ALL NIGHT LONG

Faith Evans with Puff Daddy

Rap – Is it an Old Boy Network or what? Discuss. Well, everybody’s rapping with each other and having their own guest slots and stuff. They always choose some R&B standard issue dross to do their thang to and they always use the same old tired cliches. They’re all so alike that if you hear that one of them’s snuffed it you can put a fiver on them being shot and safely recoup the money. This is yet more of the same boring tat and frankly, I’m getting bored with it. Not even worthy of a school disco.

ARMY

Ben Folds Five

Let’s get something straight here. This hasn’t got a hope in Hell of reaching Number One. That said, it’s a damn sight better than most of the stuff that’ll outsell it. Why? It’s a song, for a start. You know, verse followed by chorus followed by verse then chorus etc. Controversial, eh? It’s got real instruments (A piano! A drum! A guitar! Even a singer!), it makes some sort of sense, so like Brian Setzer this is obviously something well out of tune with what the kids of today are looking for. I don’t care, though. I like this one.

THE DIRTY BOOGIE

Brian Setzer Orchestra (album)

Americans know how to have a good time (see Superbowls, Thanksgiving and Ron Howard for details). Sadly, the good time that Mr Setzer and his buddies seem to be having is the 1940s. This is full-on big-band mass hysteria and no mistake. I applaud them for enjoying themselves and wish them well, but I think I’ve found a tiny flaw in this long-player. It’s horrible. There really is such a thing as enjoying yourself too much and this is it. Steer clear of this and all will be well. Alternatively, buy this, play it really loud and watch the neighbours turn up at your door with large axes. It’s your choice.