Right then this is unconventional but I’m gonna post a review of the new Carbon Silicon album The Carbon Bubble track by track as I hear it for the very first time, I’ll write the summaries as I listen. Don’t count on me though – get along to the band’s official site and download your own copy pronto. Excited to see what Mick and Tony have been up to – so straight into it then….(tracks 1-6 tonight, the balance tomorrow!)

1. Fresh Start - Almost an early Big Audio Dynamite feel to this one, plus an unexpected harmonica at the start. Leads on to a catchy and optimistic chorus. A slower track but very enjoyable, backing vocals by Tony (??) – the jury is out.

2. What’s Up Doc? - The only song I’d heard in full prior to the album release, a great (D / E?) riff with generally sound comparable to early stuff by The Who if I can draw that comparison. Love the stop/start verses very reminiscent of 60′s garage bands – the sort of stuff you’d hear on those Nuggets compilations. Mick sounds like he’s having a great laugh doing this, I’d love to know if this took multiples takes as it has a very live feel. A real keeper! Plenty of swearing if you have little kids near the speakers (just in case!)

3. Reach for The Sky – I love the guitar sound on this, think spy movie and a fantastic tempo. Mick’s vocals are really up front and centre in the mix which is a great thing. It of course references the classic 1956 film of the same name. Multi layering of Mick’s voice which I’m a sucker for. There’s a lot been written about Mick’s voice (genuinely) losing a lot of it’s range and strength after his illness back in (1988-9? from memory). Reach for The Sky shows him using his voice to best possible effect and it’s still strong, choruses build to a nice middle break with just percussion then that great riff coming back in. Love this track, I need to learn to play it as soon as possible….guitar tab experts please leave comments.

4. The Best Man - This is good fun “Oh baby baby, I ain’t got nuthin else” – Similar tempo to much from The Last Post. Kind of a Stooges guitar sound but even as I write it’s almost got a glam rock feel – which is no bad thing. Echoes of T-Rex or even Glitter but of course improved upon due to Mick Jones chattering over the top. Nice guitar solo around 2:45. Total change to the sound again on the 4th verse, I’m writing this all on the fly but I’m really enjoying the production of these new tracks. It’s a much cleaner mix than the previous album. This is a song that lends itself to an 8 minute version live.

5. Unbelievable Pain – Immediately worth noting this is the first track that’s a bit slower. Mick’s vocals are crystal clear and he sounds brilliant. Bit of a sad song – “Tell the trees not to bud, tell the rivers to flood” – I’m loving this. (handclaps mid song!) It’s a very simple structure but it’s all about the sorrowful lyrics, a song of regret and missed chances. If Tony offered any background to this track on the earlier podcast I’d like to learn more about the origins of it. The guitar sound is like what I get out of my practice amp – which is great and fuzzy. Sweet solo (Tony?) around 5:10, hadn’t even noticed how long this song was until I just checked it. Lovely track.

6. Make it Alright - Bloody hell it’s Supergrass…at least it sounds like them for the first 30 seconds, another classic garage 60′s feel. I’m pretty sure Tony James is offering backing vocals on this one. This is the track that breaks into the “you gotta keep the devil at bay any way you can” refrain in the middle, which somehow works perfectly. Following from that it’s back to the breakneck pace that the song opens up with.

What can I say – first impression of the first 6 tracks….I’m thrilled. Listen loud – listen often – tell your mates! I’ll be back with the rest – plus there are bonus tracks, great artwork and more news to follow.

Tim