beneath the Dutts

r-r-r-r-r-readingggggggggggggggggg

2008-09-03T13:18:00.001-07:00

READING 2008

The year rolls by and Reading rolls in, search for your sleeping bag, tent and ticket; immerse yourself in another summer ritual and descend on this modern day summer solstice.

The festivities opened up when we wandered to the main stage to see everyone’s favourite boy in the corner. The man with the impossibly low jeans pulled out all stops to entertain the thousands that had come to see him and show the sights and sounds of why he won that Mercury Award for his all-action displays. Killing the music to allow us to sing ‘rude boy don’t watch that’ the crowd did their most aggressive accent from the ghetto, but the best part was his hit ‘Stand Up Tall’: the volume oscillated dramatically from ‘din-deh-don’t-know-the-rap to ‘PULL-UP-YOUR-SOCKS-AND-STAND-UP-TALL’. Later on we were gifted the double-whammy of MGMT and Vampire Weekend consecutively: MGMT’s ostentatious antics went down a treat with the audience in the NME/Radio 1 tent, the succession of ‘oh-uh-oh’ that littered their set enabled even those who had only heard the hype, and not the sound surrounding them to join in with consummate ease. Vampire Weekend went on to match the mystical regalia of MGMT, by serving up a series of sing-alongs that surpassed the best of any scout meetings. Indeed it is this boyish innocence that holds the key to Vampire Weekend’s charm, they look like they’d prefer to take a knock than to ever possibly give one out, (unlike the Sex Pistols, eh Kele?), and the crowd were enraptured by their performance. Only a stumbling drunk who played his part perfectly could top the efforts of the bands we had seen and Babyshambles’ ramshackle riot show illustrated that Pete Doherty, whatever else he may have done, is still an astounding showman.

Back at the campsite we had unfortunately seated ourselves next to Megaphone Man. No
superhero, we quickly were at odds and our childish skirmishes encapsulate the Reading spirit: we nicked their firewood and gave him a bloody nose, they woke us up at five in the morning and once pissed on our tents. In normal society we would have a litany of charges against us, but this is Reading, so scream bollocks to that.

Saturday began and in it the two gems that should reside within anyone’s top three performances: Santogold and Justice. In my ignorance and unconverted state I had not previously heard her music, however a happy decision led me to witness an eye-extravaganza as Santi White and band went all out to secure our hearts, they even had two robotic dancers that jerked in to co-ordination spastically to spectacular effect. The fact that they retained their shades and didn’t speak once or interact with the crowd, meant they elevated themselves to another world and ensured amazement amongst all spectators, they even upstaged Santogold slightly but her tremendous vocals and chatty stage presence endeared her to all. Then, when the night fell, Justice appeared. The tent thudded with the unleashed animals within, and their relentless juggernaut of a set was perfectly executed so that no-one knew when the beat would drop, but when it did, cue scenes of chaos en masse.

Sunday, with our ever-battered bodies more bruised than before we were slightly disappointed at the line up prospects, for Reading seemed to have exhausted itself and it wasn’t until dusk before there was any chance of catching us in the arena. Another band of inextinguishable hype were Alex Turner’s new outfit which while having a full orchestra on stage, never really attained any great heights but were enjoyable none the less.

And so with the silent disco offering salvation to those who hadn’t listened to quite enough brilliant music, Reading finished with our all-night campfire causing the nearest fire-towers plenty of concern and the embers were still glowing faintly when the first trains began to leave and us on it.

vamp. whores

2008-02-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

I mean Vampire Weekend, who I must rather belatedly hop on to the blog-bandwagon of how super-amazing this debut album is. And it is.

I shall admit that when I heard those oxford comma and cape kwassa-kwassa-wassa-wassa or whatever demos, I was not convinced in them justifying their hype, but in this record the songs slot in beautifully. The album is a testament to the sum being greater than it's parts. I can quite happily leave it on repeat throughout the whole album and there is no one singular track that I rush to skip over. They are simple, well-crafted harmonies that will bring a smile to your face, a spring in your step and a pleasure you can't measure. Yes I think that exhausted the pigeon-holing stock of blogs eloquently enough. No, wait one more: if you had to buy one album this year, buy this one. Okay, I'm done. Meanwhile, in the description of this LP I would say it is, thank god, different to your-average-guitar-band, Vampire Weekend are willing to play the drums loud and reggae at times, they don't mind using quirky ivory keys or unconventional violins, without being pretentious about it. If more bands have their mind-set and motives to do something different, then 2008 could be a very interesting year. On the album front though, extremely good start 2008, well done. About time I found an album I didn't strip down to tracks 1, 2 and 4 and listen to only those songs. Stand-out tracks on this far-from-neoteric album would be "Walcott" and "Campus"

I particularly like the line: "How am I supposed to pretend? // I never want see you again."

Very apt.

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

x

Tomorrow...

2008-01-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

Are you being restrained, sensible and sober?

Or are you bored, lethargic and listless?

I sound like one of those really bad sales adverts, worse than confused.com anyway.

I'll continue...

Well if yes to the latter than you need new car insurance, or an AA meeting or something else.

However if that doesn't float your boat:

Then come down to Hoxton Bar & Grill & Kitchen & Dining-Room & Bedroom-en-suite

Time Out reckons: "Aberdeen headliners play poppy post-hardcore that's more likely to appear on Xfm than the Dischord label. Alt-rock supports. "

Should be good.

See you there.

2008-01-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

Jonquil are a band from oxford and wear their literary on their sleeve. Not so necessarily shining through with their lyrics but you can imagine this is what they'd be listening to in oxford, pouring over books and hopefully not so with their tea, in the shade of a big oak tree. My imagination tends to run a little from time to time. They've even got a suitably clever and endearingly pretentious name - wikipedia says that: "Jonquil is the Spanish word for plants of the genus Narcissus" Wow they must be intelligent. What is really pleasing about them, and that is exactly what it is like when one is listening to them, is the simple simplicity of it, the rhythm flows along and the vocals are fluid as one. Their plethora of an assorted ensemble could take on Arcade Fire, and win. References that I can think of among their contemporaries would be Sheffield's Slow Club and definitely Grizzly Bear. But Jonquil are in their own right a lush meadow of wistfulness that would drag a nostalgic tear from any eye, without getting soppy about it. Favourite at the moment for me is "Whistle Low" but "Lions" is creeping up on me like time and tide and I'm not particularly worried about it either. Unfortunately I only have live versions but even then the I think their innocent charm redounds because of it, I can't imagine what they'd be like on record, but I'll be counting my coppers and waiting until I've got enough for their album "Lions" which was released October of last year, slow that I am.

Whistle Low [Live] - Jonquil

more ammendments

2008-01-13T05:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I discovered two things that has to change my previous fore sightings of 2008: firstly, monsieur frYars is strongly rumoured, as in I'm taking this for pretty much definite, to have signed a record deal with "a major label" *cough* EMI *cough*. So that should upgrade him from my 'gatecrashers of 2008' to 'great hopes' and beyond to 'definitely-going-to-be-on-TV-with-adverts-for-his-album'. And there goes another young talent on his way to the malevolent jaws of mainstream, I wish him well.

The other piece of news that makes me change my mind on a certain band is the uploading of a new song on their myspace. White Lies [formerly known as Fear of Flying], have just put up 'Death' on their myspace, and sorry to be so crass but the best way to describe it would probably only be uttered in oaths such as: "fuck me sideways, this is E-P-I-C." They've made great strides in the last few months and their sound is huuuuggee. Almost to the point of over playing the giant-card. Nevertheless 'Death' is another gem that I will now spend unwholesome amounts of time listening to, instead of doing other more constructive activities, such as this looming pile of essays. White Lies haven't made it available to download unfortunately, but I am sure there are ways of means, I would love to get this on my iPod, but we shall have to wait and see what becomes of them in this new dawn of 2008.

x

ammendment

2008-01-08T13:24:00.000-08:00

It turns out I must have dreamt being the no.4 listener of The Smiths on last.fm. I'm probably #4432524567 actually, sorry.

Suedehead - Morrissey

x

oooh lists...

