A new post talking about new albums - Spiritualized, Jack White, BJM, Ty Segall & WHite Fence, Magic Castles, The Dandy Warhols
Now then now then, Blogger has gone and changed its layout which has thrown me off course. I have started very slowly with this new post as I am finding my way round the new site. It shouldn't of bothered me this much, but I couldn't stop looking at the new features which tell me how many visits the blog has had etc.
Nearly 3000 views which aint to bad at all. Its probably a really small number compared to other blogs, but the only other blog I can compare it to is my movie blog, "Your tearing me apart Lisa" which has a pathetic 400 views, so based on that "Sitar" is doin very well - so cheers!
Now im going to say a few things about some new albums.
First of all, Spiritualizeds latest album "Sweet Heart Sweet Light" has been released. I blogged about my first listen which you can read somewhere on here.
I liked it on first listen and spent the next few days rinsing the shit out of it.
Unfortunately it doesn't have much staying power. The songs I liked began to grate on me and the ones that didnt hit the spot on first listen have failed to make any further impact. This is probably my own fault for playing "Hey Jane" on repeat for 5 days straight. Listening to a 10 minute song over and over again can end up sending you mad. Dont do this, show it some respect! I did this to about 4 songs on the album and im gonna have to take a break from it until I listen to it again.
Its by no means a bad album, in fact its pretty good, it is however quite hit and miss and doesnt really bring anything new to the table. Its a decent enough Spiritualized album. Nothing more nothing less.
I will say this though, it might be there most accessible album for newbies. There is a decent mix of massive anthems layered with strings and choirs and electric guitar freak outs that wont scare to many people away.
If I was you though, go with "Ladies & Gentleman We Are Floating In Space". This is a bonafide classic and still remains Jason Pearces best bit of work.
Jack White has released Blunderbus, his first solo album.
Jacks body of work is something quite special. Everyone knows the White Stripes were amazing. They made blues rock'n'roll mainstream during a time when we were surrounded by auto-tune pop and guitars were looked upon with disdain.
His 2 other projects, The Raconteurs and Dead Weather, have for the most part been a great success.
Although neither of the two side projects scaled the same dizzying heights as The White Stripes, the tunes were there.
By having the motivation and talent to front 3 bands while keeping the creative spark alive and at a consistently high level, a solo album would be a pice of piss, right?
And thankfully, although it probably wasnt a peace of piss, Blunderbus is another extremely strong outing for Jack White.
There are no obvious bangers on here, nothing getting close to the almighty riffs we got from The 'Stripes, but 13 extremely well crafted songs that vary from straight out blues to other worldly country.
Its an extremely honest off loading of emotions that you would expect centres around the break up of The 'Stripes, and considering this is Whites 12th album, its quite an achievement that its such a pleasure to listen to.
The Brian Jonestown Massacres latest album, Aufheben, was recently streamed on Spotify ahead of its release and its without question the bands best work since the early naughties.
Its a sprawling apololiptic, druggy party album. It might not be everyones cup of tea (what is?), but its a fantastic realisation of someones idea.
Its hard to place this album under one particular genre. Its new and old, scary and happy, rocking and chilled out, all at the same time and mixes the early blues rock sound of The BJMs earlier work with the dance groove beats that filtered into there music this century. Below is one of the more mellow tracks from the album which is currently being included in there live set.
Speaking of The BJM and Anton, recently "Magic Castles" signed to his label "A records" and have released there debut as a signed band.
The album is self titled and is a gorgeous listen from start to finish. Its everything you would expect from a band signed by Anton. Layers upon layers of feedback and fuzz giving the entire mix a dreamy, laid back, very '60s sound. Alot of these bands that embrace this particular sound start off sounding great but then on repeated listens it becomes obvious they are just poor imitators of not only BJM, but that entire genre. Bands like The Stevenson Ranch Davidions, The Black Ryder and Secret Machines are examples of bands that have been very much influenced by fuzzy 60's psychedlia that boarder on being imitators of the sound, rather than taking inspiration and building on it.
