The Bands of Scott Pilgirm

As I'm sure many of you are aware, Pilgrimania is sweeping the nation (as I predicted), the latest manifestation of which is the star-studded soundtrack. The films will feature three main fictional bands, and obviously required three real bands to provide the tuneage. Meet these bands below:

1. BECK

A.K.A: Sex Bob-Omb
Where the Name Came From: Super Mario games, obviously. If you don't know what a Bob-omb is, you should probably gtfo.
The Real Band: Beck Hansen is an indie rock singer-songwriter, famed for his eclectic sound and the multitudinous instruments he can play. His unusual style has been compared to both Bob Dylan and Prince, which doesn't actually tell you a whole bunch about his sound, so you should probably just go listen to him.
The Fictional Band: Sex Bob-Omb is comprised of Scott Pilgrim on bass, Kim Pine on drums and Stephen Stills ('the talent') on vocals and guitar. In the books, rarely do their concerts go to plan, as they are often interrupted by epic death matches between Scott and Ramona's evil exes. If the film doesn't feature the gig they do in fancy dress, I'll be severely disappointed.

2. METRIC

A.K.A: The Clash at Demonhead
Where the Name Came From: A NES game of the same name
The Real Band: Indie rock darlings Metric have been pumping out solidly alright music since the late 90's. 'Live It Out' is a terrific album, but I wasn't personally smitten by 'Fantasies'. Oh, and the song they did for the Twilight soundtrack was the worst.
The Fictional Band: The Clash at the Demonhead are the most famous/ successful band, made up of Envy Adams (Scott's ex who by all accounts is a massive bitch) Todd Ingram (Envy's paramour, who has super vegan powers) and Lynette Guycott (who plays drums and has a bionic arm which can punch the highlights out of people's hair).

3. BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE

A.K.A: Crash and the Boys
Where the Name Came From: The video game 'Crash 'n the Boys: Street Challenge'
The Real Band: Broken Social Scene are a loose musical co-operative hailing from Toronto. Much like Metric, they formed in the late 90's and have a strong indie-rock vibe. Emily Haines (of Metric) is also a member of BSS, as well as other well-known names such as Feist, Sebastian Grainger (of DFA 1979) and Amy Millan (of Stars). They are also the masterminds behind 'Forgiveness Rock Record', one of my favourite albums of this year.
The Fictional Band: These dudes don't play instruments, they can manipulate soundwaves with their minds. After a bit of a mutiny, they change their name to 'The Boys and Crash'.

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Heartland: Why Owen Pallett Has More In Common With Charlie Kaufman Than You Might Think

Last night I watched Adaptation. Y'know, that film written by Charlie Kaufman about Charlie Kaufman trying to write a screenplay? Yeah, that one. But whilst watching, I couldn't help but draw a similarity to someone a world away from Kaufman's weird set-inside-your-head screenplays; I couldn't help but think of Owen Pallett.
Released next week all around the world, Heartland is the third solo album from the Canadian violinist, better known by the Final Fantasy moniker that he retired late last year due to a legal threat from Square Enix, who brought us the video game franchise of the same name. But it wasn't just the name that Pallett originally took inspiration from - the title track from 2006's prestigious album He Poos Clouds is about loving a fictitious character from a video game. Pallett's obsession with video games can be traced back through his career, from his chosen stage name to song titles from his debut album (Adventure.exe, anyone?), and Heartland is no exception. Set in the fantasy world of Spectrum, Heartland is a tale of an ultra violent farmer, Lewis, and his struggle to come to terms with his creator and main deity of the land, our very own Owen Pallett.
An ambitious project, but nevertheless, despite the mythologies and stories Pallett has created, he never loses sight of the single most important feature: the music. A lot denser than He Poos Clouds, Pallett has maintained his personal charm whilst at the same time adding electronics and orchestras to create something that sounds, for want of a better word, epic. 'The Great Elsewhere' and 'Tryst With Mephistopheles' show some of Pallett's largest work yet, working with The Czech Symphony Strings and, on the former track, friend and composer Nico Muhly. It is also no surprise that Jeremy Gara of the Arcade Fire can be heard drumming on most tracks, most notable 'Tryst With Mephistopheles'. Musically, Heartland has already cemented itself as one of the firm favourites for album of the year.
So if the music betters Pallett's previous efforts, then what of the lyrics; the story? In creating Heartland, Lewis becomes aware of his creator, which sets the actual events narrated in the album into motion - it's a weird circle-like chain of events that no-one can really get their head around. Which brings me back to the Kaufman comparison. Pallett has continued to show himself as an artist in his own right - the fact that he is one of the most important names in popular music for his orchestral arrangements is completely irrelevant: as with any Kaufman script, Heartland is weird, captivating, confusing, and utterly brilliant. Read More......

