Friday, 31 October 2008

What's Wrong With The Mainstream - October '08

Having a holiday in September meant I was behind with my blog reading when I got back. The good news is that meant I had a wider array of songs to choose from for this month's playlist. I hope I chose the right ones.

I've added a couple more sites to the list of blogs I read down the right hand side. Added are The World Forgot and Neon Gold (that has replaced Good Weather For Airstrikes). Quite a few songs this month are from these sites so don't be shy, nip over there and see what they have to offer.

One Night In October - Little Comets

Des Lynam used to do it, in fact you could rely on him, Gary then continued the tradition and then all of a sudden it stopped. We sat there one Saturday night and suddenly it was missing. This year it was just the same. The confusion it must have cause the next morning must have been on a national scale. What am I talking about? Well the timely reminder that the clocks go back. Thankfully the Little Comets are here to remind us that the clocks go back.

MP3: One Night In October - Little Comets

Meccano - Red Light Company

Red Light Company are getting quite a lot of air play with their current single Scheme Eugene (getting a lot of play on my iPod at the moment). I'm excited as I'm going to see them at the tiny venue of The Louisiana in November. Enjoy this, their previous single.

MP3: Meccano - Red Light Company

Bitch Went Nuts - Ben Folds

This is for my good friend Q-Shoes, nothing to do with his ex (who's a lovely lady) but because he's a big fan of the piano playing maestro. I always thought he had issues (Ben not Q-Shoes) and this song just backs up my theory.

Sorry he uses the 'C' word in this, no not Christmas but funnily enough I have been called both C words on a football pitch, not sure where the guy was trying to say by calling me a Christmas tree but I was suitably offended.

MP3: Bitch Went Nuts - Ben Folds

Daylight - Matt & Kim

Another great piano based song that's doing the rounds on most blogs. Terrible band name but the song fits perfectly between the Ben Folds track and the Spinto Band song. You just thought I put these songs up in random order, shame on you! If you like this you can head over to RCRD LBL as they've got another Matt & kim song going for free.

Link: Daylight - Matt & Kim

Pumpkins & Paisley - The Spinto Band

From the band that brought you the fantastic Oh Mandy (not got it? download it Now ) a new album and not as much fuss this time. The songs alright but I've got a feeling they might not reach the heights of Oh Mandy again :-(

MP3: Pumpkins & Paisley - Spinto Band

Killer - Machines

I believe Machines have split up but that shouldn't stop me posting this song, after all "it's all about the music dude". I have to apologise as I can't remember which blog I got it off but they described them as sounding like Franz Ferdinand.

MP3: Killer - Machines

Casting Agents & Cowgirls - Busdriver

I can't put my finger on who these guys remind me of, I think at the start they sound a bit like Cypress Hill but after that I'm lost. It's something more friend Jimmy List would be in to and he like the Wu-Tang Clan.

MP3: Casting Agents & Cowgirls - Busdriver

UITC - We Plants Are Happy Plants

A track that wouldn't feel out of place in the War of the Worlds soundtrack. No words, just a dance track that's got an epic feel to it.

MP3: UITC - We Plants Are Happy Plants

When You're Not Around (Boys Noize Mix) - Frank Musik

I'm told the unremixed version of this is going to be massive. A new version of The Stranglers Golden Brown track but instead of "Golden Brown" it is "When You're Not Around". I look forward to hearing the single version.

MP3: When You're Not Around (Boys Noize Mix) - Frank Musik

I'd Be Lying - Greg Laswell

Singer-songwriter alert! I heard this the first time and wrote it off as another singer-songwriter song. It's not my type of music and James Morrison sits uneasily on my iTunes thanks to my wife. However, and it is a big however, if you don't want to walk around singing this song all day, don't listen to it. It's really catchy and much to my dismay I really like. Then again I try not to be a music snob so I hope you enjoy it too.

MP3: I'd Be Lying - Greg Laswell

Spaceman - The Killers

New material from Brandon et al. It's taken from a live performance they did on TV but I think it sounds promising.

MP3: Spaceman - The Killers

Ottoman - Vampire Weekend

MP3: Ottoman - Vampire Weekend

Paper Planes (Dskotek Remix) - M.I.A.

I've really got in to this track and I thought I'd post a remix to give you something a bit different from what the radio has been playing every five minutes.

Mp3: Paper Planes (Dskotek Remix) - M.I.A .

I Need A Life - Born Ruffians

Thanks to Winnie Cooper for this track (a blog not a character out of the wonder years, although I'm sure they're related). I actually heard an acoustic version of this on another blog first. If you like this version it might be worth you tracking the other version down.

