With vocalist, Alice Glass, being tagged as the coolest person in music, thanks to the NME, it's perhaps somewhat surprising that more people don't know about Crystal Castles. Such a tag and being named after an 1980's video game all seems very "scene" and pretentious but it just so happens that Glass and her partner in crime, Ethan Kath have made a damn fine album.
On first listen it isn't the easiest of albums to listen to. It sounded like an alarm went off whilst playing Mario on my old Gameboy with some perserverence and with the exception of maybe two or three songs, Crystal Castles have made a very strong album. "Alice Practice" and "XXZCUZX ME" are what some people might call experimental electro but the fact is that the mellower tracks that stand out.
As electronic music starts to take a foothold in the indie world, much of it blends into one and Crystal Castles are truly the pioneers of the electro world despite principle perceptions do not conform to the fashionable electro movement at the moment.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
10. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
Released to much critical acclaim, MGMT have made it onto most album of the year lists. The striking feature of this album is its uniqueness. There is no other band or artist that sounds like MGMT and to their credit they manage to have a unique sound but with it they blend the simple song structures to create good pop songs.
Their singles "Kids", "Time to Pretend" and "Electric Feel" hit home immediately and are all great songs and always go down well on any indie dancefloor; however this is where the problem lies. These songs all come in the first half of the album and the other songs in this first half do stand up to the standard but the second half of the album does start to drag a little as some of the songs tend to blend into one.
Their influences do come through but in having a retro sound, it is astounding how at the same time it sounds completely fresh, capitalising on the growing demand for electro.
They're signed to a major label and their singles are instantly accessible. One of the cult albums of the year, for definite, and commercial success eagerly awaits them, surely.
Their singles "Kids", "Time to Pretend" and "Electric Feel" hit home immediately and are all great songs and always go down well on any indie dancefloor; however this is where the problem lies. These songs all come in the first half of the album and the other songs in this first half do stand up to the standard but the second half of the album does start to drag a little as some of the songs tend to blend into one.
Their influences do come through but in having a retro sound, it is astounding how at the same time it sounds completely fresh, capitalising on the growing demand for electro.
They're signed to a major label and their singles are instantly accessible. One of the cult albums of the year, for definite, and commercial success eagerly awaits them, surely.
My next 10 posts...
My next 10 posts on my blog will list and review my ten albums of the year in rank order.
Enjoy
Enjoy
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
The Courteeners at 53 Degrees, Preston (29/9/08)
Much is made about the apparent arrogance of frontman Liam Fray, and obviously this draws comparisons with another gobby Mancunian front man called Liam, however, that is not to say that The Courteeners are anything like Oasis in the way they sound. Liam Fray pointed out that any such comparisons are “lazy” and he is right.
There is a fine line between self-confidence and arrogance. Oasis’ Liam Gallagher oozes confidence but he also adds a sense of charm and humour to his confidence whereas Fray comes across as cocky and somebody who loves himself too much. There was a moment midway into the gig, when bottles were being thrown around and one full of water or beer, seemingly broke Fray’s guitar and in his own egotistical way he lashed out some verbal abuse at the perpetrators mentioning how he was “f***ing brilliant at the guitar” and just two people were ruining it for everybody. “Fallowfield Hillbilly” has a line which says “Can you play guitar my boy? Can you f***?” How ironic.
Such criticism would suggest a bad review for The Courteeners is on its way, but that is far from the truth. To be fair to them, they put on a very good show which, if a tad unspectacular, gave the audience exactly what they wanted. Almost all of the album was played, there were new songs and even a B-side for the die-hard fans.
Even after releasing only a solitary album The Courteeners have a surprising number of sing-along anthems. “Not Nineteen Forever” caused a particular stir amongst the crowd, with everybody singing along with Fray. Set closer “What took you so long?” was a perfect choice to end the set as the audience continued to sing the “woah-oh-oh” long after the band departed the stage. New single, “That Kiss” was the weakest link in their set, The Courteeners do not suit sensitive sounding songs and it sounded totally out of place.
Liam played two songs solo (“No You Didn’t, No You Don’t” and “Yesterday, Today & Probably Tomorrow”). The idea of the front man playing two songs alone without the rest of the band stunk of self-indulgence but they proved to be a highlight of the night.
The Courteeners may not be the most original band or even the most likeable characters but something they know how to do is write a good sing-along lads’ anthem and the new songs did nothing to make one think otherwise.
3.5/5
There is a fine line between self-confidence and arrogance. Oasis’ Liam Gallagher oozes confidence but he also adds a sense of charm and humour to his confidence whereas Fray comes across as cocky and somebody who loves himself too much. There was a moment midway into the gig, when bottles were being thrown around and one full of water or beer, seemingly broke Fray’s guitar and in his own egotistical way he lashed out some verbal abuse at the perpetrators mentioning how he was “f***ing brilliant at the guitar” and just two people were ruining it for everybody. “Fallowfield Hillbilly” has a line which says “Can you play guitar my boy? Can you f***?” How ironic.
