TheDarrenXshow

Plastic Beach Leaks

2010-03-01T18:48:00.001Z

Its Leaked...

Bit torrents at the ready...

IT SOUNDS AMAZING. Review to Follow..

gaga covers q

2010-02-23T16:46:00.001Z

There has been alot of angry people talking about lady gaga being made the magazines new cover artist and q have also written a very positive article on the gaga chaos...

So has a seemingly, old school and hardcore rock magazine has gone soft?

Is gaga the new coldplay?

Or is it all a big over reaction?

I understand the need for Q to do an article on Gaga, after all it would have been rude and rather ignorant for them not to have, she has cleared up at this years Brits and will probably do the same at the MTV music awards and similar. Plus there is no disputing that Gaga has (somehow) managed to make possibily every gay and teenage girl Gaga mad. And thus make her very successful... 8million albums in 2years is incredible and Gaga has done with her first album what artists 8 albums down still havent (genre considerate).

But she has openly admitted to the media previously that 'just dance' took 'minutes to make', the lyrics are not exactly Dylan or cash and the fame is completly manufactured, over produced and instantly forgetable drival... Gaga will by far out live her songs and it is her that is more appealing than the music - which is another reason why Q would write an article and make a cover artist.

In short: rock will always be around and display more talent than gaga can shake her cock at!

Diamonds are forever

2010-02-23T07:11:00.000Z

Marina has a very big year ahead of her, she's already had the pressure of launching a debut album, promoing, the Brits critic choice and the festivals coming up and also to see how her album charts... Will it be a hit or miss, after all the hard work put in.

Well she's needs to worry about absolutly nothing. Her debut 'Family Jewells' is simply incredible, so fun and sophisticated. It is very exciting and the hype surrounding this girl is similar to that of Florence and the machine was - although I know marina hates being compared to her predecessor, marina is happy being just half of what Flo is as she proudly admires the sudden surge of female vocallists in the charts & thanks her diamonds for making her a part of it.

The album is very much Marina the musical. With a lead single like 'Hollywood' it's easy to get a vibe for how the vast majority of the album sounds, upbeat and lyrically mature and vague, the other songs on the album are outstanding piano records, with marina singing about trying to break into the music business and the not quite pleasant music exc's she has met on the way. Due to the unique sounding of marinas voice marina faced alot of critisism and rejection, however one of the few to belevie in marina and her diamonds was fellow newcomer and crtics choice Elie Goulding, the two are very good friends and have sang in pubs and lounges in and out of London.

IS SHE MAD? in short it's hard to tell, but I'd probably say yes! With songs called 'i'm not a robot' and 'Hermit the Frog' it's easy to see a slight lack of mental stablity.

Don't hold that against her though, there is a fine talent here. I see big things.

Lightspeed

2010-02-20T15:46:00.002Z

Devonté Hynes, prefers to be called Lightspeed champion. As it reminds him of happier times being sat in his math class doodling on the pages of his book, characters that feared little and shouted 'Come on' to trouble. Writing tales and adventures of a superhero who could run at the speed of, well... Light.

Little did a young Hynes know that in actual fact, one day, he would become a similar sort of character. Though instead of fighting with trouble, he'd sing about it.

you may never have heard of Lightspeed Champion before now but i can guarantee you that you've heard something he has written. being a very talented songwriter with his previous band 'Test Icicles' and also a long list of artists including more recently, Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx, Florence and the Machine as well as songs for the Xfactor contestant Diana Vickers. So with an already blooming CV, anticipation for 'Life is Sweet Nice to Meet You' was phenomenal, and quite rightly so... the album just ozzes quality from beginning to end, you can tell a great deal of time and love has gone into making it prefect. It reminds me of the same type of feeling i had when MGMT released their debut, it didnt take off straight away and took time to settle in. This album will be the same, whether its just now or 5years away this will be featured as one of the best albums of all time.

Do you think im over reacting?

Listen for yourself...

Myspace

Lightspeedchampion.com

New Stuff - Pimplez

2010-02-20T14:23:00.002Z

So humanoids, its been another long working week and i think we all deserve a well over due chill out and wind down. This week i have some great brand new music for you, it'll make you feel all special and warm inside and ting...

FIRST!

OPERATOR PLEASE

logic

i first encountered operator please over breakfast in 2008 whilst they showed on some t4 show for unsigned acts. my first though was 'HOLY SHIT' there song '... about ping pong' sounded like KT tunstall meets the new young pony... strong, different and filling a gap you didnt know actually existed. they are now my favourite aussie band with a girl. except the veronicas.