2008-01-07T11:23:00.000-08:00

...seem to be the rage.

so I'll join everyone and give my twopence for the year ahead:

GATECRASHERS FOR 2008:

I thought I'd do this as my pleasant surprise list, like when you actually get a decent present from your estranged Aunt, so these are bands that might just make something happen in 2008 and are likely to make great strides but perhaps nothing really, really tangible like Sony Ericsson's new advert theme tune, for example...

1. frYars
The mercurial London schoolboy has already released his debut EP "The Ides" on his own frYarcorp in conjunction with Make Mine Records and looks set to take more under his spell, seeing as he's actually started gigging live now as opposed to doing photo shoots. The industry hounds are well aware off him and NME will probably latch on to him and make him their own, personally discovered musical prodigy. Needless to say full of talent and definitely One To Watch. Note the upper-case letters. And what's more even The Daily Mail like him, I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

The Ides - frYars

2. White Lies
Artist formerly known as Fear of Flying, [signed to Young & Lost Records, released two singles in their short life: "Routemaster and "Three's A Crowd"] that should have a real go at the industry with their stronger and more fiery collection of tunes. Another secretive lot, who should be gigging soon, but have so far not made an appearance on the Internet visually.

Unfinished Business - White Lies

3. Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man
Having released their single Motherhood/Fatherhood on Transgressive Records, they might, given a touch of luck, go on to get an album deal, but with Frederick McPherson's enthusiasm alone, this should carry them some distance along the way to their goal, whatever that may be. I think it's there for the taking for them.

BAND-MOST-LIKELY-TO-PISS-EVERYONE-OFF-WITH-THEIR-SUCCESS:

1. Cajun Dance Party
Enough said really. All the former broadsheets love them, calling them the next Smiths, which is an insult actually, better than Bob Dylan as well allegedly and that made me laugh when I read that. But apart from stupidly generous comparisons that they don't really deserve, expect them to run away with as many accolades as possible. Ignore me, I'm just green with envy.

GREAT HOPES FOR 2008:

1. Late of the Pier
After their wondrous show at Reading I knew that they would go way, way beyond and on from their Way Out West days, might be a little too weird for the X-factor-saturated public to gain any recognisable chart success but 2008 will definitely see their fan base rapidly mushroom in size. As long as they say true-to-der-rootz, then I can say with confidence: The Bears ARE Coming!

Bathroom Gurgle - Late of the Pier

2. Tokyo Police Club
Another band that improved my general state at Reading on the Saturday, so energetic and full of vitality live. Not only this but they have the songs to match and after being 2006/2007's favourite band to blog about should make them see 2008 with confident optimism. I know it's not the most original choice, but I'm conceited and want to get at least one right. We-want-album-pleaseeee.

3. These New Puritans
Easy to see this band "making it big" after their immense album.

4. Laura Marling
Chances are Kate Nash mark #2, but please, please no. I'm not a massive, massive fan, I do like "London Town" and "My Manic and I", but while loads of people really like her lyrics, I think they're a tiny bit bland. She also will be struggling against Kate Nash having done this trick twelve months previous. All the best though.

We shall see if I am in anyway right, but I doubt it. They will probably be all involved in complicated dental accidents involving the vocalist leaving him/her unable to sing, but that would be really terrible so it better not happen. Especially not to LOTP.

2008-01-07T04:47:00.000-08:00

I have been on a downloading splurge and feel much better for it, in my net lies even more Smiths, Tom Waits, Belle & Sebastian, The Cure and of course Morrissey. Not many modern bands here, though I did come across on the blogs a band called L'Aristocrats. Another London band who are one of these outfits that I like to coo over, all happy, all poppy and all daisies. The vocalist sounds muffled in a good way, like Ian Curtis. But whilst the great "let them use you for their own ends", the vocalist would much rather "get mine", whatever that means. Needless to say I've woken up the last two times with the chorus spiralling around in my head, much to the detriment of my treasured REM.

Anyway getting back to old times, and The Smiths, oh The Smiths, it's entirely pointless me trying to even describe their sound, everyone knows [secretly] it's amazing amazing amazingness. So all I'll say is I'm currently repeating "Unhappy Birthday", though I have a funny feeling it's been incorrectly labelled and it's actually Morrissey, tell me so.

Unhappy Birthday - Morrissey/The Smiths

Leading on from 1987, Morrissey, who for reasons not best known to me, though I can guess it might be something to do with his perceived arrogance and his residence in Rome and his alleged racism, though unfortunately I've got my red-tinted glasses on, so these things are of little consequence to me. But "Last of the Famous International Playboys", while to his critics may seem like another blatant posturing act on his part, is for me, a surprisingly lovely, upbeat song. As far as I'm concerned, I AM the last of the famous international playboys and so will you once this infectious charm is cast on you with it's broad chords and rising riffs.

Last of the Famous International Playboys - Morrissey

Belle & Sebastian, I remember from my pathetic follies in the early teenage years, I say so very sagely, were a band one boy in my class liked. And for that we ripped him mercilessly and I don't and now can't see why, it was just something you did. Well now I shall try and atone for my sins and say that "Wrapped up in Books" with it's brilliant bass and supremely luscious lyrics has really put a smile on my face. No, it actually has, nothing else does it seems. So I'm sure there are more joys to be had from the Glasgow outfit, but if you're one of the slow ones like me, then please do listen, it'll be worth it.

Wrapped up in Books - Belle & Sebastian

I recently discovered the joys of last.fm, when I say recently I mean all of yesterday, and when last.fm had finished scrobbling [counting up all the bands I have ever listened to] my itunes, it turns out I am the no.4 in the world of last.fm for listening to The Smiths with 1,001 plays and the other three are nut jobs who clearly cheat: no-one can listen to The Smiths 3,874 in one week I'm pretty sure that's not enough time so therefore I pronounce myself the no.1 listener of The Smiths on last.fm. Sorry for the arrogant statement, but I just had to say it.

Oh for the more modern lovers, I really like this Maccabees b-side, "The Picnic Song", I had previously ignored and listened to "Latchmere" instead, but 'ooo-de-la-ley, ooo-de-la-ley sitting in a tree' and 'dibble-dabble in the babbling brook' have left swooning hook, line and sinker.

The Picnic Song - The Maccabees

oo de-la-ley indeed.

back in town.

2008-01-05T07:22:00.000-08:00

Right as part of my new year's resolution, I wrote down twelve things in a little black book of mine. I have already broken one of them, so now am down to eleven. I think that is pretty good start don't you think? It is irretrievable and I am now coming to the conclusion that it was a probably a silly idea and would have led to more wasting of my time. Anyway another resolution was to stop being such a lazy, good-for-nothing scoundrel. So beneath the Dutts shall see more love, time and care coming its way for 2008.

Tunng are an experimental folktronica band from London town and have been around for a couple of years and perhaps the best way to describe them is the way they do it themselves however I'll put a warning preceding this, take with a pinch of salt. Bands are forever talking in the third person about how great they are, written with a thesaurus resting by the keyboard but this is quite good without being too egotistical: "tunng play a mesmerising mix of folky acoustics and busy electronica, overlaying electronic crackles, gorgeous harmonies, bewitching mantras and synthetic beats that are reminiscent of early Beta Band, 'The Wicker Man' soundtrack and Four Tet. The concluding sentence about Four Tet is certainly true and probably a large influence and a good pigeonhole label for this band.

They do a lovely cover of "The Pioneers" by Bloc Party, making it their own sound, which is what covers are meant to do, it's funny how so many people fail on this respect. However my favourite song by them, and likely their most famous and well-listened track is "Bullets". A brilliant, laid-back, coming-home-and-too-mashed-to-go-to-bed-song. Despite a slightly annoying and dodgy beginning, that has a sound akin to some sort of bogey monster from your childhood's nightmare's having a laughing fit in a tongue you can't understand. After the monster's finished chuckling the song takes flight majestically into the horizon, only slightly blemished by the monster's return in the middle eight. That aside, you'll love "Bullets", even if you don't frequent mangy drinking dens that flout the smoking ban with more than just the usual plain old cigarettes. Tunng are touring all over the place from Australia to Paris, so I'll have to wait a while before i get to see them live.

