Showing posts with label Plan B. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plan B. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

FLYCASUAL'S Best of 2012


It's been quite a year, from a crappy start with family health scares to the collective goodwill and euphoria surrounding the amazing Olympics/Paralympics. That was quite something, which I'm quite sure I will never experience again. It's also been musically amazing so it has been devastatingly hard to whittle it down to just 5 tracks for this post. It's bit like having to selfishly let go of some of your good friends.....

damn, I forgot to go for a wee!

Excluding 'Gangnam Style', these are my top 5 tracks in no particular order.




The Pond - 'Circle Round a Tree'

Folky Hip Hop from Folk Songstress, Kathryn Williams' side project, which hit the tickle spot for me this summer. Like chasing bees through a field of long grass on a blissful sunny day, on the way to a country pub for the promise of a cider fuelled adventure.



Rocket Juice & The Moon - 'Lolo' Feat Fatoumata Diawara and M.anifest

Marvellous Afro-Funk from another Damon Albarn fronted super group. With Mali singer Fatoumata Diawara, Ghana/US's rapper M.anifest, bassist Flea and legendary drummer Tony Allen, the band is tighter than a mermaid's brazier. More importantly however, it reminds me of a time spent with friends in Florida for a wedding earlier in the year. Perfect fo gettin' yo groove on during a cider fuelled adventure.




Diiv - 'Air Conditioning' 

This is a wonderful Krautrock inspired track from Brooklyn four piece DIIV. It knocked me out on the way home from work, nice melodious guitar drones on and you don't want it to stop...sorry officah for driving erratically, blame it on rock n roll man! Suitable for when things get a little weird during a cider fuelled adventure.



Mark Lanegan Band - 'The Gravedigger's Song'

Pounding drums, buzzsaw bass, Mark Lanegan's gruff voice, it's dark, it's menacing, it sounds a bit like Nine Inch Nails. Like reluctantly stumbling home through a graveyard on the aftermath of a cider fuelled adventure.



Plan B - 'Ill Manors' (live on Jools Holland)

Fantastic musical chaos! A wall of noise from the intimidating strings to the claustrophobic beats making you feel slightly uncomfortable. But there's nothing chaotic about the talented Ben Drew's truthful and socially conscious lyrics. The best hard hitting, no nonsense, shit kicking, political Rap since Public Enemy's heyday!
No cider fuelled adventures recommended unless it's extra strength White Lightening.


Why not have a listen to my top 20 tracks of the year?? It's nice!



Saturday, 26 May 2012

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 27/05/12 - Best Coast, Plan B, Linkin Park, Paul Buchanan

HOT, HOT, HOT!!! FOUR TRACKS THAT MADE US WANT TO WALK THE HIGH STREET IN OUR SPEEDOS!


SFW:- 
Best Coast - The Only Place

Best Coast, Best Coast Download, The Only Place Download






All this sun has taken the sadness away and I've been listening to more upbeat tunes! This track features on Indie/Hipster favourites Best Coast's new album and it is annoyingly happy. I blame the Californian sunshine -  but who cares - when the weather is like this everyone feels good!

Flycasual:-
Plan B - Ill Manors (2012)


I was quite fan of Plan B's early material, especially his 2006 album, 'Who Needs Action When You Got Words'. Undeniably talented, his raw no holds barred rhyming, clever word play and lyrical content that would make your gran blush, gave him the inevitable tag of the UK's answer to Eminem, not a bad accolade to have. I loved it! Then I heard his single 'Stay Too Long' from his 2010 follow up 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks', on a commercial radio and I was horrified, I felt he was just cashing in on the nu-soul craze, re-imaging himself as the male Amy Winehouse. Musical snobbery at it's worst, it was my loss as the songs I tried not to like we're actually good.

The anthemic 'Ill Manors' is brilliant, taken from the forthcoming soundtrack of his self produced film of the same name, it is without doubt one of the best tracks I've heard all year and for me a welcome return to his gritty, brutal best. Its political and socially charged lyrics (including a savage dig at David Cameron and the media) along with the organised musical chaos of the strings and beats, reminded me of Public Enemy at their peak. Now that's an accolade!!

I chose the live version from Jools Holland as it was a great performance but you owe to yourself to see the official video here.....almost too close to the bone!! Mind ya manners and check Plan B's website here, register and bag a free download!

Shell Hunter:-
Linkin Park - 'Burn It Down' (2012)


I never thought I would like a Linkin Park song as much as I like this one. When they first came out, I absolutely couldn't stand them! 'Nu Metal' was really popular but it just seemed like it was for kids and it didn't hold any credibility for me. I didn't think Linkin Park would last to a second album, let alone 5 over 12 years! In my eyes they deserve some respect! Anyway, enough exercising my guilty musical conscience, this song may not float everyone's boat, but its plain and simple, it floats mine. Their new album Living Things will be out on June 26th but don't panic! This single was out back in April. Get back to your teenage roots!

Old Pa's Corner :-
Paul Buchanan - 'Mid Air' Live on Jools Holland(2012)

The illusive PB


It was with great delight that I found out Paul Buchanan has a new album out (Mid-Air). Paul is one half of the 'Blue Nile' whom I have loved ever since 'Walk Across the Roof Tops' (1983) and along with 'Hats'(1989) form an outstanding body of work. Sad, intelligent, melancholy music. 'Lets go out tonight' from Hats is one of the saddest songs I think I have ever heard, it always sends down a shiver.

What a performance this is from the illusive PB and another sad, beautiful song and more shivers. I have listened to the album and it is superb, especially if you want something to put on for these moments of quiet reflection. Outstanding stuff from one of Scotland's best kept secrets. A true classic!

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