New Music Monday #68

AM 

by Arctic Monkeys (9th September 2013)

When I first saw the clip for the first single 'Do I Wanna Know' from the Arctic Monkeys latest album AM, I wasn't really that impressed. I thought it was the easiest clip ever made and a little bit dull. The second time I saw the clip was with my fellow blogger Matt and I think we had both made the same mistake, not getting past the first impressions of the clip and assuming something we clearly didn't actually know. Well, that was a mistake I won't make again. An important lesson was learnt.  Never assume anything, because some albums will give you much more than you originally expect.

With the band's fifth album AM, I thought I knew what to expect; essentially an Arctic Monkeys album - a little bit rock, with that English sound they do so well and a couple of songs that have that Arctic Monkeys lyric that I find myself repeating at inopportune moments, like I've done with "I bet you look good on the dance floor" for more than a few years now.  What I ended up with was an album full of things I love - heavy fast beats, slow grinds, lyrics that make no sense but somehow take you to places other than wherever you are and a confidence that only a handful of bands manage to achieve without being arrogant and untouchable.


Opening with the second single 'Do I Wanna Know' and following with the first single 'R U Mine', they are songs that mean business, opening an album that is stronger and more diverse than I ever expected. This isn't an album begging for fans, it's confident, it's solid and it's bold, immediately I'm sure this is a band happy with where they're at and happy to play the music they love. The beat and strong guitar on 'Do I Wanna Know' leave enough room for Alex Turner to drag you into his world pleading "do you want me crawling back to you?" and 'R U Mine' has a sense of familiarity while still sounding like new Arctic Monkeys. It's a sense that follows throughout the album; 'One For The Road' a classic almost 70s rock sound anthem, 'I Want It All' a classic almost 80s rock sound, 'No. 1 Party Anthem' a classic almost Beatles sound; they're all songs that have that familiar vocal of Turner's deep drawl and they all pay tribute to songs before them without sounding copied.

'Mad Sounds' and 'Fireside' mid way through the album are slower tunes, which give a chance to sit still for a minute or six, but the simple feel of 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?' shouldn't be mistaken as a simple track, the bass line is such a pleasant groove and the drums are almost a hip hop rhythm, it's the perfect feel to lead into the pop, almost r 'n' b like 'Snap Out Of It', which is a track I totally wasn't expecting or expecting to love. The lesson about thinking I knew what to expect? Learnt at track ten.


This is an album that is essentially everything Arctic Monkeys, but everything new. The four piece are obviously comfortable with who they are as musicians and are now at a point in their career where they're content to play what they are familiar with and yet confident enough to create sounds that still sound fresh. This is rock songwriting at its best and a rock band at their most comfortably mature to date. I love it when albums like AM remind me of bands I like and make me re-visit albums I've forgotten about. I love it when bands like the Arctic Monkeys re-teach me lessons about music I already know. While sometimes things in rock are obvious, don't always assume you know where a clip or a band is going to take you, because sometimes they take you to places and songs you don't expect and sometimes they take you straight back to track one to hit play and experience the whole thing over and over again.

Jo Michelmore gives 'AM' four Dave Grohl heads out of five...

Black Cat

by Deep Sea Arcade

It's been 18 months since Sydney five piece Deep Sea Arcade released their first full length album Outlands and while that was received incredibly well, if they keep up with singles like 'Black Cat', I suspect the next album is going to be loved even more. The band have spent most of the past year in the UK and the sounds of the UK have even more influence than their first release, this track being incredibly comfortable with a britpop tag, a psychedelic rock sounding two minutes and forty five seconds that begs to be danced to. I kinda love it and can't wait to hear what other new tunes they've got to show off when they tour with Hey Geronimo in October to celebrate the release of this catchy single.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Black Cat' four Michael Hutchence heads out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE WEEK

Feels Like

by Peking Duk

So first of all a disclaimer. I have connections to this clip. Personal connections. My talented housemate Mish is an artist of all sorts and is always off on some creative endeavour. For this clip she was the first Assistant director - which means for the uninitiated that she was the “behind the scenes” juggler of sorts. She managed schedules and shot lists and cast on the day (among a mammoth list of other things). Mish is often working on different film projects and I just happened to see her post this clip onto her facebook page when it was released at the end of last month.