Bullets - Tunng

Menomena are a U.S. outfit who, and before you turn your nose up at their nationality, are glorious, BUT, a little bit spasmodic. They are great in flashes, and when they are great they are truly great some of their stuff possesses a ghostly quality and other times I listen and all I can do is cry like a child and ask how and why they produced something so poor. But I'll just talk about their amazing stuff like "Wet and Rusting". This one of the songs that reeled me around the fountain, then away from the fountain and landed me back in current times, in spite of my struggles to try and remain firmly rooted in Manchester in the 1980's, and the decade in general. The song builds and builds up and the warbling sounds of their Korg, conjure up an image of water and for me, a damn beginning to break, rust even. Music always produces images in my mind, it can be a really joyous feeling or a real soul-breaking experience. Anyway, another song of theirs I recommend would be "Air Aid", but steer well clear "Evil Bee", but then again each to their own. There is also a really nice acoustic version of "Wet and Rusting", but I am sucker for having four million different versions of the same song.

Wet And Rusting - Menomena

Speaking of Menomena, I was doing one of my favourite pastimes, internet and specifically myspace whoring. This does not mean spamming people with pictures of my nearly naked self, but rather trawling and finding out information about all the the persons that people all the friendship circles and such and this can apply to bands too. Though people are more fun, it's almost like having your very own soap that you can watch unfold, though some times things happen out of the blue and you can't understand them but there's nothing you can do. Anyway at the risk of sounding like a demented voyeur, with no life, the latter might be true but i reject the former, I better stop. So, my point is this band Animals Talking, were likened by someone to Menomena and this what brought them in to my mind, no other reason at all. Animals Talking are yet another four yoots from North London hoping to follow in the footsteps of their dimly illustrious forefathers Les Incompetents. Though the comparisons stop at some members both going to the same school. Animals Talking display a purpose about them and from their home demos, though everyone telling them they are not-the-best recorded, their seems to be a rusty diamond coming through, only time will tell. Anyway give them a listen see what ya think, and come down to their gigs next month and say hello to me, you never know I might even be on stage with them. The nice fellows have all their demos available to download on their myspace so go there to put them on your iPod. Oh and they're a secretive sort so I couldn't get their mugshots on here, sorry.

I hope that this will fill a little space in your procrastination time on the internet and bring a slight up-turn at the corner of your mouth, lord knows I need it.

enjoy.
x

"laast night, shheee said....."

2007-11-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

SHOUT AND ECHO.

WAS

BANGING.

TO SAY

THE

LEAST.

THAT

IS

ALL

...

SHOUT AND ECHO

2007-11-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Yeah this is a very nice little club night, Shout & Echo, that I have discovered. Their last night was too long ago but Fred Les's Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man headlined it and have since gone on to sign to Transgressive Records and release a single that I waxed about here. Another wonderful support were Burmese Days [after George Orwell's possibly least famous book] who got signed after their performance at it to 1234 Records. Yeah so these guys knnooowww. This time round it's the amazing Bolt Action Five headlining Nambucca. Nambucca is a lovely little pub on the Holloway Road. Bolt Action Five have released at least two singles and an EP I'm pretty sure and it seems every bastard under the sun loves to remix their music. From Dan Le Sac to Kissy Sell Out, their hit "Tree Friend Tree Foe" has been reworked, remixed and mashed up so much it gets to hard to sort out what the artist in question is going on about. They describe themselves as anything from indie/electro to dancepunk and industrial. What is for sure they have a unique sound, a sound that I have a feeling in my guttural region will sound several times better live. So a smile spreads across my face when I say: 'I got guest list' in an annoying sing-song voice. Be there or be square. Other bands include the bloke who runs the always amazing club night Sensitive Youth's, well his band Lion Club. And a host of young, enterprising bands such as Bojangles Medley bringing their hyper-indie and Inflatable Mystery Parade, who, if they gigged more would find it really hard to remain London's best kept secret - too well-kept in fact. Also DJ's range from the underage scene conglomerate Str8 Necklin' DJ Crew to Stressed Panda. Saturday is gonna be gooooooddd, if you're in London on Saturday come down. Oh and if you are tell me so I can say hello.

Tree Friend Tree Foe - Bolt Action Five

x.

been a whiiiillleee....

2007-10-31T14:05:00.000-07:00

okkkkaaaayyyyy....Bombay Bicycle Club have released a new EP "How We Are", a slightly less ghetto version of 'How We Do' ha yeah. So it's good. Fucking good. In fact myself and two others spent too much time at a house party hurting our fists by smacking them against the table to the beat. When I effuse about it, it must be noted that it is not as good as their first EP. But on the plus side they're branching out and trying to be a different band than the one who were doing the gcse's not so long ago. "Pedestal" should be a single, the lines are typical comments that can be interpreted in so many different ways, perhaps too much so. Actually I would prefer if I could relate more to them like in 'The Hill' - "I want to go to back in times". But it is finely crafted. So it's up on their myspace and having done their first ever tour. "How Are You" is as good as ever, the only let down being "Ghosts" which never really manages to gather momentum. Their churning and chugging take on My Bloody Valentine infused with the spirit of Bloc Party should take this young band onwards and upwards.

Pedestal - Bombay Bicycle Club

In more news, Bloc Party are releasing a 'demo', called "Flux". Funny name that. Apparently they did it for Kylie or something strange like that, or that's just a rumour that was made up for a joke, though I'd like to hear the full story. Anyway it.is.not. "I Still Remember" that's for sure. In fact if you had only ever listened to "A Weekend In the City" you would be forgiven for thinking that this was a different band. But Bloc Party have always had this secret urge to be a dance band I think. There was a b-side album floating about on the internet and in fact one song "Secret" reflects this. Anyway the video reminds me of being six and watching red, blue, yellow, green and the super-cool gold power rangers on morning TV.

Secret - Bloc Party
Flux - Bloc Party

John Smith

2007-10-22T10:01:00.001-07:00

I must apologise for the lack of posts in recent times but I have been firmly gripped by The Smiths and am completely enthral of their music. How anyone can say word against them is madness. This adulation has only been expostualted by phases of Joy Divsion and then Echo & the Bunnymen. All these bands have been around for a looong time, and seeing as this blog is meant to be for new music, I thought it insignificant to talk about them when everyone is really only trying to be first on a new bands' bandwagon. I shall try to listen to new music but everything is paling in comparison to the Smiths.

x

NOOOOOOOO......not another RIP.

2007-10-07T06:21:00.000-07:00

Fear of Flying have added the suffix RIP to the end of the name. Yet another one bites the dust. The hedonistic days of when WayOutWest was prominent, producing Larrikin Love, Les Incompetents, Fear of Flying.... and now they are all dead, gone, in the ground, never to be seen live again.

"Fear Of Flying is DEAD..White Lies is alive!

Goodbye and goodnight to Fear Of Flying / hello White Lies

From this moment onwards, the band known as Fear Of Flying is finished indefinitely. The three members of the band have joined forces with other musicians to form White Lies.

Over the past 2 years Fear Of Flying has gone through high points and very low points. We have been let down a lot but also reassured that there are parts of the music industry filled with warm-hearted people who are there for the love of it, not just social status or finance. With their/your support still behind us, the future is bright for our new project.

Thank you mostly, to all the people that came to our shows and bought our two singles and left us nice messages on myspace. It makes it worthwhile. We hope you will support White Lies and we can't wait to come and play for you in your towns around the UK.

With a demo already completed with Stephen Street and gigs booked for the coming months, there is much to be excited about. All will be revealed in time. Please visit www.myspace.com/whiteliesuk to become a friend and to listen to our music.

Fear Of Flying "

Fear of Flying were a monument to hard work and genuine skill, they released two singles: "Routemaster" and "Three's A Crowd" in their time and delighted one and all with their definitive sound - the eighties lived while they still walked. The at times, mesmerising bass, with the lyrics so profound as an alternative look on life, really sounded fresh, alive adn vibrant.

Long may their memory live.

This new outfit White Lies has at least left us with something to latch on to and so worship, using more synth keys than FOF, White Lies promises to be another interesting chapter in the life of this enterprising group of fellows.

