That green gentleman is the second track taken from latest album “Pretty.odd”. With fans still slightly unaware as to whether the beatles-esque move works for them, another clot is thrown into the bloodstream with this one; a country folk rock track that embraces the start of an era, the beginning of something new. Ironic eh?
The adaptation has been hard for most Panic lovers, obsessing over the band for their intense dance rock debut and jaw dropping when the second hit the stores. A betrayal was on the cards here- turning their back on the faithful who downloaded any demo available and purchased the debut album in their masses. Others have embraced the change, romanticising in the melody, reflecting in the joy. Whatever the outcome, questions have most definitely arisen about the bands direction and stature.
This single is no different, following in the footsteps of ‘nine in the afternoon’, and embracing our ears with a clean, comforting, unique sound. It’s a step away from Fall Out Boy and one in the right direction.
I’ll admit before you ask- I have absolutely no idea what the green gentleman thing is about. However with most Panic stuff, it’s difficult to really know what the titles of their songs ever mean and questioning the importance of song titles in general.
None the less, the groovy riff, Ross’ lyrics and Brenden’s ever faultless vocals provide us with a slice of classic popular music. Dislike if you want, even call them crazy; see if they really give a shit.
A depth in maturity springs to mind, leaving the adolescent teens of the first behind; enabling the band to grow and forget the insecurities of ‘A fever you can’t sweat out’. Things have changed eh boys? Cor blimey. And trust me, it's as catchy as you like.
Sunday, 22 June 2008
LizzySpit- Laura's Diary.
Released 19th May, Elizabeth Knights Ward (that’s a mouthful) aka Lizzyspit provides us with Laura’s diary. Sung very much in a colloquial diary reading manner, Lizzyspit has created a harmonic, heartfelt track, opening up any contemplations swimming about. If you don’t want to open the can of worms so to speak then definitely avoid this one. Relationship break-ups require a compulsory avoidance I’m afraid.
Kate Nash lyrical comparisons are evident from the first note, not necessarily for the sound of her voice in particular but primarily the everyday emotional melody of words hung together loosely like socks to washing lines. See- she’s even got me doing it.
The percussive taps on the guitar are a nice touch for what could otherwise branch into a potentially dull and bland release. I’m intrigued to check out other material and see the direction Lizzyspit takes. It’s also quite Missy Higgins like, that familiar female vocal and thoughtful wording.
If you like your heavy rock music, or your energetic indie bopping tunes, then Lizzyspit probably won’t fit in anywhere on your musical spectrum. For the less hollow hearted of us, Lizzyspit could easily become a firm favourite. Anybody else wanna know why it's such a bad time?
Kate Nash lyrical comparisons are evident from the first note, not necessarily for the sound of her voice in particular but primarily the everyday emotional melody of words hung together loosely like socks to washing lines. See- she’s even got me doing it.
The percussive taps on the guitar are a nice touch for what could otherwise branch into a potentially dull and bland release. I’m intrigued to check out other material and see the direction Lizzyspit takes. It’s also quite Missy Higgins like, that familiar female vocal and thoughtful wording.
If you like your heavy rock music, or your energetic indie bopping tunes, then Lizzyspit probably won’t fit in anywhere on your musical spectrum. For the less hollow hearted of us, Lizzyspit could easily become a firm favourite. Anybody else wanna know why it's such a bad time?
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Kids Love Lies- Boiler Room, Guildford.
Kids Love Lies set foot outside the gigging scene of London for the first time; starting their venture of country stardom, or so they would have hoped. Where better to begin then current gig hot spot Boiler Room?With the ACM just around the corner, Guildford should have taken to this unique outfit like butter to bread- a fantastic fivesome; brimming with both potential and personality.
As BBC introducing veterans and a past Nick Grimshaw house band, Kid Love Lies have managed to cause a real stir within the capital; yet a poor response further south lead to what could have provoked a disappointing night. The band failed to let poor audience figures spur them away from providing a top notch gig- opening with myspace favourite ‘Morning after’ and pounding their way through their entire set.
Strong tracks ‘Hex’ and ‘Paranoid’ bopped heads and tapped feet, but real crowd pleasers ‘Perfection’ and ‘Chimera’ enticed audience members to brave the dancefloor and allow the endearing bunch to steal their hearts- if only for this short period of time.Vocalist Ellen Murphy cannot disguise her distinctive Kate Nash resemblances, especially throughout spine chilling track Chimera and riot record Perfection.
The rest of the band’s quirkiness soon became evident, as the five some really portrayed themselves as a bunch of musicians keen on performing whatever the crowd; and they made friends along the way- prising pedestrians away from the streets and advising them to check out their band. Kids love lies are playing everywhere in the next couple of months- make sure you fill the venues next time people.
As BBC introducing veterans and a past Nick Grimshaw house band, Kid Love Lies have managed to cause a real stir within the capital; yet a poor response further south lead to what could have provoked a disappointing night. The band failed to let poor audience figures spur them away from providing a top notch gig- opening with myspace favourite ‘Morning after’ and pounding their way through their entire set.
Strong tracks ‘Hex’ and ‘Paranoid’ bopped heads and tapped feet, but real crowd pleasers ‘Perfection’ and ‘Chimera’ enticed audience members to brave the dancefloor and allow the endearing bunch to steal their hearts- if only for this short period of time.Vocalist Ellen Murphy cannot disguise her distinctive Kate Nash resemblances, especially throughout spine chilling track Chimera and riot record Perfection.
The rest of the band’s quirkiness soon became evident, as the five some really portrayed themselves as a bunch of musicians keen on performing whatever the crowd; and they made friends along the way- prising pedestrians away from the streets and advising them to check out their band. Kids love lies are playing everywhere in the next couple of months- make sure you fill the venues next time people.