MP3: I Need A Life - Born Ruffians

Walking On A Dream - Empire of the Sun

A blog I was reading described this as the track of 2008 so I had to give it a listen. I don't know whether it's because a lot of blogs tend to blow a lot of hot air or because every one's tastes are different but I wasn't surprised I was unimpressed by this song. Don't get me wrong it's a nice enough track but it wouldn't make my top ten of 2008. It sounds a bit like Fleetwood Mac or Midlake if you want a recent reference.

MP3: Walking On A Dream - Empire of the Sun

Back To Black (The Rumble Strips Remix) - Amy Winehouse

I believe this version's been around for a while and yes I know this songs been done to death but I thought it was worth posting. It brings a different slant on the song and it surprised me where The Rumble Strips went with it. I keep listening to it so that's a good sign.

Mp3: Back To Black (The Rumble Strips Remix) - Amy Winehouse

Ghost Town - Prodigy

I've been after this song for a while so I was grateful when Check The Availability posted it recently. Not a bad remix of the original classic.

MP3: Ghost Town - Prodigy

Mingus - I'm From Barcelona

I like songs with cities / towns in the title (they make playlists
easy) but I'm not sure about band names with Cities in them. Anyway this band talk about having a job you hate and getting home too late. Surely none of us feel like that. Oh and just because they're from Barcelona doesn't mean you can leave rude messages on their answerphone (sorry non UK readers that's a not so funny current affairs reference). Thanks to the not so differently titled "Mainstream Isn't So Bad...Is It?" blog for this track.

MP3: Mingus - I'm From Barcelona

Boneless - The Notwist

Right it's getting near 12 and it's getting near November. You'll have to wait until tomorrow for my Halloween playlist. Bet you can't wait. Anyway, enjoy The Notwist, a relaxing track that somehow gathers speed despite feeling slow.

MP3: Boneless The Notwist

Free stuff:

http://www.u-download.co.uk/ Is Universal's site for free downloads, you might want to pop along and see what they've got. There's remixes of Paris Is Burning, a Black Tide track and a Morrissey track for Schonberg and The Music remixed for Sillsy. Also a Courteeners live track and a couple of Noah and The Whale tracks. Oh and a Sugababes track, we're printing leaflets for one of their gigs at work at the moment. Wow I have an exciting job, not quite as exciting as when we printed Nelly's Pimp Juice posters but things will never be that exciting again.

The Hours are back and they are bringing in the heavy weights. Well the tall weights anyway. They have got Calvin Harris to remix their new track, not only that but they are giving away their biggest single off their first album Ali In The Jungle (can you guess who it's about?). To download it all you need to do is go to their home page and register to get their emails http://www.thehours.co.uk/

Tuesday, 21 October 2008

Long Blondes don't last so long

I have just read that the Long Blondes have split up, a shame as they took some time to grow on me, in fact I featured them in my Sheffield Bands post here.

Monday, 20 October 2008

I Missed A Couple

I'm hoping I've missed loads of good b-sides and you're all about to point them out to me. Just before you do I thought I'd better say that I deliberately didn't go for covers as I'm going to do a post of those in the not too distant future. However, I did forget to post a couple so here they are. The Stereophonics' song is from their early days and sounds just like Local Boy In The Photograph. The Lemonheads one I've been after for ages as my sister had it on a compilation tape and the person who made that only had the song on 7". I have since discovered the electric version which I think is fantastic.

MP3: Carrot Cake and Wine - Stereophonics
MP3: Different Drum (acoustic) - The Lemonheads

Sunday, 19 October 2008

The B-Side Is Dead

Did I miss the day when the headlines were full of the fact you can no longer get your hands on a hard copy of a single? I trudged around Taunton last week trying to find the latest Courteeners single only to be told everywhere that they no longer sold singles! Even Woolies who used to have 25% of the singles market no longer sells them. Then again that was kids spending their pocket money on the cassette singles (even years and years after CDs came in).

So what does this mean? Well not a lot I guess, if I'm impulse buying a song I download it as I want it there and then. However, when it's a new band or a band I REALLY like I'll buy the single as I like to hear what they've got to offer from their b-sides. Usually it's not much but occasionally (and as I tried to put this post together I realise how occasional) there is an absolute gem on the b-side. Does this mean with singles being downloaded as a song on it's own we'll no longer get b-sides? Take White Lies latest single Death, all we got as a b-side was a remix, is this the shape of things to come? I hope not. Remember all those fantastic early Oasis b-sides, maybe we would have never heard Masterplan or Acquiesce. By the way, Sister Lover is another good Oasis b-side but like all their Be Here Now era music it's twice as long as it needs to be (hence why I went for the earlier song).

