Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

The nostalgia surrounding any action Daft Punk make, always manages to create a massive buzz throughout any genre of music. Somewhere in an ordinary persons life, Daft Punk have been a foregrounding soundtrack, Wether its the early 2000's club tunes, right down to Kanye West's cheap rip off of 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'. So when Daft Punk revealed earlier in the year that they were making a comeback, speculation appeared of festival rumours and collaborations, just a typical thing when the French duo are in the equation.
Me, along with many other curious ears were waiting in suspense for Monday's release of 'Random Access Memories'. With the release of 'Get Lucky' ft Pharell Williams a few weeks back, then a stint at number one through many charts across the world, Daft Punk fever was definitely setting in. It took elements of the usual anthemic tracks such as 'Around the World' and 'Technologic' and mashed them in to a funky groove using bass lines and ringing guitar melodies. Going off this, I think many people were expecting the usual anthemic summer soundtracks, with a usual fast paced tempo and some earbending technological triumphs, not knowing what to expect, I guess I was let down at certain aspects. Where I was expecting the tracks to escualte after 'Get Lucky', we got slow grooves and everlasting buildups that never took off. In my eyes it took a gradual downturn of expectation in what could have been a summer album that would have lasted a lifetime, but I know for definate it will grow on me.
As usual, the French duo got the collaborations spot on. Mixes with N.E.R.D.'s Pharell Williams and The Strokes' Julian Casablancas were the perfect match, but just with tracks that didn't seem to go anywhere.

The E.P. was top and tailed with two tracks with epic sequences in 'Give Life Back to Music' and 'Contact' each containing elements that will gradually grown on its audience, but doesn't quite hit home the way it was expected. 'Give Life Back to Music' opens with a dramatic and strong sequence, escalating down to a typical signature Daft Punk funk, while 'Contact' uses as sample of NASA space talk, to bring the entrance into Phantom of the Opera style organ build up, filling out with an enthralling drum solo and typical electronic riffs. Track 2, 'The Game of Love' starts with a slow groove, to me relating back the the sterotypical 1970's porno foreplay music that sadly I was never around to witness. Sadly this is a track that never manages to lift off in my opinion. Where I was waiting for a epic electronic fill, it just swayed the same way through the whole track. Once past the dreary monologue at the start of track 3, 'Giorgio by Moroder' it becomes a track with potential to exceed lowered expectations. With superb orchestral buildups and subtle breakdowns, the track is a pleasant feat for the ears. Missing out the slow and lugubrious slow jazz piano of 'Within', Track 5, 'Instant Crush' featuring Julian Casablancas of The Strokes gives off vibes of late 90's American prom music. My highlight of the album 'Loose Yourself to Dance' is at track 6, where although very Get Lucky sounding, it's groovy basslines, ringing guitars and a mixture of Pharell's pupescent sounding voice create a cracking track at every aspect. Track 7, 'Touch' featuring Paul Williams to me is a track that has grown on me, and also one you have to listen to fully to actually appreciate it. If you based your opinion on the first 2minutes of the track, you'd probably never listen again, but certain aspects of buildups help the track to be a standout track of the album. 'Get Lucky' probably needs no introduction anymore, as is been severely overplayed on ever radio and tv station you can possible think of. A great track that seems to be out of fashion after being played 24/7. Tracks 9 and 10 seem to be just fillers of empty hopes with this album. 'Beyond' and 'Motherboard' are tough to listen to right the the end and dont grab my attention in any sense. But the colaborations of 'Fragments of Time' with Todd Edward and 'Doin' it Right' with Panda Bear help the bring the album to a positive conclusion.
Through the 2 weeks I took to write this blog, 'Random Access Memories' has been a casual listen. I have to admit, on first glance the album didn't grab my attention in any way, but over time its managed to grow on me to the point of full appreciation. Where in some aspects I am still dissapointed, in others I have grown to admire the time and dedication gone into such an intricate record. 'Random Access Memories' is one that I know I will never get bored of but one that still let me down when I was expecting a masterpiece.

Finally...

So after a long and extensive exam and coursework period, i've finally got some time to get writing again, and it perfect timing, ITS FESTIVAL SEASON.

Coming up this week i've got a Glastonbury preview, reaction to Arctic Monkeys album details and album reviews of some of my favourite new releases. PLUS i'll be crying about every festival lineup that i'm not going to get to see.

Get following on Twitter - @charleshanratty
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Email - throughtheretrospect@gmail.co.uk

2013 is looking tasty...

   HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you lot all had a great new year and Christmas...
   Sorry guys i've not been able to post for a while. Been off my feet with Christmas, New Years and back to college work, so i'll start off with a quick update on what's to come...

   BOWIE'S BACK - I'll be giving mine and the worlds reaction to Bowie coming back and where he is expected to play over the summer!

   2012 NYE PLAYLIST - What I entertained my guests with as new year was upon us. (clearly not my party^)

   MY TIPS FOR 2013 - Giving you an insight on bands you probably know about, but are hotly tipped to be 2013's biggest bands and artist.

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   FESTIVAL LINE-UP REACTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS - Taking a look at the worlds best festivals of the summer.
   2013 is going to be a great year, with the many musical masterpiece albums that are to be released and the great thought of some breakthrough artists. Sure it will be as good for me as it will be for you.

Charles.

