Blast From The Past: The Rolling Stones

It took me a long time to really get into The Rolling Stones for a reason I have no idea. The old argument always rears its ugly head when talking about The Stones… y’know the one, Beatles or Stones? For me it’s The Rolling Stones every single time, don’t get me wrong I do like The Beatles and they have some great songs. However The Rolling Stones just have this edgy appeal and I really love their classic rock and roll sound. It's not too very long for The Stones to become one of my favourite bands of all time.

What I found hard was where to begin with getting into The Rolling Stones because the back catalogue is absolutely huge. It’s very hard to know where to start with a band that has changed its sound over the years. Thankfully there is a really, really good collection called ‘Rolled Gold Plus’ which features all the great Stones songs and really concentrates on their early career which for most is when they were at their best.

I always imagine myself being around in the 60’s and really, really adoring The Rolling Stones, it would’ve been so easy to back then because there wasn’t as much competition as there is today. The Rolling Stones are one of those special bands that only come around every 40 years or so. Actually I would suggest there has never been a band quite like The Rolling Stones.

When you listen to ‘Rolled Gold Plus’ you pretty much will not skip a song (obviously if you like the band) however some of my favourite songs include ‘Come On’, ‘I’m Free’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘It’s All Over Now’ to name four that come to mind.

Other songs like ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’, ‘Paint It Black’, ‘Sympathy For The Devil’, ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’, ‘Gimme Shelter’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ are more recognised songs. Obviously those songs mentioned are classic songs and ones that people will associate with The Rolling Stones.

However to me songs like ‘Get Off My Cloud’, ‘Play With Fire’, ‘Yesterday’s Papers’, ‘Time Is On My Side’ and ‘Let’s Spend The Night Together’ are just as good if not better than the more famous Stones tracks. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are two of the most iconic rock legends of all time and there is no question that The Rolling Stones are considered one of the greatest bands of all time. They definitely deserve that label especially when you consider the band have been going for 46 years!

Classic Record: The Smiths – Meat Is Murder

Every person has an “album” that defines the music they love, or the band that they are obsessed with or even a time in their life which they can relate to an album. Some albums help people get through life’s obstacles or help them cure depression and so forth. The gist is that all people who really love music have an album that they always go back to and consider the album which most represents them. One of my friends says ‘Kid A’ by Radiohead, another says ‘The Holy Bible’ by Manic Street Preachers and you get the idea.

‘Meat Is Murder’ is the album which I’ll always return to when I don’t know what to listen or just because I want to listen an album I know will I love. Some fans of The Smiths will say that ‘The Queen Is Dead’ is the best album but I think die hard Smiths fans will argue that ‘Meat Is Murder’ is the best Smiths record. It’s an album which I think you need to give at least two or three listens from start to finish before you can really have an opinion on it.

What I love most about the album is that there is no stand out “hit” or single, perhaps ‘How Soon Is Now?’ is that song but even then I don’t think it’s one of The Smiths most commercial songs like ‘Panic’ or ‘This Charming Man’. Each song on the album is different to the next which is another thing I really love about the album. Lyrically the album is my favourite too with lyrics like “Belligerent ghouls, run Manchester schools. Spineless swines, cemented minds” in ‘The Headmaster Ritual’. One of my favourite lyrics of all time is from this album and is in the song ‘Rusholme Ruffians’. Morrissey at his very best when he sings “So… scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen (this means you really love me).”

Some of Johnny Marr’s finest moments happen on ‘Meat Is Murder’ like in ‘I Want The One I Can’t Have’ and really every song on the album is as good as the next. ‘What She Said’ at two minutes forty-two seconds is a particularly short song in terms of the album but at the same time is just as fantastic as the ‘Barbarism Begins At Home’ which stands at six minutes and forty-eight seconds.

‘That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore’ is a slower song and contains such lyrics like “But that joke isn’t funny anymore. It’s too close to home and it’s too near the bone.” ‘Nowhere Fast’ and ‘Well I Wonder’ are two more fantastic Smiths songs and the closing song ‘Meat Is Murder’ is a fairly hard listening closer but at the same time a very daring and incredible ending track.

‘Meat Is Murder’ to me is the most perfect record I’ve ever listened to and it is an album that I know I’ll always love.

