Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People (2003)

Less is more seemed appropriate enough for BSS’ debut but second time round, that famous mantra was out of the window as they handpicked friends and artists from Canada’s music scene to help create You Forgot It In People. Behind every composition is a lovingly created song, brought to life by the talents present in the now 10+ strong ranks. Whether it be the lazy groove of “Looks Just Like The Sun” or “Almost Crimes” pounding beat, BSS never sound out of place and the album ties together in a story like fashion, beginning, middle and end all serving their purpose. The listener is coaxed out with the dream-like "Lover's Spit" and "I'm Still your Fag", totally suitable after the exhausting start, crashing cymbals and all.

Broken Social Scene - "Looks Just Like The Sun"
Broken Social Scene - "Lover's Spit"

New LCD Soundsystem, film track.

21, the latest gambling flick set in Las Vegas, is the lucky benefactor of this brand spanking new LCD creation and some treat it is.
The track begins with a very "80's synth rock" drum beat which I can see fitting perfectly in the movie. Add to this a snaking bass riff, twisting and turning around the rigid drums, and various echoed synth's and you have yourself yet another tune worthy of any dance floor worldwide, and any headphones too. The icing on the cake is Murphy's charismatic vocal and a solid sing-a-long chorus.

LCD Soundsystem - "Big Ideas"

Roots Manuva - Brand New Second Hand (1999)

At it's time of release BNSH was seen as the most innovative hip-hop album in years and too this day it hasn't lost one ounce of it's individuality.
Heavily rooted in dub-reggae beats and Rastafarian culture, Roots Manuva (Rodney Smith) takes each beat and makes it his own with his engaging flow, operating like an extra instrument with the twists and turns of his complex rhymes.
First and arguably best track, "Movements", combines a dark and mysterious synth with a pulsating beat, simple yet effective, and providing the perfect canvas for Smith to complete with his words painting a vivid picture. On the chorus you hang off each word, "left...right", appreciation of the sheer perfection of this track.
The album title is a nod to Smith's modest upbringing and a phrase his mother used to use, but the themes of growing up, strength and battling inequality shine through amongst the most 'English' of lyrics,

"I'll slap the bacon out your mouth, dance upon your sarnie"

Such words provide the laughs amongst some serious content always spoken with utmost integrity, and an album which has and will, stand the test of time.

look buy

Roots Manuva - "Movements"
Roots Manuva - "Wisdom Fail"

New Music: Rotary Ten

(photo courtesy of the band's Myspace)

Rotary Ten are a four-piece who find themselves sat happily between the spiky rock of bands like DCFC and gleeful guitar crescendo's of Explosions In The Sky. A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to catch them in Leeds, at a gig that was unfortunately very poorly promoted. However, the band who hail from Sheffield/Lincoln, managed to illuminate the faces of all present with their delightful intricacies, airtight rhythms and enthusiasm, especially in front of what was a surprising crowd for them. Having played together for over 5 years the band are far more comfortable in the live setting that many established artists.

Now signed to Xtra Mile records, home of artists such as Frank Turner, the band deserve, and should have, a bright future. Single "Time is not a Line, and I am not a Rock" is an immediately like able, yet refreshingly rewarding song and it is the perfect way to introduce you to, Rotary Ten.



look myspace download

(Apologies for low sound quality)

New Death Cab song leaked!

Yes, long awaited new material from the much-loved Death Cab For Cutie has been spreading like wild fire over the past few days. "I Will Possess Your Heart" is a clever release and it definitely finds DCFC at their most creative, a real testing listen for those who are more like single fans than hardened vets.
The spiky bass riff and minimal guitar certainly take their time but those who stay around for the vocals will not be disappointed making this even the more satisfying, even on first listen. Enjoy!

From the forthcoming album, "Narrow Stairs" - May 2008, Death Cab For Cutie - "I Will Possess Your Heart"

Panda Bear - Person Pitch (2007)

We all make mistakes, and I made one at the beginning of this year. Failure to include this record in my best of 2007. Infact, a little secret, I made a mistake long before. Failure to listen to this record in 2007!?

