I was saying get me out of here before I was even born
It's such a gamble when you get a face
Now that is how you open a song. Besides thefact that Richard Hell basically invented the look of punk as we know it (he was the first to spike his hair, wear ripped clothes and use safety pins as an accessory), he also penned what is possibly it's greatest anthem. Blank Generation is nothing short of a monster of a song. Catchy, raw, and lyrically potent - it packs a real punch. If it reminds you of the Sex Pistols' Pretty Vacant, there's a reason for that - Malcolm McLaren and the Pistols purposely tried to make a song that sounded like Blank.
It's been on repeat all week for me. Maybe it will be for you too. Then again, maybe it won't. What do I care. It's not punk to care.
Sometimes it's hard to pinpoint what's been your most-listened to song of the week. There are just weeks that pass by as hiccups. You know they happened but can't think of any specifics, although you're certain that it had to be chalk-full of them.
Okay. Got it.
Modest Mouse plus Heath
It took a few minutes. But there is one song that I listened to on repeat for a bike ride home (I know, not safe...) the other night. Lyrically, it's as strong as the rest of their catalog and the video was actually directed by the late, great Heath Ledger during his 'dark period' before his early demise. It pays to be Modest. Mouse.
Remember when a certain Detroit native spit "A plaque in platinum status is whack if I'm not the baddest"?
Seems like ages ago to me. Sure, he's put out bangers in the last couple years, but did it ever really feel like he was back? Last album, Recovery, felt like a step in the right direction (finally), but still didn't really feel all the way there. I don't think I was alone in worrying that the 'scripts had zapped the fire out of one of the games best.
Well, new track (for the Call of Duty soundtrack - but who cares what the reason is), Survival, has got me excited. It's not perfect start to finish (little bit in the middle, especially the "butt!" part, doesn't fit in my ears) but it feels right. It feels like Slim. The anger and the fire are there. And for the first time in years, they don't feel like they are being forced through a cloud of xanax, valium or whatever he spent those years on. In fact, Eminem's DJ Alchemist has been heard saying that the last two albums were about Em getting back on his feet, but that he's now squarely there and he is "going to further territories... I think now - he's Eminem".
So let's throw a middle finger and let it linger for one of the great kings of controversy and hope that we get some more of this before he retires his jersey.
How much good music can one group of friends put out? Over a lifetime, there's a myriad of examples of 'art collectives' or 'scenes' that have produced cauldrons of hit/iconic records - but in what timeframe?
There's something in the water in Perth. People have probably been saying this for decades, the difference now is that I mean it in a good way. Tame Impala has already conquered the indie earth (and could very well break the North American mainstream if they set their sights on it), Pond has had feet a tapping while they relentless put out albums and Melody's Echo Chamber may be overshadowed by their contemporaries but are far from a mere footnote.
All these names have already been dropped in this blog. But today marks new territory. Until now, Tame Impala were the clear leaders. Psychedelic trip-rock that can switch from oozy zoning to heavy rocking like a smashing vase - drops in almost slow motion but then explodes with a riotous yelp. It may only be one track, but there's a new king in town. This crown is heavy and is not for the weak of neck. Pond,with the first single from the forthcoming fifth album (Hobo Rocket - out August 6 in US/CAN), may have usurped their brother. Of course, two members of Pond are in Tame Impala so it's all quite insestuous - I, for one, am not complaining.
Trip-hop may not have made the global impact that some thought it would. Launched out of Bristol as a dark, brooding response to the 90s rave culture, it did have a strong and lasting impact on the UK music world, but not so much Stateside. Kings of trip-hop, Massive Attack, put out a string of increasingly acclaimed albums (both Mezzanine and Blue Lines feature in Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time) which still resonate to this day.
