TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 05/07/15 - Night Engine, The Skints, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, My Morning Jacket, Raury

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 05/07/15 - Night Engine, The Skints, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, My Morning Jacket, Raury

My Morning Jacket Night Engine Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Raury The Skints Tracks of the Week Tune Doctor TuneDoctor YO! TuneDr Raps

Five tracks that were packing heat!

SFW:-

My Morning Jacket - Compound Fracture (2015)


Jim James' My Morning Jacket feel like they've been around forever.  The Kentucky five-pieces- latest release leaves you feeling that you've you've been transported back to 1985 in a Delorean. A hybrid of Kate Bush-meets-Prince, it makes you want to put on your Air Jordans, rekindle your crush with Molly Ringwald and make you wonder why all 80s movies had music and dodgy dancing? 

This features on the bands latest album 'The Waterfall', which was out in May.


Old Pa's Corner :-

The Skints - This Town (2015)

Here is a track from London's The Skints latest album FM. I just love these guys and although album has been out for a while I am just getting round to have a listen, Cant wait.

Shell Hunter:-
Night Engine - 'Wound Up Tight' (2015)

This has actually been my track of the week for a couple weeks now. Its a real grower. For someone who loves the 80s as much as I do, it really satiates me! Its got a kicking beat, deliciously dirty bass line and the essential synths to tick all boxes. I'm glad to hear that they haven't lost what captured me in the first place. Wound Up Tight was released at the beginning of June and launched with a gig at The Black Heart in Camden. It's been a while since I saw these guys live but every time I have, I couldn't help but get infected with their energy. Front man Phil has to be seen to be believed and what a sharp dresser! Could their long awaited album be the coiled spring that has been wound up tight? Come on and give it to us!

London Scouser:-
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - 'Riverman' (2015)

   

Whilst visiting Old Pa in Spain last week I was looking for some new music to add to a playlist to listen to around the BBQ. I saw that the album 'Chasing Yesterday' was on Spotify and have been mightily impressed with what I've heard. There are some great tracks on here that remind me of the great sounds of Oasis in their pomp. This track in particular starts off and I thought for a moment it was 'Wonderwall' with the acoustic intro. It's been 21 years since 'Definitely Maybe' but for me he hasn't lost any of his spark... Here's to the next 21...


Flycasual:-
Raury - 'Devil's Whisper' (2015)

With all this heat we have had, you could have easily been mistaken for being in the US's Deep South...well perhaps not but listening to Atlanta's Raury was as close as I was gonna get from my semi detached in Surrey. This cat is pretty special, 'Devil's Whisper' not only effortlessly blends many styles from Gospel to Electro to Folk and Hip Hop, it's craftily structured too. The first verse is sung from Beelzebub's perspective, trying to tempt our Raury with ting, while the second from Raury as he verbally slaps the offer out of the devil's hand with an angry rebuke. Nicely done. 'Devil's Whisper' is taken from his debut EP/Mixtape, Indigo Child, out last month.

Listen to it hear on Spotify....

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

sfw Pada 05:46 2 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 27/04/2014 - Mac DeMarco, SZA, UME, Night Engine, Morton Harket,

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 27/04/2014 - Mac DeMarco, SZA, UME, Night Engine, Morton Harket,

Mac DeMarco Morton Harket Night Engine Tracks of the Week UME

Five tracks that serenaded David Moyes off into to sunset..

London Scouser:-

Ume - 'Black Stone'

I'm a couple of months behind the release of this track from Ume (pronounced Ooh-may) who hail from... ..... yep you've guesssed it... Austin, TX. They are another 3 piece band with a lady singer and in this person's humble opinion, they rock with a capital RAWWWWKKKK !!! They released their album 'Monuments' in March of this year and came to my attention by virtue of the fact they recently played a gig in their hometown along with Megafauna (my TOTW from last week) and my band of 2013, Black Books. Great company to keep, the only thing I ask myself, is why I haven't gone over to Austin.... It's a musical Mecca

Flycasual:-
SZA - 'Child's Play' feat Chance the Rapper (2014)

I instantly liked this when I first heard it, soothing intravenous soul. It sounded unusual, a bit bleak, a bit woozy and even if you add Rap's rising star, Chance the Rapper's wonky verse for surreal effect, it still feels like you're under the duvet after a night out with 'Child's Play' playing you to sleep. SZA is the first female recruit on the Top Dawg Entertainment label, home of Grammy nominated (he should have won) West Coaster Kendrick Lamar and is taken from her debut album, Z.

check out SZA's blog here...

