Mystery Jets

At the tender age of 16 you find that you’re constantly trying to find yourself and a lot of the time this comes through music. At the age of 17 I felt lost, I wasn’t sure who I was and what I enjoyed and disliked. Music came to my rescue admittedly the first band I ever saw was Babyshambles closely followed by The Paddingtons (remember them?). Thankfully the third band I ever saw was the wonderful Mystery Jets, I suppose watching them at the age of 17 was an eye opener and it could be described as a “moment”. Standing inside a sweaty Northampton Soundhaus watching first Larrikin Love (god bless them boys) I decided this was what I liked.

Three years later Mystery Jets return with a second album, a fresh sound and a new line up too (well not new, but now four members of MJ instead of five). I turn 20 in exactly a month’s time (how weird is having 29th of February eh?) Now, the reason I say this is because Mystery Jets new album is of course titled Twenty-One (no connection to me be 20 at all really, oh well).

I am lucky enough to have the sampler of the Mystery Jets new album which comes out in March and you should definitely buy it if you know what’s good for you. Mystery Jets are back and they are back stronger than ever, with Erol producing and Blaine singing as beautifully as ever it is the perfect combination. Although ‘Flakes’ was not released until December time it remains one of my favourite songs of 2007. Hearing that song to end a club night was electrifying and it really did feel like a moment. New single ‘Young Love’ is the best single of 2008 so far, and feels like a summer smash to me. Newly recorded ‘Half In Love With Elizabeth’ does not disappoint either, and new song ‘Girl Next Door’ adopts an 80’s feel to it and is Mystery Jets on the top of their game.

It was always going to be hard to follow up on ‘Making Dens’ but I think Mystery Jets might have produced one of the best second albums (from what I’ve heard so far) I’ve heard in my life time.

Run To Your Grave.

Without me even knowing (and a large majority of people) The Mae Shi have been around for donkeys years, in fact 2002 was the year the band actually formed. They come from Los Angeles, California and have had three albums previous to newest album “HLLLYH” which surprised me. There was me thinking this was a new band – however from what I’ve read the sound has changed dramatically from the earlier albums.

I have only heard songs from the “HLLLYH” (how is that pronounced? I always want to say “Hell Yeah!”). I have no idea how The Mae Shi sounded before 2008 but at times The Mae Shi sound like they are from the future. “Lamb and the Lion” demonstrates the bands at times futuristic sound, and at times the band’s vocals remind me much like Jesse Lacey of Brand New especially in “I Get Almost Everything”.

Brilliantly named “Pwnd” is a song The Rapture would be proud of, and fellow “HLLLYH” album track “Run To Grave” wouldn’t look out of place on any of the three Hot Chip albums. The Mae Shi mix rock and electronic music perfectly, with a slight twist of screamo in there too.

The album which is out now is released on the excellent Moshi Moshi (another Brand New reference) and it comes highly recommended from myself.

The Return of the Mac... British Sea Power Even.

Firstly, let me apologise for the lack of updates around this place for a couple of weeks. I would try to claim that I’ve been very busy doing University work however that would be a big fat lie (the fattest lie you’ve ever seen). The truth is I’ve not feel very inspired too get back into the blogging mood but that’s all changed now!

So okay now that is out of the way I am going to be doing a few features over the next couple of months focusing on bands returning to our ears and boy there is some great bands coming back. First up is the wonderfully quintessential Brighton-based (originally from Cumbria and West Yorkshire) foursome British Sea Power. Since ‘The Decline of British Sea Power’ dropped almost 5 years ago BSP have proved to be one of the finest live acts around. Not taking anything away from their ability on record too which is pretty spectacular.

Agreed I am one month out because the third effort from BSP came out almost one month ago – so excuse me for this sin. The reasoning behind is that I’ve only just picked up the album titled “Do You Like Rock Music?” The word “Rock” makes me cringe slightly, it reminds me of the rock hand gesture (you know the one) and long greasy hair listening to Guns of Roses. Obviously Rock music has lots of sub genres but the term “Rock” makes me feel slightly uncomfortable for some reason. However if British Sea Power is Rock music, then fuck yeah I love Rock music.

This album is brimming with potential spine chilling live songs (‘Canvey Island’ and ‘Lights Out for Darker Skies’ come to mind). Not forgetting ‘A Trip Out’, ‘Down on the Ground’ along with singles ‘Waving Flags’ and ‘No Lucifer’ as stand out tracks on the album. Yan's lead vocals are pretty special throughout the whole record and make me tremendously jealous of his vocal range and variety. It’s far too early for me to say whether or not this album betters the previous two stunning pieces of work, but either way I am very happy they are back.

British Sea Power – Canvey Island
British Sea Power – A Trip Out
British Sea Power – Waving Flags

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.

Who To Look Out For 08'.

This is in reply to my previous post (Big In 08), these following bands are ones I really am looking forward to seeing what they do during the coming year. None have an album out yet, and I doubt some of them even have one in the pipe line…

Damn Shames – Scottish trio Damn Shames are getting noticed for the right reasons by many music publications at the moment. I am yet to see them live, but read and hear their live shows are usually quite something. To say I’m excited to hear what they have to offer this year is quite an understatement. I discovered them near the end of last year and have been quite obsessed with ‘Fear of Assault’/’Last Things’ single out on Abeano.

