Album review: MGMT by MGMT

Published by Press Association

OUT 17 SEPTEMBER

VIDEO: MGMT - Your Life Is a Lie (official music video)



On this evidence, psychedelic rock group MGMT have shunned anthemic synth-pop once and for all.

Drenching echoes and foggy vocals dominate their self-titled third offering, which – by turns euphoric, reflective, downbeat, and with unexpected pace changes in each song – follows the haphazard trail left by its predecessor Congratulations.

If this record was cut up and arranged in order of rhythm, at some point there would be a marked shift in tone, where the music stops sounding like the inside of a child’s head after three lemonades at his 5th birthday party, to being the musical equivalent of being drunk at a funeral.

The thing about musicians’ bands is that they demand your full attention. And yet the necessary time spent with this album, in its deliciously surreal world, is absolutely rewarded.

8/10

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Music preview: Red Hot Chilli Pipers @ O2 ABC, Glasgow

Published by Metro

Friday 6 October, 7pm, O2 ABC, Glasgow. £22.50 Tel: 0141 332 2232. www.o2abcglasgow.co.uk

VIDEO: Red Hot Chilli Pipers live in Dunoon, March 2008



With a truckload of awards, albums and world tours under their belts, Red Hot Chili Peppers are coming to Glasgow – and there ain't nothing that can stop them.

That's right – rock titans Kiedis, Flea, Smith and Klinghoffer (Frusciante's replacement) make their Sauchiehall Street debuts at O2 ABC this Friday, so you'd better make sure...

Hold on a second. Pass me that press release, and my glasses.

OK, my bad, it's Scotland's most famous bagpipers coming to town, not one of America's greatest rock bands. Yet despite the fact that everything I've just told you is absolutely false, based on a simple misreading, you should still go.

Having released four albums, the latest of which unbelievably reached Number Two in the US chart, these lads have demonstrated they're way more than just a novelty act.

Indeed, since forming in 2002, the group have brought "bagrock" – their trademark fusion of traditional pipe tunes and contemporary anthems – to millions of fans worldwide. Notable covers include Queen's We Will Rock You and Clocks by Coldplay, and there’s something for everyone in their eclectic setlist.

Unfortunately I won’t be going, as I'm away in Cumbernauld this weekend. What’s that now? Let’s have another read of that text… oh, right. I actually am away in Cumbernauld this weekend. Great.

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Album review: Tales of Us by Goldfrapp

Published by Press Association

OUT 9 SEPTEMBER

VIDEO: Goldfrapp - Drew (official music video)



Britain's favourite electronic music duo are back on track following a panicked retreat into their 80s synth-pop comfort zone on 2010’s disappointing Head First.

Sixth album Tales of Us is their most intimate release to date – a collection of intense ballads brought to life by acoustic riffs and cinematic strings, building on the folky charms of 2008’s Seventh Tree.

What the record lacks in anthemic power it possesses in astounding lyrical breadth, with each song an evocative character sketch – Ulla, Simone and new single Drew among the highlights.

And the softly whispered vocals for which the eponymous singer is latterly known almost make you forget her gyrating over theremins on stage a few years ago. Almost.

9/10

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