The Altsounds Concentrate | Sunday 8th February 2009
Sir Chris has finally returned to the UK after spending a couple of weeks rubbing elbows and 'doing lunches' in NYC. Yay.
So, he comes over to the States to do business and scout locations, but not to hang out with his old buddy, AJ?
I see how it is.
No, it's fine. Really. I was super busy anyway. I know we're rarely on the same continent, but if I'm going to get our Best Friends Forever scrapbook done by Valentines Day I really couldn't spare even a moment to say hi. A few hours to hang out with my best friend that lives an ocean away is just too much to ask.
No, really. It's cool.
I get it.
But, while Sir Chris was busy being cooler and more important than the rest of us, here's what's been happening on Altsounds:
Altsounds Sessions
All the best bands, playing all their best songs at the best website's studio! Live sessions you should be checking out. We have 3 gems for you this issue!
Music That's Hot
With a plethora of music to sieve through below is the cream of this weeks ever abundant musical crop.
To me, The Places We Lived certainly captivates the essence of a journey. It is almost like a lifetime of happenings all crammed into one on a fantastic record. Raw, emotional and thorough. Backyard Tire Fire have the ability to seize your feelings and portray them in even the simplest of lyrical form. Somehow, they seem to take the edge off and this is definitely a record to get you through it [whatever it may be].
Released in 2008, the record was destined for success and has become the subject of much critical acclaim in recent months. The Places We Lived, strays away from previous efforts by Backyard Tire Fire, which I suppose, is appropriate; going back to consult their roots before they move on to change the face of music (we hope). Their attitude echoes that of bands such as The Hold Steady, who continue to cross genres. Surely we are anticipating a musical revolution, and with bands such as these who persist with change, the future looks musically sound.....
READ MORE
Recorded in July 2008 at Glasgow's most intimate of venue's The Captain's Rest 'Quietly Now!' sees Frightened Rabbit unleash their 2nd album 'The Midnight Organ Fight' in a more stripped-down acoustic form which fails to diminish the album instead invoking a more emotional response from singer Scott Hutchison and embellishing the tracks with a new sense of rawness and power. It's a trick I don't think many acts could pull off but by setting it in their spiritual home of Glasgow; in front of a small but passionate crowd, Frightened Rabbit have made the perfect companion to the full-blown studio album.
Jumping straight in with 'The Modern Leper' it's hard to separate it from the studio version with little if any crowd input it's done to the band to try and alter the perception of the track and this is most recognisable in Scott's vocal delivery which is edgy and fraught with a sense of him reaching for something just out of reach. 'Good Arms Vs. Arms' is more of a departure and again this is due to the vocals as musically there is a continued similarity but there's a sense of urgency when Scott sings "And leave the rest at arms length/I'm not ready to see you this happy/And leave the rest at arms length/I'm still in love with you, can't admit it yet"...
READ MORE
Chemikal Underground Records - Out 26th January
January 25, 2009, 02:12 PM
Hailing from Glasgow and featuring an eclectic mix of musicians garnered from numerous Glaswegian bands of the past - hence the name The Phantom Band - and now signed to prominent Glasgow label Chemikal Underground, you would expect there to be something quintessentially Scottish about The Phantom Band. Whilst there have been comparisons to The Beta Band, in reality there is little to tie them down as Scottish; instead they make a raucous rabble of mish-mashed genres all fighting for a place at this rather fun-filled buffet table of music.
The Phantom Band drive home many differing rock sensibilities throughout their debut long-player; take the funky groove of 'Crocodile' all bass until it is layered with folk reed work to become a more blissful tune - gradually exploding into a sky-scraping wail-out for all of about 8 minutes, yet never getting tiring. Sit this next to the rock warp that is 'Folk Song Oblivion' with Rick Anthony intoning over and over "I can't see for the mountain's silhouette" whatever that may mean - reminding me very much of British Sea Power if they twanged in Scottish of course...
READ MORE
For those unfamiliar with Johann Johannsson’s output, he works equally comfortably with symphony orchestras and samplers to create impossibly expansive, moving, often desolate and unerringly beautiful compositions.
Fordlandia is the second in a proposed trio of aural delights from Icelandic composer Johann Johannson. The first was IBM 1401, A User’s Manual – a work themed around early computer music; the sampling sine waves coaxed out of a 60’s model computer and the emotional attachment of those who worked on its creation.