There is no question that 1998 single Teardrop is their calling card. A beautiful song start to finish. In fact, the entire Mezzanine album is unsettlingly beautiful. A great album to fall asleep to, to relax on a bus with, to cry in the dark to or listen to during 'quality' romance time (all those steady, pulsating, erotic rhythms). If you don't own it - get it immediately. Of the 12 songs offered up by Mezzanine, my favourite has always been and will always be Angel. The album opener never ceases to evoke some sort of emotion in me. Amazing considering it's just a couple of guys from Bristol (named '3D' and 'Daddy G' no less).
So take a moment out of your busy day. Get out of the sun. Maybe get in a nice air-conditioned room or cool basement and just take a few minutes and transport yourself.
Remember when Glasvegas was touted as the world's 'best new band'? Maybe not. There may not have been that many of us (especially on this side of the pond) who believed - but boy were we swept away. James Allan's gloriously unique and accented voice brought us a strange dismal hope for the future of guitar music. The wash of reverb and simplicity of the music was nothing short of amazing. Of course, followup album EUPHORIC///HEARTBREAK\\\ was, most definitely, short of amazing. The all-white Jesus look did not help matters much either.
James Allan onstage with Glasvegas in his full Jesus whites.
But now Glasvegas is back! And they sound good again! Listen for yourself below. This is only a demo version (couldn't find official version YET) but it still is drenched with emotion. And if you find this at all interesting, good, intriguing or anything of the like, then be sure to check out their self-titled debut album. It's a personal favourite.
Glasvegas - If
In other, less exciting, comeback news. The new Babyshambles song has emerged online (not due out for another week). Now, in their heyday, Babyshambles were a less romantic, more drug-fueled, less iconic Libertines. No one will ever pretend they compared to the Libs, but Pete managed plenty of good tunes under the Babyshambles moniker. Even his haters have to admit that the guy has a knack for melody.. well on this track the haters have right to hate. It's bland. There are no shambles involved. It has none of the chaos that we've come to associate (and love) with Pete's music. At his best, he's either off his kilter (or on the verge) OR writing beautifully melodic and poetic ballads. This is neither. It's boring and bland. There's some nice words in there, but not enough. I'm worried about the forthcoming album... but I'll still buy it. Listen and see what you think:
Kanye is back. And he's not shy about letting us know how he feels about himself.
The comparison to God, Jesus and the like have always been there, but never this (omni)present. Some say Kanye's latest album Yeezus is too much - too raw, too horrific, too misogynistic. But I, for one, am happy that he's continued to move forward. As much as I love the early albums, I don't want to hear him to continue to pump out different renditions of 'Jesus Walks' and 'Gold Digger'. I want to hear change - good or bad. And Kanye keeps giving us that. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was an absolute smash. By putting out a concept album that abusive, Kanye continued to push himself and 'the game'. Now he's stepped up again and taken us further down his rabbit hole. I, for one, will continue to follow - regardless of how ridiculous some of it sounds.
Ladies and gentlemen, here he is. He may not be the most high, but he's a close high.
The song of the week is premature this time around. Why, you ask? Because tomorrow I am headed out for yet another adventure. Tomorrow, instead of sitting at my desk writing my musical musings to all of you, I will be visiting the fair city of Gary, Indiana! Never heard of it? Doesn't surprise me.
Gary is known for severe urban blight, vacancy, high crime rates, arson, a dilapidated economy, a broken school system and a major outflux of population. What a fun summer holiday! Other than all the negative things it is infamous for, one thing that can never decline or go away is that it is the birth place of the one and only Michael Jackson. It may not have much, but it will always have the King of Pop.
To celebrate such a landmark, I am sharing a song that I had not heard in years. It's not my favourite Jacko song, hell it's not even in my top 10, but it does bring me back to my childhood and tugs on some heart strings. Hopefully it does the same to you. That poor whale.
Good lord. I've slipped into a deep pool of cotton candy flavoured rock 'n roll waters. I've spent the day swimming in this blissful sea of fantastic new tunes. There is no way for me to possibly select one of these dandy's for the song of the week. So you, my beautiful friends, are getting a packed house.
