Newcastle Music Scene: April

Yet another great month for music in Newcastle (shame I'm not there for most of it). This month i would say the smaller bands take centre stage with three great gigs at The Cluny from 'Let's Buy Happiness', 'Toronto Sun' and March's band of the month, 'Polarsets'. I love writing this post because it allows me to listen to some of the great talent around the North East, still, rarely do I find a band I can immediately engage and enjoy as much as Let's Buy Happiness. Already building a fan base in the North East and across the UK, they play a sombre melodic style of indie reminiscent of early  Death Cab For Cutie and Band Of Horses. With intricate guitar riffs complemented beautifully by Sarah Halls enchanting voice each track has its own personality and intrigue. All i can say is that i am gutted i cannot make the gig at The Cluny. Polarsets also play The Cluny for the second month running with their single launch taking place on the 15th (which i will hopefully have a review for you nearer that date).

My gig of the month comes from Foals, who play Newcastle Union on the 30th. I have been extremely impressed with the sounds emanating from their second album entitled 'Total Life Forever'. I nearly considered posting the 'Spanish Sahara' video again as it is so mind-blowing but i restrained myself and instead you can all feast your eyes on the video for 'This Orient', another track off the much awaited album. 

The O2 academy line-up is also worth a mention with some seriously old-school gigs from the likes of James and The Wonder Stuff. Enjoy this amazing month of music in our fair city and also enjoy all the goodies below.

You can listen to Let's Buy Happiness's EP entitled 'No Hot Ashes' below. Enjoy.

Breakneck Speed - Tokyo Police Club

New album in June and apparently its got "11 songs, a Disney character, fuzzy bits, Canadian spelling, ice hockey sound effects, me singing the lowest note in my range, one saxophone note". All I know for sure is it has one great track and at the moment that is more than enough for me.

Breakneck Speed - Tokyo Police Club

Primetime SexCrime - Bodega Girls

This will be your summer anthem. With the lyrical stylings of LEN and the cheekiness of American Pie you really can't go wrong. This song just puts you in a good mood full stop.

Leeds Festival Line-up 2010, Blink-182, LCD-Soundsystem, Band Of Horses, Modest Mouse

Broken Social Scene: Three new tracks

As if one amazing track isn't enough to preview an album and get fans salivating over the prospect of  the same quality but at least ten times over, Broken Social Scene have released three! All three tracks have been put into a handy player for all to enjoy. Despite each track being almost a totally different entity as is the way with BSS, I can still see how they can potentially fit into an extremely well accomplished album. I'm sure i will be proved correct on the 4th of May. Enjoy.

Rambling Man - Laura Marling (Music Video)

This album is pure gold.  Vive la Folk Revolución!

New Artist: Kenan Bell - T.G.I.F + 'The Smiths' Remix

I really like rap music. It's something i don't say very often mainly because rarely does such a stand out artist appear within the genre. Recently we have been gifted with the remix/songwriting skills of Chiddy Bang, but now there is another rapper in town and guess what...he's a teacher. Yes that's right, bad'ass as he is, Kenan Bell teaches 4th, 5th and 6th graders at a private school (I'm sure that means something to you lot over the pond). In-between grading papers he writes some amazing rap songs, not only does he do that but he also produces some killer remix's from indie legends such as Pink Floyd and The Smiths....Yes I said The Smiths.
His album comes out at the end of the month but you can get hold of many of his amazing remixes around the interweb. I've picked out one of the tracks of the album and one of his best remixes of The Smiths. Also worth a listen is his Neil Diamond Remix, check it out over at his Myspace page. Enjoy.

Save Your Life - Kenan Bell (The Smiths Remix)

Biffy Clyro ft. Marina And The Diamonds @ NME Awards 2010

New Album Artwork: Foals, Marina And The Diamonds

Not a bad effort from Foals, I like its modesty. Despite that, there doesn't seem to be much of a coherent theme between this and the video for 'Spanish Sahara'.

Another stunning cover for the re-released 'I Am Not A Robot' from Marina And The Diamonds. Slightly strange angle but I guess that fits with the message of the song.

Live: Ben Gibbard @ SXSW (Video)

Austin, TEXAS just has to keep taunting me with its ridiculously good line-up, first Chiddy Bang and now Ben Gibbard! I have seriously considered up and leaving for the U S of A next year, never mind University! At the gig Ben played an eclectic set with some Death Cab and a few covers thrown in. Thanks to Stereogum for the videos. Enjoy ( I know i would have if i lived in Austin).

"Title And Registration"

"405"

"Recycled Air"

Giveaway: Phoenix Live Album (Free Download)

If you don't download this you are insane. For one it is free! Next comes the fact that the album is one of the best of last year and Phoenix in my are opinion are at least twice as good when playing live (judging by this album, i haven't been lucky enough to see them yet).
If you are normally put off by live albums because of the lack of production value normally associated, you needn't worry. Whilst they are playing it sounds as if they are in a studio doing endless takes. Its that good.
Track list:
1.Lisztomania
2.Lasso
3.Fences
4.Girlfriend
5.Armistice
6.Love Like A Sunset
7.Rome
8.1901
You can download the album after the beep.

