Recently written as Steve Lamacq’s favourite song of the year, Young British Artists are a Manchester outfit soon to venturing South after being asked to play a show by another celebrity fan Matthew Horne. Perfect studio fodder for the day. Photographs by Sanna Helena Berger.
It was back in 2006 when Tokyo Police Club came from nowhere with their debut mini-album ‘A Lesson in Crime’. Raw, melodic and bursting with energy, as refreshing and catchy as The Strokes ‘This Is It’. The best thing to come out that year? …My memory is hazy.
Lets now leapfrog their first full length album ‘Elephant Shell’ a slower, sweeter more introspective affair, which I felt was more of a hangover from their initial success; a brain melting tour and promo schedule. Now it’s July 2010, Tokyo Police Club release ‘Champ’ with absolutely no sign of TDSA (The Difficult Second Album).
Altered Zones is the new dashing website launched by Pitchfork. After a first visit the least we can say that it looks pretty nifty. The project is simple. Altered Zones is the amalgam of three music fanatics editors, Emilie Friedlander (Visitation Rites) and Sahil Varma and Jack Shankly (Transparent) and various other contributors who will share their tastes and recent discoveries. The website like it’s name creates an inter dimensional escape that sticks to the heart of the music posted. Check it out.
In 2009, A Grave With No Name (Myspace) released their first album Mountain Debris. Behind such an amazing album is Alex Shields. Originally from Harrow Alex has given us one of the rare albums that survive time. His influences range from Evan Dando (Spotify) to William Basinski’s (Myspace) diffusive lyrics and have blossomed into a conjuration of talent and creativity. The album was mostly recorded in Alex Shields’ home in East London which results in a beautifully crafted record. Listen carefully to the lo-fi spirited Sofia and feel the summer vibes take over you then jump to Lavender and surrender in a harmonious consciousness of elation. Alex Shields picks up the very core of originality to put you in a state of beatitude. Alex has recently released through the net a four new songs that stay true to his talent that will feature on the next album. Crows is a doleful piano based song that will whisper wistful longings.
With regards to “How you put a play-list together” and “Setting the mood” this set of 15 tracks has no real agenda, no narrative and very little consideration for order and track priority. Just some good solid songs to make your day a bit better. Mark E. Smith starts lyrical proceedings with Neil Hamburger rounding things off in the only way he knows how. The image is part of Super Realism pinup artist Hajime Sorayama “Gynoid” series and his work is well worth a look. This playlist is dedicated to a 20-Something, smiley couple at D&AD New Blood who managed to steal my iPhone before my very eyes. Here’s to opportunity, creativity and better days!!! Listen Up!
“Wow…” exclaims Broken Social Scene front man and co-founder Kevin Drew as he takes to the stage, “We weren’t expecting there to be so many of you.” It’s been three long years since the Toronto troupe have graced this side of the pond, and judging by the throng of fans tightly packed into the small, hot Academy 2 in Manchester, their absence has been duly noted. Read More
Yuck (Bandcamp) have been treating us since early 2010 with lo-fi melodies. This five piece band vivify some of Dinosaur Jr’s (Spotify) best songs and exalt in ingenuity and style. Daniel ( vocals &guitar), Max (guitar) and Ilana (vocals) come from North London. Jonny is a true champion shipped from America while Mariko (bass) is originally from Japan.
They’ve already been on tour with Teenage Fanclub (Spotify) and supported Dinosaur Jr. in London. It’s needless to say that Yuck know what they’re doing. Georgia, their first single is a mix between fuzzy riffs and blissful melodies. Other songs were released and free to download through their blog sharing with us the thrill of new music.
Yu(c)k on the other side is more heavy mood. Written and sung by Daniel they exhale in purity. Weakend was released a week ago, a video was made alongside by Porcelain Raft (Myspace) which you can see on their blog. In less that 5 seconds within the song, you’re left with a bereft feeling of love. Give it a listen.
Despite being lauded by Pitchfork and many others, commercial success and world domination continued to evade The Chap, so they finally decided to “sell out” by recording a collection of pop classics that constitute their fourth album “Well Done Europe” (Spotify). Needless to say, it’s another masterpiece featuring hit after hit, quite a few of which mention love and death and stuff like that. It sounds like the coolest new wave pop album ever recorded by a group of teachers (almost nobody in The Chap is a teacher). The Chap’s music marries a deep passion for pop culture with arch observation and a sense of the surreal. This new album is no exception – a unique and heady blend of taut, hideously catchy melodies, hip snaking rhythms, memorable but unconventional lyrics all cut through with a wry sense of humour that some might describe as ‘Dadaist’. Witness the frenetic, summery vibes of ‘Even Your Friend’, the shimmering, tightly wound grooves in ‘Nevertheless The Chap’ and the chugging, intimate closer ‘Chalet Chalet’ – “Well Done Europe” is The Chap at the pinnacle of their powers, and quite possibly their finest work yet. (Lo Recordings). Image (C) Art Direction & Design (Non-Format).
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“We Work Best In Bars” by The Chap
If you are feeling a little bit flush this month then Sonic Editions have just collaborated with Rough Trade who have curated a set of 20 images. These specially selected prints of gods of rock and roll are on display and for sale at Rough Trade East until the 15th January 2010. For those who don’t live in the centre of the world, where all life revolves around …all are available to buy from the Sonic editions site too.
Chk, Chk, Chk, have just released a track off their forth coming album ‘Strange Weather, Isn’t It?’ . I think this will be their first release since the tragic death of thier drummer Jerry Fuchs back in November last year. I’m a big fan of these guys, yet a little sceptical after seeing a faily poor performance from them last year showcasing some new material. This track isn’t blowing me away, but its by no means a shocker. Have a listen anyway and see what you think, and if you are unfamiliar then have a ganders at their last album ‘Myth Takes’ which is a beast, especially ‘Bendover Beethoven’ which is one of my all time favourite tracks. (Photo by Lane Coder)
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“AM/FM” by !!!