I ♥ MUSIQUE

Best Video Ever?

2011-04-15T16:14:00.002+01:00

It's in with a shout. A classic slice of 80s from Dennis Miller.

Beastie Boys new video

2011-04-07T21:38:00.002+01:00

Ch-ch-check it out. New film to accompany the new album, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, out on May 2nd.

The film's called Fight For Your Right Revisited, and features Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, John C. Reilly, Seth Rogen, Jack Black and Ted Danson. Schweet.

Metronomy - The Look

2011-03-24T22:34:00.001Z

Cracking little video this...

Metronomy - The Look from lorenzo fonda on Vimeo.

The Monthly - March 11

2011-03-23T16:14:00.003Z

1. MUDHONEY – In ‘n’ Out Of Grace New To Me
Classic proto-grunge from 1988’s Superfuzz Bigmuff EP, recently featured on Mojo mag’s excellent Roots Of Nirvana compilation.

2. FUNERAL PARTY – New York City Moves To The Sound Of LA Hot Off The Press
Punky new single from Cali newbies who are named after The Cure song of the same name.

3. SCHWAB – The Moleman New To Me
Catchy 2008 track as featured in the current Ford Fiesta ads, from an unsigned London group.

4. CHASE & STATUS VS. DIZZEE RASCAL – Heavy Hot Off The Press
Mental album-only cut from C&S’ recent No More Idols album. Dizzee’s on fine form too.

5. BETH DITTO – Open Heart Surgery Hot Off The Press
The Gossip’s leading lady releases her debut solo EP, produced by Simian Mobile Disco.

6. DURAN DURAN – Come Undone New To Me
From 1993’s The Wedding Album, this shows why they’re still respected now.

7. BRIAN ENO – Cindy Tells Me New To Me
From ‘73 debut solo album by ex-Roxy Music man and all round legendary producer/recorder.

8. WHITE DENIM – Drug Hot Off The Press
Psych rock Texans come good yet again on brand new track ahead of forthcoming fourth album.

9. TORO Y MOI – Still Sound Hot Off The Press
From debut album from ‘the Bull & Me’, Underneath The Pine, a recent Rough Trade album of the month.

10. ELVIS COSTELLO – Pump It Up New To Me
Brilliant pop single from 1978’s This Year’s Model album.

11. PATRICK WOLF – The City Hot Off The Press
Perfect pop? I think so. From new album Lupercalia, Wolf’s fifth to date.

12. ELBOW – Jesus Is A Rochdale Girl Hot Off The Press
Beautiful and triumphant return for Elbow with new record Build A Rocket Boys!

13. BARRY LOUIS POLISAR – All I Want Is You Rediscovery Of The Month I
From the Juno OST and only recently acquired on CD for me. Polisar was a kids songwriter, donchaknow.

14. CAT STEVENS – Another Saturday Night New To Me
Sam Cooke cover by pre-Islam Stevens. A 1974 greatest hits-only track.

15. JOE SOUTH – Games People Play New To Me
Sounds so familiar. This track won Grammies and was South’s biggest single, from 1968.

16. R.KELLY – Ignition (Remix) Rediscovery Of The Month II
A throwaway cheese-fest? Not likely. This 2002 UK #1 is now regarded as a high watermark for modern R&B, and it’s a brilliant track. Even if he is a pervert. Perfect for early summer too.

This month's accompanying photo is of the 50 (count 'em) CDs that I won from Mojo magazine - I think I entered their competition about best albums of the year before Christmas and without thinking about it again I won their top 50 of 2010. Totally sweet.

Every Kanye West sample

2011-03-20T18:56:00.002Z

Came across this tasty little thing...a clip of every song (apparently) that Kanye's sampled, along with the track he used it in. It's an interesting watch, as well as an impressive piece of music nerdery. Pretty sure you'll find some tracks in there you'll like that you didn't know before, just like I did.

Check out the blog it came from.

It was twenty years ago today...

2011-03-17T20:39:00.007Z

Was talking to a friend earlier about the fact that it was 20 years since Nirvana's Nevermind came out, and that got us thinking about how good a year it was for music. Rock music, to be precise.

The fact that we were (and still are) massive rock fans probably influenced our opinion - I was 14 in '91 and just finding my feet as a music fan. And loving rock/metal of course, my first musical love.

So without getting too in-depth and scientific about it, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that 1991 has a fair claim to be one of the best years in heavy rock music ever. Prove me wrong. Here are some highlights...

Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I & II

Nirvana - Nevermind

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Pearl Jam - Ten

Aerosmith - Pandora's Box (while not a new record, this box set collection of rarities and old tracks was a big introduction to pre-80s rock for me)

Metallica - Metallica

Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger

Skid Row - Slave To The Grind (okay, this didn't exactly set the whole world alight, but I loved it)

Lenny Kravitz - Mama Said

Queen - Innuendo

Smashing Pumpkins - Gish

And it wasn't just hard rock - check out this list of bad boys...

Primal Scream - Screamadelica

Massive Attack - Blue Lines

Blur - Leisure

R.E.M. - Out Of Time

Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill

Ice-T - Original Gangster

Teenage Fanclub - Bandwagonesque

U2 - Achtung Baby

Oh, and 1992 wasn't bad either - Rage Against The Machine's self-titled debut, Beastie Boys' Check Your Head, Dr. Dre's The Chronic and Faith No More's Angel Dust all came out then. But I'll stop there otherwise I'll be doing this all night. To be fair, I can think of worse ways to spend an evening...

New Justice track on Adidas commercial

2011-03-16T16:12:00.002Z

New advert from Adidas, but apart from the glossy cool-fest that you expect from a very expensive new sports brand ad, there's lots of music stuff in it - Katy Perry and BOB are both in it, but rather excitingly the soundtrack is a new Justice track, doe out in April. Enjoy...

RIP Nate Dogg

2011-03-16T15:56:00.002Z

I'm sure a lot of people will be doing Nate Dogg tributes today after he passed away at 41, and I'm no different. This might not be one of the more obvious of the many awesome songs that Nate lent his inimitable voice to, but it's one of my favourites. RIP Nate.

NEW: Arctic Monkeys - Brick By Brick

2011-03-14T09:50:00.000Z

Lyrics - Common on OK Go

2011-03-03T09:54:00.003Z

She was the type to watch Oprah and the Today Show
Be on the treadmill, like OK Go
Had a body, a body that you can't pay fo'
That mean she had some Ds on her but they wasn't fake though

Song: Drivin' Me Wild
Artist: Common Feat. Lily Allen
Album: Finding Forever

2007, Geffen

Lyrics #57

2011-03-01T09:03:00.000Z

It's getting late have you seen my mates?
Ma tell me when the boys get here
It's seven o'clock and I want to rock
Want to get a belly full of beer

My old man's drunker than a barrel full of monkeys
And my old lady she don't care
My sister looks cute in her braces and boots
A handful of grease in her hair

Song: Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
Artist: Elton John
Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

1973, DJM Records

5 Songs about Jackson

2011-02-28T09:08:00.004Z

1. Jackson! by The Jazz Crusaders

2. Jacksonville Skyline by Whiskeytown

3. Jackson by Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood

4. Jackson by Johnny Cash

5. Ms. Jackson by Outkast

Lyrics - Nils Lofgren on Bob Dylan

2011-02-27T18:46:00.003Z

I'm not Bob Dylan, but I never miss a beat

Song: I Came To Dance
Artist: Nils Lofgren
Album: I Came To Dance

1977, A&M

Resplendent Remakes by Rebecca Sellitti

2011-02-25T09:39:00.003Z

Here it is, the second post from my favourite guest writer, Becks from all the way across the pond in Washington DC. If you're on Twitter then you should catch up with her at @waltandperry too. She's a massive music fan and we seem to be uncannily in synch, because the two pieces she's given me put on the blog so far have been about two of my favourite musical subjects, covers and movie soundtracks. I love her cover picks below - especially the Iron & Wine and Guns N' Roses ones, which have both been favourites of mine for long time. Check out her first post here. Keep 'em coming Becks...

Resplendent Remakes: My Favorite Cover Songs

It seems every other month Hollywood is releasing a remake of a classic film, and nine out of ten times the reworked versions fall far short of the original. Anyone remember Planet of the Apes featuring Mr. Marky Mark? Yikes! But Hollywood will continue to refashion films, because it is so much easier than writing a new screenplay. Just as the film industry has a penchant for reworking scripts, the music industry has an inclination to rework songs. Songs that have been made-over are often referred to as covers. I was hoping to find the history behind the reason we refer to remakes as covers, but found nothing reputable. (I’ll NEVER trust Wikipedia.)

Anyhow, most of the time covers are tolerable at best. Quite often they make us nostalgic for the original, and angry at the individual who dares tamper with a classic (*cough*American Pie*cough*cough*Madonna*). It’s hard to do a good cover. For a cover to be really excellent it cannot be too similar to the original tune. Otherwise there is absolutely no point in rereleasing the same song that your parents played on their 8-tracks. A truly great cover should keep the basic sound of the original, but add its own unique style and flair. I’ve generously taken precious time out of my impossibly busy schedule to compile a list of my all time favorite cover tunes. Enjoy! (Or don’t.)

1. I Will by Alison Krauss
Blue grass phenom Krauss took a big risk with this release. I Will was originally recorded by The Beatles, arguably one of the greatest bands in history, and many individuals view their music as sacred, and the altering of the slightest piece of it a form of sacrilege.
But, Alison Krauss chose to take on the challenge and managed to produce a version of I Will that I believe is superior to the original.
There is no overly ornate production in this version. Just a banjo, steel guitar, and the mellifluous voice of Alison. Without all the extras, the listener is really able to appreciate the beauty of the melody. In addition, Krauss’s angelic voice adds an air of sweetness and innocence to the tune that transforms this song into somewhat of a lullaby. Absolutely one of my favorite performances of all time.

Fun Fact: This song was featured on the album Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection that consisted of covers of other classic tunes like Bad Company’s Atlanta and Now That I’ve Found You by The Foundations. Definitely worth checking out.

2. Such Great Heights by Iron and Wine
Such Great Heights was originally performed by the indie pop band The Postal Service. Their recording was great and had a sick electronic sound. However, I believe it was Mr. Sam Beam of Iron & Wine who really breathed life into the song. The lyrics to Such Great Heights are so powerful and heartfelt, yet are barely audible in The Postal Service recording.
By opting to do an acoustic version of the song, with only a few simple harmonies thrown in, listeners are allowed to actually hear and fully appreciate the deeper meaning of painfully romantic lyrics like “the freckles in our eyes are mirror images and when we kiss they’re perfectly aligned”. To steal a phrase from tweenyboppers, totally swoonworthy.
In addition, Beam has this amazingly soft and unadorned cadence to his voice that allows him to emote the lyrics in a way that adds to the depth of the words. (Okay, so I’m half in love with the fellow). If listening to this cover doesn’t make your heart flutter, you are probably made of stone.

Fun Fact: Sam Beam’s recording of this song was released for the first time on the B-side of Postal Service’s Such Great Heights single.

3. Please Let Me Get What I Want by Muse
The original recording by The Smiths is still superior in my mind. Morrissey can convey a level of loneliness and heartbreak that neither Bellamy nor any other artist can match. It is for that reason, 25 years after its release, that The Smiths acoustic version remains a staple in the collection of every single Twilight-loving emo-teen in the world.
That being said, I rather enjoyed the version Muse recorded. Muse didn’t do anything profound. Just threw in a distorted bass and strummed the root note on the downbeat, like every classic punk song has supplied. But, those small changes altered the whole vibe of the song. I never imagined it possible to create a ‘feel good’ version of such a morose tune, but Muse managed to do just that.
So, because Muse was able to actually transform The Smiths' depressing tune into a song that DIDN'T make me want to slit my wrists, I give them high praise.

Fun Fact: Muse never released this song as a single, but it can be found on the B-side of the single Feeling Good Hyper Music. Apropos of nothing, I’m still mad at Bellamy for shacking up with Kate Hudson. Really makes me question his intelligence.

