Irish music blog. Containing gig, live and concert reviews reviews; album reviews; setlists for recent Dublin shows; album news; and basically everything from the Irish music scene.
EDIT: Competition is now closed, winner will be announced tomorrow.
Nokia are celebrating the release of their fantastic new Nokia 6700 by offering up a Red Nokia 6700 as a prize here. The Nokia 6700 slide is a snazzy little phone, and is really handy for browsing the net, updating your social media, and checking your email on the go. It's available in four colours - silver, pink, purple, and red. I think I have the fanciest one to give away. Plus it has room for a SD Card up to 16GB, so you can hold heaps of music.
Which brings me nicely onto my next point: Nokia have moved up to second place in Europe for mobile downloads, even ahead of Vodafone. It holds a 22% share in music downloads across Europe, which is a pretty impressive statistic. It couldn't come at a better time, as mobile full song downloads are about to surpass ringtone downloads for the first time ever.
All you have to do is guess what's in the red box below, and leave your answer in the comments. Whoever gets the right answer will be put into a draw for the phone, if no-one gets it right, the closest wins.
Rules: Please enter from a google/OpenID account (and one which has your email or contact details on your user page), or if you're posting from an unregistered account, give a hint as to your email address so I can contact you if you win. e.g. swearimnotpaul[at]gmail or something like that.
Closing date is this Monday, the 24th.
Now, the question... What is in the red box? Here's your hint: It's red, but that's not important. What is important is Cryptic clue: the answer is blowing in the wind. Some like it hot. Standard clue: It's cylindrical, and something Father Jack can make all by himself.
After being knocked off her one-week perch at number 1 in the Irish charts, Cathy Davey could not have asked to have been supplanted by anyone closer to home. Conor J O'Brien did not only record Villagers' Becoming a Jackal recently, he also was involved in the entirety of Cathy Davey's third album The Nameless. Oh and it's still #2 this week. Not a bad 1-2, right?
Davey's third record may well be her best yet. It takes everything that made Something Ilk and Tales of Silversleeve great and turned them up a notch. Her singing is as bewitching as ever, and her and O'Brien's music is first-rate throughout.
Opening song and title track 'The Nameless' is a captivating tune, showing off her powerful vocals, especially during the splendid closing section. It's like wrapping yourself in the warmest of blankets and blocking everything else out.
There's much to enjoy here, 'Army of Tears' with Neil Hannon is led by wonderful strings until it leaps into a wonderful chorus. Symphonic brilliance. The press release calls the tune the best ever Eurovision song not to appear at the Eurovision, but I feel that belittles it. It's so much better. 'In He Comes', 'Bad Weather', and 'Wild Rum' are equally beautiful, the first is a particular standout in the Kate Bush mould.
Single 'Little Red' showcases her talents further, and highlights how her move away from a major label has actually helped rather than hindered her career. It has given her the time to record something as mystifyingly beautiful as this.
The album is masterfully arranged, a tremendous job has gone into the album, from everyone involved. But the star of the show remains that gorgeous voice. There isn't many better instruments in Ireland. Glorious, and yet another reason why 2010 is proving to be the best year ever for Irish music.
The third part of my Annotated Bell x1 focuses on 2005's Flock.
REACHAROUND
Cute hoors1 on every corner They're putting out, putting out And there's many a kerb crawler2 A boy racer3 Fine young men with their spoilers spoiled4
Hail fella, well met Makin' V's like Nixon5 A comb over6 and sweat
Cute hoors in the corridors of power7 Throwin' shapes, atin'8 grapes The wink and elbow9 language of delight Has been seduced by the dark side10
We are the babies that they kissed And ours is the flesh that they pressed11
Yea they're good for a reacharound12 Always good for a reacharound Oh they're good for a reacharound Always good for a reacharound
Cute hoors on every corner They're putting out, putting out As with most things here It's hard to pin down It sticks to your clothes, it's airborne It's been long celebrated As something to make us proud All this movin' and shakin' Envelopes so brown13
Yea they're good for a reacharound Always good for a reacharound Oh they're good for a reacharound Always good for a reacharound
1 A play on the word "whore", who'd be on the corner selling their wares. Cute hoorism is a practice of outwitting people, somewhat mischievously, like former Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Charles J Haughey. 2 A kerb crawler is someone who drives around with the intention of picking up prostitutes. 3 Boy racers are young men (and women in the case of girl racers) who speed around in specially converted (souped-up) motor vehicles, where the only intention is to maximise engine noise at the expense of the driver's hearing. 4 Spoilers are added to cars to increase downforce and keep the car on the road at high speeds. They would never be needed on a Fiat Punto, but that doesn't stop the boy racers from adding them, and spoiling their vehicles. 5 V is for victory, and the Vs here are the ones 37th American President Richard Milhous Nixon (1913-1994) made as he left the White House after resigning as president in 1974. The V symbol is also considered to be a sign of peace, but Nixon's frequent use of such has made a lot of people question that connection. 6 A comb over is a scurrilous method of disguising a lack of hair in aged men, by combing over the remaining strands to hide bald patches. Notable patrons of the comb over include English 1966 World Cup winning footballer Robert "Bobby" Charlton (1937-), American businessman and television personality Donald Trump (1946-), and American musician Saul Hudson (1965-). 7 The corridors of power is a term for the halls of parliamentary buildings. American television writer and producer Aaron Sorkin (1961-) is an expert at displaying these corridors, particularly his stately home improvement show The West Wing. 8 'Ating is Irish slang for eating. Although, drinkin' is our national pastime. 9 The wink and elbow is a *nudge nudge* movement which usually follows smart repartee or a rude limerick. One such limerick is "There once was a man from Nantucket / Whose cock was so long he could suck it / As he wiped off his chin / He said with a grin / If my ear was a cunt I would fuck it." 10 The dark side is something, something, something, something. 11 Politicians are known for shaking hands with voters as well as kissing babies, usually for a photo opportunity. Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen (1960-) is better known for his ability to make babies cry while performing this theatrical endeavour. 12 A reacharound is a sexual term for giving on a second level as well as the first, if you get my drift. If you don't get it, you're probably better off. 13 During the era of the Celtic Tiger, where the building trade boomed in Ireland, brown envelopes full of illicit cash were passed between developers as well as many others, as a form of bribery. c.f. Paul Williams, every Sunday in...ah, who cares anymore?
