Joe Allen

Joe Allen was the lead singer/guitarist/keyboardist for those lovely lads Citylights; he sadly passed away on June 24th. I still feel I haven't fully processed it properly; it's so surreal. At such a young age it's a really gutting loss, but at least he enjoyed himself while he was here and helped make some wonderfully enjoyable music.

MP3: 'Life At Sea' (Demo) - Citylights

Condolences to his friends and family; may he rest in peace.

Dressed to Digress

There's something about Brooklyn boys Boy Crisis and their amusingly straight-forward/surreal lyrics that reminds me a bit of Flight of the Conchords. Always a good thing.

Their new single, 'Dressed to Digress' [YOUTUBE] was released yesterday and oozes the vibrancy, silliness and yet sheer sexiness of their earlier work. "You can do me like Bruce Springsteen" they offer, all the traits mentioned above covered in this choice lyric.

Lovely acoustic version live on The Fly TV, full of summery harmonies not sounding hugely dissimilar to Fleet Foxes:

The Fly - `Dressed To Digress` FlyTV In The Courtyard on MUZU..

For a really good dubstep take on the track download this MP3: 'Dressed to Digress (Nero Remix)' - Boy Crisis

Buy the 7" quickly HERE to get the limited yellow vinyl PLUS a free trump card and tattoo.

Michael Jackson

What can I say that hasn't already been said? A very upsetting loss. His life was sad at times - yes - but overall he helped shape and define music, performance and entertainment as we know it. There's not much else I can say. A truly great performer; I can only lament that I never got to see him live myself. Rest in peace.

When Black Lips hit IOW

So basically I was going to write about last weekend's Isle of Wight Festival. Then I thought it'd get pretty longwinded and I never seem to read full festival reviews; I only look at the bits on bands I want to read about. So I figured I'd write about one of my favourite performances of the weekend, and talk about a band I hadn't mentioned before; the amazing Black Lips.

Thankfully, it would seem that Hanan of Music Induced Euphoria decided to name Black Lips her band of the week, and she pretty much wrote what I would've written, so I'll be really lazy and just point you in the right direction - HERE

To reiterate the points made in that post; you need to listen to them and see them live; they are amazing and just so much fun. Highlights of their IOW performance: getting front row, bassist and singer Jared Swilley's amazingly short shorts (above), him stealing a sparkly cowboy hat from someone in the audience, general on-stage antics, guitarist and singer Cole Alexander getting intimate with a camera stand. Not to mention spraying beer/saliva from his mouth and then catching it once more in his mouth. Plus they called the island "pretty". And played lots of good songs really well. In fact, their entire performance was pretty much a highlight. Go listen NOW.

Buy some of their music.

Photo credit: Simon Wells

The First Days of Spring

Remember Noah and the Whale? That beautiful folk-style band who got undeservedly typecast as 'twee' or, 'one-hit wonders' because of their huge summer hit last year, '5 Years Time'? I love them, and love their stupidly underrated debut album, 'Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down' with all its surprisingly dark intricacies and melancholy undertones, as well as the heart-swellingly happy, summery melodies.

So now it gives me great pleasure to reveal their next album; 'The First Days of Spring', and the first song to be revealed from it, which goes by the same name. Venture here to get the stunning track and its accompanying artwork for free.

Also, on Monday you'll be able to hear the new single, 'Blue Skies' on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 Show so make sure to tune in if you're interested.

For more Noah-related news check their blog. And get Whalemail.

Bonus MP3 because I feel like it - 'If I Die Tonight' (Live on BBC 6Music) - Noah and the Whale.

Beautiful.

If you haven't already, you need to get the loveliness that is 'Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down' - BUY HERE

This should be interesting

Check it

Beck and pals covering various albums? Hmmm. If they kill 'The Velvet Underground and Nico' I won't be best pleased as I LOVE that album, but I like the mix of artists enough to trust them. I think. I mean, Beck is hardly Lou Reed:

Ahhh I love it so much. Would it be pretentious or acceptable if I bought the album cover T-shirt?

BUY 'The Velvet Underground and Nico'; it's highly recommended.

Heads Will Roll

Crazy new Yeah Yeah Yeahs video for ridiculously danceable 'Heads Will Roll' HERE, from the fantastic 'It's Blitz'.  It has a dancing werewolf thing in it; in other words, it's amazing.  I can't tell if I love Karen O or Nick Zinner more.

MP3 - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - 'Zero (RAC Remix)'

It's actually a really good remix.

Buy 'It's Blitz' HERE.