Jeniferever - Alvik

Came across these guys after listening to Caesura and coincidentally, they are another awesome band from Schweeeeeden. Nice vid too.



Jeniferever - Alvik

All Change: Sweden

Hi! As of August time I will hopefully be studying for a year in Lund, Sweden! A massive change for me, made especially different as I will be learning the language from scratch. Luckily I am English (or maybe not so) and they teach in my mother tongue, aswell as having the fact that most other students will be close to fluent. I can maintain the stereotype of lazy english students who put no effort into foreign languages. Hooray for us! But anyway in my excitement, I thought I'd have an e-celebration of this event by blogging a few cool songs by Swedes.

Wildbirds & Peacebirds - Doubt/Hope



Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats



I am aware this is a very popular song already, but it doesn't stop this video and performance being breathtaking! So yeah, I like music from adverts.

Loney, Dear - I Fought the Battle of Trinidad & Tobago



Here I have quite obviously endulged in a emotional 'Lost In Translation' style video, but y'know, I can assure you I don't cry myself to sleep every night.

The Tallest Man On Earth - Where do my Bluebirds Fly



Check out the sunset shots in this video, well arty...and quite nice.

The Knife - Silent Shout



Hope you enjoy these videos and you can expect more posts very soon. I have alot of catching up to do. *sigh*

(p.s. If anyone wants any mp3's to try, just add a comment and I'll link to them in the comments)

Emmy The Great - First Love

Great song and I'm hopefully seeing her play on the 20th February.

Animal Collective - My Girls

Here is a track from Animal Collective that is currently sending bloggers the world over absolutely crazy. I am in full agreement with the hype, as this track is definitely something special. It's more poppy that the last record, but sound as if the band have brought together alot of their previous experimentation into a more focused song. Pitchfork have already given Merriweather Post Pavilion, which this is from, a 9.6! Big praise from the 'fork, so keep your ears peeled!



Animal Collective - "My Girls"

Yellow Sticky Notes

Being a massive user of these little things, I found this video has really captured my imagination. Currently I'm leaving more than my usual share of notes around, due to revision! This is a small video by Jeff Chiba Stearns; check out more of his work here.

Minus The Bear - Acoustics EP

This EP is a little slice of goodness that 2008 almost passed by for me. Luckily I managed to stumble across it as I peeked around another corner of the world wide web, and how glad I am.

"Acoustics" features a single new song, "Guns & Ammo", which kicks off the EP and it is to the same standard that long time fans will be used to. The highlight of the track for me is actually the delicate vocal, something that doesn't always stand out for me in MTB's work.

The rest of the EP is made up of 6 reworked songs, all in the acoustic format. "We Are Not a Football Team" sounds much like the original, at least in terms of notes and tempo but other songs, like popular "Pachuca Sunrise", are given the treatment of a whole new arrangement. With musicians of such a high calibre, all the songs here benefit from their reworkings. What is lost in effects and atmosphere, is gained in clarity and feeling.

Overall, this EP is definately worth a listen and the few pounds it would set you back to actually buy could be easily spent on worse things. While not filled with new material, it is still a very pleasing 26 minutes of music.

Minus The Bear - "Guns & Ammo"

In My Earz pt.3

I'm just getting back into this again so hear is another update on my favourite songs of the moment.

Cut Copy - Lights and Music is from the album "In Ghost Colours" which has been on repeat for me over the past 2 weeks. Amazingly produced album and something a little different from my normal taste. Expect a review soon!

John Frusciante - Murderers was shown to me by Shaun, my housemate, and is an amazing song. I think it's on some skate video for Lakai too, not that I know much about skating!

Finally, I have this song, Bon Iver - Lump Sum, which I haven't been able to get out of my head. I know I am not telling anyone anything new when I say this guy has an amazing voice but I do think this song highlights it perfectly. Here is another version done live for US radio:

Explosions In The Sky - The Rescue (2005)

The Rescue is a unique record and project in a world where music is increasingly dominated by pressuring labels, pandering bands and consumers for whom an album is only as good as it's first listen. Recorded at, guitarist/bassist, Michael James' Austin house, The Rescue is the band's attempt at compiling a whole album of new material in two weeks, with the first 8 days dedicated to specific songs and the remaining time to mastering those tracks, a task which was also done by the band. With what sounds like a tiny amount of time, especially for a band who claim "it can take us months and months and months to write even a song", many artists would struggle without the tricks of their super producer and session orchestra but Explosions In The Sky still manage to produce something that is interesting, captivating and above all, refreshing.

Of course there are highlights and my personal favourite is the drum and bass led "Day Five" which is the band's attempt at writing "the saddest dance record in the world". The eventual sound is not so much one of sadness but more one of optimism and growth as the initial groove is layered upon with the addition of trademark guitar work and a simple, but effective, piano part. The band claim that this track has the most individual instruments they had ever recorded on a track to date but by no means does the song sound overdone as the contrary is true. The clarity of all parts is what makes this song sound so good.



Other highlights include "Day Two" where the band did the old switcheroo and changed instruments as well as the very odd choice of adding vocals! This results in a classic Explosions style build up coupled with some haunting choral vocals, very much like those heard on the Panda Bear album from last year.

This album is a chance for the band to take risks and experiment in genre which, while different, is often badly done by many bands. What Explosions In The Sky have achieved here is to break down the mystique's of song writing and produce a mini-album which is, not outstanding, but a very fun and interesting listen.

And there is more, it's all available for free here!

Saul Williams Poetry

This deserves a mention, even though it is another art form in itself.

Mogwai - Mr Beast (2006)

Mogwai are a band that I had ignored for some time as I stuck with my oh-so-reliable Explosions in the Sky and blinkered myself from the big scary world that can be "Post Rock". The thing about Mogwai that I never realised is, they aren't really that "Post Rock". They don't differ in a "16 minute long feedback epic" (see Boris or Godspeed) kind of way but instead in a way that means they just happen to write more interesting melodies, arrangements and songs than most British bands. Sorry Coldplay. They write the kind of music that conjures up anger about inferior bands, say, the Ting Tings. If Mogwai we're a steak, the Ting Tings would be a party sausage. No substance and supported by a little prick, sorry, I mean stick. Anyway, I have digressed.

Mr Beast is the bands 5th studio release and while not always critically acclaimed, contains enough stand out material to keep a wide eyed new fan like me entertained. The album is a dynamic and exciting listen with each track retaining enough stand alone value to shine individually. My personal favourite, "Acid Food", is a beautifully subtle song with it's steady beat and wondering bass providing the platform for truly stunning guitar work. However simple at times, the guitar harmonies are just perfect.

In contrast, the following track, "Travel is Dangerous", highlights the switches in style that the album takes by providing a brooding 4 minutes which explodes in aggressive fashion before simmering down again. Underneath the melodies and vocals lies a tight and interesting rhythm section which coaxes you through the opening bars and beyond.

The rest of the songs ebb and flow like the two highlighted with particular mention to the piano led opener, "Auto Rock", and the grand closer, "We're no Here". If you have even a bit of time for some intelligent and moving music, try Mr Beast. It will satisfy your hunger!

Mogwai - "Acid Food"