Stream: Kele Okereke - Tenderoni Remixes

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke has an imminent debut album: The Boxer. You may have heard lead single 'Tenderoni' already (especially if you ventured over onto Nialler9's blog recently, he loves it), but you may not have known that Kele is running a remix competition. Full details can be found here, if you wish to enter. But most of us probably just want to hear the remixes...

Stream some of the entries so far:
Tenderoni Remixes

Album News: Kele Okereke - The Boxer

Kele Okereke is not taking Bloc Party's one-year-hiatus seriously. He's lined up a number of Irish dates, and will release his debut solo album on June 21st. He wasn't contented taking time out of music, so booked himself into a studio and the rest is history. He says "It was just me and an engineer. I plugged in synths that I had no idea what they would do. I began programming drum beats, which I had never done before. It was completely back to the drawing board. It was exciting and terrifying. In most cases I sat down, pulled a drum beat out of nowhere and arranged stuff around that. This was as exciting to me as the first time I picked up a guitar."

The album promises to be harsher and more physical (well, at least that's what Kele says). It's called The Boxer, and will be preceded by lead single 'Tenderoni' a week earlier (isn't that a Chromeo song though?)

Tracklist:
WALK TALL
ON THE LAM
TENDERONI
THE OTHER SIDE
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED
NEW RULES
UNHOLY THOUGHTS
RISE
ALL THE THINGS I COULD NEVER SAY
YESTERDAY'S GONE

Irish Tour dates:
Friday 14th May – Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick
Saturday 15th May – Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Sunday 16th May – The Academy, Dublin
Monday 17th May – Spring & Airbrake, Belfast

Live: Kele Okereke at the Academy

In advance of his upcoming solo album, Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke will play a series of Irish dates in May. Hopefully they go down better than the first time I saw them at Oxegen, when he said he was "delighted to be back in the UK". :D He'll be playing Limerick, Cork, and Belfast, as well as the Academy in Dublin.

Tickets for Kele's solo dates go on sale on Wednesday.

Friday 14th May – Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick
Saturday 15th May – Cyprus Avenue, Cork
Sunday 16th May – The Academy, Dublin
Monday 17th May – Spring & Airbrake, Belfast

Watch 'Helicopter' live on Jools Holland:

List: Best Albums of the Decade 50-41

Getting ever nearer that final ten... Part Seven of my countdown of the top 110 albums of the decade. You can find 110-101 here, 100-91 here, 90-81 here, 80-71 here, 70-61 here, and 60-51 here. But for now, here's 50-41...

50. Richard Hawley - Lady's Bridge (2007)

The fifth album from the Sheffield troubador. It's also his best work so far. Every song on here is a crooning masterpiece, but amazingly that tome of online music journalism, Pitchfork gave it 5.8. How? There's no way anyone could not like this. Beautiful, bleak, and brilliant.

49. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm (2002)

Is there a better rock song this decade than 'Banquet'? Regardless of what else was on Bloc Party's debut, that song alone would guarantee its brilliance. However, the rest of it is damn good too. The repetition of 'She's Hearing Voices' and the power of 'So Here We Are' are wonderful. 'Price of Gas' was the only low-point, but instead of playing that, just throw on 'Banquet' again.

48. World's End Girlfriend - Hurtbreak Wonderland (2007)

The only instrumental album to make my list, it's also the best album to come out of Asia this decade. It's a post-rock epic record, filled with songs capable of soundtracking any Tim Burton film. It's so easy to think of this record alongside those photos from the new Alice in Wonderland. Tim, if you don't already have someone in mind, snap up Katsuhiko Maeda already.

47. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova/The Swell Season - Once OST (2007)

Both this and the self-titled record deserve to be here, but since they are more or less the same album, I decided to go with the one more people own, and also the one which includes the wonderful 'Gold' and the hilarious 'Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy'. The highlights are endless, but I couldn't really talk about this album without mentioning that song. Worthy of every award, it's one of the most beautiful duets you'll ever hear.

46. The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)

If you own only one White Stripes record, it's probably this one. But don't just stop after the opener, there's so much more here than 'Seven Nation Army'. The cover of the Bacharach/David classic 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' is just as amazing as their wonderful take on 'Jolene'. Don't listen to any of that crap that you've heard. Meg White is a damn good drummer. Just misunderstood.

45. Thom Yorke - The Eraser (2006)

Radiohead mainman goes it alone. Shock! But it's so much better than those who wrote it off as Radiohead-lite. Why do you think everyone went so crazy about Yorke's exploits with Flea and his odd new live band. These songs are fantastic in themselves. It's actually better than Kid A, the album it probably most closely resembles. 'Black Swan' is incredible. Listen to it. Now.

44. Muse - Original of Symmetry (2001)

Muse's second album is their best. It took what worked from the first album, Showbiz, and turned it all up to eleven. There are so many classics on here, it's hard to choose a favourite: 'New Born', 'Bliss', 'Citizen Erased', 'Plug In Baby', and that cover of 'Feeling Good'. And the solos, oh those solos...

