i have myself a ticket

not a golden ticket…..but one to Reading festival.

I am so excited. Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead. Three of the bands I actually really want to see are the headliners. This is a day of jubilation for myself. Whateve I do, I want to be as close to Radiohead’s performance as possible, if you’re a frequent reader, you might be familiar with my constant mention of them, which has thinned out in recent months. But alas, In Rainbows is one album I could constantly listen to. And some of the supporting acts aren’t half bad either, Bloc Party, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maximo Park, Vampire Weekend Placebo, Brand New and IAN BLOODY BROWN! With a whole host of bands I am sure to get excited about yet to be announced, this far-off weekend is shaping up well.

Radiohead – Bangers & Mash
Arctic Monkeys – Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts
Kings of Leon – Head to Toe

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Klang Review

About 5 years ago, The Rakes released the fantastic 22 Grand Job and their debut album Capture/Release was pretty damn amazing. Their sophomore effort, Ten New Messages was a good follow-up, but in my opinion fell short of expectations, not that it wasn’t good, it contains possibly their best song as a burning bright highlight, I’m of course talking about We Danced Together.

This new album, Klang, however is a brilliant example of a band continuing on brilliant form. New single 1989 is amazing, literally, I cannot stop listening to it’s intense brilliance. It’s a single I think will see the Rakes granted increased success in their music-career, long-overdue success in my opinion. Anyway, I can only recomend this album, it is probably my favourite of theirs now, Capture/Release was fantastic but Klang seems like a re-hash of all their lyricism, musical style and ideals from that first album into a seemingly fuller and more demanding-of-your-attention musical journey.

Klang’s out now so go and grab it.

1989
That’s The Reason
& as a bonus, here’s this live gem;
22 Grand Job (Live at Reading Festival feat. Bloc Party, Maximo Park and Towers of London)

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Making an Example with Don Diablo + other news

Brilliant british rapper Example working with the hottest remix artist/dj/soon to release original album Don Diablo? OH YES. thanks to whoever thought of doing this, it has turned out great. Yeah been posted a gazilion times but who cares? it’s pretty darn good and another ‘example’ of Don Diablo’s genius (see what i did there )

Don Diablo ft. Example – Instant Replay

Anything else for today? WELL
Yeah Bloc Party have got a remix album coming out but I heard a remix of a song from a completely different band that I’ve been obsessing over and a remix of my favourite RnB song ever, which makes it different madly enough.
First is White Lies and this; Farewell to the Fairground (Rory Phillips White Horse Mix) which makes their most melodic depressive song into a almost guaranteed dancefloor filler. AMAZING.
Following on, Amerie’s 1 Thing is like one of my favourites songs of all time, yes it’s that good in my opinion, and this remix of it actually makes into one of the best summer songs of all time. 1 Thing (siik Remix)

‘Tis all for this day children.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Review

The new album from so-called ‘Coppola-lovers’ (getit? one of them is married to Sophie Coppola! GETIT?) french band Phoenix is actually rather good. Yeah, 1901 has been posted around and around the blogs recently as it has been given away as a free single. And it’s pretty darn fantastic. So it deserves the spotlight, however it is only part of a ten-song album full of musical brilliance.

Their three year absence of recording new material (last album came out May 2006) has obviously let them have to time to develop this brilliant sound. It’s upbeat, cheery music, however with often sad lyrical overtones that’s contrast provides lovely songs. I think the cover art is probably as close as you can visually represent their music, the pink, red, black and blue just sum up the songs, with their muted colours and happy mood juxtaposed against the bombs, in an amazing way.

Not out till May this one to look out for on it’s eventual physical release as that is what I shall be doing. I’ll probably go as far as to pre-order it. Here are two highlights in what I consider destined to be a single, Girlfriend and the brilliant album opener; Lisztomania

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Yes, these are actually new

I’ve actually been listening to new stuff recently – madly enough. Have heard the new Grizzly Bear album, which I have really enjoyed on first impressions. It’s definitely something to watch out for on it’s final release in May. Here’s a highlight in the lovely ditty ‘Cheerleader’

Also really enjoying the new single from Passion Pit, called ‘Sleepyhead’ it has an amazingly good beat and the singing’s in some ways distorted effect is fantastic. Watch the great video below;

In a guilty pleasure sort of way, I’ve fallen madly for the debut solo single of Daniel Merriweather. ‘Change’ is just a fantastically great pop song. It’s simple, catchy, features an impressive rap cameo from Wale and showcases Merriweather’s vocals perfectly. Yes, it is incredibly cheesy and typical of arch-overfiend of producing Mark Ronson’s style (it could easily fit into his last album ‘Version’) but it just hooked me in from my first listen.

‘Tis all for now, enjoy them, next post will feature a couple of good remixes, recycled from other blogs but will be re-posted because they are practically essential.

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