I instantly fell in love with this clip. Apart from the fact that it is hilarious, it has a big heart underneath it. In the ilk of the 80s dance hit “Mania” or the films “Flashdance” or “Footloose” the message in this clip is clear and inspiring: do what you love. Be your own hero. Dance like no-one is watching. And embrace and celebrate - unashamedly - your inner dag. There is a definite Napoleon Dynamite element to the look and feel of this clip. From the beautiful bright colours, the splashes of dramatic yet cheery light and to the central character in the clip: Gareth.


Gareth is the epitome of the anti hero. He isn’t necessarily handsome. He definitely has no street cred. Or fashion sense. But Gareth has a community dance school. And he has a dream (which he fuels with watching copious videos of dancing, reading dance magazines and of course - eating a healthy breakfast). His dance moves are awkward, very comical yet embody the driving beat of this wonderful dance song. At this point I should mention the incredibly catchy song itself from Canberra outfit Peking Duk. This song has strictly Friday/Saturday party written all over it. It’s a feel good track that makes you want to move your feet (or tap the steering wheel if your driving). It’s no wonder there was the choice to marry the track with the dance themed clip. There is a delightful build in the song which I hang out for every time. And it adds the sound sparkles to the track - and literally in the clip.


I have to say I am a sucker for a feel good story. And so I must admit that I even got a lump in my throat with the first watch of this clip. I’m sure you may think that something is wrong with my emotional response, but let me explain. Yes, the clip is hilarious. Yes, it’s a parody. Yes, it features a lot of awkward dancing (and glitter shots). But I am always moved to see the underdog holding their power. And I am known in my circle of friends to usually be the dag who gets the dance floor started. Well, if I didn’t do it - who would right?


But I think the main reason why I was moved is because I know so many artists who do what they love and dream of being recognised for their passions and their craft. The journey as an artist is not glamorous. It's a tough road carved purely out of passion. The artists I know work hard day and night to just scrape a living. Most of them border on obscurity. But all of them know that delicious feeling you get when they find flow and connection in their art: be it through acting, art, writing, music or yes, even 80s power dancing.


Deservedly this track is flying up high in the charts. As I write this, it’s sitting at number 2 on the Aria club charts, number 11 on the dance single chart and number 15 on the Australian singles.


So put on your dance shoes, close the blinds (if it helps) and release your inner dance guru and let those dance moves fly!

Lou Endicott gives 'Feels Like' five Madonna heads out of five...

Sleeping At Your Door

by Lime Cordiale

EP: Falling Up The Stairs (out now)

While Matt liked Lime Cordiale's EP Falling Up The Stairs EP last week, I wasn't totally convinced until I saw the clip for 'Sleeping At Your Door' this week. Now? Yes, I agree, Lime Cordiale are a band made for summertime and long drives and fun times. I've got no idea where this clip was filmed, but the almost grainy clip makes me want to go there. If it wasn't for the 90s inspired hipster clothes the boys are wearing, I could almost be convinced this was filmed on a hand held video tape style camcorder (which some readers are going to be too young to even know what that is. Before phones took clips, people were forced to use other devices. Go google. It's a wealth of history and information. I use it all the time.) I also can't help but love the silly lyrics, with some of the finest worst rhyming lyrics I've heard in a while - "I know you are older than me, two years approximately". How does he keep a straight face singing that into the camcorder? I don't know but I love it. 

Jo Michelmore gives 'Sleeping At Your Door' three Gotyes heads out of five...

The Candy Shop #19

BRING BACK THE BRASS!

