Week Nine: The Strokes - One Way Trigger

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.

Week Eight: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Shuffle Your Feet

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.

Week Se7en: Japandroids - Younger Us

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's one 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?

Grimes - Vanessa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pye1d018aQ

Week Six: Hot Soles - Ready to Burn

Mornin' cool cats.

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:

The Family Rain - Trust me... I'm a Genius

Week Five: The Beta Band - Dry the Rain

It's been a busy week. How 'bout yours?

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 Suns wouldn'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.