The themes flowing through Johann Johannsson’s latest release are equally ambitions and marginally less abstract. Johannsson themed the album around failed utopia, and in particular an Amazonian rubber plantation used by Henry Ford in the 1920’s...
READ MORE
READ MORE
Domino
January 13, 2009, 10:14 PM
You may not know it but Merriweather Post Pavillion has probably been one of the most anticipated albums of the century. Sure there will have been albums anticipated by more people, but not too many will have been anticipated quite as obsessively as Animal Collective’s latest full length. Blogs all over the globe have been rife with rumours and predictions about everything from the title to the artwork, and of course most importantly – the music. Would the band continue their more melodic ascent up ‘mount pop’ or trudge back down the slope to ‘Animal Collective at their most difficult and challenging’...
READ MORE
Music That Is NOT!
If you like shit and you like toast then you will LOVE the utterly shit covered toast that is demonstrated below.
What the HELL is this? Is this some kind of joke Mr Rock? Did you think it would be funny to record the sound of your last visit to the toilet? Do you think you can try your hand at piss-poor country ballads now that you have decided nobody likes turgid Limp Bizkit B-sides anymore? I’ve news for you kiddie, only the idiots who kept your dreadful career going ever did.
I picked this review up after Johnny, the original reviewer, pulled his own ears off and ate them [rather than spend your cash on this or anything else by Kid Rock, please go to kidrockowesmeearsdotcom and donate to the fundraiser for a new set of lugs]. So, I sat listening to this with my hands tied firmly away from my ears, and cried. Poor Johnny never deserved this, none of us do. Why is this world so cruel?....
READ MORE
Altsounds Exclusive Features
Packed full of shit you just can't see, hear or read anywhere else, the Altsounds.com Features section is packed to the brim. Here's a nugget of the best features from the week.
Steve Cradock needs little introduction. He is the long standing guitarist and founding member of the 90s legendary British band Ocean Colour Scene. He penned some of the 90's most definitive hits such as The Riverboat Song, The Day We Caught The Train and Hundred Mile High City which quickly became engrained into British Culture as the theme tune to the Chris Evans fronted TFI Friday and signature intro song in Guy Ritches cult movie 'Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'. Steve is also the long standing live guitarist for Paul Weller and to this day travels the world with him being his right hand man. Few British guitarists can boast that on their resume so as you can imagine it was a huge pleasure of ours to get the chance to talk with Steve about his new and debut solo album "The Kundalini Target" which was actually recorded at Paul Wellers own studio. With "The Kundalini Target", Steve has grafted 10 beautiful tracks about love, life, loss and the union of marriage. Tracks such as 'Running Away', 'Beware of Falling rocks' and 'Ask the sound' showcase what a talent Steve Cradock is, whilst exposing the vulnerability and innocence of young love.....
READ MORE
On January 10th 2005, Andy "Falco" Falkous released the following statement on his band’s website: “The three piece rock band known as Mclusky have disbanded, as of Friday January 7, 2005. The reason for this parting is private, though probably not as entertaining as you'd imagine. Personally, I would like to thank all the people, places and times that occurred on or near us. I'm grateful for the love and, to a lesser degree, the hate. There'll be more music soon, from all of us.”
Now this may not rank up there with the break-up of The Beatles or Pink Floyd for many, but this just makes it almost as tragic for those who were fortunate enough to discover and therefore love Mclusky. The reasons for their split may well not be “as entertaining as you'd imagine”, but they’d have you believe that their conception certainly was.....
READ MORE
So, he comes over to the States to do business and scout locations, but not to hang out with his old buddy, AJ?
I see how it is.
No, it's fine. Really. I was super busy anyway. I know we're rarely on the same continent, but if I'm going to get our Best Friends Forever scrapbook done by Valentines Day I really couldn't spare even a moment to say hi. A few hours to hang out with my best friend that lives an ocean away is just too much to ask.
No, really. It's cool.
I get it.
But, while Sir Chris was busy being cooler and more important than the rest of us, here's what's been happening on Altsounds:
Altsounds Sessions
All the best bands, playing all their best songs at the best website's studio! Live sessions you should be checking out. We have 3 gems for you this issue!
Acoustic versions of "Hey Heather" and "Stay Pretty"
- Stone Gods
- This Is Radio Freedom
Music That's Hot
With a plethora of music to sieve through below is the cream of this weeks ever abundant musical crop.
