Something for the Cold nights...

Something Old...

To be honest the fact Gomez are touring again isn’t news worthy but the forthcoming gig in April (tickets available from www.seetickets.com – see you there) has an unusual twist as they are allowing fans to pick the entire set list, which has of course, made my day! The Southport indie 4 piece Ian Ball, Tom Gray, Ben Ottewell, Olly Peacock and Blackie are highly distinguished for having three singers and four songwriters, employing traditional and electronic instruments. Their sound is versatile and evades typical music genres falling into blues, indie, alternative, rock, folk, psychedelic and experimental.

Their debut album ‘Bring it On’ won the 1998 Mercury Prize (beating Pulp, Massive Attack and the Verve), giving them much media attention in the UK and throughout the world. The album later won awards from NME, Q and a Brit nomination. 1999’s follow-up album ‘Liquid Skin’ was another brilliant piece of music but just before their third (2002) album ‘In Our Gun’ their record company was forced to downsize (however still half of the album was recorded at Abbey Road) and on the following record ‘Split the Difference’ was disbanded by Virgin/EMI. The band’s sound never really reached the heights of their debut offerings but I will always love them for a discography that includes ‘Gte Myself Arrested', ‘How We Operate’ ‘Bring it On’, ‘See the World’, ‘Rhythm and Blues Alibi’ and the awesome ‘Whippin Piccadilly’...

Something New...

Last week I got my first chance to catch Band of Skulls live for the first time as they supporting the Black Keys. The blues/ alt rock 3 piece from Southampton did not disappoint despite the hype after the success of their debut album ‘Baby Darling Doll Face Honey’, released exclusively on iTunes and the lead single ‘I Know What I Am’ was chosen as iTunes free single of the week, the highest form of modern promotion. Although you may not be too familiar with their name you may recognize their music as it features heavily in many US movies, TV series and games - they have gone onto support the Dead Weather, BRMC and opened for Muse.

Last year the band released ‘The Devil Takes Care Of His Own’ - the first single to be taken from their new album. The second studio album ‘Sweet Sour’ that also includes the title track and ‘Bruises’ was produced by Ian Davenport (Supergrass/ Badly Drawn Boy) and is planned for UK and European release at the end of the month (Feb 21^st).

Something Borrowed...

This weeks cover is inspired by the first UK Number 1 song that has moved me in a long while, well to be honest, more - not compelled me to smash the nearest radio. 'Somebody That I Used to Know' is a song by Belgian-Australian singer and songwriter Gotye from his third studio album 'Making Mirrors' and features Kiwi singer Kimbra. The song was written by Gotye himself, lyrically about the experiences he has had with relationships, quite contrasting on valentines eve. 

The song was released into critical acclaim by music critics and a surprising success in Australia, peaking at number one in the country for eight weeks, becoming the longest running Australian song since...er...Savage Garden (I thought the Australians were cool?).

Any way this brilliant cover is by Canadian indie band Walk off the Earth. Their version is notable for the fact that they appear to use a single guitar, played simultaneously by five people using different strings and surfaces, for all the instrumentation. As of today, it has over 52 million views on YouTube so the chances are if your reading my blog you will already have seen it. Nevertheless, enjoy...

Something Blue...

Happy Mondays fill this weeks’ ‘Something Blue’ slot after they announced, yet another comeback to pay off their dealers. Salford’s finest Shaun Ryder and Bez take to the stage once work but it really is luck of the draw what you will witness on the day dependant on whether their on uppers or downers...luckily I had a rare opportunity to see Shaun perform at a local festival Chester Rocks last year and he was on top form. On their day they are utterly brilliant and back catalogue speaks for itself but when they are bad they are aweful.

The 2^nd and 3^rd album 88’s ‘Bummed’ and 1990s ‘Pills n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’ (produced by Paul Oakenfold) are reknown by many as definitive classic albums of the Madchester generation. Fusing house/ northern soul and aspects of funk it spawned the singles ‘Step On’ and the anthem ‘Kinky Afro’ both of which reached top 5 in the UK...

