Everybody needs... Arctic Monkeys

   Well this week, my music listening has consisted of the whole back catalogue of the mighty Muse and the all ruling Arctic Monkeys. So I guessed it's just about time I wrote something the boys from Sheffield.
   Arctic Monkeys. Possibly the best live band in the UK. I'm sure some would disagree but there isn't much better. After 4 successful and completely different albums, they have become an electrifying band that are just as good live than they are on record. From playing tiny gigs back in 2003, to gracing us on the Olympic stage and playing Madison Square Gardens this year, they have become a band that rolls off everyone's tongues. Arctic Monkeys were the innovators in the whole internet stardom thing, which is now a path for pretty much anyone. In a sense that's a good thing (well we did get this spectacular band it), but it has definitely let some crap in over the past few years. Whilst that came through, the Arctic's have given us hit after hit, with the infamous 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor', to 'Teddy Picker' then 'Crying Lightening' and also 'The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala'. No matter what they give us, it has been ear grabbing and another album will be the same.
   To date, every album the Arctic Monkeys have released has been greatly in the public view. The raw edge of 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' was an obvious hit. The refined pop-rock of 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' was taken just as well. 'Humbug' was conceived in many different ways and 'Suck It And See' was probably the most accomplished of them all. Overall it's been a more than successful few years for the lads, but where are they going next?

   I think there are lots of people that want the Arctic Monkeys to go in many different directions, then again that doesn't take away from what the boys actually want to do. According to reports, recording for their 5th studio album is currently in progress in Joshua Tree desert, California, the place they partly recorded their 3rd album 'Humbug' with the rock god, Joshua Homme. Rumors suggest that an album based around the style of the gut busting 'R U MINE?' is in the works and that would be just spectacular. That track is just as orgasmic every time I listen to it as it was when I first heard it on that bus ride home with my good friends Eryn and Alice. A whole album of this will surely bring the boys into the legendary status. So legendary that their wish of giving Glastonbury another go could come true come next summer. It's possible, but with the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, and Adele lines up to play this year, its may have a slight doubt to it.  Not that they couldn't match up to them in their own way. Praying their next option is Leeds festival. Along with many other far fetched hopes.
   Well i'm sure the band can do whatever they like now, as they are already established as one of the biggest bands in England, and possibly around the world. No matter what type of album they feed to us, there is no doubt it will be a smash hit number one album. If you've not got any Arctic Monkeys records they I highly recommend that you download them or go to a record shop and grab yourself a copy.   

Gig review - The Vaccines @ O2 Apollo

   Last night, I was lucky enough to see The Vaccines at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. I expected a lot from them, and actually expected to be overwhelmed. They didn't let me down, lets just say that.
   It's been an amazing past few years for The Vaccines. After hitting the ground running when they released 'If You Wanna' back in 2010, which quickly received praise from all walks of life, they have managed to work themselves up festival line-ups, make themselves a household name and even land themselves a number 1 album. 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' was the album that cemented The Vaccines in every day life, and the follow-up, 'Come Of Age' is just about doing the same job. With this being their biggest tour to date, apart from the arena tour next year, they are getting bigger and bigger, and no doubt within the next few years or so, they will be headlining small festivals and even subbing amongst the biggest names in music at major festivals.
   I have to admit I actually wasn't up for the gig yesterday, with a mixture of tiredness and genuinely just not being arsed, after all this would be the 3rd time i've seen them. The only thing that got me slightly in the mood was XFM playing 'Wetsuit' in the car on the way to college. Constant play of my Vaccines playlist on Spotify couldn't even shift my mood but it all changed when they graced us with their presence on stage. But first of course the supports. First up was Pale, who mysteriously I couldn't find any information on this morning. The duo mixed a techno drum with a heavyly reverbed guitar, which created an eerie effect. Their sound bounced off every wall. Even though they only played around a 15 minute set, they bashed out every track and left a lasting impression on me and i'm sure many other people. Great first support. Next up was a band called Deap Vally. I'd listened to them before last night, and I have to admit I wasn't much of a fan. When they walked on stage I wasn't expecting much, but I guess I was proven wrong in some sense. The lead singer didn't half know how to play guitar, the only let down was her Jack Black sounding voice. The drummer was top notch. She almost looked like she was dominating the drum kit but I guess that was just the way they both are. Overall the music was class but the singing was a letdown. The final support was DIIV. A band that mixed grungy psychedelica with melodic indieness. They were off their heads on whatever they had taken, that was clear, but they were the perfect set up for The Vaccines. The crowd was jumping, even mini moshpits were formed, getting everyone ready for what was to come from the headliners.

