Monday, 6 December 2010
Enjoy Destroy - Rifles
If you want a rock band to sing along to...
I could happily put their whole album and EP on here.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
03/12/10 - Biffy Clyro + The Futureheads @ Manchester Central
I'm working at a few gigs at Manchester Central this week. First up, Biffy Clyro supported by The Futureheads.
I've seen The Futureheads about 4 or 5 times now and each time has been in a completely different venue. I've seem them play the tiny Night & Cafe, an even smaller intimate set in HMV and a overflowing NME Tent at Reading 2005 when indie music was at its peak and 'Hounds Of Love' was everywhere, but amazingly last night's support slot for Biffy was the best I've seen them. Their joint headliner slot in the NME tent at Reading was amazing, but 3 albums later their set list is just hit after hit after hit. I'd love to go see them again on Wednesday with The Wombats, Everything Everything and Bombay Bicycle Club (that'll be an awesome gig!) but I'm working at Pendulum that night.
Then came Biffy... I've never really thought of myself as a Biffy Clyro fan and I've certainly never considered paying to go and see them but they were incredible! It is impossible to take your eyes off Simon Neil, he just had the whole audience's attention for the duration of their 2 hour set! He has amazing stage presence and at times, a freaky resemblance to Kurt Cobain. Girls want to be with him, guys want to be him. Definitely go see them even if you only slightly like them!
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
PLAYLIST - November
1. Not In Love (Orginal Version) - Crystal Castles
2. Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra) - The Vaccines
3. Louder Than Ever - Cold War Kids
4. Limit To Your Love - James Blake
5. Night Air - Jamie Woon
6. Fall At Your Feet (Crowded House Cover) - Boy & Bear
7. Elusive - Scott Matthews
8. Pink Squares - I Was A Cub Scout
9. Ali In The Jungle - The Hours
10. I'm Good, I'm Gone - Lykke Li
11. Wild International - One Day As Lion
SPOTIFY
This is not a great playlist. Spotify didn't have a lot of songs that I wanted but when I upload the tracks they get taken down for copyright, so your left with an odd playlist this month. The Cystal Castles song is not the version I was after, the only track by Boy & Bear on Spotify is there Crowded House cover and Lykke Li's new song 'Get Some' isn't on there yet either.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
One Day As A Lion - Wild International
Alright it's no Rage, but the riff could be easily be Dead Weather.
The Changes - Her, You & I
One of my all time favourite albums is The Changes' 'Today Is Tonight'. I know very little about them, or if they're even still together, but something about this album just clicks with me!
Cold War Kids - Louder Than Ever
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Cold War Kids are back and sounding great! This will be amazing live... fact! Looking forward to hearing their new album in January.
Boy & Bear - Mexican Marvis
Really similar sound to Fleet Foxes but that's no bad thing! Their EP, 'With Emperor Antarctica' is worth a listen.
Crystal Castles - Not In Love (Feat.Robert Smith)
Been listening to this for about a month now. Still not bored of it! This is one of the most perfect musical collaborations. Robert Smith's vocal make it much more accessible than the Crystal Castles original version. A must listen...
Monday, 11 October 2010
PLAYLIST - October
October Playlist
1. Somebody To Love Me (Feat.Boy George & Andrew Wyatt) - Mark Ronson & The Business International
2. Baby I'm Yours (Feat.Irfane) - Breakbot
3. Collapsing Cities (Feat.Shy Fx) - Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
4. Living Decorations - Maps & Atlases
5. Vocal Chords - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
6. North Atlantic Drift - Paul Smith
7. Hundred/Million - The Whigs
8. I Will Remain - Matthew & The Atlas
9. Rope And Summit - Junip
10. Suicide Policeman - Yuck
11. Hannah - Freelance Whales
12. Trouble - Oona
SPOTIFY
Frankie And The Heartstrings - Ungrateful
Despite running his fingers through his hair more than Kirsten Stewart (if that's even possible!), Frankie and The Heartstrings have some extremely catchy songs! Another band to come out of Sunderland but this one have the potential to out do The Futureheads.
Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - Somebody to Love Me (Feat.Miike Snow & Boy George)
Forget Mark Ronson and Boy George, its all about Andrew Wyatt from Miike Snow. He's a pop genius!
The Whigs - Hundred/Million
Not really known in the UK, but supporting the Kings Of Leon in December might change that!