Below are a selection for you to enjoy some are great hidden gems, some are a bit of fun and ended up on Greatest Hits even though they were only a b-side (Space). I think that's more a reflection of Space than the quality of the song...

MP3: Jacket - The Courteeners
MP3: Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts - Arctic Monkeys
MP3: Snowed Under - Keane
MP3: D'Ya Wanna Be A Spaceman - Oasis
MP3: Valley - Doves
MP3: Sleeping Sun - Coldplay
MP3: Being Around - Lemonheads
MP3: Broken Window - Arcade Fire
MP3: We Are Monkeys - Travis
MP3: Spiders - Space
MP3: Huckleberry Grove - Ocean Colour Scene
MP3: Let Me Know - The Enemy
MP3: Hit By A Car - The Wonder Stuff
MP3: You Don't Amount To Much This Time - Embrace
MP3: It's A Boy - The Bluetones

All Yousendit links as Zshare wasn't working as I was trying to upload them.

Monday, 6 October 2008

Free The Pigeons

Over at rcrdlbl.com (RCRD LBL) they are giving away a b-side from The Pigeon Detectives. As they've asked for people to not rehost the song but instead point you in their direction, here is the link. (You only have to ask)

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/The_Pigeon_Detectives/track/Get_Up_Get_Out

Wednesday, 1 October 2008

Who Keeps Deleting My Posts?

Someone or something keeps deleting my posts. If anyone out there knows why it's happening please let me know either by sending me an email or posting a comment.

Ta

PS I back them all up so I'll keep posting them until I find a reason why they are being removed.

Tuesday, 30 September 2008

What's Wrong With The Mainstream September '08

Well as you may have read I've been off for two weeks of September so it's been a real stretch to get the What's Wrong With The Mainstream playlist up this month. Thanks to my contributors I have a variety of songs for you this month. I haven't renamed the links this month as I can't be bothered (I've got back to work blues).

Let's Hang The Landlord - The King Blues Kicking off with the King Blues who have their new single out any day now. This UK band are getting amazing praise from the likes of Zane Lowe and Jo Whiley (Radio 1 DJs).

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18629084ffd6ffb3/

Imaginary Girl - The Silver Seas

This song has been kicking about on my iTunes for ages and when I was having a clearout recently I rediscovered it. I love the piano intro I think sounds about like Nina Simone's My baby Just Cares For Me.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1862914927cf33be/

The '59 Sound - The Gaslight Anthem

How often do you go to iTunes to buy a song (thanks again for the voucher Rich) and find the song you want is free? No, it never happens to me either, well apart from on this occassion. This was song of the week. What a cracking song to give away free. Incidently Sillsy (part-time contributor) wanted to post this track as well so maybe it's worth listening to...

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1862964597b7c815/

The Outdoor Type - Frank Turner

Thanks to http://www.thebluewalrus.com/ for this one. I recently bought a couple of his tunes and had to let you know about him. I recommend getting your hands on Photosynthesis and Reasons Not to Be an Idiot they are two great pop / folk songs. A bit like Billy Bragg?

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18629686fe3024a0/

The Home EC - The Shake Up

Back to proper rock now.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18629777395fbcf1/

The Escapist - The Streets

Free download posted on 7Digital (good site for you non-iPoders), taken from their new album. Another slow track has Skinner got rich and lost his edge? (Mike not Frank, Frank went over the edge ages ago).

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18664320209c3897/

Martha Shaw - California Soul

I wrote the above bit of the blog before I left but I thought I'd add this song as I loved listening to it on my America playlist. I've had it for a while and if I remember rightly it's taken from an album of remixed soul songs.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/19648050ac3b3fae/

As I've been away for half the month I've asked a few people to contribute to the blog's playlist this month. Yes, that's a disclaimer. No pressure boys...

Sillsy...

Time To Pretend - MGMT

A tough choice as to what song to pick – this album lives up to the hype, and Time to Pretend starts it off with some heavy Synths and drums. These guys could be The Strokes / Franz Ferdinand of 2008.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/186647511416a083/

Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants - Wild Beasts

Wild Beasts are, according to Wikipedia, a’ new age pop band’ that originated in Kendal, England in 2002, a classic four piece guitar and drums outfit. I’ve started to get this song stuck in my head, if only for the catchy repetitive title lyrics.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/186649003297c566/

Strength In Numbers - Fighting With Wire

FWW are more of your alternative rock / punk mix from Northern Ireland. They’ve started to get some Radio 1 airplay and were at the ‘Big Weekend’ (so VERY mainstream...!). Sounds a bit like a less tuneful Ash...