FLAME
When your hand brushed against mine I thought I'd collapse I'm no rolling stone I gather too much moss1 Maybe it's 'cos I'm getting A little bit older But oh how your neck Flows to your shoulder It draws me, it draws me to your flame
I wanna be near you And blink in your light And toast marshmallows On a cold dark night By your flame
Your flesh it melts in my mouth Like Holy Communion2 But you don't really care for Jesus now do you?3 A photograph of this love Hangs on my wall I would dare to speak its name If I knew what it was called I would dare to speak its name If I knew what it was called
Rattle the one who's shadow You're standing in Under the branches after It's been raining On your flame I wanna be near you And blink in your light And toast marshmallows On a cold dark night By your flame
You brought your flame Into the chambers of my heart You brought your flame Where all's been condemned to dark And now your flame Spits shadows on my walls Shadow on my walls
1 Ridiculous old expression "a rolling stone gathers no moss". Actually it may not be ridiculous, neither Mick Jagger (1943-) nor Ronnie Wood (1947-) had Kate Moss (1974-). Pete Doherty (1979-2005) did, but they never had. 2 The alleged body of Christ that is eaten during Christian ceremonies. I'd tell you that it's a representation or that it turns from body into bread or remains body or whatever, but I don't want to cause another 1517. 3 Notable lyric from Leonard Cohen's (1934-) much covered 1984 religious paeon 'Hallelujah'.
ROCKY TOOK A LOVER
He said 'I wanna shine in the eye of Orion1 But I drove my soul through the Black Hole2' She said 'What a wonderful way to wake me You weren't so nice last night You're such an asshole when you're drunk' He said 'At least I'm OK in the mornings'3
He said 'The three wise men came a long way Following that pin hole in the sky4 Yeah that one right there' She said 'I don't believe in any old Jesus If there was a God, then why is my arse The perfect height of kicking?'
He said 'I'll shine for you, I'll burn for you Yea I'll shine for you, that's what I'll do'
He said 'They're like headlights In the rear view mirror They're closer that they seem5 And from this gutter we're still staring at the stars' She said 'Would ya go away and shite Last night all you did was curse those stars You said they sang to you of hope'
He said 'The sun gives life, and it takes it away But like all the greats, it'll burn out someday' She said 'I don't mind, I don't want to get bored I don't want to end up beached on this shore I want to be that star'
And then I'll shine for you. Then I'll burn for you. Then I can shine for you. That's what I'll do
1 Orion is a constellation located on the celestial equator. It contains the stars Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Rigel, Saiph, and plenty more I haven't heard of. 2 A Black Hole is a region of space from which nothing can escape, and which reflects nothing. 3 Paraphrase of the well-known quote "Bessie, my dear, you are ugly, and what's more, you are disgustingly ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be disgustingly ugly" by former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965). 4 In the New testament the Magi, or three Wise Men, followed the light of the Star of Bethlehem to find the birthplace of Jesus. With them, they brought gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense. There must not have been a lot of gold, as Jesus's adoptive father Joseph had to continue to be a carpenter afterwards. 5 c.f. this
HE SAID SHE SAID
On the telephone On the message board On the toilet wall Telemarket poll By sign language By a pigeon carriage By pressing red1 Fastest thumbs in the west
We're waiting For fun, friendship and maybe more Fun, friendship and maybe more
I am the man down I'm gonna lose my leg So just gimme the whiskey and let's go
Yes I covet my neighbour's wife And yes I covet my neighbour's goods2 Don't get too close I might take a swipe And friendly fire still burns
He said She said
This is not a good time How about the New World Wine Or a set of shiny steak knives $29.95
I went for a video I came back with a tan I came back with a tan
Still they gazed and their wonder grew In this world of it might just be you Watch them slip on the hamster wheel Tears give good TV
He said She said
1 Sky television has marked the arrival of the "Red button", where you can get additional services, such as the lyrics to the songs at the Eurovision song contest or alternative commentary from armchair supporters during football matches. Instead of the latter, there's a button close by that looks like this. Press that instead. 2 Two of the Ten Commandments that were spoken by God on Mount Sinai, and later taken down by Moses. There's also something about bearing false witness and honouring the Sabbath, but heck, who does either of those any more?