Operator Please With Logic - Free download from the link below...

operatorplease.musotool.com

Love Morris

angel

i am more than a little ashamed to say that i dont know much about Love Morris the act, or its creator Amanda Hawkins (No relation to Justin [Hawkins, Darkness singer], although i am not too sure about Stephen) other than our meeting was sort of fate, as i was digging through the tons, of new music i get linked to by other people... just about to give up... i played this bad boy... Folk, Synth, Angels... What else could you want.

(i cant direct link as its not available on love morris's soundcloud)

Soundcloud.com/lovemorris

MySpace.com/lovemorris

AUDIO BULLYS

only man

they are back!! and i cant actually contain my excitement for not just the new album but also a complete change in style, sense, direction? almost gorillaz esc electro disco, which is quite exciting in itself but there is also another song to be released 22nd march before the album date of 29th... NUF SAID!

Listen to it HERE

MySpace.com/audiobullys

Audiobullys.co.uk

Leakage

2010-02-14T17:11:00.003Z

So it seems the probable has happened and Plastic Beach has popped its download cherry and leaked...

The reports started coming in early this morning that Plastic Beach by the Gorillaz, The long awaited 3 album which is said to be their biggest and indeed best yet got an early release - illegally obv... The album itself is already tipped to be a HUUUUGE flop due to the lead single 'Stylo' not exactly bursting the banks. The albums official release is the 16th March.

Who the fuck do the courteeners think they are?

2010-02-13T07:57:00.001Z

"...our album is a masterpiece"

"...we are going to be the biggest band in the world..."

Liam Fray 2007

Quotes that might still feel alien coming from the mouths of Chris Martin or Fran Healy...

You hear an amazing album like a rush of blood or even the man who for the first time and some how it seems so prefect yet not finished, the albums equal in success and in many ways 'the man who' pathed the way for 'a rush of blood to the head' which in turn now carries the same responsiblity for any new emerging British indie bands... They can quite happily aim for the chance of creating an album HALF as good as them.

Then we get the Courteeners who in 2007 debuted there first album which before hand was lead singer Fray's bragging ticket and gave him the right to lay the beating to other rival bands, other bands whom where also only trying to break through and survive the same as his band where... Only for one thing - when the album was released it wasn't the masterpeice Fray promised, nor was it a close second to Hard Fi's debut which Fray branded as "shit" and called out rival lead singer by brandishing him a "little prick"!

The likes of which we have come to accept from the Gallachers - not this "little prick" from the courteeners...

So with 2nd album on the way 'Falcon' and massive manc show to 10,000 under their belt have things changed?

Will the courteeners come back the 2nd time with the masterpeice they promised us 3years late... Or will Fray and his band be left to be only big in Manchester. Nice Ambition...

Watch this space!

In New Music We Trust

2010-02-07T18:18:00.008Z

With the last post in mind there are 4 BIG songs/artists i think are worth a listen and are exactly what i mean when i say, The future of new music. They range in genre and style, look and attitude however, all as equally important as the next... Listen to them, google them, go see them live and then pass your review on.

First up! Chiddy bang are a US duo, only 17 but make a meeeean cover of MGMT's Kids

Chiddy Bang - The Opposite Of Adults

www.myspace.com/chiddybangphilly

Next up, Ellie Goulding...

Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets

Won the 2010 critics choice award at the brits and voted BBC sound of 2010... Looks to have a great year ahead.

elliegoulding.co.uk

Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood

www.marinaandthediamonds.com

Civil Civic - Less Unless

civilcivic.blogspot.com

New music, here we come

2010-02-07T15:50:00.011Z

Around this time of year, every year... just as summer is approaching and winter is thankfully gone for another 10 months, we start to see record companies invest alot more time into their new acts... promoting them at every opportunity and trying to broaden the prospects of a tidy number 1 album and loyal fan base. For this reason new music becomes ripe and we start to see the rubbish currently in the top 40 fade out and indie/electro take over as supreme once again... This goes without saying for 2 main reasons and a few tiny... The first notable reason is...

1. The Brits

and this year we cant escape them, what with peter kay hosting and the usual, unusual blend of odd ball singers and music industry excs all crammed into one building for a, never quite long enough show that in the past has featured some iconic moments and helped in shaping not just british music culture, but also in USA and australia native indie groups fame thereselves on behaving 'like the british' and due to this not only can the brit awards be essential for the success of any new act in the UK but also globally like Britney, Scissor Sisters, Eminem all put there label through there paces to make sure they got a space to preform, but also go all the way to ensure their performance is the most memorable of the evening... But the genuis of it is... YOU DONT EVEN NEED TO PREFORM case in point: Michael Jackson being mooned by jarvis cocker or The KLF weirdness on that crazy 92 show or The Halliwell union jack dress which was voted the most iconic moment in not just the brits history, but pop history.. and brought all of these acts priceless publicity, which, without the Brits... wouldn't actually have been possible, The Brits remains the only british show that reaches more people and carries more influence than the Xfactor.

