Jack White // Lazaretto

Jack White has featured in music news a lot recently, from producing a song in record-breaking time to publicly apologising to anyone he has ever spoken cruelly about in the past. However, his new album Lazaretto – released on June 10^th through his own label Third Man Records – is something which he shouldn’t have to make apologies for.

The first song of his second solo album Three Women sounds like a rock gospel anthem – whether or not that’s a genre, White has made it one – with White repeating “Lordy Lord” accompanied by a bit of uncharacteristic organ music. Record-breaking track Lazaretto – the first single release – is the second song on the album and despite the production of it being rushed, it is well executed. It contains everything you would expect from the man. His trademark vocals paired with strong rock-sounding guitar riffs altogether creating another great piece of music.

Following on from that, Temporary Ground is a refreshing change from the so far very rock-sounding album as this song has more of a country edge to it. An image of White sitting on a porch in a rocking-chair, chewing on a piece of barley and playing the banjo sprung to mind as it began. However this change is short-lived as we’re straight back onto the iconic piano/guitar pairing in next song: Would You Fight For My Love? Although it begins quite hard-hitting, the guitar soon drifts off to leave White’s vocals – sounding slightly softer than usual – and the piano. This song could be seen as his version of a ballad, however he doesn’t commit to this concept as it very quickly turns back into the familiar angry-sounding rock song. High Ball Stepper is a strictly instrumental piece which seems to encapsulate all we have heard so far in the album, and acts as a break almost half-way through the 11 tracks, with heavy guitar being the most dominant feature and an odd bit of violin thrown in for good measure.

Just One Drink seems like a drunken nod to Would You Fight For My Love?  with the line “I love you, honey why don’t you love me?” being repeated several times, hinting to perhaps some trouble in White’s love life which makes for a bit of awkward listening. This idea is continued through into Alone In My Home as his previous anger seems to have subsided to leave something that just sounds quite sad, with White claiming “lost feelings of love” as well as that he is becoming a ghost. This sense of sadness continues on through Entitlement- which has remnants of the country sound from Temporary Ground. That Black Bat Licorice introduces the Jack White we know best back into the world after a melancholic break, and what else would you expect from a song with a title like that? This is followed through into I Think I Found The Culprit. The final song on Lazaretto, Want and Able begins with the sound of birds crowing and features a chorus which is filled mainly with the word ‘who’. Or is it an impression of an owl? It wouldn’t be an album by Jack White if there wasn’t something a little odd in there.

As a Jack White fan, this album doesn’t disappoint at all. Artists going solo can be a bit hit-and-miss, especially if it spills into a second album, but Lazaretto fills the shoes of Blunderbuss and then some. Bring on the next one.

New dates for a UK arena tour in November have been announced with tickets for the gigs in London, Leeds and Glasgow going on sale at 9am on Friday 13^th June. White will also be making an appearance at Glastonbury later this month.

Fenech-Soler // Rituals

The moment I have been waiting for, for what feels like an eternity, has finally arrived: the release of Fenech-Soler's follow up to their debut self-titled album.

'Rituals' - the second album from Fenech-Soler

From the moment I first heard their debut single 'Stop and Stare' on Radio 1 a good few years ago now, I was hooked and instantly became a fan of the band, listening to their first album over and over and posting their music online... sadly, with not much response as my musically-challenged friends by-passed them for whatever was deemed as popular at the time. But I'm making one more attempt to introduce them into the world and if I can make just one person like them then I'll be happy.

Obviously this post will be completely biased as in my opinion, this band are music perfection but I'll let you decide for yourself. (Note: if you disagree, you are wrong.)

Dance and techno music seems to be making a comeback from the 90s - although perhaps not quite so hard-hitting as it was back then and with significantly less chipmunk-like vocals - with the rise of dubstep over the past few years and artists such as Avicii and David Guetta bringing it into the charts. However, it seems to have died off slightly and the recipe for a successful song these days seems to be anything with a good base line to it and perhaps a bit of synthesizer in there too. Maybe throw some indie lyrics and vocals on top of it all and you're probably onto a winner. With this in mind, Fenech-Soler should be far more known than they currently are.

Their music is never without a bouncy dance track and is definitely what I can imagine being played in clubs to act as a soundtrack to many a drunken fun-filled night. That's what I imagine anyway as I'm sat in my pyjamas with a cup of tea, listening to the album.

As we edge ever-closer to long and dark Winter nights, a personal favourite from the album 'Last Forever' brings a bit of sunshine back into my mind as I listen to it as it just screams out to be used in a montage of teenagers running around at festivals in slow motion, covered in face paints, flowers in their hair and drinks in hand. And as the title suggests, it makes the memories of Summer last forever through their music.

