Entries by dragon chaser

Artist: Super Furry Animals
Album: Dark Days/Light Years
Label: Rough Trade

Once upon a time the SFA were the coolest pop band around. And I was a faithful fan. In my latest hit parade of best ever gigs, they have two entries in the top ten. My first was around ’98 when they toured Radiator. Closing with 'Mountain People', with what seemed like twenty minutes plus finale of hardcore techno, the audience at a pop concert suddenly found themselves at a rave. They were that good. The point I wish to make is the SFA were never (that most cardinal sin in pop) boring. Even leaving Creation for Sony did not stem their creativity. In fact many would agree their first release on a major label Rings Around the World is their masterpiece. I remain undecided as to which is their best LP though clearly the song writing here is world class. But crucially, I was to realise upon its release, that all the production value changes that inevitably (I am not sure why it has to be inevitable) are a consequence of joining a major, were not to ruin my favourite band. That is not to say their sound did not change. It was now more polished, which is always dangerous especially when considering their influences include the likes of ELO. Their sound could, one feared, go horribly wrong. In pop there is such a fine line… But the songs on RATW blossomed with the cleaner & shiner sound. 'Run! Christian, Run!' is epic without being bombastic.

Forward several years and LPs later and the SFA returned to an indie, the now legendary Rough Trade. And I am still not over the disappointment. Hey Venus! is not a bad record, it’s average and simply just nice. It’s the sound of band not losing it, just going through the motions. Though I must add most pop/rock records released these last few years have failed to turn me on. But the SFA letting me down like this was deflating. My least enjoyable gig was promoting Hey Venus!, oh and without Pete Fowler, the record sleeve was shite too (designed by Keiichi Tanaami). Expectations were therefore not as high as they used to be with the imminent arrival of a new SFA record.

Dark Days/Light Years arrived two weeks ago to coincide with a freakishly beautiful spring sunny week in London. Opener 'Crazy Naked Girls' announces the band have regained their collective mojo. It’s an ecstatic rock/blues freak-out that shows they can really play. There is some brilliant work here between Dafydd’s drums and Bunf’s guitar effects. 'Moped Eyes' is also based on a groove. This time it’s the interplay between Guto’s bass and a plastic soul vocal from Gruff that dominate. 'Inaugural Trams', the lead single is a brilliant pop piece and example of why there is much to love in the work of the SFA. This leads into 'Inconvenience', which is reminiscent of rockers like 'Night Vision' from Guerrilla. The song is a rant from Gruff that include a reminder that there is still ‘Tory scum’ out there. Easy to forget when Labour is trying so hard to be the villains of our political plays. Back to the record: 'Cardiff In The Sun' will finish off the A side when the black plastic is released in April. Dreamy, melodic, widescreen and psychedelic this is an expansive piece which completes the first side well.

'The Very Best Of Neil Diamond' uses a big moody bass line to build a typical SFA track. This continues the rock vibe to the album and cements the difference from Hey Venus! and the whole country pop flavour. 'Helium Hearts' is disposable pop but that’s not such a bad thing. 'White Socks/Flip Flops' uses Bunf on vocals. It’s a good song with a sunny soft rock vibe but the vocals leave it sounding ordinary. I always prefer Gruff on vocals. Even if distorted in the studio as it so often is. Gruff just has a great ‘pop’ voice. As illustrated on the next couple of numbers, but especially on 'Pric'. In fact the band unites on this final track to make it their most rewarding song in years. Building on a bass heavy groove we hear the best use of Cian’s electronic wizardry since the days of 'Slow Life'. This is a true SFA pastiche. Why they do not bring their techno influences to the fore more often is a mystery to me.

We are left with a fairly good record. Although Fowler is back on board as a collaborator with Tanaami the art work still does nothing for me. In the main I reckon most fans will be happy and most passers-by will think it’s not too bad. For me it will perhaps be the one of the better records of the year so far but it’s not as good as Merriweather Post Pavillion, released this year by another collective of animals residing across the pond. Dark Days/Light Years does give further evidence though to my belief that the Super Furry Animals are the best pop band of the last 20 years.

