Flashback Friday.. Nirvana - 'Come As You Are'

Again, lack of posts. Apologies, I've just been trying to blitz my workload before Christmas, because I do not want to be attempting to do it in that yummy few days between Christmas itself and New Year.

Currently, I can hear the One Direction/Ed Sheeran amalgamation, 'Little Things' coming through the adjoining wall to my neighbours house. Let's fight this!

Earlier this week, on the 12/12/12 fundraiser concert to raise money to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, it was revealed that a certain Paul McCartney was to join Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and man for hire, Pat Smear in order to perform under what was being dubbed a 'Nirvana reuinion'. I admit, when I first read about this I found it hilarious had my reservations, as the mental concoction of a McCartney fronted Nirvana playing what would have most likely been 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was more than amusing, especially with McCartney's voice being a weak shadow of what it once was, wobble and all. Fortunately, they didn't play a Nirvana song, but instead attacked a new song entitled 'Cut Me Some Slack', and it far surpassed my expectations, as did McCartney's voice, which surprisingly held out (watch below)! Under this guise, I'd be intrigued to hear more, although if they do continue it would only seem right to drop the 'Nirvana' tag.

#

All this got me thinking about classic Nirvana songs, and whilst my favourite Nirvana song is probably 'Breed' today's post is going to be about 'Come As You Are'.  

The follow up single to their breakthrough song, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', 'Come As You Are' is far more moody. The swampy sounding main riff uncannily resembling that within the song 'Eighties' by industrial punk/metal band Killing Joke, and taken from their album Night Time, which contained some of their most well known songs such as 'Love Like Blood' (their own breakthrough hit), 'Europe' and the aforementioned track. The track also famously contains the line 'And I swear that I don't have a gun' which, post Cobain's suicide, carries an unsavoury sense of irony.

Flashback Friday.. Everything Everything - 'MY KZ UR BF'

Really quick one today! I know that I've not posted much this week, but I just haven't seemed to have the time. My deadlines are drawing closer and I still have a huge pile of work to do. I really don't want to be spending the festive period being a hermit in my bedroom, so I'm hoping to get it all done before Christmas. I've done almost all of my Christmas shopping by now, so I can almost begin my favourite part - wrapping!

Anyway, this Flashback Friday is Everything Everything. I know, it's not old at all (it was first released in 2009) but now that their second album is due out in early 2013, I feel that I can get away with writing about it in this section.

If you loved my previous post on the band for their single 'Cough Cough', then you'll definitely love 'MY KZ UR BF' - that's what I can only imagine to be 'My Keys, Your Boyfriend' in English. Whilst I feel 'Cough Cough' is a superior song, 'MY KZ, UR BF'  is less streamlined and more quirky, the song itself a heightened metaphor comparing an argument over a girl at a party to the impending apocalypse. As always, Jonathan Higg's quavering, pitch swinging vocals are more than impressive, as are the sheer amount of words that he somehow manages to fit into a sentence.

'MY KZ, UR BF' is taken from Everything Everything's debut album, Man Alive.
They are also going on a UK and European tour starting in Feb 2013.

http://www.everything-everything.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/EverythingEverythinguk/
https://soundcloud.com/everythingeverything
https://twitter.com/E_E_

New Waves.. IAMX - 'The Unified Field'

In the UK especially, IAMX - aka. former Sneaker Pimps maestro, Chris Corner - isn't as loved as he should be. In fact, he appears to be practically ignored by the UK music press. Although, if you cross the waters to Europe, the ex-pat/ current Berlin inhabitant is far more adored.

His brand of emotive electronica can  range from darkly disturbing to whimsically romantic within the space of an album. Both musically and visually, IAMX take influence of cirque and cabaret, although neither are present in the above song. 'The Unified Field' is the first song to début from the fifth IAMX album of the same name. In regards to this song, I don't feel that it's one of Corner's strongest at all; it doesn't feel that unique, or special, and it doesn't encapsulate what IAMX is about. It just feels mediocre, although perhaps within the context of the album, my opinion may differ.

I'm going to leave some of my favourite IAMX songs below so you can see what I mean .


http://www.iamx.eu/
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/iamx
http://www.facebook.com/IAMXOFFICIAL

'Spit It Out'

'Nature of Inviting

'Ghosts Of Utopia'

'Tear Garden'

Flashback Friday.. Oasis - 'The Hindu Times'

Love or loathe the Gallagher Bros., there is no doubt in my mind that, whatever generation you were born into - old or young, teenage to middle age - you have the lyrics of at least one Oasis song seared into the fleshy crevices encased within your cranium.

Perhaps somewhat subconsciously, out of the big '90's bands, Oasis were probably my favourite. Yes, I admit, I'm not a massive Britpop fan. In fact, it very nearly grates on my nerves. Sorry. Looking back, in the '90's you either worshipped Britpop or were just unashamedly pop. Even though I was incredibly young then, I was sufficiently aware of the last wave of Cool Britannic patriotism; the Union Jack was emblazoned everywhere - including Geri Halliwell's tea towel of a dress circa BRIT Awards 1997, and riding the crest of that wave was Oasis, the perfectly imperfect, hedonistic band that every newspaper and music magazine loved to adore and vilify alternately.