Sfw:-
Mac DeMarco - Salad Days (2014)
This dreamy, psychedelic track by Canadian musician Mac DeMarco, is one to pick you up on a Sunday. With its catchy melody and a guitar appegio that is the musical equivilent of a cloud quickly blocking out the sun, it is a "half-cup full" sort of tune. He's a bit of a joker, just look at the audience filmed footage on YouTube performing a version of U2's Beautiful Day and you know that fame is the least thing on his mind (he strips naked and then tucks in his old boy like Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs - only to finally put a drumstick up his bum). Not quite one for granny.

 It is the title track on his third full-length album which was released by Captured Tracks music label on April 1.

Old Pa:-
Morton Harket - Brother (2014)

 

I have always had a soft spot for Ah-Ha ever since Take on Me and that memorable cartoon inspired video. I have even bought a couple of his solo efforts and they have been pretty good.. I heard this track Brother the other day, the title track from his new album Brother (2014).

It is one of these tracks which just sounds epic and classic on its first hearing. Even sounds a bit like Brothers in Arms but maybe that is just because of the Brother connection.  All the Harket falsetto trade mark is there.

Pretty odd video, maybe I am missing something. Enjoy Bro'

Shell Hunter:-
Night Engine - 'All I Got' (2014)

After a well deserved rest at the end of hardcore year of touring and festivals, Night Engine have returned with a refreshed vigour. Theyve been working their socks off on their debut album 'Wound Up Tight' which is due out later this year. I've been looking forward to hearing some new material after being blown away by their energy last year and this first single doesn't dissapoint! It's a bit slower then my other favourites but it's a real grower, full of raunchy glam electro rock. The guys will being doing the rounds again this year but more importantly are performing a headline show at Hackney Oslo on June 5th, well worth a visit and you may even see me there, front row centre!

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

sfw Pada 02:35 2 Komentar

Shell Hunter's Best Of 2013

Shell Hunter's Best Of 2013

Best of 2013 Josephine Junip Night Engine Pearl Jam Robert Delong Shell Hunter

Bye bye 2013, unlucky for some but not me. I've visited new places like New York, Jamaica and Benidorm(!), and experienced a fantastic music festival, Latitude (see you next year!). What made these experiences extra special were the recommendations of songs and bands that made up the many playlists I've created and loved on my travels. Thank you guys for taking the time out to share your favourite tracks and memories and giving me your two pennies worth on mine. Here's to a renewed zest for the same in 2014!



Josephine - 'Portrait'

One that cuts a little too close to the bone about true self reflection that I struggle to listen to without shedding a tear. That coupled with a beautiful nostalgic voice makes for an unforgettable and meaningful song for me.



Junip - 'Line Of Fire'

Brings me back great memories of lounging on the grass on a very sunny Sunday afternoon at Latitude Festival, shades on and cold cider in hand, watching one of the most perfect bands for the mood. Junip fast became a favourite group of mine, thanks to the push from SFW. My track of the year.

Pearl Jam - 'Sirens'

This one came out of nowhere (actually London Scouser's TOTW) and absolutely blew me away. One of the most romantic rock songs I've heard in a very long time, rivalling even my favourite 'All Night Thing' by Temple Of The Dog which was sung by fellow band mate Chris Cornell. Eddie Vedder could melt even the coldest of black hearts with this best example of his fabulous voice. Worth reading the lyrics here.

Robert DeLong - 'Global Concepts'

Brilliant and innovative with drumming that I can't get enough of. I look forward to hearing more of what Robert can do. Some may sneer at the dropping of the 'F' bomb but I think it's essential. I always imagine being in a packed club in LA, that line blaring out with the beat kicking in and me getting swallowed up by the crowd loving it!



Night Engine - 'Seventeen'

These guys were a big part of my music year ever since I found out a friend from college was in the band. Full of guitar funk with excellent synths, their energy is infectious and if ever a band was worthy of being signed it's them. Keep you're eyes on them, I know I will.

Have a listen to the rest of my Top 20 below!

sfw Pada 11:22 2 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 25/08/2013 - White Lies, Pond, Night Beds, Tired Pony, Pearl Jam

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 25/08/2013 - White Lies, Pond, Night Beds, Tired Pony, Pearl Jam

Night Beds Night Engine Pearl Jam Pond Tired Pony Tracks of the Week White Lies

Five tracks that were as good as a £1500 feast at Nando's....