Birds - Fear of Flying

Forgot Me Nots - Fear of Flying

b is for beautiful stuff my ipod shuffle found for me. Good ipod shuffle. good.

2007-10-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

However, despite showing the same prowess as a keen archaeologist, it goes into my bad books for getting stuck on the same shuffles. So if a play a song I like, then it comes up with something crap like a really obnoxious Horrors tune afterwards, I want something different after my first good song that I handpicked. I click again, plays, finishes, then Horrors. Aaah no. I click again, plays, finishes, Horrors. Aaaaah I said no. Ipod wins as it has better patience and a natural knack for stubbornness.

Anyway, the gems that ipod shuffle did throw up...

"It Explodes" by the deceased Larrikin Love, this was recorded from the time when they had the violinist, Rob Skipper, from the Holloways in their outfit. This song is even more delicate than the usual carefully handcrafted songs that Larrikin Love would produce. Ed Larrikin sounds like one of the lost boys from Peter Pan and the banjo/guitar? with the violin creates a song wrapped in fragile cloth to which is presented to our ears unblinking in its innocence. So much so I went round last week saying their old stuff was better than the album. But then no-one will ever take "Happy As Annie" away from them. Ever. RIP.

The other little pocket of happiness that my ipod proffered was a cover of Richard Hawley's "Just Like the Rain" by the Maccabees. The Maccabees are very good at what they do - standard guitar-pop. Orlando Weeks continues to cry over the faint and vulnerable guitar quiverings, they do a sterling job of Hawley's song and well worth listening to even if you are fed up with the slight formulaic approach they have. Though nothing beats "First Love" for a good old fashioned lusty singalong.

It Explodes! - Larrikin Love

Just Like The Rain - Maccabees [Richard Hawley Cover]

enjoy

SLUT.

2007-09-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

Thursday nights are not a regular feature in my amblings around but I'm glad I made the effort to drag myself to Camden Lock Tavern in order to watch Joe Dangerous .

Joe Dangerous [nee Joe Day] comes from Portsmouth as well, but hates the place, mentioning so between his songs in his set. Joe Dangerous is just one man, a keyboard and a laptop, but this doesn't detract from something that has charm and eloquence, I can easily imagine many hours lost from listening to this brilliantly built electronica that leaves you anguishing for more.

His set was limited, but there was only himself and he was constantly minding the laptop, but on record he comes in to his own. With more exposure and a larger following, he could get a band together and then we would see him go on and follow in the footsteps of young male solo artists such as Jack Penate [whose album 'Matinee' has leaked by the way] and Patrick Wolf. Though Joe Dangerous is more akin to the latter than to the former. His stand-out track has to be "My Allergies And Me" which was his set closer that really capped a majestic performance. A pop gem indeed.

The other band I saw, I Love Audrey which when I was told of their name, mistakenly took it for "I Love Orgy". This amused me for half an hour or so until the man with the frizzy hair and the microphone, who I think was the singer, said: "we are I Love Audrey". Oh boring, they should change their name. Anyway their sound was more orgy than audrey will ever be as they failed to produce anything except noise.

pick that.

2007-09-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

I received a demo EP in the Royal Maayal the other day and I popped it on the itunes, quixotic idealism followed. Adam Patrick is a singer-songwriter, from Portsmouth of all places, and has clearly been staring out at the ships in the harbour a lot. His gentle acoustics and breathless vocals work well and he's signed to Exercise1 Records, and so hopefully will be gigging in London soon. He perhaps over does the whole Bright Eyes phenomena but there is a catchiness and attractiveness about it as he is more upbeat, I would say, at least he's not talking about sticking his lover in the ground with sugary sweet tones. That type of folk has always creeped me out. The EP opens with 'Come On' a call on the ugliest duckling methinks, familiar territory is covered under 'Love and Controversy' but my favourite track on the CD was "...From the Trees" with the harmonica and the tinkle keys. Here he is at his best displaying his songwriting skills clearly and bravely. 'Me and You' must get a mention too for another slice of good cake, but the EP tails of a little at the end with "Each Right..." and "It Might Be Cold..." that are bit stuck in too low a gear to rise above the mediocrity and get motorin'. Enough with the car analogy, he's now been entered into my "R&R guitar" playlist, though I reckon he could do with a bassist, [I play bass aha] and I wish him well in the future.

Like The Wood From the Trees - Adam Patrick

Another folk artist who I've liked in recent times is Findlay Brown, who definitely fits the folk stereotype but this Dylan-esque [oh lord that pigeon-holing is shameful] character has a full band behind him. The meandering bass, token drums and the backing oooo's means Findlay Brown is rising amongst the underground ranks and could go on to enjoy success in the same vein as fellow stablemate, Jose Gonzalez, only Findlay is better. His ballads, my favourite being "Losing the Will...", have a certain charm that is warming and endearing, to all who are fortunate to fall under his plectrum-induced spell.

I've been on a bit of a wild goose-chase round the Internet and back for his mp3s, but it seems all the links have since expired, well he did release his album last year.

enjoy

oooh gossip.

2007-09-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

I love it,
but then again don't we all.

First up something I'm very pleased to hear: Patrick Wolf is going to release a new album for 2008, and it certainly has an aquatic theme, reported song-titles include:

'Octopus'
'Anenome'
'Sanctuary'
'Where I See'
'Oyster Shell'
'Away From World'
'And Jewelry'
'I'm Going To Dive'

So that is something look forward to and all these rumours about him quitting or him quitting the live circuit, dying his hair bright blue, dying his hair bright green now look just a little far-fetched.

Oh and Late of the Pier have released a video for their new single 'Bathroom Gurgle' on Moshi Moshi Records:

Accusations of 'too klaxons' is utter rubbish: this, while looking like it was recorded for 50 pence, is very much a small glimpse of the weird world of Late of the Pier. The shapes that adorn their bodies are said to be similar to the shapes spider's make when on LSD. Scientists really are bored these days.

Sorry for the shortness, having to come to terms with doing work again, going to have some lurvely acoustic artists up soon.

x

anti-this.

2007-09-14T09:16:00.001-07:00

FrYars, the 6'4", seventeen-year-old wizard, has just released his new EP titled "The Ides". Recorded on the Isle of Wight, he aim was to make his music timeless and he has made a very good job of it too. Funnily enough he was interviewed for NME's Radar section and from this interview he comes across as the lovechild of Voldemort and Darth Vader who spent his childhood in the shadowy margins between night and day. Which is probably a little unfair. On his myspace he vehemently protests such Dark Lord connotations though he does himself no aid with:

"I always said she was a runner, And running through the fields, I put a gun, I put a gun to her, With the force she came to kneel, And as she screams and in her own blood, I said sympathy for you..."

from title song "The Ides". Yet he is not moping in his bedroom making sure his hair parting is correctly at 45 degrees. He is just the antithesis to the current hedonistic music spearheaded by Klaxons etc. He has a slightly more macabre outlook on life and chooses to talk about these kind of things. His second track on the EP, "Madeline" has led to accusations of it being solely about the little McCann gone missing yet he wrote this well in advance of her disappearance and chose to stay true rather than change the name to 'Caroline', for example, though I can't seeing him doing that.

He also remains aloof from his peers, [Cajun Dance Party, Bombay Bicycle Club], and has stubbornly refused to play live. This has led to mutterings of arrogance and perhaps he is, it takes a strange sort of mindset to refuse Patrick Wolf's offer of coming on his last ever tour indeed.

Nonetheless there is no denying his majesty of his tunes and he already has recorded with EMI, so there is no doubt he shall be bounding on to greater things whether he wants to or not.

Madeline - FrYars

In more news from the Capital, Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man have released a single on Transgressive Records. Titled "Motherhood/Fatherhood", with each song the band move further and further away from the Les Incompetents template that plagued their conception. They are a much darker proposition, and Frederick McPherson continues to refuse to talk about how "mashed he got on Friday night and there was this girl right..." as so many bands tend to do. They are taking more influence from prog-rock almost, but before that puts you off, they do have a radio-friendly feel that could help lift them and take them much further than the beautiful mess that was Les Incompetents.

