Half A Sound Wave

Off across the pond now to Minneapolis to a band that formed 13 years ago. An Alternative Rock band which are extremely good even if they did support Texas (crap band both live and on record), sounding a bit like the Goo Goo Dolls but obviously better plus I can hear a bit of a Counting Crows vibe coming from them. Their songs are songs you can just lie back, enjoy and do a bit of air instrument playing. The Feeling Strangely Fine album is worth getting if you're interested.

The song that is on loop on my pod and what i'm listening to now, Closing Time,

I'll Have Fish With That

Right I have to do a quick post on Hot Chip. Purely because their new song is genius, Ready For The Floor which is from their new album, Made In The Dark. From what i've heard of it, the rest of the album is good from first impressions. Ready For The Floor was originally written for Kylie Minogue and i'm glad Hot Chip kept it, because Kylie couldn't make my head bounce as much as Hot Chip do with the song. I love it and it got me through 2 hours of boring frees in the college library. Here it is,

Caught On Film

Going north of the border, to Glasgow and The Cinematics. Right how do I sum this band up, well think Bloc Party (Silent Alarm), Interpol and We Are Scientists and if you like all them you will love The Cinematics. Shimmering guitars and passionate vocals make the songs, a joy to listen to. Their debut album A Strange Education has been on loop on my ipod every couple of weeks for almost a year now and has no sign of stopping. Highlights include; Race to the City, Human and Keep Forgetting, along with all the other songs on the album.

Here is Break from the album,

I Love My Cardigans

So I finished my exams today, with the final exam in Political Ideologies. Heaps of fun that was, it went better then I expected but still crap. After that stressful experience, I thought I would kick back and listen to some Cardigans. Which may be my guilty pleasure, but they are very good and I don't care if people take the mickey. You're all sad if you do.

Erase Rewind

In A Room On Cloud Nine

All the way from NYC it is The Cloud Room, with the blend of 80's post-punk and the lead singer sounding almost identical to David Bowie. It is the perfect mixture and the result of this is perfect pop songs with the most infectious choruses you could wish for. I believe they are a step up from The Strokes and The Killers in terms of musicianship and I know I will cause controversy with that statement, but it is true. They've already hit the big time with a song on a Pepsi advert, but unfortunately aren't that big in the UK which is a shame as quite a few of their influences come from our shores.

So the self-titled album, I love it, to put it bluntly. From the ever so contagious Hey Now Now as the opening track this should be on everyone's ipod, especially in the summer because it has that summery feeling to it. Then there is the gentle opening to Waterfall, soft guitars and marching band style drums. Blackout! has the slow opening but progresses. Sunlight Song has the same vibe as The Thrills. There are too many good songs on this album, but you should all buy or download this because you will enjoy it.

Hey Now Now

What's That In The Sky?

For the regulars, you may notice there was no post yesterday. That's because I went to see these lads, Air Traffic in Bournemouth. I have to say it was the perfect gig due to different reasons, I would post up pics of the gig but there are so many different functions on the camera which I haven't yet figured out to use, because the only manual in the box is a bloody quick start guide which doesn't tell me anything. Those who aren't familiar with Air Traffic, what the hell is wrong with you? plus there a local band (Bournemouth) you should be ashamed. I suppose I will let it slide for all of you non-air traffic hearers (if that is a word) by posting 3 songs which you should and must listen to.

Charlotte


Shooting Star


Never Even Told Me Her Name

That's Me In The Corner

Today's obsessive music is R.E.M, so I had my Economics and Business exam today, I thought it went well but i'm sure my results will disagree with me. There was no big hall for us to sit in as there was only 6 of us just a conference room and I was sitting in the corner with an invigilator sitting behind me, which isn't the greatest thing when you're trying to concentrate and you have someone breathing down your neck. I had to listen to something that was pleasent on the ears but gets me to singing along, i need something soothing when I finish exams as I will be a miserable bastard if I don't, its funny how music changes your feelings. Right here comes the R.E.M megapost with 3 yes that's right 3 of my favourite R.E.M songs.

I Took Your Name


Country Feedback (sound is a bit cack)


Orange Crush

Old Man River

I couldn't come up with any witty (?) titles so this is the singer's bands name. So all the way from down under, the beck sounds are uncanny but there is also a distinct Nick Drake sound coming out as well. What can I say well as I always say he is awesome and I have the same butterflies in my stomach that I got from hearing Bob Dylan or Beck for the first time. How can I describe his music, well the lyrics have the same optimism as Jack Johnson but also the same sound just a bit more experimental. This song is called Sunshine and it has a distinct Indian sound to it, as well as the video being shot in India.

Oliver Twist Was An Orphan Boy

Today's new blog post comes in the middle of my Economics and Business revision (exam tomorrow). Time for a new band I think. Orphan Boy from Manchester the capital of quite a few little bands that not many people have heard of. That last sentence was sarcasm, in case anyone jumps on my wagon and shoots me. So moving away from my ramblings, Orphan Boy are full of talent and sound like Bromhead Jackets but are better. I'm expecting big things from these and I hope they do well in the future. Here's Trophies Of Love,

Kent is in Sweden?

