LONDON SCOUSER'S Best Of 2013

LONDON SCOUSER'S Best Of 2013

Alice In Chains Best of 2013 Black Books Dan Le Sac Imagine Dragons Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Neal Scroobius Pip

This has been a great year with 2 notable events.... A future King of England was born, but more importantly, I joined the Tune Doctor team as a regular contributor. I haven't checked the official statistics, but I believe I have had almost as much press coverage as baby George. Seriously though, I have really enjoyed choosing tracks to share every week and I look forward to contributing many more.

These are my 5 absolute standout tracks of the year, in no particular order.

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - 'Stunner'

When I chose this as my TOTW back in August, I said that I was eagerly awaiting the release of their 3rd album 'Repent, Replenish, Repeat' and I wasn't disappointed. Despite only having 9 tracks, it has everything I have come to love about the boys. Clever and meaningful lyrics with Dan Le Sac's excellent beats holding the songs together. 

This time I will dedicate the song to a certain Shellhunter because as far as I'm concerned, 'The world don't revolve around you but it should'

Black Books - 'Favorite Place'

I first came across this 5 piece band from Austin, Texas when I was offered a free song on my mobile phone through my Google Play account. That song was 'White Noise' and it featured on an EP called 'Aquarena'. I was instantly impressed and could hear influences that to me ranged from 'Arcade Fire' to 'Embrace'. The standout track however was this song which also features on their self titled debut album. In May,they were in the UK supporting none other than 'The Flaming Lips' and Shellhunter and I caught them at their first ever UK headline gig at The Barfly just after they had played 2 support gigs at The Roundhouse. They played a great set and afterwards I spoke with the band at the bar and they were a bunch of nice guys to boot. I look forward to seeing them again in the near future.

Actual setlist taken off of the stage post-gig

Imagine Dragons - 'Radioactive'

I chose this as my first TOTW way back in January, and despite it's popularity (108 million plus views on You Tube) I haven't grown tired of it. The video still makes me smile with all of the cuddly-wuddlies gaining their revenge. The rest of the album was slightly poppier than this but I enjoyed it. I never got a chance to see them when they played over here earlier in the year, but I'm sure they will be back soon.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (Feat Wanz) - 'Thrift Shop'

When I first heard this track on Scroobius Pip's xFM show, I didn't realise how huge it was going to become. I don't have much else to say other than to quote some of  the lyrics ' This is f#@$ing awesome'

Having been a fan of Alice In Chains since the 90's I was really happy to hear their new stuff this year which did not fail to disappoint me whatsoever. Shellhunter and I saw that they were playing over in the UK and when the dates were announced we were dismayed to see that they were playing in London at the Alexandra Palace (see here for why we were upset) I saw that they were also playing in Birmingham, and I arranged to stay with some family up there, but never got around to buying the tickets and missed seeing them play. However, imagine my excitement when at work one mundane morning, a colleague handed me a plectrum and asked me if I had heard of this band.Upon studying it, I thought I read the signature as Jerry Cantrell...I then turned it over and saw the dinosaur logo that featured on the cover of their latest album 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' by now I was speechless and shaking. I eventually managed to tell my colleague that this was one of may all time favourite bands. She insisted that I go and speak with them, which after taking a few minutes to gather myself together, I did. The bands tour manager, Chuck Randall looks an imposing figure, but he is the epitome of 'looks can be deceiving' as he was one of the nicest people I have ever met. he introduced me to Jerry and Mike Inez who were equally nice and spoke with me for a few minutes while I gushed about being a huge fan etc. This didn't put them off though as they agreed to have a picture taken with me. I promise that next time they are over here, I will 100 percent be seeing them.

Spot the nerd amongst rock gods

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sfw Pada 22:00 3 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 28/04/13 - Spectrals, Efterklang, OMD, Winterhours, Alice In Chains

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 28/04/13 - Spectrals, Efterklang, OMD, Winterhours, Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains Efterklang OMD Spectrals Tracks of the Week Winterhours

Five tracks that filled our windsocks this week!

Old Pa's Corner:-
OMD - 'Stay with Me' (2013)

 

Well if you even wanted a Souvenir of OMD, then this track from their new album English Electric (2013) fits this bill. The synths are there, the melody is there, but it is a quaver or two short of hitting the high spots of their very best album, 1981s  Architecture and Morality. I don't care, I just love it and will be humming this and will be listening to the full album. I can quite happily live in the past. For a little while anyway. 

Sfw:-

Efterklang - 'The Ghost' (2013)

This is a recent release by Efterklang which features on their 2012 album Piramida. This fantastic Danish trio evokes musical memories of folktronica and in particular, Steve Mason and when I first heard it, I instantly liked it.

Flycasual:-

Spectrals - 'Luck Is There To Be Pushed' (2011)

I was victim of a musical ambush this week, it was at Pret a Manger of all places (actually it hasn't been the first time they have ambushed me). So there I was, having a coffee break at work, when this magnificent song comes on over the speakers and completely decimates my 'tune platoon' (the boys in charge of the music dept in my brain of course). I had to find out who/what was responsible for this 'sonic assault' and used my Soundhound app on my phone. I have never heard Spectrals, or the song and I can't believe this gem passed me by. It's dreamy, lovely goodness by West Yorkshire singer/songwriter, Louie Jones, taken from his 2011 debut, Bad Penny. He has subsequently released a new single, 'Milky Way', which you can hear here.....and will be investigating further fo sho'!

