Radiohead continue to dazzle and amaze me.
An hour's worth of footage from their stunning set at Reading last night, featuring a terrific rendition of 'Paranoid Android, is available to view online now, here..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mgwv4/Reading_and_Leeds_Festival_2009_Radiohead/
Monday, 31 August 2009
Friday, 28 August 2009
The Fiery Furnaces 'I'm Going Away'
Bonkers.
The Fiery Furnaces, brother and sister Matt and Eleanor Friedberger and assorted helpers, have walked the line between genius and madness for six years now, rarely has a band divided opinion so much.
I first came across The Furnaces when their debut 'Gallowsbird's Bark' was released in 2003. It was a likeable set of stripped down indie rock songs that drew comparison with The White Stripes but aside from a lyrical quirkiness did not at all hint at what was to come. I saw them play at 2004's ATP and was utterly blown away- 45 minutes of the most enjoyable live music I had ever witnessed. They played a medley of songs from their debut mixed with songs from the forthcoming follow up, it was frenetic, off the cuff and quite brilliant. I left the hall to hear many other people saying what I had just said..."that was incredible".
So too was the record that followed. 'Blueberry Boat' was a sprawling concept album taking in subjects as wide ranging as piracy (as in...with real pirates...on the seas), lost dogs and Champions League football. The sound was dominated by organ and frequent slide guitar solos, the vocals were shared, stories were told...it was funny but also touching and it had melodies to die for. Many wrote it off, the NME gave it 1/10, but to those who believed, it was one of the greatest things ever recorded. Really. That good.
Since then, The Furnaces seem to have been so desperate to make even grander statements that the plot has been lost somewhat. They recorded an album that was sung in the main by their 80 year old Grandmother, they released two further, difficult concept albums and they released a 54 track live album with no tracklisting and instructions not to try to listen to it all at once. There was just too much music, too many words, too many song titles and it was not easy to keep up.
Now, with 'I'm Going Away', the Friedbergers are back on track. This is their best record since 'Blueberry Boat' and their most accessible album to date. Ironically, this may disappoint their most ardent fans.
'I'm Going Away' is short, punchy and has no great concept. Its a collection of bluesy rock songs, led by organ and electric guitar. Eleanor sings most of the songs, and we are talking about songs here, rather than pieces of music. Songs like 'Drive To Dallas', a gorgeous ballad and 'Charmaine Champagne' a frantic, funky rocker that somehow reminds me of The Hold Steady . It is feelgood stuff with some exceptionally catchy melodies, notably on 'Even In The Rain' which is all handclaps, piano and a melody that you can't believe hasn't been written before.
It is an exceptionally enjoyable record and 'Take Me Round Again', a big 'lets do the show right here' sing-along epic finishes the record perfectly, leaving the listener wanting more.
The Fiery Furnaces have plenty to offer and 'I'm Going Away' is the best thing they could have done at this point. Without the prog and the difficult lyrics, this is a fun record. If you liked the first two albums, it is safe to buy this album!
8.8
[I'm Going Away' is out now on Thrill Jockey]
The Fiery Furnaces, brother and sister Matt and Eleanor Friedberger and assorted helpers, have walked the line between genius and madness for six years now, rarely has a band divided opinion so much.
I first came across The Furnaces when their debut 'Gallowsbird's Bark' was released in 2003. It was a likeable set of stripped down indie rock songs that drew comparison with The White Stripes but aside from a lyrical quirkiness did not at all hint at what was to come. I saw them play at 2004's ATP and was utterly blown away- 45 minutes of the most enjoyable live music I had ever witnessed. They played a medley of songs from their debut mixed with songs from the forthcoming follow up, it was frenetic, off the cuff and quite brilliant. I left the hall to hear many other people saying what I had just said..."that was incredible".