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1866491492699bc8/

Manchsm - Future of the Left

The band formed in 2005 after Mclusky and Jarcrew split up within two months of each other, Colin is one of the band members' cats. The end of the song has something to do with how the band's pets want them to do poorly so they won't leave home so often to tour.

I cheated and linked to the Save File location I found it in - JAL

MP3: 04-future_of_the_left-manchasm.mp3

It Ain't Necessarily Evil - Mari Boine & Mungolian Jetset

Mungolian JetSet are my wild card...very different. Norwegian. Influenced by the 80's fad of playing music backwards. Mungolian JetSet Pioneers of the nu-Balearic movement, this Norwegian collective are fronted by a DJ called Strangefruit, who goes about his everyday business in full Mongolian traditional dress...

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18663588eda4d09e/

A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash

I love this song, mainly because I’m learning the guitar, and it sounds like the types of songs I try to make up. Except this is much better, and was performed in front of the entertainment starved volatile inmates at Folsom Prison, whereas I just sing badly at my wife.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/196478090767e3fa/

Over to Schonberg and his tunes of the "summer"...

Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today (New Version)

We had a moment of sunshine up here in the North one day last month. It was such a surprise that I jumped out of bed and pronounced that I needed some new sunglasses. It seems if you need cheap sunglasses then you have to go somewhere like Next or Topman. So, there I was in the queue to pay for my glasses in Topman when the trademark thump-thump woo hoo yeah baby track finished, only to be replaced by this track. I have been aware of Port O'Brien's work for a while and was a fan of this particular track already, but someone has added a drum beat, speeded the track up a few bpm and suddenly it could be a hit!! See what you think.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/188382583224080b/

Ladyhawke - Paris is Burning

Was a big hit on 6music over the summer, and was playing on the radio while Sarah was in labour. If you ask me, it's quite a catchy tune and deserved more airplay on Radio 1. They have a new single out soon, must see if that's catchy too.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/17357778b8e4b903/

Elbow - The Bones of You

We bought the Elbow album after recommendations from both Jal and the Boy Carson, who had the opening track to this album in his top 5 a few months ago. Anyway, this song became the first song on the album for us, as the loud brass on 'Starlings' would wake Emily up and cause her to do 'Jazz hands', so we had to skip that particular track when she was around. Anyway, listening to this track on the first week in July 2008 caused Sarah and I to look at each other and realise that exactly to the day 5 years ago, we were 3000 miles away on honeymoon in New York. Spooky! I see that this will be the next Elbow single.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18664650eaa9678a/

Neon Neon - Told Her on Alderaan

I think Gruff Rhys has done well with this particular off-shoot project, the singles from Stainless Style have been top-class pop songs (good for listening in the car with wife and baby) - and any song that references Star Wars is good for me!

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1866536435bec4aa/

KRS-One

Sarah now listens to a lot of daytime 6music now, and she has started reproducing catchphrases from the George Lamb show. Included in the start up to his show is a siren and then an excerpt from this song or 'Sirens' by Dizzee Rascal (which I believe you've covered on this blog already). So, althogther now.. Woop Woop, that's the sound of the po-leece!

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/18838428a277c024/

The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful

The Kills used to be one of my favourite bands, they were quite punky/industrial with the scrawlly lyrics and drum machine. They were the harder end of the man/woman 2 piece scene started by the White Stripes. But, along come the Ting Tings to poppify everything up and hey presto! - The Kills have a song that the Ting Tings could have used - a good song none-the-less.

MP3: http://www.zshare.net/audio/1703587749a9ed7c/

Sunday, 28 September 2008

We're The Kids


As we hand over the keys to our hire car, drop another notch on the belt and eat our last regular size "this would be a extra large in the UK" meal I'm sure we'll be a little bit sad as we board the plane. For the last two weeks we'll have been the kids in America.

MP3: Kids In America - The Bloodhound Gang

Friday, 26 September 2008

Drinking In LA

What the hell am I doing drinking in LA at 30? Doesn't quite scan does it? Anyway by now we'll be in LA and hopefully visiting relatives.

MP3: Beverly Hills

You thought I was going to post Bran Van 3000 didn't you?

Monday, 22 September 2008

Just Don't Go Back To...


Big Sur's up next as we continue down the West Coast, by the time you read this we'll be heading down from our hotel in Monterey, past Big Sur and on to Cambria. If Trip Advisor is anything to go by at this point we will be moaning how no one helped us with our bags at 4 in the morning or we'll be really happy because they accepted our discount coupon despite it being peak season and "they normally don't do that but for us they made an exception". I rate this track as 3 out 13 tracks in my iPod area.

MP3: Big Sur - The Thrills