Hmmmm, not hugely impressed after 1/2 listens. There are some tunes on this, i guess I shouldn't have been anticipating this album as much as I was. It is frustrating because Kano is such a talented rapper and lyricist, but he just doesnt seem bothered on half his tracks.
Putting "Saturday Night Hustle" aside, I am really looking forward to Sway's 2nd album, The Signature LP, put back to October the 6th, due to the addition of a 2nd collaboration with Akon. The first single completely passed me by, aparently it was released in May! Anyway, its very good, reminds me a bit of Dizzee's I Luv U, sparring between man and woman, although on very different subjects...
I'm pretty sure this is happening, well 4music seems to think so...any excuse to post Vampire Weekend tbh... I seriously need to get a ticket for their Sheffield Academy gig! I would pay £25, maybe more :s If you haven't seen the "Cape Cod..." video yet, check it out here, its quality! Vampire Weekend-A-Punk Vampire Weekend-Oxford Comma (Burnt Piano Edit) Read more...
From pre-Milan days, an early EP "The Comeback EP" (2001), this is maybe one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Torquil is so good at writing sentimental, yet brilliant soft indie songs. Words can't describe how much I love this band right now! I forgot how good some of their old stuff is! Elevator Love letter is such a class song! Stars-The Aspidistra Files Read more...
Linderman!!! what a great start to the new season of heroes! I have decided to do for Heroes, what i did last season for Lost, i.e. small recaps and post the promos/sneak peeks for the next weeks episode!
A great double bill, i am very glad Nathan has returned (even though we all knew it would happen), and it is great that he seems to have a big role this year, unlike s2 where he was a bit of a faded pathetic character. I love that Linderman (who is slightly reminiscent of Widmore) is back, and that only Nathan can see him. I have no idea what is going on with Nikki/Tracy, but I bet it has something to do with Linderman! It is pretty cool that mohinder has a power, although he is even more annoying now! And how has Maya suddenly lost her "South American" accent? Sylar (as usual) was awesome this episode, and he is going to be pretty unstoppable now, except he is going to be working with the Company! and HRG aparently! also, he is peter and nathans brother!? did we know he was adopted, I cant remember? Angela Petrelli is such a good character, I wonder if her power is those random dreams she has or what? The vision of the dead Heroes, killed by Nikki (wtf?), sylar, adam, parkmans dad and random level5 villain was quality! The level 5 villains are fucking mental, far wose than Sylar! I look forward to learning more about these characters...Oh yeah claires mum coming back is pretty cool! and Ando's potential future betrayal of Hiro!? Not too sure about Parkman being in Africa storyline..it reminds me of Hiro's adventure to feudal Japan, i.e far too longwhinded.
I think this is mainly gonna follow the Level 5 escapees causing havoc, and Sylar/HRG's attempts to track them down, as well as Tracy investigating her past, and Hiro/Ando still after the speedster. The Haitian will appear! I really wonder who is gonna be good/evil this season! I think there could be a big shock and Claire or Parkman could be evil or summat. Parkman could discover how to use his powers the way his dad did...Adam is back episode 4 btw!
Sneak Peeks
looks like tis gonna be a good un! the Claires mum/claires real mum scenes are gonna be class. This Hiro/Ando/speedster storyline looks like it could get annoying tho :s Read more...
Jack White and Alicia Keys merk the new bond theme, im kindof glad it wasnt Winehouse in the end, seeing as she seems incapable of doing anything much for the last 2 years...White and Keys are pretty much the most talented people from their music genres; both are great songwriters, both are great musicians, both have great voices...
Bill Lawrence is trying to round up alot of the old guest stars for Season 8/the finale, along with Courtney Cox (!) who will be playing the new Chief of Medicine for 3ish episodes.
and they tried/are trying to get Masi Oka (Franklin-Hiro) and gift shop girl but NBC are being bastards and not allowing them (as they are both contracted to NBC shows)
can't wait for this to start. will probs be dec 2008/early 2009
This is fast becoming a brilliant song, the new version is top quality. Read Kanye's thoughts on making the new version here
His thoughts on auto-tune are class. There has been much talk of the whole album being sung, but if this is to be believed it surely can't be. If 50 cent is going to like it then I can't even see auto-tune being used the whole album. Somehow I can't imagine Kanye gansta rapping it...although Breathe In Breathe Out (which is completely tongue in cheek) is one of Kanye's finest. This isnt tagged as new version or anything, the old one is now tagged as demo :)
also here is a wicked remix of swagger like us. it is confusing because this is considered both TIs and Jay-Z's song so it is a bitch to tag lol. I am starting to appreciate how good T.I.'s verse is!! TI, hova, yeezy, weezy in order of quality in this song. i feel so cool using those nicknames lol...