Left Click: Download Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Live

I Feel Better - Hot Chip (Music Video)

Photos - Mumford & Sons @ Newcastle Union 07/03/10

Mumford & Sons @ Newcastle Union 07/03/10

95/100 - I have to apologise for me taking so long to post this review I haven't even been busy lately, I'm literally not sure what I have been doing for the last week, hmmmmm.


Anyway, to the review. A gig on a Sunday night is a bit of an odd proposition. my expectations of energy levels from the crowd and me were a tad on the pessimistic side. As always the optimist makes me look like a fool.

Doors were 7.30 ( you get there for about 8.30) and I was enthusiastically early (on time) only to find that the queue length was proportional to Mumford & Sons brilliance. When I had eventually got over the in-queue weather, I witnessed one of the best gigs i have ever seen (Still trying to place this, above or below Blur at Glastonbury?). Before I start on the ceaseless praise of Mumford & Sons I should first congratulate the support acts Andrew Davey and the brilliant Fanfarlo who did the most difficult job in music with ease, and had the crowd singing their praises and buying their merchandise before the end of the night.Although they were great the support acts were great they were pale in comparison to the main attraction. Mumford & Sons played an incredible gig, they made the crowd sing, dance, laugh, shout Geordie words and just generally fall in love with their music all over again. One of the most impressive things about the gig was how much depth the set list had despite their one album release. They mixed in their lively tracks with slower ones and old songs with some brand new songs that left me cruising YouTube just to hear grainy badly shot live versions. The sheer energy of the band turned even the obliged partners in the crowd into avid fans and left the atmosphere buzzing with an admiration of the bands skill and live prowess. I think the fact that three out of the four members of the band played drums at some point says something about the talent that Mumford & Sons have within those banjo plucking fingers. The gig left all that attended with a new lease of Mumford & Sons life and many a whistled 'Little Lion Man' could be heard a long time after they left the stage. All that leaves me to say is well done Mumford & Sons and well done to the person who bought me the tickets.

Flash Delirium - MGMT

It feels like it has been far to long since we have been able to feast our ears on some new MGMT audio gold.
Well that moment has finally arrived and three guesses who this one was inspired by. 'Flash Delirium' is almost definitely (if not deliberately) a Bowie-esque tune. It stops short of some of Bowies weirdness but lets face it thats not saying much, MGMT level strange genius is very much still alive in this new record, and thank our surfing monkeys for that! Enjoy.
Flash Delirium - MGMT

Back To Back - Wolf Gang

Thanks to BIGSTEREO for this one. Excellent new track from Wolf Gang. I love the tracks echoed lyrics, they make the guitar and piano riffs even more brilliant when they come in. If this is what we are supposed to judge the new album from I am 100% excited.
Back To Back - Wolf Gang

Spanish Sahara - Foals (Music Video)

Wow. Thats all i can say really, WOW. I tell a lie, its not really all i can say. i can say many more words than wow, including a lot which would fit a description for this amazing new song and video from Foals.
The song is such a huge leap from the bands overly jaunty first album, you can really hear the maturity in their sound. 'Spanish Sahara' starts with an eerie heart beat bass drum. The lyrics gradually flow over this creating a sound reminiscent of early Radiohead. The songs grows into itself allowing any listener to become immersed in Foals new sound and to appreciate every angle of it. The build up of the seven minutes culminates in an epic weave of drum and guitar which left me speechless and moving my cursor towards the repeat button. I have also included a remix by Mount Kimbie for you to download below. Enjoy.
Spanish Sahara - Foals (Mount Kimbie Remix)

This To Shall Pass - Ok Go (Music Video)

Ok Go have done it again. Another legendary video from the people who brought you synchronized treadmill-ing and psychedelic WTF?.

Cousins - Mumford & Sons (Vampire Weekend Cover)

Are you ready for the most insanely good cover of the last few years. If you thought the original was good try this little folky number, it makes me think that it would be a good idea if Mumford & Sons just sung all other songs because 99.9999999999% of those covers would probably be pure gold. Just like this one. Enjoy.
Cousins - Mumford & Sons (Vampire Weekend Cover)

Hustle - Tunng (Music Video)

Stylo - Gorillaz (Music Video feat. Bruce Willis)

You can now stream the album here.

Undercover Martyn (Passion Pit Remix) - Two Door Cinema Club

As if the album release wasn't good enough, Passion Pit have done a remix of 'Undercover Martyn'. Please........ Help.......Indie........... Overload. Download Below.

Undercover Martyn (Passion Pit Remix) - Two Door Cinema Club 

Newcastle Music Scene: March

Another great month for music in Newcastle, all venues are packed with a great line-up for March. The pick of the bunch was an easy choice really, Mumford & Sons at Newcastle Union. I was extremely excited for this gig even more so when i found out Fanfarlo are supporting them. Mumford & sons have already established themselves as one of the best new bands both on record and live, I can't quite believe my luck that they are playing such a small venue with such an excellent support band.