Shell Hunter:-

White Lies - 'There Goes Our Love Again (Night Engine Remix)' (2013)

I know I've been flying the neon flag of Night Engine recently but I don't put my seal of approval on just anyone. I was passed this remix of White Lies' recent single There Goes Our Love Again and I love its more somber, slowed down take of the original. It really is a plethora of my favourite 80s synth snippets, from the Ultravox 'Vienna' intro beat through to the Depeche Mode echoey vocals. If you listen hard enough once the beat kicks in, there's a bit of Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall' guitar riff in there and (am I mad?!) a bit of MJ's Thriller too! Throw in a some hand claps for good measure and I'm sold! The MP3 is available to buy on iTunes or Amazon now and is featured on White Lies' There Goes Our Love Again Remixes album released on 23rd August.

Flycasual:-
Pond - 'O Dharma' (2013)

You can't beat a bit of psychadelica. It makes me feel care free, like I'm prancing around in a field of barley, in my underpants, with only the blue flashing lights of the 'feds' in the distance killing my buzz, man. This is one such song, a stunning track by the Aussie five piece (including two members of Tame Impala) which is taken from their fifth album, Hobo Rocket. I love how it feels like it's in two parts, starting off at a slow dreamy pace before the drums kick in, igniting it off somewhere up into the stratosphere. It'll have you getting undressed in no time.

Check out Pond's bits on the Modular Recordings website here...

SFW:-
Night Beds - Ramona (2013)


Night Beds is Winston Yellen, a 24 year-old from Colorado Springs and have unveiled a new video for "Ramona" which features on his 2013 debut release, Country Sleep. The song was written in a colonial style home on the outskirts of Nashville that was once owned by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. The tune’s tale of unrequited love and courtship suggests those walls recall the
moment Johnny brazenly told June upon first meeting, “You and I are going to get married someday.”

The album was released by the label Dead Oceans Records, which is the home to Bill Fay, Phosphorescent and Tallest Man on Earth, which might just get your attention!

Old Pa's Corner :-
Tired Pony - All Things All at Once (2013)

 

I was a big fan of  Tired Pony's  first album  The Place We Ran From (2010). This is track from their second album  The Ghost of the Mountain (2013)  and seems to have a much bigger production, but who's complaining. This track is an instantly accessible song and the lead singer's voice sounds spot on.

It is apparently liked by none other than  Harry  himself and there is talk, he and the Boys may record it. So enjoy it while you can, before it becomes a 1D tune and is instantly number one in the charts. (do they still have charts?).

London Scouser:-

Pearl Jam - 'Mind Your Manners' (2013)

Finally, a new track from one of my favourite bands. Eddie and the guys are back with a great song that reminds me of 'Spin The Black Circle' and could quite easily have come from 'Vitalogy' their 3rd and possibly one of their best albums IMO. This is from their upcoming album 'Lightning Bolt' which is released in October....... I can't blinking wait !!!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 04:46 4 Komentar

FRONT ROW CENTRE - LATITUDE 2013 SPECIAL - DAY 2

FRONT ROW CENTRE - LATITUDE 2013 SPECIAL - DAY 2

Alt-J Front Row Centre Hot Chip Latitude Night Engine Shell Hunter

Welcome back to the Latitude Festival 2013 Special - Day 2!

Latitude Festival Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk on July 20th 2013



Talk about chalk and cheese with the weather! I woke up on Saturday morning and it was grey and drizzly. Having checked the weather frequently on the run up to the festival, it clearly stated sunny all weekend! Well, needless to say I had not packed for this eventuality apart from the hoody incase it was cool in the evening. So that was me for the day: shorts, flip flops and a hoody. I was bloody freezing and damp but it still didn't take away from the great music that was on. It was a relief that we still had a few sunny spells especially whilst seeing the bands featured here. It was the first day I really noticed people milling around in fancy dress with my particular favourites being a bloke dressed as Alice In Wonderland and several blokes in full ball gowns. Other amusing sights were a guy with a stuffed budgie clipped to his shirt and a man with a massive fried egg T-shirt and bunny mask.



