January Round -Up

Okay so first month of 2010, thought I would do a roundup of my favourite songs out of the month. I must say, these songs have not necessarily been released in January 2010, as they may be a bit older or newer! But these are songs that I have picked up in the past month that are worth a mention.

Owen Pallett - Keep The Dog Quiet
Track Rating: 8/10
I fell in love with this song from the first listen. Throughout the song it has a consistent and very simple rhythm. It sounds perfectly orchestrated with the overlapping of string and brass throughout, which perfect fit around the catchy yet clever chorus.
Hear

Vampire Weekend - Cousins
9/10
Okay, so I may have been dissapointed by VWs new album, however this single is a cracker. It makes your feet tap from start to finish, and is probably the most different of all Vampire Weekend songs. Great vocals, cheeky lyrics and swift guitars, this song shows the best of the band.
Hear

Ke$ha - Tik Tok
6.5/10
An oversaturated market I would have thought, but apparantly not. Kesha is portrayed as a sexy naughty bitch, which I guess is to appeal to the teenage girl listeners to follow and relate to. Extremely catchy lyrics and chorus, unique vocals and a good happy-go-lucky beat, this song is on most peoples party playlist. Those who don't have this will be officially referred to as Party Poopers.
Hear

Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
7.5/10
This track is simply charming. Motivational lyrics that may be too quirky for some peoples liking, however they may forgive this for everything else that this song holds. Especially the great vocals and overall sound. Check out a whole album review here.
Hear

These New Purians - We Want War
8/10
Just like the band, this song is EPIC. A dark and sinister track which begins with huge drum blasts, keyboard and noise. However this 7-minute song develops into a beautifully orchestrated melee, with a perfect combination of high tones from choir, and lower tones from drums, along with brass to intertwine both elements. As I said, EPIC. Also done an album review here. Yay!
Hear

Delphic - Doubt
6.5/10
I hate Radio 1 and the BBCs power to say what artists, albums and tracks we should all go and purchase. Delphic were number 3 in this list. And soon after, they released this track. I think it sounds more like a mash-up of Hot-Chip with the Klaxons rather then anything as innovative as you may expect. Saying that, there is nothing wrong with the track and the band. It is simply an enjoyable listen, however does not make me want to go back for more. Don't Believe the Hype comes in mind.
Hear

Tindersticks - Keep you Beautiful
8/10
When I hear this track, I just wish it was summer and I was dazing in the warmth. As that is what it brings, warmth. This song could be easily mistaken for an old classic mowtown classic, and rightly so. A tender and beautiful song.
Hear

Four Tet - Love Cry
8.5/10
At over 9 minutes, it can be easy for a song to get boring, especially the repetition in dance tunes. This is somewhat repetitive, which is in fact something you wouldn't normally relate to Four Tet. However Love Cry is never boring. This song is the build up of chilled jazz percussion, sampled female vocals and clever interplay. Head bopping music, a great tune from a great DJ.
Hear

Los Campesinos! - There are Listed Buildings
8/10
I have to say, I think Los Campesinos! are quirky little indie-pop shits. However they must be doing something good, as they have magazines such as NME raving. At first I thought this song was a "Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly" cover of punk-rock song. However after a few more listens, I realise that this song is packed full of great lyrics, and are broken down by some complex are ever confusing guitar riffs. The chorus is actually not too bad either, its actually a breather for whats to come. All in all, this track impressed.
Hear

Liars - Scissor
7.5/10
Legends in the making Liars have got to keep up a significant reputation, so released this song early for their following album "Sisterworld". And with this song, they definately do deserve the reputation. It is creepy, dark and daunting, yet it has a Radioheadesque turn with heavy bass and soaring lead and vocals. However there is something missing from this song, which I think is that it does not show the tenacity that can be heard in previous records.
Hear

These New Puritans - Hidden (2010)

Rating: 8/10

These New Puritans are four young Thames-Estuary progressive rockers. With a good debut album, they aim for their second album, Hidden to hit 2010 with a bang. They do not disappoint.