Download: Super Furry Animals - The Very Best of Neil Diamond

Posted by dragon chaser in music reviews at 21:30 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

This years African Soul Rebels tour fell upon my birthday. We got ourselves drunk and had a fantastic night. Our impromptu dancing left of stage for the beginning of Oliver Mtukudzi was wonderful. The music was great but I recall good vibes from the gig rather than memories. That will be the booze. Here are some pics.


Baaba Maal


Baaba Maal and Oliver Mtukudzi


Oliver Mtukudzi

Download: Baaba Maal - Jamma Jenngii

Posted by dragon chaser in music reviews at 13:24 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Clinton, George

Towards the end of the gig, Whispering Dave & I managed to dodge pass the security & get in front of the stage. Clinton was beckoning the beautiful people from the audience to join him & his entourage onstage for one final freak out. Alas, we were not deemed beautiful, yet I still managed to capture Clinton in all his glory. Great gig too.

Posted by dragon chaser in music at 15:50 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

Of course, if you had asked me at the end of say, 2004 what are my favourite LPs of the year, my answer back then, would I imagine, be very different to what I would say now. The end of the year is of course far too soon to make such a list. Not only have I had little time to source many of the LPs I would liked but I have had far too little time to digest many of those I have.

But I’m a boy and this list means something.

2008 has been a disappointment for me. It’s not so much there aren’t LPs out there I like. On the contrary there are many and I have excluded many worthy records from my list, but I never found that genuine classic. This feeling of dissatisfaction is accentuated by the sheer blandness of bands forming the centre-left of pop. When bands such as TV On The Radio, although competent enough, are being hailed as cutting edge and groundbreaking then I believe this reflects a year where pop has lacked innovation and excitement. Alternative music has to be more than just pop/rock bands using production values associated with dance music. My tastes have traditionally been mainstream as well as leftfield but the lack of creativity from more middle of the road artists has, to paraphrase Neil Young, forced me towards the ditch. I know there is something else out there for me I’ve yet to find and I could really use a life-affirming album to get me through this cold and dark, credit crunched, British winter. Records which were close to making this include those made by Distance, Portishead, Al Green, DJ Rupture & Skream. This is my top ten right now for whatever it is worth...



Artist: Dusk and Blackdown
Album: Margins Music
Label: Keysound Recordings

This is a vivid collection of snapshots of multi-cultural London in 2008. Target’s hypnotic meandering vocal in the opener is sublime.



Artist: Tricky
Album: Knowle West Boy
Label: Domino

It is difficult to provide a balanced assessment of this LP, as I so want to like Tricky’s albums. He is an artist capable of the producing work of the highest order with unique insights into the human psyche. And this is a more than a fine piece of work with exceptional tracks like Past Mistake & the incredible single Council Estate. The drumming on this gets me every time. Tricky was never just trip-hop. How was his cover of Public Enemy’s Black Steel ever trip-hop? And this record uses rock, ragga & blues, all stamped with the authority of the utterly incomparable & unmistakable sound of the Tricky Kid.

Accompanying Track: Tricky - Council Estate



Artist: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Album: Dig! Lazarus Dig!
Label: Mute

Cave is on a roll. By a distance the best rock album I heard released in 2008. Although not as filthy as the garage rock as found on 2007’s Grinderman’s record, The Bad Seeds have clearly been given a kick up the arse. An LP that is great to drink bourbon with, which further cements Cave & The Bad Seeds as one of the all time greats. And few can curse quite like Cave.

Accompanying Track: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - We Call Upon The Author



Artist: Various Artists
Album: An England Story (From Dancehall to Grime: 25 Years of the MC in the UK)
Label: Soul Jazz

So I’m cheating already as this compilation features few releases from 2008. Based on no. 10 of the stellar Blogariddims series by The Heatwave, Soul Jazz has put together the four records that have been stuck on my turntable most this year. It’s really hard to pick my favourite. There is General Levy’s Champagne Body. Or Stush with Dollar Sign. Estelle sounds incredible on Uptown Top Rankin. But it’s probably Papa Levi’s My God My King. If you haven’t much of this kind of thing in your collection it is essential.

Accompanying Track: Papa Levi - My God My King



Artist: Various - Mixed by Appleblim
Album: Dubstep Allstars Vol.6
Label: Tempa

Same thoughts as the Poacher on this I suppose. Appleblim’s smooth groove was the natural riposte to N-Type’s more fractured style evident on Vol.5. This release reflected the trend within dubstep this year as discussed with regards to 2562.



