tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17374661309887796102024-03-20T03:46:36.374+00:00Gonna Teach You TricksBlowing mongrel minds since 2008Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-42394689881993951852010-09-12T14:30:00.004+01:002010-09-12T14:45:59.728+01:00Song Crush #1So I'm well aware that I have become increasingly lax at posting over the past, well, year really. So I thought I'd shake things up a bit.<br /><br />You know when you can't get a song out of your head for like 2-3 days, when no matter what you do you it just bounces round and round? Sometimes it's not even a whole song, just a fragment or a lyric. I think of these as song crushes. Sometimes it blossoms into something more, a deep relationship with an artist or album or producer. Sometimes you look back a few months later and can't remember why the hell you ever loved that one song SO MUCH. It doesn't have to be the newest or freshest track - sometimes it's an oldie but goldie that suddenly just feels right.<br /><br />Robyn - <span style="font-style: italic;">With Every Heartbeat</span><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3vfLvZCdT9g?fs=1&hl=en_GB"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3vfLvZCdT9g?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I loved <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.robyn.com/">Robyn</a>'s last album, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Talk-Pt-1-Explicit/dp/B003JV4JCW/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1284298693&sr=301-1">Body Talk Pt. 1</a>, and can't wait for her <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/sep/03/robyn-body-talk-exclusive-stream">next installments</a> later this year. But I'd forgotten how incredible her break through single, <span style="font-style: italic;">With Every Heartbeat</span>, produced by <a href="http://kleerup.net/">Kleerup</a>, was. In many ways it's the prequel to the epic <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcNo07Xp8aQ&ob=av2e">Dancing on My Own</a></span> - it has the same bittersweet, love-lorn feel to it. The way the pulsating beat comes in as the lyrics shift from optimistic to realistic - 'We could keep trying/But things will never change' - my heart just breaks.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-60630862409252842292010-07-08T21:35:00.005+01:002010-07-09T16:21:19.231+01:00Oh those Summer Nights...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyaqIzzmTUGDfCPNX2DAD5AQ1Fz46_A_08J252XJnohhKs3jQ6ZCSOarLG7NAjo2pEJBWUy5BTkPGA4kUrdKCu0Rpg4zP1oaWEDsU5WYVdU_AW2FYcGKrbo0KvEqKuUiy1sz9iMBbBQxT/s1600/London+at+night.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyaqIzzmTUGDfCPNX2DAD5AQ1Fz46_A_08J252XJnohhKs3jQ6ZCSOarLG7NAjo2pEJBWUy5BTkPGA4kUrdKCu0Rpg4zP1oaWEDsU5WYVdU_AW2FYcGKrbo0KvEqKuUiy1sz9iMBbBQxT/s400/London+at+night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491926779345145138" border="0" /></a><br />Here in London we have been blessed with a rather unusual summer - in that it's been hot, sunny and actually like a proper Summer. It's a bit of a given that certain songs sound better in the sun, but for me, hot sticky Summer nights also can add something special to songs. That late night, not a breath of air closeness that happens in the Summer requires a special kind of music - intense yet mellow, personal and heartfelt, it's music that is about desire and want that is not always entirely fulfilled. Here are a few of my choices.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gayngs.net/">Gayngs </a>- <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.jagjaguwar.com/onesheet.php?cat=JAG165">Faded High</a> [download left hand side of screen]<br />Bon Iver's Justin Vernon goes soulful R&B - who knew? 'I want your body on me...' definitely the hottest late night track around right now.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/candiepayne">Candie Payne</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p43BTEGpkL4">I Wish I Could Have Loved You More</a></span><br />This Liverpudlian singer captures a real 60s Dusty Springfield-esque vibe on this song. After touring with Mark Ronson she's somewhat vanished from view - a shame as the sparse, echoing feeling to this one really captures that late night feeling of panic and guilt.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.batforlashes.com/">Bat For Lashes</a> - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAPg29FDOws">What's A Girl To Do?</a><br />Natasha Khan combines a 'Be My Baby' style beat with creepy piano and almost whispered lyrics to create a truly eerie late night paean to desperation. Helped of course by a weird as video featuring BMXing bears.<br /><a href="http://www.jimihendrix.com/uk/home"><br />The Jimi Hendrix Experience</a> - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.zshare.net/download/781154809b068b71/">Hey Joe</a><br />Stone cold classic.<br /><a href="http://www.deathcabforcutie.com/"><br />Death Cab For Cutie</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/7811587265e8ebad/"><span style="font-style: italic;">405 (Acoustic)</span></a><br />A bit more upbeat than some of the other tracks here, this ticks the wistful box instead.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.finkworld.co.uk/fink/">Fink </a>- <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPCeA5Vl29k">This Is the Thing</a><br />Probably best known for being featured in a Mastercard advert a few years back, this is classic late night anxiety: 'And the things that keep us apart keep me alive/and the things that keep me alive keep me alone'<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rollingstones.com/">Rolling Stones</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/download/781165132a51842f/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tumbling Dice</span></a><br />Bluesy Rolling Stones should ONLY be played on hot summer's nights...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/worldwartour">Warpaint </a>- <a href="http://hypem.com/#/track/1151835/Warpaint+-+Billie+Holiday"><span style="font-style: italic;">Billie Holiday</span></a><br />Hailing from Los Angeles, I would imagine the ladies of Warpaint have experienced plenty of hot sticky nights - perhaps that's why their music is so perfect for night time. <span style="font-style: italic;">Billie Holliday</span> is a cross between a spelling bee and <a href="http://www.zshare.net/download/78116674391cf6f3/"><span style="font-style: italic;">My Guy</span></a> - but somehow its dreamy, Cat Power-esque vocals make it work.<br /><br />Sorry it's been so long. I'll try to post a bit more regularly!Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-88279526415594307382010-05-01T22:40:00.006+01:002010-05-02T19:06:47.412+01:00Don't need no good advice<span style="font-weight: bold;">'List Advice That You Follow From Song Lyrics' </span><br />- (idea courtesy of <a href="http://www.listography.com/static/books/start.html">Music Listography</a>/<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146882/"><span style="font-style: italic;">High Fidelity</span></a>)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5ca3hPShC29xklMIbEqRSnodlkKrmjYb4oPl44OudbNhlfL8OmQQHDu02ttFJUaFWLDst86G5yYxSzpTJLnmYzJ7RxeGaCIrVsqXRLlCBkr0EN-5T1gBNn1VcY6SSCH4dOD-jSr1d-KW/s1600/464777973_555b854226_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5ca3hPShC29xklMIbEqRSnodlkKrmjYb4oPl44OudbNhlfL8OmQQHDu02ttFJUaFWLDst86G5yYxSzpTJLnmYzJ7RxeGaCIrVsqXRLlCBkr0EN-5T1gBNn1VcY6SSCH4dOD-jSr1d-KW/s400/464777973_555b854226_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466731867288780402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Advice songs are tricky. You don't want to be preached at - who are these privileged rock stars telling us what to do? - but when you turn to music in moments of doubt, you look for something, for a sign of what to do with your life. Also, because of the essential nature of advice, they are very personal. One person's sage words of wisdom are another's crackpot philosophy. Here are mine, anyway.