BAD SKIN DAY
When I wake in the morning Of a bad skin day And I can't face my lover On a bad skin day Am I this alone? Volcano has erupted And the ash sails down1 And I'm a poor soul of Pompeii2 Oh Christ I'm such a drama queen On a bad skin day
And you're far from me You're all far from me Right where I want you to be Far from me
I could've got a job I could've been a contender3, when I never… But the streak is only so long They're all different shades Of the same song There's a wind in these sails, feels like I'm always waiting… For the gold in them there hills, feels like I'm never… Them there hills
And they're far from me Someday we'll all wear a crown Far from me Someday we'll be the fairest of them all So far from me Someday we'll have an Open top bus parade For from me Someday we'll do the Sorry sorry charade
It feels like we're always waiting It feels like we're never leading
1 I just wanted to type out Eyjafjallajokull. Now how do you pronounce it? 2 Pompeii, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a town near Naples that was destroyed by an eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. There's nothing funny about that. 3 Quote from the multiple Academy Award winning 1954 film On the Waterfront, about an ex-boxer who stands up to his union bosses, featuring Marlon Brando in the lead role as Terry. (c.f. 'Pinball Machine', but while you're there, don't read this reference, or you'll see I copied and pasted this exactly, cause I'm lazy)
NATALIE
Natalie always seems to notice These traces of our lives before this But Natalie always seemed to notice me She said we must leave, uproot, erase this For this is the kind of love that maims us And I won't be happy 'til Somebody loses an eye
Tell me, do you see me as a shadow In the yawn of the evening? Don't leave me to those Who would believe me When I sell them Kiss and tell them Natalie
I'll have no truck with all of this madness I still see her arm thrown over his shoulder Like a noose But worn loose You say you want me to Stay here with yours And all those here who would Kill me and mine If I had a hatch, I'd batten it down1
Tell me, do you see me as a shadow In the yawn of the evening? Don't leave me to those Who would believe me When I sell them Kiss and tell them
History is written by the winners2 Yea this history is written by the winners And I want my say
1 Batten down your hatches is an expression exclaimed in the event of a storm. 2 If history is written by the winners, how do we know what happened in Ireland in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries?
BIGGER THAN ME
There is a darkness to these jaded days Maybe it's a seasonal affective disorder1 Or maybe we're just sad There is photosynthesis We crane our necks for sunlight There's a different sun for everyone
And it's bigger than me, this sun is bigger Yeah it's bigger than me, this sun is bigger So much more to eat, this sun is bigger To be bigger than me, this sun is bigger
There is a vacuum There are boys with toys These toys of coldness And a smart arse2 There is a cuckoo Who's been and lain in my nest And the egg is hatching And Christ I'll never be able to feed it
'Cos it's bigger than me, this chick is bigger Yeah it's bigger than me, this chick is bigger So much more to eat, this chick is bigger To be bigger than me, this chick is bigger Oh yeah!
I should welcome all Both fallow and fertile I should welcome all Both circumcised and gentile But I can be so, so elsewhere And I can be so, so cold
There is a world So full of people Full of love and shrapnel Full of bag ladies and bag ladies and Wicker men3
And it's bigger than me, this world is bigger Yea it's bigger than me, this world is bigger Still so much more to eat, this world is bigger To be bigger than me, this world is bigger
Am I a stone? Am I a sponge?
1 Season Affective Disorder is the disease with the best acronym, SAD, is also known as winter blues. Whoever came up with the title was one clever bastard, just like whoever though up of hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia. Well, actually, I don't think it's true, but it's funny. 2 Much like cute hoor, a smart arse is someone who makes condescendingly witty remarks. But you'd have to be stupid not to know that already. 3 The Wickerman was a large wooden human statue burned as an effigy for human sacrifice. It's also the title of a 1973 film, and the horrendous 2006 remake.
JUST LIKE MISTER BENN1
Put your sweet fingers A little closer to the keyboard It's hard to read between your lines We were the clock hands at midnight Now you're four whole hours behind Put your sweet fingers a little closer to the keyboard I can't quite see the whites of your eyes Though you bat your eyelids from across the ocean And I fall over in their breeze I don't bring you spices from the East I don't bring you the world's you crave 'Cos everyday you need a new one
Just like Mr Benn, just like Mr Benn
Put your sweet fingers a little closer to the keyboard We pass light bits in the night Though you send your flare to the horizon I just stare and blink in your light I don't speak in all your tongues So I don't even know if I'll be welcome But what if I appeared as if by magic? Just like in Mr Benn
So go if you're going You keep pouring when I say when Come home when your Work there is done Just like Mr Benn
Put your sweet fingers A little closer to the keyboard It's hard to read between your lines We were the clock hands at midnight Now you're four whole hours behind
1 Mister Benn is a children's book an television character, created by David McKee. A funky looking dude in a suit and bowler hat, he was one of the best dressed people on television ever who had no job.
