--
THE DIVINE COMEDY
Victory For The Comic Muse
Parlophone Records
November 14, 2006
http://www.thedivinecomedy.com
I was grooms-man for my good friend Dave a couple of months ago. I met him in my first year of secondary school, and he came from a place called Enniskillen. I remember him telling me that his friend's brother played bass in the Divine Comedy.
Well Niel Hannon, aka The Divine Comedy is releasing his triumphant ninth album called Victory For The Comic Muse. You can check it out a track and a video here:
VIDEO: "Diva Lady"
Stream 1
Stream 2
Stream 3
Stream 4
AUDIO:
Single #1: "Diva Lady"
Single #2: "To Die A Virgin"
Single #3: "Lady Of A Certain Age"
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Listen to the new Damien Rice album
--
I was a big fan of 'O' the debut album by Damien Rice. The first time I heard it, in a car with my good friend Tim just before we played a gig. Rain was pelting across the windshield like a good Irish, August day and he hit the play button on the stereo. I heard it and loved it, one of the few records I love on first listen. I bought it and played it to death.
So it's with considerable excitement that I write this. You can listen to all of the new album, '9' (another short title) by clicking on the link below. I hope it doesn't suffer from the 'difficult' second album syndrome.
I had a bit of trouble with the old link, so if you had, try this one. It definately works, click on the picture below.
TRACK LISTING:
1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke And I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don't Weep
Stream 9 by Damien Rice here
I was a big fan of 'O' the debut album by Damien Rice. The first time I heard it, in a car with my good friend Tim just before we played a gig. Rain was pelting across the windshield like a good Irish, August day and he hit the play button on the stereo. I heard it and loved it, one of the few records I love on first listen. I bought it and played it to death.
So it's with considerable excitement that I write this. You can listen to all of the new album, '9' (another short title) by clicking on the link below. I hope it doesn't suffer from the 'difficult' second album syndrome.
I had a bit of trouble with the old link, so if you had, try this one. It definately works, click on the picture below.
TRACK LISTING:
1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke And I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don't Weep
Stream 9 by Damien Rice here
Monday, October 23, 2006
a little bit of Borat
--
Did you hear there was a Borat CD coming out? Well you can check out some of the hilarious tracks for yourself now. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.
Born To Be Wild.mp3
In My Country There Is A Problem
You Be My Wife.mp3
Did you hear there was a Borat CD coming out? Well you can check out some of the hilarious tracks for yourself now. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.
Born To Be Wild.mp3
In My Country There Is A Problem
You Be My Wife.mp3
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Competition! The Changes CD giveaway
--
about the music has a copy of the fantastic debut by The Changes to give away. Their CD recieved a
rating when it was reviewed HERE.
To win a copy all you have to do is write a Haiku about why you should win the CD. The best will get a free copy of the new album. Good luck.
Email your answer.
"Haiku-poems consist of respectively 5, 7 and 5 syllables in three units. In japanese, this convention is a must, but in english, which has variation in the length of syllables, this can sometimes be difficult."
about the music has a copy of the fantastic debut by The Changes to give away. Their CD recieved a
rating when it was reviewed HERE.To win a copy all you have to do is write a Haiku about why you should win the CD. The best will get a free copy of the new album. Good luck.
Email your answer.
"Haiku-poems consist of respectively 5, 7 and 5 syllables in three units. In japanese, this convention is a must, but in english, which has variation in the length of syllables, this can sometimes be difficult."
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Borat the soundtrack trailer
--
Watch a little advert for the Borat soundtrack.
Borat Movie-film Music!
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Watch a little advert for the Borat soundtrack.
Borat Movie-film Music!
Add to My Profile | More Videos
CD Review - The Memory Band - Apron Strings
--
THE MEMORY BAND - APRON STRINGS
(PEACEFROG RECORDS)
The Memory Band began life at the turn of the century, the progeny of Badly Drawn Boy bassist-Stephen Cracknell, his computer and a lot of imagination. He conceived a band influenced equally by Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Dr Dre - percussion, drive and a contemporary twist to folk.
