The comeback kids....

You have to love those artists that just leave you hanging for a few years and then come back with some incredible material. Okay, we don't get many of them... but this year it looks like it's about to change....

REGINA SPEKTOR - ROWBOATS

It has been three years since her last album and I am so glad to find that she hasn't lost her sense of self in her new material, like so many others do.I am actually really loving the fusion of old and new! If anything I'd say her sound has developed and with maturity the impact and impression she leaves lasts a hell of a lot longer. I really love this new song and if you haven't listened to any of her other stuff please do....

THE SHINS - SIMPLE SONG

First of all let me say what an amazing video this is! I really did love The Shins back when I was in college and I think it has been close to five years since they last released anything! Times may have changed since the original band were on the scene but now with a few new members the quality of this track just speaks for itself and I'm sure it'll have a place on most people's playlists! You can't deny yourself a sexy power-pop riff!

LET IT BE KNOWN...

Bonjourno, I think it's time you got under my skin... don't pretend like you don't have songs that fall under all of these headings! Maybe it should be a bloggerooo trend... you all post the songs that fit! That's not going to happen is it? Didn't think so....
Anyway, the artists/tracks are all pretty new so please... enjoy!

MUSIC TO DANCE IN THE STREET TO: 

---- NIKI AND THE DOVE - THE DRUMMER

It isn't the kind of music I listen to on the regular but there is just something about Niki and The Dove that makes me want to listen. I had a similar feeling when it came to Miss Kitten and the Hacker a gazzillion years ago. Even though I feel pretentious listening to these tracks in public - I love them and they do make me want to break out in dance... of course I always refrain and act like everyone else... not... haha! 

MUSIC TO HAVE A CASUAL STROLL TO:

----MILES KANE - FIRST OF MY KIND

Miles Kane on this song really really reminds me of Echo and The Bunnymen and no, it's not the way  he sings"moon" there is just something there...  The pace and tempo of this song is actually quite useful as it means you can get to work on time and still look casual and cool whilst doing it. Or is it just me that walks in time to the music?

MUSIC THAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR IN A MUSIC VIDEO:

----JAMES N COMMON - DEVIL IN ME

If only he was attractive but he isn't and I don't think that'll change anytime soon, but I still love him. He sounds like a whiskey drinking, smoker that you'd find in the corner of an American bar. The kind who doesn't speak to anyone - doesn't actually like humans and wishes you were dead. Basically the kind of guy every stupid girl like myself... loves! haha

MUSIC FOR WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIGHT:

----DOT ROTTEN - ARE YOU NOT ENOUGH?

I think it is fair to say that Dot Rotten is possibly the only/first viable answer the United Kingdom has had to Eminem. Now, as much of a surprise as it may be... I was quite a big Marshall Mathers fan back in the day, as was my mom (because she is from the ghetto's like me) so yes... I think I may like Dot Rotten although every now and then I say Dot Cotton like the woman from Eastenders. Not good!

MUSIC THAT MAKES YOU THINK OF SUMMER:

----VARIOUS CRUELTIES - NEON TRUTH

There is nothing like a traditionally English sounding band with all the trimmings that make for a super summer sound. If anything I feel a little bit of an old school Mystery Jet's vibe from this song but that may just be because I have had a recent resurgence of love for them. Either way, I adore this track and based on that reason alone I feel it may play the soundtrack to Summer 2012. 

MUSIC YOU ROCK YOUR HEAD/THROW YOUR ARMS TO: 

----YOUNG GUNS - BONES

After Cheesy played me his package that was mixed to Papa Roach, it brought back a wave of emotion and reminded me of my old taste in music. It seems as though times have changed but the Young Guns seem to be keeping that whole genre alive and well. Maybe I need a "taste of chaos" in my life again? That is if they are still happening? Oh my god, how old am I? 

MUSIC YOU CAN FALL ASLEEP TO: 

----JASON MRAZ - I WON'T GIVE UP 

It's just standard Mraz isn't it? He always knows how to make music that makes you feel tired... in a good way of course! It's just super relaxing, a little sad and at the right volume it can be perfect. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new album... if this single is anything to go by it should be amazing. 

MUSIC THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO SPIN AROUND ON A SUNNY DAY:

----WARPAINT - UNDERTOW

I had been listening to this song on repeat for the past few weeks. Not like, all the time... just a lot of the time. Then my friend Chelsea posted it to me as it came on her ipod and she wanted to share the love of one of her favourite bands... coincidence? As incubus wisely said - there's no such thing! But either way, this is a lovely song and it is one of those that makes me wish I had a floaty white dress, daisy chains and a field with a single pony in it - to frolic with! 

