album of the week

the xx - the xx

2009-10-28T08:59:00.003+10:00

[Young Turks: 2009]

The Xx are four 19 year olds from London. Yeah 19, WTF. So after I got past their over-achieving ways I found myself listening to one of the best debut albums of 2009. For those who need a reference point the Xx have a sound reminiscent of early portishead and Joy division but then there are the two vocalists. Romy Croft’s graceful vocal licks and Oliver Sim’s understated mellow tones randomly take turns with each verse. And when they decide to come together in harmony with such effortless ease it borders on some wonderful-kind-of-lazy.
Then there’s the beats. Jamie Smith the man behind this creates minimalistic noise drawing from contemporary hip hop , dub and electro. These elements are used sparingly along with the planned placement of silence to create a beautifully effective laid back sound.
It’s funny this album never really gets out of the one gear, it starts as it finishes, but lucky for us the whole album is a climax in itself.

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Burgers Frown - Fergus Brown

2009-10-28T08:44:00.004+10:00

[Juicy Turnip: 2009]

There’s something deliciously warm and fuzzy about discovering a special singer-songwriting treasure. Fergus Brown kind of gives us that tender feeling inside. His debut record ‘Burgers Frown’ (we do love a spoonerism) is a collection of sweet acoustic pop ditties full of clever lyrics (with songs like “Cecelia Later” and lovely album opener “Nerds In Love” showing off his obvious knack and appreciation for words). Single, “Hot Kisses, Cold Tiles” - one of Album of The Week’s favourite tracks in the year of new music - is infectious, jump-on-your-bed pop joy – “hot kisses, lying down on the cold, cold tiles” – pretty sexy too once you actually take notice of the words. Fergus has one of those beautifully simple voices - really easy to listen to, with a nice understated soul vibe that sustains through each word and song on the album. Think Jens Lekman, The Whitest Boy Alive and Tunde Adembimpe from TV On The Radio. The record has a real DIY, genuinely “indie” production feel too – live hand claps, basic beatboxing, and (in the track “Little Verse” in particular) what sounds like one of those miniature pianos that are the perfect size for a spider monkey to play?
Album of The Week saw Fergus Brown perform at The Spectrum in Sydney on 23 October. He was joined by band members Holly - multi-instrumentalist/back up singer/beatboxer extraordinaire; Carlos Adura on drum kit – (moonlighting from his usual outfit Deep Sea Arcade, a band to watch out for); and the bass player whose name we’re unsure of, but my sister has a big crush on him. The tunes worked really well in the small venue and Mr Brown’s music definitely belongs in a more intimate club setting than an expansive arena. The tunes translated effortlessly from the record to the stage, and the band had an obvious connection that you could hear in the way they played and could tell from the comfortable interaction onstage. There seemed to be a real feeling of romance amongst the audience members too - which is probably a good way to describe Fergus Brown’s record: romantic. And sincere and also a little cheeky. The encore was a song whose lyrics were 70% made up by the word “vagina” sung in earnest chorus by everyone onstage. Fantastic. Lovers of offbeat acoustic pop music, get acquainted with Fergus Brown.

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4 A.M. Is The New Midnight - The Marches

2009-10-28T08:36:00.004+10:00

[Satellite Star Records: 2009]

Dear The Marches,
Sorry for the delay.
You generously sent us your album many months ago and, rudely, we haven’t posted anything about it yet. There are many reasons why this isn’t cool.
Firstly, because we are keeping songs like your excellent Beck-like neo-funk track “Bad Touch” to ourselves and thus from the public at large. That is insensitive and selfish. PS we love Beck. We also really like “So Ill” – a great track and one of the album highlights.
Secondly, we’ve been spruiking a lot of (albeit amazing) albums that stick firmly to a specific musical genre. Not you though. Your album has far-reaching dynamics and takes you through a crazy trip of funk, motown, electro, big band-soul and rock n roll. It’s like what the fly on the wall must see at an eighteen hour party: the build up, crazed highlights, chill out segments, outrageous peaks, casual sex, the moment someone gets thrown in the pool… The epic journey of a weird David Lynch-ish partay.
We’re also sorry we haven’t had the opportunity to see one of your live shows yet. From all reports, a night out with The Marches is a damn fine night out indeed: dancing, disco balls, trumpet fanfares and such.
Anyway, we hope you forgive us. We look forward to hearing from you. Please write back – and send more cds.
Apologies again.
All the best,
Album of The Week.

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AoTW top songs with names in the title!

2009-10-21T08:23:00.005+10:00

It’s hard to find anything more validating in this world than having a song written expressly about you. Here’s a little list we’ve compiled of some of our Favourite Songs With Peoples Names In The Title.

Alison – Elvis Costello
He’s always been pretty tight-lipped about the identity of the song’s namesake, but there’s no mistaking the fact that this soul-soaked ballad of regret is the Elvis Costello version of an apology. Apology accepted. (Gentlemen: take note.)

Angie – Rolling Stones
Rumoured to have been about Mick’s relationship with David Bowie’s then-wife Angie, the desperation in Jagger’s vocals is so poignant and the heavy acoustic guitar strums weigh on your shoulders like a falling wall. The lyric “Angie… I still love you baby” still makes karaoke-goers everywhere clutch the microphone sorrowfully, bowing their head, eyes closed.

Debra – Beck
It’s no secret that one of our writers has more than a passing interest in the multi-talented guero from LA. Beck’s classic three-way proposition (delivered in Prince-style falsetto no less) speaks for a generation of men who dream about reaching the ultimate sexual summit: nailing two sisters at once. I seriously hope they said ‘yes’...

Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac
One of Stevie Nicks’ most haunting vocal performances in a song about a medieval witch she read about in her “mystic” phase. I totally effing hate medieval times – serfs, moats and all that shite... but Rhiannon sounds like an outrageously flighty temptress and the way Stevie sings it is wrenching. Italicise that: wrenching.

Hey Lloyd, I’m Ready to be Heartbroken – Camera Obscura
With one of the most wistful, sweet voices available to your ears, Camera Obscura’s TracyAnne Campbell sings the all-too-familiar tale of unrequited love: it's hard to see heartbreak coming sometimes when you're lost in romance. We hear you, sister.