Okay, stay with me. Back on topic. Panda Bear (or Noah Lennox) has created something special here, an album which has caught the imagination of music lovers worldwide. Cleverly recorded using a multitude of samples, from the smallest of birds to the repeated percussive sounds that hold the songs together, the tracks flow seamlessly from one to another, creating a mood, far stronger than the songs them self.

Each listen gives the you chance to unearth more from this musical box of treats. For me, the centerpiece is the 10minute+ "Bros" which blossoms into a beautifully deep song, topped with Lennox's echoed vocals. Sounds are as diverse as you will find in modern music, an example being the leap into the choral vocals in the following track, "Im Not" which is almost built on vocal loops alone with only subtle percussion in support.

The special thing about this album is, it allows you to escape and it gives to the listener on every single spin.

look buy download

Back in Black...and white, and red...

Yes, the blog is back. Comment and request through the posts and if you want links, and vice versa...give me a message for that too.

Josh

Re-vamp

As of March I'm going to be looking to take the blog in a new direction, change the layout and styles along with the kinds of posts. Gone will be most full album downloads, unless they are requested by people, and in will be single's and mixtapes. In that case, I'm looking for anyone who wants to contribute, wants photos up etc in order to try and move the blog forward.

+ I need to put more effort in!

Stay tuned,
Josh x

Explosions In The Sky @ Manchester Academy 1, January 29th

I was full of anticipation for this gig, a new venue for me in Manchester and much hype surrounding EitS as a live act. Of course, as the band produces such beautiful and professional albums I was fairly hopeful that they wouldn't disappoint but I was still a bit nervy for this one.

The opener was Eluvium, an ambient solo artist from Portland, who builds up quite intense and heavy musical soundscapes using mainly his trusty Fender, a keyboard and his looping pedal which he would be lost without! Eluvium is someone for listeners with utmost patience and he was very appropriate for this support slot, brooding and building anticipation for the main event. However, aside from the relatively short 'Radio Ballet', I don't think he is someone who I could listen to while just at home.

Around 9 o'clock the spectacle begun with the guys from Texas entering to a rousing applause from the huge Manchester crowd. They played a set which spanned all material although there was a lot of focus on the latest effort, 'All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone', with most tracks being played from that. As well, there were some classics from 'The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place' with 'First Breath After Coma' being a particular highlight, the marching drums and jittery guitar riff combining to create such an amazing staccato sound. As I was promised, the sound was excellent and this goes for both the band and the venue.

An extra bonus for me was the bands tremendous stage presence. Bassist/Guitarist, Michael James, an ever present in the centre of the stage, flanked by the guitarists either side, Mark Smith being the epitome of cool and Munaf Rayani, his complete opposite as he twists and turns. Before them lays an absolute abundance of pedals and processors, which I'm sure they used to effect as the gig was simply breathtaking. Last mention goes out to the drummer who, aside from being solid as a rock, is the glue that brings EitS together with his never predictable, but always suitable style.

Explosions In The Sky: The Birth and Death of the Day

Boredoms - Vision Creation Newsun (2001)

First brought to the attention of the world through their support slots with Nirvana, the Boredoms have been part of the fabric of the indie-rock scene for over 20 years now. However, they are still pushing boundaries today and picking up new fans, like myself.
On this album, VCN, they create a hypnotic sound scape which mixes their distinctive tribal percussions with dreamy electronics. My favorite track on the album, (Tilde), starts uses a breaks-y drumbeat to amazing effect, gradually layering the blips and beeps on top. I find they are the perfect accompaniment to work or the such like, as they're probably abit too frantic to totally relax too.
Download
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(picture: http://tirck.blogspot.com)

Also, on the 7th July 2007, the band were once again pushing boundaries with their 77 Boa-drum concert in New York, a spectacle which brought together (you guessed it!) 77 drummers on what looked like a beautiful summers day. Check out this video.