 

...Back, Sack and Jack (White)

Earlier this week, ex-White Stripes man, Jack White unveiled his new solo single 'Love Interruption' online. He also revealed in a statement that he is releasing the track as a seven-inch single next Tuesday (February 7th), ahead of the release of his debut solo album 'Blunderbuss' on April 23.

The unveiling of the material comes almost a year to the day (February 2, 2011) that the White Stripes announced their official split. A statement released by the duo – which also featured White's former wife Meg – claimed that artistic differences or health issues were not the reasons for the split.

In the 12 months since the end of the band, White has kept himself busy with collaborations and production work at his Third Man Records label, working with Insane Clown Posse, Tom Jones, US comic Stephen Colbert and rapper Black Milk.

White also played US live dates with The Raconteurs, his band with Brendan Benson and The Greenhornes' Patrick and Jack. Whilst his other band, the Dead Weather– which also features The Kills' Alison Mosshart – released their second album 'Sea Of Cowards' in 2010. 

Produced by White at his own Third Man Studio in Nashville, the single comes backed with non-album B-side 'Machine Gun Silhouette' – it's available for pre-order from thirdmanrecords. Speaking about the album, Jack commented that it was "An album I couldn't have released until now, I've put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name.”

Simply beautiful, enjoy...

 

 

Something for the links...

Something Old...

This week’s classic anthem ‘Something Old’ is inspired by this week plugging of a new band in ‘Something Blue’. Not much need to be said really about NYC’s finest New Wave/ Avant Garde pioneers the legendry Talking Heads. Formed in 1975 when David Byrne, Frantz, Harrison and Tina Wymouth met at Design College they went onto explode into the immortality of the art rock hall of fame, often described as "one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the '80s, while managing to earn several pop hits."

After releasing their debut album ‘Talking heads: 77’ in 1978 following a support slot with the Ramones. It was with their second album, ‘More Songs About Buildings and Food’ that the band began its long-term collaboration with super producer Brian Eno; who had previously worked with David Bowie, Roxy Music and Iggy Pop. Eno's unusual style meshed well with the group's artistic sensibilities, and they began to explore an increasingly diverse range of musical directions, from post punk to New Wave and Psychedelic funk, especially prevalent on 1979’s ‘Fear of Music’.

Despite a huge catalogue of massive hits including ‘Same as it ever was’ and ‘Burning down the house’ it’s the lesser known cult anthem ‘Psycho Killer’ from their debut album that makes this week cut....

Something New...

Pulled Apart by Horses aren’t a BRAND NEW band and having formed in 2007, their debut self titled album was released last year to much critical success and brought many a fan on board but was not overly commercially successful. The Leeds based alt-rock 4 piece lead by front man Tom Hudson did however have the honor of being personally invited to support Muse and Biffy Clyro on tour.

2012 is sure to be their year after a lot of hype surrounding the brilliant follow up album ‘Tough Love’ that landed on Monday (January 23^rd), playing a special BBC introducing gig tonight and are also this week’s UK iTunes featured artist. If you like lead single ‘V.E.N.O.M’ you will love the album...

Something Borrowed..

I have a huge list of new covers to blog but after driving into town for an Open mic last night I happened upon the Monkey’s latest offering from Radio 1’s live lounge. The Arctic Monkeys are no strangers to a good pop cover, most famously so with ‘Love Machine’. Nevertheless, their mashed up version took by huge surprise, I had grown tired of Alex Turner’s vocals but they have fused the modern pop/dub vocal of Katie B’s ‘On a Mission’ with the legendry (inventor of the power chord himself) Link Wray and the riff from ‘Rumble’...

Something Blue...

London based Theme Park are another highly touted four-piece and have pretensions to Talking Heads' funk-rock mantle – but fail to burn down that house. Lead vocalist/ guitarist brothers Miles and Marcus Haughton and their two school mates had a fairly successful 2011 which included a tour with Bombay Bicycle Club. This followed topping UK independent alt-rock radio charts for three consecutive weeks with their track ‘Milk’, making them the Adele of the digital broadcast scene. ‘Milk’ is their most ‘heads-like number, to an almost parodic degree but it's a bit light and polite - not that David Byrne et al were rock monsters but you see what I mean. I’d throw Vampire Weekend into the mix if you were looking for a similar sound but although tunefully brilliant they lack the edge that VW have.