Sweet Jane – Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground song that people who don’t like The Velvet Underground actually like. There’s something very pure and uncomplicated about the lyrics and the three-chord guitar riff (that is being strummed somewhere in the world by novice guitarists this very minute). Sometimes the plainest Jane can be the most beautiful.

Eddie You Should Know Better – Curtis Mayfield
Ever listened to ‘Super Fly’? No? You really mean that? – No??
Sigh. Get on it then! The soul record by the amazing Mr Mayfield is as all-time as it gets. Poor Eddie... he should have known better, baby.

Kim & Jessie – M83
The impossibly (and yet somehow possibly) beautiful M83 used otherworldly shoegaze/electronic magic to create one of our favourite tracks on the list. Beautiful, lush, exquisite, French… Damn. M83 – also known as the incredibly talented Anthony Gonzalez - has openly professed his inspiration came from Tears For Fears tune “Head Over Hills” – and Kim & Jessie was a result of wearing his influences well and truly on the sleeve. Gorgeous.

John I’m Only Dancing – David Bowie
Rad Bowie tune from his homo period (after his infamous interview during which he outed himself), where the narrator (presumably DB himself) soothes his jealous boyfriend, John, after being spotted dancing with a girl. Ironic…

William, it was really nothing – The Smiths
From sexually ambiguous Bowie to the sexual certainty of Morrissey. This is one of The Smiths great B-sides where Moz implores to the William of the title “How can you stay with a fat girl?”

Michael – Franz Ferdinand
Another gay-theme. Hands down the best Franz Ferdinand tune available to your ears with Alex Kapranos at his most haughty. Michael is sexy, Scottish, a little bit punk and outrageously good for the dancefloor. The song’s not bad either. (titter titter).

Gloria – Them
G. L. O. R. I. A…. Van Morrison might be a deranged, bad-tempered, ugly little man, but by gosh he could write a rock n roll song. Just try to avoid getting the mental picture of him pleasuring Gloria…

This list could have gone for miles, we realised once we got started.
A few other Songs With Peoples Names In The Title that we love like nobodies business include:

Amelia – Cocteau Twins
Kelly Watch The Stars - Air
Bennie and the Jets – Elton
Elizabeth on the Bathroom Floor – Eels
Sheila Take A Bow- The Smiths
James – Camera Obscura
Roscoe – Midlake
Making Plans for Nigel – XTC
Stella Was A Diver and She Was Always Down – Interpol
And a whole heap of Tom Waits songs.

Remind us of the ones we’ve forgotten – especially your own special namesake songs.

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since i left you - the avalanches

2009-10-06T13:36:00.004+10:00

[Modular: 2001]
Like a gust of arctic breeze through the Maldives, the Year 2001 saw the release of the most cool and elusive record releases of the decade. Packed with over 3000 samples it had an indefinable voice, but one that somehow managed to connect to a huge crossover audience. The recipe was a diverse mix of live instruments, turntables, live vocals and, of course, licks pulled from Madonna to Raekwon to Rogers and Hammerstein. The results? An exciting, at times beautiful, evocative, amusing and highly danceable opus – the perfect party soundtrack and a cinematic escape via a narrative of sounds, beats, melodies and voices.

Kicking off with the single of the same name, “Since I Left You” is an enigma of a debut record that sounded like nothing else we had heard. From the stunning electro-infused lounge track ‘Electricity’ that feels like a romance under a star-filled sky, to ‘Frontier Psychologist’ – a fusion of vocal samples, sound effects and a country n western loop, to ‘Flight Tonight’ which surges with hip hop beats and electro explosions – “Since I Left You” feels both nostalgic and futuristic at the same time.

If you haven’t discovered this brilliantl album yet, there’s no time to waste: Get thyself to the record store and purchase. And, for the rest of us, let’s hope the rumours about the Avalanches’ second album are true: it’s coming to a store near you by the end of this year. Fingers tightly crossed.

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Mariachi El Bronx

2009-10-06T13:31:00.003+10:00

[Swami/Wichita: 2009]
Mariachi El Bronx are the South-of-the-Border alter ego of fantastic Los Angeles band, The Bronx. Earlier last year while recording their third punk rock release ‘The Bronx’, they switched styles and concurrently recorded a mariachi style album and thus Mariachi El Bronx was born. According to the band, this record was inspired from growing up in LA and being inadvertently exposed to its strong Mexican culture especially the Mariachi sound.
This is a great album. Hearing the opening track "Cell Mates" initially grabbed my attention and is the standout, but the remaining tracks are just as captivating. Matt Caughthran showcases his vocal diversity and had me trying my best to sing along to each chorus. And what I assume are the traditional mariachi sounds of trumpets, guitars and Vihuela come across incredibly smooth and extremely cool. Look, I don’t know sh*t about mariachi music nor could I pretend to (like I usually do) but it certainly sounds like The Bronx have pulled it off and with summer around the corner this could be the perfect soundtrack.

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sounds of spring 2009

2009-10-06T13:15:00.005+10:00

The definition of Festival … a day or time of celebration, marked by feasting, ceremonies, or other observances; a periodic commemoration, anniversary, or celebration; a period or program of festive activities or entertainment; gaiety; revelry; merrymaking.

A periodic anniversary….tick

A program of entertainment…ummm…tick? If you forget about The Living End being cut short due to “wind” difficulties, and the Toothfairies being a no show due to illness

A celebration marked by feasting; gaiety; merrymaking….ummm perhaps not…. unless your idea of feasting is defined by the consumption of meatball subs from subway or Dagwood dogs… and your definition of gaiety involves paying $5 for water on a day when the temperatures rose to high 20s.
Despite my scorn,kudos must go to the organizers who managed to turn around last year’s disorganized complain-fest into a smooth running well-oiled machine. They seem to have learned from their mistakes even responding with a statement of Having spent 6 months making sure the event is a much better experience for all concerned. The event will remain 18+ and you will not be checked all day for ID. There will be 3 bars spread out around the site (two 30m wide and the other 15m wide). You will be able to drink everywhere.
There were more bars, less lines and smarter policies including trading empty cans for money off drinks… and the weather gods shined upon the 2009 Sounds of Spring festival - turning last year’s rain bath into a distant memory as sunny sunny skies prevailed throughout the day.
Five stages were spread throughout Brisbane’s RNA show grounds: The Triple J Big Top had a laidback spacious feel, the Main Arena gave you a chance to soak up some rays and felt just like the Gold Coast Big Day Out, the Zebra Top were for those hardcore dance fans, the Time Off Stage attracted an older crowd with its serene garden-themed setting and Club Trash was an intimate confined stage randomly thrown in the middle.

