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Showing posts with label Karen O. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karen O. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 September 2013

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 08/09/13 - King Krule, Karen O, Scratchylus

Three tracks that broke the transfer record for us this week




Flycasual:-
King Krule - 'Neptune Estate' (2013)


Strange and somber with a heavy off kilter Hip Hop beat that the Wu Tang Clan would be proud of, this is a track that has given me a serious dose of aural pleasure this week. 'Neptune Estate' is taken from the talented 19 year old Londoner's debut album, 6ft Beneath the Moon. He reminds me a bit of Tom Waits in his vocal delivery while Q Magazine hail him as "a post Dubstep Billy Bragg", which certainly makes for interesting listening.

King Krule's website, here...

Old Pa's Corner:-
Scratchylus - I hear the Children Cry(2010)

 

This is not a new song but it is from a 2013 compilation by Scratchylus - Reset the Mindset. It really is Scratchylus and Friends. There is some great stuff on this and I still have not completed listening to it all. I keep going back to favourites but I am loving it all. I have chosen  'I hear the Children Cry'  but I keep getting a new favourite the deeper I get into this. Essential.


Sfw:-
Karen O - The Moon Song (2013)


Ever since I heard the 2003 Yeah Yeah Yeahs track, Maps, I've been a fan/follower of Karen O. Her solo music has appeared on numerous film soundtracks, including Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Where the Wild Things Are and Frankenweenie and she's reunited with Spike Jonze for Her - it stars Joaquin Phoenix as a man who falls for a droid - the song just features Karen and an acoustic and if you close your eyes, you could be dreaming.





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Sunday, 24 March 2013

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 24/03/13 - Depeche Mode, Jim James, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Laura Marling, Woodkid

Five Tracks that were well within budget this week...


Old Pa's Corner:-
Jim James - A New Life (2013)

 
This fabulous track is from Jim James's (My Morning Jacket) new solo album  Regions of Light and Sound of God (2013). It really is a cracking album and there are other highlights, try State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U) the first track on the album, that is a bit special too.

This song highlights the vocal range of Mr Jones and it builds up to a stunning climax that you will want to hear again, right away. It's that good.  Up there with the best tracks of the year for Old Pa. I think I like too much?

The album shines class and a must listen to.

Sfw:-
Laura Marling - 'Where Can I Go?' (2013)



British songstress Laura Marling has recently unveiled Where Can I Go?, which will feature on her fourth Album Once I Was An Eagle. It has been produced by long time collaborator/producer Ethan Johns and is out in May. I just think this girl can do no wrong. She's a real talent that gets better and better with age.... oh and she's only 23! Scary!

Flycasual:-
Depeche Mode - 'Heaven' (2013)



I don't know why I've kept putting off the new Depeche Mode single, because it's brilliant. It has finally broken me down and it is everything I love about Depeche Mode, thought provoking, dark and brooding. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that I'm a huge fan of the electro pioneers (I'd say they've influenced many of my favourite acts on the darker end of the spectrum, Nine Inch Nails, Massive Attack) but I always approach a new release with apprehension in fear that it may be, well, rubbish. Sometimes their music can be too melodramatic, I was never a big fan of 'In Your Room' or 'Walking in my Shoes' from Songs of Faith and Devotion for example (which is tantamount to heresy for many DM fans) but that probably says more about my own neurosis than anything else. Nevertheless you're always guaranteed at least a few gems, 'Heaven' being one and as a result I'm very much looking forward to the new album, Delta Machine out March 26th.

Shell Hunter:-
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Sacrilege' (2013)



As soon as I heard Karen O's signature rock scream on this latest single from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, it made me think back to London Scouser's controversial statement about women lead singers in rock being naff. How wrong could you be, in fact you could say that was sacrilege(you saw that one coming surely)! I think if I could sing, I'd like to sound like Karen O, she can sound soft and purr like in the intro to this track, then kick some ass with her sexy shout! Its almost like a good and bad Karen O are arguing with each other! This song is a real grower with it's Pixies style bass and gospel choir finale.  I look forward to hearing their new album Mosquito which will be out on April 16th, but sadly I wont be able to see them live at the Alexandra Palace on May 4th unless I am airlifted by a helicopter from Camberley. Me and the Ally Pally have got history (see why here)!

