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Sunday, 26 July 2015

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 26/07/2015 - Beck, Jacco Gardner, Songs Of Boda, MewithoutYou, Roisin Murphy

Five tracks that make anybody look good in Lycra...

SFW:-

Songs of Boda - Where My Hands Might Go (2015)

Here's "Where My Hands Might Go" by Swedish Singer/Songwriter Daniel Skoglunds, a.k.a Songs of Boda. Before you think it being about the fumblings of a 14 year old, it's about playing a guitar -which is perfectly demonstrated with a hypnotic guitar melody that can help reduce the blood pressure. It features on the album, Loophole.

Old Pa:-
MewithoutYou - 'Red Cow' (2015)

These guys have been going for sometime but are new to me. I like this one from their new album Pale Horses (2015). Chugs along quite nicely, then you get a change of mood with the violent chorus. Excellent. Look out for Red Cows and Pale Horses I say!

London Scouser:-
Jacco Gardner - 'Find Yourself' (2015)

Normally I struggle to find a TOTW as I don't often listen to new music... However thanks to Shellhunter for pointing me in the direction of 'Discover Weekly'. I'm now having to juggle about 7 or 8 tracks!!! Every Monday, Spotify chooses a playlist of 30 tracks based upon my recent listening. It's almost creepy to think that Spotify has been rooting through my bins and hiding in my wardrobe for any hints of tracks it wants to share with me. But if they continue to give me a good weeks listening I don't mind them going through my sock drawer. I was debating over choosing Elbow or The Vaccines, but plumped for this track by an unknown (to me at least) artist from Holland. I couldn't find much about him, he does have a Wikipedia page, but unfortunately my Dutch isn't what it ought to be so I don't have a Scooby what it says!!! It's a nice summery sounding track which helps brighten up my morning as its absolutely rissing down with pain at the moment.

Shell Hunter:-
Beck - 'Dreams' (2015)

Isn't it terrible when people know you better than you know yourself? Actually, why is it terrible when they know exactly what floats your boat. Thank you Flycasual for pinging me this one in my inbox, I LOVE IT!!!! It's rocketed straight into Shell Hunter's Best of 2015. This gentle fellow needs no introduction and has featured frequently on TuneDr radio waves. I've always been a big fan and claimed he was a musical genius able to chameleon himself into any style or music genre. This type being my favourite, the 80s! No comments about the "oh, oh, oh" backing sounding like New Kids On The Block though please!

Flycasual:-
Roisin Murphy - 'Evil Eyes' (2015)

Cor! I've always had a thing for Roisin Murphy, I think it's maybe because she's a bit of a fruit cake which is also reflected in her music. She's also currently my 'Star Pass', a gentlemen's agreement with my wife, that should I meet Roisin shopping at Asda for example, then I would allow her to come home with me for a cup of tea and talk about that dirty bass on her latest track, 'Evil Eyes'. My wife's, interestingly or not, is Martin Clunes, as it reminds her of her Vauxhall Astra driving, older boyfriend who used to work at the local golf club. She's got a good swing out of it at least. Hairless Toys, Roisin's 3rd solo album proper, was released last month, a welcome return after a 7 year hiatus.

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 11:58 5 Komentar

Tuesday, 11 March 2014

THEM - 'Don't Look Back' / 'Hey Girl'

Beck Bob Dylan Them Van Morrison Wednesday Club

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB

ANGRY YOUNG VAN

Here it comes!

THEM - Don't Look Back (1965)

All Van Morrision fans out there will of course know Van started of as part of the magnificent Them. They recorded two albums in the mid sixties and they are a great indication of where Van was heading. They are both nothing short of brilliant. Van's voice is raw and gives you goose bumps with its' sheer power.and quality.

Both these tracks are personal favourites, but the albums are filled with high quality tracks. Check out Them's cover of Dylan's I'ts all Over Now Baby Blue and you will see where Beck got his sample for Jack-Ass.

Listen also to Here Comes The Night probably one of the most perfect pop/rock singles ever. Not far behind is Gloria, another stormer.

There is a compilation album of both Them albums containing extra tracks and it is a must have in any collection. It is called The Story of Them (1997)

THEM - Hey Girl (1966)

sfw Pada 23:00 5 Komentar

Sunday, 16 February 2014

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 16/02/2014 - Beck, Tinariwen, The Notwist, Bombay Bicycle Club, Boy and Bear

Beck Bombay Bicycle Club Boy and Bear The Notwist Tinariwen Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that were full of 'Gust-o' for us this week

Old Pa's Corner :-
The Notwist - Kong

Here is a track from German Indie Band The Notwist from their new album Close to the Glass (2014). I can't believe they have been going since 1989 and this is their 9th album. I never even heard of them before.

