Albums: 2008 [Part One].

How will 2008 turn out for albums? Last year the biggest shock came from Radiohead who made a major announcement that would shock the music world. Will something as big crop up this year? Only a band like Radiohead would be capable to do such a thing, anyway there are plenty of great records to look forward to this year, and plenty of records to get your grubby mits on.

Sons and Daughters – This Gift
Domino
28th of January

The third album from the Scottish four-piece comes out today, having heard it already it is definitely an album recommend by this blog. Sons and Daughters have never really done it for me with the previous two albums being pretty forgettable. The third album has made massive strides and impressed me a great deal after the first, second and third listening of it. Singles ‘Darling’ and ‘Gilt Complex’ provide great hooks and a lead singer with a voice that is to die for. Other songs on the album such as ‘The Bell’ and ‘House In My Head’ just as good, if not better than the two singles make this album a definite purchase for any fan of sleazy indie rock n’ roll.

Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
XL
28th of January

Debut album from the much talked about New Yorkers, many fans of the band have had the ‘Blue CD-R’ for ages and the track listing hasn’t changed much from that. The exclusion of ‘Boston’ made me sad, however the inclusion of live favourites ‘M79’ and my personal favourite ‘I Stand Corrected’ certainly made up for it. Tipped for big things by this blog this year and last year Vampire Weekend have produced an album to rival any other out at the moment. Listen to the album a few times, because you’ll be extremely happy you did and if you’re a fan of Talking Heads (which you should be) you’ll enjoy this album (there is no guarantee of course).

These New Puritans – Beat Pyramid
Angular Recordings (Part of Domino)
28th January

Domino are on fire today, two cracking albums out in the same day (albeit this one on Angular). This album being my favourite of the two Domino releases, and probably my favourite over the three albums mentioned. On first listen my reaction was “incredible” however after listening again I wasn’t so sure if my first thought was right. Several plays later my gut feeling of “incredible” was correct and These New Puritans have lived up to my high expectations of them. There is not an album out like this, and hasn’t been for a little while – this is an album not catered for everybody’s needs. Then again who cares about everybody? Certainly not me and certainly not These New Puritans. Tracks such as ‘Elvis’, ‘Colours’, ‘Numerology’, ‘Swords of Truth’ and ‘C. 16th’ stand out, although listen to the album all the way through for it’s full brilliance and impact.

My Year In Lists.

I’ve decided to make a couple more lists before I reveal my top ten favourite albums of 2007 which obviously everybody reading this blog is dying to know.

Top Five Gigs 2007

This is a hard thing to firstly narrow down to five, but essentially remembering the best out of all the gig’s I have been to is the tough part.

5. CSS – Ibiza Rocks (July 07)

To say I wasn’t looking forward to this show is somewhat of a major understatement. There were three major factors: first off the boiling temperatures, secondly CSS not being my most favourite band and finally I felt like an OAP due to being burnt to a crisp a couple of days before. However, CSS put on a fantastic show and despite not being able to more very well they managed to make me dance, a little.

4. Kings of Leon – Birmingham Carling Academy (April 07)

When these dates were announced I was so excited, not making this tour was just not an option. From the moment I got my conformation e-mail through my excitement grew the closer this got. Kings of Leon did not disappoint, they were worth the 30 pounds spent on this ticket – throwing in old classics and new hits the foursome were on top form.

3. The Cribs – Northampton Soundhaus (March 07)

The Cribs return was highly anticipated by just about everyone who cared about good music. Having two ace albums already the question was could The Cribs conjure up a third album of equal ace-ness as the previous two? As already stated on this blog the third album is The Cribs on top form, and this gig was the best I’ve ever seen them. Chaotic as ever The Cribs included the classics and new songs which fitted in perfectly amongst old songs. The Jarman brothers have a sound that is just irresistible to the ears.

2. Foals / These New Puritans – Old Blue Last (October 07)

A free gig involving two great up and coming bands, there was so much right with this night I just couldn’t turn it down. Despite seeing Foals not on form at Scala the night before I was prepared to give them another chance. I am so thankful I did because they were a hundred times better than they were the previous night. Foals that night were well and truly on fire, and These New Puritans although a bad start impressed me more than I ever expected them too.

