New Music From Old Friends

First up, a word to my regular(s).  I've made a few design changes lately which I hope hasn't offended you greatly, it's just I didn't really like the previous layout and the way the way the writing spread across the screen, more compact now, and pretty much like every other/a (choose which one you feel is most appropriate) decent blog.

Today has seen quite a bit of action in the way of new releases, although probably no different to any other week, except this week I've poked my head out of my window and had a look at what's happening in the world.

First up, Kavinsky has given us a preview of a new track 'Nightcall' which follows his early styles of 80's/video game music.  However, this is an actual song with vocals, which by all accounts is Vinco himself.  While it's not as banging as 'Testarossa Autodrive' it's pretty nice when the 80's electro-pop synths kick in with female vocals.  Look out for his new EP 'Pacific Coast Highway' or 'Nightcall,' depending on who you belive, which I believe is currently scheduled for release on 22nd March and the title track made it onto  Busy P's Christmas top ten, so you know it's good.

Quick shout out to the LOTP boys who released 'Best In The Class,' but use of the 'the' isn't universal but using the definite article makes more sense, today and it's good.  Obvs!  The Soulwax remix or whatever you want to call it is also pretty manic too.

3rd up, New Young Pony Club are streaming the whole of their new album 'The Optimist' on their MySpace which I'm trying to listen to right now except my internet connection is doing its level best to stop me by pausing 4/5 times PER SONG to buffer and I'm losing patience very quickly, especially since I really do have to be up in 7 1/2 hours.

I'd already managed to get my hands on 'Lost A Girl,' since they gave it away for free, and I was impressed with it, and 'Chaos' had been getting some air time NME tv lately and I thought it sounded pretty good, and stuff usually sounds way worse on music video channels than it does out of proper speakers.  Title track 'The Optimist' sounds like it took some inspiration from the Mighty Boosh's 'Mod Wolves' song with it's pipes and there's another effect which I'm sure has been sampled, but I remember where I think I've heard it before, it's incredibly annoying.  BOOM!  FLASH!  I've got it!  It sounds like it's come from 'Wizards' by 'You Love Her Coz She's Dead.'

What strikes me most about this album is how much more grown up this album sounds with it's lack of overt sexuality à la 'Ice Cream,' not to say I didn't like their first album, but it's good to see they've managed to find a new direction.  Although, it doesn't seem to be quite as danceable/jump-up-and-down-able but it's still worh a listen and a place in your record collection.

Nightmare

Just a cheeky quicky today, you can put the notepad away for this one.

Don't you just hate having friends?  Especially when you've managed to find a group who are cool to be around and for a laugh, but who really have no common interests/hobbies?  Well that's what has happened to me and it looks like it might cost me the opportunity to get up close and personal with none other than Late Of The Pier as they celebrate the release of 'Blueberry/ Best In Class' at a special in-store event at 'Pure Groove.'  Instead, it looks like I'll be at a student club, wanting to cut off my own ears, for someones birthday.  Even worse, the guy hates that place too, but it's THE place to go on Wednesdays if you go to King's.

Devvers.

I would try and invite people, but I just know that as soon as say 'Late Of The Pier' the reply will be, 'Who?'  And I'll repeat the name and try my best to define their style, which isn't easy and they'll just say, 'but everyone goes to Walkabout!'  End result = sad face for me.

If I did manage to go it would make this upcoming week pretty amazing with Republic of Ireland v Brazil on Tuesday, LOTP on Wednesday and 'Husky Rescue' is still an option on Friday which finishes with Ed Banger's 7th birthday party which will just be awesome.

Shocker number 2 is that I got my ticket for 'Crystal Castles' the other day, mixed feelings of excitement and fear, only to then realise that 20th April is the date of one of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, which could very easily involve Manchester United. 

Damn.  At least it's only the first leg.

On the bright side, at least I should get my LOTP vinyl edition of 'Blueberry/ Best In Class' this week.

Here are some tunes, just for shits.

Got some free time brah

Word up, dawgs!

Yeah, basically, got nowt to do for one whole motherscratching week and I've not actually left the house in over 48 hours, so you know I'm the guy to come to when it comes to being cooler than a cat in sunglasses and a leathet jacket.

What's that? 'I don't care about your pathetic life!' I hear you say, fair-do's. The other day I managed to find Oxford Style after myspace said we should be friends, like a teacher on your first day of school. I shuffled on over, apprehensively, but then again that's how I live my life, and you knw what, they're not bad. The choruses on 'your tragedy' are upbeat enough to tap your feet to and the beats are interesting enough to keep you interested.

'Personality' is clearly their love song, which meanders along nicely enough, but doen't really progress into anything substantial and 'Stained glass' is ok, but it's lyrics leave you wondering whether they want to be serious, however, they're still worth a listen.

But, let me talk about someone who is shit hot, and that is Robot Disaster. They are a mates mates band who I first went to see last October in a tiny pub in Kilburn and they rocked pretty hard despite not being the headliners and it's no surprise they're now playing bigger gigs now in London.

Their track 'Boy' is particularly impressive. It begins with a few steady guitar riffs, but then suddenly it threatens to take you off to the Balearics with it's trancy-ness going in the background (yeah my lack of proper musical knowledge badly exposed there). Say it quietly, but could they be a new 'Late of the Pier,' true musical gods.

'Shut Up' starts off like it's been lifted one of the first two Kings of Leon albums, ie their good ones, but then comes the effects which take it forward to another level.

'Guitars are overrated' then clearly takes some influence fron'I.D' by Kasabian before they pervert it and put some guitars on it and shout over it.

Watch out, these guys are gonna come at you fast and eat off your ears before you can squeeze in one last 'Belle and Sebastian' *yawn* track.