For Fans Of A Big Horn

by Nayt Housman

It was big in the ‘30s/‘40s/’50s then flopped, was revived in the ‘80s then went soft for a while until a revival in the ‘90s. Will it grow again? Has it returned? Is it still too daggy because your dad liked it?


Today in The Candy Shop I endeavour to find out, as I share my love affair of the toots and honks of a good brass horn (aka saxophone, trumpet or any other brassy tooting instrument) over the last 60-ish years. So go to the closet, pull out your old horn and dust it off ready for some action. PAAAAARRRRRRRRP!


The jazz era was big on big band brass and oh what an era it was. I wouldn’t be privy to it’s glory had I not purchased one of those cheesy box set of “jazz classics” which introduced me to such delights as these…

The Peacocks 

by Bill Evans Trio featuring Stan Getz

I remember hearing this for the first time and getting major chills. Stunning piece, so classy and sad.

Salt Peanuts 
by Dizzy Gillespie 

Lunacy! Pure lunacy. I LOVE IT!

Brass seemed to have faded away mostly until it was again adopted in the 80s bigger, better and cheesier than ever. Cheesy is not a swear word! Everyone loves a cheesy horn…

Smooth Operator 

by Sade

Oh lordy cheeses sliced! Does pop really get much better than this? Not only is Sade one of the most beautiful women in the world with one of the sexiest voices ever but man she made the right decision to include tootingly good brass in this song.

Bakers Street 

by Gerry Rafferty

This is actually the first song I remember hearing and thinking “Wow! Saxophone is AWESOME!” What a classic.

Careless Whisper 

by George Michael

George you’ve featured quite a lot in The Candy Shop lately but really who can resist you? (Except for cops in public toilets you’re cruising.) Faux pas aside this is some great sex…errrr sax.

Chant No.1 

by Spandau Ballet

I learnt of this song working in my shitty retail job. The one benefit of shitty retail (particularly in my place of employment) is the amazing (this is subjective) music I keep discovering.

Never Tear Us Apart 

by INXS 

A beautiful song, a beautiful man, a beautiful horn…solo.

Hail the 90s! You may not have noticed much tooting during this decade but it’s surely there, especially with the ska revival (remember No Doubt and well, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones). Also there’s Kenny G though lets try not to think about him too hard. Kenny G = Bad Cheese.

Break In The Weather 

 by Jenny Morris

This is one of my all time fave songs. The sax, the floating lips, giant eye, trumpeting ventriloquist dummy and OH the dancing! The fist-pumps beside her face are my fave moves. You are so classy Jenny…so classy indeed.

Bathwater 

by No Doubt

Were No Doubt responsible for reviving the horn section in the 90s? WHO CARES! I only care how awesome this song (and the album Tragic Kingdom) were and that they reintroduced me to some gold shiny brassy goodness. I was hardly going to credit The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

History Repeating 

by The Propellerheads ft. Shirley Bassey

Combining old and new, Bassy and brassy never sounded so good.

00s and beyond and my love of the horn only grows stronger, however, apart from the odd Gaga or Katy Perry track, it’s still not a common element to current pop music.

Lady 

by Regina Spektor

This was never a single but by far one of my favourite Regina Spektor songs. Her Brooklyn accent, touching lyrics and simple piano combined with one of the most emotional sax sections I’ve ever heard. Music needn’t be complicated to be pure perfection.

Only Here For The Fight 

by Jenny Wilson 

Highly underrated and incredibly talented, Jenny Wilson combines the perfect amount of quirk with comedy and well, brass. Rather than incorporating it as a specific solo the brass slowly creeps in toward the end until it crescendos then slowly fades. Gorgeooooous.

Never Again 

by Spender

This dashing Australian saxophonist is not only good for a blow but is a craftsman of some deliciously poptastic tunes. One I will be keeping my ears closely tuned to.

