A few years ago, if you had said to anyone that Jamie T was releasing an album, bottom line is they wouldn’t have believed you, and then if you had said he was releasing two albums in two years, you would have been called a fool.
However, in 2016, we have exactly that, a second Jamie T album in two years. “Carry on the grudge” was released in 2014 and proved to be a really interesting record looking back. It wasn’t particularly the singles from the record that, for me, was what pushed it into the “really good” band of albums that year; it was the album tracks like “The Prophet” and “Mary Lee” that proved to be really impressive.
For “Trick” the big hit singles such as “Power over men”, “Tinfoil Boy” and “Tescoland” are highly commendable and all feature a new side to Jamie T we haven’t particularly heard before. A heavier, darker and more anarchic approach is seemed to have taken place here. “Tinfoil Boy” is the track for me, that is the darkest on the album and in “Drone Strike” you can hear a Kasabian type influence, especially in the chorus, which works really well.
But again, its the other album tracks from “Trick” that make this an album that I really really like. “Jone of Arc” and “Drone Strike” in particular are stand out tracks for me, their unique approach and Jamie’s lyrics set these aside from other album singles on this album.
Overall, Jamie T’s fourth studio album expands and develops on from where “Carry On The Grudge” left off, offering a new, diverse approach to songwriting I haven’t quite heard much of this year. More festival performances next year please.
The Heavy have been one of those bands where I don’t really know why they haven’t got, as such, a massive fan base. Hits such as “How you like me now”, “Short Change Hero” and “Same Ol”have been often used for tv adverts, movie trailers and “Short Change Hero” was even used for the title sequence for the TV War Drama “Strike Back”. They have obviously got something about them, but they have just never seemed to hold themselves in the public eye for a long period.
The 2016 release, “Hurt and the Merciless” is album that, again, hasn’t really been subject to much in the way of publicity and attention from mainstream media. Possibly for good reason.
I have been a fan of The Heavy ever since I first heard “How you like me now” a few years ago, their hard hitting bluesy rock style they adopted worked really well with the impressive range of lead singers’, Kelvin Swaby’s, vocals.
The new record keeps some of the older stylistic choices the Heavy previously adopted, but it certainly comes with more funky rhythms with it, keeping with the orchestral on many of the tracks, it really helps add a new layer of depth to the Heavy’s funk blues approach.
This is clearly evident on the track “Turn Up”, without the orchestral background, this particular record would fall flat on its feet, and you could say this about the whole album to be honest.
The simple and safe choices the Heavy go for in this record, with the writing and guitar riffs, are really nothing new for this British quartet; but at the same time, the new, and very few additions they have acquired help the record become more listenable.
“The apology” is a track that sounds like it could be played by a band performing on centre stage at a 1920s London club. Which isn’t a bad thing necessarily but it does epitomise the album in a sense, its good, but its not quite going to be blowing any minds.
Overall, I was previously surprised as to how The Heavy’s following is more of a cult one but this album isn’t really going to propel the quartet into arena shows, but is an adequate addition to a discography that for me, is still impressive; however this record doesn’t really add too much to it in terms of standout singles.
There always seems to be a constant stream of young, solo artists trying to build steam in order to breakthrough. Most of it though, is just talk and really just smoke without the fire.
Yes, you might be reading this and thinking this is just talk as well, and you’re right, it is, but this guy is a genuine “one to watch”.
Watford born, singer-songwriter Louis Antoniou has been on the blues indie scene in both Watford and Nottingham for a while now, but its after his recent performance at Y-Not festival that it could be time for you to keep an eye on this blues rocker, as his momentum is now really starting to gather steam.
His track “Forever climbing” is considered to be Louis’ foot-stomping opener when it comes to his live performances, which always seems to go down well as an up-beat opener that really sets the mood for the whole set.
“Modern day blues” could be arguably Louis’ most recognisable track, (the single that Louis has played most on numerous TV appearances for example), offering a punky skittle sound, this crowd favourite is always a record that goes down with a great reception at any of his live performances.
His maturity to be able to understand his audience in order to provide a kick-ass live show is fantastic and probably why he was asked to play at Y-Not festival, plus the incredibly catchy blues rock tunes that have always been great to listen to, especially live.
These singles I’ve mentioned are just tasters though, I personally still feel that Louis will continue to improve alongside the momentum that is really starting to build behind this young artist.