Sounds of Spring drew a younger crowd than we expected - but perhaps that was from the spillover of Parklife fans who missed out on tickets to that sold out event… Parklife and SOS being on the same day… stuff up by the event managers or clever marketing ploy?..who knows?

After the Fall rallied the angst ridden teenagers early in the day with a big turn out to see them play some of their punky rhythms. ‘Sunshine Towers’ got the kids on their feet and the set continued with high energy bass pulsating tunes from their latest album ‘In Exile’ being pumped out for their 40minute slot.

I then rushed over to the see the Toothfairies belt out some favourites, but were surprised to be supplied Melbourne-based multi-piece The Gin Club as last minute replacements. The shady Time Off stage was a cool change to the beating heat of the Main Arena and the slow tunes that the 3 guitars, 1 keyboard and 3 singers were soothing the audience with was a lovely start to the day.

Local band Mexico City had a country rock feel but seemed to miss out on the crowds due to the awkwardly placed Trash Stage. Highlights included the lead vocalist Adam Toole surprising AoTW with his echoes of Caleb Followill’s pipes and the sweet touch of a big lovely old electric guitar on stage.
Nineties rock band Nancy Vandal (who hail from ‘Planet Sex’?) started their set with a personalized spin on AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds. The saxophone, trombones, bass, drums, trumpet all sharing the stage created an aural sensation for the audience however this big band feel still could not wipe the thought away that Nancy Vandal are a akin to a poor man’s Living End. No real charisma, just big noise.

Next up: Midnight Youth’s Mars Volta-esque stage persona and lyrics. The lead singer Jeremy Redmore has a really impressive voice and the band just seems to mesh so well it seems like they’ve been playing together since infancy. This young New Zealand band just seemed really happy to be playing and gave everything they had to belting out hits from their The Brave Don’t Run debut album.

Announcing that they were an optimistic band with an optimistic website entitled www.roottheband.com.au, Root! set off with some funky country and western tunes and looked the part with all members donning cowboy hats. Highlights included joking that they felt like old fathers waiting to pick up their sons in Birds of Tokyo and belting out I Wish I Was Tex Perkins (which was a hit with the older audience).

Let’s face it, Kram will never gain the popularity of his former band Spiderbait, and seeing audience members more interested in guessing what a passing sky-writer was scrawling confirmed this. He busted out a drum laden aggressive set with lots of showmanship and swearing, however Kram also pulled out some sweet slower tunes which were not all about the drums. It’s a massive call to say this… but his voice was Bob Dylan-esque and the keyboard based tunes were not half bad. Maybe he needs to stick to this in future.

Sounds of Spring was characterized by young rock and punk heads, extreme heat, overpriced drinks, good tunes and saliva-inspiring Dagwood dogs… all in all not a bad day out, but if Splendour in the Grass is the BMW X5 in this scenario, Sounds of Spring is an early model VK Commodore…it gets you to where you want to be but it aint pretty!

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Catacombs – Cass McCombs

2009-09-22T18:51:00.004+10:00

[Domino: 2009]
‘Dreams-come-true-girl’ Cass McCombs’ lovely, lilting surf-pop ode to one helluva lucky lady is one of the sweetest songs I’ve heard this year. Cass quietly sings “You aren’t my dream girl. You aren’t my reality girl. You’re my dream-come-true girl.” Sigh. It’s one of those songs that you really wish was written about you. California-bred troubadour, Mr McCombs, has actually been around for a while – he released his first record in 2002 (Not The Way) - and has an impressive list of self-confessed fans, including Spoon’s Britt Daniel, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff, and psych-folk duo Beach House.
Catacombs is Album of The Week’s first taste of Cass McCombs and we are already somewhat smitten with his combination of off-kilter folk, laidback alt-country, and 1950s crooner pop. Album highlights include ‘Prima Donna’ - with off-beat Bob Dylan guitar strumming, ‘Executioner’s Song’ – a quiet and contemplative ballad, and of course – ‘Dreams-come-true-girl’. This record is a welcome change of pace and well worth a listen.

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Listen to Philadelphia Grand Jury's debut album!

2009-09-22T18:26:00.006+10:00

Album of the Week have been loving Philadelphia Grand Jury, or their 'street' name the Philly Jays music all through 2009 and now the Sydney Band are about to release their debut long player at the end of the week (25th of sep to be exact). If you don’t believe me see it and stream it here!
Hope is for the Hopers. Philadelphia Grand Jury
philly jays on myspace
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hungry kids of hungary give us their top 10

2009-09-15T20:41:00.007+10:00

Like most peeps we at Album of the Week love to hear what other people are listening too, been influenced by and/or generally love. This week we were lucky enough to get the fantastic Hungry Kids of Hungary to fight over and compile a list of their favourite tracks. (in no particular order)

Kate - Ben Folds Five
The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin
Teenage Riot - Sonic Youth
Strawberry Fields - the Beatles
Don't Talk (Put your head on my shoulder) - The Beach Boys
Peaches En Regalia - Frank Zappa
The way we get by - Spoon
40 Day Dream - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - the Beatles
Banshee Beat - Animal Collective

Brisbane 4 piece Hungry Kids of Hungary have only been around for a little while but have grabbed much attention with their killer second EP Mega Mountain, so get on it!

