2011 has been, personally, a rough year; my apologies for having been away for two weeks – my thanks to those who have been patient and the good wishes and prayers for my family during a crisis. But I have been writing (quite a bit) and I will start that arduous process of editing and posting very shortly (though the actual posts may come via a collaborator).
A few months back I reviewed Kevin Pearce’s “Pocket Handkerchief Lane” (link). The album is now officially released (as of 7 November 2011), and you can preview the album and purchase at iTunes (here are the links for the iTunes stores in the UK and USA).
Among the artists featured in this post, there are some familiar names. I was excited to post new singles by Brett Anderson (“Crash About to Happen”) and Mirrors (“Dust”). The Italian indie band Daisy Chain is also featured; I reviewed their album “A Story Has No Beginning or End” back in June (link) and there is something about this posted track (“The End of the Affair”) that really gets me. Of course it is always great to post some new names, like The Rifles, and hopefully introduce you to something you may have not heard before.
I opted against posting the Madonna leak (“Give Me Your Love”) and Sunday Girl’s cover of “Love U More.” First, I stand by my previous commitment: I only post music from official sources. Therefore, I am not going to indulge in the Madonna leak (to a certain set of friends, stop e-mailing me the request!). Second, so many musicians have covered “Love U More,” originally by Sunscreem, so many times in the past decade, that I am wondering why the hell? There are so many songs from the 1990s to be covered and saved from obscurity, that to chose a song because it has the marks of a “hit” is too cliché for me. On that note, to the same group of friends, sorry once again … no luck today, ha?
Enjoy the videos!
Brett Anderson’s “Crash About to Happen” from the BrettAndersonVideo YouTube Channel.
Mirror’s “Dust” from the m1rrors YouTube Channel.
Daisy Chains’ “The End of the Affair” from the DaisyChainsBand YouTube Channel.
Dog Is Dead’s “Hands Down” from the dogisdeadband YouTube Channel.
Friendly Fires’ “Hurting” from the FriendlyFiresVEVO YouTube Channel.
Friends’ “I’m His Girl” from the friendszone YouTube Channel.
The Pinker Tones’ “Sampleame” [“Sample Me”] from the Nacionalrecords YouTube Channel.
The Rifles’ “Tangled Up” from the NettwerkMusic YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
Showing posts with label Friendly Fires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friendly Fires. Show all posts
14 November 2011
28 May 2011
Back ... with Videos
My schedule is finally freeing up once again that I can start writing, and I have finally dealt with all my hardware issues with failing external hard drives. I am going to spend some time this holiday weekend on finishing my review of “Marble Sun” by The Android Angel, and I know that Painted Bird is working on a few things. (While Mirage is causing havoc in London!) Enjoy the videos!
Sons & Daughters’ “Breaking Fun” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Those Dancing Days’ “Can’t Find Entrance” from the UniversalMusicSweden YouTube Channel.
Friendly Fires’ “Live Those Days Tonight” live at The Lightbox, from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
Austra’s “Lose It” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Art Brut’s “Lost Weekend” from the video directors’, Alex de Campi, YouTube Channel: alexdecampi.
Blondie’s “Mother” from the ElevenSevenMusic YouTube Channel.
Cut Copy’s “Need You Now” from the modularpeople YouTube Channel.
Villagers’ “The Pact (I’ll Be Your Fever)” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
She’s A Tease’s “Why?” from the Nacionalrecords YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
Sons & Daughters’ “Breaking Fun” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Those Dancing Days’ “Can’t Find Entrance” from the UniversalMusicSweden YouTube Channel.
Friendly Fires’ “Live Those Days Tonight” live at The Lightbox, from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
Austra’s “Lose It” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
Art Brut’s “Lost Weekend” from the video directors’, Alex de Campi, YouTube Channel: alexdecampi.
Blondie’s “Mother” from the ElevenSevenMusic YouTube Channel.
Cut Copy’s “Need You Now” from the modularpeople YouTube Channel.