The Kills - Midnight Boom

Released back in March of this year this review is over five months late, but better late than never is definitely the motto to have. The Kills are one of those bands that other bands seem to love and a band who are often trying to innovate and progress their sound. That is something that you have to admire when there are so many run of the mill bands out there at the moment. You have to respect any band that try and be different in a world where every band appears to be the same.

‘Midnight Boom’ to me was not an album that instantly clicked with my ears but after giving it some time it definitely has grown on me a lot. The fact that The Kills only consist of two people makes their sound interest me and impress me so much. The album at times is very old school rock and roll and at times is extremely innovative and intriguing. Alison Mosshart’s voice at times reminds me very much of Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs which is no bad thing.

The Kills are definitely doing great things for two pieces when you consider a two piece by the name of The Tings Tings are ruining the image of a boy/girl band should be about. Thank fuck that The Kills are nothing like the previously mentioned two piece.

Opening track ‘U.R.A. Fever’ kicks the album off to a pretty spectacular beginning and makes you want more tracks like it. Thankfully the album is full of songs as good, if not better than the opening song. ‘Getting Down’ is a great example of how two very different vocals on one song can work beautifully well if it’s done right.

‘Cheap and Cheerful’ and ‘Tape Song’ are two fantastic songs that really give the first half of the album a very strong start. ‘Last Day of Magic’ is and remains my favourite song from the record, Alison’s vocals sounding very strong and Jamie providing some great backing vocals as well.

Other songs such as ‘Hook and Line’, ‘Black Balloon’ and closing track ‘Goodnight Bad Morning’ makes this album a strong album from start to finish.

8/10

Label Focus: Rough Trade

Rough Trade is one of England’s most famous and oldest labels and it’s still going strong now and has some great record shops around London which put on some great in stores now and again. The label was founded in 1978 and is co-owned by original founder Geoff Travis and now Jeanette Lee (Public Image Ltd).

Rough Trade boasts some of the greatest bands and artists of the past thirty years including my favourite band of all time The Smiths. Other influential artists who’ve graced the Rough Trade label include Aztec Camera, The Fall, Delta 5, Galaxie 500, Television Personalities, Young Marble Giants and more.

Bands from the past ten years of rock, alternative and indie music include such artists like the heavily influential British band The Libertines and as influential New York band The Strokes. Arcade Fire are yet another important band from the past ten years that happen to be on Rough Trade too.

Other famous names include Jarvis Cocker, Belle & Sebastian, The Decemberists, Adam Green, The Long Blondes and many, many more. Rough Trade are one of the best labels of all time that include some of the most legendary artists of all time. Not many labels can say that!

Single: Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today

Port O’Brien are a five piece from Oakland in California and their latest single from the album ‘All We Could Do Is Sing’ is one of the most catchy and toe tapping singles of the summer. Three minutes and twenty-one seconds is pure toe tapping goodness from the Californians.

‘I Woke Up Today’ is extremely infectious from the start, middle and right the way through to the end. The song starts with some simple “Ohhhh's” that you cannot help singing along to and then “I woke up today in a very simple way” which immediately sticks in your head for whatever reason.

The lyrics are fairly simple but at the same time they are fun and feel very summery (despite our summer being an absolute wash out and it not feeling like summer one little bit). This song is bound to be a big hit for the band because you just can’t help humming, singing and nodding along to it.

8/10

Single: Golden Silvers – Arrows Of Eros

Golden Silvers are an new band, to me anyway. They remind me of a mix between Mystery Jets (new album ‘Twenty One’ sound) and a slice of Larrikin Love. Imagine that sound for a second and then think toe tapping, catchy and poppy and then you have the sound of Golden Silvers. A pretty spectacular mixture I’d suggest.

‘Arrows Of Eros’ is pretty much doing the rounds on many radio stations, however BBC Introducing was where I keep hearing it. Huw Stephens is to thank for me hearing it, good job Huw.

“There was a girl who lived in London town. The scenes and sounds, they would only bring her down” is the lyric which stands out for me. I know for sure if this song was the sound she heard living in London town it definitely wouldn’t bring her down. It would most certainly get her up on her feet and get her dancing, for sure.

‘Arrows Of Eros’ is the perfect pop debut single by Golden Silvers, the song is out via Young & Lost Club and you should buy it (here).