Review: Eastpak Antidote Tour

I. GHOST OF A THOUSANDI'd love to grace you with a review that sung the praises of this band, and whole-heartedly agreed with Kerrang (who gave them 5 K's on their live performance). Unfortunately, I can't.

Firstly, because I got horribly lost on the mean streets of Birmingham, and missed a large portion of their performance. Luckily, one of the Street Team found me and escorted me and some other kids to the O2 Arena- post-hardcore fans aren't great with directions, it seems.
Secondly, what I saw sounded reasonable- the band attacked the stage with a suitable amount of gusto, and the sound they made was pleasing, if a little shambolic in places. But that's as far as it went- they haven't quite found that fine line between unbridled rage and musical finesse. I do have high hopes for their future, mind.

II. FOUR YEAR STRONGAs this motley crew of big, beardy types descend upon the stage, you think you know what to expect. Screaming (lots of it), raging guitar solos and lyrics that can go from nought to riot in sixty seconds. Well, you'd be wrong.
Four Year Strong have a strange yet enchanting blend of pop punk and hardcore that you'd never expect from such hairy chunks of masculinity. And from the general nods of approval emanating form the slightly nonplussed audience, it was a sound they were working. This is definitely a band I'll be checking out again soon.

III. ANTI-FLAGAppearances were once again deceptive with Anti-Flag- for such weedy looking dudes, they sure are furious about something.
You always know what you're going to get with Anti-Flag- angry, political tracks- and with tracks such as 'Turncoat' and 'The Press Corpse', they didn't disappoint in that respect. The music itself has alot to be desired- nothing spectacular, nothing amiss- but what I found most off-putting was their rapport with the crowd. They stressed- between every single bloody song- how they were all about peace and love, and how they would remember this night for the rest of their lives, and how stupid the government was, and how they wanted everyone to go in the circle pit. Seriously, give it a rest.
They did get a bunch of people on stage, which I thought was quite nice of them, but I know there were those who'd argue they'd paid to see Anti-Flag, not to see some kids get up on stage and sing Anti-Flag. Matter of taste, I suppose.
Reference must of course be made to their drummer, who is up there with the scariest dudes to ever have lived- he just looks so demented. He has that crazy look in his eyes- the look that says 'I've definitely worn a straight jacket at some point in my life'. Yikes.

IV. ALEXISONFIREThe main event- and I wasn't disappointed.
I was a little confused when they only set up three stands- I thought there were five guys in Alexisonfire? Of course, my naïveté was soon put right- the fourth guy up front, bassist Chris Steele, had no stand, due to the fact he couldn't stand still for more than two seconds. He bounded around stage in a state of insanity for the entire performance, in a whirlwind of his own sweat and saliva. He went absolutely mental, and so did the crowd- I must admit I was happily dragged into the furore, pulling shapes like I was demented- even being slammed into the railings by a tidal wave of Dallas Green fan girls didn't dull my appetite for frenzy.
This pandemonium was matched by the rest of band, who not only managed to command the stage with manic prowess, but also deliver soaring, clear vocals, and guitar playing to a standard I have yet to see matched in a live performance.

All in all, pretty damn awesome. I you're considering going to this concert, you should definitely pick up a ticket: you won't regret it.

MP3: Alexisonfire- This Could be Anywhere in the World

Photo of Alexisonfire courtesy of martybell on deviantART

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Playlist 5: True Colours

Yes, I've (finally) got around to making another proper playlist- try not to faint with shock. I'm sure you anguish at being left without new muisc for so long will dissolve in a frenzy of aural excitement as soon as you hear this playlist- it's a corker, if I do say so myself.
Y'know how it is with me buy now- a little old, a little new, a little indie, a little jazz, and, this month, a surprising amount of rock. Check it out:

True Colours

A playlist filled with songs about every colour under the rainbow.