Tame Impala, Ty Segall and Asteroid #4 are examples of how to get it right, and Magic Castles can rub shoulders with these guys.
And that brings me on nicely to Ty Segalls latest bit of work. This time he has teamed up with White Fence (as in Tim Presley, lead singer/songwriter of Darker My Love - White Fence is what he goes by away from the band). Its a short but engaging slice of garage rock/60's psych that channels the likes of Donovan, George Harrison and Nuggets favourites such as The Standells.
Other releases include Graham Coxon and The Dandy Warhols, neither of which I have listened to yet.
I recently heard a track from The Dandys new one and was less than impressed. I think its fair to say that I enjoyed there first 3 albums but since then there musical output has gone seriously downhill. I just cant get on board with there yuppyish ways and there weird take on 60's psych and 90's rock.
Sorry, but this just aint that great, is it?
It might be his voice. It really grates on me thesedays, especially when its on extremely average tunes.
Im so bored of this particular blog im gonna stop.
Next time i might talk about something different, like how to learn the recorder in one day. Not that I know how thats possible, but I can certainly write about it.
Give at least one of those albums a go, theyre all pretty decent. Do it. Do it.
Spiritualized "Sweet Heart Sweet Light" - first listen
Jason Pearce' Spiritualized have a new album out in a weeks time. It will be the first album since 2008's "Songs In A&E" which was recorded while Pearce was receiving chemotherapy for degenerative liver disease. This was after he had spent a long stint in hospital in 2005 after suffering double pneumonia. His emotional and physical state was there to hear, his pain came across which had most people thinking that this was indeed the end.
However, in 2010 Pearce returned by playing his classic 1997 cut "ladies & gentleman We Are Floating In Space" in its entirety on a UK & US mini tour.
It was around this time he began work on "Sweet Heart Sweet Light".
Never someone to stray away from the influence his drug habit/s have on his life and art, his music has always been a mixture of overwhelming joy and eternal doom with a running theme of embracing and rejecting faith and jesus christ. This album is no different, but now that Pearce finds himself in a much healthier place, the end result is something quite different to what many may of expected...
You can listen to the album HERE
Hey Jane - A simple but massive Rock'n'Roll tune clocking in at 9 minutes. It comes to a close after 4, but then rouses again into full throttle exciting chanting, not to dissimilar to Blurs "Tender".
Little Girl - Pearces singing sounds stronger than on previous album "Songs in A&E". You know when the changes are coming in this one. It sounds like a Richard Ashcroft song, not a Verve song, an Ashcroft one (which is either a good thing or really really bad!).
Get What You Deserve - Well so far it would appear that Pearce is in a more positive place than he was a few years ago. The same underlying current of doom remains, but the huge drums and strings that were so prominent in his earlier Spiritualized work is back. Not one acoustic number yet. This is more of a slow burner than the opening 2 tracks and climaxes with outrageous feedback and swirling distortion leading us into track 4....
Too Late - ...Which is the first slow number we have. Very similar melody to Lord Let It rain on me from "Amazing Grace". VERY similar. A bit to close for comfort to be honest. Its a lovely song by itself, but anyone familiar with Spiritualizeds back catalogue will no doubt hear the similarity. I'm actually singing the Lord Let It Rain lyrics along with this tune as I listen. The string arrangement is lovely though.
Heading For The Top - Now we're talkin. Bluesy keys, tons of feedback and a massive guitar riff start things off. A crescendo of drums and bass fills in the spaces and then Pearce lends his voice to complete this 6 minute epic that builds up into a frenzy of uplifting, powerful feedback, strings, religious chanting and harmonies. Highlight of the album so far.
Freedom - Another slow ballad. nice enough, but meh..