The group's second album, "Apron Strings" is a subtle blend of acoustic folk and homespun electronics. Traditional violin arrangements sit beside modern computer drum loops. The album opens with a traditional instrumental song, before moving into 'Come Write Me Down' , a traditional tune re-worked with different lyrics.
The best tracks are those with Nancy Wallace on vocal duty. Her voice on 'Green Grows the Laurel', the Irish folk gem, sits perfectly with the gentle violin and steady beat. Elsewhere she reworks Carly Simon's 'Why' to give bring it more up to date. The cenre-peice of the album is the stadium-folk-rock track, 'I Wish I Wish', a euphoric U2 moment with violas and 12 string guitars.
If folk is your cup of organic tea, then The Memory Band are the perfect accompaniment to a turf fire and rocking chair.
DOWNLOAD : 'Why', 'Terrified'
FOR FANS OF : Alasdair Roberts, Iron & Wine,
RATING:
THE MEMORY BAND - APRON STRINGS
(PEACEFROG RECORDS)
The Memory Band began life at the turn of the century, the progeny of Badly Drawn Boy bassist-Stephen Cracknell, his computer and a lot of imagination. He conceived a band influenced equally by Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Dr Dre - percussion, drive and a contemporary twist to folk.
The group's second album, "Apron Strings" is a subtle blend of acoustic folk and homespun electronics. Traditional violin arrangements sit beside modern computer drum loops. The album opens with a traditional instrumental song, before moving into 'Come Write Me Down' , a traditional tune re-worked with different lyrics.
The best tracks are those with Nancy Wallace on vocal duty. Her voice on 'Green Grows the Laurel', the Irish folk gem, sits perfectly with the gentle violin and steady beat. Elsewhere she reworks Carly Simon's 'Why' to give bring it more up to date. The cenre-peice of the album is the stadium-folk-rock track, 'I Wish I Wish', a euphoric U2 moment with violas and 12 string guitars.
If folk is your cup of organic tea, then The Memory Band are the perfect accompaniment to a turf fire and rocking chair.
DOWNLOAD : 'Why', 'Terrified'
FOR FANS OF : Alasdair Roberts, Iron & Wine,
RATING:
Monday, October 16, 2006
About the Music Competition!
--
That's right. about the music is hosting a competition! We've teamed up with Johnny Rockets, the all-American diner to offer a luck winner some great prizes.
Johnny Rockets (yes the restaurant) has created some a music routes map at http://www.johnnyrockets.com/music to show how classic artists have influenced and shaped your favorite music of today. To celebrate their love of music, Johnny Rockets are giving away the chance to win a fantastic prize pack including:
* Bear:
* Thermos
* Lunch box
* Free Fry
* Free Shake
* 105 free songs
To have a chance of winning, simply answer this question:
Johnny Rockets opened on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles on which date in 1986?
If you think you know the answer, email about the music with your answer.
Good luck!
Also, don't forget to check out Johnny Rockets Myspace page at http://myspace.com/johnnyrockets for your chance to win a $60 gift certificate!
That's right. about the music is hosting a competition! We've teamed up with Johnny Rockets, the all-American diner to offer a luck winner some great prizes.
Johnny Rockets (yes the restaurant) has created some a music routes map at http://www.johnnyrockets.com/music to show how classic artists have influenced and shaped your favorite music of today. To celebrate their love of music, Johnny Rockets are giving away the chance to win a fantastic prize pack including:
* Bear:
* Thermos
* Lunch box
* Free Fry
* Free Shake
* 105 free songs
To have a chance of winning, simply answer this question:
Johnny Rockets opened on Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles on which date in 1986?
If you think you know the answer, email about the music with your answer.
Good luck!
Also, don't forget to check out Johnny Rockets Myspace page at http://myspace.com/johnnyrocket
Thursday, October 12, 2006
TIME TO HAVE BIG PARTY!!! - BORAT: STEREOPHONIC MUSICAL LISTENINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ORIGIN IN MOVING FILM!
