Music Review.

by Miranda Schunke.

Albums - Ministry of Sound

The Annual 2002 (Ministry of Sound) Ministry of Sound have certainly been busy this month with the release of Back To The Old School, Headliners, The Politics of Dancing, The Chillout Annual 2002 and not the release of The Annual 2002. In the past, this renowned album has included famous DJs (Judge Jules, Pete Tong, Boy George), compiling and remixing a vast array of monster hits and indulging in unheard of, soon to be club classics. However this year sees a twist in the Ministry saga.  There are no famous DJs or any DJ.  From the outlook it could be compared to a normal stereotyped compilation album which thinks it has a reputation - The Best Dance Album In The World.Ever!  - Part 7. The 62 track album is targeted at every type of clubber, from those who like the commercialised and dance anthems, to garage and trance, emerging hits from 12 months ago such as, Rui Da Silva, Jakatta, Roger Sanchez, So Solid Crew and not forgetting some of the newly released singles recently, including Jean-Jacques Smoothie and Superman Lovers. Although I was disappointed in not hearing a renowned DJ do their reinventing and mixing, this did not affect the quality of the album.

Singles - Natalie Imbruglia

That day (BMG) Natalie Imbruglia has been blabbing in every interview lately that she has spent the last four years working on a new album.  And what do we get?  That day, first single to be taken from it.  This is a good example of the word 'crap'.  Sorry Natalie, but what a big mistake.  Who extended her record deal?  Aha! She had a hit with Torn.  Folks, don't let her rip you off your £3.99.  If I were you, I would go to my nearest take-away rather than spend my money on whatever it is she claims to be music. Lest I forget has anyone noticed her fake English accent?

Singles - Muse

Feeling Good/Hyper Space Dementia (Mushroom)

Obvious single choice and Lamacq session darling, Nina Simone's cover never looked, sounded or felt so good.  From the moody double bass melody to the raunchy keyboard and megaphoned operatics of space cadet Matthew Bellamy, this track is a fantastic cover that will everyone turned on more than a cat on heat - Nina would be proud.  Yet it is Hyper Space Dementia that is the show stealer with its Atari teenage Riot angst, sonically distorted and reverb-filled rattling guitar riffs, screaming rage Against the machine-esque vocals and a striking bassline.  Taken from the album Origin of Symmetry which is on display t a future opera house near you, I would suggest you check out both at the same time and say goodbye to reality, but with a sinister smile.