I Am What I Am - A funky bass line and pounding drum lead the way with Pearce rambling over the top joined by female bluesy back vocals. More pounding piano and distorted sax joins the mix and we have the dirtiest sounding thing Pearce has done in years. What Pearce has always been able to do from his days with Spacemen 3 all the way up to now, is make a simple 2 or 3 chord progression sound exciting and fresh even though its the same 3 chords we were hearing from him 20 years ago.
Mary - I got bored half way through this one. Its a great vocal from Pearce but I think it was a bit over done in the studio. This one could of worked if it had been stripped down but instead its overloaded with strings.
Life Is A Problem - Jesus heavy. Pearce is begging Jesus to lead him the way to a better life, or just a better place. Its hard to know whether Pearce is literal in his meaning of Jesus. Is he openly showing his colours as a Christian or is Jesus simply a metaphor for something that can save him? i guess only he knows, but this is an out and out cry for help.
So long You Pretty Thing - Opening as a duet between Pearce and his 11 year old daughter until the organs piano and soft drums and more interestingly, a banjo, come into the mix. Its then back to asking the lord and jesus for help.
Just when you thought it was ending on a flat line the whole thing erupts. Its an epic finale, it really is.
"So long you pretty thing, god save your little soul, the music that you played so hard aint on your radio, and all your dreams of diamond rings and all of rocknroll could bring you, so long, so long"
On first listen its a mixed bag. When its good, its really really good. But when its not, it does fall a bit flat but thankfully these moments arent long lived.
Its been a long 4 years but thankfully its been worth the wait and Jason Pearce and Spiritualized have released one of the most heartfelt and emotional albums your likely to hear this year.
However, in 2010 Pearce returned by playing his classic 1997 cut "ladies & gentleman We Are Floating In Space" in its entirety on a UK & US mini tour.
It was around this time he began work on "Sweet Heart Sweet Light".
Never someone to stray away from the influence his drug habit/s have on his life and art, his music has always been a mixture of overwhelming joy and eternal doom with a running theme of embracing and rejecting faith and jesus christ. This album is no different, but now that Pearce finds himself in a much healthier place, the end result is something quite different to what many may of expected...
You can listen to the album HERE
Hey Jane - A simple but massive Rock'n'Roll tune clocking in at 9 minutes. It comes to a close after 4, but then rouses again into full throttle exciting chanting, not to dissimilar to Blurs "Tender".
Little Girl - Pearces singing sounds stronger than on previous album "Songs in A&E". You know when the changes are coming in this one. It sounds like a Richard Ashcroft song, not a Verve song, an Ashcroft one (which is either a good thing or really really bad!).
Get What You Deserve - Well so far it would appear that Pearce is in a more positive place than he was a few years ago. The same underlying current of doom remains, but the huge drums and strings that were so prominent in his earlier Spiritualized work is back. Not one acoustic number yet. This is more of a slow burner than the opening 2 tracks and climaxes with outrageous feedback and swirling distortion leading us into track 4....
Too Late - ...Which is the first slow number we have. Very similar melody to Lord Let It rain on me from "Amazing Grace". VERY similar. A bit to close for comfort to be honest. Its a lovely song by itself, but anyone familiar with Spiritualizeds back catalogue will no doubt hear the similarity. I'm actually singing the Lord Let It Rain lyrics along with this tune as I listen. The string arrangement is lovely though.
Heading For The Top - Now we're talkin. Bluesy keys, tons of feedback and a massive guitar riff start things off. A crescendo of drums and bass fills in the spaces and then Pearce lends his voice to complete this 6 minute epic that builds up into a frenzy of uplifting, powerful feedback, strings, religious chanting and harmonies. Highlight of the album so far.
Freedom - Another slow ballad. nice enough, but meh..