AND EVERY GOOD POST SHOULD END WITH SOMETHING LOVELY... 

.....SO HERE IS WHAT REAL LOVE LOOKS LIKE

IN THE FORM OF CHUCK AND BLAIR FROM GOSSIP GIRL! 

FELLOW JOURNALISTS: please watch

LOVE IT!

x

REPORT: Things I like at the moment.

THIEVERY CORPORATION:
If ever you are in need of something to listen to that will a) put you in a good mood and b) relax you. This song by Thievery Corporation would have both on its tin. I'll be honest it is not the most exciting track -musically or lyrically- but there is just something about it that makes you want to listen again and again or is that just me? It also helps that the woman in the video is actually stunning. The rest of Thievery Corporation's back catalogue highlights an interesting array of genre's from dub and acid jazz to classical Indian music and Brazilian bossa nova. Sounds like: Portishead, Chicane 

OF MONSTERS AND MEN: 

To me this six-piece from Iceland are likely to become part of a new movement of music that we really need in 2012. They have a lyrical awareness that is second to none, amazing and simple melodies as well as a complicated yet beautifully constructed album. When I finally get my own car, I can see myself driving to this song. Despite the jaunty rhythm on "Little Talks" the track is actually really really sad and has been one of the songs I have had on repeat for the past week or so. They'll do well. Sounds Like: Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons

DJ MARK FARINA:

From Chicago, Mark Farino has been on the scene for quite a while and is known for his relaxed beats that take us back in time. I hadn't heard of him until recently but I was very glad that his music came into my life (just to add there is a lot of it to get through! Over ten albums and that does not include mixtapes) This song (Daddy's favourite do it) however, has become one of my favourite's and I dare you not to move your shoulders to it because that is nearly impossible... 

Sounds Like: Himself!

MISSED YOU AT THE SHOW: 

If you wanted catchy melodies and adventurous time signatures then this is the band for you. Although I love this song quite a lot, I must admit that you can't really get away from the very blatant fact that this pop quintet have a very short shelf-life. They have appeared on BBC Introducing and are clearly very influenced by the music around Manchester (where they come from) but I just can't see where they would fit in the music market, not that I am that in-tune with it anymore. I guess they are very new and have plenty of time to develop their sound but for now this is the only song I really like. 

  

Where did they go?? The blog post....

There are so many artists that feature on my ipod that have fallen off the face of the musical sphere... this blog post will feature those bands that I loved and lost in probably less than a year... does it say something about the music they produced? or is this just part of the musical life cycle?

THE GLITTERATI. 

They were big in 2005 especially in the rock 'n' roll scene, this was at a time when the sleaze was back i.e: Velvet Revolver etc. Although they look like a traditional glam rock band from LA they are actually from Leeds in the UK! But aspirations of moving across the pond - the style, the sound and the glitter seemed to fall by the way side as the second album flopped and despite still being signed we have yet to hear anything worth writing about....

ALISHA'S ATTIC

I think liking Alisha's Attic in my pre-teen years makes me a pretty cool person! With my little bit of saved up cash I got all of their singles because I could never wait to save up ten pounds for the album from Woolworths! Anyway... the band was made up of two sisters and they had a Siouxsie and the Banshee's feel about them. Some of their later material had serious Asian influence with sitars and tabla's and they were generally just an amazing band that disappeared in the early 00's - they should definitely make a come back!

COLOUR OF FIRE

Colour of Fire - one album, one tour and one split. The question that always goes around in my head is, why? Their music was pretty good they had some awesome melodies and the frontman was a bit of a slice (that is,at the time, on reflection - not so much so!) Lyrically they were pretty amazing their whole first album was so well written despite the fact that they were only in their early 20's. Anyway, I say they should reform but the likelihood of that happening is probably O. 

SOPHIA

"Oh my Love" was the only song I really really loved by Sophia. I don't think they really hit the big time ever but this song was the closest they got to that dream. As Robin says at the start of the video this song in particular is a sad pop song and I am a sucker for both those things! I wish the official video was available because it sounds and looks amazing, but this will have to do until you find it for yourself!  

Music Predictions for 2012...

1)   KING CHARLES

Some might say that he looks a little pretentious - with his crazy facial hair and love of all things old but who are we to judge! To me, King Charles is the new Devendra Banhart/Patrick Wolf combined - before they both sold out that is! With his catchy chorus lines I think he may just infect the population. He is one of those people who I think will remain at large in the underground indie scene, make a brief cross over to mainstream, begin to believe the hype and slowly fade away - a la Patrick Wolf. Lets hope he has more staying power than I am giving him credit for! 

