New Music Monday #37

Make Believe

by Sleepy Tea

EP: The Place Where We Lay (2013)

We saw Sleepy Tea supporting Emma Louise on Friday night at the Powerhouse and while I'm not completely sold (yet?) on their brand of indie dream pop - think Angus and Julia Stone vs Crystal Fighters - there's no denying the breezy charms of 'Make Believe.' I'm assuming the recorded version, much like the live performance, features the vocal talents of former Charlie Mayfair/current Emma Louise keys and backing singer Hannah Shepherd. It's always a pleasure to hear her haunting voice, even if it's a fairly brief cameo alongside Sleepy Tea's Tom. Not Turbo Tom... that's the guitarist. I think. I wouldn't be surprised if Triple J gets firmly behind 'Make Believe.' It's a song that's certain to resonate with a lot of people. Likeable lyrics, an engaging vocal performance and "sweet-ass electronics moments" (their words) make this one a winner. Potentially one of Australia's next big things on the music scene. 

Matt Bond gives 'Make Believe' three  Kylie's out of five...

Sun Blows Up Today

by Flaming Lips 

Wayne's decision to hang out with Ke$ha a fair bit lately seems to have rubbed off on his musack, for 'Sun Blows Up Today' would have to be the most poptacular Flaming Lips song to date. You know what though? That's not an insult in any way. 'Sun Blows Up Today' is all guitars and singalong lyrics, it's ridiculously catchy and it's a welcome return from the Flaming Lips. It's for a Super Bowl car advertisement or something, so it isn't an official track for their upcoming album, The Terror. If this is the direction they're taking though, I'm sold. Don't you want to get up and dance and shout and dance and be merry with The Flaming Lips? 

Matt Bond gives 'Sun Blows Up Today' four Kurt Cobain's out of five...

Downtown

by Lady Antebellum

Album: TBA (2013)

Aren't these the same guys and gal that did the modern, kinda cool country ballad 'Need You Now?' Where did that Lady Antebellum go? I'm going to be honest, it's been forever and a day since we've reviewed anything country (Taylor Swift is a relationship drama-based genre of her own now) and I saw Lady Antebellum had a new song out and I thought it could be kind of cool and progressive and all country music is the music of pain good, but I was wrong. So that's why we're talking about 'Downtown.' Just so you know.

Matt Bond gives 'Downtown' two Taylor Swift's out of five...    

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK:

Full of Fire

by The Knife

Album: Shaking The Habitual (5 April, 2013)

Oh... ok. Well, I LOVE the song. Yep.

Matt Bond gives the 'Full of Fire' video two Ke$ha's out of five...

Top 25 - 27 January, 2013

Flaming Lips!

Songs of the Week, 27/01/13 from itsmykindofscene on 8tracks Radio.

1. Flaming Lips - Sun Blows Up Today (NEW) 


 

2. Monarchy ft. Dita Von Teese - Disintegration
3. The Jungle Giants - You've Got Something
4. The Griswolds - The Courtship of Summer Preasley (NEW)

5. Santigold - Girls (NEW)
6. San Cisco - Beach
7. The Strokes - One Way Trigger (NEW)
8. Cold War Kids - Miracle Mile
9. Wolf Alice - Fluffy
10. Birds of Tokyo - Lanterns

11. Phebe Starr - Jurrasica (NEW)
12. Foals - My Number




13. Hungry Kids of Hungary - Twin Cities (NEW)
14. Battleships - Coming Back To You (NEW)

15. Clubfeet - Everything You Wanted (NEW)
16. London Grammar - Hey Now
17. Chloe Howl - No Strings
18. STRFKR - Atlantis (NEW)
19. MS MR - Fantasy (NEW)
20. Royksopp ft. Susanne Sundfor - Running To The Sea

21. Arlissa - Sticks and Stones (NEW)




22. Rainy Day Women - Friends
23. Viceroy ft. Chela - Dream of Bombay (NEW)
24. Ra Ra Riot - When I Dream (NEW)
25. Tegan and Sara - Shock To Your System

It's All Coming Back To Me Now - It's My Party, I'll Invite Who I Want To

Courtney Love...the life of the party?

