Discussion: The Ticket's 50 Best Irish Acts right now.

Jim Carroll and co. over at the Ticket have made a list of their top 50 Irish acts on the scene currently.

There were three qualifying conditions. (1) Solo acts had to have been born on the island of Ireland or to hold an Irish passport. (2) In the case of bands, half or more of the members had to have been born on the island of Ireland or to hold an Irish passport. (3) Bands had to have recorded or released music since January 2008, or to have played a gig since January 2008.

You can read the list in full here:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0403/1224243925837.html
and dispute the height of U2 here:
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2009/04/03/the-tickets-50-best-irish-music-acts-right-now/

There are many ommissions, which have already been pointed out (even by me):
But no Gemma Hayes, Mumblin' Deaf Ro, Tenaka? Ricer higher than Mick Flannery? Republic of Loose? etc. etc.

Watch: Black Lips live at Generiq festival, Dijon France

There's nothing quite like a full live show to watch online. It's almost like being there. Almost. But when it's a festival show, you won;t have any drink spilled on you!

Review: Tom Brosseau - Posthumous Success

There are far too many singer-songwriters in the music business. Luckily for Tom Brosseau, he's not a singer-songwriter, he's a storyteller. His vocal style is more akin to Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan chatting than Pavarotti or Sinatra. Also, luckily for Tom Brosseau, his stories are well worth telling.

The album Posthumous Success is bookended by two versions of the same song, 'Favourite Colour Blue' which immediately lets you know what you're in for. Don't expect the earth to be shaken, but you will be gently rocked by some smooth lullabies.

It's on the third track, 'Big Time', that the album really comes alive. It's one of the best songs Brosseau has ever recorded, and if Jim Carroll is looking for a tune of the week this week, he can't go far wrong selecting this. It'd be the tune of most weeks.

Brosseau's wordplay is evident on tracks such as 'You Don't Know My Friends' and the bouncy 'New Heights'. The former contains the amusing line "I don't like watermelons because of the seeds", and the latter describes a conversation with his mother about his new paramour. Trust me, they're far more interesting than I make them out to be here.

Brosseau's charm possibly lies in his simplicity. Even the sparse 'Drumroll' is made interesting by his intoning, alluring vocal as well as the brilliant backing music. The instrumental tracks on here too, are similarly beautiful (for example the resonant 'Miss Lucy').

The album is a joy from start to finish and doesn't outstay its welcome. And unlike Albert Camus, whom the album is named after, Brosseau looks set to have some prehumous success. (Cheesy, but I couldn't help it)

Download:
Tom Brosseau - 'Favourite Colour Blue'

Download: Superjiminez - Goji Kids

Another week, another great Irish album. Well, another month, another great Irish album. That'd probably be more accurate.

BANG is released on April 10th, and the album launch party takes place the following Sunday (April 12th). It'll feature excellent single 'Helicopters' which made the Irish Top 20 (not that I usually have much creedence for the music charts, but this was amazing for a local group.)

Tracklist:
1. Gojii Kids
2. Faye
3. Helicopters
4. Promises
5. Beau
6. Rescue Remedy
7. Somebody There
8. My World
9. I Feel Designed
10. Hear You Now


You can download the tune by entering your email in here:
http://www.superjimenez.com/htmlsite/sj_gojii.php

Download: King Khan Shrines - Land of the Freak

King Khan and teh Shrines are due to tour the US shortly, and to promote that they've made one of their songs available for download.

'Land of the Freak' was featured on the excellent What Is? album.