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Last Dinosaurs at Big Sound music conference

2009-09-15T20:29:00.005+10:00

We probably haven’t seen as many live gigs as we should have recently and when it comes to catching local acts we have been especially slack. Last week Australia’s miniature answer to Austin's South by South West, Big Sound, featured a showcase of local, unsigned, and indie acts in live music hot spot, Brisbane, and we were fortunate enough to catch a set of Last Dinosaurs. They look about 16 and I’m guessing they’re not far off, judging from the way they gulped their glasses of water in between songs and awkwardly looked at their feet. I’m generally a stickler for a good ‘performance’ factor when a band play live, but the very nervous, very shy stage presence of the four boys from Last Dinosaurs was inconsequential because the music they were playing was that good. Combining the pop melodies of The Cure, the off-kilter Brit-punk riffs of The Cribs, the energy of early Strokes, and a bit of 1950s bandstand thrown in, I can honestly say this is the most excited I’ve been about a new band in a while. It’s little wonder that Yves Klein Blue selected Last Dinosaurs to support their tour, Fingers crossed that this band will release something awesome in the next 12 months, and in the mean time check out their myspace page for a taste.

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Dappled Cities – Zounds

2009-09-02T23:42:00.003+10:00

[Speak 'n Spell: 2009]
Upon release of Dappled cities third album Zounds I was quite excited and deservedly so; Their second album Granddance was released in 2006 and it quickly became one of the highlights from that year and would still have to be one of the best Australian albums in the last 5 years.
The band have always leant towards the experimental side of music making and with Zounds they take this up another gear, they use everything from guitars, drums and synths to strings and chanting.
Where this could have easily become too much noise to handle the strength of the song writing and the ever refreshing mix of Tim Derricourt’s and Dave Rennick’s vocals easily keep the album intact. For Zounds they’ve turned down the pop and turned up the prog but in doing so have kept their wonderful dramatic sound and produced a fantastic album for the senses.
Dappled Cities are on tour now.

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decoder ring - They Bind The Stars, And The Wild Team

2009-09-02T22:38:00.006+10:00

[Inertia: 2009]
This record is an exhilarating reminder that there’s more to instrumental music than Kenny G.
Decoder Ring have joined forces with ‘audio wizard’ producer Scott Colburn (Animal Collective, Yeasayer, Mudhoney, Arcade Fire), ditched regular vocalist Lenka Kripac, and the results are the soaring, epic songs that explode with raw emotional energy – even more so than Kenny G’s platinum selling G-Force. The amazing first single “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom” perfectly represents Decoder Ring’s desire to create a sonic experience you can get lost in – uplifting, vast and captivating.
They Bind The Stars, And The Wild Team (a double album separated into two distinct movements) opens with Decoder Ring’s trademark enmeshing of electronic machines (reverberating synths and 808s) with live percussion and huge, My Bloody Valentine-esque guitars. From there the journey kicks off and you are sent soaring into space – or wherever it is that you let the explosive highs and trembling lows take you – and beyond. We try to steer clear of going down the “journey” road when it comes to describing albums because it seems so lame and clichéd, but the absence of a singer and a formulaic structure on this record kind of immerses the listener into the creative process – you take from the music whatever it is you want. You’re not forced to consider “my lovely lady humps” or “99 problems” - you just let the story go wherever you want. That is very cool and very beautiful.
decoder ring on tour throughout australia now

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Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People... Lazers do

2009-09-02T22:29:00.006+10:00

[Inertia: 2009]
Upon first listen, Guns Don’t Kill People scared the shit out of me. It sounds as if Electro, Reggae and Dancehall got together at a rave one night and ended up going back to the future to have some kind of marijuana-fuelled three-way. As much as that concept makes me quake with fright, I have to admit that it also kind of makes me more than a little bit enlivened.
The masterminds behind Major Lazer (Diplo and Switch) decided that if they were going to create a marijuana-fuelled musical orgy where better to record it than at Tuff Gong studios in Kingston, Jamaica - home of Bob Marley’s rebel mavericks, The Wailers. Every track on the record reads like a who’s who of Jamaican vocalists – Turbulence, Ms Thing, T.O.K. and Mr Vegas, and the result is the most progressive-sounding version of dancehall available to your ears. Quite frankly, Guns Don’t Kill People has a touch of hyperactive cut-and-paste sample overload, but remember these kinds of tunes are geared toward the dance floor where it works its erratic charms to perfection.

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splendour 2009 - day 1

2009-08-20T13:37:00.011+10:00

Another Splendour has come and gone for another year. It’s kind of like the week after Christmas – you look forward to it for such a long time and then it’s over in the blink of an eye and all you’ve got to show for it is a decent hangover, an empty wallet, bruised feet and – for Album of The Week - a bad case of Swine Flu. The weekend was a mixture of highs and lows:

Some highs:
• Dananananakyroyd lived up to the hype with a fantastically hyperactive and engaging live show
• The Specials lived up to their legend status and their name with a very special Saturday night performance
• The latest initiative of people being able to recycle their drinking vessels for drink tickets was a raging success – the amazingly clean grounds was testament to this
A few lows:
• Jane’s Addiction cancelled at the last minute - a genuine disappointment considering they were one of the most exciting headlining acts on the bill
• An abundance of younger festival attendees who didn’t seem to be down with festival etiquette or “festiquette” (a term coined by a friend of Album of The Week). It’s okay to shove people aside – IF, and only if, you do it with an “excuse me” and an apologetic smile
• We missed out on an amazing set from The Middle East

We awoke on Saturday 25 July to cloudless blue skies and blinking sunlight. ‘Nice try, weather! But you can’t trick us!’ we said as we pulled on gumboots, wrapped our layers of socked-feet in plastic bags and crammed ponchos into our pockets. The Byron Bay weather is a fickle bitch at the best of times, but on crucial weekends – like Splendour in the Grass, its unpredictability knows no bounds...

