As you may of guessed from the title this weeks 'Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue...' is a 'one hit wonder' special! So keeping with the name and much like the bands careers I will keep the rambling short and sweet.
Something Old...
With the new Call of Duty: Black Ops (imo, the greatest FPS in history - awesome, well balanced gameplay+ great map design...a must purchase!) - First Strike map pack released on Tuesday what better way to get in the mood? Canadian one hit wonders Buffalo Springfield (technically 3 top 100 billboards entires but to this was their only hit) who made this utterly brilliant track. It will immerse your mind in the 60's anti-war protest mindset. Forget the Doors 'The end' and the Stones 'Sympathy for Devil'/ 'Gimmie Shelter' this track is the greatest song for 'pwning n00bs' in a virtual vietnam - 'For what its worth' enjoy...
Something New...
As last week not strictly 'New' but this band should come as a refreshing surprise to alot of ears. Despite still being young they surprising have 7 full length albums under their belt, the New York experimental rock collective 'Dirty Projectors' are still yet to make their big break, often being branded by many narrow minded altmusic fans as being 'too hipster'. This track 'Stillness is the move' is their only 'hit' to date, never making a top 40 chart entry, however the video was vote MTV2's 'alternative video of the year' in 2009. It would seem that to push experimental music like this the recipie for succes for a video is:
a remote hilltop setting
three harmonising nuns
a geek in a field with a guitar
throw in some wolves
and a Llama!!!
not forgetting - most importantly an utterly genius song...
Something Borrowed...
In essence this track could be the ultimate 'one hit wonder'. The origional was a by one time popstar German singer Nena, sung in german '99 Luftballons' is a protest song telling a story of how balloons floating into the air at a Rolling Stones gig triggered an apocalyptic overreaction by military forces. In my opinion, the best cover version of the song is by LA animal rights activist 'pop/punk' band 'Goldfinger' and served as their only major hit single. Hope it brings a smile to your face...
Something Blue...
Not only blue in name, 'Blueboy' aka Scottish DJ Lex Blackmore released the track 'Remember Me' in 97. The track is also blue by nature as its built around a sample from "Woman of the Ghetto", 1969 soul song by Marlena Shaw, which is a polemic to legislators delivered by a woman from a black American ghetto. I guarentee you know the song and have probably forgotten how much you loved it, so what you waiting for? sit back and reminice...
The mighty Radioheadmachinecranks back into life this year with a live recordings album ‘I might be wrong’ released last Monday and a new album expected in late summer. The godfathers of modern British alternative rock and one time Oxford school friends; midget genius Thom Yorke (on vocals and piano) alongside his behemoth colleague Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar and keyboards) with Ed O’Brien (rhythm guitar and bvs), Colin Greenwood (bass and synth) and Phil Selway (drums).
For me, Radiohead are band that manage to stay both hugely successfully but yet manage to consistently produce awesome music, the later a feat that many a band have fallen foul of reason years...namely the recent sales driven drivels of albums from ‘KoL’ and ‘Muse’ to name a couple. Radiohead headlined Reading festival last year, which I missed, and played a secret gig at Glastonbury in the afternoon at the Park Stage...which despite being at the festival I somehow missed aswell! To apologise to my hero, the original Thom, this weeks ‘feature blog’ is a homage to the band...
Pablo Honey + the Bends...
Radiohead released their first single ‘Creep’ in 92, which was initially unsuccessful but became a worldwide hit several months after the release of their debut album, ‘Pablo Honey’ in 93.The bands popularity rose in the UK further with the release of their second album, ‘the Bends’ in 95. My favourite tracks from these albums have got to be ‘High and Dry’, ‘My Iron Lung’ and ‘Just’ but for me the stand out track from these early albums has got to be ‘Fake Plastic trees’. Never released as a single but none the less it is utterly genius, here is an acoustic version to make your eyes cry with joy...
OK Computer...
Finally receiving the critical acclaim they deserved for 3rd album, OK Computer in 97, propelling them to greater international fame. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation it has often been acclaimed as a landmark record of the 1990s and by music magazines, most notably Q as the "Greatest album of all time". The album produced some utterly brilliant tracks most notably ‘Karma Police’ and ‘Paranoid Android’ – the later having one of the greatest animated videos in history. My personal favourite song from the album, however, is ‘No Surprises’, I just wish I could hold my breath for as long as Thom...