43. Destroyer - Trouble in Dreams (2008)

Some may argue that Destroyer's Rubies is the better album, but for me this is Dan Bejar's finest hour. It's a fuller record, a more rounded album, and one that's easier to get into. You know why that is? Because it's better. A brilliant album, the perfect comfort blanket, it'll soothe you in ways you didn't know were possible.

42. Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007)

Gretchen Wilson for grown-ups, the second album from Miranda Lambert outdid her debut in every way. Opener 'Gunpowder & Lead' just tells you what type of album this is. The second song, 'Dry Town' is penned by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings too. The album is almost as good as Gillian's best work, and marks Lambert out as one to watch. Her 2009 record wasn't as good, but she'll be back better than ever.

41. Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark (2008)

We wondered would the DBTs be as good after the exodus of Jason Isbell. We knew they could be fantastic without him, as they had been on their first three albums, but we the jury was still out on whether they could be as good. Luckily, they proved they could be. Shonna Tucker took on writing and vocal duties alongside Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood, and showed that she was damn good in her own right. It was more country than the Isbell era, but it was the rockers that shone. '3 Dimes Down', 'That Man I Shot', and 'A Ghost To Most' are among their best. Amazing.

The Countdown continues tomorrow...

List: Top 20 EPs of the 00s

My end of decade lists continue. But each day, we get nearer and nearer my list of the best 100 albums or so of the 00s! As I'm busy typing that list, I've split this into two halves. The second half, i.e. the top ten, features some fine blurbs, in case you decide you might have to buy some of these half-albums. Also, I left off Ryan Adams' Love is Hell EPs, as they would've held the top two positions, and will be high up my album list, as one sole album.

20. Bright Eyes - Four Winds (2007)
19. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Tallest Man on Earth (2006)
18. Bon Iver - Blood Bank (2009)
17. Gemma Hayes - Work to a Calm (2001)
16. Gorillaz - Tomorrow Comes Today (2000)
15. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - IsIs (2007)
14. Ben Nichols - The Last Pale Light In the West (2009)
13. Mumford and Sons - Mumford and Sons (2008)
12. Jill Andrews - EP (2008)
11. Fleet Foxes - Sun Giant (2008)

10. Joanna Newsom - Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band (2007)

Not only is this Joanna Newsom's beautiful follow-up to Ys, but it's also the best named release of the decade. A genius titled EP which contains three gorgeous, encapsulating songs. She's a marvellously consistent artist, and I can't wait to see what the next decade has in store for her.

9. Iron and Wine - Woman King (2005)

Sam Beam is also one of the most consistent artists around, and Woman King may well be his finest ever release under the Iron and Wine moniker. He's also fantastic live, so if and when he does return, I advise you to go to see him.

8. The National - Cherry Tree (2004)

The Virginia EP narrowly missed the top twenty here, but this is their better short-length record. Cherry Tree signalled the brilliance that was yet to come from the National on their excellent Alligator and Boxer full lengths.

7. TV on the Radio - Young Liars (2003)

Another teaser EP, this one showed glimpses of what TV on the Radio would come to be. Even still, it's a fantastic release, and one any artist would be delighted to have in their canon. Check out the excellent 'Staring at the Sun' and the phenomenal 'Blind', a seven minute tune which feels like it ends too soon..

6. Richard Hawley - Richard Hawley (2001)

This decade has been Hawley's decade. He has stood out on his own. Previously a session musician, his self-titled EP, with songs like 'Naked in Pitsmoor' and 'Coming Home' showed that Hawley could be the Roy Orbison of the 00s.

5. The Gaslight Anthem - Senor and the Queen (2008)

A lot of these EPs are teasers that the best is yet to come from an artist, but Senor and the Queen contains a lot of the Gaslight Anthem's best work. Overall it's their best ever release, mainly because of the song 'Blue Jeans and White T-Shirts'.

4. Kings of Leon - Holy Roller Novocaine (2003)

They weren't always pop darlings, you know? Long ago, before X Factor wannabes sang their songs, Kings of Leon were a fantastic rock band, up there with the White Stripes and the Strokes. They weren't polished in any way. They were raw, and they rocked. Hard.

3. Bloc Party - Bloc Party (2004)

I first downloaded this in 2004, on a recommendation from NME before their debut album was released. It was incorrectly titled Banquet EP, but that is mainly the reason it was so good. That one song. 'Banquet'. Perhaps the best rock song to come out of England this decade. And that includes everything Pete Doherty was involved in too.

2. Fight Like Apes - How Am I Supposed to Kill You if You Have All the Guns?

The best EP to come out of Ireland this decade? Certainly. Might well be the best EP to come out of Ireland ever. It also had a more normal souning name than any of their other EPs. It quickly sold out everywhere, and a wave of hype followed the band everywhere. It was truly deserved, as no-one can argue with songs like 'Battlestations' and future single 'Jake Summers' He's the man...

1. Arcade Fire - Arcade Fire (2003)

This is what good EPs are all about. Also known as the Us Kids Know EP. It introduced the world to the fascinating Win Butler and Rene Chassagne, and contained no songs that would appear on their debut album Funeral. (Although 'No Cars Go' was later re-recorded for Neon Bible). It's the perfect EP, as its unique tracklist makes it worth owning, as much as a full-length album.