8/10

Golden Silvers – Arrows Of Eros

Single: Magistrates - Make This Work

Magistrates are a band, from Essex. I’ve been to Essex and have family there and there is no way a band from Essex should sound like Magistrates. Magistrates sound very much like they are from across the pond; their style fits in well with a lot of the American bands having success in this country at the moment. If you click here then you can download the single from the website for absolutely nothing, pretty swish eh?

Lead singer Paul Usher has an extremely unique voice; listening to his voice you would never ever think that he was from Essex. I know how people from Essex sound (when singing) and they certainly do not sound like Paul Usher. ‘Make This Work’ is sleek and stylish and has a real groove to it; you can bet it’s going to be a dance floor hit for Magistrates.

Signed to XL Recordings Magistrates appear to have a very bright future ahead of them, especially if they can continue writing songs like ‘Make This Work’.

8/10

Label Focus: Wichita

Wichita Recordings are a label based in London and have a great roster of artists many of them being some of my favourite bands.

Wichita do not get as much recognition as many labels despite them being a very good label that has a reputation to allow their artists to have complete control over their music. Which is of course fantastic and very rare with virtually all major labels so it’s refreshing to hear about a label that allows the artist the control over releases, recordings and so forth.

Two of my favourite artists on the Wichita label are Les Savy Fav and Los Campesinos. Los Campesinos released their debut album ‘Hold On Now, Youngster’ on Wichita earlier this year and Les Savy Fav’s fantastic album ‘Lets Stay Friends’ at the end of the last year.

Bloc Party are another extremely successful artist on the Wichita label and one of my favourite bands of the last few years. The Cribs are another band that Wichita can boast to have on its roster and with The Cribs they’ve always allowed them to be themselves. Both artists mentioned have released successful albums with The Cribs having three on Wichita and Bloc Party’s third album out fairly soon will be out on Wichita.

Wichita has some extremely talented musicians from across the pond as well with the likes of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bright Eyes, The Dodos and Giant Drag all apart of the Wichita family. Other artists worth mentioning on the label include Simian Mobile Disco, Those Dancing Days and Swedish trio Peter Bjorn and John. Overall Wichita remain one of the consistent labels in the country and you can imagine they’ll continue being just as consistent.

Label Focus: Moshi Moshi

Moshi Moshi Records are a small independent label based in London; the name means Hello in Japanese and is also a B-side by the American band Brand New. Moshi Moshi over the years have released some very important singles from some of the biggest names in British indie music. Over the years Moshi Moshi have released a couple of their own fantastic compilation albums.

In 2006 Moshi Moshi released the compilation ‘Can You Hear Me Clearly’ which includes songs by bands such as Hot Chip, Bloc Party, The Rakes, The Grates, Yeti and more. More recent compilation album ‘Moshi Moshi Singles Compilation Volume 1’ which includes bands like Late of the Pier, The Wave Pictures, Kate Nash, Danananaykroyd, Friendly Fires, Slow Club and more.

Moshi Moshi is most famous for their single releases but more recently have released some full length albums. Hot Club De Paris fantastic debut album ‘Drop It ‘Til It Pops’ was released on the label and their new released ‘Live At Dead Lake’ is also available on the same label. Quite excellent Tilly And The Wall brought out one of my favourites of 2006 with ‘Bottoms of Barrel’s’ on Moshi Moshi too.

More recently The Mae Shi released ‘Hlllyh’ on Moshi Moshi and it remains my favourite Moshi Moshi release to date. Alongside the quintessential English band The Wave Pictures LP ‘Instant Coffee Baby’ which is really growing on me this year. Moshi Moshi continue to release some fantastic singles and some even more fantastic albums. Keep up the good work Moshi Moshi!

Do The Splits

Eight months into 2008 and there already have been several casualties with bands, some good bands but mainly bad ones. August saw the announcement that Nashville rockers Be Your Own Pet announced they are splitting up. From all the splits this year the Be Your Own Pet split certainly saddens me the most because on record and live they were one of the best new and young bands around. Live they have so much energy and the self titled album is a great debut album and despite some criticism I really enjoyed the follow up ‘Get Awkward’.

