Shell Hunter's - Best 5 of 2014

Shell Hunter's - Best 5 of 2014

Arctic Monkeys Best of 2014 Boy and Bear Future Islands Hot Chip Jungle Shell Hunter William Onyeabor

2014 - ANOTHER GREAT YEAR OF MUSIC

We knew it was going to be tough but its the annual task we must complete. My criteria was simple, if I love it now as much as when it first hit, it made the cut. Here are my prestigious Top 5 followed by the meticulously chosen Top 20. These songs will be frozen in time, forever shaping our memory of 2014 when we look back and listen. Farewell to those that we had to let go, and cheers to the next batch in 2015!!

Boy and Bear - 'Southern Sun'

I got an email from Spotify last week which said, "What was your most listened to song of 2014?" Oooo, I thought, I wonder if this will be any reflection on my Track Of The Year? There it was in black and white, Boy and Bear - Southern Sun. I couldn't argue with that, it really is my favourite song of 2014. I absolutely adore the feel it has, full of warm nostalgia of summer days. If only you could just bottle that!

Future Islands - 'Seasons (Waiting On You)'

I was thrilled to hear my favourite band of 2011 were back with a new album. This track is a real grower and a perfect insight to the Future Islands' unique style. I am privileged to have seen them up close and personal a couple of times (including this year's Latitude), even buying a tshirt and having a chat with the singer Sam who brings raw dramatic emotion by the bucket load. A must see if you get a chance!

Hot Chip vs. William Onyeabor - 'Atomic Bomb'

The original version of this song really is the epitome of this year for me. It surrounds the whole of the Latitude weekend. The day before, picking up Old Pa, driving to Suffolk listening to our Latitude playlist and seeing the whole project jovially performing it on the Sunday morning. It and other songs on the album are absolutely nuts but what a great sound! Having Hot Chip giving it the treatment is the cherry (bomb) on the cake! Boom!

Jungle - 'Busy Earnin'

I have to give Flycasual schnapps for this one, he raved about Jungle all year and he couldn't have been more right. They have a totally fresh sound. I have never seen a harder working group live on stage, they were mind blowing. In the BBC6 tent at Latitude they started off with the aptly titled The Heat and did not stop. So much enthusiasm, energy and they were so tight, it was if they were one big organism. It was worth suffering the sweltering heat to see this soultastic group. I have every confidence they will keep knocking out fantastic funk filled tunes. 

Arctic Monkeys - 'Snap Out Of It'

It was very hard choosing track 5 but I had to have a bit of the 'Monkeys. They just keep doing it. I like pretty much every song they've released but there is something about this one. I cant help singing along. The clever lyrics just roll off the tongue. Its good fun and I always enjoy the observant take on relationships their songs come out with. "There is no way she could have moved on, its obviously a phase. Snap out of it." We've all been there bruv!

Enjoyed my choices? Hear the rest of my Top 20 Best of 2014 on my Spotify playlist below!

sfw Pada 04:01 5 Komentar

Shell Hunter's Best Of Latitude 2014 - Solomon Grey, William Onyeabor Project, Future Islands

Shell Hunter's Best Of Latitude 2014 - Solomon Grey, William Onyeabor Project, Future Islands

Future Islands Latitude Shell Hunter Solomon Grey William Onyeabor Project

Brilliant sunshine and cold cider, pass me the festival bible. Who will make the cut?!

Add a cold cider to this, does it get better?!

deserved to be packed out

Solomon Grey - 'Firechild' (2013)

What do I do? See Bombay Bicycle Club which I probably owe to myself to see or take a chance on a band that has intrigued me recently. Well I decided to leave the group to see Solomon Grey in the tiny Alcove stage in the woods and I wasn't disappointed. Although the tent was a lot less busy than they deserved, they still pounded the stage and belted out their set like they were headlining the Obelisk stage. They started with Firechild which is my favourite song of theirs and that was it, I was glued to the spot!

