And so.... Here we are at the end of the year, with what looks like to be the final music blog. However- we will be back next year if there is enough popular demand. The music never stops, so why should this blog?
Heroes
By David Bowie
Aka The Thin White Duke Aka Starman Aka Ziggy Stardust. Bowie is a justifiable legend. If the music scene was like some kind of fantastical far away land, David Bowie would be some kind of rare beast. Like a Unicorn. NO!.. Like King of the Unicorns. David Bowie is the Supreme commander of all Unicorn kind.
This song has been covered many a time, but the original is still the best. It's also something of a karaoke staple, so it really gets my goat when they don't have it available to sing.
Spanish Castle Magic
By Jimi Hendrix
In this ficitonal far-away land, Jimi Hedrix would be a wandering minstrel with an enchanted loot wandering from town to town and casting spells on himself to get high. Eventually he'd cast sleep on himself too many times and wind up dead. Then his bust german wench would commit suicide. This isn't a happy fantasy land...
This song is for screaming out the window while hurtling down the highway on a roadtrip... Or sitting in your room.
Quinn The Eskimo
By Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan would be a drunk dwarf. And be followed around by his posse of similarly drunk dwarves.
Best drunken sing-along chorus ever.
Super Bonus Modern Classic:
Paranoid Android
By Radiohead
Radiohead would be like scientists, holed up in thier technofortress trying to kill magic because they don't fit into a magical based world.
If they created a nation of sentient robots and then attempted to invade the fantasy world, this would be their anthem.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Super Late New Australian Music Time.
War Coward
By Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!
Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! have an awesome name and are from the awesome city of Adelaide. The song came from the band members love of WW2 rather than any recent war atrocities. My favorite part is how the guitar part seems to sound like its a totally different song with totally different timing.
Flippers
By Art Vs. Science
Art Vs. Science, or AVS for short, are from somewhere in New South Wales and could very well be the next Presets. I'm not entirely convinced about their credentials as scientists, but they can rock a fine beat, so I guess they bring the art. This is also the 2nd or 3rd best song about dancing like a fish. That I can think of at the moment at least. Well.. I like it better than the salmon dance at least.
My Sun
By The Temper Trap
This one is actually a little older, but the Temper Trap have recently released their first album so I dont think its cheating to add it here. They also follow the great Australian tradition of having their early stuff be VASTLY different to what eventually ends up on the album (I'm still pissed at Expatriate.... why no killer cat damn you!), but their album is actually pretty nice too, so I'm sure I'll live.
By Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!
Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! have an awesome name and are from the awesome city of Adelaide. The song came from the band members love of WW2 rather than any recent war atrocities. My favorite part is how the guitar part seems to sound like its a totally different song with totally different timing.
Flippers
By Art Vs. Science
Art Vs. Science, or AVS for short, are from somewhere in New South Wales and could very well be the next Presets. I'm not entirely convinced about their credentials as scientists, but they can rock a fine beat, so I guess they bring the art. This is also the 2nd or 3rd best song about dancing like a fish. That I can think of at the moment at least. Well.. I like it better than the salmon dance at least.
My Sun
By The Temper Trap
This one is actually a little older, but the Temper Trap have recently released their first album so I dont think its cheating to add it here. They also follow the great Australian tradition of having their early stuff be VASTLY different to what eventually ends up on the album (I'm still pissed at Expatriate.... why no killer cat damn you!), but their album is actually pretty nice too, so I'm sure I'll live.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Never Mind The Bollocks...
Holiday In Cambodia
By The Dead Kennedys
Oops.... Kinda forgot to update this blog last week :S. I figure the only way to make up for it is with some punk rock. It's a large logical jump to get to that assumption, but if this blog is about anything, its large logical jumps that don't really go anywhere.
Speaking of not really going anywhere... I don't have that much to say about this song. The Dead Kennedys are a seminal Californian punk band from the 80's. They've stolen everything that was good about 70's British punk (see below), but they do it in such an out of control way its OK.
Ever Fallen in Love
By The Buzzcocks
For things that are good about 70's British punk, check out this song.
Believe it or not, there wasn't really anything dirty going on behind the band name. At the time, in Manchester, the local slang for youngster/teen/delinquent was 'cock' (as in the chicken). So naturally (in another massive leap of logic that goes nowhere) the name originated from the phrase "What's the buzz, cocks?"
Anarchy In The UK
By The Sex Pistols
Generally regarded as the founders of punk (But they aren't! The Saints were doing it in Brisbane like a year before them!) they are also, according to the movie "24 hour party people" the catalyst of the entire British music industry.
There's also a ridiculous amount of mythology to the background of the band. For a start, the bass player Sid Viscous was so supposedly so bad that when they played live they would unplug him and have another guy hidden in the wings play the bass parts.
Furthermore, the manager of the band named them The Sex Pistols as a way to promote his clothing shop... Since this means that at its core, the first punk band was all about commercialism, I think it's safe to make the massive leap in logic that punks not actually dead after all, since it was never really alive to begin with.
Bonus Track:
Too Drunk To Fuck
By The Dead Kennedys
One more, for the road. I think it's pretty self explanatory.
By The Dead Kennedys
Oops.... Kinda forgot to update this blog last week :S. I figure the only way to make up for it is with some punk rock. It's a large logical jump to get to that assumption, but if this blog is about anything, its large logical jumps that don't really go anywhere.
Speaking of not really going anywhere... I don't have that much to say about this song. The Dead Kennedys are a seminal Californian punk band from the 80's. They've stolen everything that was good about 70's British punk (see below), but they do it in such an out of control way its OK.
Ever Fallen in Love
By The Buzzcocks
For things that are good about 70's British punk, check out this song.
Believe it or not, there wasn't really anything dirty going on behind the band name. At the time, in Manchester, the local slang for youngster/teen/delinquent was 'cock' (as in the chicken). So naturally (in another massive leap of logic that goes nowhere) the name originated from the phrase "What's the buzz, cocks?"
Anarchy In The UK
By The Sex Pistols
Generally regarded as the founders of punk (But they aren't! The Saints were doing it in Brisbane like a year before them!) they are also, according to the movie "24 hour party people" the catalyst of the entire British music industry.
There's also a ridiculous amount of mythology to the background of the band. For a start, the bass player Sid Viscous was so supposedly so bad that when they played live they would unplug him and have another guy hidden in the wings play the bass parts.
Furthermore, the manager of the band named them The Sex Pistols as a way to promote his clothing shop... Since this means that at its core, the first punk band was all about commercialism, I think it's safe to make the massive leap in logic that punks not actually dead after all, since it was never really alive to begin with.
Bonus Track:
Too Drunk To Fuck
By The Dead Kennedys
One more, for the road. I think it's pretty self explanatory.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Bittersweet songs for a bittersweet Sunday night.
Forever Lost
By The Magic Numbers
This could also be a post about songs with killer choruses... This one is not quite as killer as the following ones, but it's still got an awesome hook that totally hit me out of the blue. That alone was enough to make me choose it for this week.
The Magic Numbers themselves are a English band that had mild success a couple of years ago but have kind of dropped off the radar a little unfortunately. Unfortunately, they are most known for walking off of 'Top of the Pops' after the host made a comment about their weight :S.
Beat Of Your Drum
By 78 Saab
78 Saab are an Australian band that have been around for ages but still haven't received the kind of recognition they deserve.... If they were a little more prolific in releasing albums I'd consider these guys heading to You Am I levels of unfair obscurity.
This song is off the 2004 album Crossed Lines (which is an excellent album all up) and features an unbelievable build up and catchy chorus.
There She Goes, My Beautiful World
By Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Nick Cave doesn't get anywhere near enough credit. I mean really... What has John Farnham done lately? What has he done to secure his position as Australia's most know male singer?
Not that I think Nick Cave would like that.. I definitely can't see him doing 'For the last time' style tours. Or performing in Jesus Christ Superstar. Maybe it's like Nick Cave is the Anti John Farnham? Maybe they are two opposite sides of the same coin? Maybe... just maybe, they are twins separated at birth... and Nick Cave is like the evil twin.
Also he dated PJ Harvey. Good on him.
By The Magic Numbers
This could also be a post about songs with killer choruses... This one is not quite as killer as the following ones, but it's still got an awesome hook that totally hit me out of the blue. That alone was enough to make me choose it for this week.
The Magic Numbers themselves are a English band that had mild success a couple of years ago but have kind of dropped off the radar a little unfortunately. Unfortunately, they are most known for walking off of 'Top of the Pops' after the host made a comment about their weight :S.
Beat Of Your Drum
By 78 Saab
78 Saab are an Australian band that have been around for ages but still haven't received the kind of recognition they deserve.... If they were a little more prolific in releasing albums I'd consider these guys heading to You Am I levels of unfair obscurity.
This song is off the 2004 album Crossed Lines (which is an excellent album all up) and features an unbelievable build up and catchy chorus.
There She Goes, My Beautiful World
By Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Nick Cave doesn't get anywhere near enough credit. I mean really... What has John Farnham done lately? What has he done to secure his position as Australia's most know male singer?
Not that I think Nick Cave would like that.. I definitely can't see him doing 'For the last time' style tours. Or performing in Jesus Christ Superstar. Maybe it's like Nick Cave is the Anti John Farnham? Maybe they are two opposite sides of the same coin? Maybe... just maybe, they are twins separated at birth... and Nick Cave is like the evil twin.
Also he dated PJ Harvey. Good on him.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Hip Hoppin' Electro Poppin'.
Chariot of Fire
By N.E.R.D.
This blog entry is going to have to be a little hush hush and very quiet... Hip hop is like my guilty pleasure. If people knew I dress up in bling and ride my escalade down the strip my rockstar cred will be all but ruined. So shhhh.
Anyway, N.E.R.D. (or No-one Every Really Dies to their friends, but also The Neptunes to their other friends) are only kinda hip hoppery... Also kinda R&B-ey. It's really hard to lock them into one category since they are capable of so many different sounds. No matter what though, they seem to pull it off like it's nothing. Also, Pharrell Williams is a genius.
Best Lyric:
What about then Mildred?
Oh excuse me a I mean music...
Be Easy
By Ghostface Killah
Ok.. ok... So this one's a little 'Gangsta'... Possibly too 'Gangsta'... But it's hard to appreciate its greatness until you've seen Vic and myself bust this out on the street when we are walking between clubs. We are totally 'fly'.
Plus, you've gotta respect a guy who's willing to mention Tony Stark/Iron Man in almost every song. They even gave him a bit part in the movie (although it got cut... so I guess they weren't that greatful after all :S).
Best Lyric:
Gotta get that cheese,
Gotta pimp that V.
Old School Rules
By DangerDoom ft. Talib Kweli
DangerDoom is actually two guys: Dangermouse and MF Doom.
Dangermouse is like the man with the midas touch of music. He's also half of Gnarls Barkley and has done various collaborations and mashups (Including the brilliant and illegal Beatle's White album/Jay Z's Black album mashup).
MF Doom raps primarily about cartoons and comic books, and also always wears a mexican luchador mask (as seen here).
The album this is from, The Mask and the Mouse, is entirely about the lineup of Nick at night, and is also one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.
Best Lyric:
And we'll be right back after these messages:
Fellas grab your nutsacks, chicks squeeze your breastesses.
By N.E.R.D.
This blog entry is going to have to be a little hush hush and very quiet... Hip hop is like my guilty pleasure. If people knew I dress up in bling and ride my escalade down the strip my rockstar cred will be all but ruined. So shhhh.
Anyway, N.E.R.D. (or No-one Every Really Dies to their friends, but also The Neptunes to their other friends) are only kinda hip hoppery... Also kinda R&B-ey. It's really hard to lock them into one category since they are capable of so many different sounds. No matter what though, they seem to pull it off like it's nothing. Also, Pharrell Williams is a genius.
