Category Archives: Uncategorized

Emeli Sandé-Our Version Of Events.

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Here’s the thing, I honestly do not need to write a load of carefully crafted sentences for me to tell you just how bloody good this record is. If you listen to it, and it doesn’t move you- then you’re not a music fan. You probably think X-Factor is good for the music industry. BOO! YOU WHORE (I had to quote Mean Girls, I’ve been dying to.)

Emeli has a voice that will make you emotional. Or maybe it’s just me. I don’t like singers that warble and think hitting high notes is the best thing in life. I love Emeli’s voice because it is so soft and delicate. Every word that falls so beautifully and freely from her mouth is so clear and crisp. You feel everything she is singing. I remember when I heard Lungs by FATM, and I just cried all the way through because it was so beautiful. It was that powerful. I did the same about 11 years ago when I went out and bought Songs In A Minor by the queen, Alicia Keys. I’m going to hop on that bandwagon for a sec and say that Emeli is OUR Alicia Keys. She has that quality to her and her music that just makes you relate. The words here, especially on Mountains makes you feel like a whole world of love and strength has taken over your body.

I am not ashamed to admit that this record has reduced me to tears. I look like I’ve been crying for weeks and weeks over a broken heart. I haven’t been crying for that reason. It’s just such a gorgeous and open record that just..oh bloody hell, I have no words. Please please go buy this record. I don’t care if your favourite band is Cradle Of Filth or if you are partial to a bit of The Cramps- this is is a stunning record. Listening to it, you cannot help but be blown away by the fact that this is Emeli’s debut record. WHAT THE HELL?! It sounds like something someone 4 albums deep into their career would make.

With the music industry riddled with singers having to remove clothing in order for people to pay attention and buy their records, Emeli is truly one in a million. Her music isn’t for a certain kind of person at all. It goes beyond a typical genre of music. It is just the most heartfelt and honest record I have heard in a long time. This is THE debut record of the year. Fuck whatever I said before, and what anyone else has said- this is THE ONE. This is where it is at kids. This is the record you need.

You know how Alicia’s debut record influenced so many? I’m going to proudly stand by this- Our Version Of Events WILL do the same. Hand on heart, I firmly believe this. Fuck, it makes me wish I could sing. This is the best female singer in the UK right now. She is just a beautiful human being with such talented. Some people are gifted and can just make you feel so much with even just one saong- Emeli is like that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu1tiUtqV54

I think what makes this an emotional listen is that, my mum loves her. My mum was pretty ill when Emeli was starting last year properly..and every single time I heard Heaven I’d just cry. Now I have a whole record that does the same. I’m pretty sure when my mum hears this she will have the same reaction as me. I never write as a Music Journalist, I always write as a fan because I hope my love for what I’m listening to comes across as best as I can get it out. I just think this is truly the most passionate and perfect piece of art I’ve heard in such a long time.

If I could thank Emeli personally for this record, I would. It’s just on a different level to anything I have ever heard before. It will make you see the world in a different way. You’ll be left feeling loved and hopeful after you have heard this record. Debut record of the year, and I’m standing by that.

The Horrors-Strange House.

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I’ve written about Primary Colours and Skying, but never Strange House. Obviously because I started this (whatever it is) just under a year after The Horrors debut LP came out. I remember the day I bought it so clearly. There are a few records I am like this with.

The album came out in March 2007, and I was a few months into my first year of University. I loved The Horrors since the start. That aggressive, post-punk, garage rock feel to their music drew me in instantly. I fell in love with them when I first heard Sheena Is A Parasite. The video also blew me away. I just loved how different everything sounded. I mean, sure you could hear what influenced them0 but they were (and still are) NOTHING like what was around. I’ve always loved the Ramones, The Jesus And Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine from an extremely young age (my uncle’s influence on me) and to hear a band that were my age making music like this; it was just a great comfort. Knowing I wasn’t the only one of my age listening to this stuff. It made me connect with The Horrors even more.