--
Well, the 'Borat' movie will be out soon, and lets face it, it looks pretty hilarious. I can't wait to see it; I've been refreshing myself with YouTube clips from the Ali G show. One of the best is where Borat visits a country and western bar and is greeted with a hostile reception until he starts a sing-a-long called 'Throw the Jew down the Well'.
Suddenly all the rednecks love him and they're all singing with him, 'throw the Jew down the well then my country can be free!'. Well now you two can join in, Borat is going to release "BORAT: STEREOPHONIC MUSICAL LISTENINGS THAT HAVE BEEN ORIGIN IN MOVING FILM 'BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN."
It'll be available from iTunes from 24 October. THe tracklisting is as follows:
1. Chaje Shukarije - Esma Redzepova
2. Born To Be Wild - Fanfare Ciocarlia
3. Dialoguing excerpt from moviefilm 1
4. Siki, Siki Baba - Kocani Orkestar
5. Gypsy's Kolo - Jony Iliev & Band
6. Dialoguing excerpt from moviefilm 2
7. Eu Vin Acasa Cu Drag - Stefan de la Barbulesti
8. In my country there is problem (Throw the Jew Down the Well)
- Borat & Anthony Hines
9. Grooming Pubis - Erran Baron Cohen
10. Magic Mamaliga - O.M.F.O.
11. Dialoguing excerpt from moviefilm 3
12. Money Boney - O.M.F.O.
13. You Be My Wife (featurings Belinda Bedekovi?) - Borat
14. Ederlezi - Goran Bregovic
15. Dialoguing excerpt from moviefilm 4
16. Mahalageasca (Bucovina Dub) - Mahala Rai Banda vs. Shantel
17. Dialoguing excerpt from moviefilm 5
18. O Kazakhstan - Erran Baron Cohen
Enhanced CD Content:
1. Cheese - (Deleted Scene)
2. Humor Coach - (Entire Scene From Film)
3. O Kazakhstan (sing-a-long clip with lyrics) - (Entire Clip From Film)
If that weren't enough, the Enhanced CD will also feature three video segments, including "O Kazakhstan," an exclusive sing-a-long scene from the film specifically tailored for the soundtrack. In addition, the soundtrack will include excerpts from the film's score, composed by Erran Baron Cohen, known for his work as a founding member of renowned world fusion beat scientists, Zohar.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
New Damien Rice album!
Great news! I'm a big fan of Damien Rice, and at long last his new album is ready.
DAMIEN RICE
9
Heffa/Vector/Warner Brothers
November 14, 2006
http://www.damienrice.com
THE FOLLOW-UP TO RICE'S TREMENDOUSLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT, O
Damien Rice has been deemed by The Los Angeles Times "nothing short of a complete package of art, personality and presence." His highly anticipated second album, 9--for which Rice wrote, recorded and produced all tracks, as well as designing all of the artwork for the accompanying package--will be released November 14 by Heffa/Vector/Warner Brothers.
9 is the follow-up to Rice's debut album O, which has sold well over two million copies worldwide. Prior to reaching Gold® sales Stateside, O achieved triple-Platinum sales status in the UK and spent over 80 weeks on the U.K. Top 75 Album Chart. It received extraordinary critical praise and was featured in numerous Best Albums of 2003 lists, including Entertainment Weekly, People, Blender and Rolling Stone, which called O "one of the most gorgeous first albums in recent memory." Newsweek hailed O as "an out-and-out gorgeous CD...full of undiluted, unfalsified emotions." The album includes the songs "Volcano," "Cannonball," and "Blower's Daughter," the central piece of music in Mike Nichols' Oscar-nominated film Closer.
Rice performed songs from O in a rare two-song performance on "The Late Show with David Letterman," where he has appeared twice, as well as on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Late Late Show," "Austin City Limits" and "Last Call with Carson Daly." In 2003, Rice was awarded the prestigious Short List Prize in the U.S. as well as being nominated for a BRIT Award and an NME Award.
Rice has spent much of the last two years writing and recording 9. He previewed some of the new songs on a summer tour of the U.S. he recently completed with Fiona Apple.