2)   SUNDAY GIRL

As always with me, it started with a cover version. I heard Sunday Girl sing MGMT's time to Pretend and I was sold. I really thought 2011 would be her year but luckily I didn't blogify that prediction so I can use it this year instead! 2012 really should be her year - she can pretty much do anything! She has versatility in her voice and style - she has already made an appearance in the Dubstep scene and despite the bubblegum pop appearance I get the feeling we may get a few more dance tunes out of this one. It doesn't hurt that she looks like Francoise Hardy's love child but trust me when I say she is one to watch!

             3)  ALICE GOLD

Everyone needs some pop in their life and Alice Gold gives it to us fiercely through her oodles and oodles of bouncy blonde hair. The singer/songwriter has been around for a little while and despite the fact that her music is actually pretty good she has found it very difficult to get noticied. However, with a bunch of new material which sounds a lot more polished I have a feeling that 2012 might just be her time to shine! Dear God! I sound like some sort of cheeseball DJ who thinks he knows it all! I guess I'll just roll with it now... prepare yourself! 

4)   LITTLE RACER

 

Hailing from Brooklyn, the threepiece make me think of a more tropical-sounding Surfer Blood. Obviously I know the West Palm Beach mob sound pretty tropical anyway, but LR are seemingly all about making hazy melodies and Beach Boys choruses.

New York Fashion Week Round Up!

So I am ashamed to say I missed the first day of fun and festivities but I shall give you my two penny's worth for the other 4 days!

Day 2 - Nerves Running High

I am sure the athmosphere would have been extremely tense as it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11 (the only time ten years ago when Fashion week was ever cancelled, or so I believe?) So to the designers who had this day to show and tell... here are my faves...

JASON WU

Although sticking to his classic style this collection was evidently inspired by pop art with its electrified embroidary and a mixture of spangles including beady bits, pearls and an array of sequins. I was happy to see a rainbow of colour but more in love with the bright pinks on display. This was clearly a collection for those "out-there-and-oh-so-modern" folks. Although it was major risk playing with proportions for spring it seemed to work well. And even more of a surprise - I actually liked the use of perlums they seemed to work well with his overall vision for the collection. I can see how this collection may trickle to the High Street.

My Favourite Look:  The evening with a contemporary twist - a photo-negative digital print T-shirt with a black silk skirt offset on the hips with a feathered peplum. It was odd but cool! Also who could miss the pink nylon trench coat... no me neither!

PETER SOM

This collection was certainly sleek, was worried it might be a bit boring with the opening look of a manly looking white tee and weird skinny trousers but it all turned around pretty quickly. Soon the models started to look like zebras running in a sunset... well those are the images you expect when using zebra print and yellow, surely? I loved the floral prints especially the blue floral top which we know you'll be able to find in Primark in a month or two.

My Favourite Look:  The showstopping strapless bright PINK gown. It really just showed how simplictity (if it is well done) can be amazing! Also I loved the high slit and I have never been a fan before!

Day 3 - Hippy Power

It seemed like New York had been hit by a hundred weddings with thousands of flowers being sprinkled simultaneously as Day 3 went ahead with flower power prints and the real deal scattered on runways!

PRABAL GURUNG

Well last year he won the Council of Fashion Designers of America award for emerging talent which is why I was very interested to see what he did with this collection. After all he had been set up to fall but actually he managed to live up to the hype surrounding him. I loved the collection. It seemed somewhat futuristic with a space age circle mini skirt - but if you are considered a designer who will create fashion of the future you can afford to be more adventurous! However, I was actually pretty surprised to see leather especially as a fabric for sportswear! but you have to hand it to Gurung he is a master of detail!

My Favourite Look: The dominatrix-inspired white crepe(?) dress that had black ties on the sides and an updated corset.

JILL STUART

The collection seemed like an early 1960's resort look with soft feminine sherbert tones and comfy looking shapes. Obviously adding the Stuart twist we had a few palm trees and bird motifs thrown in just in case we didn't get the concept! haha! It is strange how Stuart has moved so swiftly from that rocker look she was known for to a modern day 60's icon inspired show. To some degree it felt like the collection was old, not just because it was inspired by times past- but more a case of having already seen drop-waist shifts, culottes and inverted-pleat skirts in the High Street in the last few months.

My Favourite Look: The mini romper/playsuit that was so well executed it really could have passed for a mini shift dress if you hadn't looked carefully!