So,
Here I am again, after just a day's break. Clearly I have much to talk about. Further to my last post, I'd like to talk more about some of the amazing music I have been listening to. Where to start?
Well, currently I am listening to Fever Ray's eponymously titled debut offering. For the uninitiated, Fever Ray is Karin Dreijer Andersson, one half of the sibling duo, The Knife, who many of you will know. There are definitely similarities in the production style with The Knife, namely that the music is still basically synth-pop, all arpeggiated and such. But unlike The Knife's techno leanings, Fever Ray goes down the haunting, ethereal gothic route. Not that I am expert mind, but I can certainly hear The Cure and Depeche Mode in there. And maybe even Ryuichi Sakamoto. Although this is much more chilling. Apparently it's the sound of a new mother's sense of frustration and isolation when still awake with child in the middle of the night. And boy, can I sense that. Brrrrr! But the production is absolutely amazing. And the album is growing on me with every listen.
What else have I been listening to? Probably too much to tell for one blog, but would definitely have to single out Fuck Buttons' debut album offering, "Street Horrrsing" as absolutely incredible. The Bristol duo have certainly put out a shimmering, magisterial post-rock effort of epic proportions. Basically, if you like Mogwai, you will probably like Fuck Buttons. Although dare I say it, FB have slightly more "dancey" elements and incorporate more melody, so may be easier to digest for anyone new to the "soft-loud" dynamic sound that Mogwai basically invented. All the tracks are absolutely incredible, and average about 8 minutes in length, so not for the fainthearted. The standout track is probably "Bright Tomorrow" which incorporates a steady 4x4 kick-drum, slow, chugging synths, brooding visceral guitars, and ends with the sound of a screaming, eerie tortured voice all laiden on top. Crescendo is certainly the word. Amazing. Oh yeah, and I absolutely love FB's abstract artwork (see above), which has definitely been given my mate Ben's seal of approval (and he is a graphic designer don't you know).
Other albums I been listening to recently include Junior Boys' latest release, "Begone Dull Care", which continues the Canadian duos interesting and well produced retro synth-pop sound. And TV On The Radio's latest album, "Dear Science". Now granted, this was a bit of a wild card for me, especially given I don't listen to that many bands. But having been given 9.1 by Pitchfork Media, I had to take this seriously. And after a few listens, I have deifinitely got into the sound. I guess I would describe TVOTR as rock, but with some electronic leanings, which is probably why I rate them. Some real standout tracks, including "Love Dog" which is like a beautiful, lullaby. Have really fallen for Tunde Adebimpe's voice. Very soothing indeed.
I suppose the album I have been most looking forward to has been Nathan Fake's eagerly anticipated sophomore effort, "Hard Islands". Don't think I need to harp on about how bloody good "Drowning in a Sea of Love" was. Electronica shoe-gazing at its finest. Apparently, Nathan Fake produced that album whilst still living with his folks in Norfolk, whilst his second album offering was produced from his new abode in Hackney. And boy can you tell. It is a much tougher, hard-edged prospect. Pretty much techno, though with the Nathan Fake/Border community IDM tag stamped all over it. I.e. still very interesting production, still with shoegaze elements and has plenty of glitch. That said, I have been pretty disappointed. The tunes just aren't as catchy. No really discernible melodies as far as I can hear. Think the standout track is "Fentiger", the last on the album, that has a big synthy breakdown mid-way through, that probably most resembles stuff from the first album. Don't get me wrong, Hard Islands is still a decent album, but it was always going to be hard to match the amazing effort of DIASOL. Will be interesting to hear what Nathan Fake's third LP is like. Though not sure if I can wait another 3 years...
Well, that's about it for now. Could drone on a lot more, but my neck is starting to ache.
Next blog: I wll probably be talking about quite how much I am enjoying watching "The Incredible Human Journey" on BBC2, presented by Dr Alice Roberts. It is absolutely fascinating, and should be of interest to anyone who has ever thought about where modern homo-sapiens has come from, and how we have adapted and evolved into different races, cultures and creeds. Plus Alice Roberts isn't exactly hard to look at, though don't want to sexualise someone who is clearly a proper scientist. Still, I am a red-blooded male...
Peace,
F.