   The lights dimmed, the crowd roared and out came Justin, Pete, Arni and Freddie, with the overwhelming stench of weed following them. "Hello" said Justin, taking his guitar and thrashing out the intro to the raucous 'No Hope'. The floor absolutely erupted, as Justin belted every lyric angrily down the mic. Following it up with 'Wreckin' Bar' which sent people over the bar whilst Justin paced from side to side of the stage. The band continued to give us hit after hit, with the likes of 'Tiger Blood', 'Post Break-Up Sex', 'Blow It Up' and many other tracks from 'What Did You Expect...' whilst giving us new tracks such as 'All In Vain', 'Aftershave Ocean', 'Weirdo' and my personal favorite off 'Come Of Age', 'Ghost Town'. New tracks settled just as well as the old with the mix group of people that listened, watched and sung back every one of the lyrics. The night was toned down with new track, 'Change Of Heart Pt. 2' and the anthemic 'All In White' which made you appreciate how good of a live band The Vaccines actually are. 'Teenage Icon' became an instant hit amongst the crowd, passionate arms were thrown up in the air during the chorus and the floor moved and people danced and moshed with the music. We were left on a cliffhanger with signature track 'If You Wanna' which was just as mental as every other track played throughout the night. Often when your standing at a gig, you're unconsciously wishing that the set would end just so you could get away from the sweaty guys you're uncomfortable pressed up against, but their set passed in a flash and everyone just wanted more. Well that's just exactly what we got. Heads held high, the band strolled back on stage with the destined for fame 'Bad Mood' in tow. The audience bouncing, exhausted, but powering through for the final few tracks. Finally, we were given the exhilarating 'Norgaard'. The band and audience bouncing untill the last 'oohoohoohooh'. A well deserved bow was taken, the crowd showing their appreciation with screams and cheers.
   ELECTRIC. That's all I really have to say about these. They were on fire! They just manage to get better and better every time I see them, and i'm sure that will continue. Stepping up to the mark as usual. Take a bow lads, perfection of a set.
   Their UK tour continues throughout the last few days of November and the lads are back in May for their arena tour. So treat yourself. Buy a ticket. Buy their album. You definitely wont regret it.      
 

Gig review - Spector @ HMV Ritz

   Well I guess it's a bit late now, about 2 weeks late buy hey, here it is...

   Few weeks back, I saw the amazing Spector at the HMV Ritz in Manchester. For the 5th time this year i've been graced with their presence and once again, they have not let me down at all.
   Definitely my favorite new band of 2012. Spector have managed to force their way into every indie-kids playlist. Repetitive play on the radio, mentions as a band to watch with NME and XFM, and now an extensive UK tour to cement themselves as the new band of 2012. They have managed to catapult themselves up the music industry ladder in no time and with a UK Top 20 album under their belts, i'm sure it was about perfect timing to let it leash on their ever so grateful fans. Fred, Jed, Tom, Chris and Danny packed up and got ready for their biggest headline tour to date.