Strangely though, I can’t help but love Theme Park and find myself listening to their unique sound regularly, in the middle of the day, best described as “a transient tone that regularly alters texture” if I had my pretentious head on. The last official single  ‘A Mountain We Love’ isn't half bad but it’s this song that drew my attention when I caught my first glimpse of the bands on a late night Channel 4 TV show; this is 'Wax', enjoy...

 

 

Something for the Metal...

This weeks metal special is inspired by the news that At.the.Drive.In and Refused last week announced their reunion for the awesome Coachella festival alongside the Black Keys and Radiohead amongst many others.

Something Old...

This weeks’ ‘Something Old’ focuses on the former, Texas’ finest post hardcore outfit At.the.Drive.In Formed in 93 they were famed for their extremely energetic stage shows which hearkened back to the 80s hardcore scene, they were recognized for their blend of surrealistic lyrics, unorthodox guitar melodies and unpredictable shifts in tempo and rhythm. The band broke up following breakthrough success, with Bixler-Zavala and Rodriguez-Lopez starting the awesome prog metal outfit Mars Volta and the other members, Ward, Hinojos and Tony Hajjar starting the more traditional Sparta. Hinojos would then leave to join the Mars Volta from 2005.

Recording for their brilliant breakthrough album ‘Relationship of Command’ was done over a seven week period and features the legendry Iggy Pop with minor parts on a couple of tracks. The album was released in late 2000 to critical acclaim and catapulted them into the mainstream musical spotlight...

"¡ ATTENTION ! To whom it may concern: THIS STATION IS...NOW...OPERATIONAL"

Something New...

I have been meaning to get a spot for these guys on #bearmusic for quite a while now; this week’s metal special provided such a springboard of opportunity. I first heard about the lads through my mate from uni @RockWhore85; as they are her fellas band.

Overspill are currently recording their debut studio album, sorting US gig dates and will soon announce a string of European summer festivals and I for one will be sure to check em out, if the lads can drink as much as Lou I know it’ll be a top night! After a storming performance in Camden last week they are set to play Liverpool’s Lomax on the 28th, Indigo in Manchester on Feb 3^rd and Blackpool in March with many more gigs to be announced shortly. To keep up with latest happening make sure to follow them on twitter (@overspillmusic) and facebook (/overspillmusic).

Having made a huge impact in Liverpool, up and down the UK and even Germany where they have been going down a storm. With well written, highly infectious songs and the talent and presencion of the lads along with superb reviews and a lot of industry interest it’s no wonder fans are chomping at the bit for the next gig. The lads have enjoyed press and airplay from everything from university radio right thru to American radio, appearances on Channel 4, Sky and randomly MTV Asia. This band is definitely one to watch for 2012. They draw their influences from Audioslave, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stoneage thru to early Sabbath, as can be seen in this awesome track ‘My Peeling Skin’...

My Peeling Skin

Something Borrowed...

For a metal special no other cover comes close to 'Hurt', originally written and performed by the genius of metal Trent Reznor; it was first released on Nine Ince Nails’ 94 album ‘The Downward Spiral’. In 2002 it was famously covered by the man in black himself, the legendry Johnny Cash as his swansong. To critical acclaim, it was Cash's final hit releases before his death. Its accompanying video, featuring images from his life was named the best video of the year by the Grammy Awards and best video of all time by NME last year

The meaning of the track is disputed; some listeners say the song acts like a suicide note with notes on depression, whilst others may find it to describe someone finding a reason to live. Officially, the song talks about differences between society and self harm. Never the less its truly a beautiful tragedy and musical up there with the greats....

 Something Blue...

Swedish hardcore punk Refused formed in 91 and released five EPs and three albums over a fiery, short lived career before splitting up in 98. Although firey, they burn bright and went out with a bang, RockSound and Kerrang! both place their definitive album ‘The Shape of Punk to Come’ in their top 10 Most Influential Albums Of All Time list. The band comprises of vocalist Lyzen, guitarist Bannstrom, bassist Steen and drummer Sandstrom and together their lyrics were often of a non-conformist and politically far-left nature

The bands brake up is sighted by many as a result of a depletion of creative energy and band members wanting different things. There was a clear conflict between the front man and the rest of the band, stating they were emotionally devastated and that their final tour was an awful experience before they eventually cancelled the tour and announced their split. Their last performance of their US tour was played in a friend's basement but was shut down by police, however, they are back, this is 'new noise' and remember...