So too was the record that followed. 'Blueberry Boat' was a sprawling concept album taking in subjects as wide ranging as piracy (as in...with real pirates...on the seas), lost dogs and Champions League football. The sound was dominated by organ and frequent slide guitar solos, the vocals were shared, stories were told...it was funny but also touching and it had melodies to die for. Many wrote it off, the NME gave it 1/10, but to those who believed, it was one of the greatest things ever recorded. Really. That good.
Since then, The Furnaces seem to have been so desperate to make even grander statements that the plot has been lost somewhat. They recorded an album that was sung in the main by their 80 year old Grandmother, they released two further, difficult concept albums and they released a 54 track live album with no tracklisting and instructions not to try to listen to it all at once. There was just too much music, too many words, too many song titles and it was not easy to keep up.
Now, with 'I'm Going Away', the Friedbergers are back on track. This is their best record since 'Blueberry Boat' and their most accessible album to date. Ironically, this may disappoint their most ardent fans.
'I'm Going Away' is short, punchy and has no great concept. Its a collection of bluesy rock songs, led by organ and electric guitar. Eleanor sings most of the songs, and we are talking about songs here, rather than pieces of music. Songs like 'Drive To Dallas', a gorgeous ballad and 'Charmaine Champagne' a frantic, funky rocker that somehow reminds me of The Hold Steady . It is feelgood stuff with some exceptionally catchy melodies, notably on 'Even In The Rain' which is all handclaps, piano and a melody that you can't believe hasn't been written before.
It is an exceptionally enjoyable record and 'Take Me Round Again', a big 'lets do the show right here' sing-along epic finishes the record perfectly, leaving the listener wanting more.
The Fiery Furnaces have plenty to offer and 'I'm Going Away' is the best thing they could have done at this point. Without the prog and the difficult lyrics, this is a fun record. If you liked the first two albums, it is safe to buy this album!
8.8
[I'm Going Away' is out now on Thrill Jockey]
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Single Of The Week
No doubts this week...
Noah & The Whale 'Blue Skies'
"This is a song for anyone with a broken heart...this is a song for anyone who can't get out of bed" sings Charlie Fink. Not for me then...my heart is intact and I am usually out of bed first thing in the morning to go for a swim or a run, or both. But still, this is a gorgeous single. The turning point of the 'First Days Of Spring' album, the song where Fink tries to let go of his lost love and look to the future and the "blue skies (that are) calling". It sounds as lush as it gets. Strings, a choir and a bit of brass at the end. Just a great song. Although, I will say that this radio-edit has been 'jazzed' up a bit, which is un-necessary because the version on the album is, as near as damn-it, perfect.
Out now on download and 7".
Noah & The Whale 'Blue Skies'
"This is a song for anyone with a broken heart...this is a song for anyone who can't get out of bed" sings Charlie Fink. Not for me then...my heart is intact and I am usually out of bed first thing in the morning to go for a swim or a run, or both. But still, this is a gorgeous single. The turning point of the 'First Days Of Spring' album, the song where Fink tries to let go of his lost love and look to the future and the "blue skies (that are) calling". It sounds as lush as it gets. Strings, a choir and a bit of brass at the end. Just a great song. Although, I will say that this radio-edit has been 'jazzed' up a bit, which is un-necessary because the version on the album is, as near as damn-it, perfect.
Out now on download and 7".
Friday, 21 August 2009
new Grant Lee Phillips record
Since Grant Lee Buffalo split, frontman Grant Lee Phillips has released a string of every more disappointing solo albums, each sounding further and further away from matching the euphoria and poignancy of a Grant Lee Buffalo record. 2007's 'Strangelet' was a collection of entirely pleasant...and entirely bland pop/rock guitar songs. Totally inessential and really disappointing.
You started to wonder if the fire still burned for Grant. Well, it seems it does. In October, Grant will release 'Little Moon' on Cooking Vinyl and you can listen to it now here: http://www.reverbnation.com/grantleephillips
On first listen, it is a fine collection of songs recorded with a full band and containing the same diversity and experimentation as the best of GLB. It has fiery rockers, such as the immense 'Good Morning Happiness', heart-felt ballads such as 'Older Now' which was written about Grant becoming a father at 44 and the sort of quirky, exhuberant, slightly glam numbers that Grant used to make, in the shape of 'It Ain't The Same Old Cold War Harry'.
