Five tracks that lifted the smog for us this week...
Old Pa's Corner:-Jon Hopkins - Immunity (2013)
This is pretty awe inspiring stuff. I was please to find Jon Hopkins had recorded a new album and was even more delighted to find that he has paired up with King Cresote again on this simply brilliant track. It is one of those that could be on all day and you would not get bored. Excuse for me a second while I switch it back on for the 10th time. It is a slow burner, but stick with it and wait for the King's vocals, it is pure chicken skin.
Close your eyes, this one can take you places other song cannot reach.. This may well be a contender for my tracks of the year so far.
London Scouser:- Dinosaur Pile-Up - Derail (2013)
Named after a scene in the King Kong remake from 2005, this band hail from Leeds. Their debut album was reminiscent of the debut by The Foo Fighters in that lead singer Matthew Bigland wrote, recorded and sung all of the tracks. Smarty-pants !!!
This track which sounds like it could be a Foo Fighters cover is off of their new album Nature Nurture and if this track is anything to go by then I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I'm trying to figure out who the voice reminds me of.... So far I'm stuck on Dave Edmunds.
The video is in a bizarre coincidence, similar to my choice from last week in that it features a violent female character. Eagle-eyed viewers may even recognise her (my only clue is that she was an X-Factor contestant who didn't like to wear shoes !!)
Sfw:-KINS - 'Post Tropical Storm' (2013)
KINS are a four piece Anglo-Aussie band based in Brighton which recently triggered one of my simple pleasures - the joy of making me stop what I am doing and get me thinking, "Who is this!".
Musically, they sound like
Keaton Henson/The Villagers/The Foals, which is like having all my favourite ingredients in one dish, and boy is it tasty! You can Download this (for free) from Bandcamp
here or Soundcloud
here
Flycsual:-Dizraeli and the Small Gods - 'Sailor' (2013)
Dizraeli and the Small Gods are a Bristolian (where else?) collective led by poet/rapper, Rowan Sawday (Dizraeli), which have taken the colourful task of marrying traditional English Folk music with Hip Hop. At first, on listening to the album Moving in the Dark, I was a bit cautious by the prospect of a Morris dancing Hip Hop troop but persistence paid off and I am glad I was proved wrong, swayed by Dizraeli's sharp storytelling talent as well as the Small Dogs' Folk harmonies and musicianship. And the whole concept works, no more so than the Hip Hop shanty that is 'Sailor', an atmospheric tale featuring fellow UK MC, Jam Baxter and vocalist Cate Ferris who provides the voice for the haunting and memorable chorus. It's some of the most uniquely British and innovative music I've heard in awhile. This ain't no gimmick y'all, I'm down with ye olde skool.
Shell Hunter:-Beck - 'Defriended' (2013)
Beck is back...hooray! I read that he has 2 albums due out this year, an acoustic one and a new one to follow on from where Modern Guilt left off. Its about bloody time too Mr. Hansen! I instantly liked this new track, its like an electro slow dance! If you listen hard enough, you can hear the same bumbling bass that was in fantastic song from Midnight Vultures, Debra. Now that Ive had a taster, I want more. I always applauded Beck for his musical prowess, being a master of instruments, sampling and spanning all genres. He basically floats my boat full stop and to top it all off, he is the sort of totty you be safe bringing home to mum. I'm a bit miffed that I wasn't aware he was touring until it was too late. He's playing the Union Chapel in Islington on July 7th but it's showing as sold out! Gutted!
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