Download: Jaydiohead - Jay Z and Radiohead Mashup

You have to love all these Jay-Z mashups, they often tend to be terrible, but sometimes can be great. This one, is well...interesting.

It's Radiohead and Jay-Z. I'll leave it up to you to decide.

Download the full album here:
http://jaydiohead.com/

Album News: Burning Codes - Burning Codes

I'm all for promoting Irish music. Thus I'm delighted whenever an email pops in my inbox from Indiecater records, because I know that they know good. They're up to know good, you might say!

The album Burning Codes was originally released last year to great acclaim, which was well merited. Now however, Indiecater have picked it up and are offering it for a €4 download!!!! Yes, four euro. Go shove your recession.

This album should've been massive, and if I had have heard it before this week, it could've made my year-end best of. Unfortunately it won't be eligible this year, but their follow-up promises to be even better, base don the bonus track 'Away' which comes with the debut's digital release.

Download:
Burning Codes - 'Cloak & Dagger'

More info:
http://www.indiecater.com/2009/01/burning-codes/

Album News: Swan Lake - Enemy Mine

Swan Lake is not the ballet troupe, instead it's a troupe made up of Dan Bejar of Destroyer, Spencer Krug of Sunset Rubdown/Wolf Parade and Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes and Blackout Beach. In other words, a band worth checking out. Their last record, Beast Moans, wasn't as brilliant as a Destroyer, New Pornos, or Wolf Parade record, but a few tracks were decent enough to show that this one, Enemy Mine, could be amazing.

According to the press release:
"While their debut album was a beautifully-weaved mash-up of their disparate song-writing styles, often with layer upon layer of various melodies and stylistics thrown into a collaborative cauldron to magical, and at times discordant effect, their second album "Enemy Mine" reflects a more stripped-down, more deliberate approach to collaboration. It's as if they really tried to just make nice songs together. To quote Krug, "There's architecture here." Not that the lyric is about collaboration--it fits nicely though."

I hope to get my hands on an mp3 soon.

Tracklist:
Spanish Gold, 2044
Paper Lace
Heartswarm
Settle On Your Skin
Ballad Of A Swan Lake, Or, Daniel's Song
Peace
Spider
A Hand At Dusk
Warlock Psychologist

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/swanlaketheband

Download: Tenaka - EPonymously Titled

Well, not today, but from Saturday the 10th of January, you can download Tenaka's excellently monikered EP EPonymously Titled. Tenaka is Ronan Carroll from Limerick and has been featured as an upcoming artist on BBC Music. And you know what? They're right. Perhaps an Irish Sound of 2009?

Tenaka - EPonymously Titled
1. Aint Nobody
2. Someday
3. Open Up
4. Alaskan

Check out his MySpace on Saturday to download it:
http://www.myspace.com/tenakadrifting

Download: The Silt - No Twig

Every time I type the band name "The Silt", I have to be careful. Work it out...

They're a band from Toronto, who are set to release their proper debut record Cat's Peak next Monday. They're a mixture of everything, and 'No Twig', available for download here is a fantastic folky number, which indicates the brilliance to come on the album proper.

Download:
The Silt - 'No Twig'

Tracklist:
1 Come Back To The Willow
2 No Twig
3 Feathershine
4 Cat's Peak
5 Sunlit Cloud
6 Two Eyes
7 Taking A Walk
8 Cocoon
9 Beautiful Shell
10 Twilight In The Morning
11 Lit
12 Ears To The Rail
13 An Hour

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/thesilt

Album News: U2 - No Line Rolling Stone quotes

From January's Rolling Stone magazine. They commented on ten of the new tracks from the new U2 record No Line of the Horizon.

"Get On Your Boots"
The likely first single, this blazing, fuzzed-out rocker picks up where "Vertigo" left off. "It started just with me playing and Larry drumming," the Edge recalls. "And we took it from there."

"Stand Up Comedy"
Another hard rock tune, powered by an unexpectedly slinky groove and a riff that lands between the Beatles' "Come Together" and Led Zep's "Heartbreaker." Edge recently hung out with Jimmy Page and Jack White for the upcoming documentary It Might Get Loud, and their penchant for blues-based rock rubbed off: "I was just fascinated with seeing how Jimmy played those riffs so simply, and with Jack as well," he says.

