Old posts
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06.10.08The end of an era?
T
his is Louise as shot for my ‘bedroom’ series, I had a great time last night with her and a few other people in my class at our final show and it makes me really glad that she’ll be joining me on the third year the course I just wish there were a few more people I get on with staying.
But yes, it’s all over now I guess. Last night was our final exhibition and pretty much marked the end of our two year FD course, there will be some people that I can gladly say will most likely never see again but there are one or two people that when I really think about it I really am going to miss. People are going away, taking themselves off to London to hopefully start a career, or they’re going back home to attempt to do the same and I just always find times like this strange when you realise that you’ve been in the same building as some people for years, sitting in the same rooms but you’ll probably never see them again and I find this depressing even when it concerns people that I don’t find it very productive to be around.
All of this aside it was nice to spend time with the people I like at the final show, and there was quite a few good images to be seen, you’ll be seeing mine soon. It is only two images but they were blown up to A1 and framed, displayed side by side even I was quite shocked at how striking they looked at that size. I’ll find out what my lecturer thought about them tomorrow though, which I can’t say I’m looking forward to especially if she isn’t in a good mood I’m just hoping with it being the last tutorial of this year that it’ll be ending on a good note with her, because despite clashing heads over a fair few things I do quite like her.
In other news summer has finally hit england it would seem, and I’m spending most of the daytime dying from heat exhaustion and trying to get away with wearing as little clothes as possible without being actually naked. It is days like today that i wish I actually suited shorts.
06.06.08Nothing but rain (Summer playlist 2)W
ell since my last music post rejoicing for the return of summer, we’ve had pretty much nothing cold, wind and rain there have been the odd sunny day however but not many. Today though is one of those days, I’m sat on my bed with my headphones on and the sun pouring through the window. I just hope it lasts.
So to get over the rain this week I’ve been listening to a lot of music and I’m a lover of music sharing so here this is my summer playlist number 2 songs to get you through the rain, songs that will make you want to dance in the sun and general jolly sounds of joy. (download links under song samples)
I know these were in my last music post but I would be lying if I didn’t say I’d been waiting weeks to hear Tilly and the Wall’s new album ‘O’ but I have been waiting, rather unpatiently I must say but upon hearing it I am not disapointed in the slightlest. As expected their last single ‘Beat Control’ was just a one off for them in terms of strong electronics and dropping their tap dancing drum beats the new album though is a slight depature from their previous gems with a few songs having a more rocky edge to them but I am glad to say that they have very much kept their tap dancing rhythms that you cant help tapping your own feet along to.
The stand out songs on the album so far for me are probably the most upbeat and happiest, firstly we have ‘Alligator Skin’ which is a jumble of a song but gloriously so, laced with Tilly and the Wall’s usual tapping sounds and overlaid vocals. The there is ‘Dust Me Off’ a song about friendship and love with again an incredible beat that will make you want to move your body. Finally, something completely different is ‘Pot Kettle Black’ a rocker of a song that starts with a whole heap of stomping and slowly builds up its about the 1:30 mark where it really shines for me. I wouldn’t call it a chorus but its cool.
Tilly and the Wall have always seemed to represent summer for me, their songs are so happy and joyful they remind me of the sunshine and beaches and dancing. The mp3’s aren’t the best quality sadly but you really should buy the album, the artwork has been designed by lots of different artists and there is no two the same which is cool - limited though so hurry hurry.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Alligator Skin - Tilly and the Wall
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Dust me off - Tilly and the Wall
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Pot Kettle Black - Tilly and the Wall
I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan of Frankmusik but after hearing this song I must say I am looking forward to the album release. The song ‘Done Done’ is quite a nice little floaty number with nice electronics and repeating vocal sounds which is something I always love in a song - while it is not overly dancey, or happy the song itself makes nice easy listening without being boring in the slightest. Though his breathy deliverance can be a little annoying at full volume but I’d keep this one on your ipod for late night walks at the beach.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Elkland are a pretty old band, they split up a while ago one of the members went onto join the less good in my opinion Goat Explosion, however in terms of summer listening Elkland’s album ‘Gold’ is perfect for those fans of electronic music of the none-floaty variety a lot of their songs are fairly catchy and delivered well all be it a bit cheesy.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I used to listen to Mates of State quite a lot and have always found their sound rather uplifting and well crafted, their newest album ‘Re-Arrange Us’ is a great addition to their already excellent discography and i’ve been listening to it on a loop over this past week. The single ‘Get Better’ screams summer listening to me, with its upbeat chorus and positive sound. Give it a listen.