Aeroplane 

by Bjork

There is no way I could leave out Bjork. Always the one to go against the grain and in this song pretty much dominated by it’s horn section is definitely a fave from this impish lil fire cracker.
It’s funny how a single instrument can make you fall in love with an entire song. 

I always say to get into new music it either has to be a simply amazing song or it needs to have what I call an “in”. A single element to connect with, that opens me up to the whole song, that may not always be within my realm of taste but for me the brass section, specifically a good bit of sax has been my 'in' for so many great songs. Now excuse me while I go play with my horn.

*We are aware sax is actually a woodwind instrument but for the sake of this post if it toots and honks and is made of brass it qualifies.

Grizzly Jim Lawrie - BIGSOUND Live 2013 Feature Artist

With less than a week to go, everyone will be very busy lining up all the incredible acts they want to see performing at BIGSOUND Live. One listen of Grizzly Jim Lawrie's 'Midnight Run' and you'll know at least one act you'll definitely be adding to your dream BIGSOUND Live program. With a new musical direction bringing in dreamy rock and pop elements, Grizzly Jim Lawrie is sure to deliver a standout performance when he takes the stage at the Press Club.


Jim Lawrie took the time to answer our questions about BIGSOUND Live, 'Midnight Run', crowdfunding, twerking (yes, twerking) and a whole lot more. And don't forget, tickets are on-sale now for BIGSOUND Live, the best two nights of live music in Brisbane all year! You can check out the full program (and get info on all of the fun events) over at the BIGSOUND site and you can grab your one or two day passes through Oztix and QMusic!

Grizzly Jim Lawrie

Performing Live: 8:20pm @ Press Club - September 12, 2013

as part of BIGSOUND Live

Interview by Matt Bond

Your new single 'Midnight Run' is out now. Can you tell us the story behind the track?


Jim: The song came out of a bit of a difficult time for me, and in retrospect, seeing others going through similar experiences, I was thinking about how hard it is to be proactive about getting out of negative situations sometimes. There’s this weird instinct to just kind of wait it out until it gets better, and sometimes it never does. The track is about just getting up and getting out. I guess the idea is kind of like a homecoming to happiness, that desertion isn’t always a negative thing.


What can we expect to hear next... A new album perhaps?


Jim: Yeah, we’ve started working on a new album, and we’re in the pre production stage. The songs are all there and we’re really excited about getting into the studio to get them down, but we’re just figuring out the logistics at the moment.


You'll be performing in Brisbane for BIGSOUND Live at the Press Club next week. For music fans working out who they're going to see, what does the Grizzly Jim Lawrie live experience involve?


Jim: Good songs played by good people. We’ve got a lot of new tracks that we’re pumped to be playing. Plus we’ve got a few old friends joining us on stage for BIGSOUND, Joe Cope of The Hello Morning, and Jacob McGuffie from Fearless Vampire Killers will be taking care of lead guitar.


If you get the chance, who do you want to see performing during BIGSOUND Live?


Jim: I’m pretty excited about seeing some peeps from interstate(as in, interstate from Victoria). Bleeding Knees Club are going to go off, John Steel Singers are an old favourite, I’ve never had the chance to see The Trouble With Templeton live, but love their stuff, and Citizen Kay would be ace to see. Meanwhile, Money for Rope, Sinking Teeth, and Twin Beasts will be soothing my home sickness…

Crowdfunding is a hot topic in the music industry right now. How do you feel about it? Is there a right way for an artist to ask their fans to fund their music? Would you consider it?


Jim: As a consumer, I like to support people who are doing what they love, and if its going to enrich this crazy old world, then I’m all for throwing the ol’ disposable income at a good project to reap the rewards of another’s creative labours.

As an artist, I’m still on the fence. I’m surrounded by generous people, but I’m stuck in that stubborn headspace of not wanting to ask for anything. Who knows, I may get over it… I may not. Only time will tell…


In sadder news, twerking is also a hot topic right now. So hypothetically... If a song was going to make you twerk, it would be?


