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Monday, January 11, 2010

Should I Listen to Last FM? Part 2

In a follow up to last years part one, I again look at my recommendations on last FM and ask the fundamental question; should I listen to Last FM? Anyone familiar with the sight will know it gives you recommendations from a cross section of your artists. Not only is a great way to stumble on some gems, it helps little known bands and artists find new fans. Last time i stumbled upon Winter Kids and they definitely get some serious airtime on the old Itunes!
Please note - links from band names will lead you to the Last Fm page of the artist, whilst links from song names to a youtube video of said song.

Artist
The Paddingtons

Similar To
Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, The Twang, Bromhead Jacket, The Rumble Strips, The Metro's

The Hype
Comprising of vocalist Tom Atkin, guitarists Martin Hines and Josh Hubbard, drummer Grant Dobbs and bassist brother Lloyd hail from Kingston-Upon-Hull. They have toured with the likes of The Cribs, Dirty Pretty Things and The Babyshambles, front man Pete Doherty is a fan. Their first album was produced by the man that brought us Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe', Owen Morris. They are tagged as indie rock and a new EP should be released sometime this year.


What Other Last Fmers Think
The general consensus is a good one with cryings of "they're great" and that they are a "top band". This is the general feeling throughout most of the fans, so i have very high hopes. Although not everyone is a happy customer, one fan, with a must say a very terrifying display picture of an evil clown, says "Who the fuck are these guys. Ok, now I know they suck." I plan to disregard this review however, i don't trust people who have scary clown-zombie hybrids as display pictures.


My Thoughts
My first port of call was "Shame About Elle" and I'm not sure what to make of it. It reminds me very much of Pete Doherty projects, which is perhaps why he liked them so much. Its not something I would really listen to, but I can't say I didn't enjoy it. Who could not enjoy a song in which the video the band members where comical overly large mouth masks? Genius. But as for the song, its not something I would choose to listen to, but its not something I would shun either. I then found myself listening to "Panic Attack" which I liked more. This seems less Libertine-ish and more original and my ears were more pleased. Although the video did make me feel slightly motion sick.

Artist
Dan Black

Similar To
Ellie Goulding, Ladyhawke, Florence + The Machine, Chew Lips, The Ting Tings

The Hype
Originally the vocalist of alternative rock band The Servant and also known as a guest vocalist for the Italian group Planet Funk, Dan Black is an British electronica artist. Throughout last year he grew in popularity when his song "U+ME=" was one of the UK Itunes Free Singles of the Week and after he preformed at Glastonbury. In February he is expected to be touring the USA and Canada and a collaboration with successful rapper Kid Cudi is also in the works.

What Other Last Fmers Think
A good response other all, some fans even commenting more then once to shout the man praises. Some examples of theses are "definitely going to be big soon" and that "dan black is [their] favorite". A few random comments that made me laugh included "dan black won't leave me alone" and "he looks like Mika but cuter"... I'm sorry, but how does he look anything like that squeaky, rubbishy waste of a record deal? (Ooh, the claws are out)

My Thoughts
First song i stumbled across was called "Symphonies"
and i could already tell from 10 seconds in that me and this Dan Black were soul mates. The introduction of this song is angelic, dreamy almost before a sharp beat kicks in which reminds me of Rihanna's 'Umbrella', altogether, however, this is not a bad thing. Dan Black's voice then filters in over the top and its really unusual, why, I'm not exactly sure. Plus the video is awesome. And then I found myself wandering over to "U+ME=", which as i previously mentioned was one of the Itunes Free Singles of the Week. Yet again i loved this one, even with the strange bletch noise which periodically occurs. Definitely worth a download!


Artist
Thecocknbullkid

Similar To
Ellie Goulding, Chew Lips, George Pringle, Little Boots

The Hype
Thecocknbullkid (no apostrophes, she requests, its all one word!) is the act of Anita Bay who manages to have the most obxonious bio in the history of Last Fm, I'm sure, but it as they say, its all about the music, man. She writes all her own songs, produces a few too, but urges the people of the world not to be overly impressed by this, she does, however, tell us that Sugababes will never be the same without Mutya. In an interview with Paul Lester from the Guardian he describes music as "eccentric and delightfully gloomy". Personally, i think nothing is more compliment then an oxymoron. Hailing from Hackney, thecocknbullkid aspires to something more then the Pussycat Dolls...

What Other Last Fmers Say
"The music is pretty good but I think that is the most obnoxious artist description I've ever seen on last.fm" says one person, another agrees with "This is one of the most pretentious profiles I've ever come across on last.fm. I wish there was a way to turn off the whole ego half of the radio applications. I wish I didn't enjoy the music of absolute douchebags (not this one though!)". Hm, not so good. I don't have amazingly large expectations. Thecocknbullkid is definitely obnoxious, but whether she's good musically, seems a divided split.


My Thoughts
Firstly, I found myself listening to "I'm Not Sorry" and honestly, I'm trying not to be bias. The woman has already pissed me off majorly with her massive egocentric last fm bio. I will be impartial, i will be impartial. The video starts with a plastic moose, this makes me feel better and the beat is happy whilst the lyrics juxtapose this completely. Thecocknbullkids voice is smooth and soulful, which I like and then so some reason she goes all high and squeaky. Bad move. I find myself grudgingly listening to the rest of the song before moving onto the second one "Shake" which reminds me of army commands on helium. Hate it. But, you know, judge her for yourself. I however, had to turn that song off at 55 seconds because i was reaching for the nearest sharp objects to slit my wrists with... a spoon and a pair of tweazers. I could have been there for a while...



5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Past 2?
Part 2 surely?

Chloe said...

Sometimes, he who has not been named, I make mistakes. Sometimes these mistakes are epically obvious but i don't see them. For this, i apologise.

Charles said...

Sometimes Charles actually tells you about this within minutes of the article being published and you ignore him anyway.

Chloe said...

you never told me this.

Charles said...

Check the at the sinema messages. I went through your work grammar checking it ;)

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