Sunday, 18 October 2015

Albert Hammond Jr.- Momentary Masters Review


As the third album release of Albert Hammond Jr, (with an EP release in-between), Momentary Masters noted a new experimentation for Hammond Jr, maintaining the style which he is most known for. This appears to be the most fully formed and confident of his releases.

    The entire album flows perfectly from one song into another without any abrupt changes. With the two singles “Born Slippy” and “Losing Touch” (first and fifth songs on the album) being full of energy and a combination of the well known guitar melodies AHJ is famous for and an electronic and Funk edge to the music, it created a new twist on his styling. This is also seen on “Don’t Think Twice” AHJ’s cover of Bob Dylan’s classic, Whilst staying true to the message and passion in the lyrics and a seeming nod to Dylan in the pronunciation of “Fare thee well” resembling his distinctive singing style.
    
     The lyrics combined with the melody and frantic effect of the music in songs such as “Caught By My Shadow” at times feels like all of the energy is about to explode with an opening line of “You and I got burned in Paradise” but it is then juxtaposed by the slight melancholia of “Coming to Getcha” which projects an ending relationship whilst with the essential combination of energy through the use of building tension to the chorus and calming it back down after.
 
    The guitar interludes on tracks such “Losing Touch” and  “Touché” are hold the distinct style of AHJ, it’s what adds the familiarity to the tracks, as if they have some how always been in the background soundtrack, that when you hear it, the songs have an intimacy of something you didn’t realise you had been missing.
   

   The album closes with “Side Boob” song that encapsulates the energetic melody and thought and memory provoking mood of the entire album. “That's really something that I never wanted to hear” being the repeated closing line to the album….definitely not a thought that occurs at the end of this album. 

Monday, 3 November 2014

Autumn Night Playlist

No reviews or commentary just a quick post, with the nights getting longer and colder, here is my essentials playlist for these autumn nights.

1) Counting Crows - Recovering Satellites


2) Jeff Buckley - Lilac Wine


3) Paolo Nutini - These Streets

4)Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - It'll All Work Out

5)The Stone Roses - Breaking Into Heaven

6) The Smiths - Asleep

7)  The Rolling Stones - Mother's Little Helper

8) Jamie T - Love is only a heartbeat away

9) Arctic Monkeys- Only One's Who Knows

10) First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar

I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do.
@jesskateborden

Thursday, 23 October 2014

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds "In The Heat Of The Moment"

 The first taste of  Noel Gallagher's album "Chasing Yesterday" has finally been released with a music video since it was first announced.
   "In The Heat Of The Moment" is a classic rock and roll song from Gallagher that built Oasis to such fame, it's anthemic feel is an instant fan pleaser. The combination of guitar melody and the chantable lyrics, with the ever improving voice of Noel Gallagher, this song is the perfect return to the music scene and announcement of his second album under his own name. Whether you're a fan of Gallagher or not this is a must listen.
                                                             
 
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - "Chasing Yesterday" is out on the 2nd March 2015!
Enjoy!

Friday, 10 October 2014

Top 5 Film Soundtracks

   Music is most commonly referred to as the soundtrack to people’s lives and so here is my list of film soundtracks that are essential to creating a life resembling the movies.


Walk The Line
   A film with stellar performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, continued it’s impressive production into the soundtrack with performances from all of the actors in creating the soundtrack and doing the likes of Johnny Cash, June Carter, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis proud in this taste of the film. This is the perfect homage towards some of the greats of music.

Elizabeth Town
   Elizabeth Town, a film that is not loved by many but the soundtrack is arguable one of the best around. From Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers to Elton John to The Hollies and Ryan Adams, this soundtrack encompasses the feeling of loss and coming to terms with life throughout it’s selection and balance of music. The contrast of Let It Out by Los Hombres and Hard Times by Eastmountainsouth creates a beautiful juxtaposition in the album whilst moments like Come Pick Me Up by Ryan Adams and Where To Begin by My Morning Jacket is the perfect compliment to each other of longing. An album that fits all weather.