Now, as I said, I'm offering up a number of groovy tunes to satisfy your ears, but if I was FORCED to pick one for the song of the week, it would be from the filthy garages of
Chicago. At the forefront of an emerging scene, this catchy, raucous
track by The Orwells has me very excited to visit Chicago next week. Punk enough to be a lot of fun, melodic enough to be very catchy. Just a gem.
The Orwells - Other Voices
If you like Tame Impala but wish they had a bit more edge, look no further than their good mates Pond. Somehow they've put out a whopping 4 albums without anyone outside of music nerds really noticing (might be a different tale down in Oz from which they hail). Now album number 5 is about to hit us (Aug 2) and this tasty teaser suggests that great things are a brewin'.
Pond - Xanman
Next up we have Milk Music. Hitting us with a fuzzy guitar'd anthem titled Illegal and Free. You can probably imagine what it's about. And it's great.
Milk Music - Illegal and Free
Want something a bit more fun and summery? Well, this catchy number will get your Friday night a bumpin'. Known for catchy riffs and fun choruses, the Family Rain is here to put some jump in your step.
It finally feels like summer. Sleepy, sleepy summer. Of course, I am sitting in an air-conditioned office drinking hot tea, but I can tell that it's nice outside. So what excitement has summer brought us? Well, my good friend Ruari and I know of one thing that should get hearts a beating - the new Kings of Leon tracks. Sure, they are hard to watch/listen to as it's typical, terrible quality cell phone footage, but you can sense that they might have regained that sneer, that swagger, that dirt that they had so much of in their youth. Of course, it's only two songs (Super Soaker & It Don't Matter) but that's enough to get me excited. Can they ever recapture the glorious super-tight-pant, belly-shirt, mustached, drugged-fueled days of their youth? Of course not. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Whatever your opinion, keep your eyes peeled. From what I've heard so far, we are going to have whoooooole lot of naysayers (all you who turned your backs - still can't believe how popular it got to dislike these guys) eating their caps.
Onto the business of the day. What's been draining my ipod for the last two weeks? Well, first and foremost, it would have to be the new National album. Simply put, it's fantastic. But The National's sombre melodies aren't fitting my Friday-afternoon-in-the-sun sensibilities, so I'll have to pass it on to what's been getting the second most play. For that we will have to look to Isaac & Co. Here is the very first song that made me fall in love with Modest Mouse waaaaaay back in 1997 (was released on the Interstate 8 EP in 1996)...
I have a very important guest arriving today. You could even say that she's the most important. So in honour of the most rock 'n roll lady I know, here's one of the simplest, pure rock 'n roll songs I've ever known. Doesn't hurt that its aptly titled and it's one of her all time favourites.
Hopefully you already know this tune. I know that a certain lil' four year-old likes to sing along to it like a wee Brody Dalle waiting to explode on the world. Give her 15 years and she'll give you a snarl and a two finger salute (I hope). You might also know it from its iconic use in Guy Ritchie's Rock 'n Rolla. One of the highlights of the entire film if you ask me.
Without further ado, welcome home T. This ones for you.
The Subways - Rock 'N Roll Queen
And here's the rambunctious scene from the film. Take 2:52 out of your life and watch it. Time well wasted. "Jog on boy. Before I grind your bones to make my bread."
Apologies for the hiatus. Things got busy - travel, deadlines and all that jazz. Speaking of jazz, I generally don't like it. I can respect the commitment and talent of jazz players but will always think of Jimmy Rabbitte from the film The Commitments saying "Jazz is musical wanking! If you want to wank, use that thing in your hand, not your sax!". All that being said, I do have a profound love of Mississippi/Delta Blues (not so big on the Chicago stuff) and thoroughly enjoy soul and old-school New Orleans swing/jazz.
You can probably see where I'm going with this... to the song of the week of course. It's Friday. What better day to get funked up? Break out your dancing shoes and sashay your way across the dance floor.
