Tuesday 28 May 2013

5 Of The Best Radiohead Songs


If I were to just sit and talk about Radiohead, I could, and probably would, go on for hours.  Therefore, I’m going to try to keep it to 5 of my favorite songs.  What I love about Radiohead is that their songs usually have a deep message, but they cover that message up with fancy arrangements and melodies.  They challenge the listener to do more than just listen and enjoy – but actually engage in discussion.


1. High and Dry


“High and Dry” is one of the most relaxing songs I know.  It’s ideal for those days when you’re sitting in the garden with nice weather and a glass of wine.  The phrase “high and dry” originally referred to beached ships.  The idea of being stranded alone with no chance of being found discovered or recovered.   This song comes from The Bends, released in 1995.  This is when fame was hitting them pretty quickly.  So perhaps it is a reference to being famous and surrounded by adoring fans, yet still feeling isolated and alone. 






2. Lucky

This is my all time favorite Radiohead song.  My excitement over the use of my name in the song was pretty quickly diminished when I heard the following lyrics, describing a war-themed, tragic plane crash.  However, I think there’s a lot of hope in this song. This might just be due to the ironic title, but to me it sounds like a depiction of someone who is being constantly pushed down, yet continues to get back up with naïve optimism.   What I particularly love about this song is that genius of it is all in Thom Yorke’s vocals.  The soft guitar sets the scene and then the sheer emotion and power in the vocals makes it brilliant.




3. Airbag

Anyone who has heard even one Radiohead song knows that Thom Yorke’s best quality is not his enunciation.  I had to listen to this song about 20 times before I gave up and looked up the lyrics.  Seriously, props to anyone who understood the words “interstellar” or “universe” during their first listen!  This song comes from OK Computer, which was a concept album about the increasing presence of technology and machines in our lives.  Clearly, the song describes a near death experience that resulted in survival due to the intervening of technology (i.e. an airbag).  This song was initially performed with the title “An Airbag Saved My Life” right after the dance hit “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life”.  In fact, guitarist Jonny Greenwood explained, "Airbag is a classic example of Colin and Phil saying, 'Let's make it sound like DJ Shadow.' But unfortunately - or fortunately - it doesn't, because we missed again.”


4. 2 + 2 = 5

To me, this song deals purely with disillusionment.  I’m sure it could be related to political disillusionment, but it seems to explain a feeling of being isolated and alone: “I'll stay home forever, where two and two always makes a five”.  It sounds like Yorke is begging people to open their eyes and not just accept everything they hear.  That he thinks we’re living in a world that doesn’t add up and that we should start paying attention.



5. Karma Police

This song discusses the circle of karma, but in a self-deprecating way.  Yorke says “karma police” first, implying that he is speaking to them about himself.  He discusses how he lost himself and did something morally wrong, with the main theme being insanity.  The song centers on acoustic guitar and piano, which is my favorite combination of instruments.  There’s something that Radiohead just pulls off with this song that I think a lot of other bands couldn’t do.


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Monday 27 May 2013

Introduction to the National + Review: Trouble Will Find Me

The National Trouble Will Find Me Album Review songs lyrics

Matt Berninger, deep baritone lead singer of The National, epitomizes an awkward-but-cool personality.  He’s tall and gangly, and does not exude confidence by any stretch of the imagination.  This vulnerability is clearly demonstrated in his music and makes him and it easy to relate to.  I think this comes from his late start in the music industry.  He wasn’t a young rock star, surrounded by girls from the age of 18.  Rather, he began with humble beginnings in Cincinnati, Ohio, and became a graphic designer in New York City.  Berninger has explained how this removed a lot of the pressure from the band, as it wasn’t an all-or-nothing situation.  Clearly, this needn’t have been a thought as 10 years on the National are still producing stellar albums.