Fast forward to 2002, and Oasis come with an essence of nostalgia, but wafting that aside, Heathen Chemistry had some amazing singles; 'Little By Little', 'Songbird', 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out', and this forgotten gem, 'The Hindu Times'.

And it really is forgotten, as (in)accurately as YouTube viewing stats go, this video has only been watched 836,668 times, despite being uploaded more than four years ago. If you were asked to name an Oasis song off the top of your head, it most likely wouldn't be this one, but even though it appears to have become enshrouded within the abyss of space and time, it's still incredibly good! Evidently, the lyrics of the song have nothing to do with the song title, as 'The Hindu Times' was already decided upon prior to the lyrics having been written, most likely because of the sitar sounding guitar, although many would attempt to connect the two and result in 'religion = euphoric high'.

Oasis turbulently departed in 2009 after an apparent Gallagher altercation, and the band (minus Noel) currently exist under the new umbrella of Beady Eye, whilst Noel's solo venture is Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

http://www.noelgallagher.com/
http://www.facebook.com/noelhighflyingbirds
https://twitter.com/NoelGallagher

http://www.beadyeyemusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/BeadyEyeOfficial
https://twitter.com/beady_eye

New Waves.. Delphic - 'Baiya'

Edit: Snazzy new video has been debuted - woop! 

Manchester band, Delphic, return with 'Baiya', the first song to début  from their second album, Collections.

'Baiya' is reminiscent of the electro-pop vein of the singles taken from their previous 2009 album, Acolyte, albeit perhaps more chart friendly, with synths flowing as opposed to being used for choppy rhythms a la 'Doubt' and 'Halcyon', incorporating oriental strings around the refrain 'All hell is breaking loose' and walking the fine line between modern and comfortably retro. It is also not the euphorically hectic maelstrom of noise that was previously released song, 'Good Life' (I had no idea that this song existed until today!)

That said, I'm so glad to see/hear of Delphic again! I loved Acolyte and will most likely love Collections when it's released.

Collections is released on 28th Jan 2013.

http://www.facebook.com/delphicmusic

http://www.delphic.cc/

http://soundcloud.com/delphic

Rapid Review.. Bloc Party - 'Four'

If there's one thing that this review isn't, it's time effective. Once again, apologies, part 1 - because I didn't even get this album 'til a month or so ago, and part 2 - becuase after I started writing this review, I actually forgot that it was there...

The fourth album by London based quartet, Bloc Party, imaginatively entitled.. erm, Four, dropped in late August (almost 3 months late - sorry!) and in my opinion it is easily one of the best efforts from the band as of yet, and most surprisngly of all...

It's heavy.

Yup, who'd have guessed it?

Four is a tightly wound, if not ragged beast; a scruffy powerhouse collection of songs that you really wouldn't expect from an often soppy and sentimental band such as Bloc Party. That's not to say that they don't do soppy and sentimental well, and sure, they have the some amazing belters under their, er, belts (puns galore!), but for this quantity to be in a Bloc Party opus is unheard of.

The album itself is incredibly consistent in the quality of the songs, but unlike their previous albums, it feels like there is no real stand-out track. Silent Alarm had many - 'Banquet', 'Helicopter', 'So Here We Are', A Weekend In The City - 'The Prayer', Intimacy - 'Mercury', but with Four, a track doesn't leap to mind. At a push, I'd say 'Kettling', and at a further push, perhaps 'Octopus' (with it's Daft Punk guitar), whilst '3x3' surprisingly wouldn't sound out of place with Matt Bellamy on vocals - it really reminds me of something old Muse would have concocted.

Somehow, this review had turned out sounding negative - it's really not! If you've ever had reservations towards Bloc Party, end them by listening to this. They were never run of the mill, and always worth your attention, but with Four they grab you buy the collar and shake you and pull you until your reservations have been blown to smithereens.

Something which I don't think anyone, fans and fence riders alike, was expecting.

http://blocparty.com/
http://www.facebook.com/blocpartyofficial
https://twitter.com/BlocParty/

New Waves.. The Family Rain - 'Trust Me... I'm A Genius'

Bit slow this week, I've been busy with uni and seeing my boyf and friends, as well as being ill.

But anyways, his rowdy little number is by Bath based trio, The Family Rain. 'Trust Me.. I'm A Genius' is reminiscent of classic rock turned bluesy, but with a cocky edge that only the young can pull off, making the song feel exciting and relevant as opposed to tired.

To me, it brings to mind a bulkier and less lazy sounding Black Box Revelation, with Jack White added for some extra oomph.

The single is out now via iTunes. 

There's a limited run (250 copies) of 7" available through Rough Trade at £4.99, though these don't seem to be available until 7th Jan 2013.

What do you think of The Family Rain/ 'Trust Me... I'm A Genius'?

http://www.facebook.com/thefamilyrain

https://twitter.com/thefamilyrain

Flashback Friday.. The Clash - 'Rock The Casbah'

Everyone - even if you've only a fleeting ear for rock based music - must know this song!