Best Lyric:
What about then Mildred?
Oh excuse me a I mean music...
Be Easy
By Ghostface Killah
Ok.. ok... So this one's a little 'Gangsta'... Possibly too 'Gangsta'... But it's hard to appreciate its greatness until you've seen Vic and myself bust this out on the street when we are walking between clubs. We are totally 'fly'.
Plus, you've gotta respect a guy who's willing to mention Tony Stark/Iron Man in almost every song. They even gave him a bit part in the movie (although it got cut... so I guess they weren't that greatful after all :S).
Best Lyric:
Gotta get that cheese,
Gotta pimp that V.
Old School Rules
By DangerDoom ft. Talib Kweli
DangerDoom is actually two guys: Dangermouse and MF Doom.
Dangermouse is like the man with the midas touch of music. He's also half of Gnarls Barkley and has done various collaborations and mashups (Including the brilliant and illegal Beatle's White album/Jay Z's Black album mashup).
MF Doom raps primarily about cartoons and comic books, and also always wears a mexican luchador mask (as seen here).
The album this is from, The Mask and the Mouse, is entirely about the lineup of Nick at night, and is also one of the greatest albums I've ever heard.
Best Lyric:
And we'll be right back after these messages:
Fellas grab your nutsacks, chicks squeeze your breastesses.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Dance Dance Revolution
Paris Is Burning
By Ladyhawke
New Zealand's own arcade-machine-playing, 80's-movie-named, awkward-disco-goddess, Ladyhawke came out with this album earlier this year. It's kind of a song that initially got one my nerves because it was getting over played and is way to catchy for its own good, but slowly it grew on me. Also, my sister really wanted it so I got it for her.
Granite
By Pendulum
Pendulum is like Australia's secret awesome band. While everyone in the UK is playing the same drum and bass stuff they were playing 10 years ago, these guys have managed to evolve it to new levels. It keeps the same feel as drum and bass, but does the logical thing by adding a little bit of melody to mix it up a little. Unfortunately... there's still a little unnecessary build up in this album version... but you can't have it all.
D.A.N.C.E.
By Justice
Otherwise known for making some of the best dancey music from Europe last year, Justice can also spell. They hit it big with a collaboration with another guy called Simian, and a track called "We are your friends" that caused Kayne West to have a spazz (Not a hard thing to cause apparently) at the MTV music video awards.
This song also has a pretty rad film clip, as can be seen here.
By Ladyhawke
New Zealand's own arcade-machine-playing, 80's-movie-named, awkward-disco-goddess, Ladyhawke came out with this album earlier this year. It's kind of a song that initially got one my nerves because it was getting over played and is way to catchy for its own good, but slowly it grew on me. Also, my sister really wanted it so I got it for her.
Granite
By Pendulum
Pendulum is like Australia's secret awesome band. While everyone in the UK is playing the same drum and bass stuff they were playing 10 years ago, these guys have managed to evolve it to new levels. It keeps the same feel as drum and bass, but does the logical thing by adding a little bit of melody to mix it up a little. Unfortunately... there's still a little unnecessary build up in this album version... but you can't have it all.
D.A.N.C.E.
By Justice
Otherwise known for making some of the best dancey music from Europe last year, Justice can also spell. They hit it big with a collaboration with another guy called Simian, and a track called "We are your friends" that caused Kayne West to have a spazz (Not a hard thing to cause apparently) at the MTV music video awards.
This song also has a pretty rad film clip, as can be seen here.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A band I've seen live, one I want to see live, and one maybe I don't.
Morning Light
By Sparkadia
I can't remember the first time I saw these guys, but I know I've seen them at least twice now supporting different bands. I'm pretty that both times they were actually better than the headliners. So, I was hanging out for them to finally release an album. They did earlier this year and I wasn't disappointed.
This was their first single. They changed some stuff (totally unnecessarily in my opinion) for the recorded version but it's still pretty cool.
Jackie Cooper
By Little Red
I haven't seen Little Red play yet, but they are on the top of my list. Who would've thought that barbershop would make a mighty return like this?
I don't really have much to say about this song, coz the song pretty much speaks for itself, but it is by far one of the best aussie songs I've heard this year.
Five On The Five
By The Raconteurs/Saboteurs
The Raconteurs (know as The Saboteurs in Australia) are an American supergroup consisting of Jack White, Brendan Benson and two other guys I can't remember off the top of my head. This song is off their second album, Consolers Of The Lonely.
I'm still unsure if I wanna see these guys live. Like this song rocks out, and so do a lot of their other ones, but so do The White Stripes and seeing them at the Big Day Out almost ruined it for me. They were just kinda boring on stage, not as boring as Kings of Leon (now there's a band that was ruined for me) but after Franz Ferdinand blew me away I was expecting so much more.
Regardless.... Good song. Listen.
By Sparkadia
I can't remember the first time I saw these guys, but I know I've seen them at least twice now supporting different bands. I'm pretty that both times they were actually better than the headliners. So, I was hanging out for them to finally release an album. They did earlier this year and I wasn't disappointed.
This was their first single. They changed some stuff (totally unnecessarily in my opinion) for the recorded version but it's still pretty cool.
Jackie Cooper
By Little Red
I haven't seen Little Red play yet, but they are on the top of my list. Who would've thought that barbershop would make a mighty return like this?
I don't really have much to say about this song, coz the song pretty much speaks for itself, but it is by far one of the best aussie songs I've heard this year.
Five On The Five
By The Raconteurs/Saboteurs
The Raconteurs (know as The Saboteurs in Australia) are an American supergroup consisting of Jack White, Brendan Benson and two other guys I can't remember off the top of my head. This song is off their second album, Consolers Of The Lonely.
I'm still unsure if I wanna see these guys live. Like this song rocks out, and so do a lot of their other ones, but so do The White Stripes and seeing them at the Big Day Out almost ruined it for me. They were just kinda boring on stage, not as boring as Kings of Leon (now there's a band that was ruined for me) but after Franz Ferdinand blew me away I was expecting so much more.
Regardless.... Good song. Listen.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Random songs for random times.
Something Is Not Right With Me
By Cold War Kids
I couldn't really pick a running theme with the songs this week, nothing was really jutting out at me. But the same thing happened last week only to be saved at the last moment by terrible breakfast cereal analogies. I'm hoping I can tap into that magic again this week. Terrible analogy magic. About American politics. That seems like a good place to start.
If this song was an analogy for a current world even it would be like the wall market crash. The singer portrays himself not as wall street but as an outsider, out of the loop in a materialistic sense, calling people collect and having to borrow money for the jukebox. Yet, he asks if there's something wrong with him that he doesn't feel the need to be driven by similar desires and considers himself better off when it all goes to crap.
Kind of.
On My Shoulders
By The Do
This song is surely about Hillary Clinton missing out on her chance at running for president. If real life were more like a musical, this would be Hillary's solo about halfway through, Torn between Bill and Obama but also between her hopes and dreams... Bill and Obama doing some kinda of interpretive dance in the background in the moonlight.
Caught By The Fuzz
By Supergrass
My knowledge of American politics is pretty limited, indeed, as is my knowledge of current events.... So I'm a little stretched for this one. It's a pretty simple song though...
I can change it to Australia politics and say its a reflection of Malcolm Turnball's previous drug use when he was younger.
DONE AND DUSTED.
By Cold War Kids
I couldn't really pick a running theme with the songs this week, nothing was really jutting out at me. But the same thing happened last week only to be saved at the last moment by terrible breakfast cereal analogies. I'm hoping I can tap into that magic again this week. Terrible analogy magic. About American politics. That seems like a good place to start.
If this song was an analogy for a current world even it would be like the wall market crash. The singer portrays himself not as wall street but as an outsider, out of the loop in a materialistic sense, calling people collect and having to borrow money for the jukebox. Yet, he asks if there's something wrong with him that he doesn't feel the need to be driven by similar desires and considers himself better off when it all goes to crap.
Kind of.
On My Shoulders
By The Do
This song is surely about Hillary Clinton missing out on her chance at running for president. If real life were more like a musical, this would be Hillary's solo about halfway through, Torn between Bill and Obama but also between her hopes and dreams... Bill and Obama doing some kinda of interpretive dance in the background in the moonlight.
Caught By The Fuzz
By Supergrass
My knowledge of American politics is pretty limited, indeed, as is my knowledge of current events.... So I'm a little stretched for this one. It's a pretty simple song though...
I can change it to Australia politics and say its a reflection of Malcolm Turnball's previous drug use when he was younger.
DONE AND DUSTED.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tonight's category: Uk bands beginning with 'The'.
Two Doors Down
The Mystery Jets
Sure, the beginning of this song sounds a little like a TV ad for breakfast cereal, but it by the time the first verse is over and the sax crimes begin, it's a nifty little song. If this was a cereal however, it would be masquerading as a family friendly healthy treat, but in reality it's way too sugary sweet to be good for you.
Shut Up And Let Me Go
The Ting Tings
If this song was a cereal, it would be a) The apparent next big thing according to the advertisers, and b) something that all the hip indie kids would have for breakfast. I'm kind of thinking that means 'nothing', but for argument's sake lets say coco pops. With fruitloops, just to make it different. And yogurt.
No Social
The Shortwave Set
To me, this song wouldn't be a cereal. But if it had to be some kind of breakfast meal, it would probably be like taking all the left overs in the fridge and turning them into some kind of crazy big breakfast hybrid that somehow contains equal parts indian, pasta, german smallgoods, pre-made salad, champagne and birthday cake. Naturally, this is a good thing.
The Mystery Jets
Sure, the beginning of this song sounds a little like a TV ad for breakfast cereal, but it by the time the first verse is over and the sax crimes begin, it's a nifty little song. If this was a cereal however, it would be masquerading as a family friendly healthy treat, but in reality it's way too sugary sweet to be good for you.
Shut Up And Let Me Go
The Ting Tings
If this song was a cereal, it would be a) The apparent next big thing according to the advertisers, and b) something that all the hip indie kids would have for breakfast. I'm kind of thinking that means 'nothing', but for argument's sake lets say coco pops. With fruitloops, just to make it different. And yogurt.
No Social
The Shortwave Set
To me, this song wouldn't be a cereal. But if it had to be some kind of breakfast meal, it would probably be like taking all the left overs in the fridge and turning them into some kind of crazy big breakfast hybrid that somehow contains equal parts indian, pasta, german smallgoods, pre-made salad, champagne and birthday cake. Naturally, this is a good thing.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Triumphant return of the music blog?: Songs I've been listening to lately.
Expectations
By Cut Off Your Hands
I'm willing to put it out there that Cut Off Your Hands are the best band coming out of New Zealand at the moment... That Australia hasn't claimed as their own, at least. They've been playing for a while now, but are yet to release an album (I think, it could be out soon) but they have released 2 EP's, the first of which; Shaky Hands, was released in 2006. I'd heard of them previously but never grabbed their name before a week or two ago.
Regardless... I'm glad there are still bands out there keeping the rock dream alive. If I can just put on my musical clarevoyant sparkely turban.... I see big things in their future.
The Bomb
By New Young Pony Club
Continuing with the 'Songs-that-came-out-some-time-ago-but-I-missed-the-name' theme, this song came out sometime last year. It's another strong showing for Electro-Funk-Dance, proudly proving that not all of the genre has to be made in New York.
Deceptively, these guys are from England, but are actually signed to the same Australian label as Wolfmother and The Presets.