No silly, i'm not Jade Goody, i'm talking about the band Kent from Sweden. Apparently they sell out stadiums in Scandinavia and I can tell why. They have squillions of albums out and they are all in swedish so I don't know what the hell they are saying but the musicianship is ace. So if foreign language bands aren't for you and you don't feel like cracking out the Swedish phrase book, then Kent aren't for you, but if you like new music and fancy listening to something different enjoy!

Music Murders Children

Bonjour people, today's band is Rock Kills Kid from California. Don't be fooled by the emo hairstyles and black clothes in the picture, their music has drawn comparison to Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure and U2. They have one album out called Are You Nervous?, which is an absolute joy to listen to. Stand out tracks for me are Back to Life and Hideaway, if you have the chance to buy or download it is worth your investment or time if you are downloading. Why don't any of these good bands grace the shores of the UK, ah well I guess i'm stuck with the album and you are stuck with their only single. Here's Paralyzed:

Joe's A Cool Guy

All the way from Austrailia, Eskimo Joe. They are one of a few good Australian bands which are good musically and lyrically and I have been addicted to their Black Fingernails, Red Wine album for nearly a year. With their easy on the ears songs and their catchy choruses, you'll soon know the words to them. I can't think of a way to describe but if you think Crowded House they are many times better and a less rockier Jet but with better songs. I am going to put two songs up and it would be good if you could give them a listen.

New York

Sarah

Like Looking Into A Mirror

I!AMYOU are from Weymouth, a proper local band and are somewhat of legends around the local area. Their real-life and often improvised lyrics might be too intense for some people but they have a comical factor to them. With a guitar and synth Yan and Chan are set to embark on a world tour around Weymouth. With tickets going quicker then a snail snap em up soonish.
Shiznit Live

I'm A Creep

Not my words, the infamous words of Thom Yorke. I am a bit of an obsessive Radiohead fan at the moment, I have listened to all their albums religiously since I got In Rainbows in October. They are one of the best bands to come out of Britain ever, and after a shit day I found comfort in The Bends. I have so got to see these in the summer except most of their dates clash with Glastonbury, so I am going to have to get a ticket and coach package but it'll be worth it. Enjoy my favourite 3 songs.

Bodysnatchers the best song on In Rainbows



Just from The Bends



Karma Police from OK Computer best Radiohead song

Like A Spider

Yes people another post, sorry about the bombardment but i have a lot of new music to spread around. Right Eight Legs from London, are a bunch of teens which have a flavour of Good Shoes and The Maccabees about them. Songs about drunkeness and boredom are turned into something special. The lyrics are mundane teenage neuroses which are lifted by the music and they are a joy to listen too.

Feel Good Inc.

So the day started off with a trip to Dr. Blunt to get some medicine for my manflu, which has worked miraculously and I am feeling good hence the name of my post. Also, it links in with the new drink I have come round to being addicted to Feel Good Drinks. Oh yes, juicy goodness and one of my five a day. Plus only one lesson today, which was heavenly. Not a bad day to celebrate my Monday new found lust for life, two of my all-time favourite songs which are proper classics. Enjoy!

Mexicans Like Coca-Cola

The Mexicolas sounds an exotic name and you wouldn't be a fool to suspect they were from Mexico. Nope they are brummies and they don't make fast acoustic spanish-style music. They have a rockier sound, think Foo Fighters cross-fusioned with Stereophonics and a sprinkle of Incubus and you have Mexicolas. So before the useless washed-up journos at Kerrang pick them up and go into overhyping mode have a listen.

I'm A Teenager

The Teenagers are a French/English band who have been playing on my ipod constantly over the past couple of months and are being hyped for good things. What can I say they do definitely live up to the hype. Playing the same style of music as Justice and Simian Mobile Disco mixed with Klaxons it is definitely worth buying their reality check album which comes out in March.

This is their hormoned filled song complete with cheerleaders and lyrics about sex.

Revision...What an old cliché

Four hours of revision achieved today, still curled up in bed with manflu but getting better. So revising for my politics ideologies exam, what do you think I listened too? Perhaps some ambient sounds such as waves in the ocean or some slow jazz. Nope I listened to Enter Shikari and a bit of Bob Dylan. It is kind of a big difference in terms of music types, but for Enter Shikari I needed the energy and motivation to actually get me doing revision and I needed Dylan's poetic lyrics to actually get me concentrated.






Bob Dylan wearing a bandana haha.

The Final Countdown

No Europe haven't re-released their tragically awful anthem, 25 years too late. I can't believe they were rumoured to support Iron Maiden, ah well two crap bands together won't end the world Since I have only just started this blog. I thought 20 days late I would do a countdown of my favourite albums of last year.