   For one, such a great place to play a gig. Old style room, sticky carpets and bouncy floors. Definitely the place to play in Manchester at the moment. To build up the atmosphere, Spector gave us their friends, Splashh and Swim Deep as support. Both as grungy, melodic and atmospheric as the other, they didn't half set us up well for the main act. So here we go, Spector came out to the roar of the crowd (nothing different on that front). 'Well I guess its Friday night...' Fred stated in his usual charismatic way. Chris turned up the distortion, spread his legs in the ancient rock god stance and cranked out the epic opening melody line to 'Friday Night, Don't Ever Let It End'. When the floor bounced at the front, the back were flung high into the air and sweat began to collect on the ceiling. Passionate chants of 'Friiiiiiiiiidaaayyy nighhttttttttt...' echoed throughout the room. Future hits 'Twenty Nothing' and 'Upset Boulevard' followed along with the established 'Grey Shirt & Tie'. Fred and the lads began to give us hit after hit for their album, 'Enjoy It While It Lasts'. 'True Love', 'Lay Low' and my personal favorite 'What You Wanted' just some of them. 'No Adventure' and  'Grim Reefer' just some of the others given to us off the album. But as usual, save the best till last (not quite the last) with the floor erupting 'Celestine' and 'Chevvy Thunder' which surely got the elbows banging, the moshpits forming and screams and chants to their pinnacle. Leaving us with byes, reluctantly of course, they were dragged from the stage. Once again, chants of 'SPECTOR... SPECTOR...' were reaching its way to every corner of the building. So they came back on for their encore, the most perfect 'Never Fade Away'. Hands in the air clapping, lyrics sung in unison with Fred and the band, it was the best way to end the night.
   So once again, Spector were just epic. And once again, i'll be seeing them in December at XFM's Winter Wonderland. Sometimes I feel like a fucking groupie, but ah well, they are worth it. Another 6 times will be in order in 2013. Ever get a chance to see them yourself, GO FOR IT.
   

Introducing... Axel Loughrey

"I'm proud of it, it's a work of art. My art. It's real music, it's a fresh sound and style and something new for a generation being fed fast food for the ears." Axel Loughery 

   This week i've managed to get my hands on Axel Loughrey's new album, 'Crayon Factory' and I have to say it ain't half a treat.
   Axel is a solo artist from London. He's managed to raise some eyebrows with his debut EP 'Love Thing' which was released back in 2011. Well deserved airing on Kerrang, Q and BBC, and his constant gigging around the county, helped Axel to claw himself into the British music scene which made him what he is today and give him the loyal fan-base he has. Support slots alongside the likes of Frank Turner, The King Blues and The Future Heads have surely helped him pick up his fans on the way. Axel's fans proved themselves when he received over 70000 votes to play at Orange Unsigned. No wonder he has such a following, with his edgy tunes and bluesy voice Axel was bound to make a strong following.
    For the past year and a half, Axels turned his attention to 'Crayon Factory'. Setting up shop to record the new album in a converted barn in North Norfolk, along with his 18 piece band and Mercury Prize nominated co-producer Owen Morgan, who has helped Axel to create just exactly what he wanted. The budget of both the label, and Axel himself became stretched and the album became a standstill at one point. But with the help and support of Pledge Music, Axel managed to raise 101% of his budget for the album, purely from the donations of his loyal fans. So after all that, here it is...  

