52 Weeks, 52 Albums...

Poor student seeks music

2007-05-01T04:46:00.000-07:00

So, Album number 4 is due yesterday. The review will come tonight.

However, I never bought an album last week. Financial impotency unfortunately destroyed my chances of buying albums. As a result I am going to be a bit more creative. Instead of reviewing an old album that I love (that will no doubt happen) I am, instead, going to bring you a review of a new album by a new band on a tiny label: Billy Ruffian, My Secret Life. And as I know the band, I have the album for nowt, hence quenching my thirst for music and not spending money.

In other music news...
The RIAA (the guys who control all the music rights and such in America) are (*rude derogitory word*) currently driving Internet radio in America into the ground. New laws passed mean Internet Radio stations have to pay royalties, which is going to force all but the largest out of business. All in the name of artists, right? Well no.

The biggest gripe I have at the moment is concerning unsigned bands. If my band wants to give out music to a radio station to play, free of charge, that's obviously fine, as we own the copywright on it. Right? Right? Wrong! Apparently, They still have to pay for the right to play my stuff, and then I have to pay to join the bit of the RIAA (SoundExchange) so that I can get paid the royalties which I am owed. I know I hate England at the best of times, but I hate America more.

Argh!!

Some people mentioned the reviews are too long

2007-04-27T03:30:00.000-07:00

So here's my answer.
Album A: Soulwax- Any minute now.

What the song sounds like:

1- E-Talking: Massive night out. Best thing you've ever heard. Sex.
2- Any Minute now: Massive mosh pit
3- Please... Don't be yourself: Lying in bed next to the missus when you've fallen out and aren't talking.
4- Compute: Running away from angrymen
5- Krack: Flying around in a plane, shooting Bad guys.
6- Slowdance: The video would have sumo wrestling in it.
7- A Ballad To Forget: That moment where something bad has happened (lost girlfriend, big fall out etc.) where you're lying by yourself on your bed crying? This is that song that you listen to.
8- Accidents and compliments: The song that you sit down to in the club to catch your breath, because although it's amazing, you just can't dance to it.
9- NY EXCUSE: OMYGODOMYGODOMYGODITSTHISSONGILOVETHISSONGOMYGODFUCKINGTUNE
(That song that you scream they lyrics at your best mate over the dancefloor).
10- Miserable girl: Turn it up, clean the house.
11- YYY/NNN: The haunted house at a fun fair. A good one though, not one of those for 5 year olds with funny mirrors.
12- The truth is so boring: Post Coital cigarette.
13- Dance 2 Slow: Bubbles!

Score: 8.5/10
Download: NY Excuse, E-Talking
Soulwax Myspace

If this album was a colour: Dark Gray

E-Talking:

Album 3: LCD Soundsystem, "The sound of silver"

2007-04-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

LCD soundsystem is the project of New Jersey born producer James Murphy, a sombre, middle aged looking man, who you wouldn't expect to be the time to produce some of the catchiest and disco like songs this side of the 70s.

The first LP produced by the act, "LCD Soundsystem", was a double disc epic of classic electronic pop songs, in a time when such a thing was far from common, and well before "nu-rave" was on the scene. Chances are you will have heard "Daft Punk is Playing in my house", a 5 minute dancefloor classic that you simply cannot not dance to, a song which reached #29 in the UK charts. If you haven't heard the first album, definitely download "Tribulations", an uptempo synth based song which is one of those tracks to play in the morning to get you out of bed.

After much success with the debut album, expectations were raised for "Sound of Silver". With a much changed music scene, where electronic music is much more at the forefront of the charts due to the likes of Klaxons and CSS, would LCD be able to step up to the challenge, or simply rest on its Laurels?

The simple answer is there is no simple answer. The album sees a big change in direction to the sound for Murphy, whose trademark nasal vocals are found a lot less frequently on this record. Single "North American Scum" has clearly been released to appeal to fans of the last record, following in much the same vein as the debut, with driving disco drums, big bass lines and a lot of dynamic with the change into the massive chorus. A very good song, but wholly unrepresentative of the album.