First things first, awesome album cover. I am still undecided on this album, it is definitely better than "The Hardest Way To Make an Easy Living", which is no achievement. It is very different from any other Streets album. Not one of the tracks could slide easily onto OPM or AGDCFF, it is far from the electro/garage/grime/rap hybrid Skinner originally created. However, I do like it when artists try new things, and change is not, in this case, a bad thing. It was clearly time for a change after THWTMAEL was so poor and disappointing, and as Skinner says the new album is a refreshing one giving "peaceful positive vibes" in stark contrast to album 3. There are some truly outstanding tracks; Everything is Borrowed, Heaven for the Weather, On the edge of a cliff, on the flip of a coin and i love you more.. are all brilliant, but alleged legends and the strongest person i know seem slightly pointless and let the album down. However, overall, I am thoroughly enjoying listening to this album, Skinner is on top form lyrically, and the live instruments work very well. I doubt The Streets will ever reach the standards of albums 1/2 but this is an impressive effort. Time will tell just how good this is. Album 5 will be the last under The Streets, called Computers and Blues...
use somebody is maybe their best ever song...they deserve all the success they'll get from this album.
edit: my good friend sean has kindly written a review of the album...see what you think...
Kings Of Leon – Only By The Night
When Kings Of Leon recorded their 2003 debut Youth & Young Manhood, bassist Jared was just 15. The bands rough rock sound captured the hearts of many, like me, starting to get into the growing English indie scene, yet failed to impact in their homeland. It’s clear from listening to the opening of their latest offering, Only By The Night, that they have grown a lot since then.
The slow fading in of the band on opening track Closer grabs you instantly, it just feels as though something truly epic is coming. The rest of the track does not disappoint. “It’s coming closer” Caleb’s voice eerily echoes over steadily growing music, as the freshly evolved sound of Kings Of Leon is unleashed. Here is a sound that is going to sound stunning when they play to sell out arena crowds across England in December.
Closer is followed immediately by Crawl, a track released on the internet as a warm up for the album (as appears to be the custom these days), first single Sex On Fire and (next single?) Use Somebody. And here in lies Only By The Night’s biggest flaw. The opening four tracks are all so strong that it takes away from the end of the album. Crawl, the bands first attempt a proper political track, thunders along as Caleb laces his emotions all over it, “The reds and the whites and the abused, the crucified USA”. Sex On Fire is the most lustful, passionate and glorious indie anthem to be written in a good while and Use Somebody is probably the bands best track.
However, patience is a virtue with this album. There would be something wrong if it wasn’t the opening 4 tracks that grabbed you on the first listen, but with persistence comes rewards as you learn to love the later tracks. While Manhattan and 17 are weak points in the link between beginning and end, this wound is healed by the beautifully nostalgic Revelry and the epic I Want You that rounds off the slower paced mid-section of this album.
The ominous feel from the beginning of the album returns during final track ColdDesert once the refreshingly upbeat ending to Be Somebody has faded away. Cold Desert fades out, then back in for no apparent reason, and builds up to an almost Sigur Ros-esque crescendo to round off the Followill brothers latest effort, firmly cementing them as one of the great bands of the decade.
This album is the sound of a band coming into their own, refining their sound to one that has the potential to throw them up there with all time great rock acts, and while I can’t see this album itself being their defining moment it definitely a big step on the path to kingly glory.
4/5
here is another review by Alexis Petridis of the Guardian...i actually agree with this alot...
very very different...I actually really like it!! The Auto-Tune works really well, although I do wish Kanye rapped in this song, lets face it, he's not a singer...Production is amazing as usual. Only complaint is the rapping really, Kanye raps in Swagger Like Us using the Auto-Tune so why not on this? Actually, Kanye merks this style on "put On" with Young Jeezy. The new album is out December the 16th, called "808's & Heartbreak" its gonna be very interesting, aparently he sings on every track!! This could either be very special, or a complete disaster...wonder how many tracks off the new album he'll do when I see him in November? Check out Love Lockdown from the VMA's, pretty awesome, the neon heart is tooooo cool. In other kanye news, he (along with Timbaland and the Neptunes) is producing a few tracks on the new Beyonce album, should be good...
sounds like Kano is (finally) living up to his potential, with his 3rd album, 140 grime street, his first grime album. Both his previous albums have been good hip-hop albums, but kano has always been capable of more, and from the sounds of the first single it seems he is set to fulfill it. Instead of Kate Nash, Damon Albarn etc, this album features 3 of the biggest grime MC's; Skepta, Wiley and Ghetto with Wiley producing most/all of the album. The first single is hustler, the only mp3 available is the clip from his "MC No.1" mixtape from April. Link below the video
Tracklisting for 140 grime street, due 29th september: 1. 140 Grime St 2. Hustler 3. Paper 4. Hunting We Will Go Ft Ghetto 5. These Mcs Ft Skepta 6. We Gangsta 7. Anywhere We Go Ft Wiley 8. Missing Me 9. Seems Like Things Have Changed 10. Don't Come Around Here 11. I Stand By It 12. Soldier Ft Mikey J 13. I Like It 14. Off Licence 15. Too Advanced 16. Aim For The Sky
"Ready or Not" is the second single from The Fugees' 1996 album The Score. The song contains a sample of "Boadicea" by Enya, and its chorus is based on "Ready Or Not, Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)" by the Delfonics (written by Thom Bell and William Hart).
Enya was prepared to sue the group for copyright infringement, because she had not permitted the group to sample her music.[1] She eventually settled out of court.
