Monday, 31 December 2012

Top 15 Albums of 2012

Of the albums that I have bought and listened to this year, this is my selected Top 15:


  1. The Milk - 'Tales From The Thames Delta' Top Track - 'Broke Up the Family'
  2. Two Door Cinema Club - 'Beacon' Top Track - 'Settle'
  3. Bruce Springsteen - 'Wrecking Ball' Top Track - 'Wrecking Ball'
  4. Jake Bugg - 'Jake Bugg' Top Track - 'Simple as This'
  5. Alt-J - 'An Awesome Wave' Top Track - 'Fitzpleasure'
  6. The Futureheads - 'Rant' Top Track - 'Beeswing'
  7. Muse - 'The 2nd Law' Top Track - 'Panic Disco'
  8. Mumford & Sons - 'Babel' Top Track  - 'I Will Wait'
  9. Bruno Mars - 'Unorthodox Jukebox' Top Track - 'Lock Out Of Heaven'
  10. Kassidy - 'One Man Army' Top Track - 'One Man Army'
  11. The Hives - 'Lex Hives' Top Track - 'Wait A Minute'
  12. The Lumineers - 'The Lumineers' Top Track - 'Hey Oh'
  13. The Cast of Cheers - 'Family' Top Track - 'Family'
  14. Mystery Jets - 'Radlands' Top Track - 'Sister Everett'
  15. Here We Go Magic - 'A Different Ship' Top Track - 'How Do I Know'

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Emerging Artist: Swiss Lips

Swiss Lips

"The band that might just save pop music."

Swiss Lips’s avatarSwiss Lips hail from a city rich in British music history, Manchester. From the likes of New Order and The Smiths, Swiss Lips look to take influence from their fellow Mancunian idols and come to light in today's pop scene.

Such is their infectious rhythms, 'Danz' perfectly titles the dance-pop genre that these Notherners are creating. The track 'Danz' will be the first single Swiss Lips release, scheduled for the end of January 2013. I can't see this track doing anything other than launching the Manchester boys onto the popular music scene, causing quite a stir.



This band might just create a buzz in the early months of 2013, emerging as a band that will no longer need to support the likes of Blur and Bastille, as done throughout 2012, to get their music heard.



The band also recently released another track destined for popularity far beyond the city lights of Manchester. 'Carolyn' is terribly infectious and perfectly fits the bill for the dance-pop label that will shine a bright light over this rising, happening band.





Thursday, 6 December 2012

Emerging Artist: Tom Odell

Tom Odell

A break-through solo artist who might just take 2013 by storm. Comparisons can be drawn with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, but furthermore with the iconic Jeff Buckley. Odell can create beauty with just his voice and his piano, an impressive feat for an artist of the tender age of just 20 years old. His soulful sound is looking to come to light by early 2013, and that is just the beginning. Odell has been writing his own material since he was just 13 years of age, and his future looks very bright indeed.

This young man is able to pour such  emotion into his music, writing raw and stirring ballads. His songs, evocative and heartbreaking, yet so beautiful and entrancing. 'Sense' is a truly moving melody that expresses Odell's distinct ability to create true beauty with just his voice and his piano.



'Another Love', drawn from his debut EP 'Songs From Another Love' is a haunting yet alluring ballad, and is no doubt to bring Odell notable acclaim in 2013. The release of his debut EP is just the start to what looks like a promising future for this soulful young artist. 

Emerging Artist: The Cast Of Cheers

The Cast Of Cheers

As the likes of Foals and Two Door Cinema Club have established the now-popular genre of indie-rock/pop, The Cast of Cheers are a great example of the ever-evolving music scene. In what is depicted as "math rock", The Cast Of Cheers have clearly sought influence from bands such as Foals, but have developed their own sound.

I managed to catch their early-afternoon set on the Festival Republic stage at this year's Reading Festival. Although the tent was not packed out, the crowd there were witness to a show evident of their potential. Certain highlights of their short set included 'Human Elevator' and 'Animals'. 

The Cast of Cheers broke on to the scene after releasing their first album 'Chariot' in February 2010 and made it available to download for free, resulting in up to 150, 000 downloads. This July, the indie band released their second album titled 'Family'. The title track, and the previously released single, is a personal favourite of mine on this record, and is definitely worth a listen. 


Monday, 3 December 2012

Emerging Artist: Tich

Tich.

Solo artist Tich first came to my knowledge with her late night set at the Camp Acoustic stage at Hop Farm Festival 2012, a slot previously owned by acts such as Marcus Bonfati and the eccentric Tankus the Henge. 

Tich, armed with her stripy keyboard, creates truly beautiful music. Her voice is entrancing, her simplistic yet melodic songs are evidence of her great potential and abilities that surpass her youth and experience. I definitely recommend keeping tabs on this artist.

