Although the countdown to the new year is a happy moment, for many (like myself) its a bit awkward, and you kind of feel mellow and nostalgic, and you find yourself thinking of all the new years you had, what happened (and didnt happen) in the last year, and what you wish will happen in the years to come.
With this in mind, I leave you with the ever thoughful Beth Gibbons and their partners from Portishead, performing live the profoundly moving track "Funny Time of Year".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AmKkz5-lyA
Wishing you all a lot of "blossoms on the trees"... ************!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Merry X'mas!
I'm off to Portugal for a long awaited two-week Xmas holidays, so I leave my little blog routine with this cute song by Sally Shapiro from her album Disco Romance. Although not extraordinary, its a pleasant voyage, specially if you're girly and you love sweet voices and disco/electro on the verge of cheesyness...
Sally Shapiro: Anorak Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHC1RaLEQSM
Ho Ho Ho...Enjoy! See you next year!
Sally Shapiro: Anorak Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHC1RaLEQSM
Ho Ho Ho...Enjoy! See you next year!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Ziggy's Back!:21st century Glam Rock Part 3
Yuhuu..
To finish the week i'm ending this glam rock thing in style with the "glamest" band of all: Apes & Androids.
This NY band is probably the best continuation of the whole Glam/psicadelic legacy...Visually they totally follow their ancestors' gymmicks but what is really interesting is the music of their debut album "Blood Moon". To start with, its just brilliantly organized, really a voyage from beginning to end, that starts with this funny intro track where you hear chimps and robot sounds in the back- in analogy to the Apes and Androids name, duh - and at the same time there's the sound of a spaceship launch..
Anyway better than being funny and groovy, this album is truly psicadelic, and its great to hear the guitars and synths drift off, and the different parts of the songs coming out of nowhere...very nicely done. Songs are great when they are like this, made up of different sections, aren't they?
The Apes and Androids' sound is very rocky but also slightly electronic, with quirky bleeps that give it that modern edge. Nice.
The cherry on top of it all are once again the vocals - I'm a sucker for vocals.. - that are also bringing back the falsetto Queen thing, a la Bohemian Rapsody, but here they are a bit more agressive, not so la la la... reminds me of Prince and specially Beck's Midnight Vultures in many ways, not only the vocals, but also some arrangements. If you loved that, you'll love these guys.
Here's their website:http://www.myspace.com/apesandandroids
In my opinion all the videos suck, the album is much much better so bear this in mind when you watch them. As a matter of fact, if you can, listen to the whole album album first, and then watch these videos:
Here's their most popular track, "Hot Kathy":
“Hot Kathy” unofficial video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcr8rkit3Uw
“Put your hands up”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSXX6xkjaQg&feature=related
“Radio” (one of my favourites)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM85Bw6sFn4&feature=related
“Make forever last forever” (this part of the song really shows what they're all about)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YYOJqquqVg&feature=related
And so does this one, "Johnny and Sarah"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0BeqUUbIak&feature=related
For Rolling Stone, they're breaking artists :http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/breaking/2008/02/breaking-apes-and-androids.php
For Pitchforkmedia, they're fakes: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/49388-blood-moon
Can't please everyone...
Have a nice w-e!
Macao people, don't miss Ray's concert with the swiss guy at the rooftop bar next to the st paul ruins! Sat at 19:00!See you there!
To finish the week i'm ending this glam rock thing in style with the "glamest" band of all: Apes & Androids.
This NY band is probably the best continuation of the whole Glam/psicadelic legacy...Visually they totally follow their ancestors' gymmicks but what is really interesting is the music of their debut album "Blood Moon". To start with, its just brilliantly organized, really a voyage from beginning to end, that starts with this funny intro track where you hear chimps and robot sounds in the back- in analogy to the Apes and Androids name, duh - and at the same time there's the sound of a spaceship launch..
Anyway better than being funny and groovy, this album is truly psicadelic, and its great to hear the guitars and synths drift off, and the different parts of the songs coming out of nowhere...very nicely done. Songs are great when they are like this, made up of different sections, aren't they?
The Apes and Androids' sound is very rocky but also slightly electronic, with quirky bleeps that give it that modern edge. Nice.
The cherry on top of it all are once again the vocals - I'm a sucker for vocals.. - that are also bringing back the falsetto Queen thing, a la Bohemian Rapsody, but here they are a bit more agressive, not so la la la... reminds me of Prince and specially Beck's Midnight Vultures in many ways, not only the vocals, but also some arrangements. If you loved that, you'll love these guys.
Here's their website:http://www.myspace.com/apesandandroids
In my opinion all the videos suck, the album is much much better so bear this in mind when you watch them. As a matter of fact, if you can, listen to the whole album album first, and then watch these videos:
Here's their most popular track, "Hot Kathy":
“Hot Kathy” unofficial video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcr8rkit3Uw
“Put your hands up”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSXX6xkjaQg&feature=related
“Radio” (one of my favourites)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM85Bw6sFn4&feature=related
“Make forever last forever” (this part of the song really shows what they're all about)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YYOJqquqVg&feature=related
And so does this one, "Johnny and Sarah"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0BeqUUbIak&feature=related
For Rolling Stone, they're breaking artists :http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/breaking/2008/02/breaking-apes-and-androids.php
For Pitchforkmedia, they're fakes: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/49388-blood-moon
Can't please everyone...