Hot Chip- One Pure Thought.
Following ‘ready for the floor’ will possibly be the hardest challenge any band will face this year. Contender for best track in a long long while, ‘ready for the floor’ has sent second album ‘Made in the dark’ well on its way to outselling the fantastic first.
One Pure Thought is different to the first single, not half as catchy but still typical intertwining Hot Chip; embossing the airwaves with infectious, intriguing lyrics and upbeat mysterious melodies. I don’t think after the success of the last record, the indie dancers would ever have considered releasing a similar style tune, and with this deeper track, Hot Chip have done nothing but persuade the audience further to purchase made in the dark.
Critically, one pure thought could merely be surpassed as a b-side lacking the musical brilliance of their other releases such as over and over, but almost in its subtly; Hot Chip can endear a new branch of the unsure neutral audience.
Buy the album, it’s a must for the collection. Although not as strong as its predecessor, one pure thought can only add to the appeal of this exciting genre hopping act and their ever impressive second album. A must for the festivals definitely.
9/13
One Pure Thought is different to the first single, not half as catchy but still typical intertwining Hot Chip; embossing the airwaves with infectious, intriguing lyrics and upbeat mysterious melodies. I don’t think after the success of the last record, the indie dancers would ever have considered releasing a similar style tune, and with this deeper track, Hot Chip have done nothing but persuade the audience further to purchase made in the dark.
Critically, one pure thought could merely be surpassed as a b-side lacking the musical brilliance of their other releases such as over and over, but almost in its subtly; Hot Chip can endear a new branch of the unsure neutral audience.
Buy the album, it’s a must for the collection. Although not as strong as its predecessor, one pure thought can only add to the appeal of this exciting genre hopping act and their ever impressive second album. A must for the festivals definitely.
9/13
Smoosh- Free To Stay
I guess one of the primary skills for any music critic is the ability to remove any sentiment from a record and analyse the record on face value-music alone. Bollocks. Smoosh are so desperately endearing that I challenge anyone to read a biog on this band and dismiss with immediate effect. Take two sisters, both barely teenagers besotted by music and soccer; and create a soft pop rock band. Imagine a household where an adolescent informs her parents how she wants, craves and needs to learn the drums; the rhythm can’t be contained any longer, and a talented musician whisks her off her feet (so to speak) to teach her the rules of music. Fairy tale stuff you might say- sickening almost.
Mentored (if you like) by Death Cab’s Jason McGerr, Smoosh have managed to earn US underground legendary status- touring the states with big names Jimmy Eat World, Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie themselves, whilst this side of the globe featuring on tour with The Go! Team and Eels. Not a bad CV at the ages of 13 and 15 eh?
So- the sentiment won you over yet? Because hook line and sinker springs to mind. What makes it so fantastic and spares me any blushes is it’s actually a really good record. Of course, I wanted to love them, and no doubt this has played a part in my immediate enthusiasm; yet the opening to the album ‘free to stay’ could lighten any disaster field. We’re two years behind apparently as stateside ‘free to stay’ hit them in 2006; but it’s been well worth the wait.
Regina Spektor and Feist comparisons are as familiar as it gets really, primarily because the unusual concept of angelic vocals, naïve lyrics and rock music isn’t really easy to define regardless of constant efforts.If you like heavy music, lyrics embossed with meaning and soul, then I wouldn’t bother. Yet the Seattle pair have brought us Free to Stay; an adorable, fun and consistent score, enabling butterflies and colours to soar from the inner depths of your childhood and unveil themselves to the industry. Yes- everybody loves Buckley, Drake and Radiohead for their ingenious melodies, variety of vocal ranges and stunning lyricists; but Smoosh haven’t really claimed to challenge any of these roles.
Irritating at times? Yeah I guess I’ll give you that. But always the optimist; I would highly recommend. Watch out for ‘rock song’ ‘free to stay’ and opening track ‘find a way’ to really grasp the album.
Mel Lewis 11/13
Mentored (if you like) by Death Cab’s Jason McGerr, Smoosh have managed to earn US underground legendary status- touring the states with big names Jimmy Eat World, Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie themselves, whilst this side of the globe featuring on tour with The Go! Team and Eels. Not a bad CV at the ages of 13 and 15 eh?
So- the sentiment won you over yet? Because hook line and sinker springs to mind. What makes it so fantastic and spares me any blushes is it’s actually a really good record. Of course, I wanted to love them, and no doubt this has played a part in my immediate enthusiasm; yet the opening to the album ‘free to stay’ could lighten any disaster field. We’re two years behind apparently as stateside ‘free to stay’ hit them in 2006; but it’s been well worth the wait.
Regina Spektor and Feist comparisons are as familiar as it gets really, primarily because the unusual concept of angelic vocals, naïve lyrics and rock music isn’t really easy to define regardless of constant efforts.If you like heavy music, lyrics embossed with meaning and soul, then I wouldn’t bother. Yet the Seattle pair have brought us Free to Stay; an adorable, fun and consistent score, enabling butterflies and colours to soar from the inner depths of your childhood and unveil themselves to the industry. Yes- everybody loves Buckley, Drake and Radiohead for their ingenious melodies, variety of vocal ranges and stunning lyricists; but Smoosh haven’t really claimed to challenge any of these roles.
Irritating at times? Yeah I guess I’ll give you that. But always the optimist; I would highly recommend. Watch out for ‘rock song’ ‘free to stay’ and opening track ‘find a way’ to really grasp the album.
Mel Lewis 11/13
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