Murphy has gone for a considerably more emotional sound on this record. Gone are the catchy keys and unique vocal hooks, replaced with a lot more singing, and songs that are a lot less instantly accessible. For some songs this works brilliantly; Track of the album, "Someone Great", is a very relaxed effect, heavy on synth and effects, with simply perfect lyrics about losing someone very special. Very emotional, and perfectly executed.

The problem with this album is that it is a live album. LCD are a great live act, with everyone bouncing up and down and having a dance. This is a dancing album, but it doesn't work on record. Songs like title track "Sound of Silver", seem to go on for ages, with the same beat, repeating over and over, with bits being added and built up, forever. Live, this can and will work. On record, it leads to a very bland sound that could be used for elevator music. "All my friends" suffers from the same condition, with the main riff, a very nice and simple piano line, is repeated throughout the entire song, which is slowly built up and has everything else coming in after; First the drums, then the vocals. A good song, with some nice gentle singing from Murphy. However, the song ends up dragging, and leads to the listener becoming disinterested. This too, is a "proper" song, not a dance floor one. I don't think it will work live, and I don't think it works as well as it could on record.

Album closer, "New York, I love you but you're bringing me down" is another proper song, a beautiful piano piece, whose lyrics are self explanatory from the title, which finishes with a nice piece of musical aggression. A nice way to end the album, although it doesn't fit with anything else. There will be no bouncing to this song. Maybe some romantic dancing though.

There are still hints of the old Soundsystem in there. "Watch the tapes" comes in with a catchy-as-you-like vocal riff, then kicks into driving drums and bass line, with the old school vocal lines from Murphy, making you want to get out your seat and bounce around. "Time to get away" also offers hints of the debuts vocal lines, however the tracks tempo lets it down as it's much to slow to move about like a madman to. This track also suffers from the albums "start small, add things to it, add more things to it, keep doing this for a long time" problem. Although it has plenty of cowbell in it, which helps :)

This album is the reason why iTunes is good. It is a mess, and it's hit and miss. Half the album (North American Scum, Someone great, All my friends, New york...) are great songs, which I recommend you go buy. Even where I've criticised them, they are still worth listening to in isolation from the rest of the album. Then there are the other songs, which I would recommend certainly not paying for, like opener "Get Innocuous!". Although this has been getting a lot of praise from some camps, I can honestly say it sounds like a poor self indulgent experimental piece, which unfortunately set the tone for the rest of the album.

With this album, James Murphy has changed the direction of LCD from pop disco to a bit of pop, a bit of emotion, a bit of experimentation, which has led to a mixed album of hits and misses, and overall an album that does not gel. By all means listen to the tracks I recommended, but certainly don't buy this album. There's a lot of other albums that deserve your undivided attention more.

5.5/10
Download: Someone great, All my Friends
Don't download: Get innocuous!, us vs them

www.myspace.com/lcdsoundsystem
www.lcdsoundsystem.com

Don't cry!

2007-04-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

Apologies for not writing to update you on everything musical. However, at the weekend my beutiful girlfriend was here so no posts allowed, then last night played a gig.

LCD review will come today or tomorrow, as I am watching a gig (which I will review) tonight. This weeks album is intended to be Mark Ronson with "Versions", but unfortunately I haven't had time to buy it yet. Will attempt to do so after work today.

I've also bought 3 albums at the weekend for £8. Manic Street Preachers - lifeblood, Soulwax - any minute now, and Mad Action (self titled). Possible reviews coming up.

Samba out!

Unsigned 1: Please sign on the dotted line

2007-04-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

IT's ok, it's ok, i'm back with more moosic for your ears. Today I thought i'd introduce you to some lesser known bands, because they shouldn't be lesser known.

In no particular order...

