Author: MarcyB0y

I seem to have a lot to say for myself so here I am.

Music Tag

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We’ve been nominated again by the lovely Tammy over at https://alittlebitalt.wordpress.com/!
So sorry for the huge delay in posting this, there was no notification informing us of the tag!

These are the rules supplied to us:

  • Write ten songs that come on shuffle (no skipping)
  • Write your favourite lyric from each song.
  • Tag people

So with no further ado, and with some apprehension considering the amount of guilty pleasures in my music collection, here goes… *presses shuffle*

1) Prince – Sometimes it snows in April

Ah, one of my all time favourite songs. Probably one of the most beautiful songs in the world.

Favourite lyric:
“I used to cry for Tracy cause he was my only friend
Those kind of cars don’t pass you every day”

It’s the second line that’s my favourite but the first is needed to show the context. It’s just a beautiful expression. Prince is a bloody nightmare when it comes to sharing his music online! He consistently removes his work from YouTube and Spotify so for now you’ll have to make do with this pleasant but not-as-good-as-the-original live version:

2) John Mayer – Stop This Train

Boy I’m glad this one came up! Probably one of my all time favourite songs lyrically.

Favourite Lyric:
“So scared of getting older
I’m only good at being young”

Captures the fear of adulthood perfectly.

3) Mark Owen – End of Everything

Mark Owen’s solo career is the most underrated thing ever (I like to remind people of this on a regular basis).

Favourite lyric:
“Enter if you can through all the tears of your parade”

Just a lovely poetic lyric which for me emphasises having patience with yourself when times are tough.

4) The 1975 – Chocolate

In my top 3 favourite songs of all time and I never,  ever tire of hearing it.

Favourite lyric:  
“I think about how to think”

I can relate to over-thinking, to the extent you’re thinking about the way you’re thinking!

5) Robbie Williams – Snowblind

I love the vulnerability this track possesses and it’s just stunning. Robbie knows how to create beautiful ballads aching with sincerity.

Favourite Lyric: 
“You stole my heart,
But my madness,
Is taking the man right out of me”

Mr Williams is a genius at playing with phrases and this is a brilliant example.

6) George Michael – White Light

Hmm. Whilst a huge fan of George, there are many songs in his discography better than this, especially lyrically. It’s still brilliant though.

Favourite Lyric:
“And tomorrow is mine”

I like the ‘seize the day’ attitude this line conveys.

7) Michael Jackson – (I like) The Way You Love Me

I LOVE this song. I’m a huge MJ fan although I don’t seem to publicise it as much as I used to. This is a song he recorded in the mid noughties and was remixed for his first posthumous album ‘Michael’. I’m including the original demo version released in his lifetime though because I think it’s better than the remixed version.

Favourite Lyric:
“I was afraid of life and you came in time”

Simple but effective.

8) James Taylor – Something in the way she moves

Lovely song.

Favourite Lyric:
“Every now and then the things I lean on lose their meaning
and I find myself careening in places where I should not let me go.”

I love the way it recognises the more you depend on something, the less meaning it has. Just a beautifully worded lyric.

9) Melanie C & Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes – Never Be The Same Again

What an absolutely brilliant track this was/is.

Favourite Lyric:
“Picturesque is the picture you paint so effortlessly.”

Left Eye’s rap is the best in this song, lyrically. As well as being poetic, it’s just a clever line.

10) Take That – Affirmation

There’s Take That songs I much prefer to this but again, it’s still a great song.

Favourite Lyric:
“We’re not really falling apart, we’re just incomplete.”

It’s a bit like the ‘glass half empty or glass half empty’ analogy. The whole song is lyrically brilliant.

Well I got pretty lucky there considering they were selected through shuffle!

I nominate:
Hannah at https://hannahdonline.wordpress.com/
Phil at http://theperfecttempo.com/

 

FEATURE: Spoken Word Artist ‘Joolz’ Releases Free Single ‘Sky’

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Joolz performer

Press release:
Internationally renowned spoken word artist ‘Joolz’ has made her latest single ‘Sky’ available as a free download.

Taken from the long awaited album ‘Crow’ set for release this Spring via Attack Attack Records, ‘Sky’ features ‘Joolz’s captivating and beautiful vocal delivery accompanied by music from acclaimed German composer ‘Henning Nugel’. No stranger to successful musical collaborations, Joolz has previously worked with artists such as Jah Wobble (PiL), Justin Sullivan (New Model Army) and Mik Davis (New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack/Monster Jaw).

With over 30 years professional experience across multiple art forms, Joolz is a prominent and inspiring creative force with recognition and awards as an established poet, illustrator, novelist, educator, artistic director and tattoo artist. The Bradford(UK) based Joolz, has toured with her work across the world; performed at high profile festivals including Glastonbury,Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Leeds/Reading Rock Festival, Bearded Theory etc; and has featured on national media outlets such as BBC Radio One & Four, ITV and BBC 2 as a guest performer and presenter.

‘Sky’ is available to download for free at:  www.soundcloud.com/joolzmusic/sky

FEATURE: Scout Killers Reveal April 2016 UK Tour

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Scoutkillers Bandshot

UK alternative rock band Scout Killers are to embark on a UK tour in April. Here’s the accompanying press release:

The British connoisseurs of guitar driven alternative rock release news of their forthcoming April 2016 UK tour. Joining the Bath (UK) based Scout Killers on their crusade across English cities are support acts Amongst Thieves and The Loose Cut.