"REFUSED ARE’NT F*CKING DEAD!”

Something for New Year...

#bearmusic albums of 2011

Happy New Year everyone, 2011 was a brilliant first year for my blog highlights of which include seeing the Flaming Lips and OKGO play next to giant telescope, feedback on my blog from my two favorite DJs Zane Lowe and Lauren Laverne, Jape's Richie Egan and also mercury prize nominees, the brilliant Everything Everything and the genius ghostpoet; the later three all now follow me on twitter. So with the coming of a new year gives me an opportunity that comes but once a year for me to run through my top 10 best albums of 2011.

The year was brimming with new alt music; much of it of it from new artists but the majority from already established ones. Some good as you will see fill up my top 10 rundown but much of it was drab, predictable and damn right terrible from the likes of Elbow, the Oasis brothers much anticipated dull solo offerings and Coldplay, who never fail to disappoint. Others took me by surprise and offerings from a couple of my favourite bands from Incubus' 7th album, ironically titled 'If not now, When?' and the Arctic Monkeys' dismal 4th album 'Suck it and See' both massively failed to impress me...

Anyway on wards and upwards, heres the good sh*t...

10. The Naked And Famous - 'Passive Me, Aggressive You'

Not necessarily a band name you would want your kids googling, having outgrown New Zealand, TMAF and their debut album were my personal and also the BBC's recomendation as ones to watch for 2011. Making the final cut in fellow Kiwi Zane Lowe's In New Music We Trust and having received critical acclaim by the 'alternative' British press such as NME my opinion was in good company. 

Having toured the UK and Europe this year, I missed the boat but will be certain to catch them this summer during the festival season. The album itself is utterly stunning, a classic case of ugly and beautiful, passive melodicism and aggressive innovation clash in a dazzling blaze of psych/sonic fireworks. Stand out tracks include 'Punching in a dream', 'All of This' and the beautiful 'Young Blood'...

9. Foo Fighters - 'Wasting Light'

7 is often a lucky number but in this case it is definitely true, the bands 7th album is a definite return to form from Grohl, Hawkins, Shiflet, Mendel and the returning Pat Smear. The 

Foo Fighters’ seven-year itch ended up lasting the full seven years. It followed that the make-up sex was always going to be phenomenal, not strictly 100% true as the first 3 albums being fantastic but since the master piece that is 'Colour and Shape' I've hated everything they have done and been left with a feeling of "not being able to look at them during". 
Grohl has made up with the spirit of Nirvana by getting Butch to produce and having Krist pop over too, but he also made peace with the white-hot, throbbing testoste-rock that had marked him out ever since his early days as Nirvana’s engine room. Recorded in Grohl’s garage it was back to basics for the lads, or more aptly middle aged men. Stand out tracks include the lead single 'Rope', 'Walk', 'Bridge Burning' and the hard hitting 'White Limo', the video for which features the legendary Lemmy in the driving seat...

8. Lykke Li - 'Wounded Ryhmes'

The first female entry in the rundown, Lykke is a godess in my eyes, a smoulder that could warm any mans heart. Her explosion of confidence and fearless experimentation form a mixing pot that is both sensual and substantially immense. Moving firmly away from her happier debut pop album this album is rich and comeplling, which bring dark and complex contradictions, but she is, thank god, still rough around the edges. The album serves as a romantic outlook past the age were such a thing is realistic, none more so than two tracks from t'other end of the spectrum on the album, the sexual  'Get Some' and the beautiful 'I Follow Rivers'...

7. Beastie Boys - 'Hot Sauce Committee Part II'

Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock may have been slogging as the kings of white boy hip hop since 1979 but they NEVER fail to impress me! This result of such an experienced career is probably the guys best album since 'Hello Nasty', it does everything you would hope it too. Something inside you overwhelms you to rekindle their epic back catalogue that is stacked with anthems from 'Fight for your right', 'Intergalactic' through to 'Sabotage'. From the latest 16 tracks its impossible so I will choose the first, lead single, and possible the music video of the year 'Make Some Noise'...

