David Couch

The summer sounds have reached us once again.  Dancing in the streets becomes our festival as the sun beats it’s steady rhythm down, the smell of…ah f**k I forgot to get my cigarettes. Be right back…For those of you that haven’t noticed it is officially summer.  Which means that live music is in abundance and any bar you’re lucky enough to stumble in to will have an open mic night. I’ve been to a couple of said event in recent weeks… and they really don’t deserve a mention here… but don’t lose hope!  You’re just closing the gap between yourself and the band that will set your summer ablaze.  But enough about my lamentations and trifles with the current state of Camden bars, I’m here to spread a wealth of music knowledge, trivia and add perspective to an otherwise shallow and empty grave where our passions go to die…

…But feast your intellects on this carefully constructed Top 5 Movie Soundtracks!

#6 Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) …Yeah, I know I said “top 5″.  You’re so smart.

The soundtrack to this film was compiled by none other than Joe Strummer, so straight away you know that it’s gonna be good.

Notable tracks from the soundtrack include:

• Queen and David Bowie “Under Pressure”
• Tones On Tail “Go”
• The Clash “Rudie Can’t Fail”
• Guns ‘n’ Roses “Live and Let Die”
• Motorhead “Ace of Spades”
• Violent Femmes “Blister In The Sun”

There are many, many more songs on the soundtrack but these are a selection that seem to sum the movie up pretty well.  Fast, cool and sexy songs that should accompany all films about hitmen who go to their 10 year high school reunion. I really can’t help thinking it should be higher on my list but thems the breaks, and I couldn’t find a good enough quote to finish this piece so we’ll leave it at the bottom of the pile.

#5 Ferris Buellers Day Off

One of the most important film for any young buck ever, I think we all learned a valuable lesson about the benefits of skipping school when:

a) your best friend has an old school Ferrari

b) you have a personal feud with your principal

c) you’re a pretty good hustler and get away with almost anything.

Notable tracks include:

• Sigue Sigue Sputnik “F1-11 Love Missile”
• The Beatles “Twist and Shout”
• Big Audio Dynamite “Bad”

granted FBDO does not have as many “big” tracks as #5 but it does have the benefit of working better, because of it’s cult reputation Ferris has become as much a part of the 80′s as hair metal.

#4 Reservoir Dogs

K Billy’s super sounds of the 70′s… Tarantino’s first feature length film has one of the most identifiable and unique soundtracks… with its own personal radio station that flits from being an external and internal source.  Oh and Mr. Blonde slices some dude’s ear off while dancing to “Stuck in the middle with You.”

Notable tracks include:

• George Baker Selection “Little Green Bag”
• The aforementioned song by Stealer’s Wheel, “Stuck in the Middle with You”
• Joe Tex “I Gotcha”
• Pretty much every song on the soundtrack…
• lest we forget Tarantino’s own insight into the meaning behind Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”…classic.

#3 The Departed

Martin Scorsese’s re-imagining of the Japanese thriller Infernal Affairs is really good and with a soundtrack to match it has to be number 3 on my list, because no other song in cinema has made as much impact on me then when you first hear “Shipping up to to Boston” in 5.1 surround sound on the big screen.

A new soundtrack with an old feel; there’s a quality to The Departed soundtrack, like the difference between the gangsters from prohibition Chicago and the hoodlum gangs from L.A. It’s a matter of class. Notable tracks include:

• Dropkick Murphy’s “Shipping Up To Boston”
• The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter”
• The Human Beinz “Nobody but Me”

There are more… but if you haven’t seen this film then you don’t deserve anymore.  Shame on you.

#2 Pulp Fiction

the second Tarantino film on the list, I wish it could have been different but I would be remiss if I didn’t include this. We’ve all seen this film, we all have our favorite moments where the soundtrack brings the scenes alive.  Bruce Willis running down Ving Rhames to the tune of “Captain Kangaroo” or Uma Thurman’s overdose to “Son of a Preacher Man”. I won’t insult you with notable tracks because there are too many to list and you all undoubtedly have your favorites.

#1 O Brother Where Art Thou

This is probably the odd one out of the group, but the story is a mixture of folk legend and Hollywood myth, the story of Robert Johnson spliced with Homer’s odyssey and George Clooney’s award winning smile (spoiler alert.)  The mixture of music in this film is really good – I’m not one for musicals (I don’t know if it counts as a musical but there’s definitely singing,)  But the Cohen brothers always do a good job of mixing folk/blues/bluegrass with some pretty bitchin’ scenes that will make you watch this film 5 times in one day… (I had the day off) and who can forget the Soggy Bottom Boys?  There really aren’t that many tracks to choose from and I’d recommend the whole film rather just the soundtrack.