To me, The Places We Lived certainly captivates the essence of a journey. It is almost like a lifetime of happenings all crammed into one on a fantastic record. Raw, emotional and thorough. Backyard Tire Fire have the ability to seize your feelings and portray them in even the simplest of lyrical form. Somehow, they seem to take the edge off and this is definitely a record to get you through it [whatever it may be].
Released in 2008, the record was destined for success and has become the subject of much critical acclaim in recent months. The Places We Lived, strays away from previous efforts by Backyard Tire Fire, which I suppose, is appropriate; going back to consult their roots before they move on to change the face of music (we hope). Their attitude echoes that of bands such as The Hold Steady, who continue to cross genres. Surely we are anticipating a musical revolution, and with bands such as these who persist with change, the future looks musically sound.....
READ MORE
Frightened Rabbit - Quietly Now! - Midnight Organ Fight Live And Acoustic (Album)
FatCat Records - Out March 30th
February 4, 2009, 07:02 PM
FatCat Records - Out March 30th
February 4, 2009, 07:02 PM
Recorded in July 2008 at Glasgow's most intimate of venue's The Captain's Rest 'Quietly Now!' sees Frightened Rabbit unleash their 2nd album 'The Midnight Organ Fight' in a more stripped-down acoustic form which fails to diminish the album instead invoking a more emotional response from singer Scott Hutchison and embellishing the tracks with a new sense of rawness and power. It's a trick I don't think many acts could pull off but by setting it in their spiritual home of Glasgow; in front of a small but passionate crowd, Frightened Rabbit have made the perfect companion to the full-blown studio album.
Jumping straight in with 'The Modern Leper' it's hard to separate it from the studio version with little if any crowd input it's done to the band to try and alter the perception of the track and this is most recognisable in Scott's vocal delivery which is edgy and fraught with a sense of him reaching for something just out of reach. 'Good Arms Vs. Arms' is more of a departure and again this is due to the vocals as musically there is a continued similarity but there's a sense of urgency when Scott sings "And leave the rest at arms length/I'm not ready to see you this happy/And leave the rest at arms length/I'm still in love with you, can't admit it yet"...
READ MORE
Chemikal Underground Records - Out 26th January
January 25, 2009, 02:12 PM
Hailing from Glasgow and featuring an eclectic mix of musicians garnered from numerous Glaswegian bands of the past - hence the name The Phantom Band - and now signed to prominent Glasgow label Chemikal Underground, you would expect there to be something quintessentially Scottish about The Phantom Band. Whilst there have been comparisons to The Beta Band, in reality there is little to tie them down as Scottish; instead they make a raucous rabble of mish-mashed genres all fighting for a place at this rather fun-filled buffet table of music.
The Phantom Band drive home many differing rock sensibilities throughout their debut long-player; take the funky groove of 'Crocodile' all bass until it is layered with folk reed work to become a more blissful tune - gradually exploding into a sky-scraping wail-out for all of about 8 minutes, yet never getting tiring. Sit this next to the rock warp that is 'Folk Song Oblivion' with Rick Anthony intoning over and over "I can't see for the mountain's silhouette" whatever that may mean - reminding me very much of British Sea Power if they twanged in Scottish of course...
READ MORE
Fordlandia is the second in a proposed trio of aural delights from Icelandic composer Johann Johannson. The first was IBM 1401, A User’s Manual – a work themed around early computer music; the sampling sine waves coaxed out of a 60’s model computer and the emotional attachment of those who worked on its creation.
The themes flowing through Johann Johannsson’s latest release are equally ambitions and marginally less abstract. Johannsson themed the album around failed utopia, and in particular an Amazonian rubber plantation used by Henry Ford in the 1920’s...