Have a nice w-e!
Macao people, don't miss Ray's concert with the swiss guy at the rooftop bar next to the st paul ruins! Sat at 19:00!See you there!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
David Byrne & a talking building
Although the latest news about music legend David Byrne is his latest album "Everything that happens will happen today" with Brian Eno (which actually is not bad at all, but nothing exciting either - except if you're a big fan of both, or over 50..), I recently found out that during this summer he did this amazing instalation in a building in New York where he literally plays the building.
After I saw the interview with pitchforkmedia I was impressed. This guy is an artist in the true definition of the word.
Check it out for yourselves.
The pitchfork video:http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/147723-best-of-pitchforktv-features
The project's website:http://www.davidbyrne.com/art/art_projects/playing_the_building/
Pity he wont be doing something like this at the HK convention center, that would be great, the place is so big!...BTW its on January 19 , and he'll be playing his latest album. Buy tickets here http://www.hkticketing.com/eng/.
Each piano key works like a button connected to each line, that in turn strikes or activates a part of the building. Wow... They should do this with a submarine, a church, with EVERYTHING!
Ziggy's Back!:21st century Glam Rock Part 2
Hi again
After the easygoing pop duo MGMT, its time for something slightly more intelligent and wild: of Montreal.
They are also Americans and have been very trendy, specially live, because their concerts must be really fun. Why? Simple because they are VERY GAY, flamboyant and silly (just see their photos in their myspace http://www.myspace.com/ofmontreal).
Anyway these guys are just fun to listen to, the melodies are quite catchy, the vocals are great, and their arrangements are surprising, which is something rare these days... Somewhere between poppy 90s rock with synths, soundtracks for arcade video games, and in my opinion the vocals have a bit of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".. (!)
Visually, people that love what Elton John wore in the 80's and the whole 70's disco craze will love this..and yes Ziggy is definitely back with this one.
Here's the pop single:
Of Montreal “Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WNnbH-t18
"Mood shift, shift back to good again"? LOL.. And a chorus with the word Chemicals is just great..another great one for you druggies, ehehe..
Here's another one. Fun video, and more funny lyrics, specially when he go go go goes like this.
Of Montreal “Gronlandic Edit”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBfgQvM7wtE
And the last one, full pop power!! And another wonderful video..
Of Montreal ‘Suffer for Fashion”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBYGjC_hJ9A
There's a new album ("Skeletal Lamping"), haven't heard it yet, all these tracks are from "Hissing Fauna, Are you the distroyer". I advise you to start from this one, its irresistible..
Enjoy!
After the easygoing pop duo MGMT, its time for something slightly more intelligent and wild: of Montreal.
They are also Americans and have been very trendy, specially live, because their concerts must be really fun. Why? Simple because they are VERY GAY, flamboyant and silly (just see their photos in their myspace http://www.myspace.com/ofmontreal).
Anyway these guys are just fun to listen to, the melodies are quite catchy, the vocals are great, and their arrangements are surprising, which is something rare these days... Somewhere between poppy 90s rock with synths, soundtracks for arcade video games, and in my opinion the vocals have a bit of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".. (!)
Visually, people that love what Elton John wore in the 80's and the whole 70's disco craze will love this..and yes Ziggy is definitely back with this one.
Here's the pop single:
Of Montreal “Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5WNnbH-t18
"Mood shift, shift back to good again"? LOL.. And a chorus with the word Chemicals is just great..another great one for you druggies, ehehe..
Here's another one. Fun video, and more funny lyrics, specially when he go go go goes like this.
Of Montreal “Gronlandic Edit”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBfgQvM7wtE
And the last one, full pop power!! And another wonderful video..
Of Montreal ‘Suffer for Fashion”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBYGjC_hJ9A
There's a new album ("Skeletal Lamping"), haven't heard it yet, all these tracks are from "Hissing Fauna, Are you the distroyer". I advise you to start from this one, its irresistible..
Enjoy!
Frontman Kevin Barnes, always lovely..
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Ziggy's Back!:21st century Glam Rock Part 1
In case you didn't notice, 2008 (and 2007) was a big year for glam/psicadelic rock.
Of course it's formatted for the 21st century teens - more poppy and easy, more filled with electronic glitches and bleeps. It's still fun, susprising, liberating - and yes, very gay - but less "dirty" and more rooted - after all, no one is taking acids and LSD's anymore... :)
So today here's number one (i.e. the top-selling one) : the Brooklin NY duo MGMT (should be pronounced Management, but I don't care, i just say MGMT..) Their album is "Oracular Spectacular" but they are recording a new one right now.