Tich is a well-developed song writer, her lyrics and the music itself appear to compliment each other perfectly. Her original song, 'Unravel' sounds like you've heard it a thousand times, such is it's brilliance. A personal favourite, 'Breath In, Breath Out', which explores the emotions around when you first begin to have feelings for someone, is another original song from this talented artist. This is a great advert for her bright future. 

It does not appear that this young artist will be lurking under the radar for much longer, with her E.P 'Candlelight' set to be released on Christmas Day, the early months of 2013 might just be flavoured with a hint of Tich. 

Favourite Albums.

Here is a list of my Top Ten rated albums to date. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

  1. Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
  2. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
  3. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
  4. Two Door Cinema Club - Tourist History
  5. Foo Fighters - In Your Honor
  6. Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown
  7. Kassidy - Hope St.
  8. Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
  9. White Lies - To Lose My Life
  10. Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York

Sunday, 2 December 2012

Gig Review: The Lay-Lows

The Lay-Lows at the Water Rats, London.

Cardiff Indie-Rock band The Lay-Lows played their fourth London gig, this time at the historic Water Rats which famously hosted Bob Dylan's first ever London show in 1962.

The band and their entourage, including myself, travelled up from Cardiff at 9am on Saturday morning. As an emerging band, the support slot acts as a great advert for their talent, especially as London offers such great potential for a band to break on to the music scene. 


The Lay-Lows are currently performing off the back of their E.P 'Your Old Best Thing', which is an excellent record in my opinion. Tracks such as 'Cold Ice Heart' and 'The Other' are my personal highlights of their live shows. 

Take a listen to some more tracks on http://thelaylows.amazingtunes.com/ 

Friday, 30 November 2012

NME Awards Tour 2013

I am awake this morning to try and get a ticket for the NME Awards Tour 2013. The bill is made up of Palma Violets, Peace, Miles Kane and is headlined by Django Django.

Django Django, in my opinion, appear to be influenced by bands such as The Talking Heads, with similar chord structure and rhythm applied to the band's sound. Since their Sunday mid-evening slot on the NME stage at Reading Festival 2013, Django Django appear to be emerging on to the scene.

Miles Kane, better known for his history in The Last Shadow Puppets and The Rascals, is slowly developing his solo career. His album, 'Colour of the Trap' is, in my personal opinion, an excellent record. Kane, inspired by the likes of Paul Weller, draws on his 60s Mod roots, as well as his dark overtones no doubt developed through his friendship with Arctic Monkeys frontman and fellow bandmember of Last Shadow Puppets. Many may argue that Miles Kane is a bigger act that is portrayed in this tour bill, and it seems that he will not be 'supporting' other bands for much longer. Bring on the second album.

Peace are an indie-rock band that are on the rise in today's music scene. Comparisons can easily be drawn from the likes of Two Door Cinema Club, Foals and Phoenix, and for a band to come to light in what is a somewhat already-saturated indie-rock-pop-techno genre, is a credit to their abilities and their potential. 

Palma Violets are still a relatively unknown band on the scene. However, after a summer of playing UK festivals, they are no doubt showing their potential. Proving their worth and managing to find their way onto the NME Awards Tour is no doubt a great scalp for this band, whose fan base will no doubt grow over the early months of 2013.

Now to just buy the tickets...
08:52 30/11/12

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Reading Festival 2013

oh the tension of listening to Radio 1 for the Reading Festival line up announcement. 
Opinions will follow.

alt-j, wiley, skepta, sub focus and deaftones:
oh great. so far it's only alt-j that I would see, let's hope they get better.

Take A Listen To...

These are some of the bands that I think you should take a listen to. Some you may know, others you may not. Please trust me and have a listen.

The Milk
Earlier this year, The Milk released their first album, 'Tales of the Thames Delta'. This brilliant record offers a fresh sounds to what is a somewhat saturated music scene in today's culture. A bluesy-rock feel, mixed with well-developed lyricism and the captivating vocals from lead singer Adam Stark, result in a gleaming sound and a bright light of what's to come. The band have even attracted some extra attention from those in the loop, such as James Buckley (The Inbetweeners) who both directed and starred in the music video for the song 'Everytime We Fight' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQqOpILDcI . 

Kassidy
Kassidy are an alternative folk rock band from Glasgow. They have two albums to date, 'Hope St.' and 'One Man Army'. The soothing vocals of Barrie-James O'Neil, paired with the band's Mumford-esque stage presence of all four band members standing in line, with often-harmonised vocals, create a sound of pure brilliance. Kassidy emerged on the scene with a catchy, upbeat tune, 'Stray Cat' ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZQRqxYbIU0 ). From then on, the band have featured at T in the Park and performed at the famous King Tut's in Glasgow. The second album featured the title track 'One Many Army', further demonstrating the growth and potential of this great band.

