Tuesday 30 March 2010

Jonsi - Go



Most people will know Jónsi Birgisson either as the singer/songwriter with Icelandic dream pop purveyors Sigur Rós or by his most recent collaboration in Jónsi & Alex. What I'm saying is that most people will know what to expect with this debut solo record (and by solo I mean chocful of guest collaborations and cameos).

Well forget what you're expecting because Go is not the album you think it might be. The languid, elongated pace of Sigur Ros songs, drawn out over time and stately in tone are eschewed in favour of more up tempo, even poppy, songs with opening track 'Go Do' a foot stomping rallying cry for the album being a fine example.

What Go delivers is nothing short of stunning. Aside from the great singable songs - the aforementioned 'Go Do', 'Boy Lilokoi' and 'Tornado' to name but three - at it's heart though Go isn't really such a radical departure, the delicate glockenspiel, bowed guitar, flutes and ethereal vocals balance atop the quicker bleeps and more rugged beats that's all. By the time we reach album closer 'Hengilas' we are very much in Sigur Ros territory but that's besides the point. To feel that sense of wonder and experience rushes of joy few other artists can stir in the listener is magical.

The fairytale feeling of mythical stories being re-told is obviously set fast in Jónsi's genetic make up for no matter what changes he makes this remains at the core and it's certainly something for which we should all be very thankful.

www.jonsi.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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Saturday 20 March 2010

The White Stripes - Under Great White Northern Lights



About ten years ago I somehow stumbled across The White Stripes music. On the radio or in a club or reading about them somewhere, I'm not sure exactly how. But they had a a fascinating enough look and story for me to check out the music further and I bought an imported copy of their eponymous debut album and the ramshackle mix of punk and blues had me hooked.

It's fair to say that I became pretty obsessive. Tracking down rare 7" singles on tiny labels (even going so far as to buy pre-White Stripes Jack White oddities), reading everything about them I could and telling friends how great this band were, usually to very deaf ears! By the time the wider public had latched on in the UK around 2001 with third album 'White Blood Cells' my interest was beginning to peak and following fourth release 'Elephant' in 2003 with phenomenal 'breakout' single 'Seven Nation Army' I'd had my fill. Fickle as I was.

So coming to this film of the duo's 2009 tour of every Canadian territory was an opportunity to fill in the missing years for me. Covering their career to date including a wonderfully observed tenth anniversary gig and featuring some great live footage - hey I'm a sucker for rock-umentaries anyway - this brought back to me the thrill of hearing the band in their early days. The rawness and the power that Jack and Meg generate. Plus there are some really candid pieces caught on camera, perhaps none more so than when the pair are sat at the piano at the film's close with Jack playing and singing and the (obviously silent/quiet) Meg brought to tears by his rendition of 'White Moon'. It's a touching moment indeed.

It's a joy to see bands who genuinely find pleasure in playing and making music and I suppose, despite whatever else Jack White has done in his extra curricular musical endeavours, The White Stripes will always be the most deeply felt and meaningful of these - both for them and for me.

www.whitestripes.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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Thursday 18 March 2010

Liars - Sisterworld



I've long held a fascination with Liars. One which is continually difficult to pinpoint as they do perversely keep doing a volte-face with each successive album release. I think what I like is the utter lack of genre and seemingly 'outsider' feel the trio bring to their music. And whilst occasionally there are notes to draw some reference from more often than not they conjure up something bewilderingly out of step with the musical times that simultaneously manages to remind you of all sorts of great bits from bands and artists you should listen too more.

So it is with Sisterworld their fifth album except the things I find myself referencing most is Liars own wide reaching discography. Not that they're repeating themselves God forbid! Sisterworld most definitely occupies its own space - a sullen, mysterious place evoked from the very first haunting wails of opening song Scissor. A disturbed tale of attempted suicide or murder where the victim is still barely alive. And it just gets creepier, laden with portent and puckered in the seedier side of life (ie better) from here on in.

They've ditched the regained joy of guitars from Liars and returned to something akin to the experimentation of They Were Wrong So We Drowned whilst holding onto melody and a recognisable song format (without being predictable). Just to get everything in the mix they still contain the odd thrill which made Drum's Not Dead such a fantastic record and the sparse rhythms which peppered They Threw Us All In A Trench...

You see. Self reference has never been such a rewarding experience. I'd argue til I'm blue in the face that Sisterworld is their best album to date but then tomorrow that would change and I'd be forced to choose another of their albums for this honour.

How great it must be to have raised the bar so high and still manage to hurdle it each time. Sister they're on fire, sister!

www.liarsliarsliars.com
www.thesisterworld.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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Wednesday 10 March 2010

Wild Palms - Live: 6th Mar 2010



Ex-Ex-Lion Tamers, now Wild Palms, this gaggle of southern reprobates are one of my tips for 2010. Not just for their obvious ability to electrically charge the room within seconds of firing off the set's scattered drum patterns and lacerating guitar riffs. Although this definitely helps. Not even due to the fact that the one 'hit' tune in their armoury, recently issued single 'Over Time', is a relatively shiny misnomer found in an otherwise musical blizzard of a set. Although this song's change of pace and angular style (yes it's still around) punctuates with stark contrast the less well known songs. In a good way you understand.

