// Tennis

beach pop \\

Summer has come early this year.
Ok that was funny. Laugh. They're a married couple. Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley. And they went for a 8 month trip around the Atlantic and came back with ..this. They sound like the Dum Dum Girls and they sound like summer and sand and water and palm trees. And everybody loves them cause they're adorable. Supposedly. I haven't seen them yet but never mind. Beach pop revival, oh yes.
Ok. That's enough. I'm not really excited. They don't really do much for me I think. But here they are. Tennis. I like the South Carolina song. And Cape Dory.

 

 

The Bloody Beetroots ft. Steve Aoki - Warp 1.9

- well, this is different. -

WOOP WOOP !

// Lovvers

noise rock, punk, indie \\

They were formed in 2006, in Nottingham. They're a four piece band consisting of Shaun Hencer (vocals), Henry Withers (guitar), Stephen Rose (drums) and Michael Drake (bass). As they claim on their MySpace page, their influences are The Germs and Wipers. I have heard neither of them but nevermind. They're kinda noisy but they've got a melodic noise. If you know what I mean. They've opened gigs for Foals, Fucked Up, No Age. They released their first full lenght LP on August 2010, called OCD GO GO GO GIRLS. Well, they're interesting. And full of energy so.. (And they had the double v thingy, before Wavves came out. Just saying.)

 

~ The White Stripes

alternative rock, garage rock ~

They announced that they split up yesterday. After 13 years. After 6 albums -three of which were awarded with Grammy Awards - and 26 singles. Jack and Meg White. In the beginning they claimed to be brother and sister, as they wanted people to focus on their music and not them. But it was later revealed that they were actually a couple. Married actually. However they were divorced by 2000. But that didn't stop them. After stopping for a while, though, after Meg's "breakdown", they never really came back. And now they've ended it forever. Which is a shame. But they say it was because they wanted to "preserve what is beautiful and special about the band”.

Well. What can you say. Here are some songs. I know they're 6. But I couldn't not put them on here.

 

 

 

Bye, White Stripes.

James Blake - The Willhelm Scream

- new video. don't even know how many times i've heard it today. -

I don't know about my dreams*My brother and my sister don't speak to me,
but I don't blame them.
I don't know about my dreamin anymore.
All that I know is
I'm fallin, fallin, fallin, fallin.
Might as well fall in.

I don't know about my love.
I don't know about my lovin anymore.
All that I know is
I'm fallin, fallin, fallin, fallin.
Might as well fall in.

I don't know about my dreams.
I don't know about my dreamin anymore.
All that I know is
I'm fallin, fallin, fallin, fallin.
Fallin.

Radical Face - Doorways

- the song. the lyrics. the video. -

when i was just a boy still owl-eyed
i liked to drink the rain to taste the sky 
i tried to count the stars while in my bed
to keep the thoughts of monsters from my head

and i believed the stars were wishes
i believed the world was good
i believed things hid in the dark 
and that all would turn out just how it should
i believed in all your stories
i believed you'd never lie
i believed if i could climb the trees behind the house, 
i'd touch the sky 

i believed the skies were doorways home 

// Cassette Kids

dance-punk, indie \\

Daniel Schober. Jacod Read-Harter. Daniel Deitz. Katrina Noorbergen. From Sydney. In 2007.

In 2008 they released a mini album called We Are. And then their debut album this October, called Nothing On Tv. They sound a bit like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Ting Tings. They're nothing really special. But they're not bad. Ok. That's all. Can't be bothered. She's kinda hot. But not a lot. Bye.

 

// Magnetic Man

dubstep, trancestep \\

They're actually 3 dubstep producers, Skream -whom I know for remixing La Roux's In For The Kill-, Benga and Artwork. They met in the 90's. Their album came out in October, after signing with Columbia Records. I've been seeing them for quite a long time in NME, but never got round to listening to them. They're supposed to be the coolest pop act of 2010. Well, that's what they think. I suppose it's good to be optimistic. They've already released two singles. I Need Air and Perfect Stranger (featuring Katy B, whom I keep seeing everywhere, but have no idea who she is). And they're also going to release another single in February with John Legend. Uurh. Anyway. I don't really see the coolness. And I don't think I'll ever choose to listen to them again, but.. anyway.

