TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/12/13 - Connan Mockasin, Neil Young, Midlake, Dan Croll, The Courteeners

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/12/13 - Connan Mockasin, Neil Young, Midlake, Dan Croll, The Courteeners

Connan Mockasin Dan Croll Midlake Neil Young The Courteeners Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that delivered like an Amazon drone...

Sfw:-
Midlake - Antiphon (2013)


I (usually) find it difficult to listen to a band when they change their lead vocalist. So I was preparing for the worst when lead vocalist Tim Smith left midlake and they promoted Eric Pulido to the main role. I was a huge fan of their 2006 album, The Trials of Van Occupanther, and I just thought "it wouldn't be the same". This is what makes Midlakes "Antiphon" so interesting. It's subtly different but somehow feels the same (even vocally!). 70s folk-meets-soft-rock on paper sounds wrong, but I can assure you, Midlake's 2nd coming may even take them to bigger things!


Flycasual:-
Connan Mockasin - 'Do I Make You Feel Shy' (2013)


New Zealand's musically talented, Connan Mockasin, has been heralded by elements of the music press, as the 'Kiwi Prince'. Interesting, I thought but at first I wasn't so sure as it does sound like he may have recorded this in an underwater harem. Take the 'fluidy' music, high pitched vocals and amorous lyrics along with the elaborate title and you can see the similarities with the diminutive Pop icon. But it grew on me, pretty much in the same why I poopooed Prince's 'Kiss' when it first came out for sounding bloody weird but that turned out well for the both of us. A worthwhile listen, 'Do I Make You Feel Shy?', is taken from Connan's latest solo album Caramel. 'Recorded in an underwater harem'....Prince, take note.


London Scouser:-
The Courteeners - 'Are You In Love With A Notion?' (2013)

I've been a fan of The Courteeners since I first heard 'Not Nineteen Forever' way back in 2008 !! And in the battle of bands named after cars, I much prefer them to The Datsuns. Maybe it's being from Manchester and having a lead singer called Liam, now where have I heard that before ??

This is out on December 09th and it's the third single off of their third album 'Anna'. I found it memorable and catchy on my first hearing which is always a great sign. I've noticed that all the singles off of this album are much more upbeat than their previous ones.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Neil Young - Tell Me Why (2013)

I remember the time of Neil Young's,  After the Gold Rush (1970)  album. It was one of those that was so damm good you could not wait for the next album to come out. Usually you were going to be dissapointed, as really all you wanted was the same album again. When he released  Harvest (1972)  it blew me away. It was 2 out of 2 for Neil. 

That is a rare event, like an astorid hitting the earth.  (a big one)

Harvest included one of Old Ma and Moi's 'songs',  Heart of Gold. (she thought I had a Heart of Gold, heh! what did she know?)


This is the first track on Neil Young's live album  Live at the Cellar Door (2013). It is also the first track on ATGR. He played several gigs at this small intimate venue in Washington D.C. in 1970 and this album records this historic set of concerts.

It was recorded in between After the Gold Rush and before Harvest, two albums which are worthy of any music collection. There are 5 tracks from ATGR on this set..

Neil Young at his acoustic best. It's so bloody good!


Shell Hunter:-
Dan Croll - 'Home' (2013)

Dan is back with yet another great single! I remember this one vividly from when he performed it at Latitude Festival in July. He got the crowd to sing the chorus which although we gave it our best efforts was a bit wonky. He's had a pretty busy year touring heavily including most of the summer festivals but the question on everyone's lips is...where is your album Dan? When he does eventually release it, it will be like eating a bag of pic'n'mix. Every one is a winner and for me is full of nostalgia! If you like free sh*t, click here to sign up to download Dan's song 'Can You Hear Me'...

 

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 11:48 5 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/12/13 - Connan Mockasin, Neil Young, Midlake, Dan Croll, The Courteeners

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/12/13 - Connan Mockasin, Neil Young, Midlake, Dan Croll, The Courteeners

Connan Mockasin Dan Croll Midlake Neil Young The Courteeners Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that delivered like an Amazon drone...

