A round up of album reviews - releases from March 2014 (featuring Sky Ferreira, Howler, Paloma Faith and Elbow)

Sky Ferreria - Night Time, My Time 

Singer and model Sky Ferreira certainly isn’t a stranger to rock and roll seeing as she recently got arrested for drug possession. And who do we usually think of when we think of women in rock and roll? Debbie Harry and Joan Jett instantly spring to mind usually, and Sky Ferreira embodies the spirit of these artists but with her own sugary pop twist.

Hooks aren’t lacking on “Night Time, My Time”. “24 hours”, “I Blame Myself” and “You’re Not The One” are bubblegum pop tracks that you won’t be spitting out any time soon. The likes of “Kristine” and “Heavy Metal Heart” will also leave you humming along joyfully and album closer “Everything Is Embarrassing” is gorgeous synthpop with a light funk edge.  

There are some tracks that you’ll want to skip though. “Omanko” is pure nonsense because of its lyrics, some of its lines include: “Oh Japanese Jesus” and “Reading Japanese comics” (obviously someone likes Japan a little too much). The bratty “Nobody Asked Me (If I was Okay)” is too immature and the grunge feel on it is kind of tasteless.      

This is still a strong album though and the good parts definitely outweigh the bad. “Night Time, My Time” is one of the better pop records of recent times seeing as it has its own clear identity unlike a lot of bland mainstream artists. Hopefully this album does well commercially.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

BEST SONGS: YOU’RE NOT THE ONE, EVERYTHING IS EMBARRASSING, I BLAME MYSELF. 

Howler - World of Joy

Indie band Howler were once tipped by NME to be one of the hottest new acts on the planet. Unfortunately they haven’t managed to set the world on fire but they did produce a decent debut album back in 2012. Have Howler managed to better themselves this time round?

What’s clear about “World of Joy” is that it’s way punkier than the last album. Belters such as “Al’s Corral”, “Drip” and “Yacht Boys” are fast, manic and somewhat heavy. “In the Red” captures that Ramones intensity perfectly and “Indictment” has lots of passionate punk rock energy.

This kind of sound really suits Howler. The last album was good: the hooks were there but too many of the tracks weren’t fast enough and they lacked that punch. However Howler have managed to better themselves on “World of Joy”. If you’re looking for a quick, fun thrill ride then get this album.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10

BEST SONGS: IN THE RED, INDICTMENT, YACHT BOYS. 

Pamola Faith - A Perfect Contradiction 

Quirky songstress Pamola Faith has many managed to charm the public through out her career. Anybody who’s seen her on TV shows like “Nevermind the Buzzcocks” will know that she’s loveable and funny. So does Pamola’s unique persona match the music on this album?

Sadly it doesn’t, “A Perfect Contradiction” is seriously lacking in originality. Opener “Can’t Rely on You” features everybody’s favourite collaborator Pharrell Williams and the sassy R&B sound is just dull. “Other Women”, “Love Only Leaves You Lonely” and “The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall)” all suffer from the same ill fate.

Other genres that have clearly influenced this album are motown and disco. However, you wouldn't be surprised if the 70’s angrily called and asked for its music back because there are just too many cheap rip offs on this album. The only decent track on this album that saves “A Perfect Contradiction” from being totally diabolical is “Only Love Can Hurt Like This”, the deep pitched brass section sounds impressive and the melody is beautifully emotive.

Overall “A Perfect Contradiction” certainly isn’t perfect and the contradiction part is rather meaningless. Avoid this like the plague.

OVERALL RATING: 3/10

BEST SONG: ONLY LOVE CAN HURT LIKE THIS. 

Elbow - The Take Off And Landing Of Everything

Elbow have enjoyed a lot of success these past few years. Their last two albums “The Seldom Seen Kid” and “Build a Rocket Boys!” were hugely popular and they helped staple the band as one of the UK’s most original alternative bands.

This latest album is pretty much classic Elbow: it’s light, anthemic and hugely enjoyable but that’s about it. The band doesn’t really offer anything new here and it’s kind of similar to their last album.     

