Half-time score
Haven't written much about music of late. Well, I have been doing the usual, downloading and buying albums and finding that most of them have one or two good tracks and little else to recommend them. I haven't heard Partie Traumatic, the debut album by Jacksonville's Black Kids, yet (it's out on July 7, and I don't get sent pre-releases as much as I did when I mattered), but I can't get enough of their single I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You (especially the Twelves Remix), which I saw being performed by this lumpy looking bunch on Later. It has since been a "hit", I understand, but I take almost no notice of the charts any more. Perhaps the album will disappoint me as much as the albums by Futureheads, Foals, the Ting Tings and MGMT, all of whom have supplied excellent singles but don't seem to have what it takes to go the distance.
The Ting Tings, in particular, are not looking down the barrel of a long and lasting career. (Of that batch, Futureheads stand out; their third album This Is Not The World sounds encouragingly like the Skids to my old ears, and at least it has a congruity and a thumping sound to recommend it, it's just that the single Beginning Of The Twist outclasses much of that which follows it. I'll give it another go, which is more than I can say for the others in my list.)
I have listened to Paul Weller's 22 Dreams many times, and it improves like a wine. Now that's what I call an album: it demands to be listened to as a whole. (And I thought Weller hated David Bowie - this record has Aladdin Sane running right through it, right down to the tumbling piano.) I was initially underwhelmed by The Enemy, despite coming from the Midlands, but their single This Song Is About You, as well as conjuring the unfashionable spirit of The Farm, is hard to ignore.
I wasn't expecting Midnight Boom by The Kills to be so good, but it is. Overlook any tiresome romantic connections of either of the members of the band, this is surprisingly tuneful lo-fi garage pop. I feel quite sad that the Long Blondes album, Couples, has been a resounding miss in the charts, as it's their first good album - the music has caught up with their eyecatching cool. (I understand one of their number, Dorian, is seriously unwell. Our thoughts go out etc.) As salivated over in the NME, Santogold by Santogold is full of life, and it's not just the single L.E.S. Artistes, there's more treasure here that doesn't really fit into any handy box.
You may find this predictable of me, but I also have plenty of houseroom for two old troopers: David Gedge, whose latest Wedding Present album, El Rey, is muscular and heart-tugging and more than tinged with American ambience; and Mark E Smith, whose 156th Fall album Imperial Wax Solvent is fortified by one of his greatest ever tracks, 50 Year Old Man. I'm also sticking by my upbeat Word reviews of Neil Diamond's Home Before Dark, and Death Cab For Cutie's Narrow Stairs (have a listen to opening track Bixby Canyon Bridge). Sigur Ros's fifth, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (apologies if the correct Icelandic characters haven't come out) won't make any converts, but it does what it does with enormous glacial majesty. I never used to bother about them, but I have recently discovered that you have to lose yourself in their music, preferably on your own, and with it piped directly into your earholes.
Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow is perhaps this year's only unassailable instant modern classic, in my considered opinion, not least the saddest song ever written, Friend Of Ours. Meanwhile, I'd say that neither Portishead nor Spiritualized let us down. Last Shadow Puppets I've enthused about already, and hats in the air for the return of Paul Heaton with Cross-Eyed Rambler, and the clips I've watched on YouTube of Liam Finn, son of Neil, nephew of Tim, whose debut album I'll Be Lightning doesn't quite crystallise the spirits of his nutsoid live performances.
Oh, and Adele, sssshhhhhhhhhh!
posted by Andrew Collins @ 5:54 PM
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Saw Primal Scream on Tuesday, and they played a few good new ones, so looking forward to that album.
Great gig, actually. MC5 were excellent too.
John
We purchased the MGMT album at a small store in a northern suburb of Salt Lake City - I was a bit underwhelmed (with the album; Salt Lake's got mountains everywhere and is fabulous if a little over-polite) until we realised it really needs to be played loud. Not neighbour-annoyingly loud, but more-than-you'd-want-on-headphones loud.
"Seldom Seen Kid by Elbow is perhaps this year's only unassailable instant modern classic"
I'd like to propose the addition of Do You Like Rock Music by British Sea Power to that list.
What do you make of Pete and the Pirates?