Lucio Starts Fires
By Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong went massive sometime last year, pumping out this song and an equally impressive EP. But then, tragedy! Well nothing that melodramatic, but they kind of fell off the radar. There's rumors that they are still just tweaking thier debut album, but theres also rumors they just broke up. Theres even a rumor that they were kidnapped by an American advertising company and force to compose jingles while being tied up in a dungeon.. But I wouldn't put too much faith in that rumor as I just made it up.
Regardless of actual criminal acts commited, I personally think its criminal that a song this catchy never got an album.
Special Bonus Track!
You And I
By Cut Off Your Hands
Now the New Zealand never has to end! As long as you only listen to it for 2:14. OR alternatively just set it to loop... FOR EVER....
By Cut Off Your Hands
I'm willing to put it out there that Cut Off Your Hands are the best band coming out of New Zealand at the moment... That Australia hasn't claimed as their own, at least. They've been playing for a while now, but are yet to release an album (I think, it could be out soon) but they have released 2 EP's, the first of which; Shaky Hands, was released in 2006. I'd heard of them previously but never grabbed their name before a week or two ago.
Regardless... I'm glad there are still bands out there keeping the rock dream alive. If I can just put on my musical clarevoyant sparkely turban.... I see big things in their future.
The Bomb
By New Young Pony Club
Continuing with the 'Songs-that-came-out-some-time-ago-but-I-missed-the-name' theme, this song came out sometime last year. It's another strong showing for Electro-Funk-Dance, proudly proving that not all of the genre has to be made in New York.
Deceptively, these guys are from England, but are actually signed to the same Australian label as Wolfmother and The Presets.
Lucio Starts Fires
By Joe Lean And The Jing Jang Jong
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong went massive sometime last year, pumping out this song and an equally impressive EP. But then, tragedy! Well nothing that melodramatic, but they kind of fell off the radar. There's rumors that they are still just tweaking thier debut album, but theres also rumors they just broke up. Theres even a rumor that they were kidnapped by an American advertising company and force to compose jingles while being tied up in a dungeon.. But I wouldn't put too much faith in that rumor as I just made it up.
Regardless of actual criminal acts commited, I personally think its criminal that a song this catchy never got an album.
Special Bonus Track!
You And I
By Cut Off Your Hands
Now the New Zealand never has to end! As long as you only listen to it for 2:14. OR alternatively just set it to loop... FOR EVER....
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Ye olde punk rock.
I'm Stranded
By The Saints
Brisbane's very own The Saints are technically the fathers of modern punk. They formed before the Sex Pistols, and around the same time as the Ramones. I like this song for its simplicity, and for a while there it was like an anthem everytime we'd go out to the alternative clubs (well this, and 'Paint it black' by the Rolling Stones).
Lust For Life
By Iggy Pop
If The Saints are fathers of modern punk, Iggy Pop is the Grandfather. He's been around making music since the 60's, starting of playing avant-garde rock that would later become known as proto-punk. He's still kicking around today (and is like a ball of muscle :S) which just goes to show that sometimes taking a retarded load of drugs wont always kill you.
Warrior In Woolworths
By X-ray Spex
X-ray Spex never made it as big as the other punk bands, even though they started around the same time. But regardless, they bring a bit to the table. For a start, I think they were the first punk band with a female singer, paving the way for PJ Harvey and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Secondly, about a quarter of the way into the song, BAM, sax crime. It's a classy act.
By The Saints
Brisbane's very own The Saints are technically the fathers of modern punk. They formed before the Sex Pistols, and around the same time as the Ramones. I like this song for its simplicity, and for a while there it was like an anthem everytime we'd go out to the alternative clubs (well this, and 'Paint it black' by the Rolling Stones).
Lust For Life
By Iggy Pop
If The Saints are fathers of modern punk, Iggy Pop is the Grandfather. He's been around making music since the 60's, starting of playing avant-garde rock that would later become known as proto-punk. He's still kicking around today (and is like a ball of muscle :S) which just goes to show that sometimes taking a retarded load of drugs wont always kill you.
Warrior In Woolworths
By X-ray Spex
X-ray Spex never made it as big as the other punk bands, even though they started around the same time. But regardless, they bring a bit to the table. For a start, I think they were the first punk band with a female singer, paving the way for PJ Harvey and Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Secondly, about a quarter of the way into the song, BAM, sax crime. It's a classy act.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
International Indy Rock and Roll (Now with 300% more keyboard)
Fearless
By The Bravery
I first heard this song on the trailer for the awesome Russian vampire movie Nightwatch. It's a rocking little song that I originally thought was about sitting around pretending to be tough, but generally being clumsy (hence probably why I connected with it...) but really, I'm pretty sure its about nothing at all.
But still, you can't beat the cockiness of a line like: "And I know that's why you love me, Chicka"...
Letter From An Occupant
By The New Pornographers
I've had the pleasure of seeing Canada's foremost super group play live before and its pretty damn cool... They are made up of seven musicians from popular bands (in Canada I guess... I don't really know any of the bands they are from:S) and one independent film-maker. It makes for a crowded stage, but it also mean some rather large and full sounds. Its kind of like the opposite of the Arcade Fire, also Canadian, and I'd like to see them battle each other to the death in some kind of musical/gladiatorial combat.
Either that, or join together to form an even larger and more ridiculous stage band. And then save the world from aliens and SARS.
Sorry About The Noise
By The Jessica Fletchers
Despite their easily recognizable pop culture reference name, I don't really know that much about this Norwegian band... Except that I thought they were a small American indy band that never mand it too big. But in actual reality they released 4 albums and are pretty well known in Norway.
It just goes to show that Eurovision is not a good indication of music is actually like in Europe.
By The Bravery
I first heard this song on the trailer for the awesome Russian vampire movie Nightwatch. It's a rocking little song that I originally thought was about sitting around pretending to be tough, but generally being clumsy (hence probably why I connected with it...) but really, I'm pretty sure its about nothing at all.
But still, you can't beat the cockiness of a line like: "And I know that's why you love me, Chicka"...
Letter From An Occupant
By The New Pornographers
I've had the pleasure of seeing Canada's foremost super group play live before and its pretty damn cool... They are made up of seven musicians from popular bands (in Canada I guess... I don't really know any of the bands they are from:S) and one independent film-maker. It makes for a crowded stage, but it also mean some rather large and full sounds. Its kind of like the opposite of the Arcade Fire, also Canadian, and I'd like to see them battle each other to the death in some kind of musical/gladiatorial combat.
Either that, or join together to form an even larger and more ridiculous stage band. And then save the world from aliens and SARS.
Sorry About The Noise
By The Jessica Fletchers
Despite their easily recognizable pop culture reference name, I don't really know that much about this Norwegian band... Except that I thought they were a small American indy band that never mand it too big. But in actual reality they released 4 albums and are pretty well known in Norway.
It just goes to show that Eurovision is not a good indication of music is actually like in Europe.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Swedish garage punk rock Wednesday: Breaking out in The Hives.
Main Offender
By The Hives
Once again I'm a little lost as to what to write... Much to my dismay I've never seen these guys live so I don't have any 'possibly fictional' tales of rock and roll hi-jinks this time around. However, The Hives are one of my favorite bands, and damn good at what they do (which is rock out, co-incidentally), so it seems a waste not to feature some of their songs.
This one is off of their first major album 'Your new favorite band'. Pay special attention to the lyrics, because I'm pretty sure they make no sense at all.
Missing Link
By The Hives
Missing link is off the second tour de force of an album (and my favorite), Tyrannosaurus Hives. It was hard picking just one song from this album, but that's why I'm here... making the tough decisions. Also for listening pleasure please consider 'Dead quote Olympics', 'B is for Brutus' and 'Two timing touch and broken bones' from the same album. Actually, just make that the entire album, just to be safe.
The reason I'm so dismayed that I haven't seen The Hives live yet is because apparently they do one of the greatest rock shows of all time. Rolling stone rated it as 8th best ever or something. Apparently this is due to the lead singer, 'Howling' Pelle Almqvist, engaging in what he has dubbed "Colorful idiocy". Such a display can be seen below, in quote form (I got this from Wikipedia, so it's gotta be true):
Pelle: "I'm out of control! Tell me to take it easy!"
Crowd: "Take it easy!"
Pelle: "No, I wooon't!"
I think that pretty much sums it up.
Bigger Hole To Fill
By Delta Goodr- I mean The Hives
This one's from their latest album, "The Black and White album", which is a reference to the band's need to have a different uniform every time they go on tour, but always only in black and white. This album's also pretty rad, but I don't like it as much because they felt the need to mess with the timing in some songs. It's not in this one, put for others they are there rocking out and then suddenly BAM... songs at half speed for some reason. It throws out my dance steps.
Anyway, every time I hear this song I think of this first person shooter I'm going to make one day. One of the characters will be an assassin who kind of looks like Andy Warhol and dresses like a French punk. At some point in the game, his henchmen (dressed similarly, but also wearing mime makeup) manage to jump you and capture you. When you come to, you are tied to a chair and assassin Andy does a song and dance to this song, with choreographed mime dance moves.
By The Hives
Once again I'm a little lost as to what to write... Much to my dismay I've never seen these guys live so I don't have any 'possibly fictional' tales of rock and roll hi-jinks this time around. However, The Hives are one of my favorite bands, and damn good at what they do (which is rock out, co-incidentally), so it seems a waste not to feature some of their songs.
This one is off of their first major album 'Your new favorite band'. Pay special attention to the lyrics, because I'm pretty sure they make no sense at all.
Missing Link
By The Hives
Missing link is off the second tour de force of an album (and my favorite), Tyrannosaurus Hives. It was hard picking just one song from this album, but that's why I'm here... making the tough decisions. Also for listening pleasure please consider 'Dead quote Olympics', 'B is for Brutus' and 'Two timing touch and broken bones' from the same album. Actually, just make that the entire album, just to be safe.
The reason I'm so dismayed that I haven't seen The Hives live yet is because apparently they do one of the greatest rock shows of all time. Rolling stone rated it as 8th best ever or something. Apparently this is due to the lead singer, 'Howling' Pelle Almqvist, engaging in what he has dubbed "Colorful idiocy". Such a display can be seen below, in quote form (I got this from Wikipedia, so it's gotta be true):
Pelle: "I'm out of control! Tell me to take it easy!"
Crowd: "Take it easy!"
Pelle: "No, I wooon't!"
I think that pretty much sums it up.
Bigger Hole To Fill
By Delta Goodr- I mean The Hives
This one's from their latest album, "The Black and White album", which is a reference to the band's need to have a different uniform every time they go on tour, but always only in black and white. This album's also pretty rad, but I don't like it as much because they felt the need to mess with the timing in some songs. It's not in this one, put for others they are there rocking out and then suddenly BAM... songs at half speed for some reason. It throws out my dance steps.
Anyway, every time I hear this song I think of this first person shooter I'm going to make one day. One of the characters will be an assassin who kind of looks like Andy Warhol and dresses like a French punk. At some point in the game, his henchmen (dressed similarly, but also wearing mime makeup) manage to jump you and capture you. When you come to, you are tied to a chair and assassin Andy does a song and dance to this song, with choreographed mime dance moves.
Friday, July 4, 2008
I don't really have any little stories for these songs... but I'm gonna play them anyway.
A Perfect Sonnet
By Bright Eyes
It's a shame Conor Oberst is pretty much the definition of emo, because he writes some incredibly beautiful stuff. This is some of that stuff.
Eleanor Put Your Boots Back On
By Franz Ferdinand
Who would have thought that a bunch of art pop lads could write a song like this. It also reminds me of The Warriors because of its references to Coney Island.
Little Wing
By Jimi Hendrix
I've already mentioned that Jimi Hendrix is Black Guitar Jesus. Enough said really.