4. Since I Don’t Have You by Guns N' Roses
I love me some oldies and I love me some Slash, so naturally I love GN'R’s cover of The Skyliners 1958 hit. Featured on their 1994 album The Spaghetti Incident, it’s one of those odd mashups that you wouldn’t think would work, but actually does. Like Tabasco sauce and scrambled eggs.
Though GN'R kept the tempo and chord progressions of the ‘58 hit, they made a few key alterations that kept the listener from forgetting it was now Guns N' Roses singing the song. For example, in the middle of the song, Axl in spoken voice, utters this romantic interlude: “Yeah,we’re f**ked!” Axl always was the consummate badass. With help from Slash’s notorious guitar riffs and Axl’s rasp, GN'R added some sex appeal that was lacking in the original doo wop classic.

Fun Fact: Guns N' Roses are no strangers to remakes. In 1991 they earned a Grammy nomination for their cover of Wings megahit Live & Let Die.

5. Boyz In The Hood by Dynamite Hack
Back in 1987 the rap group N.W.A. burst onto the scene with Boyz’ N Da Hood and forever changed the face of hip hop. The song was real and raw. Easy-E (gimme a sec while I pour some out for my homey), rapped about the hard life of a gangsta. He made frequent references to drinking, weapons, and even domestic violence. KIND of depressing subject matter.
Enter Dynamite Hack: A Texas-based, post-grunge band comprised of white boy prepsters. A set of young men one would never expect to tackle a gangsta rap classic. But, in the year 2000 these Abercrombie-outfitted boys recorded a cover of Boyz In the Hood on the album Superfast that went all the way to #12 on the Billboard Rock charts. Dynamite Hack never attempted to rap the lyrics to Boyz’N Da Hood, or adopt the thug persona that defined N.W.A. Instead, they recorded an all acoustic version of this old school rap anthem. It’s quite hysterical to hear a group of Birkenstock-wearing, Dave Matthews Band lookalikes strumming their guitars and softly singing the lyrics “she said something that I couldn't believe, so I grabbed the stupid bitch by her nappy ass weave”. Eleven years later it still makes me laugh. Another thing I loved about Dynamite Hack’s cover was the fact that the melody at the end of the song echoed the beautiful melody of The Beatles hit Blackbird. In one song they managed to pay homage to both the greatest rappers and greatest rockers of all time.

Fun Fact: Dynamite Hack got their name from a line in the 70’s classic comedy, Caddyshack. BONUS points for these boys!

Even if you disagree with my picks, I hope you will take with you the fact that not all song covers are Jessica Simpson’s Take My Breath Away bad. Before you cast judgment, pick up your headphones and give the artist a chance.

By: Rebecca Sellitti

So, that Queen exhibition...

2011-02-25T09:13:00.004Z

So, I was invited to this Queen exhibition last night, and didn't really understand before I went what sort of an evening it was going to be. Turns out it was the press launch for this free exhibition, covering the early years of Queen to mark the 40th anniversary of the band's existence, and popular and busy it was too.

Brian May and Roger Taylor weren't there but there were a few 'faces' present. The lovely Sophie Ellis Bextor was there and I had a quick chat to her husband Richard Jones (who I used to work with), who's now the bassist from The Feeling. Their new single's out in three weeks and if you're a fan of knowing how the record industry works you might be interested to know that it'll come out via Universal's new policy of making it available to buy the same day it goes to radio. Lady Gaga did that recently too. Anyway, I digress.

Errr..who else was there? The bloke from Keane (much taller than I thought), Hurts (who apparently dress like that all the time), the comedian Paul Whitehouse (looked a bit lost) and also Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters, who are well known Queen fans.

Not sure what the point of this horse was, but for some reason it was the only photo I took. But there was free booze. However, I saw very little of the actual exhibition, because it was so rammed. But it's free, so I'll try to go back, maybe making a day of it with Brick Lane and Rough Trade East. Yes, I think I'll do that.

Queen exhibition

2011-02-24T16:09:00.001Z

Am going to see this tonight....

The Monthly - February 11

2011-02-24T08:28:00.002Z

1. ANNA CALVI – Suzanne And I Hot Off The Press
Londoner Calvi comes hotly tipped with this Bassey-esque track taken from her recent self-titled debut album.

2. ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI – Contact High Hot Off The Press
Forthcoming track from Australian group’s fifth album, Moment Bends, and very summery it is too.

3. CUT COPY – Take Me Over Hot Off The Press
More breezy Aussie indie synth-pop, from this duo’s recent well-received third album, Zonoscope.

4. HOLY GHOST! – Do It Again Hot Off The Press
NYC duo get all 80s on this moody pop number that’s a precursor to their debut album, released in April.

5. LADY GAGA – Born This Way Hot Off The Press
Sure, it’s more than a bit Madonna and cynically uses gay rights issues for its own publicity, but it’s also massive.

6. GIL SCOTT-HERON & JAMIE xx – I’ll Take Care Of U Hot Off The Press
Jamie from The xx is the current remixer of choice and here tackles all of GSH’s last album, I’m New Here.

7. RADIOHEAD – Morning Mr Magpie Hot Off The Press
Masters of the marketing talking point. This is my highlight of the surprise new album, King Of Limbs.

8. YEASAYER – I Remember (Villa Remix) Hot Off The Press
A beautiful track from one of my favourite albums of 2010, this remix of the latest single to be taken from Odd Blood lets the song take you over for a full eight minutes.

9. JAMES BLAKE – Measurements Hot Off The Press
Another big tip for greatness in 2011, Londoner Blake marries fragile vocals with ghostly, dubby melodies and this comes from his recently released self-titled debut album.

10. FLEET FOXES – Helplessness Blues Hot Off The Press
Their bucolic folky formula ain’t broke, so they didn’t fix it. New album of the same title’s due soon.

11. PLASTIC PENNY – Caledonia Mission New To Me
This obscure UK band re-recorded this song from The Band for their 1968 album Currency.

12. ALICE COOPER – Billion Dollar Babies New To Me
Straight up glam rock from Alice from the 1973 album of the same name that topped the US & UK charts.

13. DEL AMITRI – Roll To Me Rediscovery Of The Month I
Heard this in a pub and figured it was actually quite pleasant. A 1995 single for the Scottish faux folkies.

14. TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD – Sixteen Tons New To Me
Tom Waits put a compilation together for Mojo mag recently which featured this US #1 from 1955. Ace.

15. HUI OHANA & JERRY BYRD – How D’ya Do? New To Me
It’s not summer yet, but this might encourage the sun to come out. Byrd is the #1 inductee into the Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame. Fact.

16. COMMON – G.O.D. (Gaining One’s Definition) Rediscovery Of The Month II
As befits a song whose lyrics are tattooed on to me, this crops up on the headphones quite often. It’s everything hip hop can be – thoughtful, considered, erudite – but so often isn’t. Definitely worth listening to the lyrics if you haven’t already.

P.S. The photo at the top is an attempt to make The Monthly posts a little less text-y, so to accompany them from now on I think I'll put up a photo from the past month, something topical that sums that month up. This is of a deserted rail station, typical of my past month's commuting experiences after I've moved to the other side of London.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (Cosmonaut Grechko version)

2011-02-23T09:12:00.002Z

Came across this remix this morning - now this is a proper remix, taking the song in a completely new and unexpected direction. Great work. Check out Cosmonaut Grechko's Soundcloud page for more.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (Cosmonaut Grechko version) by Cosmonaut Grechko

Chilly Gonzales - You Can Dance video (w/added T&A)

2011-02-23T08:58:00.002Z

What the hell, this one's worth a watch or two. Who's your favourite? Mine's the one in the nautical stripey dress. Just saying.

Chilly Gonzales - Never Stop

2011-02-23T08:51:00.002Z

Love this track (proof). Only just caught the video. It has a piano-playing cat in it, and everything.

New Radiohead video & song

2011-02-19T12:32:00.002Z

Don't front, Thom looks fucking great in this.

An introduction to Okkervil River

2011-02-18T10:40:00.005Z

If you're not familiar with Okkervil River, then I'd highly recommend them. From Texas, they've been around for a decade or so and were introduced to me by a friend who holds their album Black Sheep Boy in particularly high acclaim. Ironically, that's one of my least favourite of their albums.

They're firmly in the alt-rock/indie bracket (which you probably could've guessed from the photo, right?), with the likes of Midlake, The Decemberists and The National, and their new album, I Am Very Far, is due in May.

So I mentioned them to another friend who wasn't familiar with them, so I thought it'd be a good excuse to do a little intro CD. And below is the tracklisting for that, including the albums that each song comes from in brackets. Go seek them out - you won't be disappointed.

1. Black Sheep Boy (Black Sheep Boy)

2. Lost Coastlines (The Stand Ins)

3. Dead Dog Song (Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See)

4. Unless It's Kicks (The Stage Names)

5. Calling And Not Calling My Ex (The Stand Ins)

6. Song Of Our So-Called Friends (Black Sheep Boy)

7. April Anne (Golden Opportunities Mixtape)
This is a John Phillips cover (he of Mamas & The Papas fame) and the album was a free collection of live covers the have done

8. John Allyn Smith Sails (The Stage Names)
Check out the nod to The Beach Boys' Sloop John B in this

9. You Can't Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man (Daytrotter Session)
The original of this comes from The Stage Names (my favourite OR record) but I included the live version from the superb Daytrotter session

10. Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe (The Stage Names)

11. Listening to Otis Redding At Home During Christmas (Live) (Golden Opportunities Mixtape)
And this one originally comes from the Don't Fall In Love With Everyone You See album, but again I included the live version from the GO mixtape

Ivory Tower starring Chilly Gonzales, Tiga and Peaches

2011-02-17T15:32:00.002Z

So musicians aren't necessarily known for their acting ability when they give it a shot (except Jon Bon Jovi, of course), and off the top of my head I'd say they're even less known for their comic acting ability.

So I was truly shocked to find this advert for Ivory Tower, starring hipster favourites Chilly Gonzales, Tiga and Peaches, properly amusing. Is that really Tiga as one of the brothers??? I know what the other two look like so have to assume from the credits that that's him. Fair play.

And although it's always annoying to find press quotes accurate, the one that flashes across the screen claiming the movie's a combination of Will Ferrell and Wes Anderson kind of hits the nail on the head. So yeah, I'd quite like to see this please. When's it out?

New Housse De Racket album!!!

2011-02-16T11:13:00.002Z

Very exciting times for my favourite French band, Housse De Racket. I worked with these guys last summer and as well as being top lads, they fucking rock live. In fact, they were so good live, I met my girlfriend at their last gig. Now that's a good show.

Good news for them too because they've signed to Kitsune, which is a proper score. They've been beavering away on a new album and produced this tasty teaser to get you in the mood. Oh yeah.

And Happy Valentine's from Yeasayer

2011-02-14T16:59:00.001Z

Such a, I repeat such a, beautiful track. And a link on the video to download a free EP. Thanks Yeasayer.

Happy Valentine's from Foo Fighters

2011-02-14T16:52:00.002Z

New track. Lemmy's in the White Limo. It rocks.

Eminem Superbowl ad

2011-02-10T09:49:00.003Z

In case you missed it, this was the advert for Chrysler that goes heavy on promoting Detroit and so features Eminem - it was shown during the Superbowl. Zane Lowe went big with the praise on it, and it is a good watch, so check it out.

New Fleet Foxes song

2011-01-31T17:21:00.001Z

Download it for free from fleetfoxes.com.

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

Happy Birthday sis!

2011-01-31T17:15:00.002Z

A couple of songs that reminds me of growing up together...

Lenny Kravitz & Slash

2011-01-24T14:21:00.003Z

This video came up in conversation over the weekend - I was reminiscing about RAW magazine (below) and the TV show they used to have on ITV in the middle of the night back in the late 80s/early 90s. Phil Alexander presented it, who's now at the helm of Mojo magazine funnily enough. I used to tape it on timer in the night and then scan through it on Friday morning before having to go to school.

This was in the days when I didn't have MTV (most people I knew didn't) or the web, so this was the only way I was going to get to see new videos. And out of all the bands, songs and videos that I discovered via the RAW TV show (needless to say I was a big metal fan as a kid), this is probably the track I remember most distinctly.

First of all, no one had told me that members of my favourite bands, in this case Slash, were going to pop up in somebody else's videos. Was that even allowed?!? Secondly, the song was, and still, is fricking awesome - rock in a cool way that very few people manage to pull off, with a massive riff from Slash. And thirdly, I'd never heard of Lenny Kravitz before, so that was a little bonus (not that I can claim to have become a particularly big fan subsequently). Anyway, preamble over - here's what I'm pleased to say I still consider to be a kick-ass video.