2. Festivals

Leading up to summer we also get the chance to speculate on who will be appearing at each of the festivals. Festival business boomed at the beginning of the 90's and in its path, created some new festivals and a new type of summer holiday experience which invites anyone, of any age and of any background to camp in a field with thousands of other strangers, shit and wash in dirty horrible, probable STD filled area, be bitten by flying insects, the like of which are only known in the Balado area of earth and definitely get mud in your nose, arse, hair, nails, shoes and beer... All in the name of music...This was and continues to be the most successful form of introduction to any music lover and new bands, sure you have your NME magazine where you cant actually hear the printed words about how good the music is on their end or radio stations which even although play alot of new music which is cool and likely exciting for any new artist... they also turn down thousands and thousands of new bands to be heard on there station, either for being 'not in keeping with the stations genre' or 'not popular enough' stations take the easy option and wait until the artist is minorly successful before furthering their career. There is nothing quite like walking around a field with a warm beer in your hand and passing a tent where a band is playing to a crowd of around 12... or 13... where the energy and power of the lyrics may just be enough to make them your new favorite artist.

These 2 giant music promotions make all the shitty urban/RnB bearable, to know that is a few months time we will probably be listening and raving on about a new artist that we had no idea existed before the above...

There are a few some reasons as fore mentioned, which might just be theories at this stage but still every part as important

The Gallaghers
I am not afraid at all of admitting how much i hate them, however... As the last band around after the 90's Britpop era, They have my respect for lasting so long and i am also a tiny bit sad and let down that in actual fact Britpop is now DEAD. (even although it died 10 years ago, i find it difficult to admit) apart of me always wishes that blur and plup and others would reform for musics sake.... However, i do know that if they did, and Oasis are now included - It still wouldn't be the same. With the brothers now possibly split forever (or at least until the big bucked reform tour deals start coming in) they have the dilemma of who will carry on as Oasis and who, out of the brothers is left to seek new band mates and name... In actual fact these questions may have already been answered in the press, however until i see the changes and the way it sounds for myself i refuse to believe it...

With this in itself brings a massive change to the music scene and alot of bands will try now to step up there game to try and claim the gapping hole Oasis have left.

Glee
Lastly and ill leave it for you to decide how important this one is, Glee, which you really cant avoid right now...his does for music something genius and very clever. Britannia High was a UK show, very similar, but a complete failure. It doesnt take long to see the differences between them and the reason its US competition marvels in places BH failed. firstly, the songs on glee are covers where the songs on BH were originals, BH had too many serious story lines whereas glee focuses on humouring it audience and importantly the characters on glee can act. Glee is filming for season 2 right now in the US and no doubt will also re-appear back over here too. With album, Glee soundtrack: Part 1 on the way (feb 15th) we will be sure to see alot more top 10 hits by the cast and with that as above comes a new wave of fans or gleeks as their known, taking to the mic and releasing there efforts inspired by the show.

All in all this could be a very very exciting year for music, what with all the silly Reformations done and over with and away from our charts we can get back to what we do best, New Music...

Maaaaash

2010-02-07T13:33:00.007Z

Heres a Cool song for you to enjoy on another hungover and pointless sunday...

Its my new favourite rapper, Wale this time tackling the Ting Tings smaaaash and also a Little W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E actioooon...

i love wale...

if you do to check out his other stuff online below...

The Ting Tings Feat. Wale "That's Not My Name"

W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. - Wale

MySpace.com/wale

Walemusic.com

Kings and Queens

2010-02-05T17:14:00.001Z

Still hanging on to one of my favourite albums from last year, Jamie T's kings and queens... The album has out lived some of the big hitters from the end of 09/10...

Florence and the Machine

Friendly Fires

Them Crooked Vultures

Maccabees

Temper Trap

Muse

To name but a few of albums whom have lasted a mear few days on my iTunes playlist - and then been removed for being slightly annoying and having gave all they had to offer and delight for the first few days of their release, only now to be be demoted quietly waiting for a chance to jump at me, abit all over excited when I accidently press 'all songs shuffle'.Kings and Queens however avoids this madness and yet, somehow... A good 4months after it's release, remains still a vital part of my Playlists... It's never off!