Lets get straight into it:

10. Aqualung - Memory Man








I have to admit, I was gutted I didn't find this Southampton born singer-songwriter sooner. Matt Hales plays piano rock like any of the big players (Coldplay, Embrace etc.). This album is so under-rated and should of recieved some airplay here in the UK. It is a great shame that Aqualung isn't selling out stadiums and this country's loss is America's gain. The fourth album from Aqualung doesn't disappoint from the epic, pressure suit to the gentle, glimmer. The album was on loop on my ipod for a good few weeks.

9. Bjork - Volta












Bjork's sixth album doesn't disappoint in the slightest, she pulled out all the stops in making this album a success, bringing in superstar (yawn!) producer Timberland to produce three tracks for her. Even though i do usually hate Timberland's work, what he did with Bjork did make me think he is wasting his talent producing hip-hop. The standout track on this album is declare independence, which up there with anything on the post album.


8. Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist










The best reunion of 2007 apart from Led Zeppelin, this was a true return to form for the pumpkins, I don't know why it was critically panned but there is nothing wrong with it. You have Billy Corgan's unique whining voice and Jimmy Chamberlain's insane drumming plus a few pumpkins-esque headbangers, I don't know what more you could want. Stand out track is Bring the Light.


7 - Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City










So the tricky second album that backfires on a lot of good bands, this one doesn't backfire. Bloc Party have achieved the feat, few bands do achieve that is making the second album better than the debut. Bloc Party with this album have firmly cemented their reputation as a respectable band. There are many stand out tracks on this album but the two that stick out for me are, hunting for witches and kreuzburg.


6. Prince - Planet Earth








The controversial album given away with a sunday newspaper, this album is classic Prince, full of surprises and variety. This album has it all , rock, funk, soul, R&B and the brilliant band and backing singers cater for these genre jumps excellently. I have to admit he brings out the best of an album live but his albums still have the longetivity factor and I am going to enjoy this for years to come.



5. Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truly Angry Mob












Another worthy second album, this time from the Leeds quintet. I was a bit iffy as to whether I would like but it has grown on me like a fine wine and one of the best wines out there. Going a bit off the topic there with wine. This album is amazing, I can't sum it up in many other words. Every song could be a single and its an album full of anthems. Even though it came out last february I can still listen to it from start to finish without getting tired of it and very few albums do that for me.

4. Switches - Heart Tuned to D.E.A.D












An excellent debut from this Southend band, with catchy songs throughout this album. Starting with Drama Queen, influenced by Graham Coxon the songs are written so well that they stay in your heads for weeks and you can recite the songs after a couple of listens. This is another band that gets very little airplay when they deserve more.

3. Air Traffic - Fractured Life












Another ace debut album from a local band (Bournemouth), this piano rock is in the vein of Coldplay but more optimistic as they describe themselves 'supergrass crossed with little richard' which isn't too far off the mark. Charlotte is the indie anthem of 2007 and with switches it has the catchy pop factor.




2. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible











The second album from the Canadians experimentalists and it is sheer genius. The lyrics are wrapped up in tragedy but the music makes you feel free, they address 9/11, George Bush and death but the musicianship that is present in this record makes you forget about the tragic lyrics and something magic happens as soon as the orchestra of strange and wonderful instruments kick in. The whole album was recorded in churches and the atmosphere and acoustics you get from the record make it one of the best albums of the 21st century.


1. Radiohead - In Rainbows









This album is flawless, what can I say some of Radiohead's best work, not in the same league as pablo honey or OK computer because its more melodic but it proves Radiohead can do almost anything. Nude, Bodysnatchers and Videotape are easily the best Radiohead songs they've ever made and you can't feel after the album finishes asking, is that it? I am in love with this album and it just shows that Radiohead aren't capable of making a shit album.

Ground Control to Jupiter One

This is a band I am going to big up because they are just amazing. Hailing from New York and infecting my mind with their space-age orchestral rock hits, it is so refreshing to hear a band with such a new and quirky sound that doesn't fail to amaze me. Think the strut of Franz Ferdinand mixed with Incubus and throw in some sunshine pop and that is how I think i can sum up Jupiter One sound.

Well what can I say about the album, from Countdown the opening track (bar the intro),with its infectious pop sound will keep the song in your head for days. Then there is Platform Moon, which makes you feel like you are in space and is an arena anthem. Ishibashi (the lead singer) sends his voice soaring into space. "I grew up by the highway/She grew up by the sea/She hears her name in the sound of the waves/But the ships hold a message for me," It's wonderful and should be an anthem for the future.

Here is the video for Countdown,

Check them out.

Manflu...

So my first blog post and i'm in bed with the manflu, which isn't so good but it has given me an opportunity to listen to my music collection intensively. So what do I listen to when i'm ill.....Morrissey. In the past i've been a bit skeptical towards his solo work because of the sheer brilliance of The Smiths, but I have to say I am a big fan now and dare I say it. Oh I will he writes better songs solo then he did in The Smiths. To keep this blog modern and relevant, here is the video for Morrissey's brand new single, That's How People Grow Up. It has fans throwing themselves at him. Enjoy the song, it's a smasher.

Oh and my favourite Morrissey song English Blood, Irish Heart:


.