Music thread

[Gaz]

We need one of these.

Biggest thing to happen over the last month has been the release of Arcade Fire's new album 'The Suburbs' and their announcement of 2 gigs here in early December.

On first listen I was pretty disappointed with it to be honest. It is growing on me with listens but I'm still sitting on the fence with it overall. Don't think it has the power of the first two albums. I think where they may have erred is in putting too many songs on it - 16 tracks is a lot more than either of its predecessors and I think 2 or 3 of them are weak enough. By the way I think 'Empty Room' has a definite whiff of ABBA's 'Fernando' about it!

The critics seem to love it but as I've often said before the circulations of many of the big mags have fallen so close to unsustainable levels that they're too petrified of pissing off the fanbase of popular bands to risk a poor review.

I'm going to see them on the Monday night they play here, hoping some of these songs work better live than they do on record.

By the way, apparently it's now the in thing to be down on 'Neon Bible' and regard it as pompous and overblown - it's still a great album for me.

For me The National's 'High Violet' remains the album of the year so far.

Beyond that I find an awful lot of what's around (at least in the broad indie/alternative sense) very samey - not a whole lot wrong with a lot of it but a lot of bands about that nobody will be listening to in a few year's time.

If the likes of Two Door Cinema Club are your flavour you should check out the free album below from a Dublin band called The Cast Of Cheers. Whilst I don't find their music anything out of the norm, the way this band have gone about marketing themselves interests me. They made their debut album available for free download on their site before they'd even played a public gig! As a way of getting your name out there it certainly made people sit up and take notice which is very hard to do these days. Cracking name for a band too IMO.

http://thecastofcheers.bandcamp.com/

[saintflub]

A mate sent me a link of a band called Jennifer Evans and the ripe intent and i really like what i've heard so far. Well worth a listen:

http://www.myspace.com/jenevansvia

[Invincible]

I like music ...

[TheSaintsno.12]

I'm the same about suburbs. It has grown on me and i do like it, but it is a bit more main stream than the last two albums. I don't have a problem with that really, its just the first two albums were unique enough and this one just seems watered down a bit.
I managed to get tickets for their dublin gig.Vampire weekend supporting is a massive bonus. can't wait for it.

I saw two door cinema club over at the benicassim festival and they were brilliant live. One of the highlights.

I've been listening to Groove Armadas new album, black light. One of the best albums i've heard in a while. A few of the songs have an 80's sound of them. Paper romance and look me in the eye sister are savage tracks.

[seiphil]

Normally I resent artists that change their music to suit mainstream but Arcade Fire get away with it.

Over all this year I have been very disappointed with the music which has come out this year...

But Delerentos new album is epic.

Klaxons album is not a let down after waiting for about 4 years for the new one..The Band Horses are pretty good.

The National's album "High Violet" is good aswell...

If you like Two Door Cinema Club you will like a band called The Drums.

They sing this.

[seiphil]

Can't get this song out of my head atm..


From their latest album "Only Revelations"

Love the riff in the song at the chorus

[TheSaintsno.12]

I can't really get in to The Drums.
Jonsi's new album (could be his only one actually ) is pretty good.A little bit different.

Cant recommend Groove Armada's new one enough.

Its not exactly new and i think a few people never gave them a chance after sweet disposition was played to death, but the Temper Trap album is really really good. They're quality live and are playing in the tripod at the end of october. The tickets were cheap enough. I'd recommend it if ya have nothing else to do halloween night

[JimboTheSaint]

Downloaded that album Chariot gaz recommended, not as good as two door cinema club but its still worth a listen. I think this blog is great, don't like everything on it but he's nearly always first with music news and that, a lot of songs streamed from the website too and a weekly gig guide, http://www.nialler9.com/ My friend got me to buy tickets to The Drums(on in the academy only 16e) without even listening to them as he is obsessed with them, from what I've listened to so far i like them. Agree about The Suburbs - definitely a grower. Not to much good music out this year I didn't think. Can't afford to see Arcade Fire but it should be brilliant, Vampire Weekend being there is a huge plus.