My Hottest 100 Party Is Hotter Than Your Hottest 100 Party

by Jo Michelmore

What are you doing on Saturday? No, it’s not an invitation, I’ve got plans. I was just wondering. Chances are, if you’re Australian, or you’ve lived in Australia, or you know someone Australian or maybe you just know where Australia is and you’ve found yourself on our blog, then you would have heard of the JJJ Hottest 100. (No? Who are you? Welcome, but who are you?) The JJJ Hottest 100 is an interesting countdown, sometimes controversial, sometimes dull, sometimes awesome, sometimes thought provoking (but generally not) and its counted every year as it has been  since 1993.

This means there’s been all sorts of songs involved, 1900 of them to be specific and that’s not even counting the ‘all time’ countdowns. See my maths there? Hot. Anyway, I figure, a lot of people are going to have the traditional hottest 100 party, and with any party, you have to be careful who you invite. No one wants any weird guests hanging around in dark corners and no one wants Mr Boring to show up. You want people who will drag everyone onto the make shift dance floor, or you want someone completely crackers, so you can talk about that amazing party years from now.  If the hottest 100 countdown was a party, which songs would you invite and which ones would you close the door on if they knocked? Let’s see….

Not Invited

Denis Leary - Asshole
 Number 1, 1992

The source of all truth and information, Wikipedia, says this about Dennis Leary’s song;

“The word "asshole" is said at least 28 times….the word "fuck" is said four times and also "piss" is used three times. "Goddamn" is also uttered.”

Um, no one wants assholes at their party. Denis, you’re not invited.

Invited
Radiohead - Creep
Number 2, 1992

Even though in combination with Denis Leary’s Asshole, it seems 1992 had a lot of self esteem issues, this song definitely would get an invite, because everyone loves to sing along “but I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo, what the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here” and really, everyone is a bit of a creep every now and then, aren’t they? Every good party needs a good creep.

Not Invited

The Offspring- Pretty Fly For A White Guy
Number 1, 1998

This is the year I stopped thinking the Hottest 100 was a real actual voted countdown. This is the year I decided it had to have been industry pushed and bought and rigged, because I couldn’t accept that the JJJ voting public would possibly vote this song as number one. Oh, how naive I was. Yes, sometimes, people like really crap music and anyone who likes really crap music would not be invited to my party. Offspring? No, you’re not welcome at my party.

Invited

Hole - Celebrity Skin
Number 4, 1998

 

Now this song, this song would be the absolute life of my party. Who wouldn’t invite Courtney and Co. to scream “heeeeeeeey, glad that you could make it” in their lounge room? After they were done screaming that they’d start screaming obscenities at all your guests and the party would become one of those stories told years from now; “Remember that party Courtney went crackers in the backyard?” Yep, this song would be would definitely be invited.

Not Invited

Alex Lloyd - Amazing
Number 1, 2001

The funniest part about this song is that it just wasn’t amazing. It was average. Incredibly average. In fact, I challenge you to remember the last time you played it. You haven’t have you? Not since 2001. Amazing, you’d be that weirdo sitting in the corner, drinking on your own and stealing everyone’s chips. EVERYONE'S chips. You'd probably double dip too. Alex Lloyd, you are not invited.

Invited

Basement Jaxx - Where’s your Head At?
Number 4, 2001

Basement Jaxx, I really have no idea where you’ve been or what else you did, so you’d be invited to my party, as that crazy guest; no one really knows where you came from or who invited you and even though you’re stealing everyone else’s drinks, you’re so damn funny and you dance so well everyone likes you anyway.

Not Invited, Ever

Kings Of Leon- Sex On Fire
Number 1, 2008

and

Kings Of Leon- Use Somebody
Number 3, 2008

 

Kings Of Leon, no matter how many times you appear in the top 10, you will never be invited to my party. You would be the most boring party guest to have ever been invited, excluding Coldplay. You are responsible for possibly the tackiest and worst rhyme in all modern music; “and you, your sex is on fire, consumed with what's to transpire” which is completely unforgivable. No invite for you.

