If 'The Courteeners' and "Mumford And Sons' had a love child. It would most definitely be called 'Young Rebel Set'!
They are very much a mix of 'The Courteeners' exuberance and 'Mumford And Sons' folky-ness. The singer even sounds like Liam Fray. The lyrics aren't as snappy, or any where near as witty as Liam's but that doesn't matter.
'Young Rebel Set' seem to be able to write songs. No, they aren't amazing. But... I don't know. It's just good.
I don't know why actually. Why is it good?
Best Tracks: 'If I Was', 'Lions Mouth', 'Fall Hard'.
7/10
Next Review: Battles - Gloss Drop
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Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Monday, 4 July 2011
Review #53: Fucked Up - David Comes To Life
I have never enjoyed screaming in music before. 'Dananananaykroyd' is about my limit, and that is just shouting. But 'Fucked Up' aren't your average hardcore band. They have substance. There is something about them that lightens you to their musical ability.
But what makes it even better. Is purely the fact it is a rock opera. I really respect bands that are brave enough to record a rock opera. 'The Decemberists' made 'The Hazards Of Love' and now 'Fucked Up' have made 'David Comes To Life'. It shows real commitment to their music to be able to create a rock opera.
Perhaps my favorite element of the album isn't the indie riffs, or the breath taking drumming. It is the vocals. The mix between the male and female characters is perfect and it really epitomizes the album.
It seems like 'Fucked Up' cannot put a foot wrong!
Best Tracks: It's a rock opera. Get it all you cheap skate!
9/10
Next Review: Young Rebel Set - Curse Our Love
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But what makes it even better. Is purely the fact it is a rock opera. I really respect bands that are brave enough to record a rock opera. 'The Decemberists' made 'The Hazards Of Love' and now 'Fucked Up' have made 'David Comes To Life'. It shows real commitment to their music to be able to create a rock opera.
Perhaps my favorite element of the album isn't the indie riffs, or the breath taking drumming. It is the vocals. The mix between the male and female characters is perfect and it really epitomizes the album.
It seems like 'Fucked Up' cannot put a foot wrong!
Best Tracks: It's a rock opera. Get it all you cheap skate!
9/10
Next Review: Young Rebel Set - Curse Our Love
Follow @pancccake
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Vanguard #3: Pegasus Bridge
I have just heard that Pegasus Bridge have broken up. My condolences to them, and this review should be read as if they were still together.
'Pegasus Bridge' drink coffee not just Ribena. And I like it, who cares if they like it.
'Pegasus Bridge' drink coffee not just Ribena. And I like it, who cares if they like it.
With blaring synth riffs flying everywhere as if they are in abundance, and 'Pegasus Bridge have an unlimited supply, and the impeccable playing really sets them far from other bands who also may or may not drink coffee.
'Ribena' is amazing. The chord sequence sends shivers down my spine, and indie doesn't usually do this to me. It's one of those tracks where the lyrics aren't all grown-up and mature, yet you can still tell that there is a deep meaning and the balance between the music and words is perfect. My only wonder is that 'Pegasus Bridge' could be a one hit wonder with 'Ribena'.
But then I heard 'Yoko'. It is just as inventive, it is just as imaginative, and it is just as brilliant.
They may have just released their debut album, but their future looks brighter than anything.
'Ribena'
'Yoko'
Vanguard Excitement: 8/10
Next Weeks Vanguard: Two Wounded Birds
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Saturday, 2 July 2011
Review #52: All Time Low - Dirty Work
I have two main problems with 'All Time Low'. The first is their needless, and unnecessary use of power chords on every song. The second is their shambolic, pointless, and tiring lyrics.
Let's start with the power chords.
Why? Power chords are the cheap way out of playing guitar properly and it doesn't even sound good! 'Panic! At The Disco' are about the only band who manage to pull off power chords well. It just sounds like some pointless repetitive note/sequence. It feels like someone is continuously hitting you on the head with a blunt instrument whilst singing futile lyrics at you. Which leads me onto their lyrics. (Like what i did there?).