Jim: I don’t want to expose myself as an out of touch slash uncool dude here, but to tell you the truth, I don’t really know what twerking is…does it involve shaking booty? If so, ‘You Can Call me Al’ by Paul Simon? Or anything by Xtina. She’s unreal. ‘Ain’t No Other Man’ is my jam.


Let's go with another hypothetical scenario. You've just encountered someone who has never heard music before in their life. They lived with wolves or something. You get to pick 5 albums to play to them that sum up everything that is amazing about music. What albums do you pick and why?


Jim: Nice scenario, Wolfman is so lucky he gets to listen to so much good music for the first time.

Ok. First up would be The Beatles – Revolver. Wolfman needs some sweet pop rock n roll to ease him in and this is my favourite album of theirs, classics like Good Day Sunshine and Got to Get You into My Life will get his feet tapping.

Next up, Fleetwood Mac – Rumours will teach Wolfman about the classic structure of hit song writing, and showcase the art of an amazing chorus. Plus the crazy bass break in The Chain will make him feel like he’s back at home in the wild.

Carrying on his return to the wild is Guns N Roses – Appetite for Destruction, to show Wolfman how awesome turning the volume up full can be.

Calming Wolfman back down again is Bill Withers – Live from Carnegie Hall. This will show Wolfman the place of storytelling in song. Some of the best stories I’ve ever heard relayed to an audience through song are on this recording, and his connection with his audience is unreal, funny and loving.

And finally, Wolfman needs a guilty pleasure, which is where Tears for Fears – The Best of Tears for Fears comes in. Absolute gold from start to finish. All the hits. All the hair.

Wolfman approves.

When they air the Grizzly Jim Lawrie 'Behind The Music' special in 2058, what are they going to say about you?


Jim: “Jim Lawrie was as good at internet Q&A’s as he was at songwriting. Not everyone dug his vibe at first, but he just kept at it, gave his all to the forms, and found a niche market for both his passion for excellence in digital media publicity and his passable talents in stringing chords together.”


Massive thanks to Jim for answering our questions! You can see Grizzly Jim Lawrie performing at BIGSOUND Live... go get your tickets! 
 

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Happy Birthday Freddie!

I'd say this was taken at one of Freddie's birthday parties, but who's to say? He could have worn that to the supermarket
...he was Freddie Mercury, after all.

Oh Freddie, How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways

by Jo Michelmore

It might have been K-Tizz's birthday this week, but it was also someone else's. There's probably been thousands (millions? billions?) of people having birthdays this week, but I'm no statistician so let's just say there's two important birthdays this week. Both of them people I adore. One? K-Tizz. Two? Freddie Mercury.


We all know the legend of Freddie and let's be honest, I kind of hope that if he was still alive today, he'd have a 67th birthday party involving very short people with bowls of powder on their heads wandering around offering their goods to all who attended. You can read into that story what you will, but it's one of rocks greatest.


You know I love him. I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago over on Where Is My Mind? but maybe you don't know just how much I love him...Freddie, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Number One - Killer Queen

There is no way I could possibly not love a man who could successfully wear a fur coat like that. Look, I've been vegetarian for a long time now, but seriously, that coat? Whatever that animal was, it would have died happy if it knew it was going to be swung around the shoulders of a man who managed to include references to Marie Antoinette, Moet et Chandon,  Kruschev, Kennedy, caviar and cigarettes all in one song. I haven't even mentioned gunpowder and gelatine. Freddie, you glorious wordsmith you.

Number Two - Radio Gaga

Radio Gaga. Lady Gaga. See what's happening there? Yes, this is the song that inspired the name of your favourite Stefani. This is why she called herself Lady Gaga as opposed to Lady Stefani Germanotta which doesn't quite have the same ring, does it? Some of the lyrics even describe some of Lady Gaga's delicious vacuous pop:


"All we hear is radio ga ga, radio blah blah, radio, what's new?"