I Am What I Am - A funky bass line and pounding drum lead the way with Pearce rambling over the top joined by female bluesy back vocals. More pounding piano and distorted sax joins the mix and we have the dirtiest sounding thing Pearce has done in years. What Pearce has always been able to do from his days with Spacemen 3 all the way up to now, is make a simple 2 or 3 chord progression sound exciting and fresh even though its the same 3 chords we were hearing from him 20 years ago.
Mary - I got bored half way through this one. Its a great vocal from Pearce but I think it was a bit over done in the studio. This one could of worked if it had been stripped down but instead its overloaded with strings.
Life Is A Problem - Jesus heavy. Pearce is begging Jesus to lead him the way to a better life, or just a better place. Its hard to know whether Pearce is literal in his meaning of Jesus. Is he openly showing his colours as a Christian or is Jesus simply a metaphor for something that can save him? i guess only he knows, but this is an out and out cry for help.
So long You Pretty Thing - Opening as a duet between Pearce and his 11 year old daughter until the organs piano and soft drums and more interestingly, a banjo, come into the mix. Its then back to asking the lord and jesus for help.
Just when you thought it was ending on a flat line the whole thing erupts. Its an epic finale, it really is.
"So long you pretty thing, god save your little soul, the music that you played so hard aint on your radio, and all your dreams of diamond rings and all of rocknroll could bring you, so long, so long"
On first listen its a mixed bag. When its good, its really really good. But when its not, it does fall a bit flat but thankfully these moments arent long lived.
Its been a long 4 years but thankfully its been worth the wait and Jason Pearce and Spiritualized have released one of the most heartfelt and emotional albums your likely to hear this year.
Some words on The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Over 20 years ago, Anton Newcombe formed the band that came to be known as The Brian Jonestown Massacre. For 2 decades Anton has lead this musical force through almost every Rock'n'Roll cliche imagineable. From break ups to bust ups, onstage fights and drug addiction, cancelled shows and walk offs - The BJM have been there, done it, survived it and then done it again.
There reputation as "bad guys of rock" was cemented when the 2004 documentary Dig! was released which chronicled the bands progress throuh 6-7 years. We saw the band at there very worst, but in a strange way this was seeing a band at there best. The band were laid bare for all to see. We could enjoy the madness and appreciate the genius.
Bands like this dont come along to often.
Sure, other bands and artists have gained much more in terms of critical acclaim/album sales etc, and other bands have matched the BJM in terms of outlandish rock'n'roll behaviour, but what The BJM, but Anton in particular, have over these other acts is a vision and motivation to move things forward.
The BJM are a throwback, there is no denying that. There most popular songs are Rolling Stones influenced blues rock featuring catchy hooks and memorable melodies. The 60's is everywhere in there music. The progressive, other worldly sound, The 2 minute pop songs, The use of 60's song titles reworked. Fuck, there last album was called who killed sgt pepper!
But this works.
The 60's was a time when nothing was impossible. It was a time when people could dream and those dreams could come true. Music progressed at a light speed and peoples attitude to politics, race, religion, peoples rights, sex, drugs and science seemed to develop and move forward at a rapid rate.
We went to the moon in the 60's using technology that today would be used to power a bog standard calculator school children deface every day in class. Thats what can happen when someone has an idea and makes it happen.
So it makes sense that Anton and The BJM are influenced by this period of time.
We are talking here about a band that was at the forefront of the shoegaze scene in the early 90's and one of the first to use the internet in the ways its used today.
Before Napster became a big deal and before it was closed down, Anton was sharing his music with anyone who "got it". Anton posted his entire discography on his website way back in the late 90's making all his music available to download and share for free.
He has never and probably will never "play the game" the way that "they" expect you to. Its one of the reasons his music will never get played on mainstream TV/radio, but its one of his main strengths to. By not towing the company line his record labels expected him to do (anoton now has his own indie label "a" records) has given him the freedom to do things his way.
Anton and the BJM were one of the first bands to be on MySpace, other bands were on it but Anton actually put his music on there free for everyone.
