Issue 643

1 Day

29 Oct 2009

(15) 101min Billed as ‘Britain’s first hip-hop musical, on paper 1 Day sounds like a do-gooder Guardian-reader’s community play, dramatising social issues to a soundtrack of urban beats and songs delivered in a semi-operatic style. That the result…

Keser

GRV, Edinburgh, Fri 23 Oct

29 Oct 2009

There are three words which it will probably become a legal requirement to use in all reviews of this band: epic, soundscape, cinematic. There. Done. Another one, if we’re talking about the live Keser experience, is loud: the noise coming from these two…

The Social Services - It’s Nothing Personal, It’s National Security

29 Oct 2009

(Stereo Test Kit) With tongue firmly in cheek and sandwiches in knapsack, The Social Services head out on a jaunt round Popland to confirm that their frisky style is something pretty special. Two thirds Glaswegian, one third Swedish, the trio throw…

Kats Karavan: The History of John Peel on the Radio

29 Oct 2009

(Universal) There’s been plenty released to celebrate DJ John Peel’s legacy and this expansive four-disc set tries to replicate the magic of the quintessential John Peel show. By that we mean throwing the tough techno of Dave Clarke up against the…

Kevin Mackenzie - East of East 7th Street

29 Oct 2009

(Laundry Room Music) A fine collection of intelligent and often absorbing contemporary jazz from Scottish guitarist Kevin Mackenzie, in partnership with three players from across the Atlantic. Mackenzie is a familiar figure on the Scottish jazz (and…

Miike Snow - Miike Snow

29 Oct 2009

(Downtown Records) The men behind Miike Snow have got a rep: two of them, Pontus Winnberg and Christian Karlsson, are better known as Bloodshy and Avant, the producer/songwriters behind songs for the likes of Kylie, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Kelis and…

Totó la Momposina - La Bodega

29 Oct 2009

(Astar Arts) La Momposina is swinging towards her 70s in style, creating some of the most irresistible dance music to come out of Colombia in years. For La Bodega she uses the port warehouse as metaphor for the constant mixing of Colombian with…

The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack

29 Oct 2009

(Atlantic) They could stamp any old trash with the Twilight brand and have a hit, which is why the soundtrack for the second film in the rabidly followed teen vampire series is such a lovely surprise. Eschewing the gothic histrionics of the books…

The Brute Chorus - The Brute Chorus

29 Oct 2009

(Bumpman) Turning up to the indie party in an eye-catching array of ye olde dapper attire, monster quiffs and (possibly) ironic moustaches, The Brute Chorus certainly know how to make an impact. You see, they recorded this debut in one…

Zoey Van Goey - The Cage Was Unlocked All Along

29 Oct 2009

(Chemikal Underground) Originally self-released back in May to limited exposure, this debut album from eclectic and endlessly imaginative Glasgow-based Canadian, Irish and English boy-girl trio Zoey Van Goey deservedly gets a second, bigger bite of…

This Is Who We Are

29 Oct 2009

Approximately 1000 places in Canada derive their names from Scottish origins. As part of the Year of Homecoming, this exhibition explores the links between Scotland and Canada, bringing together a number of community photography projects which are…