JANUARY 14'

January 14'

Happy New Year all, and here we go again for 2014!

Hope you all had a good festive season and enjoyed some good music from last year in the company of friends and a drink or two. A bit of a slow start to the year for me (on here!) but I’m right back into the swing of things and ready for what 2014 has to offer.

No big predictions from me, my days of doing so are over (for now!!) but I’m looking forward to hearing some new music from The Holidays and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart to name a couple, but I’m also looking forward to hearing some full length stuff from Tigertown and The Art Of Sleeping.

Anyway, lets get the ball rolling with some of last years albums that I got hold of late in the piece…

And of course, my monthly playlist - Melodious Haze - January 14'

LF

Albums

Artist: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Album: Fly By Wire
Year: 2013
Similar Artists: Grouplove, Hey Rosetta!, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

My Rating: 7/10

Firstly, who the hell is Boris Yeltsen and why has this group named their band after him? Well for those of you who were also born in the 90’s, Yeltsin was the first president of the Russian Federation, in chair from 1991-1999. Initially, a popular figure, he resigned with an estimated approval rating of only 2% - what does this have to do with the band? Who knows, and who cares when their music is so genuinely enjoyable.

Fly By Wire starts off with ‘Harrison Ford’ (a great man in his own right) that sets the tempo for the entirety of the record; a heavy set keys intro, a funky guitar hook and some simple but strong drumming. Lead vocalists, Phillip Dickey initially sounds quite reserved, however by the time second track ‘Nightwater-Girlfriend’ comes around, he is just about in full swing. This is the heaviest track of the album however it ebs and flows with ease, putting the listener into this bedazzled state before again driving you into the third track ‘Young Presidents’. Here we have our 3^rd brilliant track and the album is only a mere 9 minutes old.

The record, as imaginable struggles to overcome this early peak, however manages to still create some worthy moments which will ensure you don’t just come back for the first 3 tracks. ‘Loretta’ and ‘Unearth’ are very poppy and have more of sunshine sparkle than some of the heavier moments as it appears the band intend the album to start dark and allow the light to filter through as things progress. Closer ‘Fly By Wire’ continues this trend with the added use of some acoustic guitar and the exposure of Dickey’s softer vocals; yet it still adds some depth to what has now evolved to a solid album.

This will be an album that many will be able to enjoy and relate to. Fun and upbeat but gentle enough for any occasion….

Artist: The Head & The Heart
Album: Let’s Be Still
Year: 2013

Similar Artists: Mumford & Sons, Big Scary, Best Coast
My Rating: 6/10

Let’s Be Still is the second album from The Head & The Heart, and was one that I had my sights set on for a long time. Their self-titled debut was a real favourite of mine and I was lucky enough to also catch them play a support show for Grouplove a few years back.

Thus, awaiting with excitement, I was met with some initial disappointment on my first few listens to this record. It seemed to drag in places, lacked any continuity and lost that bright spark which was apparent on their first record. Nevertheless, persistence paid off and Let’s Be Still turned into an album with plenty to offer, even if it is somewhat different to their first offering.

Throughout the entirety of the record, we are privy to beautiful harmonies, violin and keys; all laid bare in a delicate manner. There is a softer side to this record and once your into it, soon you will find yourself being taken over by the gentle melodies throughout.

Standout tracks are ‘Another Story’ and ‘My Friends’ – both of which are probably the most upbeat songs on the LP. ‘Another Story’ finished in my top 10 singles of last year for its slow build, hypnotic violin and ability to draw you to that state of ease. ‘My Friends’ is built around keys that are unmatched on any other track – a definite favourite also.

This album may be one or two tracks too long, and one or two standout tracks short of becoming excellent, however its beauty really lies deeper than a lot of other things you may listen to. Let the harmonies, keys and violins take you away, and then you will enjoy what The Head & The Heart have created….

Artist: Washed Out

Album: Paracosm
Year 2013
Similar Artists: Youth Lagoon, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Beach House
My Rating: 6/10

Dreamy, washy, hazey, trippy  - you get the idea, this is Paracosm by Washed Out. Thanks to Tom from Sleepy Tea’s enlightenment on his top albums of last year, I got my hands on this record and have been pleasantly surprised.

For the most parts, a record with so many produced and computer generated sounds wouldn’t appeal to me, yet there is something in this dreamy type of chilled electronic that gets me. Perhaps it is the underlining element of psychedelic or that lucid headspace this sort of music puts you.

Paracosm blends you round in a so many ways that before you even know it, the album is complete and your left wondering when the hell did we even get to the second track? It remains fun and exciting but isolated and alone all in one.

The album progresses in a way that if at all possible, becomes more trippy throughout. There is so much going on that it all combines to create a sound so simple. Paracosm isn’t for the faint hearted, just like those brownies your likely to indulge in when you put this album on, but there is definitely a time and place for something like this.

Artist: The Postelles

Album: …And It Shook Me
Year 2013
Similar Artists: The Kooks, Bored Nothing, Busby Marou

My Rating: 6.5/10

I feel like I am almost insulting The Postelles by only reviewing …And It Shook Me now; I have seriously had this album for months and months, but have only recently given it a proper crack. Sometimes good things take time!

After my first thoughts that The Postelles were almost a carbon copy of The Kooks, I have now moved away from that ideation, however therein lies a small resemblance between the two. I think this stems from the lead vocalist and the use of guitar.

Anyway, aptly named opening track ‘…And It Shook Me’ kicks things off in positive fashion, with a pretty short sharp simple hook and chorus. This then leads us to the second track ‘Pretend It’s Love’ which initially didn’t really appeal to me; its a lot different to the opener and I think its because of the addition of a female vocalist (this normally wouldn’t bother me though!). However again, after a period of time, this song became a very enjoyable number for. It is pleasant and soft, and the male/female vocal combo turns into something with a bit of charm.

‘Sweet Water’ provides a different avenue again, this time with a funky bass riff throughout and another sing-along chorus. From here the album paddles along strongly before we hit the best track ‘Running Red Lights’. It is catchy, happy and again is something you can easily find yourself singing along to. We also hear a mean little guitar solo toward the end of the song which builds to a strong climax.

…And It Shook Me lacks some substance at various points, yet it makes up for it with some great choruses and sharp little guitar hooks. Enjoy it in the summer sun, before we start looking for things to keep us company in the cold winter nights…..