TRACK LISTING:
1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke And I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don't Weep
AUDIO LINKS:
"9 Crimes"
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/damienrice/audio/damienrice_9-crimes_128.mov
http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/damienrice/audio/damienrice_9-crimes_128.wax http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime/wbr/damienrice/audio/damienrice_9-crimes_56.mov http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia/wbr/damienrice/audio/damienrice_9-crimes_56.wax
DAMIEN RICE
9
Heffa/Vector/Warner Brothers
November 14, 2006
http://www.damienrice.com
THE FOLLOW-UP TO RICE'S TREMENDOUSLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT, O
Damien Rice has been deemed by The Los Angeles Times "nothing short of a complete package of art, personality and presence." His highly anticipated second album, 9--for which Rice wrote, recorded and produced all tracks, as well as designing all of the artwork for the accompanying package--will be released November 14 by Heffa/Vector/Warner Brothers.
9 is the follow-up to Rice's debut album O, which has sold well over two million copies worldwide. Prior to reaching Gold® sales Stateside, O achieved triple-Platinum sales status in the UK and spent over 80 weeks on the U.K. Top 75 Album Chart. It received extraordinary critical praise and was featured in numerous Best Albums of 2003 lists, including Entertainment Weekly, People, Blender and Rolling Stone, which called O "one of the most gorgeous first albums in recent memory." Newsweek hailed O as "an out-and-out gorgeous CD...full of undiluted, unfalsified emotions." The album includes the songs "Volcano," "Cannonball," and "Blower's Daughter," the central piece of music in Mike Nichols' Oscar-nominated film Closer.
Rice performed songs from O in a rare two-song performance on "The Late Show with David Letterman," where he has appeared twice, as well as on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Late Late Show," "Austin City Limits" and "Last Call with Carson Daly." In 2003, Rice was awarded the prestigious Short List Prize in the U.S. as well as being nominated for a BRIT Award and an NME Award.
Rice has spent much of the last two years writing and recording 9. He previewed some of the new songs on a summer tour of the U.S. he recently completed with Fiona Apple.
TRACK LISTING:
1. 9 Crimes
2. The Animals Were Gone
3. Elephant
4. Rootless Tree
5. Dogs
6. Coconut Skins
7. Me, My Yoke And I
8. Grey Room
9. Accidental Babies
10. Sleep Don't Weep
AUDIO LINKS:
"9 Crimes"
http://streamos.wbr.com/qtime
http://streamos.wbr.com/wmedia
new video iPod?
Engadget is claiming that their trusted sources have discovered a wireless/true video iPod to be announced in the very near future. The blogger community has been waiting years for this. Could it be true, or will it be another let down?
Bus 174
--
The other night I watched 'Bus 174', a film about the hijacking of a bus in Rio de Janeiro by a former street-kid, Sandro do Nascimento whose mother was killed in front of him when he was 6. The hi-jacking was a real event, broadcast live on news channels, Brazil watched in fear as the armed man threatened to kill all the hostages on the bus at 6 o'clock. The police standby, almost powerless, negotiating with the captor, but not wishing to shoot him on national TV. The film profiles the street-children of Rio, the attitude of the police and the public to them, and how they resort to violence to shed their shroud of invisibility and draw Brazil's attention to the wider problem of social inequalities.
The film was perhaps a little long, but it was very informative, interviewing people who knew Sandro, his Aunt, friends, hostages and the police. Worth watching.
The other night I watched 'Bus 174', a film about the hijacking of a bus in Rio de Janeiro by a former street-kid, Sandro do Nascimento whose mother was killed in front of him when he was 6. The hi-jacking was a real event, broadcast live on news channels, Brazil watched in fear as the armed man threatened to kill all the hostages on the bus at 6 o'clock. The police standby, almost powerless, negotiating with the captor, but not wishing to shoot him on national TV. The film profiles the street-children of Rio, the attitude of the police and the public to them, and how they resort to violence to shed their shroud of invisibility and draw Brazil's attention to the wider problem of social inequalities.
