Top 25 - 10 March, 2013

The Polyphonic Spree!

Songs of the Week, 10/03/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Sacrilege (#1 for 2 Weeks!)
2. Texas Tea - The Alphabet Song (NEW)
3. Ngairre ft. Nai Palm - Dirty Hercules
4. The Polyphonic Spree - You Don't Know Me (NEW)





5. MS MR - Bones

6. The Trouble With Templeton - Like A Kid
7. Crystal Fighters - Separator
8. Phoenix - Entertainment
9. All The Colours - Second To None
10. Colour Bomb - Beautiful Parade (NEW)

11. Austra - Home (NEW)
12. Cub Scouts - Pool




13. James Blake - Digital Lion





14. Les Marionettes - Engineers (NEW)


15. RUFUS - Take Me (NEW)

16. She and Him - Never Wanted Your Love (NEW)
17. Hungry Kids of Hungary - When Yesterday's Gone
18. Ruby and The Rib Cage - This City (NEW)





19. Torres - Honey
20. The Phoenix Foundation - The Captain (NEW)
21. Abbe May - T.R.O.U.B.L.E

22. Matt and Kim - It's Alright (NEW)





23. Major Lazer ft. Busy Signal, The Flexican and FS Green - Watch Out For This (Buyame)
24. Bonobo ft. Erykah Badu - Heaven For A Sinner (NEW)
25. The Blackwater Fever - Don't F*ck With Joe (NEW)

Gig Review - The Trouble With Templeton

The Trouble With Templeton

Live at the Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane (06/03/13)

Review by Jo Michelmore

Photos by Nayt Housman

When a band is young, when they first put their performing shoes on, like wearing any new shoes, it can be an uncomfortable experience. They might look fabulous but you just can't quite walk right in them, one foot after another, yes, but something is just a tiny bit off about your steps.

The first time I saw The Trouble With Templeton in mid 2012, they were good, but they were wearing size nine shoes with size eight feet. I was intriuged by them, entranced by Thomas Calder's voice and completely captivated by Betty Yeowart and Hugh Middleton. While I thought they were fantastic and hoping the gods of music would smile on them, it can't be denied they were relatively new to performance, still finding their feet within themselves as a band and on stage. When I saw them at BigSound a few months later, I'll admit I wasn't so impressed. They were a sneaker band wearing stilettos, performing like they had something to prove. This week I learnt how things can change in only a couple of months.

 

The now five piece band burst onto stage with a wall of sound, so layered and intense I immediately suspected this was not going to be the same band I saw six months ago. They continued the pace through four songs before treating us to their latest single, Like A Kid. It was during this song that Ritchie Daniell broke a snare drum, but I'm sure only the people at the very front understood the mild panic, for they continued on so strongly, finishing the song with an apology and a laugh, like a band that has been breaking snare drums for years and years. The professionalism they showed, powering on through what they called 'a train wreck' was more than impressive.

After finding a replacement for Ritchie's drum, Thomas chatted to the crowd easily, clearly comfortable with his band and the performance seemed a pleasure for all of them. The crowd pleasing tracks were a highlight, Bleeders and Six Months In A Cast deserved the huge response the warm crowd gave and TTWT took this adoration in their stride, seeming genuinely impressed their hometown was so supportive.

That support was so strong, Thomas Calder came back onto the stage on his own for an encore performance, playing I Wrote A Novel on his own, acoustic style. So powerful yet stripped back, it seems almost silly to ever have a whole band play this song when Thomas can obviously carry it off so well on his own. The others returned for the final song and the wall of sound they opened with they also closed with, a perfect way to end a mid week gig, the audience desperatley left wanting more, even on a rainy Wednesday night.

 

It was during the encore I noticed Thomas Calder's feet and the shoes he happened to be wearing. They were brown boots, clearly loved, very well worn but incredibly sturdy. They seemed perfect for stomping ones feet when the beat demands it, yet so comfortable they're perfect for swaying in during the slow songs. These are boots that have a history and have a future, which is interesting, because that's how I could describe this band. They've spent some time together and it seems they've found their feet and their performing shoes. These hardworking, cute and humble shoes are what I hope they wear to their performances throughout the US and to SXSW, where they are playing this month. If they keep these on their feet they are sure to win over a whole new legion of fans, whenever, wherever they perform, just like they subtly re-won my love on Wednesday night.

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - A Love Letter To...1990.

This guy and his pants. Popular in 1990. It was a strange year.

Stop. Hammer Birthday Time

by Jo Michelmore

There’s someone I know, who I really like, who happens to be having a really special day today and how lucky is she, because her special day just happens to fall on Thursday. That is, vintage Thursday! Yeah! I know, right? Jealous? Yeah you are. Tonight, I celebrate my friend’s birthday with a whole bunch of vintage goodness from the year she was born. 1990. What an impressive year. Pre Nirvana, pre Gaga, pre American/Australian/Ukranian Idol, pre iphone, pre facebook, pre dub step, pre ipod, pre youtube. Pre internet!!!! Imagine, you had to actually purchase CD’s from shops back then and no one yet knew how to copy a CD. If you liked something, it was because you liked it on the radio, or at a club, on the TV, or someone told someone about a great band somewhere. Damn, how did music ever exist before, like, 2000? I was there and even I can’t remember.