 

// Mumford & Sons

folk rock, indie folk \\

So. They are an indie folk rock band from London. They were formed in 2008. And they consist of 4 members, who were the ones who formed the band in the first place. There's Marcus Mumford -thus the Mumford part of the band name. Hah I'm clever!- who sings and plays the guitar, drums and mandolin. And then there's the sons, Ben Lovett (vocals, accordion, keyboard and drums), Winston Marshall (vocals, banjo, dobro) and Ted Dwane (vocals, string bass, drums). So clearly they all sing. And play a large variety of instruments, making their music exceptional. 

As they mention in their own blog, "they create a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, and their incredible energy draws us in quickly to their circle of songs, to the warmth of their stories, and to their magical community of misty-eyed men."

And what more can I say after that?

Well, I know that they are quite well known, but they're one of my favourite bands so I just couldn't resist writing about them. They released their album, Sigh No More in 2009 -and I'm waiting for it to arrive one of these days. YESH- and they've also released 4 singles from that album, including Little Lion Man, which was nominated for a Grammy Award, The Cave and White Blank Page, which is my personal favourite.

And that's all. Oh and they've been nominated for a Grammy Award as a band too. So. Give them a try. It's nearly impossible not to like them. That's a challenge.

 

 

Gem Club - Animals

I see you moving like an animal
And through your walls the horses come
And I cannot communicate with them

Or perhaps we have never met
I see you and you have nothing left
I've been missing all the bonfires
You said we had the things we have

Margaret you'd make a perfect bride today

I went deaf in the parking lot
When your voice came through my mouth
Like a ray comes through the dark
I cannot recognize myself
My skeleton moves without me now

I see you and I am jealous of
I am jealous of

Margaret you have the brightest eyes
Margaret you'd make a perfect bride today

// Insect Guide

dark pop, shoegaze, electro \\

They were formed in 2005 in Leeds.They are Su Sutton, Chris Cooper and Stan Howells. They released their debut album in 2006 called "6 ft in love". Then there was a limited EP in January 2008, while playing at a few gigs too. And now  -well in October- their new album came out called "Dark Days And Nights". Ok, I can't be bothered to do any more research. So that's all you get. They're quite good. Their sound is quite eerie and beautiful at the same time. I don't know why. Anyway. Here you are.

 

 

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// The Naked And The Famous

dreampop, electro \\

They come from Auckland, New Zealand. So. There's Alisa Xayalith. She met up with Thom Powers and Aaron Short at college. They dropped out of college. Then Aaron brought some of his old bandmates from high school, David Beadle and Jesse Wood. And The Naked And The Famous were born. Just like that.
So, Auckland looks like a great place. I'm useless at geography so I googled it up. And it's all beachy and stuff so that explains their music. It's beachy and sunny and sandy and watery. They're like MGMT and Passion Pit had a baby, as a Youtube comment correctly states. So how couldn't I like it? Alisa got inspired by Skins. I suppose that explains a bit too. I haven't really read any of their lyrics but anyway. -Is that what you say? Read lyrics? Doesn't sound right-
Anyway, I'm rambling again. Listen to them. Especially if you liked the first MGMT album.

 

// James Blake

dubstep, electronic \\

The runner-up of the BBC Sound of 2011 list. He comes from London. He's 22 years old. And started recording songs in his bedroom while studying popular music at college.

He has become most famous for his cover of Feist's song "Limit To Your Love". In 2009 he released his debut "Air And Lack Thereof" and later an EP "CMYK" in 2010.

I don't really know much about dubstep. Well, nothing actually. But these songs are goooood. -as in they met a guy at the gym and spent the whole weekend having sex with him-

Anyway I like his style and he's worth checking out. So do. It can be a bit depressing. Well, a lot. But it's good.

 

 

// The Vaccines

indie, rock'n'roll \\

Well, they've only been together since June but they've already made quite a few heads turn their way.
Justin Young (vocals, guitar), Anri Hjorvar (bass), Freddie Cowan (guitar), Pete Robertson (drums) were just a typical garage-type band. Not any more, what with getting the third place in the BBC Sound of 2011 competition. Actually their band was formed by one of their friends, who just dropped out but who cares? Bad for him. They've been compared to The Ramones and are supposed to be The Drums of 2011. They've already signed a deal with Columbia Records. They've released a single with Wrecking Bar (Ra Ra Ra) and Blow it up in November. That's just about it. Personally, I can't really understand what all the fuss is about. Catchy songs but I dunno. But I'll probably start liking them a lot so I'll just stop.

 

 

// Local Natives

indie rock, folk \\

They have often been compared to Fleet Foxes and Vampire Weekend, but no. They're not.