By Bright Eyes
It's a shame Conor Oberst is pretty much the definition of emo, because he writes some incredibly beautiful stuff. This is some of that stuff.
Eleanor Put Your Boots Back On
By Franz Ferdinand
Who would have thought that a bunch of art pop lads could write a song like this. It also reminds me of The Warriors because of its references to Coney Island.
Little Wing
By Jimi Hendrix
I've already mentioned that Jimi Hendrix is Black Guitar Jesus. Enough said really.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Songs I totally forgot about, but then one day remembered randomly, and made a note about it on my phone...
Arms Around Me (Live)
By Jens Lekman
Also known as the Avocado song.
Jens Lekman is an unbelievable lyricist. There are so many clever lines in this song... so much so that I'm willing to forgive that the only instrument is a ukulele and it's in terrible quality (I can't help it.. its a super hard song to find). He has released a proper album version of this one, but he's made ridiculous changes to the lyrics, cutting so much good stuff and filling it is with pop psychology nonsense, that its almost a crime. Also, the album version sounds like a gay rainbow.
I can't remember the exact circumstances that led to me remembering this song and then writing it down. I might have been looking at avocados...
My Heart Is On Fire
By The Dirty Secrets
Also known as the band I mistook for Franz Ferdinand.
Unlike Franz though, these guys are from Perth. I know I'd heard these guys on the radio a bunch but just generally forgot to keep an ear out for the band name. I think I was at some housewarming party and it came on in the background, so I quickly jotted down the chorus (it's pretty easy to remember) and the rest is history.
Coincidentally, while checking that these guys were actually from Perth, I found out I just missed a show by them and another cool Sydney band called Sparkadia (more on them later, probably), as they played at the troubadour on Tuesday night. I really have to pay more attention to these things.
Go For Blue
By Pepe Deluxe
The scene: some Chinese restaurant in the valley.
The time: dinner before Drew's band played one time.
The reason: I've no idea. I just got the "All the colours all the colours all the colours..." bit stuck in my head. I didn't mind though, its a cool little song. Also, blue is my favourite colour, so naturally I'd go for it. So it's come full circle, the colour wheel is complete.
I kinda wish it didn't have the evangelist breakdown section in the centre though... It's like a musical blitzkrieg for all of it, except the part where it stops to take a breath and issue life advice.
By Jens Lekman
Also known as the Avocado song.
Jens Lekman is an unbelievable lyricist. There are so many clever lines in this song... so much so that I'm willing to forgive that the only instrument is a ukulele and it's in terrible quality (I can't help it.. its a super hard song to find). He has released a proper album version of this one, but he's made ridiculous changes to the lyrics, cutting so much good stuff and filling it is with pop psychology nonsense, that its almost a crime. Also, the album version sounds like a gay rainbow.
I can't remember the exact circumstances that led to me remembering this song and then writing it down. I might have been looking at avocados...
My Heart Is On Fire
By The Dirty Secrets
Also known as the band I mistook for Franz Ferdinand.
Unlike Franz though, these guys are from Perth. I know I'd heard these guys on the radio a bunch but just generally forgot to keep an ear out for the band name. I think I was at some housewarming party and it came on in the background, so I quickly jotted down the chorus (it's pretty easy to remember) and the rest is history.
Coincidentally, while checking that these guys were actually from Perth, I found out I just missed a show by them and another cool Sydney band called Sparkadia (more on them later, probably), as they played at the troubadour on Tuesday night. I really have to pay more attention to these things.
Go For Blue
By Pepe Deluxe
The scene: some Chinese restaurant in the valley.
The time: dinner before Drew's band played one time.
The reason: I've no idea. I just got the "All the colours all the colours all the colours..." bit stuck in my head. I didn't mind though, its a cool little song. Also, blue is my favourite colour, so naturally I'd go for it. So it's come full circle, the colour wheel is complete.
I kinda wish it didn't have the evangelist breakdown section in the centre though... It's like a musical blitzkrieg for all of it, except the part where it stops to take a breath and issue life advice.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
A moment of clarity and 200 solemn faces...
Silver Street
By Ben Folds
Or in this case, the moment of clarity.
I remember dling the original demo tape Ben Folds recorded before starting Ben Folds Five and this song blowing me away. I could never understand why this song never made it to an album. Sure, it eventually made it to the 'Ben Folds Live' album, but it totally doesn't count.
Anyway, up front it's a song about someone who is stuck in the same place. trying to justify his existence by securing his position year after year, accepting his short coming because 'thats just how it is'. But to me, this is a song about being too cocky... thinking you have everything under control but in reality, everything is just falling further and further into fantasy land. It's hard to maintain objectivity when you only have one point of view...
Deadwood
By Dirty Pretty Things
Ok.... So my 200 solemn faces are just songs I've been listening to alot lately, but I'm sure I can assess some meaning out of them. I mean... what is psychological assessment if you can't bust out a little pop-psychology every now and again.
So... according to my 'back-of-the-cereal-box-psychology-degree' assessment, this song is about my inability to let go of the past and focus on the more important aspects of my life. What they are at the moment, I have no idea. I'm no psychologist...
Razorblade
By The Strokes
Yeah... I dunno what this has to do with anything....
If anything, it's an indication of me putting too much importance in other peoples feelings, but at this time of night, it's too late and too cold to put any faith in my cognitive abilities.
The long and short of it is that all of these songs are good songs, and indeed, are all from extremely good albumst I'll have to share with you sometime. But for now, this is the best I can manage. Not that I mean this in a bad way, but I hope these songs get stuck in your head as much as they have been stuck in mine the past few weeks.
By Ben Folds
Or in this case, the moment of clarity.
I remember dling the original demo tape Ben Folds recorded before starting Ben Folds Five and this song blowing me away. I could never understand why this song never made it to an album. Sure, it eventually made it to the 'Ben Folds Live' album, but it totally doesn't count.
Anyway, up front it's a song about someone who is stuck in the same place. trying to justify his existence by securing his position year after year, accepting his short coming because 'thats just how it is'. But to me, this is a song about being too cocky... thinking you have everything under control but in reality, everything is just falling further and further into fantasy land. It's hard to maintain objectivity when you only have one point of view...
Deadwood
By Dirty Pretty Things
Ok.... So my 200 solemn faces are just songs I've been listening to alot lately, but I'm sure I can assess some meaning out of them. I mean... what is psychological assessment if you can't bust out a little pop-psychology every now and again.
So... according to my 'back-of-the-cereal-box-psychology-degree' assessment, this song is about my inability to let go of the past and focus on the more important aspects of my life. What they are at the moment, I have no idea. I'm no psychologist...
Razorblade
By The Strokes
Yeah... I dunno what this has to do with anything....
If anything, it's an indication of me putting too much importance in other peoples feelings, but at this time of night, it's too late and too cold to put any faith in my cognitive abilities.
The long and short of it is that all of these songs are good songs, and indeed, are all from extremely good albumst I'll have to share with you sometime. But for now, this is the best I can manage. Not that I mean this in a bad way, but I hope these songs get stuck in your head as much as they have been stuck in mine the past few weeks.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Songs that always put a smile on my face.
Rhythm Bandits
By Junior Senior
This could technically also star in a "Band's I get an entirely unjustified amount of crap for liking" post (along with The Grates and others) but honestly, I don't know any other song that makes me want to dance more than this (with the possible exception of move your feet, also by this band).
Anyway, Junior Senior is kinda known as a gay/straight band, since one of them is gay and one of them is straight. Also, one of them is old and one is young, which I imagine with my Sherlock Holmes level of deduction, is where they got their name from. Which is which is obviously a mystery (except i would be money that the younger one is in fact Junior, and vice versa). Also, it's dancey, it's fun, and I'm not going to let the fact that channel 10 bought the rights and play their songs for every 'trendy' show they are putting on this year ruin it for me.
Also... Rhythm is a ridiculously hard word to spell.
Planet Of The Wolves
By GuitarWolf
This is my "I'm about to kick absolute ass" song. I seriously know no other song that is anywhere near as bad ass or as rockin' as this song is. Play it and run through it now with me:
First section: Long shot of a desert, it pans to some guy in the distance riding a motorcycle, every time a wolf howls its super imposed on the shots...
That first big chord: PLANT OF THE WOLVES is show in big bold letters on the screen...
That bit after the chord but before the rest of the song: I kick in some door and look bad ass.
The rest of the song: Ass kicking.
Underwater's Where The Action Is
By Kelley Stoltz
Ok ok.... Imagine this. The little mermaid (the movie) is remade, but with Muppets, and halfway through the movie there's some party in the middle of the sea. And a young Bob Dylan is there, capable of breathing and singing underwater without the need of any visible breathing apparatus. This would be the song he sung.
Honestly, I don't even know how this song got on my computer... I don't remember d'ling it. I know the boys wouldn't have d'led it and my sister had no idea who it was... It's like the happiest accident that ever happened.
By Junior Senior
This could technically also star in a "Band's I get an entirely unjustified amount of crap for liking" post (along with The Grates and others) but honestly, I don't know any other song that makes me want to dance more than this (with the possible exception of move your feet, also by this band).
Anyway, Junior Senior is kinda known as a gay/straight band, since one of them is gay and one of them is straight. Also, one of them is old and one is young, which I imagine with my Sherlock Holmes level of deduction, is where they got their name from. Which is which is obviously a mystery (except i would be money that the younger one is in fact Junior, and vice versa). Also, it's dancey, it's fun, and I'm not going to let the fact that channel 10 bought the rights and play their songs for every 'trendy' show they are putting on this year ruin it for me.
Also... Rhythm is a ridiculously hard word to spell.
Planet Of The Wolves
By GuitarWolf
This is my "I'm about to kick absolute ass" song. I seriously know no other song that is anywhere near as bad ass or as rockin' as this song is. Play it and run through it now with me:
First section: Long shot of a desert, it pans to some guy in the distance riding a motorcycle, every time a wolf howls its super imposed on the shots...
That first big chord: PLANT OF THE WOLVES is show in big bold letters on the screen...
That bit after the chord but before the rest of the song: I kick in some door and look bad ass.
The rest of the song: Ass kicking.
Underwater's Where The Action Is
By Kelley Stoltz
Ok ok.... Imagine this. The little mermaid (the movie) is remade, but with Muppets, and halfway through the movie there's some party in the middle of the sea. And a young Bob Dylan is there, capable of breathing and singing underwater without the need of any visible breathing apparatus. This would be the song he sung.
Honestly, I don't even know how this song got on my computer... I don't remember d'ling it. I know the boys wouldn't have d'led it and my sister had no idea who it was... It's like the happiest accident that ever happened.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The lyrical stylings (err... covers) of Mr. Richard Cheese.
Welcome to the Jungle
As originally done by Guns and Roses
This song should surely be a staple of any good night out in Townsville, but please enjoy this slightly classier, less Mad-Cow-ier version of it. It's got everything that was good about the original, plus a horn section and cameos from all the old favorites such as "Jungle Boogie" and "The lion sleeps tonight".
I think this was probably the first song I heard by this guy, with the possible exception of "Down with the sickness" from the Dawn of the Dead soundtrack.
Been Caught Stealing
As originally done by Jane's Addiction
It was hard to pick what songs to put up with this lot, not only because he has so many awesome ones, but also because it's even better if you know the original song beforehand. I was considering doing a "before and after" thing where I put up the original and the cover but I have nowhere near the space needed for that kinda thing. The point I'm trying to slowly reach in this meandering paragraph, is that I'm pretty sure you know this song.
Also... Poor doggie.