Such criticism would suggest a bad review for The Courteeners is on its way, but that is far from the truth. To be fair to them, they put on a very good show which, if a tad unspectacular, gave the audience exactly what they wanted. Almost all of the album was played, there were new songs and even a B-side for the die-hard fans.
Even after releasing only a solitary album The Courteeners have a surprising number of sing-along anthems. “Not Nineteen Forever” caused a particular stir amongst the crowd, with everybody singing along with Fray. Set closer “What took you so long?” was a perfect choice to end the set as the audience continued to sing the “woah-oh-oh” long after the band departed the stage. New single, “That Kiss” was the weakest link in their set, The Courteeners do not suit sensitive sounding songs and it sounded totally out of place.
Liam played two songs solo (“No You Didn’t, No You Don’t” and “Yesterday, Today & Probably Tomorrow”). The idea of the front man playing two songs alone without the rest of the band stunk of self-indulgence but they proved to be a highlight of the night.
The Courteeners may not be the most original band or even the most likeable characters but something they know how to do is write a good sing-along lads’ anthem and the new songs did nothing to make one think otherwise.
3.5/5
Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires (XL Recordings)
Comparisons to New York’s kings of cool, The Rapture are obvious but their influence on music right now is there for all to see. Dance music is having quite an influence on indie at the moment and whilst “nu-rave” thankfully never really got going despite the hype, the likes of Friendly Fires, Late of the Pier and Klaxons are leading the way with their mixture of guitars and electro.
For an album that has taken some two years to make, the album seems very lean, clocking in at just 37 minutes, but this does not detract from the quality of the album at all.
The songs stick to a fairly similar formula throughout but there are some excellent stand out tracks (‘Paris’ and 'In the Hospital') but the album sounds good as a whole, not sounding out of place on the radio or on the dance floor. Instantly accessible, you’ll be sure to hear more from them.
4/5
For an album that has taken some two years to make, the album seems very lean, clocking in at just 37 minutes, but this does not detract from the quality of the album at all.
The songs stick to a fairly similar formula throughout but there are some excellent stand out tracks (‘Paris’ and 'In the Hospital') but the album sounds good as a whole, not sounding out of place on the radio or on the dance floor. Instantly accessible, you’ll be sure to hear more from them.
4/5
To anyone that reads this...
I understand there are millions of you. Anyway, the module in my course at uni I was doing this for has now finished but I've decided to carry on using the blog but now with a different intention.
I've started to get back into writing album and gig reviews. I won' bother posting the old ones that I did a couple of years ago, but from now on, each review I do will be up on here.
Peace x
I've started to get back into writing album and gig reviews. I won' bother posting the old ones that I did a couple of years ago, but from now on, each review I do will be up on here.
Peace x
Monday, 21 April 2008
Affleck's Palace Becomes Affleck's
Manchester’s famous alternative department store, Affleck’s Palace has undergone a change of management.
After months of doubt and speculation, Bruntwood have taken charge of the building after the previous leaser, Elaine Walsh had to relinquish the building after months of unsuccessful negotiations.
Despite only having a lease on the building, Mrs Walsh does own the famous mosaics that adorn the walls of Affleck’s Palace. The mosaics have been removed from the walls now and have been taken to be renovated and then possibly auctioned off.
The new owners have quickly stamped their authority on the building making several changes already. They have replaced the mosaics on the outside walls with their own artwork; they have renovated the stairwells and rebranded the building simply as Affleck’s.
To celebrate the relaunch of Affleck’s, “Afflecks Day” was commissioned. People packed into the café as the event included live music as well as DJ sets by the Hacienda’s Dave Haslam and Inspiral Carpets’ Tom Hingley.
Bruntwood’s manager, Tony Martin, told the Manchester Evening News that due to the event’s success “it could become an annual event.”
Such an idea would surely go down well with Affleck’s shoppers because many feel as though it holds a special place in Mancunian culture. When Affleck’s’ future was in doubt there was a lot of protest from shoppers and celebrities alike, including some of Manchester’s most famous musicians from the likes of Oasis and New Order.
After months of doubt and speculation, Bruntwood have taken charge of the building after the previous leaser, Elaine Walsh had to relinquish the building after months of unsuccessful negotiations.
Despite only having a lease on the building, Mrs Walsh does own the famous mosaics that adorn the walls of Affleck’s Palace. The mosaics have been removed from the walls now and have been taken to be renovated and then possibly auctioned off.
The new owners have quickly stamped their authority on the building making several changes already. They have replaced the mosaics on the outside walls with their own artwork; they have renovated the stairwells and rebranded the building simply as Affleck’s.
To celebrate the relaunch of Affleck’s, “Afflecks Day” was commissioned. People packed into the café as the event included live music as well as DJ sets by the Hacienda’s Dave Haslam and Inspiral Carpets’ Tom Hingley.
Bruntwood’s manager, Tony Martin, told the Manchester Evening News that due to the event’s success “it could become an annual event.”
Such an idea would surely go down well with Affleck’s shoppers because many feel as though it holds a special place in Mancunian culture. When Affleck’s’ future was in doubt there was a lot of protest from shoppers and celebrities alike, including some of Manchester’s most famous musicians from the likes of Oasis and New Order.
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