Here are some recently released or upcoming releases that I'm interested in.
Recent Release:
Sonic Boom Six - Sonic Boom Six
The long awaited new self-titled album from the premier genre terrorists. It took them a while to release because they were looking for a new label that would put it out. After self-releasing all their previous work on their own imprint Rebel Alliance records, they're signed a deal with the indy label Xtra Mile Recordings. They should be comfortable here along with he likes of Frank Turner and Against Me. I don't want to say too much about the actual music because I'll be reviewing it in another post, but first two singles off it are bangers!
Check It Out
NOFX - Self-Entitled
This is the twelfth studio album for these veterans of punk. NOFX have to be one of the most consistently good band ever. I can't think of any other bands that have not only kept producing good records for over two decades but have kept fresh and relevant. They may not be the riskiest of bands but they never sound tired and they have done many interesting projects to keep things interesting. This one should be another solid punk-rock romp.
Check It Out
Title Fight - Floral Green
This is the second album from this American melodic hardcore band. Released through Side One Dummy, (Big D, Anti-Flag, Goldfinger), it marks their debut on the Billboard 200, peaking at #69 (snigger!). Good showing for this genre which generally doesn't get enough attention.
Check It Out
Macklemore - The Heist
Debuting at #2 on the Billboard Hot 200, this is only the second independently released album to chart that high. I can't get enough of this guy, this is going to be an awesome album. Plus, it comes in real alligator skin packaging!
Check It Out
DJ Fresh - Nextlevelism
The first two singles off this album have made DJ Fresh somewhat of a pioneer in dance music. He holds the record for having both the first ever Dubstep song (Louder) and Drum and Bass song (Hot Right Now) to go UK No. 1. This includes a few more tasty track with a list of quality collaborators including Dizzee Rascal and Rizzle Kicks.
Check It Out
Up-coming:
Bruno Mars - Unorthodox Jukebox
I don't care what people say, Bruno Mars is a song-writing genius. Over the last two years he's had the midas touch for hits. Whether they're his own songs or collaborations with the likes of B.o.B or Cee-Lo Green, he just doesn't know how to right a bad song! That being said, I'm not overly impressed with the first single off this (reminds me of The Police though) but I have no doubt that it's gonna be packed with catchy tunes just like his last one.
Check It Out
Rolo Tomassi - Astraea
This will be the third outing for the Sheffield math-core moshers. Fronted by the most unlikely looking female, and refusing to stay in one time-signature for more than 30 seconds, I don't think they're ever going to stop experimenting. With a few line-up changes since last time, the things that remain constant will be the heavy guitars and arresting vocals as well as the absorbingly atmospheric break-downs.
Check It Out
Sunday 21 October 2012
Saturday 13 October 2012
A Month in London
This weekend will mark four weeks since I moved to London. Where did the time go? It feels like I got here yesterday, but at the same time, I feel so at home here.
I have set up all my important essentials like bank account, phone number and my speakers in my room(!). I have met loads of cool people here and made some good friends. The sense of excitement that hit me when I first arrived has died down a bit but I now have a more solid determination to take its place.
I have also come to a natural lull in activity. I write this sitting at my new desk with my old speakers and my room in a mess from all the books and clothes around me. I think it's nice to reflect a little on the last month.
I don;t have the time to recount everything I've done in the last four weeks but I will pick out some highlights. One of the first things I did here was see Random Hand at Nambucca, which I've already talked about. Also meeting Macklemore and Ryan Lewis was great. This was all before I even started college, or Uni, as it's called. Since then the people I've met have been highlights; amazing people from all over the world as well as Ireland and England.
There have been lots of great parties. Freshers Ball had a sweet lineup of DJ's including Major Look and Kissy Sell Out, and the Hippodrome in Kingston is massive! Filth was a nice night out in Camden, with poi and d'n'b. The trip home was almost the best part! Rampage was an interesting club-crawl. Hectic at times, taking in some of the biggest (and most expensive!) clubs in London, but always an adventure. It ended with some nice techno, which nobody appreciated! I think my wallet and I need a bit of a rest for now.
I've been on some nice trips. Windsor castle was majestic and fish and chips were very tasty! Bus driver getting completely lost on the way was a highlight. Brighton is a really nice place. Beautiful stony beach, pier full of food and amusements, and the town has a nice alternative hipster vibe. The Royal Pavilion was amazing. Decadent but still, wouldn't mind being at a party there. Could only imagine the scene at the ridiculously ornate ballroom when there was music playing and people dancing. My tips are get Pizza, and don't forget Donuts, they are amazing! They had me doing a Homer Simpson impression, complete with drool.
Between all this I managed to start Uni and the course is as exciting as all the events going on. Right now it still seems like too much to take in. But I've already learned a lot. So now I must get back to studying! The leaves are starting to build up around the streets where I live and in Gunnersbury park, but that only means that my birthday is around the corner. Now that autumn is in full swing, things won't be slowing down here. Just the busy days of studying and nights of partying peppered with some more cozy nights in.
I have set up all my important essentials like bank account, phone number and my speakers in my room(!). I have met loads of cool people here and made some good friends. The sense of excitement that hit me when I first arrived has died down a bit but I now have a more solid determination to take its place.