London Scouser:-
Woodkid - 'The Golden Age'


I recently bit the bullet and changed from an iPhone to a new non Apple phone. I now have the Nexus 4, and with it I use Google Play... Bear with me this does go somewhere !! Every week they give away a free song to be downloaded. I got this track a week or so ago but only listened to it a few days ago. Its got an almost Coldplay vibe to it, and is a little haunting to me. I don't really know much about the singer other than he is better known as Yoann Lemoine, and that he has directed a few music videos including Lana Del Rey's 'Born To Die'.

Check out his site here...



Checkout previous Tracks of the week here
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Tuesday, 25 December 2012

GUEST SPOT BEST OF 2012 - 'Jon'


In the essence of our blog, we asked a few friends and blogs we follow to share with us their top tracks of the year. We are always interested in what makes people musically tick and hear to the stories associated with them, at the same time maybe learn a thing or two or catch something we've missed. So a big thank you to you all for taking the time to contribute.



Here we have Jon, a very good friend of my wife and I who we don't see as much as we'd like. A father, a Jedi, a former axe wielder for his band 'Fluorescent Black' and an all round good egg!!



Karen O / Trent Reznor / Atticus Ross - 'Immigrant Song'

OK, so technically it was released in December 2011 but I associate it much more with the first part of 2012. Love this beautifully dark cover of a Led Zep classic.




Maccabees - 'Pelican'

Had not really paid the Maccabees much attention until this gorgeous track grabbed my attention. Funnily enough I think it was Tune Doctor that alerted me to it.





OK Go - 'Needing/Getting'

Now I love OK Go, but the album version of this track didn't really do it for me. This re-scoring for the video however is a totally different matter, and it still blows my mind to think of the maths involved in laying out the track to the car hits each instrument at the right time. And yes, that's 288 open tuned Gretsch guitars with mini amps at 2'28"...

There's a series of "making of" clips for the video - the best one is here:



Have a look at some of Jon's brilliant guest spots he has done for us here...

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Sunday, 15 January 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - Azealia Banks, Lazarus and the Plane Crash, LostProphets, Trent Reznor 15/01/12

Four tracks that gave us the treatment this week!!


Flycasual:-
Azealia Banks - 212 (2011)



She's rude, she's hot, she came third in the BBC's sound of 2012, it's Harlem's Azealia Banks. Female MC's are few and far between so it's welcoming to see one as talented as Azealia on the scene, I can see why she was nominated. Her confident flow, style and potty mouth rhymes remind me of fellow MC's Missy Elliot and Amanda Blank but it's also her versatility which sets her apart as her cover of Interpol's 'Slow Hands' (see it here) shows. But it's '212' with it's blend of Electro, Hip Hop and House which made people take notice, I heard it last week on BBC 6 music and it left me wanting more. It'll be interesting to see where she goes as she definitely has the potential to be huge, with established artists already jostling for collaborations, it could be a big year for her.


It's Radox time mu*******as!
download '212' and ting from online music mag, 'Self-titled' here... and another from RCRDLBL.com here

Old Pa's :-
Lazarus and the Plane Crash - 'King of the Village Fete' (2012)


I was finding it a bit difficult to find something that is released in 2012 when I came across this little Gem. Interesting name I thought and I loved the sound. If you are aware of 'Captain Beefheart' then this must definitely be the Son of the Captain. It sounds a little disjointed and the voices seem to scream rather than sing and then much like Beefhearts music it suddenly clicks and it all falls into place. I have listened to another track and it is just as good. I will be getting this one and sharpish. The album is called 'Horeseplay'.