William Onyeabor - 'Atomic Bomb' (2014)

Not only was this track of the weekend for me as we couldn't stop singing and humming it, but it'll be one of my top tracks of the year! This old wacky album from William Onyeabor from back in the day was performed by Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip, Pat Mahoney from LCD Soundsystem, Money Mark from the Beastie Boys and Scritti Politti to name but a few of this ever changing super group. It was the perfect setting- beautiful sunshine at the Obelisk stage and the whole group were chilled out lapping up the 'party groove'. Even Old Pa forgot about the toilets for 5 minutes!

"a cross between Henry Rollins Ian Curtis of Joy division"

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

I've been championing these guys for a few years now and they were up there on my definite list, despite clashing with War On Drugs which was a shame. Front man Samuel T Herring is a mighty intense guy and he can probably lift triple his body weight in anvils with one hand he is so fit. Thanks to The Swede for giving me the heads up about this performance on Letterman, you can see a very tame version of his stage style. Whether you like it or you find it a little scary, you can't deny its full of emotion and mesmerising! When Seasons came on, the crowd went wild and sang along, obviously approving their newer stuff. A short but sweet set on my favourite stage, the iArena, that left me wanting more from them as usual!

sfw Pada 11:04 2 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 25/05/2014 - Jurassic 5, Future Islands, James, Lee Scratch Perry, Wooden Arms,

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 25/05/2014 - Jurassic 5, Future Islands, James, Lee Scratch Perry, Wooden Arms,

Future Islands James Jurassic 5 Lee Scratch Perry Tracks of the Week Wooden Arms

5 tracks to share with the family!

Flycasual:-
Jurassic 5 - 'The Way We Do It' (2014)

First archaeologists discover a new kind of Titanosaurus in Argentina and now Jurassic 5 unearth a new gem in the White Stripes sampling (My Doorbell), 'The Way We Do It'. Produced by the late Heavy D, it's the first of 4 brand new tracks since they got back together and also it's the self proclaimed old schooler's first in 6 years, welcome back I say. And it's like they never left, 'The Way We Do It' has all the hallmarks in the making of J5 classic, witty rhymes, clever interplay and of course that old skool flavour which is always popular around these parts. Catch them on their reunion tour this year by visiting their website for dates.

www.Jurassic5.com

Apologies to Geologist/Archaeologists the world over for the crap Dinosaur/Jurassic 5 connection, as the Titanosaurus in question was of course from the late Cretaceous period.

Old Pa's Corner :-
Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Sounds of Jamaica (2014)

This is an interesting one. We all know that Lee burned down his famous Black Ark from the seventies where all these famous recording of his were made. Well some guy has recreated the Ark in London and Lee has popped in and produced a double album 'recreating' as near as possible the sound of these historic recordings. The album is called  Back On The Controls (2014)  and from what I have heard is rather good. Well done Lee.

Shell Hunter:-
James - 'Moving On' (2014)

Another pleasant surprise performer at this year's Latitude Festival is soundtrack to the 90's guys for me, James. I've always enjoyed Tim Booth's voice and am looking forward to seeing them, there's guaranteed to be a good up vibe with favourite classics such as Waltzing Along, Laid and of course massive 'stand'out track Sit Down which actually reminds me of my 18th birthday bash. This song is the first single released from new album La Petit Mort which is out June 2nd. I've heard a couple of songs so far from it and have not been disappointed, great energy and 'try your damnedest not to sing-along' choruses. Perfect sunny day music!

London Scouser:-
Future Islands - 'A Dream Of You and Me' (2014)

Following last week's choice by Shellhunter I decided to follow suit and listen to an artist that will feature at this years Latitude festival. I chose Future Islands who are a band that we saw in a small venue (somewhere) in London a couple of years ago and they've been championed by Shellhunter a few times on this blog. This is the final track on their 2014 album 'Singles' and for me it sums them up perfectly. Great singalong lyrics with really pleasing melodies. All in all a perfectly pleasant pop song.

