The nights are getting longer and winter is just around the corner but we can all gather round the musical fire and see what’s in store this week’s My Four with myself, Mark Sharpley. We begin with…
BRYAN FERRY
Former Roxy Music frontman and general all round smoothie Bryan Ferry is first up this week with the release of his new solo album Avonmore. Ferry has enlisted a whole host of big names for this album, including the likes of Nile Rodgers, Johnny Marr and Marcus Miller. The subject of Roxy Music will never go away. But since the band have split up according to Phil Manzanera, Ferry’s solo shows when he does tour, will be more sought after than ever. Available on the BMG Rights Management label, this is the video for “Loop De Li”. http://www.bryanferry.com
TV ON THE RADIO
Brooklyn’s own TV on the Radio are here this week with the release of their fifth studio album, Seeds. This is also the first album since the sad passing of the band’s bassist Gerard Smith. They have collaborated over the years with the likes of David Bowie, Trent Reznor and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, but this album is a definite band affair with the album being recorded in Los Angeles at guitarist Dave Sitek’s Federal Prism studio. From the Harvest Records label this is the single “Happy Idiot”. www.tvontheradioband.com
IN THIS MOMENT
Coming out of Los Angeles, heavy metal outfit In This Moment release their new album, Black Widow. This is the band’s fifth album with their original singer Maria Brink and original guitarist Chris Howorth leading the band. Brink has described the album’s title as “a metaphor for positive and negative life experiences, and turning weaknesses into strength”. There have been three single releases from the album, but “Sex Metal Barbie” has proved to be their most popular song to date getting up to number 18 on iTunes. Must be something in the title. Available on the Atlantic Records label, this is the first single, “Sick Like Me”. www.inthismomentofficial.com
GEMMA HAYES
Finally this week it’s the turn of Ireland’s own Gemma Hayes with the release of her fifth studio album, Bones + Longing. She has been on the music scene since 2002 and your columnist is a big fan you know. Some will know her as part of The Cake Sale and Printer Clips. She’s even recorded a version of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” for US teen drama Pretty Little Liars. She now resides in Dublin after a period in Los Angeles, and gave birth to a baby boy in January this year, too. Bless. Available on the Chasing Dragons label this is the single “Chasing”. www.gemmahayes.com
And that’s it for another week, join me again next week for another portion of the four tracks you need to know about. Keep on keeping on…