6. TV on the Radio - 'Nine Types of Light'

This album is truly an extraordinary work of art as the record and it propelled Dave Sitek’s mob one of the best bands in 
the world, rather than simply one of the most revered by people in the alt community. Slingshotting straight into it after his funk solo project the sense of Sitek actually having a laugh making music – rarely present in the previous 4 albums. 

For me, TVOTR have always been brilliant since I first clapped ears on them; from the debut offerings of 'Satellite' and 'Starring at the Sun' to the previous album, commercial breakthru 'Dear Science' - 'Dancing Choose', 'Golden Age' and 'Crying'.

The core of the band has been vocalist Tunde, guitarist Dave, bassist Kyp, drummer Jaleel and keyboardist Gerard Smith who sadly lost his fight with lung cancer in April last year. Stand out tracks on 9 types are pretty tough as it just works as a journey through music, each track having its own video, lead single 'Will Do' and the utterly genius 'Repetition' are two that jump out on first listen....

5. The Strokes - 'Angles'

The New Yorkers’ Casablancas, Hammond Jnr, Morreti and Valensi returned this year with their 4th album, not quite the masterpiece some had hoped for, but wait, it’s still one damn fine album!
Yes, it may not redefine a genre of generation like there debut 'Is this it?' a decade ago but some of the insanely innovative tight riffs were most definitely worth the 5 year wait since 'First impressions...'. Need I say more? Go buy it...stand out tracks include the brilliant lead singles 'Under Cover of Darkness' and 'Taken for a Fool', but for me it has to be the utterly refined, floating riffage of 'Machu Picchu'...

4. Radiohead - 'King of Limbs'

One the greatest bands in history have done it again, maybe I'm biased because Yorke is one of my all time heroes for me the album always sounds great whatever the mood.  A subtle, multi-layered affair that is suprisingly low key in places, the album is essentially a 37 minute jam, carved out by artists at the top of their trade. Stand out tracks include 'Bloom', 'Mr Magpie', 'Codex' and the truely awesome 'Lotus Flower', shake your limbs like Thom...

3. Ben Howard - 'Every Kingdom'

Ben Howard is the first male solo on my list and the reason why he makes it too third in my chart is because his album is truely one epic, beautiful, inspiring piece of music in a category filled with so much rubbish. Alongside fellow singer songwriter James Vincent McMorrow (who charted for the first time this wkend) a day doesnt go by when I don't sit back and relax to their soulful vocals. The debut album from the Devon born lad features 'Old Pine' as its debut single, followed by the wonderful 'Keep Your Head Up' and the truly beautiful 'Wolves', let it take you to another world...

2. Bell X1 - Bloodless Coup

Very narrowly pipped to the top spot by an honorable late flurrish from the kings of modern blues but Bell X1 were all set to be my chart pinnacle and have featured heavily in #bearmusic this year. The soundtrack to my summer by a four minute mile, I have my gorgeous other half @I_Blame_Kate for introducing me to Paul Noonan and Dave Geraghty 4 years ago. One of the highlights of my year was when she took me to see them for my first time in November and they do not disappoint, dare I say it even better live than on record! This albums has it all from the soft ballads of 'Anna Lena' and 'Nightwatchmen' through to the addition of 'Velcro' to add to their ever growing list of anthems that include 'Tongue', 'Alphabet Soup' and 'the Great Defector' amongst others. The stand out track on the album for though has to be the genius lyrics of 'Four minute Mile', which can be summed up as an modern fable for the uninspired and unambitious much like myself...   

1. The Black Keys - 'El Camino'

Words cannot describe how brilliant this album is, so good I wrote a special in its on honor the week it was released (which you can read here). I really don't need to say any more, Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney, praise be to the father of blues for your existence, every track is pure gold, another masterpiece, a more than worthy Number 1, see you in February lads...

Something for Christmas...

