Track Of The Week

This weeks track goes to the mighty White Lies with 'Holy Ghost'. I will admit I'm not the most biased person when it comes to this band because they are still the best band I have seen live to date so when they release a new single it's no surprise it will then become my track of the week. However speaking purely as an indie lover this song is good! It's got their trademark moody lyrics and ominously deep singing as well as some beautifully distorted bass. Hope you like it!

5 Songs Whirring Round My Head This Week

This weeks instalment is unsurprisingly biased with three out of five from White Lies because after seeing them I cannot cease listening to them as they were so incredible.  

'Bad Love'-White Lies
A brilliant, if slightly disturbing song about, as eloquently summed up by the song name, bad love with a catchy chorus and comprised of many layers of undertones and sounds but held together by the powerful drums and bass.



'Strangers'-White Lies
Another song off their fantastic new album which was one of the highlights of their set on Wednesday. It's incredible accessible and will have you singing along during your first listen and full of their usual themes such as love.  



'Spanish Sahara'-Foals
 A beautiful tender song that starts of slow then builds up slowly and is simply incredible.



 'Blinding'-Florence +The Machine 
A simple song but expertly done as her voice is so powerful that it draws you in and fits the music perfectly.



'Holy Ghost'-White Lies
The most noticeable aspect of this song is the fuzzy bass that blends brilliantly with Harry's deep voice and this song is just genius. 

White Lies Live Review + Crocodiles and Active Child

Last night I was lucky enough to see White Lies in Bristol and below is a review of them and they're two support bands.

First to take the stage was Active Child. Active Child are an L.A. duo and comprised of, for the first two songs at least, an electric harp and bass with backing from their apple macs. To be brutally honest they did nothing for me; they're music was full of various but inaccessible layers of sounds, synthetic drums and his singing style was to say the least erratic. There were to be fair moments within most of their songs that were interesting and I was willing to go along with but then they always followed these glimmers of hope with some more pretentious harp playing. This coupled with an outwardly religious theme in their music made it inaccessible to me. Needless to say the crowd almost exclusively didn't appreciate their performance and I wouldn't recommend them.

After Active Child followed Crocodiles. They sauntered on to stage, which was quite a feat for the singer as he was wearing sunglasses, and started playing their walls of guitars with gusto. Their songs were good and distinctly reminiscent of Sex Pistols and The Clash with the vibrant energy of punk and with the singer howling animal calls just like Joe Strummer. The front man also took hip thrusting to a new extreme in his songs making it look like he was with an invisible woman which added a slightly comedic effect to his performance. The crowd willingly lapped up their rock and they had us head bopping and foot tapping quickly. They're songs however were not incredible with a few too many simple chords and not enough willingness to break out of their own patterns. The highlight of their set was a song led by a simple bass chord and the drums.
I wouldn't personally go out of my way to see this band again but equally I wouldn't mind seeing them again.

Then finally it was time for White Lies (joined by two other musicians to help recreate their music on tour). They were enthralling. The second they came on and started playing their unique brand of depressed yet inexplicably uplifting music the crowd went wild; it was clear everyone was totally committed to this band. Opening with 'A Place To Hide' they took the stage by storm. Following the initial high of their entrance they played some of their biggest hits as well keeping the crowd in a state of euphoria. Instead of keeping to known crowd pleaser's from their first album they also played many songs from their recently released second album which were just as enthusiastically received with everyone singing along.
They created a good rapport with the crowd with the front man seeming to be touchingly thrilled at the amount of love they were being given and smiling happily and making lots of eye contact whilst simultaneously giving a heart felt, expressive and gesticulated performance.  
After they left the stage the crowd was having none of it and screamed for more and they obliged playing three more songs and ending with their recent single 'Bigger Than Us'. Highlights of their set were 'Lose My Life', 'EST', 'Strangers', 'Bad Love' and 'Bigger Than Us'.

White Lies are a great live band. I went there expecting to see a good band but my expectations were blown away probably because they've had to become so good live through supporting huge bands such as Biffy Clyro and Muse. All of their songs release their full potential when played live and after seeing them I am now a much bigger fan and love many more of their songs.
There was something about the atmosphere, the crowd and the genius performance that culminated to make last nights gig the best I've been to yet and because of that I recommend them to anyone who likes their music even just a little bit.

Thanks to Reece for the pictures.

5 Songs Whirring Round My Head This Week

'Trickster' Radiohead
A track of their EP My Iron Lung it's one of their slightly rockier songs which is lead by their high pitched guitar and Yorke's distinctive yet slightly muffled voice. With inventive and layered riffs this song has some of my favourite guitar ever. A genius song from a genius band.



