"You! Me! Dancing!" by Los Campesinos
Got to be my favorite record at the minute from the Cardiff seven piece. When the indie charts seem to be getting good again, we've got brooding bluesy rock and roll from Cold War Kids, "that one with the wiked riff" - Charlotte Hatherly song (Behave) , Jamie T creating evocative masterpieces of every drunken night out ever (roll on Monday, though I can't afford the fucking album).
So it's a good time, the musical veins are pumping again, but even in this warm and sunny indie climate "You! Me! Dancing!" stands out. It's a beautiful mix, it's light refreshing, a fab lollie on a sunny day. Icing, hundreds and thousands and lolly all on one little stick. For point of comparison (yes, I know all band comparisons are lazy journalism, but it saves description..) it makes me happy for the same reason listening to Belle and Sebastian makes me happy.
It's a long one too, it's rare that a "first I've heard from a band.." can clock in at 6:28 and not seem like a long track, I'm a devil for skipping tracks and so-far this has been played through to the end everytime.
The first minute of the track is simply mellow guitar work, casual calm like a Yo La Tengo track or something by Doves - this would make a great song by itself. Ahhh, and it builds up into simple drumming, simple guitar riff (reminiscent of hearing the demo of Arctic Monkeys "A Certain Romance" for the first time.. gawd, what a feeling, and so fucking long ago!) and subtle cutesy xylaphone and SNES sounding keyboard plinking plonking along. Unpretensious cheerful feel good indie sounds.
The lyrics run along in what could almost be a contrast to the dancefloors of Jamie T, whilst Mr Traeys gives us sharp gritty pissed-off-your-face visions of those nights out, here we get the tongue in cheek tipsy description of shameless pretension free enjoyment:
"..you think that we're all just scenesters, and even if you were its not the scene your thinking of /just taking props from all these boyband fashions - all crop tops and testosterone passions "
with the chorus of "it's you! it's me! it's dancing!" = instant singalong, with a contrasting refrain from female vocalist "one thing I can never express, is that I can't dance a single step" taking it away from the the realm of an overly simplified poppypoppop indie.
Ending the track with an overlapping monologue with that (oh so lovely) riff works a treat (I'm a sucker for this in any track anyways; I Could Be Dreaming by Belle and Sebastian! Anthrax by Gang Of Four!) the words difficult to pick out but for the ending, and perfect optimistic summary of any night out; "we're stupid, but were happy".
Thats what I like the song for, it's cheery, lighthearted and optimistic without being poppypoppop-ily simplistic. It's smart and going places :) - signed to Wichita Recordings it's not long before they uh, "hit the big time". Or something, lets hope they stay beautifully obscure loved and treasured by blog geeks.
Right, lets bring the itunes playcount into double figures..
Hear it here at their MySpace
What did you think?
Friday, January 26, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Ten To Set The Cat Amongst The Pigeons In 2007
I have an exclusive which rivals My Bloody Valentine saying 'we going to do another album' in the music-related news nuggets. 5pMusic is returned after an undeserved hiatus, I was going to write just after Xmas but I have been busy.
I have identified in music scouting ways 'Ten To Set The Cat Amongst The Pigeons In 2007', these bands in my humble opinion are either bands set to make a breakthrough and they will become an Indie marmite 'The Kooks, anyone?' or geniunely a quality act who deserve any success their way and if I can set someone else on to them, that's good.
They will be five revealed today and five tomorrow with 'a five we are already aware of' on Wednesday.
1. Cold War Kids.
Hotly-tipped from across the Atlantic, Cold War Kids manage to bring something onto an already over-populated Indie scene. 2007 will concern in particular with bands and artists who have something different to add instead of the music which is following a forumalic plan. It did get a tad boring towards the end of 2006 as bands who had little depth, kept re-releasing singles and nothing was exciting for the casual listener to hear. Cold War Kids however manage to be fresh and appealing despite having the make-up of a 4 white-man guitar band. Their album which finally hits here on Feb 5th despite it being available on import for a while should be an album which many will say could re-vitalises many's outlook on a tired indie scene.
2. The Maccabees
In many ways, they have a similar pattern to Cold War Kids. They have all the familarities we have seen or heard before but there is much more context to this five-piece from Brighton. Despite gaining internet hype and being around a while, they shrewdly decided to avoid revealing themselves in 2006 and said this should the year. Their sweet mix of Indie was enough for their first full single to hit no.40 (what does that mean anymore with the bleeding downloads ruling?) and the signs are good that the album in the offering should be a good 'un.