Merry Christmas from me @B3ARSK1LL and all the #bearmusic collaborators throughout the year, with special thanks going out to @I_Blame_Kate, @N_C_R, @YourLastRolo, @LewisKelly and @Ambershade for all our feedback and suggestions over the blogs first year. 
Here is a little festive treat in honor of you, a 5 day advent countdown featuring the coolest Christmas songs to listen to this holiday season!

The Kills' otherwise known as Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince performed this beautiful rendition of the classic Christmas carol, telling the tale of the pivotal part from the nativity. This track was recorded especially for the Queen of Indie Radio DJ, Miss Lauren Laverne and her BBC Radio 6 Music Show and it is available as a free download here, relax and enjoy....

The genius front man of the Super Furry Animals, Gruff Rhys has released a special 12 track EP for Christmas cunningly entitled 'the Aetheist Xmas'. Featuring a song about Christmas suicide its a parallel universe to the rest of the overly happy tripe out there, truly brilliant stuff.
The stand out track for me however is the first track, and slightly more upbeat than the aforementioned, 'Post Apocolypse Christmas' - need i say more? Wrap your ears around this....

OK, I admit it, I am one of the many that say and have said on this very blog "never touch the Smith's" but on the grounds I'm in a festive mood, I will grant this the same exception I granted Mark Ronson for his efforts. Both my idols Morrisey and Johnny Marr have publicly said they love it, so if its ok by them, its ok by me. The track features on the John Lewis Christmas advert and subsequent compilation album (can you hear the *KERCHING!*?) and to be honest any excuse to shoehorn in the Smiths into my blog its fine by me. 
This is the gorgeous, 29 year old, Liverpool born singer/songwriter Amelia Warner's, better known as Slow Moving Millie's beautifully haunting cover of 'Please, Please, Please Let me get what I want', which lets be honest is way better than Muse's attempt a decade ago in 2001...

The Black Keys are in my opinion the greatest band around of the moment; to read more of my love for them click here. Even better live than on record I get a chance to see them again in early  February and I literally cannot wait! I hope for your sake if you don't already own their latest masterpiece, the bands 7th album 'El Camino' released at the start of December, its either top of your Christmas list or your spending your vouchers on it come Boxing Day.
Taken from this, 'Hell of Season' is one of the stand out tracks and also very apt for the holiday season, because "in this hell of a season, gives me more of a reason to be with you..."

No alternative Christmas chart rundown would be complete without the ultimate Christmas duet. When king of cool, the musical demi-god that is David Bowie collaborated with possibly the greatest crooner of all time Bing Crosby an all time classic was born, you all know it, you all love it, "Little Drummer Boy/ Peace on Earth"...Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Something to Blur the lines...

#bearmusic Christmas Special, Same format; an old song that's back in the charts, an old song that'll be new to most of you, a brand spanking new cover of an old song and a truly blue track that always brings a smile to my face...


Something Old...

Not really much needs to be said about this track as it is not only my opinion but the opinion of many including those that make frequently make it feature in Channel 4, VH1 and BBC Radio poll’s for not only top 10 Christmas tracks but also the top 10 tracks of all time. Since its original release, it has been covered by numerous artists from Sinead O’Connor, Dropkick Murphys and more recently Florence Welsh and Billy Bragg.

Never actually being Christmas number 1 in the UK (it was however in Ireland) and as will undoubtedly happen again tomorrow when the official UK Christmas number 1 is revealed, the track will almost certainly re-chart thanks to downloads. In 2009, a group was set up with the express intention of getting the single to Christmas number one. This was in response to a growing trend of X Factor finalists dominating the Christmas singles market, a parallel campaign to get RATM’s ‘Killing in the Name’ succeeded in reaching #1.
‘Fairytale of New York’, for those who havn’t already guessed is song from 1987 by the Irish group the Pogues and British singer Kirsty MacColl, who sadly passed away a few years ago in a horrible water-ski accident whilst rescuing her child. The song itself takes the form of a drunken Irish immigrant man's Christmas Eve reverie about holidays past while sleeping off a binge in New York City. After an inebriated old man also incarcerated in the jail cell sings a passage from an Irish drinking ballad. MacColl's melodious singing contrasts with the harshness of MacGowan's voice, and the lyrics are sometimes bittersweet—sometimes purely bitter: "Happy Christmas your arse / I pray God it's our last"...