Here I am again, after just a day's break. Clearly I have much to talk about. Further to my last post, I'd like to talk more about some of the amazing music I have been listening to. Where to start?
Well, currently I am listening to Fever Ray's eponymously titled debut offering. For the uninitiated, Fever Ray is Karin Dreijer Andersson, one half of the sibling duo, The Knife, who many of you will know. There are definitely similarities in the production style with The Knife, namely that the music is still basically synth-pop, all arpeggiated and such. But unlike The Knife's techno leanings, Fever Ray goes down the haunting, ethereal gothic route. Not that I am expert mind, but I can certainly hear The Cure and Depeche Mode in there. And maybe even Ryuichi Sakamoto. Although this is much more chilling. Apparently it's the sound of a new mother's sense of frustration and isolation when still awake with child in the middle of the night. And boy, can I sense that. Brrrrr! But the production is absolutely amazing. And the album is growing on me with every listen.
What else have I been listening to? Probably too much to tell for one blog, but would definitely have to single out Fuck Buttons' debut album offering, "Street Horrrsing" as absolutely incredible. The Bristol duo have certainly put out a shimmering, magisterial post-rock effort of epic proportions. Basically, if you like Mogwai, you will probably like Fuck Buttons. Although dare I say it, FB have slightly more "dancey" elements and incorporate more melody, so may be easier to digest for anyone new to the "soft-loud" dynamic sound that Mogwai basically invented. All the tracks are absolutely incredible, and average about 8 minutes in length, so not for the fainthearted. The standout track is probably "Bright Tomorrow" which incorporates a steady 4x4 kick-drum, slow, chugging synths, brooding visceral guitars, and ends with the sound of a screaming, eerie tortured voice all laiden on top. Crescendo is certainly the word. Amazing. Oh yeah, and I absolutely love FB's abstract artwork (see above), which has definitely been given my mate Ben's seal of approval (and he is a graphic designer don't you know).
Other albums I been listening to recently include Junior Boys' latest release, "Begone Dull Care", which continues the Canadian duos interesting and well produced retro synth-pop sound. And TV On The Radio's latest album, "Dear Science". Now granted, this was a bit of a wild card for me, especially given I don't listen to that many bands. But having been given 9.1 by Pitchfork Media, I had to take this seriously. And after a few listens, I have deifinitely got into the sound. I guess I would describe TVOTR as rock, but with some electronic leanings, which is probably why I rate them. Some real standout tracks, including "Love Dog" which is like a beautiful, lullaby. Have really fallen for Tunde Adebimpe's voice. Very soothing indeed.
I suppose the album I have been most looking forward to has been Nathan Fake's eagerly anticipated sophomore effort, "Hard Islands". Don't think I need to harp on about how bloody good "Drowning in a Sea of Love" was. Electronica shoe-gazing at its finest. Apparently, Nathan Fake produced that album whilst still living with his folks in Norfolk, whilst his second album offering was produced from his new abode in Hackney. And boy can you tell. It is a much tougher, hard-edged prospect. Pretty much techno, though with the Nathan Fake/Border community IDM tag stamped all over it. I.e. still very interesting production, still with shoegaze elements and has plenty of glitch. That said, I have been pretty disappointed. The tunes just aren't as catchy. No really discernible melodies as far as I can hear. Think the standout track is "Fentiger", the last on the album, that has a big synthy breakdown mid-way through, that probably most resembles stuff from the first album. Don't get me wrong, Hard Islands is still a decent album, but it was always going to be hard to match the amazing effort of DIASOL. Will be interesting to hear what Nathan Fake's third LP is like. Though not sure if I can wait another 3 years...
Well, that's about it for now. Could drone on a lot more, but my neck is starting to ache.
Next blog: I wll probably be talking about quite how much I am enjoying watching "The Incredible Human Journey" on BBC2, presented by Dr Alice Roberts. It is absolutely fascinating, and should be of interest to anyone who has ever thought about where modern homo-sapiens has come from, and how we have adapted and evolved into different races, cultures and creeds. Plus Alice Roberts isn't exactly hard to look at, though don't want to sexualise someone who is clearly a proper scientist. Still, I am a red-blooded male...
Peace,
F.
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