The 5 piece outfit of Scott Cox (Vox), Julien Morrez (Guitar/vox), Beau Stevens (Guitar), Josh Ellis (Bass) and Chris Phillips(Drums) shall head out on tour following the release their latest single ‘Rip Me Apart’ out 28th March 2016. Having made loyal fans through extensive touring and their acclaimed 2014 EP – ‘Stand Your Ground’, Scout Killers are fresh out of the recording studio with new material to unleash during this year. Expect huge sonics, atmospheric guitar work and emotive vocals from the band who effectively know how to create anthemic rock tracks.

Catch Scout Killers on tour April 2016:

3rd April – London – The Black Heart
4th April – Guildford – The Star Inn
5th April – Leeds – The Key Club
6th April – York – Fulford Arms
7th April – Newcastle – Head Of Steam
8th April – Bath – The Nest
9th April – Manchester – Aatma

Visit Scout Killers:
www.facebook.com/scoutkillers
www.twitter.com/scoutkillers
www.scoutkillers.com

Check out this gorgeous performance of ‘Honey’ live:

 

Scout Killers Hi Res April Tour 2016

 

 

The Japanese House Live Review [The Haunt, Brighton, 27/02/2016]

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When The Japanese House emerged in early 2015 with the hauntingly ethereal ‘Still’, she was the cause of mystification. Whilst many fell in love with the track, her lack of online profile and distorted, effect-coated vocals led many to question whether a male or female was behind the project. It soon surfaced that The Japanese House is the project name of 20 year old Londoner Amber Bain. She shares a record label (Dirty Hit records) with the likes of The 1975 and Wolf Alice, a promising omen, considering their success. In fact, she was introduced to the label by the former’s Matt Healy and George Daniel who have also handled the production of some of her material. Her cinematic, multi-layered and often haunting sound makes her work a compelling listen and has won her a legion of fans. Just a proportion of those were crammed into The Haunt in Brighton on Saturday evening.

She walks onstage timidly after her bandmates – a drummer and guitarist/keyboard player begin the oriental cascades of ‘Clean’. Her multi-layered sound translates well live and is cleverly achieved through frolicking between various guitars, synthesisers and various effect pedals, including a harmoniser pedal to achieve Bain’s dreamy vocoder-reminiscent vocals. Between songs, she keeps talk to a minimum and is fantastically shy but impossibly endearing.

The Japanese House steadily ventures through her complete eight song discography from both of her EP’s – ‘Pools to Bathe In’ and ‘Clean’ before treating fans to a bonus track, a new song called ‘Leon’ at the end of the show. A brilliant performance of downtempo, sullen ‘Still’ reminds the audience of what a mesmeric listen the track is. It was her debut record and it’s still one of her best with its thunderous percussion and R&B-influenced fragments.

Her melancholic electronica is quite an intense listen and at times it’s perhaps a little too over-bearing, her set crying out for one or two up-tempo tracks. This request is eventually met by the brilliantly catchy and ‘80’s-influenced ‘Cool Blue’ which arguably prompts the best response from the crowd. It’s understandable since it’s perhaps the most up-tempo track The Japanese House has released to date. It echoes Tears for Fears’ ‘Everybody Wants to Rule The World’ in terms of rhythm and slamming percussion but replaces the piano arpeggios with those of a guitar. It’s one of her best songs and it provides the audience with an opportunity to dance.

Despite the small-scale nature of the show, it is still atmospheric. Dim lighting and hazy smoke create the perfect accompaniment to The Japanese House’s introspective sound. Pulsating lights swing into action during the electronic drop in ‘Pools to Bathe In’ but aside from this, the music does the talking.

As the evening comes to an end, it’s clear that The Japanese House is certainly in possession of something special. Whilst collectively, her work overall feels it could do with the addition of one or two more substantial, up-tempo tracks, Amber Bain is certainly one to watch.

Music Monday – Volume Eighty Nine

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1) Panic! At the Disco – Death of a Bachelor

Brilliant brass-infused tune which utilises a range of genres such as jazz, hip hop, EDM, trap and swing impeccably. Front-man Brendon Urie does his best imitation of Frank Sinatra amid hip hop beats, jittery synths and organic brass instruments.

2) The 1975 – Somebody Else

Powerful, emotive and raw song which lyrically tells of dealing with a past over moving onto somebody new. Gentle, tinkling synthesisers evolve into slamming ’80’s-influenced beats on this stunning love song. One of The 1975’s best ever songs.

3) Shura – Touch

Gentle and tentative synthpop track featuring fuzzy synths, pretty piano chords and ethereal vocals from Shura. Gorgeous.

4) Netsky ft Digital Farm Animals – Work It Out

Catchy EDM track with gospel vocals, fierce drum patterns and catchy piano riffs. Much in the same vein as Sigma’s ‘Nobody To Love’ two years ago in terms of repetition, catchiness and the use of piano riffs.

5) Gwen Stefani – Make Me Like You

Gwen Stefani resurrects her solo career with this catchy and funky disco-pop track. Chanelling The Cardigans’ ‘Lovefool’ and elements of Kylie, it’s one of Stefani’s best.

6) Zayn – It’s You

Gorgeous downtempo R&B ballad on which Zayn fully utilises his gorgeous feathery falsetto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoB7c3miDrg

7) MUNA – Winterbreak

Dark electropop track featuring hollow beats, heavily processes vocals and gentle guitar riffs. Absolutely gorgeous.

8) All Tvvins – Unbelievable

Fierce electro-guitar track with a brilliant chorus and reverberating guitar riffs.

9) BJ The Chicago Kid & Kendrick Lamar – The New Cupid

Chilled out, retro inspired R&B/hiphop track with soulful guitar riffs and syrupy smooth vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heRre3KXLGY

10) The Knocks & Walk The Moon – Best for Last

Brilliant electronic infused track with catchy bass riffs and Nicholas Petricca’s smooth vocals.