Song Of The Week

Mm. Another week gone into the eternal whirlpool of time.

Song Of The Week:  Engine 88, Mangos. You know I love Sordid Humor? Well, this is the band the singer joined after they broke up (which is a pity, but at least we got Engine 88 for a few albums)

Album Of The Second:  Monsters of Folk. I don't know where I stand with this album. I mean, it's got some really good songs on it, but at points it goes too psych-folk for me (it's got a lot of country in the mix too). It's not really all that focused, so don't go buying it without having a good listen to it on YouTube first.

Mollx

The Perils Of Bandwagon Jumping

Four days ago, Poly Styrene died.
Today, it's the Royal Wedding.

Am I going to commemorate these things?
Contrary Moll: No, because that would be me jumping squarely onto a bandwagon.
Not-So-Contrary Moll: Yes, because you can't not-do-things just because everyone else is doing them.
Contrary Moll: *eye roll*
Not-So-Contrary Moll: *self-satisfied smirk*

I can't argue with myself forever (Mum just bought me a new jacket. She said it'd help.) So, whaddamagonnadoboutit?

This. One of my favourites off Apologies To The Queen Mary.
This. From what I've heard, he used to stand in the street and hassle people into buying his music. Nice marketing technique, Dan.

This. Tenuous I know, but think about it.
This. Some title, eh? (And, commendable fitting-in of the word "vitamins")

Mollx

Is This The Apocalypse?

A not at all melodramatic post from the dark recesses of the interwebs. Cue screams.

THE SINGLE IS VANISHING!
Yeah, we know. Calm down.

I've never been a buyer of singles. Foolish of me I suppose, since that means I've missed out on a load of b-sides and have to track them down on YouTube instead.

Soft, drawling vocals.
Graceful piano.
Swoon-worthy strings.
And the best drummer ever, umm, drumming.
IT'S A NEW TRACK BY THE NATIONAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Moll hyperventilates*
The National, Exile Vilify. If you're a 'National nut like me, you'll have already heard Think You Can Wait. If you haven't, rectify the situation. Like, now.

I've been having trouble with this theme; b-sides that were only ever b-sides. It's taken me about fifteen minutes to find this song. REM, There She Goes Again.

WAIT WAIT WAIT THIS WAS A B-SIDE??????? I don't understand that. It's a brilliant song.
The Smiths - Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want

Mollx

A Result of Blogger's Block

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGH!

Why. 

Why, oh WHY do I ALWAYS go blank? Why?

I like this guy. He reminds me of Robin Pecknold from Fleet Foxes. Chad VanGaalen, Sara (possibly his new single. Not sure though)

Still on the VanGaalen boy (as I shall now call him, though if truth be told he's older than me) My favourite of his - City Of Electric Light

And just a random find - Rapid Bits Of Time (Melancholy. But that's my stock-in-trade.)  

Mollxx

Label Day: Bar None Records

I'm getting Joy Division vibes off of this, which is more than fine by me. The Embarrassment, Beautiful Day

Now this band has been lurking in my peripheral vision for a while. I know they exist, yes, and I've heard a couple of their songs, but never really listened to them as such. It's probably about time I did. Yo La Tengo, The Summer

I must have 'One-Of-The-People-In-This-Band-Is-Or-Has-Been-In-A-Band-With-Conor-Oberst' radar. Case in point: Lullaby For The Working Class. Mike Mogis, who is currently in MOF and Bright Eyes, and Ted Stevens, who although never having been in on of his bands, has worked on several BE albums and is also in a band with a guy who was in Commander Venus once upon a time. There's today's musical geekdom over with. Lullaby For The Working Class, Hypnotist

Mollx

(Soundtrack) Music Monday II

There are so many soundtracks in the world.

So I think I'm justified in doing this again, since I'm tired and recycling old themes is what I do when I'm tired.

For a grunge fan(atic) I don't listen to enough Screaming Trees. Sounds like Goo Goo Dolls could have done if the success of Dizzy Up The Girl hadn't gone to their heads and they'd continued to make punk rock instead of going all MOR. From the soundtrack of Singles, Screaming Trees with Nearly Lost You

Total genre change here - a bit of a guilty pleasure for me this one, from 13 Going On 30. Soft Cell, Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go ( the one on the soundtrack is just Tainted Love, but who can beat two tracks for the price of one?) And to regain a tiny little bit of my creditability back, the Marilyn Manson version.

