Filed under: Rock, Vocals | Tags: Acoustic, folk, indie, Pop, Rock, vocals
I haven’t posted much indie/folk music on Fuck the Radio simply because I feel that it’s developed it’s own strongly established scene in its own right. Fans of the genre will most likely already be familiar with the more mainstream names like Bon Iver and Morissey (I don’t use the term ‘mainstream’ negatively here, unlike many hipsters that will abandon their favourite band once it’s Facebook page reaches over 1,000 likes in order to look ‘alternative’). Even the most indie-twee-of-twee such as Kimya Dawson (and her anti-folk duo The Moldy Peaches), Joanna Newsom and Antsy Pants enjoy their spot in the relatively ‘popular’ limelight (one only needs to listen to the soundtrack of the film Juno to discover this).
There was a time when I had a *whatever the latest iPod device was* chock-a-block full of indie punk-folk music. I’d spend weekends lying in bed listening to Noah and the Whale (I occasionally do still indulge in the odd listen on Five Years Time), My Little Pony, Laura Marling, Neutral Milk Hotel etc. This was the time that I learned to love music; when I discovered there was a world beyond the ubiquitous pop music that I never quite found accessible. Then came the whole indie-revolution, and suddenly everyone was trying to like the most edgy and obscure bands they could find.
Sea Wolf aren’t particularly edgy- The album Leaves in the River was released in 2007 and they play out much like a Death Cab for Cutie clone. As for obscurity, You’re a Wolf was in shows as popular as Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries… It even plays during a scene in Zombieland. But I think it deserves a more in-depth listen than being the backing track for a movie or television show can provide.
The melodic, dreamy mood shaped by the brilliant bowed strings and Church’s vocals fills your ears with a near euphoric indie-pop sound that has manage to retain it’s listening pleasure to me all these years since my indie-rock phase.
It may not be the most groundbreaking song you ever hear, but put simplistically, You’re a Wolf is a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
The Beastie Boys‘ debut hip-hop album License to Ill is my top 3 hip-hop albums of all time. I know this may seem a little out-of place on this blog, but Paul Revere is just too good for people to be missing out on. The whole reverse-beat it has going is fucking great, and the lyrics are entertaining to say the least… a spaghetti-western type story that reads like a play, each Beastie having his own role in the tale, here’s my favorite verse:
MCA:
“Now, I got the gun, you got the brew
You got two choices of what you can do
It’s not a tough decision as you can see
I can blow you away or you can ride with me”
Ad Rock:
“I said,
I’ll ride with you if you can get me to the border
The sheriff’s after me for what I did to his daughter,
I did it like this, I did it like that
I did it with a whiffleball bat”
The Beastie Boys started as a hardcore punk band, but switched to hip-hop around 1983, and in my books, any hip-hop before ’96 earns a green tick. But the ’86 (or was it early ’87?) Paul Revere (much like the rest of License to Ill) is a track that could have been released yesterday and still be fresh. Take a listen and you’ll see what I mean:
Anti-Pop Consortium‘s alternative hip-hop sound is much underrated, especially at a time where artists such as Tyler the Creator and The Neptunes thrive. That said, I’m not making a direct comparison between the groups. Four Tet‘s remix of Volcano is a perfect addition to the Ninja Tune XX label’s catalog, whereas it may look a tad out of place on something like Interscope.
The tune is the prefect balance of lo-fi without sounding messy. The melodic arpeggiated synths remind me of something that you’d hear from Jarre or Vangelis, but that’s probably just me. The rap vocals are tight and flow well over the top, as you can expect from a group as reputable as the Anti-Pop Consortium, who have been doing their thing since the late 90s (not counting a 5-year hiatus from 2002-2007). Check it out:
Anti-Pop Consortium – Volcano (Four Tet Remix)
Filed under: Vocals | Tags: Acoustic, Brilliant, mystic, organic, visual, vocals
I started this blog as a way to escape my Mum’s terminal cancer. The reality of living at home with somebody on their deathbed is not easy.
I used music to escape. And when that wasn’t distraction enough I started this blog. I started writing early September last year, scheduling the posts to be released in October. I wrote the first post and scheduled it for October 1st, the next post for the 2nd etc… I continued to write daily, scheduling more posts for October. They stop abruptly when she started to really slip. She died on the 23rd of September. That’s a year ago today.
She asked this song to be played at the funeral, and it’s beautiful. Although I’m sure my Mum would probably disapprove of the name I chose for this blog, she’d really dig the music I post on it. This one I know for a fact that she did, and I can see why.
Mckennitt‘s vocals are beautiful, the song is so gorgeously haunting, the atmosphere it embodies is captivating, it draws me into a medieval world with it’s droning pedal tone and ritualistic drum patterns. Simply magical and powerful music. A MUST for lovers of Celtic music (although this is pretty much the Stairway to Heaven of celtic songs, so I’m sure if you’re a celtic music fan you’ve at-least heard of Loreena McKennitt before), also a perfect introduction for a novice to the genre. The percussion, vocals and overall ambiance of the song is so perfectly and elegantly crafted.