It does make me sad that they no longer play anything off this record anymorem but I do understand why they don’t in a way. However, I would’ve loved to have seen them live when they were getting started. I think Faris covering an audience in black paint is my generation’s version of Iggy and the peanut butter incident. Since 2006 I have been trying (and failing) to see The Horrors live. People bailing out was the main issue, as well as me being broke. HOWEVER, they’re supporting Florence on her UK tour in a few weeks. I just hope their music isn’t lost on the crowd. And yes, I am going. I think I am more excited about seeing The Horrors than Florence- I’ll have seen her 5 times, but it means more to see The Horrors in a way because I’ve waited so long.

Faris’ vocals on Strange House were quite “in your face” and would probably cause a vulnerable person’s ears to bleed. Personally, I loved them. I love his voice. I find it to be highly distinctive; he makes you want to listen and treasure every single word he is singing. Whether it’s the shouting on Sheena or the calming sounds of I Only Think Of You (second record.) He just lures you in.

I’ll always hold this record very dear to me, as it reminds me of my first year of Universirty. I remember skipping a lecture that Monday of the release just to go buy Strange House. Am I proud of doing this? Of course I am. It does annoy me a lot that people are only just now getting themselves familiar with The Horrors. Yes, Still Life is a good song- but you need..you HAVE to go back to the very very start of The Horrors to really appreciate what they do now, and see how they’ve gornw. Many critics and the general  public at the time of Strange House, did shun them because of how they dressed and how big their hair was. It wasn’t an image it was just how they were. However, how they dressed really did fit in with the sound and feel of Strange House. I loved the whole look they had going on. If I was male, I probably would’ve copied the look to be honest.

As a debut record, you really cannot find any fault with Strange House. If you can, then you’re not a fan of The Horrors. There is more to them than just wearing black clothes. There is more to them than Still Life. This band are one of the best band’s that the UK has produced in a hell of a long time. What I love about this debut record is, althought it does posses a Garage Rock feel to it- it also has essence of Punk scattered through. You know full well that they did what they wanted with this record (and also with Primary Colours and Skying.) They aren’t a band that should be told what to do, free creative regin is a must for bands like The Horrors. Bands that stay true to their art. There aren’t many bands around now that do this. You can find it easily in the music of The Kills, Warpaint, The XX, Zola Jesus and a few others. I love Strange House because it is a frightening record. Faris’ screaming will scare you bloody shitless- that’s perfect. That is why I fell in love with them when I first heard them.

The record opens with a bloody marvellous cover of Screaming Lord Sutch’s Jack The Ripper. If you’re not familiar with him, get familiar with him. If you love music that is on a different level of weird and will cause mini heart attacks with how insane it is- listen to Screaming Lord Sutch. My personal favourite track off the record is She Is The New Thing. That will always be one of my favourite tracks by the band. I also adore Little Victories. I think that was the song I first played over and over when I got the record. Excellent Choice (either version) is just stunning. The monologue is greeted with Faris yelling in the background. It works, it works so bloody well. I respect that they never play any of these songs live now; but I can’t help but want to witness everyone going mental to Sheena Is A Parasite or Death At The Chapel.

I still find myself watching clips of the band from 2006/2007/2008 playing material from Strange House and just being in awe of every movement from each band member. The way Joe beats the shit out the drums, the way Tom just looks so fucking cool playing the bass oblivious to the chaos on stage and in the crowd. The way Josh throws himself about playing the guitar and making the most incredible sounds. The way Rhys thrashes the organ and moves like a madman. The way Faris screams every single word and stalks the stage like a lucid panther, picking up scattered objects from the crowd and on stage. It is all so fucking wonderful, and it is music like this that makes my heart race and mind explode.

I mean tracks like Gil Sleeping, A Train Roars, Thunderclaps- they are eerie tracks that will posses your mind. The way Gloves deals with an obsession of collecting Gloves. Count In Fives deals with Faris’ habit of counting in fives when he was younger- it is all so fucking magnificent and brutal. You may be quick to judge the songs as screaming bollocks, and for that I wish to lamp you one. Read the lyrics, and you will see just how out of this world The Horrors were then, and still are now.