Creep
As originally done by Radiohead
Mr. Cheese is also sometimes a little bit of a pain in the ass, in that he does a couple of versions of the same song (for some entirely unknown reason). Anyway, it's often a case that one has really crappy midi music, but awesome stage presence-y stuff and the other one has actual instruments. I'm pretty sure this one is the latter. Also, I know you don't know any Radiohead, but I'm pretty sure you'll know this one. If you don't, I'll send you the original sometime.
Don't worry about missing out on the other one, the best bits of it are all Radiohead jokes you probably wouldn't get at the moment. Maybe one day tho, when the time is right, I'll play it for you, and it will give you as much joy as it has given me.
Special Bonus Track!
The Theme from Friends
Originally by someone or other I dunno I can't be bothered looking it up on google.
Dear God. He makes it sound so sincere!
(Also, I think it was the Rembrandts).
As originally done by Guns and Roses
This song should surely be a staple of any good night out in Townsville, but please enjoy this slightly classier, less Mad-Cow-ier version of it. It's got everything that was good about the original, plus a horn section and cameos from all the old favorites such as "Jungle Boogie" and "The lion sleeps tonight".
I think this was probably the first song I heard by this guy, with the possible exception of "Down with the sickness" from the Dawn of the Dead soundtrack.
Been Caught Stealing
As originally done by Jane's Addiction
It was hard to pick what songs to put up with this lot, not only because he has so many awesome ones, but also because it's even better if you know the original song beforehand. I was considering doing a "before and after" thing where I put up the original and the cover but I have nowhere near the space needed for that kinda thing. The point I'm trying to slowly reach in this meandering paragraph, is that I'm pretty sure you know this song.
Also... Poor doggie.
Creep
As originally done by Radiohead
Mr. Cheese is also sometimes a little bit of a pain in the ass, in that he does a couple of versions of the same song (for some entirely unknown reason). Anyway, it's often a case that one has really crappy midi music, but awesome stage presence-y stuff and the other one has actual instruments. I'm pretty sure this one is the latter. Also, I know you don't know any Radiohead, but I'm pretty sure you'll know this one. If you don't, I'll send you the original sometime.
Don't worry about missing out on the other one, the best bits of it are all Radiohead jokes you probably wouldn't get at the moment. Maybe one day tho, when the time is right, I'll play it for you, and it will give you as much joy as it has given me.
Special Bonus Track!
The Theme from Friends
Originally by someone or other I dunno I can't be bothered looking it up on google.
Dear God. He makes it sound so sincere!
(Also, I think it was the Rembrandts).
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
I didn't know what to pick so I just picked some songs. Uninspired, I know.
Decent Days and Nights
By The Futureheads
When I first heard this song I wasn't really a fan. I think they'd kinda came on the scene around the same time as Maximo Park and I my eyes couldn't really hold a candle to them. However... Cut to 2 weeks ago and something triggers in my head that reminds me of this song and BAM! I haven't been able to stop humming it even since. Their new song for their forth coming album "Beginning of the twist" is also rather awesome, but I haven't got a copy of that one yet.
The best line is "This is a brand new problem, a problem without any clues...." I bust out with it when James asks me a question... Just to piss him off.
Burn Faster
By Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps were the new Libertines for me. There first album was unbelievably awesome and it's a crying shame that hardly anybody listened to it. Their follow up album, which this song is from hasn't gripped me and shook me violently like the first one did, but this song has definitely grown on me.
The Kelly Affair
By Be Your Own Pet
I couldn't think of anything else so I just got something from the latest thing I got. I always thought this song was by Operator Please, and was a song about the Valley here in Brisbane. They are in fact from Nashville, Tennessee and therefore this is actually country music.
By The Futureheads
When I first heard this song I wasn't really a fan. I think they'd kinda came on the scene around the same time as Maximo Park and I my eyes couldn't really hold a candle to them. However... Cut to 2 weeks ago and something triggers in my head that reminds me of this song and BAM! I haven't been able to stop humming it even since. Their new song for their forth coming album "Beginning of the twist" is also rather awesome, but I haven't got a copy of that one yet.
The best line is "This is a brand new problem, a problem without any clues...." I bust out with it when James asks me a question... Just to piss him off.
Burn Faster
By Nine Black Alps
Nine Black Alps were the new Libertines for me. There first album was unbelievably awesome and it's a crying shame that hardly anybody listened to it. Their follow up album, which this song is from hasn't gripped me and shook me violently like the first one did, but this song has definitely grown on me.
The Kelly Affair
By Be Your Own Pet
I couldn't think of anything else so I just got something from the latest thing I got. I always thought this song was by Operator Please, and was a song about the Valley here in Brisbane. They are in fact from Nashville, Tennessee and therefore this is actually country music.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
God Save the Queen- More songs from Ol' Blighty
Only Lovers Left Alive
By The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes are the definition of (and indeed, the only band I can think of off the top of my head that says their style is) Glam Punk. To be honest, I don't really know all that much about this band. Originally, I thought they were an American band, their music kind of reminds me of 50's, down at the milk parlor, rock and roll... but they are in fact from Sheffield, England.
I was surprised to realise that I knew (and liked!) so many of the songs from their first album, but its not something I listen to often. But when I'm in the mood its a pretty solid effort.
Eddie's Gun
By The Kooks
EDDIE'S GUN IS 1 MINUTE AND 59 SECONDS OF PURE AWESOME. LIKE THIS DESCRIPTION, IT'S SHORT AND ROCKIN'.
The Coast Is Always Changing
By Maximo Park
Maximo Park are an unbelievably great band that I'm ashamed that I: a) Still haven't seen live, and b) Have waited this long to bring up (See also: The Hives , Belle & Sebastian et al...).
Anyway, picking just one song from their 2 albums was ridiculously tough, I really think I'll have to do a post just for them one day. Anyway, I eventually chose their first single simply because sometimes its good to start at the start and also because its fun to shout out along with the chorus. Especially when you are wearing headphones. And surrounded by strangers.
Special Bonus Track!
Chicken Payback
By The Bees
Eddie's gun is a tiny little song, so since I have a little extra space, I thought I might just chuck up this last song.
Whenever I hear this song, for some reason I think of a cooking montage where I'm dancing around the kitchen, performing different tasks and generally preparing dinner (well.. I also think of animals dancing and receiving money, but thats a little more obvious). ANYWAY, I've tried many a time to make my cooking montage fantasy a reality to this song, but theres not much decent food you can prepare in just over 3 minutes. Maybe one day...
By The Long Blondes
The Long Blondes are the definition of (and indeed, the only band I can think of off the top of my head that says their style is) Glam Punk. To be honest, I don't really know all that much about this band. Originally, I thought they were an American band, their music kind of reminds me of 50's, down at the milk parlor, rock and roll... but they are in fact from Sheffield, England.
I was surprised to realise that I knew (and liked!) so many of the songs from their first album, but its not something I listen to often. But when I'm in the mood its a pretty solid effort.
Eddie's Gun
By The Kooks
EDDIE'S GUN IS 1 MINUTE AND 59 SECONDS OF PURE AWESOME. LIKE THIS DESCRIPTION, IT'S SHORT AND ROCKIN'.
The Coast Is Always Changing
By Maximo Park
Maximo Park are an unbelievably great band that I'm ashamed that I: a) Still haven't seen live, and b) Have waited this long to bring up (See also: The Hives , Belle & Sebastian et al...).
Anyway, picking just one song from their 2 albums was ridiculously tough, I really think I'll have to do a post just for them one day. Anyway, I eventually chose their first single simply because sometimes its good to start at the start and also because its fun to shout out along with the chorus. Especially when you are wearing headphones. And surrounded by strangers.
Special Bonus Track!
Chicken Payback
By The Bees
Eddie's gun is a tiny little song, so since I have a little extra space, I thought I might just chuck up this last song.
Whenever I hear this song, for some reason I think of a cooking montage where I'm dancing around the kitchen, performing different tasks and generally preparing dinner (well.. I also think of animals dancing and receiving money, but thats a little more obvious). ANYWAY, I've tried many a time to make my cooking montage fantasy a reality to this song, but theres not much decent food you can prepare in just over 3 minutes. Maybe one day...
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Indie bands that it's mandatory to like, that I don't like, and why I don't, and why maybe I should.
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
By Arcade Fire
You already have a whole bunch of Arcade Fire songs, but if I was going to point out one it would be this (which I think you don't have) and No Cars Go (which I think you might have).
Why I don't like them:
I dunno... they have a ridiculous amount of members for a start and they just kinda carry on, on stage, like they are just having a good time and getting lost in the music but I dunno, it always seems so kind of put on and contrived to me. But then again... I'm a gigantic cynic, coz we all know you can't have fun playing music... It's serious business dammit!
Anyway, they are also one of those indie bands of the time (admittedly, they may have started it) that feature warbling almost shouted male vocals that make a point of not being perfect. I mean, I love hearing vocals with character over what would be classed "perfect vocals" but I dunno it just seemed a little over the top.
Also, the first song I heard from them (Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)) bugged the hell out of me. And first impressions count.
Why I should maybe think again:
There are a few songs by them that I do like, and plus recently I heard Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) and found it to be one of the greatest and most touching songs I've ever heard.
Chicago
By Sufjan Stevens
Why I don't like him:
He's soooo ridiculously overhyped by the American music scene for a start. Plus, he's decided (a while ago, mind you) that he was going to do a project where he does an album for each of the states of the US while he travels around it. So far, he's made an album for Illinois and an album of songs that didn't weren't good enough to make it onto his Illinois album. At this rate, he should be finished his 51st state by the time he's 80.
I dunno.. I guess I just find him really pretentious. I think its a kind of thing where if you act pretentious enough and do something arty, people will assume that you must be some kind of genius and that they just don't get it, so they tell other people they get it to seem clever and it ends up snowballing until the original pretentious guy is some kind of demi-god. I assume all modern art is a little like that.
Also, I really hate his name. What kind of a parent calls there son Sufjan?
Why I should maybe think again:
As pretentious as he is, he does have a knack for making some beautiful music. I think it's probably a little unfair for me to hate his music just because he's a bit of a wanker when I make similar concessions for Australian artists (e.g. Tim Rodgers...). Still though, none of his other music has really stuck out (or even got that popular). He did do an excellent cover of a Joanie Mitchell song (Free man in Paris) for some cover CD that features some serious trumpet work, but two good songs in no way justifies the amount of hype he gets.
Dashboard
By Modest Mouse
Why I don't like them:
For a start, see the Arcade Fire section for warbling almost shouted male vocals, because Modest Mouse was another band leading the charge with that. I guess that was the major issue with this band. I didn't particularly get into the songs from the first album (the big ones were Float On and Ocean Breathes Salty) , although I would dance about to them while drunk, they weren't really that special. So yeah.. I guess thats about it for why I didn't like this band.. I just couldn't get why everyone else thought they were so good...
Why I should maybe think again:
...That was until I heard this song of course, which is a driving powerhouse that I defy anyone to not tap their feet along to. Not that any of the other songs on the album struck me that hard, with the possibility of Fire It Up being an exception, but this song almost makes up for it. Also, it has an awesome film clip about fishing.
By Arcade Fire
You already have a whole bunch of Arcade Fire songs, but if I was going to point out one it would be this (which I think you don't have) and No Cars Go (which I think you might have).
Why I don't like them:
I dunno... they have a ridiculous amount of members for a start and they just kinda carry on, on stage, like they are just having a good time and getting lost in the music but I dunno, it always seems so kind of put on and contrived to me. But then again... I'm a gigantic cynic, coz we all know you can't have fun playing music... It's serious business dammit!
Anyway, they are also one of those indie bands of the time (admittedly, they may have started it) that feature warbling almost shouted male vocals that make a point of not being perfect. I mean, I love hearing vocals with character over what would be classed "perfect vocals" but I dunno it just seemed a little over the top.