PS I love the top right headline on the cover above - I have vague memories of this story, with a fight between Sebastian Bach from Skid Row and Jon Bon Jovi. ROCK FIGHT!!

The Monthly - January 11

2011-01-22T09:25:00.000Z

1. GRINDERMAN - Get It On New To Me
Ferocious track from Nick Cave's band, from their 2007 self-titled debut.

2. WEEZER - (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To Rediscovery Of The Month I
Came across this great track from 2009's Radtitude album. Punk power pop at its finest.

3. SLOW CLUB - Giving Up On Love New To Me
Recent single from Sheffield indie-pop duo, taken from their 2009 album Yeah So.

4. THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION - Bitte Bitte Hot Off The Press
New Zealand folk rockers put their fourth album, Buffalo, out last year - this was a recent iTunes single of the week.

5. THE BEES - Listening Man New To Me
Yet another 6Music gem to come my way - from the Isle Of Wight band's 2007 album Octopus.

6. IRON & WINE - Glad Man Singing Hot Off The Press
Sam Beam's back with forthcoming album Kiss Each Other Clean. New session track from the superb Daytrotter.com.

7. JOHN LEE HOOKER - Take Me As I Am New To Me
Beautiful, poignant track that randomly came my way. Find it on any of his greatest hits.

8. THE INK SPOTS Feat. ELLA FITZGERALD - Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall New To Me
Be transported back to yester-year with this 1944 track from Indianapolis doo wop stars The Ink Spots.

9. FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS - Working My Way Back To You New To Me
I knew this track, but only when I got a Valli best of this month did I really get to know it. A 1966 single.

10. NILS LOFGREN - I Came To Dance New To Me
Famed for his work with Neil Young and Springsteen, this comes from his 1977 album of the same title.

11. JANET JACKSON - Nasty Rediscovery Of The Month II
God knows where I found this but it instantly took me back to 1986 - great flashback.

12. DIDDY-DIRTY MONEY - Someone To Love Me Hot Off The Press
Diddy's new project is proper good. This is from the concept album Last Train To Paris, recently released.

13. BEANS - Deathsweater Hot Off The Press
Random blog band that I found so info is scarce, but this is a very cool track.

14. ELECTRONIC - Getting Away With It Rediscovery Of The Month III
Remember this? Course you do. New Order meets The Smiths as Marr teams up with Sumner in 1989.

BONUS REMIXES AND MASH-UPS CD

1. ADELE - Rolling In The Deep (Jamie xx Shuffle)

2. MARK RONSON - Somebody To Love Me (Kaytradamus Remix)

3. TOM TOM CLUB - Genius Of Love

4. THE CATARACS - Bass Down Low (Proper Villains Remix)

5. COLD WAR KIDS - Mine Is Yours (Passion Pit Remix)

6. KHAN EDISON VS M.I.A. - Paper Planes

7. ELBOW - Grounds For Divorce (Chrome Plated Remix)

8. WICK-IT THE INSTIGATOR - You Ain't The Next DJ (The Black Keys Vs Big Boi)

9. LL COOL J - Mama Said Knock You Out (Z-Trip Remix)

10. ARETHA FRANKLIN & THE ROLLING STONES - A Deeper Love (Chew Fu & Steve Clisby Vocal Mix)

11. JOHNNY CASH - Belshazzar (Machine Drum Remix)

12. MARLENA SHAW - California Soul (Diplo/Mad Recent Remix)

13. JACKSON 5 - I Want You Back (Dimitri From Paris Remix)

Sam Cooke would've been 80 today

2011-01-21T14:28:00.004Z

So here's a reminder of what a phenomenal singer he was.

Massive fan. Here's my tattoo of some of his lyrics in case you don't believe.

Kate Bush

2011-01-21T10:24:00.000Z

Just sayin'

The Beatles vs Fela Kuti

2011-01-20T09:34:00.002Z

Does what it says on the tin. From this cool little blog - afrobeatles.com.

Classic Album Sundays

2011-01-19T10:10:00.004Z

Came across this interesting story on the BBC about Classic Album Club.

The idea's a simple one - people get together and listen to classic albums all the way through, with no breaks (not even for the toilet), no talking and no messing with your phone. Apparently it's held in a pub in Islington, putting it right in my neck of the woods. Anyone know where??

Gotta say though, it provokes mixed feelings in me. Ultimately I think it's a good idea (and besides, as with all these ideas, if they're not hurting anyone it always puzzles me why anyone would object). But at first I was a little suspicious of making a listening arrangement like that so formal. It just didn't really seem in the spirit of music. And, as Peter from Popjustice comments, it's reminiscent of the type of chin-stroking po-faced behaviour that can put a lot of younger people off music from a while back.

But anyway, like I say, I wouldn't say no to going. Or I could just do it at home on my own with a nice G&T in hand.

By the way the record picture above is just a random one that I thought would sit well with the topic of this story. You know, like what they do on the news.

Your life in music lists

2011-01-13T11:18:00.005Z

A bit of a belated look back at the best music-related Christmas present I got, from my sister and brother-in-law. I like music, and I like lists, so you'd be right for thinking that this book was perfect for me. Music Listography does what it says on the tin, and has dozens of themed list suggestions for you to fill in. So I did.

Here are some of my favourite list topics...

List the twenty albums you'd bring if you were leaving planet earth on a spaceship

List the music your parents listened to when you were a kid

List performers you'd bring back to life

List the first albums you ever owned

List the best album covers ever created

List your favourite television and film theme songs

List the songs to play at your funeral

Oh, and while I'm looking back at Christmas, here's a couple of shots of my awesome nephew playing with two of his best Christmas presents, also music-related. I can hear the royalties cheques tumbling through the post already...

The amazing beer machine

2011-01-10T12:08:00.002Z

If, like me, you find live music goes well with beer, then you might want to send a request to your local venue to ask them to get this miracle of science fitted. It reminds me of the terrible queueing I suffered at the Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem gig in December - this bad boy would have solved everything.

New Noah & The Whale video

2011-01-08T11:19:00.001Z

Love this song...

Lyrics #56

2011-01-06T09:26:00.003Z

And my man'll speak Patois, and I can speak rap star

Song: As We Enter
Artist: Damian "Jr Gong" Marley & Nas
Album: Distant Relatives

2010, Def Jam

Rivers Cuomo does The Beach Boys

2011-01-05T10:45:00.002Z

Great video this - Rivers (of Weezer of course) sits down at his piano and does The Beach Boys' God Only Knows in lovely fashion.

Found this from This Is Fake DIY and they summed it up perfectly: "It's him, his piano, and one of the greatest love songs ever".

The Roots do Christmas

2011-01-03T15:49:00.002Z

I'm back from my travels over Christmas and New Year and am gonna catch up on some stuff I've seen over the holiday, but before it's really too late, here's a great performance of The Christmas Song by The Roots on Jimmy Fallon's show in the US (where they're the house band too). If it wasn't so good I wouldn't put it up this long after Christmas, with work in sight tomorrow. From tomorrow I'll be looking forward, promise.

Editors perform Let It Snow

2010-12-27T09:07:00.001Z

Here's Editors performing in Brussels last week - a nice little cover of Christmas classic, Let It Snow.

You can also download the track for free from Editors official website.

Queen's harmonies & Clapton's guitar

2010-12-26T09:51:00.001Z

I'm biased because I'm a massive Queen fan, but hearing their harmonies isolated like this is a stirring few minutes. Now where's my Flash Gordon DVD?

And while I was on YouTube searching for the Queen track, I found this isolated Eric Clapton guitar track from Cream's Sunshine Of Your Love. It seems there are a million tracks on YouTube like this, just taking one part of the song and isolating it. It's kind of fascinating to hear things on their own. Or is that just me?

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:02:00.001Z

Let's celebrate today with a stone cold classic...

And if you're bored, here's a word-for-word modern parody too.

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell

?uestlove's record room

2010-12-24T16:59:00.003Z

Saw this image in Rolling Stone magazine today. It's the ever-cool Questlove (or ?uestlove) being snapped in his 'record room' at his home, where he keeps his 70,000 records. Awesome.

So I tweeted this and mentioned the great man by name (@questlove) and lo and behold he RT'd me, which was nice. It proved to be my most popular tweet ever, with so far nearly twenty RTs of his RT. Sweet. Merry Christmas!

Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention

2010-12-24T09:38:00.002Z

I don't know the first thing about Zappa. Actually, that's not true, I do know that I should know more about Frank Zappa. He's on that very long list of people I want to investigate more, I just don't seem to get round to it. The Monthly kind of acts as a catalyst for that for me, but there are still a million other things to get done too.

But those good people at The Word put out an email every week, and they had this video on it this week to celebrate the fact that Zappa would have been 70 this week (he died in 1993). Don't be put off by the 7min+ running time of this, it's a great watch. And they've got a bed in the studio. Of course they have.

Hot Chip at Alexandra Palace

2010-12-23T17:26:00.004Z

I went to see the LCD Soundsystem / Hot Chip gig at Ally Pally back in November and it was one of the worst gig going experiences of my life, but not at all to do with the bands (two of my favourites) but more the terrible, terrible infrastructure at the venue.

I couldn't find the energy to write about it at the time, and I won't detail it now, but massive queues at all points of the night meant that I missed Hot Chip altogether. Thank fuck LCD put on a great show, otherwise it would have felt like a total waste of money. Someone I went with complained in writing to the venue and in return was sent a live CD/DVD of the show, which was actually being sold at the end of the gig, so he did well there. Well, sort of.

Anyway, today an email to the Hot Chip mailing list dropped in, with a link to this video. So it was good to see, though kind of annoying that I didn't see it for real first time round.

The Monthly - December 10

2010-12-22T09:27:00.002Z

Here's the last The Monthly of the year, and it's a big one. Enjoy it and I'll see you for more monthly fun in 2011...

1. NOAH & THE WHALE – Wild Thing Hot Off The Press
Great first offering from forthcoming new album Last Night On Earth.

2. ISOBEL CAMPBELL & MARK LANEGAN – Time Of The Season New To Me
Bucolic ditty from recent album Hawk from the singing unlikely couple.

3. VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Fight For This Love Hot Off The Press
Yes, they’ve covered Cheryl Cole, seemingly completely off their own bat too. Take that, irony.

4. AVI BUFFALO – What’s It In For? New To Me
First single from earlier this year from Californian’s who clearly listened to a lot of The Shins.

5. R.E.M. – Discoverer Hot Off The Press
Brand new track from the rock legends, from their upcoming 2011 album Collapse Into Now.

6. THESE NEW PURITANS – Fire-Power New To Me
Nearly made The Monthly earlier in the year but recently voted NME’s album of the year, so I revisited.

7. ROC-C – Don’t Stop New To Me
Underground hip-hopper gets exposure for this great track via cool new VW TV advert.

8. NICKI MINAJ – I’m the Best Hot Off The Press
Trinidadian pop-hopper has had lots of hype and this is a great track from her patchy, guest-strewn debut album.

9. SKEELO VS SURVIVOR – I Wish I Was A Tiger Hot Off The Press
Been around for a while but this Soulwax mash-up comes from a new collection of theirs. Awesome party fun.

10. THE FLYING LIZARDS - Money New To Me
Familiar for years, but only just properly logged in my brain. From their 1979 self-titled debut.

11. TALKING HEADS – Crosseyed & Painless Rediscovery Of The Month I
Forgot how good this was, and clearly a massive influence on Friendly Fires, LCD, Hot Chip et al.

12. THE BELOVED – Sweet Harmony Rediscovery Of The Month II
Dance music par excellence, this 1993 track resurfaced for me after Eddy Chemical Brother recommended on Twitter.

13. ROBYN – Dancehall Queen Hot Off The Press
More great stuff from the Swedish singer, from her recently released Body Talk album.

14. THE XX – VCR (Matthew Dear Remix) New To Me
You all know the track but I only heard this terrific remix recently.

15. TOM SCOTT – Today New To Me
Recommended by Ronson recently for the sample at 1m38 as used by Pete Rock & CL Smooth in hip hop classic TROY.

16. THE SWEET – Love Is Like Oxygen New To Me
Another recommendation, this time by James from LCD. This was a 1978 top 10 hit for the Brit glam rock outfit.

17. BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS – You Make Me So Very Happy New To Me
This cropped up on a random 60s compilation – fantastically funky, especially at the 1m45 mark.

18. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – Because The Night Hot Off The Press
The Boss’s The Promise (recorded in 1978) came out recently to rave reviews and this is a highlight of highlights.

The world's greatest rock photographer?

2010-12-21T10:16:00.003Z

This is the shit. Dude finds funny photos on the web and then captions them as shots of bands. They're all spot on, in that they don't look anything like the artist in question, but are close enough that if someone said it, you'd laugh. And I do.

Check it out at rockpaparazzi.blogspot.com, and below are some of my favourites...

Best of 2010

2010-12-16T09:19:00.000Z

Welcome to the ihrtmusique Best of 2010. Lots of these lists floating around, so of course there's no reason why you'd pay any more attention to mine than anyone else's, but if there's anything on here that you haven't heard before then maybe this will be a good prompt for you to check it out. It's all individual songs that have moved me this year, in one way of another.

1. Hot Chip - Thieves In The Night

2. Kelis - Acapella

3. Broken Bells - The Mall & Misery

4. Vampire Weekend - Cousins

5. Goldfrapp - Rocket

6. Cee-Lo Green - Fuck You

7. The Black Keys - Next Girl

8. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

9. Big Boi - Shutterbugg

10. Foals - Spanish Sahara

11. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls

12. Sleigh Bells - Kids

13. Yeasayer - O.N.E.

14. John Grant - Chicken Bones

15. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - The Mighty Sparrow

16. Magnetic Man - I Need Air

17. Best Coast - Boyfriend

18. Scissor Sisters - Invisible Light

19. Kings Of Leon - Radioactive

20. Daft Punk - Derezzed

21. Kanye West Feat. Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Lloyd Banks & Ryan Leslie - Christian Dior Denim Flow

22. The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio

23. Fool's Gold - Surprise Hotel

24. Band Of Horses - Compliments

25. The Hold Steady - We Can Get Together

26. Chilly Gonzales - Never Stop (Rap Mix)

27. Damian "Jr Gong" Marley & Nas - As We Enter

28. M.I.A. - Born Free

29. Robyn - Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do

30. OK Go - White Knuckles

31. Holy Fuck - Latin America

32. Zola Jesus - Tower

33. Gorillaz Feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def - Stylo

34. Jamaica - Cross The Fader

35. Maximum Balloon Feat. Theophilus London - Groove Me

36. Kele - Tenderoni

37. Jamie Lidell - Enough's Enough

38. The Dead Weather - Hustle & Cuss

39. The Morning Benders - Excuses

40. Dry The River - History Book

More record shelf tinkering

2010-12-15T14:46:00.002Z

New theme. Graphicy cartoonyness. Closest I could come to a Christmas theme because it allowed me to put the Charlie Brown album up (middle row, second from the right).

The X-Factor funniness

2010-12-14T13:37:00.002Z

Seen this about ten times and it's still making me laugh. Check out what curly hair says to winner Matt. In case you can't lip-read that well, he says "think of how much pussy you're gonna get". Class.

Dr. Dre's new vid

2010-12-13T08:25:00.001Z

Long time comin'....worth the wait? You decide.

The Beloved - Sweet Harmony

2010-12-12T16:43:00.002Z

Great video and song from the 80s - as recommended by Ed Simons of The Chemical Brothers on Twitter (@eddychemical)

OK Go's dog video

2010-12-10T11:40:00.001Z

Been meaning to post this for ages. we all know they do great videos but this one goes that one step further, simply by the introduction of dogs into the equation. Perfect.

Them Crooked Vultures live

2010-12-08T09:35:00.001Z

Alas, no, this isn't a live review as I haven't had the pleasure (yet), but saw this online the other day and it looked spectacular - three guys really on top of what they do. Oh, and did you see this awesome photo of them that I put up recently?

Lyrics #55

2010-12-07T09:29:00.000Z

I'll rob Pun without a gun
Snatch his piece then run
This nigga weigh 400 pounds, how you gonna catch me son?

Song: How To Rob
Artist: 50 Cent
Album: Bootleg

1999

The famous Buddy Rich rant

2010-12-06T09:38:00.000Z

Came across this while I was in the blogging wilderness, and I promised myself I'd post it up if I ever got back on the blogging good foot. So here it is. Buddy Rich, the legendary drummer, in full swing of a different kind - really laying into his band after what must have been a less-than-satisfactory performance. Warning: contains multiple uses of the phrase "motherfuckers". Proper old school.

The Best Song Titles Ever - Incredible Bongo Band

2010-12-05T09:33:00.001Z

When The Bed Breaks Down I'll Meet You In The Spring

By

Incredible Bongo Band

Looking back to Leeds

2010-12-04T09:30:00.007Z

I got massively lucky in the summer and was asked to chip in with the DJing at Leeds festival, which was amazing. I wrote a post for Global Cool's behind-the-scenes blog at the time, and here it is...

Here at GCHQ you've probably noticed that we're pretty big music fans, so that normally means the summer is dominated by festivals and this year was no different. For our Do It In Public campaign we chatted to tons of bands backstage at V, Field Day and Summer Sundae, but when we weren't doing that, some of us still found time to check out some of the UK's other brilliant music festies.

And last weekend I got to enjoy the mighty Leeds festival from a totally new perspective - on a stage!! The Piccadilly Party Stage is a little way off from the other stages, and sits right on the edge of the main campsite. As soon as the headliners walk offstage, it becomes the place to be if you want to put off going to bed for a few more hours.

So I struck gold and was asked by the regular DJs of this stage (two cracking gents called Andy and Dave who go by the name of Beef Warehouse) if I wanted to come along to help DJ, which was a massive no-brainer to say the least. I packed up my CDs, headphones and wellies and happily jumped on the East Coast line to Leeds. And between 11pm and 6am each night we were charged with keeping the crowd bouncing, and from where I was standing (or rather, jumping up and down like a kid on Christmas morning), it felt like mission accomplished. Check out the picture above for a taste of what it looked like.

If you want to recreate (or relive if you were there) the moment, here's a little playlist (click to open in Spotify) of the biggest tracks that we played...all you need now is a lukewarm beer in a plastic cup and you're practically there.

1. Example - Kickstarts
2. Dr. Dre - The Next Episode
3. Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle
4. The Killers - Mr. Brightside
5. Plan B - Stay Too Long
6. Vampire Weekend - A-Punk
7. Jay-Z - 99 Problems
8. Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man
9. Nas & Damian Marley - As We Enter
10. Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

And in addition to the post above, here are some other shots that I took. It were proper mental, it were...

It was CDs all the way for me...

The stage before the sun went down and the crowds came out...

Me when I was warm...

And me when I was VERY cold...

And finally, my favourite crowd shot...

Roll on 2011

Lyrics #54

2010-12-03T09:12:00.001Z

As heavy as a history book can be,
I will carry it with me, oh lord
And maybe when the bitterness has gone
There'll be sweetness on our tongues, once more

Song: History Book
Artist: Dry The River
Album: Bible Belt (EP)

2010

I was at the Dry The River gig at the Lexington in Angel when they performed this track, and here it is...

The past few months - a review (pt. 2)

2010-12-02T09:48:00.000Z

Following on from my recent part 1 review that rounded up some stuff I've missed out on blogging about over the past few months, here's part 2. It struck me looking back over the photos on my phone how many seem to have been taken in a pub. Riiiiight, so that's where the time must have gone.

So here's a round up of booze photos from the past little while. Not a great deal to do with music, other than to say that these times were all accompanied by music in the background. Oh, and this first one is of the two different Becks beer bottles designed by French indie heroes Phoenix.

GUEST POST: The Soundtracks of My Life

2010-12-02T09:43:00.003Z

This is a cool thing. One of the good folks I follow on Twitter mentioned something about good soundtracks recently that I responded to, and after a bit of a chat, I convinced her to write a post for me on her favourite soundtracks. And she did. And it's ace. And it's below. So let me introduce you to Rebecca. If you want to follow her on Twitter you can find her at @waltandperry - she's a great Tweeter and living as she does in Washington DC, this could be the first of many posts from the ihrtmusique DC correspondent. So take it away Rebecca...

I grew up in an era when the internet was still in its infancy.
Listening to a new jam was not as easy as just clicking a button on the iTunes site.
If a song wasn’t in heavy rotation on the radio, or wasn’t featured in an MTV video, odds are slim I would’ve heard it.
Were it not for film soundtracks, my teen years in the 90’s might have been spent listening EXCLUSIVELY to Britney Spears, NSYNC, & The Backstreet Boys. (Not that those artists didn’t have a place in my listening library.)It was the soundtracks that afforded me the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of artists from all different genres of music, and who had achieved varying degrees of notoriety, from household names like Cobain, to the up-and-coming, and the never to be heard from again.
I thought I’d share a few of the soundtracks that really helped to shape my formative years.

1) Reality Bites 1994.
Although it’s the first thing you might think of when you hear the title, this album is not defined exclusively by Lisa Loeb’s #1 hit single Stay.
This eclectic soundtrack also featured classic songs like My Sharona (The Knack), fresh hip-hop beats courtesy of Me Phi Me, U2’s CLASSIC All I Want Is You and a reggae inspired reworking of Framton’s Baby I Love Your Way by Big Mountain.
A classic album that should be present in any self respecting Gen-Xers album collection!

2) Pump Up The Volume 1990
Since this entire movie revolved around Hard Harry, a pirate radio DJ, it is no surprise that new and ‘forbidden’ music figured heavily into the plot.
Were it not for this album, I would have never discovered indie artists like The Pixies, whose song Wave of Mutilation still makes my heart twitter.
This album also introduced me to artists like Sonic Youth & Soundgarden, that had yet to go mainstream. Add some old school hip hop, courtesy of Above The Law, as well as Concrete Blonde’s fab cover of Leonard Cohen’s Everybody Knows, and you’ve got yourself one Hell of an album.

3) Great Expectations 1998
Okay. It’s another album filled with classic 90’s angst! But,it’s a goodie. Scout’s honor! Among the lovely tracks is the haunting piece Life in Mono, by British pop duo Mono; some ‘Girl Power’ anthems courtesy of Tori Amos & Poe, as well as solo tracks from Chris Cornell, & Scott Weiland. Pulp’s Like a Friend is also featured on this album. A song I listen to every time I feel jilted by a man!!
In fact this soundtrack is how I came to know Mr. Jarvis Cocker.
For that reason ALONE, this album will always hold a special place in my heart.

4) Cruel Intentions 1999
The songs for this soundtrack were so carefully selected that simply listening to the album from start to finish will inform one of the plot of the film. (Hint: Think Ryan Phillipe pre-manwhoredom.)
One of the most beautiful pieces on the album, is Colorblind by Counting Crows. The lyrics “I am ready,I am ready,I am fine” could not have been more perfectly suited to a scene where a girl loses her virginity. Contributions by Blur, Aimee Mann, & Fatboy Slim, add to this solid soundtrack.
And The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, which is played at the revealing conclusion of the movie, rounds off this killer soundtrack.
A MUST OWN for any man or woman who has ever loved and/or lost!

5) Dazed and Confused 1993
This album showcases the best of 70’s rock & roll. With jams by Kiss, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Foghat, & Lynyrd Skynyrd…I mean everyone who was ANYONE in the 70’s Rock scene was featured on this album.
With the great beats and the generally upbeat tone of the songs, this record is an ESSENTIAL for any road trip.

If you should find yourself perusing the shelves at the record store, maybe take a second to glance through the soundtracks. Just don’t judge the album by the movie it’s attached to. Some of the lamest films produced the finest compilations of music. Inspect the soundtrack to Julia Roberts’ latest crapfest. Her ginormous smile may be the cover of your new favorite record!

By: Rebecca Sellitti

A very Fishy (Fishy) Christmas

2010-12-01T09:39:00.003Z

I soundtrack a playlist of background music for a fantastic restaurant in Brighton called Fishy Fishy, which I've mentioned here in a Five fishy songs post, and here in a post ranting about the whys and wherefores of so-called 'chill-out' music.

Those posts were a little while ago and I'm still very happily updating their music regularly and it was time recently to head down on the train to handover the Christmas playlist. On the one hand, it's straightforward to put together (I mean, how many Christmas songs are there??), but on the other hand, the ethos with the music at Fishy Fishy is to have good quality music that's neither obvious or throwaway but also isn't intrusive, and the same goes for the Christmas playlist of course. So of course there's no Slade (sorry Noddy) or Wizard. I think I've got the balance right, but you'll have to visit there yourself to know what you think. The staff and owners seem to like it, so that's good enough for me.