"Just one more life to lead / just one more mouth to feed" ,

questions morality of Fatherhood and its aspects and consequences. It is hard to tell his disposition to science and religion but he uses this as his source to which to sing about. His pulpit may be different and changed to a darker shade but Frederick Blood-Royale [as he likes to be known as] continues to proclaim with a vengeance.

Fatherhood - Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man

enjoy
x

New and the Whatnots

2007-09-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Some new stuff has come to my attention and now it will come to yours.

FRANKMUSIK is one quite deranged person, with possibly an even more deranged haircut.
Very much part of the SUPER SUPER culture, he brings together fuzzy bass, high-pitched vocals, electronica keyboard with a touch of the old romance in him and an eye for those dastardly-catchy pop rhymes. Talking of his keyboard, he tends to like to be naked with it - move up a couple of notches on the far-out-o-meter [to pretend I'm from the 60's].

Quite unlike anything else, except maybe a much happier version of a Crystal Castles-Digitalism hybrid [now that I'd pay to see], he has signed to Apparent records and has released an EP on itunes. Forever self-conscious, he ridiculed the one abusive comment he did receive on itunes and went to great lengths to track down the user, only to find that they had also rated Popeye: The Collective Tales as "amazing". 1-0 to FRANKMUSIK and I'm sure he will be rising up the ranks in 2008 until that Popeye fan is a distant speck on the horizon.

Beirut has released some new stuff or rather some new stuff has surfaced on the internet the couple that I have attained continues along the same lines as "My Family's Role in World Revolution" and "Scenic World". When I say 'same' I mean same as I blogged about before here, still pleasant to the ear and something different to listen to anyway.

A Sunday Smile - Beirut
Made Her Smile - FRANKMUSIK

enjoy
x

Thrown In At The Deep End.

2007-09-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

I have just started school again.

I am not happy about this development. Not only this, but I have been clasped in a suit as part of the uniform policy at the institute that I go to.

Furthermore,
I have homework.

Oh the woes.
THE WOES.

Here I was going to post 'Baggy Trousers' by Madness but Savefile is broken.

So enough griping for now we have some new music to talk about.

I recently came across Yeasayer when looking at the flyer for Chess Club, run by members of Fear of Flying. I typed them in the old Google, and improved the myspace profile view counter. I listened to "2080" because it had the most listens, therefore must be the best - I'm forever doing that. "2080" starts with what sounds like 'forest noises': tweeting birds, chatter and such like and the vocals kick in but with not much kick. They are not that kind of band, I know they remind me of someone but I have yet to recall it from the murky recesses of my brain. To be honest I really quite like it, it's a very different sound to what's out there and am now sorry I didn't go see them at Chess Club. They are not a dance-band more of an acquired taste maybe? Anyway, go check the Brooklyn quintet.

After much debate I now think they sound like a Ra Ra Riot on horse tranquilisers.

Thumbing through the pages of an old NME, trying desperately to find a picture of myself at the Reading Festival, I came across on what was apparently Yannis from Foals favourite band: Antibalas. And my, they do make a unique sound. Combining Afro-beats and gospel-esque with strong jazz influences, the resulting collisions results in a totally different music. In "ICE" there are no lyrics and the listener is carried along the oscillating keys and sharp trumpet [I would assume] expostulations. Carrying more members to rival Arcade Fire they shall never play at any mainstream festival or event, but therein lies the beauty.

In terms of mp3's, Yeasayer have "Final Path" free to download on their myspace and unfortunately I don't know where to begin looking for mp3's of Antibalas. Do tell me if you are at all successful, I wish you luck.

enjoy
x

come down here.

2007-09-02T06:29:00.000-07:00

so.

Now that my fingers have fully recovered from the typing and the mist around my brain has cleared from Reading it is as my four-year-old cousin would say: "back to business".

First up in Duttsworld, [oh that is it, my own 80's TV show] is Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong. Dealing in all things pop: about last week my friend started to talk wildly about them, the words down the phone were something like: "Lucio Starts Fire, Lucio Starts Fire, its so buffphf, I would have booked them for Shout & Echo, but now they're getting way too big" and therefore expensive. I would guess they could be very entertaining live, as their music is suitably choppy and shall get played at most across indie dance floor. Yet while obvious comparisons will be drawn with say Milburn [just without the Northern bit] or even Cribs, its just a trick that has been done before. JLJJJ are very listenable, they tick all the right boxes and have the same catchy quality that Ms. L. Allen has, unfortunately, in abundance; so you could see some success going their way, but not in my play count history. They do however get bonus marks for such a fabulous name but in the words of Alice from Crystal Castles: "What's the point in starting a band if you're not going to do something new."

Another band that are currently causing some stirring are Make Model, who are releasing their debut single "The L.S.B." one The Biz Records, but I actually prefer b-side "Czech Neck",with its fuzzy bass and vocal harmonics. The group, thankfully, take a more divergent approach to some bands and do strive to be something different, they draw more from the country/folk genres than just electric guitar music. The verses are like a long build-up and the chorus surprisingly shouty. I'm sure joining in with a throaty vengeance at live shows would be most pleasant. Lazy comparisons to Arcade Fire have been drawn, but I suppose that happens when you have more than four people in your band and have this kind of sound.
Unfortunately I'm not too fussed on them, but at the moment I am singularly listening to Patrick Wolf, ever since he weaved his spell on me last weekend.

Lonely Buoys - Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
Czech Neck - Make Model

enjoy
x

READING---READING---READING

2007-08-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord.

FANTASTIC.

Except all my goodwill to everything in general evaporated when I woke up this morning: my tent had been "depegged", tagged quite viciously, I hadn't said goodbye to the guy-ropes, yet they were gone and was in an overall tattered state with the roof sinking slowly. Nonetheless this made for an interesting sight for my festival-weary eyes.

But APART from that it was fucking excellent.

Having woken up so early I was still awake, we ventured to Reading, despite several countryside detours and scenic sights we managed to get a good camp spot for the weekend.

First band of the Friday were the really quite regal Bombay Bicycle Club, who raced through their set, playing all the crowd favourites such as "Sixteen" and "The Hill", despite some minor slips - mainly due to the crowd clapping a completely different beat to the drummer and thus affecting the band's timing, it was a very good start to the day.

A sufficient time later, I reappeared in the Carling tent for Cajun Dance Party. Having seen them for the first time live back in June 2006, they haven't really changed much from that day - Danny Blumberg continues to parade around the stage with more energy than an erratic butterfly and they all look like they are generally enjoying themselves. The crowd are very much on the side, and at any given flourish of the keys, the crush of people increases to bruise level.

While I nursed myself in the Carling tent, [I can't believe how bony some people are] Jack Penate, or as I discussed in detail with a fellow camper, should be called "Jackattack" - so much better. His voice was straining and the set was cut short slightly, but he gave his best to the adoring faithful. "Torn on the Platform" was song by the crowd, in order to give him a rest, and the word-perfect, throaty gruff from the depths of the audience was very special and it shows how far he has come when I came across him in the pages of Transparent Magazine. He is only set to get bigger, with XL Recordings behind him, so try catch him if you already haven't before he hits bigger stages in the next year.

And then. and then, and then it was himself, Patrick Wolf, he came on stage wearing the most fantastically contorted get-up at Reading, not even the guy I saw in just a Union Jack thong beat him.

At this stage I was feeling grumpy at people's general etiquette in the crowd, so to have people unsure of Patrick's next move, I think even his double bassist and violinist were as well, meant I, selfish me, could enjoy his performance fully. His songs filled the tent with an air unlike any other, as if something was rising, like a story that in years to come, people would ask little cliches like "Did you see Patrick Wolf at Reading '07?" His performance was unbeaten throughout the rest of the festival, though Late of the Pier came pretty close to ousting him from my number 1 slot. I still don't understand why he is quitting live music, he really looked like he was enjoying himself and he endeared himself well to the crowd.

And that rounds up a Fantastic Friday, I know I have blogged about these bands before, here here and here but all this entertainment was just making sure Reading Festival was living up to my high hopes of it. And I also renewed acquaintances with some really lovely people.