Friday, 8 October 2010
Mumford & Sons - Sister
This is how to make a sold out gig at the Hammersmith Apollo feel intimate...
Friday, 1 October 2010
Sophie Rose - You Killed Summer
I've not heard the original of this song but hopefully it sounds just like this acoustic version! There's no songs on her myspace at the moment but there are some on soundcloud including a song with Will from the Mystery Jets.
Yuck - Weakend
Beautiful, beautiful music. If you like this definitely go to their myspace cause their others songs are just as good!
Monday, 13 September 2010
Matthew & The Atlas - I Will Remain
Ever imagined what it would sound like if Ray LaMontagne was the lead singer of Mumford & Sons? Well worry no longer because Matthew & The Atlas sound just like that and its ace! If you're lucky enough to have tickets to either Willie Mason or Mumford & Sons' tour, they're going to be the support. Playing sold out shows across the UK, supporting everyone's favourite banjo band, might just push them into the mainstream!
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Freelance Whales - Hannah
If you like Death Cab For Cutie or The Postal Service definitely give this a listen. The whole album's great!
Sunday, 5 September 2010
PLAYLIST - September
September Playlist
1. Gold - Teachers
2. If You Wanna - The Vaccines
3. Ruins - O Children
4. Bushwick Blues - Delta Spirit
5. Lucidity - Tame Impala
6. City With No Children - Arcade Fire
7. Always - Junip
8. Anyone's Ghost - The National
9. Nothing But Love - Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
10. Floating Vibes - Surfer Blood
11. Go Outside - Cults
12. Schoolin' - Everything Everything
13. The Girl Is Gone - Mystery Jets
14. Echoes - Klaxons
15. Green Grass - I Am Arrows
16. Lies - Fenech-Soler
17. After Dark (Feat. Mystery Jets) - The Count And Sinden
18. The Wild Trapeze - Brandon Boyd
19. Here To Fill You In - Kurran & The Wolfnotes
DOWNLOAD
SPOTIFY
Going Solo...
Why are there so many frontmen going solo at the moment? Whether its for the money, their egos or a 'new direction', there seems to be a lot of them about at the moment!
Brandon Flowers
seems to have just written a new Killers' album. Sounds good though...
Brandon Boyd
isn't the same without his Incubus bandmates. His basic guitar playing really limits his songwriting!
Kele
has been a huge hit on the festival circuit this summer, but a large part is down to the 4 Bloc Party songs he includes in his 30 minute set!
Paul Smith
from Maximo Park, is about to release 'North Atlantic Drift'. It's less frantic than a lot of Maximo Park, but wasn't that what was exciting about them? Its a nice song but I'd rather hear a 4th Maximo album!
Fyfe Dangerfield
was always the best thing about the Guillemots but their songs were never really radio friendly. This move into the mainstream seems to have paid off for him.
Brandon Flowers
seems to have just written a new Killers' album. Sounds good though...
Brandon Boyd
isn't the same without his Incubus bandmates. His basic guitar playing really limits his songwriting!
Kele
has been a huge hit on the festival circuit this summer, but a large part is down to the 4 Bloc Party songs he includes in his 30 minute set!
Paul Smith
from Maximo Park, is about to release 'North Atlantic Drift'. It's less frantic than a lot of Maximo Park, but wasn't that what was exciting about them? Its a nice song but I'd rather hear a 4th Maximo album!
Fyfe Dangerfield
was always the best thing about the Guillemots but their songs were never really radio friendly. This move into the mainstream seems to have paid off for him.
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Thursday, 2 September 2010
What the hell is going on!?!
Today on Radio One, a 17 year old girl confessed to not knowing who No Doubt were!!!
I literally couldn't believe it! I will accept that No Doubt haven't released anything for nearly 7 years, but when you consider they've sold over 27 million records worldwide, you have to wonder what the hell she's been doing all her life! What makes me even more angry is that when told that Gwen Stefani's the lead singer, she immediately said "oh I love her". Oh do you!?! DO YOU REALLY??? It must have been her incredible solo career that made you fall in "love her"!!! With so-called 'hits' like 'Wind It Up' (that included yodeling!) and 'Hollaback Girl', I just don't see how anyone could hear that and like it! 'This shit is bananas', or is just shit? The only reason people listened to her solo stuff was because she was in No Doubt!!!