-Ok. That was the best introduction ever. Hands down.-

The "Local Natives" met in Orange County in California. Well at least three of them. Kelcey Ayer, Taylor Rice and Ryan Hahn. The other two, Andy Hamm and Matt Frazier joined them two years later. 

Their debut album came out in 2009 by the name of Gorilla Manor, which was what their house was called in Orange County.

(I'm trying not to use Wikipedia too much, but this was on every site I went on, so here goes..)

Their sound has been described as "afropop-influenced guitars with hyperactive drumming and hooky three-part harmonies"

Well, I find it really warming too. I mean their music. I'll just shut up.

  

 

// The Heartbreaks

indie rock \\

Formed in 2009. There's Matthew Whitehouse, Joseph Kondras, Ryan Wallace and Chris Deakin. 

They come from Manchester. The home of Morrisey. So they've got a kind of Morrisey thing going on. Well, not exactly, but you know what I mean. British indie rock. They're obsessed with the seaside. Ok. That wasn't interesting but I read it and wanted to write it. They've supported Hurts, Jack Penate and The View on various gigs.

Well, they released a single in March, "Liar, My Dear" and it's quity catchy. Aren't I interesting?

// Zola Jesus

dark pop, gothic rock, psychedelic \\

So she's a bit on the dark side. But they've got cookies, so that's not a problem. And that wasn't funny. 

Her real name is Nika Roza Danilova and she's also a member of Former Ghosts. She's 21 years old and comes from Phoenix, Arisona.  Her second album came out in March and has a quite disturbing cover. But I like it. I like it. It's called Stridulum II and it's named after a '70s sci-fi film. She's already got another album in stores, called The Spoils, which came out in 2009. She started studying music at the early age of 10, when she studied opera. She became Zola Jesus in her teens, when she started writing songs in her bedroom, like most of these hipstery type of artists too. Bedroom songwriting is hipster. Yup. 

Her sound is quite dark. A kind of dungeon-y thingy going on. Well some of her songs. And others are just full of despair. But she's good. She's come to stay.

And the problem is. I don't know which songs to put on here. Anyway.

// Neon Indian

psychedelic dance, chillwave, synth pop\\

Ok. So as I'm in the psychedelic mood, here's Neon Indian. They're a band from Texas. And they are Alan Palomo, Leanne Macomber, Ronald Gierhart, Jason Faries and Lars Larsen. Their first cd Psychic Chasmas came out in 2009 and received quite a lot of good reviews. They are supposed to be -according to The Rolling Stone- one of the hottest bands of 2010.
Palomo's ex was the one who thought of the band's name and their album's name is actually an Ozric Tentacles' song by the same name. Never heard of them. But I will in a bit. That doesn't sound right.

// Caribou

..or Daniel Victor Snaith is a musician -and mathematician- from London. But not the English one. The one in Canada. Which I only just learnt about. His music is a bit on the psychedelic side. So it's perfect. He used to call himself Manitoba, but had to change it since he was threatened by someone really called Manitoba. Problems, problems.

His first cd, Andorra, came out in 2007 and it was the winner  of the 2008 Polaris Music Prize. Ok. The second one, came out this year and is called Swim. And it's got a great cover. And it was a nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. What is this Polaris thing anyway?

-this one is beyond perfect-

Justice Vs Simian - We Are Your Friends

Because we are your friends
You'll never be alone again
Well come on

Crystal Castles - Reckless

// Listener

talk music, indie \\

Είναι ένα duo από τις ΗΠΑ. Είναι o Dan Smith και ο Christin Nelson. Τραγουδούν -Θεός να το κάνει- indie και talk music. Δηλαδή ουσιαστικά παίζει μουσική και αυτοί μιλούν.

Αν και η μουσική από πίσω δεν είναι άσχημη, ότι ακούγεται από μπροστά είναι ένα μαύρο χάλι. Είναι και καρααμερικανιά η προφορά και δεν προσπαθώ καν να ακούσω τι λένε. Ντάξει εκνευρίστηκα. Δεν γράφω άλλο γιατί δεν έχω καμία όρεξη να ακούσω κι' άλλο τραγούδι. Δεν είναι και πολύ ενημερωτικό άρθρο βασικά αυτά, αλλά είναι χάλια. Είμαι και πολύ αντικειμενικός μιλάμε.

(Α! Αυτό είναι λίγο καλύτερο από τα άλλα.)

