Tracks Of The Week

1. The Beta Band - Dry The Rain

The Beta Band are a more well known band than most I choose to post about, however they are far from mainstream and this song is great example of how underrated they are. This one paced soft rock song shows how versatile the band are when you compare it to another catchy song by them 'Smiling'.





2. I Am Kloot - Great Escape

I am a big fan of I Am Kloot and they've always been bordering on the semi-well known, and only recently, with their fantastic Mercury Nominated album 'Sky At Night', have they received recognition for the work over the past decade or so. This song I stumbled upon whilst watching an episode of one of my favourite comedies 'Early Doors'. I instantly loved the simple composition yet evocative lyrics and went on to discover a band that were right up my street.





3. The Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

A piano number from North Carolina based folk rock band The Avett Brothers. I only discovered this band recently and haven't dug into their back catalogue massively at all but from what I've heard are a band who are very capable of writing a song that is both musically and lyrically gratifying.





4.  Jeanne Moreau - Le Tourbillon

This song is from the French new wave film from the sixties 'Jules et Jim', which is a great film, especially from that era. The track itself is sang in the film by actress Jeanne Moreau and is in French. As someone who isn't fluent in French I do not understand the lyrics but I don't see this as a downside to the song, as it sounds great, so knowing the lyrics would slightly ruin the experience.




5. Flight Of The Conchords - If You're Into It

As a change this week I thought I'd include a less serious track coming in the form of Flight Of The Conchords. I was watching a re-run of their genius television series this week and it reminded me of how great they are at writing music. Not only are their songs funny but they are genuinely good musicians which helps them come across as even more talented and believable. I picked this track for no particular reason as all there songs are equally brilliant.

A Week In Football

In addition to my music blog I thought I'd start a football one too. It will either be summing up the week in terms of footballing action, or addressing a certain issue that has cropped up.

I will try to make it a weekly one, time permitting.


The League Cup/FA Cup


Every year The FA Cup is always scrutinised for it's worth and how seriously big clubs take it. In my mind however, there is no serious doubt that the FA Cup is still a very much cherished and valued trophy. Yes, big teams may not look upon it as strongly as they have done in the past, but this is just a sign of the times, and is simply down to the massive amount of money that can be gained from European competitions such as the Champions League.

The League Cup is different in my opinion though, as it is not the senior domestic cup, and has very little history or sentimental value to cling on to. Whilst many still see it as an opportunity to win a trophy or cause a cup upset, generally neither is quite remembered as well as it would be had it happened in the FA Cup.

It's accepted by many that the cup needs revamping, but the point I would make is whether the cup is necessary at all. The top six or so clubs in the Premier League have European competitions that they have generous amounts of money to gain from, that they wouldn't receive from a good run in the League Cup. In fact, as shown in recent seasons, the top six only take it seriously if they get to the later stages, as they know that if all else fails they can always clutch at straws, by saying they've won the League Cup, like some sort of get out clause. As a supporter of a top six team, I never remember a season as a League Cup winning season, however I would always remember a season as an FA Cup winning season. This is as I still value that competition strongly. This may not be the same for other teams, such as Birmingham, but I'm sure at the beginning of the season their aim was survival, and whilst a big bonus, I imagine they would have swapped it in the end.

The old argument that Premier League players play in too many games is hardly something you can aim solely at them, as lower league teams play forty six league matches, a long with the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, The League Cup, and the FA Cup which is far too much. Admittedly not at the same standard or with as much on the lines however I can't see teams of League One and Two being too resistant should the call come to discontinue the League Cup due to the amount of football played, but I maybe wrong. Most other Premier League clubs are pushing for higher league finished or simply trying to stain the league, as yet again it boils down to money, and how much they will gain from league success over cup success. You can apply this to every division. As teams from most leagues have more to gain and lose by staying or leaving their respected divisions.

Revamping the the competition is a possibility, however I can't think of a suitable way that would really make the it worthwhile and interesting to all that participate. I heard a suggestion to make it a British cup, where only British players can play, helping homegrown talent. I don't see this as a reasonable and acceptable way to promote homegrown players though. I can't imagine the FA making any major changes though, as they are scared of making big decisions and will probably let the competition run and run no matter how meaningless it has become. They seem to prioritise themselves with "recapturing the magic" of the FA Cup by making stupid suggestions, such as making it a midweek cup, when actually making it the sole domestic competition could simply be the answer.
  

Tracks Of The Week

This week, I've been listening to a lot of Cherry Ghost. I posted one of their tracks last week, but after digging into them have I found that they have a number of very good tunes including 'Kissing Strangers', 'Only A Mother' and my personal favourite '4am'. I won't be featuring them this week though, as I included them last week and don't want to be repetitive, but that's just a heads up on Cherry Ghost.