Now to the music:
Manchester Orchestra – Potential tantrums from the tragic news about Jane’s Addiction were held at bay from the huge, psychedelic, Sixties hard-rock sound from Manchester Orchestra, who played before a surprisingly large, mellow crowd for 1 o’clock. Massive riffs, crashing drums and the great vocals of Andy Hull, whom one crowd member referred to as the “sexy fat mess”, made for an untamed and dynamic performance. They did a very intense cover of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s ‘Satan Said Dance’ invoking The Doors at their darkest, and finished with popular single ‘I’ve Got Friends’.
Yves Klein Blue – The ever-growing popularity of Yves Klein Blue was on display at their stellar set of hook-laden tunes, spirited sing-along moments, and pure showmanship in front of an adoring crowd. Highlights of their performance included the “special treat” that front man Michael Tomlinson introduced to rapturous applause - an awesome cover of ‘Born to Run’ Bruce Springsteen’s beloved classic, inspiring fist pumping and group hugging from the over 25s in the crowd. YKB brought out special guests The John Steel Singers to play the horn section of breezy ska track ‘Summer Sheets’ and finished with a mass sing-along to latest single ‘Getting Wise’.
Children Collide – Australian indie rock n roll band Children Collide had masses of enthusiastic people cramming into the Main Stage tent to hear a super-tight and incredibly loud performance from the three-piece. Front man Johnny Mackay juggles lead guitar responsibilities and howling vocals with impressive finesse. The increasingly massive crowd go ballistic as Children Collide kick into what are clearly the big singles and I come to the realisation that this band is actually very popular with the local crowd and I am totally off the loop.
Little Red – The six dapper gents hit the stage appropriately attired like 50s throwbacks to complement their swinging rock n roll tunes. Unfortunately the main stage is just a bit too big for Little Red and the good time vibes and party feel that they bring to a live show are lost under the vast tent. However, they seemed to have several girls swooning at the flirtatious eye contact that the boys have clearly been practicing in front of the mirror and so even if this isn’t their best show ever at least they are guaranteed to get laid.
Dappled Cities – Playing a mixture of tunes from new record ‘Zounds’ and their previous ‘Granddance’, Dappled Cities bring their orchestral indie pop songs into flight with the very charismatic Tim Derricourt at the helm - fabulously flamboyant as he brandished his rotating ‘guitar arm’ with Prince-like panache during ‘Holy Chord’... Okay – maybe not Prince-like, but panache all the same.

At this point we desperately need to rest our weary bones, soothe our parched throats and smash ourselves with some of Splendour’s notoriously high-calibre food choices. Sneaking into the side entrance of the jam-packed Mexican cantina proved to be a revelation. The burritos were delicious, the bar-line was short, and several people on drugs provided excellent entertainment as they salsa danced to Tropicante Sound Sistema – truly amusing purveyors of the loudest latin/dancehall/gypsy sounds to ever abuse my ears, including the Spanish language version of Cyprus Hill’s ‘Insane in the Brain’. Insane indeed!

The Specials – Having devoted our day to rock music, we were well ready to ease into the smooth vibes of legendary ska and reggae revivalists The Specials. The dudes may look a little long in the tooth but they hit the stage in full trombone-toting, politically-impassioned glory, and sound amazing. Starting with ‘Too Much, Too Young’, they had the crowd chanting along to ‘A Message to you, Rudy’ before finishing the set with ‘Ghost Town’. Cue applause.
Bloc Party – While funnelling through the increasingly dense crowds to get to the Mix Up Tent for the Happy Mondays, we landed the perfect spot to watch Bloc Party. Once the shy, soft-spoken indie darling, Kele Okereke has transformed into a bonafide rock deity, complete with rippling muscles, amusing banter and a voice that won’t quit. We were reminded of why we first got into Bloc Party hearing ‘Banquet’ and ‘Like Eating Glass’ from ‘Silent Alarm’, interspersed with their latest material including the awesome New Order-ish ‘One More Chance’.
The Happy Mondays – While Shaun Ryder is clearly a wigged out casualty of the Age of Ecstacy, he sounds exactly as he did in the halcyon days of Factory Records at the height of the band’s popularity and relevance. The fact that he was slumped over the mic and facing back of stage doesn’t really matter that much – Happy Monday’s hype man and the Age of Ecstacy’s poster-boy-at-large, Bez, provided enough visual entertainment for all, and large-lunged vocalist Julie E Gordon sounds incredible. As one young lad told me “that chick is SEXY”. ‘Step On’, ‘Loose Fit’ and ’24 Hour Party People’ are highlights, as is the moment when I saw a dude wearing a ‘Madchester’ t-shirt who was old enough to be my dad and he gave me the peace sign. Rave on.
Day 1 comes to a close and we head home, have a beer, and pray for the strength to do it again tomorrow…

*The wrap up of Day 2 coming soon.

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Favourite songs of 2009 (so far)...

2009-08-10T23:05:00.021+10:00

The following are what we at Album of the week think are the top tracks of 2009 so far. There are so many more out there we could have added / remembered, what are your favourites?

‘My Girls’ – Animal Collective
Possibly the closest thing the Brooklyn trio has ever been to making a song with any semblance of a traditional song-structure. With their trademarked layered repeated vocal parts, DIY tribal-sounding percussion, and a fantastic hook-driven chorus, ‘My Girls’ was the first song we fell for this year.

‘Bruises’ – Chairlift
Cute and quirky indie version of Elton and Kiki’s ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, this instantly catchy pop song’s greatness lies in its simplicity. A constant unchanging drum machine beat, a classic three-chord melody, and cheesy but adorable verses delivered with inoffensive plainness by Caroline Polachek and Aaron Pfenning. Throw in a few handclaps, a singalong chorus, and you’ve got the recipe for a song that’ll have you skipping down the street.

‘Blood’ – The Middle East
An unashamedly beautiful and sad folk number about terminal cancer by enigmatic Australian band, The Middle East. The devastating honesty of the verse lyrics are contrasted with the enormously uplifting chorus – complete with soaring group vocals, bursts of brass and a happily tinkling xylophone.

‘Daylight’ – Matt & Kim
Awesome keyboard riff meets goofball enthusiasm and skittering drumbeats. It’s far from genius but it’s peppy as hell, and you can really hear the Brooklyn-esque “geek” quality that has endeared Matt & Kim to so many.

‘Halo’ – Beyonce
If there’s one thing Beyonce knows how to do, it’s dominate the hell out of a pop ballad. This is another one that gets stuck in the head and triggers an impassioned hand-clenched solo whenever it comes on through my car radio.

‘Oh No’ – Andrew Bird
Whistling virtuoso, lyrical academic and super-handsome psych-folk impresario Andrew Bird floated back into our lives with this, the first single, from latest album Noble Beast. With an elegant violin taking the main melody, delicate guitars, and gorgeous harmonies, ‘Oh No’ is the perfect representation of all that Andrew Bird’s music is – intimate, beautiful, and strange.