Also, the first song I heard from them (Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)) bugged the hell out of me. And first impressions count.
Why I should maybe think again:
There are a few songs by them that I do like, and plus recently I heard Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) and found it to be one of the greatest and most touching songs I've ever heard.
Chicago
By Sufjan Stevens
Why I don't like him:
He's soooo ridiculously overhyped by the American music scene for a start. Plus, he's decided (a while ago, mind you) that he was going to do a project where he does an album for each of the states of the US while he travels around it. So far, he's made an album for Illinois and an album of songs that didn't weren't good enough to make it onto his Illinois album. At this rate, he should be finished his 51st state by the time he's 80.
I dunno.. I guess I just find him really pretentious. I think its a kind of thing where if you act pretentious enough and do something arty, people will assume that you must be some kind of genius and that they just don't get it, so they tell other people they get it to seem clever and it ends up snowballing until the original pretentious guy is some kind of demi-god. I assume all modern art is a little like that.
Also, I really hate his name. What kind of a parent calls there son Sufjan?
Why I should maybe think again:
As pretentious as he is, he does have a knack for making some beautiful music. I think it's probably a little unfair for me to hate his music just because he's a bit of a wanker when I make similar concessions for Australian artists (e.g. Tim Rodgers...). Still though, none of his other music has really stuck out (or even got that popular). He did do an excellent cover of a Joanie Mitchell song (Free man in Paris) for some cover CD that features some serious trumpet work, but two good songs in no way justifies the amount of hype he gets.
Dashboard
By Modest Mouse
Why I don't like them:
For a start, see the Arcade Fire section for warbling almost shouted male vocals, because Modest Mouse was another band leading the charge with that. I guess that was the major issue with this band. I didn't particularly get into the songs from the first album (the big ones were Float On and Ocean Breathes Salty) , although I would dance about to them while drunk, they weren't really that special. So yeah.. I guess thats about it for why I didn't like this band.. I just couldn't get why everyone else thought they were so good...
Why I should maybe think again:
...That was until I heard this song of course, which is a driving powerhouse that I defy anyone to not tap their feet along to. Not that any of the other songs on the album struck me that hard, with the possibility of Fire It Up being an exception, but this song almost makes up for it. Also, it has an awesome film clip about fishing.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Good Friday Special! - Men with long hair and possibly facial hair who died too young.
Can't Make A Sound
By Elliot Smith
Probably the man with the least facial hair on this list today. Elliot Smith died age 34 from 2 (supposedly self inflicted) stab wounds. It's a terrible shame that the world lost such a great song writer, but listening to his music you could kind of see it coming. There are so many good songs by him that its hard to narrow it down to just one (I might send you some more later) but today I've chosen this one because I really like the build up towards the end.
Long Hot Summer Night
By Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix is the Black Jesus of the guitar. Jimi died age 28 of suspicious circumstances (also possibly self inflicted). Still though, his legacy still lives on today with anyone who plays guitar. I chose this song, out of the massive amount of his other good songs because its currently my favorite one at the moment and its also a little more hopeful and up beat than the other ones one the list today. Of course, its a little less relevant since we are no longer in summer at the moment, but who cares...
Last Goodbye
By Jeff Buckley
If I have never played you this song, then I feel I have failed as a man because this is the kind of song you play to a girl that then leads on to making out. It's the kind of song I'd sing on at a karaoke bar or on Australian Idol to try and impress all the indie girls, except then I'd have to be compared to Jeff Buckley and eventually lose massive face for being a pale imitation.
Anyway, I've had this song for aaaaages. Like, when I first moved to Townsville ages. It's always been one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. A lot of Jeff's other songs are also great, he wasn't as prolific as Elliot Smith, but his songs are still as important to modern music, if not more so. He died aged 31 from an accidental drowning. I guess it just doesn't pay to be a great singer songwriter...
By Elliot Smith
Probably the man with the least facial hair on this list today. Elliot Smith died age 34 from 2 (supposedly self inflicted) stab wounds. It's a terrible shame that the world lost such a great song writer, but listening to his music you could kind of see it coming. There are so many good songs by him that its hard to narrow it down to just one (I might send you some more later) but today I've chosen this one because I really like the build up towards the end.
Long Hot Summer Night
By Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix is the Black Jesus of the guitar. Jimi died age 28 of suspicious circumstances (also possibly self inflicted). Still though, his legacy still lives on today with anyone who plays guitar. I chose this song, out of the massive amount of his other good songs because its currently my favorite one at the moment and its also a little more hopeful and up beat than the other ones one the list today. Of course, its a little less relevant since we are no longer in summer at the moment, but who cares...
Last Goodbye
By Jeff Buckley
If I have never played you this song, then I feel I have failed as a man because this is the kind of song you play to a girl that then leads on to making out. It's the kind of song I'd sing on at a karaoke bar or on Australian Idol to try and impress all the indie girls, except then I'd have to be compared to Jeff Buckley and eventually lose massive face for being a pale imitation.
Anyway, I've had this song for aaaaages. Like, when I first moved to Townsville ages. It's always been one of the greatest songs I've ever heard. A lot of Jeff's other songs are also great, he wasn't as prolific as Elliot Smith, but his songs are still as important to modern music, if not more so. He died aged 31 from an accidental drowning. I guess it just doesn't pay to be a great singer songwriter...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Girl Pianists FTW
Dirty Business
By The Dresden Dolls
Once upon a time I had the chance to see the Dresden Dolls live, but I think to get in you had to dress up mime style and plus I found out about it a little too late, and there was no guarantee I'd get in anyway. Plus there was no chance of anyone else I knew wanting to go. All those factors added up and I never went. I kind of wish I did go tho, since I really actually like their stuff. But I guess thats a lesson learnt right there. I shoulda known, I always have a soft spot for piano heavy music.
Samson
By Regina Specktor
You've probably already heard "Fidelity" and "On The Radio" (and possibly her cover of John Lennon's "Real Love") but they aren't piano-y enough for this post. Also, I've been pulling too many songs you already know the last couple of posts, so its time to get a little more obscure. This one is off of her first (and only I think) album "Begin To Hope". Regina's got an amazing voice but you can never really tell if some of her stuff is real or edited, but this is a relatively stripped back and sweet song, probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite from the album.
I Don't Blame You
By Cat Power
This has always been one of my favorite songs, from the first time I heard it ages ago, but it wasn't until recently I remembered to actually get it. I've never seen her live, but reviews of her live shows vary greatly. Sometimes shes unbelievable and sometimes shes total crap. Apparently she once just walked out on a show once in Sydney because she wasn't getting into it. A lot of people think this song is about the way she feels about playing live and having to follow a tour schedule. Some times, she just doesn't want to play.... and I don't blame her.
If, for some reason, I'm ever doing like a version on Triple J, this is the song I wanna do...
Special Encore!:
Girl Anachronism
By The Dresden Dolls
I had a little extra space this week, so I thought I might just put up an extra song. There are so many bands I've put up so far where 1 song doesn't do them justice. I mean, eventually I'll get around to putting some more up in other posts or something, but still.... Too much good music!
Anyway, I've already talked a little about the Dresdens... So I'd just like to point you to the film clip for this song. Listening to this song theres a lot to take in but it never hit me until I saw the film clip how furious the drumming in this song is. Seriously, that guys a freak. It's like his torso doesn't move but his arms just go wild. There should be more of it.
By The Dresden Dolls
Once upon a time I had the chance to see the Dresden Dolls live, but I think to get in you had to dress up mime style and plus I found out about it a little too late, and there was no guarantee I'd get in anyway. Plus there was no chance of anyone else I knew wanting to go. All those factors added up and I never went. I kind of wish I did go tho, since I really actually like their stuff. But I guess thats a lesson learnt right there. I shoulda known, I always have a soft spot for piano heavy music.
Samson
By Regina Specktor
You've probably already heard "Fidelity" and "On The Radio" (and possibly her cover of John Lennon's "Real Love") but they aren't piano-y enough for this post. Also, I've been pulling too many songs you already know the last couple of posts, so its time to get a little more obscure. This one is off of her first (and only I think) album "Begin To Hope". Regina's got an amazing voice but you can never really tell if some of her stuff is real or edited, but this is a relatively stripped back and sweet song, probably my 2nd or 3rd favorite from the album.
I Don't Blame You
By Cat Power
This has always been one of my favorite songs, from the first time I heard it ages ago, but it wasn't until recently I remembered to actually get it. I've never seen her live, but reviews of her live shows vary greatly. Sometimes shes unbelievable and sometimes shes total crap. Apparently she once just walked out on a show once in Sydney because she wasn't getting into it. A lot of people think this song is about the way she feels about playing live and having to follow a tour schedule. Some times, she just doesn't want to play.... and I don't blame her.
If, for some reason, I'm ever doing like a version on Triple J, this is the song I wanna do...
Special Encore!:
Girl Anachronism
By The Dresden Dolls
I had a little extra space this week, so I thought I might just put up an extra song. There are so many bands I've put up so far where 1 song doesn't do them justice. I mean, eventually I'll get around to putting some more up in other posts or something, but still.... Too much good music!
Anyway, I've already talked a little about the Dresdens... So I'd just like to point you to the film clip for this song. Listening to this song theres a lot to take in but it never hit me until I saw the film clip how furious the drumming in this song is. Seriously, that guys a freak. It's like his torso doesn't move but his arms just go wild. There should be more of it.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Australian Bands, Attempt no.2! Attack of the "The" bands.
Trampoline
By The Grates
The Grates were/maybe still are the darlings of the local indie/alternative scene, even more so because they are from Brisbane. Sometimes we even see Patience and John (singer and guitarist respectively) out in the valley.
Regardless, this song is pretty old, I'm pretty sure you might have heard it on a Jay Jay's ad sometime ages ago... But this is the one off of their album. It's still as rocking as ever. The Grates are a little bit of a mixed bag tho, I love them coz their music is so fun and upbeat, but I know some people, i.e. Vic, who doesn't like them coz they are a bit childish. I mean, i can see his point (last time I saw Patience, she was dressed up as Peter Pan and their back up band was dressed as pirates) but its always going to be about the music for me... Plus she's cute in green tights.
Buffet
By The Cants
Another kind of old one that you've probably heard before, pre-album, the difference is, I think we used to think the lyrics were "I like a Puppy....".
Still, puppies or not, its still a great song. I actually bought their album for another song that was awesome at the time called "Not Cool Enough For You" and this song just happened to be on the album. It was a happy coincidence. There is another cool song on there called "Complications" but the rest of the album is just kinda average. I haven't heard of these guys doing anything after this album (I haven't even seen them tour to Brisbane) so I don't know if they are still around.
Their band name is kind of dirty if you say it with a scottish accent.
Baby^2
By The Drones
Also known as Baby Squared, but not Baby Baby.
The Drones smashed their way onto the music scene about 2 years ago with their ridiculously long titled "Wait long by the river and the bodies of your enemies will float by" album. They gained a fair amount of cult status, due to their almost country-influenced sounds.
This song is deceptive tho, its straight up rock and roll and it sounds very out of place with the rest of their stuff. Not that the rest of the album is that bad, theres "Shark Fin Blues" and off there follow up album there is "I Don't Ever Want To Change". They are pretty good live tho...
By The Grates
The Grates were/maybe still are the darlings of the local indie/alternative scene, even more so because they are from Brisbane. Sometimes we even see Patience and John (singer and guitarist respectively) out in the valley.
Regardless, this song is pretty old, I'm pretty sure you might have heard it on a Jay Jay's ad sometime ages ago... But this is the one off of their album. It's still as rocking as ever. The Grates are a little bit of a mixed bag tho, I love them coz their music is so fun and upbeat, but I know some people, i.e. Vic, who doesn't like them coz they are a bit childish. I mean, i can see his point (last time I saw Patience, she was dressed up as Peter Pan and their back up band was dressed as pirates) but its always going to be about the music for me... Plus she's cute in green tights.