She's on Later with Jools Holland this week. Bound to be good - I've been disappointed with this series so far (the content has been a mixture of jazz, blues and MOR - very little originality) but I'm looking forward to this episode. From The Crow: City Of Angels, PJ Harvey, Naked Cousin 

Mollxx

Thank God For Search Engines

I'm in a pickle. See, it's Easter Sunday (you'd never have guessed) and I want to be topical. But I can't do a "Sunday" theme, since I've already done something very similar. A theme of rebirth is just plain tacky. So what to do? Find songs that themselves don't know what to do, of course!

I love this song (again.) Joe Strummer = totally awesome. The Clash, Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

It's about time shouty music made a reappearance. If you like melody look away now (or should that be listen away?) Husker Du, Indecision Time

Post Punk now? Oh, go on. No? Oh, go on! Bomb Circle, Indecision  

Mollx

Song Of The Week

Well, it's that time again!

Today's SOTW is a eighties classic. No, it's not Spandau Ballet. I saw it in a film last night and it struck me again  how fantastic this song is. It's one of my Mum's go-to kitchen karaoke songs (next to Kaiser Cheifs Ruby). Billy Idol, White Wedding

AOTS right now is Pulp's Different Class. It's got Common People on it. And Disco 2000. Both of which you have to know the words to. It's the law, people. I don't make this stuff up...

Mollxx

P.S. By the way, I've heard My Chemical Romance's version of Common People.

It's not that awful.

It's just...not Pulp's version. And yes, smart-alec in the corner, I know that's stating the obvious. But when you grow up with one and then hear the other, never having had the time for MCR, you can't help but feel like covering such an iconic track was a stupid idea on their part.

Besides, Gerard Way is nowhere near as cool as Jarvis Cocker.  

Motion Sickness

Well today has been eventful. Colwyn Bay - Llandudno - Bangor, going all around looking for tMG's All Eternals Deck. No luck. I did, however, find Bright Eyes' Motion Sickness (i.e. the only BE album I didn't have.)


TV On The Radio, Halfway Home. Sorry to hear Gerard Smith died of lung cancer a few days ago.

Iggy Pop, The Passenger. Mainstream, I know. Don't particularly care. (Besides, it wasn't when it came out, so ha.)

The Mountain Goats, Going To Maine (I had to. That, Going To Georgia, and Anti-Music Song have been on repeat all week)

Mollxx

PS.


tMG, Anti-Music Song

(Moll breaks into hysterical laughter, especially at the mispronunciation of Morrisey)

The 27 Club

It's bank holiday time! (That has no bearing on today's theme. It's just an observation.)

I had opportunity yesterday, in response to a comment my Mum made about the perpetual moodiness of Pete Townshend, to quote Nirvana's Serve The Servants ("Teenage angst has paid off well/ Now I'm bored and old"). As a result, I started thinking about other musicians who died at 27. Turns out there are quite a few.

*looks at floor bashfully because, although this isn't riot-grrrl, it's damn close*  AWESOME! The Gits, Second Skin  (Also, an honourable mention for their cover of Sam Cooke's A Change Is Gonna Come)

I have no idea what he's singing, but he looks and sounds pretty cool. Plus, he's only playing two chords and yet it sounds fantastic! Alexander Bashlachev, Vremya Kolokolchikov

I'm sure either Last fm. or Youtube has recommended this band to me before. Now I see why. I have a bit of a hidden love of experimental rock. The Mars Volta, Televators

Mollxx

The Youtube Trail, II

Don't look at me like that. I liked doing it last time!

Starting with this piece of awesome folky-ness, Blitzen Trapper  - Furr (I'm not a fan of the religious overtones, but I love the song anyhow). 4/5 stars.

More Americana-y awesome! Bon Iver, RE: Stacks (I was a little underwhelmed at first, but I really like it now.) 4/5.

There's a theme developing here. So? The Tallest Man On Earth, It Will Follow The Rain (Funny. I thought the tallest man on earth was Sultan Kosen.) 5/5

13/15, in all. Not bad!

