Dizzee Rascal - That's not his name (Radio 1's Live Lounge - Volume 3)

Member Name: magenta23

Product:	Radio 1's Live Lounge - Volume 3
Date:	19/01/09 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Top tracks..

Disadvantages: ..and some terrible ones

Radio One's Live Lounge has been a huge success. This is the third compilation album released, featuring the latest best bits from visitors to the live lounge in 2008.

The compliation is a good buy. As far as value for money goes 40 songs over two CDs for under a tenner can't be bad. (I bought mine from play.com for £9.99) Having said that, with 40 songs by a range of different artists from all musical genres, there's going to be some stuff you hate. I'd say there were a few stand out amazing tracks, a handful of good songs and the rest are pretty dire.

The CD is recording from the live lounge, both bands covering other bands songs and playing their own. I love hearing quirky covers, and they are often a bit like marmite depending on how attached you are the the original.
Covers highlights includes -

Dizzee Rascal - That's Not My Name
Wow, this is good. Very funny too. I'm not into Dizzee's style of music but I think he's a great writer. This cover of the Ting Tings hit is pretty true to the original tune but he plays about with the lyrics and puts his 'Dizzee' stamp on it to great comic effect. No, it doesn't beat the original but it's one of those songs you say to people 'You have to hear this...'

The Ting Tings - Standing in the way of Control.
This is bizarre. Opens with a sampling of 'I've got the power' and then comes in a broken down version of the Gossip's biggest hit. Unfortuneately, this doesn't have the drama of the original, but I don't think the two versions really need to be compared. They're the same lyrics but it's barely recognisable. Also it really shows that the Tings Ting's Katie, really can sing and is not just limited to shouting with attitude.

Newton Faulkner - Foundations
I don't really like Newton Falkner and I can't stand Kate Nash. So why do I like this cover? Probably because you realise Nash's lyrics aren't half bad when you haven't got a stroppy whiny full of herself little madam singing them.

Of course, there are also some covers on here best avoided, add these to the skip list -

McFly - I Kissed a Girl
Annoying as this song is with Katie Perry singing it, you could understand she was going for controversy. It hasn't even got that going for it with McFly singing it. I think they kind of missed the point with this. Bless them.

Girls Aloud -With Every Heartbeat
Proof that you can't be that pretty and all be able to sing.

Kate Nash- Fluorescent Adolescent -
Fantastic Arctic Monkeys song + stroppy whiny full of herself little madam = a complete disaster. This made my ears hurt. I think this is the song Kate Nash wishes she'd written. Well you didn't so leave it alone. It was perfect to start with.

In addition to the 'interesting' cover versions there are some great live performances of bands doing what they do best. Highlights include Athlete performing their beautiful 'Wires' and Panic at the Disco performing 'Nine in the Afternoon'.

Overall, I'm pleased I bought it but only a select few will be going on the ipod. Worth it for Dizzee if nothing else.

Summary: A pick and mix of live music