If my life was a bottle of wine (and they do indeed have quite the impact on my being as it stands so it’s only fair I use them in this simile) then 2008 will be remembered as a vintage year for various reasons (can you get vintage Blue Nun?). Without coming across as schizophrenic my family life, work life, love life, social life and any other lives that I lead have all been rather enjoyable these last twelve months for various reasons and they’ve had quite the sound track to accompany them.

So I’m going to have a look at my favourite things from the past three hundred odd days…

Song of 2008

One Day Like This – Elbow

This was a toss up between Manchester’s Elbow and Deep South dwellers Kings of Leon’s and their track Sex on Fire but ultimately this will be the song that will put a smile on my face for potentially the rest of my humble time on this earth. As mentioned in this post back in the summer I was never an Elbow fan until I caved into recommendations from friends, fellow music bloggers and music industry press alike and acquired ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’. After a few listens I fell in love with the album (I purposely mention the ‘few’ listens as it wasn’t an instantly obvious great album and it took a good several spins to convert me from the cynic to the now fan who’ll dedicate a good few paragraphs of this post to the band) and this was the track that stood out as brilliantly beautiful, or should that be beautifully brilliant?

Anyhow; gorgeous strings, gorgeous lyrics, gorgeous sing-a-long ending and two gorgeous renditions at Liverpool Uni and The Latitude festival means this song wins the much coveted kudos inducing title of sP’s song of 2008*

(*This title is nor coveted or kudos inducing)

Runners Up

Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon

The first time I heard this record I was in the car with a friend of mine who works in A&R and we were driving down to V festival where the Kings were to be playing the following day. He made a rather good point:

Him: “Imagine being the guy who signed these”
Me: “Yeah he’s done alright hasn’t he? Made some decent cash no doubt”
Him: “No, as in imagine waiting to hear the demo’s of this next album. You’d just be thinking “how the hell can they top that?” [Because of the Times – KoL’s third and arguably best album] but then they come in with this tune and you think “…” [at this point he either swore or just left a dramatic silence for me to contemplate that role play in my head, I can't remember so I’ll let you decide]”
Me: “Good point. I might mention that in the blog”

Louise – Tony Christie

I was lucky enough to be meeting someone at Yellow Arch Studios in my hometown of Sheffield where Mr Christie was recording his superb ‘Made In Sheffield’ album when the man himself popped in to pay 20p for a cup of tea he made himself earlier on. I couldn’t believe it. I looked at the studio employee square in the eye; “you charge TONY CHRISTIE for cups of tea?! He’s a local legend!” you should also bear in mind this happened even before I heard the album he was recording and I had no idea about the genius happening in the next room. If this had taken place after hearing the LP I may have very well just head butted the studio employee and given Tony his 20p back.

I’ve digressed again haven’t I? Apologies; this is a re-working of the Human League 1984 single and it’s simply beautiful. I’ve bought it for my nan as a present and I genuinely can’t wait to hear her thoughts on it.

Time To Pretend – MGMT

People have gone utter nuts over MGMT this year and you may have seen they have been topping poles of this ilk all over the place for both this track and the album Oracular Spectacular, but for me they’re completely overhyped. When you think something is good and good alone yet you have a whole gallimaufry of people telling you it’s utterly superb it always leaves you a bit disillusioned in my opinion which is quite the contradictory thing for me to say as I’m well aware I can rightly be accused of hyperbole in this post alone, but after seeing a rather underwhelming performance by them when they supported Radiohead in Manchester they were forever deemed into the “Meh, they’re alright” department of my musical taste.
Despite saying that I’ve always enjoyed this track due to its insanely catchy hook and fantastic lyrics about the clichéd rock star life. Now dance.

Untouched – The Veronica’s

Someone rather dear to me came back after travelling around Australia for a month, CD in hand and massive grin on face informing me that I just had to listen to this track and how right she was. This is pop at its utter most joyous: dual female vocals, huge synth strings, distorted chunky guitar and lyrics about sex. Now dance even more.

American Boy – Estelle

I’ve heard this track hundreds of times now (mainly thanks to my flatmate) and I’m still not bored of it. That’s the true sign of a quality pop record.

Sequestered In Memphis – The Hold Steady

Any song that contains the lyric “In bar light, she looked alright, in day light, she looked desperate” deserves recognition.

Carolina Drama – The Raconteurs

Jack White has quite the knack of telling stories through his songs and this is probably the best example I can think of. A dark sordid tale of murder which also includes a lovely sing-a-long “La la la la” bit at the end.

Honourable mentions

The Thirst – Sail Away
Grammatics – Shadow Committee
Sound of Guns – The Architects
XX Teens – Darlin’
The Subways – Girls and Boys
Florence and the Machine – Kiss With A Fist
Tom Jones – If He Should Ever Leave You
Two Door Cinema Club – Undercover Martyn
Mystery Jets – Two Doors Down
Riff Raff – Cross My Heart

Album of 2008

Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid

A bit of me didn’t want to put this down as my record of the year as I didn’t want to the post to become so Elbow centric so I won’t mention too much about it as you’ve heard it all before. The one thing that gets me are his lyrics; “You are the only thing in any room you’re ever in” (Starlings), “We kiss like we invented it” (Mirror ball) and “I’ve been working on a cocktail called Grounds For Divorce” (Grounds for Divorce) are just three examples Guy Garvey’s blatant talent. Andi over at gigreviewsandnews.com wrote this fantastic paragraph about his song writing and delivery which sums it up it better than I ever could:

“[about his lyrics] Familiar without being clichéd, tight but not trite, they sit well on the page and simply fly in the songs. It helps that Guy Garvey’s voice is suffused with a smoky wistfulness, enabling him to avoid the cheap bombast or faux-snarl of so many of his contemporaries. Listening to him whisper “Darling, is this love?” packs more emotional heft than a million Chris Martins could ever hope to wail into an echoing stadium.“

I would love to say that’s enough of Elbow but they are going to receive one final mention!