Rebirth Brass Band - I Feel Like Funkin' It Up
As I've missed a few weeks, this week is going to double down. And it would be hard to go in a direction further from the New Orleans brass band stylings heard above. In fact, these gems will take us all the way to Tokyo. Yojiro Noda (known as the Japanese Tom Yorke - complete with one eye slightly shut) has been on my radar for a while now (with this band Radwimps and his solo project Illion) but it was my sister, Carmen's, trip to the far East (where she currently is) that brought Yojiro to Song of the Week fame.
At first I had written a paragraph making specific Radiohead comparisons, but after listening to everything I could find online by Radwimps, I'm at a lost for comparisons. There's a unique variety of emo-esque pop-punk, soft-introverted ballads, 90s alternative, noughties guitar-indie, some Foals-ish guitar and even a song that reminds me way too much of Crazytown. I don't even know what to think anymore. It doesn't help that all the Japanese titles have made it difficult for me to keep track of which song is which. At the end of the day, many of us don't listen to Japanese indie (ish, he's a big star now) music, so here's your chance. There's a couple different ones below (as I couldn't decide), take a listen and let me know what you think.
Carmen, hear anything of this chap out there?
Radwimps - おしゃかしゃま
Radwimps - ﾀﾕﾀ
Illion - Mahoroba
If you are looking for others worth checking out, I really recommend Dada by Radwimps. Another stellar tune.
It was his birthday yesterday. Coincidentally, the song that I've been most listening to this week is about a guy named Tom. It's one of my favourite songs of the year thus far! It's by a band that seems to be constantly being played at the University of Waterloo Graduate House for some reason...
Would I like Karen O simply because she made this jacket?
Possibly.
If, like me, you are much more of Fever To Tell kind of chap (rather than that hip, electronic, dancing It's Blitz! clique) then you were excited at the notion of a new Yeah Yeah Yeahs album, but didn't expect to be transported back to the early noughties by any stretch. Well, there's reason for celebration. The title track off of their new album, Musquito, is about as perfect a mix of Fever and Blitz as you could get. It's raw but polished, punk but danceable.
Here, it is (unfortunately, not the album version but a damn good live performance on Jimmy Kimmel). It's the song of the week:
Josh Homme is back. And he's re-enlisted his good buddy Mr. Grohl on tubthumping duty. That's right, after six years without a peep from QOTSA - they are back. And heavy. Sounds like they are cooking up something good, down deep in the desert.
Queens of the Stone Age - My God is the Sun
And on a completely different note, the posh sailors known as Vampire Weekend have also dropped two songs from their forthcoming album. More of the same? Well, pretty much yes. But not such a bad thing when 'the same' is catchy, summer-loving fun.
So the Rolling Stones are hitting the road again. They'll be bringing their elderly rock to the big, iconic pyramid at Glastonbury and to my humble backyard at Toronto's ACC. It'll be polished, note-perfect (ish) and a full blown-out extravaganza. They are the ultimate elder statesmen of rock 'n roll, all money and private planes (far cry from the likes of Iggy Pop who continues to be wild despite some interesting advertisement decisions).
So yes. They are old. They've got tunes but no edge. They have been as comfortable as musicians can be for longer than most of us have been alive, but remember when they were the baddest, filthiest blues-band in the world? Neither do I. But I hear it was great. Hard to believe that once upon a time they look liked this:
As a lot us will always (unfortunately) picture them a little more like this:
BUT we are in luck, because although we'll never see them perform like the dirty kings of underground London they were, we still can hear it. This week I bring you one of my all-time favourite Stones tunes from back when they were strictly a blues cover band...
This week is all about sneak peaks. But first there was an exciting announcement as well - The National will be releasing the much anticipated follow up to 2010's smash success High Violet. Mark your calendars as Trouble Will Find Me will be released May 10th.
