I was sent my 2nd ever submission (thanks to BaDaBing Records!)in the form of band volcano!, being compared to Born Ruffians is no mere suggestion they do have much more than a passing resemblance in sound. The song I was sent -

volcano! - Africa Just Wants to have Fun

is actually rather good, and it's both more original and in my opinion better sounding than Born Ruffian's hit "Hummingbird". I recommend it highly, the singing particularly is a highlight bringing something sounding different and the guitar supporting the vocals work so well in this song. It makes for something really interesting, definitely the chorus is the best part.

To summarize, this song is a bit out there, though it's rather brilliant in it's execution.

I like the solo works of the Jr Albert Hammond. Rather good! the new single from his 2nd album (2nd! Where's the strokes new material?!) is actually brilliant. Shows his greatness with song writing.

I heard '101' was it? off the 1st album when it was released and didn't think it was anything special but Hammond has obviously matured and improved with this album, which I'd rather like to check out about now.

Albert Hammond Jr - GfC


Side note - I noticed the other day my hit counter surpassed 5,000 - and as i celebrated 500, I planned on having a celebratory post again but before I could it was already another 100 in. So I missed that opportunity.

The Cribs are a band I'm at odds to my opinion, I love some of their music, their recent Kapranos-produced album - "Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever" just sounds better every time I listen to it.

I also find Ryan Jarman one of the funniest musicians ever, see one of his appearances on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, by the way is that his REAL voice?


Though I don't like their increased ramblings about remaining indie, they've had a few stabs at former best band mates (both are from Leeds), The Kaiser Chiefs. At the end of the day only the music matters, not how little major label support they have, right? Anyway The Cribs continue to make rather brilliant music.

The Cribs - My Life flashed before me eyes

The Cribs - Don't You Wanna be Relevant?

Shit! I forgot to do Tuesday Tuneage yesterday! Ah, man!

I realised again how much I love The Strokes! Listening to their 3 albums and hoping very much for a 4th, I thought I'd just share a few of my favourite tracks.

The Strokes - Hard to Explain
Love this because of both the opening and the lyrics, with which one line was used for this post's title.

The Strokes - 12.51
It's rather good, an equally brilliant Tron inspired video helps too

The Strokes - Juicebox
Love it, it was the debut single from 3rd album, "First Impressions of Earth" and blew me away, when I first heard it, great video too.

I really like the song for the new Channel 4 "Generation Next" ad as well as they way the ad begins, that literal jump into the tune works well



The song as you may already know is by White Denim. Check it out below

White Denim - Let's Talk About It

I just watched the Ray Charles bio-pic "Ray" and it's such a goddarn good film!

The music performances are rather brilliant, though it is Jamie Foxx who shines in his portrayal. He just is so convincing as Charles, and as a blind man, he most of done alot of practising to get that edge right, he looked and behaved how most blind people do which is just rather amazing.

Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack

OK I've heard song I had not heard before.

Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

8 minutes long and the first half is purely an intro. Normally I wouldn't like this BUT this song, those 4 minutes of music that build up this song are dare I say it, some of the most beautiful minutes and seconds of music I have ever heard. It's eargasm inducing! I know how stupid that sounds but for me, every once in a while I hear a song that I want to never end and I will listen to it constantly, it happened with 'Reckoner' and it's happening with this now.

The lyrics are also so incredibly amazing, both beautiful and belivable with a twist of arrogance that is brilliant.

"How I wish you could see the potential
The potential of you and me
It's like a book, elegently bounded
in a language that you can't read,
just yet

You gotta spend some time, love
You gotta spend some time, with me,
I know you will find love
I will possess your heart"

The intro also reminded me of Joy Division (specifically Heart and Soul)


To put it plain and simple I love, no adore this song.

Just thinking about Bands that appreciate video games, there's one that everyone I know, knows of and that's Hadouken. Naming your band after a Street Fighter move was juts simply a classy move.

They are reasonably good, the music is hit and miss for me, there are a few tracks that I really like, and some I'd rather not existed. I heard about them a little while before they struck it big, through a new bands feature on the NME website, this was still when you could download tracks from their myspace so I did just that and had 'That Boy That Girl' on repeat alot. Klaxons were fastly upcoming and weirdly this lot were touted as the 'next klaxons'. They've sort of changed direction since.

Hadouken - That Boy That Girl

Also another of their tracks of which I enjoy is 'Crank it Up' which is a superb socially commentary on the way music is distributed and heard, it namechecks msn and bluetooth as well setting the song as the default ringtone. Pretty much with my friends this is what happens. They're on the ball, see?

Hadouken - Crank it Up

The song has a rather good video too:


I'd say musically the band is nothing special, they just know how to write both an accesssible and danceable tune, the lyrical content shows lead singer James Smith's intelligence and keen eye, no Alex Turner, per se but very clever all the same.