The film was perhaps a little long, but it was very informative, interviewing people who knew Sandro, his Aunt, friends, hostages and the police. Worth watching.
Monday, October 09, 2006
In praise of - Is A Woman
I've got the new iTunes 7, and despite being a bit buggy, it has a great feature called CoverFlow which allows you to see all the albums in your collection, just like flipping through your digital rack.
I was doing this earlier and stumbled accross an album I forgot I had - Lambchop - Is A Woman.
Back in my first year at Cambridge, I saw a poster at the local Corn Exchange that Lambchop were coming to play. Intrigued at the thought of seeing thirteen people on stage playing quiet music, my friend Ali and I snapped up partially sighted seats at half price, £7.50 a pop.
We sat behind a pillar listening to a stupendous array of sounds, two bass guitars, about ten acoustic guitars, beautiful piano and THAT gravel voice of Kurt Wagner.
Just listening to it now reminds me what a great album it is, for fans of Nick Cave but without the weight attached, Willie Nelson (a bit). If you have a copy of it, or the more famous Nixon album, dig it out, and lets enjoy some Lambchop.
Buy it here from Amazon (UK) and listen to a track.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
The Oohlas
'From Me To You' AUDIO
A little while ago, I did a post about The Oohlas, here.
So here's a chance to check them out for yourself,
(Windows media high) - (Audio)
(Real media high) - (Audio)
"TV Dinners" acoustic video:
A little while ago, I did a post about The Oohlas, here.
So here's a chance to check them out for yourself,
(Windows media high) - (Audio)
(Real media high) - (Audio)
"TV Dinners" acoustic video:
The Killers news
A whirlwind of Killers related stuff:
Killers on Clear Channel Stripped Live:
Buy Sam's Town on iTunes
Clear Channel Radio is now offering an on-demand performance from The Killers, part of its larger Stripped series. The private concert was recorded at the Empire Ballroom in Las Vegas, the hometown of the band, and footage was shot in high-definition. The quality choice allows Clear Channel to create a cinematic, front-row experience, and will define all future Stripped tapings. Over 175 Clear Channel Radio station websites are now offering the footage, part of an ongoing distribution strategy by the conglomerate.
Other artists previously featured by Stripped include Nelly Furtado, Teddy Geiger, The Fray, and Kenny Rogers. Most are filmed in a studio setting, though The Killers departed from that by injecting a live crowd into the mix. The result is a concert experience that stretches outside of the core venue, a concept that Clear Channel spinoff Live Nation has invested heavily in. Others, like Network Live, dabbled but disintegrated after a short, 14-month partnership. The Stripped concert coincides with the release of the latest Killers album, Sam's Town.
If you live in America:
LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN
October 24th
11:30pm on CBS
And again if you want to see them on tour in America:
TOUR DATES
Fri 10/06/06 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Sat 10/07/06 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Sun 10/08/06 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
Mon 10/09/06 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
Tue 10/10/06 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Wed 10/11/06 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
Thu 10/12/06 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
Sat 10/14/06 Magna, UT The Great Salt Air
Sun 10/15/06 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
Tue 10/17/06 Chicago, IL Congress Theatre
Wed 10/18/06 Detroit, MI State Theatre
Fri 10/20/06 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
Sat 10/21/06 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel / Casino
Mon 10/23/06 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Tue 10/24/06 New York, NY Theatre @ Madison Square Garden Theatre
Wed 10/25/06 New York, NY Theatre @ Madison Square Garden Theatre
Thu 10/26/06 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
Sat 10/28/06 Las Vegas, NV Sam Boyd Stadium "Vegoose Music Festival"
Killers on Clear Channel Stripped Live:
Buy Sam's Town on iTunes
Clear Channel Radio is now offering an on-demand performance from The Killers, part of its larger Stripped series. The private concert was recorded at the Empire Ballroom in Las Vegas, the hometown of the band, and footage was shot in high-definition. The quality choice allows Clear Channel to create a cinematic, front-row experience, and will define all future Stripped tapings. Over 175 Clear Channel Radio station websites are now offering the footage, part of an ongoing distribution strategy by the conglomerate.