Scarlet Shift

Another band from Glasgow, another alternative rock band. Scarlet Shift embody the 'Scot-Rock label, and those in the know have hinted at this band emerging as the front-runners to the re-surfacing of such a genre. Early tunes, such as 'Smell The Roses' (15 minutes into http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FadIC6lHMFk ) show off the band's ability to write songs, as well as lead singer Lewis Murphy's pure vocal ability. Since then, the band has progressed to release a second E.P, Give Up The Ghost, featuring the track 'Lion Needs Courage', played acoustically here on morning tv. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QecKbden_e0

The Lay-Lows

These boys are an emerging alternative rock band from Cardiff. The future seems bright for this group, with a set at Water Rats in London scheduled for Saturday 1st December. Comparisons can be drawn with the likes of Kings of Leon, with simplistic yet infatuating rhythms, tied in with the vocals of lead singer Ashley Harding, this band have glowing potential at their guitar-strumming fingertips.

OTHER BANDS
  • Bastille - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK3fVJtFTh0
  • Kitty The Lion - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mV798CYSHg
  • The Answer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ncW0eiKnk&list=UU16I4a47WKVc_QzQwpejUrQ&index=11&feature=plcp
  • The Civil Wars - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrOUwbsy12E
  • Here We Go Magic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqaMEMIBPIw
  • Palma Violets - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poFXWUTEs1k
  • The Cast of Cheers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQqOpILDcI
  • Tokyo Police Club http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCqyVGcLVmI&playnext=1&list=PL0E86614222F5FB2E&feature=results_video
  • Tich - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b-hfl3bAPA 

Underrated Bands

Underrated Bands:

Cage The Elephant

             Cage The Elephant's self-titled debut album was simply brilliance. Rocking riffs mixed with infatuating lyricism provided the basis for a truly fantastic album. Highlights including 'In One Ear', 'Ain't No Rest For the Wicked' and 'Free Love' contribute to a well-developed record, particularly notable for a debut album. Lyrics such as "blanket of silence makes me want to sink my teeth in deep, burn all the evidence of fabricated disbelief", extracted from Track 6. 'Back Against The Wall', demonstrate the intelligently written and meaningful words behind the catch riffs, although as spelt out in 'In One Ear', the "crowd will only like them if they're really fucking drunk."


What I'm Listening To Right Now

What I'm Listening To Right Now:

   29/11/12

  • The Milk - Tales from the Thames Delta
  • Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg
  • Jamie T - Panic Prevention
  • Alt J - An Awesome Wave
  • Cage The Elephant - Cage The Elephant

The Live Gigs I've Attended.

This is the record of the live gigs I've attended, where and when they were. I hope to be frequently adding to this list.
Red = Tickets bought.

4 - Bruce Springsteen -  (Massachusetts 2006, Millennium Stadium 2008, Wembley Stadium 2013, Millennium Stadium 2013)
4 - Two Door Cinema Club - 
(Reading Festival 2010, Reading Festival 2011, Cardiff Uni       2012, T in the Park 2013)

3 - Bob Dylan - (Hop Farm Festival 2010, CIA 2011, Hop Farm Festival 2012)
3 - Stereophonics - (CIA 2007, Cardiff City Stadium 2010, T in the Park 2013)
3 Bastille - (Reading Festival 2012, Cardiff Uni 2013, Cardiff Uni 2013, T in the Park 2013)
2 - Kings of Leon - (Murrayfield 2011, NEC 2013)      
2 - Arctic Monkeys - (CIA 2011, CIA 2013, Finsbury Park 2014)
2 - Muse - (Old Trafford 2010, NEC 2012)
2 - Mumford & Sons - (Hop Farm Festival 2010, Reading Festival 2010)
2  -Laura Marling - (Hop Farm Festival 2010, Cardiff Glee Club 2010)
2 - Newton Faulkner - (Hop Farm Festival 2011, Cardiff Coal Exchange 2012, Cardiff Uni 2014)
2 - Peter Doherty - (Hop Farm Festival 2010, Reading Festival 2011)
2 - (Viva) Brother - (Hop Farm Festival 2011, Reading Festival 2011)
2- The Futureheads - (Hop Farm Festival 2012, Reading Festival 2010)
2- White Lies - (Reading Festival 2011, Murrayfield 2011)
2 - Peace - (Cardiff Uni 2013, Reading Festival 2013)
2
Deap Vally - (T in the Park 2013, Reading Festival 2013)
2 - Mystery Jets - (Reading Festival 2012, The Gate 2012)
2 - Feeder - (Cardiff Big Weekend 2010, CIA 2005)
2 - Miles Kane - (Reading Festival 2011, Cardiff Uni 2013, Finsbury Park 2013)     
2 - Jake Bugg - (Reading Festival 2012, T in the Park 2013)
2 - Haim - (Twickenham 2013, Reading Festival 2013)
2 - The Proclaimers - (Cardiff Big Weekend 2003, T in the Park 2013)

