The album is called LeftRightLeftRightLeft and features 9 tracks, mainly from their latest offering Viva la Vida. For this price it’s worth a download even if you’re not a fan!

Coldplay LeftRightLeftRightLeft Free Live Album

I did try to get tickets for his dates in London, but didn’t get any sadly (was too slow and couldn’t afford eBay prices!). I was sceptical as to how good the gigs would have been. Clearly physically and mentally time and fame had taken it’s toll on him. Even though many people will obviously be left feeling that they perhaps missed out on a once in a life time show (for example I am too young to have had the chance to see him before now), I think perhaps the hope, anticipation and expectations from the shows are best kept in people’s minds. I had an idea of how I would have liked the gigs to be, and now they will always be a reality in my mind – and I strongly feel (however much I don’t want to) many would have been disappointed with his performances.

On another, slightly more positive note it also occurred to me that it could be highly likely that his record for the most album sales with Thriller may never actually be beaten. The music world had transformed so drastically in recent years that I don’t even think it’s possible to sell anywhere near as many albums now – things just don’t work like that anymore. For the same reasons I also don’t think we will ever see such huge superstars again. The days when record companies could afford to float giant statues down the River Thames to promote a new album launch are behind us. In part I think this is a good thing, when you take a step back and look at the awesome amount of fame attributed to this one man, it is hard to comprehend. Clearly he was affected by it, and so perhaps it’s not right, or safe to have such massive idols.

Whatever your thoughts though I hope you take a moment to enjoy some of his creations and enjoy some true creative genius.

Over the years I have received a lot of stick for liking Limp Bizkit. Despite this, I have always maintained that the Results May Vary album does have some excellent tracks on it. I don’t mean they are good songs for Limp Bizkit, I mean they are just plain good songs. You have to forget some of the embarrassing stuff that they’ve done around them, and take each song on its own and then you can appreciate them for what they are.

One of these songs is Build a Bridge. Still in a nu-metal style there are nice melodies and subtle synths, mixed with louder powerful choruses. It’s nice to hear Fred Durst sticking to singing too. Again, some of the songs in which he raps are good, but this song demonstrates that his talents stretch beyond being able to swear 46 times in a rather messed up rhyme.

Another reason I am a big fan of the band is for Wes Borland’s guitar work. There’s something about his style which I find enthralling. I’ve never seen him play live, so I was tempted to get tickets for their performance at Download Festival this year, but I didn’t really feel comfortable with the idea that they were the reason I was going.

So go on, give it a try, what’s the worst that can happen?

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So here is the, now legendary, encore set from the Bercy, Paris show. I won’t spoil it for those that haven’t seen it already, but I will say make sure you get to at least 4:40.

The audio from the show is available on their album Alive 2007, with the encore only available on the special edition 2 disc version.

Here we have a beautiful acoustic song from the brutal Swedish prog-metallers, Opeth. From their mainly acoustic album Damnation, this soft lullaby is supremely soothing and mellow. For me the first simple notes from the bass guitar are the best part, there’s something elegantly powerful about the simplicity of it.

Aside from it just being a great song, one of the things I like so much about it is that it perfectly demonstrates how effective a close relationship between the bass guitar and drums can be. For years I was in a band and endlessly had to listen to the drummer talking about this, but I never really understood, but the simplicity in this song really bring it out.

If you enjoy this song I recommend the rest of the Damnation album as each song follows a similar style.

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After I saw Ulrich Schnauss live earlier this year I went through an obsession with shoegaze. Although that has passed (for now), this song has stuck in there and is still a regular in my play lists.

It’s just such a huge tune. The opening screaming vocals are so delicate and haunting all you can do is listen in awe. Once you add extra vocal layers in the chorus the song becomes so emotional you’re mesmerised! I guess that’s really the idea behind shoegaze, huge reverb and echo with dreamy vocals. What’s really great though is the incorporation of a stadium-rock style guitar towards the end, it serves to make this a true epic!