Shmoo

Shmoo are a Manchester based live electronic band. I don't mean dance there though, they're a full band, just no guitar. Bass, drums, keys, synth and vox. I discovered them playing at the old bar I used to work at, and they've since been close to the top on my list of favourite unsigned bands. They've had plenty of exposure, with their songs being on TV, plenty of support from the BBC, and regular touring in between song writing.

Their music is beutiful, but not in an acoustic way. Vocalist Rowena Scott has amazing, soaring vocals, which are technical without being anything like ChristnaBritneyBeyonce like. An amazing live band, with great, great songs, that would be a loss to music if they didn't make it.

Shmoo myspace
Shmoo: Play Thing live

Mr Fang music

I've actually discovered this band this week, but have viewed them more than good enough to include.

Mr Fang music is currently a 2 piece, who put together everything for the recordings, but are planning on getting a 3rd member in for live perfomance.

This band is very very catchy. Slightly indie shouty vocals, reminiscent of White Rose Movement, but with a lot more energy and balls. All their songs are uptempo, and you can imagine they'd be simply fantastic live. Great use of synchronised guitar and vocals, with a lot of use of synth and samples, this band is truely original and very listenable. If they get themselves together with good promotion and support slots, they'll definately be around the Manchester scene for a while.

Mr Fang Myspace
Track to listen to: Miss Deluxe (no link available, or video).

Our Fold

Bolton based Our Fold are going to make it. They are. No doubt in my mind.
I was introduced by the guy who puts gigs on at Bolton University, and I can honestly say I'm impressed. The band fit perfectly into the current wave of indie, but without being samey. Impressive technical songs keep you glued to the stereo, and even listening to the demos you can tell the songs would fit perfectly onto Radio 1. Imagine current Radio1 bumboys The Twang, but not wank. In fact, very amazing. Presenting, our fold.

Our Fold Myspace
Track to listen to: Victim of lies (check the cowbell out!!)

Belt, tap and needle:

Also check out Shura below...

That's it for unsigned bands this post! Samba out!

That's not the case

2007-04-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

Only time for a quick post. Was going to be a big unsigned band post, but left all the links at work!

So, instead, I treat you to the following. Beautiful, beautiful music at its best. By a very talented'un called Shura, who deserves fame a lot more than most the singer/songwriter rubbish out there atm.

Watch. Enjoy. Comment.

That's Not The Case Live

Shuras myspace

Reuben Sandwich

2007-04-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

Apparently they're big in America. Never heard of it myself.

The band Reuben, I have however. They're one of my fave bands, like ever. From Aldershot, home to bands such as Vex Red (before they shut up shot), Reuben are potentially the catchiest heavy band in existance. An Oxymoron to an extent, but when you listen to them, all will become clear.

Lead singer and guitarist of the 3 piece, Jamie Lenman, has simply the most dynamic voice in history. He can go from shouty screams (and i'm not a fan of screaming in bands, but this man is the exception) to beutiful melodies in the blink of an eye. Add all this over some of the best technical drumming you will hear from a band, and heavy as you like bass lines, and you have one of the best bands out there. I assure you, there is nothing out there quite like Reuben.

They are on the verge of releasing album 3 (so if you haven't heard yet, what's your excuse!?). First album, Racecar is Racecar backwards, was a 16 track epic (they wanted to record as many tracks as possible in case they didn't get the chance to again) which simply had hit after hit after hit on it. Although some songs aren't as mainstream-friendly as others, you'll find it difficult to not like them. Second album, very fast, very dangerous, was just as good, releasing some very welcomed fresh material to the fans, which saw some very "pop" songs (I say pop. I mean if metallica did pop. But nothing like metallica. Because Reuben are good), and some very, very hardcore shizzle.

The band have since parted company with their label Xtra mile, created their own (Hideous records) on which they have recorded and are about to release "In nothing we trust", the making of which can be seen on a hilarious video blog on the myspace, and have already released their DVD "What happens in Aldershot, stays in Aldershot". With backing from a lot of alt radio, including the infamous Zane Lowe, hopefully the band can finally get some of the success they deserve.

