TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 10/11/2013 - The National, Royal Blood, The Beatles, Franz Ferdinand, Keane

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 10/11/2013 - The National, Royal Blood, The Beatles, Franz Ferdinand, Keane

Franz Ferdinand Keane Royal Blood The Beatles The National Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that had us turning them up to 11...

Shell Hunter:-

Keane - 'Higher Than The Sun' (2013)

 

 

Cor blimey, has it really been 10 years since Keane first popped onto the scene? I loved their meloncholy piano based anthems. This month they release The Best Of Keane which is a lovingly crafted collection of all their singles including 2 new tracks. One of which is this one which I couldn't stop singing for the life of me the other day. If it has a hook that strong then they've still got it, which is a shame as the band have decided to 'take a break from being Keane' to persue other projects. Either way, I look forward to revisiting all their great ones namely favourites of mine like Bedshaped, Everybody's Changing and Spiralling. I'm still keen after all these years.....sorry!

Sfw:-

The National - 'Lean' (2013)

Am I breaking the rules? Only last week London Scouser had The Nationals Sea of Love as his TOTW and they are back again with Lean. In my defence this is hot off the press and features on the latest Soundtrack fro The Hunger Games - Catching Fire. I've read that they originally refused the track because the title was deemed "too dark", it was called "Dying Is Easy". Anyone who has seen the first film (or read the books) will raise a wry smile due to the irony of it all. The film franchise is about "fighting to the last" and features kids, killing kids. Dark as hell.

Flycasual:-

Royal Blood - 'Out of the Black' (2013)

I read recently that these Brit hot Rock prospects have been likened to early Muse and Queens of the Stone Age, "I'll have some of that!" I thought and I wasn't to be disappointed. The parallels justified, as the Brighton duo's debut single has all the hallmarks of such Rock royalty, big sound, great drumming and ferocious riffage but they'll probably be sick and tired of those comparison and will want to concentrate on their own sound. Ooh there's a bit of Jack White in there too I thought. Either way it's all good and it has left me wanting more. As well the single, they also have another track available on their Soundcloud site which you can catch here. Royal heirs indeed.

Royal Blood's domain here...

London Scouser:-

Franz Ferdinand - 'Evil Eye' (2013)

I don't normally watch adverts on the tv if I can help it. I push fast forward on the sky remote to x30 and try and stop it in time for when the program starts back. The other day I couldn't find the remote in time and for once I was glad. An advert came on for some new car and immediately I stopped looking for the remote and watched it. This song was selling the car (obviously not well enough cos I don't know what car it is) and I loved it immediately. Straight away I thought it was Franz Ferdinand and after shazam-ing the track I was right. It's got their almost trademarked catchy guitar style with Alex Kapranos' great vocals. I just saw the video (which looks like a low-budget slasher style from the 70's or 80's) for the first time and if you're squeamish I don't recommend it !!! I wish I'd chosen this last week as it would have been a great Halloween track.

 

Old Pa's Corner:-

The Beatles - 'If I Fell' (2013)

Well it just had to be done. It is not very often we have a new Beatles release. This is a track from  On Air, Live at the BBC vol 2. (2013).  I don't know if it is all that relevant considering there is nothing much new here and there are much more superior versions available. But completest will gobble this release up and why not.

There must be some great stuff in the vaults which would warrant a release and I hope they get round to doing it someday.

However, in the meantime here is  If I fell  a track originally on a  Hard Days Night  one of the best rock movies ever with a fabulous soundtrack. It's all about the melody folks!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 07:25 6 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 10/11/2013 - The National, Royal Blood, The Beatles, Franz Ferdinand, Keane

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 10/11/2013 - The National, Royal Blood, The Beatles, Franz Ferdinand, Keane

Franz Ferdinand Keane Royal Blood The Beatles The National Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that had us turning them up to 11...

Shell Hunter:-

Keane - 'Higher Than The Sun' (2013)

 

 

Cor blimey, has it really been 10 years since Keane first popped onto the scene? I loved their meloncholy piano based anthems. This month they release The Best Of Keane which is a lovingly crafted collection of all their singles including 2 new tracks. One of which is this one which I couldn't stop singing for the life of me the other day. If it has a hook that strong then they've still got it, which is a shame as the band have decided to 'take a break from being Keane' to persue other projects. Either way, I look forward to revisiting all their great ones namely favourites of mine like Bedshaped, Everybody's Changing and Spiralling. I'm still keen after all these years.....sorry!

Sfw:-

The National - 'Lean' (2013)

Am I breaking the rules? Only last week London Scouser had The Nationals Sea of Love as his TOTW and they are back again with Lean. In my defence this is hot off the press and features on the latest Soundtrack fro The Hunger Games - Catching Fire. I've read that they originally refused the track because the title was deemed "too dark", it was called "Dying Is Easy". Anyone who has seen the first film (or read the books) will raise a wry smile due to the irony of it all. The film franchise is about "fighting to the last" and features kids, killing kids. Dark as hell.