Mostly it's because they seem to have a spirit and musicality that draws the listener in. The tribal tumble of 'Deep Dive' for instance has a yearning and warmth and gives you a real urge to jerk and sway, which is a welcome change to the moping immobile 'nod-dance' style adopted by the indie glitterati. There are some songs in the set which feel less realized as if they're searching for their own sound which is fair enough I guess as, quite frankly, Wild Palms are prepared to try and mix it up rather than relying on a workable formula. To paraphrase Woody Allen, 'If you’re not failing now and again, you’re not doing anything very innovative.'

So it’s a B+ then. Which translates as bloody good effort, entertaining with room for improvement. Like The Fall at their least ramshackle. Can't say fairer than that.

www.myspace.com/wearewildpalms
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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Monday 8 March 2010

Broken Bells - Broken Bells



You know how they say 'Don't give up the day job!' well if you're James Mercer, frontman and songwriter for the Shins or producer/artist Danger Mouse (a.k.a. Brian Burton) this particular idiom need not apply. Sure they're both brilliant in their own right but with Broken Bells - the full length results of their creative collaboration - they pretty much eclipse most of their output to date.

These bold words are not written lightly. This reviewer has an overwhelming affection for The Shins and has enjoyed Danger Mouse's other collaborative efforts to date Dark Night of the Soul in particular.

There's a melodic but retro vibe to the songs on Broken Bells perhaps drawn from a shared fascination with The Zombies, Love and the more experimental peripheries of 60's-psyche pop. The analog synth swooshes merge with carefully picked guitar lines and Mercer's falsetto, occasionally wurlitzer-washed, vocals wouldn't be out of place amongst some Bacharach & David numbers, sound tracking a string of cool 60's films.

But this isn't an exercise in retro chic and mimicry there's a ghostly mellow vibe to most of the songs on this album but they still pack a spooky punch. It's mostly introverted, quiet and low key with the pair exploring the space-rock within. And it's a stunning result. Recommended you turn it up loud(ish) and sit and just listen. It asks no more than that and it's the very least they deserve.

www.brokenbells.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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Sunday 7 March 2010

RIP Mark Linkous



Extremely sad to hear today that Mark Linkous has died.

Having been a fan of his and his band Sparklehorse from the wonderful debut album vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot right up to the collaborative affort last year with Dangermouse and David Lynch which became Dark Night of the Soul. Linkous always wrote and produced music which was passionately felt, wonderfully creative and mesmeric to hear.

It's a sad loss for fans and music generally but of course a tragic loss for family and friends. Very sad news indeed.

Friday 5 March 2010

Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me



There is sometimes an urge with new album from artists you love to hurry the review and tell everyone just how great it is. I've been guilty of this on occasion. To do this though is to quicken the listening process, not leaving time for digestion, contemplation or repeated plays.

I've taken my time with Have One On Me because it's so jam packed with imagination and stories and weight that it defies you to skim over it lightly.

Perspective - 3+ years on from Ys with it's own dense tales of love, imagination and self discovery and it could be argued that Have One On Me carry's on in much the same vain, except that Ms Newsom sharp lyrics, intricate narratives and rich melody just get better and better.

It's immediately apparent that this album needs time to breathe and fill the senses. Opener Easy has a beguiling lilt setting the scene for songs which retain some of Newsom's seeming naivete but which see the girl grown into a bewitching woman. Alluring and assured.

The very fact that these songs are lushly spread over three discs suggests some sort of importance. '81, the epic melancholia of Go Long or Kingfisher all swirl with extended drama amidst the playful harp plucking and strings.

At over two hours this album might be too much for some in one sitting but if you have the time to sit and listen and turn it up it's like hearing the best bedtime stories you'll ever hear. A masterpiece.

http://www.dragcity.com/artists/joanna-newsom
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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Monday 1 March 2010

Blood Red Shoes - Fire Like This




There's a review of Blood Red Shoes first album on this blog somewhere. A positive review where I announce their arrival into the bigger leagues and proclaim them taking a huge leap forward.

This, as it transpired, was merely wishful thinking. They toured endlessly and released heaps of singles but ultimately failed to really capture the attentions of a 'wider market'.

I could be repeating myself in this review then as Fire Like This has every chance of breaking through. Although to my own personal chagrin the bulk of this release feels like more of the same from the Brighton duo. I'm still wishing for more singing from Laura-Mary and less squawking from Steven.

The are a few standouts in the latter part of the album Heartsink is very much in the full on rock BRS spirit whereas Follow The Lines and One More Empty Chair mix the pace and tone a bit and they're all the better for it.

I hope this pair can attract the wider audience they deserve, it certainly won't be for a lack of effort. It does feel a bit make or break though...

http://www.myspace.com/bloodredshoes
www.mekongdelta.co.uk

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