Shell Hunter:-

Winterhours - 'Heart Of Gold' (2013)

I was glad to be told that perennial faves of mine, Winterhours (check out previous posts here), have a new single due out tomorrow. But this is no ordinary single! Do you miss those days when we used to buy singles and they used to feature individual artwork on the cover and you had something physical you could look at and hold?  Well their new single 'Heart Of Gold' released on the Saint November label, is the modern answer to the physical single and I love the idea. The picture above was created by Jess Holt inspired by the music and lyrics of Heart Of Gold and I think they got it bang on. When you order the A3 print, you get an immediate digital download of the single, genius! To me, the track is like a musical hug with fabulous harmonies and hints of Fleet Foxes. Order yours now here!

London Scouser:-

Alice In Chains - 'Stone' (2013)

 

In exactly one month from now I will be excitedly waking up and after making my morning black coffee I will be rocking out to the new album from my favourite band of the grunge era. 'The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here' is the second album released since their reemergence and I can't bloody wait !! I also think that Flycasual's son may well enjoy it as I know he's a fan of good rock and also dinosaurs.

As with their previous release 'Hollow' this track takes me back to the early 90's when they were in their prime. When they next release a greatest hits, I'm gonna demand they call it 'Awesome' cos anything else wouldn't do it justice.

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 07:45 6 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

Alice In Chains Joe Gideon and the Shark Mexican Institute of Sound Night Engine Running Man Tracks of the Week Wake Owl World Music Corner

Five tracks that laughed in the face of snow this week!

Shell Hunter:-

Night Engine - 'I'll Make It Worth Your While' 

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across a Guardian tip off for 'Ones to watch out for in 2013' and I saw a friend from my college days in the photo! I knew he was seriously into music so I had to look into them and wow, Night Engine totally float my boat! Being a big fan of 80's music but no particular genre, meant that as soon as I heard tracks like Seventeen, Treat Me Like A Baby and this one, made me want to kick my legs out and break into a running man like frenzy. You can hand pick your favourite influences such as Bowie and Talking Heads but I'll Make It Worth Your While gives me a bit of Weird Science by Oingo Boingo! Believe me that's not a bad thing, and there aren't enough bands doing it now in my opinion! Catch them at the Borderline in London on 20th Feb if you are lucky enough to get a ticket or get their first single Seventeen / Treat Me Like A Baby which will be released on February 18th.

You can catch them on Sound Cloud, Facebook plus Twitter! 

www.nightengine.net

London Scouser:-

Alice In Chains - 'Hollow' (2013)

Once again they are back, and once again it sounds like they have never been away. I was absolutely gutted when they disbanded when Layne Staley died as they have been a huge influence on the heavier side of my musical taste. They returned in 2009 with the brilliant Black Gives Way To Blue album, and in March they are releasing an as yet untitled album. I for one cannot wait. They will be playing at 'Download' this year which has a great line up (click here) including Korn, Rammstein, QOTSA & Iron Maiden, but alas I'm working and won't be able to go. Hopefully they will throw in some other gigs in the South that I can go to. 

http://aliceinchains.com/

SFW:-
Wake Owl - Gold (2013)

As the "new folk" genre gains in popularity and more and more artists come to the fore, this week we have Wake Owl vying for our attention. Wake Owl is the project of singer/songwriter Colyn Cameron and "Gold" is the first single off the Wild Country E.P. His style is very similar to Ben Howard, (not a bad thing) and with sweeping strings and gentle touches, it is the perfect track to accompany a long winters day walk!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Joe Gideon and the Shark - The Insignificant Bullet(2013)

Joe Gideon and the Shark are a brother/sister duo from London. The Shark (aka former Olympic ribbon gymnast Viva Gideon) are now on their second album release 'Freakish (2013)' released this January, is a concoction of blues, beats and spoken word. This track the 'Insignificant Bullet' (great title) really is a mish mash, I can hear The Velvet Underground, The Talking Heads, Pulp and even The Strokes, all in this one song.  This is definitely an interesting one.

I'll tell you what!, I like shark music.  


Flycasual:-
Mexican Institute of Sound - 'Mexico' (2012)

I've only just heard this despite it being released last summer, all thanks to last months Songlines CD sampler, I just love the horns! The excellent 'Mexico' is taken from Mexican Institute of Sound's (the name given to DJ Camilo Lara's creation) third album 'Politico'. Politically charged tracks on the state of the country (drug violence, contested election) all delivered with wit and humour (if a little sobering judging by the video), a spattering of Hip Hop/Electro and sprinkled with Mariachi trumpets, what's not to like!

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:06 8 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

Alice In Chains Joe Gideon and the Shark Mexican Institute of Sound Night Engine Running Man Tracks of the Week Wake Owl World Music Corner

Five tracks that laughed in the face of snow this week!