Time Xone is like a simple overture for the rest of the album, with a classical arrangement that is very plain. However this is rudely interrupted by "We Want War", which begins with huge drum blasts, keyboard and noise. However this 7-minute song develops into a beautifully orchestrated melee, with a perfect combination of high tones from choir, and lower tones from drums, along with brass to intertwine both elements.

These New Puritans have always said that hip-hop has made a massive influence on their music, an this is evident throughout the album. "Three Thousand" exemplifies that, with a sort-of medieval twist to it. As weird as that sounds, thats the best to explain it. "Hologram" is a nice contrast, which is led by piano and the lead singers voice, which although is not perfect, works well.

The band then produce a song with an apt name for it, "Attack Music". The song can be dark and direct in parts, yet melodical in others, with stunning backing vocals. The next song "Fire-Power" highlights how the band tend to chant to the music, more than sing to it, similar to MIA. You will also notice the harmony from the introduction nestle in towards the end.

Again, this is interrupted with another heavy drummed symphony, "Orion". Its about time for another breather, with another brass arrangement in "Canticle". Yet again the moment of peace is soon over, with one of the heaviest songs on the album "Drum Courts - Where Corals Lie" with a tribal drum beat, simple orchestral arrangement, dark backing vocals and the typical TNPS chanting. This song gives the imagery of a montage in an epic ancient war film, where the soldiers are marching to their deaths. I'm sure I have heard it in one of those terrible films.

"White Chords" is a melodic song that penultimately ends the album. It is alot more harmonic and relaxing, with a euphoric chorus and sing-along lyrics. The last song "5" seems to be an answer to the introduction. Another instrumental piece, this one is alot lighter and magical. It includes a choir who chant to the harmony of "Time Xone".

This album is can be called many words, but ironically none of them are "Hidden". It is spectacular in some instances, which is helped by the band knowing exactly what they want from this album. It gives a bold start for 2010, just like "Vektamist" and "Merriweather Post Pavillion" did for 2009. This album will not become a mainstream success, as it contains more dark, tribal hits rather than some other artists, however I have to say to those who listen to this album, my jaw did that too.

Hear - "We Want War"

Black Cab Sessions

If you havn't heard or seen them before, then these videos will be a treat!
Black Cab Sessions kind of explain themselves. One song performance by musicians, recorded on the back of a black cab in London and New York, for the viewing pleasure of us internet layabouts.
They have grabbed some great artists in their time, and below are my picks:

Alela Diane
Bon Iver
Dawn Landes
Death Cab for Cutie
Fleet Foxes
Grizzly Bear
Lightspeed Champion
Lykke Li
The Maccabees
Mumford and Sons
The New Pornographers
Noah and the Whale
Scout Niblett
St.Vincent

Yeasayer - Odd Blood (2010)

Rating: 8.5 / 10

It has been nearly three years since Yeasayer's debut album, but it seems like they have used this time very wisely. After a long wait, new album Odd Blood certainly does not dissapoint.

With a dark, deep and peculiar intro song, "The Children", the next song "Ambling Alp" is a complete contrast, with an upbeat tempo and lyrics to match. This is the first single from the album, however it is by far not the best.

The album then takes a more docile turn with the song "Madder Red", which seems to fit more with their first album. It is a bit more 80s pop revival than some may like, which then leads to a more MGMTesque anthem in "I Remember". Here we start to see just what Yeasayer are about, with complex musical arrangements, great vocals and a lot of passion in what they do.

All of sudden we get a total different side to their music, with one of the most energetic songs on the album, "The One", which in typical music of our day, compliments the past in pop. It has a sort of 80s Hollywood movie feel to it, with 90s vocals all complimented with a great hook.

The next song certainly cannot be called pop music. The intro to "Love Me Girl" can be very misleading to the listener, for me it seemed like the start of a Pendulum song. Instead we get a song that seems to have elements of 90s House music, garage and more recently dubstep, all complimented with great vocals that make the song refreshing, and very addictive. "Rome" is a less serious song, with a quirky melody and hints of funk. The song is broken down at periods with clever percussions. However in all it is similar to "Ambling Alp" as being a good single, but doesn't really expose Yeasayers experimental side.