Invited, Twice

The Presets - Talk Like That
Number 6, 2008

and

The Presets - This Boy’s In Love
Number 8, 2008

 

I’d invite either of these songs to my party. They’re so darn catchy, everyone would love them.  They wouldn’t even have to bring anything, just themselves. Any party, any time, The Presets are more than welcome. Yep.



Wherever you are in the world, if you're having a hottest 100 party, I hope only your favourite songs attend. Mine? I'll be happy if 360 and Lana Del Rey don't come, but I just know they're going to try and gatecrash. 

10 and 1 - Australian Albums You Should Hear Before You Die

Murder Ballads. Odyssey Number Five. Frogstomp. Kick. Back In Black. Whispering Jack. Fever. Apocalypso. Eternal Nightcap. Hourly, Daily. The Sound of White. Unit. Walking On A Dream. East. Down The Way. Savage Garden. Barricades and Brickwalls. Gossip. Since I Left You. Innerspeaker.


When you're talking about the greatest Australian albums of all time, you're guaranteed to bring up some of the celebrated titles above. INXS and Kylie's true US breakthroughs, Silverchair's riotous debut, Nick Cave's tales of love and death. They are truly defining works in Australia's music history and albums that you really should make an effort to hear, as the book I've started re-reading suggests, before you die. Don't stress out too much if you miss out on Hourly, Daily. You'll find a way to get over it in heaven. Or... you'll go to hell and they'll be playing it over and over and over and over again. And again and again and again. Yikes.


Like most 'greatest of all time' lists, you're always going to find a lot of the same albums discussed. With good reason too, they're generally amazing. What this means is that some other incredible pieces of work find themselves without the recognition they deserve, so today, I'll be presenting to you ten album I recommend you give a try before you cark it that only occasionally pop up nowadays (even though the majority are quite new). In 'Straya, cark it mean you dead. There were no typos in that last sentence. Read it as written please and thank you. As is the 10 and 1 rule, I'll leave you with one Aussie album you don't need to listen to in this life or the next or eternal whatever fairytale you believe. Here's some great Aussie music. Enjoy!

THE 10:

From Here To Anywhere

by Sneaky Sound System (2011)

 

"I won't forget the time, when you told me, we could be something, the memory is mine." From the anthemic 'Big' to the hopelessness of 'I Need You So,' the playful 'We Love' and desperate 'Really Want To See You Again;' Sneaky Sound System's latest album, From Here To Anywhere, goes a long way in supporting the theory that Australia is home to the greatest electronic-pop in the world. 

Howling Bells

by Howling Bells (2006)

It's easy to feel that the Howling Bells are underappreciated when you see an act of their caliber performing in Brisbane's Alhambra Lounge. No disrespect to Alhambra, it's a good venue for emerging acts. It teaches them to deal with an unpredictable crowd; half are music fans that came to see the show, half are drunk wankers that have stumbled in off the street thinking it's The Family. For an established act like the Howling Bells that have three critically acclaimed albums to their name? They should at least be at The Zoo, competing with that jerk of a drummer that's busking on the other side of the street. I love you Brisbane and I love the Howling Bells. Let 'Low Happening' take you over before 'A Ballad For The Bleeding Hearts' sends shivers right through your body. 

Farewell Youth

by Matt Walters (2011)

The one-two punch of 'St. Peter's Gate' and 'I Would Die For You' alone makes Farewell Youth an unforgettable listening experience, but there's a lot more to love. Walters has a wonderful way with words that you'll find yourself falling for. The album may close with the cute (and probably pretty gross if you think about it too much) track 'The First Time,' but it'll stay with you for a long time after.