Here's the US tour dates (have to do some promotion when I'm giving something away for free):
04-29 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
04-30 First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA
05-01 Music Hall of Willamsburg - Brooklyn, NY
05-02 Maxwell's - Hoboken, NJ
05-03 Santos Partyhouse - NYC
05-07 Paradise - Boston, Mass
05-08 Babylon - Ottawa, ON
05-09 La Sasa Rossa - Montreal, PQ
05-12 Phoenix Theatre - Toronto, ON
05-13 Magic Stick - Detroit, MI
05-14 Wexner Center - Columbus, OH
05-15 Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
05-16 Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN
05-19 The Warehouse - Calgary, AB
05-20 The Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB
05-22 Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
05-23 Sasquatch Festival - Quincy, WA
05-25 Dante's - Portland, OR
05-28 Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
05-29 Echo - Los Angeles, CA
05-30 Echo - Los Angeles, CA


Download:
King Khan and the Shrines - 'Land of the Freak'

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/kingkhantheshrines
http://www.vicerecords.com

Review: 202s - 202s

This year I aim to hear every Irish album worth hearing. Therefore when the Choice Music Award comes around next year, I'll know each album intimately. Also, if they're stuck for a judge, I'd definitely be interested! The debut album from 202s is one that could well feature on the shortlist in 2010.

The album opens with 'Shoot You Down' which is like a Bruce Springsteen-infused Arcade Fire. Yes, I am using those two as a comparison for an Irish band. I haven't heard an opening track this good from an Irish band since 'Heyday'.

All the songs seem instantly familiar, like you've heard them countless times before. 202s have taken elements from many of their influences, and made a stellar record. 'Ease My Mind' sounds like it could turn into 'Song 2', but instead settles for a sound somewhat like early Bell x1 (when I preferred them, they'll never top that second album).

It's not all the same sound throughout. 'Shine On' is a song of ethereal goodness, and leads the latter half of the album to be much more Mercury Rev sounding than the first half. This is particularly true of 'Repeat' and closer 'Goodbye, Good Evening and Good Night'.

'Who Cares About Sunshine?' defies its title and is a lovely summery melody accompanied by great harmony vocals. The whole thing has this uplifting feel and is one of the best Irish debuts in an age. It's up there with the Fight Like Apes record.

I recommend that everyone buys it.

More info:
http://www.myspace.com/the202s

Competition: Future of the Left Academy tickets

Welsh band (hey Wales 17-15 woo!) Future of the Left will play the Academy 2 on the 17th of May. They supported Fight Like Apes at the Village last year and were tremendous, so no doubt this year's headlining gig will be just as manic!

I have two tickets to the show to give away. All you need to do to win is tell me what your favourite Future of the Left track is and why. Just a simple explanation will do. Post your answers in the comments section or email me at swearimnotpaul@gmail.com to enter.

I love this, just for the name:
'adeadenemyalwayssmellsgood':

Live: Leonard Cohen at the O2 Dublin

Wooo. He's back. He's turning into Bob Dylan on this never-ending tour.

Leonard Cohen will play the O2 in Dublin on the 19th and 20th of July. Tickets are expensive enough (but worth it). They're priced between €90 and €125. They go on sale this Friday.

Also, remember U2's third Croker date is on sale early tomorrow morning at 8am.

'Suzanne' in Dublin last year:

Postponed: Fujiya and Miyagi at Tripod

Bad news F&M fans (not S& M fans, they're a totally different bunch. Much sweatier too). Fujiya & Miyagi have postponed their Academy gig. It was due to take place this Friday (April 3rd), but will now take place in June. The 20th to be exact. Original tickets will be still valid.

Live: Bray School Project Roof fundraiser

I'm always one for promoting charity gigs, but this one looks set to be good.

This Thursday Night (the 2nd of April) at Greystones Theatre. Doors open at 7, music starts 8pm. Tickets on the door are €10.

Check out the three great local bands playing:
The Juice www.myspace.com/thejuiciestmusic
The Cujo Family www.myspace.com/stoneymoany
Blink Yackety www.myspace.com/blindyackety

Here's The Juice - 'Real':

Live: Official Secrets Acts at the Academy

Londoners Official Secrets Act have announced three Irish shows as part of their UK and Ireland tour. They play the Academy in Dublin, Roisin Dubh in Galway, and Auntie Annie's in Belfast next month.

16 Apr 2009 Roisin Dubh Galway
17 Apr 2009 Auntie Annie’s Belfast
18 Apr 2009 Academy 2 Dublin

Tickets for all three shows are on sale now.

(sorry for my absence yesterday - illness. not fun)