And brilliantly, the music got a mention in a recent Sunday Times Style review of the restaurant...

Flattering hyperbole aside (I didn't say stop!), here's my five favourite tracks from the Christmas playlist I put together for them...

Binky Griptite & The Deekays - Stoned Soul Christmas
Classic soul with a sleigh bell backing...makes you want to put slippers on.

Low - Silent Night
Indie does trad. - the pick from their classic Christmas album

Chuck Berry - Run, Rudolph, Run
Like a slightly slower Johnny B. Goode, but about a reindeer, obvs.

Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas
A great cover by Phoenix's finest of the Wham 80s hit, from an OC compilation

Vince Guaraldi Trio - O Tannenbaum
A staple of Christmas if you grew up in the US, this is from the soundtrack to the Charlie Brown Christmas special, called A Charlie Brown Christmas. You can pick any song off this, one of the most relaxing albums I know, for a cool Christmas playlist.

Awesome retroness from Kisses

2010-12-01T09:07:00.000Z

I lurve this vid. I put them on the last The Monthly too. Looking forward to the album.

The Monthly - November 10

2010-11-30T09:58:00.000Z

1. DAFT PUNK – Derezzed Hot Off The Press
These 100 seconds of music are a tantalising preview of Daft Punk’s return, in the form of the soundtrack to new Disney movie Tron: Legacy. It’s amazing. Bring on the album (in December) and (please God) the tour next year.

2. CHROMEO – Bonafied Lovin New To Me
A great new track for me from an awesome mix I was given recently. I love how knowing these lyrics are, though maybe that’s just because I’m getting on a bit. This was on the Canadian duo’s 2007 album, Fancy Footwork.

3. CRYSTAL CASTLES FEAT. ROBERT SMITH – Not In Love Hot Off The Press
Another Canadian duo, CCs released their Crystal Castles II album earlier this year, with this track recently re-recorded to feature The Cure legend Robert Smith on vox.

4. KID CUDI, BEST COAST & ROSTAM OF VAMPIRE WEEKEND – All Summer New To Me
Online recently I found two tracks from this year recorded for Converse, the trainer people. The other was by Hot Chip and Bernard Sumner and both are free (and on my blog). They follow last year’s Santogold/Strokes/Pharrell collabo.

5. TAPES N’ TAPES – Freak Out Hot Off The Press
This indie band from Minneapolis are soon to put out their third album, featuring this brilliantly pacey track. I’m completely new to them, so don’t really have anything else to say. Enjoy!

6. JOHN GRANT – Chicken Bones New To Me
Singer/songwriter Grant is featuring in many 2010 round-ups with his excellent album Queen Of Denmark. Midlake were his backing band on that, and this was the highlight for me. Contains excellent repeated use of the phrase “fuck off”.

7. WARPAINT – Undertow Hot Off The Press
All-girl LA group Warpaint released their debut album The Fool a month ago and have since been on the cover of NME. This was an iTunes single of the week and it’s a slow-burner but worth getting to know.

8. GIRL TALK – Oh No Hot Off The Press
He’s back! The subject of the first ever blog post for me, and included on one of the first ever The Monthly, the mix tape genius that is Girl Talk put out his third album for free on’t web this month. Check here for a link to the whole thing.

9. GORILLAZ – Doncamatic Hot Off The Press
I saw Gorillaz live this month, and they were great – tons of guests and the singles are great party tunes, including this recent non-album release featuring Mancunian Daley on vocals.

10. PRINCE FATTY – Shimmy Shimmy Ya New To Me
I’ve heard this at the now-defunct YOI club night I DJ at, but only got Fatty’s album of covers recently. This is an ODB cover, and his take on Cypress Hill’s Insane In The Brain is also ace. Both come from Supersize, released this year.

11. THE PHARCYDE – Passin’ Me By Rediscovery Of The Month I
From The Pharcyde’s 1992 classic Bizarre Ride II this is just the epitome of early 90s hip hop. That killer organ sample is from Quincy Jones’s Summer In The City, in case you’re wondering.

12. P.M. DAWN – Set Adrift On Memory Bliss Rediscovery Of The Month II
Couldn’t resist putting this on. It was played over the PA in between bands when I went to see the excellent Sleigh Bells at new venue XOYO. It’s from 1996. Ah, memories.

13. DAVE BRUBECK – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Special bonus Xmas song
Bah, humbug.

U2 & Jay-Z live

2010-11-30T09:00:00.001Z

You won't often find me posting U2 videos on here, but this one features Jay-Z coming onstage as part of their current Australia and New Zealand tour - Jigga was supporting.

Robyn video - Dancehall Queen (dir. Diplo)

2010-11-29T21:19:00.001Z

New video co-directed by the song's producer, Diplo. And another great track from Robyn.

Sexy new Polo advert

2010-11-29T19:50:00.003Z

I know from experience that the word 'sexy' is horribly misused in the world of marketing and advertising, but I reckon this new Volkswagen Polo advert definitely qualifies. It's cool, check it out...

And the music is a track called Don't Stop by Roc C.

Lyrics #53

2010-11-29T08:52:00.000Z

Baby I do feel ready for me
You'd better watch out sugar cos I'm about to get my Old Spice on

Song: Chicken Bones
Artist: John Grant
Album: Queen Of Denmark

2010, Bella Union

A Sunday night to remember

2010-11-28T21:39:00.004Z

As well as Wagner getting the boot from The X Factor, my iTunes library has passed the 25,000 mark (25,028 to be precise), AND, wait for it, I rearranged my record shelves. BOOM! This fetching black theme below follows on from the red and faces motifs seen at the bottom of this blog post right here.

Big question now of course is where do I go when it's time for the next shelf rearrangement. I'd love to do a Christmas one, but the only Christmas record I think I own is a Death Row 12" with Snoop Dogg. Maybe I'll do a bands one, or one of my favourite sleeves. Ooh, the possibilities!

The Monthly - October 10

2010-11-28T09:23:00.000Z

1. DUCK SAUCE – Barbra Streisand Hot Off The Press
DJ/producers A-Trak and Armand Van Helden have teamed up for their ‘disco house’ Duck Sauce project. This bouncy number comes with a music-sleb filled video too that’s worth checking out.

2. SPANKROCK – Sweet Talk New To Me
After seeing Baltimore rapper Spankrock tour with Mark Ronson recently, I dug out his record having never quite got round to it before. It’s fantastic party hip hop, with this being my pick of the 2006 album YoYoYoYoYoYo.

3. KANYE WEST – Christian Dior Denim Flow Hot Off The Press
Kanye’s been putting out TONS of free tracks lately, ahead of new album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in November. This one features Kid Cudi, Pusha T, John Legend, Ryan Leslie and, surprisingly, G-Unit man Lloyd Banks.

4. LYKKE LI – Get Some Hot Off The Press
Swedish singer Li put out a great record in 2008, Youth Novels, and this is the first new track from her since then. I love the combination of tribal beats and a massive bassline, so fingers crossed the unconfirmed new album lives up to it.

5. KINGS OF LEON – No Money Hot Off The Press
KOL have always been better on record than live, and new album Come Around Sundown is as good as they’ve done for my money – more mature and, hopefully, with songs that sound like they’ll still be good for a long time to come.

6. ESCORT – Cocaine Blues Hot Off The Press
Escort comprises two producers and a singer from Brooklyn and they’ve come up with a great throwback jam here – a cover of classic reggae song Cocaine In My Brain by Dillinger.

7. JAMAICA – Cross The Fader Hot Off The Press
I know I put Paris’ Jamaica on The Monthly recently but after getting the album I was really impressed by it, so this, the first track from No Problem, makes it on this month. Really fun, upbeat French guitar pop. What’s not to like?

8. KISSES – Kisses Hot Off The Press
LA boy/girl duo Kisses (who, fittingly, look like American Apparel models), claim to be a disco project, though this goes further than that – and they’re influenced by Cerrone, my favourite French disco drumming old man with white hair.

9. CAMERA OBSCURA – French Navy New To Me
I ignored this Scottish band’s My Maudlin Career album when I got it on release in 2009, but heard this lovely track on the radio recently. They also have shades of She & Him, another band who’ve been on The Monthly.

10. TOTO – Hold The Line New To Me
This 1978 track might be familiar to some of you, but I only recently found it on a random compilation – I mainly know it after it was used in the excellent LehtMoJoe remix of Major Lazer’s Hold The Line, which again was on The Monthly.

11. KOERNER, RAY & GLOVER – Linin’ Track New To Me
For the 60th anniversary of the legendary Elektra Records label, Mojo mag gave away a hidden gems CD from the label, and this was one of those. The band were a blues/folk outfit from Minnesota.

12. FLEETWOOD MAC – Man Of The World New To Me
I need to do a concentrated effort on getting to know the first incarnation of Fleetwood Mac, when blues guitarist Peter Green was leading the group before the 70s pop era. All the tracks I stumble on are great, including this from 1969.

13. THE FACES – Tug Of War New To Me
No, not the 60s Rod Stewart band - these guys are from a random Africa compilation that I came across which was generally excellent, but this funk track stood out.

Who will headline Glastonbury?

2010-11-27T19:24:00.003Z

My name's Matt and I'm a Glastonbury virgin.

There, I said it. I'm going to Glastonbury in 2011 for the first time ever. It's odd that I've never been, because out of all the people I know, I'm the person who should have been. And I've been to pretty much every other festival, so I'm not really sure why I've never done Glasto. But this year the planets aligned and I have a ticket, despite the most confusing of ticket buying systems. The festival is taking 2012 off too (with some regular goers assuring me it will be more than one year out of action) so it looks like I got in just in time.

So I've spent a lot more time than normal pondering the question: just who will the three Pyramid Stage headliners be?

And with the risk of substantial egg-on-face, here's my six likely candidates.

Prince
For: Apparently one of the three is already booked, and it's an American act. I say apparently, I'm pretty sure I heard Emily Eavis say this a while ago, so I think that's accurate. Plus, he's still actively touring and has more hits than he knows what to do with.
Against: It just seems too good to be true really, but I can't think of any real reason why not.

U2
For: It's doesn't take much imagination to presume they might be the favourites given they were booked for 2010. And as ambivalent as I am towards them normally, they've got the hits to get a field full of inebriated people going, and that's what you want from a festival headliner. They're touring again at the moment.
Against: They've never managed to play it before, so perhaps all the ducks being a row in 2010 really was a one-off.

Coldplay
For: They're established as a Glasto band (having headlined in 2005) and they have the hits to fill a headline set. Plus, they have a new album out next year, so will be back on the live circuit, and Chris Martin is good mates with Emily Eavis.
Against: Having headlined in 2005, it seems possibly too soon for them to be headlining again (though Pulp, more of whom below, topped the bill in 1995 and 1998, though the former was only as replacement for The Stone Roses). And they've always divided opinion, and if U2 were to headline too, would the combination of these two giants of radio rock be a little too pedestrian?

Pulp
For: It seems written in the stars. After announcing their reformation for the Wireless festival in London, the band seem ripe for a Glastonbury headline slot. And Jarvis, the wag, tweeted recently about not being able to get a ticket for the festival, so how on earth could he get in. If that's not an elephant-sized hint, I don't know what is.
Against: The only reason I can really think of is if Coldplay, U2 and Prince all come through (and they were, before Pulp reformed, all heavily rumoured to be the headliners), then there'd be no room for Pulp.

Kings Of Leon
For: With a new album recently out, and as a solid fixture in the world's festival headlining slots, there are some practical reasons why the four piece could be back.
Against: It definitely seems too soon for them to be headlining again, given they did it in 2008. Plus, they're boring as shit live, so I won't be holding my breath for this.

Foo Fighters
For: Remarkably, Foos only seem (according to Wiki) to have played Glastonbury once, in 1998, third on the bill to James(!) and headliners Primal Scream. And with a new album due in the next few months, and two massive Milton Keynes Bowl shows announced for early July, they'll be touring and in the country. And they're definitely one of the best live bands out there, with a great catalogue amassed by now.
Against: Perhaps the Milton Keynes shows might negate the need to be headlining other UK festivals, especially in the same week, but then the Wireless/Glasto combo is one that's been done several times recently, including by Jay-Z, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, so two massive shows in the same country clearly isn't seen as a problem for the big acts. But perhaps the fact that such a regular touring visitor to the UK as Foos hasn't done Glasto in a dozen years suggests there's something behind the scenes, but I've never heard anything along those lines.