Midnight In Paris.
    With a soundtrack that creates the epitome of the issue discussed in the film, Golden Age Thinking is strengthened whilst listening to this soundtrack you are transported to Paris in the 20’s and wish to be wandering through the streets in the rain. From Je Suis Seul Ce Soir by Swing 41 to Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) by Conal Fowkes and Le Parc De Plaisir by François Parisi this album is unforgettable and with only occasional lyrics allows you to appreciate the beauty of the music and the era.

Searching For Sugar Man
    Sixto Rodriguez, a man who’s love of music and talent, makes this one of the best Soundtracks as what could also be seen as best of. From the iconic ‘Sugar Man’ to the heartbreaking ‘I Think of You’ and the rabble rousing ‘This In Not A Song, It's An Outburst (The establishment Blues).’ Rodriquez is an Idol for many and throughout this soundtrack to the documentary, it is seen why he is beloved by so many people.

The Royal Tenenbaums
    As a huge fan of Wes Anderson’s films, any use of music to allow me to pretend that I live in a world created by him is good by me. The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack will always be a favourite, from it being the first Anderson production I laid my eyes and ears on to the beauty of the soundtrack. From tracks like These Days by Nico, Needle in the Hay by Elliott Smith, Judy is a Punk by Ramones to Police & Thieves by The Clash. The entire Soundtrack transports you to the world of the characters and creates the perfect combination of escapism and conscious.


These five soundtracks all from very different films, yet all create the perfect balance of film merchandise and the fantastic art of compilations.

Monday, 29 September 2014

Jamie T - Carry On The Grudge

   After being missing from the music scene for 5 years,  Yesterday marked the return of Jamie T. Carry On The Grudge has been released after much anticipation and has not disappointed the fans and critics that have been waiting with bated breathe. The three songs that were released to give a sample of the album where; Zombie, Don’t You Find and Turn On The Light, all giving a different insight to this album.

  The first song to be released was ‘Don’t You Find’, a slower and a track that brooded with much more anger and feelings of loss rather than the past of taking a Sex Pistols approach and taking the aggression out in short, loud bursts of energy. ‘Don’t You Find’ see’s a new turn around for Treay's, but he holds onto the thing that made him so loved to begin with, his lyrics. From the chorus “Don't you find, some of the time, there is always someone on your mind, That shouldn't be at all,In any place or any kind” to the verses of “And I lose as I win, And I'll know where I go,It's got nothing more for me no more.” The darker undertones of this song allow to reintroduce Jamie T to the world of music and show how he isn't resting on his laurels.

   Zombie, the second song to be released, is reminiscent of Jamie T’s earlier work with the energy and vibe of the song in the rhythm of the lyrics and beat, showing he hasn't turned his back on his earlier music styles and nor the energy that got him so noticed in the first place. With the slower opening of just vocal and the strum of a guitar, with a sense of disappointment in either another person or themselves in the lyrics and tone, we are then hit with the energy Treay's is famous for. With the lyrics “I got blood shot eyes, and there's blood in my teeth I got a ripped up jacket and a friend who's a thief” with an air of sticks and stones mentality and rounding off the song with the plea to stay “You make me alive enough to love again” and a repeat of the chorus, allowing the song to follow a traditional-esque style of song structure whilst containing the flare of Jamie T.

   Turn On The Light is the third song that was released before the album, creating a middle ground between the well known energy of ‘Zombie’ and the darker building aggression and sadness of ‘Don’t You Find’. With more of a focus on the lyrics than the music, not to say the music doesn't deserve attention, The stripped down effect is perfect for this song with lyrics such as “It’s so dark in here, inside a life, And I know what it’s like,To feel loved and to not like yourselfrepeated in the chorus throughout the song allows a true sense of sadness and yet hope to be shown. And with the final verse involving lyrics “Take me far from this sweet city stench, Where friends all betray each other, And I'm just another lover to a friend” showing the hope and desperation for better in the surroundings; area and people entwined in an image.


   From these three songs Carry On The Grudge is already set to be a huge album and Jamie T will reclaim his place in music as the voice for so many people.