Tracklist:
1. French Navy- Camera Obscura
2. Red Right Hand- Arctic Monkeys
3. Purple Haze- The Jimi Hendrix Experience
4. Pot Kettle Black- Tilly and the Wall
5. Behind Blue Eyes- The Who
6. Black History Month- Death From Above 1979
7. Black Hole- Be Your Own PET
8. Green Knight- Memory Tapes
9. Black Tongue- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
10. Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
11. Pink Bullets- The Shins
12. Pirate Blues- As Cities Burn
13. Purgatory Blues- Juliette and the Licks
14. Orange Spider- mewithoutYou
15. Grass is Greener- Dolly Mixture
16. Red and Purple- Dodos
17. Seein' Red- Unwritten Law
18. Red Tide- Neko Case
19. Red River- The Walkmen
20. Whitewash is Brainwash- Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly
21. Wine Red- The Hush Sound
22. Your Heart is as Black as the Night- Melody Gardot
23. White Unicorn- Wolfmother

Listen to the whole playlist on the nifty little I-Pod below. Enjoy!

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10 Songs of the Week

I'm getting worse and worse for posting, though not through choice. I've only been back at college for a week, and I'm already bogged down with essays and reading lists and all sorts. I guess this is sort of one of those years where I have to work, lest I risk messing up my future.
Ho hum, enough with the negative stuff- how have you all been? All slowly getting back into the swing of things after the holidays, I suspect. I'm having a bit of a musical week, by which I'm meaning to shitloads of music, not that I'm rockin' out to the Sound of Music, or anything. So, I thought it would be nice to share with you what's goin' on musically with me as of late:

THE WHO, 'BABA O' RILEY'
'Who's Next' has easily one of the best album covers of all time, and is one of the best albums of all time as well. Baba O'Riley is very, very high up on my list of ultimate tracks to play air guitar to alone in my bedroom. The Who also provide all of the theme tunes for CSI, and I do love a good bit of CSI.

MARIANA'S TRENCH, 'ACADIA' I just remembered the guitar solo on 'Acadia' reminds me of 'Baba O' Riley', for some strange reason. I still don't think 'Masterpiece Theatre' is a patch on 'Fix Me', but they're still seem like a pretty cool bunch of dudes, so ho hum.

ALEXISONFIRE, ANYTHING, EVERYTHING, JUST GIVE ME ALEXISONFIRE QUICK!
(BUT MAINLY 'THIS COULD BE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD')
I'm going to see them in concert in October! Win! I also like to imagine what would happen if Alexisonfire and Marianas Trench got into some Canadian-rock-band-battle-to-the-death. Alexisonfire would easily win- it would be a bit of a massacre, actually. Any member of Alexisonfire could snap the rather effeminate Josh Ramsay (lead singer of MT) like a twig. No offence to Josh- he just seems like he'd benefit from a good square meal.

CITY AND COLOUR, 'AS MUCH AS I EVER COULD'
My Alexisonfire binge just sort of merged into a City and Colour binge. I think I gravely underestimated 'As Much As I Ever Could' in particular.

THE CURE, 'JUST LIKE HEAVEN'
Ooh, I love The Cure. It is a pity that all decent bands from England have been and gone, though. Our music scene is a little lacking in comparison at the moment.

NEKO CASE, 'PRISON GIRLS'
'Middle Cyclone', the album this song is from is easily my favorite of the albums that I reviewed on Song by Song. All of the songs are also alot of fun to sing along to, particularly 'People Got a Lotta Nerve'- on the count of three, 'I'm a man-man-man, man-man-man-eater!'

THE BEATLES, 'PAPERBACK WRITER'
You may notice an old-English-band theme to my current musical taste. I don't know, maybe I'm going to patriotic. For some reason, there's this massive taboo about people listening to '1'- what, just because it's basically a compilation of their famous songs, I'm not allowed to listen to it?

BAT FOR LASHES, 'MOON AND MOON'
Since viewing her performance at the Mercury Prize Awards, I can't stop listening to her. Her strangely hypnotic voice gets me every time.

AS CITIES BURN, 'PETTY'
Still my album of the year thus far. Truly stunning. Enough said.

JOY DIVISION, 'LOVE WILL TEAR US APART'
A truly immense song. Have you watched 'Control', the biopic about them? That too is immense, and so visually beautiful. Go buy it, now.

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Playlist 4: Maps

It's playlist time, bitches!