Cancel On Me - Bombay Bicycle Club
Amylase Demo - Cajun Dance Party
Torn On The Platform - Jack Penate
Get Lost - Patrick Wolf

After my mostly North London themed Friday I was roused from my sleep from the pain in my shoulder, from sleeping too long on my side, and I headed to the Dance tent for two bands that I have been looking forward to seeing for a long time. The Teenagers opened up the tent and were, I think, a little overawed by the occasion; they failed to really start the crowd up and this could be down to the earliness of the set, yet Bombay Bicycle Club faced the same task. However when they played "Homecoming", everyone did their best to spit venom on every dirty syllable, though they should have played it last rather than halfway through, as the rest of the set became a bathos. That and "Fuck Nicole" were the highlights.

After this, came on Crystal Castles and got the tent to live up to its name, playing new single "Crimewave vs HEALTH", which is a fantastic remix [again], but was slightly ruined by the dodgy microphones that plagued many sets throughout the weekend. They come with a huge energy and vocalist Alice throws herself about stage looking like a hyper-active skeleton, with multi-instrumentalist Ethan and the drummer adding a nastier edge: in a get-up more suited to bank-robbers of old, albeit, carrying a slightly more jaunty attitude to stocking head wear. The "8-bit terror duo" really impressed me with their "weird-electro" [oh another pigeon-hole] and should go on to gain a later slot in next year's festivals.

Switching to a different tact, completely I went to see Good Shoes pack out the NME/Radio 1 tent: I could only force my way towards the front of the DJ platform [ on the opposite side of the tent to the stage],to get any way of a glimpse of them and as my friend remarked later "that was weird, last time I saw them there was only like 80 people watching", yes indeed. They rattled through their 3-minute-12th-fret delights and the crowd echoed every 130bpm word from Rhys Jones, and even as far back as I was, there was plenty of people swaying and nodding in full appreciation.

And then came a band from distant lands, i.e. Canada, where one of my friends spent his whole holiday there, why? I asked myself - well if he spent the whole time watching these guys I'll let him off. Tokyo Police Club are just one large ball of energy on stage: the keyboardist clearly has no respect for his instrument - slamming his fingers on the keys accompanied with hollers to fund the bassist/vocalist Dave Monks. I had liked them a lot before seeing them live, but my estimation rose even further - as they had me jerking in a broken-clockwork sort of a way to songs I hadn't even heard by them. And then they played "Your English" which is now my new favourite song

"YOUR ENGLISH IS GOOD".

yes it very well is. They finished with "Nature of the Experiment", need I say any more, the hype is justified - go listen.

After this we dossed around at our tent and made trips to the nearest shops, having wasted sufficient time, we went to Arcade Fire [yes I skipped Bloc Party, as I have already seen them and didn't fancy standing for two whole sets at the main stage, lazy that I am.] Even from my position of two gazillion miles back I could still feel them reach out to the crowd and draw them into their web of extremely fine song craft. A real pleasure to watch and I'm sure I won't be seeing them for a long time, unless I'm quicker than the touts. Which is hard to be.

I do remember popping off to Digitalism for a short period of time, and making a mental note that they were much better this time around than that piss-poor set I saw at Wireless back in June. At Wireless it was just like watching a DJ set, this was an improvement, but then I left for better things.

And that finished a Super Saturday [oh I am good this alliteration lark], time was going so fast I wasn't cognizant of it, and now I only have Sunday left to talk about.

Sunset Beach - The Teenagers
Crimewave - Crystal Castles vs HEALTH
Never Meant To Hurt You - Good Shoes
Smith EP - Tokyo Police Club [Box, Cut Cut Paste, A Lesson in Crime, Your English Is Good]
Maps [Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cover] - Arcade Fire

Right and so Sunday leapt on me as it does have a tendency to do most weeks, and I dragged my ever-more battered body to Late of the Pier; I am so pleased I did. They were given the opening slot on the NME/Radio 1 tent and brought a crowd to fill most of the space in the substantial tent. They grasped this opportunity with both hands and squeezed very tightly, their set was, as I mentioned earlier, one of the best I saw at Reading. They have progressed massively since seeing them at Hammersmith Working Men's club last year, their songs are now much "bigger" [sorry to use such an atrocious adjective but it's true]. Before seeing them on Sunday, I believed that Space and the Woods was by far their best tune. Now, it's not even in the top 3. They have risen the bar and set some standards, they are of the few acts that can even claim to be original, no-one else is like them. I would definitely have them down as one of my bright hopes for 2008, especially if NME get their grimy paws firmly on their arms. Hopefully they'll shrug them off.

The next band I laid eyes on were, in fact seen on the same night as LOTP, and again, haven't been seen since. They too have improved, The Maccabees, packed the tent out and played all the favourites with "About Your Dress" and "First Love" majestic in their vulnerability and ability to make everyone quiver with every word pouring from Orlando Weeks lips. I spent a lot of the time pestering men in large banana suits to throw me in the air, and this sort of shenanigans shows the general "good-feel vibe" [excuse the cliche] that is now becoming a trademark of The Maccabees phenomenon.

Later on in the day I went to watch Mr. T, I mean Jamie T [ooh I've always wanted to do that]. And for the first time at Reading, I was disappointed. Back in February 2005 when I first came across that amazing savefile site with every thing he'd ever touched to date, I heard a Laura Marling but this boy played a bass guitar. He wrote lyrics of teenage troubles and the shadier side to life. Now when I clapped eyes on Jamie T, he has a much, much heavier sound, going down a more Plan B route rather than continuing to play to the WayOutWest following and cement a place in their hearts. Out go the "indie-kids" with their elitist taste and in their place stand thirty-something, smelly, balding, overweight, grubby, squalid, sordid, sleazy I'm-running-out-of-adjectives, ugly people. Whom ignored the space that I did occupy. I am not happy about that development.

I went off in a hump, but my mood restored itself pretty quickly and I returned to watch, or rather hear as I was so far away, CSS. I don't really remember much of it but someone said it was a good set.

And that finishes a Sexy Sunday [SCORE!] and also Reading for another year, the experience was amazing, not just the music: the camping, the bonding, the making new friends, the restoring of old and the laughs. I think a 40-minute battle with fellow campers, armed with water balloons and a catapult bested most of it. We whipped you, Badger Village, by the way.

I'm pretty sure I am going back next year so see you down the front!

Bathroom Gurgle - Late of the Pier
Precious Time - The Maccabees

P.S. Ow my fingers, all that typing.

P-READING.

2007-08-21T03:21:00.000-07:00

Riiight. It's been a while hasn't it? When I got back I got over-excited when I found out that someone in AUSTRALIA had visited my blog over the "summer", probably by accident, but these things still matter to me.

Anyway I have been trying to indulge my ears in as much new music as possible at a reasonable volume before I go to Reading, sorry if you're not going, I may highlight the fact that I am over the next few lines. So I was catching up on the auld myspace and few people's profile songs managed to overcome and wrestle my itunes into silence: firstly KanYe West's rendition of Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster;made me download it immediately. He has proved himself again as a master in taking one infectious hook and turning it into another that could be even more infectious. I think it has hit me in my weakness for toxic pop [ooh yea I liked that one too], however there is nothing wrong in pop music as Pop Register makes known.

Here it is:

Stronger - KanYe West

the other song is by the personification of a marmite: Pete Doherty.

Now while I think his mumbling completely ruined The Streets "Prangin' Out", here it works well especially with the Motown-esque bass line in "Bowhemia" which, despite being the epitome of the 'Albion' cliche is at least going the right way forwards; I heard he's been arrested again, but who I am to comment on a figure that has already been dissected in the public eye and yet is the only subject the 'London Lite' "journalists" can claim to be authoritative on.

Unfortunately I don't own this song so I can't pass it on however you can listen to it here, whether it's his or fans', is elementary. In more tabloid news his Babyshambles are releasing a single "Delivery".

Delivery - BabyShambles

So I shall be in Reading for the next few days, but I thought I would, to those who are going, warn you that nothing is getting in my way of seeing Patrick Wolf, it'll be my first and last chance probably, so back off!