Album News: Bloc Party - Intimacy Remixed

Bloc Party are known for their remixes, some of them are pretty damn good. See all those 'Flux' ones to see what I mean. Expanding on that, they're set to release a remix album of Intimacy on May 11th. There will even be a triple vinyl limited edition. Triple vinyl?

Tracklist:
1 Ares - Villains remix
2 Mercury - Hervé Is In Disarray remix
3 Halo - We Have Band Dub
4 Biko - Mogwai remix
5 Trojan Horse - John B remix
6 Signs - Armand Van Helden remix
7 One Month Off - Filthy Dukes remix
8 Zephyrus - Phase One remix
9 Talons - Phones RIP remix
10 Better Than Heaven - No Age remix
11 Ion Square - Banjo or Freakout remix
12 Letter To My Son - Gold Panda remix
13 Your Visits are Getting Shorter - Double D Remix

Watch 'Signs (Armand Van Helden mix)':

Yesterday I Listened to #3

Another installment. I do these when I have a build up. So it should be "Yesterday and the day before I listened to..."


Bloc Party - Silent Alarm

The original and best Bloc Party album. I don't think they'll ever equal it. Especially with the direction they've gone post-'Flux'. Although last year's record was promising. Nothing will beat 'Banquet' though.


Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You

The first half of the new Lily is excellent, especially 'Not Fair', but after that it gets a bit samey. There are loads of clever and witty lyrics though. So on repeated listen, I may love it more.


Alphabeat - Alphabeat

Discontinued by the manufacturer, Amazon claims. That's because I have the original Swedish version of the record. It's more or less the same, but like the new Lily, it weighs heavily towards the front. Glorious pop, which rightly cheered me up on a snowy day!


Angie Aparo - The American

I like playing records that are near each other alphabetically. It saves my scroll wheel. Plus I was in a pop mood, so this record fir perfectly. One of my all time favourite albums, it failed to get the noteriety it should have. I recommend it to everyone. It's beautiful. Make some new stuff Angie (well new stuff I can actually get over here!)


Seth Lakeman - Kitty Jay

The album with which I fell in love with Seth (I'm a bit out of love after last year's too-poppy record). His best record, filled with haunting tales of Dartmouth. His brother is Cara Dillon's other half, and also plays on Seth's records. So if you like Cara, you should love this.


Uncle Tupelo - No Depression

Before Wilco and Son Volt, there was Uncle Tupelo. Heavily influenced by Gram Parsons, and a heavy influence on Whiskeytown, this is one of the essential alt-country records. It does get a bit samey towards the end, especially on the deluxe edition, but there are some glorious bar-room tunes on here.

Watch: Bloc Party - 'Call the Shots'

Yes, that Girls Aloud tune. Kele, you've outdone yourself.

Watch: Bloc Party - Talons

Bloc Party are to release a new single, and like 'Flux', it doesn't appear on an album. This didn't make the cut for Intimacy. Was it being saved for single-only release, or was it not good enough? I personally think the former. It definitely is better than tracks one and two on that return-to-form album.

The single will be released October 20th, as well as making appearance tagged on to the physical release, due October 27th. Maybe it's a way of getting people to buy actual CDs instead of downloads. Enjoy.

Bloc Party - 'Talons'

Album News: Bloc Party - Intimacy

Another case of follow in the footsteps of Radiohead/Raconteurs/NIN/whoever, with the official announcement for Bloc Party's third album Intimacy. Last night during a webchat it was announced that their new album will be available for download August 21st (this Thursday), with a physical release to come October 27th. Fans who wait for the CD/Vinyl will be treated to some extra songs.

The press release claims: "Some songs are Bloc Party at their most wildly experimental, while other tracks are simply classic Bloc Party, fitting in seamlessly amongst fan-favourites 'Helicopter', 'Banquet' and 'So Here We Are'."

I do not want new experimental stuff if their recent single 'Mercury' is anything to go by. Stick to what you're good at lads. Anyway, we'll all get to hear how good it is in just two days.

Tracklist:
01. Ares
02. Mercury
03. Halo
04. Biko
05. Trojan Horse
06. Signs
07. One Month Off
08. Zephyrus
09. Better Than Heaven
10. Ion Square

P.S. Hopefully 'Biko' is half a cover of 'Biko Biko'!

Album News: Bloc Party - New Album

Bloc Party are currently working on their third album, which is due out later this year. Or knowing Bloc Party, right at the start of next year, so come year-end when people make their Best Of lists, they're forgotten about. The follow-up to A Weekend In The City and their superb debut Silent Alarm, does not yet have a title, but will be produced by Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth.

Singer Kele Okereke said of the album: "It doesn't sound like anything we've done before and I'm really excited about it" Hopefully it won't sound like A Weekend in the City, because that album was a massive letdown.

You can see for yourself what one part of it sounds like anyway, as lead single 'Mercury' is now available for your viewing pleasure, and is due to be released August 11th.