I hear a lot of people talk about the National being overrated.  I understand this, as they do sound a lot like other indie bands that are around today.  However, what I think makes the National stand out is the relatability aspect.  They aren’t too much of anything.  What I mean by this is that they’re not too cool or too stylish or too hipster or too artistic – they just seem like regular guys who have the same problems in life and relationships as we do.  No matter what you’re going through or what mood you’re in, the National have an album for you.  Their first few albums are simple – calm, relaxing, easy acoustic arrangements.  Slowly they’ve added a larger orchestra and delved deeper into the directions their music can go, without loosing their sound or their roots.

What’s particularly special about their music is tone.  Berninger has stated, “Our songs are about death – but in a really fun way”.  While all of the songs are clearly melancholic, they don’t make you want to sit around waiting for death like the people in the Notebook.  They still retain a pop aspect to them, which makes them catchy and really enjoyable to listen to, despite the depressing undertones.

From a lyrical standpoint, the National falls between brilliant and confusing.  On the one hand, they can be interpreted in a myriad of different ways, making them applicable to a lot of different people and situations.  Regardless of what the artist actually meant when he wrote lyrics (this can often be disappointing, for example finding out that half of Bob Dylan’s lyrics really are just about marijuana), this ambiguity that stems re-interpretation demonstrates the lyrical strength.  On the other hand, and I’m not sure if this is a good of a bad thing, there are a lot of National lyrics that make me do a mental double take: “Can’t face heaven all heavenfaced” (what!?).

The first song on the album, “I Should Live in Salt” appears to be simple enough, discussing the deterioration of a complicated relationship.  It then brings in the idea of rubbing salt in an open wound.  This evokes the metaphor of Berninger himself being an open wound and condemning himself to a life in salt.  While I interpret the song like this, the beauty of Berninger’s lyrics is the sheer agility and versatility of them in their multitude of personal interpretations.  For example, it could also easily be interpreted as a life of guilt, as “I should live in salt” is followed by “for leaving you behind”.

Overall, Trouble Will Find Me is unsurprisingly a fantastic album and worth listening to!  Any fans of The National will not be disappointed with this installment.

My “must-listens” off Trouble Will Find Me are: “I Should Live in Salt”, “Don’t Swallow the Cap”, “Sea of Love” “This is the Last Time” and  “I Need My Girl”.


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Friday 24 May 2013

MS MR // "Hurricane" (CHVRCHES Remix)

MS MR hurricane chvrches remix songs lyrics

I recently posted about MS MR and Chvrches, and a friend just sent me a remix of the two of them.  I like that on their own these two bands sound quite similar to other artists, but when combined they create a sound that’s really unique.  MS MR is currently having a huge impact with their debut album, and I think this remix really demonstrates the range that they have.  I’m looking forward to the direction they go in following Secondhand Rapture!




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Summer 2013 Playlist


Even though we’re still donning winter coats and umbrellas in London, summer is getting closer! In anticipation, I’ve been putting together a playlist for summer 2013.  Like finding a bikini on sale in the middle of winter and storing it away, I’ve been doing the same with these songs.  Whether it’s the tone or the lyrics, there are some songs that just sound better in certain seasons!  For me, summer is driving around for hours to obscenely loud music, meandering down sun drenched streets in Paris and getting far too tan on the beach; this playlist is primarily composed of songs suited to those situations.

I think playlists are best when they’re eclectic.  I like it when the songs have almost nothing to do with each other, but there’s something that makes them work together.  They aren't necessarily related by lyrics or tone or genre, but they just all give you a certain feeling when played together. 

For example, Blackfoot, an American Southern rock band, and Brigitte, a French pop duo are the definition of musical opposites.  Yet, they’re both ideal songs for long drives in sunny weather with the windows rolled down.  I try to mix older classics, like R.E.M’s Catapult with newer releases like Vampire Weekend’s Everlasting Arms and Coasts’ Oceans.  This year I included She & Him’s new cover of Blondie’s Sunday Girl from Volume 3.  Although as far as summer playlists go, their cover of NRBQ's Ridin’ In My Car from Volume 2 will always be the perfect song!  For some reason, ever since its release in 2008 Volume 1 is the only album that has been in my family’s car at home in America.  So for me it’s not truly summer until were driving to visit family through middle-of-nowhere Vermont with no radio signal and playing that album on repeat for hours!  Similarly, some of these songs have been on my summer playlists for years, but once you equate a song with a certain moment or memory, it sticks!