"Strange Reunions" sounds like a caleidoscopic Eastern-Indie mix, similar to that of their debut album. This song is in stark contrast to the quicker tempo song "Mondegreen", which seems to have been a very complicated ensemble of instruments all to have been played at a higher bpm then that was supposed to. This is where we see their experimental side try to take over the music, which is unfortunate.

The final song "Grizelda" however is the perfect ending to an album of this sort. It sounds like a strange mash-up of The Dirty Projectors and MGMT, however it works incredibly well. The melody and vocal are both spellbouding, and makes this final song a suitable encore for the album.

It is true that generally this album can be called more high tempo, upbeat and danceable, however this does not do justice to just what has improved for Yeasayer since the debut album. Being an experimental band, from taking their interest in so many sounds, they seem to have finally found the right formula, and created something very special. Dare I say it, I myself have been a sceptic of bands such as MGMT and Vampire Weekend, however the new Yeasayer album seems to show just how to do it. Kudos

Hear - Ambling Alp (single)

La Blogotheque...

La Blogotheque is a great french website devoted to discussion, interviews and best of all, live music videos of some great artists from around the alt/folk world.

The live sessions (called Soirée de poche) are the best I have seen, held in some obscure venues in France, and are filmed by Vincent Moon, a french filmaker who makes it such a great experience.

Check out these great sessions, believe me, you won't be disappointed:

The Dodos

Kings of Convenience

Beirut

St.Vincent & Andrew Bird

The Walkmen

Bon Iver

There are a few more, but these are my favourites.
Enjoy!

Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Rating: 9.5/10

One thing I wanted to do through this blog was to expose albums that I have been brought up by that have made changed me. And from that, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was hands down the first I wanted to discuss.

So a bit of background on this young lady at the time. Lauryn was going through a torrential time with partners in the infamous group The Fugees. In fact when Lauryn proposed to the band that she were to do a solo album, there was little support from the group, including the father to her future child, Wyclef Jean.

However, it was afflictions such as above that pushed her to produce a solo album. Miseducation was to be made as a personal diary to her, expressing deep emotions on situations that were also affecting young black americans during this period. Lauryn was in fact the humble narrator, enfused with her own personal dilemmas. However this album was not a simple heart-on-sleave representation on Lauryn's life, in fact, it was the opposite.

One of the greatest addictions to this album is its positive perspective on the individual. Lyrically, the album is so succint, that it seems no number of political advisors could redraft what is said as well as Lauryn did, when she spoke her truth. She does not back away from any subject, from abortion and politics, to love and betrayal.

Also from the appeal of Lauryn came some great support in making this record, from internationally known artists such as D'Angelo, Mary J Blige and Carlos Santana. However even they could not overshaddow the clear talent that was expressed by Lauryn Hill who. with or without some exceptional production, excelled.

What is so great about this album is that I truly believe that anyone, no matter what background, can find strong relevance. Miseducation expresses where Lauryn's emotion and devotions in life are, to the extent of carrying us into her world. For me, this album could often not be left on the shelf for a few months, but if I were to be asked "what would be the most influential album in your life?", well you get the point!

Hear - To Zion

Vampire Weekend - Contra (2010)

Rating: 7/10

Vampire Weekend hit the music world with a fascinating debut album, pulling together sounds from all corners of the world. Two years after the debut, their second album Contra arrives with some anticipation. Does it deliver?

Well that depends on what you are looking for from this band. From their debut album, it had a mix of superb individual songs that could either be heard at a party full of the pretentious, or whilst your sipping your frapomapocapochino in the cafe. Superb as those songs were, I don't believe the new album has any to rival with that. So in that sense, no it does not deliver.

However, if your needing a good album to add to your extensive collection, then this is a great choice. Contra is full of charming melodies, that keep it a very entertaining album. However after a while, you may find yourself wanting more from this album. Just like the previous album, it is short, and seriously lacks depth. Hopefully we will see it in their next one, fingers crossed they have more to offer.

Hear - Cousins