Sunday, February 28, 2010

Song #82: Faith No More - "Collision"



Saturday was my chance to get into as much FNM as I possibly could. This was the first thing to hit my ears when I pumped up the first album that comes up alphabetically in my list of FNM albums - Collision is the first track from FNM's final album Album of the Year.

There's significantly less funk-rock and groove in this track than their better known material. It's straight into the heavy guitar riffing, big drums and wailing harmonies. Mike Patton once again goes to great extents to show off his insane vocal range, and for this reason alone it's worth a listen. Seriously, the dude is an absolutely insane voice artist; takes on so many great styles. It's an interesting introduction to Album, as well, as the song is somewhat of anomaly amongst the tracklisting. Still, it's pretty sweet. FNM don't do bad.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7

If you miss FNM at Soundwave, you join the Dead-To-Me list.

x
David

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Song #81: Artists for Haiti - "We Are The World 25 For Haiti"

What the fuck is this shit.

I mean, really.

I'm all for Haiti charity and disaster relief.

But really.

Why not a new song?

What the fuck is Celine Dion doing?

A RAP? With LL FUCKING COOL J?

This is just.

No.

FINAL RATING (/10): 3

Gets a 1.5 for the cause and 1.5 for the song.

x
David

Song #80: Kate Nash - "I Just Love You More"


 In this week's installment of "what the fuck just happened", former skirt-twirling indie pop darling Kate Nash has gone all artsy-punk on her new track, I Just Love You More, which is the first track to be lifted from her long-awaited second album called Crayon Full of Colour.

Gone is the summery, cutesy pop that's prevalent on her debut, Made of Bricks. Instead, we get a snarling, single-string riff, a tight drum beat and Nash's creepy speak-sing of the title of the song. She doesn't say a lot more apart from this, except when she starts primal screams and shrills in the vein of Karen O or Yoko Ono. It's completely left of centre, but it's a real treat to watch her trying out something so different. The song is a little hollow overall, though, with the same parts reoccurring continuously. Maybe this is just a taste of what's to come? Oh boy oh boy oh boy, this is going to be awesome. Hopefully.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7

Crayon is set for an April release.

x
David

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Song #79: Circa Survive - "Get Out"


Finally, Anthony Green and co. are back at work on a new record. It's entitled Blue Sky Noise, and today we not only got the cover of it, but we also got a brand new song as well! Bonus!

The song, entitled Get Out, might be a bit of a struggle for fans to get their heads around. There's no slow, distorted immersions or slow-burning, spacious moments. More, the song dives right in and doesn't let up, with Green's vocals taking their normal route of total audacity and liveliness. It's an intense song, but considerably stripped back in its arrangement in comparison to previous Circa tracks. What this shows is that the band are hopefully trying for something really different on Blue Sky Noise. More power to them - this is one of the best tracks they've ever done!

FINAL RATING (/10): 9

Also, you MUST see this album artwork!

 

Isn't it amazing???
x
David

Friday, February 19, 2010

Song #78: Art VS. Science - "Magic Fountain"


I got to see the Gossip last night. That was incredible, they put on a fantastic show and I got to meet them all as well. Such a thrill, I nearly started bawling. Before all that pussy crap happened, though, these boys came on.

No doubt you will have heard this lot via one of their hit singles like Flippers or Parles Vous Francais? It's big, dumb, fun music that's easy to get into and very well made. Magic Fountain was the first track of the set, and t appears to be a part of a batch of new material that will be on their debut album. The song is pretty crazy, with lead singer Dan going on a bit of a David Byrne/Robert Forster trip with eccentric spoken-word vocals and some crazy whispers. I can barely remember the story that was being told, but it was all very mystical - almost Bowie-esque. Another very silly song, but probably another hit for these kids.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7

Jolly good, AvS.

x
David

Monday, February 15, 2010

Song #77: Sade - "Soldier of Love"


 Here's a few things I didn't know about Sade before today:

1. It's pronounced "shar-day"
2. Sade is actually a band.
3. Sade have sold over fifty million albums worldwide.
4. This song is fucking awesome.

This is the title track from Sade's latest album, and it really is a cracker. A slow-burner, for sure, but one that sticks in your mind for all its darkness, world-weariness and pure intensity. Everything in the arrangement works perfectly - the snare rolls, the synths, the low-key harmonies. It's just purely badass music, smoothly and professionally done. What more can I say? It's the tits.