'Rock the Casbah' has to be one of the most famous and widely known songs by English punk band, The Clash, and taken from their fifth album, Combat Rock. The album also spawned the singles 'Know Your Rights', 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' (an indie disco staple!), and 'Straight To Hell', which you may recognise as being heavily sampled in Brit rapper, M.I.A's song 'Paper Planes which addresses immigration issues and perceived reasons for immigration. But that's another story.

Similarly, the ethos of The Clash is consistently liberal and anti-establishment, although their message has been twisted in the past; singer, songwriter and rhythm guitartist, Joe Strummer was famously reported to have wept when he heard the phrase 'Rock the Casbah' was written on a U.S. bomb to be used in the First Gulf War in Iraq [1]. What the story of 'Rock The Casbah' really entails is a fictional account of an oppressive Sharif banning rock music but being defied by the country's citizens by proceeding to 'rock the casbah' anyway, and pilots ordered to bomb those who didn't comply defied the ban by listening to rock music in their cockpit radios themselves. 

Lyrics aside, the song is poppy with a fun beat and is easily my favourite Clash song - 30 years on and it doesn't feel dated! First released in 1982, it actually charted higher in the UK Singles Chart upon its second release in 1991, hitting a peak position of 15.

What do you think of The Clash and 'Rock the Casbah'? What's your favourite song by The Clash, and what do you think of how the message of the song has been distorted and applied to something completely opposite as to what was originally intended?

http://www.theclash.com/

http://www.facebook.com/theclash

[1]  Ty, Burr (9 November 2007). "Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten Movie Review". Boston Globe (via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_the_Casbah)

Rapid Review.. Kate Nash - 'Deathproof EP'

Old Kate Nash and New Kate Nash are two different entities - let's treat them as such. One day, New Kate Nash had a humdinger row with Old Kate Nash and took the candlestick, from the library, and proceeded to beat the utter shit out of Old Kate Nash until, as a battered bloody pulp, she was unceremoniously dumped in 6 ft of dirt under the rose bush.

Or so it may well have been, for there's really not much connecting the music of New Nash to the Old, for example, New Nash is pretty much devoid of a cockney accent! Oh - don't get too excited - it's still there to an extent, but it's nowhere near as aggrivating as 'You-ou've gon an' got sick on myy train-errss, I on'y got theez yes-ter-day/ O-mah-gosh, I can-not be bovvad wiv thisss'. This Nash swaps her 'Mouthwash' piano for big bass riffs and whoops, growls and squeaks through  four out of five of these new songs, although it's worth noting that none of them are as screechy and strangled as previous song, 'Under Estimate the Girl' managed to be. It's still in the same grungy, new-wave vein however; the title song (single?) 'Deathproof' has a lazily cute vocal, as does 'Fri-End', and the whole EP sounds distinctly retro. 'I Want A Boyfriend' is particularly catchy and edgier, with the shrieking making an appearance, whilst 'May Queen' ends the EP on a softer note. There's even a surprisingly good cover of The Kinks 'All Day And All Of The Night thrown in there too!

I have to say, as a person who has never loved Nash outside of 'Foundations', 'Birds' and 'Pumpkin Soup', I really liked this EP and it will no doubt grow on me as I listen to it more; I may even delve into her second album, My Best Friend Is You a la 'Do Wah Do', which passed me by completely.

Nash has stated that her third album, Girl Talk is due in early 2013 and you can pre-order it and  get access to other content via her Pledge project.

Deathproof EP is out now on iTunes and her Pledge project.

Have you listened to the songs? What do you think? Do you prefer Kate Nash's new sound or do you prefer her old music?

http://www.myignorantyouth.com/
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/katenash
https://twitter.com/katenash
http://www.facebook.com/katenash
http://katenash.sandbag.uk.com/Store/

New Waves.. Churches - 'Lies'

Only just ran across this band whilst looking for some new music to listen to (if you have any suggestions -comment below!). 

Glaswegian band, Churches, only have two songs to their name - that I can find anyway - but the whole affair is a moody electro powerhouse reminiscent of The Knife. The song in question, 'Lies', so far appears to have garnered them more than 100,000 hits on their YouTube channel since May, and it deserves it, the song is edgy and doesn't just wash over in a non-descript or sterile manner that a lot of electronic music can do. 'Lies' definitely shocks you out of your reverie!

There is currently a link to the mp3 on the blog of their label, Neon Gold.

https://twitter.com/CHVRCHES

https://www.facebook.com/CHVRCHES

http://soundcloud.com/chvrches

Flashback Friday.. Le Tigre - 'Deceptacon'

I've been slaving at a Kathleen Hanna biography for my university Life Writing module for what feels like an age, and naturally this has lead to me doing a load of research to do with the '90's Riot Grrrl movement and feminism. I say this like it's a chore - it's not, I've quite enjoyed the research, reading and watching material on Riot Grrrl et al.

Subsequently this led to this post! If you've not heard of Kathleen Hanna, she is the feminist punk singer of the bands Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, and has recently restarted, The Julie Ruin, originally Hanna's '90's solo project and now a band. However, 'Deceptacon' is a Le Tigre song, and it is very addictive jarring and poppy dance punk.