Mollxx

Label Day: Jade Tree

That well known online encyclopaedia says "noise rock". I disagree.

Spacey, eerie and distinctly chilling - Denali, Relief.

Aww...Gin Blossoms recorded in a drain anyone? No, just me? Never mind. onelinedrawing, Smile. (and for comparison, Hey Jealousy)

Back cometh that 90's sound! Don't cha just love it? I had a obsession with it about a year ago. And I still adore it. God, I was born in the wrong decade. The Promise Ring, Emergency! Emergency!

Mollx

(Mancunian) Music Monday

Well, Joy Division, The Smiths and The Stone Roses all hail from Manchester, as do I. There's also a possibility of a Mancunian version of the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame (which, incidentally, I like the idea of...).

Anyway, I mentioned The Stone Roses, so here they are with Waterfall. Every time this comes on I have to stop what I'm doing and listen. Although rumours of them reforming have been shot down (again), that doesn't mean we can't just enjoy the music now does it?

I don't know much about this band. I suppose, being the recluses that they apparently are, they'd be pleased by that. WU LYF, Lucifer Calling 

I love indie pop like this. I can't remember how I found out about them...but hey, I have, and I like 'em. The Answering Machine, Cliffer. Plus, they have a female bassist. What's not to love?

Mollx

Song Of The Week

Sorry this is extremely late!

SOTW: I know I'm forever banging on about him, but today's SOTW is Elliott Smith, No Name 4. This is the first song of his I heard, courtesy of the old Radcliffe & Maconie show when it was on Radio 2 (it's on 6 Music now. Don't know if I've said that before) It's from Roman Candle, and although it's not his best song it lead me to discovering The Mountain Goats and Bright Eyes. So I owe this song a lot. And I would've saved a lot of money if I'd never heard it.

AOTS: Roman Candle. It's awesome - but then it always would have been, it being an ES album n'all.

Mollx  

The Results Are In!

Well, I didn't get any of the RSD exclusives (did you? Tell me in the comments so I can get jealous). But it was most certainly not a wasted trip! On the vinyl front:

Elliott Smith, Roman Candle. (brand new 12" with an mp3 download card. Awesome)
The Raincoats self-titled. (also with a mp3 download card. It wasn't sealed though so that may have been used)
Throwing Muses, Hunkpapa (used, in a gorgeous sleeve)
Buffalo Tom, Birdbrain. (used, but in good condition)
Shonen Knife, Get The Wow (as above)
Lupine Howl, The Carnivorous Lunar Activities of Lupine Howl (unsealed but looks new)
Six. By Seven, The Way I Feel Today (good condition, possibly unused)
The Pooh Sticks, Formula One Generation (used, reasonable condition)

And three CDs:
Elliott Smith, Figure 8
Elliott Smith, From A Basement On The Hill (they had a lot of ES stuff. I'm only missing one album now.)
Regina Spektor, Far

All in all, cost me £80 - so £7.27 each which is very reasonable. I'm very very happy indeed.

Catch ya later with the SOTW!

Mollx

The Run-Up To The Royal Wedding, Pt 3

The last of the run-ups - tomorrow is the day!

How have I not heard of this guy? Nice laid-back acoustic pop-rock, like a good James Blunt. Al Lewis, The Arsonist (7" single b/w Road Rage)

Another band I'd heard shamefully little of, bar Living Is Easy which has been playlisted on BBC 6 Music . British Sea Power, Who's In Control (it's with the aforementioned track, limited to 500 copies)

Now, is it at all surprising I like this guy? Er...nah. Villagers, Set The Tigers Free. He's doing a split 7" with Charlotte Gainsbourg.

I'll report tomorrow or Sunday on what I manage to unearth in Bangor tomorrow!

Mollx

The Run-Up To The Royal Wedding, Pt 2

I have three more for you! (Are you excited yet? How about now? How about now? Now?)

This is cool. This is very, very cool. Miles Kane, A Girl Like You (Edwyn Collins cover) 7".