So with that, my very eclectic (and a little disorganized) summer 2013 playlist:

Oceans – Coasts
The Polaroid Song – Allo, Darlin’
I Was Made for Sunny Days – The Weepies
Ma Benz – Brigitte
Sunday Girl – She & Him
Kinda Kute – Joe Jackson
Everlasting Arms – Vampire Weekend
No DIggity – Chet Faker
Two – The Antlers
Big Jet Plane – Angus & Julia Stone
French Navy – Camera Obscura
Highway Song – Blackfoot
Catapult – R.E.M.
Record Collector – Lissie
Sunny – Cyrille Aimée
See The World – The Kooks


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Wednesday 22 May 2013

An Introduction to Gang of Four

In the rock community – or really any community other than the Justin Bieber community – you constantly hear people going on rants about all the underappreciated bands that don’t have the recognition they deserve.  For me, the band that describes this to a T is Gang of Four.  They only had one album that was great, so this is perhaps why they don’t have the legacy of other bands.  Regardless, this album was rated #490 on the Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums List and is one of my favorites of all time.

Gang of Four is a band that I find authentic.  They began in Leeds, England in 1977 and are comprised of lead singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham.  When their debut album, Entertainment!, was released in 1979 it seemed like they would be working their way up to the likes of the Rolling Stones or the Clash in no time.  The reason I call them authentic (although, some might choose to replace that word with stupid) is because when they had the opportunity to perform on a hit BBC music program, they refused.  They did this because BBC deemed their second single, “At Home He’s A Tourist” too risqué and requested the band sing the word “packets” in lieu of the word “rubbers”.  This moment played a huge part in cementing Gang of Four as a cult band.  While their potential success was never achieved, they still produced a stellar album that really defines the post-punk era.

This album is one of the most motivating albums I’ve ever heard, both lyrically and musically.  Regardless of your political options before listening to this album, by the end you will genuinely want to get up, punch the wall, quit your job and start a revolution.  Each song makes you want to get up and do something in a really unique and unsuspecting way.  I think a lot of post-punk bands attempt to give you the same feeling, but end up just sounding like they’re trying to force their own political and social views down your throat.  Gang of Four doesn’t appear to be doing this, and I definitely don’t get that feeling – I get inspired.

In line with their lyrics, it almost seems like guitarist Andy Gill is trying to do the opposite of anything that any producer told him with a jagged (a little sexy?) sound.  Gang of Four’s mix of Gill’s unique sound and Jon King’s voice is truly an iconic post-punk sound.  I think a lot of indie bands now try to accomplish the complex chemistry of Gang of Four – but none thus far have come close.

My Top 5 songs from Entertainment! (in no particular order)

-       I Found That Essence Rare
-       Ether
-       Damaged Goods
-       5-45
-       Return the Gift
-       At Home He’s a Tourist (okay I had to add one more…)


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Monday 20 May 2013

Review: MS MR, Secondhand Rapture

MS MR Secondhand Rapture anticipated release 2013 new album songs lyrics review

I was halfway through making a playlist for this summer when I remembered that MS MR’s debut album, Secondhand Rapture, had been released on the 14th.  I quickly found it on iTunes with the intention of listening to a few songs to get an idea of what they had done on their full album after their previous few EPs.  After sampling 3 songs I bought the album and have been listening non-stop all day. I certainly will not need my summer playlist – this album is all I see myself listening to for at least the next month!

When I was younger, I remember being elated when a new Avril Lavigne or Green Day album would be released.  I would convince my dad to drive straight to Best Buy the morning of the release and then he would have the pleasure of listening to that and only that for the next 6 months.  With the sheer amount of music that is so readily available now, I don’t get the feeling of being that excited over a band very often.  Yet, MS MR has given it to me once again, and I think they’re going to have the same effect on a lot of other people.