This is a great driving commercial track with one of these catchy riffs that will burn itself into your sub- conscious.

Don't you think the video is very apt with all that rain you poor guys are having at the moment.

Sorry can't stay just putting my shorts and t-shirt on, must be 25 degrees to-day and a bright blue sky.

Flycasual:-
Tinariwen - 'Imidiwan Ahi Sigdim' (2014)

With all that perpetual rain and gales we've been having, it makes a nice change to feel that desert wind in your face, albeit through the speakers. 'Imidiwan Ahi Sigdim' is an evocative piece of Saharan Soul taken from Tinariwen's 6th album, Emmaar, released last week. To avoid the conflict in Mali, they recorded the album in a completely different desert this time, the Mojave in the US. With Jack White's producer, Vance Powell, at the helm and with a host of guests including Chilli Peppers, guitarist Vince Klinghoffer, helping out, it still has that desolate feel but adds a touch of that psychedelic American Desert Rock feel to it. Still perfect escapism, as is the atmospheric video.

Tinariwen on the web...

Sfw:-

Beck - "Love" ('2014')

I've had a hectic few weeks and have had very little "home" time. So this one is for the missus. This version of the track, originally from John Lennon's 1970 debut album 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band', is taken from 'Sweetheart 2014', a forthcoming Starbucks compilation of artist performing covers of their favourite love songs. It stands up against the original, but Lennon's version will always pip it as I had it playing when my wife walked down the aisle.

Shell Hunter:-

Boy & Bear - 'Southern Sun' (2014)

Track of the year alert! I don't know how but I just have that feeling, I can't get enough of this song at the moment. Boy & Bear are an Aussie folk-rock quintet with a couple of albums, both topping the ARIA Album Charts. Their album released last year called Harlequin Dream reached number 1 in its first week! Now you can't say fairer than that for a recommendation right? When I heard this, the chorus reminded me a bit of a song I loved by Everything But The Girl, 'I didn't know I was looking for love'. Boy and Bear have a sort of Lamb Chop, Grandaddy Americana thing going complete with mandolin and its just the sort of stuff I feel like hearing right now. Just have to imagine myself standing on the top of Ayers Rock and the feeling is complete!

London Scouser:-

Bombay Bicycle Club - 'Luna' (2014)

As soon as this started I thought it's the Knight Rider theme tune... Ok so it's not, but for a minute it almost kinda was sort of... To me anyway... But I digress, the BBC are back with another great song from their latest album 'So Long, See You Tomorrow' which this week became their first number one album. They are currently in the middle of a European tour and arrive back in the UK at the beginning of March before heading across the pond in April for a couple of months in North America. Not to worry though, they will be back in July where I will see them at Latitude 2014! The video features synchronised swimming which is always fun to watch too !!

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 02:46 5 Komentar

Sunday, 26 January 2014

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 26/01/14 - Damon Albarn, Beck, Silversun Pickups, Linkin Park and Steve Aoki, Future Islands

Beck Damon Albarn Future Islands Linkin Park Silversun Pickups Steve Aoki Tracks of the Week

Five tracks to enjoy in the pub garden...just bring your wellies!

Shell Hunter:-

Future Islands - 'Seasons (Waiting On You)' (2014)

My favourite synth-pop group finally have a new single out, followed by a new ablum entitled 'Singles' in March! Future Islands fast became my most listened to group of 2011 (see more here) and are also due to do a couple of gigs here in London in the next few months. This video is a cocked Stetson to cowboys and fits perfectly with their signature 80s dreamy sound. I'm definitely feeling a grower in this one, it gives me goose bumps! Why, it's purtier than a new calf in springtime!

London Scouser:-

Linkin Park & Steve Aoki - 'A Light That Never Comes' (2013)

I find it hard to believe that this is Linkin Park's 25th single release. I was a huge fan when they came onto the scene in 2000 but I felt that after a while their tracks sounded a bit samey. And this track has elements of the samey-ness that drove me away a little, but maybe the electro addition that Steve Aoki brought to the party has helped (is it me or does the intro sound like 'Kickstarts by Example ??). This was released in October last year and has only just hit my musical radar. Its from their second remix album 'Recharged' and on the strength of this I'll certainly give it a listen.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Beck - Blue Moon (2014)

Mr Hansen has been very frugal with tasters from his long awaited new album Morning Phase (2014) I heard bits of this track a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed. Now that I have heard the full track it was worth the wait. If the rest of the album is on a par then we have a real classic on our hands. But I have always thought that Beck albums are pretty inconsistent, there's usually some inspirational brilliance mixed in with a lot of mediocrity. I am sure this will not impress all you Beck die hards, saying that I recognise the brilliance and am thirsty for some more.