‘Knotty Pine’ – David Byrne / Dirty Projectors
What do you get when you cross this year’s ‘It’ band Dirty Projectors with David Byrne? You get a sweet slice of pop genius, people. (Actually, you generally get that when you put anything with David Byrne - the silver fox multi-faceted pop god that he is. Call us.)

‘Girl & The Robot’ – Royksopp
Upon first listen we thought “Jesus, this is the best track Kylie Minogue has produced in years!” Then we realised it was Royksopp featuring Swedish poptress Robin busting out the most outrageously catchy, danceable track of the year made up of a highly theatrical chorus, great lead vocals, a techno beat, and a futuristic narrative of love between a girl and a robot.

‘Daniel’ – Bat For Lashes remixed by Death Metal Disco Scene
This beautiful gorgeous psych-folk ballad has been tweeked to ad some great beats and repetitive strings but keeping the beautiful vocals of Natasha Khan to make one of the best remixes of 2009 so far.

‘Black Wax’ – Dananananakyroyd
From out of nowhere this Glaswegian band has emerged in a explosion of flailing arms, violently energetic live shows, the occasional cuddle and a few excellent singles made from their own unique brand of “fight-pop”, of which ‘Black Wax’ is our favourite. Join the party.

‘Something Good Can Work’ – Two Door Cinema Club
From the instant the first riff hits your ears it’s difficult not to become swept up in this infectious pop melody, pulsing beat and pacey lyrical delivery.

‘Velvet’ – The Big Pink
The London based duo 'the big pink' uses a catchy electro beat, super fuzzy guitars and atmospheric vocals to create this slow build epic.

‘Tonights Today’ - Jack Peñate
This African influenced dance track will get you dancing (with maybe a dash of glitter) in no time.

‘Hot Kisses, Cold Tiles’ – Fergus Brown
Another talented Australian singer songwriter with a super catchy and quirky tune, Check out his fantastically titled debut LP ‘Burgers Frown’ too. listen

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Oh Mercy - Privileged Woes

2009-08-10T22:54:00.002+10:00

[Casadeldisco / Shock: 2009]
Oh Mercy’s first full length album is a sweet and laidback piece of backyard Australiana that fans of Augie March, Dan Kelly & The Alpha Males and The Go Betweens will immediately find a soft spot for. This young Melbourne band is helmed by Alexander Gow – mellow-voiced lead singer and chief songwriter with a talent for storytelling, in particular about the highs and lows of youthful romance. And in keeping with the romantic theme, according to their label, the album was recorded in a room the size of a single bed with a mattress against the wall for sound-proofing. Radio favourites “Lay everything on me” and “Seemed like a good Idea” are the perfect album openers and set the way for the rest of the albums down-tempo indie pop tunes and breezy folk melodies that are apt for couch-lounging and lazing in the sunshine.

'Privileged Woes' is out on August 21

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The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

2009-07-17T17:01:00.002+10:00

[Warner Bros. : 2002]
The Lips have been around for over twenty years. They’ve experienced several highs (winning three Grammys, being voted the creators of the Official rock song of Oklahoma) and survived a number of lows (hardcore drug addiction). At different stages of their existence as a band they have evolved from the psych-rock garage scene, through the early grunge movement (the scene that produced their only “hit” to date: ‘She Don’t Use Jelly’), into an experimental phase of instrumentation and noise, and most recently a unique and psychedelic style of alternative rock.

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002) was their tenth full length album, and it remains one of the most ambitious, lush, chaotic, thought-provoking and sonically beautiful records released in the last ten years. From the album’s thoughtful opener ‘Flight Test’ to the bubbly electronic-fused pop of the title track, to the joyous single ‘Do You Realise’ – an existential journey in layman’s terms that is simultaneously sad and uplifting.
The Flaming Lips belong on the list of bands to see before you die, and we are super excited to see them at the Splendour in the Grass festival this year.