It's so good, so fun... And yet even although I've heard it now about 78X (according to iTunes sometimes grey stats - it once said I had played cher 92X, it's all lies) i'm still hearing variation in songs and falling in love again with it...It's no masterpeice though, but yet strangly compelling: like stumbling across a Di Vinci only half finished... Never the less - I highly recommend a listen.

Outcome- 7/10

The Return Show

2010-02-03T22:15:00.001Z

Here it is, The long time coming return show of DarrenX goodness...

***Quick update**** Over the last 24hours of the new podcast going live we have had the most streams ever of any DarrenX show... You are amazing... Thanks!

ANYWAAAAAAY

The new podcast featured below has songs from Timbaland, Gorillaz, Sugababes and more...Plus i rant about how crappy the music is in the charts at the moment and earbash that replay twat and also go abit mad while listening to my new favorite song...Annnnnnd of course... all your usual Hottest Record and Crowd rocker goodness... Today with a HRitWT from Marina and the Diamonds and a BIIIIG crowd rocker for our return...

You can either stream the whole show from the new streaming bar on the left bar... It looks like the one below... Only it actually works when you click the buttons...

OR you can download it (98mb) direct - Yeah, ill just Download it... thaaaaaaaanks

This is the new shit

2010-02-03T21:41:00.010Z

Its all part of making you want to come here and hang about more often (wink) cos i think if you you we can become good mates... ANYWAY, enough talking of the shit..

I've added 3 NEW things of importance and once i have told you about them AND you promise not to break anything then we can carry on doing our thing..

1. is the awesome new iTunes links as pictured belooooow

It will be changed every month with the music i recommend you should give a listen to or purchase, you will hear them/see them featured in the monthly podcast and blog posts too...

2. The Boring disclaimer information at the bottom, i was advised to add it due to the podcast stream on my site... who knows why... anyway its there incase i ever steal any of your work... yeah right... asssssssssssssss ifffffffffffff.

3. Is this badboy it links new links page for all my little spaces online... i love to get to know anyone who listens to my podcasts and reads my blog... so get in touch on the above...

Gorillaz new album is Bananas

2010-02-03T16:44:00.002Z

The best cartoon band that's invented by damon albarn, period!

I love the gorillaz and I am so glad they are back for their 3rd and rumoured last album, although you can take that with a pinch of salt as Albarn used this trick last time round too... The album isn't a Demon Days part 2 though, it's richer, more creative and meanly addictive. Listening to the dirty synth and humming vocals makes you regret spending £12 on that lady gaga CD (and then £15 on the re-issue) as this is proper pop the way the ancestors of music ment for it to sound!

Lead single 'Stylo' is a taster of the dark disco your ears will experience as you trip round the gorillaz plastic beach. In parts I gasped at how clever and sophisticated the melodies sounded, then in others laughed and tingled with excitement and awe.

Why can't all music be like this?

It's true, they are back... And WHO THE FUCK ARE BLUR?

We Are Scientists

2010-02-03T16:27:00.003Z

I am more excited than Heather mills in a shoe shop listening to the new scientists stuff...

Sounds more commercially appealling and annoyingly poppy and catchy - all the same, very good quality and undeniably chart worthy...

After trying the world of TV and comedy the boys return to the music that made them their first celebrity bucks. The first song is rumoured to be called 're-rewrite' which should be on the air around summer with the album to follow in autum...

The band are featured in this month's (Feb) Q magazine and also our very own DarrenX show podcast... Coming to your ears late Feb

Re-Review: Maccabees - Wall of Arms

2010-02-02T18:16:00.001Z

Maccabees are back, it seems like a game right now for British artists to make a great debut album then follow it up with the screaming love child of everything you love about music as a second album.. Jack Penate, Calvin Harris, JamieT to name a few..

The Maccabees don't disappoint unless your looking for the cute poppy love songs they created on there first album, instead they sound more relaxed and mature in both the song writing and also in the sound, sounding like a band that have been around for years and completly comfortable... As if just doing it for fun...

The album has enough bridges to make an acrophobe pee him self... And the build ups are phenominally good that you'll probably forget to breath... The sound of the record as a whole from the outside sounds like an early Smiths and depeche mode peice, but as you listen to it and hear the effort made its sound changes into a more deep velvet or dare I say Dylan masterpeice..

