Album reviews: Coldplay | Magazine | Houston Person | Steve Reich

A round up of this weeks new album releases

POP

COLDPLAY

Mylo Xyloto

***

Parlophone P0875532, £12.99

The likeable band that everybody loves to hate, Coldplay have made a sin out of being “nice”, and a career out of not being nasty.

Brian Eno is again involved in the production, and songs such as Paradise are of less obnoxiously epic proportions than usual.

They flirt with modern dance music to accommodate Rihanna on Princess Of China, which is epic in a diva kind of way, and Us Against The World plays the victim well. A smattering of rave keyboards is scarcely a momentous change in musical direction, but if it ain’t broke…

• Download this: Charlie Brown, Paradise

MAGAZINE

No Thyself

****

Wire Sound Wired19C, £11.99

The first new material in 30 years from Howard Devoto, and it does not disappoint. Far from sounding like cult post-punk figures cashing in on past reputation, No Thyself sounds fresh and inventive.

Hello Mr Curtis may reference Joy Division, but the song also tips the wink to Mr Cobain. John Doyle and Dave Formula’s presence and contribution almost compensate for the absence of Barry Adamson.

The opening Do The Meaning sets the tone for a worthwhile return, which for the most part is bang on form.

• Download this: Do The Meaning, Happening In English

JAZZ

HOUSTON PERSON

So Nice

****

HighNote HCD 7229, (order from www.jazzdepot.com)

THE magisterial and super-soulful American tenor man, who dazzled audiences in Lockerbie recently, releases his second album of the year – and it’s a gem. Person’s tight and slick trio swells to quartet, quintet and sextet on most numbers thanks to the presence of such A-listers as Warren Vache (cornet/flugelhorn) and Howard Alden (guitar). Among the highlights are a funky Close To You, and sublime duets – with Vache on All Too Soon and pianist John Di Martino on a Sondheim medley.

ALISON KERR

• Download this: All Too Soon, Close To You

FOLK

BLUEFLINT

Maundy Tree

****

JOROCK014, £12.99

Relaxed, assured and very attractive vocal harmony from Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson – the two women banjo players whose second album leads their East Lothian crew further into mainstream acceptability and success. They front what might have been a quintessentially bluegrass line-up of twin banjos with fiddle and bass, but their clever songs catch a non-American, home-grown spirit rattling with subtle warnings and over-the-borders honesty. With just two voices and one fiddle – or adding guest drums, keyboards and trombone – they paint strong moods in songs that are full of good life, humour and surprise.

NORMAN CHALMERS

• Download this: I Climbed a Mountain

CLASSICAL

STEVE REICH

Kuniko Plays Reich

****

Linn CKD385, £12.99

The idea of reworking composer Steve Reich’s 1980s compositions for a mix of steel drums, marimba, vibraphone and tape at first sight seems over-adventurous. In fact, this recording comes together surprisingly well. Japanese arranger/performer Kumiko cleverly reconstructs works to ensure clarity and distinctness, so that the rise and fall of the music remains, rather than disappearing in a mash of notes.

Listening to all three recorded works separately, rather than at one go, may help stop one piece from merging into another for the first-time listener. Worthwhile.

ALEXANDER BRYCE

• Download this: Electric Counterpoint, Fast