I thought that, considering it's supposed to be summer, a holiday-related playlist might be apt. However, I'm stuck here whilst the lucky/rich get to jet off to all sorts of exciting locations, so I thought I'd make a playlist about the sorts of places I might go, if I had money. I've once again tried to include music both old and new from a range of genres, so give t a try- you might find something that you like.

Playlist 4 : Maps

A playlist that's all about location, location, location.

Tracklist:
1. Coast of Carolina- Telekinesis
2. Beijing- Patrick Watson
3. Walk Like an Egyptian- The Puppini Sisters
4. Piazza, New York Catcher- Belle and Sebastian
5. California- The Kooks
6. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa- Vampire Weekend
7. Paris is Burning- Ladyhawke
8. St. Petersburg- Brazilian Girls
9. Mexican Circus- Volcanoless in Canada
10. Californication- Red Hot Chili Peppers
11. Alaska- Eyes Adrift
12. California on My Mind- Wild Light
13. Tokyo Witch- Beach House
14. Paris- Northern Picture Library
15. Sparkomatic Miami- George Pringle
16. New York- Paloma Faith
17. Paris- Friendly Fires
18. New York City Cops- The Strokes
19. London Calling- The Clash
20. Hard Times in New York Town- Bob Dylan
21. Postcards from Italy- Beirut
22. Ireland- Dredg

You can listen to the whole playlist on the nifty little I-Pod below. Enjoy!

MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

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Song of the Day: An Anniversary Away by Reverie Sound Revue

If you haven't heard of Reverie Sound Revue (and alot of people haven't), all you really need to know is that they're making waves with their self-titled album (released earlier this year), and that they're everything you've ever wanted from a female-fronted indie pop group. For instance, are you feeling disappointed with Metric's 'Fantasies'? Don't worry- it wasn't just you, it was another album by Metirc with a few solid songs smothered by instantly forgettable mindless pop melodies, or 'more filler than killer', as they say in the biz. Never fear, Reverie Sound Revue will take the edge off your heartbreak.
You want the basics- pretty, pitch-perfect yet still interesting vocals, talented musicians- but, at the same time, you're crying out for some originality, and a memorable musical experience. Look funo rther than Reverie Sound Revue- my pick of the female-vocalist indie pop groups this year so far- you won't be disappointed.
Also, a fun fact (I'm just a fountain of knowledge at the moment): al of the vocals and instruments for this album were recorded separately by band members all across Canada- from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. They got details of lyrics and composition to each via e-mail. I thought this might make for a disjointed album, but I was pleasantly surprised. Check out 'An Anniversary Away' below:

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Song of the Day: Big Bird in a Small Cage by Patrick Watson

And now time for something totally magnificent- 'Big Bird in a Small Cage' by Patrick Watson is a song to lift your spirits. He has already won acclaim for his music- winning The Polaris Music Prize and the 'New Artist of the Year' at the Juno's- and is set to set hearts racing and minds soaring with his latest offering. Watson's quirky, innovative and wonderful new album, 'Wooden Arms' encompasses his vast and rare talent. But it's Watson's uncommon knack for composition that sets him above the rest- a skill that is perfectly demonstrated by the smorgasbord of sound within each song. Definitely one of the best albums I've heard this year- so sit back, press play, and get ready to fall head over heels in love.
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Mariana's Trench, I Shake My Head at Thee

Just to quickly share this with you:
Last night, after writing a rather damning review of Mariana's Trench's 2nd album, Masterpiece Theatre, I was feeling a little cruel. I mean, they are a good band, and the sheer brilliance of 'Fix Me' is enough to overlook the pop-y, slightly overblown spectacle of 'Masterpiece Theatre'. Then I watched this video. Then I realised the edgy alt-rockers they once were ain't never coming back.

What you're about to witness is the strangest red carpet entrance to the MMVA's (Much Music Video Awards) ever known to man. Don't get me wrong, I'm partial to a good spectacle once in a while- I had a good chuckle at their enormous-sandwich related hijinks at last year's awards. But do you not think cheerleaders, a carnival float AND a full-bloody-orchestra were a bit much? What if the float had run over a hapless celebrity on the red carpet? Not only is this display of grandeur quite clearly a health and safety nightmare, but, well- don't you think it's all a bit much? Mariana's Trench, I Shake My Head at Thee.