Now, back to the sneak peaks. The lads that once saved rock 'n roll from rap-rock's horrid claws, saw away with baggy trousers and brought the sex and swagger back into guitar music. They haven't exactly been quiet since, but The Strokes haven't regained their top-of-the-heap status since the early noughties. Will Comedown Machine thrust them back into the shinny, bright lights? So far the reviews have been consistently good, but thanks to Pitchfork you can decide for yourself! Stream the album ahead of its release (released in the UK March 25 and NA March 26) here.
What's my favourite so far? Well, there's one in particular that brings me back to 2002 and makes me want to buy a collar-less leather jacket... so I think it's got to be...
The Strokes - All the Time
They have proven themselves in the UK and just tore SXSW to pieces - Peace are hot to say the least. The West Madland boys are starting to garner widespread media attention, speculation and expectations for the four skinny lads is growing almost daily. So when I saw they were streaming their upcoming LP, In Love, via NME's website I was hesitant. The EP, Delicious was good, but definitely felt like a band who hadn't quite discovered their own sound yet. How would the album proper hold up? Remarkably good in fact. You can see for yourself here.
And if you don't want to go that far, here's a sampler:
Peace - Wraith
Lastly, remember those posh whipping boys, The Virgins? Well, apparently they are back...with a decent album. Hard to believe? Check for yourself as they are streaming the upcoming album, Strike Gently, here. Being released on Julian Casablanca's label, Cult Records, this is a nice little piece of indie pop. I mean, clearly from the above track, Julian is still with it, so if he backs these guys, there's got to be a least something to them, right?
Big week! Osheaga lineup announced! As the festival that I've attended more than any other (three times now), I had already decided that I'd be backing out this year... but there was always the chance of too good a lineup to pass up. I'd say I was 78% convinced that I wouldn't be attending..... BUT with all the amazing bands putting out albums this year, I thought that maybe it would be a biggee. Sure, the other big guys (Coachella et al) didn't have lineups reflecting all the big acts who are putting albums out this year, but maybe the lure of Montreal would be different. God I love Montreal.
Now not that the lineup is bad - with so many acts is basically impossible for any of these big festival to be bad, but it's easier for me to pass up then I had thought. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of acts I'd love to see, such as Phoenix, Alt-J, Father John Misty, Frightened Rabbit, Jake Bugg, DIIV, and Oberhofer. And also a handful I'd love to see again like Vampire Weekend and Gaslight Anthem. But the only real blow to the musical abdomen is missing The Cure. I was going to write a paragraph explaining my love of their music and exploring all the aspects of their gloomy pure pop bliss, but instead I'll just let Robert do the talking.
At first I didn't think this was that great. But then I found
myself listening to it over and over and over and over again. After about 29 listens, I realized that yes I must really like it. It's got
the jingly-jangly love-fest feeling of the Stone Roses, a young and
carefree spirit that doesn't take itself too seriously, the swagger of
many a non-London band that's come before them (see: Oasis, Stone Roses,
The Verve and we can also add Miles Kane to that list) and the dress
sense of the early 90s.
So, perhaps there is something a brewing in the West Madlands (they no longer want to be known as from B-Town) and maybe contrary to much speculation it is Swim Deep that is riding the crest of the wave and not their contemporaries Peace or Jaws.
Back to the grind after a nice stint to the land of music. Although it's depressing back here in Canada, back in my office at 7 AM to start making up the work, and back to not seeing my lady except through a screen - there is reason to be joyous! SO MANY MUSICAL REASONS! Let us count the ways...
1
Karen O of YYYs doing that thing she do.