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Dananananakroyd Interview

2009-07-17T14:20:00.012+10:00

Glaswegian six-piece self-described “fight-pop” band caused a stir at South By South West this year, leaving critics raving about their almost violently energetic live shows. They are about to hit the road for their first ever tour of the European summer festivals, as well as quick stopovers in Australia (including splendour in the grass) and New Zealand. Callum Gunn, the band’s hyperactive front man, took some time for a chat with Album of The Week. Their debut album ‘Hey Everyone’ is out this week and is insane fun, comprising pop, punk, hardcore, sing along tomfoolery and blinding dance rock. Woo!
Album of The Week: Hello callum
Callum: Hello how’ve you been?
Album of The Week: Good how are you?
Callum: Not too bad at all
Album of The Week: Good – are you in the middle of a lot of interviews?
Callum: I am yes – it’s not the kind of emotional torture I thought it was – it’s actually quite enjoyable.
Album of The Week: Okay cool. What are you guys doing at the moment – are you in the middle of touring or are you just about to start?
Callum: Actually we did a show yesterday in Glasgow and then in three days we’re playing in London with the Eagles of Death Metal
Album of The Week: Nice!
Callum: Yeah, we’re just kind of warming up before we go back out (on the road) again in a months time
Album of The Week: And last nights show – that was a home town show?
Callum: In Glasgow yeah, yeah. It was a little show that we put on ourselves, to kind of warm up and get back into the whole head-banging thing, get the muscles aching.
Album of The Week: A lot of friends were there?
Callum: Yeah – it was pretty nice to see everyone so it was good.
Album of The Week: You guys have a heap of festivals coming up... do you enjoy the festivals or do you prefer playing the solo shows?
Callum: Well, we’ve never actually played many festivals, so this is set to be our first festival summer, so we’re all really keen for it. We’re used to being on the other side – waking up in a tent, so we’re all super excited. We’re all really looking forward to it.
Album of The Week: Are you guys excited for coming down to Australia?
Callum: Oh god yeah definitely yeah. Um, that’s kind of like the thing we’re looking forward to most. It’s going to be our first time and we’re playing Splendour In The Grass, which I’ve heard is absolutely amazing.
Album of The Week: It is – it’s in a great area of Australia as well.
Callum: Yeah! I’ve already been told I have to go surfing. Obviously it’s something I’ve never had the opportunity to do in Scotland. Ha ha ha!
Album of The Week: That’s great! So are you planning on doing a lot of touristy things while you’re here?
Callum: We actually have quite a few days off, so we’ll have the chance. I’ve never been to Australia before but I’ve always wanted to, so it’ll be good to have the time to get about and see what’s going on.
Album of The Week: Back to Splendour – we’re looking forward to seeing you play. You guys have quite a reputation for your live shows, what can we expect when you play Splendour?
Callum: Ummm... you can expect a lot of infantile cuddling and childish behaviour and a lot of positive, good vibes and very very loud music. And hopefully people will respond energetically.
Album of The Week: Do you guys have a fitness regime to keep your live shows up to par?
Callum: (laughs) I wish – unfortunately the live show IS our fitness regime. In the beginning all of us partook in a little bit of jogging, but it never really became very serious and we try to keep fit, but it’s not really the case.
Album of The Week: Callum you used the be the drummer right?
Callum: I did, yes I did.
Album of The Week: And how’s the switch? Do you enjoy the singing more?
Callum: Ah... yeah I do. Honestly I miss the drums a little bit, but I get my moments during the live shows cos parts of the songs I get to play the drums. I get my drum fix.
Album of The Week: So there’s a bit of swapping?
Callum: Yeah – we all do a little bit of it at some point.
Album of The Week: In the beginning, how did Danananakyroyd get together?
Callum: We got together about three and a half years ago when two of us, we were all in different bands around Glasgow all playing in the scene that we had a few years ago, and those bands all kind of dissolved so what happened was we all just kind of fell into a unit of bored youth (laughs). And we decided to form a ridiculously fun band – with no real agenda or anything – so we just all got together and started playing that music.
Album of The Week: Do you listen to the critics – getting the positive feedback must be pretty good?
Callum: Well to be honest I don’t really check it too much myself but my mum does ha ha! So I get my reports from my mother who is infinitely proud of her son – bless her heart. She tells us whenever someone has said something good about the band in the newspapaers or anything like that.
Album of The Week: Aw that’s good. You recently had a band member leave how did that pan out?
Callum: Yes we’ve got a replacement in and we’ve done two shows with him to see if it worked and it fortunately does!
Album of The Week: With your album, did you guys record it live – just go in a play it?
Callum: Yep it was recorded in New York with ¬¬Machine (producer) who did Lamb of God and lots of metal bands, and we just went into the studio for two weeks and tried to do as much live as possible, really try to capture the live sound. We’re predominantly a live band so we really wanted to put the essence of our live shows into the record.
Album of The Week: Okay nice. Hey, who does your artwork? It’s pretty cool.
Callum: Yeah! It’s this guy from London Keaton Hensen, a really really talented guy. One of the guys from the band really liked his work and thought this is our man so we got in contact with him online, we kind of struck up a good relationship with him and has a continued part in our work so far yeah.
Album of The Week: We are always interested to hear what other peoples Albums of The Week are and what they are into. What are you listening to at the moment?
Callum: Umm, ahhh geee. This is a hard one. Well kind of catching up on a lot of things and getting back into metal. One album would be Agoraphobic Nosebleeds their latest record Agorapocalypse. Very very harsh record that we’re into at the moment and in no way represents the band but we like it a lot.

Album of The Week: Ok great. We are very much looking forward to seeing you guys down here soon.
Callum: Thanks we are really looking forward to it.
Album of The Week: And hopefully you’ll be able to get some surfing in.
Callum: Oh yes definitely, I am not the best but I will give it a shot.

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gutter twins ticket giveaway

2009-07-17T12:07:00.011+10:00

Another nice little splendour related giveaway you might want to know about.
The fantastic Gutter Twins are touring and will be playing a Sydney side show on Thursday the 23rd of July.
If you are in the area and would like to go: be the first three people to email us your name and you will get yourself a FREE double pass to the show. Be quick.
email us now!

Gutter Twins
Thursday 23rd July
York Theatre, Sydney
Licensed & All ages.
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white lies free album offer.

2009-07-16T15:28:00.006+10:00

British Band White Lies are hitting Australia and if you want to see them and missed out on Splendour in the Grass tickets don't despair they will be playing two side shows at the Metro Theatre in Sydney and the Hi-Fi in Melbourne. AND if you purchase your ticket online you will get their album 'to lose my life' for FREE.
The album is a winner and definitely worth a listen and its FREE.

check it out here

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dj aristocat and his top 10 tracks

2009-07-08T22:19:00.010+10:00

[2009: Unsigned]
Album of The Week has been a long-time fan of DJ Aristocat, but it’s about time we spread the word and stopped keeping his awesome skills all to ourselves. A fixture on the Californian hip hop scene for years, the young LA-based DJ was mixing his Busta Rhymes with the Bangles long before “mash ups” became super popular through Belgium’s 2ManyDJs and, more recently, Pittsburgh awesome copyright infringement case Girl Talk. His most recent mix, Wonderland, shows off Aristocat’s ridiculous collection of tunes – old and new, as well as his amazing musical knowledge and the unique creativity with which he approaches mixing songs – like crossing Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” with “I Get Money” by 50 Cent, or indie rock band VHS or Beta with AC/DC. Clever. aware and tongue-in-cheek, but most importantly it sounds good.