And I guess I should also throw in a few other names I've heard, but I don't think any of these are as likely as the six above though some are more fanciful than others...
Beastie Boys (proper establishment now with new album due), Madonna (never done it, should have done it), Daft Punk (new album soon but probably not a Pyramid Stage headliner), The Rolling Stones (haven't heard any mention of them, though it would seem an obvious choice), The Stone Roses reformed (probably not while Hell's unfrozen) and Kylie Minogue (was meant to headline in 2005 before illness forced her to cancel).

So there we have it. What's that you say? Who would be my picks?

I'd LOVE to see Beastie Boys and Daft Punk have a crack at headlining the Pyramid stage, but can't see it I'm afraid. Be amazing if they appear somewhere on the bill though. Right, here it is. My head is telling me that these will be the three headliners in 2011:

Prince
Pulp
U2

But my heart is definitely looking for this combo to be announced:

Prince
Pulp
Foo Fighters

The Meters make it funky

2010-11-27T12:16:00.002Z

No reason, just sayin'...

The Monthly - September 10

2010-11-27T09:02:00.000Z

1. LEFTIES SOUL CONNECTION – Organ Donor New To Me
What might seem like a good-but-not-great funk track really lights up at the 2m51s mark when it unleashes one of the best drum breaks I’ve ever heard. Surprisingly, this is from 2006 and is a cover of DJ Shadow.

2. FIRST CHOICE – This Is The House (Tom Moulton Remix) Hot Off The Press
Remix pioneer Moulton put out a new album of classic Philadelphia disco this month called Philly Re-Grooved, with all tracks benefitting from his magic touch. This one just makes me smile every time but the whole album’s a great listen.

3. BABY HUEY – Listen To Me Rediscovery Of The Month
The Baby Huey Story is an album I’ve had for a long time on vinyl, but only just bagged it digitally, and it’s a tour-de-force of early 70s funk. He had an incredible voice and this is the opening track.

4. MAE WEST – My New Year’s Resolution New To Me
Mae West was famous for her saucy humour and that’s evident from this cheeky little track from 1966 – released when she was 73!!! I found this randomly on iTunes while searching for something else, so that was a bit of a bonus.

5.? & THE MYSTERIANS – 96 Tears New To Me
And staying with 1966 (the best music year ever? Discuss) here’s a garage classic that feels very familiar but I only just got round to owning it. The band hailed from Michigan and I also found their great cover of The Isley Brothers’ Shout.

6. THEM – It’s All Over Now Baby Blue New To Me
I was lucky enough to DJ at Leeds Festival this month and Andy (who invited me along) and I did a spot in the backstage bar one afternoon and traded cover versions. He pulled out this brilliant cover of Dylan, by Van Morrison’s band, Them.

7. FOALS – Spanish Sahara Hot Off The Press
Oxford’s Foals are definitely a thinking man’s indie band, and this, from their recently released second album Total Life Forever, really caught my attention when it came on the radio. Check out the album when you can.

8. DAS RACIST – You Can Sell Anything Hot Off The Press
This New York duo have been getting tips for a little while, but this Diplo-produced track is the first I’ve actually heard of them. There’s something weird and charming about their raps that seems to divide opinion, so see what you think.

9. OK GO – White Knuckles Hot Off The Press
Probably better known for their YouTube dominating videos of late, Chicago’s OK Go could be accused of shifting focus away from their own music, but this new single is a good Prince impression and a great track to me.

10. CAKE – The Distance New To Me
One of those bands that I only know one track of (Short Skirt/Long Jacket) but this 1996 song came on the radio the other day, making it two great tracks out of two for them. I’m afraid to listen to their albums now in case they’re crap.

11. CROOKERS – Put Your Hands On Me New To Me
Speaking of Leeds Festival (see track 6) the nighttime playlists were definitely more lively, and this was a highlight for me. Seeing several thousand jump to this was something I won’t forget in a hurry.

12. FALLULAH – New York, You’re My Concrete Lover Hot Off The Press
I’ve been enjoying a lot of Danish music this month and Fallulah is the standout artist for me. She’s like a Danish Marina & The Diamonds, and at only 25 seems like one to watch. This comes from her album The Black Cat Neighbourhood.

13. ZOLA JESUS – Tower Hot Off The Press
Zola Jesus has been getting a lot of critical attention and recently supported Fever Ray on tour. She’s only 21 and comes from Phoenix. Her new album, Stridulum II is an ambient work of art, with this track typical of her moody sound.

14. KURRAN & THE WOLFNOTES – Your Four Limbs Hot Off The Press
Another month, another gift from 6Music. The band are local to me judging by their press shot taken at St Pancras, and the two tracks I have of theirs are both superb acoustic fare. No album yet, but watch this space.

15. DRY THE RIVER – History Book Hot Off The Press
I caught a friend’s band live recently, but these guys supported and excited me much more. They only have an EP out and I’m seeing them live again soon, and with their echoes of Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver and The Low Anthem, I like them a lot.

Watch The Beatles live for free

2010-11-26T15:12:00.003Z

Great bonus of the whole Apple vs Apple war coming to an end - there's this concert free to stream on Apple's website right now.

Some more great Global Cool videos

2010-11-26T09:43:00.001Z

Over the summer, Global Cool was again at a bunch of festivals, interviewing bands backstage about the fun stuff they get up to on buses and trains - it's all a rather clever way of making public transport more appealing to people who won't be inspired to use it just for environmental reasons.

I wasn't at most of the festivals that we did this summer (V, Summer Sundae, Beach Break Live) but I did go to Field Day, which I remember as being pretty good, especially headliners Phoenix. But the Global Cool team spoke to Groove Armada, The Magic Numbers, The Leisure Society, Frightened Rabbit, Local Natives, Caribou, Stornoway, Tiffany Page, and below, Lightspeed Champion. Check out their YouTube page for tons more too.

And if you didn't see it, check out the videos from when we were at festivals in 2009.

The Best Song Titles Ever - Chet Baker

2010-11-25T20:59:00.001Z

Little Man You've Had A Busy Day

By

Chet Baker

The Monthly - August 10

2010-11-25T09:10:00.001Z

1. BEST COAST – Boyfriend Hot Off The Press
Recent Rough Trade album of the month band, Best Coast are a m/f duo from LA, and their hi-fuzz, big chorus combo is a summer winner in my book. New album Crazy For You recently came out on the ever-reliable Wichita label.

2. WAVVES – King Of The Beach Hot Off The Press
More west coast US indie pop, this time from San Diego’s Wavves. This track is the title track from their recently released third record, and again if you cut through the noise there’re some great melodies in there.

3. HURTS – Better Than Love Hot Off The Press
Manchester duo Hurts have been picking up tips since last summer and showed well in the BBC’s Sound of 2010 poll. Their album Happiness is due out in a week and this was their first single from May. Excellent track.

4. LISSIE – Little Lovin’ New To Me
Illinois native Lissie released her debut record, Catching A Tiger, in June, and while it might be a slow burner, now I’ve got into it lately, it’s a real regular for me. Like a much cooler KT Tunstall, with a lot more edge thrown in.

5. SHUGO TOKUMARU – Rum Hee Hot Off The Press
Japanese singer/songwriter Tokumaru only came to my attention through a blog recently, but he’s been releasing music since 2004. This track was used in a Sony ad so immediately brings Jose Gonzalez’s Heartbeats to mind.

6. ARCADE FIRE – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) Hot Off The Press
Canada’s Arcade Fire appear to have found unlikely levels of fame, with a #1 album (the recently released Suburbs, from where this comes) and some massive gigs booked. It’s well-deserved – this is a brilliantly crafted song.

7. BELLE & SEBASTIAN – The Boy With The Arab Strap New To Me
This probably falls into the category of “I can’t believe he didn’t know this song before”. Well, I didn’t, but now I do it’s hands down my most played track this month. It comes from their 1998 album of the same name.

8. ROOTS MANUVA FEAT. RIDDLA – Butterfly Crab Walk Hot Off The Press
Always good to have Roots back. Not really sure what the song comes from (other than a random blog) so I can’t say if it’s from a new album or what. Either way, it’s very cool, so it’s on The Monthly!

9. JAMAICA – I Think I Like U 2 Hot Off The Press
French buzz band Jamaica are just starting to release their tracks, and this is their first official single. The production’s lo-fi but it’s got all the trademarks of good French pop, shared by Phoenix, The Teenagers and Housse De Racket.

10. MAXIMUM BALLOON FEAT. THEOPHILUS LONDON– Groove Me Hot Off The Press
This is a solo project of David Sitek of TV On The Radio, and features his production and what he calls some of his favourite voices in the world – including rapper London on this track, as well as Karen O and David Byrne on the album.

11. MAGNETIC MAN – I Need Air Hot Off The Press
While the Mercury nominated Burial put dubstep on the critical map, there’s been a lot of high-brow hype about Magnetic Man, a collective of three dubstep producers. And what starts off here kind of ravey, settles down into a classy dance cut.

12. THEE OH SEES – Ruby Go Home New To Me
Underground hero John Dwyer (of the Coachwhips amongst others) started Thee Oh Sees as a side project, but they’ve now released 11 albums in 6 years. Psychy, grungy and always exciting, they deserve more attention than they’ve had.

13. JUDY COLLINS – Hard Lovin’ Loser New To Me
This came up on a random Elektra compilation and both song and artist are new to me. This was Collins’ debut single in 1967 and she seems to be classed as folk, but this has a much more Lee Hazlewood/Nancy Sinatra vibe to it. Groovy.

14. MEN WITHOUT HATS – The Safety Dance Rediscovery Of The Month I
Totally forgot how awesome this track was till I found a recent instrumental version from the late, great hip hop producer J. Dilla. A top ten hit for this Canadian band in 1983 and it’s already in the bag for next time I DJ.

15. DETROIT SPINNERS – It’s A Shame Rediscovery Of The Month II
New festival Vintage at Goodwood launched this year, and I don’t remember the last time I danced as much as I did in their Soul Casino tent. Norman Jay’s set was a highlight, and he played this classic twice on a night to remember.

Bossa Nova sleeves

2010-11-24T09:01:00.001Z

I'm not sure I can legitimately describe myself as a bossa nova fan (though like everything else, I'm always open-eared) but one thing I do like is a book on great record sleeves. And the terrific Soul Jazz Records are putting out a book compiled by Gilles Peterson and Stuart Baker of bossa nova sleeves. The first ever book on the subject apparently.

You can order it here for £17.50 (normally £25) and if you get in quick you can get a signed copy. One of the many cool sleeves is below, and I expect it to be along the lines of the Jazz Covers book I wrote about a while back. Sure, it's all classic coffee table fare, but that's no bad thing when it looks this good.

RIP: Technics 1210s

2010-11-23T10:12:00.000Z

Very sad to read in the Independent that Panasonic have halted production of that mainstay of club culture for the past few decades, the Technics 1210 turntable.

The plug has been pulled apparently because of "a decline in demand for these analogue products and also the growing difficulty of procuring key analogue components necessary to sustain production". Bummer. That's my own 1210 mk5 above. Ain't she a beaut?

I know a lot of DJs who use laptops but also a lot who use gadgets like Serato Scratch, which still require turntables. Now, I don't use Serato, though I'd love to have a go, but I wonder if it makes any difference how good your turntable is when you use it? Of course, I'm not saying a decent DJ would be happy to use some cheap crappy turntable, but they might also decide not to splash out a grand on a pair of 1210s when Serato costs over £400 anyway.

Just a thought, because when vinyl seems as popular as ever and sales are doing well, I find it curious that the manufacturer of the turntable du choix decide to pull the plug. Like I say, bummer.

Long live vinyl!

The Monthly - July 10

2010-11-23T09:33:00.001Z

So as I backtrack over the past few months of non-bloggery, I'll put up the few editions of The Monthly that missed out on the blog. I carried on making them and have even added a few subscribers, so that part of the service didn't suffer, so see what you think of the past few months of my recommendations...

1. COZY POWELL – Dance With The Devil New To Me
I chipped in on a conversation choosing the soundtrack to a new advert, and this was one of the options. Drummer Powell was a prolific sticksman with Whitesnake, Rainbow and Brian May amongst many others, until his death in 1998.