Don’t worry though, this album is still really likeable. Songs such as “Charge”, “New York Morning” and “My Sad Captains” are a treat and they’ll leave you grinning from ear to ear. The only songs that are slightly ambitious on this album the opener and the title track.

A bit of familiarity probably won’t stop you from adoring this album though. After all, some people are comforted by repetition. All in all, I personally think that this latest effort from Elbow is a bit average.

OVERALL RATING: 6/10

BEST SONGS: NEW YORK MORNING, THE TAKE OFF AND LANDING OF EVERYTHING, CHARGE.     

Every single artist in my iTunes collection - A to Z

A- A, AFI, AC/DC, Adele, Alabama Shakes, Alanis Morissette, Alex Turner, Alice Cooper, All Time Low, Angels & Airwaves, Anna Calvi, Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys, Ash, Azealia Banks.

B- Band of Horses, Bastille, The Beach Boys, Beady Eye, Beastie Boys, The Beatles, Beck, Belle and Sebastian, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Best Coast, Biffy Clyro, Billy Bragg, Billy Talent, The Black Keys, Black Sabbath, Blink 182, Blondie, Blood Red Shoes, The Bloodhound Gang, Blue Oyster Cult, Blur, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Bombay Bicycle Club, Bowling for Soup, The Boxer Rebellion, Bruce Springsteen.

C- CHVRCHES, The Clash, Coldplay, College, Cream, The Cribs, Crystal Castles, The Cure, Cypress Hill.

D- Daft Punk, David Bowie, Deap Vally, Death Cab for Cutie, Desire, DIIV, Disclosure, Don Broco, The Doors, Drake, Drenge, Dum Dum Girls.

E- Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Elbow, Enter Shikari, Eric Johnson.

F- Feeder, Fleetwood Mac, Flight of the Conchords, Florence and The Machine, Foals, Foo Fighters, Foster the People, Frank Ocean, Frank Turner, The Fratellis, Friendly Fires, Frightened Rabbit.

G- Gabrielle Aplin, Gogol Bordello, Gorillaz, Green Day, Grimes, Guns N' Roses.

H- Haddaway, Haim, Howler.

I- Icona Pop, Iron Maiden.

J- Jack Johnson, Jack White, Jacks Mannequin, Jagwar Ma, Jake Bugg, The Jam, Jamie T, Jamiroquai, Japandroids, Jay Z, Jewel, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Eat World, John Butler Trio, John Lennon, Johnny Cash, Johnny Foreigner, Joni Mitchell, Joy Division.

K- Kaiser Chiefs, Kanye West, Kasabian, Katy Perry, The Killers, The Kinks, Klaxons, Koji Kondo, The Kooks.

L- Lana Del Rey, Laura Marling, LCD Soundsystem, Led Zeppelin, Less Than Jake, The Libertines, Linkin Park, Los Campesinos!, Lou Reed, Lower Than Atlantis, Lucy Rose, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

M- The Maccabees, Madness, Mallory Knox, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, Metallica, Metronomy, MGMT, Michael Jackson, The Midnight Beast, Miles Kane, Millencolin, Modest Mouse, Motion City Soundtrack, Motorhead, Mumford & Sons, Muse, My Bloody Valentine, My Chemical Romance.

N- The Naked and Famous, The National, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, No Doubt, Noah and The Whale, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, NOFX, Norah Jones.

O- Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, The Offspring, Outkast.

P- Panic! at the Disco, Paramore, Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Pendulum, Pink Floyd, The Pixies, PJ Harvey, Placebo, The Postal Service, Primal Scream, The Prodigy, Pulp.

Q- Queen, Queens of the Stone Age.

R- Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, The Ramones, Rancid, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Reel Big Fish, Regina Spektor, REM, Rise Against, The Rolling Stones, Roots Manuva, Rudimental.

S- Savages, The Sex Pistols, The Shangri Las, She and Him, Silversun Pickups, Sleigh Bells, Smash Mouth, Smashing Pumpkins, The Smiths, Snoop Dogg, Something Corporate, Sonic Youth, St. Vincent, Starbomb, Stars, Stereophonics, The Stone Roses, Strike Anywhere, The Strokes, The Subways, Sum 41, Summer Camp, Swim Deep.

