Two Thousand And Seven [Part Four].

Finally 10 days into the New Year the top 5 tracks from 2007, probably no surprises but certainly some staggering songs from the past 12 months.

5. Los Campesinos – You! Me! Dancing!

Welsh outfit Los Campesinos have created well over 6 minutes of pure pop gold with this song. Hearing the demo version a long time ago got me into Los Campesinos, one of newest hard working bands around I have no qualms what-so-ever in throwing them in the top 5.

4. Video Nasties – Devil

2007 ended impeccably well for Video Nasties with the release of the ‘Karl Blau’ EP which went down extremely well. I was particularly impressed with it and thought it showed good progression from the early demos which seem so long ago now. ‘Devil’ came to me after a crazy night in which I had to hold somebody’s hair whilst they were sick. If you know the lyrics well to this song, you’ll see why there is a correlation to that story and the song. If not, then you should perhaps listen to the song, its ace I’ll have you know.

3. Vampire Weekend – Mansard Roof

Seeing Vampire Weekend at The Social last year was one of my highlights of 2007, they were fantastic and lived up to my high expectations of them. Despite ‘Mansard Roof’ not being my all-time favourite by VW it certainly deserves to be in the top 3 songs of last year. Wait until you hear this song live, it does not disappoint and nor do Vampire Weekend.

2. LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends

This was so close, so, so close to being number one. I wanted to put it there, I really did. I tried! This song was the best live song I heard over the Reading 2007 Festival weekend, it was the live performance from James Murphy and co which really sold me this band. As soon as I got home from Reading I went out and purchased both albums and listened to them repeatedly. This song stands out from both albums as one of the best songs LCD Soundsystem have come up; a totally epic masterpiece.

1. Late of the Pier – Bathroom Gurgle

Who would’ve thought that Late of the Pier would beat LCD Soundsystem in a Top 2007 list, well in my world they did win the battle, JUST. It was so close, but this song was just my anthem for 2007, it pretty much epitomises everything that is good with music. It also makes me extremely nostalgic about drunken times at University last semester, especially the Hoxton Bar & Grill night which did involve puke, Late of the Pier, Erol Alkan and big bouncers – in that very order. 2008 will be the year of Late of the Pier.

Leaks Galore.

This here is my first post of 2008 and well it doesn't feel any different posting in 2008 than it did to posting 2007. The last time I communicated via this medium of communication Santa Claus was travelling through the skies, presents were being placed under the tree and the joys of Christmas were upon us. January is the month of depression, the month we realise we ate too much chocolates, stuffing and mince pies over the space of a few days. It's the month we read our bank statements to realise that Christmas has struck not only our bellies but our bank balance too. What could possibly cheer you up after all this gloom?

I have that very answer. I woke up at 4am this morning after dreaming it was December 23rd 2008 (how bizarre) and I as much as I tried I couldn't get back to sleep. The laptop was powered up and my eyes were ready for hours of browsing, upon browsing I discovered a wonderful present. 'Hold On Now, Youngster' the debut album by the fantastic Los Campesinos! I plugged in my new shiny BIG Sony headphones into my laptop and hoped that the album would fulfil their potential as a band. I won't give my opinion yet, as I've only listened once and it was at 4.34am however I will say fans of LC will not be disappointed.

Other leaks over Christmas that have delighted my ears include Vampire Weekend (new versions of M 79 and I Stand Corrected are excellent) and contender for debut album of 2008 (it's early, I know) Blood Red Shoes. Expect a post tomorrow and Sunday with my top tracks, albums and gigs of 2007. Then sadly it it is back to University to get on with my studies for a couple of months before returning home for Easter/my 20th Birthday (very fucking scary).

Sticking Fingers Into Sockets.

LOS CAMPESINOS!

On Tuesday (October 23rd) night the ULU welcomed Welsh outfit Los Campesinos, along with You Say Party! We Say Die! The seven piece Cardiff based band signed to the absolutely sublime Wichita Records (Les Savy Fav, The Cribs, Bloc Party, Simian Mobile Disco etc) recently and have an album out due in 2008. You Say Party! We Say Die! On the other hand are more established and I’d highly recommend purchasing the album ‘Hit the Floor’. If you like your girl bands then you will fucking love You Say Party! We Say Die! They are one of them bands who don’t really get enough mention then they deserve, so make sure you buy their records!

Getting to see Los Campesinos was a treat for me because I’d waited so long to see them and wanted to see them for even longer! They certainly didn’t disappoint and I love the energy they have on stage, and this comes also comes across in the songs too. I love the vocals of Los Campesinos, and the switch between female and male vocals is something rare at the moment. As a band just make a good noise, a good ‘feel factor’ noise and are a band that excite me with every release they have. “We Throw Parties”, “You! Me! Dancing!” and current single “The International Tweexcore Underground” are definitely good examples of this high energy music they make.

Live they are fun, noisy, entertaining, bouncy, animated (there are so many other adjectives I could use) and just generally fucking ace! If you haven’t seen them yet, you should definitely do it very soon because I can see them getting bigger and bigger and bigger (you get the picture). Buy the album which comes out in 2008 too, because I can imagine it will be fan-bloody-tastic.

You Say Party! We Say Die! – Midnight Snack
Los Campesinos! – Frontwards
Los Campesinos! – C Is the Heavenly Option