So it’s a dull Friday evening, and I have been thrown a bone of comfort in the form of some nice music in a package from rough trade music label. Inside im greeted with the album Limbo Panto, from the rather dubiously called Wild Beasts, so I decide to give it a listen to find out what this rather unknown Leeds foursome are all about, and I must say im greeted with the warbling tones of Hayden Thorpe, who stumbles his way through the opener “Vigil for a Fuddy Duddy” but instantly it changes as he starts to groans and growl in pain bouldering on the desperate and forlorn within seconds. This certainly has caught my attention.
The next songs take the same dramatic and oversized tone, which to me seems to remind me of a Morrissey who seems to have had a few to many high energy drinks, as he ravages into the next single. The Devils crayon immediately hit’s you with it’s lazily paced rolling guitars, accompanied with the elegant classy tones of Thorpe who proclaims of how “this is truly is the Devil’s shoulder.” Scary stuff.
This is all underlined with an elegant beautiful back drop of floating piano, and this is very much the case for the majority of the album. But it all comes with distinct and differing Tones & styles to each song. Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants comes in with a baseline that jittery dance trio Metronomy would be proud of, with an equally frantic performance by Thorpe.
The album makes for disjointed and confused listening but to be honest it kind of works in a messed up kind of manner, the Wild Beast groans, and moans and screams show an underlying passion and dedication illustrating that this album was painstakingly crafted rather than thrown together like a pre packaged Indie take away.The album has emotion, excitement and over all an awkward sense of misplacement which works fantastically well, and besides all debuts don’t have to be perfect and that’s what makes this album good. You can certainly see potential in those Wild Beasts.
Howdy sorry for the distinct lack on the blogging front, mainly down to the start off uni and the such. But to be blunt i feel like i have been thrown into a very deep swimming pool just with my pants on, leading to feelings of fear, anger and the asking off the question "How the hell am i going to do all this." But those fears aside i have also had some rich and exciting experiances to share with you.
Ill start with the latest musical gig i went too recently which was the grand opening off Wax:On in Birmingham. The rather goofy Late Off The Pier headlined the show along with slots from Indie Remixing Don Erol Alkan( my favourite dj personally). The Midnight Juggernauts, and the rather sexually ambigious and unique tweeness of Micachu.
So now it's about 11:00pm on a Thursday evening just a few hours before i have been hounded by my work mates too visit the Rainbow warehouse for said event. So powering through from the previous nights exploits in Snobs i make my way inside by parting a hefty £15 on the door, so the evening starts at a canter listening to some nice old school hip hop and RnB from the Bigger Than Barry boys in the Garden. Thats right fans off sand (whoever you may be) but the sand has made way for some rather nifty planks of wood and pleasurable astro turf. So soon after noticing the large amount off pilled up freshers, frankly a quite awful sight i smoothly made my way into the warehouse to listen to Micachu.
Admittidly i did spend most off the set with a drunken workmate in deep dissucssion over the gender off the lead singer, but after the bickering (said workmate went off too the toilet) i heard "lips" a shambling rambling song played via a tiny guitar covered in elastic bands (im no musical expert) but I liked what i heard, and it lead me to the bands myspace www.myspace.com/micayomusic full of jumbly fun and well worth a listen for fans off obscure come cute very much girl lead music. The picture will surly sum up my confussion
See..... Mental. Right so then after retiring to the garden with more drinks and Barry induced fun i managed to catch Midnight Juggernaughts, and im not sure how to describe this band but absolutely smooth as fuck hump lounge music. Im a big fan off the down and dirty bass coupled with a fancy French singing im anyones, this seemed the case in the evening as i grinded all about my pals at the show, i didnt care and nor was i under the influence of the drink, i decided to take it easy. But when this band came on Wow hump fest, to be honest it's hard to explain hopefully this video will show you the viseral power of the hump bass line, it should be a cult or something.