SFW:-

Wooden Arms - December (2014)
I've been listening to a bit of piano based music lately. Artists such as Agnes Obel, Nils Frahms and It was a nice surprise to discover Wooden Arms. They are a Norwich-based 7 piece band who describe themselves as "alternative, classical & indie". Violin, Cello, Piano, Guitar and 5 part vocal harmonies, "a blend of classical instrumentation meeting modern melody". Bloody lovely!

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

sfw Pada 03:42 2 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 25/05/2014 - Jurassic 5, Future Islands, James, Lee Scratch Perry, Wooden Arms,

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 25/05/2014 - Jurassic 5, Future Islands, James, Lee Scratch Perry, Wooden Arms,

Future Islands James Jurassic 5 Lee Scratch Perry Tracks of the Week Wooden Arms

5 tracks to share with the family!

Flycasual:-
Jurassic 5 - 'The Way We Do It' (2014)

First archaeologists discover a new kind of Titanosaurus in Argentina and now Jurassic 5 unearth a new gem in the White Stripes sampling (My Doorbell), 'The Way We Do It'. Produced by the late Heavy D, it's the first of 4 brand new tracks since they got back together and also it's the self proclaimed old schooler's first in 6 years, welcome back I say. And it's like they never left, 'The Way We Do It' has all the hallmarks in the making of J5 classic, witty rhymes, clever interplay and of course that old skool flavour which is always popular around these parts. Catch them on their reunion tour this year by visiting their website for dates.

www.Jurassic5.com

Apologies to Geologist/Archaeologists the world over for the crap Dinosaur/Jurassic 5 connection, as the Titanosaurus in question was of course from the late Cretaceous period.

Old Pa's Corner :-
Lee 'Scratch' Perry - Sounds of Jamaica (2014)

This is an interesting one. We all know that Lee burned down his famous Black Ark from the seventies where all these famous recording of his were made. Well some guy has recreated the Ark in London and Lee has popped in and produced a double album 'recreating' as near as possible the sound of these historic recordings. The album is called  Back On The Controls (2014)  and from what I have heard is rather good. Well done Lee.

Shell Hunter:-
James - 'Moving On' (2014)

Another pleasant surprise performer at this year's Latitude Festival is soundtrack to the 90's guys for me, James. I've always enjoyed Tim Booth's voice and am looking forward to seeing them, there's guaranteed to be a good up vibe with favourite classics such as Waltzing Along, Laid and of course massive 'stand'out track Sit Down which actually reminds me of my 18th birthday bash. This song is the first single released from new album La Petit Mort which is out June 2nd. I've heard a couple of songs so far from it and have not been disappointed, great energy and 'try your damnedest not to sing-along' choruses. Perfect sunny day music!

London Scouser:-
Future Islands - 'A Dream Of You and Me' (2014)

Following last week's choice by Shellhunter I decided to follow suit and listen to an artist that will feature at this years Latitude festival. I chose Future Islands who are a band that we saw in a small venue (somewhere) in London a couple of years ago and they've been championed by Shellhunter a few times on this blog. This is the final track on their 2014 album 'Singles' and for me it sums them up perfectly. Great singalong lyrics with really pleasing melodies. All in all a perfectly pleasant pop song.

SFW:-

Wooden Arms - December (2014)
I've been listening to a bit of piano based music lately. Artists such as Agnes Obel, Nils Frahms and It was a nice surprise to discover Wooden Arms. They are a Norwich-based 7 piece band who describe themselves as "alternative, classical & indie". Violin, Cello, Piano, Guitar and 5 part vocal harmonies, "a blend of classical instrumentation meeting modern melody". Bloody lovely!

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

sfw Pada 03:42 2 Komentar

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

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

SHELL HUNTER'S Best of 2011

SHELL HUNTER'S Best of 2011

Awolnation Best of 2011 Chase and Status Chris Brown Clock Opera Future Islands

It wasn't easy whittling down my extensive list of favourites to five but here they are. 2011 has been a real musical extravaganza! I'm not saying that this year has better music than any other year but for me, it saw me going to a record breaking 12 live concerts and of course becoming a contributor to Tune Doctor. I hear things differently, I don't write them off as quickly as I used to and I love to discover new genres and styles. Basically if it floats my boat, I'm happy! Bring on 2012!

