My name is Rylan and I’ve been a homeopath for the past 24 years. Great. But how many songs are there about homeopathy? As far as I can tell, only one. It’s by Bell.
Olga Bell, born in Russia, raised in Alaska and now living in Brooklyn, has vocal and musical qualities that instantly remind you of Björk. Theres even an interesting cover of Its Oh So Queit on Bell’s MySpace.
At first I reacted against what I thought was a blatant rip off of the Ice Queen, but I kept coming back for more. Throwing IDM into the mix did it for me.
So, homeopathy? Bell’s Echinacea is the IDM infused Björkathon, with a great trippy beat, and clapping. Its a bit of a shame Bell didn’t make more use of the cheering at the opening of the track, otherwise its quite the tune:
I have always wanted to spread the word about Swiss born American composer, Ernest Bloch. Especially as his music has recently been undeservedly overlooked. Hopefully the 50th anniversary of his death in 2009 will help to bring Bloch back to the forefront of classical repertoire.
Although Bloch is best known for his powerful Jewish works, I love his innate ability to compose in a variety of styles with great skill. His Concerto Grosso No. 2, for example, won the New York Music Critics’ Circle Award (a Concerto Grosso is a baroque form of composition).
Today I received some very sad news, and as usual I turned to music to console me. I listened to Prayer - No 1. from Jewish Life, for cello and string orchestra. I find it to be one of the most moving and lyrical pieces of music ever composed. This performance is from Jan Vogler’s excellent cello album My Tunes.
Ernest Bloch - Prayer, No. 1 from Jewish Life (mp3)
In stark contrast to Prayer, his String Quintet No. 1, showcases Bloch’s academical prowess in composition. The first movement opens with ghostly quarter tones in the string quartet. In the meantime the piano plays the leitmotif which forms the basis for the whole Quintet.
I have been completely spell bound by this quintet since I bought the critically acclaimed Hyperion recording. Every time I listen to it I make another discovery.
Ernest Bloch - String Quintet No. 1 - 1st Movement - Agitato (mp3)
Esserfuses tuneful trippy electro experimental pop with raw lyrics that rub the underside of your skin. Call it what you like, but lets hope Esser continues to write the best pop in ages.
Alphabeat, just stop now! In fact, I wish you never started. Esser is going to eat your heart out.
Formerly the drummer in the defunct Ladyfuzz, Esser has re-signed to Transgressive Records. Tickets are available to see him on the Transgressive Summer Tour, I’m looking foward to his Cross Kings gig in London. Especially after hearing session tracks from his appearance on BBC Radio 6 over at the The Daily Growl. His upcoming second single, the fantastic Headlock, can be heard at Esser HQ.
Those skin crawling lyrics I mentioned? Well taste this, “I have a habit of getting my foot stuck in my mouth, you are the only person I know who can help me get it out” . Reads about as well as anthrax, but maybe its the cheeky cockney accent that makes it sound like Wordsworth. I love it, but you can make up your own mind…
My family use this substance not only as a moth repellent, but also as a way to ward evil spirits. Its powerful stuff. So is the band with the same name, Camphor.
I’m becoming a sucker for epic popular music, but is there anything wrong with that? The front man of Camphor, Max Avery Lichtenstein, is already known as a film music composer. More recently he decided to step back from his incidental musings, and instead made an album inspired by Wabi Sabi. Thats epic in my book.
Listening to Camphor reminds me of the great Eels, with their American folk influences alongside Lichtenstein’s gravelly vocals. There are also Moriccone style gun slinging lead guitars. Epic orchestration features too.
Camphor’s debut LP, Drawn to Dust, has been receiving plaudits from the likes of Obscure Sound. The record is only available on import to the UK, but you can still buy it for under a fiver. My copy is in the post. Eight days, grrr.
Whilst you wait for yours to arrive, here’s a snippet; look out for the string’s uber harmonies at the end:
Is it weird that a fresh sound can be back to basics rock? Probably not. We’re all getting bored of electroindie. I certainly am. Well a little bit at least.
There are no synths to be seen around Dead Confederate. Just bloody great songs. Dead Confederate recently wowed many at SXSW (South by South West) in Austin, Texas. They opened for R.E.M. They’re going to be huge if they’re not careful.
Sadly, Dead Confederate are apparently best heard live. Sad because they’re not currently scheduled to tour the UK. I have to see this band. Otherwise I’ll end up a member of their confederation.
They’ve just been in the studio to record a debut album, but if you can’t wait, an EP is available on import. I don’t think I can get any more excited by this track from the EP:
Watch out, cause I’ve just found the joy of Muxtapes. I can’t believe its only been going for 2 months. They already have 100,000+ users! Well thats according to the bible anyway. Here is an example from the rather awesome Ear Farm bloggy blog.
