Just returned from London town. Lots of stories to tell, but that'll be for you to find out yourself.
I did get to see the premiere for the new Arctic Monkeys video. The song is fantastic, the video is..well I'll just say it deviates from their previous repertoire.
"Brianstorm"
Frickin new Klaxons video by Saam.
It's a remake of "Gravity's Rainbow".
I am still buzzing from the excitement:
Oh Saam, if I could worship one video director it might be you.
I am still a bit more partial to the original simply because I've known it longer, but I'm a sucker for Klaxon boys, dark suits, glowing eyes, and static imagery.
I do miss that fantastic blue sequins vest, but at least they kept the babies.
Two things for you today:
1) It was just announced that the annual CMJ music marathon will be moved from it's long time residency at Lincoln Center, to NYU(!). The October festival which showcases some of the newest and best music on the scene (seeing the likes of The Horrors, The Knife, ¡Forward Russia!, The Thermals, (Klaxons, if they didn't have stupid visa issues), and Noel Gallagher this year) will be held now at the Puck Building, with acts playing on the NYU campus, and (as custom) in pretty much every venue in New York City.
Bittersweet news for me, because now I can't use the distance excuse (as justification to myself) to miss any good shows.
2) Drunken Arctic Monkeys are fun. To explain:
To explain the "fancy dress" bit:
I love the Arctic Monkeys.
NME - News - "Arctic Monkeys and Girls Aloud to team-up?"
NME - News - "CMJ announces dates for 2007"
Today I woke up and guess who was there to greet me from behind my television screen?
No, not Katie Couric. (she's not even on in the mornings anymore. duh)
KLAXONS - "Golden Skans"
THE FRATELLIS - "Flathead"
KAISER CHIEFS - "Ruby"
all apparently just added to the mtvU playlist.
I can think of no better surprise in the morning than a big helping of mind blowingly good music.
So I've been scouring the interweb lately (I should say 'lately' as it is something I do regularly), and have become ten-fold more excited for the Kaiser Chiefs album. In exactly a week I shall stumble jet lagged, wet (from the rain), and determined into the first record shop I find, take 5 minutes to figure out the English monetary system while the clerk shoots me angry glares (fucking tourist is right) and walk out the proud owner of "Yours Truly, Angry Mob". Lets all hope the deluxe edition is available or heads will roll.
Here are some tasty Kaiser treats to make you just about as excited as me.
("Heat Dies Down" is by far one of my favorites so far. Oh wait, I forgot that on principle I automatically consider all thier songs my favorite.) (But seriously, this is a good one)
(This is from the Doncaster gig for Radio 1) (Clapping, massive guitar buildup, angry chant section, and Ricky's tambourine. Formula for success)
And of course, the #1 hit single "Ruby" (I can't remember if I've already posted it, but if so, you need it again.)
I've been watching "Enjoyment" (Their DVD from last year) every night and I'm more addicted than ever.
The only thing I wish for is some footage of Nick doing the new one "Boxing Champ". It's about time he got a fronting number. The boy deserves a lot of credit for singing backup to Ricky on every song from behind the drums.
Alright, fangirl rant is over, you can relax now.
I forgot to post the link to the new Arctic Monkeys song.
Here's a link to a blog I like a lot.
What's more, they have an mp3 link for Brianstorm.
Enjoy!
Arctic Monkeys - Brianstorm (link)
It's been a long week (the end of February is never my time of the year. The birthday stuck in there didn't help.), so I'm going to keep this short, sweet, and sleep deprived.
1) New Release I'm currently sacrificing quality food for:
Kaiser Chiefs - 'Yours Truly, Angry Mob'
my verdict on snippets so far:
People often say the second album is the one that ends up lacking the most. I disagree. Loads of bands have brilliant second albums (The Libertines - S/T, Kasabian - Empire, Arctic Monkeys???). Instead, the rule of thumb should be that the follow-up album to an international success ends up lacking the most. Cause it usually holds true. I love the Kaisers and always will. They are the masters (and still are) of the mega-chorus and the perfect pop hit. They know it, I know it, we all know it. But (yes, there is a but) 'Yours Truly, Angry Mob' seems to fall into the follow-up album trap. I'm not whelmed yet, but I'll save my judgment till I get the album in my hands.
2) Zane Lowe is my hero why?
First off, he is one of the coolest DJ's in the world (and now, as of a couple hours ago, holds the NME award for best radio show AGAIN). Second, he played the new ARCTIC MONKEYS track last night on his show. Third, he has an awesome name.
my verdict on "Brianstorm":
That name threw me for a spin when I heard it. I have been thinking it was BRAINstorm for the past couple months, and all of a sudden the letters are all mixed about. I've had it on repeat for full brain (not brian) saturation, and have discussed it at length since it's airing last night, so I'll just say this:
The message boards got it right, it's a storming track. It's an interesting choice for a single due to it's untraditional lack of a chorus, but it is absolutely perfect in showcasing the bands growth; Alex Turners' songwriting abilities, Jamie and Matt's new aptitude for their instruments (The drumming is manic!), and the fact that maybe replacing Andy (you are missed) might not have been a bad idea (the bass line kills me each time. The new kid's got some talent). Only gotta wait till April for the album!
3)NME Awards just ended. Bravo Klaxons, Kasabian, Zane Lowe, The View, and everyone else that I'm not listing (due to laziness). One day I'll be there.
Oh, and as a fun note, Kate and Pete got kicked out early on for becoming 'too amorous in an alleyway'.
4) I got 3 new albums today.
+CSS - "Cansei de Ser Sexy" (Fun, explicit, dancy-rock (I'm phrasing it that way on purpose) from some very cute Brazilians
+The Long Blondes - "Someone To Drive You Home" (Sometimes rough, sometimes smooth, but always glamorously punk rock. And of course, fronted by the woman that lives as the definition of a cool vocalist with an amazing set of chords)
+The View - "Hats Off To The Buskers" (Just won NME award for best single of the year. They definitely got it right. "Wasted Little DJ's" is that kind of track that just gets stuck up in your head and won't leave - to your great pleasure.)
5) If you ever get a chance to see Razorlight in concert, DO IT. Johnny was so brilliant that he converted my friend to the (razor)light side. It also helped though that the crowd was oddly full of drunken English folk. (Why come all the way to New York?) I was dancing/singing so hard that I only took one photo. (I finally charged my camera)
Highlights include Vice (my favorite Razorlight song), Somewhere else, America (second favorite), screw it, they were all amazing.
There is probably more, but I think this got longer than I initially planned. I'm saving up most of my money for London next week, so there will probably be much more when I get back on the 20th. (music overload hopefully)
Thanks again to everyone for the birthday wishes, I can't even remember whom to thank. Wish me luck in London town!