Loreena McKennitt – The Mystic’s Dream
Filed under: Psychadelic, Rock, Vocals | Tags: Acoustic, Guitar, Psychedelic, Rock, vocals
Death in Vegas’ sound spans across many genres, from grunge to electronica to acid-rock the list goes on and on. Typing their name into iTunes and playing through their stuff on shuffle can trick you into thinking you are listening to several different bands. I feel Aladdin’s Story is a good psychedelic rock track to show off their sound- and it’s been awhile since we had music like this on the blog.
I recommend you check out Death In Vegas if you like a mix of Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Tame Impala and stuff like The Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream and Unkle. A very eclectic band.
Death in Vegas – Aladdin’s Story
Doctor Rockit is hailed a pioneer in using ‘organic’ (read: not electronic) sounds in predominately electronic music. I picked up his album Indoor Fireworks by chance and I must admit, it is a challenging listen. However the last track of the album deserves to be played during the last call of every bar, imagine you and your mates arm in arm, swishing your pints around in drunken glory.
A perfect finish to my week-long daily posting marathon – I’ll see you Monday 😀
Doctor Rockit – This is the End
Filed under: Acid, Chilled, Noise, Psychadelic, Rock, Vocals | Tags: Acid, Brilliant, Guitar, Happy, independant, noise, Psychedelic, Rock, vocals
Secret Knives are one of those amazing acid rock bands. A real pleasure to listen to. Really organic- if you love groups like Yeysayer, Tame Impala, Animal Collective and The XX then chances are you’ll love the sadly lesser known Secret Knives.
http://secretknives.bandcamp.com/
FTR download:
Filed under: Dance, Electronica, Rock, Upbeat, Vocals | Tags: bass, Brilliant, Dance, Electronic, Guitar, Rock, sample based, Upbeat, vocals
Pretty Lights is easily one of my favourite artists of recent times, even though he’s been around for quite awhile, I discovered his music later than I would have liked to.
Another artist who I wish I could simply post the entire discography of, Pretty Light‘s production quality and sound is something even the creme de la creme of electronic artists could be envious of. I’m very excited to see him live in December. Not only is his music brilliant, but he is generous to give it away for free. I insist you visit the website:
http://www.prettylightsmusic.com/#/home
And of-course, a FTR download:
Pretty Lights – Something’s Wrong
Filed under: Ambient, Chilled, Rock, Vocals | Tags: Hypnotic, Trip-Hop, vocals
Hooverphonic were one of my first experiences with trip-hop. I can’t believe I’ve neglected to post them, the trouble is that I just want to post all their music.
They released a new album in 2010 that moved away from their trip-hop roots towards a pop/rock type sound that kind of disappointed me, because tracks like 2Wicky just sounded like they had so much more depth to them. However, I highly recommend you listen to their earlier albums The Magnificent Tree and A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular.
Something a little different for you this time. We have the famous piece Ellens dritter Gesang, more widley known as Ave Maria by Franz Schubert. This performance of the piece is done sung not by a woman but a talented young boy named Daniel Perret. I spent a good hour today listening to different versions and this one comes from an unlikely location- a video game soundtrack.
Enjoy the haunting harp arpeggios, the angelic vocals, the opera goodness.
Franz Schubert – Ellens dritter Gesang (Ave Maria)
Filed under: MIXTAPE, Party, Rock, Upbeat, Vocals | Tags: b&, Chicks on speed, female rockers, girl bands, girl in a coma, Mixtape, riot grrl, Rock, The bangles, The Runaways
So Beyonce just released her new song called Run the World (Girls) and it is TERRIBLE.
Diplo & Switch re-using thier old Pon de Floor beat (seriously guys, I’ve heard you use it with La Roux, Afrojack and Major Lazer already, time to come up with something original!)
LUCKILY Fuck the Radio is here to do some radio FUCKING and together with b& has shown that girls can at the very least ROCK the world.
Fun lyrics, sexy vocals, great song.
Devil Doll – Bourbon In Your Eyes
Filed under: Chilled, Mellow, Noise, Rock, Vocals | Tags: Chilled, Deep, Guitar, mellow, Rock, visual
Now I’m no screamo fan, and having a band like Enter Shikari appear on this blog may come as a bit of a surprise. Known mainly for their combination of electronic music and post-hardcore rock, Enter Shikari have a real treat with the first track of their album ‘Take to the Skies’.
Although it serves an an introduction into the album, mixing straight into the angsty screamo song after it; Stand Your Ground is thoughtfully crafted and has a feel of it’s own. Perhaps that’s why it got granted a title unlike the other similar-yet-not-as-great ‘Interlude’ tracks on the album. Disappointingly short (although you can’t complain as it does serve it’s duty as an introduction to the album), Stand Your Ground is worth a listen to ears beyond the land of screamo.
Enter Shikari – Stand Your Ground; This Is Ancient Land
Filed under: Electronica, Upbeat, video, Vocals | Tags: Brilliant, Electronic, Funky, Upbeat, vocals
A good tune for the Ides of March no?
I’m an addict to the stuff Ninja Tune releases on their label. This has been heavily played to my ears. There’s a remix of it in the new years mixtape you can find a few posts back.