It's largely believed that 'Deceptacon' is a response to the NOFX song 'Kill Rock Stars', where the band really tear into Hanna and the riot grrrl movement, although it is definitely worth pointing out that the lyrics include 'Don't dare tag me misogynist/ I thought the goal here was mutual respect' don't really throw the group in the anti-women pile. 'Deceptacon' itself references the 'Who took the bomp?... Ram-a-lam-a-ding dong' lyrics from the Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies - a cover band including Fat Mike from NOFX - who covered the song 'Who Put the Bomp', and it's worth noting that Le Tigre have altered the lyrics to imply having something taken from them/ being scorned in some way. With prior knowledge, the song is really is a double-middle-fingers-up to the original NOFX tirade.

Like I said, 'Deceptacon' is addictive, and there's really no point in getting all political and argumentative in music if it  doesn't actually sound good. But it is. So listen!

http://www.letigreworld.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LeTigreWorld
http://thejulieruin.com/
http://www.facebook.com/thejulieruin

New Waves.. The Ramona Flowers - 'Dismantle and Rebuild'

Presumably named after comic book character, Scott Pilgrim's spunky love interest, the debut song from indie electro outfit, The Ramona Flowers is a classy affair. Infused with subtle dubstep elements, 'Dismantle and Rebuild' flows passionately - and the video is apt, as the sounds bring to mind cityscapes and speeding traffic, and where a lot of electronic music can sound stark, this song is rather comforting to the ear.

Apart from that, The Ramona Flowers' debut EP, Dismantle is OUT NOW and is currently floating around the cyberspace of the iTunes charts.

http://www.theramonaflowers.com/

http://www.facebook.com/theramonaflowersmusic

https://twitter.com/theramonaflower

New Waves.. Swim Deep - 'Honey'

Swim Deep is summer, and 'Honey' is a sun trap. OK, it's the wrong time of year and the Birmingham band aren't likely to see much seas or sand, but despite the harsh winter wind and balaclava inducing weather, I'm sure we can all manage to kid ourselves that tropical heat is somewhere on the far too distant horizon.

The song plods along in a chilled out manner, and the lyrics relate as an ode towards not wasting your life a la 'And don’t you dream in your sleep it’s just lazy''. But, to be honest, who can resist, when the sound of Swim Deep just makes you want to laze around and enjoy the view. Best enjoyed with a beer and a reclining sun lounger.

The band have recently announced their own headline tour February 2013.

14th Southampton Joiners
15th Birmingham Temple (HMV)
16th Leeds Brudenell Social Club
17th Manchester Soup Kitchen
18th Nottingham Bodega
19th Sheffield Plug
20th York Duchess
22nd Glasgow King Tut's
23rd Liverpool Kazimier
24th Bristol Thekla
25th Norwich Open
26th London XOYO
27th Brighton Green Door Store

'Honey' is OUT NOW.

http://soundcloud.com/swimdeep
http://www.facebook.com/SWIMDEEPUK
http://swim-deep.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/SWIM_DEEP

Rapid Review.. Charli XCX - 'SUPER ULTRA Mixtape'

You've probably gathered by now, if you follow this blog that is, that I am a large fan of Charli XCX. The alt. pop singer has been garnering more and more press coverage recently, and now she has released her second mixtape, SUPER ULTRA, prior to the release of her album early next year.

SUPER ULTRA hits the ground with 'Cloud Aura' (feat. Brooke Candy), which I reviewed previously, and stated that I felt it wasn't one of the strongest songs from Charli as of yet, although in hindsight after listening to this mixtape, it actually adds some well needed "oomph" to the sequence of tracks. The mixtape itself feels somewhat trippy, there are more mid-tempo/slow songs here and strange beats, with only 'Heatwave' really getting the listener excited by being a nice dance track. For me, the highlight of the mixtape has to be 'Forgiveness'; it's the nearest thing to a ballad that Charli has given us yet, and it's simple and personal, although as with any Charli XCX song, the temptation to mix it up is always there, as after the first chorus is done and dusted, the atmosphere turns menacing and dark.

On the newsletter email that delivered the free download, Charli stated that the entirety of the mixtape was written during her two days touring in Poland, and that the songs are all about love and are all sad in some manner.

Go to Charli XCX's website to download the SUPER ULTRA mixtape for FREE.

Read my review of Charli's previous mixtape, HEARTBREAKS AND EARTHQUAKES HERE.

Charli XCX is also doing a DJ set at The Garage on 21st November (tickets here) with Tom Vek, Brenton and Coves all playing live.

http://charlixcxmusic.com/
http://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic
https://twitter.com/charli_xcx
http://soundcloud.com/charlixcx

New Waves.. Kodaline - 'All I Want'

'All I Want' by Dublin band Kodaline is not particularly new, I've come across the video a few times on the music channels.

Although, let's be honest, if it wasn't for the intriguing music video, with the 'monstrous creature' type guy searching for love and acceptance in a cruel cruel world, I probably wouldn't have kept watching, because although the song is gentle and subtle, that could also translate to being more than a tad dreary.