FINAL RATING (/10): 9

Out now, go grab yrself a piece of the action.

xxx
David

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Song #76: Angels and Airwaves - "The Flight of Apollo"

 

Tom Delonge's post-blink love of Angels & Airwaves have finally returned. Thank fuck, says I. Anything to get me away from bloody blink-182's reunion footage: they sound like trash and it's pretty obvious it's all about the money here. I know there's a lot of AVA hates out there, but whatever. I think enough time has passed for the blink obsessives to shut up and appreciate AVA's work as a separate entity - and a superior one at that.

The Flight of Apollo is the second track on LOVE, the band's third album which has just been released for free online, via Delonge's site Modlife. If you were a fan previously, you'll know the drill - it's atmospheric, with layered keyboards and big guitar with fuck-tonnes of reverb. There's even a bit of a synth-string section going on here in the background, which I thought was a pretty nice touch. It all comes together with a sense of familiarity, but fans won't have any major issues with this - the band sound great here and it's easily one of the catchiest things these guys have ever done.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

Here's the link to download LOVE. Sure hope y'like it and all.

x
David

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Song #75: Angus and Julia Stone - "Hold On"


 The Stone siblings, Angus and Julia, have returned with their second album, Down the Way. These two have always had a knack for some sweet, beautiful tunes, but they've also written some pretty boring tracks in their time. Thankfully, this little number that opens Down the Way is one of the best things they've done musically.

Julia takes the lead on this one. She still sounds like a little kid, but it's easy to look past - she's very cute and she can keep a tune well enough. The simplistic drum pattern works perfectly as it builds up the song at various accentuated points, as well as the reverberating electric guitar and the wonderful chorus that really assists the song in picking up a notch. If you listen to anything from this record, I strongly recommend it is this very song. Loving it.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

Down the Way is out next month.

x
David

Song #74: Boyz II Men featuring Mariah Carey - "One Sweet Day"


Eugh, remember that awful cheesy I'll Make Love To You song? Boyz II Men did that, and apparently did a lot more. That's fucking scary. Read this shit:

Based on sales, Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time. They recorded five number 1 R&B successes between 1992 and 1997 and have sold more than 60 million albums.Three of its number 1 hits, "End of the Road", "I'll Make Love to You", and "One Sweet Day" (with Mariah Carey), set and exceeded records for the longest period of time a single remained scored at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100; "One Sweet Day" still holds the record.
That's from their Wikipedia page. Frightening how successful this crap was, man.

Anyway, I heard their other "hit" with Mariah Carey (god, she was even more of a joke in the nineties than she is now) whilst watching a top 10 on Vh1. For best funeral songs! Who makes these fucking things?
The point is that they could all sing incredibly well. Any record exec with his hands down his pants could tell you that. But there's no soul to this, despite that supposedly being in the title of their freakin' genre. It's all commercially-vying warbles and cheesy production. Next plz.

FINAL RATING (/10): 2.5

x
David

Song #73: Cameron Smith - "The Grey Man"


Cameron Smith is an Australian musician, formerly of the brilliant Epitomes, and also a good friend of mine. Recently, he did a very special bedroom recording for his younger brother, Curtis, and his eighteenth birthday. What a lovely, brotherly thing to do!

The song is The Grey Man. Fans of Copeland will recognise the song from their final album, the incredible You Are My Sunshine from 2008. Cameron plays everything himself here - the guitar, bass and percussion all sounding very impressive for such a low-budget quality. His voice, even though the falsetto is out of his range, also sounds really good - the bridge sees some distorted vocals and even dual harmonies come into play, which works surprisingly well. A perfect cover? No, sir. But if someone got me this for my birthday, I wouldn't be complaining!

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

You can download Cameron's version here.

x
David

Song #72: Adam Green - "Give Them a Token"


 The lovely Adam Green is back with his sixth album, entitled Minor Love. It's a short, sweet collection of tunes that deal with his break-up and his loneliness. Don't you just want to hug the poor little one? He's normally so happy, so it's strange to hear such dark and moping music coming from him.

I suppose this is his "mature" album. His smoky baritone is still very much the same, but the songs themselves are a lot more textured and shake off their novelty. This track in particular sways along on a simple chord progression with some sweet lyrics and a whirring keyboard flashing through the final segment of the song. It's all over far too quickly, but it's a treat to listen to regardless.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7.5

Minor Love is out now.

x
David

Friday, February 12, 2010

Song #71: Kina Grannis - "Valentine"


This one turned up on YouTube - kind of fitting, given how close it is to Valentine'$ Day. I have no idea who the girl is, but I was particularly interested in the video, which uses hundreds of drawings that fall in a domino style to give the impression of motion and movement. I've included it below, because it's really the only thing that's really interesting about the entire song - think Colbie Callait style, innocent acoustic girly stuff. It's essentially Jacqueline Johnson - Jack Johnson with breasts. It's all very  sweet, but my GOD it's fucking boring. It's barely even worth this paragraph being written about it. Pass.

FINAL RATING (/10): 4

But yes, here's the video.



x
David

Song #70: Gyroscope - "Some of the Places I Know"


So, Gyroscope are back. The Perth boys have been over in London working away on their fourth record, Cohesion. They've solidified themselves as one of Australia's better mid-card bands over the years and have yet to put out a bad album (though none of their releases are without their flaws). I'm still certainly optimistic about the album, although the lead single, Some of the Places I Know, has put me off a little.

This is the shiniest, most well-produced and radio ready song the band have ever produced. And this doesn't sound like Fast Girl or Beware Wolf that were all "well, this is the stuff we like to play, guess some people like it". This shit is all "we want to have a top 10 single bro". It's not an offensively bad song, but it feels too predictable and lacking in passion to really get into. It feels contrived to rock out to, in a way, which is certainly confusing for a band like Gyroscope - they are really genuine dudes who have made great music in the past. Here, though, I'm not sold just yet.

FINAL RATING (/10): 5.5

The single is out now, the video is below.
Cohesion will be out in April.




x
David

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Song #69: Fucked Up - "Fixed Race"

 
Fucked Up are an absolutely insane band. I just got their two disc compilation of non-album tracks entitled Couple Tracks, and it's absolutely awesome.  Their music is fast, no-bullshit hardcore with tonnes of attitude and even a few major hooks in there.

Fixed Race is like the Ramones getting into a barroom brawl with Ian Mackaye and watching it in fast-forward. It's relentlessly exciting, thrown at your face at breakneck speed. Vocalist Pink Eyes only pauses briefly to let a guitar solo pass through. Then it's a quick gasp for air and another breathless roar-through. Punk as fuck, pretty much. If this sounds like your bag, then run into that pit and scramble for the fucking microphone. Fucked Up will smash up everything in sight and not think twice about it. Herein lies the appeal.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8

Couple Tracks is out now.

x
David

Friday, February 5, 2010

Song #68: Marina and the Diamonds - "Mowgli's Road"



This track came to my watching very early Saturday morning rage (about 1am, I think), and I can honestly say that I am glad I was sitting down when I heard it. Holy fucking SHIT.

Marina and the Diamonds, aka Marina Diamandis (I think it's Greek), had her video for Mowgli's Road premiere here in Australia on rage. The video itself is fabulous (scroll down), but the music itself is everything I love about pop music in its current shape and form. Mowgli is catchy, outlandish, engaging, gloriously harmonic and just hooky enough to send you insane over how good it is. Marina's voice is sharp yet easily flexible, showing some bizarre accentuation and a strangely thick range. Even when she's making weird noises in the song, like "cuckoo!", it still sounds amazing.

I dunno what else to say. Just fucking listen to it.

FINAL RATING (/10): 9.5

Here's the video. Lick that shit up.



xoxoxoxo
David and the Diamonds

Song #67: Jonsi "Go Do"



So, Jonsi from Sigur Ros is working on a solo album. Entitled Go, it should be ready in about April. He's an amazing singer and a very wonderful musician, so naturally I'm excited about it. What's gotten me even more excited, however, is the sneak-peak track that Parlophone have just uploaded onto their YouTube channel.

Never one to shy away from the grandiose, Go Do is sweeping in its big, multi-faceted sound that's complete with thunderous drumming, heavens-high harmonies and atmospheric, ambient keyboards that assist the song in sounding so fucking glorious. Is it any surprise that this work is from the mind that gave us Hoppipolla and Vid Spilum Endalaust?

Apparently, he's singing in English. Even still, you can't understand a single word that he's saying. But hey, that's how it's been for years with Sigur Ros, why let that end now? Go Do is wonderful, and if all goes according to plan, Go will be as well.