The man has a reputation of getting people on the dance floor and keeping them there. So we’ve asked him to recommend ten tracks that never fail to get bodies moving. Here it is:

DJ Aristocat - Break In Case of Emergency On The Dancefloor Tracks (In No Particular Order)

10. Nightcrawlers - Push The Feeling On This is classic, reminds me of house parties and everytime I drop it, it takes me back and wakes the crowd up.
9. Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. This is a no brainer / tribute, if you are a dj and you don't have this in your crate/hard-drive, you suck.
8. Basement Jaxx - Red Alert Another classic that when it drops, usually so do the girls asses. Basement Jaxx ruled my cd player for like 2 years.
7. The Outhere Brothers - Boom Boom Boom Another classic, this totally kicks the crap out of that Black Eyed Peas Boom Boom Shit track - play this and you get my respect and the crowd screaming "way-ohhhhh!"
6. Crookers - Il Cattivo This one I was on the fence about, it murders in the right situation, in the wrong situation it can get you murdered, play at your own risk...
5. Robin S. vs. Steve Angello & Laidback Luke Show Me Love (Hardwell Bootleg) - This is the ish in LA right now, pretty much any 90's dance remix is, you can play this most anywhere and when it drops in, you have a party on your hands.
4. Cajmere - Percolater It's time for the Percolater, it's always time for the Percolater.
3. CeCe Peniston - Finally (Vandalism Remix) I love this remix, it's effective and electro...and it's a 90s dance song remix...nuff said.
2. Stardust - Music Sounds Better (Discotech Remix) Discotech do awesome remixes that are pounding and effective, this is no exception.
1. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (Mstrkrft Remix) Justice meets Mstrkrft, I think Mstrkrft should do a Justice remix album, then I could just throw that on at the club and go get a drink as my work would be done for me.

Check out 'Wonderland', DJ Aristocat's latest mix and his other excellent party mixtapes at the link below.

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Apricot Rail talk to Album of The Week

2009-07-08T21:41:00.004+10:00

Courtesy of a great tip-off from their label (Hidden Shoal Recordings) the incredibly beautiful, melodic sounds of Australian band Apricot Rail have been brought to our attention. Who better to introduce them than one of the band’s many multi-instrumentalists, Ambrose Nock. We asked him a few questions about the band, their plans and their enigmatic sound…

Describe your music to us

It was described once in a live review as ‘the soundtrack to some time-lapse Belgian art house film about clouds or migrating ducks’. Its generally quite pretty, melodic & experimental with lots of different instruments used to carry the melody.

Who is in the band and what do they do?

Jack Quirk – Guitar, Glock, Trumpet, Electronica, Voice
Daniel Burt – Bass guitar
Matt Saville – Drum Kit/Percussion
Mayuka Juber – Clarinet, Flute, Keyboard, Melodica, Voice
Ambrose Nock – Guitar, Glock, Keyboard

What are the origins of Apricot Rail – how did you form?

Very gradually, with members being added along the journey. The actual concept of the band is quite old but really was only fully realized when Mayuka joined after about our fourth or fifth show sometime in the middle of last year.

Compare your sound to other bands – to give people a reference point?

Some ball park names would be: Sandpit, Mum, Tortoise, Bluetile Lounge, Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Braving the Seabed, Broken Social Scene.

What’s your favourite song or songs?

From the album? ‘If You Can’t Join Them, Beat Them’ is still my favourite.
Actual fave song? Hard to go past ‘Huddle Formation’ by the Go! Team

What is Apricot Rail’s ultimate collaboration – who would you love to collaborate with?

This would be different for all of us… For me I’d go with Emily Haines who sings a few tracks for Broken Social Scene and plays in a band called Metric – In my head I can hear her voice over my songs and I think they’d be something pretty special.

Tell us about your touring plans – where can we see you?

Hopefully everyone will be back in Perth in March next year working on a new record and then after that we’ll see.

Which artists are influential to the band?

In terms of guitars Sandpit, Sonic Youth & Braving the Seabed. In terms of melody and instrumentation: Tortoise and Mum. Jack and Daniel listen to a lot of electronic and minimal techno type stuff as well which is gradually starting to filter into a few songs and could feature a bit on the new record.

Where does Apricot Rail hope to be in the future?

Our goals are strictly musical – and as long as we get this part right we’re happy to end up wherever it takes us (barring Gaol or the Liberal party) [Ed: that’s an Australian political party]

Which bands did you listen to as kids that made you want to be musicians?

At about aged 14 I decided i had to play guitar after hearing Sandpit. Before that I'd been dablling in piano and bass guitar listening to a lot of random 80's stuff like XTC, Spandau Ballet, REM, Thompson Twins. But I always wanted to play music I don't think it was based on hearing anything particular.

Finally, what is your album of the week?

The new Pond album "Corridors of Blissterday" is in the car stereo at the moment and well worth everyone’s attention.

Apricot Rail’s self-titled album is out now, so we suggest you check it out post haste. This band is definitely one to watch out for, so keep them on your radar.

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She & Him - Volume One

2009-07-08T21:31:00.007+10:00

[2008: Spunk]
This adorable collection of country-tinged folk songs and quirky soulful ballads is the result of the complementary pairing of indie balladeer M. Ward and songwriter/singer Zooey Deschanel – more commonly known for her acting roles (she plays the wilful sister who presses the Simon and Garfunkel record into the hands of William Miller in ‘Almost Famous’). A few covers aside, all the songs were written by Deschanel who has a husky, lilting country tone to her voice that is a perfect match for her wistful, romantic lyrics. Case in point, the opening track ‘Sentimental Heart’ in which she gently croons “piece of the puzzle I’m your missing part. Oh what can you do with a sentimental heart?” – Awww! The arrangements by M. Ward are effective in their simplicity – upright piano, acoustic guitars and a restrained use of strings – that beautifully balance with Deschanel’s effortless voice. Their cover of Smokey Robinson’s blues classic ‘You Really Got a Hold on me’ is a standout, but there is so much to like about this album as a whole. As my grandmother would say, it’s “darling”.

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The Middle East – Recordings of The Middle East

2009-07-01T08:41:00.007+10:00

[Spunk: 2009]
The Middle East have only recently been getting attention since their beautiful song ‘Blood’ was featured on a Spunk Records singles compilation in 2008. While ‘researching’ the band I found it extremely difficult to come across any information on the group. This mystery surrounding the group and its members –whether intentionally or not – adds to the ethereal image of the band, that comes across strongly in their sound and style of music. The Middle East create soft, delicate lo-fi folk songs in the vein of Art of Fighting, Sigur Ros and a touch of Arcade Fire. This five-track EP is surely going to gain them many more fans. The opening track ‘The Darkest Side’ is an amazing mini epic using beautiful male and female harmonies with an acoustic guitar hook that’ll have you humming the tune for hours to come. Blood, the standout track, uses the wonderful combined vocals over simple instrumentation to sublime effect. The only downside to this release is the number of songs – only five. We eagerly await more music from this elusive Australian group.

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also playing splendour!
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