"Crazy Tonight"
"It's kind of like this album's 'Beautiful Day' — it has that kind of joy to it," Bono says. With the refrain "I know I'll go crazy/If I don't go crazy tonight," it's the band's most unabashed pop tune since "Sweetest Thing."

"Unknown Caller"
This midtempo track could have fit on All That You Can't Leave Behind. "The idea is that the narrator is in an altered state, and his phone starts talking to him," says the Edge.

"Tripoli"
This strikingly experimental song lurches between disparate styles, including near-operatic choral music, Zooropa-style electronics, and churning arena rock.

"Cedars of Lebanon"
"On this album, you can feel what is going on in the world at the window, scratching at the windowpane," says Bono, who sings this atmospheric ballad from the point of view of a war correspondent.

"Magnificent"
"Only love can leave such a mark," Bono roars on what sounds like an instant U2 anthem. Will.i.am has already done what Bono calls "the most extraordinary" remix of the tune.

"Moment of Surrender"
This seven-minute-long track is one of the album's most ambitious, merging a Joshua Tree-style gospel feel with a hypnotically loping bass line and a syncopated beat.

"Every Breaking Wave"
A swelling soul-pop song, with bright synth sounds influenced by OMD and, Bono says, "early electronica." "You don't hear indie bands doing blue-eyed soul [like this]," he adds.

"No Line on the Horizon"
The title track's relentless groove began as a group improvisation. "It's very raw and very to the point," says the Edge. "It's like rock & roll 2009."

TV Review: This is Nightlive and Project Ha Ha Dead Cat Bounce

Another new season for RTE, more new "comedy" for us viewers. Last night's programming was a mixed affair. The first of the two new shows, This is Nightlife was the Irish take on The Day Today. It attempted to satirise Irish televesion news, but in order for a staire to work, it needs to be cutting edge. However, Nightlive/fe lacked real bite. It brought ne'er a chuckle, and a rare smile. The newscast stories came across as half-baked, and Johnny Hansom is a poor man's Chris Morris. The behind the scenes was no better, taking the easy options of taking the Mick out of Irish newscasters Grainne Seoige (which it must be pointed out has move on from news, so a swing and a miss there), Trevor Corcoran. A real opportunity was blown in their attempt to broadcast from inside a warzone. They should've had the Charlie Bird-type on a hotel balcony, because we all know that's what RTE pays for out there. Kind of like FAS in the US. The worst moment? The awful "Thank God for protestants" line. I'm not going to be juvenile, but you can think of some nice rhyming slang for the show yourself. It makes The English Class look like No Country for Old Men.



On the other hand, Project Ha-Ha's Dead Cat Bounce sketch show offered promise. While no real belly-laughs emerged, there were a few genuine smirks. The News 360 section was so much better than the entirety of This is Nightlife!, especially the snide comment about the wearing of make-up which may have been influenced by Father Ted. Similarly, Graham Linehan was also echoed in yet another Chris Morris-type (his character in the stellar IT Crowd, which the MD of the company involved in the well-known dead hooker incident. And even the Flight of the Conchords-esque song was well done. In fact, it was stuck in my head for the entire ad break. Take that Jacobs Biscuits!

Now, after typing this I see Jim Carroll has also done a similar review of This is Nightlife, except his is rather more positive. Opinion seems to be split on this one. Maybe Johnny Hansom and the rest can do another "exit poll", har-har!

Read Jim's review here:
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2009/01/06/heres-johnny/

Also, a note to anyone from RTE who reads this: If you want someone to write you a better TV show, I'll gladly do it. I've a few ideas which would be better baked than these, just drop me a line. I'll be happy to help out!

Best of 2008: Update 7

Like LargeHeartedBoy's worldwide list, I intend to make a list of every Irish best of I see. Email me at swearimnotpaul@gmail.com or leave a comment if you want yours added!