Anyone that thinks 'I Feel Like Dancin' Tonight/ I'm Gonna' Party Like It's My Civil Right' are good lyrics, really need to take a look at their life, listen to 'Coldplay' and realise that their life has been wasted on meaningless pap thus far .
'Put Her Tongue All Up In My Ear/ Almost Made Me Spill My Beer'. Not only is this boasting, but it is also unlikely to have happened as no one is that outgoing are they? Especially to a man who sings 'I Think Some Dude Just Grabbed My Junk/ Now I Know How Ke$ha Must Be Feelin'. So first he boasts about a girl passing her tongue over his ear, to a man grabbing what I presume to be his dangley bits, and then comparing himself to his lyrically equal compare Ke$ha, because she may have experienced this before. If he does mean penis, then he is being very immature and suggesting that Ke$ha also has one, which is quite unkind.
I think these guys need to cool off, learn the instruments they claim to play properly, realise they aren't as wondrous as they think they are, and sing about things that actually matter.
Yeah, in case you hadn't already guessed. It's shit.
Best Tracks: None. Especially not 'I Feel Like Dancin'
1/10
Next Review: Fucked Up - David Comes To Life
Follow @pancccake
Let's start with the power chords.
Why? Power chords are the cheap way out of playing guitar properly and it doesn't even sound good! 'Panic! At The Disco' are about the only band who manage to pull off power chords well. It just sounds like some pointless repetitive note/sequence. It feels like someone is continuously hitting you on the head with a blunt instrument whilst singing futile lyrics at you. Which leads me onto their lyrics. (Like what i did there?).
Anyone that thinks 'I Feel Like Dancin' Tonight/ I'm Gonna' Party Like It's My Civil Right' are good lyrics, really need to take a look at their life, listen to 'Coldplay' and realise that their life has been wasted on meaningless pap thus far .
'Put Her Tongue All Up In My Ear/ Almost Made Me Spill My Beer'. Not only is this boasting, but it is also unlikely to have happened as no one is that outgoing are they? Especially to a man who sings 'I Think Some Dude Just Grabbed My Junk/ Now I Know How Ke$ha Must Be Feelin'. So first he boasts about a girl passing her tongue over his ear, to a man grabbing what I presume to be his dangley bits, and then comparing himself to his lyrically equal compare Ke$ha, because she may have experienced this before. If he does mean penis, then he is being very immature and suggesting that Ke$ha also has one, which is quite unkind.
I think these guys need to cool off, learn the instruments they claim to play properly, realise they aren't as wondrous as they think they are, and sing about things that actually matter.
Yeah, in case you hadn't already guessed. It's shit.
Best Tracks: None. Especially not 'I Feel Like Dancin'
1/10
Next Review: Fucked Up - David Comes To Life
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Review #51: Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure
'You Look Aroused, You Look Away'. These six words of the track 'Aroused' sum up Tom Vek's second outing perfectly. The whole album acts as a breath of fresh air. It seems like a very natural album, even with the overlay of synthesizers on each track. The drum beats that line the LP are in the same league as 'Friendly Fires', and the almost monotonous vocals help create the originality and mystery that shrouds 'Leisure Seizure'.
It's hard to know what you want from music these days as there is just so much choice. But, when an artist such as Tom Vek comes along is is hard not to like the sound he creates, and even the people who don't like his music usually respect him for what he has done.
It is almost as if he has created his own genre. He really takes whatever genre it is to a new level. Tom really is at the top of his game. Don't say rubbish like he is 'Alternative' because everything is an alternative to something else. 'Leisure Seizure' really doesn't slide into any category.
Why does 'You Look Aroused, You Look Away' sum it up? Purely, because if someone gets interested by a piece of music these days, they often turn their noses up eventually because it is not popular enough. I hope Tom Vek can continue to defy this.
Is it groundbreaking? Probably not. Is it different? Yes. Is it good? Very.
Best Tracks: 'Aroused', 'A Chore', 'A.P.O.L.O.G.Y.'
8/10
Next Review: All Time Low - Dirty Work
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It's hard to know what you want from music these days as there is just so much choice. But, when an artist such as Tom Vek comes along is is hard not to like the sound he creates, and even the people who don't like his music usually respect him for what he has done.