That said, with lyrics such as 'when you said your last goodbye/ I died a little bit inside/ I lay in tears in bed all night/ alone without you by my side', it was never going to be a jolly 'Thing's Can Only Get Better' affair. In regards to that, I suppose it's one of those songs that we'll all turn to when in need to mope over a newly branded '-ex'. Plus, Ben and Jerry's. Cookie Dough, if you please.

http://www.kodaline.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Kodaline
https://twitter.com/Kodaline

Flashback Friday.. The Cure - 'Boys Don't Cry'

Alas, another night on the tiles dictating this Friday feature!

Last week was my 20th birthday, and after celebrating with a nice meal with the family on the Friday, I went on the razz up Birmingham on Saturday night with some friends. After flitting between The Yardbird - a jazz bar - and Lloyds, we found ourselves in Snobs, an idie/alt. music club; from my slightly patchy memory, I can clearly remember The Cure's 'Boys Don't Cry' permeating through the haze!

'Boys Don't Cry', along with 'Love Cats' and 'Friday, I'm In Love', has to be one of The Cure's most well known songs, if not the most mainstream. It is easily, a cult song. Released in 1979 (!), it still manages to sound fresh, and will no doubt continue to withstand time challenging musical shifts where the music of today most likely fail.

The Cure returned to the festival circuit this year, headlining the 2012 Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK, have a looksee at their set here.

My favourite Cure song is 'Love Song', how 'bout you?

http://www.thecure.com/

New Waves.. Everything Everything - 'Cough Cough'

Catching our to attention with their highly catchy single 'MY KZ, UR BF' in 2010, Everything Everything still managed to slip under the majority of peoples musical radars.

Their latest single, 'Cough Cough' picks up the momentum; as wonderful as 'MY KZ, UR BF' was, this is better. The breakdown to the drums for the chorus turns the usual chorus crescendo  on its head, the verses, bubbling electro-pop. Singer, Jonathan Higgs easily has one of the most unusual voices of recent years, he definitely reminds me of The Maccabees frontman, Orlando Weeks in his quavering delivery. If Weeks fronted MGMT whilst he and said band were attached to electrodes, it would result in this band!

At the moment, I'd go so much as to say they have real potential to fill the lull in my iPod as of late; 'Cough Cough' has definitely made me excited to hear their second album, Arc, which is to be released on 14th January 2013.

'Cough Cough' is out now, and Everything Everything go on tour in February 2013.

Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms, 6 Feb 2013
Brighton Concorde 2, 7th Feb
Norwich Arts Centre, 8th Feb
Bristol, Tekhla, 9th Feb
Cambridge, Junction, 11th Feb
Birmingham, HMV Institute Library, 12th Feb
Oxford, 02 Academy 2, 14th Feb
Sheffield, Leadmill, 16th Feb
Liverpool, O2 Academy, 17th Feb
Glasgow Oran Mor, 20th Feb


http://www.everything-everything.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/EverythingEverythinguk

New Waves.. The Joy Formidable - 'Cholla'

Well, new for me any way, I swear these days that I must live with my head in the ground because, once again, this had totally passed me by. I was aware that the band were playing two small shows prior to the album being released but wasn't aware of a single. I sure keep up to date!

'Cholla' is what could be described as typical of The Joy Formidable; their name certainly encompasses their sound, as the band manage to juxtapose ferocity with somewhat soaring guitars and Ritzy Bryan's innocent sounding vocal; a far more grittier voice would be expected of her in order to compliment the aggression, choosing to compliment the softer elements is far more interesting.

The song would have been right at home on the band's début album, The Big Roar, and with this as the lead single, their follow up, Wolf's Law seems very promising!

Wolf's Law itself is expected on 21st January 2013. The band recently announced that they would be touring in the new year in support of the album. Dates as follows:

January
Tuesday 22nd Liverpool, Kazimier
Wednesday 23rd Norwich, Waterfront
Friday 25th Belfast, The Limelight
Saturday 26th Dublin, Academy
Monday 28th Cardiff, Solus
Tuesday 29th Bristol, Fiddlers

February

Sunday 24th Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
Monday 25th Leeds, Cockpit
Tuesday 26th Glasgow, Oran Mor
Thursday 28th Manchester, Ritz

March

Friday 1st Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall
Saturday 2nd Sheffield, Leadmill
Monday 4th Brighton, Concorde 2
Tuesday 5th Exeter, Phoenix
Wednesday 6th Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
Friday 8th London, The Roundhouse

http://www.thejoyformidable.com/

http://www.facebook.com/thejoyformidable

https://twitter.com/joyformidable

Flashback Friday.. My Chemical Romance - 'I'm Not OK'

AND IT'S MY BIRTHDAAAAAYY!

But seriously, I guess it's time to mourn my youth because I am most definitely a little old lady destined for 10 cats from here on in! But looking back on a decade of music that I have loved and, quite often, no longer love, it seems fitting to pick one of my favourite songs to be my birthday Flashback Friday!

