Arguably one of the better bands from America to emerge from obscurity, Shiny Toy Guns made a great debut album. Even if they had to do it three times to get just the right sound they were looking for. Now they release new single/video "You Are The One" to put the MTV viewers back in their place.
31.3.07
27.3.07
Htef Shau Ert
If the title doesn't make sense to you, go out and buy the Klaxons debut cd "Myths of the Near Future" and read the vertical words on the crossword puzzle on the front cover. Maybe it's secret Klaxons code, the newest "new rave" slang, or just gibberish.
Fabled as the creators of the "new rave" genre over in the England scene, then claiming it was a joke that got out of hand. Whether it was a joke or not, it caught on and helped sell records. Their initial EP "Xan Valley" leaned more towards the rave sound with sirens, bleeps, and blips grinding against each other in ecstatic passion of sound. Hell they even covered a older rave song, "The Bouncer", and ended the EP with some well-done remixes of their more "ravey" singles of "Gravity's Rainbow" and "Atlantis To Interzone".
But "Myth of the Near Future" goes so much further, blending their rave sound with a whole new sense of pop. "Golden Skans" being a perfect example of this with it's harmonic choruses and building prechorus that will have you chanting along with the background vocals before the two minutes and forty-seven seconds song ends. While adding other pumped up songs such as "Totem On The Timeline", "Magick" and "Four Horsemen of 2012", they keep the pace of the record racing along and the bodies on the club floor grinding. But very much like the Vines very first album, the Klaxons can mix it up a bit blending in some slower numbers that stand out as well as the singles. "Two Receivers" is a great opening song, drawing you in and building you up before they hit you with the full energy of "Atlantis To Interzone". "As Above, So Below" is a good middle of the album track, being sort of a more ballad-esque number. "Gravity's Rainbow" was changed for the full album adding a whole new set of blips and guitar slides and even giving the old video for a complete update. A really stand out track is "It's Not Over Yet", a classic pop song in the making. The argument will still stand....new rave? pop? weirdness? But all that matters is a glorious album is out for all to enjoy.
Also released today is Kaiser Chiefs latest and Mika's debut. Always a big fan of those extra tracks, Best Buy has both albums with special deals. Kaiser Chiefs comes with a live version of "Angry Mob" and two additional b-sides while Mika has two acoustic tracks added (one of soon to be hit single "Love Today" and a cover of Dave Matthews Band's "Sattelite"....don't worry it's better than Dave's version).
Fabled as the creators of the "new rave" genre over in the England scene, then claiming it was a joke that got out of hand. Whether it was a joke or not, it caught on and helped sell records. Their initial EP "Xan Valley" leaned more towards the rave sound with sirens, bleeps, and blips grinding against each other in ecstatic passion of sound. Hell they even covered a older rave song, "The Bouncer", and ended the EP with some well-done remixes of their more "ravey" singles of "Gravity's Rainbow" and "Atlantis To Interzone".
But "Myth of the Near Future" goes so much further, blending their rave sound with a whole new sense of pop. "Golden Skans" being a perfect example of this with it's harmonic choruses and building prechorus that will have you chanting along with the background vocals before the two minutes and forty-seven seconds song ends. While adding other pumped up songs such as "Totem On The Timeline", "Magick" and "Four Horsemen of 2012", they keep the pace of the record racing along and the bodies on the club floor grinding. But very much like the Vines very first album, the Klaxons can mix it up a bit blending in some slower numbers that stand out as well as the singles. "Two Receivers" is a great opening song, drawing you in and building you up before they hit you with the full energy of "Atlantis To Interzone". "As Above, So Below" is a good middle of the album track, being sort of a more ballad-esque number. "Gravity's Rainbow" was changed for the full album adding a whole new set of blips and guitar slides and even giving the old video for a complete update. A really stand out track is "It's Not Over Yet", a classic pop song in the making. The argument will still stand....new rave? pop? weirdness? But all that matters is a glorious album is out for all to enjoy.
