Alt-J Album Review

This week, Alt-J’s debut album, “An Awesome Wave”, won the Barclaycard Mercury Prize and has since featured on the cover of NME this week. Personally, I’d missed the album and a combination of the two factors above made me think I must listen to this album! Thank goodness that I did, this album really does deserve the recognition it has received. This year, so many fantastic albums have been released by fantastic bands and artists but this album is definitely one of the most original and well and truly on of the best.

Alt-J are a band from Leeds who met at University. They formed in 2007 and for the early days didn’t reveal their identities to their fan base. The name “Alt-J” comes from the Mac shortcut for the Delta symbol (Δ) and their early recordings were developed on the Mac programme, Garageband until 2011 when the signed for Infectious Records. The album was recorded in Brixton even though they currently take residence in Cambridge.

Onto the album then! For me, the album is so affective because it is so fresh and new but I could still associate it with other bands and pick out possible influences for the album. The only way I can easily describe “An Awesome Wave” is that for me it seems like a mix between Dry the River’s “Shallow Bed” Kasabian’s debut album “Kasabian”. The reason I say this is because there are incredibly intricate synth parts like Kasabian in tracks like “Ovary Stripe” but also combine it with beautiful guitar parts and haunting vocals like Dry the River. The album as a whole, unlike a lot of Indie I’ve come across, has a chirpy feel to it meaning they aren’t being moody long haired young men who are pissed off about their endless encounters with heartbreak.

"An Awesome Wave" album artwork.

They are adventurous with their music which refers back to what I said about the album being “fresh and new”. The second track “Interlude I” is completely acapella and is very basic (in the sense that a higher instrument does a main melody and a lower instrument does the harmony, the song reminds me of a piano in a way because the higher voice, the right hand, sings the more intricate melody line where as the lower voice, the left hand, does the longer and more drawn out notes) and reminds me of traditional African music. In “Taro”, there is a flicker of Indian influences in the music with the use of Tabla, Sitar, Indian style vocals and Bansuri which when mixed with Western instruments, gives a really nice feel to the piece.

I love songs that have many different melodies and the album is so polyphonic and thick, you could chew it. Every time I listen to the album, I discover something new; it’s wonderful because it’s so busy and you get the sense the whole thing is alive.

Behind all of the songs, apart from the acapella one, is a brilliant beat. Unlike a lot of bands in their genre, the beats on this are almost hip-hoppy and again adds to that list of things that make the album so new and different form the rest of them. I love this album because it’s so geeky; I get the idea of the band sitting in a dark room tapping different things into their Macs until it sounds good (which relates to me because that’s basically what I do with my weekends, only I don’t have the privilege of owning a Mac).

Going back to the feel of the album briefly, overall, the album has a nice chilled feel about it. When I listen to the album, I feel myself feeling relaxed and it’s very tempting not to get lost in the layers of music.  

If I had to give a negative, I have to say the clarity of the vocals isn’t 100% my cup of tea. Being a vocalist myself, I do prefer clear vocals. I wouldn’t say it was anywhere near enough put a downer on the album, in fact the more I think about it, the more I think it is a good thing because traditionally, vocals will always be the most important than the rest of the instrument but it seems to me, Alt-J have tried to bring the vocals down to the same level as the rest of the instruments so they’re all as one instead of vocals with accompaniment.

This really is a very good album and if you’re hesitating to buy it, hesitate no longer. It’s fresh, fun so amazing. You will be captured in every single song and I promise, it will soon become a regular replay album on your IPod/IPhone/MP3 player etc. BUY!

9/10

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Vaccines Gig Review

The Vaccines

This is a gig I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. For the past three years, the Vaccines have been bombarding the world with their music releasing two albums in that time which both got to the top 5 of the U.K album chart. This fact alone is enough to compare them with the likes of the Smiths (who in the space of five years released four albums). In three years, the indie world has been hit by Vaccines mania with a massive following of girls wanting a piece of Justin, Freddie, Arni and Pete and one of those girls is me!

The Vaccines are renowned for their simplistic yet catchy songs and I always questioned whether these songs would work live. I also questioned whether the Vaccines were like so many Indie bands these days, make a good EP that suck you in and makes you think they’re the next big band but when you go and see them, you feel let down because the only thing that is big about is their ego. They aren’t, from what I saw and what I heard, they really do deserve to be one of the biggest bands in the country right now.