Also a quick thank you to the people who gave me recommendations this week. They're much appreciated whether they are featured on the blog or not. *tips hat*


1. Real Estate - Beach Combers

The first track up this week is a recommendation by @ConorWalshy. The band were the actual recommendation, but once I looked into them this was the track that I enjoyed most. They feel like a band that's going to grow on me more over time as well. The guitar on this track seems to me to have elements of The Kinks, and you could even say The Beach Boys, and fits in perfectly with the nonchalant sounding vocals to create a song that I could easily listen to on a loop without realising it had ever had an ending.
I'd also like to point you towards 'Beach Fossils - Youth' which almost made it onto the list too. Another excellent track and I highly recommend you check out.




2. Aidy - Prettyish

When I mention a particular subject, or item, on Twitter and get reply with a link attached, I often simply discard it as spam. However when @AidyMusic nudged me towards his music, I felt obliged to a least check it out. I was pleasantly surprised to find a few tracks that I immediately liked. One of them being Prettyish. The use of a Xylophone really adds to this song, and with lyrics that, whilst simplistic, capture the emotion that the artist seems to be aiming for.




3. Darker My Love - Backseat

Next up a band that I must get round to digging into after finding this little track a while back. The song contains moments of blues, country and folk and all adds up to quite a catchy tune, which is odd, as I rarely find tracks that I find myself singing to after listening, usually down due indeterminate vocals or just simply lack of musical rhythm.




4. Jens Lekman - Sky Phenomenom

This track is my favourite on this list. Its simple composition is what I enjoy most. I dislike it when bands sometimes try to be to complicated or experimental and use instruments and sounds that add nothing to a piece. In this instance however, a piano is all that is needed, and anything more would ruin the mood of song. One of the other things that makes this track such a tremendous track is the images that you create from the lyrics.

"It's like someone's spilled a beer, over the atmosphere."

This line on the face of it would seem quite a jokey nonsensical line, something that Morrissey would have chosen to throw away from one of his novelty album tracks. However the sense of crushing disappointment you get from actually 'spilling a beer' compliments the emotion that I get from listening to the music.

"I would not be excepted, 'cause I can't dance the funky chicken."

Another line that would look out of place in most tracks but adds to this song immensely. Jens Lekman isn't mainstream and the line, whilst he may not have meant it, for me points towards not being accepted in popular culture or/and society.




5. Simon and Garfunkel - April Comes She Will

Simon and Garfunkel are often cast off by many, and not taken seriously. However they have a very good back catalogue of music, and this excellent ditty is one of them. At only 1:51 minutes long they manage to create a piece lyrically and musically that many couldn't create in ten.




Thanks very much for reading and listening. Yet again if you have any recommendations, or if you enjoyed any specific track, please do let me know.

Tracks Of The Week

Here's five more tracks this week that have caught my attention. Enjoy!

1. My Morning Jacket - Circuital

My Morning Jacket are a fairly well known American rock band who were brought to my attention a few years back with the track 'Off The Record', which, to this day, is one of my favourite songs. I don't usually feature bands I think people may know but My Morning Jacket are quite low key and I feel the need to recommend them to more people. This song is seven minutes twenty three seconds of varied paced electro acoustic rock with, what feels like to me, comforting yet slightly nostalgic lyrics. The track sounds vaguely similar to Kings Of Leon - Knocked Up, back when King Of Leon were actually good, with it's cyclical structure of starting of slow moving to faster pace and ending up slow, fading out.





2. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis - Paan Man Boogie

Second up we have a track that I recently heard on Guy Garvey's Sunday night radio show. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis are a jazz/blues trio who incorporate elements of ska into their songs. This track in particular is an instrumental that I enjoyed. Possibly not the most accessible track out of the five, however have a look at another of theirs entitled 'Going Up The Country', which has some resemblance to Amy Winehouse.





3. AgesandAges - No Nostalgia

Possibly the least well known track on this list is by AgesandAges. A band who were recommended by someone on Twitter. The group have brought together a mix of classic American indie with soul and great vocals to create something different from a typical English alternative rock track.





4. Avi Buffalo - Remember The Last Time

Now I'd be lying if I said I found this song this week or even recently but it is a song I have been listening to a lot lately. I actually discovered it around the turn of the year reading another music blog about the persons favourite tracks of 2010. The indie pop track is packed with a subtle emotion that filters down through the captivating guitar solos and haunting lyrics. I only have a couple of tracks of the album, but it is a certain buy in the near future.





5. Cherry Ghost - Mathematics

Maybe the most well known band on the list and another example of a band who I have yet to fully dig into and find out how many great tracks they have. However, this is certainly one of them. Just simply a lovely song, and the videos pretty cool too.

Premiership Preview

Here's a look at what I think will be the Premier League table at the end of the season. I was going to do one for the Football League, as that is just as important, but as their season has started my opinions have already slightly changed.

1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Chelsea
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
6. Tottenham Hotspur
7. Stoke City
8. Bolton Wanderers
9. Everton
10. Aston Villa
11. Sunderland
12. West Bromwich Albion
13. Wolverhampton Wanderers
14. Fulham
15. Norwich City
16. Blackburn Rovers
17. Wigan Athletic
18. Queens Park Rangers
19. Newcastle United
20. Swansea City

I see Manchester United winning the league simply down to experience and good summer signings. They needed to sign a few players and they chosen very well in my opinion, and this is before the rumours of Wesley Sneijder arriving. I do see Manchester City being fairly close and this is just down to money spent, however I don't see their side gelling that well. Chelsea will be their or thereabouts but due to an ageing squad and lack of proved talent added I seem them falling short in the spring.
  
