Ad music

I was in the cinema at the weekend to see Charlie Wilson's War (it's great by the way, very witty, wonderfully written and Philip Seymour Hoffman is a joy to watch) and before the show we sat through the obligatory ads. I've never been so enchanted by the soundtrack to an ad before as I was by Nina Nina Nastasia's voice over the Volvo v70 advert.

She sings the song "Our Day Trip" from her 2006 record "On Leaving". I had to rush out and get the album, I don't know how I didn't know about her before.

The song is 1.55 in length and is just about perfect except for the length. If only it lasted forever.

Read the Pitchfork review of "On Leaving".

Nina Nastasia (MySpace): http://www.myspace.com/ninanastasia

Duffy - Artist to watch

Duffy.

This artist is on the up and likely to be a big thing in 2008. The BBC's predictions for the Sound of 2008 top 10 list her second: The Top 10:

1. Adele
2. Duffy
3. The Ting Tings
4. Glasvegas
5. Foals
6. Vampire Weekend
7. Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong
8. Black Kids
9. MGMT
10. Santogold


SPIN magazine also list her in their 10 ten artists to watch. Check out "Mercy". It's a little Aretha Franklin - full of soul and groove and what a voice.

"Mercy" Audio:

Duffy MySpace Page

If you like this and want more check out her Radio 2 performance, you can Watch an interview and tracks from Duffy's performance HERE

Great Speech

Barack Obama at Ebeneezer Baptist Church.

He's quite an orator. In memory of Dr King, Obama addressed the church with a wonderful speech.

"The Scripture tells us that when Joshua and the Israelites arrived at the gates of Jericho, they could not enter. The walls of the city were too steep for any one person to climb; too strong to be taken down with brute force. And so they sat for days, unable to pass on through.

But God had a plan for his people. He told them to stand together and march together around the city, and on the seventh day he told them that when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn, they should speak with one voice. And at the chosen hour, when the horn sounded and a chorus of voices cried out together, the mighty walls of Jericho came tumbling down.

There are many lessons to take from this passage, just as there are many lessons to take from this day, just as there are many memories that fill the space of this church. As I was thinking about which ones we need to remember at this hour, my mind went back to the very beginning of the modern Civil Rights Era. "

READ ON AT TIME MAGAZINE

JOHNNY PARKS BAND – BREAK THE SILENCE

JOHNNY PARKS BAND – BREAK THE SILENCE

(2008)
SURVIVOR RECORDS



Rock music about God has got a bad press over the years. This is odd because song-writers have mined the Good Book for its stories about redemption, betrayal, sacrifice, and love for years. While most 'Christian Contemporary Music' it is derivative of 'secular' artists some can hold its own. It's unfortunate that ill-conceived pre-conceptions will probably stop people listening to 'Break the Silence' because it is a fantastic record.

The Belfast band kicks off with thumping drums, big guitars and a bigger chorus on 'Brand New Day'. Their use of the synth is very reminiscent of The Killers, and elsewhere shows more than a passing reference to Death Cab for Cutie. The majority of the songs are easily accessible sing-a-longs, but that doesn't mean they are lacking in imagination or ingenuity. Johnny Parks has a great voice and is ably complemented by Claire Hamilton. Rooted in it's homeland, the album explores the impact of The Troubles on its inhabitants and their hunger for change and peace. It closes with an epic soaring Sigur Ros style soundscape with "Walk Beside Me Jesus". Hopefully it won't just be people in churches that get to listen to this album.

For fans of: Death Cab for Cutie, Wheat, Arcade Fire
Download: Walk Beside Me Jesus, Our God is Mighty, The Troubles Are Over
Rating: 8/10

Multiplayer Tetris

I love tetris, everybody does. I remember back in school we had these cool physics calculators that we hacked to play tetris against each other under the desks.

Well now you can see how good you really are against up to 8 players. If you get 2 lines in a row they're sent over to help out your opponent. It's incredibly addictive. It's called BLOCKLES. Have fun.

THE WHIGS full album stream and download

You can stream the Whigs entire album "Mission Control" (out January 22nd) at spinner.com right now!

Also, here is a free Mp3 of their song "Right Hand On My Heart"
DOWNLOAD IT LEGALLY HERE

Estelle - "American Boy" ft. Kanye West (Audio)

Kanye West is about as far into rap as I go, so his appearance is always worth noting.

Estelle - "American Boy" ft. Kanye West (Audio)
real:
STREAM REAL
win:
STREAM WIN

Stream whole Interpol Live EP here

Here is the entire LIVE EP from Interpol as streams. You can buy the EP at http://www.thinkindie.com/ .

Pioneer To the Falls (live)

Mammoth (live)

Obstacle 1 (live)

The Heinrich Maneuver (live)

Rest My Chemistry (live)

Stella Was a Diver and She Was Always Down (live)

New Lenny Kravitz album

Lenny Kravitz Announces
IT IS TIME FOR A LOVE REVOLUTION
New album set to hit stores February 5, 2008

New Single "I'll Be Waiting" is released: STREAM IT HERE

Bono on Al Gore

I'm not really big into the whole climate change thing, but TIME magazine's #2 person of the year for 2007 was Al Gore. First was Putin. Bono wrote the piece on Al Gore and it's an extrodinary piece of writing and makes fascinating reading.



As 2007 closes and 2008 begins, one of the great questions that hangs in the cynical European air is how America will carry itself in the world next year. From the outside, the coming election seems less about "the economy, stupid" and more about America's role in the future of the planet. I think it's even deeper than that. I think this election is about how America sees itself. That's not really an existential question, or a spiritual one; mostly, it's a practical question. In this election year, Americans are looking for leadership that can turn spiritual yearnings into practical realities.

Continue Reading Bono on Al Gore

Dr Who christmas special

happy 2008.

On the first day of this new year I watched a repeat of what is now a BBC institution - the Dr Who Christmas special. I can't understand why Dr Who is as big as it is - compared to its American competitors the acting looks wooden, the scripts cheesy and predictable and the special effects cheap. However the christmas special is a watercooler moment, watched by the majority of the country, the first one, three years ago was great, so perhaps this would be too.

What I saw was one of the worst pieces of television I have seen all year. Set in outer space on an intergalactic cruise liner called the Titanic (and looking identical to the ill-fated ship but for some rockets on the end) the Doctor engaged in a predictable romp using his full arsenal of cheeky looks and quips that could be foretold within the first five minutes. So short on originality it was almost a remake of the The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Yet again robots go wrong and turn against their makers, an evil mastermind is behind it all and Dr Who uses his sonic screwdriver and made up jargon to overcome whatever adversity confronts him. I had to switch off before the end. When HBO is pumping out wonderful drama, can't the BBC do a little better than this? Am I missing something, what's all the fuss about Dr Who?