MY FIRST BORN FOR A SONG
Somewhere in this sea of Club Milks1 Tea and ashtrays There is a song I'm in the crow's nest2 with binoculars Just waiting for one to come along I've seen the flare so I know it's there It has me tied up at a rate of knots No navigation, global position Just me and this midnight oil
So take me to your king I hear he's the man to see And I will cross his palm3
My first born for a song
Somewhere in this froth And howling wind There's something worth singing Climb into the attic to write me a classic But it's not happening It's just Christmas up here Between the phone calls And text messages The air must be thick with words But not between us Shoulder to grindstone Switching to manual Keep the head down And I'll see you at the end
So take me to your king I hear he's the man to see And I will cross his palm
My first born for a song
1 A Club Milk is a chocolate covered biscuit bar made by Jacob's. It used to come in a 7 pack, but you'll now have to do without it for one day of the week. 2 A crow's nest is a place on higher ground, often with a 360 degree viewpoint of the surrounding area, from which people observe or hunt. 3 Crossing one's palm is to give them money for something. It's not usually up to brown envelope proportion though.
TRAMPOLINE
She had mixed me With someone she once seen Projected on her screen Now I'm bluetacked1 above her feet So go lightly don't wake her Let her dream
Reflecting off the roof The whole world, it shimmers for you On a tree lined road My body took leave of my soul 'Hold on tight oblivion' she screams She's so strong when she's Digging into me
My head almost broke my heart Perfection takes me years To unravel and maul apart The Trampoline is getting torn Landing hard and taking off What now must I use To get us both airborne
I press green to play But the dial tone encores for me I try to dodge the cracks So not to hex2 it or paint it black I'm starting feel tremor of faith But never before on this scale
You and I Always had someone to talk us down You and I Learned how to live without solid ground You and I Jump up and down on These straining ties That were guaranteed to bind
1 An adhesive substance which is commonly used by youngsters to put up posters of footballers like David Ginola or pop stars such as Donny Osmonde. It usually lasts about two weeks before losing all stickiness and the poster falls down. Unless it was used for depictions of Baywatch-era Pamela Anderson. 2 To put a hex on someone is to cast a spell over them. It's also a pretty useful word to know late on in Scrabble, as you can get at least 13 points for three letters.
LAMPPOSTS
I've got your blood Under my fingernails It feels like I could Never wash it away Well how about that? I could never do that Well whaddaya know about that? I could never do that
I've been waiting for your blood To appear on my hands And there it was Under very different circumstances It's a clanging cymbal To end this drum roll It's a clanging cymbal To end this drum roll
I've been walking you Into those lamposts again I'd rather do that than Let go of your hand
I've been watching your fingers Straddle the neck of your guitar Since you said they'd buckle Like the legs of a new born foal But they're still standing Making those sweet Mongrel chord shapes Yea they're still standing And you got the middle One raised to me
I've been walking you Into those lampposts again I'd rather do that than Let you of your hand
I feel you from me Braithim uaim tú1 I feel you from me
I've been walking you Into those lampposts again I'd rather do that than let Go of your hand
1 Irish (Gaelic) translation of the expression "I miss you". Awww.
Congratulations to Conor O'Brien and his project Villagers, who have topped the Irish Albums Chart this week with their debut Becoming a Jackal. Fantastic news for Conor, whose career is going from strength to strength. He's set for bigger things than Jools Holland. This is just the start.
Have a listen to the new 7" from Arcade Fire, their first proper release since 2007's Neon Bible. It's a nice preview to their upcoming album, due for release later this year. Have a listen to samples from the two songs, 'The Suburbs' and 'Month of May' below. Just click on the play button, and then the track's names to change which one you want to listen to.
Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the Trueloves came to town on Wednesday night to play their swoontastic tunes to an adoring crowd. Support on the night came from local band the Pacifics, who played a mixture of originals and covers.
Read a full review of the show over at GoldenPlec, here.
Setlist: The Satisfier Help Me It's Easier Tell Me What I Wanna Hear Just Like Me Am I Wasting My Time Pick Your Battles You Can Run On Time Will Tell Young Girl Come and Get It Boom Boom
Gavin Glass is set to release his third album Myna Birds on Thursday, May 27th with a special launch party at Whelan's. Myna Birds is the follow-up to his well-received Gavin Glass and the Holy Shakers.
In between then and now, Glass also appeared on Lisa Hannigan's Sea Sew, as well as being part of her touring entourage. Luckily for us though, he's back with a new record. You may have already heard 'Ooh La La' from it, as it appeared on a recent Meteor ad.
Tickets for the launch show are on sale now and cost €15. Support on the night comes from I Draw Slow.
The Hold Steady performed a short little set for Rolling Stone magazine, playing three songs from new album Heaven is Whenever. They're fantastic videos, well-recorded. Enjoy.
Conor O'Brien's Villagers played the Set Theatre in Kilkenny yesterday in order to promote their excellent debut album Becoming a Jackal. Thanks again to Keith for the setlist. The Set Theatre is a gorgeous venue, and if you get a chance to see someone there, I urge you to take it. Jim Caroll called last night's gig the "best gig in ages", commenting that it was "Sublime on so many different levels".
