Filling the Airwaves: Volume Two

There has been some cool music released this week. Below, I’ve listed three albums which, when replaced the noise created by an ever present dog barking next door, particularly stuck out.

Ian Brown is back making grown men romp around like they’re at the Empress Ballroom in '89 with his latest studio release.

'My Way' has been deliciously produced. Dave McCrakin really has played on Brown's strengths by taking the mancunians low-end gritty vocals and placing them on platter with endless keyboard stabs and killer synths. The result is big. I personally think that 'My Way' is the best the former Stone Roses front man has treated us to this decade.

Next up is Kid Harpoon. I've been a big fan of Harpoon's music for sometime now. The news that he was FINALLY going to be dropping his debut album was a joyous occasion. Various tracks and EP's have been circulating long enough to wet the apatite sufficiently to want to hear more, back-to-back, on an album. So as my copy of 'Once' dropped through the door on Monday I was ready to give it a battering.

My immediate reaction to 'Once' was; "Jesus, this is over produced". Kid Harpoon's older music came packaged with a raw edge that gave it an unprocessed charm. This is where the appeal lied for me. 'Once' doesn't deliver that. It's very smooth in it's production. The clarity of each individual instrument is as clear as day, and for me this makes it loose some of the spark that the earlier Harpoon tracks had.

However, after I got over my initial reaction I discovered that I was not disappointed in the music department. Harpoon is an extremely talented song writer. He makes this perfectly obvious to see as 'Once' gives birth to some fantastic songs. Harpoon has a natural ability to create catchy rhythms that appeal to the mainstream whilst keeping the more purist music heads interested.

In my opinion this is an excellent album that has given Harpoon the platform to go on to bigger and better things. This is only the beginning for Harpoon and I feel that this debut has helped to construct him a bright future. 'Once' is definitely worth an investment. Just don't get caught up in the quality of the production like I did.

Like Kid Harpoon, September 28th also saw Hockey’s debut album ‘Mind Chaos’ hit shelves, sex shops, staff canteens and the tape deck of my mate Dave’s Escort XR3i. There’s been a lot of media hype surrounding this US four piece since they independently released ‘Mind Chaos’ for the first time last year. However, now they’re doing it all again with the backing of EMI.

Hockey have drawn comparison with the likes of LCD Soundsytem in the past. However, for me the comparison finishes after you realise that they both play music. Although they're no LCD, ‘Mind Chaso’ is an intelligent album that sits Hockey where they need to be, right now. Their music is very 2009. It incorporates stylish vocals, 80’s sounds and infectious grooves. This album is worth a listen. Although, as good as it may sound initially, if you could rent CD’s from Blockbuster, I would probably get it from there.

Ian Brown
My Way

Kid Harpoon
Once

Hockey
Mind Chaos

Who Are You?

The NME have published a few cool snaps of The Who from circa 1966. All of the shots were taken just after the release of their debut album, 'My Generation'. I've copied a few below for you to look at, enjoy and love.

We Can Be Heroes

Monday blues are in full effect. There is not one main catalyst for this; there are many. I’m not a massive fan of Monday’s at the best of times. It’s something that you need to mentally prepare yourself for, as if you don’t, you end up feeling like I am now.

Yet, that’s beside the point. The point is that this weekend was a pretty good one, and that’s the reason that I’m now trying to fit as many carbs into me as humanly possible. Energy is something that seems to have left the building, and I would quite like some back, please.

On Saturday I checked out a band called The Heroes, who played at The Dublin Castle in Camden. They’re a four piece hailing from Leicester whose influences include the likes of The Jam, The Clash and The Libertines.

Now, it takes a lot for band to go into foreign territories and win over the crowd, especially when they are not established. We all know that proper music fans are just about as fickle as they come. But I thought that these boys put on a solid performance. They’re not groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination. They just play good quality rock & roll music. Having known nothing about them before the gig, they provided a pleasant surprise.

However, one of my mates wasn’t that impressed. He started giving people haircuts outside to pass the time.

Emily’s Ticker

I love Jamie T. He makes me happy. His latest album, Kings & Queens, demonstrate once again that he has got a rather good habit of giving birth to some fantastic music. One of the standout tracks for me is ‘Emily’s Heart’. It’s an acoustic based number that’s been swooped up and wrapped in lyrics that display that Jamie T’s song writing ability is moving firmly in the right direction >>> Go. Buy. Now.

JAMIE T - Emily's Heart
Bottle of wine, and an old 45, rifle in the corner that her grandfather left her when he died,
Said no surprise,
I’ve had to use it quite a few times,
So Jay, don’t you ever let us down,
Don’t you ever,
I’ll have to shoot you and no one will hear a sound…

Bruised and bloody, I’m lying on the ground,
And I am aware that I let the poor girl down,
Now I’m dying, as a message to the town,
This what happens, if you fuck around,
So meddle if you want trouble, trouble then you should meddle,
But don’t ever meddle with Emily’s heart…

She said, get your coat, come on,
To the dog track with the money right,
Yeah we had some fun,
Left with more ‘cause we won,
I was under investigation on suspicion of doing her wrong,
She said,
You’ve become a villain, accused of a hit and run,
Said, she hit me first, and I, say it’s the worst that I ever felt,
In a broken heart.
Bloodstains on her shirt crease and, hope she pays the dues,
When I left she said, that your last breath will be down by the station at 2,
Swear she shot me down.

Bruised and bloody, I’m lying on the ground,
And I am aware that I let the poor girl down,
Now I’m dying, as a message to the town,
This what happens, if you fuck around,
So whenever, you want trouble, trouble then you should meddle,
But don’t ever meddle with Emily’s heart…

She said I’m a user, and she’s a loser with a gun,
I said if you choose to it becomes hard to include anyone,
So if you stay, put it away, or should I run?
She said I think you know the answer to your question,

So for the smiles, and all of the miles that the engine’s done,
The further I drive away the closer we become,
So if I stay, would you put it away, and forgive this one son?
She said Jay I think you know the answer to your question…

Bruised and bloody, I’m lying on the ground,
And I am aware that I let the poor girl down,
Now I’m dying, as a message to the town,
This what happens, if you fuck around,
So meddle if you want trouble, trouble then you should meddle,
But don’t ever meddle with Emily’s heart…

The xx

As I sit and write this, the blissful beats of London based band The xx fill the airwaves. Their music is so simple in its format. You can hear the placement of each individual instrument. The minimal, soft tones seep effortlessly through the speakers creating nothing but a positive, feel good vibe.

From the first listen you can tell the London four piece take influence from several different genres. Early guitar sounds, R&B, low-end frequencies and seductive vocals mixed together in a blender with an abstract helping of glue and wham-bam thank you mam, you have The xx.

I first stumbled across The xx when they played the Shoreditch festival, Stag & Dagger, earlier in the year. I’ve been a fan ever since. For music that is in parts, fantastically chilled, it carries across a big room with total ease.

I fully recommend making the investment and picking up a copy of their debut album, which is quite aptly called, XX.

Filling the Airwaves: Volume One

Just like Kilroy in the morning or a nice dose of Jenna Jameson before bed, I fully recommend the following as enjoyable pass times. These albums have been filling the gap between my speakers and ear drums for the past month or so now. To say they are getting better with each listen is an understatement. Each album offers something different in terms of musical direction. However, they all offer the same result; quality alternative music that, like Jenna Jameson, leaves you with a big smile on your face. For different reasons though, obviously.

The Macabees
Wall of Sound

Bombay Bicycle Club
I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose

Jamie T
Kings & Queens