Buffet
By The Cants
Another kind of old one that you've probably heard before, pre-album, the difference is, I think we used to think the lyrics were "I like a Puppy....".
Still, puppies or not, its still a great song. I actually bought their album for another song that was awesome at the time called "Not Cool Enough For You" and this song just happened to be on the album. It was a happy coincidence. There is another cool song on there called "Complications" but the rest of the album is just kinda average. I haven't heard of these guys doing anything after this album (I haven't even seen them tour to Brisbane) so I don't know if they are still around.
Their band name is kind of dirty if you say it with a scottish accent.
Baby^2
By The Drones
Also known as Baby Squared, but not Baby Baby.
The Drones smashed their way onto the music scene about 2 years ago with their ridiculously long titled "Wait long by the river and the bodies of your enemies will float by" album. They gained a fair amount of cult status, due to their almost country-influenced sounds.
This song is deceptive tho, its straight up rock and roll and it sounds very out of place with the rest of their stuff. Not that the rest of the album is that bad, theres "Shark Fin Blues" and off there follow up album there is "I Don't Ever Want To Change". They are pretty good live tho...
Friday, March 7, 2008
I feel like such a traitor... Australian bands at last!
Play A Part
By Expatriate
I can't believe I haven't had any Australian bands on here yet! (Well, aside from Dave McCormack). Anyway, Expatriate are a Melbourne band that released an awesome EP with a kickass song called "Killer Cat" and another one called "Spaces Between". However, when they came to release their album, they decided to cut killer cat! Bastards! I think its kind of an Australian band thing, similar things happened with Eskimo Joe (Ruby Wednesday) and British India (Revolver, I think)... It could be bands just get sick of their clumsy first songs, but I think in this case it's because they were aiming for a kinda theme on their album. It kinda works, but it does make some of the songs a little samey.
Hurricane
By Faker
Faker were one of my favorite Australian bands of the last 2 years. Their first album was entirely kickass, and they also did one of the best live shows I've seen. I was pretty lucky actually, they had a festival thingy in the valley, where a whole bunch of my favorite Aus bands played including Faker, Expatriate, The Grates and Wolf & Cub, plus Canadian band The New Pornographers. It was a bad ass lineup.
The flipside of this tho, is that the other 2 times I've seen them they were nowhere near as good. I haven't heard all of their new album (Esta's going to send it to me...) but what I've heard is still pretty good. There are too many other good songs to list here at the moment, but I might get around to some more some other time.
Tales From The Forest Of Gnomes
By Wolfmother
Wolfmother blew me away about 3 years ago. Their 4 track EP was the most rocking thing I had heard for a long time. But then they went and recorded their album and lost a lot of their roughness and simplicity. The album was still hit after hit tho (I'd rank it up there with the strokes first album in such that every song on it is pretty solid).
They are kind of a funny band in the way they divide people. I mean normally, you either like a band, or you don't, and Wolfmother has some pretty ardent haters. But also, the people that like them are split between those that liked them from the EP and those that like them from the album.
I saw them at BDO 2 years ago, and beforehand, I was really excited about it. I headed deeeeep into the moshpit, and then disaster, there was some technical issues and they couldn't get the electrics to work. The crowd started to get pissed, and people who were there for the following bands started to pick fights with the Wolfmother fans, and then Wolfmother fans started to pick fights with other Wolfmother fans. And then more people tried to pour into the mosh. It was hell. Luckily, the band started playing eventually, but the feeling had well been lost. I still like them though...
Also, I picked this song because I thought it might remind you of your gnome days in WOW...
By Expatriate
I can't believe I haven't had any Australian bands on here yet! (Well, aside from Dave McCormack). Anyway, Expatriate are a Melbourne band that released an awesome EP with a kickass song called "Killer Cat" and another one called "Spaces Between". However, when they came to release their album, they decided to cut killer cat! Bastards! I think its kind of an Australian band thing, similar things happened with Eskimo Joe (Ruby Wednesday) and British India (Revolver, I think)... It could be bands just get sick of their clumsy first songs, but I think in this case it's because they were aiming for a kinda theme on their album. It kinda works, but it does make some of the songs a little samey.
Hurricane
By Faker
Faker were one of my favorite Australian bands of the last 2 years. Their first album was entirely kickass, and they also did one of the best live shows I've seen. I was pretty lucky actually, they had a festival thingy in the valley, where a whole bunch of my favorite Aus bands played including Faker, Expatriate, The Grates and Wolf & Cub, plus Canadian band The New Pornographers. It was a bad ass lineup.
The flipside of this tho, is that the other 2 times I've seen them they were nowhere near as good. I haven't heard all of their new album (Esta's going to send it to me...) but what I've heard is still pretty good. There are too many other good songs to list here at the moment, but I might get around to some more some other time.
Tales From The Forest Of Gnomes
By Wolfmother
Wolfmother blew me away about 3 years ago. Their 4 track EP was the most rocking thing I had heard for a long time. But then they went and recorded their album and lost a lot of their roughness and simplicity. The album was still hit after hit tho (I'd rank it up there with the strokes first album in such that every song on it is pretty solid).
They are kind of a funny band in the way they divide people. I mean normally, you either like a band, or you don't, and Wolfmother has some pretty ardent haters. But also, the people that like them are split between those that liked them from the EP and those that like them from the album.
I saw them at BDO 2 years ago, and beforehand, I was really excited about it. I headed deeeeep into the moshpit, and then disaster, there was some technical issues and they couldn't get the electrics to work. The crowd started to get pissed, and people who were there for the following bands started to pick fights with the Wolfmother fans, and then Wolfmother fans started to pick fights with other Wolfmother fans. And then more people tried to pour into the mosh. It was hell. Luckily, the band started playing eventually, but the feeling had well been lost. I still like them though...
Also, I picked this song because I thought it might remind you of your gnome days in WOW...
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Other sounds of Britain you may have missed.
Shoot The Runner
By Kasabian
This band was actually introduced to me by a guy I worked with at Coles. Since its a kinda transient job place, we would often get a lot of backpackers and what have you work for a little time, and then move on. Back in the old country, he used to work at a bar where they'd get a lot of the up and coming new bands to play, so he told me about some of them that he got to see live. Kasabian was, according to him, the next big thing.
He was a big fan of "The Reason is Treason" from their first album, but I prefer this one from their second, most probably for the line "I'm a king and she's my queen, bitch!". The other top song off this album is "Empire", which is still pretty catchy, but in my ears, not quite as good.
Golden Skans
By Klaxons
At one point, Klaxons were the golden boys of the British music scene. Their debut album, "Myths of the near Future" kinda blew everything else away. I have a feeling its because they went in a different direction from what everyone else was trying to do, i.e. be the new arctic monkeys. The Klaxons however, choose to give themselves an electro/dance feel and it payed off for them.
The rest of the album isn't that bad either.... Definite stand out tracks are "Gravity's Rainbow" and "Two Receivers". They also got asked to do a song with the chemical brothers, which the chemical bros almost regretted because apparently the Klaxons turned up and only wanted to record covers of Pink Floyd songs or something. I think they did end up recording something, but im stuffed if I can remember what...
Direct Hit
By Art Brut
Art Brut is latest band on this list today, they put out their debut album late last year and were in direct competition with The Wombats for the unofficial "New Arctic Monkeys" award. They didn't win, but its ok... I think these guys are more like Franz Ferdinand anyway. I mean, 1) distinctive accent, 2) vague art, literature and historical references (although not in this song) and 3) songs about dancing (relevant to this song).
Out of all the new brit bands I kind of dug these guys the most. I mean, their album wasn't hit after hit like the big bands of yore, but its still a little different and even though the lead singer sounds a little retarded sometimes, he has a knack for writing good lyrics. Plus this song does exactly what it says its about, it makes you wanna get out and dance! Like a retarded Welshman...
By Kasabian
This band was actually introduced to me by a guy I worked with at Coles. Since its a kinda transient job place, we would often get a lot of backpackers and what have you work for a little time, and then move on. Back in the old country, he used to work at a bar where they'd get a lot of the up and coming new bands to play, so he told me about some of them that he got to see live. Kasabian was, according to him, the next big thing.
He was a big fan of "The Reason is Treason" from their first album, but I prefer this one from their second, most probably for the line "I'm a king and she's my queen, bitch!". The other top song off this album is "Empire", which is still pretty catchy, but in my ears, not quite as good.
Golden Skans
By Klaxons
At one point, Klaxons were the golden boys of the British music scene. Their debut album, "Myths of the near Future" kinda blew everything else away. I have a feeling its because they went in a different direction from what everyone else was trying to do, i.e. be the new arctic monkeys. The Klaxons however, choose to give themselves an electro/dance feel and it payed off for them.
The rest of the album isn't that bad either.... Definite stand out tracks are "Gravity's Rainbow" and "Two Receivers". They also got asked to do a song with the chemical brothers, which the chemical bros almost regretted because apparently the Klaxons turned up and only wanted to record covers of Pink Floyd songs or something. I think they did end up recording something, but im stuffed if I can remember what...
Direct Hit
By Art Brut
Art Brut is latest band on this list today, they put out their debut album late last year and were in direct competition with The Wombats for the unofficial "New Arctic Monkeys" award. They didn't win, but its ok... I think these guys are more like Franz Ferdinand anyway. I mean, 1) distinctive accent, 2) vague art, literature and historical references (although not in this song) and 3) songs about dancing (relevant to this song).
Out of all the new brit bands I kind of dug these guys the most. I mean, their album wasn't hit after hit like the big bands of yore, but its still a little different and even though the lead singer sounds a little retarded sometimes, he has a knack for writing good lyrics. Plus this song does exactly what it says its about, it makes you wanna get out and dance! Like a retarded Welshman...
Sunday, March 2, 2008
What became of the likely lads?
Don't Look Back Into The Sun
By The Libertines
As you may or may not remember, The Libertines are one of my favorite bands... But if you listened to their second (and final) album, it's kinda of obvious that they were on the rocks. I mean, every second song is about how they can't stand to be around each other anymore and Pete Doherty could barely stand up towards the end of it.
Which brings us to this song, which depending on who you ask was either their first song or their last recorded song. I kinda lean to "last recorded" since their earlier stuff has a very fuzzy sound, plus this is totally another song about how the band is breaking up.
Plus, it leads itself to the story that whenever you hear Pete shout "Let me go!" in the song, it was actually Pete screaming in real life because he had to be restrained in the recording studio to finish the song. Apparently he turned up late, and stoned out of his mind, and they could only get him to do a little bit of recording before leaving a few hours later, leaving Carl Barat to make up a song with whatever they had down. Although, this could all be wrong... so don't quote me.
Fuck Forever
By Babyshambles
Pete Doherty went on to do a lot of things after The Libertines broke up, mainly cocaine and Kate Moss, but he did manage to get himself together and start a band as well. Babyshambles is a dumb name in my opinion, it was named after a recording session he did with the Libertines during the height of the bands problems.
The album itself wasn't up to the same level as the previous ones, but this song is definitely a stand out. It sounds very rough, but thats half of the charm! Even though its a recording, you can never really tell if Petes going to be able to make it all the way through the song, or if hes going to pass out in a gutter and kinda murmur the rest of the words. It is also a great song to shout along to in clubs.
It's always hard liking a band with Pete Doherty in it tho, considering hardly anyone actually knows hes a musician since Woman's Day and New Idea pretty much hammered him every chance they got... Not that he didn't deserve it or anything, but still. He was only acting like a rockstar, in the same way that Mick Jagger et al did before him. In someways, in this time of environmentally friendly, straight edge "rock musicians" he's the only true rocker left.