[Invincible]

New album coming out from Linkin Park

[antomorro]

Chart music is shite nowadays.

And have to agree with Gaz, the indie/alternative scene is pathetic too atm, like, every thing sounds the same. Bad form.

[Gaz]

Can't afford to see Arcade Fire but it should be brilliant, Vampire Weekend being there is a huge plus.

Devendra Banhart is opening and though he's hit and miss some of his stuff is excellent - a bit like The Eels that way. They (Eels I mean) have a new album out too by the way (their third in 14 months) and what I've heard of it isn't bad.

And have to agree with Gaz, the indie/alternative scene is pathetic too atm, like, every thing sounds the same. Bad form.

Whilst I obviously would say this, the likes of Oasis and their public have a lot to answer for here. When a band can sell 70 Million records making a career out of producing hugely derivative soundalike records, it stands to reason that A&R men are going to sign and hype similarly unadventurous bands.

The Drums are okay for me but I do like that Surfing song - very infectious summer tune.

[JimboTheSaint]

Oh and I'm sure what genre Jamie T is but I can't stop listening to his album Kings & Queens. Few songs streaming here http://www.jamie-t.com/ at the top right, my favourite, Spiders Webb, is here;

[antomorro]

Whilst I obviously would say this, the likes of Oasis and their public have a lot to answer for here. When a band can sell 70 Million records making a career out of producing hugely derivative soundalike records, it stands to reason that A&R men are going to sign and hype similarly unadventurous bands.

I don't really get what your saying Gaz. Is it because Oasis are succesful that music has gone to shite nowadays!?

[Gaz]

I don't really get what your saying Gaz. Is it because Oasis are succesful that music has gone to shite nowadays!?

Pretty much yeah - them and their ilk. Because Oasis were little more than a tribute band and that was hugely successful in terms of sales, execs are signing bands that meet a certain demographic. A band churning out indie-lite trivialities reminiscent of previously successful acts are a lower risk signing than one trying something new which has no proven history of selling records. To an extent the music business has always been like that but it's reached a critical point now that record companies are struggling financially more than ever before (due to downloads and the global recession) and very few risks are being taken on anything new. Hence the formualic unit-shifting blandness we're being subjected to in mainstream music.

[charliesboots]

For those with digital - Leeds and Reading are on live on BBC 3 this weekend. Would love to be there.

Set your box to record the Libertines tonight @ 9

[saintmaniac]

Devendra Banhart is opening and though he's hit and miss some of his stuff is excellent - a bit like The Eels that way.

I'll never forget seeing him at Electric Picnic on a Friday afternoon, when he started rhapsodising about how we are a nation of songwriters and for someone, anyone, with the gift of songwriting to come up and join him because it was their stage too, man. Some kid jumped up who was the spit of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, but seemingly even less talented - he played some godawful dirge about Patti Hearst, no one seemed enamoured except for Banhart, who was all "All right, man!" Thing is, if it was any other artist who pulled this, I'd be certain they were stoned, but you never really know with him. Mad yoke. Shame that the upwardly mobile crowd that Arcade Fire will attract won't give him the same opportunity in the O2. Plus, I think it'd be a bit more of an effort to "hop up on the stage" there.

A mate of mine (Dundalk fan) got me a ticket, I think we'll probably be in the pit 'representing' for the LOI.

[Jimdagym]

For those with digital - Leeds and Reading are on live on BBC 3 this weekend. Would love to be there.

Set your box to record the Libertines tonight @ 9

Leeds badly need the win....

[antomorro]

Because Oasis were little more than a tribute band

I dunno what you have against Oasis man, but thats ridiculous.

However, I do agree with the rest of your post with regards the recession, downloads and all that jazz.

[Dr.Nightdub]

We've had this debate before on many's the forum and many's the away trip: Stone Roses are better than Oasis.

[SaintMikey]

Stone Roses better than Oasis ? Good joke !