FINAL RATING (/10): 8.5

Jonsi's currently touring the US, and I really hope he makes it to Australia before the end of the year!

Have a listen to the song here, on YouTube.

x
David

Song #66: David Bowie - "Kooks"

 

A strange inclusion to my list, this track from David Bowie's third album, Hunky Dory, came to my attention via a mixtape made for me thanks to the amazing Last.FM Mixtape Trading group. For the record, that's a wonderful incentive and I strongly recommend those of you with a profile on Last to check it out.

The song itself is pretty cheesy and kitsch, as was with most of Bowie's early stuff - especially the singles. That doesn't stop it from being a fun little pop tune, that was apparently written to Bowie's son, Duncan, and was influenced by the immortal Neil Young. It's simply done, but it's still a really cute number that's very catchy. Also, The Kooks named themselves after this song. Kooky!

FINAL RATING (/10): 7


Bowie's in spaaaaaaaaaaaace.

x
David

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Song #65: Owen Pallett - "Tryst With Mephistopheles"



I'm in love. I just got a great package of CDs from the site I write for, and of these I have particularly fallen in love with Owen Pallett - formerly known as Final Fantasy - and his new record, Heartland.

The album itself is fucking brilliant - twelve breathtaking songs of incredible songwriting. The second last track in particular, Tryst With Mephistopheles, has quickly become my favourite song he has ever written. It's insanely joyous in its arrangement - particularly the chorus melody that just seems to escalate higher and higher. The drums keep things upbeat, the bass is surprisingly warm and the orchestration is pure bliss. It's hard to describe this one - it's a very strange story, lyrically, of love, faith, religion and self-reference (the character in the song is, fittingly enough, named Owen). It takes a few listens for this particular track to be truly appreciated - I feel that the same thing can be said about the entire record. However, much like the rest of Heartland, this track will eventually worm its way into your head until you just can't help but love it. Recommended for fans of Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, Joanna Newsom and other acts that make incredible alternative music without prominent use of guitar.

FINAL RATING (/10): 9.5

Heartland, so far the best album of 2010, is out now!

x
David

Song #64: super FLORENCE jam - "Ghetto Project Fabulous"

 

I got the debut EP from super FLORENCE jam to review alongside Neon Indian's album and Stroke, the compilation CD for Chris Knox. Stroke was excellent, Neon Indian was boring and this...well, this was garbage.

These kids are posturing themselves as the new saviours of Oz rok-n-rol.They fail on several levels, notably their singer sounding like an inbred Andrew Stockdale. The song has no hooks, just irritation repetition. The guitar is lame, the drums are weak, the vocals have a case for justifiable homicide...ahh, fuck this, I don't want to write about this anymore!

FINAL RATING (/10): 1

Fuck this band!

x
David

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Song #63: Smiler feat. Smart - "Clarity"


Man, I haven't listened to British hip-hop in so long. It's amazing to know that the scene is still very much thriving out there. I came across this on a blog called UK All Day, which I'm definitely going to bookmark in order to try and get back into Brit-hop. There's just something so likable and earnest about a lot of the underground stuff - and, in a way, it's understandable when you think how much more they have to prove themselves as opposed to U.S. rappers.

Smiler has a really cool sound to him. He's obviously influenced by some of the more commercial U.S. stuff, but there's enough grit in both his vocals and his delivery to make it a strong number in its own original right. The guest verse, by an MC called Smart, is also worth checking out - it's passionately delivered and quite clever in its flow and lyrics. It's definitely worth checking out for any fan of hip-hop, especially those with an interest with what's happening in the U.K.

FINAL RATING (/10): 7.5

Here's the video. See what you think!



x
David

Song #62: Fuck Buttons - "Sweet Love to Mother Earth"


Interestingly enough, I have had this song on my harddrive for quite some time. I got it from the mixtape of some hipster's blog where he put together a compilation of his favourite songs of 2008. This was my first experience listening to the band's music in full - and truth be told, I'm uncertain I could last an entire record.

It's not that "Sweet Love" is a bad song. Not at all. It is, however, an exhausting listening experience - clocking in at nearly ten minutes, the track takes several of those just building up keyboard noise around a single note. The peak of the song's intensity is near the end, with distorted screams and increased noise. It gets really exciting near its end, but it's a difficult pill to swallow. I might try some of their other stuff, but this has left me pretty uneasy about it.

FINAL RATING (/10): 5.5

x
David