By doing this and allowing people to hear his music, Anton has opened up an entire new world of music for people that may not of known existed. Anton has created a scene that has now spread accross the globe; from bands like BRMC and The Warlocks from America, Anton has moved to GErmany & Iceland to help develop bands such as The Blue Angel Lounge & Dead Skeletons.
At the forefront of his scene is the message "Keep Music Evil" - the moniker from which i guess Anton lives his life. Keep Music Evil is a community of bands, artists, fans, writers and everyone inbetween who buys into Anton and The BJMS outlook on what music and art should be, a true expression of ones self.
Its the polar opposite of todays music scene. Its an escape from the mainstream that has become so terrifyingly polished and media driven that has seen the artistic vision disapear without trace.
i could be angry that radio,television and cinema are not only shallow and perhaps even toxic in their banality,maybe even feel pains of sadness for young people knowing that they will never have a chance to grow in an open minded stimulating enviroment full of exploration,and examples personal freedom...but you know what? the way it is is the way it is wanted...it's not like 10 year olds are demanding lady gaga and justin beiber...no,this is by design.you can not want for other what they do not want for themselves.
In 3 weeks time Anton & The BJM will release there 12th studio album; Aufheben.
An album which has been shared with the watching public over the last 18-24 months via Antons online live TV station - DeadTV. Yeah, he has his own TV show. Bono doesnt have one of those.
We have watched Anton in the studio recording, writing and producing this album from day 1. He has taken us on a journey with these songs, sharing his vision and how he gets there with everyone who is bothered to watch.
Every demo, every idea has been posted online publicly for everyone to comment on and get involved with. This has been another step forward as far as creating and recording music.
He isnt going to ask his fans to "pay what they want" - he was giving it away for free 15 years ago. He isnt going to ask his fans to pick the tracklist, people have been making mix tapes for 30 years. Hes going to do something new, and hes going to move things forward by inviting us into the process. We wont have a say on the final product, but we will of been a part of it.
What that final product is is yet to be heard, but the mixture of the old and new was there to be heard on the youtube demos.
We have a perfect blend of the electronic beats from the last album, the bluesy guitar from the early 90's, the experimental eastern/european vocals of the early naughties EP's and a menacing yet beautiful vibe that could be heard on the debut, Methodrone (yeah thats right, that drug that became trendy last year was the name of Antons debut in 1992)
Hes ahead of the game and its up to everyone else to catch up.
Chances are he will be too far ahead by the time people begin to realise, I just hope that the next generation can see through the glossy mess of The Xfactor and everything that goes with that, so bands like The BJM can influence a better musical future.
Either that - or use the technology we have at our disposal to actually DO something, rather than spying on each other or blowing the shit out of our planet. Just an idea.
Aufheben is released on May 1st
The BJM will be playing live this summer
07/07/2012 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
08/07/2012 The Ritz, Manchester
09/07/1012 o2 Academy, Birmingham
There reputation as "bad guys of rock" was cemented when the 2004 documentary Dig! was released which chronicled the bands progress throuh 6-7 years. We saw the band at there very worst, but in a strange way this was seeing a band at there best. The band were laid bare for all to see. We could enjoy the madness and appreciate the genius.
Bands like this dont come along to often.
Sure, other bands and artists have gained much more in terms of critical acclaim/album sales etc, and other bands have matched the BJM in terms of outlandish rock'n'roll behaviour, but what The BJM, but Anton in particular, have over these other acts is a vision and motivation to move things forward.
The BJM are a throwback, there is no denying that. There most popular songs are Rolling Stones influenced blues rock featuring catchy hooks and memorable melodies. The 60's is everywhere in there music. The progressive, other worldly sound, The 2 minute pop songs, The use of 60's song titles reworked. Fuck, there last album was called who killed sgt pepper!
But this works.
The 60's was a time when nothing was impossible. It was a time when people could dream and those dreams could come true. Music progressed at a light speed and peoples attitude to politics, race, religion, peoples rights, sex, drugs and science seemed to develop and move forward at a rapid rate.