[West Red]

Stone Roses better than Oasis ? Good joke !

I wouldn't go against Dr.s opinion, he was one of the cave men who discovered music.

[Gaz]

I dunno what you have against Oasis man, but thats ridiculous.

No it's not. A tribute band make money by playing other people's songs. At least they don't try to pass them off as their own. As for Oasis:

Alive, The Smiths: Girl Afraid - The guitar solo is the same

Cigarettes & Alcohol, T- Rex: Get It On - The riff is the same

Cloudburst, The Stone Roses: Standing Here

Don´t Look Back In Anger, John Lennon: Imagine - The intro has the piano tune. In the end of the song there's a guitar doing the melody line for David Bowie's All The Young Dudes.

Fade Away, Wham: Freedom- Part of the melody is the same

Half The World Away, Burt Bacharach: This Guy´s In Love With You - Almost every chord is the same (though not in the same order)

Headshrinker, The Small Faces: Stay With Me - Noel thinks it sounds like a song by them

Hello, Gary Glitter: Hello, Hello I´m Back Again - Excerpt from the song

Hey Now, The Stone Roses: I Wanna Be Adored

Magic Pie, The Beatles: Cry Baby Cry

Round Are Way, Solomon Burke: Everybody Need Somebody To Love

Shakermaker, The Beatles: Flying - Noel has said that he was dissapointed that they got sued by Coke, not the Beatles
The New Seekers: I´d Like To Teach The World To Sing - The whole melody is taken from here

She´s Electric, You And Me: The theme tune from a kids Tv- show.
The Beatles: With A Little Help From My Friends - The vocal harmony on the end is the same.

Slide Away, Neil Young: Cortez The Killer

Some Might Say, The Small Faces: Ooh La La

Stand By Me, David Bowie: All The Young Dudes - The chorus taken from this song

Step Out, Bob Seger: Rosalie
Stevie Wonder: Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - The whole chorus is nicked. The thing is exactly the same, even the "Alright!" at the end of the line is repeated.
One of the members of Thin Lizzy is also credited.

Supersonic, The Smiths: How soon is soon? - claimed that the guitar chords is quite the same

The Swamp Song, Canned Heat: On The Road Again - Noel has said this

Underneath The Sky, Blondie: Call Me
The Kinks: Dead End Street

Whatever, The Beatles: Day In The Life
Monty Python: The Idiot Song
David Bowie: All The Young Dudes

Put your money where your mouth is - Vocal line is the same as The door's Roadhouse blues

Supersonic - The Solo is the same as the solo on "My sweet lord", from George Harrison (which, on it's time, was also sued by someone else alledging that it was a ripoff.)

Live Forever - the guitar solo is the same as "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton.

Married With Children - the chords are the same as in Nirvana's "Lithium".

Up In The Sky - the melody is quite similar to "Rain" by the Beatles.

Morning Glory - same chords as "The One I Love" by R.E.M.

D'You Know What I Mean? - Oasis ripped off themselves by using the same chords as Wonderwall!

Oasis were sued for some of these and scarcely put up a defence in most cases, simply paying out whenever challenged. Their success depended on an audience that was either tone deaf or had never heard the original bands and didn't know any better. No band in history committed plagiarism on such a scale. You can say "who cares - the music's great" but if so you're in no position to complain about everything sounding so samey and previous now, those that bought their records and went to see them created the monster.

Even their attitude and look was second hand - The Stone Roses spent 1989 telling anyone that would listen they were the greatest band in the world and bigging up Manchester. 5 years later the Gallaghers adopted the same haircuts and had the novel idea of saying exactly the same thing.

[saintly]

Jaysus gaz...some of them are hilarious.

Surely you don't believe that

[GC1991]

As a major fan of Hip Hop I see no problem in borrowing, or sampling, from the past in order to make new music. It may be lazy and derivative but if the end result is good music then who cares? Oasis have never tried to claim they didn't nick those chords etc.