READ MORE
Ultre - The Nest And The Skull [Album]
Audiobulb
January 30, 2009, 10:55 PM
Buy Ultre - The Nest And The Skull [Album] From Amazon.com
Electro-acoustic composition is a very hard genre to get into. The songs are filled with an abundance of complex layers and rhythms that make your brain hurt. Take Autechre and Aphex twin as an example. Songs such as 'Window Licker' and 'Acroyear2' have a silly amount of complexity and rhythm, yet a few listens on and they are very gripping. Finn McNicholas' (Ultre) album 'The Nest and the Skull' is no exception. With guitars, pianos, electronics and homemade beats, each track is full of musical activity that tantalizes the ears. His composition is something else, haunting guitar's, distant piano's and some very strange percussion, of which Finn samples hitting objects round his home, clapping, finger clicking and in a gorrila'esq style of beating on his chest! The album is definitely a grower, upon listening each time you find a new layer or new cool sample hidden within the tracks. Ultre is brought to you by the Audiobulb label, a label that promotes some of the most underground sub genres in the music industry. By selling out the first release 'All the darkness has gone to details' it's obvious that Ultre are here to stay. The records is very good, although the quality doesn't outweigh the fact that this type of eccentric music does not appeal to a mass audience..Audiobulb
January 30, 2009, 10:55 PM
Buy Ultre - The Nest And The Skull [Album] From Amazon.com
READ MORE
Domino
January 13, 2009, 10:14 PM
You may not know it but Merriweather Post Pavillion has probably been one of the most anticipated albums of the century. Sure there will have been albums anticipated by more people, but not too many will have been anticipated quite as obsessively as Animal Collective’s latest full length. Blogs all over the globe have been rife with rumours and predictions about everything from the title to the artwork, and of course most importantly – the music. Would the band continue their more melodic ascent up ‘mount pop’ or trudge back down the slope to ‘Animal Collective at their most difficult and challenging’...
READ MORE
Music That Is NOT!
If you like shit and you like toast then you will LOVE the utterly shit covered toast that is demonstrated below.
I picked this review up after Johnny, the original reviewer, pulled his own ears off and ate them [rather than spend your cash on this or anything else by Kid Rock, please go to kidrockowesmeearsdotcom and donate to the fundraiser for a new set of lugs]. So, I sat listening to this with my hands tied firmly away from my ears, and cried. Poor Johnny never deserved this, none of us do. Why is this world so cruel?....
READ MORE
Altsounds Exclusive Features
Packed full of shit you just can't see, hear or read anywhere else, the Altsounds.com Features section is packed to the brim. Here's a nugget of the best features from the week.
Not Really. But then Yes. Kinda. No. Yes. No. Yes. Fuck Knows!
February 6, 2009, 12:20 AM
February 6, 2009, 12:20 AM
Steve Cradock needs little introduction. He is the long standing guitarist and founding member of the 90s legendary British band Ocean Colour Scene. He penned some of the 90's most definitive hits such as The Riverboat Song, The Day We Caught The Train and Hundred Mile High City which quickly became engrained into British Culture as the theme tune to the Chris Evans fronted TFI Friday and signature intro song in Guy Ritches cult movie 'Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'. Steve is also the long standing live guitarist for Paul Weller and to this day travels the world with him being his right hand man. Few British guitarists can boast that on their resume so as you can imagine it was a huge pleasure of ours to get the chance to talk with Steve about his new and debut solo album "The Kundalini Target" which was actually recorded at Paul Wellers own studio. With "The Kundalini Target", Steve has grafted 10 beautiful tracks about love, life, loss and the union of marriage. Tracks such as 'Running Away', 'Beware of Falling rocks' and 'Ask the sound' showcase what a talent Steve Cradock is, whilst exposing the vulnerability and innocence of young love.....
READ MORE
The Ex-Files: Mclusky
Underrated and underexposed - we salute some of the unsung heroes of music past
January 26, 2009, 10:44 PM
Underrated and underexposed - we salute some of the unsung heroes of music past
January 26, 2009, 10:44 PM
On January 10th 2005, Andy "Falco" Falkous released the following statement on his band’s website: “The three piece rock band known as Mclusky have disbanded, as of Friday January 7, 2005. The reason for this parting is private, though probably not as entertaining as you'd imagine. Personally, I would like to thank all the people, places and times that occurred on or near us. I'm grateful for the love and, to a lesser degree, the hate. There'll be more music soon, from all of us.”
Now this may not rank up there with the break-up of The Beatles or Pink Floyd for many, but this just makes it almost as tragic for those who were fortunate enough to discover and therefore love Mclusky. The reasons for their split may well not be “as entertaining as you'd imagine”, but they’d have you believe that their conception certainly was.....
READ MORE
In celebration of the release of Mantis, Altsounds.com is excited to announce Day 3 of the first ever Umphrey’s McGee Virtual Tour which showcase a video performance of “Wizard Burial Ground” which was performed originally on 10.28.07 at Vegoose, Las Vegas, NV. The Umphrey's McGee Virtual tour sees exclusive Umphrey's McGee footage being made available on five different sites, for five consecutive days. That's right!! FIVE different live videos on FIVE different sites - one each day of the week!