PDA stands for pretty darn awesome, and it's going to be the name of the article for whenever I find something randomly that I think fits the title.

It's Liam Finn. I'd never heard of this guy, this soloist is rather good, hearing the frankly amazing song, Lead Balloon has made me adore this guy's music, head over to his myspace

Liam Finn - Lead Balloon

It's seriously like The Vines meeting The Dandy Warhols and producing a love-child :

I want to be back in the city that never sleeps

5 days and I loved every second of it, that was back in February and hopefully I'll be back there soon! In fact, if I had the money I'd be off right now

LCD Soundsystem - New York I Love you, but you're Bringing me down

Ah, this song reminds me so much of that great week






Side note - LOTS of posts coming up very soonly,

Ok, first in a while, I need to try and attempt at some regularity. First off, here's my 5 essential tracks for the week.

I think this week the tracks are rather diverse, but I love 'em all.

Sufjan Stevens - Dress looks nice on you
Although I've heard alot ABOUT Sufjan Stevens, this is the first song that I actually HEARD. It's a rather astounding acoustic piece of romantiscism that I really like.

Arctic Monkeys - Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweathearts
A track of Turner and co that was missed off of the debut album, unfairly I thought, it has some very sharp, intelligent lyrics that houses a story I think most guys can relate to, one of my favourites of their back catalogue.

Santogold - Guns of Brooklyn
I love the Clash original, Guns of Brixton and this is an inspired cover, I think it increases the reggae in the song. "You can crush us/You can bruise us/You can even shoot us/But you'll have to answer to/OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh the Guns of Brooklyn"

Black Kids - Love Me Already
The Black Kids, haven't heard the album yet, but not sure if I want to, they've delivered a couple of reasonably good singles, stormed the airwaves and do I want to hear more? Well I like this track I heard literally mere minutes ago.

James Brown - Get up Offa That Thing
TUNE! You've got to love this song, it's simply an amazing track that can get anyone dancing, made me this morning. It does indeed make you feel better.

A while back I did a feature post on a band I know, Unexclaimed, and there is another band now that I've sort of come in contact with. I met one of the people in it and after listening to the music, I'm quite fond of the two songs up on their Myspace right now.

The band is calledFeral Mare and I knew that I would like this band after reading their list of influences;

"Bloc Party,
Death From Above 1979,
We Are Scientists,
Damn Arms, Foals,
Tokyo Police Club,
Bag Raiders,
The Subways,
Rage Against the Machine,
Foos,
Daft Punk,
Wolfmother,
Kotki Dwa"

Majoritively bands that I myself like! Well, enough talk! Here's the mp3s, bear in mind these are from their demo.

Feral Mare - Christopher

Feral Mare - Cindy

I prefer Christopher, there's something about it that is rather good.

There are some good band names, and alot of bad ones (the Kooks and the Pigeon Detectives for prime example) but nothing can compare to this band's name.

Ringo Deathstarr

In a moment of pure genius, the band, or whoever came up with the name, successfully combined two elements of popular culture that is both hilarious and curiousity inducing. It made me listen to their music. And it wouldn't work with any other star wars related or beatles member - would it? I mean pfft Darth Lennon Vader don't work, (actually.....)

Luckily I quite like the music, I heard the song Down On You through HypeM and enjoyed its, as a friend of mine described, drowned out sound.

They aren't the best band ever but definitely hold the title of the best band name I've heard this year...so far

Pretty Darn Awesome! Just watch and enjoy

HELL YEAH! 50 posts!

2 and a 1/2 months of blogging, and 50 posts down the line, I've enjoyed it and still do, as I love music I love blogging about it. It's just something that has already become a big part of my life and I truly wish I had started earlier in the year.

Also to be honest rather annoyed that I'm not listed with Hype Machine, I mean, I meet the criteria! Ah well, fingers crossed I will be soon.

Wanting to post a few songs, totally unrelated, but they are rather liked by myself

Flight of the Conchords - Ladies of the World

Radiohead - House of Cards I'd post the amazing video, but undoubtedly it is abound amongst blogs right now, I personally need to find somewhere other than Youtube to watch it as the version there is rather grainy.

Roots Manuva - Buff Nuff I love this song's chorus.

I think I have pretty good taste in music for a 16 year old, I hear new music pretty much everyday, of course I am a bit picky with my music, but do have quite an open mind, more so recently becasue of the music I have been listening to. Ask me last year and I probably would have said Jay Z was shit, but after the awe-inspiring Glastonbury set, I now indeed mightily respect the CEO of hiphop.

