The Horrible Crowes- Elsie

The Horrible Crowes- Elsie could easily be mistaken for a Gaslight Anthem record, perhaps the reassuring help from his band mates on this album and wife Hollie explains some of the similarities between Fallon’s side project with Ian Perkins.

Similar to Green Day whose American Idiot album tells a lyrical story, Fallon draws from the same semantic fields to illustrate Love and Life. In particular he focuses on the preciousness of time and how this shapes situations and feelings. For instance the concept of changing seasons and natures physical cycle is featured throughout the album, for example on track 6 he mourns the loss of a relationship that ends in the winter “and there was blood on my teeth/ from the long winters here” and still describes his sufferings in spring “See all I can do is think about you/ And miss all your kisses like the spring.” Using seasons as an indicator of time symbolises how easily it can escape you and the immeasurable healing process after a relationship. The intensity of these lyrics are heightened by its symbolism with nature,  the never ending cycle as a metaphor for relationships which begin, deepen and solidify and eventually end.

Fallon continues to focus on memories, he sings “I carry the ghost of my lovers at once” expressing how none of his past lovers have ever left him. Track 5 in particular is very poignant “And I just fell to pieces on the night that you said you were leaving/ You can’t come back from the heart that you left/ So go tell everybody that your man is dead.” In this chorus he is forthcoming about the relationship coming to an end and the difficulty of trying to regain what was lost. I also believe Fallon tries to emphasise the power of the mind that will keep these encounters alive and the everyday triggers that will either haunt or enrich your memories in the future.

‘Go tell everybody’ is the triumph on this album but every song stands alone. I Love that Fallon delves from the same lyrical repertoire, it is particularly comforting as a huge fan of his work and have yet again been left reeling by his vocals.

http://www.thehorriblecrowes.com/

November playlist

Stay Gold- The Big pink
Sunday Girl- Love u More
Monarchy- You don't Want to Dance with me
Joe Goddard- Gabriel
Sbtrkt- Pharaohs
Joker ft William Cartwright- On my mind
WU LYF- We Bro's

Just a taster of a few tracks I'm listening to right now, I particularly love Joker- On my mind. It's had huge airtime on Zane and Grimmy's radio show and I’m sure will be a household track in no time. 

Also worth a listen is Jade Williams A.K.A Sunday girl. The dancers all claimed for whiplash after the making of this Video (joke) but it's worth a watch nonetheless just to see her eccentric outfits and neon pink lipstick. Although I like the song, I have a feeling she is more style over substance. See video below

Marcus Foster- I was Broken

It’s clearly the year for male singer/songwriters, just take Ben Howard, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and Ed sheeran for example who have soared the charts and have sold out tours, is there room for one more?

Marcus Foster’s latest release ‘I was Broken’ features Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame. She is far removed from the harsh northern scenery depicted in the video, but there is no denying she could break your heart as she seductively poses down the camera lens to the lyrics “I was broken/ for a long time/but it’s over now.” The chorus content could easily be mistaken for The Wanted but I don’t mind, what is lacking in lyrical content he makes up for in vocal complexity. In his video every emotion can be read across his furrow brow, I am utterly convinced by him.

Foster has the ‘boy next door’ appeal and just like his contemporaries he would happily wear a hoody and jeans to his next show. Unlike Ed Sheeran who has the lexical range of a dictionary, Foster’s talents lie in his vocal ability to make even the most mundane lyrics have exceptional meaning. He could have easily made it without the aid of Stewart but has arguably fast tracked his career and paved the way for success in the American market.

Tragedy- Pukkelpop

One of Belgium’s most popular festivals was struck by tragedy this year after freak weather conditions caused the death of five people and multiple causalities. Heavy rainfall during the three day long festival caused staging to collapse, crushing festival goers underneath and chaos to those surrounding. I do wonder whether more could have been done as these conditions aren’t unheard of in Belgium where temperatures typically soar above 40oc during the summer season, heightening the expectations of freak conditions.

I experienced these temperatures first hand at rockwerchter festival in Belgium last year only a short distance from Pukkelpop which attracts some of the biggest names in music. In 2010 two stages were shared by the likes of Green Day, Muse, Pink, Rammstein, Pearl Jam and is also why it’s popular amongst locals who substantiate a large proportion of the audience. Belgium as a city had a lot to offer and is possibly the only place I was served cheese as a complimentary side to my beer. I also managed to catch a short leg of the tour de France as well as see Kelly from the stereophonics wondering around cathedral square ahead of his performance at Rockwerchter.

Unfortunately newspapers have been plagued by tragic stories, the most recent at Pukkelpop this year and those trampled to death at Germany’s love festival the year before. Let’s hope the muddy condition of Glastonbury is all that graces the front pages in the years to come.

V 2011- Hurts

After watching the highlights on channel 4 it made me sit back in awe, although not a lot was happening on stage a haunting atmosphere especially during their hit single ‘Wonderful Life’ was undeniable. It’s strange to think how they achieve this when Hutchcraft and Anderson are practically inactive on stage, yet the combination of subtle instrumental from the orchestra, Anderson on piano and impeccable vocals proved to be the winning formula. The only notable activity was the sporadic movements of the dancers placed at either end of the stage, dressed in lace with slicked back hair, they reminded me of the iconic females in Robert Palmer’s video ‘Addicted to Love.’

Unlike so many bands that tend to overwork their performance for a festival crowd, Hurts have done the opposite, stripping it bare and allowing the musical and vocal talent to shine. In interviews with the Northern pair they can appear awkward and unnatural in front of the camera and the composition of their performance perhaps reflects their modest and somewhat timid personalities. They sure know how to dress though and give Plan B a run for his money in the dapper-ness stakes.

The Flaming Lips-Primavera Sound Festival 2011

New Video- The Gaslight Anthem- Bring it On

If anyone asked me what's my favourite band? Without a doubt its the Gaslight anthem. If you had read my previous blog I try to explain how difficult it is (for me anyway) what I love about a particular band. I remember reading an album review, bought it online and I solidly listened to sink or swim for six months straight- end of, that’s where it all began, three albums and an EP later, watching various live performances in the UK and Europe and my love remains. My most memorable moment was watching The Gaslight Anthem at Glastonbury on the John Peel stage in 2009 with Itch Fox lead singer of King blues, three days without a shower and sweating profusely.

New single Bring it on taken from their latest release American slang is one of the more definitive tracks of the album. I think the concept of the video is weak and uninteresting, the sweeping camera is juxtaposed with still life images and the band performs in an abandoned warehouse. What interested me most was the actors look of despondency and one very familiar face, Dave Hause. Better known for his solo work of late, he is also the lead singer of the loved ones accompanied by Chris Gonzalez (Bass), Dave Walsh (guitar) formally of the Explosion and drummer Mike Sneeringer. The explosion broke up in April 2007 after being dropped by Virgin records and two albums releases, all members have gone on to join new projects. The video captures the song meaning well, Fallon sings “Wait a minute/ Wait a minute/ Wasn’t I good to you” questioning his part in the breakdown of the marriage leading to an acceptance that the other party has moved on to a new relationship “If it’s better than my love/ Go on and take it all”

Brian Fallon is currently on tour with Dave Hause, Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music and Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio. The revival tour begins in Bristol on 27^th September, I’ve got tickets…..more importantly have you?
http://www.therevivaltour.com/