   The album starts with a stunner, Snow White Blues. Axel's jazzy-rocky-blues style is highly on display. With the Gritty chords and edgy vocals it creates the perfect opening track to introduce you to Crayon Factory. Next up is the more raw Rosetta. Starting off with a crunching guitar solo, fading off to signature vocals and back up. The funky guitar lines make stick in your head and has you singing 'Rosettaaaaaa...'. Track 3, Bad Trip. Axel shows of his sensual and musically sexual side, with his smooth jazz groove. A gripping saxaphone solo at the start sends you hypnotized. Reminds me of an old 50's American jazz lounge, which makes you reminisce within the music. Easy & Sleazy picks up the pace, with old rock and roll vibes, almost Elvis like. Takes me to a 50's American diner, where everyone's up on their feet and enjoying the music, and you just cant help but have them hips jiggling. Smile is next up. It's sombre tones remind my of Johnny Cash, and Axel's Harrowing vocals give off tones of The Verve's Richard Ashcroft. A mixture of painful lyrics and spine-tingling vocals help the audience to connect with every word muttered. The fresh bluesy sounds of Lie Lie, Cry Cry are next on Crayon Factory. A high-octane mixture of blur like guitar chord progressions and woodwind instruments, help display Axel's very diverse style of music. Track 7, The Key. This could be a massive hit. The solo at the start and throughout the song is very Oasis like. Something you can imagine going to a gig, getting a little bit drunk and singing every word back to him as he is owning the stage. Next up the very psychedelic A Room Without A View. This reminds me very much of The Cure. It grabs every inch of your mind and makes you listen right down to the last note. It has an almost trance effect, makes you sway to every chord. Track 9 is the beautiful No No. This time Axel tones it down, displaying to us his superb vocals, and amazing musical skills. Building up simple guitar, bass lines, banjo and orchestral strings to an atmospheric masterpiece. One to kick off the slippers, sit up cosy and relax to. Then True Friend is presented to us, which is your classic Rock n Roll/Blues song. Strong chords, echoing vocals, typical heavy drum beat and the most perfect accompanying guitar melody line. Outright the best track on album, destined to be a hit. Back to the smooth jazzy style, but mixed with rock/blues in Vultures. Reminds me of the old 5-bar-blues I used to play as a kid (obviously a lot better than that). Snappy drum beat, gritty chords, lovely little woodwind melody. Love the rocky side of Axel and i'm sure you lot will love it too. Axel closes out with the gorgeous The Art In Choosing Not To Stay. This tracks my second favorite track on the album. It mixes your typical acoustic song with a country barn dance twist. Very pleasing to the ear and a perfect way to end the album.

   All in all, Axel's created one hell of an EP. I have to say its very mixed, and every inch of different is nothing short of amazing. Many mixtures of styles and inspirations will bring in a more diverse group of fans, as it has a lot to offer for every type of person. A lot of time, effort and passion has gone into this amazing album. With mine and many others opinions, it just proves that 'Crayon Factory' will be the album that brings Axel into every day life. So go buy it!

Released on 26th November on All Sorted!?! records, perfect little gift for Christmas i'd say.
Oh and he also plays his first live gig with a full band on 9th December at the Fiddler's Elbow in Camden London.

Mercury Prize Award 2012...

   This year's Mercury Prize Award brought stiff competition from all areas. From the new and emerging Alt-J and Django Django, right down to the legend that is Richard Hawley, It was always going to be hard to split them apart.
   So lets start with the nominees; rising starts Alt-J, Jessie Ware and Django Django were in the mix this time round. The more established Richard Hawley and The Maccabees were involved on the shortlist. Similar tones of Ben Howard, Sam Lee and Michael Kiwanuka were thrown in and so were Field Music, Plan B and the lovely Lianne La Havas. All which have managed to make a soundtrack to the 2012 music scene.
   Bookies had great odds just before the announcement was made. They had the innovative Alt-J as front runners, with Richard Hawley and Jessie Ware following up closely. If it was down to me, my favourite band The Maccabees would take the prize with their mesmerizing album 'Given To The Wild', but clearly my opinion doesn't matter. From the hype that surrounded the build up to the awards, i'd say that Richard Hawley, Django Django and Michael Kiwanuka were possible winners, but who prevailed in the end...?

   Well I can announce to you now, if you didn't already know, that Alt-J took the top spot on the night at The Roundhouse in London. Somewhat of a shock in some terms. The album hadn't been around for that long, the band haven't yet made a massive impact and I can see why it would be controversial. But the demand for the band is ridiculously high at the moment, and I can see them making a massive impact in 2013 with their now Mercury Prize Award winning album, 'An Awesome Wave'. Most bands take this prestigious label as the perfect way to break the music industry, and i'm sure Alt-J will do exactly the same.
   I can see why they have won. I'm very glad that they won. Referring to the last article I wrote, this could be the break they need to achieve everything they had hoped for. Even though the fact they 'slipped under the radar' amongst the rest of the artists, they have emerged winners. So congratulations to Alt-J!

Charles.