Top 25 - 29 May, 2016

Bec Sandridge, Garbage, Ngaiire + Wild Beasts!

1. Ngaiire - House On A Rock (NEW)





2. Gang of Youths - Strange Diseases





3. Bec Sandridge - You're A Fucking Joke (NEW)





Matt's Pick of the Week: This right here is awesome. Actually, this right here is fucking awesome! Which shouldn't come as any surprise, given that it's a new track from Bec Sandridge... an artist who gets better and better with each new release. 'You're A Fucking Joke' is the anthem we needed, the anthem we deserve and the track that's going to be running through all of our minds when thinking about, talking to or even just looking at those that we know are absolute fucking jokes. I've had this song in my life for less than a week and already it's there in my head, waiting to be unleashed at a moment's notice. It starts with those keys, the driving beat of the percussion and what I'm pretty sure is a glockenspiel (because everything is better with a fucking glockenspiel, ok?!) before Sandridge starts telling us not to "let the fucker in" and you're thinking, "yeah, fuck that guy." And it builds spectacularly to what I'm thinking is my favourite segment in any song so far this year, when Bec finally unleashes on the fucking joke in question in her life. I know I've been taking advantage of the f-word quite a bit through this and that's all fun and games, but in all seriousness this song is ridiculously good, the race to the finish line is all kinds of amazing and there seems to be no stopping Bec Sandridge right now. Am I joking about that? No fucking chance. (Matt Bond)   


4. Miami - Happier





5. SS Sebastian - Nightmare of 1984





6. Wild Beasts - Get My Bang (NEW)





Jo's Pick of the Week: Coming from a band whose song titles include ‘Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants’, ‘Woebegone Wanderers’ and my personal fave, ‘Hooting And Howling’; I admittedly didn’t expect a song titled ‘Get My Bang’, but I guess that kind of describes my relationship with Wild Beasts and my history with their music perfectly. With every song, with every album, just when I think I get it, along comes a hidden chord, a note I hadn’t heard before, a word I hadn’t noticed and bam, the discovery of them begins all over again, each discovery uncovering something new that I adore a little more. And so describes my thoughts on their latest offering, taken from what will be their fifth album Boy King, its subtly energetic feel is exactly what I like about Wild Beasts and its stupidly sleazy sense is exactly what I didn’t expect…which is exactly what I expected, if you see what I mean. (Jo Michelmore)


7. Tired Lion - Not My Friends





8. Cub Sport - Come On Mess Me Up





9. Jessie Frye - Big Bad Wolf (NEW)





10. Garbage - Even Though Our Love Is Doomed (NEW)





11. Luke Black - Demons





12. Tanzer - Johnny (NEW)





13. ELKI - Sirens (NEW)





14. Radiohead - Burn The Witch





15. Martin Solveig ft. Tkay Maidza - Do It Right





16. Sunday - Waiting For You (NEW)





17. Abbe May - Are We Flirting?





18. The Ruiins - It Is You





19. Alexander Biggs - Out of the Dark





20. Band of Horses - Casual Party (NEW)





21. Ball Park Music - Pariah





22. Little Earthquake - Honest





23. BANFF x Caitlin Park - My Love, My Lover





24. OKENYO - 10 Feet Tall





25. REIKA - Silhouettes

Top 112 Songs of 2012 - #112 - 101

San Cisco!

For the next eleven days, it's all about the greatest songs of the year! Twelve of our favourite tunes from 2012 today and ten each day after that until the countdown is over. We could waste time talking about how amazing all the music from this year was blah blah blah... but you already know that. You're a music fan! Why else would you be here? So let's get into it. The Top 112 Songs of 2012 as presented by Jo Michelmore, Katie Langley and Matt Bond. The countdown begins... now!

#112. Sunshine

by Little Dragon

Now, like whirlwind,

You put a spell on me.

What an awesome way to start the countdown. Infectious and upbeat, it starts with the cutest lyrics “You are my sunbeam when skies are dark” and keeps you dancing for its entirety. The clip is so beautiful I don’t even mind that it’s actually an advertisement; after all, I’m not their target market anyway. What do I care? I just like music.  (Jo Michelmore) 

Oh, Yukimi. Your silky vocals are so easy to fall for, aren't they? You and the boys created an early slice of summer magic, perfect for those long, hot days when you just need a delicious Absolut Mandarin and lemonade and... what were we talking about? (Matt Bond) 


I teetered on the edge of hating this song, but the groove element kept me off of the ledge. I get the distinct feeling that this is a grower. (Katie Langley)

#111. I Hate Love

by Garbage

Your words are pretty but I already know who you are...