Sfw:-
Midlake - Antiphon (2013)


I (usually) find it difficult to listen to a band when they change their lead vocalist. So I was preparing for the worst when lead vocalist Tim Smith left midlake and they promoted Eric Pulido to the main role. I was a huge fan of their 2006 album, The Trials of Van Occupanther, and I just thought "it wouldn't be the same". This is what makes Midlakes "Antiphon" so interesting. It's subtly different but somehow feels the same (even vocally!). 70s folk-meets-soft-rock on paper sounds wrong, but I can assure you, Midlake's 2nd coming may even take them to bigger things!


Flycasual:-
Connan Mockasin - 'Do I Make You Feel Shy' (2013)


New Zealand's musically talented, Connan Mockasin, has been heralded by elements of the music press, as the 'Kiwi Prince'. Interesting, I thought but at first I wasn't so sure as it does sound like he may have recorded this in an underwater harem. Take the 'fluidy' music, high pitched vocals and amorous lyrics along with the elaborate title and you can see the similarities with the diminutive Pop icon. But it grew on me, pretty much in the same why I poopooed Prince's 'Kiss' when it first came out for sounding bloody weird but that turned out well for the both of us. A worthwhile listen, 'Do I Make You Feel Shy?', is taken from Connan's latest solo album Caramel. 'Recorded in an underwater harem'....Prince, take note.


London Scouser:-
The Courteeners - 'Are You In Love With A Notion?' (2013)

I've been a fan of The Courteeners since I first heard 'Not Nineteen Forever' way back in 2008 !! And in the battle of bands named after cars, I much prefer them to The Datsuns. Maybe it's being from Manchester and having a lead singer called Liam, now where have I heard that before ??

This is out on December 09th and it's the third single off of their third album 'Anna'. I found it memorable and catchy on my first hearing which is always a great sign. I've noticed that all the singles off of this album are much more upbeat than their previous ones.

Old Pa's Corner:-
Neil Young - Tell Me Why (2013)

I remember the time of Neil Young's,  After the Gold Rush (1970)  album. It was one of those that was so damm good you could not wait for the next album to come out. Usually you were going to be dissapointed, as really all you wanted was the same album again. When he released  Harvest (1972)  it blew me away. It was 2 out of 2 for Neil. 

That is a rare event, like an astorid hitting the earth.  (a big one)

Harvest included one of Old Ma and Moi's 'songs',  Heart of Gold. (she thought I had a Heart of Gold, heh! what did she know?)


This is the first track on Neil Young's live album  Live at the Cellar Door (2013). It is also the first track on ATGR. He played several gigs at this small intimate venue in Washington D.C. in 1970 and this album records this historic set of concerts.

It was recorded in between After the Gold Rush and before Harvest, two albums which are worthy of any music collection. There are 5 tracks from ATGR on this set..

Neil Young at his acoustic best. It's so bloody good!


Shell Hunter:-
Dan Croll - 'Home' (2013)

Dan is back with yet another great single! I remember this one vividly from when he performed it at Latitude Festival in July. He got the crowd to sing the chorus which although we gave it our best efforts was a bit wonky. He's had a pretty busy year touring heavily including most of the summer festivals but the question on everyone's lips is...where is your album Dan? When he does eventually release it, it will be like eating a bag of pic'n'mix. Every one is a winner and for me is full of nostalgia! If you like free sh*t, click here to sign up to download Dan's song 'Can You Hear Me'...

 

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 11:48 4 Komentar

FRONT ROW CENTRE - LATITUDE 2013 SPECIAL - DAY 3

FRONT ROW CENTRE - LATITUDE 2013 SPECIAL - DAY 3

Dan Croll Front Row Centre Grizzly Bear Junip Latitude Shell Hunter

Welcome back to the last round up of highlights from Latitude Festival 2013 from Day 3. I'll be back next year to immerse myself in another music filled weekend!

Latitude Festival Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk on July 21st 2013

Hooray! The sun was back and it meant business! Sunday was what all Sundays should be, lounging around listening to some chilled out songs in the park whilst flicking through our festival bible at what bands to see next. After my daily baby wipe bath (God bless baby wipes) I was still black from all the dust but by now I had become one with the dirt. The line up was good but it wasn't such a struggle to choose who to see and when. We had more free time to look around the site and what it has to offer. If you wanted to have a break from the music there was comedy, spoken word, literature and poetry reading, live cooking classes and for the people with kiddies there was a petting farm, fun fair and massive climbing area in the woods. We took a walk out towards the stage in the woods and there were groups of people having impromptu jamming sessions amongst the trees! So much to see and do with so little time. As with all good things, it must come to an end so it was time to start packing everything in readiness for a hopefully quick exit in the morning. I was not looking forward to getting up at silly o'clock to fight the crowds and a five hour journey home but I was determined to enjoy it to the last minute.