1. Les Savy Fav – Scala (October 07)

Six months ago if someone would have said this would be my best gig of 2007 I would have laughed in there face. As 6 months ago Les Savy Fav was just a name, a name of a band I never thought I would ever listen to. No idea why I never listened to them, but I didn’t. What. An. Idiot. Thankfully I was there that night in October and so was Tim Harrington and co, to say the night was a riot is probably an understatement. At one point there was 50 people on stage (including me) and someone crowd surfing above those 50 people. Tim Harrington controlled the stage like no other man I’d ever seen, and he did it in a way I don’t think anyone else on this planet could do so. Thank you Tim Harrington, and thank you Les Savy Fav.

Two Thousand And Seven [Part Three].

University today involved a lecture on Italian Neorealism and then an Italian film from 1949 called ‘Bicycle Thieves’ and now I have four days off. University life isn’t so hard after all, which should really mean I update my blog a lot due to all the free time, so that’s exactly what I am trying to do. The final 10 of top tracks 2007 is on the agenda today starting with 10 to 6.

10. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
Kala

Admittedly the discovery of my love for this song only came recently but it is that good it goes straight into the top 10 of tracks from 2007. M.I.A. is an artist that I never really “got” until the end of last year, but thankfully I did “get” her and really love this song.

9. Friendly Fires – Paris

Recently given 9 out of 10 by Drowned in Sound which is not easily done, this song really clicked me straight away. It actually reminds me of getting drunk at University last semester in my halls; therefore it reminds me of good times. Friendly Fires are an excellent band both on record and live and I truly expect 2008 to welcome Friendly Fires with open arms.

8. These New Puritans – Numbers/Colours
Beat Pyramid

This duo of songs came out of nowhere to me last October, thankfully they found my ears. The day I received them I heard about a free gig they were doing the very next day, to which I went along to and was furthered impressed by These New Puritans. ‘Numbers’ is my preference personally but take nothing away from the also ace ‘Colours’.

7. Foals – Hummer

This song had to be on this list, but I think Foals are keen to leave this song well and truly in 2007. Not included in the forthcoming album ‘Antidotes’ the band decided against including there first “smash hit”. I believe this to be a good move; we all have this song so there is no need to include it on the album. It also means we will receive a new song rather than this one which we all already know and love. Most importantly it means no re-release of this song, something I would not expect Yannis and co to be interested in, thank God.

6. Blood Red Shoes – I Wish I Was Someone Better
Box of Secrets

‘It’s Getting Boring by the Sea’ grabbed my attention of Blood Red Shoes; however ‘I Wish I Was Someone Better’ made me love Blood Red Shoes. Take nothing away from the first song, I think it is a cracking song but ‘I Wish’ is absolutely fantastic and sits well with the rest of the album which by the way is a stunning debut album.

Astronauts And All Foals..

Okay, this is a review of a gig I went to a few weeks ago (yes it's late, but I wanted to update my blog as it's been a little while).

Old Blue Last is certainly not my favourite venue, if you ever go there you will find out why. However These New Puritans and Foals are definitely two of my favourite bands at the moment which is why I found myself standing in a room with sweat dripping from the walls, ceiling and my head.

TNP came on first gloomy as ever, however there wasn’t much to be happy about for them with the crowd not even clapping after songs. Fuck them though, TNP make brilliant dark garage music and lead singer Jack provides a front man full of charisma. With songs such as forthcoming split single “Colours”/“Numbers” and previous single “Elvis” they are a band who can go places.

“I want your babies” someone shouts at Yannis as he and the rest of the band set up there own equipment, scared he continues setting up. Fresh from appearing on a 10 minute Skins “E4 Special” and of course touring up and down the country Foals prepare to sweat there proverbial tits off.

Opening with the usual duo of “XXXX” and “French Open” Foals have only just started, “Cassius” the third song provides us with the first drip of sweat from Yannis on to his microphone. It’s getting hot up in here! Despite the sticky conditions Foals continue to “rock out” on stage and tear into “Olympic Airways” followed by a crowd pleasing “Balloons”.

“Hummer” of course ends the set, not without the guitarist falling flat on his back after attempting to crowd surf.

Hummer - Foals