the man with a plan

A while ago I came across Pulp's seminal 1995 album, Different Class in limited edition form. I of course was obliged to buy it straight away since in my clear insanity I didn't actually already own the album in any capacity.

Pulp are one of those bands so easy to love but so easy to over look. But over look them I will no longer do. Jarvis Cocker, quite frankly, rocks my socks. Pulp were (and are) amazing but it's his solo works that really get under my skin.

In fact Angela is probably one of my favourite singles of the year. Besides, if there were ever a time to become smitten with Mr Cocker now would be it. It seems that this most incredible of men is involved in just about every kind of project you can think of right now. He's everywhere. And I intend to enjoy it while it lasts!

The only thing I won't be able to enjoy/take advantage of is his trip to Australia as in my broke state I can not afford the simple joy a ticket to one of his gigs would bring. Alas I will just have to surfice with the Jarvis in my head. Not that I mind. He's pretty fabulous.

linger

Ridiculously excited round about now!

Was just on the Spoon website and as it turns out they put up a free download a few weeks ago and I didn't know about it.

But that's all rectified now. The track is an a Capella version of The Ghost of You Lingers. Such a gorgeous song in general and this version is simply incredible.

Spoon would have to be one of my all time favourite bands. Britt Daniels can do no wrong.

If you for some reason haven't heard of Spoon then I don't know whats wrong with you...Get out there and give them a listen. You can hear their stuff on myspace, their official website (www.spoontheband.com), lastfm and numerous other places I'm sure.

I plan on spending the day lapping up the goodness that is Spoon and if you have any sense, you will to.

Happy listening!!!

many sides of the wolf

I've been quite the Patrick Wolf fan for some years now. I jumped on the bandwagon a bit before the Magic Position days, so I still had a bit of history to catch up on.

I honestly can't think of another young musician who inspires such change and diversity of image and style.

Wolf's career is such that you can almost see him evolve musically from child into man.

The lovely Patrick's physical image is as ever changing as his music, altering from album to album.

When Patty first hit the scene he looked a little something like this >>

He was a sweet faced innocent with pale blonde locks and a violin. though, once you listened to the sometimes sinister often disturbing lyrics of his debut album, Lycanthropy, it became apparent that this boy was only innocent in looks. To be truthful, I wouldn't of had it any other way.

After a short break the boy wonder hit us hard with possibly my favourite of his albums, Wind in the Wires. This time Wolf was sporting dark locks which more than suited the dark and haunting themes of his sophomore release. If you haven't heard the track Tristan then I don't think we can be friends...

When it came time for the release of the third studio album Patrick had changed form yet again, all-be it somewhat more dramatically. The Magic Position was and is Wolf's most optimistic and altogether pop album to date. To show this, his hair once again went under the dye. This time it was a bright glorious red. >>

And when it comes to this years release, The Bachelor, things seem to have come full circle, the blonde has reappeared. The darkness has reappeared but he is by no means repeating himself. The constant changes more then ensure that his music and he himself never appear stale or repetitious.

Patrick Wolf is a true original. Something more than a little hard to find these days. His music is infectious, smart and affecting. Everything that he is and everything that he does is worth it's weight in gold. At least in my over stated slightly dramatic opinion. Mr. Wolf is a legend in the making and I for one am glad I'm strapped in for the ride.

FEATURE ALBUM REVIEW - JULIAN PLENTI :: IS SKYSCRAPER

New York City, one of the ever present hubs of creative culture. It was in this city of decadence that Paul Banks, under the pseudonym, Julian Plenti began to write way back in 1996. Almost immediately he made a name for himself through solo acoustic shows. The future looked bright for Mr Plenti but, as it turned out it was bright in a way he had not yet conceived of. The pull of group performance got in the way of his solo endeavors. And thank god it did because with out that diversion the world would never have known the music of Interpol.

However; now, thirteen years later, Banks has returned to his roots with the release of a solo album, once again under the guise of Plenti.

The debut LP, Is Skyscraper is a everything one might expect from a solo Paul Banks and at the same time is sure to offer its fair share of surprises. The record is a mix of old and new songs, all done in a way which both captivates and delights.

Don't get me wrong. Is Skyscraper is far from a perfect album, it's not without its faults but upon first listen the enthralling nature of something so familiar yet so tantalizingly different is nothing is not an experience.

I have to admit I was expecting something a little more stripped back and traditional then what turned out to be the reality of the project. Many tracks incorporate an orchestral quality, with the use of string and horn sections. The depth that it adds came as a pleasant surprise, made better by the subtlety of the mixes.

Stand out tracks include the first single lifted from the album, 'Games For Days' as well as 'Only If You Run', 'Fun That We Have', 'Girl On The Sporting News' and ' On The Esplanade'.

If you're a fan of Interpol then obviously this album is worth your time and undivided attention. If not then it just might be different enough to catch your attention anyway. What have you got to loose? I say give it a go. Julian Plenti Is Skyscraper. Worth a Spin.

Beck Does Lou

The ever ambivalent Beck Hanson has a new website Beck.com and since it's not got a great deal of content at this particular point in time, he's taken to putting up videos of interest. Which at the moment consists of a fantastic and respectful cover of The Velvet Undergrounds classic song, Sunday Morning. I more then recommend you giving it a listen for yourself. I find it absolutely enchanting but I'm a fan of both Beck and The Velvet Underground so I encourage you all to make up your own mind.