Wolfmother have just announced they will no longer be recording music together and the members will go their separate ways. I am pretty sure we will see that big afro of Andrew Stockdale back one day but just not with Wolftmother. I can’t say I am that disappointed about this split because Wolfmother were not a band I really had much excitement about.

Earlier on in the year Mumm-Ra announced that after several years of constant recording and touring they would split up. Like the Wolfmother split I wasn’t terribly upset about this despite them having a couple of good songs. Northampton band The Departure announced they would no longer be recording as The Departure. This was something I was expecting for some while although their debut album ‘Dirty Words’ was a pretty good album you could never see the band lasting very long in the industry. The Dead 60s were another band to announce their split this year which was something that like The Departure did not surprise me. The first album was very listenable with some really good songs but the second album was absolutely terrible.

The final band to mention is Big Scary Monsters band Meet Me In St. Louis who I always really liked. Sadly I never got to see them live which was where I’m informed they were at their best. I am sure the members of Meet Me In St. Louis will be back in other forms however their legacy as one of the best post-hardcore bands from this country.

Single: Bombay Bicycle Club - Evening/Morning

I’ve followed Bombay Bicycle Club for a long time (I mean a long time) I have practically grown up with them. I saw them almost two years ago opening up the second stage at Chelmsford V Festival after they won the Road to V competition. Since then they’ve gone on to release a couple of really good EP’s but nothing that has impressed me greatly.

Until now I’ve had the new single ‘Evening/Morning’ on repeat for some time and I think it is the best song that the four piece have put together so far. If an album is coming out soon and sounds anything like this song then I can see it being a very, very, very good album.

At times the music sounds very much like something Kings of Leon would’ve come up with (first two album eras). Lead singer Jack Steadman has a very unique and obscure voice that I could imagine some people not liking however that is something I’ve always found so appealing and interesting about the band. ‘Evening/Morning’ is released via the superb Young & Lost Club and you should definitely be buying it with your pocket money this week (buy it here). “I’m ready to owe you anything” Jack sings, but trust me BBC with this song you owe us nothing!

9/10

Bombay Bicycle Club – Evening/Morning

Label Focus: XL Recordings

XL is one of my favourite labels, if not my favourite label. The label was set up by Tim Palmer, Nick Halkes and Richard Russell and was originally a label set up to release dance records. However the label has transformed since then and releases a wide range of different musicians.

XL definitely boasts one of the most eclectic ranges of music around at the moment. With the likes of solo artists Adele released her debut album ‘21’ on XL to other solo artists Dizzee Rascal and M.I.A. all releasing critically acclaimed albums on the XL label.

What is so great about XL is how they’ll sign lots of new talent and are constantly signing the freshest talent in the music scene. Most recently they signed hotly tipped St. Alban boys Friendly Fires who release their self titled debut album very shortly. Other debut albums to be released by XL this year include Cajun Dance Party’s ‘The Colourful Life’. Vampire Weekend dropped their self titled debut album in January and the album is one of the best on XL for some years.

Along with some great new bands XL has a range of more commercially known bands such as The White Stripes, Beck, The Raconteurs, Sigur Ros, The Prodigy and of course one of the best British bands of all time, Radiohead.

The talent doesn’t stop there when you consider the likes of Jack Penate, Be Your Own Pet, Tapes ‘n Tapes, The Teenagers and To My Boy have all used the XL label to release very successful albums. The Horrors have just recently announced that their new album will be out on XL Recordings too and future albums from new bands such as Magistrates and Kid Harpoon are expected too.

XL also assist in the development of other small labels such as Young Turks, Merok and Abeano who are all trying to bring fresh sounds to our ears all the time. To say XL Recordings is one of the most respected if not the most respected label in the country would be no understatement.

Introducing: Boy Crisis

Like my previous post Boy Crisis come from across the infamous pond however there is pretty much where the comparison stops with the previous band Amazing Baby. Oh, well they both come from New York but who doesn’t nowadays? Oh yeah and they (like Amazing Baby) appear in MGMT’s top friends on MySpace, lucky devils.