Setlist: The Meaning of the Ritual Home Becoming a Jackal That Day Pieces To Be Counted The Pact I Saw Dead Down Under Sea Ship of Promises --- Tigers On a Sunlit Stage
Yesterday, Dave Matthews Band issued an official press release stating that they'd be taking the entire year of 2011 off:
"A MESSAGE TO OUR FANS
As we feel the excitement building for this summer, we wanted to let everyone know that after twenty years of consecutive touring, Dave Matthews Band will be taking 2011 off. We feel lucky that our tours are a part of so many people's lives, and wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible. We're excited to make this summer one of our best tours yet, and look forward to returning to the road in 2012."
This may or not be great news, since last year's Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King was the band's best album in a decade. However, after relentless touring for that entire decade, it's about time they took some time off. That said, I wouldn't rule out a follow-up to Matthews' 2001 solo record Some Devil.
So to coincide with that announcement, here's my top 5 unreleased Dave Matthews Band tracks:
'#40' Also called 'Always', '#40' is one of the band's long lost tunes. It's sometimes teased at shows, but has only been played in its entirety once in the last eight years. The definitive version is the Live at Yoshis performance, and if you can get your hands on that bootleg, I highly recommend it. A fantastic recording.
'Good Good Time' First played at the Bonnaroo Festival in 2004 and originally titled 'Thing' and later 'Hmmm', 'Good Good Time' made its debut as a Dave Matthews and Friends song, but was equally great when brought to the table by the full band.
'Granny' One of the oldest DMB tracks, it dates back to 1992, but has not been released as part of an studio album. It's still played regularly on tour, and was recorded in the sessions for Under the Table and Dreaming. A live favourite of many long-time fans.
'Joyride' First played in 2004 alongside other new tunes intended for Stand Up, 'Joyride' was a million times better than 'Hello Again' which made the cut. It was released as a bonus track, but the majority of listeners would not have heard it.
'Sweet Up and Down' Leaked as part of the unofficial Lilywhite Sessions, this song was cut from the final release of Busted Stuff, and along with 'JTR' is a huge omission from that album.
Thanks to Keith at IndieLimerick for the setlist, he has a good few videos from the gig here.
Setlist: Dog Collector Reuben No Heart In He Comes Little Blue Clean & Messy Habit Nameless Rubbish Lay Your Hand Army Wild Rum Mr.Kill Moving --- Bad Weather I Want You Back (Micheal Jackson Cover) Sing For You Supper
Dublin four-piece Hoarsebox are currently recording their debut album in the States with producer Dennis Herring (Modest Mouse, Elvis Costello, The Hives, Counting Crows). The album doesn't have a name quite yet, but is due for release sometime around September. However, having Herring on board is getting me amped up for the release, he produced Counting Crows' underrated This Desert Life as well as Modest Mouse's Good News for People Who Love Bad News.
To fill the void between now and then, the band are offering up their double A-side single 'Work Party'/'Inside Out' as a free download - all you need is to enter your email address.
I'm usually not one for promoting cover bands, but when a night is as whack (or whatever the coll kids said back then) as Smash Hits's amazing St. Patrick's Eve gig at Tripod, it needs to be promoted. They're back again with all your nineties classics. This time, they'll play TriPod on Friday June 18th. Tickets are €20 and are on sale now.
Expect to hear the likes of 'Ice Ice Baby', 'Don't You Know Pump It Up', 'Can't Touch This' and maybe even the Fresh Prince theme tune.
There may be just three weeks to go to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa (of which Matthew Upson won't be attending), but there's just seven weeks to go to the biggest musical festival of the year, Oxegen 2010.
Many people complained about the lack of Irish acts when the initial lineup was announced, but the announcement of the full lineup for the Hot Press Academy Stage should surely rectify that. As well as great foreign imports such as Julian Casablancas (of the Strokes), Laura Marling, Yeasayer and Kele Okereke (him from Bloc Party), there's plenty of homegrown artists due to appear. The highlights for me will be Conor O'Brien's Villagers, Cathy Davey, Wallis Bird, and O Emperor. Oh and I forgot to mention, old frogthroat-skeleton hands herself is playing, that's right Diana Vickers will be there!
Lineup: JULIAN CASABLANCAS ASH CATHY DAVEY WE ARE SCIENTISTS KELE OKEREKE VILLAGERS BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB YEASAYER LAURA MARLING THE HIGH KINGS WALLIS BIRD FRIGHTENED RABBIT MYSTERY JETS 3OH!3 SHED SEVEN DIANA VICKERS O EMPEROR LISSIE JOE ECHO THE MIDDLE EAST EXAMPLE HURTS MAYER HAWTHORNE CHAPEL CLUB DAISY DARES YOU
While you're at it, check out the brand new Oxegen website here: www.oxegen.ie
Guesting on this post is fellow music blogger Sean Earley. You can find him over at http://seanear1ey.wordpress.com where he blogs and podcasts regularly. He also writes for HeinekenMusic.ie, is a contributor over at Culch.ie and co-runs a Dublin events blog http://todayindublin.wordpress.com
Jack White's Third Man imprint was originally established as the brand name for a pubescent Anthony Gillis' furniture re-upholstery business, Third Man Upholstery. Based in Detroit, Gillis [a.k.a. Jack White] spent his late teens covering, filling and reviving old armchairs and sofas, all while wearing trademark yellow and black clobber. Between then and now; Gillis has become White, White has become a guitar virtuoso rock icon and the Third Man motif that began it all has been altered slightly but still Jack White's signature style.
