The Voice Project

Quick post for you to check out a great little movement called "The Voice Project". It used to be really smart where an artist would cover a song from one artist, who in turn cover another artist which continues in a chain.

However that broke down at some point (I blame Tom Waits), and now it seems like artists cover whatever they want. The aim is to raise awareness and use donations, sponsors and advertisers to support programs on the ground which aid in the peace, reconciliation and rebuilding efforts in Uganda, Africa.

So, please check them out, lots of artists, and here are my picks:

Jesca Hoop covers Bon Iver - Flume

Joan as Police Woman cover Broken Social Scene - Lover's Spit

Billy Bragg covers Joanna Newsom - On a Good Day

Kitten covers Cat Power - The Greatest

Best albums of 2010 (so far)

I am back, having gone missing for the past months due to my particle acceleration work for CERN, being trapped in a mine, and becoming a wedding planner for next year (I can't say who for). Well there is about as much music that has gone missing on this blog as their are pages of leaked war documents on the internet. So here is a quick round-up of the best albums of the year so far (if the title wasn't a give-away).


20. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today 7.5/10

19. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles (II) 7.5/10

18. Efterklang - Magic Chairs 7.5/10

17. Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty 7.5/10

16. These New Puritans - Hidden 7.5/10

15. The Irrepressibles - Mirror Mirror 8.0/10

14. Sufjan Stevens- The Age of Adz 8.0/10

13. Holy Fuck - Latin 8.0/10

12. The Tallest Man on Earth – The Wild Hunt 8.0/10

11. Tame Impala -Innerspeak 8.0/10

10. Four Tet – There Is Love in You

Kieran Hebden produces one of his best yet, with another stunning masterpiece of electronic music. This may not break ground as some earlier work of his, however this holds as a much more solid album, and definitely deserving a place in my top 10.
8.0/10

9. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs


Is it better than their debut? For me, Funeral represents a more youthful and emotional time, which is not lost in parts of this album. This album is filled with hits however I believe the choice of track numbers was means you easily forget some stellar songs. Nevertheless, this is a must for the MP3 player.

8.0/10
Hear - Ready to Start

8. Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

This album screams out America. It will not be to everyone's taste, and some segments can seem to tedious, and sometimes the singer can whine into an almost self-pitying emo. However the album as a whole is a superb passionate punk tribute to the American Civil war and local heroes.

8.5/10

Hear - A More Perfect Union

7. Yeasayer - Odd Blood

I have already reviewed this album. Here

8.5/10


6. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Damon Albarn's Gorillaz produce a fascinating album with a cataclysm of classical, hip-hop, folk, jazz and several other music genres. Of course the success of the album is helped by the number of talented artists that are featured. Another ambitious album that gets its reward.

8.5/10

Hear - Melancholy Hills

5. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest

I don't remember an album so capable of striking up imagery than this. Halcyon Digest has the ability to give you chills then wrap a blanket around you to keep warm. This is a band centred around the strangeness and genius of one Bradford Cox, who will continue to make remarkable music.

8.5/10

Hear - Desire Lines

4. Sleigh Bells - Treats

Fast-paced, hard-hitting and fucking loud, this is pop-rock noise at its finest. Sleigh Bells are the perfect combination of bitter sweet, with one half being a hardcore rocker, and the other being like something from disney. It is only fitting that they are signed to M.I.A's label, and you can certainly understand the direction taken. This is guaranteed to impress, however please take some steps before playing:

• Put your hood up
• Put some shades on
• Put the volume to the max

Enjoy.

8.5/10
Hear - Infinity Guitars

3. Laura Marling – I Speak Because I Can

Let's get the common compliments out the way - she was only 17 when she made her first album, and 19 for this one. That is astonishing. Forgetting all that, I Speak Because I Can is dark and astonishing. The album is covers love, responsibility and womanhood, passionately narrated making this such an emotional album.

8.5/10

Hear - Rambling Man

2. Beach House - Teen Dream


I must confess, I thought this album was released in 2009, and could compete with any from My Picks of 2009. Teen Dream is in essence, masterful. A beautifully formed selection of dream-pop tracks that hook you in from the first track, and you stay that way till the end. It does not need any bold dominant tracks to try and appeal to you. Beach House had a successful debut album, however that was just part of a learning curve to produce something that they can truly be happy with.

8.5/10
Hear - Zebra


1. Joannna Newsom - Have One On Me


Joanna Newsom's third album was for me the best album, however I accept it will not be everyone's. I disagree with several reviews suggesting that she has changed her style, as instead I believe she has added to her style, yet the album is still unmistakably Joanna Newsom. With a three-disk two-hour marathon of music, Have One On Me is as bold as Joanna Newsom herself, as not many would have done such a thing. Nevertheless, Joanna Newsom produces the most enchanting and magnificent collection of songs that take the listener on an adventure.

9.0/10

Hear - '81

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