Totally different sounding to both the mentioned bands Boy Crisis delve more into an electronic. This 5 piece from New York are definitely going to be going places in the next year or so, you can just tell. ‘Dressed to Digress’ just happens to be my favourite song at the moment, the beats are pretty fucking hefty. “Let me love you like you’re the shit girl, you’re the shit girl” is not as bad as it sounds, it’s definitely a positive thing. 'Dressed to Digress' is 3 minutes and 10 seconds of pure pop heaven.

Having played a few shows with MGMT I imagine this band will be getting plenty of attention from music fans everywhere, it won’t be too long till’ the band are playing on these shores. Until then enjoy this beautiful piece of music…

Boy Crisis – Dressed to Digress

Introducing: Amazing Baby

This week’s NME focuses on top 25 bands from across the pond, I’ve not read the article or seen the list but Amazing Baby are a brand spanking new band from across those waters. From Brooklyn, New York Amazing Baby are so far an unknown quantity for most people I imagine. I don’t know a great deal about the band, y’know the vital statistics of the band like how many members, names and all that stuff.

However I do know that they’ve only played a few gigs in their short career thus far but they are getting plenty of attention from plenty of places. Today I discovered their website where you can download a 4 track EP titled ‘Infinite Fucking Cross’ for absolutely sod all. Pretty cool eh?

Amazing Baby sound very psychedelic at times especially on ‘Supreme Being’ which is one of the songs featured on that free EP. My favourite song so far is definitely ‘Head Dress’ which once again dips into the psychedelic bucket for its inspiration. I do believe the band is friends with MGMT and has already played a few shows with them. So expect NME to liken them to MGMT and tar them with the same brush as any band that comes out of New York at the moment. For the record I don’t think Amazing Baby sound much if anything like current New York successes Vampire Weekend or MGMT.

To download ‘Infinite Fucking Cross’ click right here.

Label Focus: Domino

Domino was formed in 1993 by Laurence Bell and Jacqui Bell and mainly brings out alternative music. Domino’s roster is one that any label would be extremely jealous, Domino Records UK has new artists such as These New Puritans, Wild Beasts, Lightspeed Champion and The Last Shadow Puppets.

Across the pond Domino USA boasts such talent as Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, The Notwist, Caribou and Yo Majesty. However more house hold names on the label include Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Sons and Daughters and The Kills.

Arctic Monkeys and Franz Ferdinand are arguably the two most successful bands on the label. Franz Ferdinand’s second album ‘You Could Have It So Much Better’ reached number one on the album charts and so did both Arctic Monkeys records. The Sheffield foursome have also provided two number one hits for their label (‘When The Sun Goes Down’ and of course debut single ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’).

Along with some commercially successful bands Domino has on his roster some older bands not to be ignored including Scottish twee indie legends Orange Juice along with fellow Scottish bands The Pastels and Josef K. Welsh outfit Young Marble Giants and the English band formed in the late 70’s The Television Personalities are also on Domino’s impressive catalogue.

One of my favourite artists on the label is influential American alternative band Pavement who although did not bring much success commercially for Domino have obviously influenced several bands throughout the years. There is no denying that Domino are one of the best labels around at the moment and they continue to sign new, fresh and talented artists.

Frigthened Rabbit - The Midnight Organ Fight

Frightened Rabbit’s second album ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ is an album I over looked when it was released but so far this month I’ve been playing it a lot. The Scottish trio released the 14 track record back in April and have since released a couple of singles from it. Critically it has gone done extremely well with Pitchfork and NME both giving it 8/10 and Drowned in Sound giving it a 9/10.

The album is packed full with emotion that is something I notice the more and more I listen to it. You can really hear the pain that is going into some of the lyrics and through the vocals of lead singer Scott Hutchinson you feel his pain. Hutchinson has an amazing voice, it is very raw and his strong Scottish accent also adds to his vocals.

I’d not previously heard anything by Frightened Rabbit so when I first listened to the album I was pretty impressed. Opening song ‘The Modern Leper’ is as raw a song as I’ve heard so far this year and the pain continues with songs like ‘Feel Better’ and ‘Good Arms vs Bad Arms’.

Last single ‘Fast Blood’ is a powerful track and rolls on through the emotion and pain of the lyrics. ‘Old Old Fashioned’ is yet another great 3 minutes 43 seconds of pure bliss. We get an insight into Scott Hutchinson’s relationship in the lyric “I’ll turn off the TV, its killing us, we never speak”.