The future looks bright for Louis, the gathering momentum will only send him onwards and upwards.
Here are the top 10 bands/artists who need to release some new material very soon…
10. The Ting TIngs
One of the most unique bands on this list, they have been very hit and miss since classics such as “Shut up and Let me Go”, “Thats not my name”, and “Great DJ”. I would love it if they released another album, but I’m not sure how many other people would.
9. Slaves
Yep, they only released an album last year, but that record was so good they need to strike while the iron is still hot and record a kick ass follow up album.
8. The War on Drugs
“Lost in the Dream” was released two years ago and its the album that thrived commercially and critically, and really putting this group on the map. These guys must not rest on their laurels and their previous success because people forget; and with a music genre that’s so saturated, this could very well happen to this 6-piece from Philadelphia.
7.Rage against the Machine
Everybody lost their minds when The Stone Roses released some new material this year so could you imagine how many people would completely lose their sh*t if Rage Against The Machine made a comeback? These legends of rap and funk metal would blow people away with a new record after so many years, no question. (In October last year, Bassist, Tim Commerford , confirmed the band are still together.)
6. MGMT
“Oracular Spectacular” was a fantastic achievement and contained some great tunes, “Kids” and “Electric Feel” being the pick of the bunch, but we need these guys to come back quickly and bring some of that psychedelic and indie pop back.
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are in hiatus at the minute so I am still going to put them in this list because they were great when they first hit the scene. “Maps” is a personal favourite as well as “Heads will Roll”, proper indie/garage stuff going on. Last album coming in 2013, they need to come back to show everyone what proper indie sounds like.
4. Arcade Fire
I really hope their headline set at Glastonbury wasn’t their peak because these guys could really go onto become one of the all time greats, especially when it comes to live shows. We haven’t really heard anything from them since that headline set that blew everyone out of the water. What are you lot waiting for? You had all eyes on you after the come down of Glastonbury when you took to the Pyramid stage but I feel that has now faded away. Hurry up.
3. Lorde
A debut album that was pretty special, Lorde could’ve been just another female solo singer, but with “Pure Heroine” she proved she wasn’t another Ellie Goulding type, she was a singer with talent. 3 years have passed, and besides an appearance on Disclosures second record “Caracel”, its now time to show that that debut wasn’t a one-off.
2. Nick Mulvey
I don’t have much time for male singer-songwriters really, Ben Howard, Ed Sheeran, Frank Turner, just not a fan. But when Nick Mulvey released “First Mind” in 2014, it was unquestionably one of the albums of that year. He was making music and creating sound from an acoustic that hasn’t really been heard before, not in that way anyway, and every song was gracious and impeccable. We all need a another Nick Mulvey album.
1. Plan B
And number one, yep, Plan B. How many of you have forgotten about this guy? “The Defamation of Strickland Banks” was unbelievable, including tracks that still hold up today, “She Said, “Stay Too Long” and “Prayin” being the pick of the bunch, but any track of that album is still a great song to listen to. “Ill Manors” two years later was more hard-hitting, depressing and just felt grittier, which suited some but for me, that album was just made to be a soundtrack for the film “Ill Manors”. Plan B needs to do a Jamie T and come out of nowhere to release some new material that doesn’t stray too far away from that 2010 beauty.
Even though Julian Casablancas has been off doing his own “side project” with The Voidz recently, this is the first time anyone’s really heard anything new from The Strokes since “Comedown Machine” in 2013.
I was expecting Julian to bring that more heavier, rock approach he took with The Voidz and carry that through into The Strokes’ latest EP. Did that happen?
Minimally. “Future Present Past” to me, is very confusing, and a bit all over the place. You can’t really identify which direction they’re heading for, and that’s confusing. All 3 tracks (not including the Oblivious remix) come with their own individual tone which isn’t what I have previously experienced with much that has come before.
(This EP takes elements of previous albums… and thats a bit too safe for me at this stage of The Strokes’ career.)
“OBLIVIUS” is a track where The Strokes definitely take their time. With this song leading to a climax of a cluster of modern indie guitar rifts crossed with a slight moody undertone, its definitely reminiscent of previous records on the “First Impressions of Earth” album.
“Drag Queen” takes a more darker tinge and here you can start to recognise that Voidz influence, very subtly, filtering through. There’s more electronic percussion going on which, along with Casblancas moody vocals, kept me entertained for the majority of the track, but it did start to get repetitive.
