The Music Fix Blog September 2009
| TMF September Playlist Posted by Douglas Baptie on 30-09-2009 20:09 | 0 comment(s) | |
| In terms of volume, September 2009 has been The Music Fix's busiest. We've reviewed over 60 new albums this month, including some highly-rated releases by the likes of Liam Frost, Alberta Cross and Invasion. We weren't so impressed by the latest missives from Muse or Bananarama so instead direct you to worthy entries from The Cribs, Florence Rawlings and HEALTH - all of which you can check out
here If that isn't enough to keep you from fiddling with the cat, here's what's been piqueing our interest over the last 30 days or so: Cosmo Jarvis: Jessica Alba's Number - One of a multitude of highlights from the forthcoming debut double album from this prodigous talent who will have you laughing in seconds and then kick you right in the nuts. Kinda like the Streets but good - this boy is the real deal. (SB) Owen Tromans: Coast - Not the theme tune to the neverending BBC show but a standout track on his latest album Fall of Acre. This track brings to mind images of Robert Pollard fronting the Clash which just can't be a bad thing. (SB) The Beatles: Bad Boy - I remember hearing this on the Rock n Roll album back when I was probably 7 or 8 years old and it sounded like it should have come hidden in a brown paper bag; Lennon's slurred snarl awakening something primal inside of me. It still sounds as vital and essential today as it ever did. In mono, obviously. (SB) Darren Hayman: Amy & Rachel - Taken from Pram Town, genuinely lovely bloke Darren tells the story of his favourite band to come out of Harlow. It's an uplifting and charming tale of friendship, R&B and death metal. A quintessentially English song that takes a simple subject and inflates it with heart and soul like a modern day Ray Davies. (AM) Mumford & Sons: Little Lion Man - Dizzy adrenaline filled bliss, with a ferocious drive and a rollercoaster tempo that climbs and climbs until three and-a-half minutes where it plummets into goosebumpiny-great territory. Like the Jim’ll Fix It scouts you’ll brush the milkshake out of your hair, put the needle back on the record and strap yourself in for just one more go. (AM) The Duloks: Not My Scissors / Not My Sock - 1:25 of Castlevania keyboards and crazy chronicles from those zany young ladies. When I had the chance to interview the girls earlier this months I got Mira to explain what it was all about, go and see their amazing live show and maybe they’ll unveil it’s inner secrets to you as well. (AM) Jamie T: Kings and Queens - Album of the year? Might be. With a heart as big as London town, there's something Jimmy Pursey about Jamie's latest adventures among the capital's waifs and strays. Ever the optimist, he has an Oyster card that gets you to places not listed on the Tube map of life. (DB) The Streets: Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix) - In truth, Nero don't do much more than draw out the hook from The Streets' 2004 track, yet it sounds so damn right and club-friendly you wonder why no-one thought of it sooner. (JD) The Flaming Lips: U.F.O.s At The Zoo DVD - If you have tickets to see the Lips live this autumn, you'll want to get your hands on this DVD documenting the major gig played in Oklahoma City around the time of At War With The Mystics. It'll not so much whet your appetite as have you dribbling on the floor. (JD) Rob Da Bank: Saturdays 5 - 7am (from Sept 26th), BBC Radio 1 - Rob Da Bank is back in his old Blue Room slot, so let's hope he brings back some of the old Blue Room vibe. If so, you can expect everything from dub to folk to ambient electronica, perfect to wake up to or chill-out to (if you're just home from a hard night's clubbing). You can repeat any show over the next week via BBC iPlayer. (JD) Brendan Benson: Don't Wanna Talk - The out-and-out power pop moment on Raconteur Brendan's latest solo effort, a grower of an album produced by Gil Norton. (LM) Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys: New York - The highlight from Big Jay's new record, with astute rhymes built around a euphoric chorus provided by the soulful Keys. So much better than the single. (LM) InMe: Herald Moth - Essex brings the noise with the release of InMe's fourth album, a collection of rockers powered as much by riffs as by Dave McPherson's unique voice. (LM) Imogen Heap: Ellipse - There may not be anything as startling as Hide and Seek here but this is definitely a progression from 2005's Speak for Yourself, blending atmospheric electronics with curious lyrics and Heap's distinctive voice. A belter. (LM) | |
| Moo-ve over Lily ... Posted by Douglas Baptie on 27-09-2009 18:57 | 0 comment(s) | |
| We've not felt moved to comment upon the whole filesharing thing. Most us are old and crusty enough to still have shelves full of shellac and jukeboxes in the garage, but we were tickled by Dan Bull's online response to Lily Allen's MySpace postings. Seems like he has most of it covered: buy the records, go to the gigs but most of all, love music.