Artist: Fuck Buttons
Album: Street Horrrsing
Label: ATP

I can’t stop playing this record. Sweet Love For Planet Earth, the opener is so completely engaging I have found myself going back to the beginning on numerous occasions. But I love it that this has been recorded with the tracks mixed into each other.



Artist: Shackleton/Appleblim/Peverelist
Album: Soundboy’s Gravestone Gets Desecrated By Vandals
Label: Skull Disco

Another collection of 12” singles from the Skull Disco label. There is the also the bonus of a whole disc of remixes from the likes of Bass Clef & Rupture. I have been trying to get hold of as many the 12” records from Skull Disco as I can. With their lovingly designed covers & incredible production values, they push all the right buttons aesthetically. Just as with 2007’s collection, Soundboy Punishments, Shackleton dominates procedures with his ultra dark and percussive take on the dubstep genre. Another great album title …and I wonder what this would sound like at a rave.

Accompanying Track: Appleblim and Peverlist - Circling Bass (Bass Clef Mix)



Artist: Vampire Weekend
Album: Vampire Weekend
Label: XL

This is a little gem of a record, lovingly recorded with instruments & vocals given ample space to breathe with a gorgeous clean guitar sound. We all know about the African influences & their New York savvy, but at the end of the day it is about the tunes. In an era where too many bands concentrate on the sound they create and neglect the craft of actually writing songs, Vampire Weekend was most welcome.



Artist: 2562
Album: Aerial
Label: Tectonic

The trends within dubstep this year have witnessed a reduction in the use of the signature ‘wobble’ bass. As the sound has become global there has also been a shift from the original dub/2-step style, which served as its blueprint. Dubstep in 2008 has increasingly merged with techno and minimalist electronica & the boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. As discussed previously in this blog, 2562 is Dave Huissmans (2562 being his postal code I have read), a Dutchman. He has produced a beautifully formed electronic record, with lush, sensual sounds that suggests, at least internationally, dubstep need not always be dark in tone, texture and mood. This was quite a revelation for me. Indeed, Aerial could be considered a minor classic.

Accompanying Track: 2562 - Redux



Artist: The Bug
Album: London Zoo
Label: Ninja Tune

Essentially a contemporary dancehall record made & informed by the London bass scene. Kevin Martin is the man behind the beats & bass but the album intriguingly features a stellar cast of toasters including Spaceape (you will never hear him sound as good and pissed off as this), Flowdan, Tippa Irie and the wonderful Warrior Queen. The bass is incredibly full & loud, noticeably so compared with other bass-heavy albums this year. Although a record filled with drama, passion & urgency, Skeng, Insane & Warning to name a few, there is also the instrumental Freak Freak & Too Much Pain providing more subtle moments of contemplation. Although the lead singles were from 2007, this is the record that sounded most like 2008 to me.

Accompanying Track: The Bug (feat Spaceape) - Fuckaz

Listen to all accompanying tracks:

Posted by dragon chaser in music reviews at 13:23 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

Posted by dragon chaser in theory, culture, politics at 12:39 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

The Poacher said I should hear some dälek (pronounced Dial-ekt) so I got myself some tickets for this show. The last time I was here was for a pal’s band, Yell Robot Yell (since disbanded). Yep, the venue didn’t need to be too big. The Barfly is basically a basement beneath a bar. Suitably intimate for the brutal intensity of dälek’s brand of hip-hop.

You see, dälek utilise samples to create a sound equivalent to the distortions used by Kevin Shields circa My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless. Only the vibe is more aggressive. I’d been listening to the band’s third long player, Absence, prior to this gig and I was excited. The vocal is fairly low in the mix, hanging from a wall of sound Spector would never dream of, providing a gloriously moody back drop punctuated by a forceful rhythm which too is mixed low.


enraptured...

We arrive with a support band already playing. They sound like Mogwai on speed, and maybe acid too. After several ‘songs’ the mood changes so we have an extended piece lasting maybe ten minutes without a single beat. The sound engineer was enraptured.


dälek

Then without fanfare they are on. MC dälek delivers confident angry raps and Ocktopus does his stuff hunched over his mixing desk. Both are huge men. And the noise they create envelopes us all. My head nods and I shoegaze. But it’s a great sound. This is never going to sell millions of records but there is no denying the energy and passion. And it is understandable the love they have generated in certain quarters. If you’re looking for a different kind of hip-hop, dälek may be for you.