There are a few films I would have put in this list but it got to a point where I just had to bite the bullet and pick five to put through… or six.  I know you may not agree with the list but there’s a wonderful quote about being pro-active and getting s**t done… “I did it before you.”

~DC~

Album:  Summer House

Artist:   Gold Motel

Release Date:  June 1st, 2010

Well this is a little embarrassing. I was sent Gold Motel’s EP a couple of months back kindly by their lead vocalist Greta, formally of The Hush Sound. But in the time that it’s taken me to get my act together to review the EP, they’ve gone and released a full length! Honestly, these indie bands and their organisational skills.  So to try and keep up with the times, I’ve decided to forgo the EP and dive straight in to writing some very nice things about their album, Summer House. And nice writing it does indeed deserve, being a lovely, sunshine-tinged jaunty escapade of a record.

Summer House is one of those gorgeous, jumpy boppy indie albums that will be spinning on your mp3 player all summer long just because it makes you smile. Vocals and keys are provided by Greta Morgan, who uses the former to coat the album in a golden honeyed shine, and the latter to ground it firmly in the territory of classically uplifting pop music.  These combined with a duo of guitars with a surf’s-up-sounding twang and a solid rhythm section, make Gold Motel’s sound one that invokes images of California summers, floaty dresses, melted ice cream and diving into lakes in the blazing sun.

Greta and the Boys

There is happiness seeping from almost every wave of this album; from Morgan’s crystal clear, lilting vocals to the close vocal harmonies with guitarist Dan, and the keyboard sounds dotting in and out of each song, Summer House is bursting with songs that are just dying to get stuck in your head – and they will succeed. There are a few tracks that really shine through on Summerhouse, like ‘Perfect in my Mind’ during which I defy anyone to resist singing along to some ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ by the end, ‘Safe in LA’ which will have you dancing like an idiot all over the shop, and ‘The Cruel One’ with its jolly piano track and heavily punctuated rhythms beneath cool and sweet vocals.

But in the end, all you really need to know is that if you need a good happy soundtrack for anything you do during this summer, just spend a while in Gold Motel’s beautifully decorated, multi-coloured Summer House.

~Sarah Morrison

Sarah writes for LeftLion in Notthigham and blogs about music at Miss Morrison’s Mix

Si and Andy of "Hot Fiction"

Album:  Dark Room

Artist:   Hot Fiction

Release Date:  June 7th, 2010

UK two-piece garage rockers Hot Fiction released their crunching, lo-fi debut album ‘Dark Room’ today, which, whilst sparse in instrumentation, is rich in riffage and chock full of bluesy soul. Comprised of school friends Andy Yeoh (vocals and drums) and Simon Miller (guitar), Hot Fiction’s sound paints a picture of two lads who, upon discovering their dads’ record collections, fell in love with the great masters of rock and roll and made it their lives’ ambitions to build upon that legacy. There are flickers and glimmers all over their music that point towards their influences, from classic rock and blues as well as the more contemporary heralds of back-to-basics lo-fi rock, but none so much that they come off as easily pigeon-holed. Some might delight in reeling off a comprehensive list here of those influential flickers and glimmers, but not me – I’d rather leave the comparisons up to you, dear reader, when you listen to the record, that’s much more fun.

The album kicks off with an a cappella wail that sounds borne of the banks of the Mississippi, then settles into the steady, fuzzed up groove of Start it Off; this track sets the tone for the rest of the record – sparse, riff-orientated, heavily punctuated rock that’s steeped in blues, with a modern edge that sets it off down a road of its own. From there, the record undulates through fields of upbeat 12-bar blues jams (My Girl Dances), dark and slightly sinister down-tempo grooves (All My Love in Vain), riffs that make you want to strut you way down the street (I Just Want Your Body), driving rock and roll (Truly Dark), and ends with a shockingly catchy number, considering how musically scant the track is, in the form of Creepy Disco – it will keep spinning in your head like a stuck vinyl for days. And in between all them lay many more delights to find for yourself.