New Music Monday #36

Nuclear

by Destiny's Child

Album: Love Songs (2013)

Well this is... nice. And I suppose it's nice of me to say that this is nice. It's all just very nice and unexpected and slow-jam-y and they're singing lyrics about quantum physics and it's all just so nice. Which is really just me saying 'Nuclear' isn't good or bad. It's just nice. Unfortunately, when you're one of the most celebrated groups in the history of music, nice just doesn't cut it. Instead of the explosive comeback single to accompany a cash-grab compilation album that sends fans into a frenzy, demanding a full-blown reunion, we get this. Perhaps this is Beyonce's end game... the final nail in the Destiny's Child coffin. There's nothing wrong with that either. Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle have each found success individually (yes, even the underrated Michelle Williams... we break the dawn indeed, Michelle), moving further away from the Destiny's Child sound we all knew and loved. If nice is all they can offer as a unit, they're better off apart.

Matt Bond gives Nuclear two Lil' Kim's out of five...

Disintegration

by Monarchy ft. Dita Von Teese 

Album: TBA (2013) 

Monarchy are prepping their sophomore album and this is a very interesting way to re-introduce us to their sound. The Australian, London-based duo have teamed up with the first lady of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese for 'Disintegration'; the year's sexiest electronic track so far. "You and me, hold our breath and count to three," Von Teese purrs as the song begins alongside Andrew Armstrong's almost sinister beats. With one line I was sold. Ra Black's "save my love for you/saving my love for you" chorus is ready made for dance floors the world over. Hopefully this is the start of a huge year for Monarchy. 'Disintegration' shows they're off to an excellent start. 

Matt Bond gives Disintegration four Lady Gaga's out of five...  

 

Girls

by Santigold

Album: GIRLS - Volume 1: Music From The HBO Original Series (2013)

Any day you hear new Santigold is guaranteed to be a good day. Moving away from the sound of 2012's Master of My Make-Believe, 'Girls' sees Santi testing the rap waters for a TV show I've only seen one episode of... but I'd like to see more? Maybe. Everyone seems to love Girls. Admittedly this track doesn't come close to matching the brilliance of 'Disparate Youth' or 'Big Mouth,' but like I said, any day you hear new Santigold is a good day. 'Girls' isn't going to set the world on fire, but it will bring her some more deserved attention and the video is a winner. 

Matt Bond gives Girls three Eminem's out of five...

Suit and Tie

by Justin Timberlake

Album: The 20/20 Experience (2013)

 

If you're an artist like Justin Timberlake, you're going to want to publicise the fact you have a new single out, especially when it's seven years since your last release. However, if you're going to play the hype game, you're going to have to make sure the song is worth the hype. With the release of Suit and Tie, Justin gives us a retro inspired jam which starts slowly, heats up to mid-tempo, invites Jay-Z in about half way through and leaves you feeling satisfied but not amazed five and half minutes later. It's no 'Sexy Back', it's no 'My Love', it's not even a 'Cry Me A River' but it's solid and let's face it, it's Justin Timberlake. Is it worth the hype? As a song, I don't really think so, but I'll probably know all the words in a week's time, it's going to sell a lot anyway and it's going to be played over and over so you better get used to it, you're going to hear a lot of it.

  

Jo Michelmore gives Suit and Tie three Britney Spears' out of five...

NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK:

Lanterns

by Birds of Tokyo  

Album: March Fires (1 March, 2013)

I love when an Australian act releases a video that's had a bit of thought put into the cinematography of it all and 'Lanterns' is certainly a beautiful looking video. Birds of Tokyo are getting themselves on a bit of a roll with their videos. 'This Fire' was great and the clip for the empowering anthem that is 'Lanterns' might just be better. Did the opening shot remind anyone else of The Dark Knight? No. Just me. Great. 

Matt Bond gives the Lanterns video four Michael Hutchence's out of five...

Text Review - Big Day Out 2013

BIG DAY OUT

Reviewed through the wonders of text messaging...

Jo's first text review of the year takes on Australia's biggest touring festival; the Big Day Out! Jo battled the heat and many a bogan at the Gold Coast on a day that saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Yeah Yeah Yeah and The Killers take the stage. Fights between friends, blues guitarists with unusual names and some of the biggest rock stars in the world; read all about the highs and lows of this year's Big Day Out... in text form. 