2. BOW WOW WOW – I Want Candy (Kevin Shields remix) New To Me
While rooting through someone’s CDs recently I found the soundtrack to Marie Antoinette and this gem stood out for me. The Strangeloves’ version is awesome, but this has got a great 80s-ness to it, with My Bloody Valentine’s Shields remixing it for the soundtrack.

3. SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS – Semi Precious Weapons Hot Off The Press
New York’s SWPs trade highly on their trashiness, like a 2010 New York Dolls. They’ve got the Kate Moss hanging off their arms when they’re here, and Paris Hilton bussing around them in the States. It’s all very faux, but this is a fun track.

4. SCISSOR SISTERS – Night Work Hot Off The Press
I actually delayed listening to the new Scissors album, their third, because I just assumed it’d be okay, but in truth, it’s a tour de force of modern pop songwriting. This is the title track, and it makes want to wear legwarmers every time.

5. PATRICK WOLF – The Magic Position New To Me
I switched off from Wolf a while ago and had no idea he had songs like this in him till I heard it at work. Londoner Wolf was signed to Polydor while I was there and this came out in 2007 just after I’d left, which might explain why I missed it.

6. CHILLY GONZALES – Never Stop Hot Off The Press
Normally just known by his surname, Canadian hipster Gonzales has a new album out now, and he’s as cool as ever. I really like his white-boy raps on this, especially the Beth Ditto line.

7. MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK – Cut Your Hair Hot Off The Press
This reminds me of Little Red and Stagecoach, both of whom have been on the Monthly recently. Americans MCS play pop-punk but this is a more indie affair from their new album My Dinosaur Life.

8. THE MORNING BENDERS – Excuses Hot Off The Press
California’s Morning Benders have made a lot of waves lately, and one listen to this and you’ll hear why. Their dreamy vocals and gorgeous melodies have drawn all sorts of comparisons with many a great band, but just take them on their own merits, I say.

9. WOMEN – Eyesore Hot Off The Press
I find this track really interesting – it’s a bit MGMT, a bit Beach Boys, a bit Pink Floyd. They’re from Alberta, Canada and have the likes of NME and Pitchfork singing their praises. Overhyped? Certainly. Pretty good? Definitely.

10. N.E.R.D. Feat NELLY FURTADO – Hot-N-Fun (Yeasayer Remix) Hot Off The Press
It’s an odd combo, Pharrell’s boys being remixed by hipster favourites Yeasayer, but it definitely works. If you know the recent Yeasayer album (and you should!), a lot of the electro squelches will be familiar to you, and it sits well with N.E.R.D.’s Miami-bass moments.

11. PHAROAHE MONCH – Shine Hot Off The Press
I’ve been a Monch fan for ages since finding him on some mixtapes from legendary hip hop label Rawkus. This comes from his new album We Are Renegades and if you’re new to him, check out Fuck You from the Training Day soundtrack.

12. K’NAAN – T.I.A. New To Me
Somali/Canadian rapper K’Naan is four albums in, but he’s just come to my attention after his track Wavin’ Flags was used on the Coke World Cup ad. The sticker on his album has some mag claiming he’s what Bob Marley would be like if he’d rapped. Not sure about that, but this, his album opener, is a good track.

13. EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS – Desert Song (Turbotito Remix) Hot Off The Press
No sooner had a friend told me about her favourite band (these guys) and a link to a remix of their last single sprang up in my inbox from one of my favourite blogs. Desert Song came out last year but this new remix puts the whole thing in a pretty great Ibiza-y place, keeping Sharpe’s eerie vocals still to the fore.

14. ETTA JAMES – At Last Rediscovery Of The Month
I played this at a wedding I DJed at earlier in the year and it’s such a beautiful track. Originally a Glenn Miller track, this Etta James version comes from 1961. Put it on, turn the lights down and just have yourself a little moment with your loved one. It’ll be worth it.

Sleigh Bells at XOYO

2010-11-22T17:05:00.005Z

Great gig last night - which was very much appreciated because I can't say I really felt like going out on a cold Sunday night, but Sleigh Bells exploded at the new XOYO venue in Old Street.

Support came from New York's The Knocks, who put on an impressively bouncy dance party for their 30 minute support slot. Wasn't sure I totally got their dancers (below) but the two guys both chipped in with vocals, drums and samples and got the whole dance floor moving.

Then came Sleigh Bells, touring their first album Treats, which is a great record (from which I put Kids on The Monthly in June).

They were immense - guitarist and nob-twiddler Derek Miller had a few mighty riffs up his sleeves but it was singer Alexis Krauss (above) who captured the sweaty audience's attention, partly because she's cool as any singer out there at the moment (all dark eyeliner and tattoos) but also because she wasn't afraid to get involved with the first few rows in the absence of any security or barriers in front of the stage. Sure they won't be playing small venues for too much longer, so catch them while you can.

The Sleigh Bells setlist...

The past few months - a review (pt. 1)

2010-11-22T09:46:00.000Z

Here's the first, more music-related review of the past few months, while I've been taking a break from writing this blog. It's very much a picture-based review, which should make it easy on the eye.

I tour-managed the fantastic Housse De Racket when they came to the UK to play the Rockness festival in Scotland...

I've been to a ton of gigs, including LCD Soundsystem at Alexandra Palace (but not Hot Chip, on the same night, due to the frankly AWFUL infrastructure at the venue)...

...Hurts at the Royal Institute of British Architects...

...The Black Keys at Brixton...

...Cats, Cats, Cats at The Old Blue Last...

...Dry The River at the Lexington...

...Mark Ronson and all his guests (including Duran Duran, Boy George and Spank Rock) at Hackney Empire...

...The Small Faces (with Mick Hucknall on vocals) at the Vintage at Goodwood festival...

...and Mike Flowers Pops at Vintage too...

I've been DJing a lot on my laptop, including here in Berlin...

...here in Camden...

...here in Brick Lane...

...and here in Soho...

I worked at the Britain's Next Top Model Live event for Global Cool, with Radio 1's fashion expert Gemma Cairney...

...which also had Diana Vickers performing...

I liked this 'no stereos' sign on a New York train...

And I spent several happy hours rearranging the records on my shelves into various themes (more of which are still to come), with this one being faces...

...and this one being the colour red (obviously)...

The view from Vancouver - Backstagerider.com

2010-11-21T11:30:00.003Z

Good new blogs are hard to come by, but a friend told me about this cool blog written by Mikala in Vancouver - Backstagerider.

Music, gigs, meeting people - that's what it's all about. You know, fun stuff, cool shit.

And I think me and Mikala have got some specific stuff in common, because on her homepage right now is a piece on a Gorillaz gig and one on the new Girl Talk album. Just like here and here on this blog. Neither exactly make our blogs unique, but if you're reading this then you might like what I do, so you might like what she does too. Check it out...

I really like this Top 11 piece too - sorta similar to what I do with my Five Songs posts. Speaking of which, it's been a loooong time since I did one of those, so I'm gonna get on that.

Lyrics #52

2010-11-21T09:26:00.000Z

I'm doin' a hundred on the highway
So if you do the speed limit, get the fuck outta my way

I'm D.U.I., hardly ever caught sober
and you about to get ran the fuck over

Song: Move Bitch
Artist: Ludacris
Album: Word Of Mouf

2001, Def Jam

Jay-Z interview in the Guardian Weekend

2010-11-20T17:40:00.004Z

Great feature on Shawn Carter in the Guardian Weekend today.

Here's three things I found out about Jigga Man from Simon Hattenstone's* interview:

- "He was nicknamed Jay-Z, a riff on jazzy and Brooklyn's J/Z subway"

- "At 12, he shot his older brother Eric in the shoulder for stealing his ring"

- "There's a seven-week Jay-Z course at New York University at the moment"

But the one thing that I already knew that this article confirmed is that Jay-Z is just a seriously cool guy.

* I worked with Simon once, years ago. I was doing Bryan Adams' press and the Guardian did an interview with him. I jokingly referred to Bryan Adams as "the big BA" on the phone to Simon - what I thought was a throwaway comment to a writer who was unlikely to take Adams seriously, but to my consternation that comment made it into the feature, where Simon asserted that staff at the record label refer to Bryan Adams as "the big BA". Jesus. Any PR worth their salt knows that you never, repeat NEVER, want to become part of the story. And if you do, you're an idiot.

Converse videos + free downloads

2010-11-19T09:23:00.001Z

Two new videos sponsored by Converse.

This one is Hot Chip and Bernard Sumner (New Order/Joy Division) doing Didn't Know What Love Was with a great video directed by Andreas Nilsson (MGMT/Fever Ray). You can download the track for free from the Converse website here.

And this one is from Kid Cudi, Best Coast and Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend), called All Summer. Good track - big Best Coast fan. Download it for free from Converse here.

Old school music

2010-11-18T17:15:00.002Z

This is more old school than anything you've ever described as old school. Quite literally. Snapped in Oxford - thanks D!

Lyrics #51

2010-11-18T12:05:00.003Z

We busted out of class had to get away from those fools
We learned more from a three-minute record than we ever learned in school

Song: No Surrender
Artist: Bruce Springsteen
Album: Born In The U.S.A.

1984, Columbia

Girl Talk's back with a FREE album

2010-11-18T09:36:00.003Z

Fitting that as I embark on ihrtmusique v2.0, there's a new Girl Talk album out, because Girl Talk was the subject of my very first post here.

If you don't know this guy, Girl Talk is a fantastic example of how computers and sampling can enable the creation of new tracks. So in theory anyone can create music like that, and that's part of the beauty of it. But then again anyone can pick up a guitar and learn some chords, but it doesn't make you John Lennon. Did I just compare Girl Talk to Lennon? Hmmmm...that might be a step too far, but dude sure does know how to make a great mixtape.

The new album's called All Day and is FREEEEEEEEE to download from his label's website, Illegal Art. Click that link to get it.

It's as good as his previous offering, Feed The Animals, and in case you drive yourself mad trying to spot all of the samples (of which there are dozens, if not a hundred or two), then some other music-obsessed dude has created a website which not only lists them all, but he's even done it in such a way that shows you what you're listening to - check out the screengrab below which shows how the tracks listed under the music bar come and go as the samples do. Nice.

Gorillaz live at the O2

2010-11-17T20:56:00.004Z

I got to go and see Gorillaz last night - £42.50!! Not one I'd have probably thought to go to, but I'm really glad I did and suspect that if I'd missed them before they stop touring, I'd have regretted it.

As soon as the band came on though, it was obvious that Damon needed to pay a cast of dozens which goes some way to explaining the ticket price. Though whether he gets a cut of the £4.30 pint price is doubtful. Sorry, moaning over.

Pretty cool to see members of Blur, The Fall and The Clash on stage at the same time, as well as Bobby Womack, De La Soul, MF Doom, Neneh Cherry, Kano and a bunch of others popping up. Oh, and I think the excellent Hypnotic Brass Ensemble also performed but Mr Albarn didn't really properly introduce most of them, so it was hard to tell. Snoop cropped up too, but only in video form (above).

Great gig though, but I could definitely see how it would have fallen flat as a Glastonbury headlining slot, as was widely reported earlier in the year. Just simply not enough singalong choruses or hit singles, and that's a fact, for right or wrong.

Snazzy big Gorillaz sign too onstage, with my favourite colour combo below. Sometimes it's that simple to please me. A nicely coloured sign.

And I did chuckle to myself that, as an O2 customer, I was standing in the middle of the O2 Arena, with not a single sightline free from their logo, their presence forced on me with every glance. And could I get a signal? Could I fuck.

Them Crooked Vultures

2010-11-17T14:04:00.003Z

I stopped obsessing over being in bands years ago, when it became very obvious that that was never going to happen, but every now and then I see something that makes me think "damn, that looks like a lot of fun". And this great photo is one such thing...

Back, back back

2010-11-16T15:26:00.003Z

Hi there

I don't know who I'm saying hi to because I doubt anyone's still reading this - it's been so long since I wrote anything on here. But I've got lots to say, so want to pick up where I left off. And here's a great fucking way to start that says it all really.

The Monthly - June 10

2010-07-05T08:31:00.002+01:00

1. TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS – The Mighty Sparrow New To Me
Indie punk rocker Leo hails from Indiana and after seeing him recently at the Luminaire, he was so good the albums inevitably found their way to me. This is from his recent release The Brutalist Bricks.