How the hell has a teenage girl never heard the female anthems 'Just A Girl' or 'Don't Speak'!!! She needs to seriously look at herself, her friends and her itunes library!! I know that I sound extremely pretentious and like a music snob but that's because I am!!! If you've never heard this song please never read this blog again... its not for you!
I literally couldn't believe it! I will accept that No Doubt haven't released anything for nearly 7 years, but when you consider they've sold over 27 million records worldwide, you have to wonder what the hell she's been doing all her life! What makes me even more angry is that when told that Gwen Stefani's the lead singer, she immediately said "oh I love her". Oh do you!?! DO YOU REALLY??? It must have been her incredible solo career that made you fall in "love her"!!! With so-called 'hits' like 'Wind It Up' (that included yodeling!) and 'Hollaback Girl', I just don't see how anyone could hear that and like it! 'This shit is bananas', or is just shit? The only reason people listened to her solo stuff was because she was in No Doubt!!!
How the hell has a teenage girl never heard the female anthems 'Just A Girl' or 'Don't Speak'!!! She needs to seriously look at herself, her friends and her itunes library!! I know that I sound extremely pretentious and like a music snob but that's because I am!!! If you've never heard this song please never read this blog again... its not for you!
In The City - Manchester
Very excited to go to ITC this year! One of the countries best new music festivals. In three years of living in Manchester I've never been!!! Don't know why but definitely going this year!
13th-15th October 2010
In The City
13th-15th October 2010
In The City
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Teachers - Gold
Benjamin Bronfman is better known for being engaged to MIA, but the first offering from his new band, Teachers, is a beaut! Can't wait to hear more...
(You can download the song by clicking the down arrow on the right hand side)
'And the moon was shinning, but you were looking for fools gold'
Everything Everything - Tin (Man Hole)
I haven't heard Everything Everything's new album yet but this song is surely going to help break up the rest of their complex and awkward pop. Don't get me wrong I love 'MY KZ, UR BF' and 'Schoolin' but half an hour of it back to back just might be too much. Hopefully they've got a couple of slower, atmospheric songs on there, like 'Tin (Man Hole)'. Definitely recommend going to see them live - they've just released a load of dates. It is unbelievable how the leader singer hits the high notes!
'My teeth dropping straight out of my skull'
Interpol - Barricade
Books - Letter To Yesterday
MySpace
I saw Manchester band, Books (not to be confused with Jose Gonzalez's mates The Books), supporting Chapel Club and they completely stole the show! They're songs are intense, like White Lies and packed full of passion that left the whole audience hanging on the singer's every word. They have a shockingly low number of MySpace friends, (just 84!) suggesting that they're relatively new or that they just don't do the internet. Admitedly the demo version of 'Letter To Yesterday' on their MySpace is half what it was live but it surely won't be long until this band are featured in the Radar section of NME.
'I curse myself for such a fragile frame'
I saw Manchester band, Books (not to be confused with Jose Gonzalez's mates The Books), supporting Chapel Club and they completely stole the show! They're songs are intense, like White Lies and packed full of passion that left the whole audience hanging on the singer's every word. They have a shockingly low number of MySpace friends, (just 84!) suggesting that they're relatively new or that they just don't do the internet. Admitedly the demo version of 'Letter To Yesterday' on their MySpace is half what it was live but it surely won't be long until this band are featured in the Radar section of NME.
'I curse myself for such a fragile frame'
The Vaccines - If You Wanna
I can't get enough of this song at the moment! I hate hate HATE playing the same song twice in a row but I confess the first time I heard it I immediately played it again! It sounds like early Libertines - raw, exciting British rock n roll. There is definitely a place for this type of music at the moment... (hence why The Libertines are making a come back). That said Carl Barat's new song 'Run With The Boys' is painful!
'If you wanna come back its alright, its alright...'
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Jamie T - On The Green
A bit like 'Brand New Bass Guitar' and 'Back In The Game', but with more production. Another ace, stripped down song on his acoustic bass.
Monday, 23 August 2010
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Band Of Horses - Detlef Schrempf
I somehow missed Band Of Horses when they first came out, but when I heard this song and was instantly hooked.
Memory Tapes
Memory Tapes are one of my favourite bands at the moment. Their album Seek Magic is awesome and they don't disappoint live either! Get them in your life!!!
Post War Years
WHY AREN'T THIS BAND HUGE!?!!!!!