Kid A, Amnesiac and Hail to the Thief...
At the turn of the millenium the band released Kid A, which featured artwork from Naomi Klein’s anti-globalisation book ‘No Logo’ (a must read) which was closely followed by Amnesiac in 2001. These albums marked an evolution in Radiohead's musical style as the group incorporated experimental electronic and post punk jazz influences. In 2005, Radiohead were ranked number 73 in Rolling Stones’s list of ‘The Greatest Artists of All Time’...but what do they know? For me they are easily Top 10! While the band's earlier albums were influential on British rock and pop music, musicians in a wide variety of genres have been influenced by their later work. Hail to the Thief was then released in 2003 and was a mix of guitar-driven rock, electronics and lyrics inspired by war. It was also the band's final album for their major record label EMI, selling more then 25million by 2007. Stand out tracks for me from these 3 albums ‘Everything in its right place’, ‘2+2=5’ and ‘There There’. Again, just personal preference but ‘Idioteque’ blew my mind when I first heard it: stand up for this one and dance like you’ve just mainlined sugar into your cerebral...
In Rainbows...
Radiohead independently released their seventh album, In Rainbows in 2007. Originally as a download for which fans like me could set their own price to pay...I paid 1p for it, I was in Uni OK? Before it was later released as physical form to critical and chart success. For me this album was a return to the ‘genius’ heights of the Bends and OK Computer, successfully fusing electronic with the ‘Radiohead sound’ of the first 3 albums. Choosing a track was very difficult considering the album is a master piece as a whole: from ‘House of Cards’ and ‘Jigsaw falling into place’. I have decided to go with my all time favourite song by the band, ‘Nude’. As featured on the advert for the 3rd series of skins - which coincidently starts its 5th series tomorrow night on E4 (but will most probably be a let down as with the last 2!). This song is an utterly beautiful, tranquil piece of modern music. Kick back stare out to the horizon, forget EVERYTHING and let your mind unwind...
The eraser...
Radiohead have been fairly quiet of late, their work having appeared in a large number of listener polls and critics' lists but since 2007 the band have been on hiatus to concentrate on other projects and a concept album released this year. Most notably of these project being Thom’s further work on his critically acclaimed 'solo' material, having already released his debut album ‘The eraser’ in 2006 worked on during the 2003-06 hiatus. The album was nominated for both the mercury music prize and a Grammy for ‘Best Alternative Album’ with its mix of beautiful beats and haunting subtle lyrics.The track ‘Analyse’ you might recognise it from featured on the end credits of the movie ‘the Prestige’ (a great movie..mainly cos it stars dave bowie, always a winner!). For me, however the stand out track has got to be 'Black Swan', inspired by the Kid A sessions, its a lyrical masterpiece. Anyway, I hope my little rambling tides a couple of fans over until the new album, enjoy...
So here we are again, my blog is almost a week young. To celebrate this, back by popular demand, with its own catchy title *drum roll* ‘Something Old, Something New Something Borrowed and Something Blue’. Or simply ‘Something for the weekend...’ for short. I won’t blather on anymore I’ll just get on with it instead...
Something Old...
I think you know you’re getting on a bit when the band that defined your generation can be classed as being ‘old’. The libertines for me, are head and shoulders the defining band of that I will always associate with my higher and further education years. Only a decade later its hard to see the full influence of the band after only releasing two albums before the self-destruction caused by the catalyst of, the well documented, Doherty/ Barat fued.
Only time will tell the other bands their style of fresh ‘garage rock’ indie influence will have produced. One thing is for definite, their meteoric success led to their untimely demise. After producing two incredible albums over a short space of time since the split Carl Barat and drummer Gary Powell went on to form Dirty Pretty things with Didz from the Cooper Temple Clause. After a pretty decent 1st album, the 2nd offering erm...shall I say, wasn’t to my taste. Whilst libertines bassist John Hasall kept his head down from the media and his band Yeti toured and produced pretty good music away from the spotlight.