'I thought Weller hated Bowie'. Me too, I'm sure I read him say that the only things he liked by him were the obscure (but admittedly great) 60's track 'Can't help thinking about me' and Hunky Dory. A typically cantankerous Weller statement. Always been a big fan despite these rather annoying traits. I thought he'd got over his 'I only like bands with short hair' phase and admitted to liking Free, Neil Young etc?
I agree with you about Elbow, Last Shadow Puppets and Portishead - all very good, Futureheads is pretty good too, just quite nice to have them back after the way the record company treated them.
I have also really enjoyed Fleet Foxes, Nick Cave, The Breeders, Laura Marling and Cass McCombs.
Oh, and hello everone, I'm Oliver, I've been lurking here for a while, Andrew's blog about Dannny Baker has encouraged me to join in.
Hello.
Brett Anerson's new one, 'Wilderness' (I think he's aware of the irony)is very special-dispatched on USB stick,initially, to those who have purchased tickets for the forthcoming album launch concert at the Mermaid Theatre on July 07, and to be followed by CD, Download release on July 21. It's a bold, brave, beautiful, honest and moving collection of songs, a record which eschews the traditional rock set-up in favour of finger-picked guitar, piano, and cello backing.
The man is fast becoming a national treasure, and over the course of 15 or so years has amassed an interesting and compelling back catalogue. He's going out on a limb with this record, and should be applauded for it (and yes,I almost forgot, the songwriting is very strong).
I would heartily agree with the Fleet Foxes recommendation.
For me the best band(s) around at the moment revolve around Spencer Krug of Sunset Rubdow, Wolf Parade and a million other side projects. Really can't recommend his stuff enough... I highly recommend Shut Up I'm Dreaming, the debut Sunset Rubdown album. If you only download one song make it the title track.
His work with Wolf Parade on their new one is a grower in the best sense of the word - first few listens are jarring and disturbing, then with every listen it grows more and more majestic. If you get one off that new album I'd go for An Animal In your Care...
As for Black Kids - the Wizard of Aaaahs EP came out for free a while back... 4 great, lo fi demo versions of their songs - better than the current releases i reckon. They're being sold down the water a little by their record company I feel. Removing the free stuff when they start wanting to sell product, Damn those idiot labels. Don't they realise kids (and late twenysomethings like me) have torrents?
Before I bore myself to death, I'll add one more little recommendation - the Islands album with the song Rough Gem - should be banned because that song is dangerously addictive.
following on from Liam Finn, I saw Crowded House at Westonbirt last saturday, and of the new songs Turn it Around was wonderful (the use of euphonium and the sea shanty sort of rhythmn make it sound like the baroque pop of decemberists or something like that) and falling dove is very serene. The Living End's new album White Noise will hopefully be well received - heard some new tracks and they are very good.
machine levine
That Elbow album is wonderful and probably their best yet. Weather to Fly has fast become one of my favourite songs ever.
My favourite album of the year so far has been Twenty One by Mystery Jets. I thought their first album was good, if a little bit too odd at times, but Twenty One is fantastic, I would thoroughly recommend it. They were great live too. Also really enjoyed Foals, MGMT and The Teenagers albums.
Andrew, if you like Sigur Ros I think you should check out a band called Shels. It's different in a few ways, but majestic and beautiful it certainly is! Check out this track, "Conference of the Birds" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7uhaPyZG9Y
BTW, it's not a video, it's a pic with the song playing as the background music. It's stunning stuff.
More Shels here: www.myspace.com/shels
Enjoy
That Black Kids track has made me feel like a teenager again, it's deeply funky and makes me feel all excited. Loving Fleet Foxes and the latest elpee by Steven Malkmus and the Jicks, too. Ooh, and Vampire Weekend.
I love that Black Kids single! They have some other good tracks too, but then again I think The Ting Tings have plenty to offer beyond the singles, particularly the brass laden finale We Started Nothing.
Weller has confessed in interviews to being a recent convert to Bowie.
Hope you don't mind but I have nicked your song choice and started using Feelgood by Numbers by The Go! Team as a bed for the opening link of my radio show. Don't worry though 'cos it's only hospital radio so I have very few listeners and I'm not being paid for this plagerism.
Hello everyone, thought I'd stick my tuppence worth in.