Erol Alkan came and went, i must admit a rather average set of disco tunes nothing to shout about so onwards to the main event the late off the pier gents, who walked onto the stage greeted to cheers and applause, and the odd cat call from myself and several compatriots. But since i seen them in Frog at last March at the Camden Crawl they have came along way thanks too the supurb album Fantasy Black Channel and the buzz off almost every trendy London Kid who raves, but keeps it real by not exclusively listening to 80's dance. That said the band where tight, and played all the tunes and got everyone pushing about the place i was pushing away like a girl and going "loco" cat calling like a bad man. I was very much running on empty, that could have also been said of the crowd present who offered no real fun or excitement apart from the casual smirk as me and my pal Phil dry humped our way to hell and back. But overall i found excitement in the likes of Michachu and Midnight Juggernaughts, and the err thats ok from LOTP and the general no show from Erol ( i was dissapointed on this in reflection). Enjoy some Love LOTP youtube style it well Arty.
Mitchy doo's:
Housemate's feeling Flight off the Conchords... it's ace
Tapas food in the mailbox: The only way to spend a date... heyo!
Mojito's: Classy as hell and nice...
Footy with uni pals
One a week uni outings only.
Mitchy Dont's
Waking up in a friends house with a pile of sick on the floor
Putting off uni work alredy: Needs to be done.
Poor Laptop... and annoying laughter past your bedtime....
Hello. So this is a blog in which look back with a glint in the eye over the summer of 2008, looking at a few objects and events which I enjoyed and rated and compare these with objects perhaps that one didn’t enjoy so much.
Music.
I had the luck/joy of heading to Glastonbury this year for the first time. It didn’t disappoint, a festival of pure excitement and joy even before the bands started, just relaxing at the stone circle watching the sun set is a memory firmly etched in the skull. My highlights included Kings of Leon, Editors, The Verve, and Blood Red Shoes, who all stood out for me. But aside from the festival the emergence of bands such as Glasvegas, Fleet Foxes and Ult Cult have given me a summer full off glee, twee, and Shutting bleakness and that’s the way I like it.
I’m particularly feeling Ult Cult who I heard from off Radio 1 late one evening, the Sheffield band have created some lovely marauding, charming tunes all on there myspace (www.myspace.com/ultcult) all with this clashing feeling off the dark, the track Russia sums it all up for me. Oh and Glasvegas who's offering Geraldine has now given me a song which pays homage to my very own Geraldine.
To be honest I have not really seen many gigs over this summer holiday as I have been working away at Reiss. But I did manage to catch my favourite band Interpol in Sheffield, a gig in which I proceeded to stare transfixed at the band and sang along to all the songs like a star struck teen. But I suppose that’s what you do when your in love with a band, you just stand stare open mouthed and just sing, well at least that’s what I do.
Top 5 summer tunes (in no real order)
1.Death Cab: I Will Posses Your Heart.
2. Glasvegas Geraldine
3. Fleet Foxes: White Winter Hymnal
4. Tokyo Police Club: Tessellate
5. Kings of Leon: Sex on Fire.
So right looking back ive had a mixed summer one of fun excitement, and of not doing too much so i'm leaving you with a few more lists one for the fun and one for non so fun....
Fun.
Working most of the summer gave me a chance to muck about with the facial hair, and I have decided perhaps a lame moustache is the way forward. Who cares it's all a joke.
The bus drivers/ladies of the 128/129 bus. Most of them sharing a passion for rubbish facial hair (even the women) and the joy I get when I manage to get on the bus with my out of date bus pass.
Work mates, I must admit working at Selfridges would bring its fair share of Cocks, and it has but the majority of people are pretty bang on. Plus the advantage of some discount coming my way AND serving midlands footballers and all I have to do is look smart and fold clothes... piece of piss....
Visiting pals, be they in Sheffield or Manchester I had an ace evening both times, Interpol and Spanish people cant say more than that really. Oh and in Sheffield weird freaky Interpol followers/ wannabe groupies... that is all
Visiting home, Fantastic those trips after work on a Tuesday all the excitement in my belly summed up by listening to Zane Lowe which lead onto Tim Westwood whose Hip Hop tunes further added to the excitement. Splendid.
Not So Fun.
French house mates playing dance mixes on his huge sound system at 3 in the morn as you have to prepare for work the next day.
Lack of constant fun with no housemates.
When the bus drivers clocked your dodgy bus pass, and the giving over of £1.10 in bus fare.
Arsenal losing Flamini to A.C Milan
Expensive town food.
So that’s that... look forward to more blogs of fun soon. Keep smiling.