Download: dälek - Culture for Dollars

Posted by dragon chaser in music reviews at 18:26 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Posted by dragon chaser at 22:20 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

dEUS

With the Knives gig fresh in my mind I was excited to be returning to the Koko. It occurred to me later how splendid a venue it is. If you are fond of the glitter-ball, then you are in for a treat. If like me, you’re not partial to large balls ornamented with glitter, it’s still cool. And it was agreed that we would return again for a club night. It’s that kind of place. But I am back again for a good old-fashioned gig.

I last saw dEUS at (whisper it) a V festival around the turn of the century. They blew me away. Raw intensity from a band like I had seldom experienced, coupled with my memory of there being only a few of us in the crowd. The electric shock Tom Barman (guitarist & singer) gained that day cemented it. Rock ‘n’ Roll.


dEUS

They are far from a favourite band of mine, having always contented myself with what for me are their two classic songs, “Suds & Soda” & “Instant Street”. And these really are classics. The remainder of their canon fail to scale these heights. On the night I was not disappointed with their performance. And clearly the crowd was neither. Though it kind of fell to me to get the mosh-pit moving as & when required which was a little disappointing, but then I suppose someone has to. Anyway, another cool night was had at the Koko.
My thanks are to Lester for this one. Cheers!

Download: dEUS - Instant Street

Download: dEUS - Suds & Soda

Posted by dragon chaser in music reviews at 13:16 | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0)

The Young Knives

This was a free gig for the fans. No queue or even a search, just stroll through the doors and you’re in. Dodgy bar as per usual, and it’s always best not to consider the damage. After some decent support from Lightspeed Champion (especially the Star Wars rendition), they’re on, with sharp white suits to boot. The House of Lords appeared to be Buddy Holly on Stars In Your Eyes. Cool.


The Young Knives

I am always happy to see the Knives, knowing I will hear songs from the exceptional Voices Of Animals & Men. Loughborough Suicide is an anthemic joy. Tailors appeared even odder live. The recent 2nd Long Player is of only average standard yet songs performed from this were delightful too. This was a very confident performance by the Young Knives. A confidence that allows all their fun & nerd qualities to shine. I thought noticeably so compared with previous gigs I had attended. The white suits helped too. A good night was had. Cheers Young Knives.

Posted by dragon chaser in music reviews at 12:33 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

2562 - Aerial

It’s been a shit year. And the music hasn’t helped. So much has fallen short. Expectations dashed. Nothing has quite hit my spot.

The drum n bass is now too noisy. The rock music is just too often plain dull. I have this summer (what summer?) gone back to the sounds of rock-steady & rude boy reggae, but also the (seminal) 60s rock classics such as the Zombies. “Care Of Cell 44” is my feel good hit of the summer.

I suppose I have also enjoyed on occasions a bit of dubstep/grime & teasingly, a little bit of techno too. Ahh. Yes. Techno. It makes me feel 19 again? Well. No. It has tended to be the more minimalist techno I would have scoffed at years ago. But then when I played electronic music years ago, what I played it on, was little better than listening to music out of this laptop (without the subwoofer & speakers). But now…my god, it never ceases to astound me how sweet a sound can sound nowadays.

So, anyway, I was surprised to discover two of the tracks of the last year or so that have gave me most pleasure were from the same artist. Dave Huismans. Albeit, under a two different guises (2562 & A Made Up Sound). I think you will understand why this music really needs to be appreciated under reasonable playback conditions. For the record, 2562 is a bit more dubstep, and A Made Up Sound a bit more techno. Got it? It matters.

The rude boy reggae and psychedelic rock from St Albans perhaps doesn’t require such controlled playback conditions. Does that make them timeless?

Listen: 2562 - Moog Dub


Download: 2562 - Moog Dub

Listen: A Made Up Sound - 699


Download: A Made Up Sound - 699

Listen: The Valentines - Stop The Violence


Download: The Valentines - Stop The Violence

Listen: The Zombies - Care of Cell 44


Download: The Zombies - Care of Cell 44

Posted by dragon chaser in music at 16:35 | Comments (7) | Trackbacks (0)