As another birthday has come and gone, I had the crazy, ridiculous idea to try to pick one of my favourite songs from each year of my life. Yup, one for every year (what? it's just a number). Keep in mind, this is one of my favourite songs that was released in that particular calendar year, and is in no way a reflection of what I was actually listening to. I mean, I have no recollection what I was listening to as a toddler (knowing my mom though, it was probably Supertramp's Breakfast In America, but I digress). Here goes... 1977 - Fleetwood Mac / 'Go Your Own Way' 1978 - The Police / 'Can't Stand Losing You' 1979 - The Clash / 'Rudie Can't Fail' 1980 - The Cure / 'A Forest' (eerily, this song came on on my iTunes shuffle as I was pondering this particular year, so it gets the nod) 1981 - The Specials / 'Ghost Town' 1982 - Tears For Fears / 'Mad World' 1983 - David Bowie / 'Let's Dance' 1984 - Echo & The Bunnymen - 'The Killing Moon' 1985 - Simple Minds / 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' 1986 - Pet Shop Boys / 'West End Girls' 1987 - The Smiths / 'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before' 1988 - INXS / 'Devil Inside' 1989 - The Stone Roses / 'She Bangs The Drums' 1990 - Depeche Mode / 'Enjoy The Silence' 1991 - U2 / 'The Fly' 1992 - Nirvana / 'Sliver' (the re-release obviously) 1993 - Suede / 'Animal Nitrate' 1994 - Blur / 'Tracy Jacks' 1995 - Pulp / 'Sorted For E's And Whizz' 1996 - The Chemical Brothers / 'Setting Sun' 1997 - Foo Fighters / 'Everlong' 1998 - Massive Attack / 'Protection' 1999 - Stereophonics / 'Pick A Part That's New' 2000 - Oasis / 'Go Let It Out' 2001 - Travis / 'Side' 2002 - Doves / 'Caught By The River' 2003 - Muse / 'Hysteria' 2004 - The Killers / 'Somebody Told Me' 2005 - Bloc Party / 'Banquet' 2006 - Kasabian / 'Me Plus One' 2007 - Arctic Monkeys - 'Fluorescent Adolescent' 2008 - The Verve / 'Love Is Noise' 2009 - Lily Allen / 'The Fear' 2010 - Gorillaz / 'White Flag' 2011 - The Joy Formidable / 'The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade' Wow, that was harder than I expected, mainly because, it's hard to narrow it down to one song. In the end I, more often than not, went with the first one that came to mind. Thanks for reading!
Today is my birthday. Fifteen years ago on this very day, while most of the western world was glued to their television sets in disbelief at the untimely death of Princess Diana, I was locked away in my room celebrating the arrival of my twenties (or perhaps I was mourning the end of my teens) and blaring the hotly anticipated third album from Oasis, Be Here Now, which I had received as a birthday gift.
It's predecessor, 1995's (What's The Story) Morning Glory?, is arguably a classic record (it definitely is for me). Be Here Now is a bloated mammoth (see 'Magic Pie') that has not aged as well, or well at all, but it does contain some of my favourite "loud" Oasis songs, which isn't a stretch as it is, by far, the loudest album in the Oasis catalogue (even the ballads have a ridiculous amount of guitar tracks on them). So I present to you, my favourites from an album that holds a very sentimental place in my being.
'D'You Know What I Mean?'
'My Big Mouth'
'Be Here Now'
'Stand By Me'
It's going to be a loud birthday. Thanks for reading!
TOY are preparing to release their eponymousdebut LP on September 10th via Heavenly Recordings and things are starting to heat up in the TOY camp. Just yesterday, the video for the albums third proper single 'Lose My Way' was released. It's a sparse one camera shot with the band's silhouettes back lit by flashbulbs, fireworks and other psychedelic visuals. The single sees a UK release on September 3rd and features fan favourite 'Bright White Shimmering Sun' (I still can't believe this song isn't on the album) as the b-side. While 'Lose My Way' is not as strong as previous singles 'Left Myself Behind' and 'Motoring', it is still a worthy candidate.
In other TOY news, the band recently released a limited edition 12" vinyl of album track 'Dead & Gone' which features an Andrew Weatherall remix on the b-side. Surprisingly, it is still available for purchase here. Sure, the track could've been edited down from its colossal 8 minute running time, but that's not how TOY operate. Plus, where's the fun in that?