Most of you may claim Skying as THE ultimate album by The Horrors, and the band probably do too. But, it was Strange House that made me give my heart and mind and ears over to The Horrors. It has fuzzy and psychotic sounds for those who enjoy the weird and dark side of life. It’s the perfect debut record, and when I first heard it I just knew that anything and everything The Horrors would come to do would amaze me and be a huge part of my life. I cannot imagine my life without The Horrors and my record collection without their music. They are a band that you can be proud to be a fan of, and they leave you want more every single time. Just waiting for a new sound that blow your mind and get you falling in love with them all over again.

When I left for Uni in 2006, my auntie and uncle gave me a I AM A HORROR t-shirt and a badge of The Horrors as a leaving present. I still wear them with such pride.

The Small Print.

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I’ve got probably a list of things to do, and as a rebellious 25 year old (I have no idea who I’m rebelling against, but go with it. I want to seem like a badass for once. I’ve got the leather jacket.) I refuse to do them right now. I’ll probably never do them. Some may say it is rebellion, others may say I have a really bad memory. The latter is obviously apt, but let’s go with the former kids.

The Small Print are BRAND NEW. I was going to try throw in some really awful slang, but I’m not one for speaking in slang- unless I’m taking the piss. This blog post isn’t a piss take. It’s actually vital that you go listen to The Small Print. However, they don’t have many songs but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check them out. As they are so NEW, you need to get involved with them right now. Serious. Have you got snow where you are? Yeah, don’t go out. You can go to the pub anytime can’t you? You don’t want to fall over on ice when drunk. It can hurt (I’ve never done it, but I can fall over when sober and if nothing is even in my way.)

So, you have a choice of sites as to where you can check out the insanely wonderful sounds of The Small Print. As I am someone who likes to give and make others happy, I’m going to give you the links :

http://www.reverbnation.com/thesmallprintbanduk

http://www.purevolume.com/TheSmallPrint74381

http://www.myspace.com/the-small-print

Becca’s voice is beautiful. She reminds me of…oh wait, NO ONE! She’s that good. Fuck the comparisons. That’s not happening here. However, Tom and AJ absolutley slay the drums and guitars much like Test Icicles did when they were around. They merge delicate vocals with brutal sounds. It’s honestly no surprise that I love them at all really.

GO LISTEN.

Spooky Campers.

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I was told to check out Spooky Campers. When someone tells me to do something, I have this wonderful thing of never listening. I’d rather fuck up on my own and be responsible rather than say “THEY TOLD ME TO DO IT.” With music, I always take on board if someone tells me to listen to a band or singer. I can’t say, “No thanks. I don’t like the name.” Or something stupid. Of course I dislike a lot, but you won’t find me shouting about it on here. If you want to find a blog that is fuelled by negative comments and sly digs- I’m sure you can find some spotty faced, angst ridden hipster blog somewhere. They’re probably the biggest hypocrite out there, alongside politicians.

Rant aside, and this does fit in- I’m glad I was told to listen to Spooky Campers (sunkensounds.tumblr.com) are to thank for that, so thank you to them.

What do I love about Spooky Campers? Okay the name, I love. But it’s the Garage Rock/lo-fi feel they have. You know how much I love this sound. I was thinking the other day, the music I listen to is probably the stuff some twat would call me out as being a “hipster” for. I was going to get offended then though- if having excellent music taste makes me that, then whatever. It beats being called a “cunt” again.

Spooky Campers are amazing. I know nothing about them. I don’t know where they are from, age, shoe size- I’m doing this to prove a point. You do not need to know everything about a band in order to enjoy the music. I’m more than happy to sit here, and write these words- just enjoying the music. Besides, what use is knowing anything personal anyway? It doesn’t alter my view on the music.