In short, the record is a blast. It sounds like it was fun to record and it is great to listen to. Mark this one in your diary, out in October! Nice one Grant.
You started to wonder if the fire still burned for Grant. Well, it seems it does. In October, Grant will release 'Little Moon' on Cooking Vinyl and you can listen to it now here: http://www.reverbnation.com/grantleephillips
On first listen, it is a fine collection of songs recorded with a full band and containing the same diversity and experimentation as the best of GLB. It has fiery rockers, such as the immense 'Good Morning Happiness', heart-felt ballads such as 'Older Now' which was written about Grant becoming a father at 44 and the sort of quirky, exhuberant, slightly glam numbers that Grant used to make, in the shape of 'It Ain't The Same Old Cold War Harry'.
In short, the record is a blast. It sounds like it was fun to record and it is great to listen to. Mark this one in your diary, out in October! Nice one Grant.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
The Duke & The King 'Nothing Gold Can Stay'
What a lovely little album this is. I say 'little', because it will only take up just over half an hour of your life to listen to it, but it is a beautiful collection of songs and a fresh mix of folk and soul.
'Nothing Gold Can Stay' is the result of a collaboration between Simone Felice from the Felice Brothers and Robert Burke. The songs are acoustic-led, mostly ballads but with soulful vocals carrying a hint of gospel. Whilst the music is light, the subject matter weighs heavy. These are songs of regret, sadness and loss but lifted by the hope that things will get better and a feeling of coming home.
Opener 'If You Ever Get Famous' sounds like a standard. A hushed lullaby urging the listener to remember their roots, it is delicate but catchy. 'The Morning I Get To Hell' is darker altogether but with a soulful, light vocal and a surprising but effective drum-led outro.
One of the standouts is 'Union Street' an acoustic ballad with a rambling lyric recalling childhood memories and hoping for a return to those days ("if I could just get to Union Street/ everything would be alright"). Towards the end of the record, a couple of truly lovely ballads, beautifully sung lighten the mood, 'Summer Morning Rain' in particular is as warm and bright as the summer day it describes. There is a darkness around this album though, that you only catch if you listen to the lyrics. Going off to war is a recurring theme as are death and loss. The lyrics are very direct and the listener sometimes feels that they are intruding on something private. The only time the music hints at this darkness is some guitar distortion on 'Lose Myself'.
When 'One More American Song' ends proceedings on a similar tone to the opening track, you get the urge to play the record again and delve deeper. You feel like you've listened to something extraordinary, yet on another level it is a breezy summer listen. It is an almost unique record, mixing soul and country in a way I've never quite heard before and adding in some hard hitting confessional lyrics.
Brilliant stuff.
9.0
['Nothing Gold Can Stay' is out now on Loose Records. The Duke & The King are playing some UK shows over the next few months]
'Nothing Gold Can Stay' is the result of a collaboration between Simone Felice from the Felice Brothers and Robert Burke. The songs are acoustic-led, mostly ballads but with soulful vocals carrying a hint of gospel. Whilst the music is light, the subject matter weighs heavy. These are songs of regret, sadness and loss but lifted by the hope that things will get better and a feeling of coming home.
Opener 'If You Ever Get Famous' sounds like a standard. A hushed lullaby urging the listener to remember their roots, it is delicate but catchy. 'The Morning I Get To Hell' is darker altogether but with a soulful, light vocal and a surprising but effective drum-led outro.