As a side note I’ll add this in case anyone is interested. I discovered this song on an advert on E4 for 90210. It took me a little while searching online to find out who it was by, but at least this time it didn’t take years! So in case anyone finds this post searching for the same info here it is

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Just a quick one today, inspired by the Valerie and Friends album I’m in full retro mode at the moment! Futurecop! are probably one of the most well know (certainly in the UK) artists from the Valerie collective. They produce a refreshingly mellow style of electro-house that can suit many moods - from the dance floor to the sofa. They have often been quoted as saying that they imagine their songs being played during the credits of old 80’s films, such as Back to the Future, and I think this comes across when you actually hear the songs.

I’d like to pick out just one song from this EP, but they are all so good I just can’t. If you enjoy one you’ll enjoy them all!

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I recommended this artist to someone a few days ago in a response to my last Tennishero post and thought it was only right I gave him a little more credit. In a similar style to Tennishero this is a refreshingly mellow electro house tune, which tips its cap to that ever popular decade, the 80’s, in a big way!

I downloaded the original College version of this track some time ago (along with the rest of the EP), and I must say I wasn’t very impressed - the songs had a solid foundation but didn’t develop enough for my liking (and the early fade outs were just bloody annoying in my opinion). But this remix completely turns that on its head! It kinda make’s me see the sense in the original song. By creating a fairly simple base, College have opened themselves up to massive remixing opportunities. I guess you could compare this to Daft Punk’s Human After All, which did become a little repetitive - but as soon as remixes started appearing (especially in the form of their own live album Alive 2007) it really made sense.

By adding a little more structure Anoraak has created a masterpiece of chilled electro house. The lead melody has really helped take this track to a new level, as have the various break downs. Retaining the good features of the original, and adding his own style makes this an example of a perfect remix.

See Also:
Valerie and Friends Compilation Album - Featuring Anoraak & College

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Sadly I don’t have time to give a complete review of the album, but needless to say it is truly epic. They have brought together the finest collection of electro house artists I’ve ever seen! I recommend this album to those of you who are already a fan of the genre, and to those of you less familiar with it as it’s a great way to get an idea of the feel of it.

Now go - listen and love!!

Stream & Tracklist:

1. MINITEL ROSE - Zombie Lady
2. ANORAAK - Long Distance Hearts
3. JUPITER - Starlighter
4. DVAS - Inner Sanctum
5. COLLEGE - The Light Of Your Dress
6. KEENHOUSE - Deep In The Forest
7. ELECTRIC YOUTH - Faces
8. RUSS CHIMES - Daytona
9. MAETHELVIN - Lost In Big City
10. THE OUTRUNNERS - Runaway
11. FUTURECOP! - Eyes Like The Ocean
12. MOULINEX & PRESS, RELEASE - 1stracklove
13. SYMBOLONE - Last Scene (Daytona Mirage)
14. XINOBI - Woodstock
15. NARCTRAX - Excalibur Galactica
16. LOOSE SHUS - Red Sonja
17. STEVE MOORE - Saturnalia

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Thanks to HMV I have just taken delivery of my first full Ted album - and I must say I am suitably impressed. Body Riddle, from which today’s recommendation comes, is a truly great IDM album, and definitely makes it onto my list of albums to hear before you die. But for now I want to concentrate on Night Knuckles.

Quite a simple song, it is primarily constructed of rhythmic xylophone sounds (with the odd obligatory IDM sound effect thrown in). I think it stands out for me as it’s quite a chirpy song. This is particularly evident when you listen to the whole album, most of the other tracks creating a far more sinister soundscape. It’s amazing when I stop to think about it how much is actually missing that you might expect to find in such a song - but the xylophone seems able to provide everything, from sweet melodies, to rumbling bass and an almost drum n’ bass style rhythm. I think the song is best enjoyed if you listen with a bit of an imagination. There are no drums, but it’s quite easy to fit in your own (imagined) drum beats - this is quite a tricky concept to explain in words, but hopefully you’ll feel it if you listen enough.

Anyway, expect more from me about Clark over the coming weeks, and for now enjoy this song!

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