2 - Kids In Glass Houses - (Cardiff City Stadium 2010, Cardiff Big Weekend 2011)
2 - Band of Skulls - (Old Trafford 2010, Reading Festival 2012)
2Tribes - (Cardiff Uni 2012, Reading Festival 2013)


Green Day - (Reading Festival 2013)
Eminem - (Reading Festival 2013)
Chase and Status - (Reading Festival 2013)
Fall Out Boy - (Reading Festival 2013)
Phoenix - (Reading Festival 2013)
Johnny Marr - (Reading Festival 2013)
Fidlar - (Reading Festival 2013)
Disclosure - 
(Reading Festival 2013)
Kate Nash - 
(Reading Festival 2013)
Swim Deep - 
(Reading Festival 2013)
Rihanna - (T in the Park 2013)
The Killers - (T in the Park 2013)
Calvin Harris - (T in the Park 2013)
The Script - (
T in the Park 2013)
The Courteeners - 
(T in the Park 2013)
Rudimental - (T in the Park 2013)
The 1975 - 
(T in the Park 2013)
Lewis Watson - 
(T in the Park 2013)

Steve Cradock - (The Institute Birmingham 2013)
The Gramotones - (The Institute Birmingham 2013)


Ben Howard - (Cardiff Uni 2012)
The Cure - (Reading Festival 2012)
Foo Fighters - (Reading Festival 2012)
Morrissey - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)
AC/DC - (Jacksonville 2009)
Meatloaf - (Motorpoint Arena 2013)
The Staves - (The Gate 2013)

The Fratellis - (Bristol 02 Academy 2013)
Django Django - (Cardiff Uni 2013)
Palma Violets - (Cardiff Uni 2013)
Doves - (Cardiff City Stadium 2010)
The Feeling - (Cardiff Big Weekend 2011)

Goldie Lookin' Chain - (CIA 2005)
The Zutons - (Cardiff Big Weekend 2009)
Lulu - (Edinburgh 2010)
Mark Knopfler - (CIA 2011)
Willy Mason - (Cardiff Uni 2012)
Keane - (CIA 2007)
Metronomy - (Cardiff Uni 2012)
Azealia Banks - (Cardiff Uni 2012)
The Answer - (Jacksonville 2009)
Rolling Stones - (Hyde Park 2013)
Beyonce - (Twickenham 2013)
Fleetwood Mac - (London O2 2013)
Tom Odell - (Cardiff Uni 2013)
Babyshambles - (Cardiff Uni 2013)



Van Morrison - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)

Blondie - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)
Imelda May - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)
Ray Davies - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)
Seasick Steve - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)
Johnny Flynn - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)
The Magic Numbers - (Hop Farm Festival 2010)

The Eagles - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)

10cc - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)
The Walkmen - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)
Iggy & The Stooges - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)
Patti Smith - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)
Carl Barat - (Hop Farm Festival 2011)

Peter Gabriel - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
The Stranglers - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Dog Is Dead - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Joan Armatrading - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Bruce Forsyth - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Bellowhead - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Lucy Rose - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Maximo Park - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Primal Scream - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
I Am Tich - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)
Marcus Bonfati - (Hop Farm Festival 2012)

Guns 'N' Roses - (Reading Festival 2010)
Delphic - (Reading Festival 2010)
Surfer Blood - (Reading Festival 2010)
Marina & The Diamonds - (Reading Festival 2010)
The Libertines - (Reading Festival 2010)
Dizzee Rascal - (Reading Festival 2010)
3OH!3 - (Reading Festival 2010)
Ash - (Reading Festival 2010)
The Cribs - (Reading Festival 2010)
Kassidy - (Reading Festival 2010)
Blink 182 - (Reading Festival 2010)
Paramore - (Reading Festival 2010)
Weezer - (Reading Festival 2010)
Kele - (Reading Festival 2010)

The Offspring - (Reading Festival 2011)
Beady Eye - (Reading Festival 2011)
The Strokes - (Reading Festival 2011)
Madness - (Reading Festival 2011)
The Pigeon Detectives - (Reading Festival 2011)
Bombay Bicycle Club - (Reading Festival 2011)
Cage The Elephant  -(Reading Festival 2011)
Dananananaykroyd - (Reading Festival 2011)
The King Blues - (Reading Festival 2011)
Ed Sheeran - (Reading Festival 2011)


The Hives - (Reading Festival 2012)
Kasabian - (Reading Festival 2012)
Florence & The Machine - (Reading Festival 2012)
The Black Keys - (Reading Festival 2012)
The Skints - (Reading Festival 2012)
The Cast of Cheers - (Reading Festival 2012)