One of the standouts is 'Union Street' an acoustic ballad with a rambling lyric recalling childhood memories and hoping for a return to those days ("if I could just get to Union Street/ everything would be alright"). Towards the end of the record, a couple of truly lovely ballads, beautifully sung lighten the mood, 'Summer Morning Rain' in particular is as warm and bright as the summer day it describes. There is a darkness around this album though, that you only catch if you listen to the lyrics. Going off to war is a recurring theme as are death and loss. The lyrics are very direct and the listener sometimes feels that they are intruding on something private. The only time the music hints at this darkness is some guitar distortion on 'Lose Myself'.
When 'One More American Song' ends proceedings on a similar tone to the opening track, you get the urge to play the record again and delve deeper. You feel like you've listened to something extraordinary, yet on another level it is a breezy summer listen. It is an almost unique record, mixing soul and country in a way I've never quite heard before and adding in some hard hitting confessional lyrics.
Brilliant stuff.
9.0
['Nothing Gold Can Stay' is out now on Loose Records. The Duke & The King are playing some UK shows over the next few months]
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Richmond Fontaine 'We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River'
Richmond Fontaine are a band who have never completely clicked with me. If you read Uncut, you'd think they were the saviours of modern music, so ridiculously over-praised have they been by that magazine's editor. In truth, on their seven albums before this one, they have simply produced some pretty good Americana, little inspiration musically but with a singer songwriter (Willy Vlautin) who is an excellent storyteller.
Here, on their eighth record, they make some kind of lurch towards the mainstream. 'We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River' (and that is the last time I'm typing that out in this review) is a slightly more poppy version of the same thing. Vlautin's throaty, country-style vocals are not to everyone's taste, so the songs here are broken up by some nice, wistful instrumental interludes. It works well.
When he does sing, Vlautin sings some of the most depressing sets of lyrics to see the light of day this year. The songs almost exclusively concern themselves with the desperate, the drunk, the downtrodden and the lonely. Men trying hard to make a living whilst doing right by their woman and kids. Its the sound of blue collar America and it gets a bit wearing after a while. I could in particular have done without the "sometimes I was almost too drunk to get us home, but I always got us home" line, even if not meant literally.
There are some good songs here though. 'The Boyfriends' is upbeat and rocky, almost sounding like The Hold Steady and Vlautin's vocals move slightly away from the norm, 'You Can Move Back Here' is radio-friendly country rock, ticking all the boxes for a Replacements-style anthem, best of all is 'The Pull' a weary ballad about a washed up boxer.
Musically and lyrically though, there is not enough variety. The standout songs sound vibrant and driven, but too often the record sinks into easy rockers and dreary, dusty ballads.
Great title, sometimes great lyrics, average record.
6.4
['We Used To....' is out now on Decor Records, cd/lp/dl]
Here, on their eighth record, they make some kind of lurch towards the mainstream. 'We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River' (and that is the last time I'm typing that out in this review) is a slightly more poppy version of the same thing. Vlautin's throaty, country-style vocals are not to everyone's taste, so the songs here are broken up by some nice, wistful instrumental interludes. It works well.
When he does sing, Vlautin sings some of the most depressing sets of lyrics to see the light of day this year. The songs almost exclusively concern themselves with the desperate, the drunk, the downtrodden and the lonely. Men trying hard to make a living whilst doing right by their woman and kids. Its the sound of blue collar America and it gets a bit wearing after a while. I could in particular have done without the "sometimes I was almost too drunk to get us home, but I always got us home" line, even if not meant literally.
There are some good songs here though. 'The Boyfriends' is upbeat and rocky, almost sounding like The Hold Steady and Vlautin's vocals move slightly away from the norm, 'You Can Move Back Here' is radio-friendly country rock, ticking all the boxes for a Replacements-style anthem, best of all is 'The Pull' a weary ballad about a washed up boxer.
Musically and lyrically though, there is not enough variety. The standout songs sound vibrant and driven, but too often the record sinks into easy rockers and dreary, dusty ballads.
Great title, sometimes great lyrics, average record.
6.4
['We Used To....' is out now on Decor Records, cd/lp/dl]
Friday, 14 August 2009
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