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| The Dodos: Watch their 'Fables' Vid here Posted by Steven Burnett on 25-09-2009 15:16 | 0 comment(s) | |
The band returns to the UK soon to promote their recent album with a one off London show at the Scala on the 15th November. www.myspace.com/thedodos | |
| AC/DC....Something is stirring down under Posted by Steven Burnett on 25-09-2009 10:28 | 0 comment(s) | |
Tune into ACDCBackTracks.com on 29th September for an exciting announcement from AC/DC. Set your calendars and bookmarks now, because you won’t want to miss this! www.acdcbacktracks.com | |
| More Hey Negrita goodies... Posted by Colin Polonowski on 24-09-2009 15:48 | 0 comment(s) | |
| If you've been following Felix' blogs on the site, you'll be aware that the band's new album - an acoustic set recorded in one mammoth five hour session - is due out on 5th October. We have a treat for you today - the video below captures that actual recording session of the album's title track 'Burn The Whole Place Down'.
Check back tomorrow for Felix third EXCLUSIVE TMF blog and keep an eye on the site for our full review of the album very soon... | |
| Video Picks - Chipmunk and The Veronicas Posted by Colin Polonowski on 23-09-2009 20:16 | 0 comment(s) | |
| We've had a flood of music videos hit our inbox. Here's our pick for today...
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| Elliot Minor: Abbey Road Session Posted by Steven Burnett on 22-09-2009 18:53 | 0 comment(s) | |
ELLIOT MINOR played an incredible acoustic session at the legendary Abbey Road studios earlier this year. Check out footage of them playing a 25 minute live set here – | |
| Fake Problems: The Making of Diamond Rings Posted by Steven Burnett on 22-09-2009 18:40 | 0 comment(s) | |
Catch them on tour with Frank Turner: Oct 15 UK Glasgow QMU Oct 16 UK Manchester Academy 2 Oct 17 UK Newcastle University Oct 18 UK Nottingham Rock City Oct 19 UK Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Oct 20 UK Oxford Academy Oct 22 UK Leeds Met University Oct 23 UK Cambridge Junction Oct 24 UK Plymouth University Oct 25 UK Exeter Lemon Grove Oct 26 UK Bristol Anson Rooms Oct 27 UK Cardiff University Oct 28 UK Winchester Guildhall Oct 29 UK London Shepherd’s Bush Empire | |
| Watch Cheryl Cole's first solo video! Posted by Colin Polonowski on 22-09-2009 13:06 | 0 comment(s) | |
| Cheryl Cole is launching a solo career and we have her first solo video...
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| Fake Problems meet Jello Biafra Posted by Steven Burnett on 16-09-2009 19:01 | 0 comment(s) | |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2i2kpJfpqs HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS OF EUROPEAN TOURING PT 2 (featuring Jello Biafra) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbJxFPTsMU | |
| Elliot Minor finally complete their new album Posted by Steven Burnett on 16-09-2009 18:36 | 0 comment(s) | |
| See how things went for them over in California
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| Peter Parker - Swallow The Rockets Posted by Jon Kane on 11-09-2009 20:23 | 1 comment(s) | |
| Another day at the office then, okay lets go, pedal to the metal and a short while later I reach my destination.