“Threat of Joy” is definitely the more modern sounding indie track.
Keeping that in mind, this track still isn’t really taking steps forward from what we know their great at, in this genre. This record just seems way too safe.
It’s more laid back than the other tracks and definitely draws influence from the “Is This It” album. It’s easy listening that flows from start to finish without any change of pace, which is the easy route to go down if you’re a popular indie rock band that’s been around for donkeys years.
Overall, buy this EP if you like to hear experimental indie rock from a band who will still hold “national treasure” status after this has been received.
But for me, the experiment doesn’t pay off too well. I may listen to this on a grey, rainy day but it’s not an EP I would think of putting on in the car.
Now thats cleared up I’m posting this as an announcement for myself through Draft Record because I just didn’t fancy posting this on Facebook or Twitter etc.
I’m incredibly happy to announce I have recently been elected for the head of Music role at Trent TV for the 2016/17 academic year.
Trent TV is the widely respected and successful University TV Station at Nottingham Trent.
I am very proud and excited to get this opportunity and I hope I (along with the great team I’ll be working with) can bring some great content for the channel next year.
BOOM!
(I’m also hoping to really push on with Draft Record in the coming weeks and months.)
THE most irritating ‘habit’ that goes on pretty much every day/evening across the globe in recent years is what sums up our generation, and it happens at live gigs.
If you haven’t guessed what this is yet then all you have to do to is just watch any ‘pop’ concert or an act at a ‘mainstream’ festival.
After you’ve done that, come back and continue reading so then you understand my frustration and annoyance with this ‘trend’.
Imagine for a second you are watching any band or artist (usually a mainstream band/artist) preforming a live gig on TV. The camera is focused on the band for the majority of the time, which is of course understandable, then every so often you get the cheeky little random ass pan shot of one TV camera, or a random ass camera view from behind the act on stage, and get a glimpse of the crowd.
(By the way, you can only truly spot this problem in a dark arena or when its evening/nighttime at a festival)
Anyway, you get a 3 second shot of the crowd at a gig and what is the most common thing you notice that pretty much everyone in the crowd is doing?
You see hundreds, and hundreds and hundreds of flash’s turned on, on peoples phones (kinda why I said easily to spot at night) that means only one thing. PEOPLE ARE NOT WATCHING THE F*CKING GIG!!!!!! THEY ARE WATCHING THE F*CKING GIG THROUGH THEIR F*CKING PHONE FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THAT GIG!!!!! WHY?!?!?!?! WHATS THE POINT?!?!?!
Seriously, you pay all that money to go all the way to see a band/artist that you supposedly ‘like’ and spend a good 90% of your time watching the gig through your phone, either for snapchat or for ‘memories’. (Can I just say I really don’t mind if you want to get one photo or one 3 second clip just so you can prove to someone you were there and to have some memories of that event, thats fine. Also it goes without saying that obviously photographers need to take a lot of photos for magazine etc because its there job which is fine. I know that was obvious, I just wanted to state that for record.)
It p*sses me off so much though. I just don’t understand why people do it all the time for the entirety of that gig. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY!!!!!!!!
Its really the best way to sum up our generation. We go through all that effort of buying a ticket, queuing for a ticket, getting transportation sorted to see the person/band you’ve paid a ticket for, you’ve waited in traffic, squeezed through a very large crowd in the arena or at a festival and yet, and yet, after spending all that time, money and effort you still resort to getting your phone out and watching the gig through a screen.
YOU’RE THERE! YOU’RE AT THE GIG! WATCH THE GIG!
Jesus.
If someone can explain to me why everyone does it then please, I’m all ears.
As I said before, I understand why people would take A photo and why people would want to get A video, but this goes so far beyond that now, its at the point where I’m slowly losing faith.
P.S. Its not just mainstream music fans, mainstream music fans count for around 75% of it I’d say. Everyone who goes to a gig to see a DJ, there at fault. Yes ok a DJ might not be as much of a spectacle but you’re still there to engage with the artist, to dance and to ultimately be SOCIABLE!!!
If you think I’m wrong or don’t agree with me. Trust me, next time you go to a gig or watch a live performance on TV or online, you’ll now notice and hopefully be as incensed as I am.
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