‘Heads Roll Off’ contains one of my favourite lyrics from the album: “Jesus is just a Spanish boy’s name. How come one man got so much fame?” a dig at religion possibly? Either way, I agree. ‘Heads Roll Off’ is fast becoming one of my favourite songs from 2008.

The album is full of other intense songs like next song ‘My Backwards Walk’ and another favourite from my album ‘Keep Yourself Warm’ which deals pretty heavily with relationships including this lyric: “It takes more than fucking someone to keep yourself warm”.

This album has come to me as quite a surprise but I won’t be surprised if it appears in many top 10 of the year lists.

8.5/10

Wild Beasts - Limbo, Panto

I saw Wild Beasts once and to say I wasn’t impressed is quite an understatement, quite a time later I find myself listening to Wild Beasts. I wasn’t going to even listen to ‘Limbo, Panto’ because of my experience with them that I had before. However every one deserves a second chance right? I mean when I saw them live it could’ve been one of the worse days of their lives. Everything could’ve been going wrong that day so a second chance was definitely deserved.

Thankfully I did give the band a second chance because ‘Limbo, Panto’ is a pretty special record in today’s climate of bands. There are far too many bands like One Night Only, the Pigeon Detectives, The Metros etc etc etc. Not enough bands like Wild Beasts who are definitely not like the current crop of crap that is out there.

Even if you don’t like Wild Beasts you have to appreciate that they sound much different to a lot of stuff at the moment. For that I tip my hat off to them, it would be so easy for a band to be middle of the road much like the bands mentioned. Wild Beasts are certainly not middle of the road, I can’t quite believe that they are from Leeds. You would never know (this being a good thing) and at times you would mistake them for being from across the pond.

At times they sound like Editors circa the first album and at other times I can hear Arcade Fire but most of the time I just hear Wild Beasts. Newest single ‘The Devil’s Crayon’ was the song which made me listen to the album, after seeing it on MTV2 I decided it was definitely time for a listen to the album. However the newest single isn’t the only great song on ‘Limbo, Panto’ bizarrely named ‘Woeboegone Wanderers’ sounds like an obscure Sunday league football team, either way the song is pretty epic.

‘The Old Dog’ is yet another fine moment on the record and believe me there are many: ‘Vigil For A Fuddy Duddy’, ‘The Club of Fathomless Love’ and ‘Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants’ for example. What I will say about ‘Limbo, Panto’ is that I have to be in the right mood to listen to it but when I am in that mood ‘Limbo, Panto’ is a stunning album. When I’m not I have to turn it off and listen to something else.

7.5/10

Metronomy - Nights Out

I’m not really sure what to make of this album, I like a bit of electronic as much as the next person y’know but sometimes I find it hard listening to songs with no lyrics. Especially songs which are almost 4 minutes with no words (like ‘End Of You Too’ on this album). Having said for Metronomy the album would not work without those songs sandwiched in between other songs.

‘Radio Ladio’ is the first single to crop up as you listen to ‘Nights Out’ and to me it still remains the best single by Metronomy to date. When you heard it you knew immediately it was going to be a great hit for the band and since then I’ve heard it countless amounts of times in indie clubs and it always goes down extremely well. Rightfully so as well because it’s a really infectious single and you can’t help singing “R-A-D-I-OOOOOOOOOO. L-A-D-I-OOOOOOOOOO.”

‘My Heart Rate Rapid’ which was released as a single back in April and despite not being as big as the previous single is definitely as good as the previous song. When I first listened to it I was hooked immediately to some of the really toe tapping moments to the song.

‘Heartbreaker’ is going to be the next single and it is so far my favourite song on the record. Softer vocals and quieter music makes this song definitely an excellent moment on this record. “I heard she broke your heart, that girl’s a heartbreaker” sings lead singer Joseph. I’m getting the feeling Joe’s had his heart broken, poor guy.

‘On The Motorway’ is the shortest track on the album at 2 minutes 37 seconds but what it lacks in length it makes up for in quality. This song oozes cool, it feels like a typical Metronomy song. Current single ‘Holiday’ still is yet to grow on me but I have the feeling it could easily do so because there are some terrific moments in the song. You can’t help loving the vocals on this song, slowed down at times and really squeaky high at other times, such an interesting but at the same time fantastic combination. ‘Back On The Motorway’ and ‘On Dancefloors’ end the album on a high point for me.