3. Klaxons
The enigma of Klaxons has been brooding for some time. Unrealistic predictions and uncalled for lauding have undoubtedly clouded a band before an album as been released. The bottom line is that their singles so far have remained light-hearted and fun. Their mix of dance with indie should be viewed as nothing more than that. They do the simple 3 minute 'ram down your throat' very well and the claims that they are forefathers of some revolutions are just plain wrong. It's fair to say that their album will be a seller, whether it gains applauds from an excepting audience is another.
4. Fields
Fields are the kind of band you imagine yourself listening to on a cold Autumn night at roughly 5 o clock in the middle of the week and all that's on television is cookery programmes or chat shows presented by highly camp people. They are cosmopolitian mix from Reykjavik, Birmingham and London who delight in creating epic songs with the intention of tweeness, a band which despite have a large collection of members and variety of instruments remains a unit and not a mess. This superb brand of music sparked a bidding war and Atlantic came on top with the band carving out a deal which meant their work could still be released through their own lable Black Lap. The single 'If You Fail,We All Fail' was well received last Autumn and their debut is eagerly awaited.
5. I Was A Cub Scout
This impressive duo from Nottingham are set to be the UK's answer to the subpop label with their synth-based indie akin to the Postal Service. 2007 is set to be a year of 'squad-building and consolidation', plenty of touring and writing. Their early promise was showcased on single 'Pink Squares' and they remain an extremely young prospect who will surely develop into a more stronger, bittersweet beast. My advice keep an ear out for any singles released this year or alternatively catch them on their tour in March which is just about everywhere except Leicester (Mansfield, Merthyr Tydfil or Arbroath anyone), probably bitter Notts Forest fans anyway.
I have identified in music scouting ways 'Ten To Set The Cat Amongst The Pigeons In 2007', these bands in my humble opinion are either bands set to make a breakthrough and they will become an Indie marmite 'The Kooks, anyone?' or geniunely a quality act who deserve any success their way and if I can set someone else on to them, that's good.
They will be five revealed today and five tomorrow with 'a five we are already aware of' on Wednesday.
1. Cold War Kids.
Hotly-tipped from across the Atlantic, Cold War Kids manage to bring something onto an already over-populated Indie scene. 2007 will concern in particular with bands and artists who have something different to add instead of the music which is following a forumalic plan. It did get a tad boring towards the end of 2006 as bands who had little depth, kept re-releasing singles and nothing was exciting for the casual listener to hear. Cold War Kids however manage to be fresh and appealing despite having the make-up of a 4 white-man guitar band. Their album which finally hits here on Feb 5th despite it being available on import for a while should be an album which many will say could re-vitalises many's outlook on a tired indie scene.
2. The Maccabees
In many ways, they have a similar pattern to Cold War Kids. They have all the familarities we have seen or heard before but there is much more context to this five-piece from Brighton. Despite gaining internet hype and being around a while, they shrewdly decided to avoid revealing themselves in 2006 and said this should the year. Their sweet mix of Indie was enough for their first full single to hit no.40 (what does that mean anymore with the bleeding downloads ruling?) and the signs are good that the album in the offering should be a good 'un.
3. Klaxons
The enigma of Klaxons has been brooding for some time. Unrealistic predictions and uncalled for lauding have undoubtedly clouded a band before an album as been released. The bottom line is that their singles so far have remained light-hearted and fun. Their mix of dance with indie should be viewed as nothing more than that. They do the simple 3 minute 'ram down your throat' very well and the claims that they are forefathers of some revolutions are just plain wrong. It's fair to say that their album will be a seller, whether it gains applauds from an excepting audience is another.
4. Fields
Fields are the kind of band you imagine yourself listening to on a cold Autumn night at roughly 5 o clock in the middle of the week and all that's on television is cookery programmes or chat shows presented by highly camp people. They are cosmopolitian mix from Reykjavik, Birmingham and London who delight in creating epic songs with the intention of tweeness, a band which despite have a large collection of members and variety of instruments remains a unit and not a mess. This superb brand of music sparked a bidding war and Atlantic came on top with the band carving out a deal which meant their work could still be released through their own lable Black Lap. The single 'If You Fail,We All Fail' was well received last Autumn and their debut is eagerly awaited.