Runners Up

Only By The Night – Kings of Leon

A brilliant album that didn’t win not only because The Seldom Seen Kid is superior but because I honestly believe it could have been an even better album. When KoL announced they were to release Only By The Night a brief 19 months after their incredible third album Because of the Times I was honestly left pondering why. They’d gained a rather large and loyal fanbase due to BotT (especially in Blighty) so why rush? Take some time off, have a beer (or not), let the songs write themselves etc but alas, Caleb and Co were insistent in feeding us more audible pleasure. The album starts of brilliantly with the first four tracks standing out above all others and although the rest of the album is very strong, I can’t help having an inkling in the back of my tiny mind that with a bit more time it could have been stronger.  Let’s hope they take some time out before the difficult fifth eh?

Tony Christie – Made In Sheffield

What do you do when you’re fanbase is slowly but surely dying and any that will be left within the next five years have about as much chance of purchasing and working an iPod as I do writing a cover story for the Rolling Stone? You ask a hometown buddy who is incredibly respected by artists and industry alike to help you out. Richard Hawley then suggests a concept album (two words that usually make me as excited as the prospect of Christmas dinner with Hard-Fi) performing songs that have solely been written by songwriters hailing from the Steel City of Sheffield. The result is a brilliant album that’s sure to attract a new breed and generation of fans thanks to its inclusion of songs by Alex Turner, Jarvis Cocker and the man Richard Hawley himself. The other highlight of the album being Christie’s version of Pulp’s rather epic ‘Born To Cry’ which is a dark ditty that showcases his rather fantastic and evidently timeless singing voice.

The Raconteurs – Consolers for the Lonely

The Raconteurs first LP passed me by somewhat so the announcement of their follow up release hadn’t got me giddy in the slightest, but after hearing the debut single which borrows the albums title I decided to investigate deeper and for my troubles I found an album full of rather fantastic songs. The only negative I’d say of this album is that it is a tad too long and a couple of tracks could have easily been culled in order to keep the listeners attention.

The Ting Tings – We Started Nothing

A great pop album that deserves recognition if only for its downright catchiness. That’s Not My Name, Fruit Machine and Be The One are all so radio friendly it makes Jo Whiley actually appear to know what she’s talking about.

Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip – Angles

A quality little album that I expected a little bit more from if I’m honest (as you can read here) but even so there are a couple of blinders on this album which secures its inclusion in this list. ‘Beat That My Heart Skips’ is utterly brilliant and the albums finale ‘Waiting for the Beat to Kick in’ should be in every decent persons MP3 library.

Gigs of the year

Elbow @ Latitude Festival & Liverpool Uni

Last mention. Honest. Bloody superb live.

Kings of Leon @ V Festival, Liverpool Arena & Wembley Arena

As above. Last mention. Equally as superb live.

Bruce Springsteen @ Old Trafford

Expect nothing short of a three hour musical extravaganza when you witness Bruce ‘The Boss’ Springsteen live and also expect nothing less than a masterclass in live performance. Bruce and the E Street Band were easily one of my gigging highlights of the year and apart from the inexcusable exclusion of Thunder Road they transformed the predominantly middle aged crowd into a pack of predominantly middle aged people who were a bit pissed and really enjoying themselves. May not sound too impressive but when you’ve been to a Def Leppard gig and observed the majority of the crowd remain anchored to their seat for the whole performance you realise it’s not as easy as it looks. Bruce is rumoured to be playing Glasto in 09 which would be a stroke of genius from Eavis and one which may very well get me to the festival myself.

The Raconteurs @ Liverpool Academy

I was lucky enough to witness one of the only two non-festival dates the Raconteurs performed in the UK this year and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. There is a great dynamism between Jack White and Brendan Benson which comes across on stage far more obviously than on record. The live show is more bluesy, brash and cacophonic than when played through your humble MP3 player with elongated guitar solos, mid song breaks and the odd cover being thrown in here and there. Jack White is also effortlessly cool on stage and a surprisingly accomplished guitar virtuoso, oozing rhythm and blues with apparent ease. It’ll be interesting to discover if the Raconteurs will produce a third LP… I bloody well hope so.

Kids In Glass Houses @ Liverpool Acadamy

It’s rare that I feel old as I still like to think of myself as quite the whippersnapper, but there are a few things guaranteed to make me feel so; realising that people born in 1990 can now legally drink, the office work experience kid not knowing what Challenge Annika was and attending a Kids in Glass Houses gig. I never knew foetuses could dance in such a way! In all fairness it was the youth that made this gig so enjoyable, that coupled with the group’s impressive repertoire of radio friendly tunes. If you like a good bit of powerpop then check out their album ‘Smart Casual’; it didn’t get the recognition it deserved when it was released earlier in the year.

Muse @ V Festival

Had to fit these in really didn’t I?! The first time I’d witnessed them since their Wembley shows and as expected they didn’t disappoint whatsoever. Hopefully they’ll be releasing new material in the new year with rumours doing that rounds that they might scrap the traditional LP format and just release a series of mini EP’s instead. Lets hope not.

Florence and the Machine @ Leeds Festival

Being tipped as one of next year’s big thing FatM were easily one of the highlights of my festival attending season this year with a cracking set at the Leeds festival. A natural performer with a cracking voice she holds the crowd’s attention effortlessly and the rousing rendition of Kiss with a Fist was enough to lift anyone’s spirits despite the fact they hadn’t showered for nearly 4 days.

Rage Against The Machine @ Rock IM Park & Leeds Festival

I had waited a long time to see these guys and it was truly worth it. SO many songs. SO many riffs. SO many angry political rants. SO many pogo-worthy moments. SO many happy people in one place. SO good. I can now put a big tick next to ’see Killing In The Name Of be performed live’ on my ‘to do list of life’.

Sound of Guns @ Zanzibar

Those who’ve attended the Zanzibar in Liverpool will well be aware of two things; firstly stay away from the draft lagers and stick to cans and secondly when it’s full it makes for a cracking little music venue. Sound of Guns had the placed packed for a hometown gig which saw the lads secure their ‘ones to watch in 09′ status for me.

Journey @ Manchester Apollo

Walk into my family home and sing the immortal opening lyric “Just a small town girl…” And you’ll receive in return a wall of out-of-key, semi falsetto noise that although maybe a tad harsh on the ears is delivered with both vigour and enthusiasm. I was informed by my father that they were a simply essential band to see live so I did. And they were. Currently with a tiny Pilipino gent who looks extremely out of place but has potentially the finest rock voice I’ve ever heard on lead vocal the American old schoolers played a hit fuelled set to such a high standard that I’ll now openly call myself a fan rather than just enjoying them as a guilty pleasure.

Honourable mentions

Grammatics @ Manchester Academy
Queens of the Stone Age @ Rock IM Park & Leeds Festival
Incubus @ Rock IM Park
Does It Offend You? Yeah @ Liverpool Academy
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip @ Liverpool Academy
Foo Fighters @ Manchester City Stadium
Detroit Social Club @ Camden Barfly
Coldplay @ Liverpool Arena
Maximo Park @ V Festival
Clipe Sexo Amador @ Bumper
Quartershade @ Metropolitan

So there you go. Busy year.

What I’m listening to this week: The ‘best of 08′ playlist I made whilst writing this.

What I’m reading this week: Found

And other ‘best of 08′ lists:

Drowned In Sound, Ear Farm, Gorilla vs Bear, The Music Slut and Pitchfork

Stay tuned

sP

The Kills + XX Teens: Astoria, London  – 20/11/08

"What are you looking at, little man?"

I am not entirely sure tonight’s crowd really get the precocious XX Teens. “He’s wearing sunglasses. Indoors. At a gig. What a nob!” cries my gig pal. Uncultured (read: non-Shoreditch loving) friends and nonchalant (of course they are, this is a Kills gig after all) crowd aside, I get what they are doing and I like it.

On to the mian event, and VV and Hotel (or Alison and Jamie, The Beautiful Fashionista and Mr Kate Moss,  whatever they are calling themsleves these days…) appear on stage to rapturous applause. And in a very non-Kills manner, they look excited, genuinely pleased to be on stage. What is going on? What has happened to the indifferent, coolkid Kills of yore? No matter, though, as they are on top form as they storm through a set made up of songs from all three studio albums and a newbie to boot.

So, depite the snap happy plump, highlighted posh blonde girls (you know the type) getting all teary eyed over spying La Moss on the balcony and a rather large cretinous man picking a fight with an unsuspecting girl infront of us, The Kills have proved they are more than two hipsters with a guitar and drum machine. And, at last, they appear to be enjoying it!

Shiver me timbers! This was a Halloween night to remember. Officially the busiest night the club’s ever had, all we can say is a MASSIVE thank you to you all.

Woo! Worths and Modernaire gave me goose pimples with their live sets, then out of no where the XX Teens delivered what has to be one of the best DJ sets I’ve ever heard.

Here’s all the DJ Setlists from the night (XX Teens at the bottom);

XyntheX:
Warm Leatherette – The Normal
Dead Souls – Joy Division
Spellbound – Siouxie and the Banshees
Road Runner (Once) – John Richman and Modern Lovers

RAD!O ED!T:
Forever crawling centipedes - The Faint
Tron - Foals
Midnight vignette – Evangelicals
Two receivers – Klaxons
We were born the mutants again in kongsvinger – Of Montreal
Graveyard girl - M83
Evil - Interpol
Wrong number – The Cure
Wide open space – Mansun
Fox cub/Apocalypso – Mew
Broken - Late of the Pier
I spy – Pulp
The Rat – The Walkmen
Down at McDonnellzzzz - Electric Six
Fancy footwork – Chromeo (Guns n Bombs RMX)
Work on you – MSTRKRFT
Helicopter - Bloc Party (Weird Science RMX)
What is love – John Bourke (Toxic Avenger RMX)

XyntheX:
You could easily have me – Metronomy
Disco Sirens – Midfield General
Blind - Hercules and Love Affair (Frankie Knuckles RMX)
I can’t go for that - Daryl Hall and John Oates
Gimme more - Britney Spears (Junkie XL RMX)
Electric feel - MGMT
Gold lion – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Diplo RMX)
Jolie fille – Les Petits Pilous
La rock 01 – Vitalic
Personal Jesus – Depeche Mode (Boys Noize RMX)
Let there be light – Justice
Love cats – The Cure
Once in a life time – Talking Heads
Love is the drug – Roxy Music
Ghost town – Specials
Anyway you choose to give it – Black Ghosts
Trash - The Whip
Promised you a miracle – Simple Minds
Kids - MGMT
Heart rate rapid – Metronomy
Big ideas – LCD Soundsystem

XX TEENS:
Here comes the judge – Pigmeat Markham
I’m gonna getcha back – Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed
Good good lovin – James Brown
Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
Wrong meeting – Two Lone Swordsmen
Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
Jump in the line – Harry Belafonte
Sex and drugs and rock and roll - Ian Dury
No pussy blues - Grinderman
Ghost Rider – Suicide
I want to marry a lighthouse keeper – Erika Eigen
Prince Charming – Adam Ant
Rock roll music – Chuck Berry
Super - Neu!
Lucifer - Jay Z
Boogie woogie boy – Andrews Sister
I put a spell on you – Nina Simone
Feel good hit of the summer – Queens of the Stone Age
3 is the magic number – De la Soul
Turtles have short legs – Can
Rock and Roll – The Velvet Underground
Tell me when my light turns green – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Lie down here (and be my girl) – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Sonne statt Reagan – Joseph Beuys
Beat on the brat – The Ramones
Hounds of Love – Kate Bush
Chicken Int – Hasil Adkins
Scary Monsters – David Bowie
Hit the road Jack - Ray Charles

No Fiction Returns 07 November 2008 with My Little Problem Live!

See you on the Power’s dance floor

xx

Good to see so many of you guys who got in touch via the myspace coming down to check out NF this week. I was on my own this week so bit of an epic set but a great warm up ahead of my guest slot at 93 Feet East this Monday (19.00-23.00, Free entry!)

Also whilst I have you… Don’t forget about our MASSIVE Halloween special on Friday 31.10.08;
XX TEENS DJs, MODERNAIRE and WOO!WORTHS Live! And all for free. Come down. Dress up. Get a bit sick on the free sweets. It all kicks off at 8 in POWER’S NW6 2QN.

Here’s Friday just gone’s setlist;

XyntheX
Contort yourself – James White and the Blacks
Someone else’s ride – Ghost Hustler
Like a pen – The Knife
Donna - Mmm
Get Seduced – The Faint
The district sleeps tonight – The Postal Service
Salut! France – Errors
Feel the love – Cut Copy
I lust you – Neon Neon
M79 - Vampire Weekend
Killing Moon - Echo and Bunnyman
Lullaby - The Cure
Tears are not enough – ABC
Art-I-Ficial – X-ray Specs
Wordy Rappinghood – Tom Tom Club
I can’t stand the rain – Tina Turner
The end of you too - Metronomy
Only you – XX Teens
So you say – Dead Pixels
Anyway you choose to give it – Black Ghosts
Trash - Whip
Abracadabra - Steve Miller Band
Get myself into it – Rapture
Blind - Hercules and Love Affair (Frankie Knuckles RMX)
I can’t go for that – Daryl Hall and John Oates
Human fly – The Cramps
Sheena is a punk rocker – Ramones
Mind your own business – Delta 5
Electric Feel - MGMT
Runnaway - Ladytron
Let there by light – Justice
Shake a fist – Hot Chip
Back it up – Feadz and Spank Rock
Boys don’t cry – The Cure
Slow Hands – Interpol
Six and Three Quarters – Ipso Facto
Rip it up – Orange Juice
Gold lion – Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Diplo RMX)
Romantic Rights – Death From Above 1979
Sharks - Test Icicles
Belly of a Shark – Gallows
Fledermaus can’t get it – Von Sudenfed
My drive thru – N.E.R.D. feat. Santogold and Julian Casablancas
Elvis - These New Puritans
Red sock pugie – Foals
Transmission - Joy Division
Spellbound - Siouxie and the Banshees
Prototype - Rex the Dog
ReaKtor - AutoKratz
Fancy footwork – Chromeo (Guns n Bombs RMX)
Hearts on Fire – Cut Copy (Midnight Juggernauts RMX)
I am the Fly – Wire
Model - To My Boy
Oxford comma – Vampire Weekend
Space and the woods – Late of the Pier
I wanna be your dog – Iggy and the Stooges
Love is the drug – Roxy Music
Kevin Carter – Manic Street Preachers
Kids - MGMT
Ask - The Smiths
Reptillia - The Strokes
Take me out - Frans Ferdinand
Common People - Pulp
Suicide Blonde – INXS
Once in a lifetime - Talking Heads
Sex on Fire - Kings of Leon
Magick - Klaxons
Young love – Mystery Jets
La Rock 01 – Vitallic
Harder Better Faster Stronger – Daft Punk
Teenage Kicks - Undertones
Trash - New York Dolls
Promised you a miracle – Simple Minds
Let’s make love and listen to Death From Above – CSS
House of Jealous lovers – Rapture
When I hear mu’sic – Duke Dumont
Alice - Moby (Drop the Lime RMX)
J’aime pas L’art – DatA
Song about ping pong – Operator Please
Heard it on the Grapevine – The Slits
The Strand - Roxy Music
Cherry Bomb – The Runnaways
Deceptacon - Le Tigre
Black gloves – Goose
Bad moon rising – Credence Clear Water Revival
Close to me - The Cure
Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
Crime wave - Crystal Castles vs. Health
Spread your love – Black Rebel Motor Cycle Club
Big Ideas – LCD Soundsystem
Cut a long story short – Cazals (AutoKratz RMX)
Home - Kyte

Here are this week’s new music releases:

Anberlin – New Surrender
The Archies – The Archies Christmas Album featuring Betty & Veronica
Joseph Arthur & the Lonely Astronauts – Temporary People
Bayside – Shudder
Beaujolais – Love at Thirty
Rory Block – Blues Walkin’ Like a Man: A Tribute to Son House
Wade Bowen – If We Ever Make it Home
Mary Chapin Carpenter – Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas
Cherryholmes – Cherryholmes III: Don’t Believe
Dear and the Headlights – Drunk Like Bible Times
Ani DiFranco – Red Letter Year
Dion – Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock
Enigma – Seven Lives Many Faces
Melissa Etheridge – A New Thought For Christmas
Dan Evans – Goin’ All Out
Béla Fleck & the Flecktones – Jingle All the Way
Ben Folds – Way to Normal
Faith Hill – Joy to the World
Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson
The Iguanas – If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times
In This Moment – The Dream
Jack’s Mannequin – The Glass Passenger
Les Paul & Friends: A Tribute to a Legend
Look Daggers – Suffer in Style
Jeff Lorber – Heard That
Taj Mahal – Maestro
Mercury Rev – Snowflake Midnight
Jason Miles – 2 Grover, With Love
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman – The Fabled City
James Morrison – Songs for You, Truths for Me
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist soundtrack
Outerspace – God’s Fury
Kellie Pickler – Kellie Pickler
Polysics – We Ate the Machine
Joshua Radin – Simple Times
Rock N Rolla soundtrack
Lesley Roy – Unbeautiful
XX Teens – Welcome to Goon Island
Todd Rundgren – Arena
Pete Seeger – At 89
Semi Precious Weapons – We Love You
Stack$ – Crazee and Confuzed
James Taylor – Covers
Robin Thicke – Something Else
T.I. – Paper Trail
Trivium – Shogun
Brian Vander Ark – Brian Vander Ark

Maybe. Depends if it’s true or not.

IN OTHER NEWS….a review of Imperial Leisure’s debut album. Note the lack of any real opinion. Rubbish review.

Hadouken! – Declaration of War

“Até que enfim eles acertaram numa música praticamente perfeita, sem falhas nem nada. Demais!”

Link: Hadouken! – Music For An Accelerated Culture 2008 (ZShare) (Orkut – RCD)

Database – Party People (feat. Midnight Martyn)

“Faixa integrante do debut deles, e certamente uma das melhores músicas do ano, não só aqui no brasil. Acho que esse ar meio ‘disco’ que ronda o Brasil é tudo culpa desse debut, e principlamente dessa ótima faixa”

Link: Database – Ugly Edit Vol. 1 2008 (iFile) (Vinicius – INMWT)

White Lies – Death (Crystal Castles Remix)

“Um remix um tanto quanto inusitado, e um tanto quanto GENIAL! Um electro-8bit rock dark. Dispensa comentários”

Link: http://www.myspace.com/whitelies

Klaxons – Golden Skans (SebatiAn Remix)

“Seria SebatiAn o melhor remixador atualmente (questão que fica #1)? Transformou Golden Skans em uma faixa que é indispensável em uma pista com energia de sobra”

Link:
Klaxons – Myths Of A Near Future 2007 (Rapidshare) e Klaxons – Golden Skans B-Sides 2007 (Rapidshare) (b-sides golden skans) (Orkut – RCD)

XX Teens – Onkawara (Album Version)

“Reeditaram e re-gravaram uma das melhoras músicas do ano passado. Lançando esta novamente em seu belo debut album, o XX Teens está de volta em grande estilo”

Link: XX Teens – Welcome To Goon Island 2008 (ZShare)

Kingsize – Temptress

“Indie Rock bem Fratellis, Lurios, The View genial! Claramente esta banda merece reconhecimento. Grande faixa”

Link: Kingsize – Love, Lust And Other Disasters 2008 (Rapidshare)

Burning Pilot – Meat Product

“Um The Rakes com synths e guitarras meio Foals em algumas partes e Talk Taxis na maioria delas; essa banda certamente dará o que falar, com certeza com esta música”

Link: http://www.myspace.com/burningpilot

Heartsrevolution – Digital Suicide Swyst

“Após algumas outras belas músicas, eles lançam um EP com esta maravilha. Brilhante! Eles se superaram nessa”

Link: http://www.myspace.com/heartsrevolution

The Hype – Under The Stars

“A volta deles, um bela volta. Chegam com um toque bem Look See prrof e indie Rock britânico. A nova futura grande banda de Brighton com certeza”

Link: http://www.myspace.com/thehypebrighton

Scenario Rock – Skitzo Dancer (Justice Remix)

“Seria Justice o melhor remixador atualmente (questão que fica #2)? Transformaram uma música qualquer em uma maravilha! Parece um Beastie Boys com Justice com um toque Disco Punk”

Link: http://www.myspace.com/scenariorock

“I went to art school to be an artist.”

Change can be redemptive, yet not without a sense of being divisive and painful. The counterculture movements of the 1960s’ youth reformed many of the conservative norms that were bestowed by its foregoing generation. A revolutionary voice echoed throughout the streets for social change, embodied in a new-wave of attitudes, beliefs, and art; liberalism was not only a political principal but a passion for a fashion, and artists began to visualise a new world.

XX Teens herald from a long line of British bands born from an Art School tradition of creative invention and free-thinking. The autonomous ideals inculcated within such institutions have previously led scholars – such as The Clash – into innovators and bellwethers of a generation.

With the release of their graduating album Welcome To Goon Island, Anthony Silvester of the XX Teens talks to SuperSweet.org about art, music and politics…

“I went to art school to be an artist,” Anthony informs with the wistful intonation of a person who might have lost their artistic temperament. “But you are what you is, and you’re in a band: you’re a musician.”

The core of the quintet met at Art College in Southend, where their meetings through mutual friends and subfusc studios resulted in the procreation of Xerox Teens in 2003 (a moniker that was soon shortened).

As the XX Teens, the band were still relatively unheard of until the release of the satirical inculcations of “How To Reduce The Chances Of Being A Terror Victim” in February. In light of our current political and social climate, their precariously cogent tongue-in-cheek edifies aided the band in stepping out of the underground art scene: “I think that’s why we were so underground for so long, because we weren’t sure if we wanted to be in a band…we still wanted to be artists.”

Many of the band’s initial gigs were played within the confines of art galleries in and around the London area as to remain close to their roots. However, being extolled by the likes of Zane Lowe resulted in XX Teens being deracinated and thrown into the aural limelight.

Joining The Long Blondes on their UK tour earlier this spring, the XX Teens were able to reach out to the wider audience of their pop-inclined attendees: “Respect to them [The Long Blondes]. They’re really into their obscure music so saw us as an underground band,” Anthony praised, “[the] record company wanted them to take a more commercial band with them.

“The crowd up north were more up for fun and what we had to offer. The further south you go the more people cross their arms until the band that they have come to see. As with most support bands, you do tend to get spat on a little bit; but we have had worse support slots.”

Anthony, like any artist, appears insouciant and undeterred by this experience: “I don’t feel that we’ve personally struggled for our art; it’s all still quite new and exciting for us.”

One struggle that he does admit though is the one within the music industry. Having signed to Mute Records in 2007 and gaining recognition from an underground art rock scene, they are a “little more known now,” Anthony humbly discloses, “Mute are pretty good, but the industry has talked itself down for so long that everyone has began to believe it.

“The government can try to reduce illegal downloading, but it doesn’t really affect bands like us selling a small number of albums; it affects the Big Boys like Coldplay and Robbie Williams who are funding us. There will always be people making music whether they are getting paid to or not.

He continues to talk about what art means to the band, their passion for it, and the metaphoric package in which they wish to bind their work with. “We feel that there are other elements to us that aren’t found in others. We won’t be a band that constantly gigs as to make the ones that we do do more special – more of a show element,” he divulges.

From the dancers that will be joining them on stage when they return in November; to the allegorical artwork as illustrated by Adam Latham; to the short film skits that play the part for their music videos, they appear to be creative in all elements of artistic sensory articulation. “We’ll always be working on other projects…we’re looking to launch our website goonisland.tv soon to help explain the album a bit better.”

Welcome To Goon Island is not for the aurally purblind; described as a metaphor for modern day Britain, it is scattered and unsure at times, bumbling under the hegemonic decadence, influences and ideals of its forefathers; however it does show glimmers of being astute and of independent, liberal thinking. Which poses the question: are XX Teens a political band?

“We’re not Rage Against The Machine,” Anthony chortles. “Politics is in the world and we have our opinions. “For Brian Haw” is explicit, and to finish the album on it is a statement, and hearing that puts the other songs in quite a different light.”

The driving baseline and warped electronica of the three-minute, Cooper Temple Clause-esque introduction confluences into the loquacious political activism of Brian Haw himself. The monologue of spoken word street poetry details his reasons for campaigning against the ‘War On Terror’ that the UK and US governments ‘have inflicted on Afghanistan and Iraq.’ (www. http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/about.html)

“I see him [Brian Haw] everyday and he’s quite fantastic,” Anthony explains with sense of hope and reverence. “Rich Cash wrote it and spoke to him. They have struck-up a genuine friendship.

“He’s [Brian Haw] the only guy who can protest in Parliament Square. When he’s gone, no one will be able to do that and the rights to protest outside will be lost. They’ve [The Government] almost trapped him; we should have call the song “Free Brian Haw” instead.”

And which way does Anthony politically swing: “Like any sensible person, I’m a Left-minded Liberal…”

Whether they’re Rage Against The Machine or not, XX Teens are not for the aurally blinkered. Their candid views and artistically liberated musical orchestration illuminates with the colour, veracity and idealism that the counter-culture always has. They may not have become orthodox artists, but they do embody the principles of being one: emancipated and expressive.

You’re too late to stop me now, Kringle!

MP3: XX Teens “How To Reduce The Chances Of Being A Terror Victim” (zSHARE) (YouSendIt)
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The only SFW image of this band… okay well one of few

With a name like XX Teens, I wasn’t sure what to expect of the British post-punk band who released their debut album just a couple of days ago. I couldn’t remember if Safe Search was still enabled, and I certainly didn’t want any h4wt p1x of XXX teenagers. Yikes! R. Kelly was just acquitted of something like that last month. Thankfully, I can assure even our younger readers that XX Teens’ sound is suitable for all sorts of ears.

XX Teens began their music making in 2004, releasing a series of six singles and an EP before finishing their full-length album, Welcome to Goon Island. The physical release of Welcome to Goon Island comes with a free postcard featuring the band that you can send to your friends and spread the word of XX Teens. Normally I don’t talk about an album’s artwork, but WTGI’s is fascinating. Sure it has it’s fair share of disturbing cartoon images including a bare chested blue woman lifting up her yellow tank top or headless bodies playing cards.

Onward to, you know, what they actually sound like. I’m really digging their music, which is apparent as this is the third time I’m listening to the album after discovering it. It melds classic post-punk sounds with a bit of an electronic indie flair.

The Way We Were begins with a Killers-esque “When we were young” type sound but turns to a more upbeat direction. I definitely prefer this song to anything by The Killers. “My favorite Hat” featues a bit of harmonica which always makes me think of Bob Dylan – and this is in a good way, rather than a lame, copy-cat attempt. (See our article on MCR and The Watchman). I haven’t found a favorite track yet, but I intend to keep listening long enough to eventually pick one.

Download 2 Free Tracks From Their CD
Order the entire Album from Insound

I prefer updates to band specific blogs, s’easier and more free flowing. 

This week I’ve seen the fabulous Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man. and So So Modern supporting the wonderous Jeremy Warmsley as part of the Transgressive tour thing (15th July).  OELM were, as ever, captivating and also pleasantly surprised to hear a new song from their second opus which is allegedly being recorded next month – but I’ve forgotten what the new song was called, unfortunately though it was a short set that didn’t even feature the, now ironically ancient, I Am The Future – boohiss to that.   So So Modern were an interesting sight and sound to behold, like a faster and funner Battles ( video for ‘Atlas’ ) though unlike the now infamous New Yorkers who just seemed to jam for an hour when I saw them last year, So So Modern played an enjoyable and thrilling set that never tired me; though the music not necessarily being “my thing”. 

Jeremy was on grand form again, still loving his more agressive side of live performances, he’s announced a new tour for october playing realy silly places like Turnbridge Wells and *laughs* Hull, though he also visits regular places like Birmingham and London on his 16 date jaunt which surrounds the release of his new album.  Anyhoo here’s the video for his new single ‘Lose My Cool’ which deafened me on Tuesday night.

Following on from Tuesday’s great performances, I had lesser success on Wednesday; seeing ‘The Outline’ supporting ‘My Rocket Summer’. I’m simply going to say it was musical injustice, and was cringeworthy. 

Also of noteworthiness; the new XX Teens album ‘Welcome To Goon Island’ is properly released in 10 days, though has been available at indie record stores for 2 weeks.  Though not fulfilling it’s full potential (I’m still bitter about the removal of the ‘welcome to the party.. CLOWN!’ soundclip from Darlin’) the album atleast provides a comprehensive collection of music from one of the most intriguing bands around at this very moment.  Featuring most of their most infamous tunes ~ reworked (also – bitter about the redone ‘Onkawara’ which sounds so much better with gunfire as an intro) like Darlin’, B-54 & My Favourite Hat alongside newer offerings with more in common with the Buzzcocks then the older that provided insight into what Mark.E.Smith would be like on every drug available to him all at once in one claustrophobic environment.  2 major flaws of the album though, missing out the song that gave birth to this blog ( the video of which ) despite being one of the songs of 2008 annnnnnnnd the album finale features an interview with a bum from London town, and doesn’t fit well in with a cd of music, if this was some political poetry bash then sure, but we want guitars and slurred vocals not rants about Iraq.   

XX Teens – My Favourite Hat 
XX Teens – Darlin’ 
I think I put up the mp3 for darlin’ before, but felt like making it all alot more accessible then like the 1st blog I put up here.

The current political climate that we find ourselves submerged within is wearing us thin; we are weathered by the threat of terror, financial fears and diplomatic fabrications on a daily basis. The punk revolt of the Seventies may now be something that is occluded within the history books and manifestos of yore, however, its ethics, delusions and artistic temperament still inspire under our sardonic times.

After the successes of the satirical inculcations of “How To Reduce The Chances Of Being A Terror Victim”, XX Teens precociously stepped out of the underground art scene with their impassively sagacious tongue-in-cheek edifies in order to release their debut LP Welcome To Goon Island.

Heralding from the Art School tradition of creative invention (the core of the quintet meeting at college in Southend), their graduating album is not for the aurally blinkered. As is art, it is emancipated and free from the trammels of everyday thinking and traditional musical arrangements, illuminated by colour, veracity and versatility.

‘The Way We Were’ opens with a settling, glittering haze of illusory harp arrangements before breaking into a solid rhythm section, staccato guitars leads and vocal nostalgia. The oeuvre of simple drum timings and driving bass lines are a common foundation for the album’s milieu, allowing spatterings of idiosyncratic guitars and bombastic musical additions in order to beguile and perplex their audience.

The perpetually changing rhythms and haunting electronic engineering that cascades through ‘Round’; the dub cadence and horn section of ‘Ba (Ba-Ba-Ba)’; and the animated production of ‘My Favourite Hat’ do not make for the easiest of listens, however, do intrigue and endear with the XX Teens willingness to experiment with all manner of sound and vision.

Single selections ‘Onkawara’ and ‘Only You’ add for stability amid a spurious and eclectic eulogy of obeisance to the middling listener, along with the Beatles via Mighty Boosh psychedelic rise and fall of the synth drenched ‘Sun Comes Up’.

The apoplectic and loquacious Mark E. Smith-inspired vocal spats are intrinsic to the fluidity of the track listing; however, as charismatic as they may be, at times they can stutter and stumble too far into a charitable The Fall memorabilia collection.

Welcome To Goon Island has been described as a metaphor for modern day Britain, and in some respects this is true: scattered and unsure at times, it bumbles under the hegemonic decadence, influences and ideals of its forefathers; however it does show glimmers of hope, pride and liberal thinking (such as the spoken word poetry and political activism of album closer ‘For Brian Haw’). Welcome To Goon Island is, as most art, a statement: what some may see as enticing and innovative, others will no less view its form as ostentatious and bewildering.

Effenaar headhuncho’s Tom Ketelaar en Robert Schaeffer bloggen vanuit Brighton over het Great Escape showcase festival waar meer dan 300 opkomende bands in drie dagen over meer dan dertig locaties spelen.

Kennen jullie Hypemachine? Die ontzettend handige machine die alle blogs voor je afstruint naar de nieuwste muziek? Deze onmisbare en ingenieuze tool voor iedere nieuwsgierige muziekfreak werd 3 jaar geleden door Anthony Volodkin op zijn studentenkamer in elkaar gedraaid. Wij woonden een seminar bij waar hij sprak over de manier waarop mensen tegenwoordig muziek ontdekken. Blogs zijn een zeer belangrijke tool voor de innovators en early adopters in de muziek underground. De vele miljoenenen mp3’s op het web worden door gepassioneerde muziekliefhebbers voor je gefilterd en zodra je een blog hebt gevonden die overeen komt met jouw smaak is dat een onuitputtelijke bron van nieuwe ontdekkingen. Maar de blogs blijken tegenwoordig ook een belangrijke A&R tool te zijn voor de platenmaatschappijen. De jongens van 20 Jazz Funk Greats blog noemden enkele voorbeelden van bands die zij aan een platencontract hebben geholpen. Een belangrijke conclusie van de internet afgevaardigde van Beggars Banquet platenmaatschappij ( o.a. 4AD Records, Mo’Wax Records, Nation Records, Too Pure Records, Wiiija Records) in het panel (o.a. verantwoordelijk voor de Radiohead remix campagne) was dat het downloaden van mp3’s van blogs gebeurt door een heel andere groep mensen dan diegenen uit de mainstream die nog steeds bereid zijn om voor muziek te betalen. BB ziet de mp3 blogs dan ook als een hele belangrijke promo tool, ipv een bedreiging voor de inkomsten.

Vroeg in de middag op naar de eerste band van dag 3! Althans dat was de bedoeling. Noah and The Whale waren blijkbaar ergens gestrand. In plaats daarvan kregen we een belegen vj project te zien waarvan we niet eens de moeite hebben genomen de naam te onthouden (Noise of Art). Je kent dat wel: jaren zestig ruimtevaart beelden en dan een standaard laptop beat erover en er doorheen trompetteren. Boring!

Cancer Bats

Verveling is er niet als we de Barfly binnenkomen waar de metalcore ons om drie uur ’smiddags om de oren vliegt. Johnny Truant en Cancer Bats gooien flink de beuk erin en we verwachten dat vooral de laatstgenoemde een potje gaat breken in Europa.

Na dit geweld tijd voor een traditionele en liefdeloze Engelse bak voer; Fish & Chips dames en heren, hoe triest kan een nationale keuken zijn? De bodem is gelegd met deze voedzame deceptie om de eerste ZXZW boeking te gaan bekijken: Munch Munch. Aangekomen in The Honeyclub mogen we eerst nog buiten een half uur in de rij staan om er vervolgens achter te komen dat er hier vanavond niet gemunched wordt. Cancellation nummero twee in de pocket.

The Clik Clik

Teleurgesteld druipen we af naar The Arc waar we als snel vrolijk worden van de zoete bubbelgum pop van The Clik Clik. Denk aan Annie en Jamie T die samen een bandje begonnen zijn. Zomerhitje anyone?

Dan op naar de herkansing van We Are Wolves in de Water Margin. Liefhebbers van het eveneens Canadese Death From Above 1979 kunnen hun lol op! Overtuigende show.

Eindelijk krijgen we de kans om het fantastische Vetiver een live aan het werk te zien, en nog wel in het klassieke Royal Theatre.! Twee overtuigende platen van deze vriendjes van Devendra Banhart in de kast staan maar helaas pindakaas: Cancellation nummero 3

Toch maar ff blijven zitten voor de laatste twee nummers van Silje Nes bekend van het Fatcat Label (o.a. Mum). Mooi spul! Ter vervanger van Vetiver wordt het Schotse Frightened Rabbit het podium opgestuurd voor een overtuigende show die ergens tussen The Frames en Mogwai geplaats kan worden. Wij vonden de epische songs vol dramatische opbouw heel mooi, maar misten soms net dat extra tandje gas of ontsporende chaos.

Tegenover Royal Theatre ligt Pavillion Theatre, waar City Riots hun ding mag doen terwijl ons toch al niet zo betrouwbaar programmaboekje Volcanoless in Canada aankondigde (cancellation nummero 4!). City Riots uit Australië speelt over een gloednieuwe backline en gloednieuwe instrumenten. Blijkbaar heeft iemand veel geld in gepompt in deze akoestische Jack Johnson feelgood zomerband. Maar de punk uitstraling die hun naam doet vermoeden is heel ver te zoeken. Bah.

Lou Reed met XX-Teens?

De zanger van de XX Teens dacht bij het aanmeten van een podium imago meteen aan een jonge Lou Reed ten tijde van The Velvet Undergound. Dit is niet alleen erg irritant, maar past bovendien totaal niet bij de rest van de band die voor de rest ook van los zand aan elkaar hangt. Snel vergeten deze mannen.

Op straat Willem Venema weer tegengekomen waarmee we een taxi delen naar misschien wel het meest oprechte Britse bandje van dit festival: Little Barrie. Geen aangemeten imago’s, geen uberhippe muziek, maar gewoon een stel super goede muzikanten die oerdegelijke bluesy, groovende rock spelen die bij tijd en wijlen doet aan Led Zep of Cream. Ze bestaan blijkbaar nog

Toen snel naar Wintersleep, op dit moment een van de meest gehunte unsigned bands van het moment. Toen we een tijdje zaten te kijken naar een Afrikaanse zangeres vonden we dit wel verdomd weinig op de nieuwe Coldplay of Elbow lijken die ons werdt voorgespiegeld. Geen wonder ook want Wintersleep was cancellation nummero vijf van de dag.

Na vijf afgelaste shows hadden we wel genoeg van het op en neer rennen tussen venues en besloten we onszelf een plekje te verzekeren in The Barfly, waar het nachtprogramma met The Rascals en Crystal Castles op punt stond te beginnen.

The Rascals is de band van Miles Kane, die momenteel meer bekendheid geniet als muzikaal maatje van Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys). Samen brachten de heren onlangs onder de naam The Last Shadow Puppets het geweldige debuut ‘The Age of Understatement’ uit. Dat The Rascals nog niet zo bekend zijn bij het publiek blijkt uit de reactie van het publiek. Het staat goed vol, de band speelt goed en laat een aantal erg mooie songs horen, maar de interactie met het publiek ontbreekt nog. Vast een kwestie van tijd, want Miles Kane is een jongen waar we zeker meer van gaan horen.

Crystal Castles

Aan interactie met het publiek geen gebrek bij Crystal Castles. Vanaf minuut 1 hangt zangeres/schreeuwlelijk/zuchtmeisje Alice Glass in de barriers tussen en bovenop het publiek. De security heeft de grootste moeite om het kleine meisje enigszins in bedwang te houden. Laat de actie en interactie nou ook meteen de grote troef zijn van het duo uit (wederom!) Canada. De dansbare rauwe electro beats, doorspekt met samples en vocalen van Alice is heavy en chaotisch, maar na 30 minuten ook wat eenzelvig. Dit laatste zal het publiek een worst wezen, die willen gewoon feesten. En daar is Crystal Castles erg goed in!

Na de band loopt The Barfly vrij snel leeg en besluiten we zelf ook om het er voor dit jaar bij te laten.

We mogen concluderen dat The Great Escape een absolute verrijking is in het Europese festival landschap. Brighton is een perfecte plek voor een showcase festival, met voldoende alternatieve ontspanningsmogelijkheden als je even genoeg hebt van bands kijken (strand, leuke winkelstraatjes, terrasjes etc.). Het festival biedt een staalkaart aan wat er op dit moment gebeurt op het gebied van indie en alternative popmuziek. Hoewel veel (Britse) indie bands het moeten hebben van hypes en imago’s en schiet de muzikaliteit vaak tekort, valt er op dit festival ook veel moois te zien. Die enkele pareltjes die we ontdekt hebben gaan we vast en zeker terug zien in het Nederlandse club- en festivalcircuit, al zal het ook veel van de gehypte bands het lukken om voet aan Nederlandse bodem te krijgen.
Het festival mag nog wel flink verbeteren als het gaat om communicatie. Vijf afgelaste of verplaatste gigs op onze route is niet mis. Het is pas de derde keer dat het festival plaatsvindt, en het feit dat het nu al dusdanig groot is, wil ook wel wat zeggen. Wat puntjes op de i dus en we zijn er volgend jaar gewoon weer bij!

 ..but it was lighter and was built to a superior calibre.

This isn’t my Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man post, but that will be as soon as I have the time.  But just out today is there new video, for the single the drowned and the saved – or *exhuberantly*pestillence and pain as I know it. 

Most dissapointed to discover the free music on XX Teens site is not their new single, the way we were – which I was going to post on here.  None the less here is ‘Darlin’ which is a brilliant song, though the latest version misses out the infamous ‘welcome to the party, CLOWNS!’ intro which made it initially legend and/or dairy…

XX Teens – Darlin

(^^Let’s hope this works..)