If you haven't seen this name or their faces than you are truly in need of this blog.. (heheheh)
Ladies (and all men-lovers) check out the boy without the beard, isn't he cute?
Anyway, here's the track that launched them,"Time to Pretend". Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE&feature=related
Check out the lyrics, they're quite original - sort of a rock star "to-do" list, and also a beautiful reflexion on the downfall of adolescence:
I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.
Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives.
I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and fuck with the stars.
You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars.
This is our decision, to live fast and die young.
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun.
Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do.
Get jobs in offices, and wake up for the morning commute.
Forget about our mothers and our friends
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
I’ll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms
I’ll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world
I’ll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom and the time spent alone.
There's really nothing, nothing we can do
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew.
The models will have children, we'll get a divorce
We'll find some more models, everything must run its course.
We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end
We were fated to pretend
To pretend
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
----------------
Cool aren't they?Specially the "chocking on our vomit" part, but my favourite is the "digging up worms" verse...its beautiful.."carrying the weight of the world"? "Missing the boredom"?Wow...
The whole album is cool (WARNING:two or three tracks are a bit annoying).
Here's their website: http://www.whoismgmt.com/
And two other videos:
MGMT “Electric Feel”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUI5MC9tVM&feature=related
(any ideas on what that shiny gooey thing is? And what are they on??)
MGMT “Destrokk”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vagvI7Y1hZ8&feature=related
(this one is not from their album - its from a previous EP. Don't really care much about the song itself but the video is great..check it out you druggies!!)
Of course it's formatted for the 21st century teens - more poppy and easy, more filled with electronic glitches and bleeps. It's still fun, susprising, liberating - and yes, very gay - but less "dirty" and more rooted - after all, no one is taking acids and LSD's anymore... :)
So today here's number one (i.e. the top-selling one) : the Brooklin NY duo MGMT (should be pronounced Management, but I don't care, i just say MGMT..) Their album is "Oracular Spectacular" but they are recording a new one right now.
If you haven't seen this name or their faces than you are truly in need of this blog.. (heheheh)
Ladies (and all men-lovers) check out the boy without the beard, isn't he cute?
Anyway, here's the track that launched them,"Time to Pretend". Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE&feature=related
Check out the lyrics, they're quite original - sort of a rock star "to-do" list, and also a beautiful reflexion on the downfall of adolescence:
I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.
Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives.
I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and fuck with the stars.
You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars.
This is our decision, to live fast and die young.
We've got the vision, now let's have some fun.
Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do.
Get jobs in offices, and wake up for the morning commute.
Forget about our mothers and our friends
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
I’ll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms
I’ll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world
I’ll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom and the time spent alone.
There's really nothing, nothing we can do
Love must be forgotten, life can always start up anew.
The models will have children, we'll get a divorce
We'll find some more models, everything must run its course.
We'll choke on our vomit and that will be the end
We were fated to pretend
To pretend
We're fated to pretend
To pretend
----------------
Cool aren't they?Specially the "chocking on our vomit" part, but my favourite is the "digging up worms" verse...its beautiful.."carrying the weight of the world"? "Missing the boredom"?Wow...
The whole album is cool (WARNING:two or three tracks are a bit annoying).
Here's their website: http://www.whoismgmt.com/
And two other videos:
MGMT “Electric Feel”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUI5MC9tVM&feature=related
(any ideas on what that shiny gooey thing is? And what are they on??)
MGMT “Destrokk”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vagvI7Y1hZ8&feature=related
(this one is not from their album - its from a previous EP. Don't really care much about the song itself but the video is great..check it out you druggies!!)
Launch post:Hello Blog world!
Hello everyone!
After pretensiously thinking that blogs are for posers and narcisists, I decided to give in to the trend and create this blog about contemporary music.
I've always been into music (like most people..) but in recent years I've had time to surf and read a lot about what's happening in music today, and whenever I can I share my new finds with music nerds like me. But music takes time, you can't force it on people, so that's why I created this blog - here you can listen to tracks, read about artists or watch videos whenever you want, and you don't have to put up with me saying "well, what do you think?" (but please comment!).
To all my portuguese speaking readers - sorry, music is universal, and so is English...time to "practicate"!
Comments, questions and suggestions are appreciated!
Long live music and... Enjoy!
After pretensiously thinking that blogs are for posers and narcisists, I decided to give in to the trend and create this blog about contemporary music.
I've always been into music (like most people..) but in recent years I've had time to surf and read a lot about what's happening in music today, and whenever I can I share my new finds with music nerds like me. But music takes time, you can't force it on people, so that's why I created this blog - here you can listen to tracks, read about artists or watch videos whenever you want, and you don't have to put up with me saying "well, what do you think?" (but please comment!).
To all my portuguese speaking readers - sorry, music is universal, and so is English...time to "practicate"!
Comments, questions and suggestions are appreciated!
Long live music and... Enjoy!
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