It may also contain some lyrics that may possibly sum up a large portion of my own teenage years perfectly:


"I'd sit alone and watch your light, my only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know, I heard it on my radio"

 

Number Three - Don't Stop Me Now

Not only is this song probably in my top three Queen songs with it's incredible keys and harmonies, it also references rocket ships on the way to Mars, tigers defeating the laws of gravity, racing cars, Lady Godiva and sex machines about to explode. Is there anything not to love here? You're going to have to explain to me if there is, because I think this song is A-MAY-ZING.

Number Four - Under Pressure

So you just need to know this song features Freddie Mercury AND David Bowie. Both of them. At once.


David. Bowie.


Freddie. Mercury.


What? Don't get it? Want me to say it again?


David. Bowie.


Freddie. Mercury.


Well, skip through to 2:43. Go on, do it. Now tell me you don't get the goose bumps at Freddie begging; "why can't we give love one more chance?" then hear the crescendo with David pleading; "this is our last dance, this is our selves..." Music isn't always this good. Not convinced? Well, that song you probably know the first couple of lines to (regardless of your age or gender) that song 'Ice Ice Baby'? You know it; "stop collaborate and listen". It sampled this song. So there. See? Best song ever (maybe).

Number Five - Fat Bottomed Girls

I may or may not have an impressive derriere. I may or may not make the rockin’ world go round.

Number Six - Somebody To Love

Because there's nothing more simple than this.


"Can anybody find me somebody to love?"


 Happy Birthday Freddie and thanks. You were, you still are, the best.

New Music Monday #67

24 Hours

by Barefoot Alley (out now)

Let’s face it, Toyota Corolla’s aren’t known for being edgy. Rarely do I find myself cruising around in my car feeling like a badass. That was until I discovered Barefoot Alley. Hayden and Sophie are a brother/sister duo hailing from Brisbane with influences that range from Black Sabbath to Led Zeppelin. Listening to their debut album 24 Hours I found myself accelerating a little bit faster and drumming along on the steering wheel.

Opening track ’24 Hours’ immediately passed the nod test. The song came about last thing during the duo’s 24 hour album recording at The White Room. Hayden sings “we’re burning through this day, we’ve only got so much time”. It’s really high energy, setting the tone for the album. I can’t help but sing along to the “24! 24! 24!” chant.

The energy continues through to ‘Wrong Guy’ and ‘Harlea’, the latter with more of a bluesy sound. Both songs with lyrics that scream broken heart, giving me the urge to drink whiskey. These are my favourite songs of the album.

‘By Her Side’ is a different but pleasantly surprising departure from the bands rock sound. This piano ballad proves that Hayden and Sophie are more than just a one trick pony.

‘Loose Cannon’ picks up the tempo and keeps me there during covers of The Black Keys ‘She’s Long Gone’ and Black Sabbath’s ‘Warning’.

‘Little River’ is the perfect song to the end the album. It’s a soulful track with beautiful vocals set to piano.

Overall Barefoot Alley have that real surfy stoner sound with hints of Fu Manchu, and Wolfmother minus the pretention. But they also proved they have diversity with their slower piano ballads.

If you see woman windmilling in a Toyota Corolla you know what she’s listening to.

Katie Langley gives '24 Hours' four Michael Hutchence heads out of five...

Falling Up The Stairs EP

By Lime Cordiale (6th September 2013)

We’re very lucky in Australia to have so many incredible indie acts popping up all over the country. This year, our new Aussie favourites have been responsible for leading the way in original and unique music. From Ngaiire to Snakadaktal, Emma Louise and beyond, Australian acts have been hitting awesome new music out of the metaphorical park I just made up. Stepping up to the plate (to continue the unnecessary baseball analogy) with the release of their new EP, Falling Up The Stairs, is Sydney indie-pop maestros, Lime Cordiale. We were big fans of the first single, ‘Bullshit Aside’, that set the five-piece apart with a brassy surf-pop sound, excellent sibling harmonies from Oli and Louis Leimbach and a fun singalong chorus (because everyone loves warranted swearing in pop music). As an introduction for the uninitiated, it works remarkably well in showing off the band’s ability to craft catchy tunes that make you want to dance.