Something New...

Jape are not new to everyone but they are to me and I guess the vast majority of the UK. Irish electro rock band from Dublin that were formed as a side project by Richie Egan whilst part of Redneck Manifesto. They have released four albums to date from ‘Cosmophere’ in 2003 through to ‘Ocean of Frequency’ earlier this year.

Contrary to what the band’s name suggests Jape is in fact a solo project by singer songwriter Egan but he didn’t want wish to be considered as such in the over saturated market. I got my first chance to see him last week in Manchester whilst he supported the better half of Damien Rice’s Juniper and coincidently my favorite Irish band Bell X1. Guitarist Dave Flaherty and the lyrical genius that is Paul Noonan have a habit of selecting brilliant support acts and Jape can now add Bell X1 to a list that includes the Flaming Lips, CSS, Friendly Fires and MGMT. Jape has also taken to stage at many big European festivals including Electric Picnic, Lovebox and Glastonbury and also had an attempt foiled to get his track ‘Phil Lynnot’, dedicated to the demi-god that was Thin Lizzy’s front man to Ireland's Christmas No.1 back in 2008.

Jape's second album ‘The Monkeys in Zoo have more fun than me’ gave Egan his biggest success and contains the well-known single ‘Floating’, which enjoyed much play on late night alternative radio, and famously attracted the attention of the legendry Brendon Benson during a visit to Dublin. Benson now covers the track whilst performing live with his band the Raconteurs, as do Belgium’s finest 2manyDJs. The video for track was also nominated for Best Budget Video at the UK Music Video Awards in 08, relax and enjoy....

Something Borrowed...

The final week of 2011 will see possibly the best movie of the year released. Boxing day brings us a late present in the form of Steig Larson’s book ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ making its high profile big budget, Hollywood movie release in UK cinemas. The movie itself is the second film based on the Swedish novel of the same name (Originally "Män som hatar kvinnor", for my scandanavian readers, meaning "Men who hate women", for those who aren’t). In essence, the film follows a man's quest to find a girl who has been missing for 40 years and may have been murdered; starring James Bond himself, Chester’s finest Daniel Craig and soon to be a huge star, NYC’s Rooney Mara in the lead roles.
With a movie of such epicness the soundtrack was always going to be something special and has produced one of, if not the greatest cover of the year. Normally I would say (and hav said so many a time) to NEVER touch a Led Zep track but this pair are most definitely on the exceptions list. The amazing, coolest women in music, better known as the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O has collaborated with the genius that is Nine Inch Nails’ himself Trent Reznor to produce a master cover of ‘the Immigrant Song’...

Something Blue...

Scotland’s finest Malcolm Middleton, best known for his work with post-folk indie band Arab Strap as well as his solo career writing and producing. To date, Middleton has released five solo studio albums, with his most recent ‘Waxing Gibbous’ in 2009. His solo work was initially a side project, releasing a hand full of solo album until Arab Strap split in 2006, the album ‘A Brighter Beat’ was released the following year.
The first song on the album ‘We're All Going To Die’ reiterates exactly why I include the Something Blue... feature in my blog each week. Released as a single on 17 December it started off with odds of 1000-1 against becoming the Christmas number one - reportedly the highest odds ever quoted. But after support from social networking websites and from my teenage hero BBC Radio 1 DJ (now turned face of MOTD2) Colin Murray; the odds dropped to 9-1. Middleton was 4th favorite for Christmas number one behind Katie Melua with Eva Cassidy, Leona Lewis off of the X Factor and some other terrible X Factor winner from that year that don’t care to remember. The publicity around the single gave Middleton significant mainstream exposure for the first time in his career.


Murray started supporting the song as a response to repeated Christmas chart domination by manufactured pop acts churned out by the likes of the above. The song was, unfortunately, beaten to the top spot and only reached number 31 in the UK singles chart, with the UK Christmas number one being a cover of some tripe that was originally by Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Middleton has said that, despite the song's negative-sounding title, he feels the song perfectly sums up the spirit of Christmas - the need to make the most of life while we have it...