Albums aren’t dead!

/ James Fenney
Photo by Elviss Railijs Bitu0101ns on Pexels.com

 

Modern music media is quick to write off albums as a thing of the past, pointing at dwindling sales figures as a sign that the end is nigh. Industry moguls can often be found lamenting over the apparently fickle nature of modern consumers and the fact that people these days simply can’t be bothered to sit through an entire album. To paraphrase Mark Twain: the reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated, and I for one am fed up of this bleak and out of touch outlook. The truth is albums have more power now than they have done in a long time, you just need to know where to look. Continue reading →

David Gilmour returns to Pompeii

/ James Fenney

david gilmour pompeii

Source: Sarah M Lee via Instagram

Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour has returned to the ruins of Pompeii to play two shows as part of his world tour. In 1972 Pink Floyd recorded their cult concert film of the band playing to an empty amphitheatre in amongst the roman ruins, now over 40 years on Gilmour is returning to perform there in front of an audience making it technically the first ever rock concert in the city. He performed his solo material alongside reworkings of Pink Floyd classics. However ‘Echoes’, a track that was the cornerstone of the original Live at Pompeii, was notably absent from the setlist, apparently due to the fact that it was too difficult to perform without the contributions of the late Rick Wright.

Spotlight!: Laura Roy

/ James Fenney

Laura Roy Press Photo.jpg

From humble yet determined origins selling her music out of her backpack during lunch breaks at school, this Canadian singer/songwriter is set to make her mark on the world. Having learnt from some of the best writers and producers around she is already adept at crafting intoxicating pop hits. Tracks such as ‘Bright Lights’, ‘Full Moon’ and ‘Plastic’ blend together slick and refined electropop with smooth and engaging R&B to create a divine mix that swirls round your mind for days on end. Laura’s music has all the catchy hooks you’d expect from a chart topping hit but with a great deal more heart and artistry. It’s rare to find such shamelessly infectious pop with real soul and meaning behind it, yet here we find a rising young star making pop music that matters.

Fans of Chvrches, Oh Wonder and M83 should check out her eponymous debut EP

Live Review: Barn on the Farm Festival 2016

/ James Fenney

001.JPGFor one brief golden weekend this gorgeous little patch of English countryside undoubtedly holds the title of the happiest place on Earth. As well as having built a reputation as one of the keenest eyes for new rising talent, Barn on the Farm above all else boasts an inescapable atmosphere of joy and togetherness. With so much in it’s favour it’s little wonder that I, along with the rest of the ever-growing Farm family, eagerly made my way back to my spiritual home for another year of incredible music and priceless memories. Continue reading →

Must Own Albums: Modern Marvels part 2

/ James Fenney

TheNational-BoxerThe National – Boxer

Brimming with dark melancholy, but also with a an inescapable air of worldly wisdom, it’s hard not to be moved by The National. Boxer is the perfect album for contemplation and escapism, for times when you feel disillusioned with the whole of life and humanity and you need something to cling onto to stop you from drifting away into the abyss. When all else fails this album brings comfort.

bon iverBon Iver – Bon Iver

Before you have even listened to this album, one look at what is possibly the most beautiful album artwork ever designed should tell you that this is something special. The band have grown from the folk origins of their debut For Emma, Forever Ago and have expanded into a grand yet delicate baroque pop soundscape. A thoroughly enrapturing listen from start to finish.

ryan adams heartbreakerRyan Adams – Heartbreaker

Following the collapse of his band Whiskeytown, Adams went on to create his first solo album. The raw honesty of his lyrics and the passion of their delivery led to a prolific career and Whiskeytown was soon forgotten. The intense beauty of songs like ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’ and ‘Come Pick Me Up’ have resulted in them becoming some of his most well loved hits.

tame-impala-lonerismTame Impala – Lonerism

With the release of their second album Tame Impala proved themselves to be Australia’s greatest creative force. The mesmerising psychedelica of tracks such as ‘Elephant’ and ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ hark back to the heady hey day of the late 60s, and yet it feels so refreshingly modern like a vision of an alternate musical future. Indulgent, lavish and expansive it feels like a whole new world waiting to be discovered.

Apple patents technology to disable cameras

/ James Fenney

phones-concert

A patent has recently been granted to Apple for new technology that allows iPhones to have their cameras disabled via infrared sensors. The action has been taken in an effort to stop concert goers taking photos and videos. Although some people are in favour of curbing the use of phones at concerts, the general consensus is that it is a heavy-handed approach and even that it is breach of the public’s rights. There is plenty of antisocial behaviour at concerts of which use of phones is one of least irritating. There are also fears about the possible misuse of the new technology as a form of censorship, such as during protests.

Top Tracks: Happy Diving – Holy Ground

/ James Fenney

Hailing from the suburbs of San Francisco, Happy Diving deliver a visceral injection of no-holds-barred garage rock. Their latest single ‘Holy Ground’ captures so much in just an intense couple of minutes. Brimming with both passion and aggression it takes a deep and melodic song and drenches it in the warm fuzz of feedback to create a tempestuous track that is equal parts primal aggression and artful grace. This viciously addictive high-octane hit is one of the most gutsy and glorious songs of the year thus far. The band’s latest album Electric Soul Unity is out 19th August via Topshelf Records.

Glastonbury 2016

/ James Fenney

glastonbury logo

This year’s Glastonbury seemed doomed to fail. With traffic chaos, some of the worst mud in the festival’s history and even BBC coverage being affected by the EU referendum broadcasts it would have been an easy bet to back it being an utter shambles. Instead the world’s greatest festival managed to pull it off and maintain high spirits on the farm and accomplish record breaking viewing figures. Here’s a brief roundup of the best of what BBC iPlayer’s “Glastontelly” has to offer. Continue reading →