Beirut to release double EP in Feb 2009

Zach Condon, the man at the helm of Beirut, is set to release a two-pack EP in February 2009. It will comprise a six track EP as Beirut entitled ‘March of the Zapotec’ and a five track release under the moniker ‘Real People’ entitled ‘Holland’. The release comes off the back of 2007’s ‘The Flying Club Cup’ album.

Santa Fe born Condon crept onto the scene with his Beirut debut album ‘Gulag Orkestar’ in 2006, possessing real oldy-worldy songs including highlights ‘Postcards From Italy’ and ‘Brandenburg’.

Beirut - Postcards from Italy



Music Is Life

Thrasher

Neil Young Night (TV)

With TV slots usually reserved for the likes of Dylan, Clapton and Cash, it’s now time for the true greatest to be the main focus of attention. After more than 40 glorious years of profilic genius (including the much criticized 80’s!), Young’s career is tonight celebrated with a host of programmes on BBC4.

The viewing begins at 9:30pm with ‘Neil Young Live at the BBC’ (1971) in what is one of his great early performances. The gig is intimately set with Young on stage alongside piano and guitars with the audience right at his feet, in what is so relaxed it could almost be in your front room. This performance is so up close and personal it almost offers a window into the man’s soul. Performing classics including Old Man, A Man Needs a Maid and Heart of Gold, this is certainly one not to be missed!

Neil Young - Old Man (1971)



Next up at 10:00pm is the brand new documentary ‘Don’t Be Denied’ in which it is reported there are two extensive interviews with Neil, prompting him to look back over his illustrious career. Along with these hopefully insightful interviews, is a collection of previously unseen performance footage.

At 11:00pm Crosby, Stills and Nash accompany Neil in the documentary ‘Déjà vu’. This follows the 60’s supergroup on their ‘Freedom of Speech Tour’ around the US delivering Young’s anti-war message to a array of crowds, both welcoming and hostile. At one point they even play their anti-Bush repertoire to a Republican audience in the South. I think on this evidence we can safely assume that sixty-two year old Young is not ready to pack it all in just yet!

If you’re still yearning for more after this Neil Young feast, then there’s another fine documentary at 00:30am entitled ‘Hotel California: LA from the Byrds to the Eagles’ that focuses on the rise of folk rock in the 60’s and 70’s and includes appearances from the likes of Joni Mitchell. Enjoy!

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Thrasher

The Maybes? - Promise (2008) - Album Review

One thing you can certainly say about these lads is that they’ve paid their dues. After touring up and down the country regularly since 2002, their debut album ‘Promise’ is long overdue.

The album starts with ‘Turn Me Over’, with its chugging rock riff that sounds like it’s gearing you up for something special, something that’s about to explode into life, and boy does it explode! After the jingle-jangle pop melodies of single ‘Boys’, ‘Modern Love’ picks up the baton and runs with it. This stomping rock number drives along with great force, supplemented by the powerful, rasping vocals of front man and lead guitarist Nick Ellis. ‘Trick of the Light’ is next on the track list. A sublime, heart-wrenching and moving composition that is arguably the best track on the album, with the band delivering a sound that my own scribed interpretation will fail to do justice, so I won’t bother! Check it out via their myspace link at the end of this blog.

What follows on the next few tracks is yet more proof of The Maybes talent and versatility, the highlights being ‘The Come Around’ and the beautifully composed and delivered ‘Ronnie Loves Julie’. Packed with rock, pop, love, harmonies, great guitar riffs and a reggae score, this album delivers in all areas. After the brilliant indie-pop tones of ‘Talk About You’, the album reaches its climax, by which you are gradually drawn deep within by the dark, yet joyfully eternal indie-dance title track ‘Promise’. A massive live favourite, the lads regularly play this almost immortal track to a crowd who could clearly dance to it for eternity, and those same feelings transpire when listening to the album version. The only downside is that unfortunately... it does end!

Listen to tracks from the album at www.myspace.com/themaybesliverpool and let me know if you agree with the review.