Other artists previously featured by Stripped include Nelly Furtado, Teddy Geiger, The Fray, and Kenny Rogers. Most are filmed in a studio setting, though The Killers departed from that by injecting a live crowd into the mix. The result is a concert experience that stretches outside of the core venue, a concept that Clear Channel spinoff Live Nation has invested heavily in. Others, like Network Live, dabbled but disintegrated after a short, 14-month partnership. The Stripped concert coincides with the release of the latest Killers album, Sam's Town.
If you live in America:
LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN
October 24th
11:30pm on CBS
And again if you want to see them on tour in America:
TOUR DATES
Fri 10/06/06 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Sat 10/07/06 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Sun 10/08/06 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
Mon 10/09/06 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre
Tue 10/10/06 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Wed 10/11/06 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
Thu 10/12/06 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
Sat 10/14/06 Magna, UT The Great Salt Air
Sun 10/15/06 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
Tue 10/17/06 Chicago, IL Congress Theatre
Wed 10/18/06 Detroit, MI State Theatre
Fri 10/20/06 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
Sat 10/21/06 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel / Casino
Mon 10/23/06 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Tue 10/24/06 New York, NY Theatre @ Madison Square Garden Theatre
Wed 10/25/06 New York, NY Theatre @ Madison Square Garden Theatre
Thu 10/26/06 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
Sat 10/28/06 Las Vegas, NV Sam Boyd Stadium "Vegoose Music Festival"
The Frames - new album
The Frames have a new album and I'm itching to hear it. Unfortunately as I have left the beloved shores of Ireland I'm not allowed to get a copy until the "international" release date. Booo.
Still, it's all jolly exciting. The Frames are firmly one of my favourite bands. Early 2007 is the Anti release date.
If you haven't checked them out, then don't delay. You can read my review of their last record here.
Still, it's all jolly exciting. The Frames are firmly one of my favourite bands. Early 2007 is the Anti release date.
If you haven't checked them out, then don't delay. You can read my review of their last record here.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
CD Review -The Changes - 'Today is Tonight'
--
The Changes - Today is Tonight
(Drama Club Records)
The Changes are yet another band from Chicago. When they played the Lollapalooza festival in 2005 they were the only unsigned band. Naturally, they wouldn't retain that title for long. Their self-produced debut, 'Today is Tonight', engineered by Chris Brickley (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) is already garnering a bit of a buzz as a band to watch.
The Changes play smart, pure-artpop, with big keyboards and bigger melodies. Obvious comparisons exist with The Postal Service, at times they sound similar to Police, sometimes The Smiths and sometimes The Strokes (but without the posturing). The record really does stand out from all the emo-punk that every other band seems to be these days. 'Today is Tonight' opens with 'When I Wake', starting with a carnival sound before the big drums and Rob Kallick's grooving bass enters.
Thematically, 'Today is Tonight' chronicles a day, from awaking, through 'Twilight' to 'When I Sleep'. The bouncy guitars and hum-able choruses disguise the inventiveness and complexity underlying the songs. Nothing is overly complicated, but nothing needs to be. It's a gratuitously enjoyable album, and will surely be the next Chicago band to join CD shelf.
For Fans of: The Postal Service, The Police
Listen to: When I Wake, Sisters,
Rating:
WE HAVE A COPY TO GIVE AWAY, ENTER THE COMPETITION
Check out "When I Wake"
DOWNLOAD HERE.
official site
Myspace.
The Changes - Today is Tonight
(Drama Club Records)
The Changes are yet another band from Chicago. When they played the Lollapalooza festival in 2005 they were the only unsigned band. Naturally, they wouldn't retain that title for long. Their self-produced debut, 'Today is Tonight', engineered by Chris Brickley (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) is already garnering a bit of a buzz as a band to watch.
