(A Tribute) Music Monday

You'll have probably heard by now about the sad death of Amy Winehouse. I can't say I'm a fan of her music particularly, but she did have a lot of talent, and that's how we should remember her.

A great live performance

One of my favourite of hers
And one that I think is one of her best

Mollx

AOTS: Various Artists, Newermind

Free with SPIN magazine, Newermind is a cover of Nirvana's Nevermind with contributions from various alternative bands/artists, from Meat Puppets to EMA. Smells Like Teen Spirit is Meat Puppets' chosen track, and keeps pretty close to the original, only with an acoustic guitar and a helluva lot more gravel. In Bloom is a lot more playful than the original, with a bit of a glam-rock shimmer lightening the heart of the song but still holding onto the ironic lyrics. The second most recognisable track from Nevermind, Come As You Are, is twisted into an electronic, auto-tuned, spooky monster by Midnight Juggarnauts. Again, Titus Andronicus have stayed faithful - it's not bad, just a little forgettable. The Vaselines' Lithium is more chilled, loosing the intensity but adding a slight haunting detachment. The vocal intertwining at the bridge lifts it a little, but even still it falls flat. Drain You, courtesy of Foxy Shazam, is, like Come As You Are, adventurous, but slightly more likeable since it keeps the dynamics of the song but shifts the genre several points closer to "Weird". Jessica Lea Mayfield's Lounge Act is as haunting as hell, filling every word with venom and feedback.

The main thing that strikes me when listening to this is how good the songs are. Not the new renditions, but the originals. Nevermind isn't my favourite Nirvana album, and it never will be, but it's only when you hear them in another context that you really appreciate them. And simarlarly it's when this collection loosens up and is as creative as they were that it really shines.

6/10


Mollx

SOTW: See My Evil, Tom Williams And The Boat

"Rock'n'roll stomp" is a phrase journalists often use when the only thing to recommend a song is a certain T-Rex influence. And yes, See My Evil does have a rock'n'roll stomp. It also has slightly awkward narrative lyrics, a driving beat, feedback drenched guitars, and a singer on the edge of a breakdown howling about lies, psychiatrists, and MPs. It's awesome, scary, and painful. But in a really, really good way.

8/10

A five track EP is also now available (containing See My Evil) for free from the Team Love Library, and the song on its own is also free from the band's website.

Mollx

Late Label Day: Dot Dash

I was sitting in the office chair, relaxing after finishing my college (high school, I think, to my dear American readers) admission letter, and it suddenly struck me. I haven't done Label Day this week. And given how disappointing the nominations were, I really shouldn't have bothered doing the Mercury Prize post instead. Or maybe I should have done both. Anyway, it's late, but it's here now, so stop pulling that face.

Mellow, dreamy alternative pop. Quite Yuck-esque if you want a comparison.

Pulsing bassline? Check. Synth? Check. Damn good? Check.

Cool drumming, cool bassline (again). Good song, but you'll do your throat in if you keep yelling like that, lassie.

Mollx

The Mercury Music Prize, A Sequel

So, who should have been on the list, eh?

First up I have grunge-pop lovelies Yuck, with Georgia.

I'm trying to convince myself to buy their new album, whilst also trying to convince myself that it's ok to buy the expanded High Violet for twelve quid when there are only five new tracks on it. Only one's going to make it out alive. Anyway, Arctic Monkeys, Brick By Brick

And I really do think Tinie Tempah should win. I mean, come on, he's genius!

Mollx

The Mercury Music Prize

Well, I can't say I'm very impressed with this here shortlist. Adele's there of course, Elbow's there (not so bad), and then...Tinie Tempah's there too. sehndcjshiusehydfuweyui. (sorry, my head just hi-fived the keyboard).

Anyway, something to help you keep the faith.

I really like this. I wouldn't mind if they won. King Creosote And Jon Hopkins, Your Young Voice

Bit of a genre-shift here. It sounds really good. Ghostpoet, Us Against Whatever

I wouldn't mind if this won either. Metronomy, The Bay

Mollx

The Mercury Music Prize, A Prequel

The shortlist for the Mercury is being released tomorrow. I'm not particularly excited. But anyhows, some of the people who may or may not get a mention.

Oi, you there. You with the fx pedal listening to the 'Floyd. You'll like this. Alexander Tucker, His Arm Has Grown Long

I don't think this is as good as Hunger, but then it is a really great song. Frankie And The Heartstrings, Tender

If this doesn't get a mention, I'll be really, really surprised. Tom Vek, World Of Doubt

See you tomorrow with the results!

Mollx