We went to the moon in the 60's using technology that today would be used to power a bog standard calculator school children deface every day in class. Thats what can happen when someone has an idea and makes it happen.
So it makes sense that Anton and The BJM are influenced by this period of time.
We are talking here about a band that was at the forefront of the shoegaze scene in the early 90's and one of the first to use the internet in the ways its used today.
Before Napster became a big deal and before it was closed down, Anton was sharing his music with anyone who "got it". Anton posted his entire discography on his website way back in the late 90's making all his music available to download and share for free.
He has never and probably will never "play the game" the way that "they" expect you to. Its one of the reasons his music will never get played on mainstream TV/radio, but its one of his main strengths to. By not towing the company line his record labels expected him to do (anoton now has his own indie label "a" records) has given him the freedom to do things his way.
Anton and the BJM were one of the first bands to be on MySpace, other bands were on it but Anton actually put his music on there free for everyone.
By doing this and allowing people to hear his music, Anton has opened up an entire new world of music for people that may not of known existed. Anton has created a scene that has now spread accross the globe; from bands like BRMC and The Warlocks from America, Anton has moved to GErmany & Iceland to help develop bands such as The Blue Angel Lounge & Dead Skeletons.
At the forefront of his scene is the message "Keep Music Evil" - the moniker from which i guess Anton lives his life. Keep Music Evil is a community of bands, artists, fans, writers and everyone inbetween who buys into Anton and The BJMS outlook on what music and art should be, a true expression of ones self.
Its the polar opposite of todays music scene. Its an escape from the mainstream that has become so terrifyingly polished and media driven that has seen the artistic vision disapear without trace.
i could be angry that radio,television and cinema are not only shallow and perhaps even toxic in their banality,maybe even feel pains of sadness for young people knowing that they will never have a chance to grow in an open minded stimulating enviroment full of exploration,and examples personal freedom...but you know what? the way it is is the way it is wanted...it's not like 10 year olds are demanding lady gaga and justin beiber...no,this is by design.you can not want for other what they do not want for themselves.
In 3 weeks time Anton & The BJM will release there 12th studio album; Aufheben.
An album which has been shared with the watching public over the last 18-24 months via Antons online live TV station - DeadTV. Yeah, he has his own TV show. Bono doesnt have one of those.
We have watched Anton in the studio recording, writing and producing this album from day 1. He has taken us on a journey with these songs, sharing his vision and how he gets there with everyone who is bothered to watch.
Every demo, every idea has been posted online publicly for everyone to comment on and get involved with. This has been another step forward as far as creating and recording music.
He isnt going to ask his fans to "pay what they want" - he was giving it away for free 15 years ago. He isnt going to ask his fans to pick the tracklist, people have been making mix tapes for 30 years. Hes going to do something new, and hes going to move things forward by inviting us into the process. We wont have a say on the final product, but we will of been a part of it.
What that final product is is yet to be heard, but the mixture of the old and new was there to be heard on the youtube demos.
We have a perfect blend of the electronic beats from the last album, the bluesy guitar from the early 90's, the experimental eastern/european vocals of the early naughties EP's and a menacing yet beautiful vibe that could be heard on the debut, Methodrone (yeah thats right, that drug that became trendy last year was the name of Antons debut in 1992)
Hes ahead of the game and its up to everyone else to catch up.
Chances are he will be too far ahead by the time people begin to realise, I just hope that the next generation can see through the glossy mess of The Xfactor and everything that goes with that, so bands like The BJM can influence a better musical future.
Either that - or use the technology we have at our disposal to actually DO something, rather than spying on each other or blowing the shit out of our planet. Just an idea.
Aufheben is released on May 1st
The BJM will be playing live this summer
07/07/2012 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
08/07/2012 The Ritz, Manchester
09/07/1012 o2 Academy, Birmingham
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