However, Doherty spent time inside before making a very public comeback with a close inmate friend known as ‘Wolfman’ reaching No.1 in the UK. He then launched his ‘doomed from the start’ band Babyshambles, whos 1st album was hands down better than anything the other members (individually) of libs had to date. After much line up turmoil with drug problems, sackings, supermodel ‘relations’, more fueds, a London marathon attempt and many no shows at gigs babyshambles faded away. Pete started to take rehab seriously and seems to have got his life back in order.
Last year Carl and Pete made amends reforming the Libertines playing a few low key shows and big slot at Reading festival which was widely received. Watch this space cos rumour has it they are in the studio recording and the 3rd Libs album is on its way before the end of this year. Their talent is undeniable and if they curve the self destructive issue they could become a regular feature on the circuit once more. In the mean time...get your eyes round this beauty!!!
Something New...
Not strictly ‘New’ but villagers may come as a pleasent surprise to some of you. After releasing there debut album 'Becoming a Jackal' which was nominated for the prestigious mercury music prize. They have also (quite randomly) represented Ireland at the eurovision last year and yet still manage to receive praise from both general UK media and alternatice press alike. They are helping to put the Irish music scene back on the map, this is an acheivment after the damage done by Louis Walsh’s abominations in the form of Boylife, Westzone and his latest b*witched-esque incarnation...’Wonderland’ *shudder*. Lame Patrol 'selling out' and U2’s crappy demise in the late 80’s have made it hard for Irish bands to be taken seriously by the British press but these have talent in abundance. Best Irish band since bell X1 and the frames? My other half may argue but maybe...just maybe! As suggested by a mate of mine from Dublin this track is exceptional, a guarenteed smile, c c check it out...
Something Borrowed...
This was a very tough decision as I love a good cover version but after this song was suggested I found it hard to ignore. Again, by Dublin based friend of my other half and myself I found it almost impossible as it resparked my love for Bright Eyes. With a new bright eyes album expected out on February 8th its high time you dust off your old CDs (or search your 'iTunes' if your that inclined) and refresh your mind. Conor Oberst's fresh style of modern indie mixed with traditional folk is always great to lie back, listen to the lyrics and forget your worries. The track suggested is a cover of Canadian singer songwriter and member of the band 'Broken Sociel Scene', Feist. Enjoy...
Something Blue...
It was noted by a couple of miserable souls that I seem to have a very fixed ‘guitar based’ musical orientation. Two of my best mates try and I must admit succeed at winding me up, although, they do know it not to be true. It has made me aware to make every effort to push my love for my other less guitar driven tastes: soul/motown, old school hip hop and the very rare occasion of well scructured ‘dance’. With a world filled with woeful 'RnB', 'gangsta rap' and disposable 'house' dominating sales and forming the focus of the very money driven music industry its easy to be a sceptic. However, its acts like the Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada, Zero 7, Massive Attack and not forgetting the perenially awesome Prodigy that make it all worthwhile.
DJ Shadow is considered by many a prominent figure in the development of industrial hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album 'endtroducing...' constructed entriely from samples. His early work was genre-bending works of art merging elements of fuck, rock, hip hop, ambient, jazz and soul - described my 'Mixmag' as 'trip hop'.
To date he has worked with many of the worlds coolest stars including Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Verve frontman Rich Ashcorft, Mos Def, Beastie boy's Mike D and most notably Zach de la Rocha of RATM. No one does it better than this fella...
A monthly feature I will endeavour to include is a look at relativelyunheard of bands and what better way to start after a weekend spend bantering about derby football + playing pool against rival footy fans down the local than taking a closer look at the enemy closest to home.
Week 1 will focus on my rival county of Shropshire (being from Cheshire, this takes muchos kahuna!) with a novel twist for the features debut, as suggested by aDJ mate of mine *insert shameless plug* check out his work (http://www.facebook.com/Neoclassical-Champion-Rockers). Anymore nominations of locations/bands are more than welcome!
The three Shropshire based bands suggested all have had the novel idea of using ‘Bear’ in their name...very fitting for bear music’s blog (see defaced Shropshire flag below).
Fight the Bear...