Will it becomes classic? Will the band make a future off this record? I don't know, all I know is this is probably the best record I've heard this year and that's a pretty big statment to make considering the new U2 and Killers albums

What Rox: Kiss and Resolve

What Sux: The albums too short

Outcome: 8/10

***UPDATE***

This album was released at the beginning of this week, and even although i remember how great a record it is and how much i loved listening too it... until a point where it reached 300 plays on my iPhone and i had to un-sync it because i got to stage where i was re-citing the album i my sleep...

No disrespect to the album however, its very cleverly written...

I have a problem though and its not directly linked with the band i feel the decision to to re-release the album came from a record Exec looking for a little January bonus.. and what?

for 4 poor songs...

And a re-review

Outcome: 5/10

Review: Frankmusik - Complete Me

2010-02-02T17:27:00.001Z

Wow! This guys gon be big...

Frankmusik came rather unexpectedly into my life, sitting in a pub in Glasgow... Suddenly I heard the Golden Brown version on "when you're around" after that, I was frankies for the taking...

The sound is a Synthbased-Fun-Modern-Disco-Pop-Feast... It sounds fantastic in the way that hearing an amazing 80's song does, the album has incredible upbeat songs and huge chorus', frankmusik experiments with different styles and in some ways I think that makes this album and also lets it down abit too...

The fact is; Frankmusik is going to be massive in a few Years but listening to this album I dont think he's found his comfort style yet, it sounds like this incredibly talented singer/songwriter is still exploring pop/dance sounds and what music influences he wants to come through in his music, there are a few very strong sounds various artists use the first half of the album which are quite distinct but all completely different... There is nothing wrong with this, it just make the album feel more cheeky and thats alright for me at the moment...

There isn't any reason not to DL this album, it's epic and some songs are pure refreshment, and make me excited about the future of new music.

Wat Rox: when you're around & complete me

Wat Sux: the big balladyer ones aren't my cuppa, but there certainly not rubbish

Outcome: 5/10

Review: Florence and the machine

2010-02-02T10:30:00.001Z

Finally, it's here...

I love this girl and If you didn't know that already you seriously don't know me at all... I first heard about her on zane with kiss with a fist, then kind of forgot about her...

So wasn't I glad when she won the critics award at the Brits not only was I amazed at the massive soulful voice coming out of her average sized body but the haunting tones of the music not only made me imtreged but a bit annoyed at myself for not having heard her before this...

The dog days are over sums up this album for me, big, loud and with more instruments than abbey road... It tells the story of that feeling you have when you first meet someone and how your life felt low before... Although from the album 'my boy builds coffins' steals it... As you can tell by the title it's not exactly the most upbeat lyrics of the year... Yet somehow the song growls and sticks in your brain... Then leading on to 'hurricane drunk' which gives me an enormous sense of wellbeing, even if the lyrics are 'i'm going out... Going to drink myself to death'

The album is harrowing and at times gloomy but definetly never disappointing...

What Rox: The girl with one eye

What Sux: Its not often I say this but all the tracks are great

Outcome: 9/10

Review: Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

2010-02-02T07:06:00.000Z

What with all this grown up music, Is it really them?

Yes it is... The Arctic Monkeys return with there 3rd studio album, and when you think of how far they have come since 'i bet you look good...' you start to appreciate not only there old music again but also grow apprehensive to see what's coming next.

The third album was always going to be hard, we expect so much now of alex and the rest. The album goes into a darker place than the other two, not only in the echos of the music but also the deepness of some of turners lyrics.

It's fair to say the monkeys are still hugely appealing and will be round for another few albums yet, although comparing this to the first album. which is now a modern day classic; it leaves alot to answer for. The albums just missing a few upbeat dancier songs to get the balance right. Sadly you get to the end and feel abit depressed and underwhelmed.

Wat Rox: Dance Little Liar & pretty visitors
Wat Sux: Conerstone, sounds too much like a stone roses song.

Outcome: 3/10

Crowd Rocker: Its Baaaack

2010-02-01T02:00:00.001Z

Been abit! How are y.... Wait, that's not important...

The crowd rocker this week comes from the stranglers it's a musical masterpeice that has been covered then uncovered, remastered then... Well, you get the point.

This song is older than me, first realesed in 84' it's hard to beleive that this song has aged with time incredibly... The vocals are still as great as they used to be and the tune never gets old and is so reconisable that you could play this to a group of 17-70 year youngers and they'd all have heard it...

Your Crowd Rocker

GOLDEN BROWN

Dig it out, play it loud and Think of easier times.

Days to go

2010-01-31T10:53:00.001Z

2010-01-30T13:13:00.000Z

2010-01-29T11:26:00.001Z

2010-01-28T15:17:00.000Z

2010-01-27T10:06:00.001Z