The Changes play smart, pure-artpop, with big keyboards and bigger melodies. Obvious comparisons exist with The Postal Service, at times they sound similar to Police, sometimes The Smiths and sometimes The Strokes (but without the posturing). The record really does stand out from all the emo-punk that every other band seems to be these days. 'Today is Tonight' opens with 'When I Wake', starting with a carnival sound before the big drums and Rob Kallick's grooving bass enters.
Thematically, 'Today is Tonight' chronicles a day, from awaking, through 'Twilight' to 'When I Sleep'. The bouncy guitars and hum-able choruses disguise the inventiveness and complexity underlying the songs. Nothing is overly complicated, but nothing needs to be. It's a gratuitously enjoyable album, and will surely be the next Chicago band to join CD shelf.
For Fans of: The Postal Service, The Police
Listen to: When I Wake, Sisters,
Rating:
WE HAVE A COPY TO GIVE AWAY, ENTER THE COMPETITION
Check out "When I Wake"
DOWNLOAD HERE.
official site
Myspace.
Monday, October 02, 2006
CD review - The Devastations - Coal
--
THE DEVASTATIONS - COAL
(BEGGARS BANQUET)
Reviewer: Andrew Williamson
If you calculated the number of successful artists per square mile, Manchester, New York, Nashville and London would all fare well. Australia, on the other hand, would be pretty far down the list. Ok, they produced AC/DC, and Nick Cave of course, but is there anyone else of note?
It's little wonder then that The Devastations decided to forsake Melbourne and head for Berlin, home of 'Achtung Baby' and small sausages. They did considerably better in Europe, picking up the best debut of 2004 award from Rolling Stone (Germany) and moved Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to describe them in Mojo as 'the best thing I've heard all year'.
Their lanky, dark brooding figures bear more than a passing resemblance to their country-man Nick Cave. Coal's slow-burning, piano-led veiled menace borrows a trick or two from his book as well. But they are much more than a Nick Cave tribute band. Strings and piano alternate with stinging electric guitars and the songwriting is heartfelt throughout.
The album contains ten love songs, some humorous and some heart-breaking. New Zealand's answer to Norah Jones, Bic Runga lends her beautiful voice to 'A Man of Fortune' and a member of The National plays on the fantastic 'I Don't Want to Lose You Tonight' ('I'll retract all my statements when you retract your claws').
Despite a weak opening track, 'Coal' contains powerful, genuine songs that might go someway to making Australia a force to be reckoned with.
DOWNLOAD: 'A Man Of Fortune', 'Terrified'
FOR FANS OF: Nick Cave, The National, Tom Waits
RATING:
THE DEVASTATIONS - COAL
(BEGGARS BANQUET)
Reviewer: Andrew Williamson
If you calculated the number of successful artists per square mile, Manchester, New York, Nashville and London would all fare well. Australia, on the other hand, would be pretty far down the list. Ok, they produced AC/DC, and Nick Cave of course, but is there anyone else of note?
It's little wonder then that The Devastations decided to forsake Melbourne and head for Berlin, home of 'Achtung Baby' and small sausages. They did considerably better in Europe, picking up the best debut of 2004 award from Rolling Stone (Germany) and moved Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to describe them in Mojo as 'the best thing I've heard all year'.
Their lanky, dark brooding figures bear more than a passing resemblance to their country-man Nick Cave. Coal's slow-burning, piano-led veiled menace borrows a trick or two from his book as well. But they are much more than a Nick Cave tribute band. Strings and piano alternate with stinging electric guitars and the songwriting is heartfelt throughout.
The album contains ten love songs, some humorous and some heart-breaking. New Zealand's answer to Norah Jones, Bic Runga lends her beautiful voice to 'A Man of Fortune' and a member of The National plays on the fantastic 'I Don't Want to Lose You Tonight' ('I'll retract all my statements when you retract your claws').
Despite a weak opening track, 'Coal' contains powerful, genuine songs that might go someway to making Australia a force to be reckoned with.
DOWNLOAD: 'A Man Of Fortune', 'Terrified'
FOR FANS OF: Nick Cave, The National, Tom Waits
RATING:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)