Bust A Move 

by Young MC 

 

A confession. You know how everyone’s got one rap song they know all the words to and can recite at any moment? Some people who were alive in the early 90’s know all of Ice Ice Baby, some of the peeps of the early 00’s know Eminem, but start Young MC and you can’t stop me. Every. Single. Word. I also have a similar hairstyle of the girl who appears in the clip AND have been known to wear a scarf in my hair. I always liked that girl.

Groove Is In The Heart

by Deee-Lite

 

Oh, that thing about knowing all the lyrics to things? Yeah, this one too. She also has a short hairstyle and wears scarves. What? Oh and who doesn’t love Bootsy Collins? Huh? Damn this is a crap clip though.

Opposites Attract 

by Paula Abdul and MC Skat Cat

 

So, before she was hosting things on reality TV shows, she was singing with a cartoon character. How is it possible this ever happened? This whole thing screams early 90’s, it’s embarrassing. The thing that’s in common with Paula and MC Skat Cat? Um, he doesn’t exist so you have nothing in common Paula!!!!! Oh 1990 was weird.

U Can’t Touch This

by MC Hammer

 

This had to be included because anyone who was over the age of five in 1990 has said the words “you can’t touch this” at some point in their lives. Also, MC Hammer was setting pant fashion trends in 1990 that need to be appreciated. Also, I may have been known to attempt and smash out the Hammer dance at various occasions in my life.  

Hold On
by Wilson Phillips

 

I wanted to include this one for all the readers of Ellie’s age and younger, because I’m going to educate you all on fashion. You may not be aware of it yet, but everything you’re wearing now has been worn before and it was worn much, much worse. The vests, the high waisted double denim, the ill-fitting jackets, they’ve all been worn before, sometimes a little better but mostly a little worse. If the fashion doesn’t interest you, hold on until the 2:48 mark and appreciate the girl vocal breakdown. It’s awesome.

Joey
by Concrete Blonde

 

Come on, you didn’t expect me to not include this, right? I mean, hello; Joey? That’s me! Duh. I have had this song serenaded to me a bazillion times. Secretly I love it.

If Wishes Came True 

by Sweet Sensation

 

Oh look! It’s Destiny’s Child before Destiny’s Child….except not. Crap pop at its best. The 90’s had so much of it and it started here. This had to be included.

Nothing Compares 2 U
by Sinead O'Connor

 

This is the song that was number one when my fabulous friend was born. It was by Prince, originally, but Sinead took it and made it hers. She also has about as much hair as my friend probably did when she was born. This is not much.

Ride On Time
by Black Box

 

This song was apparentley so good it was released once in 1989 and again in 1990 and I’m going to finish with this one, because this song is the epitome of crap dance music of the early 90’s. It’s also a little birthday present for my beautiful friend and for anyone who presses play. Chances are, you hear it once, you’ll be singing it for days….”wah-oh, wah-oh, gonna get up, gonna get up, gonna get up, you ride on time, cause you ride on time…..” You're welcome.

Listen Or Die? #5 - This Is Fats...

Listen Or Die? Our weekly examination of the albums listed in the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Must you hear them? We'll be the judge of that... 

THIS IS FATS

by Fats Domino (1956)

Running Time: 27:11

1. Blueberry Hill

2. Honey Chile

3. What's The Reason (I'm Not Pleasing You)

4. Blue Monday

5. So Long

6. La-La

7. Troubles Of My Own

8. You Done Me Wrong

9. Reelin' And Rockin'

10. The Fat Man's Hop

11. Poor, Poor Me

12. Trust In Me

There's just something about an album called This Is Fats I find so... unappealing. This uneasy feeling isn't improved when I spy the opening track is 'Blueberry Hill,' a song I've long held disdain in my heart for (sorry, Mum and Dad). "Tho we're apart you're part of me still, for you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill." Urge to barf (50s slang), rising. 'Blueberry Hill' plods along, making two minutes feel like an eternity, even in Fats Domino's talented hands. Next up is 'Honey Chile' which dials up the excitement level ever so slightly; the horns and brass getting moments to shine alongside Domino's inexpressive vocal line. A problem I have with many of the tracks on This Is Fats is the lack of emotion or any real feeling that comes across in so many of the songs. Domino has a great tone in his voice, but there's not much behind it. 

Take a track like 'So Long' as an example. The band plays their part perfectly, with the saxophone solo perfectly carrying the emotional weight of the track. Then there's Domino's vocal line with pleading lines like, "goodbye, please tell me why," and "oh why, why are you never satisfied," sung in the most dispassionate way. I've been told the 50s weren't such a great time for expressing one's feelings (explaining why this kind of performance would have gone down a treat), but this is R&B music on the threshold of the birth of rock and roll. Where's the emotional punch? By the time you get to 'Poor, Poor Me,' arguably the biggest 'feel sorry for me' song of all time, I found myself ready to give up on This Is Fats. Thankfully I didn't, because closing number 'Trust In Me' was the most satisfying listen on the album. Don't think of that as too glowing a recommendation though. It's the right kind of boogie-woogie number to keep you just happy enough to not be completely bored. 