Deap Vally

For the Vaccines, Leicester is a special place for them because they did their first gig here and they have a massive fan base in the city as well. The gig as a whole was very good with entertaining support acts building us up to the penultimate performance we were all so excited about. The first act I saw was Deap Vally from California who formed last year. The band is made up of Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards and made me think of a female Black Keys (as it was just the two of them.) and sounded a bit like Band of Skulls. I really liked them and actually bought their Live EP and they definitely got the audience moving. Next to come on was DIIV who are an Indie band for New York City. The bands also formed in 2011 and have already released their debut album “Oshin”, which is now in my iTunes Library. For a new band they were very surprising, they had nice guitar riffs and a nice beat which was good to get the audience going. They were nice to watch because I got the impression they are being a band for the fun of it not as a job yet.

DIIV

Onto the main story, the Vaccines. Even though I was at the back, I still loved every minute of the gig. The nice thing was that they didn’t just sing their singles; they also sang the songs that you really have to love them for and buy the albums to know for example I was very impressed and surprised when they sang “Aftershave Ocean” which for me was the first track that stood out as one I’d take in and love but isn’t their most well-known piece and considering they didn’t play all of the songs on the new record “Come of Age” it was nice to mix it in there, I think it really showed the men from the boys, metaphorically, showing the real fans from the crowd followers because I did notice a few people sitting down to their phones whilst this song was on. They weren’t chatty, which I like in concert because even though the concert tends to be shorter if the band just get on with it, you have more consistency and the concert flows nicely instead of being broken up into little staccato chunks that get the audience up and going and then making them stop suddenly. I like my concerts legato thank you very much! 

Was the concert short? No, I don’t think so they got through quite a few songs, not every song but quite a few. I got the impression they wanted to keep the concert upbeat and alive because they didn’t play any slow songs like “Weirdo” or “Lonely World” which was disappointing. For a gig in a smallish concert hall which hosts orchestras more than rock bands, I was very happy with what I got for my money.

Considering that next year people will be paying double to see them in arenas, I thought this gig was amazing and brilliant value for money. I prefer the small gigs, they always seem a lot more real to me. For example, I went to see Kasabian in the summer at the secret gig at Brixton and it was amazing because they were feet away from me, some of my biggest idols standing there that close and performing some of my favourite songs of all time. But in September, I went to see Noel Gallagher at Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, Noel Gallagher is one of my biggest idols who I love as much as Kasabian, if not more but there was something missing. The closeness you get with the band goes when you see them at an arena, for me it feels like that man on stage could really be anyone, you’re so far back, you wouldn’t really know the difference if it wasn’t for the cameras.

I think the Vaccines really are a band to add to your must see list, you have the chance to see them next year if you haven’t got tickets already. Don’t doubt whether they’re any good or not live, they are!

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Johnny Marr - "The Messenger"

On Monday, Smiths fans all over the world celebrated 30 years of life changing music. This as well as the news of Johnny Marr's solo album coming out next year has put fans in a bit of a good mood but wait, there is more... Marr has also released his first single from the album "The Messenger" which for me, has caused great excitement. I'll say now, I prefer Morrissey and I've been brought up to think that by my Dad because "Marr broke up the band" but I really like this, even though it's from an "old" artist, it still sounds really new and current. I would recommend having a listen!!

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Dry the River Gig Review

Set list:
1. Shield Your Eyes
2. New Ceremony
3. History Book
4. Demons
5. Weights & Measures
6. No Rest
7. Bible Belt
8. Lion's Den
9. Shaker Hymns (Encore)

If you have read anything on this blog before, you will know that I'm quite a big Dry the River fan. Dry the River, if you don't know already, are a folk-rock band from London who formed in 2009 and released their debut album, "Shallow Bed" earlier this year. The venue was the biggest venue they'd ever done and was at O2 Empire Shepherds Bush, London and is a venue close to my heart as it was were I witnessed my first concert (Paloma Faith if anyone is interested). 

Onto the gig then. As the band aren't that well known, they are still quite down to earth and I got the sense that they were actually excited about the gig (it being their biggest). Unlike some bands who between every song tell you how it reminds them of their childhood cat who fell off the roof and died and how the song goes out to them, Dry the River give you about a sentence every few songs to say something that will genuinely interest the audience. Dry the River get on with the gig, they don't waste time chatting. For me, you can tell if a small band are going to be any good or not by the amount of time they take between their songs. If the band lecture you about their songs, they don't have time to play as much bad music but if they get on with it, I get the impression they want to get as much in as possible for the listeners sake.