 

It's difficult for me to single out favourites on this album as everything just sounds like perfection to me, the word 'eargasm' is definitely appropriate when used in reference to this album and just the band in general. If you like 'Last Forever' - or any of the other releases: 'All I Know', 'Magnetic' and 'Maiyu' - you will love the rest of the album. They also have a similar sound to bands such as Delphic, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, Bastille and Passion Pit so if you are a fan of them then check this band out! I promise you won't regret it.

Of course when I found out Fenech-Soler were doing a UK tour, I jumped at the chance to get tickets as their music is just perfect to let loose and jump around to. They're touring all around the UK in November so if you like what you hear, get yourself a ticket!

Empire of The Sun // Ice on The Dune

With the sun coming out to play recently, what better way to celebrate than write a review about a band with the word 'sun' in it's name? (Creative, I know).

If I said I'd always been a fan of Empire of The Sun, I'd be lying. I was aware of them, sure, but I wouldn't class myself in that fan category. I enjoyed listening to 'Walking on A Dream', it was heavily featured on my 'Top 25 Played Songs' on iTunes during the Summer of 2009. However, I can't say the same for their other release 'We Are The People' and so chose not to delve any further into their discography. 

I don't know what brought me to take an interest in their newest album when I saw NME tweeting about it. Perhaps it was that techno-indie music fan within me dying for something new to feast on rather than tiring out my playlist consisting of bands such as Delphic, Metronomy, Passion Pit, Friendly Fires, Fenech-Soler and Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. However, I am glad I took that plunge.

Although, I must admit overall I was kind of disappointed by the album. In my opinion, their single 'Alive' is the best thing about the album but there are a few other gems such as 'Ice on The Dune'. 

One thing is clear about Empire of The Sun, they know how to make a Summer anthem. They'd definitely be an essential at any festival and their music makes it clear that their gigs would be a lot of fun.

They've added to my techno-indie playlist but I don't think I'll make a habit of religiously listening to the album. Maybe third time's the charm. 

Blurred Lines // A Musical Mid-Life Crisis

I never fail to be disappointed by the British public's music taste and once again, I find myself scratching my head in confusion as I listen to 'Blurred Lines'. Most middle-aged men date a younger woman or buy a sports car when they're going through a mid-life crisis but for Robin Thicke, releasing a womanising pop song into the stratosphere seems to be the way to go.

The song also features Pharrell Williams and this was the main reason why I thought I'd see what all the hype around this song was as I am a fan of his work with N.E.R.D as well as his recent hit with Daft Punk but 'disappointed' is an understatement. Not only was I unimpressed by the song as a whole but the lyrics aren't the most creative I've ever come across and are simply crude. 'I know you want it' and 'you're a good girl' being the most apparent lyrics in the song are seedy, not to mention incredibly arrogant. Couple that with the fact the original music video for the song was banned by YouTube for being a bit too 'risqué' and it just says it all.

To add to all this disappointment, as I scrolled through Twitter one evening, a link appeared for a cover version of the song by rock band Queens of The Stone Age. It called out to me like a beacon of hope: 'yes, if anyone can save it, they can' I thought.

But no.

Not even Queens of The Stone Age can make that song sound any better to me. And so I came to the conclusion that the lyrics are so atrocious that it just cannot be saved. 

But somehow it manages to sell millions of records and top charts. Whether it's an infatuation for the artist's aesthetics, the reputation of the supporting artists or horny teenage boys needing to see the video, something's working for it.

But it's best to stick to the traditional methods of dealing with a mid-life crisis, Rob.

Peace // In Love

So I haven't written anything about bands for a while so I thought I'd share a new band I've fallen for recently.

Peace are a four-piece Indie band from Worcester, England.

If indie music is your thing, I would quite confidently bet money on you enjoying this band just as much as I do.

They have those staple blunt, melancholic vocals you'd associate with an indie band, which they've coupled with psychedelic guitar riffs and disco-rock drum beats. I almost feel like they could be a bizarre love child between a slight glam-rock and indie band.

Their music has quite an eclectic mix. They move flawlessly between classic hard-hitting indie anthems (such as Bloodshake and the Foals-esque Wraith) and slower, softer ballads with songs such as Float Forever and California Daze so I feel as if their recently released album 'In Love' has something for any indie music fan.

They could easily be on their way to becoming the next big thing in the indie-music scene - or at least I think they should be - and a festival essential.

They're currently touring around the UK and as I've said, their debut album is available to buy, or stream on Spotify, as well as their EP 'EP Delicious'.

Become infatuated.

Darwin Deez // Songs For Imaginative People

Fan of Darwin Deez? Can't wait another two days for the release of his new album?

Then you're in luck!

Soundcloud have kindly given us an exclusive stream of the full album to banish those withdrawal symptoms and sense of anticipation.
It can be heard here or here.

Enjoy!

Songs For Imaginitave People is released on February 11th 2013.