Also released today is Kaiser Chiefs latest and Mika's debut. Always a big fan of those extra tracks, Best Buy has both albums with special deals. Kaiser Chiefs comes with a live version of "Angry Mob" and two additional b-sides while Mika has two acoustic tracks added (one of soon to be hit single "Love Today" and a cover of Dave Matthews Band's "Sattelite"....don't worry it's better than Dave's version).
24.3.07
Mika's New Video: "Love Today"
Mika has released a new video for his new single "Love Today", originally known for the Motored commercial featuring Chris Kattan. A video of self-glorification, colorful swirls, loads of dancing, and four people having trouble spelling the word "love".....what more could you want in a video?
Weekend In The City With Your Neon Bible
Somedays I begin to think I'm the only one on the face of this planet NOT falling all over the newer Arcade Fire and Bloc Party albums. As far as Arcade Fire goes....where was the energy they screamed over on their first album. It started off promising with the first two tracks, "Black Mirror" (the single) and "Keep The Cars Running". But then the title track just loses all of its energy and grinds the album to a halt. Conor Oberst called and said he wants his song "Intervention" back but you keep the kid-like choir in the back ground. "The Well And The Lighthouse" tries to reclaim some energy back (which is a decent attempt giving the sorry excuse of a song "Blank Wave" before it) but the better track is "Antichrist Television Blues" which brings back the five minute Arcade Fire we know and love. The rest of the album drags through the swamp of nothingness with the only highlight being a re-hash of "No Cars Go" from their earlier EP which was just an "ok song" to begin with.
As for Bloc Party's latest-The album starts off on an ok note. The song "Song For Clay (Disapear Here)" isn't your typical Bloc Party song, at least not anything from "Silent Alarm". It builds from a moaning croon to a decent song but I could just be favored towards it since it's inspired by the book "Less Than Zero". Bret Easton Ellis sits high on my bookshelf! "Hunting For Witches" is my favorite track by far on this album, solid Bloc Party sound with their typical political viewpoint that got them through their first album so well. The first song I ever heard off the album, "Waiting For The 7:18", sounds like two different songs thrown together rather hastily, probably would have been better if kept as a ballad. The main single "The Prayer" has a wonderful dance beat going on which is perfect for the lyrics ("Lord give me grace and dancing feet and the power to impress") but the song itself still doesn't slide together very well. "Uniform" started off very weak but became a stronger track; unfortunately at that point it was more than halfway over and didn't quite make the mark. "On" ("I Can Charm Them All") doesn't quite charm me at all. It's a middle of the album track that does nothing except become space filler for the cd. The rest of the album drags on with "I Still Remember" being a sweet little love number that barely peaks over the remaining five tracks.
As for Bloc Party's latest-The album starts off on an ok note. The song "Song For Clay (Disapear Here)" isn't your typical Bloc Party song, at least not anything from "Silent Alarm". It builds from a moaning croon to a decent song but I could just be favored towards it since it's inspired by the book "Less Than Zero". Bret Easton Ellis sits high on my bookshelf! "Hunting For Witches" is my favorite track by far on this album, solid Bloc Party sound with their typical political viewpoint that got them through their first album so well. The first song I ever heard off the album, "Waiting For The 7:18", sounds like two different songs thrown together rather hastily, probably would have been better if kept as a ballad. The main single "The Prayer" has a wonderful dance beat going on which is perfect for the lyrics ("Lord give me grace and dancing feet and the power to impress") but the song itself still doesn't slide together very well. "Uniform" started off very weak but became a stronger track; unfortunately at that point it was more than halfway over and didn't quite make the mark. "On" ("I Can Charm Them All") doesn't quite charm me at all. It's a middle of the album track that does nothing except become space filler for the cd. The rest of the album drags on with "I Still Remember" being a sweet little love number that barely peaks over the remaining five tracks.
