Week 29: Massive Attack - Angel

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.

Massive Attack - Angel

Week 28: Glasvegas - If

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:

Babyshambles - Nothing Comes to Nothing

Week 27: Kanye West - I Am A God

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.




Kanye West - I Am A God