Falling Up The Stairs is the embodiment of a ‘fun in the sun’ mentality. One listen of ‘Sleeping At Your Door’ and you’ll want to be at the beach, beverages in both hands… comical Hawaiian shirt on because you’re a big fat party animal. James Jennings provides the beat that’ll have you dancing on this delicious 60s inspired number. The music is definitely fun. There’s trombone in pop music and that’s always going to be fun. But the lyrics revolve around a pretty rough relationship breakdown which gives the music a layer of depth you’re not necessarily expecting. “I’m not going to wait, I’m not sleeping at your door, not going to wait, and just don’t fuck me around at all.” The title track, ‘Falling Up The Stairs’, is the EP’s quiet moment that lets Leimbach, Louis show off his trumpet skills, bringing with it a relaxed jazzy vibe. Don’t be put off by the word ‘jazzy’. The trumpet is worked into a bluesy pop-rock track. Don’t be put off by the word ‘bluesy’. The relaxed vibe continues into the final song, ‘Everything Else’, which lifts the mood by the time the chorus hits with another fine, catchy hook to close out Falling Up The Stairs.


I’ve yet to mention my personal favourite song of choice, ‘Famous’. It’s written from the perspective of a dude worried about his lady friend not looking at him the same when she gets famous. “You’ve got a role, on a hit TV show, old friends track you down, say I’m still around.” When I first heard that line I decided to try and figure out who the lucky actress in question was. She appears in a hit TV show in Australia. Through my powers of deduction I worked out that the Leimbach’s could have only written ‘Famous’ about Asher Keddie from Offspring, Noni Hazelhurst from A Place To Call Home or Rachael Leahcar from The Voice. The key was in the lyrics; “hit TV show.” We don’t have so many of them. And then I listened to the lyrics and got the real story about said dude worried about his lady friend getting famous and forgetting about his broke ass and that whole side theory was moot. But the song and the lyrics are great.  


Lime Cordiale have set out to create exciting and original music and for all intents and purposes, they’ve done one hell of a job with Falling Up The Stairs. It’s arrived just in time for our hotter seasons and is destined to become a staple for long drives, beach parties and, well, anywhere music is required to coincide with people having fun in a public or private place. The Leimbach brothers, Tim Fitz (guitar, keys), Brendan Champion (trombone, cooler last name than yours) and James Jennings (drums) are bringing the fun back into a pretty serious music landscape and they’re doing it well. Catch these guys live when you can.

Matt Bond gives 'Falling Up The Stairs' four Michael Hutchence heads out of five...

Berzerk

by Eminem

Album: Marshall Mathers LP 2 (5th November 2013)

It's been fourteen years since I first heard those infamous and incredibly catchy lines "Hi, my name is (what) my name is (who) my name is Slim Shady" and who would have thought then that in 2013 I'd be a) writing on a music blog now and b) writing about Eminem on said music blog. Wasn't he just that crazy joker guy with the hilarious lyrics and quirky clips and controversial opinions, read: excellent marketing? I loved him then and I loved the first Marshall Mathers LP, released thirteen years ago, but I loved it in kind of a mostly funny way and although I haven't been a huge fan of his work since then, I know he's a talented guy, but I don't think I would ever had expected to feel the way I do about this track, the first from Eminem's next album; Marshall Mathers LP 2, to be released in November. 

