SlowdiveMusic Blog: Arctic Monkeys

Showing posts with label Arctic Monkeys. Show all posts

30 March 2010

Videos on a Hectic Tuesday

Life, life, life... sort of gets in the way sometimes. I was not able to sit down and write up a review (or two), but I did not want a Tuesday to go by without a posting... so here are some videos that I hope you enjoy.

Blacklist's "Flight of the Demoiselles" from their YouTube Channel: blacklistnyc.

She & Him's "In the Sun" from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.

Stornoway's "I Saw You Blink" from the 4ADRecords YouTube Channel.

Arctic Monkeys' "My Propeller" from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.

The Joy Formidable's "Popinjay" from their YouTube Channel: TheJoyFormidable.

O.Children's "Ruins" from their YouTube Channel: ochildrentv.

28 August 2009

Arctic Monkeys: “Humbug”

Arctic Monkeys are back with their third album, “Humbug” (24 August 2009 in the UK, 25 August 2009 in the USA). Comprised of Jamie Cook (guitar), Matt Helders (drums, backing vocals), Nick O’Malley (bass, backing vocals) and Alex Turner (vocals, guitar), the band whet the appetite of their fan base when they released the single “Crying Lightning” via iTunes (6 July 2009). Primarily an indie band with some post-punk revival influence, the band has always been a fresh breath of air in the music industry that has lately started to get repetitive and stale. Yet, the band has finally shown what they are capable of in their third album, experimenting with sounds and overall composition, not to mention the album was recorded in the USA (New York and California). Whether it was years in the industry or the location of where they recorded, the sound is fresh and new and an interesting development.

The album begins with the song “My Propeller,” which is a comfortable Arctic Monekys’ song that fans will love, but it is different enough to give others pause to take a listen again. The sound combines some of the band’s better qualities: a slow and catchy rhythm that beautifully mixes with the vocals of Alex Turner and well arranged backup vocals, that gives the song a vintage feel. The second track does not fail in comparison to the first, shifting the tempo enough for distinction with a smooth transition. By this point, you are sucked into listening to the album. Ultimately, the entire album not only has amazing songwriting and arrangements going for it, but also the fact that the band has brought out their potential on each of these songs is evident, giving each song its own personality and “soul.”

The biggest departure from their previous work is that this collection of songs is slower paced. What I really like about the vocals is that Alex Turner’s voice is haunting in a way that it never was… mesmerizing you into submission. This is a very different Arctic Monkeys, one that is displaying their ability to mature and develop their craftsmanship. Just take my favorite track on the album, “Cornerstone,” which has a mellowness to it that makes it all the more beautiful and seductive. It is the story of young love, a universal theme that we can all relate to. Arctic Monkeys understands more and more how to approach their themes, with a twist enough to be unique, but with a quality that endearing to all.

This is a new sound for the Arctic Monkeys, and they have mastered it. “Humbug” is a testament of a band refining themselves and growing as artists, instead of rehashing the same old cliché over and over again. One last side note, which is a thumbs up for the band: they are currently offering free download codes on the vinyl editions of the single “Crying Lightning” and the proceeds of the vinyl will go to charity. Not only a great band, but great social consciousness – something lacking in the music industry by and large.

Track Listing:
1. My Propeller
2. Crying Lightning
3. Dangerous Animals
4. Secret Door
5. Potion Approaching
6. Fire and the Thud
7. Cornerstone
8. Dance Little Liar
9. Pretty Visitors
10. The Jeweller’s Hands

Keep up with Arctic Monkeys at their homepage, MySpace, and Facebook. Read more ...

17 August 2009

A Vampire, a Werewolf, a Ghost - Oh My, Videos!

I am a big fan of “Being Human.” There I admitted it. But of course, this is about music.

I remember the days of watching television and being shocked at hearing one of my favorite bands being played in the background of a show or commercial. It was an instant moment of, “What the hell is going on here? Did they sell out?” But in the past decade, this is becoming more and more common, but there is more to this art of using music in television than is given credit. Any show’s producer can come up with a play list of interesting music; some underground, some classics, some emerging artists, mix it all up together, and voila great music. However, this does not constitute good use.

There was a time when MTV actually played music and the radio was more willing to give indie artists more radio play without the backing of a great ole record company behind them. But times have changed, and the music industry is being caught scratching its head oblivious what to do next. But artists have decided to market themselves via licensing. It is not only great movies with great soundtracks (“Pretty in Pink,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “The Saint”) anymore; television shows are sporting out amazing soundtracks. Artists, if they are lucky enough to own their own copyright and publishing rights, are licensing their music to shows in the hope for exposure. As they cannot rely on conventional radio or MTV, and the fact that using the Internet to find music is an overwhelming process, especially new music (I know from experience, with hours wasted on fruitless searching for something that really moves me). Add the lack of traditional exposure with the broadband reality that musicians are not selling as many units, as illegal downloading is everywhere (and some bands have just decided to give away their music), licensing music for television and commercials has not only become a means of exposure, but also income. For newer bands, who are not making a killing on royalties or on live performances at small clubs, licensing can give an instant profit, ranging from $1,000 to $150,000 per song – then the deal for the DVD and soundtrack release, so that there is more profit than just airplay. So though it took me a long time to accept hearing the likes of Muse on television, I have come to understand and respect the decisions of musicians to use this venue for exposure and raising revenues.

But not all series use music well. For many producers, the use of music is just to garnish more attention and sound trendier than their trite storylines really are. But once in a while, you come across a show, like “Being Human,” that the use of music is phenomenal. Thumbs up to the producers! Each song they use in the series has a real reason for being their; they can truly mirrors the emotional state of a specific character (like when Muse’s “Showbiz” is played as Mitchell, the vampire, is trying to fight the urges to feed – “Controlling my feeling for too long, and forcing our darkest souls to unfold…”), to foreshadow the plot (like when the Smith’s “Girlfriend in a Coma” is played as Annie, the ghost, does not know what really happened when she died, but will soon learn that Owen, her fiancé, killed her – “There were times when I could have murdered her… Do you really think she’ll pull through?”), or to bring the seriousness of the moment to light, even with a touch of irony (like when the Futureheads’ “Hounds of Love” is played as George is sitting in a café with fellow werewolf, Tully, learning to be courageous and confident in matters of love – “The hounds of love are calling, I’ve been a coward and I don’t know what’s good for me…”). I can go through every song that was ever used in this series and demonstrate how perfect each song is, how every song adds to “Being Human,” and never distracts the viewer/listener. I am not saying that this is the only series that has been successful using music, but I am saying that it has been a minute since I have seen a series that is always on the spot about the music it uses. Again, thumbs up to the producers!

Below are some of the videos for songs that have appeared on the show – and one thing to note is the range in eras, genre, mood, and style in all of the music. Unfortunately I was not able to include all of the videos – some are not available as embeds from official providers (my policy), while others have never been placed on the Internet by their official providers – the fate of many great songs prior to the broadband revolution, hopefully labels and artists will go back and place their older catalogues online… someday.

Enjoy!

Maximo Park: “Books from Boxes” from their YouTube Channel: maximorparkofficial.