Night Engine - 'Seventeen'

If there is one new band you check out this year, make it Night Engine. My good friend Dominic who plays keyboard for the band, made my visit to Latitude possible so they were up there with my 'must see' bands. Perched along the barriers right at the front of The Lake Stage, I was swallowed up with Night Engine's energy. They got the crowd dancing to funky hits Seventeen, Treat Me Like A Baby and my personal favourite (featured previously on totw), I'll Make It Worth Your While. My friend mused that it was difficult to behold all the facial expressions but in my opinion, its what sets lead singer Phil asides from the rest! Well worth watching these guys if you get a chance, they really give it their all. If it was possible for steam to rise up off the stage from drummer Lee and bassist Eddy during their last track then they warranted it!



Hot Chip - 'Ready For The Floor'

One of my all time favourite dance groups really put on a fabulous show. I was sat in a field on a portable chair shivering under a gloomy sky but as soon as they knocked out big numbers like One Life Stand, Boy From School and this great rendition of Ready For The Floor I was rocking around in my chair and heating up nicely. I was especially impressed when they played Over And Over as despite the fact I was towards the back of the stage, the volume from the crowd singing along felt like I was bang smack in the middle of the mosh pit! I was also surprised to hear that their female (and might I add, highly skilled!) drummer was also playing The Obelisk Stage the previous night, headlining with Bloc Party!



Alt-J - 'Breezeblocks'

A hard decision had to be made: A historic 3-D Kraftwerk show or Alt-J? For me it wasn't that tough as I know far more of Alt-J and they were such a mega part of my listening pleasure last year. On our way to the BBC6 tent, we heard Kraftwerk kick off with Robots which sounded pretty good. As it was now dark out, it was much colder so it was a relief to seek refuge amongst the warmth of a packed tent. The sound was so crisp and the band tight so credit to BBC6 for that. It was really like being part of a community in that tent, the crowd all knew every word of every song and sang in perfect timing. Tessellate and Something Good came surprisingly early on but Alt-J kept me waiting for Breezeblocks and it didn't disappoint.

Enjoying these reviews? Come back next week for the last instalment with Day 3 or listen to my best of Latitude Spotify playlist!

sfw Pada 12:46 4 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

Alice In Chains Joe Gideon and the Shark Mexican Institute of Sound Night Engine Running Man Tracks of the Week Wake Owl World Music Corner

Five tracks that laughed in the face of snow this week!

Shell Hunter:-

Night Engine - 'I'll Make It Worth Your While' 

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across a Guardian tip off for 'Ones to watch out for in 2013' and I saw a friend from my college days in the photo! I knew he was seriously into music so I had to look into them and wow, Night Engine totally float my boat! Being a big fan of 80's music but no particular genre, meant that as soon as I heard tracks like Seventeen, Treat Me Like A Baby and this one, made me want to kick my legs out and break into a running man like frenzy. You can hand pick your favourite influences such as Bowie and Talking Heads but I'll Make It Worth Your While gives me a bit of Weird Science by Oingo Boingo! Believe me that's not a bad thing, and there aren't enough bands doing it now in my opinion! Catch them at the Borderline in London on 20th Feb if you are lucky enough to get a ticket or get their first single Seventeen / Treat Me Like A Baby which will be released on February 18th.

You can catch them on Sound Cloud, Facebook plus Twitter! 

www.nightengine.net

London Scouser:-

Alice In Chains - 'Hollow' (2013)

Once again they are back, and once again it sounds like they have never been away. I was absolutely gutted when they disbanded when Layne Staley died as they have been a huge influence on the heavier side of my musical taste. They returned in 2009 with the brilliant Black Gives Way To Blue album, and in March they are releasing an as yet untitled album. I for one cannot wait. They will be playing at 'Download' this year which has a great line up (click here) including Korn, Rammstein, QOTSA & Iron Maiden, but alas I'm working and won't be able to go. Hopefully they will throw in some other gigs in the South that I can go to. 

http://aliceinchains.com/

SFW:-
Wake Owl - Gold (2013)

As the "new folk" genre gains in popularity and more and more artists come to the fore, this week we have Wake Owl vying for our attention. Wake Owl is the project of singer/songwriter Colyn Cameron and "Gold" is the first single off the Wild Country E.P. His style is very similar to Ben Howard, (not a bad thing) and with sweeping strings and gentle touches, it is the perfect track to accompany a long winters day walk!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Joe Gideon and the Shark - The Insignificant Bullet(2013)

Joe Gideon and the Shark are a brother/sister duo from London. The Shark (aka former Olympic ribbon gymnast Viva Gideon) are now on their second album release 'Freakish (2013)' released this January, is a concoction of blues, beats and spoken word. This track the 'Insignificant Bullet' (great title) really is a mish mash, I can hear The Velvet Underground, The Talking Heads, Pulp and even The Strokes, all in this one song.  This is definitely an interesting one.