While I don't like to sound like everyone else, it can't be helped, this is old school hip hop. It's straight out of the late 80's and the early 90s, with the sample of heavy guitar riff  which is probably thanks to legendary producer Rick Rubin and the straight forward rap as well as the call and answer lyrics which are probably thanks to the other legendary producer, Dr Dre. What they've done is create a heavy, catchy, familiar sounding party song. It's a comparison that's been made a bazillion times already, but it's true, this is very Beastie Boys and well, let's just face it, that's not a bad thing, especially in my world. It's going to make a bazillion sales, ok, possibly an exaggeration, but it is going to do very well because it's accessible Eminem, it's typically a bit silly but it's awesome and regardless of what the rest of the album sounds like, this one's going to be one of my favourites for the year.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Berzerk' four Missy Elliot heads out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Mind Your Manners

by Pearl Jam

Album: Lightning Bolt (14th October 2013)

The latest clip from Pearl Jam starts with the words "Good manners can't be put on for special occasions only" which is interesting, because I could say a similar thing for music clips. Good clips should not be saved for special occasions only. If that was the case, then the clip for 'Mind Your Manners', Pearl Jam's long awaited first single release in four years, from their forthcoming album Lightning Bolt, would be amazing.


Come join me for a little history lesson in Pearl Jam. For a brief period of time in the mid-nineties, when Pearl Jam were at the height of their grunge era fame, they refused to make music clips. They took creative control and decided that they wanted listeners to hear their songs and have their own visual interpretations of them. It was a controversial move, as everyone knows what a massive selling tool music clips are. (It essentially resulted in music television channels making their own clips and playing them instead, thus doing...not much at all.) Whether Pearl Jam meant it to be or not is irrelevant, what it turned out to be was a very good marketing campaign, they were the band that were so into their music and so cool they didn't need clips. Fast forward a couple of years and they started making their own clips again, although I don't really remember any of them being that phenomenal.


Fast forward to now and let's add 'Mind Your Manners' to that same pile. Maybe it's another incredible marketing thing, make average clips so no one remembers them and create their own memories about the music. While I can see the cleverness of this clip, containing all sorts of imagery which is currently circling the internet before the release of their album, it's just kind of blah as a clip. I like the silhouetted band shots, but I want more of them and really, they're not enough to hold an entire clip together.


Having said all of that, let me say this. I love Pearl Jam. I absolutely adore them. Anyone who read our top 10 groups of the 90s post would know that. That doesn't mean I have to worship every single thing they do. It just means I have a healthy respect for all the things one of my favourite bands does and I give them a healthy amount of ratings heads for an average clip. I know the album will blow my mind, so let's just put this one aside and wait (patiently, counting the days) for that.

Jo Michelmore gives 'Mind Your Manners' three Jack White heads out of five...

Top 25 - 1 September, 2013

Gossling!

Songs of the Week, 01/09/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Lester The Fierce - Howl (NEW)





2. Janelle Monae ft. Miguel - Primetime





3. Gossling - Never Expire (NEW)





4. Thelma Plum - Breathe In, Breathe Out





5. Rainy Day Women - Ain't It Time?





6. Jordan Rakei - My Time (NEW)





7. Lady Gaga - Applause

8. Sam Buckingham - Follow You (NEW)





9. The Preatures - Manic Baby





10. Go Violets - Wanted (NEW)





11. The Jungle Giants - Skin To Bone

12. Angel Haze - Echelon (It's My Way) (NEW)





13. Phebe Starr - The Worst Part





14. Cub Scouts Sport - Paradise





15. The Hello Morning - Tie That Binds (NEW)





16. Archer and Light - Melbourne (I Used To Be Your All) (NEW)





17. All The Colours - Shame (NEW)





18. The Naked and Famous - A Stillness (NEW)

19. Eminem - Berzerk (NEW)





20. Haim - The Wire





21. Astrid and The Asteroids - Autopsy





22. Kira Puru + The Bruise ft. Post Paint - Crest Of The Wave (NEW)





23. Nine Inch Nails - Everything (NEW)

24. Bebe Black - I'll Wait (NEW)





25. Anna Calvi - Eliza