Arsenal cruised into the Champions League pot after a moral boosting victory over Steve McClaren's shambolic Twente at the Emirates. Goal's from Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri, William Gallas and Danish striker Nicolas Bendtner capped a far from convincing performance where the Gunners should have won by a even more convincing score line.
The game started with Arsenal pressing Twente hard in search for the goal that would effectively kill the tie. Arsenal welcomed back the midfield maestro that is Cesc Fabregas who had missed the last two premier league games with a slight hamstring strain, with Fabregas back in the centre of the park Arsenal looked a different side that wimpered to defeat against Fulham on Saturday evening, a confidence was definitely back in the side. Again underlying the importance of the young Spaniard for the Wenger Boys, Theo Walcott also looked like a completely different from the player whom was playing on Saturday against Fulham. Constantly running at left back Jeroen Heubach whom looked completely out of depth against the sheer pace of Walcott, even the commentary of Mark Lawrenson noted the complete ineptitude of Heubach by branding him "awful" and that Twente only had ten men down to his shambolic performance.
But the Gunners were constantly pressing and the break through came on the 27th minute from a surging Walcott run into the box who cut the ball back to Samir Nasri, he preceded to calmly dummy three Twente defenders before shooting, and getting a lucky deflection that sent Twente keeper Nikolay Mihaylov. Moments later Van Percy missed a glaring opportunity for Arsenal spurning an open goal which he agonisingly curled wide. Leaving the Gunners coming in from the first half only 1-0 up.
So in the half time break I had the joy of listening to the views of the two Alan's and there views of the Arsenal, which to every reasonable football fan would understand that Arsenal are in dire need for a defensive midfielder. Names have been mentioned of course; such as Miguel Velso of Sporting, to Xabi Alonso of Liverpool but it seems that for the learned Alan's that don’t quite understand this special youth policy which seems to be in force at Arsenal. Which I feel is unique for any other major club that will be performing on the big European stage this season.
Simply it's Arsene Wenger's drive and emphasis on the team mentality at Arsenal and this has come about from two reasons. Firstly financial Wenger's hands are tied when it comes to spending big in the transfer market, grated he did splash out £11 odd million on Samir Nasri, but this was after he knew that Alexander Hleb made it clear that he wanted out, especially when Barca came a calling. So a like for like replacement then but also in the past Wenger's fingers have been burnt when spending big with Arsenal the main example being Jose Antonio Reyes, who came with a hefty price tag making him Arsenals most expensive signing, however after initially starting well those goals against Chelsea in the F.A cup spring to mind. He slacked off and started to sulk after missing his home land, eventually was sent on loan to Real Madrid only two years later. So i expect Arsenal not to land any big name players before Monday, and even through Chelsea may have the likes of Robhino and Man U the likes of Berbatov donning there teams colours come Monday, im sure Arsenal will have enough within this young side to at least have a good push for the title, it's expected and after all Wenger Knows! So enough of the Alan's and back to the game.
Arsenal came out the second half again with more purpose and more desire to score, obliviously to exercise the ghosts of the Fulham and to get the confidence back. Arsenal then struck up a 2-0 lead through captain William Gallas, who scored a similar poacher's goal in the first leg; it initially came from his own run into the box. The ball then deflected to Bendtner who's subtle first touch took him past the defender and his rebounded shot came into the path of a running Gallas who bundled the goal into the net. Now it was damage limitation for Twente who started to continually pass about the defence and midfield for sustained periods of the second half, which lead to ironic cheering from the 3000 Dutch fans who came over for the game. It definitely seemed that Twente had failed to turn up tonight particularly after playing so well in the first leg. But it was also clear that they had missed the bite of Aussie "danger man" Luke Wilshire who was once of Bristol City who had recently been sold to Russian team Dynamo Moscow.
Arsenal struck again on the 66th minute with a fantastic effort goal from Theo Walcott, which was deserving of his superb performance. It came from a rather hash one-two with Bendtner in which he picked up and ran at pace at the Twente defence before a glorious curved effort into the bottom right corner. The goal certainly had shades of Henry to it, noticeably the pace, the drive and the finish. By now Arsenal where cruising, and it showed again tempering with Twente who where still enjoying a healthy chunk of the possession. Arsenal scored there forth through Bendtner who had endured a mixed evening up-top, the big Dane had missed a number of chances suggesting a lack of composure, however he couldn’t miss from 8 yards out after a clever back pass from young Brazilian DenÃlson who had a solid game.