Theres nothing like playing an impromptu gig. Especially after only one rehearsal. Last week I was drafted in by Alba Nova to add some cello love.
I heard of Alba Nova as they formed at Durham University (formerly the University of Durham which sounds much better) where I studied, but didn’t get the chance to watch them. In fact, thats a lie. I was just a lazy student bum.
I wish I hadn’t been such a sloth, as I’ve missed out on Alba Nova for the past 5 years. Who’d want to miss a band living in a ‘lost England full of chandeliers, fake fur coats, masquerades and mistresses’? Its nice to bring fantasy into music, without becoming a goth metal band. I respect Alba Nova for not being ashamed of their Englishness, which sadly so many bands from the green and pleasant land try to hide.
Their debut EP, The Beautiful Way to Fall generated quite a lot of industry interest. I’m sure you can hear why from this stunning track they’ve so kindly let me share with you:
Their flamenco looks back to the legendary Diego del Gastor, however Son de la Frontera win awards because their influences aren’t confined to Spain alone. You can hear inflections from Morocco, Afghanistan and India. The reason for their worldly soundscape is to trace back to the ancient roots of flamenco. Occasional hints of raga and ghazal surprise, but blend in so snugly to create a magical universal touch.
Their second album, Cal, has completely blown me away. The opening features palmas or flamenco clapping, which in many ways reminds me of the complex rhythms of Asian music. Virtuoso clapping, who would have thought:
The internet has smashed our attention spans to pieces. We spend less time focusing on one band and instead skim from one MySpace page to the next.
I picked up that habit, but still make sure to buy as many albums as Mr Mastercard can afford. They’re the only way for me to get under a band’s skin.
If you have something to say in popular music, you should do so with an album. Once you achieve that, then you’re sorted. And yes, I listened to OK Computer a lot!
Thats why I’m excited by the prospect of an upcoming concept album set during the Californian Gold Rush featuring money, love and murder by We Happy Few. I caught these guys a few months ago at the Half Moon Unplugged in Putney. Their old school Americana vibe has stuck with me ever since.
Its refreshing to find a band take on something so challenging. Especially when its so easy to screw a concept album up. Judging from the opening track, I hope we won’t be disappointed. In fact, We Happy Few were kind enough to give you a sneaky listen:
We Happy Few are playing at The Gallery near Turnham Green Tube this Thursday (29 May). I’ll be there, and you should come too. The new album is due for release in the next few months.
A record store is reaching for my wallet again. The new album, Arm’s Way by the Islands is out on 19 May. I’m going to have to buy it, along with their first album Return to the Sea. I wish I came across this band from Montreal sooner.
Islands are descendants of The Unicorns. I found some tracks from their ancestor’s 2003 album Who will Cut our Hair when we’re Gone at Covert Curiosity, its interesting to hear their pedigree.
I have to admit I initially wanted to hear Islands based on their photo. Stumbling on multi-ethnic bands is rare, but thankfully becoming more common; Bloc Party, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, and Mala (hehe) come to mind. Its only a good thing. Naturally I don’t base my music on race, but I love musicians breaking racial stereotypes. Sadly I think there are still race problems in music.
You can hear in their music a range of international influences. They’re also chums with Arcade Fire and the raptastic Canadian Cadence Weapon. Islands’ songs are catchy and clever, what more could you want?
Can a passion for kit cars lead to assembling great music? Well it seemed to work with Leon Jean-Marie. The east Londoner, who’s family originate from St. Lucia is certainly starting to get a lot of attention. Island records plucked up the uber talented multi-instrumentalist and the world now waits in anticipation for his debut album Bent out of Shape to be released on 7 July.
For some reason Island are trying to genreise Leon Jean-Marie as Wonky Pop. He is better than that. Much better. Alphabeat is Wonky Pop, and they are awful.
His first single Scratchproves this man makes no ordinary music. I’m not sure how to define it, maybe Prince meets Skunk Anansie? Decide for yourself.
Bed of Nails, his latest single, produced by Mark Ronson, is completely different to Scratch, but also brilliant. Its more like the Beatles meet Blur. Check out the vid:
My name is Rylan and I’ve been a homeopath for the past 24 years. Great. But how many songs are there about homeopathy? As far as I can tell, only one. It’s by Bell.
.
, has been receiving plaudits from the likes of 
. I don’t think I can get any more excited by this track from the EP:
, has completely blown me away. The opening features palmas or flamenco clapping, which in many ways reminds me of the complex rhythms of Asian music. Virtuoso clapping, who would have thought:
