February Round-Up

Well I am alive!! Did take a break from this for one reason or another. But I come back baring gifts... my top songs of the month. And there are some crackers. So lets get going!

Blood Red Shoes - Light It Up
Track Rating: 8/10
After my slight disappointment from their debut album, I didnt expect much from their return. However I am pleasantly suprised. First single from it is a screamer. Sweet sweet melody twisted into a grungy chorus and yells of Light It Up shows exactly why I liked this band so much before. It won't turn too many heads, however for those who were dissatified with their debut, including myself will find this a treat.
Hear

Chew Lips
8/10
Nice song from a band that were certain to dissapoint. Lead singer has a great voice, the song is simple yet good electropop throughout. It does reach a stage where a sudden surge of electro-awesomeness would take over, and the build up is great, but it continues into a delicate melody which is just as enjoyable. Raised my eyebrows in a good way.
Hear

Hot Chip - One Life Stand
7/10
At first listen I thought this was a bog-standard electro-pop song, from a far greater band. However in a way, this is what they were aiming for this, yet still have the dignity of a good band. It has a great bass riff throughout, however that is somewhat overpowered. The vocals are synthesised very cleverly, but the best thing about this song are the lyrics.
Hear

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (Roksonix Dubstep remix)
8.5/10
Not too sure when this remix came about, but it has got big for me in the past month. Imogen Heap's vocals from this song have become very well known due to being featured on Jason Derulo's song "Whatcha Say". However what Roksonix does to the tune is simply awesome. I have been catching up on a lot of dubstep, and I think this may be one of the best dubstep remixes around at the moment.
Hear

Joanna Newsom - Good Intentions Paving Company
9.5/10
Simply phenomenal. She has changed her style somewhat, yet this is still inrrefutably Joanna Newsom. A more upbeat song to someothers within the album, this is stunning throughout, from its harmony, chorus, lyrics and vocals. The song takes a melodical turn towards the end that you would not expect from her songs in the past, however this is her reformed, and it is simply breathtaking. It is a love song that is unashamed of itself, and has no right to be.
Hear

The Knife - Colouring of Pigeons
7.5/10
With a collaboration of who I don't remember, The Knife produce an opera-based album, which has split their fanbase somewhat. This is one of the best yet longest tracks of the two CD album. It is a soothing combination of several instruments from around the world, both modern and traditional. I admit I'm not exactly an opera expert, but from what I hear is a lovely track, very different from their older work. For an artist to totally change their style yet still produce rave reviews shows serious talent.
Hear

The Morning Benders - Excuses
7.5/10
A beatiful little song from a band that seems like pretty folk pop crossover. However this song does contain great melody a harmonised vocals, and contains a superb shift mid-song, which is why it gets to go on this list. The use of instruments during this song, and generally the album is very impressive.
Hear

Spoon - Is Love Forever?
8/10
Spoon have been possible the most consistently great bands of the last decade, just take a look at this metacritic article for proof. And this single is certainly an enjoyable start to the teenies, if thats what is going to be called? As you would expect from them, very clean riffs and clear vocals which really identify this band so well. Certainly they can't have another great decade can they? If this is anything to go by, why not!
Hear

Surfer Blood - Swim
7.5/10
Simple rifs with a 80s sound, catchy lyrics and a simple fun in the sun nature. It takes a slight turn in the bridge into a Vampire Weekendesque little intervas, which works very well. It can easily be mistaken for an 80s song, however it will certainly get you shouting the chorus.
Hear

Two Door Cinema Club - Undercover Martyn
6.5/10
It could easily be labelled a generic indie name and be done with, and possibly should, but I did enjoy this song. Its a sing-a-long marathon with an average harmony, but the whole song is held together by the chorus. Don't expect a tremendous amount from this song, but it is certainly worth a listen.
Hear

Jesca Hoop - Hunting My Dress (2009)

Rating: 8/10

Californian born Jesca Hoop has an interesting past, being raised in a mormon family, to stand against its beliefs and pursue a career in music. Her debut album "Kismet" gathered some praise from renounding artists including Tom Waits and Elbow. Her second album must show that Hoop has depth in her music, whilst still holding the magic that her sound seems to have.

The album starts with no introduction, but rather abruptly by a quick vocal harmony folowed directly into the song "Whispering Light". And a great song to start with, its enchanting like a Fiona Apple melody, mixed with some simple yet twisting guitar riff. The only dissapointment with this song is that the chorus doesnt hold you as much as it should, however the bridge does more than enough to make up for that.

Next song "The Kingdom" shows the delicate side of her voice, and it sounds stunning. At first I thought this would be a perfect song to end the album on, however the tune does take a turn which throughout is following her vocals. Lovely song, however I still do not think it fits in well here.

"Four Dreams" is a more upbeat song, with hints of chirpy bluegrass and 90s pop. A very enjoyable song with charming lyrics. Its easy to see why it was chosen as the first single.

We then get another stunning a magical song, "Angel Mom". From the high and beautiful vocals carrying a very deep meaning behind the song, its not hard to see why she has been compared to the likes of Kate Bush. The song consists of a slow build up into the stunning industrial chorus. Luke Murray Allen defines it well as having the subtle blend of two opposites: "industrial yet organic".

Then we get a darker tune in "Feast of the Heart". This song really seems like more of a rock band rather than a single female singer, however the dark sense to this song combined with her voice makes it a good listen as if in the midst of a Blonde Redhead track.

The rest of the album is alot more relaxed, without any strong tracks, however it seems like a more traditional folk album. What it does show perfectly is just how great her song-writing is. "Murder of Birds" is a good example of this, which sounds like poetry.

"Bed Across the Sea" has a strange combination the didgereedoo in the background giving it a weird atmosphere, which is broken from time to time by beautiful highs of her voice.

"Tulip" sounds more like a standard alternative-pop song, with another instrument used that at first wouldnt be considered, this time the electronic organ. It gives this song a mediterranean feel, however just like the previous song, I don't think it works too well. In fact I think it sounds like a Shakira B-side

However the final song, "Hunting My Dress" (doesnt take a detective to see where the album took its name from), is a stunning ballad. Deep meaning and sentimental lyrics, it is understandable why she wanted the album to be named after this.

All in all this album was impressive, and contains something for everyone. Jesca Hoop has been compared to several female artists, from Kate Bush to Bjork to Regina Spektor. I would say vocally, she has similarities to Australian Sarah Blasko, who you should really check out! Still, its easy to compare, however I don't believe it does her justice as she has her own style. Her style to me seems to be vocally led, with simple beats, subtle use of strings and piano which are hooked onto her voice. She has the tenacity to be experimental, which sounds incredible in some parts, and less so in others. As I have mentioned, I was not too impressed on how the tracks were arranged, which seems like very few songs fit in well together. However there are enough tracks to say this album is a great listen, and that is nearly all due to her superb imagination.


Hear - Money (okay its not on this album, but its the only official video I found of hers. And its a cracker)