'Blind Faith ft. Liam Bailey' - Chase and Status

My very first favourite song of the year and it still does it for me. My dubstep education began here and Blind Faith showed me it doesn't have to be angry and fast all the time. It can be cool, slow and dreamy. Seeing them at this year's iTunes festival was an experience to say the least. I don't think my heart beat has been the same since.

'Lesson No.7' - Clock Opera
This builds layer upon layer of sound until it reaches a chaotic and claustrophobic climax. Clock Opera are definitely a group to keep a very close eye on. Their eclectic style means they can't be categorised but in a good way and each song I've heard has the makings of an epic.

'Beautiful People' - Chris Brown ft. Benny Benassi
Symbolic of good times with good friends this year. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear it without fail and it makes me want to dust off my dancing shoes.

'Sail' - Awolnation
Proof that re-releasing is worth it. I missed this first time around and am so glad I got that second chance. The base came out of nowhere and smacked me in the face. Great backing that sounds like an eerie sea-shanty and I love the cool hectic drumming with a sprinkling of the ivories to top it all off.

'Before The Bridge' - Future Islands
My band of the year. If a song can inspire me enough to get the band's whole back catalogue, they must be that good. Think 80's synth, Joy Division/New Order style guitar, fantastically unique voice and steel drums. Done and dusted.

A special thanks goes to SFW, Flycasual, Old Pa and our Guest Spot contributors for getting me into music that I may never have otherwise heard. Cheers!

sfw Pada 16:55 6 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 09/10/11

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 09/10/11

Bob Dylan DJ Shadow Future Islands Ryan Adams Tracks of the Week Tune Doctor

Autumn's here and so are our tracks of the week. Four conkers for you to fight your way through, got any for us?

Old Pa's Corner:-

Bob Dylan - 'The Love That Faded' (2011

Would Hank do it this Way?

Bob Dylan - The Love that Faded

This is a track from the new album of original Hank Williams songs which have never seen the light of day until now. The project was given to Dylan and he, along with some friends put music to the words and made this excellent recording. There are some great names involved, just look at the Cover! Dylan sticks closely to the Hank sound of a simple country tune with Pedal Steel Guitar and fiddle (the blueprint for country music). Two Country tracks in two weeks, am I type casting myself I ask?

Flycasual:-
DJ Shadow - 'I've Been Tryin' (2011)

This track is probably my favourite from DJ Shadow's new album, The Less You Know the Better. I'm a fan of DJ Shadow from way back in his Mo' Wax days but I found out that this track was released a year ago as a freebie,  oops, some fan then! What I love about Shadow is that although his roots are hip hop, his crate digging skills enable him to find those rare blues/soul gems and mix them up in that electronic/hip hop style unique to him. Eclectic and diverse as this excellent track clearly shows.


Shell Hunter:-
Future Islands - Balance (2011)

Today is a good day. Yesterday I brought home my brand new car so it was the first time I had the chance to put my foot down(to within the maximum safe speed limit guv, honest). In the words of Ferris Bueller "I love driving it, it is so choice!" The best thing is, I finally have an iPod dock so I can indulge in as many driving playlists as I can stomach! The first track I will be blaring out loud is this short and sweet synthpop number. With its base guitar heavy intro, it reminded me of Pulp's 'Do you remember the first time' and envelops me with the same lovely wave of goosebumps. These guys have been around since 2006 but Balance is the first song I've had the pleasure of hearing. There latest album 'On the water' is out on 11th. Can't wait!


Sfw:-
Ryan Adams - Invisible Riverside (2011)

This track from Ryans new album Ashes & Fire perfectly captures the genius of the man. Now his head is in a "better place", it seems that (some of) his critics are now on board, giving positive reviews and he seems to be getting quite a bit of exposure.  All of which, leaves his fans (i.e. me) with a smile on their chops!

More tracks of the week or cats in tuxedos? What? Just click here?

sfw Pada 01:11 5 Komentar