It is almost as if he has created his own genre. He really takes whatever genre it is to a new level. Tom really is at the top of his game. Don't say rubbish like he is 'Alternative' because everything is an alternative to something else. 'Leisure Seizure' really doesn't slide into any category.
Why does 'You Look Aroused, You Look Away' sum it up? Purely, because if someone gets interested by a piece of music these days, they often turn their noses up eventually because it is not popular enough. I hope Tom Vek can continue to defy this.
Is it groundbreaking? Probably not. Is it different? Yes. Is it good? Very.
Best Tracks: 'Aroused', 'A Chore', 'A.P.O.L.O.G.Y.'
8/10
Next Review: All Time Low - Dirty Work
Follow @pancccake
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Review #50: Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
I struggle to find faults with the 'Arctic Monkeys'. They really are at the top of the game, and they have been ever since their 2006 debut 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'. But now we are in 2011 and 'Suck It And See' is far away from their early records.
If you take their first LP as one end of the spectrum and 'Humbug' as the other end, 'Suck It And See' fits slap bang in the middle. It mixes the energy that 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' had, and the dark beauty that was 'Humbug'. 'Don't Sit Down 'Cause Ive Moved Your Chair' is such a great track. The opening riff brings back memories of 'Crying Lightning' and when the full sound kicks in, 'Favorite Worst Nightmare' is brought to mind. I really believe that 'Suck It And See' is a large amalgamation of everything the 'Arctic Monkeys' have released previously.
However, there are a few elements that have never previously been seen inside an 'Arctic Monkeys' CD. The first is perhaps the melodies that Alex Turner blares out. 'Black Treacle' and 'Brick By Brick' are melodically brilliant tracks and show just how much a band can change in as little as 5 years. Perhaps fueled by his recent solo outing on the 'Submarine OST', these are easily some of the standout tracks of the album.
But perhaps the more surprising change is the almost summer feel to some of the songs. 'Hellcat Spangled Shalalala' wouldn't be out of place on a beach in the Bahamas and 'Reckless Serenade' isn't too far behind it.
One thing that hasn't changed is most definitely Alex's ability to write lyrics. 'Her steady hands may well have done the devils pedicure'. They aren't just waffle like the majority of band's lyrics these days. They mean something. They mean a lot. Alex seems to be able to craft words into anything he wants to. His lyrics are almost poetry, which he references in the track 'Suck It And See' with 'I poured my aching heart into a pop song, I couldn't get the hang of poetry'. It seems that writing lyrics come as easily as breathing does to the Sheffield frontman. Even lines such as 'Library pictures of the quickening canoe' are clearly deep and meaningful lines, even as ambiguous as they are.
Yes, the 'Arctic Monkeys' matured for 'Humbug', but here is when they become seriously good.
Best Tracks: 'Black Treacle', 'Library Pictures', 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala'
9/10
Next Review: Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure
Follow @pancccake
If you take their first LP as one end of the spectrum and 'Humbug' as the other end, 'Suck It And See' fits slap bang in the middle. It mixes the energy that 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' had, and the dark beauty that was 'Humbug'. 'Don't Sit Down 'Cause Ive Moved Your Chair' is such a great track. The opening riff brings back memories of 'Crying Lightning' and when the full sound kicks in, 'Favorite Worst Nightmare' is brought to mind. I really believe that 'Suck It And See' is a large amalgamation of everything the 'Arctic Monkeys' have released previously.
However, there are a few elements that have never previously been seen inside an 'Arctic Monkeys' CD. The first is perhaps the melodies that Alex Turner blares out. 'Black Treacle' and 'Brick By Brick' are melodically brilliant tracks and show just how much a band can change in as little as 5 years. Perhaps fueled by his recent solo outing on the 'Submarine OST', these are easily some of the standout tracks of the album.
But perhaps the more surprising change is the almost summer feel to some of the songs. 'Hellcat Spangled Shalalala' wouldn't be out of place on a beach in the Bahamas and 'Reckless Serenade' isn't too far behind it.
