Thanks again for reading along for another month, and thanks
for the (mainly!) positive response to Aprils big review of The Pains. For the
record, its still going along very well and am thoroughly enjoying it:
hopefully you are too!
My monthly playlist is again online here:
Cheers
LF
Upcoming Gigs
Well firstly, I want to start with a massive plug….
Gig: Ben Mason
presents an encore performance of
“The
Zombies - Odessey and Oracle”
When: Saturday 21st
June 2014
Where: Northcote
Social Club, Melbourne
Tickets: http://northcotesocialclub.com/
- $20
Doors & Support: 8:30
supported by Spoonful & Shelley Short (USA)
Well for those of you who read my September review from last year, or for anyone who has
spoken to me since then, you have probably heard all about what was a very very
special gig. And luckily enough, the great man Ben Mason and his talented bunch
of friends are back to perform The Zombies 1968 classic Odessey and Oracle in
full for a second and final time.
Odessey and Oracy itself is an album that initially never
really took off, with The Zombies recording the album and breaking up before
they even played it together live. However over the years has developed a
steady following with its apparent climax being the 40th anniversary
of its release when the original band members joined alliances to play a number
of shows together. Since then, the band has experienced a significant renaissance
period and have continued with some heavy touring of the US, UK and Europe.
Now, Ben Mason, a self-confessed lover of this classic
record put his incredible musical abilities on show last year when he played to
an almost capacity admiring audience on a cold Melbourne night. The songs were
beautifully crafted and you couldn’t help but find yourself drifting away to a
place resembling a small pub in 1968 England!! A hand pressed limited edition vinyl
was also created for the evening which again is a majestic creation; Number 22
of 150 is currently spinning in my place right now thanks to cousin Ash!
On Saturday 21st June, we will see Ben Mason and
his friends repeat the whole thing again for I’m sure another full house. Let me
make this absolutely clear – this is a show that you must not miss. If you are
even slightly into The Zombies or any psychedelic pop from the sixties, then
get on down and enjoy what is sure to be a fantastic night of music and good
times. Hope to see plenty of you there!
Albums
Artist: Asgeir
Album: In the
Silence
Year: 2014
My Rating: 8/10
Well it’s hard to decipher much insight into Asgeir as my
Icelandic isn’t too crash hot, but here we go for a bit of a bio….
Asgeir, a 22 year old musician from Iceland, released his
debut album in 2012 titled Dýrð í dauðaþögn. The album (like most music coming
from Iceland) was a huge success and Asgeir was summoned to release the album
in English with the assistance of America’s John Grant. The album In The
Silence was translated and recorded in English and released worldwide in
January 2014, with what looks to be great success at this point. My good mate suggested
I cast my ears through this record and what an auditory journey it has been
since….
Opener ‘Higher’ is a smooth introduction with an
eerie drum beat throughout the entirety of the song, backed with equally unnerving
yet crisp vocals. The guitar similarly feels cold, although melodic, you are
not sure what to expect from here as the song fades out into a wave of distortion.
‘In The Silence’ follows with a lukewarm start, an obvious bass riffs bangs
through but then we see the first glimmer of light with some slightly brighter
vocals and acoustic guitar chords. As the song progresses horns come in, still
dark in their presence but combining to create slightly more fire and the
marching band drums lifts the tempo as well. Looking back, these songs lay the
foundation for the record; stating a cold edge, with comfort and warmth if you
are willing to search for it.
‘Summer Guest’ will definitely not remind you of an
Australian summer but what it will do is reinforce not only the foundations
mentioned above, but will also continue to provide an extensive introduction to
what we are about to experience for the rest of the record. Three songs to
introduce the record you may ask? Yes as bizarre as it sounds, this is how it
feels for me as the track closes with some sort of modest flute or piccolo
adding the final layer before we really experience what In The Silence
is all about.
And were we go with ‘King and Cross’ – quite possibly
the best song on the record. A lively synth filled track that is sure to lift
you from the potential shivers felt from the opening three tracks. It has a far
from groundreaking beat throughout but this therefore provides a perfect
backdrop for everything else the song offers, including yes, some timely horns.
Now we move onto ‘Was There Nothing’ and some might say I am stupid to not have
mentioned the vocals of Asgeir Trausti Einarsson until this point. Needless to
say this tracks lays his voice out perfectly on a bite size platter for you and
coupled with the acoustic guitar, your full appreciated for his singing is thus
given. And finally some more keys in ‘Torrent’, again another potential best song
from the record. This track is powerful and cinematic, bold and exciting. It
has a bit of everything and honestly you do feel as though a torrent of some
tsunami-esque proportions has just swept you away.
‘Going Home’ and ‘Head in the Snow’ keep things
going before we are hit with the beautiful ‘In Harmony’. This truly heart-warming
stuff and is a track you would play as you stand on top of a mountain somewhere
embracing a lover watching the sun go down. (If this actually happens to you, I’m
envious!) The harmonies are divine and will be almost a good a harmony as we
will hear all year. Hearing this live will be something special and the horns
we hear in the background are as close to brilliant as you get. This track
should have closed off the album, but ‘On That Day’ does a nice enough job.
For a record that starts off in what I determine a
little Icelandic crevasse, it does well to provide comfort, warmth and
happiness in excess amounts as the album flows forward….
Singles
Track: Red Eyes
- Off the album Lost In The Dream
Year: 2014
Year: 2014
Been a while since I’ve reviewed a single but ‘Red Eyes’
from The War On Drugs is an absolute cracker. 5 minutes of absolute psychedelic
rock haze at its most daring, grungy encapsulating best.
Synth is mystically layered amongst a guitar that is light
years away from flowery. It drives into your head and spins you in a dizzying circle,
allowing you a chance to catch your breath before hitting you again and perplexing
your auditory senses.
There are some vocals in there that fit the bill, but hell
who cares with everything else that is going on. The drum is repetitious and reinforcing,
shaking a wave throughout your body with each beat. This song could continue easily
for another 5 minutes and you probably wouldn’t notice; this is how twisted you
will be after listening to this track.
One that will be right up there for Song of The Year……
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