These videos are not to be missed and you won’t find them anywhere else! Please see below for the Altsounds.com exclusive video that showcases Umphrey's McGee performing "Wizard Burial Ground" at Vegoose, Las Vegas, NV. We hope you enjoy this video and be sure to check out the remaining virtual tour dates listed below to follow the rest of this very unique virtual online tour.....
READ MORE
The News Wire
Have your finger on the musical pulse every week by checking out the Top Ten biggest news of the past week
These videos are not to be missed and you won’t find them anywhere else! Please see below for the Altsounds.com exclusive video that showcases Umphrey's McGee performing "Wizard Burial Ground" at Vegoose, Las Vegas, NV. We hope you enjoy this video and be sure to check out the remaining virtual tour dates listed below to follow the rest of this very unique virtual online tour.....
READ MORE
The News Wire
Have your finger on the musical pulse every week by checking out the Top Ten biggest news of the past week
- The Prodigy Anounce Three Exclusive Dates for North America this March
- THE PROCLAIMERS Announce New EP
- Kings Of Leon Spring US Arena Tour news
- MUSIC FESTIVAL LAUNCHED TO GENERATE FUNDS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES
- Thursday Announce European Tour
- GOMEZ ANNOUNCES US SPRING TOUR
- The King Blues - 'Save The World, Get The Girl' Released on February 16th 2009
- Judas Priest Tour February
- Stone Gods release new single on march 23 and tour the UK
- Pure Reason Revolution - NEW ALBUM AND FULL UK TOUR
We Will Rock You
Altsounds users are concert going freaks. The gigs listed below gave our reviewer the horn this week.
Frank Turner takes to the stage, surrounded by the many instruments to be utilized later by headliners The Gaslight Anthem. All Frank has is a spotlight, an acoustic guitar, and a microphone. He kicks off his set in style with ‘I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous’, a slow burning tale of watching other people succeed around you, whilst you and others stagnate. The audience is immediately captivated by Frank’s unique fire side punk melodic style. After a quick bit of banter with the audience regarding the snow he launches into another heartfelt lament concerning a lost relationship ‘Substitute’. Although he is just one man and an acoustic guitar he manages to fill the entire stage and fully engage the audience throughout his [all too short] set. Other highlights of the set include, ‘Long live the Queen’ and ‘Worse things happen at sea’.
Throughout Frank Turner's time on stage you are left in no doubt of the bitterness behind the tales of lost loves, betrayals, early mid life crises and general disappointment in the way that life has turned out for him. Anyone still wishing and hoping for a Million Dead reformation should take a listen to the album ‘Love Ire and Song’ or catch Frank Turner live and realize that the songs represent a man who has moved onto bigger and better things, good luck to him I say! Based on his performance tonight Frank Turner deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.....
READ MORE
Last Orders!
You know I was joking before, right? About the being mad thing, not about the scrapbook. That shit's for real.
Artwork by: Danny O.
Altsounds users are concert going freaks. The gigs listed below gave our reviewer the horn this week.
The Gaslight Anthem [Live] @ O2 Academy, Birmingham
support from Frank Turner - 3rd February 2009
February 5, 2009, 11:52 AM
support from Frank Turner - 3rd February 2009
February 5, 2009, 11:52 AM
Frank Turner takes to the stage, surrounded by the many instruments to be utilized later by headliners The Gaslight Anthem. All Frank has is a spotlight, an acoustic guitar, and a microphone. He kicks off his set in style with ‘I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous’, a slow burning tale of watching other people succeed around you, whilst you and others stagnate. The audience is immediately captivated by Frank’s unique fire side punk melodic style. After a quick bit of banter with the audience regarding the snow he launches into another heartfelt lament concerning a lost relationship ‘Substitute’. Although he is just one man and an acoustic guitar he manages to fill the entire stage and fully engage the audience throughout his [all too short] set. Other highlights of the set include, ‘Long live the Queen’ and ‘Worse things happen at sea’.
Throughout Frank Turner's time on stage you are left in no doubt of the bitterness behind the tales of lost loves, betrayals, early mid life crises and general disappointment in the way that life has turned out for him. Anyone still wishing and hoping for a Million Dead reformation should take a listen to the album ‘Love Ire and Song’ or catch Frank Turner live and realize that the songs represent a man who has moved onto bigger and better things, good luck to him I say! Based on his performance tonight Frank Turner deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.....
READ MORE
Last Orders!
You know I was joking before, right? About the being mad thing, not about the scrapbook. That shit's for real.
Artwork by: Danny O.
