Monday 10 March 2008

A Quick Post...

Music is the medicine of the breaking heart. ~Leigh Hunt


A very quick mini post as I have just found out that Alex Turner, from Arctic Monkeys, and Miles Kane, from the Little Flames and The Rascals, have a side project. Well, I had heard about it a fair while back, but I sort of forgot until I heard that they now have an album recorded, a name and a single with a video online.
They are called The Last Shadow Puppets, which I quite like though it sounds a bit pretentious for some reason, and the album is called 'The Age of the Understatement' and is due out April 21st here in the UK. The single is also called 'The Age of the Understatement' and is out on April 14th, though the link below leads to the band's website where you can view the video and hear the song. The video is not bad but seems overly grandiose and could be viewed as annoying rather than clever. However, the song sounds quite good, in an Arctic Monkeys kicks it up a notch way. I think I need a few more listens and choose to hold judgment on how well this venture will go...though I cross my fingers for Alex as he's always seemed like a nice boy with nice clothes and hair....

The Last Shadow Puppets - 'The Age of the Understatement'

Go give it a listen and see how you like this new offshoot of the indie...

xxx

Sunday 9 March 2008

Poetry....

Music is the poetry of the air. ~Richter

I have not had chance to listen to too much this week but have enough to fill up todays blog. I seem to have descended into slightly older music, so have a few older bands and albums mentioned after a couple of new bands I have decided to love!

Fleet Foxes are a Seattle band I have stumbled across completely at random on the internet but they make harmonic, gorgeous, sweeping music that will be perfect for a summers day, as soon as one comes along that is. The soft and delicate balance of instruments and vocals sound confident and beautiful, stringing themselves together with awesome cohesion. They have 'Drops in the River' available as a free download on their myspace but 'White Winter Hymnal' and 'English House' are the two best on their page. 'In The Hot, Hot Rays' is not on their myspace but i'm sure you can find it on the web somewhere and you should, as it sums up how good they can get. They are at SXSW this year and don't seem to be approaching England but we can hope for the future!

Fleet Foxes Myspace

Drew McConnell, the bassist for Babyshambles, has created his own musical outfit named Helsinki and they are damn good. He is obviously a very talented musician and it is kind of sad he gets overshadowed by the overly excessive (though very talented for the most part) Pete Doherty. He mixes urgent riffs with soft bass and vocals to create songs with an enduring presence and sweetness. 'Ampersand' and 'Ribtickling' are two fantastic tracks that show off Drew's talent clearly. There are rumours abound that Helsinki consists of Drew, The Strokes and Fionn Regan though I am unsure on these statements from the not-so-reliable NME. I hope to hear a lot more from Mr McConnell though!

Helsinki Myspace



Finally, here are a couple of older albums I have finally gotten around to getting and loving!

Hüsker Dü were an American alternative punk band in the 1980's and released a stream of awesome stuff, the highlight of which in my opinion was the concept album 'Zen Arcade'. It managed to influence numerous underground alternative rockers since and showcased a fast and loud ethic to creating a reckless concept album. Standout tracks are the impulse driven 'Chartered Trips' and the expansive 'Masochism World'. Definitely worth a listen!
'Chartered Trips' on Youtube

A band I have mentioned before, but only for their single 'D.A.N.C.E', who released their album '' (also known as 'Cross') in the middle of last year, is the French electro duo Justice. I have only just got the album due to lack of funds and lack of memory/intelligence/whatever and it is damn amazing and I wish I had gotten it sooner! The pulsing beat of Justice tears its way through every track on the album from the dancefloor perfect 'Let There Be Light' to the robotic force of 'DVNO'. The album embodies a new disco genre, electro disco, and if you are not dancing after one listen, you have no soul!
Justice's Myspace
'DVNO' on Youtube


Thats about it and Happy International Women's Day for yesterday if you missed it!
xxx
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Sunday 2 March 2008

Back to Business...

Without music life would be a mistake. ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Back after a ridiculously long hiatus due to work, uni, life, the universe, everything...and me forgetting about this blog pretty much! Anyhoo, straight back into it all!

Firstly, I want to promote a band called Black Kids. They are an American indie rock band who have released an awesome EP called 'Wizard of Ahhhs' and supported various bands, gaining some critical acclaim in various media outlets. They are on various festival bills this summer to try and catch them if you are out and about this year!
Check out their debut single, the incredibly delightful 'I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You'.


Also, a band that have already had a fair bit of coverage and are on the way up. MGMT blend electronica with synths and indie rock riffs to create fantastically engaging songs. Their first album 'Oracular Spectacular' was out very recently and should be on your buy list!
The opening track 'Time to Pretend' sounds like it came from musicians designed by a computer, straight out of a Wierd Science situation! Pure synth genius!


Finally, a couple of mentions to well known musicians who have new stuff coming out!

Firstly, theres the lovely Mystery Jets, who always get me dancing whenever I have witnessed a live show. They have a new single called 'Young Love' featuring my celebrity love Laura Marling, whom I have championed in an earlier post. It is a lovely jubbly tale of, well, young love!

Mystery Jets Myspace - Listen to 'Young Love'!

Lastly, We Are Scientists have a new track out as well. It is called 'After Hours' and is a charming track with cute lyrics and a cute catchy riff that gets riveted in your head after a couple of listens.

xXx