Villagers’ “The Pact (I’ll Be Your Fever)” from the DominoRecords YouTube Channel.
She’s A Tease’s “Why?” from the Nacionalrecords YouTube Channel.
Read more ...
21 August 2009
Friendly Fires Live
Last week I headed out to Williamsburg, Brooklyn (one of my favorite neighborhoods in the world) to go see Friendly Fires. It was a night of technical horrors. My camera would not work, my cell phone was acting wacky, and I just decided it was a sign to just sit back and enjoy the show instead of reviewing it. But one of my friends, let’s call her Little Sister, who was there with me, decided that I needed a review up here… so she wrote it.
Enjoy this review by Little Sister.
The other night (13 August 2009), SDM, a few friends, and I walked the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, of course spending time walking around looking at some eye-candy, having some of the best pizza in NYC (Bedford and 6th, check it out), and did some shopping while we were at it. We may have been chatting about everything and anything, but nothing kept me from thinking about the excitement of seeing Friendly Fires live. Their self-titled debut album is one of those few albums I can listen to from beginning to end. As we reached the Williamsburg Music Hall, you could hear the soundcheck going on and Friendly Fires playing “Lovesick.” Instantly, though they are Brits, I knew this was going to be a New York style show, ending with a bang. My only regret of the evening was that we all seemed to have some technical issues with our cameras.
The opening act was the XX, which early on played their single “Crystalised.” An interesting band that does not have drummer, but a “percussionist” playing beats off a drum machine pad. As they sang and shyly looked at the floor, they immediately reminded me of shoegazing. Though their album was not out yet and people were not completely familiar with them, it sort of struck me as a bit rude that people at the front of the stage were holding a conversation while they were playing. I have to admit, though, I was a bit distracted at a point, as Edd Gibson (guitarist, vocals) passed right next to me, while another one of my friends was excited about being up-close to Jack Savidge (drums). By the time the XX were done playing, the venue was packed – a testament that Friendly Fires is starting to get some recognition and air play, even if it is via licensing.
Clip of the XX performing "Crystalised"
When Friendly Fires hit the stage, everyone came running and rushing like a heard of cattle, and the atmosphere changed from heavy with anticipation to excitement – from dull to fluorescent. They kicked off with “Lovesick,” and any bad events of the day were instantly forgotten when they jumped into “Jump in the Pool,” as everyone sung along: “I push out, I breathe in, a stillness turning away; don’t look back, don’t pretend we’ll never take control again. And before that we own the horizon; am I the only one that remains? The fear is failing away.” And when the cowbell and drums kicked in for “Paris,” I fell in love with this band again.
The crowd really lost it when Friendly Fires played “Skeleton Boy”: people were jumping, dancing, and screaming out the lyrics. “Intense” is the only word that comes to mind. But the crowd was pretty intense throughout the entire show, just very overwhelming in a good way at some parts. Everyone was enjoying themselves and dancing about, and if you needed to steal any moves from anyone, Ed Macfarlane (vocalist) was the man to look at – switching from Brazilian Samba dancer to lost indie rocker stumbling about, you couldn’t help but get into his groove. Ed was not the only one rocking and jumping, Edd Gibson is not a passive musician standing on the stage – it is obvious he was feeling every moment of the show and he strummed and picked away at his guitars. And then there is Jack Savidge, who typically was behind the drums (other than for the beginning of “On Board”); he is easily the drummer of the year.
Other highlights were the performance of “Kiss of Life” (a perfect description of what it feels like to see them live) from their upcoming sophomore album. Of course the crowd went crazy for “Skeleton Boy,” but one fan during “Paris” jumped on stage. She was in the safe zone until she pushed into Edd Gibson; Ed Macfarlane must have felt that she could ruin the performance at that point and tried to push her off the stage to no avail. Security had to remove her, and then the set came to an end. When they emerged again for the encore, Macfarlane admitted to the crowd that he felt bad for having to push her off the stage, and to show his sincere remorse he invited the crowd to dance on the stage during the encore song – “Ex Lover.” Though security at first did not allow people on the stage, by the end of the song it was jam-packed! And you realized something about this band by the end of the show: these are real guys, having fun, who happen to be talented musicians, not bullshit created by a producer for your entertainment. Viva Friendly Fires!