Normally I dont listen to Ska unless its old school ska reggae such as Toots so I will review these guys in a compliment sandwich format. *bread* These guys mix the modern pop ska riff were the ordinary boys meet *+butter* the dead 60's fairly well. *lettuce* Alas, the songs become whiney after a while *tomato* with consistently lame choruses *cheese* and forgettable lyrics, *ham* especially in the song below *mayo* if your bored with nothing else to do for a minute *bread* you should watch the video below...
Bears in Caves....
My initial thought on listening to these guys, was similar to when I saw Cajun Dance Party and Bombay Bicycle Club early in their careers...it could just be the 'should't you be doing your homework?' thing or 'why are you checking your shoes are clean, your on stage boy!'. However, i must compliment the (incredibly geeky) lead singers vocals + the bands overall 'school disco shirt/waistcoast' image cos it kinda works with there sound. They seem pretty tight as a band and I enjoyed the floating progressive riff bridges that build throughout...very impressive! Definately worth a listen (if you can tolerate incredibly badly recorded sound that is).
Bears from Labrador...
Wow...this is much more up my street! Saving the best til last - these guys make nice well formed fun + origional music with no particular genre or image they fall into the 'indie' catagory (always a winner). Not only do they have the 'OK GO' thing but the use of the words Bear (the best animal EVER!) and also Labrador (Dogs are a close 2nd and also my family pet) in their titles so its WIN/WIN!!! I will endevour to see these guys live if they play locally with a refreshing sound they are guarenteed to put on a show judging from the praise received. It would seem from their website they are enjoying a fair bit of sucess with rave reviews from Q magazine and the times having already been snapped up by a record label. It would seem also they are enjoying sucess over the pond as can be seen in the well made 'travelling band' style video below, worth a watch, recomend to friend...enjoy
Thanks to everyone for your feedback on my 1st blog via facebook, blogger, verbally and text (preferably if you kept to the format of the former couplet as I have the memory of a goldfish). It’s all greatly appreciated and I will strive to make SOSNSBSB a weekly feature after positive comments!
Anyway, enough of the praise and more of the songs (see what I did there?)...
Pearl Jam Celebrate 20 years since the release of there debut album with a year long celebration and have announced a spring repackaged rereleases of both Vitalogy and Vs. aswell (for more details check out their official website http://pearljam.com/news/happy-pj20-ten-club) and a strong fan forum rumour/ US radio leak that they are to headline there own Californian based festival to mark the year...and I say why not?
Over the years the Seattle based PJ sound has evolved from pioneers of the grunge movement through to a more melodic heavily lyric driven acoustic sound, I was lucky enough to see them myself four years ago and I was blown away that they can still rock out even into their 40s! As one my personal favourite bands of all time I thought I would take the opportunity to refresh the memory with five ‘stand out’ pearl jam related tracks
Temple of the Dog...
Pre Pearl Jam a band was formed as a tribute to the late Andrew Wood, lead singer of Mother Love Bone. The line-up included Stone Goasard on rhythm guitar, Jeff Ament on bass guitar (both ex-members of Mother Love Bone), Mike McCready on lead guitar, Matt Cameron on drums and Eddie Vedder providing lead and backing vocals. Who later went on to form Pearl Jam with Dave Krusen on drums for the debut album. Also and most obviousy Chris Cornell, lead singer ofthe simply amazing Soundgarden and later a collaborative project with the members of Rage Against the machine Tom, Timmy C and Brad minus vocalist Zach known Audioslave (who after an awesome self titled debut album, inevitably faded out into an average 2nd and lame 3rd album with only a few decent tracks on either). Anyway, Enjoy...
Ten...
There isnt much than needs to be said about Pearl Jam's debut album other than it is and always will my personal favourite album and single handedly set alight to the grunge scene on a global scale. To pick a track would be impossible as it is it perfect as a piece of music...Once, Alive, Why Go, Black, Jeremy, Oceans, Porch, Garden, Deep and Release all breathtaking displaying both passion and heart. It was however this song that first made me fall in love with the band so I will always hold it in highest esteem...
Vs...
Again, this is personal preference but rearviewmirror is my favourite Pearl Jam track has to be Rearviewmirror taken fromVs. This album was a rawer and more aggressive sound compared to Ten. The band decided to scale back its commercial efforts to include declining to produce music videos for any of the album’s singles. Upon its release, Vs. set the record for most copies of an album sold in its first week, a record it held for five years and held US number one for five weeks
Into the Wild...
