Something for Winter...

Something Old...

Well, as it was good old thanksgiving in the US last Thursday it would be rude to not dedicate this weeks Something Old to the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. The Boss and the E Street Band are widely known for their brand of rock with poetic lyrics and Americana sentiments. Both critically, award winning and commercially accessible rock albums and more somber folk-oriented work, famed for the anthemic tracks such as 'Born to Run', 'Dancing in the Dark', 'Streets of Philadelphia'. It could be no other track to some up the occasion as one of the most recognizable tracks in history. Lyrically, the song deals with the effects of the Vietnam War on Americans, although it is often misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem, 'Born in the USA'...

Something New...

This gem was introduced to me by a mate who does the low-fi camera work this band on a shoe string budget, were ideas and concept are worth more than celeb cameos or special FX. Shout out goes out to Skippy aka @littlegurier and the musician himself @bigbandghandi for their excellent work and tireless commitment in their love of music. If you enjoy this make sure to check out their you tube channel to hear more from Steven O'Brien and the Focus Group. From the stylishly shot 'Last Night at the Fair', the lyrical genius of 'Lets grow together' thru to the comic concept behind 'Doorstep' that features highlights of a cat being followed about. However for me its the witty, informed lyrics and concept behind 'Don't Really Care Anymore' that really sticks out for one of Wexford's finest local musicians.
The description reads "Nixon finds himself alone, depressed and destitute after being left by his former group of ex presidents. Rumour has it JFK got a job with the local paper whilst Jimmy Carter returned to peanut farming and Obama f*cked off to Canada after destroying the US economy"...after that, its gotta be worth a go....  

Something Borrowed...

The music scene these days is filled with a plethora of less than average singer songwriters and other such x factor /karaoke-esque drivel; however there are a few gems hidden in all the rough. My two personal favorites being Ben Howard (who featured in #bearmusic back in June http://b3armusic.blogspot.com/2011/06/something-ventured) and James Vincent McMorrow (featuring in #bearmusic way back in early February http://b3armusic.blogspot.com/2011/02/something-from-emerald-isle) both which have spent much of the year touring the release of their debut albums.

This weeks cover is by the later and is a chilling cover of Steve Winwood's track 'Higher Love' by Irish folk music singer-songwriter JVM. You may recognize it from the recent Lovefilm ad but this version of the 1986 smash was recorded for the charity album 'Silver Lining' which is available on iTunes now. All proceeds of the album go to Headstrong (headstrong.ie), an Irish charity for youth mental health, sit back and let it take you on a journey....

Something Blue...

Following on from this weeks vague US thanksgiving-ness and last weeks #bearmusic 'blues special' to soften the blow, one of the greatest garage blues outfits in history. The White Stripes, otherwise known as Jack and Meg, formed in 1997 in Detroit. The pair were previously married to each other, but since divorced were instrumental on the modern Detroit music scene and led the garage rock revival. They released six brilliant, DIY, low-fi punk/ blues albums and rose to prominence in 2002. Their successful and critically acclaimed albums made them a worldwide house hold name. From their self titled debut album in 99 thru to their follow up the next year ‘De Stijl’ (Dutch for “The Style”) and then onto their commercial breakthrough in 2001 with ‘White Blood Cells’ they had set their raw sound in stone. Featuring brilliant tracks such as ‘Why Can't You Be Nicer To Me’, ‘Apple Blossom’, ‘Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground’, ‘Fell in Love with a Girl’ and the brilliant ‘Hotel Yorba’

Building on this success the pair released the massive success ‘Elephant’ in 2003 that features the more well known of their work such as ‘Seven Nation Army’, ‘I Just Don’t Know what to do with myself’ and ‘Hardest Button to Button’ alongside the brilliant ‘Black Math’, ‘Ball and Biscuit’ and ‘Hypnotize’.

They then went somewhat off piste from their original sound with the release of their 5^th, more rhythmic, arty and experimental ‘Get Behind me Satan’ in between Jack working on his Raconteurs project with the super cool Brendon Benson. The album includes the tracks ‘Blue Orchard’, ‘My Doorbell’, ‘The Denial Twist’, ‘Little Ghost’ , my favourite track by the band ‘Take, Take, Take’ and for this reason it’s this album that will always be my favourite by the band.

The White Stripes' sixth and final album ‘Icky Thump’ was released in 2007 and the band returned their garage blues roots with the title track, ‘Effect and Cause’ and the Hispanic influenced ‘Conquest’.

Late that year the pair announced the cancelled their UK tour dates due to Meg's suffering from anxiety problems and the duo cancelled their remaining 2007 tour dates. Luckily, you can still hear Jack playing in his latest super band the Dead Weather, that features the Kills’ Alison Mosshart amongst others. 

As usual a break from the norm, I'm going to confuse you by choosing another track not by the White Stripes but one that shows off Jack White's true genius that led him to be chosen to pen and perform the song for the last James Bond movie. Taken from the Raconteurs second and final album 'Consolers of the Lonely', this is 'Salute your Solution', I salute you Jack...