Voodoo Child
SFW :- 
LostProphets "Better Off Dead" (2012)
LostProphets are a fantastic band from my home town of Pontypridd and this is a free track that is available from their website which will feature on their 5th Album "Weapons". If you ever get the chance you should watch them live as it's a cauldron of riffs, hits & energy - even if this genre is not your thing, when you watch them, you'll be swayed. They've been an inspiration for Welsh musicians, as they'll often take undiscovered bands on tour and give them a chance to perform in packed venues & arenas.  I've had the privilege of going on tour with them and being "one of those people on the side of the stage", but not only that, you'd also find me sneaking on and end up singing - and no - I am not the bloke that Ian brought on - that's Seth. 



Shell Hunter:-
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross & Karen O - 'Immigrant song' (2011)



This quite literally knocked me off my seat and made me spill my mum's popcorn everywhere. What a fantastic start to what turned out to be a great film! To have one of my favourite Led Zeppelin songs covered in Mr. Reznor's excellently dark and industrial style was a real treat especially with the full cinematic experience! I recognized the female voice in the cinema but was too mesmerised with the opening credits to think straight. Ah the great Karen O from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs! Of course it was! I hadn't got round to listening to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's epic 3 hour long soundtrack but this song gave me the kick I needed to put in the time!
Here's a link to a site where you can download a free 6 track sampler of The soundtrack! Bonus!


More tracks of the week? Thought so..click here..
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Sunday, 13 November 2011

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 13/11/11

Four dirty little birdies that Berlusconi would be proud of, do you have any saucy numbers for us? Go on be a devil....let us know. Please..


SFW:-
The Civil Wars - Billie Jean (2011)


I've been obsessed with these two since seeing this performance on Jools Hollands show a few weeks ago and in the week of Dr Conrad Murray being convicted of the manslaughter of Michael Jackson, I thought it's tedious link could be counted as my TOTW. The Civil Wars are Joy Williams & John Paul White (I know what you're thinking, could easily be Johnny Depp's musical stunt double) who have released an album in 2011 called 'Barton Hollow'.  It's a fantastic piece of folk-country-Americana with exquisite melodies that given the chance will probably win a Grammy (I just read that they've been nominated for a Country Music Award) - it's definitely worth a purchase!  

Old Pa's Corner:-
David Lynch - Pinky's Dream feat Karen O (2011)


'David Lynch, is that not the guy who does these weird movies and things?!' Yes, you are right and he has done a 'solo' album. Is it weird? I suppose you would say its kind of what you would expect but I like this opening track, great drumming, great vocal, lots of energy, makes me want to hear more!

But before you dismiss it, David Lynch was responsible for the soundtrack to 'Blue Velvet' (what a film that is). He was behind the the re-recording of some of the Big O's all time greats. Need I say anymore.

I am a human being
Flycasual:-
Kate Bush - Wild Man (2011)


I love Kate Bush. Growing up in the 80's with my hormones raging, I used to find her hushed and sultry vocals incredibly sexy. I believed that her songs about love and hurt would prepare me to understand what to expect later in life. I felt she had given me the map to that exotic land called woman (must have lost it on the way/men can't read maps etc, I'll probably hear my wife say). Regardless she's back after a 6 year gap with this fabulous song. Ahh, her whispered, breathy tones are here with tales of love, it's time to be seduced again. Oh wait....what? It's about the Yeti!?? Oh, never mind she's still bonkers and all the better for it!

quite handy with a guitar

Shell Hunter:-
Band of Skulls - 'The Devil Takes Care of His Own' (2011)


Everyone needs a bit of rock in their life and this is a more than suitable fix! The slow riffage reminds me a little bit of Faith No More or something sampled for an early Beastie Boys album! I enjoyed all the singles from Band of Skull's first album and after hearing this first offering from their new album "Sweet Sour" due for release next February, I can't wait! With only 3 members, their minimalistic sound has more of an impact, much like that of The White Stripes or She Keeps Bees. I love the video too, it kicks ass...err, sorry. Thats one gig I wish I'd been to!


Enjoy these? Check out our other Tracks of the Week....
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