One thing that hasn't changed is most definitely Alex's ability to write lyrics. 'Her steady hands may well have done the devils pedicure'. They aren't just waffle like the majority of band's lyrics these days. They mean something. They mean a lot. Alex seems to be able to craft words into anything he wants to. His lyrics are almost poetry, which he references in the track 'Suck It And See' with 'I poured my aching heart into a pop song, I couldn't get the hang of poetry'. It seems that writing lyrics come as easily as breathing does to the Sheffield frontman. Even lines such as 'Library pictures of the quickening canoe' are clearly deep and meaningful lines, even as ambiguous as they are.
Yes, the 'Arctic Monkeys' matured for 'Humbug', but here is when they become seriously good.
Best Tracks: 'Black Treacle', 'Library Pictures', 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala'
9/10
Next Review: Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure
Follow @pancccake
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Review #49: Le Butcherettes - Sin Sin Sin
Who are they again? Le Butcherettes? Well, they are very good.
I would say, that if 'Paramore' were a good band, then this is very much what they would sound like. With their in your face vocals, the in your face melodies, and the in your face drum beats. It is quite in your face.
Though this isn't a bad thing. Having this hard exterior means 'Le Butcherettes' can really display their strength through music. They get straight to the point with what they have to say and tracks such as 'I'm Getting Sick Of You' and 'All You See In Me Is Death' highlight this factor of their music. It is almost as if 'Le Butcherettes' have an element of surprise, yet you know exactly what is round the corner!
Best Tracks: 'Henry Don't Got Love', 'The Leibniz Language', 'I'm Getting Sick Of You'
7/10
Next Review: Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
I would say, that if 'Paramore' were a good band, then this is very much what they would sound like. With their in your face vocals, the in your face melodies, and the in your face drum beats. It is quite in your face.
Though this isn't a bad thing. Having this hard exterior means 'Le Butcherettes' can really display their strength through music. They get straight to the point with what they have to say and tracks such as 'I'm Getting Sick Of You' and 'All You See In Me Is Death' highlight this factor of their music. It is almost as if 'Le Butcherettes' have an element of surprise, yet you know exactly what is round the corner!
Best Tracks: 'Henry Don't Got Love', 'The Leibniz Language', 'I'm Getting Sick Of You'
7/10
Next Review: Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Vanguard #2: The Heartbreaks
I disagree with the 2003 book 'Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places To Live In Britain'. Putting Morcambe at number 3 was a silly idea. Clearly, they should have waited a few years for 'The Heartbreaks' to come along, and take Morcambe off the list.
However rubbish Morcambe may be, 'The Heartbreaks' really counter that with their waving vocals and their indie riffs, smashing their sound. They really are incomparable. Their sound is so unique.
In fact, it is so unique, I actually have absolutely nothing to compare them to. Please excuse me while I go listen to their individuality.
Okay, so. I have figured that they remind me of a very early 'Arctic Monkeys'. Purely because they were so different to anything before them, and whilst they were growing through the hype they still kept true to themselves. Although they haven't reached this hype yet, I am pretty sure it is just around the corner!
Vanguard Excitement: 8/10
'I Didn't Think It Would Hurt To Think Of You'
'Liar, My Dear'
'Jealous, Don't You Know '
Next Sunday's Vanguard: Pegasus Bridge
However rubbish Morcambe may be, 'The Heartbreaks' really counter that with their waving vocals and their indie riffs, smashing their sound. They really are incomparable. Their sound is so unique.
In fact, it is so unique, I actually have absolutely nothing to compare them to. Please excuse me while I go listen to their individuality.
Okay, so. I have figured that they remind me of a very early 'Arctic Monkeys'. Purely because they were so different to anything before them, and whilst they were growing through the hype they still kept true to themselves. Although they haven't reached this hype yet, I am pretty sure it is just around the corner!
Vanguard Excitement: 8/10
'I Didn't Think It Would Hurt To Think Of You'
'Liar, My Dear'
'Jealous, Don't You Know '
Next Sunday's Vanguard: Pegasus Bridge
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