I have also come to a natural lull in activity. I write this sitting at my new desk with my old speakers and my room in a mess from all the books and clothes around me. I think it's nice to reflect a little on the last month.
I don;t have the time to recount everything I've done in the last four weeks but I will pick out some highlights. One of the first things I did here was see Random Hand at Nambucca, which I've already talked about. Also meeting Macklemore and Ryan Lewis was great. This was all before I even started college, or Uni, as it's called. Since then the people I've met have been highlights; amazing people from all over the world as well as Ireland and England.
There have been lots of great parties. Freshers Ball had a sweet lineup of DJ's including Major Look and Kissy Sell Out, and the Hippodrome in Kingston is massive! Filth was a nice night out in Camden, with poi and d'n'b. The trip home was almost the best part! Rampage was an interesting club-crawl. Hectic at times, taking in some of the biggest (and most expensive!) clubs in London, but always an adventure. It ended with some nice techno, which nobody appreciated! I think my wallet and I need a bit of a rest for now.
I've been on some nice trips. Windsor castle was majestic and fish and chips were very tasty! Bus driver getting completely lost on the way was a highlight. Brighton is a really nice place. Beautiful stony beach, pier full of food and amusements, and the town has a nice alternative hipster vibe. The Royal Pavilion was amazing. Decadent but still, wouldn't mind being at a party there. Could only imagine the scene at the ridiculously ornate ballroom when there was music playing and people dancing. My tips are get Pizza, and don't forget Donuts, they are amazing! They had me doing a Homer Simpson impression, complete with drool.
Between all this I managed to start Uni and the course is as exciting as all the events going on. Right now it still seems like too much to take in. But I've already learned a lot. So now I must get back to studying! The leaves are starting to build up around the streets where I live and in Gunnersbury park, but that only means that my birthday is around the corner. Now that autumn is in full swing, things won't be slowing down here. Just the busy days of studying and nights of partying peppered with some more cozy nights in.
Tuesday 9 October 2012
A Little Jazz for a Sunday (or Monday)
A good friend once said that on a Sunday, you should only listen to either Reggae or Jazz. Seeing as I've no lectures until tomorrow, today is practically my Sunday. So I will post a little jazz which I have been chilling out to.
After all the craziness of moving over to London, I've recently had more time to devote to just lazing around the kitchen of my new (small) house. The first selection is from one of the great trumpeters. Clifford Brown (1930 - 1956), was a genius who had a bad habit of getting in car accidents. The first left him bed-ridden for a year and the second finished him off at the tender age of 25. His career was short and sweet, spanning only four years, but his influence was huge. He teamed up with the eminent drummer Max Roach for the bulk of his recordings. These marked the pinnacle of the hard-bop style. He played with a fat tone and an effortlessly fluid style. He also had a deep understanding of jazz harmony which is evident in his dazzling solos and his compositions. All this, he managed to do while at the same time, avoiding the scourge of heroin which dominated the Jazz scene. He wasn't even fond of the drink, which makes him somewhat exceptional, but all the more admirable. Here's one of the tunes he wrote which has become a Jazz standard.
Clifford Brown - Daahound
My second selection has been a long-time favourite. It holds a few dear memories for me, but above all, it is a stellar recording. It comes from the canonical album Somethin' Else by Cannonball Adderley but the outstanding contribution comes from Miles Davis as sideman. He leads the solos on most of the tracks and composed the title track. My favourite, however, is the opening track, Autumn Leaves. In my opinion, it is the best recording of this timneless standard. Miles' delicately lyrical tone is unbeatable. His wailing and whimpering perfectly expresses the emotion in this ballad, so that the sentiment is clear even without any lyrics.
Cannonball Adderley - Autumn Leaves
After all the craziness of moving over to London, I've recently had more time to devote to just lazing around the kitchen of my new (small) house. The first selection is from one of the great trumpeters. Clifford Brown (1930 - 1956), was a genius who had a bad habit of getting in car accidents. The first left him bed-ridden for a year and the second finished him off at the tender age of 25. His career was short and sweet, spanning only four years, but his influence was huge. He teamed up with the eminent drummer Max Roach for the bulk of his recordings. These marked the pinnacle of the hard-bop style. He played with a fat tone and an effortlessly fluid style. He also had a deep understanding of jazz harmony which is evident in his dazzling solos and his compositions. All this, he managed to do while at the same time, avoiding the scourge of heroin which dominated the Jazz scene. He wasn't even fond of the drink, which makes him somewhat exceptional, but all the more admirable. Here's one of the tunes he wrote which has become a Jazz standard.
Clifford Brown - Daahound
My second selection has been a long-time favourite. It holds a few dear memories for me, but above all, it is a stellar recording. It comes from the canonical album Somethin' Else by Cannonball Adderley but the outstanding contribution comes from Miles Davis as sideman. He leads the solos on most of the tracks and composed the title track. My favourite, however, is the opening track, Autumn Leaves. In my opinion, it is the best recording of this timneless standard. Miles' delicately lyrical tone is unbeatable. His wailing and whimpering perfectly expresses the emotion in this ballad, so that the sentiment is clear even without any lyrics.
Cannonball Adderley - Autumn Leaves
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