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No-Fuss Reviews 3

Sick of music reviews that go on forever and ever? Tired of being bombarded with more information than you could ever possibly need? Fear not- I present to you my no-mess, no-fuss music reviews.
You get all that you need, without all the frilly bit you don't: Artist and Album Name (which always helps), how I found out about them, or 'Hype', (so if you like the album, you can go to that site/magazine and find some more music to your taste), my thoughts (subjective, but concise), my rating (I'm quite a harsh marker), and an MP3 from the album, so you can get an actual taste of what the album's like. Get it? Got it? Good.

N.B- I know my music tastes are quite eclectic, but there are reviews of all sorts- from experimental jazz to hardcore- so hopefully there's something for everyone.

Manchester Orchestra- Mean Everything To Nothing
Hype: I looked them up after I saw them on the Latitude line-up, which looks awesome this year, I might add. Regina Spektor and Manchester Orchestra and Ruby and her Whorses is like a dream come true for me- well, it would be, if I were there. Unfortunately, being poor (and spending all of my money of books, films and CDs), I'm having to give it a miss.
Thoughts: I'm suitably impressed. Most bands of this ilk (indie-alt-rock, shall we say) tend to arrive on the music scene with a bold first effort, that is often quite unrefined, but ultimately lets them establish themselves within their rightful place on the musical spectrum, and then tend to mellow out slightly with their second effort, feeling such brash vivacity is no longer required. Manchester Orchestra is not one of these bands- 'Mean Everything To Nothing' has the same triumphant melodies and quiet, introspective periods as 'I'm like A Virgin Losing a Child', but is bolder, better and carried out with a little more finesse. Andy Hull's vocals, in particular, have ripened considerably. Despite this albums diversity and strength, it's impossible not to draw parallels between this album and As Cities Burn's 'Hell or High Water' (released earlier this year, and reviewed here)- and I feel, in comparison, 'Mean Everything to Nothing' doesn't quite top the dynamism and lyrical brilliance of 'Come or Hell or High Water'.
Rating: 8.5/10
MP3: I've Got Friends






Mariana's Trench- Masterpiece Theatre
Hype: An online friend I met through deviantArt (back in the days I was young, naive and assumed cyberspace was clamouring for my face) recommended them to me. What ensued can only be described as a love affair- I listened to their EP until I knew it inside out- every guitar riff, every nuance of Josh Ramsay's exceptional voice- 'Fix Me', their first album, was treasured, and listened to on a near daily basis- suffice to say, I had exceptionally high hopes for 'Masterpiece Theatre'.
Thoughts: Happiness has tarnished their respected format. Their first album was a collection of songs about the darker side of adolescence- self-harm, drug abuse, anorexia- but what saved it from being another throwaway teenage album was the verbal dexterity of the lyrics and the talent of every member of the band. Emotional, yes, and far from flawless, but refreshing because of the fact none of the songs were about love, as so many are today- and also because the harmonies worked so beautifully without being clean-cut, immaculate and studio enhanced. What 'Masterpiece Theatre' presents is happiness, love, studio enhancement and many songs only pre-teen girls would call 'profound'. The layers of vocals and instrumentals that oddly worked for a rock band in 'FM' have been overdone- as exemplified by their 3-part overture/interval/finale, entitled 'Masterpiece Theatre'- I think the fact the boys themselves referred to it as a sort of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' gets alarm bells ringing before you even hit the play button. That being said, the 3rd part of Mastepriece Theatre may be the best song on the album- I have grown to love the acoustic, stripped-back version of their single, 'Cross My Heart', which can be found here.
Masterpiece Theatre is not a bad album, by any stretch, but a huge disappointment when you consider how much of a breath of fresh air 'Fix Me' was in comparison.
Rating: 6.5/10
MP3: Masterpiece Theatre III





Melody Gardot- My One and Only Thrill
Hype: As a closet jazz enthusiast, Melody Gardot's debut album, 'Worrisome Heart', was splashed around all manner of blogs last year- and after reading her bio here, I was keen to hear what she had to offer.
Thoughts: Melody Gardot is a prime example of everything that can go right with a second album- she clearly walked into the studio a little less fresh-faced, but with the extra experience and maturity that was necessary for her to achieve her full attention. There was nothing particularly lacking from 'Worrisome Heart'- her voice is a pleasure to hear and her musical talent and composition were clearly a force to reckoned with. Yet, it lacked a punch- it was pretty, but not outstanding. 'My One and Only Thrill' sees Gardot being a little louder, a little more daring, whilst still being prime easy listening material. Her breathy voice shows both power and control, and she seems much more comfortable tinkling the ivories this time around. A beautiful album by any standards.
Rating: 8.5 /10
MP3: Lover Undercover






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Playlist 3: The Covers

I said I'd make you wait a couple more days for this month's fab playlist, but I've decided it's just too cruel to keep the splendour all to myself. So, here it is:

The Covers

A selection of some of my favorite (and most original) cover songs.