Recently, all of the new music I’ve heard has been one of two things: synthesizer-laden pop music where the listeners are provided the challenge of differentiating between songs or a guy essentially playing his ipod to a stadium full of people.  Yet, throughout Secondhand Rapture, each song does not blend monotonously into the next.  Each song is different, coherent and addicting!  With the similar name and male-female duo, the obviously instinct is to compare MS MR to She & Him.  Yet, about 30 seconds into the first song, their sound is so unique and strong that the resemblance is immediately forgotten.  Still, lead singer Lizzy Plapinger’s voice reminds me of Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine and MS MR do sound quite like a darker version of F+TM.  

While the dark lyrics and tones of each song are what initially draw you in, the unique addition of echoing and heavy drums makes it impossible not to listen to these songs over and over again.  I love the use of drums on “Salty Sweet” and the openness of the lyrics along with the vivid orchestra of “Hurricane”.  While “Bones” and “Hurricane” are the obvious singles off the album, “Fantasy”, “Ash Tree Lane” and “Head Is Not My Home” are also very strong.

With the option of buying only one or two songs, rather than an entire album (thanks to iTunes), bands have been under more and more pressure in the last 10 or so years.  This means that there is less leeway for filler songs.  Clearly, MS MR has not been fazed by the idea of using filler songs and I believe that Secondhand Rapture is the strongest debut album so far of 2013! 




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Sunday 19 May 2013

Two Door Cinema Club at Alexandra Palace

Two Door Cinema Club Alexandra Palace Gig Review Songs Lyrics

Two Door Cinema Club recently played their largest gig ever, at Alexandra Palace in London.  They were supported by Chvrches and Everything Everything (who seemed like a band tailor-made to perform at Eurovision!).  The venue was packed and all 3 bands performed well.


But here’s the thing – TDCC are just so average!  Over the past few years they have acquired a massive following and people seem to generally really like them.  I don’t think they’re horrible, but they’re not amazing either.  Making it fairly difficult to take a stance on them!  Sometimes, when you discover a new food you get absolutely addicted to it and eat almost only that for a few days – until suddenly you realize that you’ve overdone it and even the sight of that food makes you nauseous.  This is how I feel about TDCC.  When I first discovered them I thought they were great and listened to their album Tourist History on repeat for a week.  With the release of Beacon, I had a similar reaction.  But the thing about this band is that after that first week... I was so tired of them that I didn’t listen to them again for ages!



That being said, I would be very surprised if anyone came out of this concert saying that they didn’t have a good time.  There wasn’t a second of their performance where the entire audience wasn’t on their feet and ecstatic.  While I found a lot of their songs to be as predictable as the inevitable balloon drop over the audience, their final song, “What you know” was a great way to end the gig.  I really enjoyed the concert and TDCC are getting bigger and bigger with no end in sight!




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Saturday 18 May 2013

Chvrches

Chvrches Lies Alexandra Palace London Two Door Cinema Club electric music 2013 songs lyrics

When I first heard this band at Alexandra Palace, opening for Two Door Cinema club, I wasn’t too impressed.  At first listen they seemed like another uninspired 80s techno impersonator group.  That being said, upon further listening of their hit track ‘Lies’ I’ve changed my opinion!  I really like the industrial tone of the song (it reminds of me Depeche Mode), and the strong female vocal is great!  When they first came onto the stage and the music began, no one was particularly enamored with them.  However, as soon as lead singer Lauren Mayberry began to sing there was something so booming and attention grabbing about her voice that heads were constantly turning and watching her performance.

The band originates from Glasgow.  It consists of synthesizers/vocalists Lain Cook and Martin Doherty, with lead vocalist Lauren Mayberry.  Their full album will be released in September of this year!

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Review: M. Ward, A Wasteland Companion

She & Him M. Ward Zooey Deschanel A Wasteland Companion Album Review Songs Lyrics

She & Him is a band that I’ve followed since Zooey Deschanel’s performance while singing in the shower in Elf.  After obsessing over Volume One and Volume Two, and understanding that I would have to endure a three year wait until the release of Volume Three, I was ecstatic when I discovered that M. Ward (the Him of She & Him) would be releasing his eighth solo album in the mean time, entitled: A Wasteland Companion.