Flycasual:-

Royal Blood - 'Out of the Black' (2013)

I read recently that these Brit hot Rock prospects have been likened to early Muse and Queens of the Stone Age, "I'll have some of that!" I thought and I wasn't to be disappointed. The parallels justified, as the Brighton duo's debut single has all the hallmarks of such Rock royalty, big sound, great drumming and ferocious riffage but they'll probably be sick and tired of those comparison and will want to concentrate on their own sound. Ooh there's a bit of Jack White in there too I thought. Either way it's all good and it has left me wanting more. As well the single, they also have another track available on their Soundcloud site which you can catch here. Royal heirs indeed.

Royal Blood's domain here...

London Scouser:-

Franz Ferdinand - 'Evil Eye' (2013)

I don't normally watch adverts on the tv if I can help it. I push fast forward on the sky remote to x30 and try and stop it in time for when the program starts back. The other day I couldn't find the remote in time and for once I was glad. An advert came on for some new car and immediately I stopped looking for the remote and watched it. This song was selling the car (obviously not well enough cos I don't know what car it is) and I loved it immediately. Straight away I thought it was Franz Ferdinand and after shazam-ing the track I was right. It's got their almost trademarked catchy guitar style with Alex Kapranos' great vocals. I just saw the video (which looks like a low-budget slasher style from the 70's or 80's) for the first time and if you're squeamish I don't recommend it !!! I wish I'd chosen this last week as it would have been a great Halloween track.

 

Old Pa's Corner:-

The Beatles - 'If I Fell' (2013)

Well it just had to be done. It is not very often we have a new Beatles release. This is a track from  On Air, Live at the BBC vol 2. (2013).  I don't know if it is all that relevant considering there is nothing much new here and there are much more superior versions available. But completest will gobble this release up and why not.

There must be some great stuff in the vaults which would warrant a release and I hope they get round to doing it someday.

However, in the meantime here is  If I fell  a track originally on a  Hard Days Night  one of the best rock movies ever with a fabulous soundtrack. It's all about the melody folks!

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 07:25 6 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 03/11/13 - George Ezra, Ka, Bill Callahan, The National, Afrikan Boy

TRACKS OF THE WEEK 03/11/13 - George Ezra, Ka, Bill Callahan, The National, Afrikan Boy

Afrikan Boy Bill Callahan George Ezra Ka The National Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that popped our rockets.....

Sfw:-
George Ezra - Did You Hear The Rain (2013)

I've championed George ever since I saw him support Tom Odell in The Thekla and fortunately for the masses, he's finally getting more airplay. 'Did You Hear The Rain' features more accompaniment than his previous snippets and whereas sometimes a singer/songwriter loses their magic with a band, with George, it only enhances his sound. You must checkout his other tracks, either here or through his Soundcloud site. It is an early call, but he's definitely in my top 10 artists of the year - and he still hasn't released his album!



Flycasual:-

Ka - 'Jungle' (2013)

I've been listening to Ka's album, 'The Night's Gambit', a fair bit recently and it's one of the best Hip Hop albums I've heard for awhile. It's the first time I've come across the 40 something Brooklyn MC/producer despite this being his 3rd solo sortie and a stark contrast to the usual neon lights, 'bling-afied' , posturing you see in most Hip Hop acts these days. Certainly on one of it's standout tracks, the soulful 'Jungle', where Ka's desolate social commentary is delivered in a hushed, low key tone (like the majority of the album) reminiscent of 'What's Going On' era Marvin Gaye. Dope.

Ka's website here...

London Scouser:-

The National - 'Sea Of Love' (2013)

There I was politely going about my business of flicking through channels late one evening hoping to find something good to watch as Shellhunter was trying to sleep when I stumbled across Later With Jools Holland. The first guests were The National who I've likes from afar for a number of years. Being a big fan of covers, I looked forward to hearing this song expecting it to be a new version of the classic song which I first heard by Kim's dad Marty Wilde. Despite my disappointment of not finding a new cover to rave about, I still enjoyed the song and straight away went onto Spotify and found their latest album 'Trouble Will Find Me' This track features Matt Berninger's trade mark deep and some may say sexy vocals. Another top tune in my book with a simple video of them playing in the corner of a room and some kid dancing about !!!

Old Pa's Corner:-
Bill Callahan - The Sing (2013)

I do like Bill Callahan, a real Troubadour if ever there was one and one of the the most original around too. This is a track from his latest album Dream River (2013). This album is model of consistency all the way through and is most certainly worth a visit.