This band is doing some serious logic-defying! A three-sided single! The A-side is apparently going to be double grooved so it plays two tracks.  (I would have preferred a triangular record m'self, but each to their own.) This song'll be on it - Jesus, by DOM.

7" single, limited to 300. Very good song. No, those are not jangles. That is not an awesome bass line. And no, I don't keep pressing replay. No, I don't. The Heartbreaks, Jealous Don't You Know

(How about now?)

Mollx

The Run-Up To The Royal Wedding, Pt 1

Only kidding! No, there's something else happening that I'm REALLY starting to get psyched about! Record Store Day, this Saturday! Yes! Get thee to your local record store! Camp out if you have to! (You can tell I'm psyched, can't you)

Anyway, we start with the Record Store Day 2011 anthem. Darn good it is too, and darn funny. The View, I Need That Record.

This is probably the newest thing I've featured for a while. I think it only came out a few days ago. It's awesome rock'n'roll, and it's gonna be out on RSD on white 7" vinyl. Arctic Monkeys, Don't Sit Down 'Coz I've Moved Your Chair

7" coloured vinyl this one, with "I Won't Be Long" on the b-side. Nice and airy and a bit girly. Like a lighter Warpaint. Personally I like their gravitas, but this is very good too. Vivian Girls, I Heard You Say.

There are countless others, but if I post them all now then I won't have enough for tomorrow & Friday.

Mollx

Label Day: Ugly Nephew Records.

I like a good label aesthetic. This label seems to have a great one."Ugly Nephew Records is an independent record label based in both London and New York. It is intended to play host to a small community of artists in order to facilitate their promotion and releases." Thanks, Wikipedia!


First up we have The Momeraths, with The Boyfriend Song.


Yeah, yeah, yeah. Predictability once again. Ain't it great? Ali Whitton, Ali Whitton's Dream


This is more interesting than it first sounds. I love the bass line. The Cellophane Flowers, If I Was A Girl


Ooh...look here!


Mollx

(Ain't No) Music Monday

Since this is Tuesday, and most definitely not Monday, "Ain't No" seemed a half-decent theme.

Well, this is a grubby song. I feel they should invest in better kit. Black Time, Hostile Cosmos (from the album Double Negative) By the way, it sounds better on second listen. 

What am I going through?  A goddamn underground metal phase? Jesus. Although I suppose it's good I'm branching out. Fellsilent, Double Negative. This song deserves headphones. Not tinny laptop speakers. 

Doomy, but in another way. A very good way. If you like Laura Marling, click thee here. Emily Jane White, Dark Undercoat (the Double Negative in this case is the label.)

Mollx

Celebrities. They Get Everywhere.

They even inject themselves into indie music.

Is it at all surprising I like this band? Interpol, Leif Erikson

Yes, that guy from Judas Priest. Sun Kil Moon, Glenn Tipton

Strangely, I think this song would be better (and also more tearjerking, although it's tearjerking enough already) if Elliott himself had sung it. Ben Folds, Late.

Mollx

Song Of The Week

Song Of The Week: This song always makes me laugh. The Ramones, Blitzkreig Bop

AOTS: Digital Ash In A Digital Urn - Bright Eyes. To say I loved the album when I first heard it, I haven't listened to it since. Strange. Well, here I am rectifying the situation.

Mollx

Is It a Bird? Is It A Plane? No, It's Superman!

Err, nah. it's a supergroup. Slight difference.

I don't know quite where I stand with this group. I love "A Man Of Science" but I posted that ages ago, so that's a no-go. Oh, mind you, this song is growing on me now. Yup. I'm sold. Maybe I should pay the metal section of HMV more attention. Orbs, Sayer Of The Law

Hold the electro-boat! I wish to board! This is extremely good. Dangermouse and James Mercer (i.e. one of the guys from Gnarls Barkley and that singer from the Shins) otherwise known as Broken Bells. Broken Bells, The Ghost Inside 

Another adored song. Only I know the acoustic version. The Raconteurs, Steady As She Goes

Mollx

The Peel Sessions, S-Z

The last one! *whimper* And yes, I know all these bands are from "T".  I did look through the other letters, but these stood out the most.

