In January it is only wise to be cautious of over-hyped ‘acts to look out for this year’, but if there is anyone to stamp all over such prejudices, it’s Laura Marling.
Despite having only racked up a mere 17 years on this watery sphere, Marling has already amassed a plethora of songs, not to mention sought-after live appearances including support slots for Devendra Banhart and Jamie T, performing on Later with Jools Holland, and sharing the bill with the likes of Bat for Lashes and Gruff Rhys at Field Day in August.
In anticipation of the release of the limited edition Song Box next Monday, which features a CD of Marling’s debut album Alas I Cannot Swim, an exclusive concert ticket and a set of album mementos, we are treated this week to a taster in the form of “Ghosts“, available for download on iTunes.
I like The Eels. I think Mark Oliver Everett is one of the finest songwriters around. Mixing up olde time country stylings with ear-splitting white noise, thoughtful balladry and black humour, Eels essentially have it all (oh, they’re pretty catchy too!). So, on the back of their dual release of a greatest hits and rarities comp, (Meet the Eels and Useless Trinkets, respectively), Everett and Co. are set to hit the road on a huge world tour.
The tour kicks off on Valentine’s Day in their home state of Cali before dusting off the passports for a jaunt round the UK, then it’s the mainland Europe leg, then, phew, it’s back to the UK, then back to Europe, before finishing off in North America. Bloody hell. That looks like hard work. Anyway, if you wanna know where they’ll be playing, read over.
You may well be thinking “who the hell is Jackie Mittoo when he’s at home?” Well, Mr Mittoo (to you) is a reggae legend who “masheditop” on the keys at Studio One and, well, other legendary reggae recording studios. His track, “Free Soul”, is a classic slice of jump up and down ska which, as those with keen ears may note, was sampled by Lily Allen‘s producers for “Smile”. Now gwan. Lissen up. You can even sing along if you like!
[video: ogodefacto]
Posted by
Stuart Waterman on
Thursday January 31st, 2008 at
11:54 am
Goddabe honest with you here. I’ve never heard of Metronomy. However, their video for single “Radio Ladio” is looking like one of those ‘going viral’ things. If you’re thinking ‘going viral? Are they ill?’, try thinking about how the entire world forwarded the OK Go treadmill video to each other. That’s viral maaan. Anyway, this video has all the hallmarks of something that is gonna drive people wild. Big bold colours, kinda DIY and, most importantly, a tune catchier than bird flu.
[video: MattDollings]
Posted by
Stuart Waterman on
Thursday January 31st, 2008 at
11:36 am
“NatBed” - as I absolutely refuse to call her - has entered the Billboard Album chart at number three with her new album Pocketful Of Sunshine. Er, which seems to be half of her second European album - N.B - plus a bunch of new US-targeted tracks. Blimey. They didn’t fancy Sugababes, have given Girls Aloud a miss but choose the toothy blonde chick. Shocker.
Her success has apparently been helped by the inclusion of a collaboration with Sean Kingston on her album. This track, “Love Like This”, doesn’t appear on the European version of her album N.B. Still with me? It’s not uncommon practice for labels to mess with the odd album track these days, with albums by big artists often being tailored for “maximum market penetration” and whatnot. However, redoing half of the album and renaming it is pretty ruthless. But it worked, so hooray.
Now, I don’t believe for a moment that Kanye West spends his time resizing and uploading images to his own blog. But you have to assume someone in his circle is updating his site with accurate information, which means *excitement* as far as the latest post goes.
How’s this for a tour line-up? Kanye, Rihanna, NERD and Lupe Fiasco. Wow. If this comes off it will probably be the show of the year, even if Jacko does drag his arse to the O2 in the winter. Of course, the chances of this bill making it to the UK are close to zero, but let’s be happy for our American gig buddies. (((((
[via Billboard]
Posted by
mofgimmers on
Thursday January 31st, 2008 at
10:03 am
David Jordan looks a bit like Anna Ryder-Richardson impersonating Prince, which is actually how all nascent popstars should look. He’s getting a fair bit of “love” on Radio 1 according to people who still listen to that particular station.
This song is very hard to categorize, which immediately makes it more interesting than most pop pap one encounters. I’m just going to place it in the category marked “rather good”. Give it a listen.
Many dismiss Nick Cave as gloomy and depressing. Well, I suppose he can be. However, you shouldn’t write him off as he can be vicious, hilarious and fire ‘n’ brimstone if needs be, and boy, if you catch him live, your hair might stand on end for a whole month. With that comes the good news that Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds are to hit the road promoting the band’s 14th LP Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!, which should hit the shelves on 3rd March.
Tour dates are Lisbon Colliseum (April 21), Porto Coliseum (22), San Sebastian Polideportivo (24), Barcelona Razzmatazz (25), Marseilles Docks Du Suds (26), Amsterdam Music Hall (28)
Paris Casino Du Paris (29), Brussels Forest National (May 1), Dublin Castle (3), Glasgow Academy (4), Birmingham Academy (5), London Hammersmith Apollo (7), Oslo Spektrum (16), Stockholm Annexe (17), Copenhagen KB Halle (19), Berlin Tempodrom (21), Prague Sazka Arena (24), Vienna Gasometer (25), Zagreb In Music Festival (June 3), Belgrade Arena (4), Salonika Moni Lazariston (6), Athens Lycabetus Theatre (7) [via ElectricRoulette]
Posted by
Stuart Waterman on
Wednesday January 30th, 2008 at
2:06 pm
From the Spinal Tap-esque artwork of their debut album right through to the present day, only once have The Strokes lived up to their promise. I’ve seen ‘em live, heard the LPs… and of course, the initial hype took a lot of digesting (as they were all set to save the world from whiney guitar bands, bad pop, third world debt and apparently, had a cure for the common cold). But I was willing to like them. Velvet Underground influence? Yes please! A sniff of garage punk about ‘em? Bring it on! Sadly, the opening chimes of their debut single left me cold and wondering who stole their verve.
I mentioned that they’d only lived up to the promise once. “Juicebox” was the time they got closest to being an exciting band. A sinister bassline and a band really letting loose and kicking out the jams! Man, when they holler “Why won’t you come over heeeerrrreee?”, you actually start believing that this band could shake up the stale world of indie-pop. Sadly, the bits I’ve mentioned are the only great bits of the song.
Every time David Bowie does something you really should prick your ears up, as he’s not one for keeping still. He’s gone through folk, glam, drum ‘n’ bass… and now, covers of Pixies songs. Yup. On Jay Leno, he teamed up with Moby (spit) and rocked “Cactus” which, judging from the amount of screaming and waving, went down quite well with the assembled crowd. Anyways, tune in and drop off… I mean out… drop out… dammit.
[video: suzukuro]
Posted by
Stuart Waterman on
Wednesday January 30th, 2008 at
1:24 pm
I like 
“NatBed” - as I absolutely refuse to call her - has entered the Billboard Album chart at number three with her new album Pocketful Of Sunshine. Er, which seems to be half of her second European album - N.B - plus a bunch of new US-targeted tracks. Blimey. They didn’t fancy Sugababes, have given Girls Aloud a miss but choose the toothy blonde chick. Shocker.
Now, I don’t believe for a moment that Kanye West spends his time resizing and uploading images to his own blog. But you have to assume someone in his circle is updating his site with accurate information, which means *excitement* as far as 
(((((