2UIBestow Top 3 of Everything in 2008
Alan Whelan's Top 50 Albums
Egocentric Best Albums: Evil Bob, Rob, ctrl/alt/delete
Evening Herald/Herald AM's Top Irish Albums
Hardcore For Nerds' Best Albums 1-6 7-13
IndieLimerick's Top 10 Albums
Irish Times' The Ticket Best Albums & Gigs
Jim Carroll's Top 20 Albums
Metro's Best Irish Albums
MP3 Hugger's Top 42 Songs
Nialler 9's Readers' Top 20 Irish Albums
Nialler 9's Top 30 Albums
Nialler 9's Top 50 Songs
Red's Albums of the Year
RTE Guide's Top 8 from '08
State Magazine Top 25 Albums
Swear I'm Not Paul (this blog, click on a section:) 60-51 50-41 40-31 30-21 20-11 10-01
Thundercrack Playlist's top 30 Albums
UCD University Observer Top 3 Albums

Album News: Neal Casal - Roots and Wings

Until Ryan Adams/Cardinals release an album this year, Neal Casal's new solo venture Roots & Wings is the best we'll have. It's due later this month, but word on the wire is that it has leaked already...

tracklist:
01 - The Losing End Again
02 - Back To Haunt You
03 - Signals Fading
04 - Traveling Light
05 - Tomorrow s Sky
06 - So Far Astray
07 - Hereby The Sea
08 - The Cold And The Darkness
09 - A Year And A Day
10 - Cold Wave
11 - Turn For The Worse
12 - Superhighway
13 - Keep The Peace
14 - Don t Mind The Black Clouds
15 - Pray Me Home
16 - Chasing Her Ghost

Stream: 4 New Prince Tracks

From Billboard:
Prince is planning to release three new albums in 2009 without the assistance of a record label, according to an interview with the Los Angeles Times. A "major retailer" is in talks with the artist to release the music physically, while a new Prince Web site will sell it in digital form.

The two new Prince albums are the tentatively titled "MPLSOUND" and "Lotus Flower." He was also heavily involved in an album titled "Elixir" from his protege, Bria Valente. "We got sick of waiting for Sade to make a new album," he said of that project.

As for "MPLSOUND," recorded at Prince's Paisley Park compound in Minneapolis, the Times describes at "electro-flavored" and full of "trippy, experimental pop songs." Q-Tip guests on one track.

"Lotus Flower" is more guitar-driven, an approach Prince says he came to after touring as the guitarist in singer Tamar Davis' band in 2006. Tracks include "Dreamer," a cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crimson & Clover," "Colonized Mind" and "Wall of Berlin."

Prince's last studio album, "Planet Earth," was first released as a free covermount with the U.K. newspaper the Mail on Sunday in July 2007. It was subsequently issued worldwide by Columbia Records.

You can listen to four of the songs from those records here:
http://www.imeem.com/urbmagazine/blogs/2008/12/19/cOfFv_-1/4_new_prince_tunes

Album News: Of Montreal - Jon Brion Remix EP

In 13 days from now I will defean my neighbours. Either due to the loudness of playing Jon Brion's remix of tracks from Of Montreal's Skeletal Lamping or else just from hollering with delight. Either way, the 16th of January will be a great day.

Upcoming Brilliance: Sound of 2009

Forget about BBC's Sound of 2009 (although that'll make for a great read next week), this is where it's all happening. These are the acts you need to hear in 2009. Well, this is what I think anyway... (they're in alphabetical order, so no-one is above another)

Broken Records
Broken Records are a Scottish band that are miles better than Glasvegas, if only because they've a cello, violin, trombone and mandolin. Yet they remain a rock band. Oh and someone has called them the Scottish Arcade Fire. Not a bad comparison. Glorious. I cannot wait for their debut album, as new single 'Lies' and 'If The News Make You Sad, Don't Watch It' are both tremendous.
New single 'Lies':

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/brokenrecordsedinburgh

Fiction Family
Punch Brothers were the must-hear Nickel Creek offshoot of 2008 led by Chris Thile, but 2009 will be the year of Sean Watkins. His band, formerly known as The Real Sean Jon release their debut record at the end of this month (the 20th) on Dave Matthews' ATO Records. Check out their new single 'When She's Near':

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fictionfamily

Florence and the Machine
Florence and the Machine are going to be massive in 2009. You mark my words. Of all the people I list here, no-one else will probably rise so rapidly. It's amazing that you haven't heard of her already. Oh wait you have? And what song? Of course, the excellent 'Kiss With A Fist'

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachinemusic

Mr Hudson
Kanye West's latest protege will be just like Estelle, A-Track and John Legend - massive. This man knows music. Kanye knows more about music than most PR men. And he'll tell you so. Similarily, he'll tell you how brilliance Mr Hudson is. And every time he says something like that about someone other than himself, you just have to stand up and listen.
'Picture of You':