"Alright chief, how you doing? Good night last night?" Complete silence and not a reply in the offing, I venture onwards. Going inside, the place still stinks as always like someone's bad breath. I'm used to it, this is my gig and how I earn my dubloons. I pay particular attention to avoid the sticky dance floor which is soaking in last night's endeavours. No cleaners in here, was a stipulation of the job advert, applicant must be used to the odd stench or two and not mind a living, changeable and thriving workplace. Met the boss at the interview, he didn't talk much, but he gave me a wink and seeing as no other person turned up I assumed that I got the job. Fantastic. Turned down everywhere else, I was going to do my level best for the chief. Now I'd done all the advertising and marketing; music nights that you'll never experience again in your life. I knew my remit, it was to make sure it was an unforgettable lasting one for everyone who attended. I went about my piece, listened to more music than is healthy and that was that, time to be a shit hot dj. Deep inside, it's quite an impressive place, you learn to live with the foibles of the floor sometimes moving of its own accord. Frightened the life out of me first time it happened when I was getting used to the surroundings but then this isn't no ordinary workplace. And so the time came, people lining up outside, they filtered in one by one, marvelling that there just wasn't any nightspot quite like it. "It's so lifelike", "It stinks in here" and such were the comments from the people out to party. Not to disappoint, I set about my place, got my stuff rigged up and started with a couple of bangers that got the people rocking. Then I pulled out my secret gem, 'Swallow The Rockets' by Glaswegian guitar poppers Peter Parker. They won't know what hit them after I drop this bomb on the dance floor. Prepped and ready, first ever play, I drop the bomb and the crowd love it and no wonder, from the addictive punky guitar pop, punchy rhythm section and shouty vocals the crowd can't get enough and there's the signal. The crowd in a thronging cohesive whole, hands in the air as one, it's time. With a slight tremble at what I'm about to do I think "this is what I'm paid to do, the boss needs his feed". I press the button and within a second, everyone has vanished. They have not gone on to better things. I tidy up, gather my belongings and make my way. Avoiding the sharpness of the tooth at the exit I take down all the accoutrements outside and reveal the boss. "Alright chief?" Yet again, no answer. "Same time tomorrow night?" And, as I finish, this great hulk of a beast, spouts a geyser of hot red liquid. "Peter!" "Yes chief?" "Quit daydreaming and get that review ready!" "Okay chief" | |
| Revolver vs Revolver Posted by Adrian Mules on 11-09-2009 13:46 | 0 comment(s) | |
| When it was decided we should tackle The Beatles re-issues as a team I was all for it. “Go team!” said I. The group hug was intense, yet manly. Team spirit was high. That was until the box of discs arrived and my individual desire to get to Revolver before the others saw team ethics (and maybe the odd body) swiftly out the window. Despite a few black eyes and broken ribs there are few hard feelings.
For me Revolver is the pinnacle of The Beatles' career. With the exception of 'Yellow Submarine' (sorry Ringo fans), it’s their finest body of work. Sandwiched between Rubber Soul (great songs, less studio trickery) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (great studio trickery, less great songs) Revolver has the perfect blend of solid song writing with studio trickery. Having lived quite happily with the existing CD version for many years I was intrigued to see what the re-mastered version brought to the table. And if you want to stop reading now, it isn’t really that much. One of my biggest fears in getting one album from the boxset was that the difference would be like night and day and I’d be out buying the rest upon hearing the opening guitar stabs of ‘Taxman’. That isn’t the case. The changes are there, but they are subtle: the bass is fuller, the vocals are cleaner and the guitars are punchier. But I’d be lying if I said there was ever more than a 10% improvement. Considering the quality of the source materials you’ll have to ask yourself if that 10% is worth the investment. For some people it will be: if you listen to little else other than The Beatles you’ve probably bought the boxset already. The white coat went on and a workout under varying conditions was undertaken. On average quality headphones with no ambient noise there is a very subtle difference. In the car it’s impossible to tell which is which and it's only through a top end stereo with no background noise the changes become more pronounced. The album is more alive under perfect conditions, but I am listening to lossless copies on random in the background as I type this and have to check the screen to tell which version is playing. I’m only spotting changes if I listen hard and that’s not how I enjoy music. I’m often leaping about singing along rather than sticking egg-boxes to the walls and plugging in the oscilloscope. It has been a pleasure to live with this album in such an intensive manner - a pop master-class and a landmark in recording techniques. Maybe the quality of the original recordings make it hard to improve upon? Some of my colleagues at TMF are looking at other aspects and albums in the box-sets and I’m intrigued to see where in the catalogue the major differences are. So, in summary, if you don’t own Revolver (WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU!!) now is the time to buy. If you do, I personally wouldn’t be rushing out to buy this re-master, but I would just put it on again today to reacquaint yourself with an old friend. | |
| Natalie Imbruglia - Want Posted by Colin Polonowski on 11-09-2009 09:15 | 0 comment(s) | |
| Here's Natalie Imbruglia's latest video for your viewing enjoyment...
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| The Blizzards - Trust Me I'm A Doctor video Posted by Colin Polonowski on 10-09-2009 10:12 | 0 comment(s) | |
We have the video for The Blizzards second UK single, Trust Me I'm A Doctor, which is due for release on 28th September... Enjoy!
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| Bird Talk Make Their First Video Posted by Jon Kane on 08-09-2009 19:59 | 0 comment(s) | |
| Chicago based Bird Talk have made their first video 'Crown and Coke (Do It! Do It!)'. With Karen O style yelps it's an energetic and danceable garage pop affair reminiscent of flower punks Black Lips.
Currently unsigned, the track is taken from the album 'No Bird Left Behind' available now from http://birdtalk.bandcamp.com | |
| Nerina Pallot - Real Late Starter Video Posted by Colin Polonowski on 08-09-2009 10:37 | 0 comment(s) | |
| We have the new video from Nerina Pallot. Real Late Starter is the first single from her new album, The Graduate, which is due for release on 5th October.