Music has been so important to me in so many big and small ways, from the places I go, the people I bond with, the way I dress, my view points on life - it really is important to not underestimate the power that music can have over your life! Going through my iPod, I really struggled over what to choose, it's impossible to just choose one song to encapsulate this past decade of my life. The song that I chose surprised even me, but it holds a lot of nostalgia.

'I'm Not OK' by My Chemical Romance was one of those songs that my group of friends in high school knew inside out - alas, even my one friend, who only listens to R'n'B, knew all of the words due to us always singing it. It brings back a lot of memories when life and friendships were simpler, before our separate paths in life got in the way, at a time where we weren't necessarily popular with our classmates for petty reasons, and it felt like us against the world. For a period of time, this was our anthem! I can still hear us singing it at lunch times and walks home, even acting out the video, because we knew it so well.

Post Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, my love of My Chemical Romance waned. I really didn't like The Black Parade bar 'Famous Last Words' and 'I Don't Love You', and I especially detest the title song! But Three Cheers will always have a small space in my heart, I still own a CD copy, and it's never entirely left my iPod since it was first synced circa 2004 (8 years!!!). Quite amusingly, looking back, it was The Emo Age!

Anyways, if you're reading this, it has been projected forward, as at the time of writing my birthday is yet to happen! Hopefully, it will be a good one and a positive next decade! :)

http://www.mychemicalromance.com/news/
http://www.facebook.com/MyChemicalRomance
https://twitter.com/MCRofficial

New Waves.. Charli XCX - 'Cloud Aura' (feat. BROOKE CANDY)

'Cloud Aura' is that latest track dropped by rising underground pop starlet, Charli XCX. This song features Brooke Candy, an artist probably most known to alt. music fans as the pink haired, metallic alien/anime girl in Grimes' mind boggling video for her track 'Genesis'.

Candy's contribution isn't stunning, but it serves its purpose, name-dropping couple comparisons such as Bonnie and Clyde, Jay - Z and Beyonce, and - annoyingly - a pro Chris Brown reference, that would irk any sane individual with its presence, whether he can claim hit chart dance tunes or not.

Charli's own verse reminds me of Tinie Tempah in its delivery, and as always, the chorus is undeniably catchy. It's not one of the strongest songs that she's given us so far, but it seems to hint at a bit of musical experimentation and genre blending which is always interesting. The track sounds more electro hip hip that Charli's perceived industrial goth poppiness. It is also frustratingly short, but seeing as it's practically a teaser from her upcoming mixtape SUPER ULTRA, which is due next week.

http://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic
http://charlixcxmusic.com/
https://twitter.com/charli_xcx

UPDATE: Here's the music vid :)

New Waves.. LIGHTS - 'Timing Is Everything'

And now, a bit of LIGHTS to perk up these dark days!

For some reason, this video isn't listed on a YouTube search and can only be found with a direct link (CONFUSED!), but it's on LIGHTS' own YouTube channel, so it must be official.

You may be unaware, but I adore LIGHTS, she's a talented and cute soul! The next single, taken from her second album, Siberia, is 'Timing Is Everything', lyrically concerning how unpredictable life and love can be. She is probably also the only artist that I've come across who has managed to put the phrase 'different trajectories' successfully into a song (There I was, none the wiser/ Both of us/ Different trajectories).

The video itself is pretty weird; lots of gym exercising, dancing and shiny spandex, which I suppose is meant to highlight the song's theme's of love springing from unexpected places. My favourite LIGHTS video will most likely always be the one for 'Second Go', the attack of Coloured Paint VS. White House! You could tell it was a one take job, they would have been totally screwed if it had gone wrong!

LIGHTS is currently on her final 2012 US tour for Siberia.

http://music.iamlights.com/
https://twitter.com/lights
http://www.facebook.com/lights

Flashback Friday's.. Garbage - 'The World Is Not Enough'

Sunday this time! This is becoming a habit!

In case you've been living under a rock as of late, you may not have been subject to the symptoms of Bond Fever. The sensation (or illness, depending on your viewpoint!) has been clamping its jaws around Britain and in due course, the rest of the world. Humming Adele, hallucinations of spy adventures, and rabid foaming at the mouth of the sight of Daniel Craig in swim shorts.

OK, OK, I'll stop it now, but recently it has been everywhere, with whole shows dedicated to it (Graham Norton, I'm looking at you!). No doubt I'll be infected with Bond Fever when I go to see the latest film, Skyfall, on Sunday - according to my Bond fanatic friend, it's absolutely amazing!

With the Adele's Bond theme, 'Skyfall', gaining momentum on airwaves, it seems fitting to dedicate this Flashback Friday (Saturday!) to perhaps one of the more unusual Bond songs (aside from Jack White and Alicia Key's pretty awful 'Another Way to Die'). Garbage seem a quite an odd and unexpected candidate for the prestiege of singing a Bond theme song, but take a moment to listen to the video above and remind yourself. It's a classy song, reminiscent of the typical 'Bond theme', sexy and foreboding, and as a Bond theme song, it immortalised Garbage, who were never one of those huge bands, as part of a national institution forevermore. For many, it is considered an honour and a career highlight.

