Frightened Rabbit are a genuine word-of-mouth band. I heard about them through a friend (whose recommendations I normally try and ignore on principle) and since then have myself badgered others into giving them a try. All are now converts to the Scots' unique, iconic brand of electric folk-rock.
But this, the first cut from their upcoming third record, has more to it. Without compromising their roots it has a more mainstream feel thanks to the memorable chiming, graceful piano at the centre of the track. It seems that this is FR's attempts at breaking through.
Nobody could say they don't deserve it. The Midnight Organ Fight is a genuine masterpiece and their cover of dance classic Set You Free has to be heard to be believed.
For now though, I'm more than happy to have Frightened Rabbit as my secret little pleasure before they become massive, as they surely will, in 2010.
Thursday 19 November 2009
Singles of 2009: #20 La Roux - Bulletproof
It would be difficult to do a countdown of the year's best singles without including La Roux.
The bequiffed Elly Jackson and her producer partner Ben Langmaid came from nowhere with their uber hit In For The Kill to announce their arrival on to the growing electro-pop scene. But Bulletproof was a better song, Jackson getting closer to singing in key than anywhere else on their eponymous debut.
Better still was the way Jackson spoke her mind throughout 2009, unafraid to offer her forthright opinions on whatever questions journalists through at her. She was effectively the anti-Leona, a performer who let her personality shine through. For that, she should be commended, as well as for bringing 80s dance back into the mainstream.
The bequiffed Elly Jackson and her producer partner Ben Langmaid came from nowhere with their uber hit In For The Kill to announce their arrival on to the growing electro-pop scene. But Bulletproof was a better song, Jackson getting closer to singing in key than anywhere else on their eponymous debut.
Better still was the way Jackson spoke her mind throughout 2009, unafraid to offer her forthright opinions on whatever questions journalists through at her. She was effectively the anti-Leona, a performer who let her personality shine through. For that, she should be commended, as well as for bringing 80s dance back into the mainstream.
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Albums of 2009: #19 Idlewild - Post Electric Blues
Idlewild have a special place in my heart. Back in 2002 I was just 14, struggling to define who I was, learning all the time about what I liked. Until that year music had just really been a distraction, I didn't go out of my way to hear it, it didn't excite me, or make me feel anything.
But then one day I was listening to Jo Whiley on Radio 1 and it all changed. She played You Held The World In Your Arms by Idlewild and suddenly I 'got' music. It thrilled me and since then Idlewild have been a permanent fixture in my favourite few bands.
Annoyingly, I missed the band's early glory days, just getting into them around the time of their last great album, The Remote Part. Since then the Scots have mellowed considerably and though they are still capable of thrilling and visceral live shows, their albums haven't really pressed my buttons in recent years.
But luckily, Post Electric Blues was a vast improvement. Readers and Writers threatened briefly to be the band's biggest hit in years, City Hall became their catchiest track in, well, ever, and for the first time they achieved that difficult balance of the ROOOCCK and the lilting folk melodies that singer Roddy Woomble had grown closer to over the years.
Rekindling my faith in a once glorious band is enough to get this record a nod in the top 20.
Read my original review at The Music Magazine.
But then one day I was listening to Jo Whiley on Radio 1 and it all changed. She played You Held The World In Your Arms by Idlewild and suddenly I 'got' music. It thrilled me and since then Idlewild have been a permanent fixture in my favourite few bands.
Annoyingly, I missed the band's early glory days, just getting into them around the time of their last great album, The Remote Part. Since then the Scots have mellowed considerably and though they are still capable of thrilling and visceral live shows, their albums haven't really pressed my buttons in recent years.
But luckily, Post Electric Blues was a vast improvement. Readers and Writers threatened briefly to be the band's biggest hit in years, City Hall became their catchiest track in, well, ever, and for the first time they achieved that difficult balance of the ROOOCCK and the lilting folk melodies that singer Roddy Woomble had grown closer to over the years.
Rekindling my faith in a once glorious band is enough to get this record a nod in the top 20.
Read my original review at The Music Magazine.
Albums of 2009: #20 The Twilight Sad - Forget The Night Away
How much I liked this album surprised me. Usually these type of over-thought, pretentious, deliberately challenging records put me right off, but over time this one drew me in. I doubt it would've got a second listen had I not been reviewing it, but multiple listens proved me wrong.
Yes, it's a dense piece of work and yes, it's not an easy listen. I wouldn't even go as far as to say I enjoy it. But it has a majestic beauty, a softness to its tone that only comes out after a certain amount of time has been invested in it. And it's so accomplished, there's so much talent in the band and an unbelievable amount of effort must have gone in to the record.
I normally make my mind up about albums quite quickly, but this one proved me wrong, and for that reason alone deserves to go in my top 20.
Read my original review at The Music Magazine.
Yes, it's a dense piece of work and yes, it's not an easy listen. I wouldn't even go as far as to say I enjoy it. But it has a majestic beauty, a softness to its tone that only comes out after a certain amount of time has been invested in it. And it's so accomplished, there's so much talent in the band and an unbelievable amount of effort must have gone in to the record.
I normally make my mind up about albums quite quickly, but this one proved me wrong, and for that reason alone deserves to go in my top 20.
Read my original review at The Music Magazine.
Welcome to Listrock
Yo.
This is the new project from freelance music journo hack type person Jamie Smith, who will be sharing with you lots of lovely lists, mainly about music, later branching out into film, other areas of culture and God knows where eventually.
Put your feet up and prepare to be outraged by his choices...
We'll start with the top 20 albums and singles of 2009. FACT.
This is the new project from freelance music journo hack type person Jamie Smith, who will be sharing with you lots of lovely lists, mainly about music, later branching out into film, other areas of culture and God knows where eventually.
Put your feet up and prepare to be outraged by his choices...
We'll start with the top 20 albums and singles of 2009. FACT.
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