Forgive me hipsters, indie scenesters and other high-brow readers of the blog. I’m about to commit a cardinal sin of the underground blogosphere - I’m about to blog about … Coldplay.
I wouldn’t typically, but I’m a huge fan of their new song Violet Hill, and have been listening to it on repeat for the last 28 hours (when it was posted on the band’s site for free download, Radiohead styles, for a week only).
As always, Chris Martin’s lyrics are a combination of poetic, meaningful, meaningless and singalongy:
Clearly I remember
From the windows they were watching
While we froze down below
When the future’s architectured
By a carnival of idiots on show
You’d better lie low
If you love me
Won’t you let me know?
The song, like the rest of the band’s upcoming album, was produced by legend Brian Eno, who has time and time again been enlisted by bands, like U2, to change their sounds and styles. Violet Hill is definitely somewhat of a departure from Coldplay’s typical style, and it kind of excites me for their upcoming album (Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends) due June 17th.
Since being posted 24hours ago, the song has been downloaded 600,000 times, and Last.fm has pointed out that the Coldpay figures are a record, exceeding even the most popular track from the Radiohead album that was streamed for free back in October. That notched up 22,000 listens in 12 hours. Ok - that’s all I’ll say about Coldplay - promise.
Nada Surf make perfect pop songs. And they’re really great songs too. I’m always surprised that they aren’t bigger than they are.
They hit huge in ‘96 with their massive single “Popular”, than they were dumped by their major label. 7 years later they came out with Let Go and have been working their way back up in the indie music scene.
Their new album Lucky is my new soundtrack for this summer. Each song just bounces with catchy hooks and pretty interesting turns. It’s very easy to listen to, but has enough depth to keep bringing you back, not revealing everything at first listen. The album’s center track, “Are You Lightning?” is one of my favorite love songs written in the past few years.
I also got the chance to go see them a few weeks ago at the beautiful Opera House. First thing i noticed was the much older crowd. I’m guessing most of them have been following them since 1996… I even spotted a couple of The Barenaked Ladies in the crowd. But anyways, it was a pretty solid show, of almost 2 hours of pop rock perfection.
Have a listen, and pick their music!
http://www.barsuk.com/shop/nadasurf
As I’m sure you are all aware, Ed Rec Vol III will be released May 26th. Eeeeeeee!!!! It feels too far away. I don’t like waiting. Especially not for something that I know will be génial. In the mean time Feadz has put together a little mash-up of what is to come and it is so so yummy. It is Steak-Frites deliciousness.
ps. Uffie is getting married to some lamo named Andre?! She is supposed to marry Feadz!!! They were ed rec lovebirds and he is pretty much responsible for her career! In the words of Full House’s Stephanie Tanner…”How rude!”. anyways…i could continue this rant all day long but instead i’ll leave you with the track-list. voila…
1. Mr. Oizo - Yves
2. Busy P - To Protect And Entertain (feat. Murs)
3. Mr. Flash - Over The Top
4. SebastiAn - Dog
5. Uffie - Robot Oeuf
6. Justice - Stress (Auto Remix)
7. Mr. Oizo - Minuteman’s Pulse
8. DJ Mehdi - Pocket Piano
9. Krazy Baldhead - No Cow, No Pow
10. DSL - Find Me In The World
11. Feadz - Back It Up (feat. Spank Rock)
12. So Me - Decalcomania
I’m so in love with the weather right now … I finished exams 4 days ago, and all I’ve been doing is roaming the streets of Kingston, checking out galleries, parks, different spots along the lake, and enjoying many friends’ company for the last time. Lots of emotions - very bizzare time. It’s also been the best time of my life. I’ve been listening to a combination of songs, new and old, I thought I might share the ear-candy. Big ups to C-Devs and Neon Hearts Club for inspiring some of the choices.
Hopefully everyone got their tickets in today’s Radiohead melee. I can’t wait until August.
In other concert-going news, tonight I saw Born Ruffians at Call the Office. I wasn’t entirely familiar with them, but I’ve listened to the new album, which I found intriguing, and $10 was the right price. Plus, I needed a study-break, so it fit the bill.