Have you looked at the list of bands putting out albums this year?! I keep going over it in my head and it still fills me with absolute joy every single time it crosses my mind cogs. Not sure what I'm talking about? Well see if any of these names will get your feet itching:
Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kings of Leon, The Strokes, Babyshambles, MGMT, Suede, Eminem, David Bowie, Atoms for Peace (Tom Yorke from Radiohead), The Horrors, The Klaxons, Queens of the Stone Age, Vampire Weekend
It's really all quite ridiculous. All I'd need is another Kills album and maybe something with Jack White featured heavily on it (I wouldn't count that out either considering how much he works) and I'd be spitting rainbows. Not to mention that there are some very exciting lesser-known bands putting out potentially huge albums (some debut, some sophomore, some further along..): Wild Beasts, Tribes, PEACE, Palma Violets, White Lies, Warpaint, Howler, HAIM, Savages..
It's all very crazy. I will delve farther into the big names in later weeks.
2 I've spent a lot of money on shows already. I'll put the full list up soon, but the fact that I have Foals, Bloc Party, Broken Social Scene, BRMC, a couple of punk legends on acoustic guitars and more is enough to get my mojo running.
3 I don't want to say too much because some folks (ahem, Halifax lads) may still be a bit sensitive to it... but the NME Awards Tour gig that T and I went to in Bristol was pretty fantastic. Loved the age-mix and excitement of the crowd. LOVED Palma Violets and Django Django (although Miles Kane isn't all he's cracked up to be). I'm still high off this beautifully English experience.
So after all this blabber, how does one pick a song of the week?! Well, although I'm being weighed down by the amount of amazing music coming out (haven't even had a chance to listen to the Bowie album proper) there is one track that spellbounded people all over the globe upon its release Tuesday. Give it up for those New York art-punks:
It's been 57 years and yet this track still sounds as electrifying as ever. One of my all-time favourites and an absolute all round classic. Imagine hearing this in 1956!? Must have blown minds and crept into nightmares. I mean, just look at him! So turn it up and let Mr Hawkins put a spell on you.
Not much time. Very busy. Must catch flight. Need a song to propel me there. Ah, this will do very nicely.
This album got a lot of spins in the summer time (usually while making tacos) and has crept back into my regular rotation recently. The whole album is solid start to finish, but this one is a particularly shinny gem.
Waterloo is shut down due to this "huge" snow storm. There are usually 40,000 people or so on campus, but today I am one of very few. I had to use all my restrain to stop myself from simply tucking in and watching a film in the huge lecture hall I was supposed to have a class in this morning, but I couldn't hold back from blasting THE SONG OF THE WEEK and boogieing down.
I am very excited this week musically. Got the new Eels, the PEACE EP (which is great), Passwords album and Melody's Echo Chamber (very closely tied to Tame Impala) - but these are all mere pebbles in a sea compared to the boulder that will be dropped from heaven come Monday.
Now, there is a rumour that the album, Holy Fire, has leaked online. I don't support stealing from artists. Especially hard-working, visionary, great artists like the Foals. But sometimes I can't resist and I might consider downloading the album in advance and then buying it on the release day. I'm not saying I've done this, but I might have. I might also say that Holy Fire is aptly named as it surely must be divine as it is far too hot for any human to have made. I might go as far as to say that it's an early front-runner for album of the year! I might say that it is a absolute blinder from start to finish. This is probably annoying, but lastly, I might even say it's somehow better than Total Life Forever. I'm not sure about the last one, but the fact that I'm even considering it shows you the respect I might show to this album.
But since it only drops on us Monday, I will toe the line and supply you with just one ditty that was released weeks back. Many people have already heard it and loved it. But now even more of you can. I suggest listening to it repeatedly at steadily increasing volumes. It is just so good. I won't even say any more. Here it is (and there will be more to come),
This week you are treated to the opinion and constantly-searching ear
of one my most trusted musical confidentes, Mr. Woody Woodhouse. Thanks
Woody! Enjoy loyal-readers! -maxx
Where we met - Benicassim!
Hello SOTW!
Firstly, I'm sorry to inform you that the brainchild of
this operation, Mr. Hartt, is unavailable this week (he's currently tied
up and being tortured by an army of angry RHCP fans)! So its a British
invasion! Actually, I'm the only British thing about this week as its all
about 5 guys from New York. Yes boys and girls, The Strokes are back!!!