Happy Listening.
xx

The Resistance

Muse fans look out! Details about the new album have finally been released. Release date is September 14.
The much anticipated album was recorded in Italy and is set to blow the socks off their previous efforts. Or so is the rumor.
Muse will be touring around the UK at the end of the year for anyone lucky enough to be over there in about November.

delayed days

Klaxons have been rumored to be bringing out a new album since late last year but things just seem to keep getting delayed for the boys.
It's now been confirmed that the lads are happy to wait until early 2010 to get their sophomore album out and into the public's CD players and ipods.
Apparently the lads have near 30 songs to play around with but their lack of a competent producer has left them wanting to bring out the revolutionary album of early 2010 as apposed to late 2009. So while Klaxons fans are left hanging on for that little bit longer at least they know it'll be worth the wait. I for one can't wait to see what they come up with.

Foolish Chicks

The Mint Chicks are once again blowing me away with their brilliance. Check out their latest piece of love below.

Get A Clue

Supposed legends of Oz rock, Jet are set to release a new album in coming months. I for one just don't know what to think about this. What should we expect from a band who blew us away in 2004 with a hearty impression of the Rolling Stones and then stunned us to silence in 2006 with their even more blindingly unoriginal sophomore album?
These Melbourne lads have the potential to do something great, so long as they eventually find out who it is they want to be as opposed to who they admire. I'm positive they have a voice in there somewhere but as to whether or not they'll ever find it is anyone's guess.

These Are The Good Old Days

The impossibly amazing Carl Barat is making the most of his time since his lovely band, Dirty Pretty Things split. In a recent gig in Scotland he was seen to play a series of track both new and old including the debut of a beautiful ballad entitled, So Long.

Check it out!!

just a quick rant

The national and international music world at the moment is nothing if not a buzz with excitement. Our very own Tom Cooney will be coming back from Dublin soon for the purposes of a fantastic tour with fellow AMP shortlisters, Jack Ladder and Ross McLennan.
UK lovely Patrick Wolf has just brought out his new studio album, The Bachelor. The likes of which are sure to shock, astound and delight any Wolf fans out there as well as convert more then it's fair share of new ones.
Maximo Park have also been back in the studio with their third full length album hitting our shelves not long ago at all. Fingers crossed for an Australian tour!
Another highly anticipated release of late would have to be the incorporable, Jarvis Cocker with his latest album, Further Complications. You may remember him for the 90's when Pulp ruled our hearts and our airwaves. The incredible Mr. Cocker has come a long way since then still writing memorable and inspiring tunes but now doing it with a flair that I imagine surprises even himself.
There are so many other acts doing great things at the moment that I'd love to mention but we're running out of space but you can hear all these incredible artists plus more on 106.9Tune!fm.

Feature Album Review: Little Birdy - Confetti

Perth indie outfit, Little Birdy achieved an impressive amount of attention with their debut album BigBigLove back in 2004. They made less of a splash with their followup in 2006 but now in 09 they're set to dazzle again with the release of their third studio album, Confetti.

It's difficult to know whether the current hype surrounding the release of Confetti is justified or merely a ploy to put some excitement back in the Little Birdy camp, What with lead singer Katie Steele's brother Luke having done so well with his latest project Empire of the Sun. Perhaps the shadow of her older brother is getting too much.

But then again people who like one don't necessary like the other. As years pass the Steele siblings target audiences grow further and further apart. An occurrence that I think could ultimately be for the best.

If you're already a fan of Little Birdy then Confetti certainly won't change your opinion on their brilliance.

If you've yet to get into their sound then I suppose this is as good a place to start as any.

Confetti is full of hummable melodies, memorable riffs and the occasional surprise.

Little Birdy will be touring the country all month in order to promote said release. The reaction so far has been more then a little favorable with most shows so far selling out long before hand.

Don't get left behind. Jump on the proverbial band wagon and give Little Birdy a chance. Could be well worth your while.

Bombay

Through the joy of myspace I just came across a blog which made me ecstatically excited...

it went a little something like this -

*cut and paste*

so we can finally release some news about the album, which is coming out on july 6th and titled "i had the blues but i shook them loose".

the tracklisting is as follows:

1. Emergency contraception blues
2. lamplight
3. evening/morning
4. dust on the ground
5. ghost
6. always like this
7. magnet
8. cancel on me
9. autumn
10. the hill
11. what if
12. the giantess

as you can see a mixture of some very old, old, fairly new and completely new songs.

we're going to write a few blogs in the coming weeks talking about each song in more detail.

will also be releasing news and the video for our next single either today or tomorrow

exciting times

xxxxx

Thats right Bombay Bicycle Clubs debut album comes out July 6!!! OMG I feel like dancing!

The Riders Have Returned

Sydney group, Red Riders hit the scene back in 2005. In that time they've released two fantastic Eps and a stunning debut album, Replica Replica.

The indie four piece made waves with singles such as Slide in Next to Me and A.S.P.I.R.I.N. They toured the country with numerous other inspirational Oz bands and found themselves quite the extensive following.

It took some time for the glow of Replica Replica to wear off but it seems as if the second it did there they were, back and ready to rock the country once more.

The Riders have stepped out of the fog of their hibernation and are set to release their sophomore album, Drown in Colour, the release date of which is July 3rd.

I know that might seem like a wack away but if you're like me and can't wait for some Red Riders goodness then you're in luck because the new single, You've Got a Lot of Nerve has already hit our airwaves and a tour of the same name is about to be underway.

If you've never seen Red Riders live then I highly recommend giving them a shot. And for those of you poor souls out there who have yet to hear their music then honestly what are you waiting for? Get on myspace and have a listen or even just tune into 106.9 Tune!fm. Happy listening.

Greetings

For those of you out of the loop Tune!fm is a community radio station located in Armidale Australia at the University of New England.
We've been broadcasting for the past 39 years and are showing no signs of stopping.
This blog is just a space for us here at the station to share music reviews, opinion pieces and whatever else we feel like with all of you.
Cheers,
Lesley