I saw Kraftwerk live a few months ago and I recognised one of the riffs from another song. It’s taken me many months to find it:
Dom & Roland -- Get up
Kraftwerk -- Die Mensch-Machin
Uncanny!
Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Top Albums of 2009
Having seen a few people post theirs, I’m spurred on to post my favourite albums of 2009. In only managed to get an MP3 player capable of holding more than 50 songs in November so my list this year is fairly short.
I’m very tempted to post my top 10 of the 2000s but I fear that would end up in me spending several days listening to albums and making no decisions.
In no particular order but alphabetical:
Calories – Adventuring
I saw this band supporting Johnny Foreigner in Manchester and they totally blew me away. Their songs are pure indie-pop, but not the diluted type that seems to have been so popular. Their songs barely make 3 minutes but have melodies and riffs that last.
Frank Turner – Poetry of the Deed
Being a big Million Dead fan, I’ve followed Frank closely since going it alone. Probably one of my favourite live performers, he released his third album this year. The album is definitely more musically mature and polished but not in a way that loses any of his folksy charm, or punk-rock anger for that matter. A strong and logical progression of his music.
Memory Tapes – Seek Magic
This album seems like perfect come-down music, combining catchy beats, laid-back guitar and almost haunting vocals. Confusing, but still very good.
Passion Pit – Manners
I somehow managed to avoid Passion Pit for ages despite them being plastered all over the blogs everywhere you looked earlier this year, now I wish I hadn’t. This is sort of album I wanted Hot Chip to make; a genuinely good mix of rock and electro. Any band that can get the indie kids dancing this much has to be on to a winner.
Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
I still have no idea to describe or classify this album. Nor do I care – along with Manners – this album never fails to put a massive grin on my face wherever I am.
Busy
It’s been a busy few months; finishing the end of my Uni work and then exams have taken up pretty much all my time. That said, I managed to get to a few gigs, sadly they were too long ago to do a decent write-up.
M83 at The Deaf Academy
pic: drownedinsound.com/Gary Wolstenholme
My first time seeing M83 live and they were exceedingly good. Unsurprisingly, they’re one of those bands that are much better live than on record. I also must say a few ladies swooned when Anthony stripped down to a vest in what must be the most chiseled set of arms French shoe-gazing electronica has even seen. But I digress.
Songs which were good on record really came to life live, startlingly so considering there is only two performing (drummers don’t count). Exceptionally tight but at the same time, it didn’t feel like they were just playing the CD which can happen with bands that use samples frequently.
A quick mention of Ulrich Schauss, having not heard his music before I was really impressed. He played a 30 minute solid section of music which accompanied some visuals, really beautiful yet diverse music.
M83 – We Own The Sky (Udachi Remix)
Johnny Foreigner
pic: drownedinsound.com/Gary Wolstenholme
Johnny Foreigner returned to Manchester after playing not too long ago with Hundred Reasons. They were on good form and I thoroughly enjoyed the set. More interestingly were the support bands, both Calories and Copy Haho were very good considering they were supporting a relatively small band, the former edging it for me. With most songs clocking in around the 2 minute mark, their songs made up for their lack of length (oo er) with good melodies and generally quality songs.
Hundred Reasons, Johnny Foreigner and Drive Like I Do @ Moho Live
Wednesday 1 April 2009, Last.fm Event
The first support band were a local band from Wilmslow called Drive Like I Do. They played some upbeat and definitely danceable music. Almost to demonstrate their skill, they closed with an epic 5+ minute post-rock number. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a first of two support act for such a long time, these guys will definitely go on to good things.
Unfortunately, they don’t have any music available for public consumption yet, hopefully this changes soon.
Next up was Birmingham’s finest, Johnny Foreigner (who remind me of past-departed band Help She can’t Swim). With the coolest female bassist since Julia from Million Dead, Jofo have got the knack of horribly catchy but very cool pop-rock songs down to a tee. Additional credit goes to drumming with one hand whilst playing the keyboard. The band have one of those catalogues that seem to thrive live, bashing out (mostly) sub-3 minute song after sub-3 minute song.
Despite only having one full-length release under their belt and being a support act, there seemed a large contingent of the audience that knew all the words. If you get the opportunity to catch JoFo live, do it, and take your dancing shoes.
Downloads:
Lea Room from Waited Up Til It Was Light
Salt, Peppa and Spinderella from Waited Up Til It Was Light
The headline act was Hundred Reasons. I’ll admit, the main attraction of the gig was for massive nostalgia purposes. HR either toured or supported, or were supported by, all my favourite bands about the time their first album was out. And what a first album.
Usually these sorts of “comebacks” result in a sort of cheap exploitation, you go on the promise of the songs you know and love and end up with a face full of weak new material. Thankfully, HR were having none of this (if you don’t count the re-release of Quick the Word, Sharp the Action), and played great song after song.
Perhaps Hundred Reasons aren’t as pertinent as they used be, but it sure was fun being reminded of the time they were.
Downloads:
If I Could from Ideas Above Our Station
Silver from Ideas Above Our Station
Kill Your Own from Kill Your Own
65daysofstatic @ The Deaf Institute
Thursday 23 April 2009, Last.fm Event
I went to see 65daysofstatic on Thursday night at The Deaf Institute, which was packed to the rafters, a shade too much man-on-sweaty-man for me. They were in awesome form, playing a set which composed of the classics for the first half and new songs for the latter. The new songs were sounding really good; my memory being shite I can’t remember any specifics but I remember them rocking.
65 in my not so humble opinion really stick out as a band that are pushing out quality original music at present. There’s no bandwagon jumping and no “inspiration” they seem to be “borrowing” their ideas from. Also bonus points for their self-made mixtape they play before their set (an interesting slightly related by Joe in The Quietus).
Downloads:
Drove Though Ghosts To Get Here (Live) from Escape From New York
Dance Parties (Mechanised) from The Distant And Mechanised Glow Of Eastern European Dance Parties EP
