The Friday Thing: Your Light is Spent by Final Fantasy

I was searching around La Blogotheque on the Take Away Shows, and I stumbled upon this Final Fantasy performance. I'm so glad I did, it brightened my day. It is such a beautiful song, and Owen is just too adorable in this. The fact that this song is being played while he's strolling (or running) through the streets makes it that much more perfect and adds such a great effect. Owen Pallett is a genius, and I hope you enjoy!


Your Light is Spent

MIDNIGHT BOOM-The Kills

Midnight Boom-
The Kills
Label-Domino
Status-Out as of 2008
3rd studio album
Rating-4 feathers

One night long ago, a girl named VV and boy named Hotel were staying in an English hotel. With both fed up with their current musical projects, Hotel began playing his guitar and VV, in the room above, heard the noise. She ran off to find it, and when VV’s eyes met his, The Kills were born. Though it might not have happened just like that, it was fate that Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince would meet that night. They became a minimalist punk inspired duo, using nothing more than a guitar and drum machine. With two albums under their belt, Midnight Boom is created with a lot of stress regarding third album syndrome. Will they crash or will they soar? Let’s find out. ‘U.R.A Fever’ sets the tone immediately. They create a weird sorta distorted sound that fits just perfectly against the rotating vocals and it demonstrates what they can produce. ‘Cheap and Cheerful’ is also very catchy. Though the coughing at the beginning is a little grotesque, and the vocal pattern sounds like it’s been done so many times before, it still contains well constructed guitar parts and a flair of their own. ‘Tape Song’ is literally about tape, like scotch. With that aside, it’s a very simple song that has so much poured into it. Alison’s vocals are so perfect, especially the ‘you got to go steal ahead’ part. Though the drum machine is a little cheapish sounding, it awkwardly fits the general sound. ‘Getting Down’ is not all that great. The combination of their voices make for a sound that’s just not comfortable. It sounds creepy, especially since Alison is singing low and very, very breathy. ‘Last Day of Magic’ is very similar to ‘Getting Down’, just a smidge mellower. It just doesn’t make you comfortable, once again. It has an overall awkward sound and the main line ‘A little tornado, a little hurricane-o’ is just dumb. ‘Hook and Line’ is a vast improvement. It contains the best vocals on the album, and it really sounds like she embraced the song and put all she had into it. It comes in so heavy that it knocks you over. ‘Black Balloon’ is the midway break. It’s very gloomy, and the aura created from the sound of them slapping their laps is really a great effect. Though on the surface it’s reflectively melancholy, upon closer listen it’s a little lighter. You just have to smile when you hear “Farewell my black balloon, let the weather have its way with you”. ‘M.E.X.I.C.O.’ is the most sing along/fun song on the album. Though the beginning guitar part is a little self indulgent, and the actual song part is short lived, it’s filled with such an unavoidably fun flair that you can’t resist. I can’t honestly give an unbiased opinion about ‘Sour Cherry’. It was used on the pretentious teen drama Gossip Girl, leading the song to be the most popular Kills song on iTunes. That destroys me. It’s the equivalent to hearing Animal Collective in Abercrombie. I mean, it’s a good song, just I can’t get that fact off my mind. ‘Alphabet Pony’ is just simply bizarre. There’s no other word for it. It’s a little creepy, but “he’s the alphabet pony”? That’s just odd. ‘What New York Used to Be’ is the best song on the album. The guitar alone sends you goosebumps and the vocals fit so perfectly. The generally sound is just so light, original, and different from what the rest of the album offers. They truly save the best for last, and it’s a shame that so many probably missed this gem. ‘Goodnight Bad Morning’ ends the album so beautifully simple. It’s the most simplistic song on the album, but it still leaves you with something to hold on to. It leaves you satisfied with the idea that the album has closed. As whole, Midnight Boom wasn’t all too bad. It’s really a fun album; every song is catchy and you can easily sing along from beginning to end and have fun doing it. It’s really nothing that much more. A classic? Maybe not, but a really great collection of entertaining songs. They are very good at their chosen style, and should continue on that course. They truly ain’t born typical.

“I remember us writing songs together in my little kitchen and never knowing whether anyone would ever get to hear the fruits of our labors. I still maintain we’ll never be truly popular, but with all that’s happening to us at the moment, it’ll be interesting to see what happens next.” Jamie Hince (Hotel)

U.R.A. Fever

Recommendations: U.R.A. Fever, Tape Song, Hook and Line, What New York Used to Be
The Kills Official Website
Note: This was The Kills review I was talking about way back when. I promised it and I gave it, so go me. I hope you enjoy, and I am still in the works of Arctic Monkeys live at the Apollo. Enjoy!

Arctic Monkeys are...HUMBUG?