Opening was the Problems out of Guelph, featuring a bassist with an unfortunate mustache, a guitarist with a crutch as a fashion statement, and the drummer from Cuff the Duke, who’s suggested problem was a colostomy bag. *ba dum ching* But seriously, this was quirky, fun rock and roll with more of that banter I love. The only song title I recall was “How to Raise a Canary,” but they delivered a solid set of quick songs that left me wanting more.
The next act was Young Rival. I saw them in Port Dover three or four years ago when they were known as the Ride Theory, and aside from the name, not much has changed. It was dull, boring and kind of lifeless rock. It felt like there was no energy coming off the stage. I’m sure they’re technically good at what they do, but I just don’t get them.
Finally, Born Ruffians took the stage, despite the singer appearing to have a bit of a cold. Normally when I see bands I’m not too familiar with, there’s a bit of a disconnect. However, from the opening chords of Red Yellow and Blue I was drawn into the ensuing party. I wish I knew more of the lyrics at the time so I could’ve joined in the joyous sing-along more than I did. It felt like going down a rollercoaster, minus the fear of dying. Best of all they finished off the set with my favourite song off the new album, I Need a Life, prior to coming back for an encore. I highly recommend you see them if you get the chance.
Anyone who knows my music taste (or has heard me talk non-stop about what I’m into) knows that I love The Lodger. Love. Their first album Grown-Ups was to me the best album of 2007. It’s perfect guitar pop for anyone who’s ever wondered if “this is what life is all about” while listening to “Wan Light” by Orange Juice.
But sometimes I never want a sophomore album to come out because it just diminishes my holy view of a debut. I don’t know if Life Is Sweet, The Lodger’s second album due out May 19, will be as perfect as its predecessor, but the first single “The Good Old Days” has got me excited. It’s being released by Bad Sneakers Records, home to the equally excellent Wild Beasts, whose debut album is sure to be overplayed on my stereo when it finally comes out. But back to the good old days. Imagine if the Mystery Jets tried to record a Saint Etienne song. Nuff said.
College campus heroes Ra Ra Riot and Vampire Weekend have been buddies for years. Ra Ra spent 06 and 07 opening for the Editors, Art Brut and Tokyo Police Club. The release of their debut LP got delayed after their drummer, JR Pike, died last year. His untimely death inspired the song “Dying is Fine,” which is probably the band’s most interesting song yet. Vampire Weekend on the other hand has been all over the place this year, including here. Both bands are typically categorized as “Indie Rock/Pop”, although I’m going to have to check with Sabrina to make sure they’re not Lo-Fi Math Rock with a hint of Twee. Given this, it came as a surprise to me to hear the sound and style of the new project “Discovery”.
Rostam Batmanglij (the brains behind the VW sound) went to his buddy Wes Miles (lead singer of Ra Ra) and told him that he wanted to make an EP that sounded like a collaboration between The Album Leaf and T-Pain. The baby of this collabo is the “Discovery EP” which can be heard on the pair’s Myspace page. Rostam has Wes singing through an auto-toner on one song, uses fatter synths than DJ Toomp laid down on Kanye’s Flashing Lights on another track, while dropping poppy romantic lyrics like “Oh baby baby baby babe, how long am I supposed to wait, I think about you nightly, can you tell I’m nervous every time you speak?” over sweet sweet electro-pop beats.
The three track EP is sweeet and features three songs that I can’t download anywhere. So head over to their Myspace page and enjoy:
To go along with the rest of the blogosphere, here is a track from Islands’ forthcoming Arm’s Way. Islands really turned me off a few years back when they played a show here in London. Perhaps it was Nick Diamonds/Thorburn/ Whatever-he’s-calling-himself-these-days being aloof, a bit of an ass, and the general lack of staying power of Return to the Sea that irked me, but I’m really feeling this new song. A darker turn from the previous sugary pop, more Humans than Rough Gem (which they’ve apparently disowned), Creeper somehow manages to be the catchiest song about a stalker I can remember.