Junip - 'Always'

I knew a couple of tracks from Junip and Jose Gonzalez and apart from Line Of Fire which will be in my Top 5 tracks of 2013, they hadn't quite hit me yet. I still insisted we see them on the strength of that one song but I was so impressed, they blew me away. It was the right setting and the perfect mood music for siting on the grass in my hat, sunnies and dusty flip flops. I could not get enough of the constant hum and gentle strumming. They had funky little instruments that made shaking sounds and I couldn't take my eyes off them. Real winners like Always, In Every Direction and of course Line Of Fire were stunning. New favourite band of the year for me.

Dan Croll - 'Compliment Your Soul'

He was my one to watch last year so I absolutely had to see him live. We grabbed a spot in front of The Lake Stage and Dan Croll's complete set got me in such a good mood. There seems to be an almost African jolliness to some of his songs and the band just looked like they were really at ease and enjoying themselves. He played one of my favourite tracks of last year, From Nowhere plus more recent singles In/Out and Compliment Your Soul which I couldn't stop singing for the rest of the day! It really just reaffirmed why I love his sound and he is sure to be a success if he keeps going the way he is.

Grizzly Bear - 'Yet Again'

To be honest I didn't know these guys from Adam but whilst flicking through the programme earlier, I read that they are supported by high profile fans such as Fleet Foxes, Jay - Z and Radiohead. Well if its good enough for them, I want a piece of that! I always wondered who my music heroes listened to. I thoroughly enjoyed their gig, they had the right balance of rocky drums and ambient sound. Stand out tracks were from their album released last year Shields: Sleeping Ute, Yet Again and Gun Shy. Well worth checking out the album, a genuinely good listen.



Have a listen to my Best of of Latitude Spotify playlist and relive more great moments!

sfw Pada 04:26 4 Komentar

SHELL HUNTER'S Best of 2012

SHELL HUNTER'S Best of 2012

Alt-J Ben Howard Best of 2012 Dan Croll Hot Chip John Hopkins King Cresote Shell Hunter

Come on Team GB!!!

What can I say? It's been a pretty heavy year for me. With the usual ups and downs during the year came a new more responsible job, I turned 30, learned how to scuba dive and got my first (and last) tattoo! We had the most amazing summer surrounding the Olympics that made me feel patriotic for the first time in my life and the best thing is, I have a year's worth of great music to show for it all. Impossible a feat as it was to whittle it down to my TOP FIVE, here they are! Cue gospel like singing....aw aw awwwwww!

Alt-J - Tessellate

It all started with a low rumble, who was this Alt-J I had heard of but never listened to? I thought the name was gimmicky and they probably wouldn't be that good, but bloody hell how wrong was I?! I gave Tessellate a quick whirl and was instantly hooked, the quirky lyrics, gripping piano chime and little ticks and clicks made it so unique. It was also one of my favourite albums of the year and lo and behold a Mercury Music Album of the Year Winner! You can't say fairer than that, triangles are now my favourite shape!

Ben Howard - The Wolves

Okay, this was probably a re-release but I missed the boat the first time round. Sfw had pointed Ben Howard out before but singer songwriters were not really my bag. This song though, has real significance to me. The beginning of this year was a difficult time in my household and having to prove myself in a new role at work was extremely stressful. I used to hear this on the radio at work and sing a long, instantly feeling transported to somewhere calmer and I thought that the "wolves" referred to in the lyrics were all the things and people trying to get me down. I never get sick of hearing it, oooo oooo oooo oooo oooo!

Dan Croll - From Nowhere

2012 has been a real year of discovering new music and new artists. Reading about Dan Croll's story winning £5000 in a Musicians Songwriting Award competition in Uni and his ambition to use this money to record his debut album really inspired me. Who needs the X-Factor and a free ride? Hard work and great talent goes a long way and this song has got success written all over it. It's got a fantastic feel to it with it's electro sounds and instruments in the right balance for a perfect holiday song. I'll be watching out for more from Dan thats for sure!