Like a child on Christmas day, I was very excited when I saw a post
on JC's website (that's Julian Casablancas, not Jesus Christ - he's no
way cool enough to front this band). Safe to say I hunted down the
meaning of One Way Trigger.
Like all their comeback singles (see: 12:51, Juicebox, Undercover...) - it's a cracker. Starting off sounding like an
80's video game with an almost unrecognisable falsetto from Julian, all
sounding much more like something more fitting with his solo work, before then turning
to that 'classic' Strokes sound. Which all makes you very optimistic about a
new album and gets better with every listen. I know there's pressure on
these guys to keep 're-inventing the wheel', but just take it for what
it is - a great song that shows they're not resting on past
accomplishments. This my friends is the song of the week! Please enjoy irresponsibly.
Thanks,
Woody!
The Strokes - One Way Trigger
Totally agree about the repeated listens. Start with 3 before you make a real decision about it! Also, new Eels album out! -maxx
Pre-Party before The Foals in Manchester! Matty, me, Woody, T.
Exciting news in the music world - the Coachella lineup was released today! This time of year usually is defined by getting overly excited, spending too much money on things (relatively) far into the future (summer gig and festival tickets) and by getting green with jealousy over folks that will be attending some of the biggees (Coachella, Bonaroo, Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds, Benicassim). Of course when I am one of the lucky few attending one of these tame weekend events, I am sure to shove it in everyones face (as any decent person would be). So here's this years Coachella lineup:
Are you puking with jealousy? Too be honest - I wasn't. Now, let's not be absurd, this is a phenomenal lineup of bands. But Coachella always is. So my lack of jealousy isn't ranked against any average weekend, this is being judged against previous monster festival lineups. Also, the Friday is freaking amazing. There's no denying that. Roses, Blur, Lou, Modest Mouse, YYYs, Japandroids, Grinderman, J5, AND classics like Johnny Marr AND up-and-comers like Jake Bugg?! There are going to be some tough decisions to make that day. I do pity the fool.
I love the fact that Nick Cave is playing twice (Grinderman and with the Bad Seeds), but are RHCP really that good (answer: no, they never have been but it'll sell tickets) and are Phoenix really headline material? Regardless of my hate of Flea's basslines and Anthony's terrible voice, let's look at the headliners: Blur, Stone Roses, Phoenix, RHCP... which one of these things is not like the other? I like Phoenix, but in my mind there are a fourth line band and no higher. But apparently it was hard to find bands who could do both weekends that Coachella has extended to this year.
MOVING ON
I never really listened to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC), but I recently bought tickets to go see them in Toronto (anyone else going?) as I knew my good amigo Marty MacIntyre was a fan. I knew a few tunes but not really all that well - turns out they are pretty darn good. Think old Oasis playing Queens of the Stone Age songs. Not a bad combo. Some gets a bit bluesier than others (and I've given you one of each), but overall I can say that they have potential to put on a pretty fun show. So check it, the song of the week!
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Shuffle Your Feet
Note: besides the fantastic groove, steady stompin' beat and harmonica, I love the little "Probably not, no" at 1:37
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Whatever Happened to Rock 'n Roll (punk song)
A real corker.
And to anyone thinking "He just dissed Coachella, RHCP and Phoenix but yet picks BRMC as the song of the week?!! This guy is braindead!", all I've got for you is two crooked fingers.
Andrew Bruce William Cameron (known to his closest pals simply as Andy) is a great man. Lately I've been consistently brimming with pride over his new, exciting entrepreneurial venture in North Van, Olives on Tap (http://www.olivesontap.com/). I've had the pleasure of chatting with my dear old friend more than usual lately, so maybe that's why this particular tune echoed so loudly down the cobbled lanes of my memory.