Now, Fats Domino is an artist that definitely has appeal to a huge music loving population. Most of them are old. The rest are probably jazz students. I just couldn't find the love for This Is Fats, so if you're unfamiliar with Domino, you could just live your life and DIE without ever missing out on anything. 

The tally...

LISTEN - 2

DIE - 3  

    

 

New Music Monday #42

Sacrilege

by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Album: Mosquito (April 2013)

 

It's been over ten years since the Yeah Yeah Yeahs first formed and in that time, I've loved a lot of their music. What that means is that it's a big call to say that this is my favourite Yeah Yeah Yeahs so far. Considering it's only just been released, I know I've called it early, but some songs are just so awesome from first listen, there's no point in denying their magnificence, which is a good word to describe how this song ends, which is partly why I think I love it so much. It starts quietly, for a Yeah Yeah Yeahs track; that is, Karen O's distinctive sweet and screaming vocal is as strong as ever, a solid bassline and scratchy rock guitars giving the impression this is familiar territory but two minutes later it ends with a rich, fabulous choir appearing from nowhere, singing "sacrilege, sacrilege you say" over and over; I can't possibly not love this song. It's epic in the true sense of the word, not in the "that's epic" sense, but the actual "it is epic" way and yes, it's amazingly magnificent. I'm totally in love.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Sacrilege' five Nick Cave's out of five.

Like A Kid

by The Trouble With Templeton

Album: June 2013

 

I'm going to be honest, which is to say, I've had an up and down relationship with The Trouble With Templeton. I kind of liked them to start, but I jumped off the bandwagon after seeing a gig I wasn't overly impressed with. I have some friends who love them, so was open to giving them another chance with their latest single and clip; Like A Kid and admittedly, I'm glad I did because I genuinely like this TTWT, which is a new direction for what I would have previously called an indie-folksy-pop-band. While the indie pop sensibilities are still present, there's a nice amount of rock thrown in, layered sounds and rich vocals, which give an energy not explored in their previous work. The black and white clip is a little bit crazy and a heap of fun; maybe it's because I have a soft spot for the macabre or maybe it's my soft spot for any vintage film styling's, but either way, I really like it. If this is the direction The Trouble With Templeton are taking, I might think about jumping back on the bandwagon, because it's heading in a direction I'd like to go.

Jo Michelmore gives Like A Kid four Shirley Manson's out of five.

Don't Fuck With Joe

by The Blackwater Fever

Album: The Depths (March 2013)

 

Filthy, dirty, garage rock blues, a pounding solid bass line, muddy rough guitars, a delicious coarse vocal and lyrics full of spite which tell a story you can't help but follow; this is exactly how rock and roll should sound. Brisbane's The Blackwater Fever make the kind of sounds that remind me of the first time I fell in love with blues and the kind that I can't help but tap along to. This is the kind of music that reminds me why I love rock music so much and this is the kind of band that makes me proud to come from a city that produces musicians that that make such incredible sounds.

Jo Michelmore gives Don't Fuck With Joe four Kurt Cobains out of five

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Why Am I The One

by Fun

Album: Some Nights

 

I've a soft spot for inanimate objects with accidental faces. I also have a soft spot for that scene in Mary Poppins where she takes all sorts of large things like a hatstand out of her never ending small carpet bag. This clip contains references to both of those things. That doesn't mean I love it, it doesn't mean I hate it, it's just an observation; like this is just a clip.

Jo Michelmore gives Why Am I The One two Taylor Swift's out of five

Top 25 - 3 March, 2013

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Mmm... sacrilegious.

Songs of the Week, 03/03/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Sacrilege (NEW) 



 

2. Crystal Fighters - Separator
3. Ngaiire ft. Nai Palm - Dirty Hercules (NEW)
4. MS MR - Bones
5. Phoenix - Entertainment

6. Hungry Kids of Hungary - When Yesterday's Gone (NEW)
7. Cub Scouts - Pool





8. All The Colours - Second To None
9. Torres - Honey
10. Cold Cave - Oceans With No End (NEW)

11. Abbe May - T.R.O.U.B.L.E
12. The Trouble With Templeton - Like A Kid (NEW)
13. Frank Ocean - Eyes Like Sky (NEW)
14. AlunaGeorge - Attracting Flies (NEW)
15. mdnt ft. Jez Dior - Dreamcatcher (NEW)
16. Ghost Beach ft. Noosa - Close Enough
17. British India - Summer Forgive Me

18. Major Lazer ft. Busy Signal, The Flexican and FS Green - Watch Out For This (Buyame) (NEW)
19. Crywolf and Ianborg - Oceans (NEW)
20. The Postal Service - A Tattered Line of String
21. A$AP Rocky ft. Santigold - Hell (NEW)





22. Eliza Hull - Echoes
23. The Griswolds - The Courtship of Summer Preasley
24. Steve Mason and Emiliana Torrini - I Go Out
25.  Darwin Deez - You Can't Be My Girl