22.3.07
Following Jarvis' Footsteps
Like the master of britpop Jarvis (of Pulp fame), Brett Anderson from Suede releases his solo album this month. The single is a crooning ballad of sadness ("Nothing ever goes right, nothing really flows in my life. No one really cares if there's horrors inside my head") but beautiful none the less. Check it out for yourself....
20.3.07
Some Shows/Events In The Baltimore/DC Area
For those of you looking to attend some shows or events coming up in the near future, here's a rundown for the Baltimore, DC, Maryland area....
March 23rd/24th-RJD2@9:30 Club/Sonar ($20 either night or club)
March 28th-Cold War Kids@9:30 Club ($15, got my ticket already)
March 30th-Electric Six@Sonar ($12, smaller stage)
April 1st-The Presets@Sonar ($12, also smaller stage)
April 1st-Men Women and Children, We Are The Fury@The Ottobar ($10)
April 7th-Kaiser Chiefs@9:30 Club ($25)
April 7th-Warning! A classic alternative dance party w/ DJ's Matt Walter & Craig Boarman.@The Ottobar (cheap entrance, early drink specials plus I'll be there! Matt & Craig=best DJ's!))
April 8th-Trash Fashion@somewhere in DC (anyone finds out where it's at let me know)
April 18th/19th-TV On The Radio@9:30 Club (first night sold out, second night $20)
April 21st-Hot Chip@9:30 Club ($15)
May 13th-LCD Soundsystem@9:30 Club (don't know price yet)
March 23rd/24th-RJD2@9:30 Club/Sonar ($20 either night or club)
March 28th-Cold War Kids@9:30 Club ($15, got my ticket already)
March 30th-Electric Six@Sonar ($12, smaller stage)
April 1st-The Presets@Sonar ($12, also smaller stage)
April 1st-Men Women and Children, We Are The Fury@The Ottobar ($10)
April 7th-Kaiser Chiefs@9:30 Club ($25)
April 7th-Warning! A classic alternative dance party w/ DJ's Matt Walter & Craig Boarman.@The Ottobar (cheap entrance, early drink specials plus I'll be there! Matt & Craig=best DJ's!))
April 8th-Trash Fashion@somewhere in DC (anyone finds out where it's at let me know)
April 18th/19th-TV On The Radio@9:30 Club (first night sold out, second night $20)
April 21st-Hot Chip@9:30 Club ($15)
May 13th-LCD Soundsystem@9:30 Club (don't know price yet)
The Sound Of Silver Beating On My Eardrums
LCD Soundsystem's new album is a life preserver among a sea of crappy music that seems to break tide between the American coasts. It figures they're from New York, the hub of quality American music. But I believe this album raises the bar over their previous debut effort. The debut was marked by big songs such as "Daft Punk Is Playing...", "Tribulations", and "Disco Infiltrator" but not much else on the album held my attention for much longer. "Sound Of Silver" gets the party started early with "Get Innocuous!" and keeps it rolling all the way through 9 tracks and almost 56 minutes of techno dance. With a hit single like "North American Scum" and key track "New York I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down", it makes me proud to call myself North American Scum. If only there were more American bands who can pull amazing music off like this.
"North American Scum" Video:
They will also be playing the 9:30 Club in DC on May 13th if you live near that area.
"North American Scum" Video:
They will also be playing the 9:30 Club in DC on May 13th if you live near that area.
16.3.07
Living Life In Cartoon Motion
While browsing though other blogs, I stumbled upon the gloriousness known as Mika. Labeled as an ideal opener for Scissor Sisters, I was graced with an euphoria of vibrant sound with the actual album. A wonderful recipe, part Freddy Mercury and part BeeGees with a pop abound, that makes me wish I lived life in cartoon motion. He uses cartoon imagery for his songs cos he feels its easier to say things through cartoons; people are more welcome to what it is since its all a bit of silliness, right?
1. "Grace Kelly"-If this track doesn't scream Freddy Mercury, I don't know what will. Even the direct mention of his name during the pre-chorus. A definite song screaming for acceptance bursting with a flourish of rainbow colors.
