Notes from England
Records, Singers, Groups and Reviews
Mini Viva
It’s been a long time since my last post and the reason behind it is quite simple - I only post on music I like that I don’t think is making it to the States. I know that all of the music I post is not great, it’s not meant to be. It’s only the tunes that appeal to me - even if it’s a guilty pleasure. Speaking of guilty pleasures…
Jose Gonzales
“Heartbeats” was originally recorded by The Knives, Jose Gonzales puts a lot of emortion into it. This is one of those songs that first shows up in a commercial and manages to weasel it’s way into your psyche. After listening to several more of his songs that I found on YouTube, it seems to me that his album is definately worth a buy. This is not a new release at all, it has been out since 2006 - but new releases aren’t the point of this site - the point is to introduce music that is new to you.
Jack Penate
Jack Penate has had several successful singles before his latest release. The problem for me is that I just thought they were OK. “Torn On The Platfom” was one that lent itself to my own personal parody where I teach you how to count to three in German (Eins, eins, eins baby, zwei, zwei zwei, drei, drei, drei - this is how we count to three in Germany). “Tonight’s Today” was another single that I wouldn’t turn the radio off for but I wouldn’t turn the radio up for it either - even though I really like the production on this song. However his latest record, “Be The One”, has a really good lyric/melody flow.
Kid British
With the exception of pretty much every Flo Rida song ever released, the Shocking Rip-offs have been light lately. This all changes with the release of Kid British’s debut single “Our House (Is Dadless)”. The chorus is Madness’s “Our House”. My major problem with this song is that apart from using a familiar hook to get instant recognition, it’s actually quite good. I know that this one will become a major hit for the guys and I wish them the best. I am looking forward to their second single and hope for a 100% original release.
Kasabian
Part rock, part disco - 100% awesome!
Lenka
It’s been too long since my last post and the reason why is that I have found that I have gotten away from the point of this blog and that is to introduce music to the rest of the world from the selection of popular British music. Instead, I have spent a lot of time researching the artists and that has created too much work for me to get the posts out as quickly as I should. From now on, I will post a lot more frequently and a lot less wordy. To this end I introduce to you, Lenka.
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School House Rocky is the King of the Block
It’s the beginning of the end for most students around the world. As a tribute to all the hard work they put in over the past year I am putting together a list of songs that could be used as a themed pub quiz.
Rules of the game are simple, the Gamemaster creates a mix-tape before the game begins with clips from twenty various songs. The clips should not include the refrain as that is usually the most obvious clue. Each team records their answers on a sheet of paper. At the end of the round, the Gamemaster will play the full length of the final song to allow teams to go back and make final changes. Sheets are then passed to opposing teams and the answers are read out. One point is scored for the artist and one is scored for the song. Any disputes are decided by the Gamemaster and their word is final (even if it’s wrong). The team with the most points wins!
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If you are against Pop for Pop’s sake then you will hate the Dolly Rockers but if you like music because of the way it makes you feel then have I got a feel-good record for you! The Dolly Rockers were one of the groups that made it into the top 24 contestants on the 2006 X-Factor but missed the cut into the top 12. The winner of the 2006 X-Factor was Leona Lewis (so the girls never really had a chance to win anyway). Louis Walsh, the groups mentor on the show, told them that the elimination would probably be the best thing for them and I happen to think that the little guy was right.
In an act of pure class, Coldplay have announced that they have produced a new live album and will give it away for free at every remaining show they are playing at for the rest of 2009. This announcement understandable excludes festivals, but don’t feel slighted if you are going to see them at a festival or if you missed out on tickets because, starting tomorrow the 15th of May, they will also post it for download at their website: http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html
New Sounds from the Depeche Mode Universe
Depeche Mode has a well-chronicled history. Any band that has been together 30 years and journeyed from New Romantic synth darlings to darkwave stadium rock stars will have some fascinating tales to tell. The early split with founding member Vince Clarke (Erasure) led to the band’s re-birth as a more serious and experimental group grounded by Martin Gore’s steady songwriting and lead singer Dave Gahan’s distinct and soulful baritone. Along the way the band battled drug and alcohol addiction, split with talented keyboardist and arranger Alan Wilder, survived a near-death drug overdose by Gahan and incorporated lead singer Dave Gahan latent song-writing talent and the launch of his solo career.
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