5. I Was A Cub Scout
This impressive duo from Nottingham are set to be the UK's answer to the subpop label with their synth-based indie akin to the Postal Service. 2007 is set to be a year of 'squad-building and consolidation', plenty of touring and writing. Their early promise was showcased on single 'Pink Squares' and they remain an extremely young prospect who will surely develop into a more stronger, bittersweet beast. My advice keep an ear out for any singles released this year or alternatively catch them on their tour in March which is just about everywhere except Leicester (Mansfield, Merthyr Tydfil or Arbroath anyone), probably bitter Notts Forest fans anyway.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Half Man Half Biscuit
Half-Man Half-Biscuit.
Even the name gets me. To most of the world they get a "Who?!" and sometimes a "What?", but to those who've sampled this rare, odd, surreal delight theres just a wide knowing grin.
First half heard on (often plugged, favorite radio station) 6 music The song was a reworking of Ian Dury and the Blockheads "Reasons to be cheerful" - Reasons To Be Miserable. Now I'm a geek for wordplay and puns (read: pretensious english student) so this stuck in my mind.
Confused and more than a little intruiged I found myself to be an unknowing Half Man Half Biscuit fan. It's funny what you find out about yourself.
A year later I hear a fast paced near punk style track "Joy Division Oven Gloves". And yes, the track is about said oven gloves. This gives some clue to what HMHB can build a song on. Bloody anything. From daytime TV, pancake day, Scalectrix, to Dukla Prague football team away kits.
So whats good about them?
It's absurd, surreal, but bad sounding enough to avoid being novelty. Its cynical observations about things not even worth knowing. Everything you'd never want to hear about in a song.
Lyrics like "is your child hyper-active, or, is he perhaps a twat?" are just perfect, its a license to be a lunatic because you (and probably, just you) know it's from some HMHB tune. What other band offers the pleasure of lamenting about staff at a petrol station like the track "24 Hour Garage People"?
"You curse my soul if I don't want petrol
You curse my sould if I don't want petrol,
I only came down for a tube of pringles..
..sour cheese and chives"
"and you say, "£1.33!".
Instead of "that'll be 1.33 please sir"
this is done to annoy me, but has the opposite effect
of amusing me,
because now I've got plenty of other things to have..
and plenty of time on my hands.."
You'll be singing "I'll have ten kit kats and a motoring atlas!" within seconds. Its mental, and thats why I love it. It's quintessentially British, the musical equivalent to Monty Python surrealism. But working class, on the dole, and from Merseyside.
They "formed" in the mid 80s, disbanded and reformed all over the time between then and now. Their first LP Back in the DHSS (1986) was the biggest selling LP of the independent chart -recorded for £40 by a mate at the studio where Nigel Blackwell (lyrics, vocals, guitar) was a caretaker.
John Peel got a copy and loved it.
Rock and Roll exess followed -after 1986s single "Dickie Davis Eyes" Nigel decided to retire and go back to the dole because he was missing too much daytime TV.
They also (twice) turned down appearing on Channel 4s "The Tube" rock show because Transmere Rovers were playing, dispite good old Channel 4 offering a helicopter to get them back to the game.
Just shows the sense of dedication to rock and roll. (I'd call it shambolic, but I've heard the Libertines described such, .. I won't even give them the pleasure..)
It's this pointless lack of ambition, unpretensious throw away tracks about everyday boredom, thats what makes me a fan, a fan who's only heard one album and countless interwebbed MP3s.
- to hear random crap that doesn't take itself seriously. Musical moanings about anything - modern culture. inde kids (we've got tie die we've got lo fi.. stickers on guitars..a tape for Steve Lamaq, but what aint we got?, we aint got mates) Pancake day. Countryside road signs. Guerrila Gigs (just been performing a guerrilla gig, in the middle of another bands guerrila gig, well surely thats the ultimate guerrila gig, but still they cried like girls) Motley Crue. ("help me Mrs Medlicot I don't know what to do, I've only got three bullets and theres four in Motley Crue") Pete Doherty's tattoos. Glastonbury. (you call Glastonbury"Glasto", you'd love to go there one day, once they've put up the gun towers to keep the hippies away)
Maybe listening to them will cause nothing but a temporary giggle, and a "what was that?", it's charmingly odd. And charmingly odd is part of the national psyche. You could call them naff rubbish sounding novelty - all Half Man Half Biscuit would do is take another sip of beer and turn up the volume for the Transmere Rovers game.
Stand out tracks-
What did you think?
Even the name gets me. To most of the world they get a "Who?!" and sometimes a "What?", but to those who've sampled this rare, odd, surreal delight theres just a wide knowing grin.
First half heard on (often plugged, favorite radio station) 6 music The song was a reworking of Ian Dury and the Blockheads "Reasons to be cheerful" - Reasons To Be Miserable. Now I'm a geek for wordplay and puns (read: pretensious english student) so this stuck in my mind.