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mrhudson

Mumford and Sons
The best new live act I saw in 2008 wasn't even the full band. It was just band leader Marcus by himself, supporting Laura Marling at Whelan's, and he was fantastic. Forget about Noah and the Whale, this is the future of British pop-folk.
'White Blank Page':
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
80s pop along the line of A Flock of Seagul..well, maybe not them. But the kind of music that used to be on the radio when it was good. They've a horrible name, but they make enchanting music. 'Everything with You':

MySpace: www.myspace.com/thepainsofbeingpureatheart

Passion Pit
This band are on every list. And it's no wonder why. They're fantastic. I've talked about them numerous times on this blog, and I'm not about to stop any time soon. Expect them to crop up on a lot of end-of-year lists too. 'Sleepyhead':

MySpace: www.myspace.com/passionpitjams

Jay Jay Pistolet
It's not fair that people born much later than me are succesful. What will be fair, however, is the success of Jay Jay Pistolet. He's been around since 2007 and really should've released an album last year, so hopefully he'll finally do it in 2009. 'We Are Free':

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/jayjaypistolet

Also be on the lookout for VV Brown, White Lies, and John Mayer.

Yes, that John Mayer. If he does release an album in 2009 (and I hope to God it does), he'll be huge. The publicity has already been done. He's probably the best young guitarist I've ever seen. His work with John Mayer Trio is impeccable. Just watch this, if you don't believe me:

Other: Cheap DVDs in the January sales

Best post comments of the year for 2008 award (that's badly worded, but you know what I mean): Jim Carroll's post on cheap DVDs coming up to Christmas, here:
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2008/12/16/on-the-records-pricewatch-esque-christmas-special/

A brilliant idea which should be kept up. I just thought I'd point you in that direction, and also tell you about some great prices I found in Zavvi (which could be closing) in Dundrum today.

I noticed/bought:
House MD Series 1 for €14.39
The Shield Series 1 for €11.69
The Unit Series 1 for €17.09
Various seasons of the Wire for €31.49
Various seasons of Friends for €10.79 (although with E4 why would you need them?)
Every CSI Box ever at €13.49

Everything else has 10% off the marked price!

So pop on down now, before it's closed for good. Or else let me (or Jim) know of other great bargains.

Tracklist: U2 - No Line on the Horizon

Perhaps this might be the right order, here's the confirmed tracks from Q Magazine for the new U2 record, No Line on the Horizon:
1. "Stand Up"
2. "Magnificent"
3. "Get Your Boots On"
4. "Moment of Surrender"
5. "Unknown Caller"
6. "No Line on the Horizon"
7. "Crazy Tonight"
8. "Every Breaking Wave"
9. "Breathe"
10. "Winter"
11. "The Cedars of Lebanon"

And perhaps there will be room for two other rumoured tracks:
"For Your Love"
"Tripoli"

Please note: 'Stand Up' has nothing to do with the disappointing Dave Matthews Band album or song of the same name!

Album News: Bonnie Prince Billy - Beware

And we're back for 2009. That was a nice few day's break down visiting the in-laws. Now it's over, it's back to blogging!

Will Oldham is set to release another record (not long after his last), under his Bonnie 'Prince' Billy guise. It's called Beware, and will be released March 13th in Ireland (16th in the UK, and St Patrick's Day in the States).

In addition to Oldham's band (Josh Abrams of Town and Country, Jennifer Hutt, Emmett Kelly of the Cairo Gang, and Michael Zerang), the guest list on Beware includes Dee Alexander, Leroy Bach (ex-Wilco), Jim Becker, Robert Cruz, DV DeVincentis, Jon Langford (Mekons), Greg Leisez, Rob Mazurek (Chicago Underground/Isotope 217, Exploding Star Orchestra), Nicole Mitchell (Exploding Star Orchestra, Frequency), and Azita Youssefi.

Beware:
01 Beware Your Only Friend
02 You Can't Hurt Me Now
03 My Life's Work
04 Death Final
05 Heart's Arms
06 You Don't Love Me
07 You Are Lost
08 I Won't Ask Again
09 I Don't Belong to Anyone
10 There Is Something I Have to Say
11 I Am Goodbye
12 Without Work, You Have Nothing
13 Untitled Afraid Ain't Me