All of this is overseen by Yeoh’s raspy, fuzzy vocals, which nestle in the songs next to the guitar like a third instrument, and are dripping with vaguely melancholic cool. Yeoh and Miller create an interesting sound for a two-piece, getting driving rhythms and distorted licks fully down and locked, and although I usually have issues with singing drummers (see: Phil Collins), these lads have nothing to worry about as they definitely pull it off.

One thing that shines through from this album is how well Hot Fiction’s songs would transfer to a live setting; the rough-edged recording does do justice to the DIY feel of the band, but I can’t help feeling that I need to hear these tunes in a scummy pub’s back room where my feet stick to the floor. In that vein, keep an eye on their website as they’re playing the hell out of London and a few others over the next few months.

Dark Room is imbued with just the right kind of nostalgia that will have you reaching fondly for your old LPs after listening, but not before a thoroughly enjoyable listen to a record that is in equal parts an homage to the band’s heroes, and a rough and ready, fresh take on garage rock.

~Sarah Morrison

Sarah writes for LeftLion and on her own blog called Miss Morrison’s Mix

David Couch

Hello Everybody,

I know it’s been a while but if it’s not one thing then it’s definitely another and this week has seen all manner of loose ends come out of the wood work… Dubscover birthday bash this Friday – speaking of which, an interview with them which should be posted later today.  Anyway, I want to prime my wrists for it with this gig I went to in Camden the other night.

Enjoy!

Hearts – Live Review

Well, bearing in mind I was asked to write this post gig and pre-hangover so we shall see which parts have been destroyed by excessive binge drinking and which remain, no doubt entombed in protective mucus for my necessary survival.  I digress…

Hearts are a 3 piece band from the Camden area, but don’t go getting funny ideas they are hardly conventional when it comes to the format. Lead signer and all round front man Sharpy is the focal point for both extremes that lay either side of him.   On one side we have the captivating and classically trained Alice on ukulele and backing vocals, while the stranger of the three, Ben on bass and assorted FX pedals. 

Hearts have a nurtured sound that is strange to see in a band only on their 6th gig.  Aside from the clever Muse vs. Lady Gaga mashup, the gig was quite promising for the young band.  If songs like “Blackbeard” and “What Can’t Be Bought” are anything to go by, Hearts’ future is brighter than a certain phone network.  

As to be expected the growing pains were still evident.  The harmonies, while good, struggled to reach a compromise and the lead vocals were in danger of a wash out, but while finding thier feet the crowd found theirs and a connection was made;  a rare and beautifull thing that makes my trips to these dive bars worthwhile.

~DC~

Artist: Skeletons with Flesh on Them

Album: All the Other Animals

Release Date: Summer 2009 (Out Now!)

All The Other Animals is the debut full-length album from alternative rockers Skeletons With Flesh On Them.  From Seattle, Washington they appear to have all the cool and laid-back attitude of the new wave Bohemia, bands like The Dandy Warhols and The Thrills spring to mind with their non-nonchalance and cool rhythms.

Self releasing this album as well as the preceding EP, The Fish Don’t Mind, the band have taken those first steps to establishing themselves in the independent music world. If I was at all sentimental I’d launch into a mindless rhetoric about the purity of independent music and how record companies are ruining the world. But as it is, they are a necessary evil to combat those people that will always want something for nothing.

My favourite tracks on the album include: “Ten Times” and “Trail of Destruction” where the percussion adds that subtle bohemian feeling I was telling you about, while the added tambourine heightens that retro feeling the Skeletons have perfected. “Take Me Down” shows the bands darker side, the slide guitar is another glimpse of skeleton without the flesh that is more psycho rock than beatnik poetry. The rolling snare and trembling vocals are trademarks on this album that give a rusty, original quality.  The nostalgic air throughout the album rings true not just to us older folk, but to anyone that has ever really lived. The album has an alternating theme of light and dark songs crossing over at some points and yet at other times they stand sharply opposed.

I would recommend SWFOT’s All the Other Animals it to anyone who has a taste for alternative rock albeit with a softer edge.  While at times in opposition, the album works well together with distinctive vocals which are a strong point of the band’s; but that seems a little shallow so I’ll leave you with some sage wisdom… The songs you love are too often the songs that confess the secrets you’ve never told anyone.  If you think a songs speaking to you, it’s not. It’s a universal truth that exists between us all, those quiet things that no one knows. So listen, and you’ll be surprised by what you might hear.

~DC~

• Buy All the Other Animals
• SWFOT’s Myspace
• SWFOT’s Facebook

Artist: Junebug

Album: Share

Release Date: Summer 2009 (Out Now!)

