...Something Surreal

Something Old...

In a week filled with such tragedy the world needs a band that will cheer you up. I got my first chance to see them this month whilst they supported the Flaming Lips, Chicago's OK Go are probably best known for their often elaborate and quirky music videos many often forget how much of a brilliant band they actually are! 
Their 2002 debut, self titled album features the brilliant 'C C Cinnamon Lips', 'Don't ask me' and their breakthru single 'Get over it' which was followed by the awesome 2004 2nd album 'Oh No' that features the awesome 'A million ways', 'Do what you want' and the award winning 'Here it goes again' (yes, thats the one with the treadmill video!). My favourite album however has to be their 3rd album 'Of the Blue Colour of the Sky' released last year that includes the genius 'This Too Shall Pass', yet another genius (this time dog orientated) video for the track 'White Knuckles' and the absolutely musically beautiful 'End Love', enjoy...

Something New...

You'll probably know this track from the Kopparberg ad or from the trailer for Skins USA but you might not have heard of the band. Sleigh Bells are Broklyn based noise pop duo, songwriter/guitarist Derek Miller and vocalist Alexis Krauss. After releasing their self titled EP in 2008 they were signed to M.I.A's label before the release of their debut album 'Treats' last year. The album is packed with brilliant tracks 'Tell 'Em', 'Infinity Guitars' and the genius 'Rill Rill' alongside the infamous 'Kids'...

Something Borrowed...

This weeks cover is inspired by the death of a great vocalist. British soul singer Alice Russel (who is still very much alive and touring) provides absolutely stunning vocals on Nostalgia 77's 2007 lo-fi / soul/funk cover of the White Stripes 'Seven Nation Army', turn your bass up LOUD!!!  

Something Blue...

This week has been filled with a huge amount of sad news fitting for Something Blue. With the insane nurse seemingly killing innocent patients at random at a Stockport hospital, the Oslo psycho with his bomb and mass shootings all capped off by the death of a troubled popstar. Amy Winehouse yesterday joined the ranks of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and the Rolling Stones' Brian Jones in the infamous Club 27, leaving behind her some brilliant music before her untimely end in her Camden home caused by an E OD after a 3 day drug bender with her ex husband Blake Fielder-Civil.
Her eclectic mix of R&B, soul and Jazz powered by her brilliantly powerful voice shot her to fame in 2003 with her, critically acclaimed, Mercury nominated debut album 'Frank' that includes the brilliant 'Stronger than Me'. This was followed by the 2006, multi Grammy award winning 'Back to black', the most in fact of a female solo artist has ever won in a single ceremony, of which included, album of the year, best new artist AND song of the year. With a life troubled by so many drug, alcohol and court related problems its hard to focus on the music, but this is why, in my opinion she should be remembered. For me, as many others it would could be many a track from her brilliant 2nd album produced by the genius that is Mark Ronson such as 'Rehab', 'Back to Black', 'Love is a losing game' or the fitting 'Tears dry on their own'.
However, the track I'm going to choose is chosen, not only because its my favorite song by her but because it always cheers me up and I never seem to tire of it like her other singles such and the massively overplayed Winehouse/Ronson Zutons cover 'Valerie'. Featuring Wu Tangs' Ghostface Killah and the immortal line "I told you that I was trouble" - 'You Know I'm No good'...