Ill leave you with Arsenal game Correspondent Lee Petryszyn (pictured with CCS front woman Love Foxx) for the final views.
“Performance wise The Arse was far more of a team with superstar Fabregas back in the midfield engine room. Was also a solid performance at the back, although Twente where not much of a threat & where more concerned about keeping the score down. That said small amount of Gooners in the ground at the final whistle left happy, whilst the Wally with the brolly was left to touch up on his fluent Dutch!"
So the majority of you are now preparing for a Reading/Leeds weekender im in Brum contemplating a weekend of work. Right so I decided to get about it in my own way with a little review of a group that I think will be gracing the festivals of this fare island next year.
The Cool Kids are made up of Chicago duo Antoine "Mikey Rocks" Reed & Evan "Chuck Inglish" Ingersoll. They also come with a bundle of hype mainly from the myspace, and ive got to admit that im turning into a bit of a fan boy, as they seem to be offering some refreshing beats and rhymes ranging from warming up T.V dinners to shopping at boutiques.
In a genre full of excess and the worn out notion of "Bling-Bling." it's certainly different, with the group pulling it back to the old school. Granted the group's sound has distinct 80's references and sound which seems laid back and retro beats, especially in Gold and a Pager with the distinct clap back beat straight outta the 80's the decade that seems to be influencing a whole range of artists at the moment.
So to the Bake Sale E.p, it's full of wit and simply rhymes about what the cool kids know and do, which are riding BMX’s, their neighbourhood and being low on funds. Mikey Rocks immediately sticks out for me on the E.p mainly for the low frequency bass beat which complements the laid back rhymes of Mikey and how invariably he rocks, a theme which is throughout the e.p.
The Bassment Party is a party track, in which the rhymes from Chuck Inglish offers a recipe in being cool, and how Mikey Rocks encourages the ugly people to keep there hands to the side, this chilled out loose party vibe has also lead comparisons to New York trio The Beastie Boys, which should be considered a real complement. Overall the e.p offers a nice insight into the stuff we can expect from the album When Fish Ride Bicycles. Which I feel will deliver the initial hype on the group and propel them into new headier musical heights, after all the cool kids bring the party, with a refreshing blend of laid back 80's driven beats. Besides can you find many rappers who would proclaim “How gangsta is that? Not gangsta at all!” especially in the age of excess and bitches? Thought not.
Oh Bloc Party release new album Intimacy on digital download today so im leaving you with some classic Bloc Party, well before the glitchy electro beats got involved and it was all about the angst and passion coupled with a few urgent sounding guitars. Banquet.
You know a evening is going to be eventful when it starts with a dash of mad running through the train station to only just catch your train whilst the doors are about to close. This was the defining moment of a trip to Nottingham which I only came back from today. Coincidently I was late because I didn’thave my conformation details on hand, que a frantic phone call to my aunt who eventually saved my bacon after the third attempt of getting into my hotmail account
But these are just details in what came to be a very eventful little train journey in which i found a little bit more about the ruthless uncaring nature of human beings. I kinda got involved with it to so prepared to be amazed by the sheer genius of this situatuion which i have attempted to explain.
So right, safely on the train sitting down relaxing, radio on only for this to be shattered by what I can only describe as the most stereotypical loutish young man I have seen in a long time. Considering I had also been back home to Luton that’s quite the achievement, so you’re perhaps asking what this gent done to stoke up my passions. Simply he was on the phone, all the bloody time and it was the fact that he was crude and loud enough for the whole carriage to hear his mumblings, ranging from his friend Ritchie and his elegant bedside manner with girlfriend simply named “Kay” to his plans for a proper big one down Burton with the lads. Fascinating, almost riveting conversation so much so I thought it’s worth a listen after all and I felt a little wiser for it. So then with the train pulling into Burton im thinking he’s got to be getting off now, but he just carries chatting away as the train pulls off from the station.