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Thrasher

The Cribs - The Cribs (2004) - Album Review

In a time when a large number of indie bands seem to be turfing out new material only with the intention of making money and becoming ‘big’, it is more than refreshing to see an English band shine through like a beacon of hope. Though we find ourselves in the generation of indie bands intent on producing that second ‘stadium’ album, the Cribs are doing a fine job of keeping things real and putting the music first. The fact that the band recorded their debut offering in 7 days at Toe Rag Studio, London (known for it’s vintage set-up) only emphasises this theory.

The Jarman brothers deliver what is destined to be a classic album here and one of the things that sets them apart from their counterparts is their ability to consistently produce great melodies, not just catchy ones! Each song stirs something inside you and leaves you longing for more. Raw, gritty and frequently stunning, the Cribs give off a sound all of their own. Ryan’s vocals are certainly unorthodox, almost drawl at times, his broad Wakefield accent prominent, yet that only adds to it’s charm. All said, the combination of the qualities they possess enable them to conjure up a sound that’s both enchanting and nostalgic.

I feel almost compelled to name-drop certain tracks from this sublime album but truth be known, it’s an impossible task as it’s simply awash with them. The three singles (‘Baby Don’t Sweat’, ‘You Were Always the One’ and ‘What about Me’) are a fantastic taster of what lies within the album, but these are only the tip of the iceberg. This album is without a doubt a must have for any self respecting indie fan. You need it in your life!

The Cribs - You Were Always The One



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Thrasher

Shakey Archives Delay

It is with renewed disappointment that the Neil Young archives Vol.1 was again delayed this week. Some of you will already know that this has been a regular fixture in music news for a few years now and will almost certainly make another appearance in the near future. It has been revealed (with great hope) that the latest pencilled-in date for the 1963-72 installment of the much anticipated archives is now set for release in Jan/Feb of 2009.

It is however consoling that the great troubadour continues to release, with what is expected to be more sublime live material as part of a running ‘performance series’ he has embarked upon. November 25th will see the release of Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House 1968 in both CD and CD/DVD format. If the release is anything near the quality of performance offered in previous releases ‘Live at Massey Hall’ and ‘Live at the Fillmore East’ then we are in for another treat!

Neil Young - Sugar Mountain (Cow Palace, San Francisco, 1978)



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Thrasher

The Last Shadow Puppets last dance . . . for now!

So, Alex Turner and Miles Kane are scheduled to return to the ranks of the Arctic Monkeys and The Rascals respectively leaving The Last Shadow Puppets in the shade. That is of course, after the small matter of completing a nationwide tour which will end a fantastic year for the two puppeteers. With a second album in 2009 rumoured by Miles Kane himself, the duo will part company for the foreseeable future to work on all things Monkeys and Rascals.

It’s been a successful collaboration for the two young musicians, one that probably exceeded even their own expectations. They reached No.1 in the album chart, won the MOJO award for ‘Breakthrough Artist’ and delivered barnstorming sets at both Reading and Leeds, with a full 16-piece orchestra in tow! It was apparent from their live performances that the two rather enjoyed the first installment of their side-project and will now return to more familiar, and potentially stressful surroundings. The Monkeys have produced one outstanding album and a highly respectable follow-up and the pressure will no doubt be on to reach the same heights with their third offering. Somehow though, I can’t see this being a problem for Turner, given his output thus far. With The Puppets outselling The Rascals however, I can’t see Miles Kane suffering the same level of duress!

The Last Shadow Puppets - Meeting Place (acoustic)



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Music, music and more music…

These days it is far too easy for the large majority of the public to settle for the kind of insipid, substandard music that they are force fed! The simple fact is that without looking beyond the easily accessible, you will unquestionably miss out on the some of the finest bands and musicians to grace this Earth…

Welcome to the proper music blog. This blog has been created purely out of a passion for great music and is designed to serve many functions. It will unearth and expose great artists and bands you may never have come across before. It will be updated regularly with album reviews covering a number of genres and will provide you with the opportunity to voice your opinions on these artists and chip in with reviews of your own. There will also be regular news updates regarding the world of proper music and notification of programmes coming up on tv and radio that you won’t want to miss! I’ll also be hoping to spark debates with top ten lists and worst lists too!!! Anyway, I could write forever about what features I want to include on the blog so I’ll just get started eh?! Keep an eye out for the next post and enjoy the blog…

Music Is Life

Thrasher