White has always had a passion for exposing bands and performers he likes to a wider audience through the vehicle of his influence and production skills. An early example being Sympathy For the Record Industry's 'Sympathetic Sounds of Detroit' where White took it upon himself to gather and produce an LP of Detroit's local garage bands who were knocking about, just when the White Stripes were gathering steam. In the years thereafter, the duo brought old Detroit friends on tour with them to expose them to global audiences; the Greenhornes, Brendan Benson, the Von Bondies, the Dirtbombs and Blanche all accompanied the White Stripes across the US and around the world.
Now, in his third band, White decided to establish a physical location for Third Man Records, a previously fleeting interest, previously used to publish his previous albums and fund smaller ventures including a single and album in conjunction with Cass Records by the Muldoons. However, Third Man is no longer a fleeting interest. Serious thought, planning and money has been invested into this store, label and venue all-in-one venture. A professional relationship with Nashville's famous United Record Pressing has been fruitful for Third Man and has resulted in the pioneering of Tri-Colour records, "Three-sided" records, Glow in the Dark 7"s, and 8" singles/13" LPs. (A peach coloured and SCENTED LP is planned for Karen Elson's debut album due out this month)
Third Man's aim is to put interest back into vinyl and physical, tangible music that you can hold. Store-only editions, pop-up stores and live recordings of in-store performances all add to the store's appeal. A veritable Mecca for the Jack White enthusiast. There is a lot more to come for sure and we definitely haven't seen the best yet-
For now though here's a run-down of my top 5 most desirable releases from the Third Man Label so far -
BP Fallon - Fame #9/I Believe in Elvis Presley/BP Fallon Interview 7"
All rock and roll roads lead to BP. The Irish music mogul has been in every musical circle worth mentioning over the years. He worked at the Beatles' label Apple Records in the sixties, became Thin Lizzy and T-Rex's publicist, toured with Led Zeppelin as their entertainment manager and wrote a book on his experiences with U2. Now, Jack White is BP's new interest. The photographer / journalist / Death Disco-jockey recorded a 7" with the folks at Third Man Records down in Nashville.
The A-side is a spoken word monologue, where BP considers and muses over the fickle nature of Fame. Fantastical imagery is portrayed in a smashing line about Elvis Presley
"I'm hungry he says and the door is jammed with the Memphis mafia. Each one trying to be first to return to the king with a triple cheeseburger covered in molasses and lard, the food that killed him. No one had the balls to say 'Elvis I love you, you're a bit fat. Have an apple."
The B-side is two tracks split left and right in mono: Third Man Records' patented 'three-sided record'. 'I Believe in Elvis Presley' BP's first musical outing, is a nice little ditty with slide guitar and brushed drums. BP tells us through song what he believes in, the cornerstones of his musical faith. 'BP Fallon Interview' is a stark and honest conversation between BP and Jack White's disembodied voice, hovering like a spectre. They discuss Chuck Berry, touring with Zep and the appeal of the Blues.
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Wanda Jackson - You Know I'm No Good / Shakin' All Over 7"
First Loretta, now Wanda. Jack has a penchant for ageing Country music ladies. This 45 features two covers performed by grooving and shaking Wanda Jackson plus backing band. First is Amy Winehouse's 'You Know I'm No Good' which Wanda bellows amid blasts of Mark Ronson-esque trumpets. Imagine Amy being 30 years older and more bitter. 'Shakin' All Over' originally performed by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Jackon's version is a little more modern featuring some Jack White guitar solos and some dramatic pauses which breathe new life into the track.
The first pressing is now sold out but we are assured that Third Man is repressing the single and orders will be honoured.
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The Dead Weather - Jawbreaker/No Horse 7" [Fanclub only]
One of Third Man's most innovative money spinners is a fan-club delivered through Modblast.com The site founded by Blink-182 guitarist Tom DeLonge. Modlife allows a band to charge for a subscription to exclusive content including streaming video and audio, live webcam feeds, ticket pre-sales and band blogs. As part of Third Man Records' Vault subscription you not only get access to exclusive content but also a package of exclusive releases in the form of unreleased 7"s, live LPs, t-shirts, slipmats and silkscreened posters.
It was in the first subscription to the Vault that subscribers were treated the first takes of cuts from the new Dead Weather album 'Sea of Cowards' on an exclusive 7" a full 3 months before the album was released.
On the album 'Jawbreaker' is one of the Dead Weather's finest, start/stop organ with some blistering guitar in the bridge from Fertita. Mosshart is on flying form spitting too "I'd call you a heart breaker but I reserve that for nicer things." This version is more laid back with piano replacing the guitar in an almost stripped down, acoustic version. 'No Horse' is a personal favourite from the album, but the first take version is far less evolved than the finished track.
This 7" is pretty much like listening to a Beatles Anthology track from White, Mosshart & Co. Great stuff, but only exciting/interesting to hardcore fans.