Hailing from Minnesota Junebug are a 4 piece band who are, as far as I can tell made up of the same guy, seriously take a look at the photo below, I’m calling shenanigans!

However, the first track, “Spring Fever”, puts me in dark and melodious mood of that breed of alternative rock pertaining an up-beat cynicism that leads to the bohemian and low-fi style which defines Junebug’s sound.

“Poet (Who Didn’t Know It)”, the second song on the album (minus the instrumental intro) has a simple beat, driving the track with all the momentum of a classic, it’s a continuous, consistent smile that plays on the lips as it ends and leads into the far more harmonious albeit subdued title track “Share“. A pretty long song to have at the beginning of an album, “Share” is ambitious – some would say to have the attention of ones audience tested so early on – however, the momentum is maintained from start to finish and it works well and uses some classic indie style melodies.

Junebug, the band

The album has a simple but loveable feel, tracks like “Chosen Ones” and “Place” elevate it to some sort of higher plateau that is reserved for… well, for the good albums I suppose.

The songs, which are never shorter than 3 minutes are atmospheric to the 10^th degree, each song bringing its own concept.  “Place”, the longest track on the album just shy of 8 minutes is the jewel in the crown that ties all the strings together giving “Share” the metaphorical bow with many strings.  Or, perhaps a spider in a web whichever analogy works best for you.  Either way you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with Share.

~DC~

Album:  Hey Girl EP

Artist:  Giant Wow

Release Date:  November 2009

When I was given the press release I groaned quietly inside, I’ve seen too many of these things to take them seriously, and fighting the impulse to throw my laptop out the window… I pressed play instead.  Thank goodness.

From Cincinnati, Ohio, Giant Wow play an impressive strand of alternative power pop, I thought of The Wannadies at first listen.  This combination of powerful male vocals uses more than what you usually hear: it’s not un-educated screaming and shouting. This EP, Hey Girl is five tracks long, a pretty standard amount for an EP, which is probably the only thing on the record that is.  They’ve been working in the studio with Erwin Musper who’s work includes a few artists you may or may not have heard of…David Bowie, Def Leppard, etc… to name a few.

Giant Wow have a pretty balanced sound and they don’t fill the bars with unnecessary lyrics.  The guitarists create some pretty interesting riffs to keep the listener entertained when the singing takes a break.  “Wicked Girl” is probably the best song to get to grips with these guys highlighting all the catchy little details they work into the songs, this time to a heavier background.

It’s hard to see from looking at them where the effeminate edge comes from.  Let’s not get it twisted – there is nothing girly about this music or any such nonsense, but if you believe like I do that music is an entity that can exist outside the stereo then it is not a far push to state that this said “entity” has a gender… still with me?  The music has all the integrity of a strong rock outfit while keeping it fun and not taking itself too seriously.

A sound EP (excuse the pun) having a trademark quality and a solid foundation.  3 singles and 1 EP already available on iTunes and Amazon there’s more than one place to get your hands on a copy, so instead of sounding like a bad chat-up line (and yes, I have used it) Giant Wow’s Hey Girl EP is definitely a winner.

~D.C.~

Album: Transplant

Artist: Justin Andrew

Release Date: Summer 2009

Justin Andrew opens up his soul with Transplant, a sample of neo-blues with songs that have original spark and are being shaped, molded to a new template that is all Andrew’s own.

The honky-tonk quality of the vocals infects the melodies with a tangible passion. The sound and feel of the record is good but it makes me want to listen to more, to see the changes and evolution in the songs and sound, it is definitely a grower.  The material remains consistent albeit simmilar throughout, a mixture of haunting melodies and the vauge notion of longing that often accompanies blues.

“Close your Hands” is by far the best track on the EP;  in 3:10 it encapsulates the entire record, and you can listen to the other songs with the benefit of hindsight.  Misery is a wonderful emotion to trap on a record, everyone’s seen their fair share of hard times so it’s an easy thing to associate.  Cue internal montage of some heartbreaking moment driving along the west coast (kind of like The OC, but you know…good.)  In other words,  the record may be a little self-indulgent at time but the plucky melodies and – I guess you could call it sweetness-  keep the record from going too far.

Justin Andrew has a softer edge to what I usually like, but there is a definite note of quality that chimes through the entire record.  It’s relaxing – definitely to accompany one of those sunny evenings with nothing to do but sit in silence and drink cold, refreshing beer in the garden.