The Stone Roses >>>>>>>>>>>> Oasis BTW

[SaintMikey]

Jaysus that's absolutely ridiculous gaz , everyone uses the same chords and gets bits and pieces from different artists . They are a proper band , miles better than any of the shite going around the last few years .
I highly doubt they would be as respected as they are now if they were nothing more than a tribute band .

In a few of them comments you quoted that they used some of the same chords , you must be off your head if you don't think other artists do the same . Green day's song boulavard of broken dreams has the same chords of wonderwall , who cares ! Coldplay were in court and sued for viva la vida , they are a great band , nothing said there .

[Jimdagym]

On the subject of Oasis, a mate of mine is the singer in Oazis, an oasis cover band. They are pretty good, look them ip on utube. Playing the submarine on the 25th September, so a few here might be interested.

(shameless plug, I know).

[Gaz]

Jaysus gaz...some of them are hilarious.

Surely you don't believe that

Which ones in particular do you find implausible? Some of the most unlikely sounding ones are the most clear cut cases of theft IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jyhf...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cNsmt2YZXA (first line)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2QZW1mexhQ (they paid out on this)

As a major fan of Hip Hop I see no problem in borrowing, or sampling, from the past in order to make new music. It may be lazy and derivative but if the end result is good music then who cares?

Not a big fan of hip hop for that very reason. That's not to say I'd dislike anything sampled per se. Take a song like 'Letter from God to Man', sure it nicks the keyboard off Radiohead's 'Planet Telex', but they'd a hell of a lot of work from there to create the song they did. And using the 'Everything is broken' line as a climax is brilliant. In a different creative league to what the Gallaghers have done with other people's music.

Whatever my opinions on hip hop, as somebody who isn't an expert on it even I can hear that it constantly evolves. Artists around today sound nothing like Eminem did 10 years back who himself sounded nothing like De La Soul did 10 years before that. Who in turn sounded nothing like your Fab Five Freddys or Grandmaster Flashes of the early 80s, themselves a world removed from the great innovator of the bloodline, Uroy. Around the same time as he was rapping over lifted rocksteady basslines in Jamaica, Slade and TRex were all the go over here. Nearly forty years later, you'd Oasis still trying to fucking imitate them. Call me fussy but I do care that rock music so stale and static gets the exposure it does.

Oasis have never tried to claim they didn't nick those chords etc.

Whatever about the band, I can assure their legal people have in many cases.

[Paddydillon]

Pretty much yeah - them and their ilk. Because Oasis were little more than a tribute band and that was hugely successful in terms of sales, execs are signing bands that meet a certain demographic. A band churning out indie-lite trivialities reminiscent of previously successful acts are a lower risk signing than one trying something new which has no proven history of selling records. To an extent the music business has always been like that but it's reached a critical point now that record companies are struggling financially more than ever before (due to downloads and the global recession) and very few risks are being taken on anything new. Hence the formualic unit-shifting blandness we're being subjected to in mainstream music.

I agree but the thing is I'm actually quite optimistic about music these days. The main reason is that a much greater proportion of people agree that what they're being fed is the 'formulaic unit-shifting blandness of mainstream music'. And people are now aware of the marketing that goes on - if anything it's becoming a cliche. Look at the campaign for Rage Against the Machine v the X Factor or whatever it was.
The great leveller these days is technology. It's not difficult to record at home any more and thanks to You Tube, you can market yourself. Talent will always come through. People understand that there are a lot of innovative bands and artists out there writing and playing good stuff. They all have websites where you can buy their stuff. There is arguably more quality around these days than ever before. People are ignoring the mainstream (look at the low level of sales it takes to top the charts nowadays) and seeking out the quality. It's a great time to be a musician. You might not make millions but if you're good enough, you'll find a market.

[AlanMc]

Oasis beatles tribute band. rock and roll is dead, all been done, nothing new etc...............................................
Biggest bands on the planet are all in their 50s and 60s. Says it all.

[kdjac]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLJf9qJHR3E


Mumford and son are quite good, decent album.