I am really tempted to reject the NME tent on Sunday with all those hype bands like Klaxons, CSS etc. and go see Ed Byrne in the alternative tent, he is so funny if you've seen him on current affair shows like Mock The Week, you'll know.

Tokyo Police Club, Crystal Castles and Lethal Bizzle are all acts I'd love to see before they bugger off to distant lands as my favourite acts to do.

enjoy
x

RAIN.

2007-07-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick post to say I am off to sunny Ireland, where bridges have collapsed due to this excessive torrent of a downpour. Beat that Hull!

I'll be gone for a while and with limited internet access I won't really be able to post as frequently, sorry! But I promise a massive, huge, collosal post about Reading Festival at the end of August.

May that thought hold you.
x

growing like Jack.

2007-07-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

I thought I would write a post about bands that have grown on me and to preach that 'you cannot judge a book by its cover' as my mother would say.

Foals are a band set to exhaust the festival circuit with shows already confirmed at the Reading & Leeds Festival already amongst others and look set to have a bright future. Bringing brilliant electro-keys and shouty choruses they also seem to have a penchant for playing house-parties in preference to gigs. In fact this is how they made their name for dazzling live shows by playing at houses which were invariably invaded by the police at different times of the night. However now they have a hectic schedule and according to their myspace are booked right up to December, in which they support Bloc Party, that in itself is a mark of how far they've come. When I first heard them I marked them down as one of those annoying bands that were on the bandwagon with Klaxons whipping the horses careering towards the cliff that would eventually bring about the death of this silly "nu-rave". However I couldn't have been any more wrong if I tried.

Cassius - Foals
Olympic Airways - Foals
Look At My Furrows Of Worry - Foals
Try This On Your Piano - Foals

"Look At My..." and "Try This...." are from an early demo where they had a different front man singing so don't panic.

and they do doodle well:

Another artist who I thought I would never go near with a ten-foot pole was Patrick Wolf, after first hearing the song "Lycanthropy" [I think I have since deleted this particular song] with references to "sewing up" and "cutting off my penis" I thought what an emotionally and mentally messed-up weirdo, this opinion hasn't changed however his music is still fantastic. Apart from that song, his others like "Bloodbeat", "Paris", "The Gypsy King", "Augustine" [my favourite] and his now famous "The Magic Position" are simply majestic. The fact that he's decided to pack it all in after four albums has left some feeling he is a complete arrogant prat, with many mocking imitations of him: "oh boo-hoo I just can't handle this sheer and overwhelming pressure of being famous." Well, whatever his true reasons his last show is sometime in Autumn which is sold out. Hats off to those who are going I never has the chance to see him live.

I have 34 songs of his and I was wondering does anyone know or have his whole discography? I really couldn't upload 34 songs unless you got a petition going but you MUST simply MUST listen to "Augustine"

Augustine - Patrick Wolf

enjoy x

reverb/delay

2007-07-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the delay in getting this one up I got lost in this book titled: 'Dead Famous' - Ben Elton and I was feeling a little lost for words when talking about new bands or old bands that have come across my radar screen. When searching for new music it's very like fishing: you could spend all day or all week or worse, all year and not find anything that caught your imagination at all and then at other times BANG you've found what, in one's humble opinion, is the next big thing - you have caught the legend of the lake and are the envy of everyone else for it.

I think that is enough about fishing for now.

Currently circulating all the correct places to circulate on the internet is Nick Miller, formerly in a band called The Maxwells, he now plys his trade in the hazy area between folk and what has been called "indie", but as I was discussing with a learned friend the other day "indie" is not boys with guitars who can only count between 12 and 19 on the fretboard and stupid hair is a must. Even hip-hop can have an "indie" genre just as long as said band don't sign to Warner, as soon as the ink touches the paper the band cease to be "indie" as they are now no longer on an independent record label. Good I'm glad we cleared up that very, very contentious area. Anyway check out some of his covers and inspirations from Thom Yorke are evident. All of his songs are available on his myspace.

Moving on to just plain popular culture, I heard this song when I went to get my haircut and remembered hearing it sometime somewhere else along with the quote: "it's like black, but indie!" Yes it's Gym Class Heroes. [I do realise that by including this quote I have completely unravelled the above section of my post.]

"Take A Look At My Girlfriend" stomps through the much mined subject of girlfriends, but Gym Class Heroes rousing chorus is instantly infectious and the verse is sweet in references to 'secret handshakes' and 'tummy aches'. Bless.

Take A Look At My Girlfriend - Gym Class Heroes

And finally for today, my friend told me his most closely guarded secret: well it probably wasn't but it is from 'back in the day': if anyone remembers the heady days of Way Out West and the simply amazing nights, then they will just know but if you weren't lucky enough then continue reading; I, myself, have only had the privilege of seeing one but as an example:
with special guest that were Les Incompetents and, i think, Jamie T. So all in all fucking amazing. The headliner that night were Roland Shanks, and up until recently I heard of them but I had not heard them, very important difference that. So my friends puts them on the auld itunes and I though "WoW" [sorry couldn't resist]. Unfortunately the band have split up but that doesn't mean you shouldn't still listen to them, the bass is just fantastic. Apparently they were good friends with Les Incompetents, so that in itself should be reason enough to listen to them. I'm sure this is a very 2005/6 band to have heard and I apologise for my lateness. All their songs are available to download from their myspace.
Three members have now formed a band and this new project is a bit more experimental, try it anyway, Tare.

enjoy x

pop goes the weasel.

2007-07-12T06:01:00.000-07:00

Slow Club

ARRE BUFFPHFF!

i heard someone scream

and I'm inclined to agree. I came across them in the usual fashion and was quite impressed by what i heard. They are a welcome change from the current pretend-angular guitars that are floating around currently. They wear they're folk roots on their sleeves and their clever lyrics bring a secret smile to my face as i hear that

"no-one owns the sea / except you and me"

Their songs remind me of being five years old. I liked being five years old. They do well to entice people on the dance floor with just vocals and guitar with bits of percussion. Yet somehow i don't think you would find Rodge the Podge with his beer-mates at their gigs.

In terms of mp3's you are going to have to go and buy it here. Sorry I don't have anything either, except the single, so it would be nice if some b-sides were released.

I've been fathoming this phenomena for a long time and the answer still remains elusive: why aren't Video Nasties huge, ginormously huge? They write lo-fi pop songs "in their shed" and some of them are belters, to use an expression to pretend I'm northern. Songs like "Little Flickers" show they are true romantics and single "Doo Doo Dah Doo" portraying a clever eye for 'yoof culchar'. The five-piece, with the keys a prominent part, have released two singles and have enough songs to release a double album. Which they definitely should, just for my benefit.

Here they have put up a six-track demo they recorded in February which is well worth a download.

Whilst they may have nigh on 70,000 myspace views, the NME hasn't really helped them in any way unlike fellow Way Out West stable-mates Cajun Dance Party. Never mind in time they'll be big, but for now they'll resound from my bedroom speakers.

In other news, i found a remix of moving pictures by the cribs:

Moving Pictures Remix - The Cribs

enjoy x

simplicity

2007-07-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to this band after my regular forum-whoring unearthed this gem. Springing from Sweden they released an album in September 2006 which i have now tardily decided to call one of my album's of 2007, as i discovered them in this year. There are some real treasures on the album like 'Man Must Dance' - currently annoying anyone who visits my myspace. 'Man Must Dance' is a call just to start dancing because you need to and they're right - more people should dance. They have only guitar and drums, so the light/shade arrangement is key, a tool they use to good affect [yeah matt]. Some of the riffs are simply beautiful, but tellingly when one would expect them to complete the perfect pop rhyme [to/do/you] they change tact and peg off down a different route in much the same way i had to the other day when faced with the local miscreants. Some nice fella has uploaded the whole album so get it quick:

Johnossi 2006 - Johnossi

but if you have been bred on the itunes diet, meaning you have the concentration of a goldfish with ADHD then:

Man Must Dance - Johnossi

Another new album i have attained is the debut of
GoodBooks .