My favourite part of the gig was definitely "Weights & Measures" which was done so well. I may be being very biased here because the song means a lot to me personally and is my favourite song on the album but the performance had such power in it, it moved people even at the very back of the concert hall. What amazed me most about Dry the River's performance, was that Peter the lead singer can actually sing falsetto so well for such a long period of time. Although you can hear that Peter does sing like that on the album, I had a feeling that his voice was too good to be true, but I tell you now, it is NOT! Live, as a band, they are even more beautiful and simple than they are on the the album and seeing them making that the sound they make on the record with just an acoustic guitar, an electric guitar, a bass, a drum kit and a violin (plus the occasional french horn and trumpet pairing) with your own eyes is just amazing! They're funny as well, Peter was telling the story about how he got the french horn player to teach him the little bit in the intro of "No Rest" just so he could put on the album sleeve that he played french horn and they were talking about how they were making their beer own beer and that they would be sampling it in the bar next door.

If there was a negative, it would be that the gig was a bit short. Just as you were getting into the gig, it ended.  The quality of music was brilliant but 1. They didn't play all the songs on the album - which you can expect but 2. They didn't play anything new. I gave them the benefit of the doubt because it's their first album so they probably don't have that many songs to play and it was they're biggest gig so they probably didn't want to push the boat out.

I would definitely see Dry the River again, I think the gig was a good taster as the overall message at the end was "I want more!". They are amazing live and if you haven't listened to them yet, they are a gem amongst the crap we're faced with in the music world today and are one of the bands of the year for me. LISTEN!

*Sorry this is late, I've been very busy...

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Muse - The 2nd Law Review

Happy Monday everybody. My friend Peter is a massive Muse fan and seeing as Muse aren't one of my priorities at the moment, I couldn't refuse when he said he would review their latest album "The 2nd Law". Please enjoy the works Peter Wisher!

Muse's "The 2nd Law" album artwork.

The one thing that defines Muse as a rock band is that they have never been afraid to do something radically different. Take The Resistance for example: a few virtuoso musicians had delved into a neo-classical style before (Yngwie Malmsteen, your cue to stand up), but who would have thought it possible for an alternative rock band to write a three-part symphony? Being a skilled pianist, maybe frontman Matt Bellamy felt it was instinct (one of Muse’s earlier hits Plug In Baby‘s riff quoted Bach’s Toccata in D minor). Although I regarded The Resistance as a bit of a let-down, Muse has clearly built on their experimental nature for The 2^nd Law.

Another thing about Muse is their style is instantly recognisable. At least it was already. In the days of Absolution and Origin of Symmetry, while never repetitive, there were always ridiculously heavy guitar riffs, Bellamy’s melodic falsetto and brilliant tunes that they are revered for today. But their sound has evolved since, as The Resistance showed, and The 2^nd Law features influences from (traditional Muse fans, brace yourself) funk, synth pop, 80s pop, dubstep, electro, house.... but don’t click away just yet, it’s still worth a listen and I can tell after listening to it repeatedly that the trio from Teignmouth have largely pulled it off.

Now, onto the album, track by track:

Supremacy-

Opening track ‘Supremacy’ is probably what most Muse fans were hoping to hear. The Zeppelin-esque octaves open into a metallicious, 7-string riff, which builds into Matt shrieking ‘YOUR SUUUUUPREMACYYYYYYYYY!!!’. Meanwhile the verses are the exact opposite, subdued with militaristic drumming from Dom complementing the mood. A cracking opener to the album- 9/10

Madness-

Matt described this track as ‘back to basics’ and I can’t help but agree: an electro snare beat and sparse synth are all that it is there for the first verse and chorus. Guitar finally enters in the second verse, but is not made prominent until an doubled guitar solo that could easily come out of Queen’s discography, that sounds like an outburst of emotion more than a bombastic high of say, Knights of Cydonia, but it is effective in linking the piece from quiet to emotionally loud ‘I need your love’ ringing out that will make you want to play this over and over. Absolute brilliance- 10/10