I’m trying to find a band I can link them to in order for me to say, “If you like….then you’ll dig Spooky Campers.” But, I cannot find anyone. Personally, I think that’s a fucking good thing. I’m listening to their music, and I’m thinking why it took me so long to find a band like this. A band that just create this stunning music that virtually nobody has heard of. I don’t want it to stay that way. I want everyone to listen to them. You see, a hipster wouldn’t tell you about them would they? They’d keep the band to themselves, and name drop them during Poetry Night whilst drinking some pretentious sounding made-up latte shit. I like Poetry Nights, but the only hot drink I like is tea. I want you to know Spooky Campers. I want it to be my personal mission to get these guys heard. So I’m starting with this piece on them. I do hope it makes you want to listen to them, because they are truly fantastic.

It does take quite a bit for me to instantly fall in love with a band- and it happened oh so easily with Spooky Campers. It is gnarly, it is passionate and it deserves to be heard by all of you.

Go listen : http://spookycampers.bandcamp.com/

Victories At Sea.

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I do hope that all these bands that are coming up from Birmingham right now are making London bands shit themselves out of fear. With the likes of Swim Deep making incredible music- they bloody well should be.

So, allow me to give you another band from the Midlands. If you love the electro feel of New Order or maybe of recent times- you love the euphoric feel of Foals..possibly M83 too. Whatever you’re into- you are truly going to love Victories At Sea. I’m not just saying this because I WANT you to dig them as much as I do. I just believe in showing off good music in any way possible. Just be glad we’re not friends because I would be sending you their music every single day. Ritualistically because that’s how I am (at times.)

Victories At Sea make music that makes you want to dance. They make you want to dance in that brilliant odd way like Ian Curtis. Or, just like a drunken idiot (I dance like that even when sober.) This euphoric lift that they give you just makes you feel so fucking good inside. Pardon my language, but I’m really feeling this music right in my bones. Music is the one solid thing that makes me happy. There’s always a few bands and songs that give me this feeling that I may never get from a person (I welcome the challenge.) And I’m getting it now from listening to Victories At Sea.

I know I love music that can be regarded as brutal and raw- but I do love music that just sends me into another world. A world that you create in your mind. Like the band are holding your hand, and guiding you towards this magical land. Where nothing and no one can disturb you.

Check out their wonderfully lucid tracks on their Soundcloud page : http://soundcloud.com/victoriesatsea If you don’t dig it, then we may have to have words. Not harsh ones, but still. It’s been a long time coming, but I think this year the Midlands are going to be the ones to watch for music- and quite rightfully so.

They are playing the Roadhouse in Manchester on the 24th February. Make sure you go check them out!

Petition (Important.)

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Every so often something happens in the World that just fills me with rage and disgust towards people. Not all people- just a certain kind. The kind I’m usually disgusted at are called, Politicians. I’m not going to word this in a way that doesn’t offend; I don’t care. I’m past that. Because what the UK government could possibly do is WAY more offensive than anything I could ever write down.

Whether you know it or not- we all know someone who is a victim of domestic violence. You may not know it because they have taught themselves to hide it so well, or they just deny anything is going on. However, for most they seek refuge in Safe Houses across the country.

Well, it seems so motherfucking bright spark wants to cut funding for domestic violence resources. Now, it really doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is beyond wrong and utterly utterly vile. This simply cannot happen. And I want YOU to click on the link that a very good friend of mine has set up for a petition to stop this from happening. Please don’t think “Oh my signature won’t make a difference.” DON’T BE SUCH A TWAT. Sign it. It will take you a couple of minutes, and doing so could stop this from happening. So please, do it.

What makes me sad is that, all too often victims of rape, domestic violence are ALWAYS seen as deserving it. Who the FUCK asks to be raped? Who the FUCK asks to be beaten up on a daily basis, and being made to feel so worthless because of abusive words and actions? NOBODY. NOBODY AT ALL.

We all have the right to feel safe- on the streets and in our own home. To cut this funding would just ruin so many people’s lives. It would take away a safety net for so many. So please please- sign the petition. Thing is- you shouldn’t have to read anything I’ve written- you should’ve just scrolled down to find the link so you could sign the petition. If you read this and think, “Nah..I won’t bother.” Then please, go fuck yourself. Imagine if it happened to you or someone you loved- how would you feel?

