Klaxons- Love frequency

Hi,

Klaxons' long anticipated new album "love frequency" came out a few days ago. You can buy it on iTunes for £7.99 or listen on spotify or on soundcloud HERE. This is the 'present' album in their trilogy of past, present and future albums so it was always going to be very difficult to predict how this one was going to turn out, they haven't done an awful job but I'm still a little disappointed with some of the tracks.

Tracklist
1) A new reality
2) There is no other time
3) Show me a miracle
4) Out of the dark
5) Children of the sun
6) Invisible forces
7) Rhythm of life
8) Liquid light
9) The dreamers
10) Atom to atom
11) Love frequency

It's a house style, electro beat, dance album but not the experimental, scuzzy, old-school electronics that we're used to with Klaxons. "Children of the sun" has some nice indie-rock electronic melodies and typical klaxons space age soundscape with a lot of varied verses and interesting harmonies. Some of the tracks aren't even recognizable as klaxons anymore. "There is no other time" is 70s disco music, while it played I imagined cheesey top of the pops dancing with flared jeans and a mullet! I struggled to listen to this song to the end. "The dreamers" however is smooth and lovely with poetic lyrics that are pleasing to listen to and a beautiful intro that really contrasts with the pop club beats of some of the other tracks. Songs like "invisible forces" seem to have lost the klaxons-esque ambiguous meanings and interesting sounds and word structure. The keyboard in this song and others is a nice effect and is the closest to a real instrument that we get to on this album. I'm not a fan of exclusively computer generated music.

I am a little disappointed at the long anticipated release of "Love frequency", but maybe that's partly due to the fact that I had high expectations and have been waiting a long time. It definitely wasn't what I expected but it isn't bad for what it's trying to do. Some of the tracks have gone off the rails and are a bit too pop for my tastes but they haven't done such a bad job at a dance record in its own right. I'm not sure how big klaxons fans will take this album though.  6/10 

Tall Ships

Hi,

Today's post is on "Tall Ships".

Background Info:
Tall Ships are an experimental band based in Brighton, originally from Falmouth, Cornwall. They play mainly indie and alternative rock, with a bit of indie-grunge-pop. They have 3 albums, 3 EPs and a few singles out on iTunes HERE and their soundcloud page is HERE

They have a very alternative indie-rock, indie-grunge sound. Although their style changes throughout their music, the the basic indie-rock sound and rounded, slightly nasal vocals stay constant. They have a very unique sound and can be recognised in a crowd which is a good skill in the ever-growing world of music culture. Their electric, classic rock sounds and shouting, fuzzy lyrics in "Hit the floor" are a great example of what can be done with layered fast moving chords over very prominent drum beats and a ground melody keeping the song recognisable with the heavy bass towards the end and sharp electric chords in the middle. "Plate Tectonics" is heading towards the more popp-y end of the spectrum with the less roughed up vocals and more predictable chords and drums towards the beginning. Although the middle takes us away from the familiar melody and into a wonderful intermission with gorgeous guitar work! A whole lot of fun! This band is great!

iTunes Single of the week #11

Hi,

I haven't done one of these for a while but here we go....
This week's was "Rockstar" by A great big world.

A great big world are an indie-pop/ indie rock duo from New York. They have one album out called "is there anybody put there?".

Review:
This indie-pop/rock song is catchy and gets you dancing. The lyrics are great and really well written. The piano is a jazzy and it helps keep a steady tune all the way through which is missing in a lot songs like this. The electric guitar fits nicely with the lyrics and is cleverly put in at the right times to give us the person's dream. The singer is very talented, sounding comfortable with the fast moving tune but not keeping the melody safe. I really love this track with the texture changing rapidly, the vocals adapting to this all the way through and the amazing piano and guitar work. A really great song! Definitely should be downloaded while it still can be!

Overall, I really love this song so 8/10!

iTunes Single of the week #8

Hi,

The single this week was "British Weather" by Decade.

Decade are a 5 piece indie-rock, alternative grunge band from Bath. They have one self titled EP and one full album called "Good luck" out.

(I usually put a picture of the single cover but I can't find a reasonable quality one anywhere on the internet!! Sorry!)

Review:
This band are not really original or unique but they do have talent, it's a bit dull and samey. They sound so much like fall out boy that they aren't really defined as a band. It is just your average indie rock song, nothing very different or special! I think the band do have some merit as they are talented, but it's been done before boys! The song passes the time and it is not so bad you can't listen to it, it's just boring and fades into the background. The vocalist has tones of American grunge pop which makes it sound a bit too pretentious for my tastes.

Overall this song is good but dull and average. I will give it 4/10!

iTunes Single of the week review #7

Hi,

So this week's single was "This haze" by Patterns.

Patterns are a 4 piece indie-drone pop band. They have 2 albums out: Dangerous intentions and Walking Lines. I would recommend them if you like "Of monsters and men" or "Kodaline". 

Review:

Patterns have a high pitched singer which I admit is an acquired taste, but can be so gorgeous! I love the intro with the mysterious guitar drone and "wobbly" notes sung! They have a sophisticated electronic sound but definitely indie with elements of pop. The guitar twangs are just so lovely and there is a gorgeous backing keyboard drone. The crashing drums add extra texture that gives depth and makes the song feel fuller and more like a whole piece of music. My only complaint would be that its a bit samey and can get boring listening to it.

Overall I really like this, it has some great depth to it, but its very slightly samey and boring. I would give it 8/10!

iTunes Single of the week Review #6

Hi,

So the iTunes single this week is "Holding onto heaven" by Foxes.

Foxes is a 24 year old pop and electronic singer from Southampton. She has one EP out called Warrior that came out in May 2012.

Review:
The intro starts with electronic twinkly notes, then she starts singing and we hear breathy, gentle, girly vocals that sound slightly croaky and distressed. Her voice is poppy but she is quite talented. When the first chorus is played it starts to get a bit charty, sounding like the generic mainstream artists. She does sing with surprising emotion and you can't deny that she has talent even if that sort of singing isn't your cup of tea. I love the last part where she sings with just piano chords and strings, I don't think her voice needs to be weighed down with all the poppy texture that it was before. The last bit sounds lighter and more free. The track ends with the same twinkly notes it started with, which I like.

Overall, I think there are some really great elements to this song, so I'll give it 6/10.

My iTunes wish list

Hi,

So today I'll be showing you my iTunes wish list. This is my Christmas wish list which I started a couple of weeks ago after I had my last music shopping spree. Click on the album title to see it on the iTunes website and listen to previews.

And in no particular order......
All the little lights by passenger
Shangri La by Jake Bugg
Happiness by Hurts
Dead & born & grown by The Staves (wouldn't open on iTunes, sorry)
Snowglobe EP by Jesca Hoop
Aventine by Agnes Obel
Emily and the woods Ep by Emily and the woods
Wake the earth by Honey Trees
Eye to eye EP by Emily and the woods
In love by Peace
Pure Heroine by Lorde
Pathways EP by Billy Locket
Fire within by Birdy
Like I used to by Lucy Rose
Days are gone by HAIM
Invisible empire by KT Tunstall
If you leave by Daughter

Can't wait to buy this lot!!