Hot Chip - Motion Sickness

My favourite dance geeks were back this year with, for me, a very long awaited album. Although I also love Flutes and Night and Day, Motion Sickness has to be my favourite from it. I remember being so excited about listening to the album In Our Heads and worried that I may be disappointed. As soon as I heard this, which is the first track, I was relieved and instantly smitten! It also reminds me of going to see them at Heaven in London as it was the first track they played. A sighting of 2 of the band members whilst trying to find a pub was a bonus! Any bad memories from previous gigs, truly erased!

King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - John Taylor's Month Away

You'll have to excuse the arty video, but at least it adds a little interest to the music! When I first listened to it on Old Pa's choice for Tracks of the Week, I thought, yeah its okay and its got some sea gulls in there. I later listened to our TOTW playlist whilst in my car and it came on again. I was absolutely banjaxed by it. I was hypnotised by the mantra of the 2 chords and gentle voice singing of these poor young sailors who "dream of woman they cannot afford and cannot have". I was literally in tears and find it very difficult not to cry when I hear it. The waves and when it fades away then comes back in is pure genius. A real surprise contender for me but the whole world should hear it.

Subscribe to Shell Hunter's Best Of 2012 Spotify Playlist below!

sfw Pada 21:00 5 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 26/08/2012 - Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Dan Croll, Mark Knopfler, Kelli Scarr

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 26/08/2012 - Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Dan Croll, Mark Knopfler, Kelli Scarr

Dan Croll Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang Kelli Scarr Mark Knopfler Tracks of the Week World Music Corner

Four tracks that made our Eagles land this week! What were your favourite Moon rocks? Let us know....

RIP Neil Armstrong

Sfw:-
Kelli Scarr - Dangling Teeth

I love how music can sonically deliver images into our heads. When I hear this I think of mesas, cactus and nights spent in the Arizona desert, staring at the stars and sitting by a camp fire. Kelli Scarr is a Californian singer/songwriter who has previously worked with Moby. This is the title track from her   I really think this has got a bite to it.

Flycasual:-
Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang - 'Feba' (2012)


I wish I had the title of the 'Bubu King', it definitely has a nice ring to it but that's the name given to Brooklyn (something in the water there) based Janka Nabay. Escaping war torn Sierra Leone, where he was already a star and settling in New York, he met up with some musicians to form his band The Bubu Gang, rekindling and modernising the traditional form of his native Bubu music. En Yay Sah is a fantastic album which I've been listening to recently, the incessant and pulsating rhythms have me hooked but it's also the electronica and dub elements which makes his music so compelling, original and essential!

Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang are signed on to David Byrne's Luaka Pop label (label mates to Delicate Steve featured here), click here to read more on The Bubu King. 


Old Pa's Corner:-
Mark Knopfler -Privateering(2012)

I have always like Mark's stuff ever since I saw him on TV performing  Sultan's of Swing with Dire Straits. It was just right in the middle of Punks heyday in the late seventies. I have to admid, I am a sucker for his guitar sound. It is a shame he is now regarded as Old Hat or MOR etc. He is another victim of becoming too popular, especially due to the Brothers in Arms album (which is excellant) and is inevitably in every 'dads & mums'  CD collection. (Including mine). His solo albums Going to Philadelphia (2000) and Shangri-la (2004) (my album of the year) are nothing more than superb. But as I said, I have a soft spot. Therefore, I am glad and excited by this new release. .I love the laid back quiet  folk approach of this taster. I will be getting the new album and I don't care what you say. Enjoy your tour with Dylan Mark!.  Dylan and I can't be wrong?, can we?

Shell Hunter:-
Dan Croll - 'From Nowhere' (2012)

BBC6 music have done it again. Another rare occasion where I've sneakily tuned the radio in the office at work in and my ears pricked up to this little gem. 'From Nowhere' is set to be Dan Croll's debut single released on September 17th and I've read his style is a mixture of folk and world music(having a best friend who is from Gambia and an interest in French music). He also won a national award for song writing early last year with a prize of £5000 which I believe is helping him release his debut. How refreshing! I love the holiday feel of this track with its quirky electro sounds and echoey vocals. It reminds me a little of Santogold's 'Disparate Youth'. I really think Mr. Croll is going to be one to keep an eye on! Check out his website for more videos and links to his FB and Soundcloud pages - www.dancroll.com

sfw Pada 04:58 2 Komentar