Tracklist:
1. Florence and the Machine- Hospital Beds (Originally by Cold War Kids)
2. Ellie Goulding- Black and Gold (Originally by Sam Sparro)
3. Foals- Hollaback Girl (Originally by Gwen Stefani)
4. Paramore- My Hero (Originally by Foo Fighters)
5. Nouvelle Vague- The Killing Moon (Originally by Echo and the Bunnymen)
6. Hot Hot Heat- Rehab (Originally by Amy Winehouse)
7. Letters to Cleo- I Want You to Want Me (Originally by Cheap Trick)
8. My Latest Novel- Two Headed Boy (Originally by Neutral Milk Hotel)
9. Quietdrive- Time After Time (Originally by Cyndi Lauper)
10. Melody Gardot- Over the Rainbow (Originally by Judy Garland)
11. Taking Back Sunday- Just Like Heaven (Originally by The Cure)
12. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly- Over and Over (Originally by Hot Chip)
13. We Are Scientists- Be My Baby (Originally by The Ronettes)
14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Diamond Sea (Originally by Sonic Youth)
15. Florence and the Machine- Speak French (Originally by Girls Aloud)
16. Save Ferris- Come On Eileen (Originally by Dexy's Midnight Runners)
17. The Maine- I Wanna Love You (Originally by Akon)
18. Cat Power- I Found a Reason (Originally by Velvet Underground)
19. Bat for Lashes- Use Somebody (Originally by Kings of Leon)
20. The National- Sleep All Summer (Originally by Crooked Fingers)
21. Laura Marling- The Needle and the Damage Done (Originally by Neil Young)
22. Ladyhawke- Womanizer (Originally by Britney Spears)
23. Kids in Glass Houses- Seven (Originally by Prince)


You can listen to the whole playlist on the nifty little I-Pod below. Enjoy!

MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

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Song of the Day: Oh Godammit by Hot Hot Heat

Today, I offer you a blast from my past- Oh, Godammit by Hot Hot Heat. The band relased this song in 2003 and have since (unbeknownst to me) made 2 more albums, chaged label, lost Dante De Carlo and gained Andy Paquin. In that time, I've made my way through school, lost five people close to me and gained about 3 stone (which is a good thing- I was a scrappy little youngster). In spite of all of this, as soon as this song came on shuffle to day, I was transported back to my days as a carefree teenager, wearing that khaki blazer I wore all the goddamn time and dreaming of about seven different boys. Good times, my friends, good times.

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Album Art

I'm going to say very little this post; I'll just let the art speak for itself. Simply put, here are three of my favorite pieces of recent album artwork, with their artists. Enjoy!

Album: 'You're A Woman, I'm a Machine' by Death From Above 1979
Artist: Cole Chernoff























MP3: Black History Month



Album: 'Ladyhawke' by 'Ladyhawke'
Artist: Sarah Larnach























MP3: My Delirium


Album: 'Day and Age' by The Killers
Artist: Paul Normansell























MP3: Human


More than this album art, I implore you to check out Paul Normansell's other art, such as 'Another Late Night!' below. It's awesome. Read More......

Song of the Day: Black History Month by Death From Above 1979

I'm not world's biggest drum and bass fan, but one such act I love is Death From Above 1979. Having produced just one full album of loud, stomping genius, the hairy duo went their separate ways. They are still making beautiful music, just not together- Jesse Keeler (on the right) with MSTRKRFT and Sebastien Grainger (on the left) on his lonesome. So, without further ado, let's make love and listen to Death From Above- I present to you 'Black History Month', one of my all-time favorite songs; simple and brilliant.