Nerina Pallot has just relaunched her website in preparation for the new album's release and it includes the first seven video blogs featuring acoustic versions of tracks from the album. www.nerinapallot.com | |
| Puff The Little Dragon Posted by Jon Kane on 06-09-2009 18:56 | 0 comment(s) | |
| All the vay from Sveeden! We will not get into the back of the van.
Sorry, I'll start again, Swedish collective Little Dragon have released their sophomore album 'Machine Dreams' in the past week. Theirs, a sound that encompasses avant-garde 80's pop to eerie electronica mixed with quirky indie soul. No official videos yet but here's a couple of unofficial offerings showcasing tracks from 'Machine Dreams', one from the band for 'Looking Glass' and the other a quite well done amateur video for 'Blinking Pigs'. | |
| Blank Dogs Sets Fire To His House Posted by Jon Kane on 04-09-2009 18:24 | 0 comment(s) | |
| Blank Dogs is the one man bedroom new-wave project of Brooklyn based Mr Blank Dog. Not much is known about him other than he produces innovative lynchian and Spanish horror inspired videos backed by his own haunting synth-electro sounds matched with Joy Division vocals. The album 'Under and Under' is out now.
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| Gaslight Anthem: Reading Festival Footage Posted by Steven Burnett on 03-09-2009 17:22 | 0 comment(s) | |
New Jersey heroes The Gaslight Anthem release their new single (taken from their critically acclaimed album ‘The '59 Sound’), ‘The Backseat’ on September 21st, via digital download. This year has been a monumental one for The Gaslight Anthem, during which they toured the world performing their dynamic brand of soul-infused rock, culminating in being joined by “The Boss” on stage at both Glastonbury and Hard Rock Calling. The band has graced the cover of Kerrang! and Rock Sound, had major features in Q Magazine and The Guardian as well as performing special sessions on Radio 1 and XFM, and on David Letterman and Conan O’Brien. The Gaslight Anthem also picked up the award for ‘Best International Newcomer’ at the Kerrang! awards. The Gaslight Anthem will head back into the studio towards the end of this year to start recording the follow up to ‘The ’59 Sound’. Stay tuned to the Music Fix for much more news soon…. | |
| Mariachi El Bronx Cell Mates revealed Posted by Steven Burnett on 03-09-2009 17:07 | 0 comment(s) | |
According to Matt from the band... “Mariachi el Bronx was probably conceived in August of 2006 in Los Angeles' infamous "Downtown Rehearsals." It all started as a way to flip the electric goes acoustic performance garbage, because that’s never good. We were invited to play live on television but decided that a cheesy acoustic version of our song was not what we wanted to do. “ “The Original El Bronx line up had Zander Schloss (Wierdos, Circle Jerks) on guitarron and Keith Douglas (Mad Caddies) playing trumpet. The project triggered something inside all of us that was unexpected. It’s almost impossible to explain but it felt like discovering a second soul within you. We instantly started writing new songs. The body of this record was written all over the world. As the Bronx played, El Bronx wrote. “ “Inspired by the jungles and beaches of New Zealand, Sleepwalking was one of the first songs written, along with My Brother The Gun. The music for Quinceniera was written under the German summer sun. And so on, and so on. “ “Once we were home the territorial pissing of punk once again worked their way into our lives as we completed writing for what was to become Bronx III and Mariachi el Bronx. We had more than enough songs for a record, now it was time to cement the sound. “ “Vincent Hidalgo, son of David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Latin Playboys – and performed accordion on the album) joined El Bronx in late 2007. He really helped bring everything together. We poured our heart and soul into every song, musically and lyrically. Jon Avila (Oingo Boingo) was picked out of a prison line up to produce the record. He really helped us put the finishing touches on the record. “ “What had started as an act of rebellion had become something bigger than the sum of its parts. Alfredo Ortiz (Beastie Boys / Money Mark) plays percussion and an unnamed string quartet did us a "solid" but wouldn’t give us their names due to contractual obligations to the television show "American Idol". “ “Mariachi el Bronx touches on many facets of mariachi music, the most well know being Norteno as well as jorocho, wasteka, bolero and corridos. It may seem strange for a band that’s blasts the audience into outer space every night to take this direction, but mariachi is every bit as much of a soundtrack to southern California as punk. So they actually work seamlessly. “ “We very much enjoyed making this album, and we hope that you receive the same enjoyment out of listening.” | |
| The Drums Hit The Surf Posted by Jon Kane on 03-09-2009 00:16 | 0 comment(s) | |
| 'Lets Go Surfing', the first surf pop anthem of the summer? There has to be one and it comes from The Drums, aiming to become NYC's finest.
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