Garbage are currently in the middle of a world tour. Unfortunately, they've already passed through the UK, but there's dates left in South America, Europe, and Australia, with one date in California.

http://garbage.com/
https://twitter.com/garbage
http://www.facebook.com/GarbageOfficial

Rapid Review.. Ellie Goulding - 'Halcyon'

Again, not so rapid! Apologies, apologies! It's my own fault, recently I've just been trying to keep on top of reading and seeing family and friends and the boyf and generally pondering the point of my own existence to really commit to on here, or writing and drawing or anything of purpose in general.

I know, I know, by my own admission, my excuses are getting old, and now I appear to be rambling, but a combination of all of these little things led me to not keeping up to date with music in general, procrastination for the nation!

(Deeeeep breath!) To la review!

Ellie Goulding's woken up!

Her second album, Halcyon, far surpasses both her début and extended editions (Lights and Bright Lights - old old review!) which, similarly to Marina and the Diamonds' The Family Jewels and Electra Heart, slips into an unsatisfying mid-tempo slumber a third in. Halcyon, however, is slathered in synths, and as much as Goulding denies boyfriend, Skrillex's influence on her work, it can't be denied, as this is an oddly workable combination of folk-pop and commercial dubstep.

Luckily, there are many songs superior to the aggravatingly repetitive 'Anything Can Happen', and why she chose that as the lead single, I'll never know. 'Figure 8' for example, is far superior and immediate and would sound huge live. That said, this entire album is far more upbeat and memorable; the gems are surprisingly again hidden on the deluxe release, namely 'Ritual', 'In My City' and 'Without Your Love' all being brilliant additions.

A few collaborations are snuck in here too, the Calvin Harris song 'I Believe Your Love', as well as the teaser track that Goulding released a few months back, 'Hanging On' (feat. Tinie Tempah (review here!), is also on here, as well as an alternate, albeit un-extended version of the track minus his cliché rap efforts.

Forgetting those, it is worth a second to state that Halcyon appears a far more mature and experimental effort than the first; at times it is dark and haunting in sound ('Don't Say A Word'), whilst lyrically it seems less naive, but always always with pop sentiments close at heart. It's say to say that Halcyon was the surprise of my week; a die hard fan of Goulding's first album, I doubted that it's successor would live up to the recent hype surrounding Goulding, but it did, and for that I'm glad!

Goulding tours the UK in December!

O2 Academy Bristol (December 7)
O2 Academy Liverpool (8)
Nottingham Rock City (11)
O2 Brixton Academy (12)
O2 Academy Glasgow (13)
O2 Academy Leeds (15)
O2 Academy Birmingham (16)
Manchester Academy (17)
Southampton Guildhall (18)

http://elliegoulding.com/
https://twitter.com/elliegoulding
http://www.facebook.com/elliegoulding

New Waves.. FIDLAR - 'AWWWKWAARRRDDD' (feat. Kate Nash)

Recently, it would transpire that Kate Nash is not the 'Kate Nash' of old, especially after the recent riot grrrl experimentations of 'Underestimate the Girl'. However, somewhat unexpectedly for me, I found myself liking this new track that FIDLAR (Fuck It Dog Life's A Risk) debuted this week, on which she guested.

It's catchy enough in a manner that plods a long, a lazy day summer song (wrong time of year!) and kind of reminds me of Presidents of the USA and Weezer, although the song itself is somewhat repetitive.

Nash's contribution is less brash than her vocal on 'Underestimate the Girl', talking in the verses and screeching in the chorus.

FIDLAR themselves are doing a short UK tour in December, and their self titled debut is due for release in February 2013.

London Dingwalls (December 4)
Manchester Soup Kitchen (December 6) 
Glasgow Cathouse (December 7)

http://fidlar.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/fidlarLA
http://fidlar.tumblr.com/

Elsewhere, Nash will play a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Halloween show in London's Hackney Picture House on October 31!

Her third album and an EP are due in the coming months.

Flashback Friday.. Maximo Park - 'Apply Some Pressure'

Last night I went on a night out to see some friends and, as per usual, we ended up in Planet - a rock/metal nightclub for those of you who don't have the (dis)pleasure of living in Wolves.

I remember three things.

1. My friend going to the toilet and mysteriously disappearing into the abyss of space and time.
2. The DJ playing a really strange alternate version of The Smiths 'This Charming Man', which I now can't find.
3. This song being played for the first time in an age and my re-realising of what a belter it is!

Maximo Park are one of those bands that are capable of producing some really fantastic songs, yet still manage to pass under the radar of being memorable. Especially, it seems, in recent years, as I can account for myself not investing time and effort into their music since their second album, 2007's Our Earthly Pleasures (I'm beaming 'Listen. Now' into your subconsciousness!), and their following albums, Quicken the Heart and The National Health passed me by completely (cue a task for later!), but odds are that, whether you realise it or not, you probably (really) know the ins and outs of at least one Maximo Park song.

Which, in regards to that, is most likely this one, seeing as 'Apply Some Pressure' is probably the most known of Maximo Park's songs back in their heyday, as it pretty much encapsulates all that puts Maximo Park in the higher tier of 00's popular indie bands. The song is catchy and punchy, the lyrics - witty and confessional, and it becomes apparent in some of Maximo Park's other songs that singer and lyricist, Paul Smith is an intelligent poet.