O, forgot to mention, they're doing a massive fat tour to support the whole thing, and on the grounds i've seen them about 6 times, I can safely say they're one of the best live acts on the circuit at the moment.

Reuben myspace
Reuben website

"Keep it to yourself", from very fast, very dangerous

Succioperro. Weird Spanish? Perhaps. Great band? Certainly.

I discovered them supporting Reuben on their most recent tour. Superb! They're like Biffy Clyro, but cleverer and more accessible. Getting their album is certainly on the Top Of My List Of Things To Do. Unforgiving riffs, with beautiful vocals over the top. One of those bands that it will always upset you because you can't see them getting that big break that they really deserve.

O, and an interesting tidbit for you. Did you ever hear of Marmaduke duke? It was the lead singer of Biffy Clyros side project. Technically, it still is. But the point is, that it was done with one of the guys from Sucioperro. They're all from the same place in Scotland! Imagine that.

Check out the video for Dialog on the 2 below. An epic tune if ever they were.

Sucioperro myspace
Sucioperro website

Dialog on the 2

I suppose to top this trio off I might as well bring it back to Biffy Clyro. Biffy are from Ayreshire. Biffy have been going for ages without receiving the credit they receive. Biffy are amazing.

You've probably heard of them. They're on the verge of releasing fourth album "Puzzle" on major label Warner, and they've had oen of their singles, "Saturday Superhouse", hammered to hell on Radio 1. The key here, is that this is their fourth album. That means, 3 more before it. And i'll tell you now, they're good. Very good. So good that if you buy an album this week, make it one of them. I'd probably recommend their debut, "Blackened sky", as it's the most accessible, and a good way to ease yourself in.

You probably want to know what they're like. It's not an easy answer. They play clever, clever music, with time changes, and melody changes, and vocal changes, but make everything flow. This is the epitimy of a band that does not follow the verse chorus verse chorus bridge verse chorus route of song writing (Hello Kaiser Chiefs).

Listen to them. NOW.

Biffy Clyro myspace
Biffy Clyro website
Toys toys toys choke toys toys toys

You're really growing on me

2007-04-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, the new LCD soundsystem album isn't.

I can guaruntee that you won't be seeing a high scoring nicey nicey review on Monday.

Also, there's going to be another review this week. I have the ownership of the only promo copy of Billy Ruffians "My secret life". They're a small Manchester band, so i'll review them as album 2.5.

The war on DRM is starting to heat up. DRM, digital rights management, is the thing that stops you copying songs and such like. It's also what means you can only play songs you buy off iTunes on ipods.
It was announced (a week or so ago) that it's going to be possible to buy high quality, DRM free iTunes songs! You'll even be able to pay to upgrade old songs to DRM free (at a cost).

EMI is the only participating member at the moment, but things can only get better right? The sooner DRM is gone, the better.

Link to the story

Album 2: Maximo park, "Our Earthly Pleasures"

2007-04-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

"Our Earthly pleasures" is the Sunderland based Maximo Parks second full length LP, the follow up to "A certain trigger", a storming debut which put the band firmly in the publics mind.

Club favourites "Grafitti" and "Apply some pressure", songs with catchy vocal lines and indie guitars quickly saw the band grow a massive fan base and find fame in both Europe and further abroad, although they have yet to break into America.

One of the things I, and many others, love about Maximo Park are vocalist Paul Smiths use of accent in his vocals. The lead singer fully utilises his North Eastern roots in his vocals, bringing the band a unique and beautifully british sound to their music.

A lot rested on the bands follow up, "our earthly pleasures", as to whether to the band were 1 album wonders or whether they could truely cement their place in the hearts and minds on the record buying public. I'm extatic to report, the band have not let down, and actually managed to supercede a great first album with a follow up to be cherished.