<br /><br />'If you always get up late, you'll never be on time'<br /><a href="http://www.brokensocialscene.ca/">Broken Social Scene</a> - <a href="http://hypem.com/#/track/882845"><span style="font-style: italic;">Swimmers</span></a><br /><br />'You must stick up for yourself son! Never mind what anybody else done.'<br /><a href="http://www.yeasayer.net/">Yeasayer </a>- <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.amblingalp.com/">Ambling Alp</a><br /></span><br />'We've got a lot to learn from each other, we have got to stick together'<br /><a href="http://www.rarariot.com/news.php">Ra Ra Riot</a> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaXLirWrG-8"><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, La</span></a><br /><br />'Sometimes there's gonna be days like this, sometimes there's gonna be rain like this, sometimes you're gonna feel pain like this, sometimes you gotta work hard for it'<br /><a href="http://www.amerie.net/">Amerie </a>- <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkFhB7PdP60"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gotta Work</span></a><br /><br />'Thou shalt not put musicians and recording artists on ridiculous pedestals no matter how great they are or were. The Beatles... were just a band.'<br /><a href="http://www.lesacvspip.co.uk/">Dans Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip</a> - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoN6XfyQsr4"><span style="font-style: italic;">Thou Shalt Always Kill</span></a><br /><br />'You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.<br /><a href="http://www.rollingstones.com/home.php">Rolling Stones</a> - <a href="http://hypem.com/#/track/491214/The+Rolling+Stones+-+You+Can+t+Always+Get+What+You+Want+Soulwax+remix+"><span style="font-style: italic;">You Can't Always Get What You Want</span></a><br /><br />(PS - Forget what I said before, I hate Glee for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbFKc3R9DA8">this</a>)<br /><br />{Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/locket479/464777973/">locket479 </a>on flickr - there's a great story behind it, check it out!}Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-49813261874654749752010-03-26T15:54:00.007+00:002010-03-26T18:55:43.030+00:00Dates for the diary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkRnpFuBA48pNH0maz0EAY5fqM-RAbMpQbCDoKYU-wtslcm6AQ0b4Yrum5sdidJEjAeqC6mzCjHvg7bwZr-7-l-1uTMaZQCk_aaJHRtmUxlaEXbvtzeQTaQWHh9DTn73hp7Ry58VkQJZ1/s1600/4414115066_9904be6da1_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkRnpFuBA48pNH0maz0EAY5fqM-RAbMpQbCDoKYU-wtslcm6AQ0b4Yrum5sdidJEjAeqC6mzCjHvg7bwZr-7-l-1uTMaZQCk_aaJHRtmUxlaEXbvtzeQTaQWHh9DTn73hp7Ry58VkQJZ1/s400/4414115066_9904be6da1_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453013179456603010" border="0" /></a><br />In the next month or so there are loads of new albums coming out by some awesome artists/bands - here are some of the most exciting ones.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.whoismgmt.com/">MGMT</a>'s sophomore album, the somewhat presumptuously titled, <span style="font-style: italic;">Congratulations</span> is officially out on April 13, but is currently available to stream on <a href="http://www.whoismgmt.com/">their website</a>. The duo announced prior to the release that not only would there be no singles from <span style="font-style: italic;">Congratulations</span>, but that it was considerably less commercial, veering towards the trippy, proggy side of their oeuvre, rather than the poppy stuff<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span> That's right, <span style="font-style: italic;">Oracular Spectacular </span> was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cAQlDf9Vs0">TOO POP kids</a>... To be fair, I don't think MGMT were ever the kind of band that expected to get as big as they did, so perhaps it's no surprise they've reacted against it - although on first listen <span style="font-style: italic;">Congratulations</span> doesn't seem quite as fiendishly uncommercial as I expected.<br /><br />I don't think <a href="http://gonnateachyoutricks.blogspot.com/2010/03/it-takes-ocean-not-to-break.html">I've really mentioned quite how excited I am</a> about <a href="http://americanmary.com/">The National</a>'s new album, <span style="font-style: italic;">High Violet... </span>It's out May 11th (10th in Europe!), and they've just released a preview of their new single, <span style="font-style: italic;">Bloodbuzz Ohio</span>, available to download from <a href="http://www.highviolet.com/">the album's website</a>.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4dhMIz3jvc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z4dhMIz3jvc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.jamielidell.com/">Jamie Lidell</a>, soul crooner/electronic maestro extraordinaire first came to my notice with his 2008 albun, <span style="font-style: italic;">Jim</span>, a collection of soulful tracks that marked something of a progression from his earlier electronic, experimental stuff. But, judging by new single <span style="font-style: italic;">The Ring</span> (video above), Lidell has merged the two, rather schizophrenic sides of his personality for his new album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Compass</span>. It's out May 18th on Warp records, and features a whole host of guest artists: Beck, Feist, Feist, Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor, Daniel Rossen, and Chris Bear, Gonzales, Pat Sansome from Wilco... yeah, I know. Incredible right?<br /><br /><a href="http://lcdsoundsystem.com/main/">LCD Soundsystem</a> release their third album on the same date (in the U.S. anyways - us Brits get a whole day earlier!) The as-yet-untitled L.P. is supposed to be the last from James Murphy, the DFA honcho, under the LCD Soundsystem banner, but hopefully there will be more awesomeness coming from him soon. I'm loving the new single/leak, <a href="http://pitchfork.com/news/38291-listen-lcd-soundsystem-drunk-girls/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Drunk Girls</span></a>, and I have every faith that the L.P. will be as good.<br /><br />{photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/babyben/4414115066/">babyben </a>on flickr}Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-17788620487836244512010-03-22T11:36:00.005+00:002010-03-22T12:15:30.459+00:00Ellie Goul-ding is Explo-ding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5viUtA4DUu1K-1KqogFaTtTapIGp70TKII8XmrZzRZ9Ck9YRnemCxQ248opcD9AhQuZMcBNvTkMxG6GgYgy91LUx82osbzayXr-fnzLGOlCnRY06ju9zxFHKcyZ11eJChaY1q5RYfb9i/s1600-h/ellie-goulding-001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5viUtA4DUu1K-1KqogFaTtTapIGp70TKII8XmrZzRZ9Ck9YRnemCxQ248opcD9AhQuZMcBNvTkMxG6GgYgy91LUx82osbzayXr-fnzLGOlCnRY06ju9zxFHKcyZ11eJChaY1q5RYfb9i/s400/ellie-goulding-001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451426172720323218" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8554453.stm">Number One album</a>, Critics Choice Brit Award - it's all taking off for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/elliegoulding">Ellie Goulding</a>. Part of the <a href="http://neongoldrecords.com/">Neon Gold</a> alumni, along with <a href="http://www.myspace.com/passionpitjams">Passion Pit</a>, who is she currently supporting on their UK tour (and I saw her doing just that a couple of weeks ago), her meteoric rise to success has been pretty surprising. I'm coming to the conclusion, however, that while she's a great song-writer, the production isn't really there, in my opinion. I really didn't expect to think that, given that Fin Dow-Smith, better known as <a href="http://www.myspace.com/starsmithmusic">Starsmith</a>, has produced all but one of her tracks on the album, and people I really respect have been touting him for big things this year. Yet the slew of awesome remixes really make his stuff for her look light weight.<br /><br />First up is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jakwob">Jakwob</a>'s dubby remix of <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/740232878de36abb/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Starry-Eyed</span></a>, adding some dirty dub-bass into the mix. Then <a href="http://www.myspace.com/penguinprison">Penguin Prison</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theophiluslondon">Theophilius London</a> had a shot at <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/7402344649be2346/">Starry-Eyed</a>, </span>making it more up-tempo, adding a bit more punch to the chorus. Probably my favourite of the lot however is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/chiddybang">Chiddy Bang</a>'s take on <a href="http://hypem.com/#/track/1069002/Chiddy+Bang+-+Under+The+Sheets+Chiddy+Bang+Remix+"><span style="font-style: italic;">Under the Sheets</span></a>. The Philadelphia duo have done awesome remixes of MGMT's <a href="http://gonnateachyoutricks.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-once-was-kid.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kids</span></a>, which is currently floating around the UK chart as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McRgkE_vgjU"><span style="font-style: italic;">Opposite of Adults</span></a>, as well as Sufjan Stevens and a host of other indie-tastic tunes. Their Ellie Goulding remix adds a more traditional hip hop beat into the mix with some brilliantly witty lyrics over the top. So much fun!Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-89229855680093439802010-03-14T13:00:00.000+00:002010-03-14T13:00:04.444+00:00Let go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBg8BQCADDTohWWofBsWtqQUHKM5XfBQM9RCCuOINgnKj2MxLAJZQ0VFOYLzCZKS3VaiMq6BkU25cmpG0fgsT1mqqGypvccQQKcG-31ykNgZ29lYdWrDY1RpS5G24OpxDk4YBcGhIAQNJ/s1600-h/3835253259_dff03a3bf9_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBg8BQCADDTohWWofBsWtqQUHKM5XfBQM9RCCuOINgnKj2MxLAJZQ0VFOYLzCZKS3VaiMq6BkU25cmpG0fgsT1mqqGypvccQQKcG-31ykNgZ29lYdWrDY1RpS5G24OpxDk4YBcGhIAQNJ/s400/3835253259_dff03a3bf9_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448120696956560818" border="0" /></a><br />Perfect stuff for a lazy Sunday afternoon. All of these tracks really deserve their own posts, but this'll have to do for now.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.secretlycanadian.com/artist.php?name=jj">jj</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/7366047142a8cbc0/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let Go</span></a><br />Chilled out new single from mysterious Swedes.<br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8QkYK9nHBns&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8QkYK9nHBns&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://thexx.info/">The xx</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/73660629ff511e7c/"><span style="font-style: italic;">VCR </span></a>(<a href="http://www.matthewdear.com/">Matthew Dear</a> Remix)<br />More double letter band names here - Matthew Dear takes the sparse original song and fill it up with goodness<br /><br /><a href="http://grizzly-bear.net/">Grizzly Bear</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/736607716a48a4e3/">While You Wait For the Others</a> </span>feat. <a href="http://www.michaelmcdonald.com/">Michael McDonald</a><br />Yup - Michael McDonald of Steely Dan doing vocal duties for Grizzly Bear! Apparently they're friends of friends with his daughter.<br /><br /><a href="http://cults.bandcamp.com/">Cults</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/73660397c8e82dd7/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Go Outside</span></a><br />Spring is here - I can believe that when I listen to this track<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/beachhousemusic">Beach House</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/73660572a19a3fd2/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Norway</span></a><br />So chilled out it's practically horizontal, and the album, <span style="font-style: italic;">Teen Dream</span>, is awesome too.<br /><br />[Picture courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/personal-kaleidoscope/3835253259/">Personal Kaleidoscope</a> on flickr]Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-85088133820495661082010-03-13T15:48:00.003+00:002010-03-13T15:52:22.209+00:00It takes an ocean not to break<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b9bb264e0275aee/4b9961f618b61083/f1e77846/-cpid/98be3d435cb0d1fe" id="W4727a250e66f97234b9bb264e0275aee" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4b9bb264e0275aee/4b9961f618b61083/f1e77846/-cpid/98be3d435cb0d1fe"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></object><br /><br />Fever pitch levels of excitement!<br /><br />New album <a href="http://www.highviolet.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">High Violet</span></a> out May 10 in the UK/May 11 in the US.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-353290923587023522010-03-12T10:25:00.005+00:002010-03-12T11:28:40.921+00:00You tried to taste me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVrK4JguKpEwCqI91vfjh-VVhhqsvs0zgaGSG3ERIJs9EaGVwNmqYD9MdvLS5ZBJpsqGIyCHG6-_DfbhVPKFPbdnnrPuK_3xFfU_rVBVQZmjEix3UiWNHOfeXWuqvZe3dd6r4vD54wkAz/s1600-h/excuses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVrK4JguKpEwCqI91vfjh-VVhhqsvs0zgaGSG3ERIJs9EaGVwNmqYD9MdvLS5ZBJpsqGIyCHG6-_DfbhVPKFPbdnnrPuK_3xFfU_rVBVQZmjEix3UiWNHOfeXWuqvZe3dd6r4vD54wkAz/s400/excuses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447701971515219922" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.themorningbenders.com/default.html">The Morning Benders</a> are a four-piece from Berkeley, California (NOW you see why I like them!). Their first song I heard off the new album, <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/73614125f024a8fc/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Promises</span></a>, was produced by Chris Taylor from <a href="http://grizzly-bear.net/">Grizzly Bear</a>, and I think that's immediately obvious, the start of the song sounds so similar to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjecYugTbIQ"><span style="font-style: italic;">Two Weeks</span></a> by Grizzly Bear. But <span style="font-style: italic;">Two Weeks</span> was pretty much my favourite song of last year, so that's no bad thing. The second song, <span style="font-style: italic;">Excuses</span>, however, is a different kettle of fish. It's on a much bigger scale, with beautiful lush orchestration mixed with percussive drumming that sounds reminiscent of another Bay Area band, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedodos">The Dodos</a>.<br /><br />The Morning Benders have been around for a while though - about a year ago they released an album of covers called, rather delightfully and appropriately, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Bedroom Covers.</span> The choice of songs to cover is revealing - <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">He's a Rebel</span></span> by the Crystals, <span style="font-style: italic;">I Won't Share You</span>, by the Smiths, and, my favourite, <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/736137978778b0a8/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dreams</span></a>, by Fleetwood Mac. It literally does sound like the band singing in your bedroom.<br /><br />The Morning Benders's second album <span style="font-style: italic;">Big Echo</span> was released on Monday on Rough Trade - you can stream a few tracks from on it on <a href="http://www.themorningbenders.com/default.html">their website</a>, and download <span style="font-style: italic;">Excuses</span> for free from there too.<br /><br />Here's a video of the Morning Benders and a lot of other people playing <span style="font-style: italic;">Excuses</span> - spine-tinglingly good.