Shell Hunter:-

Night Engine - 'I'll Make It Worth Your While' 

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across a Guardian tip off for 'Ones to watch out for in 2013' and I saw a friend from my college days in the photo! I knew he was seriously into music so I had to look into them and wow, Night Engine totally float my boat! Being a big fan of 80's music but no particular genre, meant that as soon as I heard tracks like Seventeen, Treat Me Like A Baby and this one, made me want to kick my legs out and break into a running man like frenzy. You can hand pick your favourite influences such as Bowie and Talking Heads but I'll Make It Worth Your While gives me a bit of Weird Science by Oingo Boingo! Believe me that's not a bad thing, and there aren't enough bands doing it now in my opinion! Catch them at the Borderline in London on 20th Feb if you are lucky enough to get a ticket or get their first single Seventeen / Treat Me Like A Baby which will be released on February 18th.

You can catch them on Sound Cloud, Facebook plus Twitter! 

www.nightengine.net

London Scouser:-

Alice In Chains - 'Hollow' (2013)

Once again they are back, and once again it sounds like they have never been away. I was absolutely gutted when they disbanded when Layne Staley died as they have been a huge influence on the heavier side of my musical taste. They returned in 2009 with the brilliant Black Gives Way To Blue album, and in March they are releasing an as yet untitled album. I for one cannot wait. They will be playing at 'Download' this year which has a great line up (click here) including Korn, Rammstein, QOTSA & Iron Maiden, but alas I'm working and won't be able to go. Hopefully they will throw in some other gigs in the South that I can go to. 

http://aliceinchains.com/

SFW:-
Wake Owl - Gold (2013)

As the "new folk" genre gains in popularity and more and more artists come to the fore, this week we have Wake Owl vying for our attention. Wake Owl is the project of singer/songwriter Colyn Cameron and "Gold" is the first single off the Wild Country E.P. His style is very similar to Ben Howard, (not a bad thing) and with sweeping strings and gentle touches, it is the perfect track to accompany a long winters day walk!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Joe Gideon and the Shark - The Insignificant Bullet(2013)

Joe Gideon and the Shark are a brother/sister duo from London. The Shark (aka former Olympic ribbon gymnast Viva Gideon) are now on their second album release 'Freakish (2013)' released this January, is a concoction of blues, beats and spoken word. This track the 'Insignificant Bullet' (great title) really is a mish mash, I can hear The Velvet Underground, The Talking Heads, Pulp and even The Strokes, all in this one song.  This is definitely an interesting one.

I'll tell you what!, I like shark music.  


Flycasual:-
Mexican Institute of Sound - 'Mexico' (2012)

I've only just heard this despite it being released last summer, all thanks to last months Songlines CD sampler, I just love the horns! The excellent 'Mexico' is taken from Mexican Institute of Sound's (the name given to DJ Camilo Lara's creation) third album 'Politico'. Politically charged tracks on the state of the country (drug violence, contested election) all delivered with wit and humour (if a little sobering judging by the video), a spattering of Hip Hop/Electro and sprinkled with Mariachi trumpets, what's not to like!

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:06 7 Komentar

GUEST SPOT - # 8 - GIVE ME A GUITAR!! - Alice In Chains - "No Excuses"

GUEST SPOT - # 8 - GIVE ME A GUITAR!! - Alice In Chains - "No Excuses"

Alice In Chains Give me a guitar Guest Spot

Alice In Chains - "No Excuses" (1994)

This week's GMAG is brought to you by our Guest Spot nerd Neo. So what is your choice Neo? The red pill or the blue pill? Red? Okay...........ROCK!!

I remember reading the post that SFW did for Eddie Vedder's "Can't Keep" in Tracks of The Week 26/06/11, and I thought to myself, "Yeah! Pearl Jam & Nirvana were definitely 2 great bands I loved and I bought all their stuff." For me though, Alice In Chains were my favourite artists of the Grunge scene. They were heavier at times than the other 2, with great songs like Angry Chair & Them Bones from their Dirt album.

I think it was when I bought the compilation CD of Jar Of Flies & Sap which was originally 2 separate EP’s that I decided who were top of my pile. The songs on this CD are all acoustic based and No Excuses is the standout track for me. I like everything about the song, from the opening drumming to the great harmonising of the two singers. Unfortunately Layne Staley died of a drug overdose in 2002 after years of battling against addiction. In fact, the 1995 single Grind alludes to rumours that he had died with the opening lines “In the darkest hole, you'd be well advised not to plan my funeral before the body dies”.

They never split up officially and in 2009 came back with a great new album, Black Gives Way To Blue with a new singer replacing Staley. As a bonus, here's also a track from side project, Mad Season, that Layne Staley formed with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam called "I'm Above".  Anyway that’s enough from me.... Enjoy.

Mad season - 'I'm Above'

No excuses, click to check out more Guest Spots!

OR

Need more riffage? Check out GIVE ME A GUITAR!!

sfw Pada 08:59 5 Komentar