Helen Boulding, New Red Dress

With so many female singer songwriters out there it's hard not to get bogged down with only those hyped to the max. But New Red Dress comes as a pleasant surprise. Despite being young and straight out of Sheffield, she has managed to avoid getting swept along with the sounds of Pulp or Arctic Monkeys, instead breaking out with an altogether more classic female style. The result, a well-written pop album full of feel good songs.

Filled with warmth, New Red Dress proves that Helen's voice can handle either soft love songs like the tender Sleepwalking or head-tilting Copenhagen as easily as she can rock up the tempo with the swaggering What A Fool. Album opener Way To Go could have come straight off a Texas album from the mid '90s (it almost has those bells from Summer Sun in it) while the heartbreaking I Can't Stop Myself From Loving You sometimes echos Carole King. Joined by contemporary and classic songwriters like The Verve's Simon Tong, Squeeze's Chris Difford and Pink Floyd's Rick Wright on this release, it's not surprising that she manages to combine styles with ease.

This isn't for those of you looking for something daring or exciting. There's nothing dramatically new or remarkable here; instead it's a comforting warm listen that, with the right support could be spread all over your radio dials this summer.

Empire State

   
Artist: Empire State

   Genre(s): 
Trance
   

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Discography:


   
 Niagara CDR

   Year: 2004   
Tracks: 1

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The eclecticist electronic/post-rock grouping Empire State consists of brothers Jay and Tim Nackashi (besides of Beekeeper) and Alex McManus, wHO besides performs with Vic Chesnutt and Lambchop. Their self-titled debut album, which was released in other 2001, introduced their unique mix of sampled sounds, homemade inventions, and conventional instruments.





Can Antilla

Owen excited about EastEnders return

Soap star Sid Owen has revealed that he is delighted to be returning to work on 'EastEnders'.
Owen, who left the soap four years ago, will be reunited with his former co-star Patsy Palmer when the pair return to Albert Square at the beginning of next month.
The on-screen couple were last seen together as Ricky and Bianca six years ago, while Owen left the Square in 2004.
Of his return the actor told Closer magazine: "I appreciate playing Ricky more now. When you're young, you take things for granted."
"I've had fans shout 'Rickaayyy!' at me in the street for as long as I can remember. At least I'm paid for it again now!"
Thirty-three-year-old Owen added that he believed there is still some chemistry between the characters.
He said: "Ricky's still a wuss and Bianca still has the upper hand - but there's definitely a spark!"