Set List:
1. Lovesick
2. Jump in the Pool
3. Skeleton Boy
4. In the Hospital
5. White Diamonds
6. Strobe
7. Kiss of Life
8. Photobooth
9. On Board
10. Paris
11. Ex Lover Read more ...
Enjoy this review by Little Sister.
The other night (13 August 2009), SDM, a few friends, and I walked the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, of course spending time walking around looking at some eye-candy, having some of the best pizza in NYC (Bedford and 6th, check it out), and did some shopping while we were at it. We may have been chatting about everything and anything, but nothing kept me from thinking about the excitement of seeing Friendly Fires live. Their self-titled debut album is one of those few albums I can listen to from beginning to end. As we reached the Williamsburg Music Hall, you could hear the soundcheck going on and Friendly Fires playing “Lovesick.” Instantly, though they are Brits, I knew this was going to be a New York style show, ending with a bang. My only regret of the evening was that we all seemed to have some technical issues with our cameras.
The opening act was the XX, which early on played their single “Crystalised.” An interesting band that does not have drummer, but a “percussionist” playing beats off a drum machine pad. As they sang and shyly looked at the floor, they immediately reminded me of shoegazing. Though their album was not out yet and people were not completely familiar with them, it sort of struck me as a bit rude that people at the front of the stage were holding a conversation while they were playing. I have to admit, though, I was a bit distracted at a point, as Edd Gibson (guitarist, vocals) passed right next to me, while another one of my friends was excited about being up-close to Jack Savidge (drums). By the time the XX were done playing, the venue was packed – a testament that Friendly Fires is starting to get some recognition and air play, even if it is via licensing.
Clip of the XX performing "Crystalised"
When Friendly Fires hit the stage, everyone came running and rushing like a heard of cattle, and the atmosphere changed from heavy with anticipation to excitement – from dull to fluorescent. They kicked off with “Lovesick,” and any bad events of the day were instantly forgotten when they jumped into “Jump in the Pool,” as everyone sung along: “I push out, I breathe in, a stillness turning away; don’t look back, don’t pretend we’ll never take control again. And before that we own the horizon; am I the only one that remains? The fear is failing away.” And when the cowbell and drums kicked in for “Paris,” I fell in love with this band again.
Friendly Fires
The crowd really lost it when Friendly Fires played “Skeleton Boy”: people were jumping, dancing, and screaming out the lyrics. “Intense” is the only word that comes to mind. But the crowd was pretty intense throughout the entire show, just very overwhelming in a good way at some parts. Everyone was enjoying themselves and dancing about, and if you needed to steal any moves from anyone, Ed Macfarlane (vocalist) was the man to look at – switching from Brazilian Samba dancer to lost indie rocker stumbling about, you couldn’t help but get into his groove. Ed was not the only one rocking and jumping, Edd Gibson is not a passive musician standing on the stage – it is obvious he was feeling every moment of the show and he strummed and picked away at his guitars. And then there is Jack Savidge, who typically was behind the drums (other than for the beginning of “On Board”); he is easily the drummer of the year.
Other highlights were the performance of “Kiss of Life” (a perfect description of what it feels like to see them live) from their upcoming sophomore album. Of course the crowd went crazy for “Skeleton Boy,” but one fan during “Paris” jumped on stage. She was in the safe zone until she pushed into Edd Gibson; Ed Macfarlane must have felt that she could ruin the performance at that point and tried to push her off the stage to no avail. Security had to remove her, and then the set came to an end. When they emerged again for the encore, Macfarlane admitted to the crowd that he felt bad for having to push her off the stage, and to show his sincere remorse he invited the crowd to dance on the stage during the encore song – “Ex Lover.” Though security at first did not allow people on the stage, by the end of the song it was jam-packed! And you realized something about this band by the end of the show: these are real guys, having fun, who happen to be talented musicians, not bullshit created by a producer for your entertainment. Viva Friendly Fires!