T- T Rex, The Tallest Man on Earth, Thin Lizzy, Third Eye Blind, Thurston Moore, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Toploader, Tribes, The Troggs, Two Door Cinema Club, Tyler the Creator.

U- N/A

V- The Vaccines, Vampire Weekend, Van Halen, The Velvet Underground.

W- Warpaint, We Are Scientists, Weezer, Wheatus, The White Stripes, The Who, Wolfmother, The Wombats.

X- The XX.

Y- Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yuck.

Z- N/A.

Numbers- The 1975, 30 Seconds To Mars, +44.

The Black Keys - Fever song review

Blues rock duo The Black Keys have had a very successful past few years. Their last album "El Camino" became well known thanks to the commercial singles "Lonely Boy" and "Gold on the Ceiling". Now the band have decided to release a new album this year entitled "Turn Blue" which is set to come out on the 12th of May. This latest track "Fever" was revealed earlier this week.

What stands out most about this song on the first listen is the distinct bass line. It's effectively the strong back bone that keeps everything rocking along nice and smoothly. You've then also got this weird riff which sounds rather 60's psychedelia. Could this be a subtle suggestion that The Black Keys have gone for a far more experimental sound? It's unlikely seeing as there's still a large dollop of that classic blues flavour that we're all used to. Overall this track is different but not different enough to scare lovers of "El Camino" off.

"Fever" will probably appear in adverts and so on, but not as much as some of the songs off their last album. Personally, I'm glad because I honestly got sick of hearing "Gold on the Ceiling" everywhere. All in all, it looks like "Turn Blue" is set to become The Black Keys most interesting and exciting album of their career so far.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10

Foster The People - Supermodel album review

Cast your mind back to 2011 and you may remember the mega hit "Pumped Up Kicks". If you don't then you're probably immune to heavy promotion or something because this song was literally everywhere. Adverts, video games, the radio, you name it. And who was this Goliath sized tune by? New to the mainstream band Foster the People of course. Three years later they've returned with their second album "Supermodel". Are there more smash hits on this one or have the American indie pop band gone a different direction?

The album opens with three songs that are pure pop rock goodness. "Ask Yourself" is upbeat with a soaring chorus and "Coming" sounds like a glossy stadium rock anthem from the 80’s. Opener "Are You What You Want To Be?" is also interesting with its Brazilian samba rhythms and "Na na na” earworm.

"Supermodel" occasionally takes a bit of a break from pop rock to explore some newer grounds. The weirdly named "Pseudologia Fantastica" is as odd as its title thanks to its shoegaze inspired sound. This isn't the only time this kind of sound crops up though. No, "A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon" is similar sounding but the backing instruments are playing in a strangely deep pitch. Furthermore, you've got acoustic number "Goats in Trees" which also offers some dark atmospheric sounds. Honestly, all of these tracks sound great and they stop the album from becoming another predictable pop record.

What do we get in the way of super hits then? Well "Nevermind" is an absolute belter and you'd bet your house on it being "Supermodel's" "Pumped Up Kicks". The song is sensationally hook-y with its breezy Oasis type sound. Seriously you'll be singing this one at the festivals this summer, guaranteed. That's about it for giant hits though. Other songs on the album such as "Best Friend" and "The Truth" are enjoyable enough but they just don't have the same rousing feel. Final song "Fire Escape" also deserves a quick mention too, the acoustic tune finishes the album nicely as it drifts to a close.

"Supermodel" may not be anything spectacularly new in terms of sound but Foster the People do what they're known for extremely well. And what's that you ask? Write catchy melodies that form to create shiny pop gems. Another aspect that's positive about this album is that it's not ridiculously repetitive like a lot of pop records. Foster the People manage to shake things up on "Supermodel" without anything becoming too obscure. Check this one out, it's a good 'un.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10

BEST SONGS: NEVERMIND, PSEUDOLOGIA FANTASTICA, ASK YOURSELF.