The abbreviated backdrop to all this would simply be: Andy lived on a futon in the front room of an apartment in Antigonish for the the entire winter term of 2007. To say the least, Marty MacIntyre and I might not have always been the most considerate of our futoned roommate but boy did he prove his salt. The following line from the SoW is what has been making my smile all week:
Remember that night you were already in bed
Said fuck it, got up to drink with me instead
Cheesy, simple, but beautiful. Here'sone of Canada's best bands singing about one of Canada's best people (in my mind they are).
Song of the Week: Japandriods - Younger Us
Nomination: Tom is down with Grimes. You probably are too. One time I thought I got it all and jumped it up to a top ten 'Album of the Year' candidate, but now I'm back to where I was... meaning she's good but meh, I'd rather Crystal Castles. Tom suggests we all listen to the following track and admire it's catchiness. What are your thoughts on her? Real deal?
How are your ears? Maybe not getting as much love these days as your eyes (roundup to Oscars season always makes the internet ripe with fantastic quality screeners of films still in theatres [see: Cloud Atlas, The Hobbit, Skyfall, Hitchcock, Lincoln,
The Impossible, Zero Dark Thirty, This is 40...] - not that I am condoning downloading these from piratebay.se or anything).. but hopefully I can help your poor little ears out.
In fact, I can help your ears out to the tune of owning this week's single without having to steal! What a treat indeed! This duo is being heralded for their boisterous live performances (lead singer/guitarist Kieran has been known to make his way to the bar and order a drink mid-song) and are steadily growing a fan base in the North of England (so I read - Halifax boys, you may be able to comment on this?). Their main concern may be with connecting to the audience through their live gigs, but they've managed to get to me through my earphones as well. Upbeat, fun, classic rock 'n roll that reminds you what having a drink and a dance is all about. Here are the Hot Soles.
Hot Soles - Ready to Burn (go to http://www.hot-soles.com/ for your free download of the song)
I have also received some great suggestions from friends/loyal readers. Here are a few that I felt needed to be shared as they are definitely making some serious waves in the dishwater after dinner (I've been listening to these over and over as my post-dinner clean up music).
First up is a suggestion from my good friend (famous for his cameo in The Cribs music video for Come on, Be a No One at 2:17 [a absolutely, fantastically, frantically, beautiful, chaotic, lovely, charming song]), Ryan O'Neill. Ryan suggested I take a listen to The Jim Jones Revue, which he described as "Shameless, balls out feel good rock n roll, a great way to start the day!" So get your day started right, put this song on, turn it up and wake up your roommates!
The Jim Jones Revue - Where Da Money go
Second is from Ryan's pal/lover (of which I'm forever jealous), Woody Woodhouse! I had heard this song a few months back, loved it but then completely forgot about it. So thanks Woody for bringing back this "quality tune" into my life! Here it is:
Busy weeks tend to bring me back to older songs that I love. Sometimes you just need something familiar that you know will ring true. For me this week, I went back to The Beta Bands' Dry The Rain. In fact, the whole album The Three E.P.'s is amazing, but this is the standout track. Sure, I may have only first heard it because of High Fidelity (how very embarrassing, I know) but that doesn't change the fact that it is a beautiful tune. Best listened to at a solidly high volume or with earphones while walking through the snow. I will never tire of this. Now if only it didn't remind me of that damned John Cusack.
The Beta Band - Dry the Rain
Running up this week is a slow, beautiful song that is climbing my mental Top Songs of 2012 slowly but steadily (still nowhere near Top 10 of course, but its on the radar). I was sure that Two Sunswouldn't be topped, but Bat for Lashes came back at us this year with The Haunted Man. Lead single Laura (which I will dedicate to Brigitte Hartt's daughter) is simply stunning.
Bat for Lashes - Laura
Think my choices were a bit wet-noodled and wimpy this week? Well, it's a slow warm-up week here in the University world. Just wait until next week. Might want to start holding onto those socks now.