Carry On The Grudge By Jamie T – Out Now 

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

Top 5 B-sides

Top 5 B-sides with honorable mentions because narrowing it down to 5 became far too difficult.
1) The Cure- Pillbox Tales – Boys Don’t Cry
   A perfect counter part to Boys Don’t Cry. Taken from the 1986 re-released version of Boys Don’t Cry, the speed and urgency of delivery of the lyrics creates an angst around this song which contrasts with Boys Don’t Cry incredibly. The mix on this song creates a sound of sirens throughout the background heightening the impact of the song delivery.

2) The Courteeners - Trying Too Hard To Score – Not Nineteen Forever
   High in energy to match or even rival Not Nineteen Forever, an anthem to many Courteeners fans, the melody supporting and building the tension which is elevated by Frays’ vocals. This song appears as a burst of aggression and warning with the repeated lyric “you’d best be on your best behaviour.”

3) The Smiths- Cemetery Gates – Ask
    The Smiths, known for their amazing b-sides from Jeane to Suffer Little Children, Cemetery Gates a witty response to the questions of borrowing from great writers “Wilde is on mine.” The lighter melody allows for the lyrics to come across calmly in the manner of which everyone wishes to deliver a response in an argument but very few manage.

4) Arctic Monkeys – You and I - Black Treacle
     You and I with the vocals of Richard Hawley and music of Arctic Monkeys this combination was bound to be impressive but the result creates and effortless record which needs to be played loud whilst driving. A song with the strength of Richard Hawley’s vocals combined with the musical talent of the Arctic Monkeys to create an alliance known as The Death Ramps was bound to make great things.

5) The Stone Roses – Mersey Paradise – she bangs the drums
    Mersey Paradise, the perfect addition and accompaniment to She Bangs The Drums  in sound but complete antithesis in meaning from the idea of things coming together in a perfect singular moment in She Bangs The Drums to the idea of things falling apart in Mersey Paradise. Both songs revolving around one moment. Mersey Paradise is a perfect b-side hidden gem of a song for the impeccable writing to the melody which carries the song to a whole new level.   


Honourable mentions:
 The Libertines – The Delaney –Up the bracket B-side
The Death Ramps – Little Illusion Machine (Wirral Riddler)-Hellcat spangled Shalalala B-Side
The La's - Over -Timeless melody B-side
The Rolling Stones - Play With Fire- The Last Time B-Side

So what are your favorite B-sides?

@Jesskateborden

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Summer Playlist: Coconut Records

   Summer Playlist will be a series of posts focusing on bands which epitomize summer for me.

   The first Band on this list will be Coconut Records. A project by Jason Schwartzman, ex drummer of Phantom Planet (California) and Actor in such films such as Rushmore and I Heart Huckabees. Coconut Records is a combination of Indie rock with a 60’s California vibe, creating the perfect summer sound throughout the music. From the two albums, Nighttiming and Davy, here are a selection of tracks to add to any summer playlist.

1) Any Fun – Album: Davy
     With the piano staple in the foreground of the music and the catchy repetitive lyrics combined with the vocals of Schwartzman make the perfect summer song.
  

2) Mama- Album: Nighttiming
     The simple melody and lyrics with the country vibe of this song with the combined vocals of Jason Schwartzman and Jennifer Furches makes for a song essential for summer.


 3) West Coast- Album: Nighttiming
     The vibe of the song of longing and wishful thinking is portrayed incredibly throughout this song from the lyrics to the tune to the vocals and backing singers.

 4) Drummer- Album : Davy
     Upbeat melody with the repetitive chorus makes for an immediate addition to the summer playlist with it’s easy to listen and calming atmosphere.

 5) The Summer – Album: Davy
     The imagery of an endless summer makes for a perfect song on this playlist, catchy and heartfelt.

 6) Easy Girl – Album: Nighttiming
      With hazy vocals, upbeat melody and charming lyrics, it makes for a simple yet sweet combination all in one song.



Thanks for reading!
@JesskateBorden