Jan 20, 2013: 12:12pm

Jo: Midday. Sunny. 30 degrees. I've just realised I have two different shoes on. Today is going to be interesting then. Are you ready for the barrage of text messages you're going to receive today? Let the BDO 2013 text review begin!

Jan 20, 2013: 3:48pm

Jo: So, Against Me: teenage punk being played by those well past teenage years. I don't get it. Grinspoon: you are not a fine wine. You do not get better with age. But then, some people like beer, so you keep getting BDO spots. Oh well. Gary Clark Jnr:  damn, you play guitar really, really, really, really, really well. Blues rules. 

Jan 20, 2013: 4:28pm

Jo: Meanwhile, things I hate about BDO: those who peak too early. Things I love about BDO: those who peak too early.

Matt: I imagine there are some captivating bogans roaming around screaming, "we want chili willy"

Jo: There are any captivating bogans, but I'm yet to hear the phrase "chili willy". I have seen one though, urinating on a fence, although I imagine it wasn't very chilly. This did not impress me.

Matt: That's hot.

Jo: It is hot. Literally. You creep.

Jo: Band of Horses: rock music in the sun at 4 in the afternoon shouldn't work, but it does. Bob Log III: the guy plays blues guitar really well, while wearing a space helmet. I don't know why. This confused me. He played a song with the lyrics "riverside motherfuckers" (?) for all the dickheads. This amused me. 

Matt: Bob. Log. III. Huh? What? Right. On.

Jo: You don't know Bob Log? Me neither. Meanwhile, I missed the memo about attire. There is a large amount of ass underhang in attendance. Damn, my shorts cover my ass. I'm so uncool.

Matt: You're on the gold coast. Just borrow someone's concealed knife and cut 'em up nice and short and BAM... Part of the in crowd. 

Jan 20, 2013: 6:57pm

Jo: Alabama Shakes: and there they are, those familiar fabulous goosebumps. Awesome. Just awesome. Lovelovelove. Yeah Yeah Yeahs: and here's where the magic of the music festival happens, when you least expect it. The 2 girls beside me, beverages in hand, screaming at each other; "you don't understand" "jess, you're my fucking best friend but you treat me like i'm the anti-christ" (crying begins) "but I love you" "I've been telling you all afternoon, I know you love him, I know it, I see it". The YYY were quite good too.

Matt: You treat me like I'm the anti-Christ... I'm going to use that one. What did the new YYY's songs sound like?

Jo: If I could have heard over the fighting, I'd let you know. Karen looked amazing, I can tell you that.

Karen O: She does look pretty amazing.

Jan 20, 2013: 8:16pm

Jo: B.O.B: Equalizes the carb/fat intake as I dance while eating a cup of chips. Gooooood. Crystal Castles: I'm possibly the only person in this tent not on tha pingers. This equals hilarious. Hi-lar-ious. 360: so you found the Skrillex button. Whatever. I do not understand how a bogan bdo attendee got a gig so high on the lineup. The Killers: sometimes I can't remember whether I like you or not, then I hear a couple of songs and go, "oh yeah, y'alright, ay".

Matt: There was way too much bogan speak in that text. You're been infected. Ps B.O.B? Really? Why?

Jan 20, 2013: 8:50pm

Jo: B.O.B? I don't have to justify myself to you.

Matt: YOU'RE MY FUCKING BEST FRIEND BUT YOU TREAT ME LIKE THE ANTICHRIST!!

Matt: ...yeah I'm going to use that all the time.

Jo: Fuck, you're good. Bam! LOL. Literally. 

Jan 20, 2013: 9:53pm

Jo: RHCP: a band of this history deserves better sound than this. Beside that, when they hit the mark, they hit it good. The singalongs are phenomenal. They still got it, for now, its just a shame their fans are so bland. That Flea is still one crazy mf though. Sleigh Bells: yes, it's true, this is the band where one loses ones shit. So, so, so good. Shit. Lost. 

Jo: ...and so, that's the BDO. It's a strange music festival, often annoying, always hot, generally painful. The important part is often forgotten. Why do I keep coming? For the important part; the music.

Matt: Is it over? It's not even 10pm!