Right now im exchanging glances with a middle age couple who have also been stuck with this moron for the past half hour, but as the train pulls away we realise he’s ballsed up made a grade a cock up as he is chatting away to Steve. Brilliant I think I aint telling him anything let this poor individual find out for himself his errors. Derby comes and goes and again im thinking he don’t have a clue here, and along with the couple the glances continue just saying that we don’t have to tell him anything, him yapping away has been punishment enough.
By the time it’s 7.10 we have pulled into Nottingham and the penny has finally dropped, and how it’s dropped with ranting and raving down the phone to his gang of buddies saying how the trains have “fucked him over” genius. So as I hop off the train, I leave my tracksuit wearing chum contemplating paying some dash for a train to Burton, oh what a poor chap. So this essentially meaningless story just points the utter fantastic moments of stupidity that I occasionally scramble across in my life. To be fair now I perhaps should of taking the more concerned and courteous approach to my fellow passenger by just letting him know about his stop. But he had been well annoying and besides I had the look going on with the couple, I could never betray the look could I? No of course not and that’s another that’s summit us Brits are fantastic for screwing people over. I mean surely it would have been different in Sweden, but to be honest that’s the way it should be... more selfishness for all, who cares anyway.
The Wenger boys showed grit and determination as they grinded out a 2-0 victory against an impressive Twente side that are under the tutelage of former England manager Steve Mc Claren. Wenger named a young side for the champion’s league qualifier which included a start for new signing Welshman Aaron Ramsey who started in the center of midfield with youngBrazilian Denilson.
The game started at with immediate flurry of activity as Twente setting the early pace through pacy wingers Eljero Elia and Romano Denneboom. Luckily the pace of Sagna & Clichy where enough to keep up and eventually stopped the majority of attacks. Up top Arsenal offered little particularly the runs of Theo Walcott whom was stopped time and time again by FormerBristolCity star Luke Wilshire. Whilst Van Persie and Adebayor looked distinctively out of sorts especially Van Percy whom looked partially lackluster as he skied a free kick well over from 30 yards out. The half ending with Twente's Austrian born striker Marko Arnautovic being slid through to be one on one with Manuel Almunia racing from his line to clear the danger.
So not particularly thrilling entertainment from the Arsenal in Holland, but the atmosphere inside the Vitesse Arnhem's Gelrodome (which Twente borrowed for this evening) has been exceptional, especially considering I have been watching the game online through Dutch T.V does this mean that the fans are genuinely happy at the arrival of Mc Claren? Or just really happy, I mean I know that traditionally Dutch fans are the oddballs of European football what with the bring orange and Tulips but seriously!?
Anyway back to the game. Arsenal seem more purposeful this half, and there are glimpses of the free flowing passing game that Arsenal posses. I was personally impressed with the work Rate of Ramsey, who's performance will leave Wenger with a selection dilemma come Saturday against the Baggies. The game started to open up for the Arsenal and where ahead on the 63rd minute as William Gallas bundled in from Van Percy's whipped free kick. From here it was arsenal's game for the taking, with Mc Claren's men showing there lack of fitness as the Gunners finally hit fourth gear at least. After twenty (get it) minutes of rather average football Arsenal delivered the killer blow to Twente through a well crafted goal from Adebayor, a well clipped long ball from Djourou which was picked up by the pacy Walcott whom tested the defenders before passing to Ade to scrappily finish past Twente keeper Boschker. So the game was won, and on came Youngster Mark Randall and Nicky Bentner for Theo Walcott and Van Percy respectively. However I wouldn’t of mind seeing cameo's from Carlos Vela and our own Wilshire Jack after impressive performances during Pre season. But hey "Wenger knows." and im glad Arsenal Cruised to victory against an impressive Twente side, lets hope the results can continue from the boys.
Hey so this is a new blog for me. in which you will find a whole range of glorious subjects you can sink your teeth to, from football, to fashion, musical experiances and even insights from my own life perhaps. So it promises to be intresting to you said readers but mainly for me in terms of nostalgia and looking back to way back then perhaps.
The blog name is a nod to a whole rage of themes from uni, to interpol, and general work ethic.
so im gunna leave you with this kings of leon youtube trailor for the new album promises to be fantastic....
Oh and if your reading this... RSS feed this stuff could be intresting!