When Garbage released a teaser video for 'I Hate Love' over nine months ago, I couldn't stop smiling. Knowing that one of my most loved bands still had that kind of power over me, to make me incredibly happy even with just a short sample of new material was awesome. When I finally heard 'I Hate Love' in its entirety, that smile just got wider and wider. I must have looked like The Joker. This is the exact opposite of empowering anthems we're bombarded with everyday. A realistic look at the darker side of relationships and love and really, what more could you want from a Garbage track? (Matt Bond)


I don’t think I can ever not really like anything that Garbage do. Damn them and their likeable sounds. And of course, as a bitter single person there’s just something so relatable about the lyric “I hate love”. It’s got all of the hallmarks of a Garbage song. I’m not sure it’s the best thing they’ve ever done, but I still like. (Katie Langley)

I was so very excited about the release of Garbage’s Not Your Kind Of People this year, their first album in seven years. From first eager listen, I Hate Love quickly became one of my favourite tracks on the album, with Shirley still proving herself as one of the most fabulous femme fatales in rock music. The simplicity of the lyrics are part of the charm “yeah I hate love, yeah I hate love, so I hate love, yeah I hate love, then your love dies”. The typical Shirley venom throughout has assured this song become one of my Garbage favourites. (Jo Michelmore) 

#110. All The Rowboats

by Regina Spektor

All the rowboats in the oil paintings,

They keep trying to row away, row away.

Oooo well isn’t this just a quirky little song? And maybe a little Tori Amos-esque? I do love the dramatic piano. (Katie Langley)

When I heard Regina Spektor was releasing new material this year, as a fan I was excited but this wasn’t what I was expecting. This was better. It’s still classic Regina; a quick, emotive piano riff and incredible lyrics but this time interspersed with electronic sounds, this was just the first glimpse of the awesomeness that was her 2012 album release What We Saw From The Cheap Seats. Not to mention that this clip was probably the first time I realised just how hot Regina actually is. Swoon. (Jo Michelmore) 

There are so many different ways to interpret exactly what Spektor is trying to address in 'All The Rowboats.' Is she simply lamenting how the world views art and by association the great artists of the past? Masterpieces quickly glanced at, judged and forgotten with little acknowledgment given to the how, the why, the who. Or is there more of a modern twist to the tale? "But the most special are the most lonely." Is this about the plight of the celebrity, captive to their own public image? What? Sometimes I think about things and stuff. Whatever... if you don't care for the message, you can allow yourself to be distracted by Regina's big boobies. Everyone's a winner. (Matt Bond)  

New Music Monday #24

Push and Shove (Album)

by No Doubt (2012)

 

Here’s a question for you. No Doubt; how would you describe them? Pop? Rock? Ska? Ska-punk? Pop punk? 80s? 90s? 00s? Two-tone? Reggae fusion? Pop? Yeah, see; who are No Doubt? All of the above. It’s with this in mind we get to Push and Shove, the latest album from No Doubt, released eleven years since their last. What was one to expect when listening to it? Pop? Rock? Pop? Ska? Punk…yeah you see what I’m going with here. No Doubt have their own little sound, greatly influenced by the lead vocal of Gwen Stefani and Push and Shove, like their previous albums has the influence of many genres that make up the pop sound that is uniquely No Doubt. This album doesn’t give me that same “oh my this is awesome” feeling that Tragic Kingdom did, but then I’m not the same person I was when I first heard them, and likewise, neither are the members of No Doubt. With that little bit (lots) of time between their last release and now, what they’ve created isn’t pushing any boundaries, it isn’t like something I’ve never heard before, but Push and Shove is a nice little piece of pop perfection. The first single 'Settle Down' is a pleasant intro with a catchy hook that creeps into your brain and stays (“eh eh eh” damn you Stefani, I didn't like it at first but that one sticks), the title track 'Push and Shove' keeps a sweet bouncy reggae beat and great tempo changes to keep it interesting. 'Gravity' is pure pop with cringe worthy lyrics to match. “Just like Venus and the morning sun, you and me got gravity” (but that’s what makes great pop music, doesn’t it?). 'Undone' is the obligatory ballad that No Doubt are so good at (but probably not given enough credit for), 'Sparkle' shines with its mid-tempo-ska-punk-pop sound and 'Heaven' is a track that is made for moving to. After all, who doesn’t love a hand-clap? Push and Shove is not going to change your life (the way Tragic Kingdom did mine), but if you let it grow it’s going to make you dance, smile and sing along when you least expect it. That’s what good pop music does and that’s what No Doubt do best. 