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Black Belles - What Can I Do / Lies 7"
Seemingly plucked from obscurity in local Nashville, the Black Belles are a four-piece girl band. All four girls have black hair and pale skin, clearly in the Jack White fan club themselves. Appearing as part of Third Man's on-going 'Blue Series' (a series of singles in the genre of garage-blues-rock with artists photographed on a blue background) the ladies are clad in what appears to be witches hats on the sleeve.
'What Can I Do' sounds like something completely at home on 'Icky Thump' with organs reminiscent of 'I'm Slowly Turning into You' although Meg's vocal talents couldn't match these bombshells'. It must be said that there is nothing cooler than a girl who can pull off a slick blues guitar solo. The flip features a reworking of Knickerbockers' garage gem 'Lies' which features some crazy blasts of space echo and would lead you to believe it was an original track of their own.
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Carl Sagan - A Glorious Dawn 7"
This is a funny one. Carl Sagan was an American Astronomer and TV personality in the 1980s . He mused on the meaning of life, the nature of the universe and the biggest questions that the galaxy posed. A Youtuber, by the name of John Boswell, remixed an episode of Sagan's 'Cosmos: A Personal Voyage' television show with a snippet of Stephen Hawking talking about the Universe. He autotuned the voices and added some trippy, cosmic music and hey presto- 'A Glorious Dawn' was born.
Issued by Third Man on one-sided vinyl, the reverse etched with the diagram as seen on Voyager's Golden Record. A limited number were also issued on 'cosmic' coloured vinyl; black with specs of glow-in-the-dark, resembling the view from the cockpit of the millennium falcon entering hyper-space.
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So, if any of this interests you you can buy the tracks from iTunes if you're new-school and from Third Man Records online store over at Thirdmanrecords.com OR if you find yourself in the Nashville area why not drop by the store? There are plenty of exclusive items available there that you can't buy online.
Third Man Records 623 7th Ave South Nashville, TN 37203
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Like this? Check out my Dead Weather 'Sea of Cowards' review on Culch.ie Check out my Flight of the Conchords Live review on Heinekenmusic.ie
Midsummer Party is the debut album from the bastard child of Groom, The Walpurgis Family. It's due for release this weekend with a special launch party at Bewley's Cafe Theatre on Friday, the 21st of May. Support for the release party comes from Jonny Fun and The... Hesitations and Mumblin' Deaf Ro.
The Walpurgis Family are made up of 3/5ths of Groom, and make equally melodic songs. Their press release compares them to Wilco and Yo La Tengo, and it's not half wrong. Midsummer Party is a lightning burst of an album, at only 27 minutes, it's full of quick fist-pounding tunes.
They'll also be playing Whelan's on June 19th as part of the Popical Island Collective.
Compilation albums are tricky things. Most of the time they're not successful, as one act always shines far above the others. On the flip side, compilation albums are great because you get to hear songs and bands you would have never heard otherwise (unless it's a Now That's What I Call Music record). Made in Iceland 3 features some new(ish) tracks from most of Iceland's best loved musicians. As well as a tune from Sigur Rós's Jonsi ('Boy Lilikoi'), there's excellent songs from Olafur Arnalds and Valgeir Sigurdsson.
Made in Iceland III is out now on Iceland Music Export.
TRACKLISTING: 1. For a Minor Reflection // Dansi Dans 2. Jonsi // Boy Lilikoi 3. Hjaltalin // Suitcase Man 4. Reykjavik! // Repticon 5. Seabear // I'll Build You a Fire 6. Ben Frost // Hibakusja 7. Stafraenn Hakon // Temporality 8. Berndsen // Supertime 9. Kimono // Tomorrow 10. Valgeir Sigurdsson // Past Tundra 11. Benni Hemm Hemm // Retaliate 12. Pondus // Not Again 13. Lay Low // Aukalagid 14. Feldberg // Dreamin' 15. Snorri Helgason // Freeze Out 16. Sam Amidon // How Come That Blood 17. SkakkaManage // Now or Never 18. Sudden Weather Change // St. Peter's Day 19. Emiliana Torrini // Beggar's Prayer 20. Olafur Arnalds // Tunglid
'Are You Going to Sleep Tonight' is the new single from Conor Furlong, which will be made available as a free download on his website from tomorrow. There will be another song to download too, so you'll get two for the price of one.
Muse premiered their brand new single 'Neutron Star Collision (Love is Forever)' last night. It's due to appear on the soundtrack for the third Twilight movie, Eclipse which comes out next month. The soundtrack itself is due June 8th.
Tracklist: 1. Metric – "Eclipse (All Yours)" 2. Muse – "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)" 3. The Bravery – "Ours" 4. Florence + the Machine – "Heavy in Your Arms" 5. Sia – "My Love" 6. Fanfarlo – "Atlas" 7. Metallica - "Blackened" 8. The Black Keys – "Chop and Change" 9. The Dead Weather – "Rolling in on a Burning Tire" 10. Beck and Bat for Lashes – "Let's Get Lost" 11. Vampire Weekend – "Jonathan Low" 12. UNKLE featuring The Black Angels – "With You in My Head" 13. Eastern Conference Champions – "A Million Miles an Hour" 14. Band of Horses – "Life on Earth" 15. Cee-Lo Green – "What Part of Forever" 16. Howard Shore – "Jacob's Theme"
I am getting the sense from a lot of people I talk to, that High Violet is many people's first introduction to the National. It's probably going to be the album where their career really takes off over here. But it should be pointed out early and often that this album is not a patch on the two records that came immediately before it (although it is better than their first few). In fact, it's not even more commercial than their last, Boxer. So it's kind of strange that this is their biggest yet.