I'll tell you what!, I like shark music.  


Flycasual:-
Mexican Institute of Sound - 'Mexico' (2012)

I've only just heard this despite it being released last summer, all thanks to last months Songlines CD sampler, I just love the horns! The excellent 'Mexico' is taken from Mexican Institute of Sound's (the name given to DJ Camilo Lara's creation) third album 'Politico'. Politically charged tracks on the state of the country (drug violence, contested election) all delivered with wit and humour (if a little sobering judging by the video), a spattering of Hip Hop/Electro and sprinkled with Mariachi trumpets, what's not to like!

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:06 8 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/01/13 - Night Engine, Alice in Chains, Wake Owl, Joe Gideon and the Shark, Mexican Institute of Sound

Alice In Chains Joe Gideon and the Shark Mexican Institute of Sound Night Engine Running Man Tracks of the Week Wake Owl World Music Corner

Five tracks that laughed in the face of snow this week!

Shell Hunter:-

Night Engine - 'I'll Make It Worth Your While' 

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across a Guardian tip off for 'Ones to watch out for in 2013' and I saw a friend from my college days in the photo! I knew he was seriously into music so I had to look into them and wow, Night Engine totally float my boat! Being a big fan of 80's music but no particular genre, meant that as soon as I heard tracks like Seventeen, Treat Me Like A Baby and this one, made me want to kick my legs out and break into a running man like frenzy. You can hand pick your favourite influences such as Bowie and Talking Heads but I'll Make It Worth Your While gives me a bit of Weird Science by Oingo Boingo! Believe me that's not a bad thing, and there aren't enough bands doing it now in my opinion! Catch them at the Borderline in London on 20th Feb if you are lucky enough to get a ticket or get their first single Seventeen / Treat Me Like A Baby which will be released on February 18th.

You can catch them on Sound Cloud, Facebook plus Twitter! 

www.nightengine.net

London Scouser:-

Alice In Chains - 'Hollow' (2013)

Once again they are back, and once again it sounds like they have never been away. I was absolutely gutted when they disbanded when Layne Staley died as they have been a huge influence on the heavier side of my musical taste. They returned in 2009 with the brilliant Black Gives Way To Blue album, and in March they are releasing an as yet untitled album. I for one cannot wait. They will be playing at 'Download' this year which has a great line up (click here) including Korn, Rammstein, QOTSA & Iron Maiden, but alas I'm working and won't be able to go. Hopefully they will throw in some other gigs in the South that I can go to. 

http://aliceinchains.com/

SFW:-
Wake Owl - Gold (2013)

As the "new folk" genre gains in popularity and more and more artists come to the fore, this week we have Wake Owl vying for our attention. Wake Owl is the project of singer/songwriter Colyn Cameron and "Gold" is the first single off the Wild Country E.P. His style is very similar to Ben Howard, (not a bad thing) and with sweeping strings and gentle touches, it is the perfect track to accompany a long winters day walk!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Joe Gideon and the Shark - The Insignificant Bullet(2013)

Joe Gideon and the Shark are a brother/sister duo from London. The Shark (aka former Olympic ribbon gymnast Viva Gideon) are now on their second album release 'Freakish (2013)' released this January, is a concoction of blues, beats and spoken word. This track the 'Insignificant Bullet' (great title) really is a mish mash, I can hear The Velvet Underground, The Talking Heads, Pulp and even The Strokes, all in this one song.  This is definitely an interesting one.

I'll tell you what!, I like shark music.  


Flycasual:-
Mexican Institute of Sound - 'Mexico' (2012)

I've only just heard this despite it being released last summer, all thanks to last months Songlines CD sampler, I just love the horns! The excellent 'Mexico' is taken from Mexican Institute of Sound's (the name given to DJ Camilo Lara's creation) third album 'Politico'. Politically charged tracks on the state of the country (drug violence, contested election) all delivered with wit and humour (if a little sobering judging by the video), a spattering of Hip Hop/Electro and sprinkled with Mariachi trumpets, what's not to like!

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Listen & Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:06 7 Komentar