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

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
xx
x

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'.

Black Kids Myspace!

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!

MGMT Myspace!

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.

We Are Scientists Myspace - Listen to 'After Hours'!


Thats all...for now...folks!

xXx

Longtime Nopost....

"If Music be the food of love, play on..." William Shakespeare

Some more new shiz for the music masses to listen to!!

Reverend and the Makers are an immense Sheffield bands finally bloody getting recognition after years!! I started listening to them last year, around the time Arctic Monkeys kicked off.
They are lead by John McClure, a Sheffield musical legend, having helped the Arctic Monkeys start off by giving them supporting slots with the Makers, after both Turner and Helders were in his first band. Arctic Monkeys returned the favour when they became superstars.
'Heavyweight Champion of the World' is the new single, rereleased and it is immense. It is just starting to get the airplay it deserves on le radio. Other great songs are 'He Said He Loved Me' and 'The State of Things'.

RANDOM FACT!! John McClures brother, Chris, is the infamous smoking man pictured on the front of 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" by Arctic Monkeys.

http://www.myspace.com/reverendmusic

Tokyo Police Club are a Canadian rock band (one of many recent amazing Canadian bands to appear) with two EP's out worth listening to, just starting to get recognition in the USA, even appearing on popular chat show, 'Late Night with David Letterman'.
Songs such as 'Nature of the Experiment' and 'Cheer It On' show their talent.

http://www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub

The Wombats are a new indie band with some fantastic tunes and I am gutted to have missed them last Saturday at Unit 22 due to prior arrangements, although I did actually run into the lead singer in the town centre!
Top tunes include the catchy 'Backfire at the Disco' and great new song 'Kill the Director'.

http://www.myspace.com/thewombatsuk



Other stuff to check out!!

The Rumble Strips! Soul styled Alt rock from London!
http://www.myspace.com/rumblestripsuk

A podcast to download!! Coverville, immense cover songs from random bands and styles, usually different themes such as Radiohead songs or movie soundtrack songs...
http://www.coverville.com/

Electronic dance awesomness from Justice, listen to the fantabulous new song 'D.A.N.C.E'
http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous

Rufus Wainwright continues to make great music with his new album 'Release the Stars'. Listen to new single 'Going to a Town' here and then buy the album!
http://www.myspace.com/rufuswainwright

xx

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. " Confucius

I am going to see a band on Tuesday night called Indigo Moss, a London based band who create inspiring rockabilly tunes such as the fantastically named 'Dang Nabbit' and 'Nature of This Town'. They are playing a fair few gigs over the next few months so check them out and try to go see them!

http://www.myspace.com/indigomoss

Cherry Ghost are an Indie/Country band with some catchy, awesome tunes, my favourite being 'Mathematics'. They have performed on Jools Holland and are doing Camden Crawl this year and people should expect something special from them very soon.

http://www.myspace.com/cherryghostband

Finally, a lady who I hope to see at Camden Crawl and need to tell her that my best friend is in love with her and her voice. Laura Marling is a solo artist who sings with a sultry voice capable of captivating whoever falls within its range. 'London Town', 'New Romantic' and 'Its Only My Opinion' show off her fantastic voice and song writing ability. She also appears on the new Rakes album on the gorgeous track, 'Suspicious Eyes'.

http://www.myspace.com/lauramarling

xxx

Oh and HAPPY EASTER!!

Music Speaks....

"Where Words Fail, Music Speaks." Hans Christian Anderson


Just some more new stuff I have loiked over the past few days....

Vessels are an instrumental alternative rock band that have recieved a fair bit of airplay from DJ's like Steve Lamacq and Huw Stephens, but need more! 'The Beast' is a fantastic song, so go listen to them now!

http://www.myspace.com/vesselsband

Another artist who needs more recogntion and has been described as a 'shy Nina Simone' is Liz Green, a solo artist with a fantastic voice and some amazing songs. She has also, rightly, got the chance to open the Pyramid stage at Glasto, as well as maybe doing slots on the Acoustic and Radio 1 stages. If you are lucky enough to get a ticket, go see her!!

http://www.myspace.com/lizgreenmusic

xxx

New Narcotics

"Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory" Oscar Wilde

This blog has one purpose only...to promote new and exciting music...

Music is the ultimate narcotic---- it leaves you always craving and never satisfied...you always want more!!

Therefore, here is new music that I am loving or just getting into...and you should give it a try too...

Some of it may have been around for a while but is only just getting recognition or it is from other countries, as I am based in the UK.

New bands that I have recently gotten into A LOT are Pull Tiger Tail, Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip and Jack Penate.

Pull Tiger Tail are a three piece from London, who used to share a flat with the Klaxons, who do alternative indie rock stuff with soul and pop influences, with great singalong tracks like 'Lets Lightning' and 'Loki, God Of Mischief'. They are going to take off this year, having recieved play on various Radio stations and music TV, like MTV2.
They are doing plenty of gigs in the next couple of months, so try and go see them!

http://www.myspace.com/pulltigertail

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip are a band whose single, 'Thou Shalt Always Kill' is tearing up Youtube, Radio 1 and various formats. Its blatant mocking of various styles, scenes and groups embedded in its simple structure is ensuring its gonna be a surefire hit.

http://www.myspace.com/lesacvspip

Finally, Jack Penate has been around for a fair bit and I first got into his music via Myspace around a year ago but only know is he finally getting the recognition he deserves. He is a solo artist on the Young Turks Label and his awesome dancing style and rockabilly tunes are incredible and should be spread everywhere! 'Spit At Stars', 'Learning Lines' and 'We Will Be Here' are his standout tracks.

http://www.myspace.com/jackpenate

Finally, a couple of bands who are also on the rise and should be checked out are the unusual and intriguing Bolt Action Five (http://www.myspace.com/boltactionfive) and The Flight of the Conchords, who have been around for ages but are worthy of listening to as their comedy folk rock is absolute genius (http://www.myspace.com/conchords).