Let’s Wrestle - Second trio of this list, this time hailing from London, NME had them in their “Things for 2008” list last week so they are certainly gaining plenty of attention, about right too. Similarly to Damn Shames I came across them at the end of last year and even got a Let’s Wrestle t-shirt for Christmas from my girlfriend which I was pleasantly surprised about. Don’t expect too much seriousness from Let’s Wrestle when listening to them, in fact don’t expect any. ‘I Won’t Lie To You’ is one of my favourite songs from 2007, Let’s Wrestle are fantastic and I look forward to their EP due out in sometime soon!

Elle Milano – I bang on about Elle Milano so much, and I tell people about Elle Milano all the time. I really do adore this band and the sound that they make, and I have done for yonks. I was slightly worried about hearing new material because I thought it would maybe not live up to old stuff, but it certainly did. Then when they become a threesome I was worried it would affect them, but it hasn’t what-so-ever. I am so excited about the album which should be out soon, fingers crossed.

Cut Off Your Hands – Another band I can’t say enough good things about, both live and on record. Terrific live does not really do them any justice; you’d have to go see them to understand how good they are live. The energy that they provide is so exciting to watch and makes you realise how much they love performing. I expect an album out this year and I really do expect good things from the album.

Friendly Fires – ‘Paris’ went down pretty fucking magnificently last year from everywhere and anywhere. They have now become many websites / magazines tip for 2007, although one publication (that will remain nameless, but I bet you can guess which one it was) compared them to Klaxons. Clueless. Friendly Fires are more than a one trick pony though, and I think ‘Paris’ is just a sign of what is to come from these excellent St. Albans boys.

Late of the Pier – There is no way I would’ve been able to miss out Late of the Pier. ‘Bathroom Gurgle’ was my Track of 2007, and if the album is anything like that then it is going to be a killer album and one I can imagine being in Top Lists of 2008. I wait in anticipation, excitement and enthusiasm of how the album will sound.

Video Nasties – I hope there will be an album out this year, currently still unsigned Video Nasties have the songs to put together a fantastic debut album. If Video Nasties can produce anything similar to the Karl Blau E.P then they will unveil a masterpiece upon music fans everywhere.

Johnny Foreigner – After critically acclaimed E.P ‘Arcs Across The City’ Johnny Foreigner have a lot to live up to. They pretty much gained full marks from everyone for the E.P so to follow up with an album as good is some ask for this Birmingham band. If any band can do it though Johnny Foreigner ARE the band to produce the best debut album of 2008. I really hope they will deliver a truly magical album that makes the loudest racket you could ever want to annoy your flatmates with.

Toyko Police Club – I am classing ‘A Lesson In Crime’ as a HUGE E.P therefore they qualify for this list, the album which I think was finished either today or yesterday should be out in the summer (seems ages away). It is a difficult album to release because some fans will want ALL new songs and some fans will want some songs from ‘A Lesson In Crime’ and some new songs. So either way somebody won’t be happy, but Tokyo Police Club are a clever bunch and they will do what they think is right – and until then I wait eagerly to see what the track listing will be.

Black Kids – Finally I end with the most blogged about / hyped band of 2007, which is amazing considering they exploded in about October time across the internet. There WILL be a lot of expectation around an album from Black Kids, and the question is can they cope with the high expectation put on them? Obviously only time will tell, but I personally think they will produce a fantastic album that will live up to the hype given to them. Hopefully they prove me right because I would love to see this band succeed after all the “hype”.

That's it, he says after realising how long this post is. Feel free to agree and disagree with me, opinions are always welcomed and acknowledged by myself.

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.

Top Albums 2007 [Part Two].

5. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

Such a strong third album from Kings of Leon, despite not really liking the last few songs on the album the rest of the album makes up for it. Songs such as ‘My Party’, ‘Charmer’ and the fantastic seven minute opener ‘Knocked Up’ make this album a great record, and live the songs match up to the CD.

4. Twisted Charm – Real Fictional

I’d been waiting for this album for a couple of years, and thankfully when it came it did it did not disappoint. From the opening song ‘Never Grow Old’ to songs such as ‘Layabout’, ‘Socialite’, ‘Cinema’ and ‘Clone Baby’ Twisted Charm have delivered an album to be well proud of.

3. Radiohead – In Rainbows

After seeing Radiohead a couple of years ago at V Festival my appreciation of them as a band went sky high. I listened to albums made over the years but never found “my” favourite Radiohead album. Until this arrived and I found my favourite Radiohead album, this is why it is so high up in this list, from a person who claims “I’m not much a fan of Radiohead”.

2. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

What, it’s not number one? LCD Soundsystem has been topping charts left, right and centre however not on my blog. Just beaten by Late of the Pier on Tracks of 2007 previously on Puzzled James Murphy and co has just been beaten again on the Albums of 2007. Not that he will care too much / read my blog, but despite being beaten twice on my 2007 lists he should not feel too disheartened. This album is absolutely fantastic, it beats in my opinion previous album and LCD Soundsystem should be extremely happy with this record.

1. Jamie T – Panic Prevention

In my opinion this album did not feature high enough on people’s lists of 2007, so I am giving it the number one album of 2007 on my blog. However it deserves to be there, it isn’t just there because I wanted to be different to everyone else. Oh no, this album is filled with great tracks, anthems is how I would describe some of them and classics is how I’d describe the other ones. Almost a year from its release (January 29th to be exact) this album remains one of my favourite albums of all time. Well done Jamie T, pat yourself on the back from me.