Everything Everything – Get To Heaven
Art Rock | Indie Pop | Electronica
62% Continue reading
Is old music better?
“Modern music is rubbish!” It’s a phrase that we see often, in some shape or form. But is old music really better? Has there been a decline in music quality over the years or is it all just psychological? As is usually the case with these sorts of questions there is no simple answer. Before anyone starts throwing stones at any top 40 artists lets all take a moment to think about the big picture. Continue reading
Foo Fighters cancel European tour
After frontman Dave Grohl broke his leg during a performance in Gothenburg, Sweden, the band have called off the remaining dates for their European tour including their headlining slot at Glastonbury. Depending on how well he recovers, his injury may also affect some American dates. There is no information yet as to whether any of the shows will be rescheduled or as to who will be filling the prestigious role of Glastonbury headliner. Here’s wishing him a speedy recovery!
Album Review: Algiers – Algiers
Album Review: Muse – Drones
Apple unveils new streaming service
During a conference in San Francisco it was announced Apple Music will launch at the end of the month and will be available on all Apple devices. The system’s unique features include a 24/7 radio station hosted by former Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, A supposedly more advanced music recommendation system, a social network that allows fans to connect with artists and siri compatibility to allow voice commands. Whilst I think this new service is miles ahead of rival service Tidal, it is still behind Spotify as only Spotify offers an ad-supported free service. Work needs to be done to make sure the new Apple music and it’s features are to the highest standard if it is to live up to it’s subscription fee.
Must Own Albums: Country Classics
Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison
Following the success of his hit song “Folsom Prison Blues” and the numerous letters he had received from inmates, Cash had aspired to record a concert at a prison. Sadly his dream was put on hold. After many years of struggling to keep his career afloat due to his drug addiction he finally played his Folsom Prison concert which proved to be one of the most successful albums he ever produced. (I’m breaking my own rules by including a live album, but it is one of the most famous performances in history!)
Dolly Parton – Jolene
Although her best-selling album is ‘Eagle When She Flies’, the album everyone needs is her 13th studio album, ‘Jolene’, one of her more traditional country albums released during her split from Porter Wagoner. With the exception of ‘It Must Be You’, the entire album was written by Dolly herself and includes two of her best hits, the catchy ‘Jolene’ and the beautiful ‘I Will Always Love You’ which topped the country charts twice making Dolly the first artist to earn a number 1 twice with the same song as a singer and three times as a writer following Whitney Houston’s cover.
Willie Nelson – Always On My Mind
Described as one of the finest country singer-songwriters, Nelson’s catalogue of 68 studio albums proves this. But the album to have is 1982’s ‘Always On My Mind’. Featuring the single ‘Always On My Mind’ which has been recorded by many artists both before and since Nelson’s version including Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley and which gave Nelson 3 wins at the 1983 Grammy’s and 4 CMA’s at the 1982 and 1983 CMA Awards. The album also includes a recording of Paul Simon’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ and Procul Harum’s ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’.
Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man
The First Lady of Country Music. The title track ‘Stand By Your Man’ was the most successful song of Wynette’s career and the best-selling hit single of any woman in country music until Dolly Parton’s 9-5. Despite its success, the song was controversial, the lyrics suggesting that women stand by their men despite their faults, and was derided by the 1960s feminist movement in the US. The album however, went platinum and has been described as a classic country album.
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he Carter Family – Wildwood Flower
Predating all country music charts, the Carter Family’s music has influenced bluegrass, southern gospel, pop, rock and country. They became the first country music stars and their album ‘Wildwood Flower’ includes many of their hits including the song ‘Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow Tree’ which has become a timeless country song.
(Contribution from guest author Ailish Barker-Brown)
Album Review: Florence + the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Florence + the Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
Indie Rock | Indie Pop
85%
Must Own Albums: Masters of Metal
Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Not many bands can be credited with creating a new genre, but all forms of modern metal can trace their roots back to this very album. Tony Iommi is in another league when it comes to creating slow growling riffs that sound like the ever encroaching apocalypse. Songs like ‘War Pigs’, ‘Iron Man’ and the title track ‘Paranoid’ sparked a musical revolution.
Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast
The new wave of British heavy metal brought music that was more complex, both musically and lyrically. Beast was the band’s first album to feature Bruce Dickinson on vocals and the last to feature Clive Burr on drums. The album features some unforgettable singles in the form of the title track and ‘Run to the Hills’ as well some great storytelling on ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ which is about a prisoner sentenced to death.
Judas Priest – British Steel
Whilst it may not be Judas Priest’s heaviest album, it was however the album that brought them mainstream success. It brought heavy metal into the public eye and helped define many of the genre’s defining characteristics. Big singles like ‘Breaking The Law’ and ‘Living After Midnight’ may seem tame and commercial by today’s standards, but at the time of release they were some of the heaviest songs on the radio.
Dio – Holy Diver
Ronnie James Dio is one of the best, if not the best vocalist in heavy metal. Having already made incredible albums with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, and created the famous metal horns hand gesture, Dio pulled together the best musicians he could find and made yet another great album under his own name. The title track, ‘Rainbow In The Dark’ and ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ condense his expansive fantasy lyrics into a radio friendly format.
Metallica – Master of Puppets
Metallica are undoubtedly the most famous band in metal and one of the most innovative. Master of Puppets was the band at their creative peak. The aggression and fast tempos set a new standard but no other band, not even Metallica themselves, have managed to match the quality of this album. The title track and the instrumental track ‘Orion’ in particular are a master class in metal.
Producer (feat. Wasted Talent)
Depending on what radio station you tune into, you will probably be bombarded throughout the day by a multitude of monotonous dance tracks with an equally repetitive and uninspired chorus. I haven’t named any songs in particular but just from that simple description I’m sure there are plenty that spring to mind. If I had a penny for every time I heard a song like that I could afford to stock up on compilation CDs of them and put them in the microwave one by one. Sadly it seems to form a large proportion of modern chart hits, and whilst it has launched the careers of some respectable singers, for the most part it raises a number of issues. Continue reading
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