Don't get me wrong, High Violet is one of the better albums of 2010, it's just not the National's best. It's a great album full of wonderful, captivating tunes, not least album opener, the gritty 'Terrible Love'.
The National have long been a music first band, and thus the songs features big melodies and intense crescendos, which are then layered with Matt Beringer's enchanting lyrics. How can you argue with "We'll play nuns versus priests until somebody cries"?
There's plenty of highpoints to savour, particularly singles 'Anyone's Ghost' and 'Bloodbuzz Ohio', but for me, nothing tops the utterly compelling 'Little Faith'. The album is strong throughout, and closing tracks 'London' and 'Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks' are both standouts. However, overall it's not as good as Boxer or Alligator. Maybe it lacks the immediacy of those two albums, but it's just not as good.
Fantastic, but not as good. That said, 'A Little Faith' ranks among the best songs they've recorded. Immense.
Another setlist thanks to GoldenPlec (follow the link for a review). All said it was a marvellous night at the Academy on Friday. Expect Foals to really take off this summer. They could be massive. No doubt they'll be playing bigger venues next time around.
Setlist: Total Life Forever Cassius Olympic Airways This Orient Miami Balloons Blue Blood Spanish Sahara Red Socks Purge Electric Bloom --- The French Open Two Steps, Twice
Watch Foals 'The French Open' live at the Academy:
Ham Sandwich played Whelan's on Saturday night to launch their new single 'The Naturist'. Aidan over at the excellent GoldenPlec was in attendance, and wrote a great review of the night's festivities. Check it out here.
Setlist: Concrete White Fox St. Chistopher Animals Click Click Boom Oh Oh Floors Pillar of Salt(Working Title!!) Thru the Grass Keepsake Words The Naturist When you sleep (My Bloody Valentine) Nevertalk
The third album from Spencer Krug's excellent Wolf Parade, Expo 86 is due for release in June, and from the previews of it (i.e. it leaked at the weekend), it's going to be mega. If you want to steer on the legal side of things, have a listen to mp3s of two of the songs below (thanks to Pitchfork).
Tracklist: 1. "Cloud Shadow on the Mountain" - 4:22 2. "Palm Road" - 4:41 3. "What Did My Lover Say? (It Always Had to Go This Way)" - 5:42 4. "Little Golden Age" - 5:00 5. "In the Direction of the Moon" - 5:46 6. "Ghost Pressure" - 5:16 7. "Pobody's Nerfect" - 5:50 8. "Two Men in New Tuxedos" - 3:09 9. "Oh You, Old Thing" - 5:46 10. "Yulia" - 3:47 11. "Cave-o-Sapien" - 6:19
Beach House are due to return to Dublin to play a special one-off show at Vicar Street on November 22nd. They released their third album Teen Dream in January, so expect to hear a lot of songs from that one. Tickets are €26, and go on sale this Thursday.
The video for the title track from the debut album of Karen Elson has been released. The album, The Ghost Who Walks, comes out on Third Man Records next weekend, and looks set to be fantastic.
Tracklist: 1. The Ghost Who Walks 2. The Truth Is In The Dirt 3. Pretty Babies 4. Lunasa 5. 100 Years From Now 6. Stolen Roses 7. Cruel Summer 8. Garden 9. The Birds They Circle 10. A Thief At My Door 11. The Last Laugh 12. Mouths To Feed
Drive-By Truckers pulled out a new song last week during a live show at the Boulder Theater in Boulder, Colorado. It's called 'Ray's Automatic Weapon', and according to frontman Patterson Hood, it has already been recorded in studio for the band's second album of the year, Go Go Boots. Download the song as an mp3 below, and then go have a listen to the full show.
1. Intro (Your Woman Is A Living Thing) 2. The Fourth Night of My Drinking 3. Three Dimes Down 4. Life in the Factory 5. Gravity's Gone 6. Ray's Automatic Weapon 7. Birthday Boy 8. Girls Who Smoke 9. Daddy Needs A Drink 10. A Ghost To Most 11. Home Field Advantage 12. Sink Hole 13. Uncle Frank 14. This Fucking Job 15. Get Downtown 16. (It's Gonna Be) I Told You So 17. Drag The Lake Charlie 18. Zip City 19. Ronnie and Neil 20. Road Cases 21. 72 (this highway's mean) 22. After The Scene Dies 23. Self Destructive Zones 24. Buttholeville > State Trooper --- 25. Encore Intro 26. Marry Me 27. Jay's Circus Intro > The Flying Wallendas 28. Hell No, I Ain't Happy 29. Shut Up and Get On The Plane 30. Let There Be Rock 31. Rockin' In The Free World
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