Tracks Of The Week

Welcome back.

After an unexpected, extended break I am returning with five more songs that have caught my attention of late. As you may know, they might not be recently released tracks but are all fine songs that deserve a listen.

Before I get started, it's nice to see Noel Gallagher back, and on top form too. Showing unlike his brother, he has no post-Oasis hangover, and can still write a tune that, whilst may not be pre-Be Here Now quality, still holds it own.

Also a quick mention for The Stone Roses. If ever there was a band I wished to see reform, it was them. A band that connected with it's generation, a band that created their own genre of music, and a band that I failed to get tickets for, after 15 years of waiting. Thanks Ticketmaster.


1. Broken Bells - Vaporize

I came across Broken Bells in early spring, however failed to give them a listen for quite a while. Their monotonousness and desperate vocals that are almost aching to be heard give the song quite a haunting feeling. With only one album on the shelves, it will be interesting to see where they go from here.




2. Kimya Dawson - Tire Swing

You may all recognise this song from Jason Reitman's 2007 film 'Juno'. Which has one of my favourite all round soundtracks of recent times. This track in particular stood out to me, as a growing fan of Kimya Dawson and The Moldy Peaches work I find her simplistic view to songwriting and concentration on personal lyrics highly different and gratifying. I enjoy the composition of this song as well, with the gradual overlapping of the chorus each time it is repeated.





3. Jolie Holland - Old Fashioned Morphine

Looking at the Youtube comments I can confirm that I didn't hear this song on the sad excuse for a program Skins (Lee, 2007), and in fact on Guy Garvey's Sunday night radio show, that I have sadly neglected of late. He mentions the album as one of his favourite of all time which made me more intrigued. Her soft voice is really something to behold.

Lee, Stewart, 2007, Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe, Series 3, Ep 4.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWcpkNbIJZg




4. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

Possibly the most well known track of the five, yet I found it hard to leave out simply due to it's brilliance. I was very close to including it on my autumn songs list as it creates every emotion through composition, vocals and lyrics that I feel from the fall of the year. It's simply one of those songs that within five seconds of listening to you know will soar towards the top of your most played on iTunes in the not too distant future. A lovely video to suit as well.




5. Frankie and The Heartstrings - Hunger

This is classic indie-pop. Upbeat. Uplifting. And contagious. Three ingredients needed for a successful indie record. A track I can quite happily loop that won't get old. Surprisingly not quite as known as I thought the band would be when I originally heard them, however, this shouldn't detract from their capabilites to write innocent, catchy tunes. Music that won't change your world, but will make it feel okay for 3 minutes and 21 seconds.

I thought I'd include a live semi-acoustic version as I feel this does the track most benefit.




Thanks for reading.