*Molly sighs at her own predictability* The Telescopes, Everso

Well, the band name doesn't go with the sound! Think more "Terminal" than "Cheesecake". Terminal Cheesecake, Kurt

I've been wanting to hear this for months (actually, more like a year), but I didn't remember the title and then forgot about it. Gods of Fate, I owe you one. Trembling Blue Stars, Sometimes I Still Feel The Bruise

After that last one, I don't feel like tracking anything else down. I don't think I could find anything to beat it.

Mollx

I Can't Tell What They're Saying...

PUNKPUNKPUNKPUNKKKKKKKKKKK!


Only, I can't understand 'em. Not that I can understand many English punk bands for that matter.

This is a bloody cool song. Never mind that it's one of the best known French punk songs ever, and my French only just covers bonjour and merci. Plastic Bertrand, Ca Plane Pour Moi

Sorry. I probably shouldn't laugh. But this is ridiculous. And also good. Polysics, Catch On Everywhere. I assume it's not English. Helium voices are hard to decipher.

I like this. It sounds good, but I don't speak German either so for all I know it's rubbish. I am happy just to enjoy it in innocence, however. Die Arzte, Lasse Redn 

Mollx

Label Day: Damaged Goods

You know, even though it usually takes a fair chunk of research (believe it or not, I don't have an encyclopaedia of record labels and their rosters filed away in my brain) I really enjoy doing Label Day. I hope you like reading/listening as much as I do writing.

I loved this after five seconds. Sounds like Johnny Rotten singing a Franz Ferdinand song, 'cept more melodic (this, incase there's any doubt, is a Good Thing). Cyanide Pills, Making Her Mind Up  Plus, it's as catchy as they come.

This is girly. It's punk. But it gets excited about shoes. And handbags. And it goes aww! over kittens. Betty and the Werewolves, Euston Station

This, on the other hand, is not girly. Rock'n'roll, man! The Wolfmen, Jackie Says

Mollx

The Peel Sessions O-R (Monday's Real Post)

Mmm. Jangly. Good. of Arrowe Hill, Dreams Of A Sunday Always Waiting

More jangles! I'm like a jangle addict. Seriously. Paris Angels, Perfume

Oh, guess what. No jangles! No, no, no, you're mistaken. This sounds like a Welsh Vaselines with no jangles whatsoever. The Pooh Sticks, Teenage High

OOoh. This makes no sense. I like it. Rollerskate Skinny, Violence to Violence.

Mollx

(Mothers Day) Music Monday...

...even though I was supposed to do this on Sunday.

Well, I managed to get my long suffering Mum some appropriate gifts. Not from the petrol station however - I doubt Mum would have appreciated fruit pastilles and screenwash.

Shaky voiced indie! Guess what? It's right up my street. Devendra Banhart, Hey Mama Wolf

I don't expect anyone to listen to the whole of this. I certainly didn't. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it's not about to hold my interest for quarter of an hour. Red House Painters, Mother

I'm surprised I haven't put these guys up yet. I had them on my list of 'Bands I Will, Someday, Get Addicted Too'. No addiction has raised its sweet head yet though (I seem to have reverted back to the Mountain Goats...never mind). Belle and Sebastian, Slow Graffitti

Mollx

Song Of The Week

It's a busy day, day-before-Mother's-Day. I'm sure there are people out there with hard-to-buy-for mothers that feel my pain. Ah well, the petrol station's open late tonight.

Song Of The Week: Frightened Rabbit, Swim Until You Can't See Land. *Are you a man? Are you a bag of sand?*


Album Of The Second: Dark Was The Night, Various Artists. A great charity compilation album from Red Hot. Most notable tracks: Grizzly Bear Deep Blue Sea, Dave Sitek A Girl Like You, Feist & Ben Gibbard Train Song, and Anthony (of Anthony and the Johnsons) and Bryce Dessner I Was Young When I Left Home).

Mollx

And Just To Finish Up...

SINGERS!

To my eternal shame, I know zilch about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but Karen O was the first person to jump into my mind. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maps

It's been a loooooooooooong time since I heard it, which is a pity 'cause it's an amazing song. Bat For Lashes, I'm On Fire

A lot of people have covered this song (The original is Big Star. Elliott Smith's is also a notable version). Garbage, Thirteen

Mollx