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/28979

The Government seem to want to only do things that bring in money and ignore helping others. It doesn’t take a lot to realise that keeping the funds for these resources is FAR more important that the fucking Olympics. People running about for half an hour on a brand new track or saving a person’s life by giving them a place to go? It’s obvious what is important.

Thank you.

x

Shark?

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Trying to find anything about this band just leads me to some stuff about sharks. I don’t mind because I do love sharks a hell of a lot. Probably more than I actually should. The conversations I’ve had about sharks with my 8 year old nephew are quite intense- on both our parts. Both old souls with a solid view on the world. We both COULD be superheroes. Anyway.

Shark? the band come from Brooklyn, which makes them another fantastic East Coast band. If Interpol were less dark but more aggressive- they’d be like this. It’s a good thing because I LOVE Interpol, and I love Shark?

So, why do I love this band? Well, they are from one of the best places in the world (okay, I’ve never been there but you know) and they are influenced by some bands that I adore, and hold very dear to me such as the Pixies and Sonic Youth. This shines through in their music- but by no means are they ripping any of these bands off at all.

Shark? are creating Garage Rock at its finest and I really do hope that you and the rest of the universe take notice of this band. Yeah, a lot of bands have so much to offer but there’s something I’ve found in Shark? that….I guess I can’t put it into words that will make any sense to you. So what I’m saying is- just go listen to the music and let it control you for a bit. It’s always okay to lose self control and throw yourself into something- especially if it is a form of art.

Enjoy.

http://sharkquestionmark.bandcamp.com/

Baby Woodrose.

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I can list you the bands that make me feel like I am having an outer-body experience. I know you don’t want to hear it- but I’m going to give you a band that have been around for some time now, that make me feel like…man..they just make me fucking FEEL you know? This is the kind of band I could listen to if I felt like everything around me was fucked up and wrong, but they’d make me feel good again.

Baby Woodrose are funky as fuck. This is the “my god I am feeling this in my bones” kind of music. If you’d never heard of them before, and if you didn’t know any better- you’d assume they were another astounding Psychedellic band from L.A. They just have that chilled out and lucid vibe. They’re from Denmark. I don’t know much about music from Denmark, feel free to wing some bands my way if you want. I’ll check them out. If they sound like Baby Woodrose, I’ll buy you a drink. Or you can pretend I have. That’d be easier.

Readers, I cannot believe what I am hearing right now. How can something like this have been created over the past decade? This makes me feel like I’m losing myself in the 1960s, some place hot. You know exactly where. This is the kind of music that makes me want to hug someone out of sheer joy because I am so happy to be alive. This gnarly, passionate and trippy music is what keeps me going. You know, if Lester Bangs was still alive- I think that Baby Woodrose would be a band he adored. Man…if Lester was still alive, I would’ve already found a way to get to the States to find him and tell him he is my favourite Music Writer of all time. I’ll let you into a little secret- I aspire to be as amazing as him. I probably don’t have it in me, but I try. Everything I write is me trying to get closer to being a semi decent writer. Got to keep going. Music and writing- they are all I have. I don’t need much. Music like this makes me happy. Music like this makes me glad that my only love is music. This is some serious stuff right here.

I just want to know, why aren’t Baby Woodrose huge? Is it because nobody “gets” it? There’s nothing to GET about this music. It’s incredible, simple as. Is it because their name comes from a trippy based drug? I don’t know. All I know is that they are going up in my list of favourite bands, easily.

Baby Woodrose have a new album dropping in April. It’s called Third Eye Surgery. If you know what’s good for you, you will buy it. Also, check out all their records. Their first one, Blows Your Mind (which it will) is my favourite. And all you shallow fucks are wrong if you think I only like it for the front cover. As glorious as the naked woman is, I love it for the music.

Heartless Bastards.

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I know I’ve just written about a band that make you want to fuck shit up in such a passionate manner, but I need to give you something that will balance it out. I’d make some generic reference, but I don’t think I’m at that place right now. Or if I’ve ever been there. Who knows. Who cares. No one, kid. No one.

