Friday 10 September 2010

Phil Selway-'By Some Miracle' video

Carrying on the Radiohead theme...

Just came across the video for Phil Selway's single from his brand new solo album 'Familial':

http://www.youtube.com/philipselway



Radiohead fan video

Just watched the Radiohead fan-made video from their live gig in Prague for the second time. One of the many superb gigs I've watched of this band. Some great camera angles, and a typically polished set from undoubtedly one of the most important bands of all time.

The whole set can be viewed from this youtube profile: http://www.youtube.com/user/keilj07

Little needs to be said about the band. Whether you're a fan or not, it's well worth the watch.

Mercury Music Prize: Reflection

In an earlier blog I promised to shed some thoughts on the (rather predictable) result of the Mercury Music Prize a few days ago-and now is the time (before it gets completely over-written about and boring).



I'm not a big xx fan, and certainly did not get caught up in the hysteria that went with their debut album, released over a year ago now. I always find that when one of their songs is on I find myself thinking this isn't bad, it's quite interesting and a bit different to most indie-pop (shite) around at the moment. Listening to the album through however, I find an extreme lack of diversity and although I hate saying it in regards to anything-it does all sound the same (or at least too similar). I can understand why they won though (especially after the fuss over Speech Debelle's win last year). The xx were the obvious and inevitable choice for this year, and I don't think too many were disappointed. I did feel however, that there were more deserved winners.

All the talk in the 'build up' was over Weller. The bookies were apparently taking it as a given that he was going to win, although this always seemed like a bit of a nonsense. I'm a huge Weller fan, however I wasn't as impressed with 'Wake Up The Nation' as everybody else. I prefer '22 Dreams' and still found that struggled quite a bit at times. Realistically, he hasn't written a brilliant album since 'Stanley Road' 15 years ago, so it would have been a bit of a backwards step for him to win. 

Personally I loved two of the albums nominated this year, with one deserving to win. The debut album from Irishman Conor O'Brien (better known as Villagers) was brilliant. I found myself telling everyone to listen to it and getting caught up in its lyrics and dark melodies for days on end. Winner of the Mercury award? Probably not. 


When a band is from Oxford, I usually take notice. 'Antidotes', the debut from Foals, really didn't do much for me. I found that it was very fashionable, and if I'm honest, pretty irritating in parts. They did however, completely turn it around with 'Total Life Forever', and should've won the prize. I don't want to praise the pants off the record as it's by no means perfect, and not my favourite of 2010...but I do think it ticked more boxes than any of the other albums nominated, therefore deserving to win the prize.  


Laura Marling album wasn't bad and Wild Beasts are quite interesting too. Neither of them scream at me though, and I rarely listen to either (never a good sign). I Am Kloot are probably the band that offered the least to the process . I mean they were never going to get close to winning...they don't seem like a Mercury sort of band. I've got nothing against them, but there's nothing interesting about them and so would've been a bit of a joke if they were to win. Listenable though.



The only other band that I feel could have won was Biffy Clyro. Although I'm not a massive Biffy fan, I do appreciate their music and they've grown quite steadily to become one of the forerunners in the indie scene at the moment. It may not have been the most of inspired of choices, but it would've been fair enough I guess. Going platinum probably didn't do their chances any favours.


It's over now, and will be forgotten by next week; but it is one of the few music awards that matters to me, and one that rewards interesting over 'perfect for BBC Radio 1'.






New Music #3 Kurran and the Wolfnotes

Loving the single 'Your Four Limbs' by Kurran and the Wolfnotes. Out next week.

Heard it first live last week.

Listen on their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kurranandthewolfnotes

New Music #2 Dylan LeBlanc

Having been told that Dylan LeBLanc was being hailed as 'the new Neil Young', it became a necessity to immediately listen to his album (released last month, also on Rough Trade). 'Paupers Field' is a brilliant country/folk record from a youngster who boasts maturity, and a sound beyond his years.

I would definitely say that Dylan's sound is more Ryan Adams than it is Neil Young. This is by no means a bad thing as I've spent the past few years loving pretty much every Ryan Adams album (especially Love is Hell). It seems funny to discuss Dylan's lyrics when not talking about the real thing, yet the youngster's lyrics have come to be questioned somewhat in reviews. Many journalists have wondered whether his words of hardship and struggle are genuine, or just written because of what he is clearly influenced by. Obviously I don't know anything about Dylan's childhood experiences, but all I can say is that the words are sung with feeling, and articulated in a rich, warm, engaging, and at times, persuasive way. You become a believer.

It's one of those albums that could be playing in the background and go a little unnoticed; but in truth it deserves the attention of a quiet night in, a glass of wine, a comfy sofa and the flickering light of candles, glowing in an otherwise dark room.