Having successfully interested my ears in early 2006 this album has been a long time coming and i would say they have just about lived up to expectations this is by no means an outstanding debut but they've definitely improved since the Leni Demo days. They have been slightly overshadowed by their near-namesakes Good Shoes but i could this being the unsung album of 2007, i probably need to give it a few more listens. The keys remind me a lot of The Postal Service, but they are not as mellow as one of their influences and their bass is quite enterprising in some place such as 'The Curse of Saul' - sorry i am just a sucker for bass lines.

Again a very nice fella has decided to share his love for GoodBooks and posted their album here:

Control 2007 - GoodBooks

enjoy x

goodnight.

2007-07-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

aaah i haven't slept for coming up 36hours, mm not nice unless sleep-deprivation is yo' thing. anyway was at a house partyish yesterday [or was it the day before] and this band came up on the ipod-speakers: xx teens i thought what the hell is that? Few bands can really do that to me, and i spent the remainding 3 minutes or whatever it was really enjoying this really punky guitar and probably one of the best bass lines I've heard, since i realised all of this electro was played on the 'E' string, ruining my awe of it. Anyway, i don't know if it will be everyone's cup of tea, but they're releasing 'Darlin' [the one i stood still for] on the 11th so go to their myspace and then go buy. Unfortunately i don't have that song, just an old demo i had way back in Autumn last year:

My Favourite Hat - XX Teens

It's gotten all politically correct recently, as they did use the name Xerox Teens originally, but from my esteemed sources i think they had to change it due to a fight over copyright with the paper company Xerox. I like this story better than the 'they-changed-it-because-xx-is-a-much-racier-name-he-he-look-xx'. yeah.

sorry its a short one but i won tickets to go!team/goodshoes at ICA tonight so must get my caffeine fix before i collapse completely.
enjoy x

SC-SCANDINAVIAIAIA.

2007-07-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Right, time to look further afield in a quest for good music.

Firstly, I Was A Teenage Satan Worshipper regardless of their name, [which i think is the best name ever] they do NOT make screamo/rot-rock/metal/i-want-to-die-horribly/ or anything like that they make brilliant electro with beautiful bass. I haven't a friggin' clue how to describe their influences; maybe Ladytron ? i think they sound like Late of the Pier but playing more with the higher end of the keyboard, anyway check them and bless them they like giving too.

Lurching from one end of the small spectrum to the other are The Mary Onettes, despite proving not all of these Scandinavian types can come up with amazing names they do make lovely "indie" as in the genre [as it were] which whips any British band with indie pretensions at the moment. In my opinion they sound suspiciously like Joy Division, but that can only be a good thing. They featured on TV programme Gray's Anatomy apparently, don't watch the show so i wouldn't know, they've just released their album but of what I've got this is my favourite:

Void - The Mary Onettes

enjoy x

LDN is NOT a victim.

2007-06-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

So listen here, there is plenty of good music in the Big Smoke. Firstly I'll ramble through the ridiculous All-Ages scene fronted by All-Age Concerts. who seemed to have ran out of steam in recent times.

Pull In Emergency, who could be see as the figureheads for this phase in the music industry, as most of them are 14, they have some rather catchy little tunes all of which are available here, they say they're releasing a single soon but i have heard nothing since so get those songs before they become like a lot of bands on myspace, and make their songs unavailable "because they're too big". Get over yourselves, you only encouraging people to be naughty and do this.

Next up on the list are one of my favourite bands to listen to - Fear of Flying who really have one of the most imaginative bassist around, to which this really drives a lot of their songs forwards and upwards on to better things. Fear of Flying have released two singles, i think, now but this song will always be my favourite:

Birds - Fear of Flying

and no, they are not feminists:

Lastly i want to talk about Bombay Bicycle Club, named after an Indian restaurant, they take inspiration from Devendra Banhart only to turn it into a much more racier proposition, another very good guitar band currently walking the corridors of the scene, amazingly they've supported Bromheads Jacket you'll see why that is amazing if you have heard of Bromheads Jacket who have 15-stone Sheffield fans and Bombay Bicycle Club have 13-year old skinny-jeaned boys among their following, wish I'd been there:

How Are You - Bombay Bicycle Club

Oh yeah and lest I forget there is this band called Cajun Dance Party, if you haven't heard of them, you must have been living in Hong Kong, actually no, they've likely infiltrated the far eastern market already, make that a dishevelled shack on the top of Mt. Everest, then you won't have heard of them. Currently affecting Thom Yorke's eardrums, they've been signed to XL Records, home of the White Stripes, and to top it all of The Guardian and The Times now love them too, can't really get much bigger than that. Get all their songs here from some thoughtful soul.

enjoy x

new jam.

2007-06-26T05:34:00.000-07:00

In my haste at starting my own blog i neglected to mention my reasoning for doing such a thing; well after becoming quite worringly addicted to trawling blog after blog after blog in the hope of finding the next big thing or a piece of music that could capture me and hold me for more than three plays on my ipod. It is notoriously difficult to find a blog that matches your music tastes however two blogs that are definitely worth a visiting are fuckingdance and Song, by Toad. The former being ridiculously generous with mp3s and the latter one of the most eloquent and enjoyable blog-rambles that you'll ever find on the internet, go go go.

So it seems apt that i should talk about bands that have surfaced in my sieving for gold from all these blogs that are around. First up are elle s'appelle a Liverpudlian trio that make great use of the keyboard and two shouty vocals that will spread three times more contagious than any bollocks the Daily Mail could ever spout of. They are definitely set for a bright future, they've already been played on Steve Lamacq's radio 1 show yet these giving souls still have their songs free to download on their myspace.

Next up are Polytechnic yet despite their fabulously rock 'n roll picture here they make quite honest indie wit all the 99th fret chords in all the right places and all the correct oo-oo-ooh's in the chorus's, but they are not another average indie band doomed to surf mediocrity until "musical differences" split them apart. No, these guys are great, they've just released an album and the single preceeding it, is a slice of brilliance.

Won't You Come Around - Polytechnic

I think this is a late demo, the single sounds much brasher and better for it on their site but go buy the album 'Down 'Till Dawn as one song just isn't enough.

xxzxczx me too

2007-06-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Crystal Castles.

I am in love with them, not only do they mix like maniacs, they write their own thrash/thrash/thrash which is deeply steeped in brilliance. The boy/girl duo attain a somewhat mysterious status with pictures that obscure their faces with the most imaginative poses, and this image here has become somewhat iconic spawning various copycats on myspace et al. The duo have gained popularity in the most far-flung places by making their own music and countless remixes readily available on the Internet and still leave many of these for downloading, despite their increasing success. This serves to feed many teenagers lust for just about anything they touch. I have so far been unable to see them live but the thought of seeing them at this year's Reading Festival will preserve just a little bit longer.

They do prove to be elusively elusive in England, so any chance you get at tickets, do bite the hand that feeds you. I have tried to give you a slice of CC that isn't already firmly plastered to the Internet:

Hunting For Witches [Bloc Party Remix] - Crystal Castles
xxzxczx me - Crystal Castles

enjoy x

i want his hat.

2007-06-22T06:26:00.000-07:00

Zach Condon, aka Beirut, has been around the block by now, releasing an ablum at 15 and despite his tender age continues to forage for different aspects and take different inspirations from different cultures. Most notably in his latest outfit Beirut, a lot of his sytle is taken from gypsy-folk and this leads to an interesting outcome to which the only comparison i can draw is that of london-based FrYars and a pretty poor one at that. They both deal in all sorts of instruments and if you're bored stiff of the latest the nme charts do yourself a a substantial favour and get ch-ch-checkin it out

Despite my proclamation of Beirut, i wonder just how good he would be live. Having had the misfortunate of not seeing him yet, i think that a lot of posturing and dramatic countenace would be in need for him to get a crowd rightly shaken and stirred. Undeterred by misgivings i will be joining him on monday, for a free acoustic show on the southbank, as I, unlike all the lucky feckers in Glastonbury, won't have the pleasure of seeing him there.

Scenic World - Beirut

His LP''s so far have been on my repeat in recent weeks however i fear many blog-trawlers will have already discovered him and look down at my belated, but loving post.

enjoy x