Heartless Bastards. What a bloody good name for a band. Their music (and I’m sure them personally) is not heartless at all. Think Beach House. You like Beach House? So do I. Aren’t they beautiful. So are Heartless Bastards.

I love the name, so I’ll keep typing it when referring to them (if I can remember.) Heartless Bastards are a band you need to play when you just want to get in your car and drive off somewhere. To escape those annoying fucks you know, or to just briefly get out of your head for a while. Again, this is another band I cannot give you the genre of. It always spoils it when a person does that. Like, say if a really good Pop singer came out- and a friend said to you, “You need to check out this new Pop singer!” You’d turn your nose up at it wouldn’t you? I don’t understand music snobs. Fuck off man, you’re not the one on stage getting paid to do something you love. You’re probably working in a bank and your boss smells of shit, and the people are shit. And the money is shit. To hell with your negative energy. I’ll never write about something I don’t like just to seem outrageous. I once had cheerios for dinner- that’s how crazy I am. Yeah, I know. Calm down ladies, I’m fucking wild…about as wild as a dead dog.

What was my point?

I don’t have one.

Heartless Bastards are band that make you want to get some wooden platform, stand on a porch and sing the songs to your neighbours and passers by. A real Southern feeling to this band (American not English, silly!) They make you feel warm and proud. I don’t know what you’re proud of, but they make you feel it. They just make you feel so good.

Their new record, Arrow is out soon. I’m not one for giving out advice, but I’m telling you now- to buy the record. If T-Rex ever made a country record, it’d sound like Heartless Bastards music. Not that they’re country, but they have a slight hint of it. I cannot describe it. Just go find out for yourself. You need them.

They’re just a bloody good and solid Rock band.

Chicks Who Love Guns.

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Chicks Who Love Guns are the best band in Australia. I don’t know much about bands from there, all I know is that Silverchair were one of the best bands ever and they too, came from Australia. So, what we can take from this is that Australia produces some good fucking music.

If you like gentle music that makes you feel like you’re being held. Maybe you’re a sadcase who cries themselves to sleep every single night because the likes of Adele express how you feel. Yeah, get in line with the rest of those who read Closer and drink Diet Coke because they want to spend their evening with their best friends Ben & Jerry after work, just to balance it out. It’s cool if that works for you, I mean- for every together person in the universe, there’s about 50 listening to Someone Like You thinking about a lover from 10 years ago.

Chicks Who Love Guns are brutal. If  Test Icicles were still around (I love you Dev, this is where it started man) Chicks Who Love Guns would be an AMAZING support on some world tour, where their stage antics made them the new Iggy & The Stooges. But hey, it’s never going to happen. But being the new Iggy & The Stooges just might.

Forget trying to find a genre to throw them into- it’s not about that at all. They are creating this insane tension filled music that makes me glad I am still breathing. This is my favourite band right now, for sure. I love how aggressive it sounds. I know I’m partial to the relaxed sounds of The xx and Warpaint but sometimes, I need something so fucking loud. Something so grand and loud. Vomit On The Dancefloor makes me want to go to some rundown gig venue, throw my limbs about and shake my head until I pass out. The night would end with my Docs covered in cheap whiskey and clothes being a bit ripped. My jacket would be safe though. That’s always a given. The jacket must always be safe.

Hand on heart, I honestly do not expect any of my friends to dig this band nor do I even expect them to read any of this. I won’t say to any of them to check out Chicks Who Love Guns because I know they want. So, I’m giving it to YOU instead. A complete stranger who I am placing some faith in that you will actually go listen to these guys, and fall in love like I have. Fall in love hard. Be covered in bruises and cuts. Leave yourself black and blue. Bleed a little. Let out your crazy and violent side to this. Just..I don’t know- fuck shit up if you must. I don’t know.

Chicks Who Love Guns are noisy and raw. It has undertones of Garage Rock, Punk and a wee bit of Shoegaze. It’s no surprise that I love them. It’s a lo-fi riot that I never want to stop.

This is the real deal. This is what we all need. This is music to zone out to, it is music to go wonderfully insane to. So do it.