Jay Z - Izzo (H.O.V.A.)/I Want You Back (Live at Glastonbury 2008)

Moving on, Death Cab for Cutie were a band I heard the name of and then quickly steered clear of, thats rather stupid behaviour, you can never judge a book by its cover. I just heard the song 'Cath' and really like it.

Death Cab for Cutie - Cath

Someone else that I've just started to listen to is Seasick Steve, he's amazing, heard him on Jools Holland Hootenanny before and was dumbstruck by how good of a musician he is, now I've started to listen more properly, I do indeed enjoy his music.

Seasick Steve - Cut My Wings

I do indeed just feel ultra supreemo happy at the moment. And its down to one person. Thanks to her.

Well I can think of a few songs to relate.

The Kinks - You Really Got Me

The Last Shadow Puppets - In the Heat of the Morning (David Bowie Cover)

Noah and the Whale - Five Years Time


As a sidenote, I haven't done a Tuesday Tuneage piece for a while now, I plan to bring back that feature next week. Not entirely sure what will be in it though.

I think there is some really beautiful music out there, and there is one band I know of that you can rely upon to produce deep, touching songs, songs that make you think, stop still and ponder life for a few moments. Well at least, that is the effect they have upn myself. The band I'm talking about is Elbow, Guy Garvey and co have in the last few years made some of the best songs I have ever heard.

To prove my point, you only need listen to arguably their best album Cast of Thousands, there are songs there that exemplify the beauty of their music.

Elbow - Ribcage
Typical of Elbow, build the song from an almost silent start to a crescendo of sound that is possibly the best album opener around.

Elbow - Grace Under Pressure
This is an anthem, Guy Garvey's vocals are simply stunning, the gospel choir backing helps to lift this and

Both of the above songs are just so touching, they can give me goosebumps.

Of course there are other songs in the world that hold a beauty, are musically beautiful works of art, though some can hold a mere beauty in the words, in the voice of the singer and the best examples of this are my most loved bands, Radiohead and Joy Division.

Radiohead - Idioteque
The lyrics are chilling, the music almost mechanical yet to me this song is beautiful, Thom Yorke's voice building the song with the beat and unique electronice sounds accompanying his amazingly talented voice.

Joy Division - Isolation
It's not the music that makes this special, it's solely Ian Curtis singing. It's indescribable how much this amongst the other Joy Division songs affects me, it's here there is an admittance of self loathing and his regret shines through, "Mother I tried please believe me/I'm doing the best that I can/I'm ashamed of the things I've been put through/I'm ashamed of the person I am" The music may sound a bit dated but still.

I've put the labels as happy and depressed because these songs bring forth both emotions I think, they're contemplative, making any listener really think I believe. These are no badly written pop rock songs to storm the charts, this is music of the highest calibre.

Well I meant to post this like not last week but the week before, better late than never I suppose, going on holiday seriously affects my organisation.

Prom was last week and it was very guuuud fun, lots of bad dancing to bad pop songs, although it was great when they played "Jump Around", "Wearing my Rolex" and that song that has "Whoop! There it is" in the lyrics, is that the title? Well the DJ did attempt a few mashups that worked well, though they mainly consisted of the track turning into another one. He was no Girl Talk.

Also he lost ALL credibility by playing Nickleback's 'Rockstar' as the last song.

House of Pain - Jump Around
Hot Chip ft. Wiley - Wearing My Rolex (Live @ Glastonbury 2008)

Wow, my first ever submission, thanks to Monica from Suiteside, an italian indie label. The band is The Banshee and it is regarding their newly released "Kicks Up" EP, which I was sent a download copy of. It even came with a Press sheet! Now I feel journalistic, I'm going to review the EP as a first for the blog.

The album from which the single is, "Your Nice Habits", was produced by Luke Smith from Clor who also produced a love/hate band of mine, To My Boy. The EP itself makes for interesting listening and I do quite like it, the title track has an edge not too dissimilar to Gary Numan, I mean that as a compliment as well. I also can see similarities to To My Boy, it may be the style of production, but the music itself is a similiar brand of electro-pop. However, The Banshee do carve out a unique sound with 'Kicks Up', I like the track and on the EP the remixes compliment it very well.

I do indeed recommend it, the press sheet includes Devo and New Order as similar artists and you'd probably like it if you like those and I'd also say again To My Boy, if you're a fan of that electro pop outfit, check out The Banshee. Go and buy the EP, it's priced at 2,50 euros! On the conversion rates currently for us brits that is small change.

The Banshee - Kicks Up (radio edit)

I'm not into scoring so I rate this as "Unique, Very Good"

Well, My Drive Thru now has a spangly and incredibly commercial video. The track is brilliant, the fact that Converse funded it doesn't detract from the music but it does in this video, there are a few shots that really are just ads. It's still an amazing song to dance to. I do love it and the video is good, just IMO disappointing.