My top 5 favourite electric guitar models

Any of you who me personally will know that I like to play guitar. There’s nothing more satisfying than managing to conquer that one difficult riff that you’ve been trying to master for hours. It’s even more satisfying if you get the chance to play said guitar riff on stage to an audience. If you’re not a guitar player then don’t worry, you’ll still be able to understand this article because I’m about to look at some of the most iconic and recognisable electric guitars ever made. Luckily, I’ve had the pleasure of owning some of these guitars, however, I’ve only managed to play some of these bad boys once or twice. Make sure you get your 

ear plugs ready because I’m about to turn it up to 11 with this article.

5. The Gibson flying V- If you want to look like a total show off then this is the perfect guitar for you. It’s light weight gives you the opportunity to be flamboyant as you like with it. Pose and strut to your heart’s content because this little beauty won’t make it awkward for you. Also, that V shape design is well known by pretty much everyone and if you don’t know it then you’ve probably been living under a rock or something.  Hendrix was well known for playing one of these so it must surely be awesome. The only reason why it’s at number 5 though is because it’s so expensive! A flying V will cost you at least £2000 pounds so you’ll probably need a wallet the size of China in order to afford it. I’ve only ever been able to play this particular guitar in guitar shops once or twice.

4. The Gibson SG- Ahh I have fond memories of this one. My older brother used to own one and he’d play nothing but AC/DC and Van Halen songs on it. I’ve heard Eruption played on this more times than you’ve had hot dinners. Personal stories aside, that cherry coloured finish is really appealing on the eye and plus it’s a really rocking guitar. Angus Young from AC/DC is famous for playing one of these and because of that the guitar has been associated with many old school rock bands. However, my only gripe with it is that it’s a bit too heavy to carry about on stage for my liking. It’s still a pretty decent guitar though.

3. The Gibson Les Paul- When most people think of guitars they think of this one. This iconic model has been going for donkey’s years and everyone from Slash to your grandma has played it. That sleek curved body is absolutely beautiful and if you don’t agree then you don’t deserve to look at guitars ever. Seriously, the attention to detail on this thing is outstanding. Even the minor details on it look amazing. The pickups look great, the volume knobs look great. Not only that but this model comes in a range of colours too. Overall this is a superb guitar and pretty much everyone who’s played one will tell you the same.

2. The Fender Jaguar- If you own one of these then you probably like to play music such as indie or grunge. This guitar is massively associated with alternative musicians such as Kurt Cobain and it’s become synonymous with many particular genres. The guitar was notably most famous in the 90’s yet is seems to have a bit of a resurgence recently. My reasoning for this is because Fender released the blacktop model a few years ago. I own one of these in silver and I absolutely love it to pieces. It makes me feel so awesome whilst I play it and plus it sounds terrific. Honestly, I would recommend this make of guitar to anyone who loves to play music that’s a bit more quirky. Not only will you look badass with it but you’ll also sound brilliant. Kurt Cobain eat your heart out!

1. The Fender Stratocaster- You can’t even begin to comprehend how iconic and famous this guitar model is. It’s just insanely popular and pretty much anyone who knows electric guitars has played one. The design is simple yet still gorgeous. Not only that but the guitar doesn’t mess around and it gets the job done extremely well. Play one of these and you’ll fall in love with it, hard. I’ve been playing guitar since I was about 12 and this was the first guitar make that I ever owned, I’ve still got it to this very day (I’m 18 now). My Fender Stratocaster is a turquoise colour with a white pick guard and it has light coloured wood on the neck. Hendrix played one. Buddy Holly played one. You should play one too, even if you don’t know how to play guitar. Just holding it is good enough. If you don’t do any of these then you’re missing out, big time. 

Love Letters by Metronomy album review

What do you do after you've released a critically acclaimed album? Follow it up with something that's similar but also kind of different of course! That's exactly what indie pop band Metronomy have done on album number four "Love Letters". Critics hailed their previous album "The English Riviera" as a rather masterful album so it's no surprise that the band have gone for a familiar sound on this record. Expect plenty of intricate melodies with an electro tinged flavour then, and don't forget those infectious backing vocals too.

Towards the beginning we get a few tracks that are classic Metronomy in terms of sound. "I'm Aquarius" features lingering synths, contagious backing vocals and lyrics that intelligently reference astrology. Title track "Love Letters" also impresses with it's bright and chirpy keyboards. Not only that, but the main hook has been sung really energetically by a group of female vocalists. It sounds fantastic. "Monstrous" is a bit of weird one because of it's retro synths that sound slightly harpsichord like, however, it's still hook-y enough to satisfy even the most closed minded music listener.