Set List:
1. Lovesick
2. Jump in the Pool
3. Skeleton Boy
4. In the Hospital
5. White Diamonds
6. Strobe
7. Kiss of Life
8. Photobooth
9. On Board
10. Paris
11. Ex Lover Read more ...
09 August 2009
Catching up with Videos
Here a few videos that I wanted to share with everyone. Enjoy!
Starsailor: "All the Plans" from their YouTube Channel: starsailorofficial.
Lemonade: "Big Weekend" on truepathersounds YouTube Channel.
Arctic Monkeys: "Crying Lightning" from their YouTube Channel: ArcticMonkeys.
Just Jack: "The Day I Died" from his YouTube Channel: JustJackOfficial.
Black Lips: "Drugs" from their YouTube Channel: blacklipstv.
Cursive: "I Couldn't Love You" from the SaddleCreekRecords YouTube Channel.
Friendly Fires: "Kiss of Life" from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
Fever Ray: "Triangle Walks" from the MuteUSA YouTube Channel.
Doves: "Winter Hill" from their YouTube Channel: dovesofficial.
Read more ...
Starsailor: "All the Plans" from their YouTube Channel: starsailorofficial.
Lemonade: "Big Weekend" on truepathersounds YouTube Channel.
Arctic Monkeys: "Crying Lightning" from their YouTube Channel: ArcticMonkeys.
Just Jack: "The Day I Died" from his YouTube Channel: JustJackOfficial.
Black Lips: "Drugs" from their YouTube Channel: blacklipstv.
Cursive: "I Couldn't Love You" from the SaddleCreekRecords YouTube Channel.
Friendly Fires: "Kiss of Life" from the XLRecordings YouTube Channel.
Fever Ray: "Triangle Walks" from the MuteUSA YouTube Channel.
Doves: "Winter Hill" from their YouTube Channel: dovesofficial.
Read more ...
31 March 2009
White Lies and Friendly Fires (Live)
(Slowdive Music’s review.)
27 March 2009, my most anticipated concert of the year to date. Though not making many waves on this side of the Great Pond, both White Lies and Friendly Fires are part of the hype machine in the UK. Nothing alike, one being post-punk revival and the other experimental pop, both bands briefly toured a few dates together throughout the US, culminating at the Bowery Ballroom. And if these both bands represent what is happening in the London music scene, well we might want to consider booking a flight and checking out what is going on.
The show opener was Soft Pack, from San Diego, formerly known as the Muslims. Let me admit ignorance on this band, but after seeing their tight performance (flawless would actually be the word for the night), I am definitely inspired to look into them.
Keep up with Soft Pack at their MySpace home.
Then Friendly Fires came on stage. The energy was amazing! Think of David Gahan’s (of Depeceh Mode) effect on a crowd: everyone was on their feet, dancing, bouncing, and having the time of their lives. What I found most interesting was how well they were able to deliver their sound live. Sure, it is easy to throw on the sequencer and backing tracks – a limitless number of bands do this. But to use sequenced material and still deliver the raw power of a live performance is no easy task. My personal highlight was “On Board.” From it’s slower tempo beginning to the savvy synthpop guitar interplay of the music at the end, this song demonstrates Friendly Fires at their best – unique arrangements, high energy, and a song that has a life beyond the recorded version.
That’s the thing with many bands these days – they compose music that is either great live or recorded, but rarely both. And to be honest, that was my fear anticipating Friendly Fires: their live performance would fall extremely short of their recorded album. How wrong it was for me to entertain those fears. Like any great band, the music performed live was not a carbon copy of their recorded versions, but rather brought forth a new dimension. I have not been more surprised by a live band in years!
