IRENE
- 18 Gewildste Treffers (BMG)
With most of her songs written by Steve
Hofmeyr, one can get some idea of what to expect. But there are also songs
by such well known writers as Coenie De Villiers and Mynie Grove’.
I still don’t know how people can merely perform others’ music and not do their
own. But, after 3 albums, she must be doing something that someone likes. Afrikaans
pop music as most people know it - but nothing needs to be conventional; look
around, you’ll be surprised.
- PB
2 / C
IRON
MAIDEN - Brave New World (EMI)
Praise the Beast! Bruce is back. Yes,
Mr Dickinson, the voice that defined these hard rock legends for the greater part
of their career is once again lending his excellent voice to their undisputed
trademark sound. And from the word go you know you’re treading familiar ground.
Not in a re-hash sort of way, but more of a reminder of those cool days of yore.
The tunes parade forth thickly and as catchy as always. Guitarist Janick Gers
who replaced Adrian Smith a bunch of albums back didn’t get the boot when Ade
returned. So now you have three guitarists, Dave Murray completing the trio of
axemen, backed by the ever consistent Nicko McBrain on drums (who seemed to have
given his style a bit more of a modern edge). Ah, yes, and then there’s Bruce.
What a voice. Produced by Kevin Shirley of Aerosmith and Springbok
Nude Girls fame, he doesn’t over-ham the sound, but goes for that basic, bare
knuckle approach, lending them their well known identity in stead of souping it
up to compete with the new Slipknot / Incubus / Rammstein
generation. Good old fashioned hard stuff.
- PB
5 / A |
