Smith Westerns

Amazing to think they are my age! Not a surprise that they have already supported Arctic Monkeys and Florence... They really look like a band with a future ahead of them... Having said that, how many bands have had that and they disappeared into the abyss over the years.. *cough* Viva Brother *cough*. Incidentally,Viva Brother have split up this week! The 'saviors of music' have gone! To clear the record, I didn't like Viva Brother at all but I thought a couple of their songs were reasonable even if lyrically on the same level as..well, no one really. The lyrics were really that bad...

But the Smith Westerns are certainly exciting and 'Dye it Blonde' is a good album. If they were British, NME would be having a musical orgasm over them but because of their American roots, they gently praised them. I expect to see them rise given a few years. Here's their best song:

I also recommend: Howler - ' America Give Up' and Beach Fossils - Beach Fossils

Youth Lagoon & Real Estate

Stumbled across a very relaxing artist called 'Youth Lagoon' who's debut 'Year of Hibernation' was voted the best debut album by pitchfork last year I believe. The album is a very soothing, chilled out, indie pop piece which reminds me of a stripped back Bombay BC. Still discovering the whole album by my favourite so far is probably this track: 

Recently got into 'Real Estate'. Again, chilled out, easy to listen to, surfish rock. Starting to prefer music which doesn't perhaps try as hard and is tuneful but watered down so to speak. Or maybe its just that today is the hottest day of the year so far and the sun is out?? Probably...

Anywhere here is my favourite track from their latest album 'Days':

I'm Back!

Firstly, apologies to my millions of fans and readers who have been eagerly awaiting a new blog. I've been busy (Or lazy) and haven't done one in a while... A lot has happened in the world of music since then!


The Biggest event being watching Noel Gallagher at the O2 arena in London. This was such a good gig. Having not seen Oasis, I was really excited to see Noel perform. He didn't disappoint. His solo album works beautifully live, with every instrument, voice and sound being re-created brilliantly. For me the choir really added to the atmosphere and were a fantastic inclusion. 


What amazed me the most was how calm and relaxed the man is. He looked like he was in his front room performing, rather than in front of thousands of people. He really is a master of what he does. It looked like Noel was enjoying himself, doing exactly what he wanted without his brother there to control matters. Only a good thing!


Slightly before this gig, I attended a local one. The NME Tour at the O2 Academy in luxurious Boscombe. I went mainly because Tribes were playing ( as well as getting in for free ). Tribes were by far the best act of the night. They weren't on for long which was a shame but they sounded great. They added something to their songs rather than just stand and play (take note Arctic Monkeys). Two Door Cinema Club were exactly what they are... predictable and very forgettable. They must have played the same song twice?! Metronomy were interesting... This big album tracks went down a storm but the lesser and unknown tracks left me yawning. Finally, Azelia Banks....Lets move on.


Now to a horrible discovery. The Horrors who I have become increasingly fond of recently do appear to have ripped of 1980's Simple minds. I thought it was rubbish to begin with before I heard ' Factory' by SM then 'New Ice Age' by The Horrors. Very Similar choruses. Or maybe it's just me. A lot of the synth and keyboard sounds are also very similar. Having said that, I'm not totally convinced. 


In terms of new music, it hasn't been particularly great...Bruce Sringsteen's album being the pick of the bunch. Standard album from him for me. Has it's great moments, some not so great but still average. 


Next the Reading line up... Not great for me... I don't like the Foo Fighters whatsoever and my love for Kasabian has severely dried up (although they will be good). The Cure would be good but that's not enough to convince me... I don't want to go Reading anyway after Glastonbury... don't think it could compete...Also, if someone went to a few festivals last year and was planning on going to Reading this year.. I wouldn't bother! All last years bands re-gurgitated into one festival! I do think the organisers have let down a huge part of their audience too. Typically one day of the festival was 'alternative' and featured mainly metal bands or alternative rock bands. It seems the line up these days is far more broad...Not good for loyal go-ers and fans.


Coming soon: I will review The Downward Spiral - Nine Inch Nails ( I promised a friend) I say Friend, he is infact one of two people who read this.

Whitney Houston, Best Coast and Other Stuff...

Heard an array of new stuff in the last week or two, some being good, some just plain irritating but also some that define mediocracy. 


One thing is for sure, If I hear another Whitney Houston song, I'm going to implode. Sure, she was amazing but there's something irritating about celebrating a deceased person's work so heavily, and quite frankly, cashing in on it. I heard itunes UK raised the price of her best of collection by £3 over night following the news of her death. A beautiful sentiment itunes, well done....


Band of Skulls' new album ( I haven't heard their debut) is probably the most average thing I've heard in a while. If 6/10 is average, then thats exactly what it is. A classic 'singles' album, with the singles being positive, but the rest of the album proving to be a let down. A Shame...


Finally listened to Best Coast's 'Crazy for you' this week. Described as 'surf pop', it couldn't really be more spot on. It's soothing, relaxed feel is very prominent in it's beach-like feel. It's short and snappy style is quite rare but does throw up the odd song sounding almost identical to the last. I still like it though, even if it isn't something I would listen to regularly. 


Brit Awards 2012 tommorow and it seems as every year goes by, they mean less and less. I'm sure the very unbiased NME awards and the perfectly judged Q awards shall readdress the balance... Or not.... No Q, two door cinema club aren't the best band on the planet.


Finally, Gotye... Fuck off.

New Music

Everyone has a band or a collection of bands they first love when the get into music and rock music in particular... It tends to be the popular bands of the time and what is widely considered "cool". For example, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers were two of the coolest bands around when I first got into music of this genre.


For years they get played, over and over and over, still regarding them as one of your favourites despite new bands coming and going and discovering old bands. Around a year ago however, I got very bored indeed. I've found the bands you've loved for years start to fade away slightly. Take Muse. At one point I was near on obsessed but these days If I were to put on 'Black holes and revelations', It wouldn't have the same kick as it perhaps once gave...


For me, discovering new music is far more rewarding now. Also, some bands never get boring. I can't see myself getting bored to Radiohead or the first two Strokes albums for example. These are the bands you should consider your favourites. Like anything, if it stands the test of time (albeit a few years) it must strike a chord (puntastic). 


I guess I have found out that if you actively search for new music, you will find good stuff. Not only that but you're music taste may even branch out... Having the time to try an album you haven't heard but you could potentially like or even dislike, is better than playing the same old stuff on repeat. We all have favourites, but discovering something new that you love is a better way of going about things.


With this in mind I recommend:


War on Drugs - Slave Ambient
Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for my Halo
Horrors - Primary Colours


I am aware these albums aren't particularly new, but newly discovered! 


p.s I will not say 'puntastic' ever again.

Pulled apart by horses...

Are pulled apart by horses worse than Hadouken? I didn't think it was possible for a group of "musicians" to stoop that low; but I was most certainly wrong...


What an abundance of incompetent, nauseating shite.

Black Keys with Band of Skulls support.

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