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

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

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

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

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

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