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.

Big in 08'.

WARNING: these are not artists I necessarily enjoy however artists I expect to become big this year, perhaps not due to them being particularly good in my opinion. Artists who I can imagine getting on your nerves maybe? Or even artists who will make it for the right reasons? Either way here is a run down of potential artists to make it this year.

Number One: Adele. She had to be number one on this list, pretty much everybody is tipping her to go onto big things this year. BBC had her as number one on their list of “Big in 2008” and with current single doing the rounds on all the Radio stations / Music stations I can imagine Adele becoming the “new” Kate Nash (eww at the sound of that). ‘Chasing Pavements’ is the new single if you didn’t know (how could you not know) and is a not a song I particularly enjoy but do think Adele has a powerful voice.

Number Two: Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong. Once again, not a massive fan of this band or the lead singer (he was on Peep Show and BBC show Tudors). However, I can see them becoming a house hold name in 2008, as big as t’Chiefs? Maybe not. However, the first single ‘Lucio Starts Fires’ is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in a long time. Supporting such bands as Babyshambles and Kaiser Chiefs certainly won’t harm their mass appeal.

Number Three: Foals. This is the first band in the list to make it for the right reasons, a band that are doing it for the right reasons, so it appears to me. The album ‘Antidotes’ is out in March and although I don’t expect it to go number one, I can see it become one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year. I am glad they’ve not included previous hits ‘Hummer’ or ‘Mathletics’ – why you ask? No chance of a re-release for one thing, but also it will mean the inclusion of a different song that we’ve not got a studio version of.

Number Four. The Courteneers. Despite me not liking this band one little bit, you can tell already the masses are going to be on them like flies on shit. JL&TJJJ I agree are catchy there is something about them I just cannot hate, but The Courteneers are just utter toss. New single ‘What Took You So Long’ is being absolutely loved by MTV2 and the music channel NME TV (hahaha) amongst Radio 1 DJ’s. However the song in my opinion is terrible and just epitomises everything that is wrong about them.

Number Five. Black Kids / Vampire Weekend. Okay, so I know this is a bit unfair as the above is two artists. HOWEVER, I am piling them into ‘The One to Make It from across the Pond’ – though I am undecided on which one. I like both, but prefer Vampire Weekend, however I am not sure which one will make it “big” in this country. I guess time will tell!

I am stopping at five, just in case I predict more which don’t happen and I look silly! However, something I stumbled across just now on the internet.

1. Mika
2. The Twang
3. Klaxons
4. Sadie Ama
5. Enter Shikari
6. Air Traffic
7. Cold War Kids
8. Just Jack
9. Ghosts
10. The Rumble Strips

That is a list of who the BBC thought was going to make it big in 2007, quite laughable really. Okay, so Mika was loved by pretty much most Radio stations going and Klaxons did pick up the Mercury Music Award and are now taking over the world according to James Reynolds in this week’s NME. However, the Beeb were pretty wrong about the other 8, and who the fuck is Sadie Ama? Answers on a post card.

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).