Sunday 21 March 2010

MGMT's New Song






My heart raced and my disco strings twanged when I heard MGMT were releasing new music. I've been waiting two solid years for this, and I'm still reeling from their unreal performance at Bestival last balmy summer. When I heard the latest offering however I was a little - if not A GREAT DEAL - underwhelmed. It's not that it's a terrible song, in fact - if they hadn't had so many incredible songs out previous to this it'd be perfectly fine.

The thing is, MGMT have always made me feel FREE, they provided the sound of summer hideaways in the woods and escapes with friends, glorious days spent talking rubbish in the park and having BBQ's at London Fields. Speaking to strangers and making new friends, looking at the sky and feeling happy to be young.

Their 2008 album 'Oracular Spectacular' provided the soundtrack to my very early 20's and I know I'm not the only one. I think what I'm trying to say is that their new one entitled 'Flash Delirium' just doesn't match up. I don't like to be rash, or make any harsh critical judgements - and normally I'm pretty open minded to change. I also know that bands HAVE to evolve. It's just that I'm not feeling the magic with this one.

They'll be playing Heaven in London soon anyhow, and I still want to go because I'm curious about what they've got up their neon sleeves. I'm also still a MASSIVE fan (don't get me wrong) I'm just a little surprised.

Monday 15 March 2010

Yeasayer - Odd Blood




The very thing that gave Yeasayer the ultimate cool factor was that they weren’t ever trying to be cool. With bad clothes and even worse waist long hair Chris Keating, Ira Wolf Tuton and Anand Wilder were doing everything in their power to be the un-coolest things around. They failed though and are currently the hippest things going, and being friends with MGMT hasn’t dented their image in the slightest.

Odd Blood is the follow up to their 2007 album All Hour Cymbals and this time it’s more of an electro pop journey than the jangly folk inspired woodland walk of the last album. Odd Blood is an erratic romp through a mysterious world of shaky vocals and big tribal drums, the harmonies are in full force and the hooks are killer.

The haunting and psychedelic echoes of Madder Red allow the album an uplifting and epic beginning whilst the sure fire pop singles Ambling Alp and O.N.E are up there with Passion Pits catchy-yet-quirky bangers. Although wishy washy and limp moments come in the form of the opener The Children and the closing track Grizelda which both epically fall flat on their faces and are unfortunately placed and obvious fillers.
Shame really, because everything in between is impressive, in an un-cool kind of way of course.

Friday 12 March 2010

French Horn Rebellion @ Barfly



























Last week two brothers from Milwaukee landed on the Camden Barfly stage to lead a musical voyage. Armed with a French Horn, some Apple Macs, a couple of keyboards and a drummer they romped through a tight and punchy set of weird and wonderful electro and closed with Beaches and friends which is the most exciting track I've heard since Filthy Dukes brought out Tupac Robot.
Since their EP dropped they've had Nick Grimshaw and friends at Radio 1 foaming at the mouth (in a good way.) Now based in Brooklyn they're causing a real stir and NME, 6 Music and The Guardian to name a few are all talking about them. It was a unique experience to watch them writhe about on stage full of energy, David scaled the speakers and there was even a shoot out involving the drummer and a toy gun.
They've just finished their mini European tour and an album is set for release this year. From where I'm standing it looks like these guys are going to give music land a much needed adventure.

Tuesday 2 March 2010

BBC 6 Music




What a shame about the news we're all hearing about the closure of BBC 6 Music. The station I rely on to keep me updated with quality, cutting edge music whether it's new or old. I especially love Lauren Laverne and hope the bigguns at the top change their minds!

Monday 1 March 2010

Sarah Leanne Palmer + Death Disco














I've spoken to her before on The Get Up and played some of her music - Sarah Leanne Palmer played at Monto Water Rats in Kings Cross last Wednesday. Her performances keep getting bigger and better, and so do the crowds. She'll be playing Smash and Grab soon as well as Death Disco. Speaking of Death Disco.......









I went for the first time last week! Every Wednesday evening at the Arts Club in the heady heights of Notting Hill, a disco goes by the name of Death. Contrary to its title, its not deadly or sinister at all. Rather a happy bunch congregate to lap up all things indie and fun. We got there just as the live bands were finishing, but were welcomed into the basement by the joyful sound of Ellie Goulding, Yeasayer and even a dash of Jay Z - spun lovingly by the friendly creature behind the decks. It was free too - which is always a bonus.


I'm off to see these fellas below on Tuesday so stay tuned for more tit bits!