The Tallest Man On Earth

(Ντάξει. Βασικά ξαναγυρνάω στα ελληνικά γιατί ζω στην Ελλάδα. Όταν πάω Αγγλία θα μιλάω αγγλικά.)

Το κανονικό του όνομα είναι Kristian Matsson. Αυτό είναι ψευδώνυμο. Ντάξει. Ήταν εμφανές μπορώ να πω. Είναι από το/τη Dalarna στη Σουηδία, που είναι κάπου στη μέση. Είμαι αγεωγράφητος όσο δε πάει. Και σήμερα νομίζω και πολύ ανορθόγραφος.

Είναι λίγο άσχημος η αλήθεια είναι, αλλά παίζει κιθάρα, μπάτζο και πιάνο. Όχι ότι έχει το ένα σχέση με το άλλο, αλλά τέλος πάντων. Έχει βγάλει δύο δίσκους, πρώτα το Shallow Grave το 2006 και φέτος το The Wild Hunt. Και τα δύο έχουν πάρει πολύ καλές κριτικές και έχουν εξαιρετικά εξώφυλλα. Ο ψηλότερος άνθρωπος στη γη λοιπόν, παίζει φόλκ μουσική. Είναι επηρεασμένος έντονα, όπως αναφέρει και ο ίδιος στο MySpace του από τον Bob Dylan και έχει συγκριθεί πολλές φορές μαζί του.

Και γενικά η μουσική του προκαλεί νοσταλγοφάση πράγμα θα έλεγε κανείς και μ'αρέσει. Και μου θυμίζει και κάποιον άλλο. Ίσως Bon Iver? Όχι Paolo Nutini. Α μήπως είναι Bombay Bicycle Club? Πρέπει να γράψω και γι'αυτούς. Μπα ούτε αυτούς. Καλά αν το θυμηθώ θα το γράψω.
Και μ'αρέσει λοιπόν, οπότε να θυμηθώ να κατεβάσω.
Δεν έχω κάνει πολύ καλή επιλογή κομματιών γιατί πρώτη φορά ακύω και γι'αυτό βάζω ότι μ'άρεσε παραπάνω.

Music blog

New Order - Blue Monday

How does it feel to treat me like you do?

When you've laid your hands upon me

And told me who you are

I thought I was mistaken

I thought I heard your words

Tell me, how do I feel

Tell me now, How do I feel

Those who came before me

Lived through their vocations

From the past until completion

They'll turn away no more

And I still find it so hard

To say what I need to say

But I'm quite sure that you'll tell me

Just how I should feel today

I see a ship in the harbor

I can and shall obey

But if it wasn't for your misfortune

I'd be a heavenly person today

And I thought I was mistaken

And I thought I heard you speak

Tell me how do I feel

Tell me now, how should I feel

Now I stand here waiting...

I thought I told you to leave me

While I walked down to the beach

Tell me how does it feel

When your heart grows cold 

David Bowie - Life On Mars

It's a god-awful small affair
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling, "No!"
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
And she's hooked to the silver screen
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on

Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?

It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
Because Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibeza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
Because I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on

Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars? 

Veronica Falls

 

Veronica Falls is a four-piece band that comes from London. It consists of Roxanne Clifford (vocals, guitar), James Hoare (guitar), Marion Herbain (bass - which she actually learnt how to play in less than a month) and Patrick Doyle (drums).
Their music, as they say too, is greatly influenced from different bands back in the '60s, such as The Primitives and Velvet Underground.

They've already toured quite a lot during 2009 and they've also released two singles. The first one is Found Love In The Graveyard -it's about falling in love with a ghost- and the second one is Beachy Head (which I actually prefer)

Ok. I know it's not much, but I haven't really got that much time and couldn't find much more anyway. So enjoy!

Wild Beasts - We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues

Kick! The spirit kicks
but the moonshine plays cheap tricks.
Us kids are cold and cagey rattling around the town
scaring the oldies into their dressing gowns
as the dribbling dogs howl.
What'so wrong with just a little fun?
We still got the taste dancin' on our tongues.
When we pucker up our lips are bee-stung.
We still got the taste dancin' on our tongues.
We got gusto
we are headstrong.
We still got the taste dancin' on our tongues.
Fill our bellies and we fill our lungs.
We still got the taste dancin' on our tongues.
Darling the spirit is kicking
don't be fooled by the moonshine
it's tricking.
Frock spill like alcho-pop around girls' knees.
Trousers and blouses make excellent sheets
down dimly lit streets.
Why should we feel bad for what we've done?
We still got the taste dancin' on our tongues.
Love the smash and grab of our goings on.
We still got the taste dancin' on our tongues

Playground Love - Air

I’m a high school lover, and you’re my favorite flavor
Love is all, all my soul
You’re my playground love

Yet my hands are shaking
I feel my body remains, themes no matter, I’m on fire
On the playground, love.