Gig review - Xfm's Winter Wonderland @ O2 Apollo Manchester 04/12/12

(Sorry for the bad pictures. Blurryness, odd lighting and shining bald guards with their heads in the way)

   Xfm have once again, smashed it. Their Manchester leg of the beloved Christmas gigs, often the pinnacle of winter gigs, over-stepped the mark this time round. A mixture of new and old classics created the most perfect night of raucous elbow bashing and crowd surfing. (Excuse the bad photos this time round, taken by myself amongst a crowd you couldn't expect to stand still)
   As you could probably tell by the endless articles I've written over the past month or so, I was just a little bit excited for Tuesday night, and so was everyone else that managed to get their hands on a ticket. Full to the brim, Xfm brought out Tim Cocker to flaunt his comedic ways and introduce the awaiting band.
   First up was Findlay, a band that not many people had heard of and weren't expecting much from. The four piece marched on and gave us an acapella piece to kick off the night. Taking her Mic, she belted every word out with passion to the Manchester crowd. An opening song that was nothing short of hipnotising, setting us up perfectly for the rest of the set. The second song of their short set was 'Your Sister', which grabbed the attention of the crowd. It displayed to us perfectly the grungy, gritty, rock style of Findlay. A few more tracks were played and sadly they had to leave. Once again Xfm have picked up a great new band that could and should be around for years to come.

   Second on the bill was the ever growing Spector. A treat for a band that was just second up. Once again, Spector displayed their edgey indieness, with floor fillers such as 'Friday Night...', 'Celestine', 'Chevy Thunder' the epic 'Never Fade Away'.

   Third on the bill were Manchester lads, Delphic, making their second Winter Wonderland appearance. These fellas have been on a bit of a break for the past few years after their debut album release back in 2009. In all fairness, a lot of people were confused on why they were above Spector on the bill, but they showed us just why they deserved that spot. After belting out signature tracks such as 'This Momentary' and 'Doubt' they managed to win the crowd over and give us a smashing set. Hopefully this time round the lads will stay in the limelight for a lot longer.

   Next up were the Everything Everything lot. Also playing their second round of Xfm gigs. Well armoured with new hits such as 'Kemosabe' and 'Cough Cough' it's was sure to be a high end set of indie-techno madness. Even though you pretty much can't understand what the lead singer is saying unless you know the words, it was a damn right top set. Past hits from their first album 'Man Alive' were a bit scarce throughout the set but he spots were filled in with new tracks that were surely going to go down as Everything Everything's top tracks. A highly rates band that will soon be at the top of everyone's lists.

   The penultimate act of the night was my favourite surprise, Maximo Park. There's not really a place this band haven't been. From up and down the globe, Maximo Park have cemented themselves as one of the most exhilarating bands around to date. To them this was probably another gig but I'm sure the crowd thought differently.A trademark energetic entrance from the one and only Paul Smith, was probably the perfect way to open up their set, getting the crowd shifting and shaping. New tracks from 'The National Health' and a mixture of classic tracks from 'Quicken The Heart', 'Our Earthly Pleasures' and 'A Certain Trigger' were enough for a legendary set from the Geordie lads. Probably my favourite act of the night and definitely someone I would go and see again.

   Oh yeah, last up, the highly rated, well deserving, boys from Cockney land, Bloc Party. Going off a set I saw in Blackpool about 7 years ago, I had high expectations for the London lads. This was where my love of gigs was born, and I have been aching to see them again since then. I was unbelievably excited when Xfm announced them as their headliners this year, and rightfully so. An amazing British band at the least. The two year hiatus the band went on to pursue 'other things' had its fairly painful times, and with only Kele's occasional solo tracks it was just too much to bare. But excitement grew in mid 2012, as the band announced their come back and the appearance of their fourth studio album 'Four'. After playing all over the world and the odd gigs in the UK, they were finally back where they belonged. On one of the most legendary stages in Manchester, the O2 Apollo. Footsteps on to the stage, they graced us with their presence to the high pitched screams and manly shouts. The lads gave us tracks from all four albums, with the infamous 'Hunting For Witches', new tracks 'Kettling' and 'He Begins To Lie and getting the crowd going with the ever loved 'Flux', 'Banquet' and 'Helicopter'. To be honest that's all I really need to say about this set. The band are at just such a high quality and at the peak of musical tightness, so every song was just as good as the last. Kele's charisma, Russel's magic fingers, Gordon's normality and Matt's I-can-see-your-ribs-mate sweaty body. What a perfect way to end the night.
   Xfm never fail to put on a top end gig, and this year was going to be no different. Apart from the short cut sets, it was such an amazing night to be involved with. Lets hope next years gets better (if that is possible).

Xfm's Winter Wonderland... what to expect.

   Tonight marks the first leg of Xfm's Winter Wonderland at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. As usual it's hyped up to every extreme and it will definitely be up and over the mark this time round.
   For me this is the most anticipated time of the year; bands announce tours, festival line-up's are leaked to the public and most importantly it's time for Xfm's Winter Wonderland. The highly anticipated gigs take place on both sides of the country, giving us a mixed night of madness and music.
   

   Emerging bands Findlay and Spector kicking off the night in Manchester, also Delphic, Everything Everything, Maximo Park and the headliners Bloc Party will top off the night. Spector being such a prolific indie band of 2012, and only on second shows just how good the line-up is this year. Delphic and Everything Everything are currently on their comebacks, and have both given us albums and tracks that are sure to get the floor moving and swaying. Maximo Park will be offering us hit after hit from their long and extensive career whilst feeding us new tracks from their latest album 'The National Health'. Then the most anticipated band of the night, Bloc Party. A high octane set is expected, with a mixture of songs from all four albums that we have been graced with over the last decade. The 2year hiatus the band took has left everyone wanting a taste of the indie floorfillers, and Xfm have managed to snap them up this time round.
   So we are clearly in for a treat, which in nothing short of what we expect from Winter Wonderland when it comes around. It's going to be mental. I'll be the one in the middle with a ginger mophead kicking everyone with my massive doc martens.