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"

Vessels - New material

A while back I attended the Live at Leeds festival and discovered local experimental-rock band, Vessels. Thanks to Ben from Cuckundoo Records I now have a single and it is seriously impressive. I mean, seriously.

'A Hundred Times In Every Direction' is best described as a journey. There are subtleties here I never realised in the live setting and I can already see the progression the band is making. Bands like Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky have pushed themselves further into the record collections of the average muso and people are no longer scared of those long and intelligent song structures that such bands bring to the table.

Vessels manage to pack a lot into their 6 minutes and 24 seconds but this isn't one of those 'epic' songs that really leaves you waiting too long. It hits the spot, right from the first bar. Beginning with light percussion and subtle noodling the track explodes around the 90 second mark. Hello Deftones fans. I think I've found something. After we're gently eased out of the madness, the real genius begins. Harmonised vocals, a beautiful lead melody and the super technical rhythm section is tight as always. I have to say, the vocals remind me a little of Biffy Clyro circa 'Infinity Land' but this is by no means a bad thing.

Anyway, this is a really promising song from a band that needs attention. Make sure you check them out or see them live in the coming months. Check the label page for gigs and the new album.

Vessels - 'A Hundred Times In Every Direction'

Richard Hawley

Recently, I have been listening to the albums 'Late Night Final' (2001) and 'Coles Corner' (2005) a lot. I cannot get enough of his classic voice and the lush arrangements. The latter album gained a, rather late, nomination for the Mercury Prize in 2006 but the award in question was won by the Arctic Monkeys, then fresh faced and new on the scene. Hawley's fellow sons of Sheffield were quick to make a nod of respect his way with Alex Turner announcing, in his acceptance, that Hawley had been 'robbed'. Enough of the interesting facts though, here is a track from that album. Remember, Alex Turner likes it!



Richard Hawley - "The Ocean"

Independant 20th July

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/does-the-world-need-another-indie-band-870520.html

Matthew Bayly

Here is a short film on our friend Matt Bayly, credit to a guy named Shane Chapman. Check out his myspace too.

matthew christopher bayly - short music promo (preview)

Bullet For My Valentine - Hearts Burst Into Fire

Is this like the most perfect recent metal song? Why do I love it so??

*horns*

I am 19.

So, this week I turned 19 and I am now in reflective mood. What is different? Can I provide enough tenuous links in this to music? Am I 'blogging'? Yes!

Firstly, I am one third of Big Elephants, a radio show on LSRfm which will hopefully be returning for it's second spell in September. We play music like this;

Bright Eyes - "Four Winds"

Meanwhile, I listen to more 90's Alternative American Music than previously. WHO CARES!? No-one, and they never really did. That's what makes 90's Alternative American Music good, and special. Case Study;

Sunny Day Real Estate - "Theo B"

My pre-requisite for friends has changed. Previously, they could be anyone. Then they could be anyone with suitable music taste. Now they could be anyone again. Anyone who listens to this cannot afford to be choosy;

Paramore - "That's What You Get"

I still love this album;

Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs (2008)

"I descended down a dusty gravel ridge", the opening line which leads us into DCFC's 7th release, Narrow Stairs. The album, mixed by guitarist Chris Walla, is their first in one continuous mix and so the descent seems entirely appropriate for an album best listened to in it's entirety.

The opener "Bixby Canyon Bridge" is a slow burner, which builds and builds before exploding and then fizzing out with the electrifying guitar work at the end. It then leads on to the first single, which has been both lambasted and applauded by fans and critics. Whatever your thoughts on the 4 minute introduction, it is no doubt that the band have taken a brave step and this really is no "Sound of Settling", the hit present on every OC fans iPod. For the record, I love this song and I see the introduction as completely integral, especially when it is all build up for possibly the best lyric of the year;

"How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me
It's like a book elegantly bound, but in a language that you can't read"

After the indulgences of the first two songs we then have some more typical rock tracks, but these are by no means throw aways. Not only are songs like "Long Division", "No Sunlight" and "Cath..." very integral on record, they are songs that should translate brilliantly into the bands live set. "Cath..." in particular is as catchy as a pop song can be, while still maintaining enough interesting instrumentation to sound fresh. The gentle riff at the start gives way to a more staccato rhythm as the song develops and the transitions between light and soft are simply beautiful. The Death Cab live set has been one part of the bands arsenal that has often been criticised, especially after 2006's gentle Plans which, while critically acclaimed, struggled to win over all spectators on tour. However, even after the first three songs on Narrow Stairs I already find myself clambering for a chance to see the band.



Of course, DCFC aren't always about rocking out and it has often been Gibbard's softer efforts that have found their ways into fans hearts the world over. "Grapevine Fires" begins with a relaxed drum beat before meeting equally inclined instrumentation, a brooding organ, the perfect foil to Gibbard's harmony. It is another reminder that the band really have decided to experiment more, especially as this song touches very dangerously on AOR while still just managing to remain different enough and totally listenable.

It is in no question that the band have changed on this record. There are new sounds, ideas and attitudes conveyed in the 44minutes and 50 seconds, all well tied together by the bands ability to write and perform top quality alt-rock songs. Lyrically, you could write another review on Gibbard alone as he writes from other perspectives, "Your New Twin Sized Bed", and takes inspiration from literature such as Kerouac on "Bixby Canyon Bridge", while of course taking much of his own inspiration as well. The band tie together exactly how you would expect one of 10+ years experience to do so with Walla's razor sharp guitar cutting through the mix at the most important times, and the rhythm section both experimental, tight and often, a necessary part of the melody (see the Single!).

Death Cab For Cutie - "Cath..."

Death Cab For Cutie - "Grapevine Fires"

myspace

Wildbirds & Peacedrums - Heartcore (2007)

I picked this record up at Jumbo Records in Leeds, on recommendation and have had it over a month now. So now, I have chosen to write about it, finally! That, and the fact that I'm back from university and unemployed. But, I digress.

Wildbirds & Peacedrums are a Swedish two-piece, semi-rooted in the blues, but to describe them that simply would be an injustice. Mariam Wallentin's vocal is anything but ordinary, and often verges on that of The Knife before veering off into the weird and wonderful. The instrumentation is heavily rhythmic and can differ from simple percussion to heavy drum passages, all by drummer/vocalist Andreas Werlin. Any other instruments are electronic but these are sparse and only feature on a few tracks.



The start of the album is so sparse you almost wonder in anticipation at some explosion of sound, but eventually you can begin to appreciate the simplicity of those first few tracks. My personal favourites are in the middle of the album, the jumpy "Doubt/Hope" with its danceable drum beat and the atmospheric synth's of "The Battle In Water". In truth though, this really is something truly different and that is saying something in an age of music where that word is so difficult to use. It may be a tough listen at first, but persevere with this duo and you will be rewarded.

Wildbirds and Peacedrums - "Doubt/Hope"

myspace label

In My Earz pt.2

It's June, my month of birth, and here is another update on the songs that have captured my attention recently!

Death Cab For Cutie - "Cath..." from the album Narrow Stairs.

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Elliott Smith - XO

Until recently I always considered Either/Or to be my favourite Smith album, but the sheer perfection of XO has finally caught up with me. Tracks such as "Baby Britain" and "Independance Day" have to be some of the greatest pop rock tracks ever penned, arranged and recorded.

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Arcade Fire - "Une Annee Sans Lumiere" from Funeral.

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Fleet Foxes - "Mykonos" from the Sun Giant EP.