Black kids are a great little band, and one I've only discovered fairly recently. Their album makes you want to dance stupidly, which is always a good thing.
Seldom Seen Kid is also a great album, but I get the feeling that certain songs will become overplayed on TV, radio and in shops, meaning that I will probably not listen to it as much as it deserves. My mum has become a big fan of theirs though.
Lightspeed Champion's album, on the other hand, was a massive disappointment, and I think that Neil Diamond's work with Rick Rubin suffers when compared with the similarly produced Johnny Cash albums from a few years ago.
Mind you, he did put a good set in at Glastonbury.
I'd be interested to know what Andrew thought of Jay-Z's performance at Glastonbury on Saturday. Personally I thought he did very well and put on a great show, but am still not convinced that hip-hop works in the general festival/big outdoor event scheme of things.
I say that as a massive hip-hop fan, and think it's good that Michael Eavis took such a bold move to book Jay-Z, I'm just not sure that other hip-hop artists will hold a crowd as well as him.
Also, it seems strange that Jay-Z's songs, which could be considered misogynistic and glamourising violence, are deemed suitable fare for a festival built on Peace, Love and Understanding.
Any thoughts?
Oops, I meant the Black Kids single, not album.
I don't get pre-release copies anymore either.
Then again, I never did... :-(
Saw Liam Finn last week, will be going again next month, for SURE..
Have you heard Augie March..?
Cat
I do get pre-release and I'm afraid Black Kids go the same way as MGMT - two good single and an an album released too quickly...
My favourites of the year so far have been the new Tilly & The Wall, Elephant Shell by Tokyo Police Club, the aforementioned Fleet Foxes, Arm's Way by Islands, and the new CSS record Donkey looks promising.
Special mentions too for Errors, the Mae Shi, and Born Ruffians who I think you'd like Andrew.
Ooh, I'm looking forward to the Beck's new one too. The two tracks I've heard have been stunning.
Amy, I like the British Sea Power album too.
I've just downloaded some Fleet Foxes and Shels, and I'll get back to you. I thank you for your recommendations.
Jay-Z: I saw a couple of songs on the telly. I think having a live band made all the difference. But you're absolutely right, Chris, his use of the term "bitch" certainly seemed at odds with what is now heavily marketed as the Glastonbury vibe.
Could have sworn I posted this already but here goes again…
Elbow are terrific. As are BSP. It’s odd that bands that have been around for ages suddenly feel like a breath of fresh air. But when the new crop consists of the likes of Wombats, Scouting for Shit, Hoosiers, Pigeon Shit Detectives, Kooks etc etc.. maybe it isn’t so strange after all. The English music scene (there are still signs of life above the border) is in the grip of the worst decline I can remember. And God knows I’ve lived through a few.
The Fleet Foxes album is a blinder but I’ve already witnessed signs of the back lash starting. So it’s not a completely original sound? As long as they add more than they take, then they are well worth the effort. And they are making a much better fist of it than Midlake did a couple of years back.
Oh and the saddest song ever recorded is actually Casimir Pulaski Day by Sufjan Stevens. A song dedicated to the memories of an un-named lost love that is never sentimental just beautiful, joyful and therefore heartbreakingly sad.
I think a hip-hop act would work well at a festival as long as they've got good songs. Someone like Kanye West for instance would be really popoular at Glasto I think, and most* of his lyrics are quite positive to boot.
Zoe
*most, not all I know
Andrew, I'm so glad you like Santogold's self titled album. She's a class act, isn't she. Sort of MIA meets a Tricky remix of a Mary J Blige song with a bit of The Pixies and Grace Jones thrown in for good measure. It hasn't left my CD player much over the past 2 months. I can't wait for her to tour the UK. I think she's only scheduled to do one festival performance this year which is a shame.
What about Vantage Point by dEUS? It's another fine offering from them. Not their best long player but still typically excellent.
I'm also enjoying the Weller album. It's definitely what we used to call a "grower"!
This is what Andrew thought of Glastonbury 19 years ago
Wow, that's one of the few decent-sized pieces I wrote for NME that I don't have, Archivedmusicpress. Thanks for the memory!
I never rated MGMT till I heard them talk and play on the Radcliffe / Maconie show. I’d definitely recommend giving them a few more listens.
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