The song reached number one in the UK for two weeks in September 1996.
U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama named "Ready or Not" as his favorite song in a top 10 list submitted to Blender in August 2008.[2]
I wish Lauryn Hill hadn't gone crazy. She is standardly one of the most talented musicians of the 1990s/2000s. I want a proper Fugees reunion!!!!
""Can I Kick It?" was the third single from A Tribe Called Quest's debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm. The song was not a hit at the time of its release but has become much more popular over the years, thanks in part to the wide exposure gained from its appearance as the theme music for the Nike commercial which launched the company's famous tagline, "Just Do It".
Amazing album, amazing song, amazing group. I know there were some problems with the hotlinkfiles links this weekend but they seem to be working again, sorry about that....I realise it is 2 weeks since leeds fest now, review is coming!!!
I had no idea Stars were releasing new material until the day of release, so this was a very nice little surprise. They really are an amazing band!!!! Here is the undoubted highlight of the EP, the lovely "14 Forever". They are one of the best live bands around, i feel privileged to have seen them in a 250 sized venue! If you like this then check out some of their old stuff, Set Yourself on Fire is one of the best albums of the 2000's! Stars-14 Forever Bonus: here is one of the best tracks from Set Yourself On Fire Stars-Soft Revolution Read more...
The Blueprint 3 Jocking Jay-Z/Dope Boy Fresh has already made its way onto the internet, and now Swagger Like Us has been announced as the first single from his 11th studio album! This is remarkable, considering American Gangster was released only 10 months ago! Swagger Like Us features Kanye, Lil' Wayne and T.I. Kanye's production on this, and sampling of M.I.A.'s Paper Planes are perfect. What a brilliant song. Blueprint 3 is supposedly coming before the end of 2008, very exciting stuff. Jay-Z-Swagger Like Us feat. Kanye West, T.I. and Lil'Wayne Kanye's 4th studio album
Who would have thought it? I imagined Kanye would only begin work on a new album in 2009, after concluding his Glow In The Dark Tour of Europe, which is essentially still the Graduation tour, but he is releasing a new album, December 2008! New single Love Lockdown will be available for download from Monday! Kanye is also expected to feature on the first single from the new Beyonce record, coming out this year. Exciting times ahead. I am so excited to see him in the o2 in Lonon in November. It's going to be ridiculously good! Read more...
Whilst I was in Mexico, Conor Oberst (of Bright Eyes fame) released his 4th solo album (first since 1996-when he was 16) with the Mystic Valley Band. The album is, as expected, brilliant. It sounds pretty similar to Bright Eyes, with a similar style to Cassadaga but it is alot more accessible and enjoyable. This is definately up there with his best work; Fevers and Mirrors, i'm Wide Awake... and Letting off the Happiness...and it was recorded in Mexico which makes it pretty damn cool!! The album shows Conor's verstility from the driving rythms of NYC-Gone, Gone and Souled Out to the stripped back Lenders In The Temple. I saw him at Leeds 2 and a half weeks ago (leeds review IS coming soon!) and he was very good, holding a large tent in which the majority hadn't heard any of his solo work. Last week, he played Manchester Academy, and it was amazing. One of the best live performances I have seen so far this year for sure, him and his band are so talented and excellent onstage! He played the whole album and a few other tracks, allowing members of the band to take center stage for a couple, and covered the legendary "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Corrina, Corrina"! [mp3]Conor Oberst-Lenders in The Temple [mp3]Conor Oberst-Moab [mp3]Conor Oberst-Souled Out [mp3]Conor Oberst-Breezy (Live at 400 Club) The latter is a live recording of the song he closes with, Breezy. Bonus: [mp3]Harry Nilsson-Everybody's Talkin'
apologies for the lack of old skool monday this week!! i will be posting 2 next monday... Read more...
As reported in March, Friendly Fires are one of the big new bands of the year. Their stock is rising after a handful of festival performances (great at Glasto), and is set to escalate further with the release of their self-titled debut, out today. Tracklisting....
"Jump in the Pool"
"In the Hospital"
"Paris"
"White Diamonds"
"Strobe"
"On Board"
"Lovesick"
"Skeleton Boy"
"Photobooth"
"Ex Lover"
Mostly vastly improved versions of the old demos, along with new single Jump in the Pool, which is brilliant. They are so far ahead of anyone else in the UK indie/electro scene at the moment. Here are their 2 singles; Paris (an indie electro posh boy attempt at a love song, they pull it off), and Jump in the Pool. Friendly Fires-Paris Friendly Fures-Jump in the Pool tour dates this autumn, see them before they get annoyingly radio1 induced huge. Southampton Joiners (September 24) Northampton Roadmenders (25) Hull Adelphi (26) Liverpool Korova (28) Preston 53 Degrees (29) Glasgow King Tut's (30) York Duchess (October 1) Manchester Ruby Lounge (2) Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach (4) Oxford Academy (5) Brighton Audio (6) London KCLSU (7) Read more...
this blog is intended to give people a sample of music that I like, so that they will go out and buy/download full albums. this blog will never post links to full albums. if you own any of the music posted on this page and wish to have it removed, please send me an email and i will take it down immediately.