The final Champions League spot I think will go to Liverpool. It was a toss up between them or Arsenal, due to their experience of finishing in the top four that their squad has, but with them likely losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri I struggle to see how they will fill their voids with Arsene Wenger unlikely to shell out huge amounts in the last few weeks of the transfer window.

I think Stoke have made some massive step forward this summer in terms of signings and right now they are linked to William Palacios and Peter Crouch, two players who would be ideal for them. I see them strongly challenging for Europe with Bolton and, the always tough, Everton not too far behind.

In terms of mid-table I don't see many surprises. The acquisitions of Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia are massive pluses for Aston Villa however, due to the loss of possibly their best two players I can't really see them challenging for Europe. I think West Brom will be comfortably safe under the leadership of Roy Hodgson and some very shrewd summer signings in the form of Jamie O'Hara and Roger Johnson makes me think Wolves will also be safe. I see Fulham joining them in their usual sold mid-table finish.

Relegation wise I see Norwich actually being quite safe. I think they will be amongst the pack for most of the season but with a great manager in the form of Paul Lambert I see them playing care free football like Blackpool, except more solid at the back. I also think they may turn their ground into a bit of a fortress, like last year, where if level or behind towards the end, they almost expected them to score. I think Grant Holt will also be a big hit.
   I was tempted to say Blackburn may get relegated as without an influential manager to draw players I don't see them taking many steps forward in the transfer market, I do see them just scrapping safety though, much like last season. Much like Wigan really. They've lost their flair player in Charles N'Zogbia, but they always seem to get the vital points when most needed, and see their experience of staying up just pushing out QPR in the race for survival.

QPR should have had the finances to stay up and establish themselves in the Premier League, however they've not really made a massive impact in the transfer market. Jay Bothroyd and DJ Campbell will certainly be a threat upfront and with the flair of Adel Taarabt they could surprise a few teams but defensively they may be lacking. If their owners decide to make funds available before the end of the transfer window then I certainly see them having a chance of staying up.
   Newcastle should be safe. They should be mid-table. They should have £35m at their disposal. But then they are owned by Mike Ashley.  They've sold their best two performers last year, and found, in my opinion, very inadequate replacements. The promise of the funds of Andy Carroll to spent was obviously never a reality and just when they seem to make a step forward they made two back. A big club, with great fans, and an awful owner, will possibly see them head back down to the Championhip this season.        
   Swansea will join them in my opinion. Lack of signings and lack of experience will see them spent only one year in the promised land. However most people said the same about Blackpool, and they nearly pulled it off, so you never know.

Tracks Of The Week

I thought I'd write a short blog on five songs I have come across this week that I have particularly enjoyed. They may not be new ones, in fact it's highly unlikely as I am quite out of touch with modern music, but just songs that I have bumped into for one reason or another.

This may become an ongoing blog, depending on how much it interests me.

I will also mention that I generally like alternative indie/pop rock, if that's even a genre, so if you're looking for hardcore grunge, then I'd say that this isn't for you.


1. The 6ths - San Diego Zoo. (Available on 'Wasps' Nests', London Records, 1995)

This song was recommended by someone I follow on Twitter and is rather melancholy which makes it feel like an American take on early-Belle and Sebastian. It is rather one paced which I find adds to it's appeal as it makes it an easy listen.




2. Nouvelle Vague - Love Will Tear Us Apart. (Available on 'Nouvelle Vague', Peacefrog, 2004).

I nice take on the Joy Division classic. Obviously not as good but a different take nonetheless. One resentment I have for it though is that I can't quite work out if the verse's are in English or French. Have a listen yourself, may be easier to understand from your ears.




3. Fiction - Big Things. (Available as a single, released 2010)

You may have heard this on a recent advert, and has quite an addictive beat to it. It does seem to have some resemblance to 'David Bowie - Fame'. In fact listening back to it, it would be hard to deny that no influence was taken from the song. However still worth a listen from what seem to be decent up and coming band.




4. Wave Machines - Punk Spirit. (Available on 'Wave If You're There', Neapolitan, 2009).

A nice take on new indie, that seems to deviate slightly from your radio friendly generic tracks that occasionally crops up in the charts today. A very Karma Police-esque video gains suttle atmosphere from lack of lighting and means you take notice on the rather harsh but nevertheless interesting lyrics.




5. The Moldy Peaches - Lucky Number Nine. (Available on 'The Moldy Peaches', Rough Trade, 2001).

You know what you're going to get with The Moldy Peaches. This may sound like a criticism, however, it is far from one. Their raw sounding songs always feel like rough demos, which in fact coupled with their lyrical content really gives the band it's own atmosphere, and makes you realise you don't have to be experimental to be great, simple is sometimes better.




Hope you enjoyed that. If you liked any of the tracks feel free to let me know.