2. THE SMALL FACES – Come On Children New To Me
Classic Band I’ve Only Just Caught Up With #436. Before disbanding in 1969, The Small Faces released 5 albums, and this is the second track from their self-titled 1966 debut. Amazingly heavy 60s workout from a massively influential group.

3. BILLY BALL & THE UPSETTERS – Tighten Up Tighter New To Me
Came across this when looking for the Archie Bell & The Drells original, but this is so fast and funky I bought it too. Can’t find out much on them, but they get bonus points for name-checking Birmingham (albeit the Alabama one).

4. JAMIE LIDELL – Enough’s Enough Hot Off The Press
Taken from Lidell’s recent Beck produced album, Compass, this is the Cambridgeshire lad at his most accessible, channeling the many soul influences that run through his less-arty tracks.

5. HOT 8 BRASS BAND – What’s My Name? New To Me
This was played by fellow Young Offenders Institute DJ Dave amongst his excellent soul and funk set. It came out in 2008 and is a good addition to any leftfield cover versions playlist (it’s Snoop Dogg, obvs).

6. LITTLE RED – It’s Alright New To Me
These Aussie guys released their debut album in 2008 but it’s only just come my way. Their album, Listen To Little Red is a great indie pop record and this track reminds me a lot of The Feelies’ Let’s Go.

7. THE TEENAGERS – Made Of Hot Off The Press
Been hanging out with lots of French bands lately, and these guys have just released this new track, following on from their 2008 debut album. It’s as catchy as I always expect and hope French bands to be, and I’m glad I’ve found them.

8. UNICORN KID – Dream Catcher Hot Off The Press
Not for those who don’t like beepy computer game dance, but I know some of y’all do. 18 year old Unicorn Kid is from Edinburgh and has been releasing music since he was 15, but is now just going overground. Worth keeping an eye on.

9. !!! – AM/FM Hot Off The Press
Pronounced Chk Chk Chk, !!! are somewhat unknown to me. This track, a sample from the Californian band’s new album Strange Weather, Isn’t It? shows off their dance punk credentials perfectly.

10. SLEIGH BELLS - Kids New To Me
Signed to MIA’s label NEET, the hectic, noisy, punky pop of course has shades of MIA, but the Brooklyn duo are a little less “throw the kitchen sink at it”. They released their new record Treats last month.

11. THE BLACK KEYS – Next Girl Hot Off The Press
A favourite of mine for a while, Black Keys seem to be more visible than ever, and their new album, Brothers, comes hot on the heels of their Monthly-featured hip hop record Blakroc.

12. THE COOL KIDS – Great Outdoors Hot Off The Press
Midwest USA’s The Cool Kids have featured on The Monthly before, and their new track is good enough for me to make it again. I like their lyrics – all everyday life while still sounding cooler than I could ever hope to be.

13. BLACK SHEEP – The Choice Is Yours New To Me
In New York recently, my favourite TV ad was for Kia cars and featured some awesome CGI hamsters bouncing around town in a car listening to this. Catch the advert here featuring this Queens duo’s song from 2000.

14. ROBYN – Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do Hot Off The Press
You all know about Robyn, and her new album (the first of two this year) is pretty good, with this being the highlight. It’s gone straight on my Scandopop playlist.

15. GRUM – Turn It Up Hot Off The Press
Grum is the second new Scottish dance producer this month, and although I can’t find anything about the female singer on this track, its shades of Madonna have made it a regular listen for me this month.

16. HOT HOT HEAT – Bandages Rediscovery Of The Month
These Canadians have got some new material out which is good, but it made me come back to this, their 2003 single, a staple of all good modern indie discos.

Thanks to anyone who passed on tips this month – you know who you are

Birthday funny

2010-07-01T09:38:00.004+01:00

So it's my birthday today. Woo. Hoo. I haven't posted anything for a while, and for the few people who do check back here every now and then, I apologise for that. My mind's been elsewhere, which if you know me you'll already know. Anyway, enough of the online confessional.

I was in the US recently and this advert always made me chuckle when I saw it, and also prompted me to go out and buy the song from it - The Choice Is Yours by Black Sheep. So who says advertising doesn't work? Admittedly, the makers of the ad probably would prefer me to go and buy a Kia car, but the song was about $13,999.21 cheaper.

I'll try and get my act together and post some more soon - I am seeing lots to write about, it's just finding the time and frame of mind to turn that into a blog post that's been the issue.

Young Offenders' Institute -93 Feet East , June

2010-06-12T17:19:00.004+01:00

Bit of a belated setlist from Wednesday night's beer, music and ping pong night at 93 Feet East. It was a good night as ever but definitely on the quiet side, perhaps a hangover from the rain that day. I'd settled on an all funk and soul setlist and here's what it looked like...

Shuggie Otis - Sparkle City
Odetta Gordon - Hit Or Miss
Dusty Springfield - Son Of A Preacher Man
Candi Staton - I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool)
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady
Bettye LaVette - Do Your Duty
Archie Bell & The Drells - I Can't Stop Dancing
Bar-Kays - Soul Finger
Professor Longhair - Big Chief
Otis Redding - Hard To Handle
Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Conga
Chris Woods - Mule Walk
James Brown - Stoned To The Bone
Golden Echoes - Packing A Grip
The Vibrettes - Humpty Dump
Isley Brothers - Love The One You're With
Isaac Hayes - Disco Connection
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Express Yourself
Freddie Love - Everybody's Doing It
Lightnin' Rod - Sport
Bobby Womack - Across 110th Street
Star Wars theme (mystery breaks version)
Buddy Rich - The Beat Goes On
Banbara - Shack Up (Parts I & II)
The Sons - Boomp Boomp Chomp
Ike & Tina Turner - Whole Lotta Love
Paul Nero - This Is Soul
Eddie Bo - If It's Good For You
Baby Huey Long - California Dreamin'
Michael Viner's Incredible Bong Band - Let There Be Drums

Lyrics #50

2010-06-10T14:24:00.003+01:00

She comes back to tell me she's gone
As if I didn't know that
As if I didn't know my own bed
As if I'd never noticed the way she brushed her hair from her forehead
And she said losing love is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart, everybody sees the wind blow

Song: Graceland
Artist: Paul Simon
Album: Graceland

1986, Warner Bros.

The Monthly - May 10

2010-06-03T10:10:00.002+01:00

Word up. May’s here, the summer’s already been and gone, and you hold in your hands a very special The Monthly. This is the third one I’ve done in the month of May, so I suppose that means I’m entering my third year of The Monthly. That’s kind of cool.

1. THE NATIONAL TRUST – Brownsea Island – Waves Lapping Along The Shore Hot Off The Press
No, this isn’t some speccy indie band from Shoreditch (though it would be a good name for one). This is an album from the actual National Trust of sounds recorded around some of their properties. The whole album’s free from their website and if you think it’s got a tenuous connection to actual music, then rest assured it qualifies for inclusion here because it was recorded by Mr. Jarvis Cocker. Nice.

2. ARCADE FIRE – Month Of May Hot Off The Press
This was a very late addition to the line up here. Two new tracks leaked from the forthcoming, and hotly awaited, Arcade Fire album, The Suburbs. The web is awash with discussion about them, talk of a concept album, change of direction, this, that and the other. I try not to get too side-tracked by that stuff. This is a great, raucous song and as you’ll see from its title, deserves inclusion here anyway.

3. THE REDSKINS – The Power is Yours New To Me
I keep a list of any songs I hear that I want to track down, and this was on that list, though I’ve no idea why. Possibly 6Music. Anyway, The Redskins were an English, left wing punk band and this was a single for them in 1986. It’s an odd, but I think appealing, mix of teddy boy rock and 80s punkiness.

4. THE ROLLING STONES – Pass The Wine Hot Off The Press
A new Stones track? Hell YES. You’ve probably noticed the fuss around the reissue this month of the seminal Exile On Main Street and with that came several ‘lost’ tracks from the 1972 sessions. Ardent Stones fans already knew of them, but to the rest of us, these are as good as new. If you don’t own the album, which reached #1 after Universal dropped a shed load of marketing cash, now’s the time to buy it.

5. THE DEAD WEATHER – Hustle And Cuss Hot Off The Press
I was surprised at how quickly The Dead Weather came back with a new album, but then Jack White is clearly the hardest working man in rock, so why wouldn’t he follow up a recent Raconteurs record with a new Dead Weather one? It had mixed reviews but the opening couple of tracks, of which this is one, are as good a pair of rockers as you’ll hear all year.

6. LEE MOSES – Time And Place New To Me
I was reading an article on record collecting, and famed DJ and collector Norman Jay cited Lee Moses’ Time And Place album as one of the most desirable out there. While I haven’t yet found it on vinyl, it’s easy to get from iTunes. Its notoriety probably comes from a combination of rare, soulful and funky music, and some notable covers, including Hey Joe, Day Tripper and Reach Out (I’ll Be There).

7. THE HOLD STEADY – We Can Get Together Hot Off The Press
One of the most emotive bands out there, for me. Singer Craig Finn’s vocals are painfully touching and I was lucky enough to see them perform this track live at a festival last year, several month’s ahead of its recent release on the album Heaven Is Whenever. Actually, the album title and the song title combine to give the chorus of this track. And that’s a fact you can take to the bank, my friends.

8. DIANE BIRCH – Rewind Hot Off The Press
Ms Birch was on Jools Holland recently and, I hate to be so brash, but it was kind of hard to take your eyes off her. She is beautiful. The songs she performed were good too, but this track, an iTunes single of the week, was the best of the lot. It’s about as MOR as I’ll ever get, but I’m sure some of you will like it too.

9. ELI “PAPERBOY” REED – Name Calling New To Me
Paperboy’s just put out his second album, called Come And Get It, and a friend (and fellow Monthly subscriber – hi Dan!) asked me along to see him live at the Scala. He’s a fantastic performer, and his soul revivalism is something similar to Mayer Hawthorne (who was on December’s The Monthly), and as a devout Motown/Stax/Atlantic fan, that’s fine by me.

10. THE PIONEERS – Poor Rameses New To Me
I finally got rid of a ton of books recently, including some music ones. There just didn’t seem much point keeping them, you know? But one that went was called Young, Gifted & Black and was the story of legendary reggae label, Trojan Records. It came with a free CD of Trojan tracks, of which this is one. And when better to find some new reggae than on the cusp of summer?

11. KID SISTER – Life On TV Hot Off The Press
Fittingly, Kid Sister appeared on the very first The Monthly, back in May 2008, and here she is again with her new track. She threatened at one point to really break overground, but hasn’t quite made that. However, I still think she’s making some cool music, so maybe we’ll see her again on May 2012’s CD.

12. BIG BOI – Shutterbug Hot Off The Press
I know I included a Big Boi (off of Outkast) track recently but this is too good not to go on. It’s already on the Radio 1 playlist so you might have heard it, but it definitely bodes well for his forthcoming album, the ludicrously titled Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty. Check out the ace video on the blog.

13. M.I.A. – Born Free Hot Off The Press
Technically this is hot off the press (in the sense that it came out after the last Monthly) but has been out for a few weeks so if you like this kind of thing you may already know of it. It’s very M.I.A. – bonkers, brilliant and loud, though I have heard some dissenters say that it’s just not as good as they’d hoped for.

14. KELIS – Acapella Hot Off The Press
The new Kelis album, Fleshtone, is blindingly good – she’s moved away from her R&B roots and has come out with an album of fantastically good modern disco. It’s much more in the same space as Goldfrapp and Robyn, but more disco-y than either. If you’re new to her then this is the time at which to check the former Mrs. Nas out.

15. WE ARE SCIENTISTS – Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt Rediscovery Of The Month
There’s a massive marketing/ad agency that I work with and every now and then they throw gigs in their enormous lobby with a free bar for a bunch of marketing/ad folk, and their recent one featured Sway and We Are Scientists. So that’s where this track comes from – I’ve liked it for a long time (it’s from 2005’s With Love And Squalor album), though strangely it’s never really encouraged me to delve deeper into the New York-based duos other stuff. Nonetheless, it’s a good track.

Thanks to anyone who passed on tips this month – you know who you are

Vampire Weekend's Holiday video

2010-05-31T19:08:00.004+01:00

This is a great way to lampoon your detractors, if those detractors have made a habit of saying you're rich kids from an Ivy League school. It does all remind me of the third Blackadder series though.