Archive for December, 2012

Dinosaur Jr- I Bet On Sky

Posted: December 21, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Some people would avoid writing about a band that have broken up (before getting back together) and were formed before David Blumberg was born, the lead singer of Yuck, a band  I think they’re similar to.  Maybe it is- but I think it would be a good way to prove that I can talk about a band that aren’t just arriving into the music world but in fact the complete opposite – they’ve been around for over a quarter of a century (including when they broke up). I’d like to show that I can write about a legendary band, not just a new one.

What I really like about the sound of this band is its simplicity – yet they have an ability to play good music that reminds me a lot of Yuck (though Dinosaur Jr are even more simple).

The album from a musical point of view packs a real punch of retro with 70% of their songs over four-and-a-half minutes. Yuck may bring a strong sense of modernity to their music but they also are very retro, which makes them retro, if that makes sense… I also notice this tendency in bands like The Black Keys, especially songs in Little Black Submarines.

I’m really into the album format and cover. You can definitely see the concept, it’s supposed to give the image of many people feeling too clustered together. I really like the image of the bird on a finger by one of the faces. But I’ve found the lyrics in the album outstandingly disappointing. I really can’t see into them and just sort of feel they sing these lyrics to fit the rhythm of the music 

        “Hey me watch the corners,
watch me ’cause I know what you done
hey me don’t you know
watch me ’cause I’m all alone”

Thanks for reading, I’d really appreciate any feedback on how anyone interprets the lyrics I posted just above.

Dinosaur Jr- Almost Fare

Ethan

Best Alternative Christmas Songs?

Posted: December 17, 2012 in Punk rock/Metal
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So, incase you’re wondering, no I did not die. Over the past few weeks the economy has had its way with me and I have become somewhat oblivious to the highest blog views we have ever had! ……..Apologies my friends

Anyway, on with the post. If someone asked me, I would deny my incredulous fascination with christmas songs. However, my therapist has told me that being honest with complete strangers is the first step to being a happier person and I must say the results are… interesting.

To me, theres nothing more hilarious than a cheesy christmas jingle, what’s even funnier is the attempt by some of our current heroes to write anything that resembles a festive anthem. The stars of pop-rock have done their best, to bring you a new take on the cliche that is ‘white christmas’ type music. Here are some of my favourites.

Blink 182 – Won’t be home for Christmas: A musical list of all the things we hate about christmas with a jaunty, racy and perky soundtrack.

Fall Out Boy – Yule shoot your eyes out: A wonderfully bitter carol about a relationship gone sour with a lovely acoustic guitar and sleigh bell accompaniment.

The Killers – Dont shoot me santa: A song that challenges us to wonder, “What happens when you get on the naughty list?”

My Chemical Romance – All I want for Christmas is you: A wonderful, punchy and edgy cover of Mariah Carey’s fluffy heartwarming jingle. With an exhilarating melody of ‘jagged’ electric guitars, head thrashing drums and ground breaking bass rhythms. My favourite by far.

Let me know what you think,

Roseby.

Metronomy- The English Riviera

Posted: December 3, 2012 in Indie Music
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Another twelfth birthday album, and probably the coolest musicians that come to mind. If I were to picture them in my mind jamming, they would be sitting on a sofa casually strumming away, maybe the keyboard player on the arm of the chair, all facing away from each other. Probably wearing smart tees.

Their most famous songs come from their most recent album, The English Riviera, the songs being The Bay and The Look. (You might have that moment when you listen to the first four seconds of a song, and you immediately remember it from TV. If you have that moment when you absolutely know what I’m talking about but don’t know the ad, it was for Barclays. You’re welcome.)

There’s a lot of talk of love in their music, with all the rich and deep music and lyrics like

“I know I’m willing babe
To go the whole way
We could never be alone
When you go you’re all I’m thinking of
With love I’ll get you anyway”

What I like about the music is that it sort of resembles Cheap Girls in that they don’t just use a couple of guitars and a drummer and a vocalist, they really range with the sounds they make. They also resemble Vampire Weekend or Bombay Bicycle Club in that listening to their music makes you feel like you’re on holiday. Who they lastly resemble is OK Go/ Everything Everything/ Hot Chip/ The Cast of Cheers in that they likewise have an electro/indie (very cool, basically).

The lyrics are great, like those ones just before and the album cover is so incredibly smooth yet simple resembles the album as a whole so very well. That holiday feeling again.

COMPARISON: No-one, they’re completely unique, sorry it’s a bit cliche, but I couldn’t think of anyone.