Jo Michelmore gives Push and Shove three Britney's out of five...

Battle Born (Album)

by The Killers (2012)

It's always nice to be reminded why you once loved a band in the first place. You know, how you really loved a band that had an incredible, universally loved debut (Hot Fuss) and then that buzz died down a bit, but you still got a huge kick out of their sophomore effort (Sam's Town). Then they lose their way by straying just a little too far from their roots (Day and Age - I'm looking at you, 'Human') and you think you're done with them. To your surprise, they make an extremely focused return that not only harkens back to their glory days, but shows a band capable of growth... a band that's capable of growing with you. It's oh so satisfying and is just the reminder you need as to why you loved them in the first place. For The Killers, Battle Born is the reminder I needed. Now, there's nothing revolutionary about Battle Born. The same American rock and roll spirit from Sam's Town anchors each track, they straddle a fine line between indie gems ('Be Still' and 'Flesh and Bone') and stadium anthems ('Runaways' and 'Battle Born') like on Hot Fuss and they lightly retain their electronic influences from Day and Age. Brandon Flowers' voice still drives The Killers and still has that ability to make you want to both get up and dance and sit down to reflect. But there's a sense of purpose here that's been lacking since they debuted. A certain quality that truly makes you believe they deserve to be treated like one of the biggest rock acts in the world today. It's all very Bruce Springsteen by the way of Fleetwood Mac with a modern twist. This is Americana 2012 and, surprisingly and satisfyingly, Battle Born is just the reminder I needed as to why The Killers still matter and why I loved them in the first place. What more could you ask for?

Matt Bond gives Battle Born four Kurt Cobain's out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE WEEK:

Come Into My Head

by Kimbra

Album: Vows Deluxe Edition (2012) 

 

Sometimes, when I know for sure no one is watching, I'll attempt to have a little dance like Kimbra does throughout the 'Come Into My Head' video. What I don't do is grab a knife and terrorize the staff of a psychiatric hospital. This is why Kimbra is better than I am. She'll dance like everyone is watching and she will grab a knife and terrorize the staff of a psychiatric hospital. And she'll look amazing doing it. All of Kimbra's videos have been beautifully shot so far, but 'Come Into My Head' is a huge step up from previous video 'Two Way Street' in terms of story. Oh... ... ... ... sorry, I just drifted off thinking about how gorgeous she looked in the 'Two Way Street' video. Uh... ... ... ... let's wrap this up by saying, "great video, amazing artist and I am not a stalker." 

Matt Bond gives the 'Come Into My Head' video four Lady Gaga's out of five...

Knock Knock

by Band of Horses

Album: Mirage Rock (2012)

A cute catchy song, comedy AND a vintage inspired clip? You know I’m going to like this. It’s a parody of a 70s style nature documentary; with the Band Of Horses playing in some stunning landscapes and being hunted down by documentary makers who are trying to capture their audio, it’s kind of interesting that it’s easy to forget to listen to the song, but this is a clip review so who cares? Almost five and a half minutes of watching a band run around a desert landscape all the while being chased by awkwardly (that is, retro awesomely) dressed academics, this clip is totally silly and that’s what makes it fantastic. To top it off, the song’s not bad either.  

Jo Michelmore gives the 'Knock Knock' video four Shirley Manson's out of five...

Top 20 - 16 September, 2012

Bigsound's breakthrough artist; Kira Puru!

1. Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra - The Bed Song (#1 for 2 weeks!)





2. Kira Puru and The Bruise - When All Your Love Is Not Enough





3. The Hello Morning - Stone Cold Lover (NEW)





4. Mia Dyson - Pistol





5. Calvin Harris ft. Florence Welch - Sweet Nothing (NEW)