Flycasual:-

Damon Albarn - 'Everyday Robots' (2014)

I promised myself that if I ever got a smartphone I wouldn't be like one of the countless people, aimlessly walking around with their heads buried in their device, always connected, always aloof. Unfortunately I have become an everyday robot, like the opening line of this song, as I find myself doing just that, a scourge on modern society, I suppose. Despite the sobering tone, the first single taken from Damon Albarn's solo album of the same name, is a fabulously bleak track with the strings particularity haunting, a sign of things to come. I'm a big fan of Damon in all his forms and will be looking forward to it's release sometime in April.....oooh a text, somebody sent me a pic of a cat in a suit..ahh!!!

Damon Albarn's website here....

Sfw:-

Silversun Pickups - 'Cannibal' (2014)

The Los Angeles foursome are a band that I'll occasionally listen to when I need a fix of some fuzz-pop. It's scary to think that they've been around for nearly 10 years and in Feb, they will be releasing The Singles Collection. It features tracks from the band's debut EP, 2005's Pikul, and three full-length albums: 2006's Carnavas, 2009's Swoon, and 2012's Neck of the Woods. "Cannibal" is the one new track on the release. Smashing Pumpkins-meets-NIN.

Listen or even better, subscribe to our tracks of the week playlist here...

sfw Pada 07:05 3 Komentar

Sunday, 7 July 2013

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 07/07/2013 - Robin Thicke, NIN, Pet Shop Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Beck

Arctic Monkeys Beck Nine Inch Nails Pet Shop Boys Pharrell Robin Thicke T.I. Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that were like a 5 set thriller on centre court for us this week......

Old Pa's Corner:-
Pet Shop Boys - 'The Last to Die' (2013)

Here is a track from the Pet Shop Boys new album Electric (2013) I just had to choose this cover of a classic Springsteen song from his album Magic (2007). I have always been a fan of TPB ever since West End Girls.

Behaviour (1990) was one of my albums of that year. I do believe their best has come and gone, but I still have a soft spot for them. It is probably a bit unfair also playing the Bruce version, as it is far superior, but what the heck, some out there may not have heard it. Its win win!!

London Scouser:-

Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know' (2013)

What can I say, Alex Turner and the barrel are back with another great song. Instantly recognisable it has the usual clever lyrics that I have enjoyed since they first broke onto the scene a few years back. I've seen it described as a great James Bond style song and I see what they mean. The video is simple but effective and probably cost a bundle to make. They are touring the UK later this year and having seen them at the Olympic Opening Ceremony last year its a gig I know I would love.

Sfw:-

Beck - 'I Won't Be Long' (2013)

If you are lucky to attend this weekend's gig London gig at Union Chapel, you may have a better idea than I of what Beck's recently promised acoustic album is like. Instead he's teasing us like a tasselled temptress with this vinyl only, single release to follow up 'Defriended' (a previous Shell Hunter TOTW). I'm intrigued as I eagerly await anything by the musical genius, which is Beck Hanson.

Flycasual:-

NIN - 'Come Back Haunted' (2013)

Industrial heavyweights, Nine Inch Nails are back but it sounds like whatever excursion they've come back from, they've had a bad time of it. It's just as well really and I mean that in the nicest possible way of course, as 'Come Back Haunted' is as good as any of the dark, nightmarish soundscapes that Trent Reznor has created and to which I enjoy wallowing too. To top it all off, Mr Eraserhead himself, David Lynch, directs the suitably unsettling video but I chose the audio clip above as it's far more entertaining, if you wish to make your eyes bleed click here to see it. This is an aural advance party, as the NIN's 9th album, Hesitation Marks, drops September 3rd.

Shell Hunter:-
Robin Thicke - 'Blurred Lines ft. T.I, Pharell' (2013)

Its shaping up to be a great summer for dance songs! This cheeky little number has a winning formula once again throwing Pharell into the mix. I love the little Michael Jackson style "woo" running all the way through. Robin Thicke has been on the scene for some time, getting recognition for producing and writing for well known R'N'B artists including Cristina Aguilera. This new album also called Blurred Lines will be his 6th solo album and he has been the first white male artist to top the R'N'B Billboard charts since George Michael. Not bad at all!

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