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8322868&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=d05ae8&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8322868&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=d05ae8&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8322868"></a></p>Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-22538285280587182922010-03-04T08:43:00.004+00:002010-03-04T08:55:36.445+00:00My golden heart beats for you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvUOlaRIlEcSXUK-kmNkVGgoIp5QZ_ZCcTn1x7tEPdWziGVMhWa-8YGHbbJkV_0daJD13tpV0MLNZZ8kTeQ79-sEdfJIHCD9DuPUDaCZ2QW0WBvV1Ar5G4vMwvcEL7hOi2VzMbMf4CuGL/s1600-h/Golden+Heart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvUOlaRIlEcSXUK-kmNkVGgoIp5QZ_ZCcTn1x7tEPdWziGVMhWa-8YGHbbJkV_0daJD13tpV0MLNZZ8kTeQ79-sEdfJIHCD9DuPUDaCZ2QW0WBvV1Ar5G4vMwvcEL7hOi2VzMbMf4CuGL/s400/Golden+Heart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444697284765714002" border="0" /></a><br />You know when you literally, physically cannot get enough of a song? You'll play it on repeat and hear it echoing around and around your brain when you're not actually listening to it. It coming on the radio produces a sigh of joy or a whoop of excitement, followed by an immediate crank to the volume.<br /><br />My addiction at the moment is <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/732952840e0e0a43/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Paper Romance</span></a> by <a href="http://www.groovearmada.com/">Groove Armada</a>. It comes from their latest album <a href="http://www.emusic.com/album/Groove-Armada-Black-Light-MP3-Download/11774633.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Black Light</span></a>, which was released earlier this week. The album's meant to reflect a darker turn for the normally relentlessly upbeat dance band, and if <span style="font-style: italic;">Paper Romance</span> is anything to go by, it should be awesome. <span style="font-style: italic;">Paper Romance</span> combines dark synth stabs, an emoting chorus and a vaguely annoying bell sound like sounds just like my text alert. Its dirty and sexy and angry and joyful all at once.<br /><br />Having said that, the rate I'm listening to it at the moment means I'll probably be sick of it soon!<br /><br />The video's pretty sweet too:<br /><object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/74cQF2ebgOM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/74cQF2ebgOM&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-29983849560674232542010-03-02T14:03:00.005+00:002010-03-02T14:03:00.575+00:00I've seen stranger things<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=10,0,0,0" id="playerArteLiveWeb" width="450" height="255"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="quality" value="best"><param name="movie" value="http://liveweb.arte.tv/flash/player.swf?eventId=859&admin=false&mode=prod&priority=one&embed=true"><embed src="http://liveweb.arte.tv/flash/player.swf?eventId=859&admin=false&mode=prod&priority=one&embed=true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" name="playerArteLiveWeb" quality="best" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="450" height="255"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/localnatives">Local Natives</a> continue to prove their star pedigree with this fabulous video done by <a href="http://www.blogotheque.net/">La Blogotheque</a>. I've loved their album <a href="http://www.emusic.com/album/Local-Natives-Gorilla-Manor-MP3-Download/11669101.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gorilla Manor</span></a> pretty much ever since it came out - it's full of well-crafted, melodic songs with beautiful harmonies and interesting percussion. This video seems to demonstrate that its not just studio trickery that creates those harmonies either - they're bang in tune for the whole thing. Furthermore, it seems to create this perfect idea of them as some kind of wandering band of minstrels (an idea that their song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9d8Irc3cA0"><span style="font-style: italic;">Camera Talk</span></a> also backs up). Beautifully shot, it even manages to make the toilets of some skanky bar look artistic. When I <a href="http://gonnateachyoutricks.blogspot.com/2009/10/most-beautiful-colours-chase-sun.html">wrote about Local Natives before</a>, I was chatting about I think they have a very slick production, that they're very clued up in the best way to market themselves. I think the video definitely confirms that (as a lot of the La Blogotheque ones do) but that it also makes me feel that these guys have the talent to back it up, and that they really deserve success (perhaps demonstrating just how effective their marketing is? Haha, whatever, I don't care!). After seeing <a href="http://www.myspace.com/vampireweekend">Vampire Weekend</a> at Brixton Academy do a disappointing show a couple of weeks ago, it seems a shame if Local Natives, who are possibly more talented than VW, don't make it at least as big as them.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-11738522883175633532010-02-28T21:00:00.002+00:002010-02-28T21:00:01.210+00:00I Felt So Stupid...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ5rSzxw8Mku0Zj97028ZbFHqLGzAEJi1kezVZ-i0_IsbZ6vHJq2T1zzWGq80oUD0ik_9imnd45mNI84lkVC0EiwTTKiVkJ8ZLnAc_V4A0J9VZq2IBXuCLBM1pnRaDulqHWTipjWyp5uy/s1600-h/511250270_3201b1a57c_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ5rSzxw8Mku0Zj97028ZbFHqLGzAEJi1kezVZ-i0_IsbZ6vHJq2T1zzWGq80oUD0ik_9imnd45mNI84lkVC0EiwTTKiVkJ8ZLnAc_V4A0J9VZq2IBXuCLBM1pnRaDulqHWTipjWyp5uy/s400/511250270_3201b1a57c_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443080302727713138" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever">The Drums</a> hail from New York, and specialise in a sort of wonky pop/rock that walks the light between heartbreak and light-heartedness. <a href="http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/The_Drums/track/Lets_Go_Surfing"><span style="font-style: italic;">Let's Go Surfing</span></a> combines driving guitar rhythms and jaunty whistles to come off like a modern Beach Boys (although, really, what do Brooklyn boys know about surfing?) while <span style="font-style: italic;">I Felt Stupid</span> is a little bit more emoting. It kind of sounds to me like what a John Hughes film would sound like if it was a song - awkward, upset, funny, splattering emotions about everywhere, but in a teenage way. They'll pick themselves back up again. And I love the end of the song, with the kids playing and laughing. I do sort of get the impression, mainly from <a href="http://wearethedrums.com/index2.html">their website </a>and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ehCWZgldGg">video</a> for <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/7313134793ffc299/"><span style="font-style: italic;">I Felt Stupid</span></a>, that the Drums take themselves a little bit more seriously than summer teen pop songs though...<br /><br />Also, it's horribly appropriate to me right now as I VERY stupidly broke my toe yesterday. Hurts like a bitch.<br /><br />[Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilivc/511250270/">Lili Vieira de Carvalh</a>o on flickr]Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-8598654561349441872010-02-26T13:52:00.007+00:002010-02-26T14:34:15.699+00:00Waiting for that feeling to come<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4uMGdb52euVXUXFx5kcv9SfMTydc3OcjXarq1F-a_NWDHtnjcnik55VyuQWVKahwHINzmDdeCMsfv7_9HqydkUyeam_8wNJ39rDs8ma_gvxWIoUEuS36oYyG57uk78Fu-l0sgsFGURdo/s1600-h/nodistance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4uMGdb52euVXUXFx5kcv9SfMTydc3OcjXarq1F-a_NWDHtnjcnik55VyuQWVKahwHINzmDdeCMsfv7_9HqydkUyeam_8wNJ39rDs8ma_gvxWIoUEuS36oYyG57uk78Fu-l0sgsFGURdo/s400/nodistance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442560310580041058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last week I went to go see the new <a href="http://www.blur.co.uk/home.php">Blur </a>documentary '<a href="http://www.blur.co.uk/">No Distance Left to Run</a>' at <a href="http://www.puregroove.co.uk/">Pure Groove</a> record store, in Smithfields. It tells the story of Blur, ending with their triumphant reunion gigs at Glastonbury and Hyde Park in the Summer 2009. Blur are the sort of the band that I've always been dimly aware of - <span style="font-style: italic;">Song 2, Parklife, Country House</span> etc. are indeed, faintly inescapable -but I've never truly loved them. I guess I was just always that little bit too young for them - I was 5 when their classic album <span style="font-style: italic;">Modern Life is Rubbish</span> was released in 1993 - and I never really had someone leading me to them, in the same way that my Dad managed to do with the Rolling Stones, and a lot of 60s/70s music. But, I'd heard the documentary was good, I'd been meaning to check out Pure Groove, and my flatmate is a huge Blur fan, so I ended up heading down.