The first single from the album, "Our Velocity", is a keyboard and riff-tastic guitar driven song that races along at the speed of light. An ultimate tune for the indie dance floors, this is one of those songs that is so good, it's going to be on the "best of the 00's" CDs when we're all 50. Having said that, CDs won't exist then, but that's a whole different ball game. It is by far the most instantly catchy song on the album, in the same way "Grafitti" was to "A Certain Trigger".

The song also signalled what the band referred to as a much "heavier" album than the first. Now, I don't think it's possible to qualify Maximo as "heavy", but it's all relative; The album is a more driving and poppy than the first, with a much heavier reliance on crunching guitar chords, as well as considerably greater influence from pianist Lucas Wooler. This is most ceratainly exemplified on one of the best tracks on the album, "Russian Literature". Piano builds up in an epic way along with brilliant vocals, leading to a song with so much dynamic, pace and punch that you want to be able to make every person you've ever met listen to it. "Are you hopeful or just gullable" is belted out with a beutiful harmonised last note in the build up that it gives you shivers down the spine on first listen.

The build up and quite down formula is used quite regularly on this album, for example in "Your Urge", which features brilliant lyrics about one night stands and giving a great social commentary, in a much more subtle way than anything the Arctic Monkeys have ever done. However, it is not overdone, and at no point does the album sound "samey".

Every song on this album has a personality. And each song is good, there are no fillers, but bear in mind some songs take a while to get into. "Karaoke plays" starts off sounding as a very mediocre quiet indie song, and as the 5th track starts to bring a come down on the album. That's for 30 seconds, until the Chorus kicks in, and what a chorus. "Someone gets run down, Kareoke plays somewhere in the background, but there is no explanation" Is sung powerfully to a background of amazingly full sounding guitars, which are loud and abrassive, whilst maintaining the shere beauty of this song. From that point on, the song is seen in a new light, and is simply fantastic.

IT is hard to fault the majority of this album. It really is. It flows perfectly, from the massively pacey song "The Unshockable" with it's into power-drums, to the off-beat and well crafted "A fortnights time", which sees the band experimenting with time changes, and going from high paced guitar to beautiful piano in an instance that blend so well, it shows why the band are as popular as they are.

When this album is heavy, it rocks out with the catchiest of guitar. At all other times, this album is beautiful. This band have one of the best lyricists in any band. And he's one of the best vocalists to boot. Listen to books from boxes as an example.

The album ends with 2 very different songs. "Sandblasted and set free" Initially sounds like this albums attempt at expiremental "the acrobat" from the first album, with the spoken vocals. However, it quickly turns into an emphatic, if not slightly more subdued, track. The song is the closest thing to a ballad on the album, and although the song is the closest thing to a "let down" on the album, it has a chorus that oozes charm and is sure to be a sing-a-long at gigs. Closing track "Parisian Skies" is a nice closing track. But unfortunately it's not more. A slightly darker chorus than the verse leaves the song losing any pull on the listener. Probably the song most reminisent of the previous album, it is the weakest song on the album by a while, but still worth a listen.

This album has been beautifully produced, the band have written beautiful songs. A faultless album that is a must own. These songs are indie-pop at their best, and by pop I don't mean it in the busted sense. Each song has had heart and soul poured into it, with perfectly supporting and flowing bass, lyrics and vocals that will have your ear glued to the speaker wanting to take it in, and piano that makes a much greater impression than in "A Certain Trigger", and this album benefits all the more for it.

8.5/10

Download: Russian Literature, Books from Boxes.
Don't download: N/A

Your urge : Maximo Park (MP3)

www.myspace.com/maximopark
www.maximopark.com

Work relief

2007-04-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.stupidquestions.org/courtroom-humor.htm

Hilarious. I love the USA.

Week 3...

2007-04-16T04:57:00.000-07:00

And so, today marks the start of week 3, and review of album number 2, Maximo Park's "Our Earthly Pleasures". Hopefully, I will right the review and put it up tonight for your delectation.

Just been out to buy next weeks album. Difficuly choice, in what seems a lacklustre week for new music. It ended up being between Bloc Party's "A weekend in the city", The Gossips new one, and LCD soundsystem "the sound of silver". The result was the latter. It's going in the player now...

