic pop wonder, White Stripes track causes stir and some old boys return
Bjork looking cool
Also In The News
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Arctic Monkeys have achieved their second number one album in less than two years with Favourite Worst Nightmare landing the top spot in the album chart this week. |  |
Monday, 30, Apr 2007 04:41
The magical wonder that is Bjork is back with her new album Volta this week. The track listing on the back is as ineligible as ever, but some of the strongest tunes include Innocence and Declare Independence.
Not only is the cover artwork a thing of genius, but the recording inside isn't too bad either. Also, the most innovative female in pop is strongly tipped to be playing Glastonbury this year. Whether this will be in a weird mutant chicken/overgrown squash outfit remains to be seen, but it's sure to be special.
This week also sees the return of a couple of old names: Travis and the Manic Street Preachers. Both bands are definitely reaching the twilight of their careers, with the Manics' hell-raising days truly over and Travis slowing down their already snail-pace rock. Both of these albums look to be among this week's strongest sellers.
Other releases include Sia's Lady Croissant, Music City Sould from Beverley Knight, a greatest hits compilation from the cider-drinking Wurzels and Groove Armada's Soundboy Rock.
Gary Numan's The Complete John Peel Sessions is released and Lavender Diamond and Help She Can't Swim both release albums.
In the world of tracks this week, there's a great deal of debate over the new White Stripes single Icky Thump, which is released on June 11th and precedes the band's sixth album of the same name.
For those who haven't had the pleasure of hearing it, it's a heavier and longer White Stripes sound with some of Jack White's finest lyrics.
"White America, what? / Nothing better to do / Why don't you kick yourself out / You're an immigrant too / Who's using who / What should we do / Well you can't be a pimp / And a prostitute too," Jack sings, showing an anger at issues not touched on by the band's recent work. If Get Behind Me Satan was about feelings, it seems that Icky Thump will take aim at the world.
Singles coming out in the shops this week include the Noisettes with Scratch Your Name, Feist with My Moon My Man and Maccabees with Precious Time.
Linkin Park also make their return with What I've Done and Funeral for a Friend will release Into Oblivion [Reunion]. Red Hot Chilli Peppers also release the deadly serious Hump De Bump.
Finally, the Hold Steady release Stuck Between Stations which delivers no-nonsense rock.
What's on the InTheNews iPod this week?
This week we've revisited the old and embraced the new as the festival season approaches and we look to reacquaint ourselves with a few things. Here's our top-ten plays, in no particular order.
Nelly Furtado: All Good Things Come to an End
Iggy and the Stooges: Gimme Danger
Bjork: Army of Me
Mumm-Ra: She's Got You High
Arctic Monkeys: Only Ones Who Know
Arctic Monkeys: Do Me A Favour
Tiny Dancers: Hannah We Know
The Cribs: Men's Needs
The White Stripes: Icky Thump
Killers: When You Were Young