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No-Fuss Reviews

Sick of music reviews that go on forever and ever? Tired of being bombarded with more information than you could ever possibly need? Fear not- I present to you my no-mess, no-fuss music reviews.
You get all that you need, without all the frilly bit you don't: Artist and Album Name (which always helps), how I found out about them, or 'Hype', (so if you like the album, you can go to that site/magazine and find some more music to your taste), my thoughts (subjective, but concise), my rating (I'm quite a harsh marker), and an MP3 from the album, so you can get an actual taste of what the album's like. Get it? Got it? Good.

N.B- I know my music tastes are quite eclectic, but there are reviews for all sorts- from experimental jazz to hardcore- so hopefully there's something for everyone.

Alexisonfire- Watch Out!
Hype: A Hassle/Vagrant sampler CD I picked up from somewhere. Other acts on the CD include Juliette and the Licks, City and Colour and John Ralston.
Thoughts: A very strong second album- emotive, dynamic, and with the vocal stylings of George Pettit and Dallas Green, you can't go too far wrong.
Verdict: 8/10
MP3: Sidewalks When She Walks


As Cities Burn- Hell or High Water
Hype: Last.fm, as a recommended artist for mewithoutYou
Thoughts: Alot more progressive in style than their previous work- many ACB fanas were disappointed with the closer, 'Capo', in particular, but I feel it's a step in the right direction. There's less screaming, admittedly, but there's the same emotional vocals and lyrics rich with religious imagery- it's a transition in style, not substance.
Verdict: 9/10
MP3: '84 Sheepdog

The Bad Plus- These Are the Vistas
Hype: I heard about them from this guy's mixtapes. They're quite good.
Thoughts: Brilliant, well-performed experimental jazz- but perhaps the sort of thing you might skip over if it came up on shuffle, unless you were specifically in an experimental-jazz type of mood.
Verdict: 7/10
MP3: Flim


Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago
Hype: A mixtape my friend made for me.
Thoughts: Subtle, serene, sublime. I'd never spend a ngith in a log cabin without it.
Rating: 9/10
MP3: Flume



Brazilian Girls- New York City
Hype: I got it stuck in my head after it was in the background of a video on Greta Salpeter's blog.
Thoughts: Jazz, electronica, bossa nova- bloody bonkers, but in a surprisingly quiet way. A little more subtle than their previous work.
Rating: 7.5/10
MP3: Good Time Read More......

Green-A-Rama! Pt. 3

Look 3: Layering That An Inuit Would Be Proud Of (Click Picture to Enlarge):










1. Denim Zip 80's Jacket, Topshop, £45.00

This Topshop denim jacket is undoubtedly fierce, but you probably won’t get away with the hoodie//jacket combination if you chose this particular item. Such a combination requires a roomy denim jacket, which tend to crazily massive//awful-looking, so I don’t what to do. I just don’t know, I just don’t know.

2. Prairie Underground Drainpipes, Beklina, $115.00

Skinny-as-you-like black drainpipes. Nice, simple, classic. I personally think these look better on a woman with a fuller calf- being ridiculously skinny, bottoms like this would make me look both spindly and breakable, which is never a good combination.

3. 'I Love Dallas Green' Pin, E-Bay, As Auctioned (On Model's Top In Picture)

What says ‘I love Dallas Green’ more than dressing exactly like him? A badge that actually says ‘I love Dallas Green’. Regrettably, I only briefly saw this badge on ebay a few months ago, and so I have no idea whereabouts in the world it is now.

4. City and Colour Ladies' Black Face Hoodie, Maple Music, $45.00 CDN

What says ‘I love Dallas Green’ more than dressing like him, but less than an ‘I love Dallas Green’ badge? A ‘City and Colour’ hoody, of course!

5. Laurence Dacade Caged Laced Boot, Asos.com, £440.00

To distract you from jacket//hoodie related woe, fixate on these lovely shoes. They’re a little bit gladiator, a little bit lacy, and generally very nice. I’m not much of shoe person, but if I ever have 440 to hand, I’ll be sure to pick up a pair of these.

6.Satin Belted Top, Asos.com, £24.50

This silky-sexy-top-thing is fairly cheap and fairly snazzy, and would sex up any hoodie//jacket related ensemble.

The complete series:
Green-a-Rama! Pt 1
Green-a-Rama! Pt 2
Green-a-Rama! Pt. 3

New! Karen-O-Rama! See the first part here.
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