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05.07.08first signs of summer (summer playlist 1)S
o it’s getting slightly warmer, and only slightly. the sun isn’t going home until at least half past seven and night now but still likes to wake you up at six.
It means, summer is coming and there’s nothing better than a little bit of upbeat music to get you in the summer mood. So as the sun is coming up way to early most mornings and going down way to late most nights when I can’t sleep I find myself tapping my feet to these. (download links under song samples)
It is true, I adore Zeigeist. I don’t care if they are a complete rip off of The Knife, I don’t care if essentially they are not as good because a whole part of me likes them more than their copied counterparts.
I adore every song on their album ‘The Jade Motel’, as well as every song on their previous self titled EP. Their songs are so full of slick beats all overlaid with sexy vocals laced with a swedish accent that I can’t stop myself from wanting to dance like an idiot whenever I hear them.
‘Fight with Shattered Mirrors’ is a track from the album, and though the most underproduced song on the album is one of my favorites, the vocal layering makes my heart happy.
‘Dawn/Night’ is probably my favorite Zeigeist song of all time, wreaking of the same beats and rhythms that make ‘The Knife’ brilliant but with its very own Zeigeist spin.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Fight with Shattered Mirrors - Zeigeist
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Tilly and the Wall have always been favorites of mine, what with their tap dancing ways replacing the drums and their happy, jolly vocals being able to lift my spirits at any time. Along with their sweet but heartbreaking slow songs like ‘Lost Girls’ that really get you in the heart.
However, for their latest single ‘Beat Control’ Tilly and the Wall are taking their sound in a new direction, gone is the tap dancing - much to my horror at first. And in it’s place are electronic beats and 80s sounding vocals. Needless to say it is a welcome departure that has had be dancing to it for the past month. Now it is your turn.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Beat Control - Tilly and the Wall
I’m not ashamed to admit it, The Long Blondes last album dissapointed me completely. I’d heard the demo’s, & I’d loved the demo’s but the album wrecked them for me and it was something I just couldn’t get over. However, their latest offering ‘Couples’ has more than made up for my dissapointment in the last. Most noticeably the track ‘Guilt’ from the opening sounds to the ending vocals the song makes me want to tap my feet and go out and dance, and everyone loves to dance.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
I probably should have gotten the embarrasing one out of the way first, but here it is now. What can I say, I adore Sophie Ellis Bextor, always have from the first moments I saw her perfect pale skin on television during my teens she jumped off the screen like a more fashionable less needy snow white. Maybe I have an obsession with females with pale skin and oversized heads but I think she’s beautiful.
Her earlier albums consisted of her very catchy and danceable singles, and a few other stand out tracks her attempts at ballads usually let me down as I feel her voice lends it self better to a more upbeat sound.
She’s had quite a spell of absense what with wedding a member of ‘The Feeling’ and all that comes with it, however she returns on a form better than all her previous attempts with ‘Trip the Light Fantastic’ which i’ve had on repeate for a while now, I won’t say I adore every song but there are a fair few stand out tracks. ‘China Heart’ is one of these songs I’m not sure i’ll ever get sick of it.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
China Heart - Sophie Ellis Bextor
I think I first heard Ladytron when I was around fifteen, I’m twenty one now. You do the math. It however was like an audio orgasm to me, love at first hear you might say. I can’t even remember now which song was my first but I remember I adored it.
The new Ladytron album ‘Velocifero’ is a slight departure from their old sounds, but still sticks well to Ladytron routes, each song rolls out of the album and slides into your ears, unobtrusive but delightful with sexy electronics and the usual Ladytron slick vocals.
‘Ghosts’ is one of my favorite album tracks, however the ‘Toxic Avenger’ remix of the track by far surpasses the original for me - maybe it’s just because I’ve been more in a dancey mood lately, or maybe just because I feel it’s handling is better. Either way it is a delight to hear.Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Ghosts (Toxic Avenger Remix) - Ladytron
Enjoy!