Confused and more than a little intruiged I found myself to be an unknowing Half Man Half Biscuit fan. It's funny what you find out about yourself.
A year later I hear a fast paced near punk style track "Joy Division Oven Gloves". And yes, the track is about said oven gloves. This gives some clue to what HMHB can build a song on. Bloody anything. From daytime TV, pancake day, Scalectrix, to Dukla Prague football team away kits.
So whats good about them?
It's absurd, surreal, but bad sounding enough to avoid being novelty. Its cynical observations about things not even worth knowing. Everything you'd never want to hear about in a song.
Lyrics like "is your child hyper-active, or, is he perhaps a twat?" are just perfect, its a license to be a lunatic because you (and probably, just you) know it's from some HMHB tune. What other band offers the pleasure of lamenting about staff at a petrol station like the track "24 Hour Garage People"?
"You curse my soul if I don't want petrol
You curse my sould if I don't want petrol,
I only came down for a tube of pringles..
..sour cheese and chives"
"and you say, "£1.33!".
Instead of "that'll be 1.33 please sir"
this is done to annoy me, but has the opposite effect
of amusing me,
because now I've got plenty of other things to have..
and plenty of time on my hands.."
You'll be singing "I'll have ten kit kats and a motoring atlas!" within seconds. Its mental, and thats why I love it. It's quintessentially British, the musical equivalent to Monty Python surrealism. But working class, on the dole, and from Merseyside.
They "formed" in the mid 80s, disbanded and reformed all over the time between then and now. Their first LP Back in the DHSS (1986) was the biggest selling LP of the independent chart -recorded for £40 by a mate at the studio where Nigel Blackwell (lyrics, vocals, guitar) was a caretaker.
John Peel got a copy and loved it.
Rock and Roll exess followed -after 1986s single "Dickie Davis Eyes" Nigel decided to retire and go back to the dole because he was missing too much daytime TV.
They also (twice) turned down appearing on Channel 4s "The Tube" rock show because Transmere Rovers were playing, dispite good old Channel 4 offering a helicopter to get them back to the game.
Just shows the sense of dedication to rock and roll. (I'd call it shambolic, but I've heard the Libertines described such, .. I won't even give them the pleasure..)
It's this pointless lack of ambition, unpretensious throw away tracks about everyday boredom, thats what makes me a fan, a fan who's only heard one album and countless interwebbed MP3s.
- to hear random crap that doesn't take itself seriously. Musical moanings about anything - modern culture. inde kids (we've got tie die we've got lo fi.. stickers on guitars..a tape for Steve Lamaq, but what aint we got?, we aint got mates) Pancake day. Countryside road signs. Guerrila Gigs (just been performing a guerrilla gig, in the middle of another bands guerrila gig, well surely thats the ultimate guerrila gig, but still they cried like girls) Motley Crue. ("help me Mrs Medlicot I don't know what to do, I've only got three bullets and theres four in Motley Crue") Pete Doherty's tattoos. Glastonbury. (you call Glastonbury"Glasto", you'd love to go there one day, once they've put up the gun towers to keep the hippies away)
Maybe listening to them will cause nothing but a temporary giggle, and a "what was that?", it's charmingly odd. And charmingly odd is part of the national psyche. You could call them naff rubbish sounding novelty - all Half Man Half Biscuit would do is take another sip of beer and turn up the volume for the Transmere Rovers game.
Stand out tracks-
"24 hour garage people"
"Four Skinny Indie Kids" "..drinking weak lager in a camden boozer"
"Four Skinny Indie Kids" "..drinking weak lager in a camden boozer"
"Paintballs coming home"
"Joy Division Oven Gloves"
"CORGI Registered Friends" - "in the kingdom of the blind it's said the one eyed man is king, and in the kingdom of the bland, it's nine o' clock on ITV.."
Hear them-
The nice and detailed fan site, complete with section telling you what the hell the lyrics and references mean. Also, plenty of old Peel sessions and Andy Kershaw recordings which are well worth checking out.
"Joy Division Oven Gloves"
"CORGI Registered Friends" - "in the kingdom of the blind it's said the one eyed man is king, and in the kingdom of the bland, it's nine o' clock on ITV.."
Hear them-
The nice and detailed fan site, complete with section telling you what the hell the lyrics and references mean. Also, plenty of old Peel sessions and Andy Kershaw recordings which are well worth checking out.
What did you think?
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