Set List:
1. Lovesick
2. Jump in the Pool
3. Skeleton Boy
4. In the Hospital
5. White Diamonds
6. Strobe
7. On Board
8. Paris
9. Ex Lover
Keep up with Friendly Fires at their homepage and MySpace.
Check out these video clips of them live.
"Skeleton Boy"
"Strobe"
"On Board"
Then White Lies took the stage. To their credit, lead singer Harry McVeigh was suffering from a slight cold, but the show had to go on, and go on it did. White Lies delivered one of the most spot on performances I have ever witnessed. Harry reminded me of a really young Robert Smith; his posturing was not one of shyness, but rather one for dramatic effect – standing still, using his fingers to mime out parts of songs occasionally. The band seemed transported somewhere in the back of their minds while performing, lost in the genesis of their music.
Color lights? No. All white lights, accenting their post-punk influenced sound. They kicked off their set with “Farewell to the Fairground” and ended with “Death” – they cruised through a nine song set with the ease and poise of veterans. My highlight of the set was “From the Stars” – easily one of my favorite tracks of the year. With a fourth member on stage, the strings were pulled off with amazing well live, while the building drama of the song was mirrored in the playing of the other band members and voice of McVeigh. And, yes, though towards the end there was a definite difference in the quality of his voice, he managed to hit every note and suspend any discomfort on the stage while singing. This was in itself impressive. Definitely another band you have to see live, especially if you get to see them in the intimacy of a venue like the Bowery Ballroom.
Set list:
1. Farewell to the Fairground
2. To Lose My Life
3. E.S.T.
4. From the Stars
5. Place to Hide
6. Unfinished Business
7. Fifty on Our Foreheads
8. Price of Love
9. Death
Keep up with White Lies at their homepage and MySpace.
Check out these video clips of them live.
"To Lose My Life"
"From the Stars"
"Death"
Read more ...
27 March 2009, my most anticipated concert of the year to date. Though not making many waves on this side of the Great Pond, both White Lies and Friendly Fires are part of the hype machine in the UK. Nothing alike, one being post-punk revival and the other experimental pop, both bands briefly toured a few dates together throughout the US, culminating at the Bowery Ballroom. And if these both bands represent what is happening in the London music scene, well we might want to consider booking a flight and checking out what is going on.
The show opener was Soft Pack, from San Diego, formerly known as the Muslims. Let me admit ignorance on this band, but after seeing their tight performance (flawless would actually be the word for the night), I am definitely inspired to look into them.
Keep up with Soft Pack at their MySpace home.
Then Friendly Fires came on stage. The energy was amazing! Think of David Gahan’s (of Depeceh Mode) effect on a crowd: everyone was on their feet, dancing, bouncing, and having the time of their lives. What I found most interesting was how well they were able to deliver their sound live. Sure, it is easy to throw on the sequencer and backing tracks – a limitless number of bands do this. But to use sequenced material and still deliver the raw power of a live performance is no easy task. My personal highlight was “On Board.” From it’s slower tempo beginning to the savvy synthpop guitar interplay of the music at the end, this song demonstrates Friendly Fires at their best – unique arrangements, high energy, and a song that has a life beyond the recorded version.
That’s the thing with many bands these days – they compose music that is either great live or recorded, but rarely both. And to be honest, that was my fear anticipating Friendly Fires: their live performance would fall extremely short of their recorded album. How wrong it was for me to entertain those fears. Like any great band, the music performed live was not a carbon copy of their recorded versions, but rather brought forth a new dimension. I have not been more surprised by a live band in years!
Set List:
1. Lovesick
2. Jump in the Pool
3. Skeleton Boy
4. In the Hospital
5. White Diamonds
6. Strobe
7. On Board
8. Paris
9. Ex Lover
Keep up with Friendly Fires at their homepage and MySpace.
Check out these video clips of them live.