If you're in a bloc mood, head over to Good weather for Airstrikes. It's an ace music blog, especially for new music, but apparantly they've gone mad for the party. Loads of remixs and such like available. One of which is below!

Interesting note. My band, the 100 club, is playing Night and Day next week. And Rich from high voltage is coming! Wooooooooo.

“I Still Remember” (SebastiAn Remix) - Bloc Party (MP3)

ALBUM 1: Yourcodenameis:milo, "They came from the sun"

2007-04-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Right, catch up time. Tomorrow beckons the beginning of week 3, and I've yet to right a review. I may do each album a week in lieu, to give me true absorbtion time. Meaning i'm only slightly behind!

"They came from the sun" is the North Eastern quintets (Sort of) second full long play offereing. I say sort of, as they recently released "Print is Dead volume 1", an album of collaborations with artists like Gordon Moakes (Bloc Party), the Automatic, Lethal Bizzle and Reuben. A quality album, which was recorded simulateneously with TCFTS in their "Like a cat, like a fox" Studios located under a bridge in Byker, named after the original title for first album Ignoto. The boys have built the studio from scratch, begging, borrowing and stealing whatever they can to improve it.

YCNI:M are a band that have progressed far in their time on the music scene. Their first offering, the "All Roads to Fault" E.P., saw them producing some very raw, heavy music with a very stripped back 3guitarsbassdrumsandvocals set up. The E.P. saw some great songs, with great riffs, vocals, and bizarre timings. Best tracks on the play are title track, "All roads to fault" and "fourthree".

With second offering, "Ignoto", the band showed a much more more grown up sound, the quality of which was enhanced by production from FLOOD. This album brought more great riffs (check out single "Schteeve" and "the General"), but saw much bigger sounding songs, showing the benefits time can bring to a band. The album also saw the introduction of a distortion effect on singer Paul Mullens voice, which helped to enhance the songs bulk, bringing further comparisons to bands such as "At The Drive In". The album also saw some quiter, much more experimental tracks such as "Team Radar" and "the Audition", which brought a new sound to the bands musical CV, but was quite a dramatic change which took some adapting to for some fans (including myself).

Current album, "They came from the sun", sees the band produce what I can only describe as a masterpiece. The band recorded and produced the album themselves, with no outside help. For most bands, this would lead to a poor quality album, but YCNI:M have shown great intelligence, and musical apttitude, to produce what is going to be one of the albums of the year.

First track on the album, "Pacific Theatre", starts as the rest of the album goes on. On first listen, All I could think was "what the hell is going on?". But in a good way, as the music is so clever that a song often takes a few listens to even begin to take it in. The main riff in this song, catchy as it is, is almost status quo esque but fused with alt rock at it's best. The song twists and turns, as the beat changes dramatically for the chorus, leading to a truely epic aural experience. This is the sort of music that requires you to sit down, put the album on, and do nothing but listen. This, ladies and gentlement, is intelligent rock at its best.

This album also shows a much greater use of synth and electronic effects in the songs, as shown from tracks "All that was missing" and "I'm leaving". This adds a completely new dynamic to songs, which hasn't been seen before by the band. "I'm leaving" in particular, is a very potent song, making a big use of synth in conjunction with very clever guitar, to create a song which loses none of the classic YCNI:M charm, but is catchy in an almost pop-esque way.

One noticable change on this album is the drumming style. "Ignoto" drummer Paul Gamble Beresford left the band to be replaced by Shaun Abbott, who has clearly stamped his mark on the album in a big way. Whilst elements of the bands trademark querky drum timings can still be found, such as closing instrumental track "Dicta Boelcke", the majority of this albums drums are made up of very simple driving beats. Although it's dissapointing that the drums have lost some of the emphasis in the songs due to their simplicity, they work amazingly on most places in the album. Afore mentioned "All that was missing", and experimental track "Translate", have frankly perfect driving beats that simply make the song. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the drums, although different, do not lower the quality of the songs in any way. The driving beats on this album make it what it is.