Justin Andrew

Hear Justin Andrew’s tracks on our podcast…

Episode 51: So Hot

Episode 50: Nifty Fifty

Episode 46: Viewing and Reviewing

~DC~

Album: Ulysses

Artist: Goh Nakamura

Release Date: August 2009

Goh Nakamura is a San Fransisco Bay area musician and while he may not have flowers in his hair or whatever else those hippies adorn themselves with there is something of a peace and love vibe about his music. Self-labeled “dreampop”, Ulysses is an album that should be reserved for a specific time, like champagne at New Years.

As soon as Goh Nakamura starts to play I immediately began to make comparisons; a modern day Simon and Garfunkel all wrapped in one and accompanied by an single acoustic guitar. Poetry mixed with an up-beat melodic tune that has a kind of 70’s/Elvis Costello nostalgia about it. It’s no James Joyce but there is a quality to the music that makes it stand out from the crowd.

At first I thought it would be a kind of background music that easily blend into your daily grind without too much intrusion and while I doubt it will make anyone’s party playlist, it’s an album that definitely deserves more than indifference. You could sit down and appreciate Ulysses like a fine wine or maybe a nice cheese.

Goh Nakamura has a timeless sound, you know the kind of music that doesn’t really get old, just waits in the background until your ready to listen to it again; like a time capsule of sound. But just because it doesn’t get old doesn’t mean they just rely on a middle of the road tactic that ‘if we don’t offend anyone than everyone will like you’ and while Ulysses could never be considered offensive; some of the songs break from tradition and mix it up with some alternative rhythms that give the album a bit more depth. Most notably tracks “Telemachus” and “Where Did They Go” these songs push the boat out and give the album a more three dimensional feel.

Goh Nakamura

A spectre that embodies the 60’s ethos of peace, love and good vibrations. It is all these things and something else, something no doubt that Goh Nakamura has added; his own special ingredient.

A harmony that deserves your attention, but with its unassuming nature it sits quietly in the record collection. Like a reserved blue collar worker secretly cuddling his automatic weapon while he sleeps… waiting for revenge… but enough about me. If you want to find the brilliance behind Goh Nakamura your going to have to sit down and be seduced – gently and pleasantly.

~DC~

Uncommon Ground (on Devon)

Uncommon Ground is a small, intimate bar and restaurant in Chicago with quirky, friendly staff and plenty of good food and drink. It’s locally owned and is just a great atmosphere. I highly recommend finding one of the two locations if you’re ever in Chicago and trying any variation of the local Chicago beer known as 312. The tap looks like a telephone receiver. How could you not want to drink it?

ANYdangway… on to the show!

I was greeted by Lauretta, the lead singer/songwriter and Julie, the manager of The Powwows. It was almost like meeting up with old friends even though I’d never met them before. We were all laughing and talking all throughout dinner (which was uh. mazing. I had Pumpkin Ravioli with sage butter. I think I cried a little on the inside with joy) and the once we moved upstairs for the show, the entire place was equally charged with a lively, friendly energy in the entire room.

There were probably about 40-50 people in attendance and Lauretta and the band seemed to know and be friends with them all. Thanks to a pretty terrible joke by Steve the sound guy (and by terrible I mean awesome) as he introduced the band, it prompted Lauretta to start a bad joke contest, inviting audience members up to tell their own bad jokes, including pure comic gold like this one:

A string walks in to a bar. The bartender says, “Hey! We don’t serve your kind here.” Dejected, the string goes outside, twists himself around and messes up his hair. He goes back in and the bartender says, “Aren’t you that piece of string that was just in here?” The string says, “Nope, I’m a frayed knot.”

The Powwows

The other members of the band are Tony, the lead guitar, Kyle on drums and Doug on bass. The entire band was very in sync with unique rhythms and beats driving each song. The balance was great AND…. are you ready for this?…. I could actually hear and understand the lyrics. I know. Amazing. Especially in a small venue.

The only thing I can really remember wanting to hear more of was the backup vocals by Tony. The harmonizing of male and female voices together, particularly with female lead singers, is something I always dig. Their sound reminded me of a band I love called Ida. Calming, soothing. Seemingly innocent, yet with some fire underneath.

All in all definitely a great live show. I even brought a couple of friends who had never heard of The Powwows before and they both really enjoyed themselves. If you’re in Chicago definitely keep an eye out for their next concert and, if you like what you hear on the JWShow, pick up the album. All the songs will keep your head boppin’ and your toes tappin’.

~Jason