Upon hearing Hard Sun for first time I was absolutely blown away. A cover of a 1989 song by Gordon Peterson it forms the stand out track from the 2007 movie ‘Into the Wild’ soundtrack. The movies Director, Sean Penn hand-picked Pearl Jam lead singer Vedder to provide the music for the entire film. The song emcompases everything about the movie's plotline following a graduate rejecting the materialist, conventional life and its trappings of traditional lifestyle, utterly brilliant. A must watch and a must listen...
Backspacer...
It would be impossible to ignore the other Pearl Jam albums inbetween noteably Vitalogy, Yield, Binaurel and Riot Act as they are all amazing in their own right. However, for me, the bands 9th studio album, Backspacer is a return to the utterly brilliant PJ sound. The track I have chosen 'gonna see my friend' is the first track on the album and sets the bar from the off...
The penny finnally dropped to start of my first blog after being inspired by a joint idea from a lazy (somewhat hungover) Saturday morning in bed conversation with my other half.
As we have already failed to maintain our 2011 NY resolutions she has agreed to start her own 'fashion blog' and I would put my music geek (sometimes confused with snobbery) to good use and begin my own 'music blog'. My almost constant frustrated ramblings (whinging) as to the lack of good music available to the general UK public is, I'm sure, a major bane to all my facebook friends who must be growing sick of my constant posting on said subject.
As the title suggests, no matrimony of two such perfect partners would not be complete with the traditional values of something old, new, borrowed and blue. A pick of an old classic, a brand new track, a borrowed song (otherwise known as a cover version or remix) and something essenially sad but aimed to cheer you up in an ironic manner i.e. blue, respectively.
Something Old...
The variety of tracks I could have chosen for my very 1st song recomendation was one of the toughest tasks I think I will face in my 'blogging career'.
Once I sat down to think, I simply couldn't avoid the most influencial band in music history 'Led Zepplin'. Having never officially released a single in the UK, choosing to release 10 pieces of music as LP 'conceptual' albums instead that have sold in excess of 300million copies to present day. Touring throughout the 1970's with their refreshing and immortal sound of blues rock they forged a career as the greatest band in world music until the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980.
To choose a track it would of been impossible so I thought I would instead opt for the most apt song for the day I write this. 'the Rain song' as featured in the final pivotly emotional scene of Ricky Gervais' first full feature film 'Cemetry Junction' last year, set in 70's about coming of age in a small British town...a must see movie.
Something New...
Having outgrown New Zealand 'the Naked and Famous' are my personal and seemingly also the BBC's recomendation as ones to watch for 2011. Making the final cut in Zane Lowe's In New Music We Trust and having received critical acclaim by the 'alternative' British press such as NME they are tipped to be massive in coming months.
Touring the UK and Europe this year, make sure you check them out if you like this song below...
Something Borrowed...
You maybe mistaken that the UK singles top 10 chart is already dominated by terrible throw-away female pop stars such as the etertnally frustrating Rihanna and Katy Perry and the 'break through' artists (aka disposable pop) such as Jessie J and Katy B and the inevitable x-factor hangers on.
Swedish indie singer/songwriter 'Lykki Li' has been releasing music for a few years now and her new album is positively mouth watering. The first single to be released from it is a different direction for her and her talent has been praised by many established artists around the globe, with 'get some' being remixed by the uba talented hands of Beck, check it out...
Something Blue...
In my opinion the only way to combat the 'Post XMAS/NYE Blues' of January/February there is no better way than sitting in your underwear whilst listening to someone else that is more depressed than yourself. Look no further than the eternally celebate Steven Patrick Morrisey. Acompanied by the hauntingly melodic riffs of Johhny Marr, Morrisey's beautifully depressing overtones made 'the Smiths' one of the most respected artists in history, my personal favourite band of the 1980s.
If your new to the Smiths but are blown away by this track, make sure you check out the back catalogue, Morrisey's solo work and Johnny Marr's work with other great bands such as 'Modest Mouse' and 'the Cribs'...
