Music to our ears

For our two CDs today, one comes from an Australian songstress out to prove the success of her first album was no fluke, and the second comes from a British rock band, doing its utmost to solidify the ecstatic response it has been eliciting in its home country, and hoping the word spreads.

Lenka — Two (Epic Records). If ever the overused description “cute” was in fact the best word to describe someone’s music and persona, it would be ascribed to Lenka’s music. With Czech parents, but transplanted to Australia, where she also enjoys an acting career, the Manila visitor has a second studio album that sees her taking a stronger direction in terms of composing her own songs. The three songs, Heart Skips a Beat, Roll With the Punches and Sad Song, are delightful progressions for Lenka as songwriter; but the remainder of the CD has a sameness to them that she should be wary of. Among the ballads, Here to Stay is the strongest.

Kasabian — Velociraptor (Sony Records). Kasabian may not be a household name among rock fans here, but that’s more of our fault. Voted in 2010 as the Best British Group in both the Brit Awards and the Q Awards (like NME, an influential music publication), Velociraptor is its latest! Much as I know it can also be a disservice to the band’s identity, I have to describe the band as a cross between Oasis (Days are Forgotten) and the psychedelic Beatles (La Fee Verte). The title track, Re-wired, and Switchblade Smiles are other choice tracks. So if you like your rock served gritty, check them out! And you may be in for a pleasant surprise.