"Skeleton Boy"
"Strobe"
"On Board"
Then White Lies took the stage. To their credit, lead singer Harry McVeigh was suffering from a slight cold, but the show had to go on, and go on it did. White Lies delivered one of the most spot on performances I have ever witnessed. Harry reminded me of a really young Robert Smith; his posturing was not one of shyness, but rather one for dramatic effect – standing still, using his fingers to mime out parts of songs occasionally. The band seemed transported somewhere in the back of their minds while performing, lost in the genesis of their music.
Color lights? No. All white lights, accenting their post-punk influenced sound. They kicked off their set with “Farewell to the Fairground” and ended with “Death” – they cruised through a nine song set with the ease and poise of veterans. My highlight of the set was “From the Stars” – easily one of my favorite tracks of the year. With a fourth member on stage, the strings were pulled off with amazing well live, while the building drama of the song was mirrored in the playing of the other band members and voice of McVeigh. And, yes, though towards the end there was a definite difference in the quality of his voice, he managed to hit every note and suspend any discomfort on the stage while singing. This was in itself impressive. Definitely another band you have to see live, especially if you get to see them in the intimacy of a venue like the Bowery Ballroom.
Set list:
1. Farewell to the Fairground
2. To Lose My Life
3. E.S.T.
4. From the Stars
5. Place to Hide
6. Unfinished Business
7. Fifty on Our Foreheads
8. Price of Love
9. Death
Keep up with White Lies at their homepage and MySpace.
Check out these video clips of them live.
"To Lose My Life"
"From the Stars"
"Death"
13 February 2009
Friendly Fires
Friendly Fires released their self-titled debut ablum on 1 September 2008 and will be touring North America along side of White Lies.
Friendly Fires is one of those bands that is hard to define. Some people call them indie, others pop, and yet a few call them (nu)shoegazing or a pop/rave hybrid; regardless Friendly Fires is an impressive new band with a great debut album. Mostly self-produced (which is impressive considering how sophisticated some of the arragnements are), the album could be played at a swanky rock lounge or a dirty dance floor. From the opening track, "Jump in the Pool," the songs are layered in ambient keyboards and constant precussion, with ingenious pop hooks and catchy basslines. Include the electronic effects that are present everywhere, these boys use every trick in the book to create an album that is simply irresistible. Though some critics refered to the album as a collection of stand alone songs, I could not disagree more. Each song may be strong on its own, but as an album it is a consistent, powerful soundscape that will have you tapping your feet and bobbing your head.
Track Listing:
1. Jumping in the Pool
2. In the Hospital
3. Paris
4. White Diamonds
5. Strobe
6. On Board
7. Lovesick
8. Skeleton Boy
9. Photobooth
10. Ex Lover
Check out Friendly Fires on the XL Recordings YouTube page. Here is their video for their single "Skeleton Boy."
The band will be playing Coachella Festival, on Sunday 19 April.
Catch them on their homepage or MySpace. Read more ...
Friendly Fires is one of those bands that is hard to define. Some people call them indie, others pop, and yet a few call them (nu)shoegazing or a pop/rave hybrid; regardless Friendly Fires is an impressive new band with a great debut album. Mostly self-produced (which is impressive considering how sophisticated some of the arragnements are), the album could be played at a swanky rock lounge or a dirty dance floor. From the opening track, "Jump in the Pool," the songs are layered in ambient keyboards and constant precussion, with ingenious pop hooks and catchy basslines. Include the electronic effects that are present everywhere, these boys use every trick in the book to create an album that is simply irresistible. Though some critics refered to the album as a collection of stand alone songs, I could not disagree more. Each song may be strong on its own, but as an album it is a consistent, powerful soundscape that will have you tapping your feet and bobbing your head.
Track Listing:
1. Jumping in the Pool
2. In the Hospital
3. Paris
4. White Diamonds
5. Strobe
6. On Board
7. Lovesick
8. Skeleton Boy
9. Photobooth
10. Ex Lover
Check out Friendly Fires on the XL Recordings YouTube page. Here is their video for their single "Skeleton Boy."
The band will be playing Coachella Festival, on Sunday 19 April.
Catch them on their homepage or MySpace. Read more ...
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