MP3

I missed the big Bloc Party countdown unveiling which ended up being in my opinion brilliant track, Mercury. It's great, such a good, dancey track. A hell of a lot of blogs have been saying they never liked Bloc Party BEFORE their new direction, that is what happened when Flux came out. I've always liked Bloc Party, love both albums to this day, I may go and listen to Silent Alarm.

I was following the countdown and unfortunately went on holiday on the final day. Here's the track.
Bloc Party - Mercury

I'm going on holiday today, so for 4 days I will not be able to post any music at all. But I thought just before I go I'll post up a few tracks, some good ones at that as well. The weather may be bad here, its currently raining but that doesn't mean our holiday won't be good!

Kings of Leon - Fans

Feeder - Just a Day

Vampire Weekend - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa

Enjoy!
PS Anyone see Wimbledon? Nadal was just amazing! This probably means that he will dominate the game for the next few years, if Federer retires that is, and he probably will, Roge has nothing left he can win really, except the french and he just can't beat Nadal on clay.

Haven't been posting, I'va had alot on! Well, this track will make up for it and plus got a couple more posts in the pipeline that will be up soon.

Dizzee Rascal - That's Not My Name (Ting Tings Cover)

They call me blud! They call me Rudeboi!
It's a brilliant cover

I went to Peter Symonds College today for a taster day, GOSH it get's on my nerves soooo much when people don't speak. I mean, in the majority of these taster classes I was with no one else I previously knew, I always attempt at conversation, some people are just quiet, I mean, they're never going to get anywhere if they don't sell themselves, make yourself known!

Anywayz time for a couple of songs!

Hercules and Love Affair - You Belong LOVEIT!
so reminiscent of 90s dance music that however bad, I am usually quite fond of. At least I think it's 90s dance. It don't really matter, this song is just great

These New Puritans - Elvisss (Demo)
Also a great song! Found on an NME free CD from a surprisingly long time ago, man I should pay more attention to those freebies! The whole lyrical hook is just very clever, I know it's just repeated alot but still it's TUNE

This is my 2-month recap of my blogging activities, well my mp3 postings to be precise. I am going to post my favourite track from each blog post so far. Nearly 3000 hits later and here I am, hopefully soon after this the blog will be listed on hype machine too! (That's my main aim, I crave abit more recognition and Hypem would hopefully grant it)

I've enjoyed my time in the blogosphere so far and hopefully it will continue for a good old long time. I like to post up these tracks and this recap reminded me how many great ones I've posted so far!

I re-upped the tunes I chose from my earlier posts, as they were either yousendit or fileden (my account was suspended), so now all are on savefile, except for the latest posts using EZArchive AND additionaly being a bit clever I opened another fileden account with an alternate email ;) so the last track is upload to that new account.

01. Joy Division - Leaders of Men
02. Vampire Weekend - A Punk Live on Later
03. Hot Chip - Hold On
04. Stone Roses - I Wanna be Adored
05. The Metros - Education Pt 2
06. Fighting with Wire - Everyone needs a Nemesis
07. Audioslave - Cochise
08. Joy Division - Disorder
09. The Libertines - Don't look back into the Sun
10. Radiohead - Reckoner *Probably my favourite song of all time*
11. Plugs - That Number
12. CRS - US Placers
13. The Vines - Get Free
14. Klaxons - Not Over Yet
15. Jack Penate - Got My Favourite
16. Coldplay - Viva La Vida
17. Tokyo Police Club - In a Cave
18. Late of the Pier - Focker
19. Chromeo - Fancy Footwork
20. Born Ruffians - Hummingbird
21. Daft Punk - Aerodynamic
22. N.E.R.D. - My Drive Thru feat Santogold and Julian Casablancas
23. Panic at the Disco - That Green Gentleman
24. Airbourne - Running Wild
25. Klaxons - Magick
26. Bill Bailey - Das Hokey Kokey
27. LCD Soundsystem - No Love Lost
28. Laura Marling - My Manic and I
29. New Order - ICB
30. Girl Talk - Hands in the Air
31. Elvis Costello - Pump it Up
32. Five o'clock Heroes - Who feat Agyness Deyn
33. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
34. Be your own Pet - Fill my Pill
35. Foals - Cassius
36. Black Ghosts - Repition Kills You

And in light of the god darn brilliant Jay Z set at Glastonbury, I thought it fitting to post one of the songs up here, I mean it WAS awesomeness. I wish I could have witnessed it in person, not through a screen. Also to prove his amazing star power, I had never heard ANY of his songs other than Encore before and of course some of the ones he sampled like 'Back in Black' and 'Rehab', I loved every second of it, I think I need to get a couple of Jay Z albums.
37. Jay Z - 99 Problems/Back in Black (Live at Glastonbury 2008)

Enjoy!


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