Humbug. That's the name of Arctic Monkeys 3rd album. Humbug. Wow. I'm not sure how to react. They have semi-iffy titles like 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' and 'Favourite Worst Nightmare', but 'Humbug' is really, uh, fairly odd, to say the least. It's still setting in. Humbug. Expect the album out on the 25th of August for the U.S. Opinions?


A View From...Rehearsals

The Friday Thing: Dreaming of You by The Coral

If you ever read my blog, you know that I love The Coral. So, I was watching a charity concert for 'Teenage Cancer Trust' and after Bloc Party, The Coral came on to perform their ever popular 'Dreaming of You'. I was thrilled with this version. James Skelly clearly pours alot of himself into this song, and the fact that the majority of it is acoustic just makes it that much more original. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!


Dreaming of You

WATER CURSES-Animal Collective

Water Curses-
Animal Collective
Label-Domino
Status-Out as of 2008
3rd Extended Play
Rating-4 feathers

After the release of the ever successful Strawberry Jam LP, Animal Collective set forth on recording new material. Released shortly after, the ‘Water Curses’ EP represents just how their progress is coming along. Beginning with the title track, ‘Water Curses’ starts out with a weird trombone-y groan that sets the foundation perfectly. The synthesizer flutes backed by water sounds and primitive drumming fit perfectly behind the frantic unintelligible singing. You quickly agree with the lyrics “I don’t think I know exactly what I’m doing”. They know enough, however, to make this song so irresistibly catchy. ‘Street Flash’ is the simplest song of the four. With single organ beats and lightly filtered vocals (and awkward ear piercing laugh-screams), this song has so little going on, but it’s no less catchy or brilliant as compared to its predecessor. With weirdly clever lyrics like “I’m so sorry I came in late this evening, but all the clocks around the town had died”, how could you think otherwise? When they casually bring back the original theme after the swampy trippy interlude, you know they have the formula down perfectly. ‘Cobwebs’ provides a little break from the others. The combination of the tinny sound and creepy synthesizer being used to keep the beat, will, if the vocals alone don’t, keep your interest. You’ll be sure to be singing “I’m not going under ground” for days to come. Though the song doesn’t get freaky/experimental ‘til the 3 minute mark, the journey there is still worth it. Though you don’t realize a new song has started until you hear a normal sounding piano, ‘Seal Eying’ definitely stands out. It sticks out because it really isn’t anything hugely special. Nothing too interesting or intricate happens, which is somewhat disappointing regarding that the 3 others were so weird and complex, but this is just a bit draining in comparison. Generally, I am quite happy with this selection of songs. As an EP, it’s a quality collection that demonstrates their talent of random experimentation very well, and ¾ songs are just fantastic. It’s a shame that songs like ‘Water Curses’ and ‘Street Flash’ won’t be used on a full length album, but if this is any representation of what their upcoming album will be like, it’s going to be absolutely amazing!

"Water Curses" [the song] was the most difficult ever, I think. All getting on the same page of what that song was supposed to convey, emotionally and sonically." Brian Weitz (Geologist)

Video for Water Curses

Recommendations: Water Curses, Street Flash
Note: I wanted to review something, so I did an EP. I will still do a long review of Arctic Monkeys live at the Apollo in the coming days, so look out for that. I hope you enjoy and thank you for your kind words!

Arctic Monkeys: New Album Release

Mark your calendars: Arctic Monkeys long awaited 3rd studio album is set to be released on August 25th in the U.S. (24 in the UK). They apparently have been recording for the past months in Brooklyn, and you can keep track of their progress through their video diaries entitled 'The View From' hosted by Matt Helders. Lets really hope that they don't turn away from their sound we've come to know and love for it's rumored that it's very 'Black Sabbath'... Also, if you haven't noticed, the four have changed aesthetically, especially Alex Turner and Jamie Cook. I really hope their look doesn't reflect on their sound.

Tracklisting:
01. My Propeller
02. Crying Lightning
03. Dangerous Animals
04. Secret Door
05. Potion Approaching
06. Fire & The Thud
07. Cornerstone
08. Dance Little Liar
09. Pretty Visitors
10. The Jeweller's Hands


The latest of the The View From's

The Friday Thing: Neo Consumer by Super Furry Animals

A while back, I was watching From The Basement with PJ Harvey, Free Blood, Operator Please, and Super Furry Animals. As most have, I had heard of Super Furry Animals, but never actually listened to them. The two songs from the hour that stuck out were 'White Chalk' by PJ Harvey, and 'Neo Consumer' by Super Furry Animals. I really do love this song, and constantly catch myself singing it, and you have to admit that this is a great performance. I hope you enjoy! 'neo consumer, neo consumer'


Neo Consumer