<br /><br />I have to say, to say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. The film, in and of itself, first of all, is really fantastic. It uses unseen footage of interviews, gigs, everything, spliced together with their reunion tour, and contemporary interviews with the band. It's really well filmed too, the quality of the pictures are really great, with the whole film really having a tactile, smooth feel to it. But more than looking good, it's funny, clever, passionate and poignant.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EpP2qT9wTBIPxjziHRmj4ej1YtgASHbzhN8PBd267w54MDZu5lFeohUHjhZlRcEI1lYLZ9YlPUi435iSJ7Q8BgGSNbOQbLM0Dmq-sL7NvDn-6n1RbTY2NCJZXOdMbETBBdV8zAcN3Sl5/s1600-h/blur-no-distance-left-to-run.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EpP2qT9wTBIPxjziHRmj4ej1YtgASHbzhN8PBd267w54MDZu5lFeohUHjhZlRcEI1lYLZ9YlPUi435iSJ7Q8BgGSNbOQbLM0Dmq-sL7NvDn-6n1RbTY2NCJZXOdMbETBBdV8zAcN3Sl5/s400/blur-no-distance-left-to-run.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442559691021192290" border="0" /></a>Obviously, the soundtrack's good. First of all, I realised what a huge influence Blur have been on contemporary British music especially, but really just music in general. Secondly, I realised just how many Blur songs I knew without even trying - I mean, they're soundtracking the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDh3o7yd67M">latest British Gas advert</a> for crying out loud. They really are ubiquitous - in a good way, not in a Lady Gaga/Florence & the Machine/pop flavour of the moment way. The songs have stood the test of time, perhaps even matured over time. Furthermore, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2010/jan/15/blur-no-distance-left-to-run">the gig footage</a> demonstrates that live, Blur are also still relevant, engaging and entertaining (shame they have no further plans to play together!) - the spell-binding, shiver-inducing version of <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/730570195db63ace/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tender</span></a> at the end proves that if nothing else does.<br /><br />Watch the trailer for 'No Distance Left to Run' <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iYxdghpJZY&feature=player_embedded">here </a>and a clip of them playing in Hyde Park <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76CZ9QGBSGs">here</a> (I would embed them but you NEED to watch these in HD, full screen!!) The DVD is out to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00309Q2HI/emi-parlophone-21/ref=nosim">buy now</a>.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-51366614094688048332010-02-20T17:12:00.007+00:002010-02-20T17:33:30.682+00:00Ich bin ein BerlinerApologies for disappearing and failing to keep my New Year's Resolution... but I had a good reason. I've been doing a bit of travelling, seeing some friends and between that and all my studying (and study breaks) it all got a manic.<br /><br />BERLIN<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5R56DYmJLnRDUdWpJ_IDWl82YgU2tJiyycAAef2jnQPZ1pbNSyxabckqm_T5OZgWPYh620zcMm5ebJQYULIlKAPnIwxkH7TbBpOX-_naR1emTLRC3hSb43Fi9Ap_9QBP0rR2hU8xrsH_/s1600-h/2717209779_0e8608a36a_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5R56DYmJLnRDUdWpJ_IDWl82YgU2tJiyycAAef2jnQPZ1pbNSyxabckqm_T5OZgWPYh620zcMm5ebJQYULIlKAPnIwxkH7TbBpOX-_naR1emTLRC3hSb43Fi9Ap_9QBP0rR2hU8xrsH_/s400/2717209779_0e8608a36a_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440378163893295138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_DasnrX1JXMK0zP1OAjNdsqFAysmyo8lqaOpluTDEAhpxMTAFCTEkQENuoAMKm5UcbTU-uqt0BbqB_-nihNbmpUH6-EwmPQLN0QFuu3nUK5StjtiQ07PyWtQtmZpsZYik7tvCWQmCVoP/s1600-h/2904087529_51f785dd96_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_DasnrX1JXMK0zP1OAjNdsqFAysmyo8lqaOpluTDEAhpxMTAFCTEkQENuoAMKm5UcbTU-uqt0BbqB_-nihNbmpUH6-EwmPQLN0QFuu3nUK5StjtiQ07PyWtQtmZpsZYik7tvCWQmCVoP/s400/2904087529_51f785dd96_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440377744237410322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngcY7fOO6H1kejxg_pBBG8NqZy8jqFqmcvcGxsEaO7-Ls9UHLO98cVs0aVUnl2PpuK5Z7kRiA1v5lN4-cZA5BiSvXbTwsVUyreu67VE8UlLx95CC3EaLHww3E8xOv3hJswGDZBn54gPJM/s1600-h/berlin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngcY7fOO6H1kejxg_pBBG8NqZy8jqFqmcvcGxsEaO7-Ls9UHLO98cVs0aVUnl2PpuK5Z7kRiA1v5lN4-cZA5BiSvXbTwsVUyreu67VE8UlLx95CC3EaLHww3E8xOv3hJswGDZBn54gPJM/s400/berlin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440377355856330674" border="0" /></a><br />'Saturday night in East Berlin<br />We took the U-Bahn to the East Side Gallery'<br /><a href="http://www.blocparty.com/"><br />Bloc Party</a> - <a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></a><a href="http://www.zshare.net/download/72809078b028c7ff/">Kreuzberg</a>Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-68678199560056960382010-01-28T09:10:00.004+00:002010-01-28T09:21:03.796+00:00Hope for Haiti<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87ZvWFaAN2lEzOf70rSIuUN40z1eE6eK9MMqmgb15FO005Kq_Wz5e9TIwd7d736JWkD3RyVjWuVacYSgN35p_WRhuy4_lkRi3eB8agPN7CXI3v50OCsXSbGckqdavaU361Tfecn7jnIvA/s1600-h/Haiti.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87ZvWFaAN2lEzOf70rSIuUN40z1eE6eK9MMqmgb15FO005Kq_Wz5e9TIwd7d736JWkD3RyVjWuVacYSgN35p_WRhuy4_lkRi3eB8agPN7CXI3v50OCsXSbGckqdavaU361Tfecn7jnIvA/s400/Haiti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431716597336321826" border="0" /></a>Arcade Fire - <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.zshare.net/download/71790364cc21c9fe/">Haiti</a><br /><br />Donate now: <a href="http://www.dec.org.uk/">DEC</a>, <a href="http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/content/auctions/haiti/default.html?ito=3517&itc=0">Charity Auction</a>, <a href="http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/rebuilding-livelihoods-of-farmers-in-haiti/">Global Giving</a>.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-57766791559333580452010-01-19T09:24:00.000+00:002010-01-19T09:24:00.229+00:00The Sound of London<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uA3rENdGmvBsjpmfRGVtflB9p8sk9hkQmg2ByjM3qH7S-iQ2uR0c54uxPWbOLhMOp-3Wuugi8KpNL2E769OmyiFh9e5SFIx-hF7T1k_0vmJGWzLnSlkEUCdANfujkQUi7GFC4Jw5uFQp/s1600-h/4251506060_eb703a23bf_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uA3rENdGmvBsjpmfRGVtflB9p8sk9hkQmg2ByjM3qH7S-iQ2uR0c54uxPWbOLhMOp-3Wuugi8KpNL2E769OmyiFh9e5SFIx-hF7T1k_0vmJGWzLnSlkEUCdANfujkQUi7GFC4Jw5uFQp/s400/4251506060_eb703a23bf_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427652573157410722" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you tune into my radio show (Pet Sounds, Tuesday 2-4pm GMT on <a href="http://www.pulse.dj/">Pulse</a>), you will be familiar with my "Sound of London" feature, where I profile a new(ish) band from London. Despite the musical cornucopia on offer here in London town, it's not always easy to find something that I like and is radio-friendly. Having said that, over the past few weeks, I've come across some amazing people, and I thought I would share them with you here.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/jamesyuill">James Yuill</a><br />So I'm massively late coming to the party with James Yuill - I first heard about him over a year ago, but dismissed him out of hand as not really worth my time. Wow, I was wrong. I found <span style="font-style: italic;">This Sweet Love</span> while perusing one of the many best-of lists of last year, and if I had made one, I probably would have made it. Gorgeous, relaxed, Yuill was described in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/sep/01/james.yuill">the Guardian</a> as "Nick Drake given a machine pulse by New Order". <span style="font-style: italic;">This Sweet Love</span> is heavy on the Nick Drake - perhaps why I love it so.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/bullionness">Bullion</a><br />There's a lot been written about the new '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chillwave">chillwave</a>' scene, including bands like <a href="http://www.myspace.com/neonindian">Neon Indian</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thebabeinthewoods">Washed Out</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/memorytapes">Memory Tapes</a>, and primarily focused on the West Coast of the States. Well, Bullion is giving it a London flavour. He first came to attention because of his mash-up/mixtape of, called <span style="font-style: italic;">Pet Sounds in the Key of Dee</span>, where he broke apart and put together in a fresh way the whole of <span style="font-style: italic;">Pet Sounds</span> by the Beach Boys in homage to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jdilla">J Dilla</a>, resulting in a beautiful yet also slightly disquieting experience. But his new single, <span style="font-style: italic;">Say Goodbye to What</span>, takes that deconstructionist approach and gives it something of an edge - you can dance to this shit!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/starsmithmusic">Starsmith</a><br />Starsmith's name is being touted about a lot these days as the man behind <a href="http://www.myspace.com/elliegoulding">Ellie Goulding</a>, winner of the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/entertainment/2009/sound_of_2010/default.stm">BBC Sound of 2010</a> award, and thus officially crowned as The Next Big Thing. He's also done a series of high profile remixes for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdK3-n4jCmg&feature=related">Lady Gaga</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZokVkfQjiAo">Katy Perry</a>. I have to be honest, I'm still a little on the fence about Starsmith and his oeuvre. Having said that, his remix of <span style="font-style: italic;">Sleepyhead</span> with Ellie Goulding providing haunting vocals is outstanding - yet I'm wondering if that his due to Passion Pit's genius rather than Starsmith? Regardless, now Ellie's album is just about finished, he's set to work on his own stuff, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is massive/awesome.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-15157320969537592042010-01-14T12:00:00.000+00:002010-01-14T12:00:04.808+00:00Just a small town girl, livin' in a lonely world<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03i_WEXrAch5y5-xdZw2m2RiGUFSwO21WWiVtcsSy20wb5L-Mi05SfkddHyxGHi74yXwzsp_x77bKWJaCuhwD1188Lr1tXyjsXwhlsDQD_jkpJTzfHSaZfGnAy86Cy_HJRrLNB2iY1ZYF/s1600-h/Glee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03i_WEXrAch5y5-xdZw2m2RiGUFSwO21WWiVtcsSy20wb5L-Mi05SfkddHyxGHi74yXwzsp_x77bKWJaCuhwD1188Lr1tXyjsXwhlsDQD_jkpJTzfHSaZfGnAy86Cy_HJRrLNB2iY1ZYF/s400/Glee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426266443034564434" border="0" /></a><br />Ok, so it is more than likely that this post will destroy any credibility that this blog had as a source for decent music, but I think I'm willing to take the risk. Monday saw the UK premiere of new TV show <a href="http://www.e4.com/glee/">Glee</a>, and I have to say, I am hooked. There was an excellent article in the Guardian last Saturday which explains why <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2010/jan/09/glee-guardian-guide-feature">it's ok to watch a programme</a> about a high school show choir, but, while it is well-written quality television, I like it because it allows me to reminisce about my school days as a musical geek, where I could genuinely believe that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuS1cCnG8xc"><span style="font-style: italic;">On my Own</span></a> from Les Mis was the pinacle of creative genius. Ah, simpler days... In that spirit, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cmoJz7xOj8">here is an excerpt</a> from the first episode of Glee, featuring a cover of the Journey classic, <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/711601002fff10c2/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Don't Stop Believin'</span></a>. This song has been reclaimed from the cheese annuals in an ironic way, but the nice thing about this clip is that they play it straight - it is 100% without irony, which is kind of the whole point of the show.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-73261306473079411982010-01-12T23:00:00.000+00:002010-01-12T23:15:16.030+00:00And I need you more than want you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ3u83fAAT21ioTm3CShIwAuSMrJmPDX_4bhC_roXsHCC3iM-7V7cfdu1wSiypwYIb87HEuJO-nIMHt0mfVRI_rNjI8mxRV7ZSGmkfgB2HQy12aUxGAdBcBIa8sTyGIHK_kb2Al7mcGPT/s1600-h/2052295742_68b7a37f2b_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ3u83fAAT21ioTm3CShIwAuSMrJmPDX_4bhC_roXsHCC3iM-7V7cfdu1wSiypwYIb87HEuJO-nIMHt0mfVRI_rNjI8mxRV7ZSGmkfgB2HQy12aUxGAdBcBIa8sTyGIHK_kb2Al7mcGPT/s400/2052295742_68b7a37f2b_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424890981251182466" border="0" /></a><br />You know when you get a tune stuck in your head that you simply cannot shift... but you can't quite remember it? There's just a half-hummable fraction of it echoing over and over again, just out of your grasp. Well, I've had <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/710095959497bfaf/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Witchita Lineman</span></a> by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/glencampbell">Glen Campbell</a> in my head for about a year or so - the mystery was finally solved when I heard it on Lauren Laverne's excellent <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/lauren_laverne/">BBC 6 Music radio show</a>. And now I can fully enjoy it. Pure, simple, from the heart, yet understated, this song harks from a diferent time. It's not about being knowing or ironic or cool, just expressing emotions in a direct, honest yet beautiful way. Or something like that.<br /><br />{photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sp8254/">SP8254</a>}Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-61175348143100867332010-01-09T00:08:00.002+00:002010-01-09T00:08:00.284+00:00WHITE OUT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys1EUGdzYSFsfDOpDyym_Wa93PLYr9Z8BI4MYQZbpcuUE069Vne7B-fFQ31qH4fTbLAY5tC2Vb4kOHlMDrQpA6GUmXfbWmfIt89dAyBRdgYmsKRUeih0dSj4kTb9-qu1NAVcd0E03sVwO/s1600-h/4251644543_b0e8f9bc99_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys1EUGdzYSFsfDOpDyym_Wa93PLYr9Z8BI4MYQZbpcuUE069Vne7B-fFQ31qH4fTbLAY5tC2Vb4kOHlMDrQpA6GUmXfbWmfIt89dAyBRdgYmsKRUeih0dSj4kTb9-qu1NAVcd0E03sVwO/s400/4251644543_b0e8f9bc99_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423799469016006306" border="0" /></a><br />As you may have heard, wintry weather has been in abundance here in England - and <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2574">we are set for more</a>. As such, I thought I'd kick off my New Year's Resolution by posting a refined version of<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://gonnateachyoutricks.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-snow-joke.html">my winter playlist</a>...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/sebastientellier">Sebastien Tellier</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">La Ritournelle (Dan's Magic Wand Remix)</span><br />- don't the bells sound just like icicles? Just me then...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jenslekman.com/">Jens Lekman</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cold Swedish Winter<br />- </span>because I'm sure the Swedes are used to this weather, but also because snuggling up with someone is the best way to spend a cold night<br /><br /><a href="http://www.elbow.co.uk/">Elbow</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Weather to Fly</span><br />- beautiful song, perfectly captures that frosty morning feeling<br /><a href="http://www.mumfordandsons.com/"><br />Mumford & Sons</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Winter Winds</span><br />- bet Mumford & Sons are pleased they chose to release this single now! "Was it love or fear of the cold that led us through the night?" When temperatures are this cold, sometimes it's hard to tell...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/arcadefireofficial">Arcade Fire</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)</span><br />- the archtypical winter's song, trust the Canadians to know how to do it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.thepipettes.co.uk/">The Pipettes</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">A Winter’s Sky<br />- </span>romance isn't just for the Summer you know...<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/grandarchives"><br />Grand Archives</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Sleepdriving</span><br />- snow = treacherous driving. This song is that sleepy fed-up feeling when you know you've still got a long way to go<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/lauramarling"><br />Laura Marling</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)</span><br />- is there a more appropriate song right now? I think not.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/boniver">Bon Iver</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">Blood Bank<br />- </span>because every winter playlist must include a Bon Iver song (it does mean "good winter" in French after all), but the lyrics of this one are particularly poignant.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.zshare.net/download/70887676a8149064/">Zipbedeedoodah.</a><br /><br />{photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew_clarke/">voithite</a> on flickr}Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-34537010891309148202010-01-06T19:57:00.000+00:002010-01-06T19:57:13.939+00:00New Years Resolution No. 2...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaviR-T21FdQGC-SoSXvZ9lSq1tUYbWbIGm8cjDEPCH7pn9ne8SqORYPiYF2NDyVLswISjTxuyERASOZc61qkeYQUTTxrcqm4m3GGIor0HtsiWbp0i2kb9lyeJowqxoUuFQeKquu9LEvT/s1600-h/4232112224_435d2a117b_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaviR-T21FdQGC-SoSXvZ9lSq1tUYbWbIGm8cjDEPCH7pn9ne8SqORYPiYF2NDyVLswISjTxuyERASOZc61qkeYQUTTxrcqm4m3GGIor0HtsiWbp0i2kb9lyeJowqxoUuFQeKquu9LEvT/s400/4232112224_435d2a117b_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423708947901701602" border="0" /></a><br />...to write more often!!<br /><br />Happy New Year!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/thewalkmen">The Walkmen</a> - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/70876378b05b445a/"><span style="font-style: italic;">In The New Year</span></a>Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-12694446421777971972009-12-05T11:02:00.004+00:002009-12-05T12:42:18.988+00:00If we wasn't so original then we'd be criminal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaDfVZMcgP5_TbSIAsJBnAFlJ6x7hxZ3C0TZNff7xZWo3EG8HkyWjJHHTyE3XH3i9xyNX_v8-3f1GI_niFgCG9lfXtoljP0w66Hrmbhllf6u3SBQJHfZGcEaZ4y_6lYuAr7vTgmM12fJt/s1600-h/wale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaDfVZMcgP5_TbSIAsJBnAFlJ6x7hxZ3C0TZNff7xZWo3EG8HkyWjJHHTyE3XH3i9xyNX_v8-3f1GI_niFgCG9lfXtoljP0w66Hrmbhllf6u3SBQJHfZGcEaZ4y_6lYuAr7vTgmM12fJt/s400/wale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411731131112289442" border="0" /></a><br />So <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wale">Wale </a>teamed up with Somalian rapper <a href="http://www.myspace.com/knaanmusic">K'Naan</a> and Dave Sitek of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tvotr">TV on the Radio</a> to make this wicked tune -"wittily" called <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/69456040e6ccf84e/">TV in the Radio</a>.</span> They basically just rap about how original they are - but the horns and beats elevate some pretty good lyrics into an absolutely awesome tune, proving once again that TVOTR are absolute legends and can do no wrong. As if you didn't know that already.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-42063004167765630892009-12-01T15:08:00.008+00:002009-12-01T20:12:28.211+00:00Never mind what anybody else done<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ePMgLIGAZFuBqU0HzvlpMOyp6UKDU7YUfPDHI7CnG5EFtZk92wlNGzsrTKbz6mMEyelpMh4zlDqfJgZs_ETT6DrCYK939SRdeVJEyAerSd6-AyW8bDZEPwdU4bXwiBVBZ2IvOpNwK5Mx/s1600/Yeasayer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ePMgLIGAZFuBqU0HzvlpMOyp6UKDU7YUfPDHI7CnG5EFtZk92wlNGzsrTKbz6mMEyelpMh4zlDqfJgZs_ETT6DrCYK939SRdeVJEyAerSd6-AyW8bDZEPwdU4bXwiBVBZ2IvOpNwK5Mx/s400/Yeasayer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410363175057368450" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br />I know I've been a little MIA recently... hopefully you've been tuning into my radio show, <strong>Pet Sounds</strong> on <a href="http://www.pulse.dj/">Pulse</a>, (Tuesdays 2-4pm GMT) as most of my energies musically have been going into that.</div><div></div><br /><div>Aside from that however, the one thing you can't do very easily on the radio is videos, and one video that defnintely been garnering some serious blog-inches is the vid for the new <a href="http://www.myspace.com/yeasayer">Yeasayer </a>song, <em>Ambling Alp</em>. Yeasayer, you may remember, are the perpetrators of the fabulous, <a href="http://gonnateachyoutricks.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-know-this-is-early-but-i-dont-know-if.html">new-year themed</a> <em>2080</em>, but if anything, they've topped themselves with <em>Ambling Alp</em>. Heartfelt, joyous, dance-able, but with some awesome Middle-Eastern/African inspired beats, this is sure to make many best-ofs for this year</div><div></div><br /><div>Their video, however, is something else. Utterly bizarre... but really really good I think, combining face-melting with cults with horses with deserts. Check it out below - but be warned, if you're watching it in a public place, there's some pretty interesting naked dancing going on at the end, so you may get some odd looks, I know I did...</div><div><object id="delve_playerf41db15d64b449eaa0064d5529d83f23334260o" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="430" height="275"><param name="movie" value="http://assets.delvenetworks.com/player/loader.swf"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="mediaId=7624744c698487799845deb0a0e7b5a0&playerForm=88a26316a62d4655a806dda0da4e95ca&autoplayNextClip=true"><embed src="http://assets.delvenetworks.com/player/loader.swf" name="delve_playerf41db15d64b449eaa0064d5529d83f23334260e" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="mediaId=7624744c698487799845deb0a0e7b5a0&playerForm=88a26316a62d4655a806dda0da4e95ca&autoplayNextClip=true" width="430" height="275"></embed></object></div><br /><div><br />Download <span style="font-style: italic;">Ambling Alp</span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.amblingalp.com/">here</a>.