'Twenty Twenty Surgery' Taking Back Sunday
Another atypical rock song with a slightly too repetitive beat, improved with some unexpected twists, it's nevertheless still a good song. You'll find yourself quickly singing along to the self involved lyrics and vocal style of Adam Lazzara which sounds like he is singing call and response with himself. An energetic and immersing song.



'E.S.T.' White Lies
Off their first album this song opens with very Joy Division like drums and ominous tones then creates a juxtaposed feel with the rhythmic bass. Full of cheery lyrics like "I leave my memoirs on the floor of my fears" and "fate always loses hope" it's an emotive song with a distinctly eighties vibe.



'Crying Lightening' Arctic Monkeys
The first single of their revolutionary third album where they seemed to completely reinvent themselves from the no nonsense Sheffield  boys into the more serious indie band and this song reflects that shift from the more obscure lyrics to the fuzzy sounding guitar.



'Pretty Handsome Awkward' The Used
This is a fairly unknown American rock band which also happens to be my best friends all time favourite band which is how I got into them. This song is an anthem; it's catchy and interesting to listen to. It's a beast of a song from a very beastly looking man. A real rock song.

5 Album Releases To Look Forward To In 2011

2011 is set to be a great year judging by the bands that are set to release new albums, so below I've listed some of the most anticipated albums.

Radiohead
Everyone has one band that means the most to them and will always value above everything else and for me that band is Radiohead; their music makes me blissfully happy. It's been three years since they last released an album with 'In Rainbows' in 2008 but they are set to release a new one this year. They are rock royalty who have made monumental records such as 'Ok Computer', The Bends' and 'Hail To The Thief' and are not afraid to develop and experiment which means that each album is a piece of art. I'm looking forward to nothing more than a new album from them.




The Strokes
Newly reformed and with more buzz than ever with reports of excellant new songs their set to release a new album on March 22nd. Let's hope they deliver more amazing tunes such as 'Last Nite' and 'Reptillica'.



Foo Fighters
Taylor Hawkins has announced that the band are releasing a new album this year which will be their 7th studio album. Another iconic band who also make absolutely astounding albums. Definitely something to look forward to for any head bangers.



Franz Ferdinand
From the band who have released 'Take Me Out', 'Ulysses' and 'You Girls' they will hopefully release some more feel good songs.



White Lies
With their début album released last year this is a dark band which made a huge impact on the music scene and now all those who like the macabre and depressive wait eagerly, well as eagerly as goths can be, for their new album set for release this month. Below is their new single.

5 Songs Whirring Round My Head This Week

As promised this weeks instalment is only 5 instead of 10 and consists of the top songs stuck in my head and I hope you find some you like.

Kicking off the list is The Strokes with 'Last Nite'.
The Strokes are an iconic band characterised by their simple yet effective chords and Julian Casablanca's drawling drunk voice. This song is one of their biggest hits and was stuck in my head after their resurgence on NME as they've recently announced they're reformation with a new album set for release in 2011.



Next is Wolfmother with 'Joker and the Thief'
This song is incredibly catchy with amazing guitar riffs and solos and carried by Andrew Stockdale's recognisable voice. Wolfmother have some fantastic songs and if you've never heard of them before they are similar to White Stripes.



Now it's Cage The Elephant with 'In One Ear'
Cage The Elephant are a fairly unknown band who have only had one album, although their second is due for release next year, and this song is an honest pouring out of adolescent angst about people doubting you. It's a brilliant song even if it does sound a bit odd when they sing 'antisocial anarchist' with a southern American accent after being brought up listening to the iconic British punk bands.



White Lies with 'Farewell To The Fairground'
White lies are again not the most well known of bands but they should be. Sounding very much like Joy Division they are dark and depressive yet somehow still uplifting. They are also currently touring so if you like this song why not check out a few more and if you like them go and see them.



Finally it's Kings Of Leon with their new single 'Pyro'
This is their second single off their new album which is amazing and well worth listening to. I'm fairly certain there's no way you haven't heard of Kings Of Leon after their global success with 'Only By The Night' and with this album and song they haven't tried to make more of the same to keep the fans they gained with their last record but have instead stayed true to their own music and created music they want to. They are a fantastic band who have an impressive back catalogue of albums which they are only adding to with more gems like this song.



Also as a foot note whilst writing this I had the misfortune of hearing Susan Boyle singing 'Perfect Day' originally by Lou Reed and thought that I had to celebrate the true version of this incredible song so I've added it below.