The familiar formula also manages to get shaken up a bit through out the album. Opener "The Upsetter" has a melancholic lovesick vibe that you'll surely be able to relate to. Metronomy have done songs like this before but never anything as intimate as this. Instrumental "Boy Racers" is ridiculously atmospheric and it's bass line will grab your attention like a giant fish walking on land. As far as impressively named songs go "The Most Immaculate Haircut" has to be up there and it's dark undertones should be too. Lyrically this song seems to be about jealousy/old lovers and the water splashing interludes only add to the intrigue and ambiguity.

All in all, Metronomy have managed to charm us with their delightful melodies whilst also tugging on our heart strings with some more personal and emotive numbers. Like I said earlier, they've gone with that similar sound but they've also managed to mix it up a bit too. Overall this is a cleverly crafted album and it's one that you should certainly purchase.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

BEST SONGS: I'M AQUARIUS, LOVE LETTERS, THE MOST IMMACULATE HAIRCUT.      

Recently played songs 4 plus blog update

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I've literally been flooded with English essays and coursework deadlines so I've been pretty busy with school. This unfortunately means that I haven't really had a chance to listen to albums in detail for reviews. However, it doesn't look like I'll be getting as much school work this week so updates to this blog will become more frequent again and there will be some album reviews too this week. In the mean time, enjoy this playlist of recently played tunes that I've listened to this week. Thanks for your patience everyone.

1. Freak Scene by Dinasour Jr. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV2kJ0rSfKU
2. Ritual Union by Little Dragon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IuP4RHCSHg
3. California by Joni Mitchell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm39YkGrHp8
4. Man I Need by Jagwar Ma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8KCPw9kYpo
5. Speed Demon by Michael Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91NH1lKTHc
6. Love Letters by Metronomy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou--2c1Ta2U
7. Lungs by CHVRCHES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4W_L5ABNbU
8. First by Lucy Rose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGWJyiwT6K8
9. Sweet Life by Frank Ocean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zInf-88f0Hs
10. Sleepwalking by Bring Me The Horizon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHz3JYl0cZA

A playlist inspired by this year's Reading and Leeds line up

I'm on a bit of a Reading and Leeds festival hype after buying my ticket the other day so here's a playlist inspired by the line up so far. These are just some of my favourite songs by the artists and not all of them will necessarily get played at the festival (but hopefully they will).

1. 3's and 7's by Queens of The Stone Age https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgVfjXA_QY0
2. Ain't It Fun by Paramore https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFEmTsfFL5A
3. Pretty Visitors by Arctic Monkeys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVRvUIV6G-E
4. Feeling This by Blink 182 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMZ23T9VHE
5. Everlasting Arms by Vampire Weekend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6FjwUwJup0
6. A Praise Chorus by Jimmy Eat World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvha7NallFk
7. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ
8. Undertow by Warpaint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkqbY0oGKQ
9. Home By Now by Bombay Bicycle Club https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mhHkEX028Q
10. Gun by CHVRCHES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktoaj1IpTbw
11. Priorities by Don Broco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCaz0z0JDJs
12. F For You by Disclosure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FOPTYJPXw
13. Heart Out by The 1975 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d32VfZ5Pf0w
14. Corinne by Metronomy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jix8bSotZ4
15. Little Monster by Royal Blood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ere2Mstl8ww

All the Reading and Leeds main stage headliners have been announced!

Last night the 2 remaining headliners were announced on BBC Radio One: Queens of The Stone Age and Paramore. Reactions to this were generally mixed but many people seemed to be happy with the Queens of The Stone Age booking. However, Paramore were a less favourable announcement than Josh Homme and his gang of alternative rockers. Many argued that Paramore aren't big enough to headline such a major festival. I would disagree with this personally: the American pop punkers have released four albums worth of material (which is a lot), they've sold out Wembley Arena and plus they have a huge fan base. It doesn't matter whatever others think though because I was definitely thrilled at the prospect of these two acts and I bought my weekend ticket shortly after they were announced.

Blink 182 and Arctic Monkeys were revealed in a few previous announcements and the public have been very pleased with these two bookings. Honestly, I can't wait to see these two: Blink 182 are pretty much my childhood band and Arctic Monkeys are arguably the hottest act in the word at the moment. I look forward to these two sets, they should be rather special indeed.

As for the rest of the line up: most people have been very satisfied with it but there have been some minor criticisms. For example, a few have said that Imagine Dragons, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are too far up the bill and I would agree with this yet I would also argue: who else could play those spots? These artists have been hugely successful recently so they'll definitely pull in a massive crowd. Honestly, I can't really think of anyone else who could play these "high up" sets. Maybe Haim could of? This top topic could be debated all day so I'll just leave it there. You can discuss this amongst yourselves.

Also, The 1975 were voted worst band by NME magazine yet they're playing the NME stage? Just thought I'd point that out because it's pretty funny.

Overall though, I am so excited for this year's Reading and Leeds festivals. It should be a blast and I can't wait to hear some great music with all my mates before heading off to university in September. Legendary times await.

Eagulls by Eagulls album review

Finally! A band that's a little bit ballsy! Is it me or has a lot of recent music that's grabbed attention been lacking some venom? Anyway, don't worry because Eagulls certainly aren't lacking when it comes to loud punk tunes. They cover that department extremely well and this self titled record is their first one. Be ready to brace yourselves because this album isn't a bunch of easy listening songs that you could take to the beach. No sir.

Opener "Nerve Endings" introduces us to Eagulls in a way the doesn't beat around the bush. It's straight up punk. The yelp-y vocals, the gritty guitars, the rapid drums: they're all there and by gosh, is it a kick in the teeth. Don't be put off by this though because this is what make Eagulls so great, they really grab your attention with their intense punk sound. "Tough Luck" is also a cool tune with it's Cure-esque guitar riffs and "Amber Veins" is great because of it's chant like chorus.

"Possessed" kind of has a shoegaze type vibe in terms of guitar sounds and "Footsteps" really builds up well to a shout-y chorus. "Fester/Blister" is the shortest song on album and this obviously means that it's the fastest one too. This 2 and a half minute thrill ride is one that you could definitely recommend because the tight riffs really show off Eagulls terrific talent. "Opaque" is one of those inspiring, get up and go songs in terms of it's sound and "Soulless Youth" closes the album well.

There's honestly not a bad song on this album. Sure, "Eagulls" won't appeal to everyone because music is pretty subjective. There will be those love it and there will be those who despise it. You're always gonna get that. However, if you're looking for a fantastic punk album then this will certainly do the trick. Personally, I would love to see Eagulls live because I reckon the mosh pits would be loads of fun. All in all, I would thoroughly recommend this album.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

BEST SONGS: NERVE ENDINGS, TOUGH LUCK, FESTER/BLISTER.

Why are music films always so good!?

So I was watching Shane Meadow's documentary on The Stone Roses last night (which was brilliant by the way) and it got me thinking: films that are associated with music never usually disappoint. Just think about it for a second and then you'll realise it like I did. Here are some of the many great films I managed to come up with: School of Rock, This Is Spinal Tap, Walk the Line, Nowhere Boy. This list could go on list for ages but I'll stop now to avoid making this blog post boring.

Honestly this was such a spur of the moment thing and I just had to write about it because I thought it was a decent point. Obviously not all films associated with music are amazing but the majority of them are. The ones that first sprung into my mind were ones that I very much enjoyed.

That's all I wanted to say really. Sorry that this blog post was a bit brief, but remember, if you can't decide what film to watch then pick one that has something to do with music. It probably won't let you down.

Recently played songs 3 (in no particular order)

1. Cemetery Gates by The Smiths http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOMwu6OoGo4
2. Birth In Reverse by St Vincent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c5BhXdVBqw
3. Lighthouse by Mallory Knox http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOtwSPOdvGQ
4. Lippy Kids by Elbow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv-GwJLJvjk
5. Bloodsports by Drenge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sqJIdcKsrs
6. Driving South by The Stone Roses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKRQZrJJJCM
7. Sick, Sick, Sick by Queens of the Stone Age http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHDaKtx6bGY
8. Learn to Fly by Foo Fighters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VQ_3sBZEm0
9. I Get Along by The Libertines http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otD-L4xSWnM
10. Don't Swallow the Cap by The National http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFnA-8H-5lo

TV en Francais by We Are Scientists album review

New York's finest indie rock trio are back with album number four "TV en Francais". This record sees the band return more to their earlier days in terms of sound and overall it's a lot like their first album, "With Love and Squalor". It's punchy, raw and a lot of people love this type of sound. However, others would argue that it's not really anything new so therefore it's kind of boring. Have guitar band We Are Scientists turned dull or have they managed to deliver the goods? Let's find out.

There are a few songs that instantly jump out at you upon first listen. "Dumb Luck" has a guitar riff that is pure AC/DC and Angus Young himself would be proud of it. The song then erupts into a great chorus and it's all rather dandy. Straight after this we then get "Make It Easy" which is a shining gem because of how well it builds up. Each section of the song adds something new and it's a real treat on the ears. "Courage" really stands out too with it's "Everybody Hurts" style guitar parts, it doesn't sound depressing though and instead it sounds rather romantic, kind of like a prom night song. However, my only niggle with this song is that it ends really abruptly and it could do with another chorus or two. Plus, "Sprinkles" also has a cool surf rock vibe to it and "Slow Down" is (ironically) a great fast paced number.

Unfortunately there are also a few songs on "TV en Francais" that fail to capture the imagination. Album opener "What You Do Best" doesn't really open the album with a bang because of it's minor chords and anti climactic chorus. "Return The Favour" and "Don't Blow It" are also a lot sadder sounding but they still have that rock edge. Sure, you could argue that the band are trying to mix things up by adding a sad tone but they should of had some better hooks before doing this. It's not all doom and gloom though, "Overreacting" saves the day with it's jangly guitar riffs and funky melodies.

I can't help but feel that this album would of been a lot better if it had more songs that sounded like "Courage" on it. That song was easily the most fascinating tune on the album and it could of possibly influenced a few more potential songs. Overall "TV en Francais" is raw at it's core but it fails to inspire at times. If the song writing was a bit more intricate then this would of been a fantastic album. Top marks for making the early punchy sound interesting again though We Are Scientists, you've managed to deliver the goods but they're not quite in mint condition.

OVERALL RATING: 7/10

BEST SONGS: MAKE IT EASY, COURAGE, OVERREACTING.
WORST SONG: RETURN THE FAVOUR.

A little something I wrote for school

Year 13 students from the music performance BTEC class are organising Highcliffe School’s first ever open mic night. They are doing this because in order to pass their coursework, they need to organise some sort of music related event. The open mic night takes place on the 27^th of March at 7 o clock in the evening and tickets cost 5 pounds. Said tickets can be bought on the night or they can be bought online using WisePay. The event will take place in the performance hall (Ex 1). 

The small group of students who take the course have had to organise the event all by themselves and this has taken a lot of thorough planning. Many tasks have been undertaken such as organising a meeting with head teacher Miss Potts to discuss plans. Plus, they have promoted the event whilst getting various acts to sign up and take part.

Music won’t be the only thing on offer on the night. No, this event has been organised so that other forms of entertainment can take part too. For example, any one who fancies taking part in a bit of stand up comedy can have a go. Expect plenty of variety with a few interesting surprises along the way. Sign up sheets are located in the sixth form study area and café. They are also in all of the music classrooms too. All year groups are welcome to take part.

So if you want a night of top notch entertainment then come to Highcliffe School’s open mic night. The year 13 students have worked very hard on this event so they’ll be very grateful if you could come along. This will be a special night that showcases the best of Highcliffe student’s talents. You won’t want to miss it.  

Morning Phase by Beck album review

You may not know it but you have definitely heard Beck's music somewhere. The veteran singer songwriter has had a long 21 year old career and "Morning Phase" is his 12th album. Beck is probably most well known for his hit singles "Loser", "Where It's At" and "E-Pro" and you'd recognise these tunes if you heard them. Yes, the man's music has featured in a number of various entertainment products such as the video game Rock Band, plus he's even had his own Futurama episode too!