Overall ‘Nights Out’ is a superb album and there are definitely more good spots than bad times, this is a record that would be perfect at a party.

7.5/10

Noah and The Whale - Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down

When I first heard Noah and the Whale at the tail end of last year I was pretty hooked on the sound that they had. I really liked the folk sound that they possessed and I was really interested in lead singer Charlie’s vocals. Firstly I heard ‘5 Years Time’ which is quite easily one of the best summer songs I’m to hear from a new band. I always worried that ‘5 Years Time’ would be their peak, the one song which you listen to and nothing else. With this album I thought maybe you’d listen through and really only consider that song as the standout track.

I was wrong ‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ has some really beautiful moments on it and with the album the band have proved that they are not just a one hit band. Noah and the Whale are going to be one of those bands that on record I thoroughly enjoy listening to but live I just don’t think it’s the same. I’ve seen them live and unfortunately I found them quite boring, however on record they are very, very good.

The suns out and you are lying with your eyes closed with headphones on and songs like ‘Shape Of My Heart’ are perfect. They make you feel giddy inside and feel you up with a great sense of warmth. ‘Jocasta’ is yet another song which I really love listening to when the sun is beaming on my window and I’m looking out with this song in the background.

‘2 Atoms In A Molecule’ is the opening track of the album and really starts the album off very well. At 2 minutes 4 seconds it is the perfect Noah and the Whale song; clever and at the same time sweet lyrics. Further into the album ‘Rocks And Daggers’ is a really great song to follow, “I’m thankful for the love these rocks have always given” Noah and the Whale are big fan of rocks and I am too, especially those smooth little ones you can skim on the water. In fact this song reminds me of being on a beach in England skimming those very stones across the water.

‘Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down’ is a good start for Noah and the Whale. There is some strong songs on the album and find me someone who doesn’t like ‘5 Years Time’, ‘Rocks and Daggers’ and Jocasta’ and I’ll call them a liar. Despite this there are some weaker moments to the album which is why it won’t appear on my top albums of the year list and probably not many others.

7/10

Late of the Pier - Fantasy Black Channel

I’ve been following the progress of Late of the Pier for some time, after getting extremely excited about the ‘Zarcorp’ demos that were doing the rounds some time ago. Summer 2008 sees Late of the Pier release their debut album produced by the man everybody wants to work with; Erol Alkan. When I first heard Late of the Pier I thought they’d maybe be one of those bands that have a couple of really good singles and then make a rushed poor album. Thankfully I was very, very wrong because they have plenty of impressive singles along with other just as impressive songs on ‘Fantasy Black Channel’.

‘Hot Tent Blues’ is the perfect Late of the Pier intro into this album and moves smoothly into ‘Broken’. Which is just as good as I remember the demo being, if not better. Sometimes it’s hard for a band to re-record a song and get the same energy as the demos but ‘Broken’ is definitely an example of a song re-recorded perfectly.

Singles ‘Space And The Woods’ and ‘The Bears Are Coming’ appear next on the album and they are as good as I remember them. “Suicide is in my blood, it always was” sings lead singer Samuel Eastgate on ‘Space And The Woods’ which was the bands previous single. ‘The Bears Are Coming’ sums up the Late of the Pier sound, which is pretty unique combining many styles and providing pretty odd lyrics.

New single ‘Heartbeat’ formally known as: ‘A Heartbeat. A Flicker. A Line’ and has now got a very 80’s sounding intro to it (thanks to Erol Alkan me thinks). However it still has that Late of the Pier sound and some really intriguing lyrics; “pineapple pieces in brine, fucking around with your mind” immediately come to mind.

One of my favourite songs from the demos was always ‘Random Firl’ and now with added lyrics it is 2 minutes 14 seconds of electronic heaven. The end of the album ends just as strongly as the beginning of the album with songs such as ‘Bathroom Gurgle’, ‘Focker’, ‘VW’ and ‘Whitesnake’ all as good as the already mentioned songs.

Overall ‘Fantasy Black Channel’ has many, many high points and no low points. This is the record you stick on when you want to step away from reality, thumbs up Late of the Pier.

8.5/10