Panic Station-

Ah, a funk tune! This song features a full horn section (including musicians that played on Superstition, the Stevie Wonder classic), an infectious riff, and typically for the band Matt going crazy on his vocal line (a touch too OTT?) The music is spot on though, and is incredibly catchy! – 9/10

Prelude-

A throw-back to The Resistance, even if it’s only 57 seconds. A relaxing piano and strings interlude- 8/10

Survival-

Ever since this was revealed as the official Olympic song, and the lead single, eyes have rolled in distaste. For the benefit of those of you who couldn’t give a damn about the Olympics, this song is a thundering anthem that harks back to gladiatorial combat, with full choir backing, an unconventional structure and a screeching guitar solo to conclude. I can see why people don’t like it, even I didn’t like it at first, but it does grow on you. So what the lyrics are simple? It’s meant to be simple, because the song is about a simple thing: winning. It isn’t perfect, but still... the final breakdown kicks ass- 8.5/10

Follow Me-

It’ll be interesting to see the reaction to this up-tempo dance track. Touchingly it begins with Bellamy’s newborn son’s heartbeat, and follows on this theme with heartfelt vocals about fatherhood. Dance duo Nero helped on production for the song, and it is evident throughout. Die-hard fans will most likely want to cry after hearing this, but the more open-minded listener will regard this as a good effort from a rock band to get some electronic grooves going- 9/10

Animals-

This song also grows on you with every listen as well. While appearing to be one of the album’s quieter tracks, this is dispelled by ending with what sounds like a riot! Delay-ridden guitar, 5/4 cross rhythms and visions of humanity descending into chaos do make depressing listening though- 8.5/10

Explorers-

Muse said in an interview beforehand that they would include a lullaby on their next album, and this seems to be it. This song is probably the closest they have ever come to a ballad, yet lyrics telling of overpopulation of the planet add to the melancholy air the album has given us so far. Almost relaxing- 8/10

Big Freeze-

A Stadium stomp! ‘Big Freeze’ is one of the more up-tempo tracks that Muse have produced lately, which compares to a song U2 would compose and ‘Map of the Problematique’ from their 2006 album Black Holes and Revelations. Personally this is one of my favourite tracks on the album, and even includes a noisy guitar solo for good measure- 9/10

Save Me-

This is the first song that bassist Chris Wolstenholme has written for a Muse album, and he sings on it as well! Chris suffered from an almost fatal alcohol addiction for many years, and ‘Save Me’ is a testament to it. The mood of the song is captured by a mournful guitar figure in the bridge and a clashing minor harmony in the chorus. I would say it drags on for a bit too long, but this a sad number that will almost certainly make you cry- 8/10

Liquid State-

Another Wolstenholme-sung and written production, and arguably the heaviest song on the album, ‘Liquid State’ is also about his addiction. The opening riff screams prog metal-QOTSA fans, listen to this. Rather the opposite of ‘Save Me’, it ends rather abruptly after the second chorus, but I’d say this actually works rather well with the suspended atmosphere created by the song; the fans of Muse’s heavier material will lap this up- 8.5/10  

The 2^nd Law: Unsustainable-

Utterly bizarre. This track features a sinister stringed introduction; followed by what appears to be a science lecture; which abruptly cut off by a robotic shout of ‘UNSUSTAINABLE!’ a dubstep-style section then follows. What’s nice though is that Matt is using his guitar to create the dubstep noises, even if his guitars are heavily-modified. Despite the new direction on this track the dubstep is half-decent, but a warning to all: brace yourselves- 8/10

The 2^nd Law: Isolated System-

Invariably most listeners will regard this as Exogenesis Part 4- the album closer ‘Isolated System’ is very subdued and understated, with just piano, some strings and the loop from ‘Unsustainable’ playing. Probably the weakest track on the album, but still a decent little piano sonata to listen to- 7.5/10

The 2^nd Law is one of those marmite albums: you’ve either going to love it or absolutely hate it.  Some of the songs are undeniably fantastic, but inevitably some of Muse’s dedicated fanbase are probably going to listen to this then unceremoniously burn it. In my view: so what if it’s different? It’s good to hear a band evolve their style beyond the typical turn-up-to-eleven that a heck of a lot of bands resorts to these days, if they haven’t already turned screamo. Personally I think this album is a return to form after the disappointment of The Resistance. To first-time Muse listeners: This is a good place to start. However, to hardcore Muse fans, I heed one warning.... proceed with caution.

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