2. "Lollipop"-At first this track turned me off with its bubblegum pop feel to it. But it will quickly grow on you and becomes a fun little diddy you'll find yourself humming one day without even realizing it.
3. "My Interpretation"-The verse sort of reminds me of the generic song writing you hear on the radio (aka James Blunt, Maroon 5, etc.) and even the chorus sounds too radio friendly for my taste. Still a good song just not quite feeling it with the rest of the album.
4. "Love Today"-The opening makes me hum the theme to Bonanza. But this song is so addictive. Not to mention there's a Motorola commercial using this song with Chris Kattan reenacting his Night At The Roxbury days. Everbody's gonna love this song today!
5. "Relax (Take It Easy)"-This is my favorite track off the album. He sounds exactly like Jake Shears during their take of "Comfortably Numb" when he sings "Relax...." It's got a solid backing beat followed by a high pitched chorus that will melt your mind. Then it launches into shear modern disco magnificance. I just wish they didn't tag the little speaking part onto the end of the track.
6. "Any Other World"-This song is the slow ballad number, and I almost lost it when he sings "Smile like you mean it", thinking oh no no more killers. But it keeps its beautiful tone going strong through the whole track.
7. "Billy Brown"-A very narrative track much like the Decemberists stuff. Not much else to say on this one.
8. "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)"-A glorious disco track. The lyrics are great! And the Butterfly Lounge is a real place. The perfect ode to the bigger girls in our lives.
9. "Stuck In The Middle"-The opening reminded me of Scissor Sister's "Laura". It's an ok song, not one of my preferred ones on the album.
10. "Happy Ending"-Another ballad-esque track, leaning more towards the side of ABBA. Also i you listen closely to the lyrics, it's a very sad song ironically titled "Happy Ending". A perfect finish to a great sounding album.
Grace Kelly music video:
and now some sheer fun with Mr. Kattan:
1. "Grace Kelly"-If this track doesn't scream Freddy Mercury, I don't know what will. Even the direct mention of his name during the pre-chorus. A definite song screaming for acceptance bursting with a flourish of rainbow colors.
2. "Lollipop"-At first this track turned me off with its bubblegum pop feel to it. But it will quickly grow on you and becomes a fun little diddy you'll find yourself humming one day without even realizing it.
3. "My Interpretation"-The verse sort of reminds me of the generic song writing you hear on the radio (aka James Blunt, Maroon 5, etc.) and even the chorus sounds too radio friendly for my taste. Still a good song just not quite feeling it with the rest of the album.
4. "Love Today"-The opening makes me hum the theme to Bonanza. But this song is so addictive. Not to mention there's a Motorola commercial using this song with Chris Kattan reenacting his Night At The Roxbury days. Everbody's gonna love this song today!
5. "Relax (Take It Easy)"-This is my favorite track off the album. He sounds exactly like Jake Shears during their take of "Comfortably Numb" when he sings "Relax...." It's got a solid backing beat followed by a high pitched chorus that will melt your mind. Then it launches into shear modern disco magnificance. I just wish they didn't tag the little speaking part onto the end of the track.
6. "Any Other World"-This song is the slow ballad number, and I almost lost it when he sings "Smile like you mean it", thinking oh no no more killers. But it keeps its beautiful tone going strong through the whole track.
7. "Billy Brown"-A very narrative track much like the Decemberists stuff. Not much else to say on this one.
8. "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)"-A glorious disco track. The lyrics are great! And the Butterfly Lounge is a real place. The perfect ode to the bigger girls in our lives.
9. "Stuck In The Middle"-The opening reminded me of Scissor Sister's "Laura". It's an ok song, not one of my preferred ones on the album.
10. "Happy Ending"-Another ballad-esque track, leaning more towards the side of ABBA. Also i you listen closely to the lyrics, it's a very sad song ironically titled "Happy Ending". A perfect finish to a great sounding album.
Grace Kelly music video:
and now some sheer fun with Mr. Kattan:
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