Bang Bang You're Dead
By Dirty Pretty Things
Carl Barat, on the other hand, did not get messed up on drugs and started a new band with the drummer called "Dirty Pretty Things" which was named after a DJ slot he used to do. Where Doherty brought the messy "everything's about to fall apart" feel to his album, Barat brought the jangly guitars and structured rock choruses. Personally, I think he did a better job.
Carl Barat however, seems a little incapable of letting go, as this seems to be another song about Pete being a wanker. But, its still got a tops horn section at the start and fun chorus, so its not that bad. The album itself is also much more listenable than Babyshambles, with a couple of other awesome songs like "Doctors and Dealers" and "Gin & Milk".
I always felt kind of sorry for Carl Barat. I kind of think he was the real musical force behind The Libertines, and despite all the overhype NME might have given, he'll never be as well known as Pete. I mean, never mind that neither of these bands have gotten terribly recognized outside of the UK or anything (although Dirty Pretty Things deserved it)... I guess at least the drummer got to be in an episode of the Mighty Boosh...
By The Libertines
As you may or may not remember, The Libertines are one of my favorite bands... But if you listened to their second (and final) album, it's kinda of obvious that they were on the rocks. I mean, every second song is about how they can't stand to be around each other anymore and Pete Doherty could barely stand up towards the end of it.
Which brings us to this song, which depending on who you ask was either their first song or their last recorded song. I kinda lean to "last recorded" since their earlier stuff has a very fuzzy sound, plus this is totally another song about how the band is breaking up.
Plus, it leads itself to the story that whenever you hear Pete shout "Let me go!" in the song, it was actually Pete screaming in real life because he had to be restrained in the recording studio to finish the song. Apparently he turned up late, and stoned out of his mind, and they could only get him to do a little bit of recording before leaving a few hours later, leaving Carl Barat to make up a song with whatever they had down. Although, this could all be wrong... so don't quote me.
Fuck Forever
By Babyshambles
Pete Doherty went on to do a lot of things after The Libertines broke up, mainly cocaine and Kate Moss, but he did manage to get himself together and start a band as well. Babyshambles is a dumb name in my opinion, it was named after a recording session he did with the Libertines during the height of the bands problems.
The album itself wasn't up to the same level as the previous ones, but this song is definitely a stand out. It sounds very rough, but thats half of the charm! Even though its a recording, you can never really tell if Petes going to be able to make it all the way through the song, or if hes going to pass out in a gutter and kinda murmur the rest of the words. It is also a great song to shout along to in clubs.
It's always hard liking a band with Pete Doherty in it tho, considering hardly anyone actually knows hes a musician since Woman's Day and New Idea pretty much hammered him every chance they got... Not that he didn't deserve it or anything, but still. He was only acting like a rockstar, in the same way that Mick Jagger et al did before him. In someways, in this time of environmentally friendly, straight edge "rock musicians" he's the only true rocker left.
Bang Bang You're Dead
By Dirty Pretty Things
Carl Barat, on the other hand, did not get messed up on drugs and started a new band with the drummer called "Dirty Pretty Things" which was named after a DJ slot he used to do. Where Doherty brought the messy "everything's about to fall apart" feel to his album, Barat brought the jangly guitars and structured rock choruses. Personally, I think he did a better job.
Carl Barat however, seems a little incapable of letting go, as this seems to be another song about Pete being a wanker. But, its still got a tops horn section at the start and fun chorus, so its not that bad. The album itself is also much more listenable than Babyshambles, with a couple of other awesome songs like "Doctors and Dealers" and "Gin & Milk".
I always felt kind of sorry for Carl Barat. I kind of think he was the real musical force behind The Libertines, and despite all the overhype NME might have given, he'll never be as well known as Pete. I mean, never mind that neither of these bands have gotten terribly recognized outside of the UK or anything (although Dirty Pretty Things deserved it)... I guess at least the drummer got to be in an episode of the Mighty Boosh...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A little more mellow, kinda...
Mansard Roof
By Vampire Weekend
This is the other new band that's gotten my attention lately, although I'm not entirely sure why. I think it may be because its such a different sound to everything else out at the moment.
For some reason, the flutey sections inbetween verses make me think of old videogames, and it also features some intense drumming. So intense, that sometimes I'll just start air-drumming with out realising. When I'm walking down the street It can be kind of embarrasing.
It was also a toss up which song I was going to put up between this song and "a-punk". Strangely enough, Vampire Weekend class themselves as a punk band, which if you listen to the guitar sounds vaguely appropriate. They are very fey though, and I think thats why James doesn't like them (not angsty enough, no doubt).
The Underdog
By Spoon
I was going to save this song and do a "Songs about underdogs" post, with "Underdog" by The Dirtbombs and "Save Me (Underdog)" by Turin Breaks. Except I think you've already heard the former, and I can't get to the latter at the moment since its on my computer and I'm limited to what ever is on my MP3 player and what evers on James' comp.
Anyway, Spoon's been around for a while, but this album is kind of a new direction for them. They used to make somewhat wierder more alternative songs, this album has seen them reel it in a little and do more conventional rocky stuff.
Also, the horn section in this song is awesome.
Your Party
By Ween
Dean and Gene Ween make entirely bizaare and eclectic music. I'm not too sure if you would've heard any of it before, maybe you might have heard "Push the little daisys" or "Homo Rainbow" from the Chef Aid soundtrack. They have a knack for writing really annoying songs that get stuck in your head and bug the crap out of you (for example; "Learning to Love" from thier new album).
Luckily, this song isn't one of those. It'll still get stuck in your head, but in a good way! It also features numerous cheesy sax crimes.
Ween are capable of rocking out though, they did a song called "Gabrielle" that rocks out quite a bit, but its the bizaare stuff like this that makes them what they are. Further examples of this would include "Bueno Tardis, Amigos" which is like a mexican revenge story put to music.
By Vampire Weekend
This is the other new band that's gotten my attention lately, although I'm not entirely sure why. I think it may be because its such a different sound to everything else out at the moment.
For some reason, the flutey sections inbetween verses make me think of old videogames, and it also features some intense drumming. So intense, that sometimes I'll just start air-drumming with out realising. When I'm walking down the street It can be kind of embarrasing.
It was also a toss up which song I was going to put up between this song and "a-punk". Strangely enough, Vampire Weekend class themselves as a punk band, which if you listen to the guitar sounds vaguely appropriate. They are very fey though, and I think thats why James doesn't like them (not angsty enough, no doubt).
The Underdog
By Spoon
I was going to save this song and do a "Songs about underdogs" post, with "Underdog" by The Dirtbombs and "Save Me (Underdog)" by Turin Breaks. Except I think you've already heard the former, and I can't get to the latter at the moment since its on my computer and I'm limited to what ever is on my MP3 player and what evers on James' comp.
Anyway, Spoon's been around for a while, but this album is kind of a new direction for them. They used to make somewhat wierder more alternative songs, this album has seen them reel it in a little and do more conventional rocky stuff.
Also, the horn section in this song is awesome.
Your Party
By Ween
Dean and Gene Ween make entirely bizaare and eclectic music. I'm not too sure if you would've heard any of it before, maybe you might have heard "Push the little daisys" or "Homo Rainbow" from the Chef Aid soundtrack. They have a knack for writing really annoying songs that get stuck in your head and bug the crap out of you (for example; "Learning to Love" from thier new album).
Luckily, this song isn't one of those. It'll still get stuck in your head, but in a good way! It also features numerous cheesy sax crimes.
Ween are capable of rocking out though, they did a song called "Gabrielle" that rocks out quite a bit, but its the bizaare stuff like this that makes them what they are. Further examples of this would include "Bueno Tardis, Amigos" which is like a mexican revenge story put to music.
Monday, February 25, 2008
First post!
Small Bones, Small Bodies
By Future of the left
Future of the left is one of the only new bands this year that have interested me. Half of the band migrated from the legendary Welsh band "McClusky" which you may have heard before, probably. You should be able to tell from the lead singer, he's got a really particular voice.
This is a lot more like McClusky's earlier stuff, more manic and angry, kinda punkish I guess. Also, the lyrics are pretty funny. The rest of the album I'm still a little unsure of, but there are at least 2 other awesome songs.
Well Thought Out Twinkles
By Silversun pickups
Silversun pickups hit the scene in a pretty big way about mid last year, very much out of nowhere. They even toured here straight off the bat, and played at the valley mall fiesta (typically they only get local bands, so for a while I thought these guys were from brisbane).
Anyway, the Pickups get compared to Smashing Pumpkins a lot, they kind of have the same feel to thier music, but I think they are a lot more grounded than Billy Corgan is. And as far as I can tell, they don't like to pretend they are vampires either.
For such a rad song like this, thier album was a little bit of a let down. There is one more song, Lazy Eye, thats pretty good but it didn't do much for me. It is kinda angsty tho, so it may suit this new angsty teenage boy on the internet taste in music you have :P
Inner West Girls
By Dave McCormack and The Polaroids
Dave McCormack is awesome! You may know him as Dave McCormack from Custard, or Dave McCormack from The Titanics, or Dave McCormack from that time he played "Set controls for the heart of the sun" on a Sitar for John Safrons Musical Jamboree...
Regardless, He's like an unsung hero of Australian music. I've even met him before and he's a great guy!
Anyway, I always thought he lived in Brisbane, and since we were living in the inner-west of Brisbane, I liked to think this song had some relevance. Not coz we were a bunch or girls or anything, but just because. Anyway, then I found out he actually lives in Sydney, and this song was written about that.
It's a little older, But I only got the album sometime in the last 3 years. Also, at one point I could play the riff for this song on the bass. Rock on.
By Future of the left
Future of the left is one of the only new bands this year that have interested me. Half of the band migrated from the legendary Welsh band "McClusky" which you may have heard before, probably. You should be able to tell from the lead singer, he's got a really particular voice.
This is a lot more like McClusky's earlier stuff, more manic and angry, kinda punkish I guess. Also, the lyrics are pretty funny. The rest of the album I'm still a little unsure of, but there are at least 2 other awesome songs.
Well Thought Out Twinkles
By Silversun pickups
Silversun pickups hit the scene in a pretty big way about mid last year, very much out of nowhere. They even toured here straight off the bat, and played at the valley mall fiesta (typically they only get local bands, so for a while I thought these guys were from brisbane).
Anyway, the Pickups get compared to Smashing Pumpkins a lot, they kind of have the same feel to thier music, but I think they are a lot more grounded than Billy Corgan is. And as far as I can tell, they don't like to pretend they are vampires either.
For such a rad song like this, thier album was a little bit of a let down. There is one more song, Lazy Eye, thats pretty good but it didn't do much for me. It is kinda angsty tho, so it may suit this new angsty teenage boy on the internet taste in music you have :P
Inner West Girls
By Dave McCormack and The Polaroids
Dave McCormack is awesome! You may know him as Dave McCormack from Custard, or Dave McCormack from The Titanics, or Dave McCormack from that time he played "Set controls for the heart of the sun" on a Sitar for John Safrons Musical Jamboree...
Regardless, He's like an unsung hero of Australian music. I've even met him before and he's a great guy!
Anyway, I always thought he lived in Brisbane, and since we were living in the inner-west of Brisbane, I liked to think this song had some relevance. Not coz we were a bunch or girls or anything, but just because. Anyway, then I found out he actually lives in Sydney, and this song was written about that.
It's a little older, But I only got the album sometime in the last 3 years. Also, at one point I could play the riff for this song on the bass. Rock on.
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