Foals: What went down – Single review (Doing what they do best)

Carry on reading if you’ve listened to:

• The War on Drugs 
• Radiohead 
• Friendly Fires
  
• Alt-J

6 music’s “round table” recently slated this track by suggesting that it was reminiscent of Judas Priest. I’m not sure. I can sort of see where they’re coming from but if you listen to ‘Spanish Sahara” or “late Night” the climax of both of these tracks are similar to when “what went down” decides to say f*ck it half way through and drums out a segment of percussion that I can now only associate with Foals after the “Total life forever ” album and “Late Night”.

I’m very excited by their new album. I don’t think it will top their previous record but it will come close. (If they continue to stick to what they know they should be fine.) 

I’m not one these people that continues to love a band that has released a sh*t album or single, because that’s just not how it works, a fan should be supportive but critical and understand when they have made a mistake. I say this because I really like this track but not because it’s just another Foals track, but because, very simply, ‘What went down’ takes my mind back to last summer when I couldn’t stop listening to the ‘Holy Fire’ album, and those were good times. So yeah, that’s my reasoning.

This single continues to emphasise to me, that Foals will just do their own thing, how they want to and when they want to. I respect that.
For me, they are the pinnacle of true Alternative Indie music. 

I will definitely be buying the album and I will hope for the best, but if not, I won’t be a kiss ass. Trust me. 

• Will I buy the single? – It’s on my spotify playlist.
• Would I see them live? – Ive done it before, and it was so good that I wouldn’t hesitate to go again.
• Is this single better than ‘Late Night’? – No, that is an incredible tune.
• Potential Awards? – Possibly for the new album.
• Are they touring? – I think they’re waiting for the album to tour around the UK again.

More to be added soon…

Header Photo Credit: Audiofemme.com

#14 A ‘behind the wheel’ playlist 2015

I finally managed to get my car insurance renewed this week, but I then thought, I really need an updated playlist to listen to while on the roads. So, below are 10 tunes that I’ve picked that would sound awesome while driving behind the wheel of your ve-hicle.

1. Intro – The XX

2. Just a day – Feeder

3. Red eyes – War on Drugs

4. My type – Saint Motel

5. Black and white town – The Doves

6. Learn to fly – Foo Fighters

7. I wanna be your dog – The Stooges

8. COOL – Le Youth (Ben Pearce Remix)

9. Here we go – Hard Rock Sofa and Swanky Tunes

10. Tenderoni – Kele

#13 Slaves – Are You Satisfied?: Album Review (A duo who don’t give a sh*t)

Carry on reading if you’ve listened to:

• Sex Pistols 
• The libertines 
• Savages 
• The Stooges

Another double act that have burst onto the British music scene. After The Black Keys, Royal Blood and Drenge, you have to wonder if there is really any demand for another duo. Oh yes there is.

Slaves are just a little bit different from the rest. The rock-grunge dynamic these two behold is an eye opener to show the world that this cross genre is far from dead. You always hear/read critics and journalists arguing that a band’s first album is always the one where they can let loose and show the world what they’re really about, and that’s exactly what Slaves have done. I just hope that they aren’t going to become strangled and restricted by a corporate, mainstream music label which takes a band and builds them into their own musical robot. But anyway.

A single from said album.

I recently slated Palma Violets for not truly reaching the heights I know they are capable of achieving. However, Slaves have filled that void, they are the Palma Violets I had hoped for. The one key difference though, Slaves will grow a lot faster and become much bigger than PV will only ever dream of becoming.
You know what the best thing about this album is? They don’t drift away from what they do best. Or if you think they do, they certainly don’t alter their sound too much at all.

There is usually one or two issues I highlight from an album that bring my overall opinion of it down, but with this album, it is relatively difficult to do so. I guess I could say that they are a very acquired sound and therefore there will be many, many people that don’t like them, and fair enough. But often, the ‘smaller’ and lesser-known bands tend to be the best.

• Would I buy the album? – Yes, its worth a tenner.
• Would I see them live? – Yes definitely.
• Can they be as good as, or if not better, than the Sex Pistols? – Im not sure, they’ll need to produce something pretty ground-breaking soon I reckon.
• Potential Awards? – Only the Mercury I reckon.
• Are they touring? – A number of small gigs around the country and a few early slots at a few random festivals. 

Header Photo Credit: vimeocdn.com