Maximo Park are currently on a European tour, to support The National Health, before coming back to the UK and then jetting off to Australia!

http://maximopark.com/

http://www.facebook.com/maximopark

https://twitter.com/maximopark
http://soundcloud.com/maximo-park-1

New Waves.. Crystal Castles - 'Wrath of God'

Crystal Castles' newest effort is as pounding, as you'd expect. The synths and beats are present, yet there's a slight whiff of trance about the place that would be almost suspicious if it were not for vocalst, Alice Glass' pitchy shrieks and wails to break the music from its respite.

Strangely, the single, 'Wrath of God' is good, but it just doesn't quite feel like enough, although it feels like on of those songs that, in a live setting, would blast the crowd into a frenzy and tear your organs apart. Some music, it seems, will always favour a live setting and movement and emotion of the moment, and electronic music epitomises that more so than most other genres.

Outside of the live setting, and in the context of the rest of the album, I may listen again and think more favourably, but for now I feel somewhat indifferent although it may be reconsidered an infamous 'grower'.

http://crystalcastles.com/
http://soundcloud.com/crystal-castles
http://www.facebook.com/ccrystalccastles

Life update!

Apologies, cyber denizens, but this blog has taken a backseat these past two weeks! It's taken me a while to get back into the swing of things with some early days and late nights and prioritising my activities is becoming a must!

Last week, I started back at university for my second year on an English and Creative Writing course. We were told during our first year (practically a taster year for different subjects) that it didn't count towards our degree, and that our highest credits during out second and third years would give us our ratio, therefore I'm more determined this year to do all my required reading (which is a hell of a lot of reading!) and complete all of my assignments in good time!

I also plan on making the most of the opportunities that being a part of the university community throws my way, and intend to take part in the student magazine and even possibly join the student radio team. My department were also advertising for novice copywriters, so that may also be something that I'd like to try, with the possibility of being paid.

Apart from that, there's this blog, which I plan on upkeeping, and hopefully, when I feel that my writing is of a good enough quality, I'll start throwing reviews and the like at music websites and build up a little portfolio! I also plan on getting back into writing regularly, as is par for the (uni) course.

I'd also like to try my hand at customising denim jackets. I know, I know, I've mentioned the whole clothes thing in previous posts, but it feels rather large scale, and the denim customising is something that I can do easily on my own without having to rely on anyone else yet, and also without the expense of printing. I've found a lot of nice materials so Hobbycraft, here I come!

Anyway, my gift for the day/week/month! The Maccabees at this year's Reading Festival, I've been listening to them a lot all week :)

New Waves.. Charli XCX - 'So Far Away'

At last, I can post this! I first wrote it when Charli XCX's You're the One EP came out in the UK last month and contained the full version of 'So Far Away'. It's been on loop on my iPod since, and now it's got it's own video (after waiting a feed that I could link in this post'.

'So Far Away' made its debut on the Charli XCX mixtape, 'HEARTBREAKS AND EARTHQUAKES', and was easily one of the standout tracks for me! It's a moody lament to love and it ebbs and flows darkly. It was highly addictive and Charli's spoken word/semi-rapping segments have a greater outing here, taking up the verses - and it's a rather unique quality that I've not found under her contemporaries.

The track made a full length appearance on the You're the One EP, and judging from her posts on he Facebook profile, will be accompanied by a music video in the upcoming months!

Charli XCX is still on tour, currently with Coldplay (!) and will then undertake her first UK headline solo tour in November! Another outing I need to be at!

With Coldplay – 19/09 - Warsaw

With Coldplay – 22/09 - Hannover

Parklife – 29/09 – Brisbane

Parklife – 30/09 - Sydney

Parklife – 01/10 - Perth

Parklife – 06/10 - Melbourne

Parklife – 07/10 – Adelaide

- - -

UK Tour

- - -

Headline Tour - 05/11 - Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds

Headline Tour - 06/11 - Stereo, Glasgow

Headline Tour - 08/11 - HMV Institute, Birmingham

Headline Tour - 09/11 - Shipping Forecast, Liverpool

Headline Tour - 10/11 - Bodega, Nottingham

Headline Tour - 11/11 - Deaf Institute, Manchester

Headline Tour - 13/11 - In:Motion, Bristol

Headline Tour - 14/11 - Green Door Store, Brighton

Headline Tour - 15/11 - XOYO, London

https://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic

https://twitter.com/charli_xcx

http://charlixcxmusic.com/

New album releases.. 24th September

24 September 2012
Artist	Title
Green Day	¡Uno!
Ringo Deathstarr	Mauve
Mumford & Sons	Babel
Lucy Rose	Like I Used To
Tim Burgess	Oh No I Love You
Dark Horses	Everywhere
Cave Painting	Votive Life
Deerhoof	Breakup Song
Dum Dum Girls	End Of Daze EP
Grateful Dead	From The Mars Hotel
No Doubt	Push & Shove
Delta Spirit	Delta Spirit

courtesy of NME.com