<br /></div>Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-49701495109605288872009-10-31T12:54:00.003+00:002009-10-31T13:04:56.666+00:00London<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vk1YvpkCkDEDS9ktYtiQDguWgfgWQ4jqgOZJwaDy5x8cGtTsF8ZNyneO3cN_2yYl1uXNONbdi2uqj06MvLgDxRNNcTwVz43bzzWVoHbJ10ystymmYXOBP8Qdc-ijjkVOuqZBydncg249/s1600-h/lse+students+are+idle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vk1YvpkCkDEDS9ktYtiQDguWgfgWQ4jqgOZJwaDy5x8cGtTsF8ZNyneO3cN_2yYl1uXNONbdi2uqj06MvLgDxRNNcTwVz43bzzWVoHbJ10ystymmYXOBP8Qdc-ijjkVOuqZBydncg249/s400/lse+students+are+idle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398748651632933186" border="0" /></a><br />Sorry for neglecting Tricks of late, I just started at the LSE and things have been a bit hectic! I'm still rambling on about music though, but this time on <a href="http://www.pulse.dj/">Pulse</a>, the LSE student radio. You can listen to my show, Pet Sounds, Tuesdays 2-4pm <a href="http://www.houghtonstreetfactual.co.uk/live.htm">here</a>, or for a week after on demand <a href="http://www.houghtonstreetfactual.co.uk/tuesday14.htm">online</a>. I'm also writing <a href="http://www.pulse.dj/reviews/">reviews</a> for Pulse, so keep an eye out for that too!<br /><br />{Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/markhillary/293258069/">markhillary</a> on flickr}Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-68613061378986517032009-10-07T09:49:00.005+01:002009-10-12T09:12:00.925+01:00Have you seen this?<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bJkymylTNU4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bJkymylTNU4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />Quite possibly one of the most shocking videos I've seen in a long long time, Matt and Kim's <span style="font-style: italic;">Lessons Learned</span> is a truly original piece of work. It won the MTV Breakthrough Video Award at the VMAs this year, beating off some pretty serious competition from the likes of Major Lazer and Bat for Lashes. Yet, while it's undoubtedly a breathtaking video, after watching it, I literally couldn't remember the song it was promoting - surely that's a sign of a terrible video?<br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WgBeu3FVi60&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WgBeu3FVi60&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br /><br />Perhaps that's because whenever I think of Matt and Kim, their song <span style="font-style: italic;">Daylight</span> springs to mind. Above is the video for it - quite a bit less controversial I think you'll agree. The tune's been kicking around for a while now - I first heard it in January of this year, then it popped up in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0rx1srLsh0">Bacardi commercial </a>(thanks Ashley!), and now I keep it hearing it on the soundtrack for Fifa '10, my flatmate's new obsession. It's lovely - all jangly keyboards, yelping vocals, with a bit of a hip-hop vibe to the drumbeat. It's also <a href="http://www.greenlabelsound.com/artists/mattandkim/">available for download</a> as a lovely freebie on their record label Greensounds. I get the impression that it's a case of "lightning doesn't strike twice" with this song - I don't think Matt and Kim have anything else as good as this up their sleeves - and all the incessant promoting is a little tiring. But the song itself is great, and that's what matters.Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-28849222963577150762009-10-06T13:11:00.005+01:002009-10-06T13:49:48.974+01:00The most beautiful colours chase the sun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl8MHB-mvhP7smXx7G90aL3xOotZ8DlGZWBWvLjUcmekmX_PI0xXruAHczNVBQLG1rzj5vvITKft8ULZVJl6U0Z9LOxa9vzE17CLEynNTbwQISLdoUi08FRNgnYaiT7_EdDj6mR5dyT2y/s1600-h/local-natives1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl8MHB-mvhP7smXx7G90aL3xOotZ8DlGZWBWvLjUcmekmX_PI0xXruAHczNVBQLG1rzj5vvITKft8ULZVJl6U0Z9LOxa9vzE17CLEynNTbwQISLdoUi08FRNgnYaiT7_EdDj6mR5dyT2y/s400/local-natives1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389465418580283410" border="0" /></a><br />Local Natives are officially the next big thing. Compared by <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/03/new-band-local-natives">some </a>to Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire and Fleet Foxes with good reason, they combine the interesting African drum rhythms of Vampire Weekend, the folky harmonies of Fleet Foxes and the overarching heart-aching melodies of Arcade Fire to powerful and infectious effect. <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/66564697936b7cfd/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Airplanes</span></a>, the first song I heard by Local Natives, didn't immediately blow me away I have to admit; it sounded too much like a dozen other indie bands. But the plaintive refrain of the chorus (I love it all/So much I call/I want you back) stayed with me, and when I heard <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/665645961f192374/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sun Hands</span></a>, a slightly darker, more percussive track, I knew that Local Natives were ones to watch. The five guys are clearly intelligent and passionate about what they do - you can see evidence of this in their <a href="http://outtasightblog.blogspot.com/">blog </a>- but you also get the impression that this is a band driven to achieve success and recognition, especially after checking out their slick myspace. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because the songs are worthy of success and recognition, but get ready for them to be name-checked a thousand times in the next year!<br /><br />Local Natives are currently on the <a href="http://www.nme.com/newmusic/tour/lineup">NME Radar tour</a> along with Golden Silvers, Marina & the Diamonds and Yes Giantess - a pretty stellar line up! Debut album, Gorilla Manor is released on the 2nd November.<br /><br />Check out their awesome cover of Simon & Garfunkel's <span style="font-style: italic;">Cecilia</span> below:<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XdnjfxXpr7g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XdnjfxXpr7g&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1737466130988779610.post-41318330891735516942009-09-28T22:41:00.005+01:002009-09-29T00:06:49.990+01:00You know it's real<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybxRJgOg1m9Bu8dr5xXMtJ86yD33_-XAbzo8mKoMiivagcmZkHTJDAyxh3OudQLGsx4AXUMLEt8k_tcMFxhYuUIKsgP6uO7hDKPje8OXt9R3K9AXd-7dAhc75GdnlL9pkXWjcX4hrO4jg/s1600-h/urban+romance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybxRJgOg1m9Bu8dr5xXMtJ86yD33_-XAbzo8mKoMiivagcmZkHTJDAyxh3OudQLGsx4AXUMLEt8k_tcMFxhYuUIKsgP6uO7hDKPje8OXt9R3K9AXd-7dAhc75GdnlL9pkXWjcX4hrO4jg/s400/urban+romance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386657686495400290" border="0" /></a><br />This track is so incredible that I'm literally writing this post as I listen to it for the first time - it's that good. Regular readers may remember <a href="http://gonnateachyoutricks.blogspot.com/2008/12/florence-and-machine.html">me raving</a> about <a href="http://www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachine">Florence and the Machine</a>'s cover of <span style="font-style: italic;">You've Got the Love</span> - now hotly buzzed about London band <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/thexx">the xx</a> have done their own cover/remix of it. The xx's trademark sparse sound is in full force - in fact, only the harps and a looped vocal remain from Florence's original. The result is spell binding. I'd been reluctant to jump on the xx bandwagon, but having had their track <span style="font-style: italic;">Islands </span>stuck in my head for about a week I have just bought the album, and I'm being won over. The tracks are all of a fairly similar melancholic, late-night vibe, but I like it - it's chilled out, it's urban and it's very modern.<br /><a href="http://www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachine"><br /></a>Florence and the Machine - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/6625975692762a2a/"><span style="font-style: italic;">You've Got the Love</span> (The xx remix)</a><br /><br />The xx - <a href="http://www.zshare.net/audio/6626197146f71379/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Islands</span></a><br /><br />{Artwork courtesy of ethoss on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ethoss/245425574/">flickr</a>}Real Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03676385168228746392noreply@blogger.com0