Here's the track list for TOY's debut LP which was recorded during the spring of 2012 with Dan Carey at his South London studio. 1. Colour’s Running Out
2. The Reasons Why
3. Dead & Gone
4. Lose My Way
5. Drifting Deeper
6. Motoring
7. My Heart Skips A Beat
8. Strange
9. Make It Mine
10. Walk Up To Me
11. Kopter Thanks for reading!
Welsh trio, The Joy Formidable, who released one of my favourite albums of 2011, The Big Roar, are back with a new single. Or is it just a sample of what's to come from their eagerly awaited follow up?
In any event, the song is entitled 'Wolf's Law' and is a piano driven track soaked in melancholia. While the song lacks The Big Roars wall of effects-laden guitars, it still builds to a triumphant apex. If this is the direction TJF are moving towards for album number two, I'm more than willing to tag along for the ride. The forthcoming album is scheduled for release in January 2013. Check out the video for the song below which was directed by Cat Botibol.
Released: August 7, 2012 Label: Porterhouse Records
Known for their frenetic live shows, where it's not uncommon for a large majority of the audience to be up partying with the band onstage, Vancouver's Sweetheart has brought the energy of their gigs into the studio and bottled it for mass consumption. Their new XOXOX EP is, in a word, a barnburner.
It's been five years since they released their debut full-length Map Of The Human Heart. A gap of that description is a long time for an independent band and can be disastrous. Not for Sweetheart. They reintroduce themselves with the gut punch that is 'Perfect'. If you were to look up the definition of power-pop in the dictionary, it would should be this song. It rocks your face off and doesn't overstay it's welcome (not even close).
With the Thin White Duke celebrating his 65th birthday earlier this year, it's fitting that the next track is called 'David Bowie Is Dead'. Of course he's not, he's only semi-retired. Despite its cryptic title, the song is a near perfect party anthem. CanRock heroes Treble Charger would be proud.
The songs continue in a high octane vein but seem to employ more of the sad lyrics/happy music dichotomy made famous by Morrissey and The Smiths. The chorus of 'London Girl' might be the only exception to this rule. "We're gonna dance all day, 'til you feel alright" isn't exactly downtrodden. Album closer 'Less Conversation' finds vocalist Marty Zylstra spitting venom over raucous power chords and synths.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable listen (and a great gym soundtrack). The songs are expertly crafted and the production and recording is top notch (I wouldn't expect anything less when Stuart McKillop is involved). Here's hoping for a more prolific future.
Eugene McGuinness may not be a household name on these shores, but that doesn't mean he's not making some of the coolest music and videos around.
Originally, he was contemplating a fine arts career before he decided to relocate to Liverpool from London to become a musician instead. His first release, an EP entitled The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness,came in 2007 with an eponymous debut full length arriving the following year. In 2009, he formed Eugene + The Lizards with his brother. So far they have released one album, Glue. McGuinness' highly anticipated second record The Invitation To The Voyage was recorded in between playing live and recording with Miles Kane. The NME recently gave the record an 8 out of 10 and stated "if he carries on like this, he'll be MASSIVE". The Invitation To The Voyage was released on August 6th on Domino Records in the UK. As of this writing, there is no North American release date set.
Blur performed at London's Hyde Park as part of the Olympic closing ceremonies last night in what may or may not be their last ever show together, so I thought it would be a good time to hunker down and pick my ten favourite songs by the Britpop legends. While I've seen a few "Blur's Best Songs" lists in recent weeks, I'm going to steer clear of that debate as it would be virtually impossible for me to rate their immense body of work and distill it down to a mere 10 or 20 or even 50 best songs (especially in light of the recent Blur21 box set being released which features a plethora of unreleased music). No, these are strictly ten songs that resonate with me the most, in no particular order. So without further ado...
'Tracy Jacks' (from Parklife - 1994)
Parklife blew the doors off the mainstream and transformed Blur from indie hopefuls into bonafide superstars. 'Tracy Jacks' grabbed my attention straightaway and has long been my favourite song on the album and is probably (on nine out of ten days) my favourite song in their entire discography. It's bounciness (from all instruments) coupled with its witty, narrative style lyrics, just does it for me.