"Take to the floor" is probably the straightest song on the album, seeing Paul going into full singing mode in a way not seen since ARTF, and seeing the rest of the band regressing to this period too. Great, clean guitars, brilliant drums, and nice supporting bass.

The latter of the tracks, "Translate", sees the bands create a perfect fusion of old and new, with the use of vocal effects to completely change the way they are used in a song, but with the jerky guitar seen from ARTF. Not one of the most accessible tracks for a casual listener, but definately a grower.

Tracks "I'm impressed", "Evening" and "Screaming ground" see the band produce the best songs to come out of Britain in a very long time. The guitar riffs in "Evening" and "Screaming ground" have to be heard to be beleived. Songs so perfectly written, executed and recorded doesn't happen very often. "I'm impressed" has to be my track of the album, with simply brilliant technical drumming and guitar, leading into a vocal and guitar harmony that just makes the listener want to loop that section of the song over and over again.

People looking to the quieter side of YCNI:M will not be left upset, with "sixfive" producing a beautiful piece of well produced music, which is experimental in many ways, but results in a well rounded track that fits the album, and the band, a lot better than some of the attempts on "Ignoto " did.

First single off the long player is "Understand", which is a very radio-friendly song. Great guitars and vocal hook make this song very listenable, particularly for those who haven't heard the band before. The chorus shows great utilisation of the 3 guitar structure, to produce a quality track.

Let me say now, in summary, this album is brilliant. This is potentially the only album i've ever heard without a single filler or let down. Every single song has something good to listen to, something that will appeal to anyone who likes great music. Most bands hope to write a song of the quality of one of these songs at least once in their career, and YCNI:M has produced an album full of them.

This album far supercedes previous release Ignoto. As good as it was, it felt like it was missing something, and in parts was very "out there". This album is constant and flows. This album feels right. Every song fits in the role it is given, all the bits work together. Listen to the album from start to finish and cherish every second. This is an art piece.

Welcome, the saviours of British music.

The band are on tour around the UK this month.

Score: 9/10

Download: "I'm Impressed", "Screaming Ground"
Don't download: n/a
http://www.yourcodenameismilo.com
http://www.myspace.com/yourcodenameismilo

Translate : Yourcodenameis:milo (MP3)

Post 0: What are you on about man?

2007-04-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

52 Weeks, 52 Albums... is pretty self explanatory. Every week, for a year, I will buy/gain ownership of an album. Then I willl review it on here.

Why? Because I love music. I do. I know everyone says it, because it's cool to, or whatever, or blah.... But I do. It's a big part of my life, but yet I don't make nearly enough effort to listen to things. I am a radio 1 listener when I do listen to the radio, and would highly recommend the Colin Murray show to anyone who doesn't know what to listen to. Especially on Tuesdays, with the black hole, where they play content of the net such as demos and remixs and such like.

So yes, its main point is to encourage me to listen to more music. But also to listen to stuff I might not normally.

1 Key point to note: This isn't a "challenge". I won't "Fail" if I miss a week for some reason. IT's just a nice idea, which I will try to keep to.

Also, this isn't exclusively for the 52 albums. I will make a big song and dance about them, but i'll post other bits and pieces on here too. Bands you should check out, news you should know about and such like.

In the mean time, bands you should check out:
Reuben
Yourcodenameis:milo
Biffy Clyro
Dive Dive
3rd Dan
Maximo Park
Hadouken!
Scroobius vs. Pip
The 100 club (shameless plug)
Billy Ruffian
Shmoo

There are a lot more, but that's for another day. The above bands will be thrust upon you in greater detail at a future point. Album 1 is in fact YCNI:Ms "They came from the sun", and Album 2 is Maximo Parks "Our Earthly Pleasures". That's right, I came up with the album idea before the blog. :D.

I will probably be back on here later with more stories to regail. But for now, my work is done.

Samba