Basically, "Morning Phase" is a largely acoustic album so a lot of the songs sound pretty similar at first. However, there are subtle interesting parts but they really aren't that noticeable. For example, "Blue Moon" has a mandolin part but there's also other melodic parts too so you can't really hear the part where the song tries to be a bit different. Also, "Wave" features a string section and Beck's voice gets completely lost in it and it sounds really messy to be honest.

To say that this album is chilled out is an understatement. In fact, it's too chilled out for it's own good at times and it ends up sounding quite dull. By the time you get to some of the final tracks ("Blackbird Chain, "Turn Away" and "Country Down") you'll be totally bored. Sure, you could argue that this record is mostly trying to focus on being melodic, but I honestly can't remember a single hook on this album because every song just slogs along really slowly.

There are some decent parts on this record though. It starts off nicely with a double helping of "Morning" and "Heart Is A Drum" and these songs really help to set the tone for the rest of the album. There are some swell falsetto vocals, acoustic guitars and pianos in these songs but that's all you can really say about them. "Unforgiven" is excellent for it's use of flanger effect chords too and it's probably the only track that really stands out.

It pains me to say this but I really didn't enjoy this record. Other people will probably love it though because it's got a relaxing vibe and it's melodic in a kind of atmospheric way. Personally, I preferred Beck on records such as "Odelay" where he was fusing a bunch of genres together. Anyone who's looking for something a bit slow and quiet will find "Morning Phase" perfect but I'm gonna give this one a miss.

OVERALL RATING: 5/10

BEST SONGS: MORNING, HEART IS A DRUM, UNFORGIVEN.
WORST SONG: WAVE.

St Vincent by St Vincent album review

Anyone who is familiar with St Vincent will know her distinctive quirky sound. If you're not then basically she's an art rocker who loves to play scuzzy electric guitars whilst singing about all kinds of strange things in a peculiar way. Imagine if Matt Bellamy from Muse and Thom Yorke from Radiohead had a daughter that grew up listening to grunge music, that daughter would be St Vincent.

Her self titled album is her fourth one and it's a bit similar to her last record "Strange Mercy". However, "St Vincent" is a lot more accessible and it's easier to listen to than the last album. "Strange Mercy" took a few listens to understand because it was a rather dark album that exploded into some pretty crazy moments. This album is a bit more sensible sounding but it still feels totally experimental at the same time. There are moments where this record is totally bat shit crazy but then there are also moments where it's fun and almost pop like too.

Take for example "Digital Witness", it's sassy brass section and catchy hooks make it delightful for anyone to listen to. "Psychopathic" doesn't sound like it's song title at all and instead it's probably the most accessible song on the record thanks to it's upbeat feel. Talk about not judging a song by it's title eh? Album outro "Severed Crossed Fingers" is another one that's quite easy to listen to. It's a nice slow electro acoustic number.

There are some more unusual parts on the record though, don't think that this is the kind of album that you could listen to whilst lazing in your deck chair on a warm day. Opener "Rattlesnake" has chirpy rhythms with an unusually seductive delivery. After this, you've then got "Birth In Reverse" which is bizarre lyrically but it's still punchy like something out of an 80's musical. Later on, "Bring Me Your Loves" makes you jump with it's immediate robot-esque synths, this then goes into parts where all the instruments stop and it's just St Vincent's vocals. There's no doubting that this is a song that you can't help but pay attention to. "Regret" is a middle of the album song that plods along nicely.

"Huey Newton" also stands out. It's cool beat and futuristic synth riffs help drive it to it's satisfying fuzz guitar outro. "Every Tear Disapears" has a pulsating heart beat mixed with 8 bit sounds and "Prince Johnny" has soaring underlying instruments with passionate vocals. Plus, let's not forget "I prefer Your Love" which has an interesting religious feel to it.

In conclusion, this is a record that's experimental but it still manages to remain fun and that's why it's brilliant. It definitely manages to get that balance right and that's not an easy thing to do. Surely St Vincent will start to become more well known after this album, it's simply outstanding.

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

BEST SONGS: DIGITAL WITNESS, BRING ME YOUR LOVES, HUEY NEWTON.