'The only words I have said to-day are Beer and Thank You'

Shell Hunter:-
Afrikan Boy - 'Hit Em Up' (2013)

Listening to BBC6 at work the other day, there was a good mix of Hip Hop during the early hours of the morning. This track was thrown in amongst them and myself and 2 other self proclaimed music gurus debated about who it might be. I thought it definitely had to be an older track with the cool b-boy break dance style trumpet sample, similar in feel to Public Enemy's Harder Than You Think. Someone mentioned it sounded like Ludacris or Dizzie Rascal. We were a bit surprised to hear it was a new song by Afrikan Boy (real name Olushola Ajose) as he has captured that old school vibe so well. Originally from colourful and bold Nigeria, he lives in Woolwich and busies himself busting some rhymes mixing urban London sound with afro beats whilst studying Physcology at Brunel University! Sassy ragga girl M.I.A champions him having toured together in the past and he even featured on one of her recent tracks Hussel. I think this song will go far, end of.

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:41 3 Komentar

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 26/05/2013 - Pure X, Ms Mr, Frank's Daughter, The National, The Uncluded

TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 26/05/2013 - Pure X, Ms Mr, Frank's Daughter, The National, The Uncluded

Frank's Daughter Ms Mr Pure X The National The Uncluded Tracks of the Week

Five tracks that poofed up our pillows this week...

 

SFW:- 
Frank's Daughter - 'Playground 71'/'Best Glow' AA Side single (2013)

I've previously featured Frank's Daughter as a TOTW and Playground 71’/’Best Glow’ has grabbed my attention again.  It is a double AA side single from the Deptford duo and is released 10th June on Immure Recordings. Fans of Thom Yorke/Radiohead & Portishead should take note, as Playground 71 certainly has elements of Thom Yorke's Eraser material.

 Flycasual:-

Pure X - 'Thousand Year Old Child' (2013)

Eugh, I'm back in the rain and single figure temperatures after an immaculate week on an Aegean peninsula, gutted. This track gives me happy memories of gazing out on a shimmering sea while Mount Olympus towered in the far distance. There was little to do then but appease the Gods by eating, drinking and listen to music, unearthing a few sparkling gems. This one courtesy of a free weekly playlist from ADM (which you can subscribe to here, subscribe to our playlist here first though). 'Thousand Year Old Child' is taken from the Texan trio's second album, Crawling Up The Stairs, released earlier this month.
 

By Zeus, check out Pure X's website here....

London Scouser:-

The Uncluded - 'Delicate Cycle' (2013)

 

To quote The Fast Show's Jesse "This week I 'ave been mostly listening to.... the new album by Black Books" and not a lot else. I did however listen to the podcast of Scroobius Pip's 'The Beatdown' and instantly loved a track he played. The Uncluded are a coming together of rapper Aesop Rock and folk singer Kimya Dawson..... And that is the extent of my knowledge of them !!! As for the song, it starts off almost aggressive with talk of severing limbs before it completely changes and the folky part of the song comes in. Reading this it probably shouldn't work, but I think it does. It reminds me of Edie Brickell and her style a little which ticks the box for me. The video is interesting too, and I dare you not to say 'aaaahhhh' at the kitten and poodle featured.

Check the website here...

Old Pa's Corner:-

The National - Demons(2013)

 

This is a good one, taken from the latest National's new album called  'Trouble will find Me'  I like that title. Lead singer Matt Berninger has got one of these very recognisable voices, very much like the Editors, Interpol or Tinderstcks front men.

This is definitely up to the high standards of their previous albums. I am looking forward to listening to the rest of this. They are fast becoming a new national treasure.

Shell Hunter:-
Ms Mr - 'Hurricane' (2013)

I was looking up the xFM playlist the other day and my eye was drawn to the name 'Ms Mr' (official site here). It reminded me a bit of Mister Mister from way back when, so I checked them out. It seems there is some serious hype around this girl/boy duo from New York. The single 'Hurricane' has been getting a lot of airplay recently and it sounds like Florence Welch singing with Massive Attack backing. Their debut album Secondhand Rapture was released 13th May and with a style that has been described as "chillwave", it has sparked my interest. When the band were first stepping out in the world, they created an air of mystery by not revealing their names and only releasing limited photos. In fact they were referred to as Ms (vocals) and Mr (music). I don't normally like a gimmick as I believe it is a guise if the band don't have any talent! Well, there are no worries there, these guys obviously do and I feel this song becoming a firm favourite of mine.

Checkout previous Tracks of the week here

Subscribe to our 2013 Tracks of the Week Spotify Playlist

sfw Pada 06:38 7 Komentar

TUESDAY BLUES! The National - About Today

TUESDAY BLUES! The National - About Today

The National Tuesday Blues

Here's a song by The National that I first heard in 2004 that I absolutely love.  It's so melancholy, americana and although I can never imagine they'd be a great sing-a-long type of band (quite difficult when sung in monotone), this really sets the mood whether listening on headphones on public transport, standing on a windswept beach or sitting in a lounge with a glass of vino, late at night.....

....I've got the Tuesday blues because Saturday is so far away...

Click here for more Tuesday Blues.

for those who like Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, Calexico

sfw Pada 22:00 1 Komentar