'She's So High' (from Leisure - 1991)
Blur's debut album, Leisure, takes a lot of criticism as being the weakest of their seven studio albums. As you will see as you scroll through this list, I don't feel that way. Yes, it does have weak songs, but so do most of their albums (Parklife excluded). 'She's So High' was apparently written at the very first rehearsal after the four members got together. Not too bad. Sure, Blur sounded a lot like what they were influenced by at the time, but what band's debut album isn't that way? Alex James' elastic bass line combined with Damon Albarn's dreamy vocal delivery (that's dreamy sounding, not dreamy in an infatuated sort of way) made this an instant favourite and I was definitely hooked once Graham Coxon's backwards guitar solo shows up. Psychedelic!
'Bang' (from Leisure - 1991)
'Bang' was the third and final single from their debut. The band no longer look at it with any favour and state that it was written merely for the benefit of their record label who were looking for more "single" type material. I was hooked right off the bat by it's catchy guitar intro and Madchester-like drums, but it's the chorus that really does it for me. "I don't need anyone, but a little love would make things better" is a phrase I'm sure every early twenty-something can relate to (and even some who aren't in their early 20s).
'Battle' (from 13 - 1999)
As the 90s came to a close, Blur had moved away from their happy-go-lucky selves. The party that was the mid-90s Britpop scene had seen itself become exactly what it had been the antithesis to some seven or eight years early. 13, a record that was heavily influenced by singer Damon Albarn's breakup with longtime girlfriend, Elastica's Justine Frischmann (the king and queen of Britpop), is a dark ride. 'Battle' is a heartbreaking seven minute jam, complete with Dave Rowntree's trip-hop inspired drums, spacey keyboards and Sonic Youth inspired guitar freak outs.
'Sing' (from Leisure - 1991)
Very hypnotic is the best way I can describe 'Sing'. There's a beautiful melancholia at play that is punctuated by the haunting "ahhs" that feature over the crescendo of the song. It also featured prominently in Danny Boyle's 1996's film Trainspotting.
'This Is A Low' (from Parklife - 1994)
One of many songs in the Blur catalog that pull at the heartstrings. 'This Is A Low' is in essence the closing track on Parklife ('Lot 105' always felt like an afterthought) and is a fitting bookend to a classic album. A melancholic vocal delivery in the verses followed by soaring choruses with another Graham Coxon beauty of a solo squeezed in for good measure. Every time I listen to it, I don't want it to end.
'Oily Water' - (from Modern Life Is Rubbish - 1993)
The first time I heard 'Oily Water' I was (as I often am) listening to it on headphones. The song opens with a very cool tremolo/delay bit that always had me thinking "how the hell did he do that" as it ping-ponged from ear to ear. After playing in multiple bands with pedal fiends, I now know that it's easier than I originally thought. Still, I could listen to that opening bit over and over. Thankfully, the rest of the song is equally cool.
'Charmless Man' (from The Great Escape - 1995)
Like 'Tracy Jacks' before it, 'Charmless Man' is another bouncy number that is heavy on the witty lyrics about everything from wine ("he knows his Claret from his Beaujolais") to lifestyle choices ("he knows the swingers and their cavalry"). Capped off with some ridiculously catchy "na na nas", 'Charmless Man' is Blur at their Britpop pinnacle.
'Advert' (from Modern Life Is Rubbish - 1993)
A sample stating "food processors are great" leads into a plinkly (probably just made up a word there) keyboard loop that bursts into a full on onslaught of overdriven guitars and crashing cymbals and even sirens and other noises. Try to resist jumping around in pure exhilaration.
'Beetlebum' (from Blur - 1997)
The first single from Blur's fifth album, 'Beetlebum' has a sort of hungover feel to it, which isn't surprising. The Britpop scene had reached its apex and its excesses had taken their toll on the band. 'Beetlebum', although different from their Parklife era sound, was also quintessentially Blur. Whether it's Coxon's stuttered guitar in the verses, the Beatles-esque chorus or the emotional qualities found in the song's instrumental outro (my favourite part of the song), 'Beetlebum' is a classic.
* Honourable mention should go to 'Under The Westway', which I think is a great addition but I just felt was too new to make the list. Maybe if I do this again in ten years, it might be there.