Generally, I tend to steer clear of Christian or any religion-based music. There are many gospel-toned exceptions that I adore, such as Alison Krauss.  Yet, when I’m listening to a song & enjoying it, the often unexpected, and perhaps unnecessary declaration of, “praise Jesus!” can put me off a song.  That being said, I actually found that I enjoyed the pastoral tones of the aptly titled, A Wasteland Companion.

While listening to this album I found that I had conflicting opinions from song to song.  The melancholic tone is hardly surprising, given Ward’s previous work, but the selection of songs seemed to be more accurately described as a series of mood swings.  Through this every song seemed to embody a plethora of emotions, with the listener being assigned the role of sorting through them all to determine the true, buried meaning.  While I like the challenge that accompanies this, I also feel that Ward’s vagueness acts as a downfall, particularly with this album.  When I listened to the first half of the album, I thought that this would be one of my favorite M. Ward albums to date.  However, I felt that some of the later songs were used as filler, and didn’t quite match up to the quality of the earlier ones.

Overall, there doesn’t seem to be anything that M. Ward can do wrong, in my mind.  As Conor Oberst put it: “M. Ward for president!”

Check out the newly released video for Me And My Shadow!



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Thursday 16 May 2013

Shimmering Stars // "I'm Gonna Try"

New Band 2013 Shimmering Stars I'm Gonna Try Songs Lyrics

Starting a song with the words, “Walking down the street and I wanna kill everyone I see” makes it inherently amazing.  This British Columbia-bred group has stated their influences as a mixture of 50s and 60s bands, including the Everly Brothers, Del Shannon, Phil Spector and Bo Diddley.  The unique tone of this song, and their first album, Violent Hearts, accurately represents these icons.  They have the sound of a pop band, but with a sock-hop beat.  Such a cool band - definitely worth checking out!


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Tuesday 14 May 2013

Review: Phoenix, Bankrupt!


Nowadays, this fairly new genre of really upbeat-80s-throwback-pop music is huge.  I think in 20 or so years were going to look back on this the same way as we look back on 80s music now.  There was some that was great, and some that was awful – the awful often dominating the charts.  With electronic music getting bigger and bigger, perhaps this type of pop is the future, rather than just a phase.  If so, kill me now!

The release of Wolfgang Amedeus Phoenix was massive and it was a really great album!  It was a coherent pop album with an original sound and seemingly endless catchy songs.  It was progressive, in terms of the new sound they were developing, and seemed to attract listeners of all different genres.  The songs had quick tempos without sacrificing melody.

With 4 years in the making of their latest release, Bankrupt!, the album was highly anticipated.  Here’s the thing:  When a band has such a great, genre-iconic album like Wolfgang, it’s hard to follow it up with an equally influential album that progresses in the right direction from their previous work.  I think this is really what tests a band and separates the greats, like the Rolling Stones (who successfully did this) and the one-album wonders.  In my opinion, Phoenix has not been able to do this.  Each song on Wolfgang had a memorable hook or aspect of it that made it great.  Bankrupt! just doesn’t consistently have this.  I think that this is because all of the songs on this album are based around the synthesizer or some type of electronic sound; therefore not leaving room for the guitar or bass hooks like on Woflgang.  This being said, there are two songs on this album that really stuck out to me: “Drakkar Noir” and “Chloroform”.  While Drakkar Noir does feature the synthesizer, it actually works well with the melody and vocals – the song is solid.  Chloroform isn’t a hit song by any means, but is has a good sound.  It’s slower than the preceding songs, providing the listener with a well-needed break.

For the electronic sticklers, I can see how this could be perceived as a modern progression from their previous work.  To me, this takes them out of the spotlight and places them back with the endless group of pop/alternative/electronic bands who all have the same sound.  Phoenix, I’m disappointed! 


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