You’re the piece of gold the flushes all my soul.
Extra time, on the ground.
You’re my playground love.

Anytime, anyway,
You’re my playground love. 

Passion Pit

Οπότε αποφάσισα να επανέλθω με τους Passion Pit. Οι Passion Pit είναι ένα συγκρότημα από το Cambridge, Massachussetts στην Αμερική (όλα μας τα χουν κλέψει πια) και δημιουργήθηκε το 2007. Η μουσική που παίζουν είναι ναι μεν indie φάση, αλλά είναι πιο πολύ elecro/synth-pop. Το wikipedia χαρακτηρίζει τη μουσική τους και ως wonky pop. Τι άλλο θα μάθει κανείς πια? Δημιουργήθηκε από τους Michael Angelakos (προφανώς Έλληνας-για φαντάσου), Ian Hultquist, Ayad Al Adhamy, Thom Plasse και Adam Lavinsky. Παρ'ολ'αυτά, οι δύο τελευταίοι στην πορεία αντικαταστάθηκαν από τους Jeff Apruzzese και Nate Donmoyer.

Το όνομα του συγκροτήματος προέρχεται από το Variety Slanguage Dictionary -το οποίο απ'ότι καταταλαβαίνω ήταν ένα "λεξικό" της αργκό ενός περιοδικού). Παραδόξως, το ίδιο όνομα έχει και μια πορνογραφική ταινία της δεκαετίας του '80, αλλά τα μέλη του συγκροτήματος υποστηρίζουν πως δεν το γνώριζαν καν αυτό. 

Το συγκρότημα έβγαλε ένα EP το 2008, το οποίο λεγόταν Chunk Of Change. Από το EP αυτό βγήκε μόνο ένα single, το Sleepyhead. Αυτό το τραγούδι όμως υπάρχει και στον επόμενο κανονικό τους δίσκο, το Manners. Το Manners πρώτοβγήκε στα δισκοπωλεία τον Μάιο του 2009, το οποίο δέχτηκε γενικά καλές κριτικές. Ο δίσκος έχει 14 τραγούδια, τα οποία όλα έχουν γραφτεί από τον Angelakos (φαίνεται γελοίο, οπότε βάζω στην παρένθεση και ένα Αγγελάκος για να νιώσω καλύτερα).

"Make Light"  

"Little Secrets"  

"Moth's Wings"  

"The Reeling"  

"Eyes as Candles"  

"Swimming in the Flood"  

"Folds in Your Hands"  

"To Kingdom Come"  

"Sleepyhead"  

"Let Your Love Grow Tall"  

"Seaweed Song"  

"Sleepyhead (Stripped Down Version) (Extended Edition only)"  

"Moth's Wings (Stripped Down Version) (Extended Edition only)"  

"Dreams (The Cranberries Cover) (Extended Edition only)"  

(Προσωπικά προτιμώ το Neo Tokyo Remix)

-Ντάξει το παραδέχομαι. Ήταν άθλιο άρθρο. Αλλά θα ξαναβρώ τους ρυθμούς μου-

- Άσχετο -

Λοιπόν. Αποφάσισα να επανέλθω σ'αυτό το μπλογκ μου γιατί το άλλο δεν το 'χω. Διάβαζα τα παλιά άρθρα και παρατήρησα πως χάρη σ'αυτά, τώρα 2 από τα συγκροτήματα είναι από τα αγαπημένα μου. Οπότε αποφάσισα να συνεχίσω μπας και μάθω τίποτα άλλο. Αλλά θα 'χει διαφορές. Δεν θα αναλύω το κάθε δίσκο τόσο πολύ γιατί δεν έχω τόσο χρόνο και γι'αυτό απλά θα γράφω μερικά πράγματα για το κάθε συγκρότημα και θα βάζω και μερικά τραγούδια που μου αρέσουν. Και αποφάσισα να γράφω και για παλιά συγκροτήματα γιατί εντάξει. Όλα τέλεια είναι. Οπότε ..συνεχίζω.

Α και άσχετα τραγούδια όποτε μου 'ρθει μόνα τους.