'The Greats And The Happenings' was my favourite album of 2009. The most accomplished debut I've heard in a long time.
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Broken Bells - The Mall & Misery
My favourite song from one of my favourite albums of the year. Love the guitar riff! The Shins are gonna have difficulty beating this on their next record!
Darwin Deez
I would probably give Darwin Deez's album 7/10. Its pretty good and its got some catchy songs on it. But Darwon Deez live is SO SO SO much more!!! You will never have so much fun at a gig...FACT! All future gigs will be measured against Darwin Deez. There are so many 'cool' indie bands that just play their 'cool' songs, wearing their 'cool' clothes, without so much as a smile, let alone any interaction with the audience. Well Darwin puts them all to shame! Not only do his gigs turn into huge sing-alongs but the whole band put down their instruments in between songs and dance with no inhibitions to Beyonce. Darwin Deez shows you how to have fun and I promise you don't want to miss out on his October tour! Seriously, don't!!!
October
12 Academy 3 Manchester
13 Other Rooms Newcastle
14 King Tut’s Glasgow
15 Cockpit Leeds
16 Bodega Nottingham
18 Plug Sheffield
19 Thekla Bristol
20 Cavern Exeter
21 Wedgewood Rooms Portsmouth
22 Digital Brighton
23 Jericho Oxford
24 Arts Centre Norwich
26 Scala London
27 Hare & Hounds Birmingham
28 Kasbah Coventry
30 The Plug Sheffield
Monday, 16 August 2010
Magistrates - Make This Work
This song is just pop genius! I love it! Sounds like Prince at times, but thats no bad thing! Shame they split up, they could have been good.
Tom Vek - I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes
Massively underated artist! Its a shame he never got more recognition! Apparently still working on a follow up to 2005's 'We Have Sound' but I wouldn't hold your breath for it.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
There's experimental and there's Pink Floyd
I watched Pink Floyd's 'Live At Pompeii' DVD a while back and this song just cracked me up!!! Surely people can't take this seriously? I know 'Pink Floyd are legends blah blah blah' but the first 5 mins of this song is not music!!!
Richard Wright's piano playing is ridiculous - most of the time playing with his forearm and the palms of his hands, but the best bit is when Roger Waters stops beating the shit out of the symbols (3:02) and walks with purpose over to the huge gong. He stands next to it, and calculates the best time to introduce the gong (as if it really mattered), before beating the shit out of that too! Its ludicrous. Its theatrical. Its a lot of noise!
The Maccabees - Bicycle Rush
I came across this again the other day. Before 'Colour It In' came out I was obsessed by this song and I remember being very upset that it didn't make it onto the album. With hindsight though its a much better album without it, but I still like the song!
'Service is suspended, service shall resume,
service running late again, service running smooth'
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Chapel Club
Haunting guitars...
Catchy Morrissey-like vocals...
One of the most Manchester-influenced bands based outside of Manchester... Chapel Club
'O Maybe I should settle down to a quiet life.
Or maybe I should chance it all on a perfect night'
Or maybe I should chance it all on a perfect night'
The Little Ones - Lovers Who Uncover
Lovers Who Uncover
Yeah its old but I still love it!
'Where do all the lovers meet with one another,
in an effort to uncover what has happened to their salad days'
in an effort to uncover what has happened to their salad days'
Band Of Skulls
This will be incredible live at Reading and Leeds!
A more mellow side to the band, but still just as good.
Very very catchy rock n roll!
"I know what I am, They know what they are, So let me be"
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Mando Diao
Everything that was brilliant about The Hives, but with a wider range of influences!!! Love them!!!
Saturday, 7 August 2010
The Maccabees - About Your Dress (Acoustic)
A really nice acoustic version of 'About Your Dress'. Torn between this and the acoustic version of 'First Love' which is instantly made sooooo much better simply because it doesn't have Felix in it, but actually I think this song works best.
'You stood out like a sore thumb, the most beautiful sore thumb I'd ever seen'
The Avrett Brothers - I And Love And You
When I'm in the mood for this song its amazing, but when I'm not its boring... very boring!
Friday, 6 August 2010
O Children
O Children - Dead Disco Dancer
O Children - 'Ruins
'Ruins' is an epic tune! What's not to love about it!?! My favourite track off the album is 'Radio Waves', but I can't find a stream/video of it other than on the MySpace, where you can actually stream the whole album.
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